Fantasy
Piranesi
A man lives contentedly in an endless house of marble halls, statues and tides, until signs of another presence begin to unsettle his world.
Genre Starter Kit
Fantasy Starter Kit
5 books to begin with, in the order to read them.
Invented worlds that tell the truth about this one. A guided first step into fantasy: where to begin, how to read it, and what to try next. About 44 hours of reading.
$12Premium
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- Books
- 5
- Reading time
- About 44 hours
- Formats
- PDF, web guide, content pack
A preview
Read the opening
- Why Read Fantasy
- How to Read Fantasy
- Your Reading Path
- Adjacent Reading
- Keep Going
Welcome
Why Read Fantasy
Fantasy is the genre of full commitment: a world built from nothing, with its own rules, myths and weather. The best of it is less about magic than about what people do with power, loss and wonder when the ordinary rules are lifted.
Invented worlds that tell the truth about this one.
The Concierge
Practical
How to Read Fantasy
- Start with a standalone novel before committing to a series.
- Give the first fifty pages to learn the world; the rewards compound.
- Read the maps and appendices if they exist. They are part of the pleasure.
Pairs with: Rain on the window and something warm to drink.
The full genre starter kit continues for another 3 sections.
Request accessThe books
On the reading list
Fantasy
Circe
Exiled to a remote island, the witch of Greek myth hones her craft and her will, and crosses paths with gods, monsters and heroes.
Fantasy
The Hobbit
A comfort-loving hobbit is swept into a quest with thirteen dwarves to reclaim a treasure guarded by a dragon.
Fantasy
The Night Circus
A black-and-white circus appears without warning, the stage for a duel between two young magicians who do not know the rules.
Science Fiction
The Left Hand of Darkness
An envoy to a frozen planet whose people have no fixed gender must win the trust of a reluctant ally. A landmark of speculative fiction.