The Fantasy Review’s list of 7 fantasy books to get you out of a reading slump. All these books are easy to read, you’ll burn right through them, and are absolutely brilliant!
Legends & Lattes (Legends & Lattes, #1) by Travis Baldree
First on this list of fantasy books to get you out of a reading slump is the cozy, wonderful novel, Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree. I was blown away by the gorgeous world of coffee, freshly baked goods, and a cast of loveable characters in a fantasy setting.
If you need something short, easy to read, and feel-good, Legends & Lattes is the perfect book to pick up! There is also a prequel novel (to be read after this original book) called Bookshops & Bonedust which captures that same magic, but in a different setting and with the main character, Viv, in an earlier part of her life.
Read our review of Legends & Lattes for more detailed thoughts.
Theft of Swords (The Riyria Revelations, #1-2) by Michael J. Sullivan
Although The Riyria Revelations series by Michael J. Sullivan goes into a more epic scale in future books, the first book in that series, Theft of Swords is a low-stakes, fun fantasy adventure following the best buddy-duo in the genre, Royce and Hadrian.
Theft of Swords is set in a recognisably classic fantasy world, but the characters, themes, and writing style are modern and easily digestible. You will have absolutely no trouble falling in love with these characters, the world, and burning through Theft of Swords in no time.
Read our review of Theft of Swords for more detailed thoughts.
Prince of Thorns (The Broken Empire, #1) by Mark Lawrence
You might find it strange that I have included one of the darkest grimdark fantasy books out there on this list of fantasy books to get you out of a reading slump, but hear me out! Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence is an exhilarating, gripping novel that will engage any reader who loves mystery, intrigue, bands of mercenaries, and toppling kings in their fantasy stories.
Yes, the book is dark, and if picking up something like this during a slump will put you off reading for life, then steer clear! I was in a slump recently, but Prince of Thorns pulled me back into reading, so maybe it will work for someone else out there?
Read our review of Prince of Thorns for more detailed thoughts.
Dead Man’s Hand (The Unorthodox Chronicles, #1) by James J. Butcher
You could basically pick any urban fantasy series, and there are many great ones to pick from, but The Unorthodox Chronicles is a fantastic debut from the son of Jim Butcher (The Dresden Files) and is better than Storm Front, as the first book in a new series, so definitely check this one out!
Book two, Long Past Dues is out now, and the third novel, Cold Iron Task releases early October 2024.
Read our review of Dead Man’s Hand for more detailed thoughts.
Illborn (The Illborn Saga, #1) by Daniel T. Jackson
The Illborn Saga by Daniel T. Jackson is one of my absolute favourite fantasy series that is not yet completed. The first two books in the series, Illborn and Aiduel’s Sin are massive novels, but I read them both in a couple of weeks, back-to-back.
Jackson’s writing is addictive, and this world is just immense, in every sense of the word. One fantastic aspect of the world to highlight is religion, as many fantasy books either make their religions all good, or all bad, but here we have a nuanced, fascinating deep-dive into the impact this religion has had, and will have, on the world.
Read our review of Illborn for more detailed thoughts.
Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1) by Sarah J. Maas
Perhaps another surprise for anyone who knows my reading tastes, but I really enjoyed Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas! The series, of the same name, is marketed as Romantacy, and the series might be (I have only read book one), but this first novel has only the slightest hints of romance, and instead is an awesome story of an assassin being brought out of prison to try and win this competition to win her freedom.
There’s far more to it than that, but difficult to summarise without spoilers. If you want a light, easy read where you barely have to think to take everything in, dive on into Throne of Glass and have a blast!
Read our review of Throne of Glass for more detailed thoughts.
Ascendant (Songs of Chaos, #1) by Michael R. Miller
The final book on this list of fantasy books to get you out of a reading slump, but certainly not least, is Ascendant by Michael R. Miller. This story follows the basic premise of a cook’s son, Holt, desperately wanting to become a dragon rider. So, he steals and egg.
Fans of Eragon will love the homage to that book in the beginning chapters, but I assure you that Ascendant quickly becomes something special in its own right. It’s a fun, easy read, bringing something fresh to the dragonrider fantasy books you already know and love.
Read our review of Ascendant for more detailed thoughts.
