Our Top Fantasy Picks: Essential Reads for Newcomers to the Genre
Venturing into the realm of fantasy literature opens doors to uncharted worlds, igniting imaginations with tales of heroism, magic, and intrigue. Storyline Sweets’ curated list of fantasy must-reads offers a gateway for newcomers, presenting a selection that promises to enchant and captivate. From the perilous beauty of faerie lands to the mystical challenges of magical games, each story is a carefully chosen gem, beckoning readers to embark on unforgettable journeys. Dive into these tales and let your adventure begin.
1. A Court of Thorns and Roses
Sarah J. Maas
The story follows a young woman named Feyre Archeron, who is drawn into the magical world of the Fae after killing a wolf in the woods. As punishment, she is taken to the land of the faeries where she must live with Tamlin, a powerful High Fae. As Feyre navigates the complex and dangerous Fae world, she discovers dark secrets, forms unexpected alliances, and ultimately finds herself at the center of a deadly struggle that could affect both the human and faerie realms.
A Court of Thorns and Roses will forever be a series I adore. I grew up reading fantasy and this got me back into that genre as an adult! It is an easy world to understand with characters you will fall in love with.
*Four book series with a novella and the fifth book in the works!
2. Caraval
Stephanie Garber
Caraval follows two sisters Scarlett and Donatella Dragna as they enter the mysterious game of Caraval. Held on a magical island, Caraval promises adventure, illusion, and danger. As Scarlett searches for her missing sister within the game’s intricate puzzles and performances, she becomes entangled in a web of secrets and romance. With each twist and turn, Scarlett must distinguish between reality and illusion to uncover the truth about Caraval and save her sister.
I started this series and immediately (and I mean immediately) knew I would love it! I knew nothing about the plot of this book before starting it, and honestly I think it made the reading experience more enjoyable! It’s slightly Alice in Wonderland like. The blur between reality and the game is hard to discern. It’s a bit disorienting and utterly irresistible!
*Completed trilogy
3. Powerless
Lauren Roberts
In the kingdom of Ilya, where only the extraordinary thrive and the ordinary are shunned, Paedyn Gray, an Ordinary, survives by masquerading as a Psychic. When her unwitting act of bravery saves one of Ilya’s princes, she is thrust into the Purging Trials, a deadly competition where Elites showcase their powers—something Paedyn lacks. As she faces formidable opponents and contends with her growing feelings for the prince, the threat of her true identity being exposed grows increasingly dire.
Hunger games-ish, but made even more interesting with the addition of magical powers and kingdom politics. The plot is great, but it’s the characters that make this book so special! Fair warning, Powerless ends on a huge cliffhanger and the second book isn’t out yet. It will be a bit of a waiting game, but you’re in good company!
*Trilogy (second/third book not published yet), with a novella being published in April!
4. Divine Rivals
Rebecca Ross
After a long slumber, the gods are fighting again, but Iris Winnow just wants to keep her family together. Her mom struggles with addiction, and her brother’s missing from the war front. So, Iris focuses on snagging a promotion at the Oath Gazette. To cope, she writes letters to her brother, which end up in the hands of Roman Kitt, her rival at the paper. Surprisingly, Roman responds anonymously, sparking a connection that takes Iris to the front lines, where she fights for her brother, humanity, and love.
This is the kind of story that has just enough magic and world building to be interesting and not confusing (Crescent City I’m looking at you). The writing is beautiful and poetic. It was one of the things I loved most about this book. But the main thing that won me over was the love story. It was beautiful! Beautiful keeps coming up when I write about this book because it truly is just a beautiful story!
*Completed duology
5. One Dark Window
Rachel Gillig
When Elspeth encounters a mysterious highwayman in the forest, her life takes a dramatic turn. She’s pulled into a world of shadows and deceit, joining a perilous quest to rid Blunder of dark magic.The mission: gather twelve Providence Cards, the key to the cure. As the danger grows, Elspeth must confront her darkest secret—the Nightmare who is slowly taking over her mind…and she might not be able to stop him.
One dark window was such a beautiful gothic fantasy. I was hooked from the first chapter and really didn’t feel like there were any slow points in the plot. In fact, it was so engaging that I read it in a day! The magic system was unique and easy to follow. The characters were enjoyable and I loved their playful banter. The book ended with a cliffhanger that had me immediately starting the next book!
*Completed duology
