11 best fantasy books for otherworldly escapism

Many may already be a fan of the TV adaptation but, whether you’ve watched it or not, the Game Of Thrones series by George RR Martin truly encapsulates everything you could possibly want from the fantasy genre. With plenty of magic, battles, prophecies, supernatural creatures, and, of course, dragons, its fantasy elements unfurl gradually to draw you in. As do the expertly conceived characters, who you’ll be rooting for and abhorring in equal measure. Some of the storylines will be familiar to viewers of the hit TV show but, as you might expect, the first book in the series delves deeper into the motivations and undercurrents of what is happening in the characters’ lives.

Once you’ve immersed yourself in the world of Westeros, there are four additional books – with two being split into part one and two – to make your way through. Plus, the series has always been a seven-part series, according to the author, with two additional books planned for the future. You might not want to hold your breath for their release anytime soon, though.

Read the ebook now:

• Kindle: £2.99, Amazon.co.uk
• Apple Books: £2.99, Apple.com

Listen to the audiobook now:

• Audible: 99p, Amazon.co.uk
• Apple Books: £24.99, Apple.com

A novel that’s gone viral (to say the least) on #BookTok and beyond, Sarah J Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses is a world of fairies (or faeries, as she pens them) split across the seven ‘courts’ of the realm of Prythian. The book hones in on Feyre – the human protagonist – who ends up entwined in the immortal life of Lord Tamlin, the high-fae ruler of the spring court.

The tale is jam packed with vivid landscapes, romance, magic, and twists and turns galore. It’s a page turner at every stage and the ultimate post-work escapism, without the requirement for the utmost concentration as with the likes of Tolkien’s The Hobbit.

From the moment you cross ‘the wall’ into the land of the fae, you’ll be locked in for the subsequent four books, with another one on the way. Though, we wouldn’t read too speedily, as the upcoming book is not due until late 2025 or early 2026, according to some rumours.

Read the ebook now:

• Kindle: £4.06, Amazon.co.uk
• Apple Books: £6.99, Apple.com

Listen to the audiobook now:

• Audible: 99p, Amazon.co.uk
• Apple Books: £18.99, Apple.com

Much like A Game Of Thrones, this book also ticks many of the boxes for fantasy readers. The most impressive attribute of this particular fantasy epic is the highly developed setting and historic backstory. It really does feel like a fully developed and storied world right off the bat. The story itself revolves around a bitter and deadly division between the east and the west kingdoms – with one worshipping and living alongside dragons and the other fearful and murderous towards them. The east and west also happen to have vastly different religious beliefs, causing plenty of friction between the two camps.

The book follows a number of compelling and interesting characters, with women being at the forefront, instead of in supporting or degraded roles, as they can often be in certain fantasy tales. Even at more than 800 pages long, the pacing works well to keep readers engaged the whole way through. Plus, its follow-up book, A Day of Fallen Night (£8.41, Amazon.co.uk), is just as absorbing.

Read the ebook now:

• Kindle: £4.83, Amazon.co.uk
• Apple Books: £8.49, Apple.com

Listen to the audiobook now:

• Audible: 99p, Amazon.co.uk
• Apple Books: £17.99, Apple.com

Set in an alternative late 1820s Britain, where magical silver bars are the currency, Babel follows Robin, a young Chinese boy who has been orphaned due to the cholera outbreak in his native country. He is soon brought to England by the mysterious Professor Lovell, and finds himself training in a number of different languages to prepare for the day he’ll enrol in Oxford University’s prestigious Royal Institute of Translation – also known as Babel. It is here the silver bars gain their power, with them being able to do everything from healing injuries and providing power and agricultural benefits to exploding like grenades, when the translations are unlocked correctly.

Robin soon begins to realise, however, that this place, which he has grown to love, is supporting British imperialism, and it starts to become somewhat like an oppressive prison for him. What works so well is Kuang’s commentary on how language can be used for good or to uphold a practice such as colonialism.

It’s also worth noting we could easily have included Kuang’s debut, The Poppy War (£8.99, Amazon.co.uk), as it is also another standout historical fantasy. So, if you’re thinking about dabbling in this specific sub-genre, both books are well worth a read.

Read the ebook now:

• Kindle: £3.99, Amazon.co.uk
• Apple Books: £1.99, Apple.com

Listen to the audiobook now:

• Audible: 99p, Amazon.co.uk
• Apple Books: £3.99, Apple.com

Have you ever wondered what it might be like to live forever? Well, that’s the exact predicament the titular Addie LaRue finds herself in, after making a deal with the devil. There’s just one catch – she is cursed to be forgotten by every single person she meets, with her only companion over the years being the devil, who pays her a visit every year on the anniversary of their pact. That is until we find Addie in a second-hand bookshop in current-day New York, where she meets someone who actually remembers her.

This story stayed with us for a long time, thanks to the impactful writing. The first third of the book is particularly strong, as we see Addie adapt to her new life. It also has a transportative nature to it, as we follow Addie around the world and during a number of different time periods. In addition to this, there is a frisson of romance running throughout the story, which fans of the romance genre, or romantasy more generally, will no doubt enjoy.

Read the ebook now:

• Kindle: £5.03, Amazon.co.uk
• Apple Books: £7.99, Apple.com

Listen to the audiobook now:

• Audible: 99p, Amazon.co.uk
• Apple Books: £17.99, Apple.com

Even though quite a few of the books on this list could be appropriate for young adult readers, we recommend picking up the Six of Crows duology, with the first book immediately piquing their interest. Following a motley crew of six teenagers, the plot revolves around a high-stakes heist. What works particularly well is the alternating points of view as the story is parcelled out through the third-person perspectives of eight different characters. In doing so, it doesn’t draw you away from the action at all and gives you an insight into some of the hallmark themes from fantasy fiction, such as redemption, vengeance and, of course, friendship. We have a feeling that, once you’ve read the first book, you’ll be dropping everything to ensure you continue with the second, to see how everything comes to a close.

Six of Crows also comes from the same author of the Shadow and Bone series, with the two taking place in the same universe. So, if you’ve read one or the other, you should find some commonalities and a similar writing style in both.

Read the ebook now:

• Kindle: £4.99, Amazon.co.uk
• Apple Books: £4.99, Apple.com

Listen to the audiobook now:

• Audible: 99p, Amazon.co.uk
• Apple Books: £14.99, Apple.com

After originally being independently published and quickly gaining cult status among fantasy and romance readers, Quicksilver by Callie Hart has finally had a traditional hardback release here in the UK. But many may already be familiar with this romantasy, as it can be read as part of the Kindle Unlimited subscription.

If you happen to be a fan of romance books and some of the tropes that come along with that genre, Quicksilver deftly handles enemies to lovers, forced proximity and found family. Plus, there’s plenty of great banter, tension and steamy scenes – if that’s what you’re looking for from a great romantasy. In terms of the fantastical elements, magic plays a central role, with character Saeris determining how to deal with her new-found abilities. There’s also plenty of adventure, and the ending sets it up for a sequel. So, if you’re looking for the perfect entryway into the world of romantasy, this is definitely the book to grab.

Read the ebook now:

• Kindle: £7.99, Amazon.co.uk
• Apple Books: £7.99, Apple.com

Listen to the audiobook now:

• Audible: 99p, Amazon.co.uk

While Stephen King is perhaps best known for his horror books, his dystopian fantasy The Stand is undoubtedly one of his very best. Just try not to be put off by its frankly intimidating size. At more than 1,200 pages, it is one of the lengthier fantasy books currently on the market but, despite this, it truly is a must-read both when it comes to King’s back catalogue and the fantasy genre more generally.

The Stand feels all the more timely, given the recent worldwide pandemic, with this story taking place after a flu wipes out most of the population. It’s the diverse set of characters and punchy beginning that really draws you in. It blends King’s trademark horror brilliantly with a battle of good versus evil. It may not have high fantasy, like some of the other books on this list but it does have some elements that fantasy readers, or general readers, will certainly recognise and enjoy.

Read the ebook now:

• Kindle: £5.99, Amazon.co.uk
• Apple Books: £5.99, Apple.com

Listen to the audiobook now:

• Audible: 99p, Amazon.co.uk
• Apple Books: £7.99, Apple.com

Given that so many fantasy books are pretty hefty, it’s always refreshing to find one that still manages to integrate an impressive amount of world building and character development across fewer pages. That’s just what you get with Six Scorched Roses by Carissa Broadbent. Taking inspiration from the classic fairytale Beauty and the Beast, it doesn’t feel truncated or like a short story in the slightest and that is definitely in part thanks to its excellent pacing and character progression.

Brilliantly blending magic and vampires, the book follows Lilith, who makes a deal with a vampire to find a cure for the mysterious illness that plagues her and her hometown. As you might expect, things don’t exactly go to plan, particularly when what seemed like a simple transaction becomes more complicated when the two characters start to fall for one another (we enjoyed the chemistry between them).

While this is a standalone novella, it is set within Broadbent’s Crowns of Nyaxia universe, so, if you enjoy this book, you can certainly continue with that series.

Read the ebook now:

• Kindle: £4.01, Amazon.co.uk
• Apple Books: £19.99, Apple.com

Listen to the audiobook now:

• Audible: 99p, Amazon.co.uk

Taking inspiration from Jane Eyre, Tales of a Monstrous Heart is a relatively new release but it had an immediate impact on us. Delaney’s debut blends gothic fantasy with romance, in turn making this a book and a story that could easily have slotted into quite a few other categories in this list. It also flips what tends to be the traditional understanding that fey/fae (the mythical beings) are one of the highest and most respected, as, here, they are continually prejudiced against. Romance or romantasy fans will appreciate the slow burn between the two main characters, Kat and Emrys, but it is the take on traditional gothic and dark academia that really worked for us.

If you enjoy this book, you’ll be happy to learn it is the first in what will be a trilogy. Once you’ve read the final few pages, complete with a great cliffhanger, you will be desperate to see what happens next.

Read the ebook now:

• Kindle: £9.99, Amazon.co.uk
• Apple Books: £10.99, Apple.com

Listen to the audiobook now:

• Audible: 99p, Amazon.co.uk

As one of the most notable names in the world of fantasy fiction, Sarah J Maas has three popular series to choose from: A Court of Thorns and Roses (see above), Crescent City and Throne of Glass. The latter is made up of seven books in total, with the series following the story of a teenage assassin, who also happens to be one of our all-time favourite female leads. Over the course of eight books – without giving away any spoilers – secrets are unearthed, magic, mystery and monsters abound and we watch Celaena grow and develop as the books progress. If anything, the books and stories get better and better as you make your way through them.

While it isn’t technically a young adult book, it is suitable for ages 14 and up, and could be the perfect way to get into the fantasy genre more generally. Essentially, we have a feeling that once you’ve read one Sarah J Maas book, you’ll quickly be adding the rest of her back catalogue to your list in no time.

Read the ebook now:

• Kindle: £4.53, Amazon.co.uk
• Apple Books: £6.99, Apple.com

Listen to the audiobook now:

• Audible: 99p, Amazon.co.uk
• Apple Books: £12.99, Apple.com