My Fantasy Favorites: Worlds I Could Get Lost In

Fantasy has always been my escape. There's something about stepping into a completely new world -- full of magic, danger and unforgettable characters -- that makes reading feel like an adventure. Over the years, I've found some series and novels that I keep coming back to, and I wanted to share them with you.

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Epic/Historical Fantasies

If you love massive worlds, epic battles, and characters you can root for, these are the ones I can't recommend enough:

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

A humble hobbit's journey to destroy a powerful ring sends him across a richly imagined world filled with danger, friendship, sacrifice, and epic heroism.

A Game of Thrones by J.K. Rowling

Noble families clash for power, ancient threats stir beyond icy walls, and no one is safe in a brutal political fantasy where ambition and betrayal shape destinies.

Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson

In a bleak empire smothered by ash and ruled by an immortal tyrant, a downtrodden orphan girl discovers she has rare magical powers and joins a daring rebel heist that overthrow the regime.

She Who Became The Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

In a reimagined 14th century China, a peasant girl takes on her brother's identity, rising from monk to military commander amid ambition, destiny, and the brutal politics of rebellion.

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

A war orphan trains at a military academy and discovers shamanic powers tied to an ancient god -- as war erupts, she must confront dark magic, moral compromise, and how power can reshape both a country and herself.

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Romantasy

Sometimes I want magic and a bit of swoon. These picks hit both notes perfectly:

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

...and also literally all of her other work.

I am a huge fan of Sarah J. Maas' work, I can't stress that enough. I've read them all, then re-read them, then annotated them. Her heroines are fierce, the worlds are immersive, and the romance adds an extra layer without taking over.

The Serpent & The Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent

A human raised among vampires enters a deadly centuries old tournament for a wish, forming a risky alliance with a vampire rival. But when dark secrets emerge, she faces betrayal, love and blood-soaked power.

When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker

A magically wounded woman wakes in a strange world with no memory and must piece together her past as truths unravel and danger closes in; a fragile connection offers hope.

A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen

A shield-maiden caught in a deadly prophecy, must fight for survival and navigate political intrigue, all while a slow-burn romance complicates her path.

The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig

When seers begin disappearing, a young diviner with prophetic visions must team up with a brooding knight to uncover dark secrets and false gods.

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Why I Love These Books

What ties all of these together is how they made me feel. Whether its awe at a sprawling world, heartbreak over a character's choices, or pure joy in a satisfying plot twist, these stories stick with you.