As a self-proclaimed fantasy reader, I shudder at the notion that some people haven’t yet experienced the books and series that shaped the way I see the fantasy genre. These characters, worlds, and five-star romances have stayed with me long after I closed the book. Here are five books/series that I think every fantasy reader should read.
- Throne of Glass
I will recommend this series until my dying breath! Words cannot express how great it is.
You have to buckle in – there are seven books in total in the Throne of Glass series, but I promise you, every single word is worth it. The story starts off following a hilarious, iconic assassin who will steal your heart (and others’ lives) from the first page. Keep reading, because this series becomes so much more as the books progress – turning into a legendary tale that spans kingdoms. What begins as a single assassin’s story grows into a worldwide battle for freedom and love that brings all your favorite characters together. You will be hard-pressed to find another female main character as iconic as the one in this series (iykyk).
- A Court of Thorns and Roses
Ever dreamed of being whisked away to a faerie realm? Reading this series takes you through that journey, with a generous side of romance that will take your breath away. Now, to be completely honest, you do have to push through what is universally considered about a four-hundred-page prologue, since the story doesn’t really heat up until the second book. But once it does, it’s impossible to put down.
- Fourth Wing
With Fourth Wing, Rebecca Yarros created an epic, dragon-filled world that took the entire reading community by storm. She masters the enemies-to-lover romances in a way that draws you in and never lets go, along with lovable side characters – especially the dragons. The series is rife with plot twists that will have you on the edge of your seat. Be warned, the last-page cliffhangers have haunted me until the next book came out (until I raced to buy it on release day or checked the mail every day waiting for it, that is).
- Six of Crows
Have you heard or read the Shadow and Bone trilogy? The Six of Crows duology is set in the same magical universe, with a whole new set of awesome characters. A thief, a wraith, a sharpshooter, a chemist, and a “witch” and her determined hunter all have to ban together and break into a fortified palace that has never been breached before. What could go wrong? Side note: to see the Crows in action, Shadow and Bone is on Netflix with the cast of readers’ dreams. Double side note: I will never forgive Netflix for canceling the show.
- The Folk of the Air
The Folk of the Air trilogy straddles a fine line between being modern and fantastical all at once. Technically set in today’s world, there is a way to travel to Faerie, a realm filled with – you guessed it – faeries, and all sorts of magical creatures. While many male main characters are powerful, wise, charismatic, and ranging anywhere from two-to-five hundred years older than their partners, Cardan Greenbriar decides to forge his own path by being nineteen, a fashion icon, and addicted to his so-called enemy.