I haven’t read fantasy or dystopian since middle school when I was reading popular YA series. I want to try to get into fantasy and dystopia again, but am a little spooked by the idea of jumping into whole new worlds. I did really like RF Kuang’s Babel recently which was a little bit of fantasy, but I think I especially appreciated the politics of that world. I also like a little romance but don’t need that to be the primary plot. Other than that I have no idea where to start when looking for fantasy.
So comment some dystopian and fantasy suggestions for someone who knows nothing about reading fantasy. I would prefer more adult reads than young adult, because I tend to like a more literary fiction style of writing. Though I do like a really fluffy romance every once in a while, so who knows. Thanks for your suggestions!
by shortcircumference
10 Comments
I’m not huge on fantasy, but in terms of dystopian books really enjoyed Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. Have you read the classic dystopian books like 1984 and Brave New World? Those might be a good place to start, they both have elements of fantasy.
It’s considered a YA series, but the Arc of the Scythe is still a very enjoyable read (coming from someone who normally doesn’t enjoy YA). May be considered more sci-fi than fantasy, but it’s a lighter sci-fi.
Not dystopian, but more like historical urban fantasy/magic realism: A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians by H.G. Parry.
Lions of Al Rassan, Roadside Picnic by Strugatsky
Brandon Sandersons Mistborn and Warbreaker got me back into fantasy and reading in general, Mistborn if you want a series, Warbreaker for a stand alone. I’d also recommend NK Jemisins Broken Earth Trilogy or Scott Lynches Gentlman Bastard Series, although I’m not sure if/when Lynch will release another book
Year One by Nora Roberts is dystopia and fantasy. It’s a fun mix but definitely not for everyone. It’s a series, Year One, is more dystopia than fantasy but the other books you get more into the fantasy.
Station 11 by Emily St John Mandel – it’s really popular and an easy read.
The Stand by Stephen King – maybe it’s not for beginners? Idk…it’s LONG but it’s really good.
for a not-typical fantasy, try Claire North: the first 15 Lives of Harry August
Pierce Brown’s Red Rising series- starts with a Hunger Games/Battle Royale vibe with the first book and really takes off from there with each book.
Margaret Atwood’s Maddaddam trilogy- biotech gone wild in the future.
If you’re intimidated, you could try some more middle-grade series with adult characters, like Septimus Heap by Angie Sage. Good fantasy world.
If you like politics, you could try The Goblin Emperor. A Game of Thrones is also a gateway series with good politics and court intrigue.
T. Kingfisher is a good fantasy author. Her book Nettle and Bone hits on a lot of common fairy tale tropes.
N.K. Jemisin’s *Broken Earth* series took the Hugos by storm in recent years with all three books winning best novel of the year in their respective years. It’s very well loved by modern fantasy/sci-fi readers.
*The Power* by Naomi Alderman. It’s like a reverse Handmaid’s Tale. It’s dark but gripping. What happens to society when girls are granted a power to kill at puberty. Multiple viewpoints make this one a great read.
*Parable Of The Sower* is considered one of the best dystopian books ever written. Bleak, jaw dropping, horrifying book that is a bit too “close to home.” So beautifully written but so painful to get through, this story ends up being one of the most tearfully scary horror reads I’ve encountered without actually being marketed as a horror book. Avoid if current events have made you anxious, one of the few dystopian books you can actually see happening.
*The Women Could Fly* by Megan Giddings is a dystopian world where
witches are a real thing and treated like a political fear by politicians. So we still have witch burnings and women who aren’t married at a certain age are “monitored” for witchcraft. A bit “on the nose” for today’s political climate, but extremely fascinating at the same time.
*Red Rising* is a bit like the Hunger Games if written from a more “Action figure” viewpoint. First book starts out fairly cookie cutter action/adventure/dystopia but the series becomes a much more interesting read as you go along.
Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire is a great starting point. It’s about kids who can’t readjust to the real world after finding their Narnias and Wonderlands. Beautifully written, and it’s short and stands alone so there’s virtually no commitment (but there are sequels if you like it).
Kazuo Ishiguro is a great author for dipping your toe into genre. The Buried Giant is fantasy and Never Let Me Go is dystopian, but he’s also definitely classified as a “literary” writer so it may feel more familiar and accessible to you.
The Ones We’re Meant to Find by Joan He is dystopian YA but it’s also a very lovely book about sisters.
Uprooted by Naomi Novick feels very fairy tale-like (as is her other standalone fantasy Spinning Silver)