So many great books had to be left off this list of the 10 first fantasy books you should read.
As beginners to the fantasy genre, I can’t just go suggesting A Song of Ice and Fire to you, or Malazan, or even The Faithful and the Fallen.
We need to start somewhere easy. That’s not to say these are bad books – they are AMAZING! And well worth reading for any fantasy reader.
But if you’re new to the fantasy genre, you need books that are more likely to hold your hand, just a little, through the learning curve phase at the beginning of these books. If you try A Game of Thrones or Gardens of the Moon without ever having read a fantasy book before, you’ll get lost straight away – and I don’t want anyone being put off this amazing genre!
So, here is my list of the 10 first fantasy books you should read!
(A note to those who read a lot of fantasy – yes, this is probably a list of books you know of and have read!)
#1 – The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
You won’t find a list of fantasy books for beginners without Brandon Sanderson being somewhere on it, and the book will most likely be The Final Empire. Book 1 of the Mistborn trilogy, The Final Empire is the start of an epic fantasy story that is perfect for beginners to the fantasy genre.
The learning curve isn’t too steep, the story is fast-paced and exciting, and the writing style is easily digestible.
#2 – Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Eragon is here because it’s brilliant. The book gets a lot of flack for being a “rip-off” Lord of the Rings, but the story is fantastic all the same, and has it’s own special charm.
If you’re interested in Tolkien-like fantasy stories, then I highly suggest you begin with Eragon. The writing style is nice and easy, there’s not much of a steep learning curve, and the story is a classic tale of farmboy goes on a quest.
#3 – The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Talking of Lord of the Rings “rip-offs” we have The Eye of the World, by Robert Jordan. This is for the reader who wants the classic tale, but wants a little more detail and depth in the worldbuilding and writing style.
The Eye of the World is the first book in The Wheel of Time which is a 14-book epic fantasy series. This first book is a gentle introduction to the world and the characters, and the series becomes more complex gradually, so it’s a decent starting point if you want to aim high!
#4 – Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
Looking for something a little more chill and relaxed? How about a book where the main character swears off a life of adventuring to open a cozy coffee shop in a little town?
Legends & Lattes is a quick, easy read that even people who never read fantasy have enjoyed.
#5 – Priestess of the White by Trudi Canavan
Priestess of the White is book one in The Age of the Five trilogy by Trudi Canavan. This was the first adult fantasy trilogy I read and it has the honour of beginning this reading obsession!
These books have everything, from a basic magic system, to political maneuvers and all-out war. This story should be a classic everyone is always talking about, and is perfect for fantasy beginners.
#6 – Storm Front by Jim Butcher
The first urban fantasy pick in this list, Storm Front is the first book in Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files series. We follow a wizard called Harry Dresden who works with the police to solve magical crimes (when he’s not almost getting killed).
I have read all 17 of the books currently out in this series. They are addictive, exciting, and grow to an epic scale you wouldn’t think possible from the first book.
#7 – Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence
If you want something darker as your first fantasy book, check out Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence. This was published back when Joe Abercrombie started making waves in the dark fantasy sub-genre, and was a smart publishing decision!
You follow a main character who is not likeable, and does horrific stuff, but you still kind of want him to succeed in his overarching plan. I loved this first book, but the second in this trilogy put me off finishing the series.
#8 – The Iron Crown by L.L. MacRae
Another epic fantasy book that is easy to read, has fantastic characters, and an exciting plot is The Iron Crown by L.L. MacRae. When I first read it, The Iron Crown was my favourite book of the year – I hope it will be yours too!
#9 – Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews
The Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews is an incredible, addictive, and exciting urban fantasy series you won’t want to miss. These kinds of books are ideal for the first fantasy books you read as they’re not too long, they are fast-paced, and easy to follow.
#10 – Ascendant by Michael R. Miller
The final book on this list of 10 first fantasy books you should read is a book I always recommend for beginners to the fantasy genre. Ascendant by Michael R. Miller is an epic fantasy book with dragons, dragon-riders, and a world-altering epic fantasy plot.
This is a massive story, but the writing style and focus on the main character in this first entry of the series keeps the reader grounded. It gently introduces you to all the elements of worldbuilding you’ll need to know for the big clashes later on!
