Your Beginner’s Guide to Fantasy
Everything You Need to Know About the Fantasy Genre!
Written By: Alyssa Aspiotis & Krystal Lang
Edited by: Caelin Sullivan, Chloe Slate
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Have you ever wanted to start reading fantasy books, but then you look up ‘fantasy books to read’ and an endless amount of opinions come up that makes you feel extremely overwhelmed?
Don't worry, we’ve all been there!
Fantasy is one of the most intimidating genres because of its vast narratives, unfamiliar magic systems, and extensive world-building. That is why we have created this guide to help you start (or continue) your fantasy journey!
We hope this helps you deepen your understanding of the fantasy subgenres, gain some tips and tricks for starting a new fantasy book, and add some beginner-friendly recommendations to your 2025 TBR!
Fantasy 101: The Subgenres
Before we get into anything else, it’s important to understand the various subgenres of fantasy. Subgenres are a subcategory of an overarching, larger genre. They are the building blocks of the fantasy genre; they help you determine how plot driven or character driven you want a book will be, as well as the pace, the amount of romance, and even what the writing style is like. Fantasy subgenres all have various characteristics that are distinct from each other, but they have similarities as well!
High Fantasy
The most common subgenre is high fantasy. High fantasy consists of stories that take place in a setting that is unlike earth, meaning that there are different components to the world. This would include differentiating societal/political systems, fantastical creatures, and a central magic system. There are also world-threatening forces at play that the protagonist must overcome. Some examples of high fantasy are: Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon, The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart, and Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
Epic Fantasy
Epic Fantasy is similar to high fantasy in which you have a setting unlike earth and world-threatening forces, but the subgenre is also characterized by grand narratives that focus on heroic journeys. These journeys are often categorized by adventures or quests to save the world from a life-threatening force. Some examples of epic fantasy are: The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin, The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne, and The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu.
Romantasy
We then have romantasy, an emerging subgenre that combines fantasy elements and a prominent romance story. Typically, romantasy books have the fantastical elements that make up a fantasy story combined with a happily ever after that is central in romance books. Some examples of romantasy books are: The Jasad Heirby Sara Hashim, Phantasmaby Kaylie Smith, That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demonby Kimberly Lemming.
Urban Fantasy
Lastly we have urban fantasy, where the story is set in a modern / urban backdrop (typically in a known city/area) but also features the magical elements that are present in the fantasy genre. This also often includes modern slang/references, and supernatural elements (magic systems and fantastical creatures. Some examples of urban fantasy books are: Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, The City We Became by N. K. Jemisin, and A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth.
Tips For Starting Your Fantasy Journey
Now, you may hesitate to start your fantasy journey because you’re extremely overwhelmed, or you don’t know where to start, and are unsure of which books will work for you. That’s all okay! We started off as fantasy beginners too. That’s why we’re here to help you with some tips to get you motivated to begin this epic journey!
Take your time:
With entirely new worlds, it’s easy to get lost along the way. Especially when you start a new series where you’re getting introduced to a new world, characters, and magic systems. Make sure to step back, take your time, and don’t rush to the end.
Immersive reading:
If you find yourself easily distracted when reading, try immersive reading for fantasy novels! This consists of reading AND listening to the text simultaneously. You could do this by purchasing/borrowing an audiobook copy, or doing text-to-speech. This allows you to get fully immersed in the story!
Start small:
Start with a novella, standalone book, or an anthology if you’re feeling overwhelmed. This introduces you to the fantasy genre with short reads, and is a great way for you to test the waters and see if you like it!
Take notes:
If you find yourself easily confused with all of the new places, names, and terms, keep a notepad next to you! This allows you to be able to quickly reference place names, who the characters are, or certain magic systems you need to know. This is incredibly useful for high epic fantasy books with lots of plotlines!
Be patient:
Even the most seasoned fantasy fans sometimes pick up fantasy books and are immediately confused by what’s happening. The best advice is to be patient, especially when you are just starting a new book. Keep an open mind when beginning something new, you may just end up finding a five star series!
Recommendations From Your Favorite Booktokkers!
We reached out to some of your favorite booktokkers for beginner fantasy recommendations to start your journey. Here is what they said!
Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J. Tuli
“Romantasy that is perfect for people who grew up in the early 2000s dystopian renaissance and are interested in adding some magic to the deadly trials trope. Nisha J Tuli blends the high-stakes romantic competition of The Selection with a main character as fierce as Katniss Everdeen and wraps it up with some easy world building. This is the first book in the completed Artefacts of Ouranos series, and each book will take you deeper into the fantasy genre.”
- Rachel (@rachelskyereads)
Jade City by Fonda Lee
“It’s an epic urban fantasy centered around clans and family loyalty. The story moves quickly, so you’ll never feel bored, and the jade magic system is easy to understand. The complex relationships and tensions within the Kaul family add emotional depth, making it impossible to not get invested. It’s the kind of book that makes you feel as if you are part of their world.”
- Jenni (@jenniflipsthepage)
Strange the Dreamer by Lani Taylor
“A beautifully written YA fantasy duology. Strange the Dreamer follows a librarian who dreams of a mythic lost city, and a goddess with the power to enter and shape dreams. Taylor’s lyrical prose will draw you into the dreamy, surreal world of Weep, telling a moving story of hope, endurance, memory, forgiveness, and redemption. The writing is approachable, yet layered, with a balance of adventure, magic, mystery, and romance – a perfect starting point for fantasy newcomers.”
- Azhangia (@azhangia)
The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter
“A good beginning fantasy would have to be The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter. The character arcs in the story are so profound and powerful. The world building and the lore work together so well and develop nicely with the fast-paced plot! Seeing African representation in epic fantasy is so important for all readers to experience.”
- Tray (@trayreadthat)
Time to Start Your Journey….
It is time to start your journey into the fantasy genre! Now that you know the most popular sub-genres, have some tips to help you get started, and some amazing recommendations, you’re all set! Just remember, everyone starts somewhere, and it’s never too late to start reading fantasy. With these tools under your belt, you’ll be reading every fantasy book in no time!
