8 Books With Worlds That Feel Like The Legend Of Zelda
Mary Kassel is a Senior Writer & Critic who joined the Screen Rant team in 2023.
After graduating from Emerson College with a degree in Media Arts Production, Kassel started at Screen Rant with a focus on the critical analysis side of movies and television while continuing to work on set in film production.
At Screen Rant, Kassel primarily writes for the Classic TV section, mining their encyclopedic knowledge of television history for content. However, they also contribute to the Books team and review both film and television as a critic.
The Legend of Zelda is one of the most popular ongoing video game franchises, with beautifully crafted new releases like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom pushing the boundaries of what video games can do. While movie and TV adaptations of video games have become increasingly trendy in recent years, there are many books that transport readers into worlds like Legend of Zelda. With expansive worlds and adventurous main characters, these novels scratch the Legend of Zelda itch better than any fantasy film.
The upcoming Legend of Zelda movie has fans on the edge of their seats, waiting for what could be a groundbreaking addition to the franchise. This kind of open-world adventure narrative works well in the fantasy space in both film and literature. Video games like The Legend of Zelda series owe a lot to the world-building of speculative fiction novels, and books that have been published since The Legend of Zelda became a cultural phenomenon are often in conversation with the popularity of video games with fantastical worlds.
The Assassin’s Apprentice (1995)
By Robin Hobb
The first installment of Robin Hobb's epic fantasy saga, The Realm of the Elderlings, The Assassin's Apprentice is a classic coming-of-age adventure story with some compelling twists. Like Link, the protagonist, Fitz, has to go on many of his quests alone, seeking help from passing characters and animal companions. Though the scale of the world in The Assassin's Apprentice is hinted at, it only grows larger throughout the entire series.
Though The Assassin's Apprentice puts a fresh spin on high fantasy, it's a classic addition to the genre that leans into the traditional style that many Legend of Zelda games use as a touchpoint. The soft magic system makes it easy to be immersed in the story and accept the mysterious magical elements that grow and change alongside Fitz's character development. With magical tests and challenges to pass and cruel villains to fight, Fitz is easily compared to Link and his journeys.
The Assassin's Apprentice is available for purchase here.
Raybearer (2020)
By Jordan Ifueko
Most additions to The Legend of Zelda franchise primarily follow Link and his quests to fight Ganon and, often, save Princess Zelda. However, recent storylines have seen Zelda taking on a more active role in the conflict with Ganon. Raybearer is a great example of a fantasy book that has a protagonist more similar to Zelda than Link. Tarisai, the lead character in Raybearer, has to navigate political intrigue and plotting throughout the novel.
Tarisai discovers that she comes from a powerful bloodline and that her abilities will change the course of history, though her place in this is still uncertain. Jordan Ifueko crafts characters and settings impossible not to get lost in. The importance of fate and destiny looms large in the text of Raybearer, as the story moves quickly, with plenty of action, which will appeal to fans of The Legend of Zelda.
Raybearer is available for purchase here.
The Hobbit (1937)
By J.R.R. Tolkien
It's impossible to bring up fantasy tales of adventure and travel without touching upon the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. While The Lord of the Rings books delve further into the world of Middle-earth, it's The Hobbit that has the most in common with The Legend of Zelda. It's more than likely that The Hobbit and its sequels were influential in the creation of The Legend of Zelda. Bilbo Baggins' hero's journey is one of the most famous in fantasy history.
Introducing readers to Bilbo, Gandalf, the elves, dragons, and the One Ring, The Hobbit's impact can't be overstated. Middle-earth is one of the most vividly imagined fantasy worlds, packed with details that leave the reader feeling like they're inside the story, heading to Smaug's lair with Bilbo. The same can be said of The Legend of Zelda games, which are famous for the minutiae of every new setting and Easter eggs.
The Hobbit is available for purchase here.
The Adventures Of Amina Al-Sirafi (2023)
By Shannon Chakraborty
After breaking into the fantasy space with her incredible series, The Daevabad Trilogy, Shannon Chakraborty returned with a swashbuckling new adventure in The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi. Players who enjoy The Legend of Zelda games that lean into the nautical and seafaring elements will adore Chakraborty's 2023 book. Anchored by an incredibly strong and complex lead character, Amina al-Sirafi, the novel chronicles her greatest journey yet.
Not just a brilliant pirate, but a woman with secrets that come back to haunt her in the text, Amina is the kind of protagonist readers will want to keep spending time with, much like Link. The nooks and crannies of Chakraborty's fantasy universe make it feel real and lived in. It doesn't take long for the reader to love the ocean's waves and pulse-pounding thrills of Amina's life as much as the lead character does.
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi is available for purchase here.
Station Eleven (2014)
By Emily St. John Mandel
One of the best post-apocalyptic sci-fi books of the 21st century, Station Eleven has more in common with The Legend of Zelda universe than it might seem. In the wake of a devastating pandemic, the characters in Station Eleven wander what's left of civilization, coming upon different makeshift towns and communities, much like Link in the games. They face new challenges in each setting, learning a new lesson about the nature of humanity and connection.
Emily St. John Mandel balances the multiple timelines and overlapping narrative with ease throughout Station Eleven, building empathy and understanding for the characters who struggle to make sense of their changing world. While The Legend of Zelda is most closely aligned with the fantasy genre, Station Eleven scratches the same itch thanks to the breadth of Mandel's writing.
Station Eleven is available for purchase here.
Children Of Blood And Bone (2018)
By Tomi Adeyemi
Tomi Adeyemi's sweeping young adult fantasy series Legacy of Orïsha is frequently cited as one of the most innovative additions to the genre in recent memory. The books follow the protagonist, Zélie. In the first installment of the series, Children of Blood and Bone, she grapples with corrupt rulers, oppressed civilizations, and fantastical magic. Zélie bears the weight of her family and community in the story, finding unlikely allies as she attempts to challenge the unjust laws of her world.
Children of Blood and Bone has been heralded for the way it faces social issues like racism, classism, and religious oppression within a propulsive story that connects with readers of all ages. Zélie faces many enormous challenges, taking her to the far reaches of her world and forcing her to question everything she knows about the world. Fans of The Legend of Zelda will fall in love with the world-building in The Children of Blood and Bone.
Children of Blood and Bone is available for purchase here.
Gregor The Overlander (2003)
By Suzanne Collins
Best known for The Hunger Games book series, Suzanne Collins also crafted an epic fantasy world in Gregor the Overlander. Though The Underland Chronicles are meant for younger readers, it's a treat to dive into Gregor's world, which holds up compared to the best of middle-grade fantasy, like Percy Jackson or Harry Potter. Though Link deals with many different types of challenges throughout his adventures, The Legend of Zelda has coming-of-age themes much like Gregor the Overlander.
With prophecies and an underground world with as much detail as any setting in The Legend of Zelda, Gregor the Overlander sees its titular character grow in confidence and ability as the story progresses. Young fans of The Legend of Zelda will find Gregor the Overlander the perfect literary companion to the video game series.
Gregor the Overlander is available for purchase here.
The Green Rider (1998)
By Kristen Britain
The Green Rider follows Karigan, the brilliant and relatable protagonist, take up the mantle of a Green Rider, bringing vital messages to far-flung corners of the realm. Traveling on horseback across different landscapes and weighed down by the pressure of the importance of her message, Karigan has a lot in common with Link. The bond between Karigan and her horse is similar to the relationship Link has with his steeds, as both pairs of riders and their horses have to be brave in the face of impossible odds.
The first installment of the series of the same name, The Green Rider puts Karigan's abilities to the test with puzzles, secret messages, and battles for the fate of her kingdom. With plenty of parallels to The Legend of Zelda, The Green Rider has eight books in its mainline series, providing plenty of context and additional detail to the world, much like the expansion of the video games.
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