25 Most Fun Fantasy Books Of All Time

For readers who aren't familiar with the fantasy genre, it might seem as if every book within it is a long, complex, and painfully detailed text that doesn't leave any room for pure entertainment. Fortunately, this is an enormous misconception, and couldn't be further from the truth. There are cozy fantasy books, romances, adventures, comedies, and combinations of every type of story imaginable, making for a genre that's overflowing with fun.

It's true that some grimdark fantasy books and darker tales do imbue some humor and tender moments into the story. What makes a fantasy novel fun is that it crafts a brilliant world that's enjoyable to explore and allows the characters and readers to find some joy within the pages, even if there's a resonant emotional payoff at the end. No work of fantasy belongs to just one genre, so there's plenty of crossover between subgenres within these well-paced, propulsive stories.

High Fantasy

One of the best-known subgenres of fantasy, high fantasy is likely what readers think of when they picture a magical, fictional world. With overlap with the sword-and-sorcery genre and often incorporating sprawling magical realms and coming-of-age narratives, high fantasy is complex. Many fantasy books with flawless world-building are categorized as high fantasy. There will be darkness and struggle in the pages of high fantasy. However, these obstacles are always worth it for the thrill-ride adventures the characters embark on.

Assassin's Apprentice (1995)

By Robin Hobb

Robin Hobb's epic, 16-book-long fantasy series, Realm of the Elderlings, begins with a young boy, FitzChivalry, born to a prince who can't recognize him in Assassin's Apprentice. The novel is a traditional bildungsroman in many ways, as Fitz grows older in the kingdom and learns to control his magic while learning a dangerous trade. However, Assassin's Apprentice is only the beginning of his journey, though the enjoyment of Fitz's early adventures will have readers loyal to the series forever.

Assassin's Apprentice is available for purchase here.

The Color Of Magic (1983)

By Terry Pratchett

It almost goes without saying that Terry Pratchett's Discworld series is likely the most fun work of fantasy in history. The first book in the series, The Color of Magic, sets the satirical tone of every Discworld novel, which pokes fun at some of the pitfalls of the genre. Every character is lovably eccentric, but this doesn't mean there aren't some resonant philosophical quotes to be found within the pages of Discworld. Pratchett changed the genre with The Color of Magic, and continued doing so with every installment.

The Color of Magic is available for purchase here.

The City Of Brass (2017)

By S.A. Chakraborty

Drawing upon Middle Eastern folklore and legends of djinns, The City of Brass follows Nahri, a young woman living in Cairo in the 1700s who finds herself swept away into a world of magic and politics. With a subtly built love story and mounting tensions between very believable social and political factions, The City of Brass sets the stage for the scale of the entire Daevabad Trilogy. Fans of mythology and strong female main characters will find it easy to dive into The City of Brass.

The City of Brass is available for purchase here.

The Name Of The Wind (2007)

By Patrick Rothfuss

Patrick Rothfuss' The Name of the Wind has thorough and detailed world-building, but these complex aspects of the narrative are easy to invest in thanks to the novel's protagonist, Kvothe. Watching him go from a brash young man to a wiser, more seasoned magician and fighter who cares about others is one of the best parts of the series. It's difficult waiting for the final entry of the Kingkiller Chronicle to be published, but if the quality of The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man's Fear are any indication, it will be worth the wait.

The Name of the Wind is available for purchase here.

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms (2010)

By N.K. Jemisin

Winner of the Locus Award and the stunning debut of N.K. Jemisin, The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms is the perfect novel to start with when exploring Jemisin's work. Yeine is a brilliant main character, thrown into the deep end of court intrigue and the struggle for power in the line of succession for her grandfather's throne. As she attempts to piece together the truth behind her mother's death, Yeine is drawn into a world of gods and secrets that the reader will be as desperate to get to the bottom of as Yeine.

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms is available for purchase here.

Urban Fantasy

Using elements of steampunk, fictionalized real-world settings, and typically set in cities that get the characters a little grimy, urban fantasy is a great subgenre to start with for newcomers to the speculative fiction world. Some urban fantasy is so close to reality in its depictions of the settings that it's difficult not to imagine something magical just might happen while walking down the street. Others take the texture of an urban environment and take this to its mystical extreme.

The Lies Of Locke Lamora (2006)

By Scott Lynch

It doesn't take long for readers to realize just how much the fictional city of Camorr has in common with Venice in Scott Lynch's The Lies of Locke Lamora. The first in the Gentleman Bastard series, there's an almost Dickensian element to The Lies of Locke Lamora. The novel sees the titular Locke rule over a group of young thieves and con artists building their wealth and gaming the systems of corruption in Camorr. Full of dark streets and imposing mansions, The Lies of Locke Lamora relies on its setting to communicate the thrilling atmosphere of the story.

The Lies of Locke Lamora is available for purchase here.

Babel (2022)

By R.F. Kuang

After the success of her intense high fantasy series, The Poppy War, R.F. Kuang turned her attention to a new facet of the fantasy genre, writing the socially and politically sharp commentary that defines Babel. Set in an alternate reality where translation is a form of magic, the characters in Babel attend Oxford University to become the best translators in the world. However, where there's magic, there's a struggle for power and control. Despite the dark, relevant edge of the story, there's something incredible about being swept away by Babel.

Babel is available for purchase here.

River Mumma (2023)

By Zalika Reid-Benta

Toronto takes magical form in Zalika Reid-Benta's 2023 work of fantasy, River Mumma​​​​​​, which is anchored by the relatable and deeply likable protagonist, Alicia. Tasked with tracking down the missing comb belonging to the Caribbean river goddess, River Mumma, Alicia recruits two co-workers to help her find it before it's too late. The city is a large part of the text in River Mumma, which seamlessly translates ancient mythology to a contemporary setting. Joining Alicia on her quest is an easy job for the reader, as Reid-Benta walks the line between fantasy and magical realism.

River Mumma is available for purchase here.

Dungeon Crawler Carl (2020)

By Matt Dinniman

The enormously popular litRPG book, Dungeon Crawler Carl, blends high and urban fantasy, sci-fi, and sadistic game show rules as the titular Carl attempts to survive every level of the game. His world is turned upside down following an alien invasion, forcing him to compete in a multi-level, violent game show. Though the urban fantasy elements come in and out of the series, Carl's connection to Earth before the invasion and the parts of Earth's history that are woven throughout the game help anchor the hilarious series.

Dungeon Crawler Carl is available for purchase here.

Six Of Crows (2015)

By Leigh Bardugo

The first of the follow-up duology set in the world of the Grishaverse, Six of Crows is widely regarded as an even better exploration of the world Leigh Bardugo created in Shadow and Bone. Far away from the kingdoms of Ravka, Six of Crows follows a team of thieves and misfits in the dirty, intricate city-state of Ketterdam. Though Ketterdam isn't a real city, it plunges the reader into a teeming urban environment that pushes Kaz and the Crows to their limits as they hope to make the score of a lifetime.

Six of Crows is available for purchase here.

Romantasy

One of the most popular and divisive subgenres within the fantasy realm, romantasy has been taking the world by storm. It's rare for any speculative fiction novel not to include at least a hint of romance. In romantasy, it's the romance that takes center stage, with the magic systems and world-building often being softer and more open to interpretation. However, the best of the genre manage to capture our hearts with sweeping romance and create fictional universes that are just as compelling.

Daughter Of The Moon Goddess (2022)

By Sue Lynn Tan

Daughter of the Moon Goddess draws upon Chinese mythology to create the magical world of Xingyin, a young woman who must leave home and journey to the mystical Celestial Kingdom to save her mother and fuel her magic. Of course, like all good romantasy, once Xingyin gets to the Kingdom and throws herself into the dangers of court life and learning about magic, she meets a prince who throws her plans off course. The sequel, Heart of the Sun Warrior, maintains the fast pace and emotional story of the first novel.

Daughter of the Moon Goddess is available for purchase here.

Fourth Wing (2023)

By Rebecca Yarros

If there's one thing even better than an enemies-to-lovers romance, it's an enemies-to-lovers romance with dragons. This is likely why Rebecca Yarros' Empyrean books are a popular, fast-growing romantasy series that only gets better as she develops the lore and characters. Beginning with Violet's entrance into the dangerous Basgiath War College, her contentious relationship with the dragon rider Xaden, and her own path to bonding with a dragon, Fourth Wing is a jam-packed romantasy that gets better with each installment.

Fourth Wing is available for purchase here.

A Court Of Thorns And Roses (2015)

By Sarah J. Maas

It's impossible to talk about the romantasy genre without bringing up the title that readers, fans, and critics most associate with it: A Court of Thorns and Roses. Sarah J. Maas has proven herself to be one of romantasy's most prolific authors, building the world of A Court of Thorns and Roses from Feyre's first forays into the fae courts into a sprawling exploration of every character and their romances. Though Feyre has some adventures in the series that get a little R-rated, this is part of the fun of A Court of Thorns and Roses.

A Court of Thorns and Roses is available for purchase here.

The Night Circus (2011)

By Erin Morgenstern

The lushly written and deeply romantic novel, The Night Circus, intertwines its magical narrative with steampunk elements and detailed visual language from Erin Morgenstern. Set during a fictionalized Victorian era, The Night Circus follows Celia and Marco, rival magicians trained to outdo and eventually destroy each other. However, as they travel with the titular circus and learn more about each other and their patrons, Celia and Marco refuse to play by other people's rules.

The Night Circus is available for purchase here.

The Priory Of The Orange Tree (2019)

By Samantha Shannon

The Priory of the Orange Tree is an epic, lengthy fantasy novel that's worth committing to, as it details a beautiful love story and a complex political world. Focusing on an LGBTQ+ romance, the book follows four POVs, each detailing a different facet of the narrative and drawing the reader into the world of dragons and sacrifice. The novel has a standalone sequel set in the world of the story, Among the Burning Flowers, that readers can also enjoy.

The Priory of the Orange Tree is available for purchase here.

Portal Fantasy

Almost every work of fantasy involves a hidden world waiting to be discovered. However, in books that belong to the portal fantasy subgenre, these secret realms are places the characters are physically transported to. Famous portal fantasy books, like Alice in Wonderland or The Wizard of Oz, are likely what readers are most familiar with. However, they've inspired some of the most spellbinding works of speculative fiction that beautifully build unimaginable worlds.

The Magicians (2009)

By Lev Grossman

Lev Grossman has a lot in common with the readers of his books, as the author of The Magicians trilogy imbues his love of the genre's classics into every page. With references to the likes of The Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter, and The Once and Future King, Grossman crafts the world of Brakebills University and Quentin Coldwater's journey with humor and heart. The characters in The Magicians believe, at first, that the existence of magic is the biggest reveal they'll encounter throughout the story, but Brakebills holds many more secrets than that.

The Magicians is available for purchase here.

Water Moon (2025)

By Samantha Sotto Yambao

While many portal fantasy books set their stories in fictional pasts and medieval-style worlds, Samantha Sotto Yambao's Water Moon is a novel that makes the present day magical. Hana runs a pawn shop in Tokyo that deals in objects much more precious than anything found in the physical world. When her father disappears, she embarks on a quest that involves portals in puddles, songs, and dreams, taking her to realms she wanted to stay away from. With a cozy feel that doesn't detract from the emotional impact, Water Moon is a beautiful contemporary work of fantasy.

Water Moon is available for purchase here.

The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe (1950)

By C.S. Lewis

Harper Collins

The most famous installment of C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia series, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe isn't the first chronologically. However, it's the best introduction to the hidden world of Narnia. In many ways, the book is a traditional sword-and-sorcery fantasy adventure, but there's a deeper reason why generations of readers have been swept away by the magic of Narnia. It's impossible not to imagine what it might be like to slip through the back of a wardrobe and step into Narnia yourself like Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is available for purchase here.

The Golden Compass (1995)

By Phillip Pullman

The first installment of Phillip Pullman's seminal trilogy, His Dark Materials, The Golden Compass begins as more of a young adult fantasy novel, but soon grapples with complex, mind-bending themes that every generation will be enthralled by. Lyra, the precocious protagonist, is one of a very small group with the power to read a device that tells the future. Using this power to save her friends and fight the powerful government corrupting the world, Lyra is soon introduced to more than one reality and must do everything she can to save them all.

The Golden Compass is available for purchase here.

An Academy For Liars (2024)

By Alexis Henderson

Dark academia, twists, turns, and betrayals populate the pages of Alexis Henderson's An Academy for Liars, leaving the reader shocked by the end of the story. The narrative takes its time building to the most exciting moments of Lennon's magical education at Drayton College, but the payoff is worth it. Though it's definitely fun to get lost in the halls of Drayton College and experience the unbelievable twists penned by Henderson, An Academy for Liars has its dark moments, feeding into the atmosphere of the magical world.

An Academy for Liars is available for purchase here.

YA & Middle Grade Fantasy

Young adult and middle grade fantasy can often be overlooked by older readers. However, just because the stories might not be as dark or intense doesn't mean they aren't worth reading. Some of the most fun to be had delving into a fantasy world comes from series and standalones that help audiences remember what it was like to first be swept away by the genre.

The House In The Cerulean Sea (2020)

By T.J. Klune

The protagonist of The House in the Cerulean Sea is an adult, but the magical world he discovers is full of children with powers beyond belief. When Linus arrives at the orphanage overlooking the titular sea, he's introduced to a group of kids who don't quite fit into the outside world, but have found belonging with each other. With themes of found family, great LGBTQ+ representation, and a cozy story that will leave readers emotionally satisfied, The House in the Cerulean Sea will stay with you for a long time.

The House in the Cerulean Sea is available for purchase here.

Howl’s Moving Castle (1986)

By Diana Wynne Jones

Most audiences will be most familiar with the 2004 Studio Ghibli film that adapts Diana Wynne Jones' work, but any fantasy lover will be swept away by the original 1986 book. Sophie, Howl, and all their companions are brought vividly to life in Howl's Moving Castle, giving readers further insight into the magic system and the relationships between characters. It's easy to see why Studio Ghibli chose Howl's Moving Castle to adapt, as the book and series remain beloved to this day.

Howl's Moving Castle is available for purchase here.

Children Of Blood And Bone (2018)

By Tomi Adeyemi

Though still YA, Children of Blood and Bone has a more emotionally complex setup, but this doesn't make it any less enjoyable to spend time with the compelling Zélie​​​​​​. Through her struggle against an oppressive government and quest to make her world a safe place to practice magic, Zélie finds herself changed, and the audience will discover that they're changing with her. Once you've read Children of Blood and Bone, it's impossible not to finish the entire Legacy of Orïsha series.

Children of Blood and Bone is available for purchase here.

The Lightning Thief (2005)

By Rick Riordan

A young boy setting off on a magical adventure isn't an uncommon setup for a middle grade fantasy book, but few series have the heart of Percy Jackson & The Olympians​​​​​​. Part of the Greek mythology boom, The Lightning Thief brought younger readers into the fold, following Percy as he learns he's a demigod and that this is a dangerous business. With Percy Jackson season 3 coming soon, fans of the series of all ages have the chance to see Percy's next adventure come to life onscreen.

The Lightning Thief is available for purchase here.

A Deadly Education (2020)

By Naomi Novik

The first installment of Naomi Novik's Scholomance trilogy introduces readers to a magic school unlike anything they've ever seen before. El, a student there, is an unlikely hero, as she's plagued by a prophecy that states she's going to bring about the end of the world, but she just wants to survive to the end of the year. With fantasy, a touch of romance, and a relatable protagonist, A Deadly Education will make readers want to explore the Scholomance themselves, even if there are monsters around every corner.