Beginner’s Guide to Fantasy: 10 Books That Will Hook You Instantly!

Ash rains, and rebellion rises. Vin is a street urchin with a secret – she can swallow metals and unlock extraordinary powers. Vin becomes his key when a charismatic thief targets a tyrannical lord’s palace. Prepare for rooftop chases, daring heists, and a magic system that’ll blow your mind.

Mistborn isn’t just a fantasy book; it’s a gateway. If you love the thrilling story, relatable characters, and mind-bending magic, there’s a whole interconnected universe called the Cosmere waiting to be devoured. Brandon Sanderson crafted Mistborn as a portal to epics like Warbreaker, Elantris, and the Stormlight Archive – each bursting with unique magic, unforgettable characters, and worlds that feel both gritty and wondrous.

London… but not as you know it. Imagine four Londons stacked atop each other, each with its shade of magic. Red London basks in elemental power, White London hums with technology, and Grey London, well, Grey London is shrouded in mystery. This is the world Kell, a rare Antari magician who can travel between these Londons, calls home.

But Kell’s not precisely playing tourist. He smuggles goods between worlds, skirting dangerous boundaries and dodging those who hunt his kind. Then, on a routine trip, everything unravels. He stumbles upon Lila Bard, a street-smart hustler from Grey London, and their paths collide in a whirlwind of magic, mayhem, and a looming darkness threatening to devour all the Londons.

Under a moonlit sky, Le Cirque des Rêves unfolds, a circus whispering its magic into the night. Two young magicians, Celia and Marco, lock in a dazzling duel – every act a battle cry painted in starlight and moonlight. Forget fire-breathing dragons – here, dreams dance on tightropes, clocks pulse with life, and illusions bend your mind.

Welcome to The Night Circus, a love story spun from wonder, where every page shimmers with impossible feats. It’s perfect for those stepping into the fantastical realm for the first time, with a standalone story that wraps you in its enchanting embrace. There are no sprawling sagas to navigate, just pure, spellbinding magic. Immerse yourself in this whirlwind of starlight and whispers, let your imagination soar, and discover why The Night Circus is a gateway to endless literary wonder.

Forget damsels in distress – this dragon rider kicks down doors (and sky-palaces). Meet Violet Sorrengail, a fragile scribe thrust into a brutal war college for dragon riders. Her mother? A legendary general. Her dragon? Stubborn as heck and prefers fire to flowers.

But Violet’s not all bookish bones. This girl has grit under her fingernails and brains sharper than talons. As she tackles the trials – think Hunger Games meets Hogwarts on dragonback – she uncovers secrets, battles ruthless rivals, and maybe, just maybe, finds an unlikely romance with the hottest wingleader (with an attitude) to ever soar the skies.

In the lost city of Weep, dreams twist the fabric of reality. Lazlo Strange, a librarian obsessed with its whispered legends, has a dream of his own – to find this mythical metropolis. Now, fate sends him on a whirlwind adventure to the heart of a kingdom teetering on the brink of war.

However, Weep isn’t the fairytale he imagined. Shadows cling to its opulent palaces, secrets bleed from cobblestones, and a haunting melancholy weighs upon its inhabitants. Lazlo finds himself tangled in a web of forbidden magic, star-crossed romance, and a monstrous mystery that threatens to unravel the very city he sought.

Forget epic quests and bloodthirsty blades – this orc’s dream is brewed, not brawled. Viv, a seasoned warrior, hangs up her sword for something warmer: a cozy coffee shop. In the bustling city of Thune, coffee is a novelty, an exotic whisper on the winds. But Viv’s not fazed. With her loyal crew – a dandy warrior, a sharp-tongued rogue, and a gruff barista – she brews a haven of warmth and laughter.

However, running a business isn’t a walk in the park (especially not one littered with orcs and goblins). Skeptical locals need convincing, rivals stir trouble with bitter brews, and a touch of forbidden magic threatens to boil over. Yet, Viv faces every challenge with the same spirit she faced every battle – courage, camaraderie, and a steaming cup of her finest roast.

In the mist-shrouded archipelago of Earthsea, magic whispers on the wind and danger lurks in the tide. Ged, a restless young mage with a talent for fire and a temper to match, yearns to master the secrets locked within ancient runes. But ambition can be a perilous fire, and soon, Ged stumbles onto a forbidden spell.

Suddenly, his world unravels. A monstrous shadow, unleashed by his folly, stalks the seas, leaving a trail of chaos in its wake. Now, Ged must embark on a perilous quest across Earthsea, seeking redemption and facing terrifying creatures and ruthless magic users. He must master not just the power of spells, but the depths of his own heart.

“Fireborn” by Rosario Munda is a dazzling entry point for anyone new to fantasy literature. This book effortlessly weaves political intrigue and personal growth into a world rich with dragons and revolution. As a beginner to fantasy, you’ll find the dual perspectives of Annie and Lee captivating. They’re survivors of a brutal regime, now rising through the ranks in a dragon riding academy. Their struggles with loyalty and class disparities make this a relatable and thought-provoking read.

In a brutal empire choked by dust and oppression, Laia is a slave, Elias a soldier trapped in gilded chains. Their paths collide like sparks in a tinderbox – Laia, burning with rebellion, joins the resistance, risking everything to free her brother. Elias, burdened by secrets and doubt, yearns for freedom from the very regime he enforces.

An Ember in the Ashes isn’t just fantasy – it’s a smoldering tapestry of revolution, romance, and magic. With each turn of the page, you’ll dive deeper into a world as rich as it is ruthless, where whispers of resistance dance on the wind and danger lurks in every shadow. But don’t worry, beginner adventurers – Sabaa Tahir guides you through it all, crafting characters so real you’ll ache for their victories and scream at their losses.

New York City shimmers with magic, but its light hides a darkness. Sydney, a girl born from the shadows, discovers she holds a power unlike any other. Yet, magic comes at a cost, fueled by sacrifices whispered in the alleys and secrets locked in gilded mansions. This is no fairytale land.

An Unkindness of Magicians isn’t your typical adventure filled with friendly dragons and damsels in distress. It’s a gritty, modern fantasy for those hungry for something different. Dive into a world where power plays like a game of cards, where survival means navigating political intrigue and battling shadows as real as cobblestones. But fear not, fantasy beginners! Kat Howard weaves her story with a skilled hand, guiding you through the twists and turns, introducing characters so vibrant you’ll feel their every spark and pang.