Fantasy for Everyone
For some readers, the fantasy genre is unexplored territory, or perhaps intentionally avoided due to intimidating maps, complicated magic systems, or hundreds of pages filled with unfamiliar names, places, and lore. But fantasy isn't just epic battles and sprawling kingdoms. At its core, fantasy is simply storytelling with a touch of the impossible. It can be funny, romantic, suspenseful, comforting, and deeply moving. In fact, many fantasy novels share the same elements readers already love in other genres, just with a little magic sprinkled in.
Start with What You Love
If you've been curious about exploring fantasy but aren't sure where to start, begin with the kinds of stories you already enjoy. Whether you're drawn to comforting cozy reads, historical fiction, romances, or mysteries, there's a fantasy novel waiting to welcome you in.
If You Love Cozy Reads...
Not every fantasy story involves saving the world. Cozy fantasy focuses on friendship, community, found family, and the simple joys of everyday life. Think charming villages, cups of tea, quirky characters, and low-stakes adventures that leave you feeling warm and content.
The House in the Cerulean Sea
When caseworker Linus Baker is sent to evaluate an orphanage for extraordinary children, he expects to follow the rules and return home unchanged. Instead, he discovers an unforgettable group of residents who teach him about acceptance, belonging, and the many forms that family can take.
Borrow The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
The Teller of Small Fortunes
Tao, a travelling fortune teller who specializes in predicting life's little moments rather than grand destinies, prefers to keep to herself. That is until an unexpected journey brings companionship and connection into her carefully ordered world. Gentle and heartwarming, this cozy fantasy celebrates found family and the magic hidden in everyday life.
Borrow The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong
If You Love Historical Fiction...
Historical fantasy offers the immersive settings and rich atmosphere that historical fiction readers adore, while weaving in folklore, mythology, or subtle magic. These stories often reimagine familiar periods of history through a fantastical lens, creating something both recognizable and extraordinary.
The Djinn Waits a Hundred Years
Set within a crumbling South African manor steeped in secrets, this gothic fantasy weaves together generations of family history, lost love, and the lingering presence of a djinn. Richly atmospheric and haunting, it's a perfect pick for historical fiction readers looking for a touch of the supernatural.
Borrow The Djinn Waits a Hundred Years by Shubnum Khan
She Who Became the Sun
Inspired by the rise of the Ming dynasty's founding emperor, this sweeping historical fantasy follows a young woman who assumes her dead brother's identity in pursuit of greatness. Blending ambition, war, and destiny, it's an epic tale that reimagines history through a captivating fantastical lens.
Borrow She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan
If You Love Romance...
If the relationships are what keep you turning pages, romantasy might be your perfect introduction to the genre! Romantasy stories pair emotional connections and unforgettable chemistry with magical settings. Give these two titles a try. Both books are extremely popular and have captured the hearts of many romance genre readers.
From Blood and Ash
Poppy has spent her entire life preparing for a sacred duty that has never truly felt like her own. When a mysterious guard enters her world, duty and desire collide in this fast-paced romantasy filled with forbidden attraction, secrets, and high-stakes adventure.
Borrow From Blood and Ash by Jennifer Armentrout
Realm Breaker
An unlikely group of heroes (including an assassin, a squire, and an immortal) must join forces to stop an ancient evil from destroying their world. Blending epic fantasy with compelling relationships and plenty of tension, this sweeping adventure is perfect for readers ready to dip their toes into romantasy and ensemble-driven stories.
Borrow Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard
If You Love Mystery...
Fantasy mysteries combine the satisfaction of solving a puzzle with imaginative worlds and intriguing twists. Whether it's a magical murder investigation or a detective with unusual abilities, these books deliver suspense and clever clues while adding an extra layer of wonder.
City of Stairs
When a historian is murdered in the city once ruled by gods, intelligence operative Shara Thivani is sent to investigate. What begins as a murder mystery unfolds into a clever, atmospheric tale of political intrigue, hidden histories, and long-buried secrets.
Borrow City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett
Magic for Liars
Private investigator Ivy Gamble is hired to solve a suspicious death at a school for magic users—despite having no magical abilities herself. Part murder mystery, part character study, this sharp and witty novel explores family, belonging, and the dangers lurking beneath the surface.
Borrow Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey
A Little Magic Goes a Long Way
Fantasy doesn't have to be overwhelming. Sometimes, the best way to discover a new genre is to realize it isn't all that different from the stories you've loved all along. You might just find that adding a little magic to your reading life opens the door to a whole new world of favourites.
Ready to discover a new world of reading? Our book-loving staff can recommend fantasy reads tailored to your tastes through our Handpicked For You service!
