13 Incredible Fantasy Books for Beginners

Recently updated on November 29th, 2024 at 04:49 pm

The fantasy fiction genre can be overwhelming. These fantasy books for beginners will help you read more fantasy books.

This post contains affiliate links. That said, I won’t ever recommend a book I haven’t read and loved myself

I love fantasy books. You can’t beat the pure escapism that a good fantasy book series offers.

But as a beginner, seeing books with 500+ pages is pretty intimidating. Add the complex world-building. And it’s easy to see why the fantasy genre intimidates some.

I’ve compiled a collection of easy-to-read fantasy books for beginners.

Read on for the best fantasy books for beginners

What are the best fantasy books for beginners?

There are so many incredible fantasy books to read. But not all of them are easy to read for beginners. These are the fantasy books I really recommend if you’re new to the fantasy genre.

Many of these fantasy books are what got me into fantasy. They are easy to read and make a great introduction to the fantasy genre.

1. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas

This series got so many people into fantasy books. Myself included. This series is perfect for anyone wanting to get back into reading.

A Court of Thorns and Roses is a Beauty and the Beast retelling. We follow Feyre. She is poor and lives with her father and two sisters. She has to hunt to care for the family.

One day she sees a deer and can’t resist killing it to sell. But it was actually a faerie she murdered. And the owner comes to kidnap her to live at the castle as punishment.

It is a bit slow to start due to the initial world-building. But stay with it, the series is worth it. This series re-ignited many readers’ love of reading and fantasy.

2. A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

A Curse so Dark and Lonely has many elements that make it perfect for beginners. It combines retelling, romance and urban fantasy elements. Plus, as this is ya fantasy the writing style is easier to read.

A Curse So Dark And Lonely is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Prince Rhen is the Heir of Emberfall.

Emberfall is under a curse and the kingdom is enchanted into an everlasting winter. Prince Rhen needs to make a girl fall in love with him to break the curse.

A Curse so Dark and Lonely puts a modern spin on the original fairytale. Ya fantasy retellings are perfect for beginners to fantasy. Many are familiar with the classic fairytale and it makes the books easier to follow.

This is the perfect pick for beginners. While the series includes multiple books – you can easily read this as a standalone novel. The writing is also  really easy to read and follow.

3. Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

If you’re looking for fantasy books for beginners – then I highly recommend urban fantasy books. Often the world-building makes it difficult for people to get into fantasy. But it’s often much easier in a modern, more familiar setting. Legendborn is an urban fantasy set at a college campus.

We follow Bree Mathews. After the death of her mother, she wants to avoid family memories. So, she joins a residential program for gifted high school students.

But then she witnesses a magical attack on her first night. A flying demon feeding on human energy. A Mage tries to wipe her memory. But he fails. And instead Bree unlocks new memories of her mother’s death.

This is a gripping debut novel. The urban fantasy style makes this easy to read and it launches straight into the action.

Tracy Deonn also included commentary on racism and slavery. They were woven perfectly into the storyline. If you’re looking for fantasy books for beginners, then  you should definitely pick this up.

4. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S Lewis

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a classic. But because it’s aimed at children – the writing is easy to read (as long as you can put up with the word jolly!)

The Chronicles of Narnia follows four children evacuated to a country house. They find a magical kingdom called Narnia at the back of a wardrobe.

But Narnia has been enchanted by a White Witch. And it is frozen in an eternal winter.

The Lion, The Witch and The wardrobe has one of the most magical concepts behind it. The concept is also familiar to everyone and makes it easy to follow.

While there are multiple books in the Chronicles of Narnia – you can easily read The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe  as a standalone.

This nostalgic, childhood classic is an easy read. The magical imagery portrays one of the coziest fantasy worlds. Plus, as the language is directed at a younger audience, it is easier to read than adult fantasy novel.

5. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

The Folk of Air series is another series that got many people hooked on the fantasy genre. It has a captivating romance but many list it as their favourite bookish romance.

The Cruel Prince follows Jude who is a human. As a child, she gets kidnapped with her two sisters and is taken to live with the fae in the woods.  She grows up wanting to be like the wicked fae she lives with.

This series is incredible and there is so much to love. Jude is an incredibly strong female lead and an absolute badass. The court intrigue is executed perfectly.

There are also only 3 books in the series. And none of them are too long. This makes the series more manageable for beginners. If you’ve read A Court of Thorns and roses and are looking for something to read next – this is the series I would recommend.

6. Six of Crows/Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

Six of Crows is popular among both fantasy fans, non fantasy fans and even those not normally into reading. And for good reason!

We follow Kaz Brekker, a criminal prodigy. He is offered a deadly heist for a huge payout.

But it’s an impossible heist. And Kaz will need all the help he can get to pull it off. So he assembles five other teens to help him.

This reads as a fantasy version of Oceans Eleven. With sassy banter and one of the best bookish friendship groups. The funny dialogue makes this an easy and entertaining read.

This is a duology, making it easier to complete and less intimidating than long series of books.

7. The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater

The raven Cycle is perfect for beginners as it takes place in an urban setting and has an easy to read writing style.

Each year in the churchyard, Blue watches her psychic mother see those who are going to die that year. Blue never actually sees them herself. Until this year. When she speaks directly to a boy.

He is called Gansey and is a student at Aglionby school. The students there are known locally as Raven Boys.

This series is only 4 books long. Compared with other long fantasy series, this is much more manageable and less intimidating.

The books are also quite short. So they’re easier to pick up and not as intimidating as big, long fantasy books. Ideal if you’re after fantasy books for beginners.

8. Mooncakes by Wendy Xu and Suzanne Walker

Graphic novels are much easier to read than other books. Perfect if you’re struggling to get into a genre or in a reading slump. This cozy graphic novel makes the perfect entry into fantasy.

Mooncakes is a light-hearted romance about a witch and a non-binary werewolf.

We follow teen witch Nova. She works at her Nana’s magical bookshop. And she helps them loan out spell books. But she also investigates supernatural occurrences in her local town.

One day, she is tasked to investigate reports of a white wolf in a nearby forest. She then discovers her childhood best friend,  Tam, fighting a demon werewolf.  Together they investigate the demon and rekindle their feelings towards each other.

This is a quick and lighthearted fantasy read, making it the perfect fantasy book for beginners. The beautiful artwork makes it easier to identify with the characters and avoids the need for heavy worldbuilding.

9. Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan

Growing up I was a huge fan of the Percy Jackson series. And it’s still one of my all time favourites. This was a fantasy book series that  made so many people fall in love with reading (myself included!)

 The concept is that the Greek Gods are real. And they occasionally fall in love with mortals. They have children who become demigods.

The book follows Percy Jackson. He is having trouble focusing on his schoolwork. When one day his maths teacher turns into a monster.

And so mum decides it’s time to tell him the truth. His father is a Greek God. And she sends him to camp Halfblood – a summer camp for demigods.

Fan of Percy Jackson growing up? Rick Riordan has tons of books, including series set in the same universe. I would recommend checking them out.

But what if you’ve finished all of Rick Riordan’s books? Rick Riordan has a list full of book recommendations for when you’ve finished the Percy Jackson series. You can check out Rick Riordan’s recommendations here.

10. The Original by Brandon Sanderson

While planning this post, I had a look at what  fantasy books others recommended for  beginners. And Brandon Sanderson was a name that kept coming up.  I’ve chosen an audiobook because if you’re struggling with fantasy books, audiobooks are often more immersive. And can be put on in the background while you do other things.

The Original audiobook is super short ( only 3 hours I believe) and would be easy to binge in one or two sittings. This makes it perfect for beginners.

While it’s more sci-fi, the concept is super original. We follow a clone. Her original has committed a horrific crime and she is tasked with killing her. If she succeeds – she will continue living instead of her original.

This audiobook was really immersive and engaging. It’s full of sound effects and a cast of narrators. The concept is so unique that you have to keep listening. The short length means it’s super satisfying and can be binged pretty quickly.

11. The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkein

The Hobbit is another absolute classic. If you’re looking to read more adult fantasy books then this is a great place to start. I recommend this as a great starting point over the Lord of the Rings. It’s a fantasy standalone novel with a simple but engaging storyline. And a well paced plot.

The Hobbit follows Bilbo Baggins. He is A Hobbit who lives in The Shire. One day he meets Gandalf and goes on an adventure.

The Hobbit the most charming adventure story. Also, the imagery in the hobbit – particularly around food is lovely. I want to be able to eat seven meals a day much like a hobbit.

The Hobbit is such a cosy, comforting book. It’s not as long and drawn out as Lord of the Rings. And it’s a really light-hearted read.

12. Eragon by Christopher Paolini

Eragon has fast-paced and easy to read writing. Plus it’s full of adventure and plot–twists. A great fantasy book for beginners.

We follow Eragon. He discovers a dragon egg in the forest. And it unhatched to reveal a dragon. The first to unhatch in many years.

The plot of Eragon is gripping and the action is constantly moving. This makes it very easy to read.

This is a ya fantasy book. And this makes the writing style easier to read. However, it also contains a lot of tropes/clichés – a poor orphan, ancient swords and a quest.

13. Under the whispering door by T.J. Klune

New to fantasy? Then I highly recommend T.J Klune’s work. Especially if you’re a romance lover.

The writing is easy-to-read and while it includes fantasy elements, this book reads as more of a YA Contemporary.

We follow Wallace Price. A reaper comes to collect him from his own funeral. But instead of taking him directly to the afterlife, leads him to a tea shop in a small village.

Hugo runs the teashop but is also the ferryman to souls who need to cross over. But Wallace isn’t ready to abandon the life he barely lived. 

If you’re looking for fantasy books for beginners, you should definitely pick up some of T.J Klune’s work. His writing is fantastic – easy to follow and simplistic with no purple prose.

Those were my picks for the fantasy books for beginners

Whether you’re looking for  ya fantasy or adult fantasy books for beginners – I hope you found a book to read. And I hope this helps you start to love the fantasy genre.

What fantasy books would you recommend for beginners? Let me know in the comments below.

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