There are many reasons why fantasy books are the best. Whether you are visiting the magical world of Hogwarts or Middle-Earth, this evolving genre is a fantastic place to invest your reading time and attention.
So, here are five reasons why fantasy books are the best:
Secondary Worlds – AKA Worldbuilding
The first thing most people think of when it comes to this genre is the worldbuilding, secondary world in particular. Whether it is the completely new world in The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien or the alternate reality of Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files, it is a main element of the genre.
Secondary worlds are why fantasy books are the best. Brandon Sanderson’s are a great modern example of how much can be achieved by taking this element to the max.
Whether it is The Mistborn Trilogy or The Stormlight Archive, most of his books all take place in the same universe but on different planets. It is not only exciting to discover new links but also just to explore the sheer scale of his secondary world.
Huge Cast of Characters
The best example for this reason why fantasy books are the best is A Game of Thrones and the rest of A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin. One moment you are in sunny Dorne and the next you can be in snowy Winterfell.
Exploring a world through so many point of view characters not only gives you a range of valuable perspectives, but there are also more plot lines and settings to experience.
This element of the fantasy genre is fantastic. Other genres allow for multiple POV perspectives but never quite to this extent.
Ever-Evolving Genre
Since J. R. R. Tolkien the fantasy genre has changed a lot, and it’s still changing. We have seen the development through Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time series beginning with The Eye of the World.
Much like other genres, fantasy is seeing LGBTQ+, disabled and ethically diverse characters begin to play a more central role in the narratives. This diversity adds a fantastic richness that the genre has previously lacked.
The most recent examples of more evolution are The Poppy War Trilogy by R. F Kuang and The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter (there are many more examples but far too many to list here!)
If you read The Poppy War you will see clearly the direction fantasy is currently going in. Likewise, reading Brandon Sanderson’s books in publication order can clearly show some shifts in the way this genre is evolving.
Magic is Real!
Why are fantasy books the best? Because magic is real! So much can and had been done with this element of the genre and it can add so much to the story.
In The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (and of course book 2 in The Kingkiller Chronicle, The Wise Man’s Fear) magic plays a central role. We find out not only more about the protagonist and other characters through exploring the magic, but also much about the word and setting.
The same can be said of The Eye of the World and following entries in The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. Magic brings out elements of the world and characters that we might not see so clearly which is why fantasy books are the best.
Endless Possibilities
If you read Steven Erikson’s Malazan Book of the Fallen series you will understand just how endless the possibilities for the fantasy genre are. Reading book one, Gardens of the Moon, will be more than enough to blow you away with the massive scale of it all.
These possibilities also exist in science fiction with books like Foundation and the Foundation Trilogy by Isaac Asimov being great examples. The reasons given earlier, however, are why fantasy books are the best.
I hope these five reasons why fantasy books are the best convinces you to dive into one and get lost in it! There is so much beauty and many places to explore – enjoy the endless possibilities!
Yes I totally agree, fantasy books are my fave!