Over the last few years, reading has regained popularity. Like most other people, reading outside of school was not originally something I was interested in doing. In the 7th grade, after state testing, we had to choose a book from the shelves, and it was then that I picked up my first fantasy book.
Now, over eight years later, I’m constantly reading. In 2023, I’ve read a total of 37 books. Most of those books were fantasy. In this article, I suggest books that I’ve read throughout the years. Some of them were on BookTok, while others might not be as well known.
It’s important to note that the reading levels do vary and should be taken into consideration. I’ve found that reading simple books with a good story or nostalgic feel gets me out of a reading block.
My Favorite Fantasy Picks
Howl’s Moving Castle, Diana Wynne Jones
Sophie finds herself on the bad side of the Witch of the Waste and is cursed to turn into an old lady. To break the spell, she must seek the help of Wizard Howl and his fire demon, Calcifer, in his moving castle. Along the way, she discovers more about herself and Howl.
Surprise surprise, the movie is nothing like the book. That being said, you can still cherish the few similarities between them. On its own, Howl’s Moving Castle by Diane Wynne Jones is beautiful, elegant, and timeless. There are more twists and turns in Jones’ book, especially when you read the second and third installments.
It’s incredibly hard to find a Goodreads review that doesn’t discuss the movie, but it’s not impossible. Gail Carriger notes, “Howl’s lingers with me because of the humor, because of the perfectly executed twisting plot, because of the snapping dialogue. Diane is possibly the best writer of her generation but because she wrote mainly YA in a time before HP she was disregarded. You want to know what I think a book should be like? Read this one.”
The first book has a 4.29, the second a 3.87, and the third a 4.07 stars on Goodreads.
The Celestial Kingdom, Sue Lynn Tan
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan is about Xingyin, who was raised on the moon in solitude with her mother. Her existence was hidden from the Celestial Emperor, as her mother was exiled for stealing his elixir of immortality. When Xingyin’s existence is nearly discovered, she is forced to leave her mother behind and flee the moon. The duology takes readers through her life experiences from that moment forward.
Inspired by Asian folklore, the series has everything from celestial beings to dragons, magic, and fighting.
A beautiful five-star review by Elle reads as follows: “When I first saw this cover and went to post about my excitement for Daughter of the Moon Goddess, I wrote that I was sure this was going to be ‘an incredible fantasy epic.’ And that was exactly the right word: epic. Like a classic narrative epic poem, Sue Lynn Tan recounts the story of Xingyin, daughter of banished immortal Chang’e, and her quest to free her mother and herself from their eternal confinement.”
The first book has a 4.11 and the second a 4.03 stars on Goodreads.
The Immortals, Alyson Noel
At sixteen, Ever Bloom was in a life-altering car accident. She lost her parents, little sister, and dog, but she gained the ability to see people’s auras, hear their thoughts, and know everything about them through touch alone. Her life is once again upended by the presence of Damen Auguste. The series follows the pair on a set of adventures as the past comes back to haunt them.
This is 100% one of those series you read in high school after falling down a Twilight rabbit hole. The Immortals series by Alyson Noël spans over six books, following Ever and Damen through a series of events where their past continually resurfaces to test their love. It’s almost like a show you can’t help but watch all fifteen seasons of.
J.D. Strobe left a five-star review, sharing: “I absolutely loved this book. It is a bit of an easy read, but well worth it. I felt as though the author had taken some of my favorite young adult books and blended them into one solid story. This is basically a young adult romance novel with a supernatural twist. It had some humor peppered throughout it, but it was mostly just sweet. I completely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good YA supernatural romance.”
The first book has a 3.59, the second 3.61, the third 3.66, the fourth 3.73, the fifth 3.80, and the sixth 3.90 stars on Goodreads.
Belladonna, Adalyn Grace
As a young baby, Signa escaped death, became an orphan, and gained powers. Since that fateful day, Signa has moved from family member to family member, with Death always close behind. After the death of her longest caretaker, Signa goes to live with the Hawthorns in Thorne Grove. There, she uses her powers to solve the mystery of her cousin’s strange illness and possibly the death of her cousin’s mother.
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace has myriad fantasy aspects, including magic, spirits, personifications of Life and Death, and a mystical world. I thoroughly enjoy the death-defying and thrilling events that occur in the story. There are a total of two books out right now with a third on the way.
Irena gave the book a five-star review: “Honestly, I don’t remember when was the last time the book pulled me into its story so strongly. It was like I was hypnotized. From the very first page I fell in love with the atmosphere, and with each chapter I appreciated it even more. As the story progressed, its characters got more and more under my skin and I was immersed, 100% into the story.”
The first book has a 4.00 and the second a 4.16 on Goodreads.The third book, Wisteria, is expected to come out August 20th.
The Folk of the Air, Holly Black
At the age of seven, Jude’s parents were murdered right in front of her. Jude and her two sisters are then stolen away to live in the High Court of the Faerie. The story follows Jude as she tries to earn her place in the High Court. In doing so, she is challenged again and again by the High King’s youngest and cruelest son, Cardan.
This felt like a BookTok books that was worth the hype. The majority of the first book sets up the main plot, but when you pair it with the rest of The Folk of the Air books, the story is more lengthy and detailed. You go through the entire experience step by step with Jude. As a stand-alone book, The Cruel Prince is hard to get through, but being strung together with the entire series, it is worth the read.
Melanie offers effusive praise in her five-star review: “If you guys ever want to see what my true heart’s desires are on paper, read this book. This book is a piece of heaven that was sent from above, this book is the perfection incarnate, this book is nothing short of magical, this book easily makes my top five books of all-time list, and this book is without a doubt the best book I’ve read in 2017. I’m not sure how I’m even going to attempt to come up with a review fitting for this masterpiece, but I’m going to try.”
The first book has a 4.04, the second a 4.30, and the third a 4.35 stars on Goodreads.
Skin Books, Alice Broadway
Imagine that, from the moment you’re born, all life experiences, good and bad, are permanently marked on your skin for display. It’s a sign of trustworthiness and sharing who you are. After you die, your story is preserved for the following generations to see. When Leora’s father dies, she finds comfort in her father’s tattoos, but she discovers one mark that shares the worst crime that can be committed — jeopardizing her father’s legacy and her life.
These books made me see tattoos from a new perspective. There’s beauty in having your tattoos reflect your life. The Skin series by Alice Broadway takes you on Leora’s experience in this dystopian reality to determine what parts of her world are real and what parts are built on lies.
A five-star review of the first book by Chloe Reads Books proclaims: “Absolutely bloody loved this book. Stormed through it, reading it all in one night. I loved the writing style, and the set-up of the world was perfect. We got quite a lot of information but it wasn’t dumped on us, and it all seemed very “real,” even though it was potentially one of the weirdest ideas I’ve read in a while.”
The first book has 3.58 stars, the second 3.75, and the third a 3.49 on Goodreads.
Bloodleaf, Crystal Smith
Aurelia is a princess, and when there’s an assassination attempt, her witchy powers are revealed. This causes her to seek sanctuary in the enemy kingdom’s walls, as the Tribunal are hunting witches and taking over her kingdom. While Aurelia plans her revenge, she finds herself entwined in the mystery of the enemy kingdom.
In Crystal Smith’s Bloodleaf series, you’re following a princess with witch powers who is basically on the run. Along the way, Aurelia discovers the deep history of the two kingdoms and how their fates will be forever intertwined. This series is a trilogy, and you’re pushed and pulled through everything Aurelia has to do to save her kingdom from the Tribunal.
A five-star Goodreads review by ShannonXO declares: “I appear to be on a roll. What do we have here but yet another book I am furious I let sit idle for a year. This was exactly the fantasy I needed after reading some real flops, and it delivered.”
The first book has a 3.81, the second a 3.93, and the third a 3.94 stars on Goodreads.
Into the Mist, P.C. Cast
In Into the Mist by P.C. Cast, Green bomb-like objects start raining from the sky, as far as the eye can see. Communication has been blocked off. The mist coming from the ‘bombs’ can be fatal to men and provide powers to some women. A group of high school teachers must encounter a world faced with destruction to find a new place to start over.
I loved the idea of an apocalyptic story where there is such a thing as too much power. Though the mist granted these teachers powers, it doesn’t make them power-crazy. Moreover, the varying impacts of the mist also keep you engaged throughout the story.
Lydia gives the book a five-star review, stating: “If you enjoyed Walking Dead I am sure you will enjoy this book. I loved the characters! All of them are written so well. Gemma the healer? She’s compassionate and no nonsense. Mercury, Imani, and Stella are typical badass teachers. Karen is tough to deal with but definitely grows on you as her character grows in the apocalypse. I highly recommend.”
The book has 3.59 stars on Goodreads. A second book, Out of the Dawn, is expected August 8th.
In the End
Fantasy is an ever-growing genre. Many details are taken into consideration when labeling a book as fantasy, but the results are endless, with countless stories taking you away to a new reality. Fantasy reading is meant for all ages and is just one of many genre options!
