10 Fantasy Books That Are Perfect From Start to Finish

Oct 22, 2026 - 01:03

0 0

10 Fantasy Books That Are Perfect From Start to Finish

Bilbo lying on a mountain of gold in The Hobbit_ The Desolation of Smaug

Published Oct 21, 2026, 4:28 PM EDT

Dyah (pronounced Dee-yah) is a Senior Author at Collider, responsible for both writing and transcription duties. She joined the website in 2022 as a Resource Writer before stepping into her current role in April 2023. As a Senior Author, she writes Features and Lists covering TV, music, and movies, making her a true Jill of all trades. In addition to her writing, Dyah also serves as an interview transcriber, primarily for events such as San Diego Comic-Con, the Toronto International Film Festival, and the Sundance Film Festival.

Dyah graduated from Satya Wacana Christian University in October 2019 with a Bachelor's degree in English Literature, concentrating on Creative Writing. On March 2026, Dyah graduated with Master's degree in English Literature Studies, with a thesis on intersectionality in postcolonial-feminist studies in Asian literary works.

Born and raised between Indonesia and Singapore, Dyah is no stranger to different cultures. She now resides in the small town of Kendal with her husband and four cats, where she spends her free time cooking or cycling.

It takes more than spells and dragons to make a solid fantasy book. A genre that promises to take readers to worlds beyond our wildest imaginations, fantasy requires authors to dedicate time and care to crafting an almost unrecognizable realm, often from scratch. From creating a new language to developing a new hierarchical system, fantasy often requires extensive research. But at the same time, no matter how far-fetched the imagination can take readers, the secret to a perfect fantasy novel is how it is able to relate to common human conundrums.

Once you bring the two together, these fantasy books will collide. From an essential fantasy read by one of the most celebrated authors of the genre to more contemporary East Asian takes on typical Western-centric fantasy tropes, here are 10 fantasy books that are perfect from start to finish.

1 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' (1997)

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone book cover

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone takes readers back to Harry’s childhood, long before he becomes the powerful wizard we know today. An orphan raised by the abusive Dursleys, Harry’s life changes when giant Rubeus Hagrid introduces him to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Unlike his more confident peers, Harry still has a long way to go before he can tap into his magical potential.

Harry Potter is arguably every child’s entry point into fantasy, and J.K. Rowling’s bestselling debut novel is proof of its lasting appeal. Harry’s journey is a classic underdog story that grows into one of the most celebrated literary phenomena worldwide. Whether you’re into "Wingardium Leviosa" or Harry’s camaraderie with his pals, this book is a perfect introduction to fantasy.

2 'The Bird That Drinks Tears' Series (2003)

The illustrated cover features a warrior standing amid dark mountains and towering structures, surrounded by diagonal white lines and circular motifs against a yellow and teal background.

In a world divided between humans and other mythical races, an ancient war has left the reptilian Nhaga isolated in a southern forest. When three warriors from different races are sent to escort a Nhaga to a sacred temple, a young runaway named Ryun Paye takes the place of a murdered envoy, unknowingly setting an ancient prophecy in motion.

Often praised as Korea’s The Lord of the Rings, The Bird That Drinks Tears has all the components of an epic fantasy. Its diverse characters embark on a quest rooted in an ancient conflict while drawing inspiration from Korean folklore. From giant, war-prone bird people called Rekons to goblin-like Tokkebi, this fantasy world brings mythical creatures together in one unforgettable adventure.

3 'The Hobbit' (1937)

The front cover of 'The Hobbit' by J. R. R. Tolkien

For fantasy newcomers looking to jump into the J.R.R. Tolkien-verse, The Hobbit offers a more approachable way to explore Middle-earth, introducing its strange creatures, magical landscapes, and unexpected dangers without the heavier commitment of Tolkien’s famous trilogy.

The story centers on Bilbo Baggins, a comfort-loving hobbit whose quiet life takes a turn when he joins a quest to reclaim a lost kingdom and its treasure from Smaug, a fearsome dragon. Bilbo is hardly the adventurous type, but his journey pushes him far beyond the comforts of home. Readers get to discover Middle-earth alongside him, making every new encounter feel like part of their own adventure.

4 'The Last Unicorn' (1968)

The cover for Peter S. Beagle's The Last Unicorn

The Last Unicorn follows an immortal unicorn living in the lilac woods. Used to her peaceful existence, she refuses to believe she might be the last of her kind. Determined to find her missing kin, she leaves her home and embarks on a journey that teaches her the true meaning of life.

Humans can learn a lot from magical creatures. The Last Unicorn explores the loneliness of being timeless in a world that keeps changing. When given the chance to become human, the unicorn must confront mortality and heartbreak firsthand. After all, grief is a sign of having lived a life filled with love.

5 'A Wizard of Earthsea' (1968)

Book cover of Ursula K. Le Guin's 'A Wizard of Earthsea'

If you're looking for a classic fantasy adventure that predates Harry Potter by decades, Ursula K. Le Guin's A Wizard of Earthsea is your next read. The novel centers on Ged, a gifted boy whose natural ability for magic sets him on a path far beyond his village. After learning from the quiet, wise mage Ogion, Ged seeks further training at the School of Roke, where his ambitions soon get the better of him.

Magic in Earthsea isn't something characters can use without consequences. Every spell can upset the world's balance, forcing Ged to confront the damage caused by his own pride. Beneath its fantastical setting, the story explores responsibility, restraint, and knowing when power should be left alone.

6 'The Dark Tower' series (1982–2012)

The Dark Tower by Stephen King book cover

Stephen King might be best known for IT, Carrie, and The Shining, but the prolific author also wrote an eight-book epic that rivals The Lord of the Rings. The Dark Tower series follows Roland Deschain, a gunslinger traveling across the strange and dangerous land of Mid-World in search of a tower that holds the multiverse together.

Blending fantasy, horror, sci-fi, and the American Old West, The Dark Tower is one of King's most ambitious works. The series also reveals how far his imagination stretches, connecting his fictional universe to other novels and showing that the King-verse is much bigger than any single story.

7 'The Poppy War' (2018)

Fantasy often relies on European castles, medieval kingdoms, and mythical creatures, but R. F. Kuang takes a different approach in The Poppy War. Inspired by Chinese history, the novel follows Rin, an orphan who enters an elite military academy to escape an arranged marriage. There, she faces prejudice and fierce competition before discovering her shamanic abilities.

Instead of your typical supernatural source, the novel’s magic is connected to drugs. Instead of simply casting spells, shamans use opium to enter altered states of consciousness and access divine powers. However, opium serves a darker purpose beyond magic. Its real-life historical significance gives more nuance to Rin’s journey, showing how relying on metaphysical abilities comes at a devastating cost.

8 'Jade City' (2017)

Jade has always been a prized mineral, but Jade City reimagines its significance through a fantasy lens. In the island nation of Kekon, jade grants its wearers extraordinary abilities. Not only is it a source of incredible power, but it also fuels ruthless conflict between rival clans. At the center of the conflict is the Kaul family’s No Peak clan, which struggles to maintain its power against the rival Mountain clan.

Jade City combines the mafia storyline of The Godfather with traditional wuxia, a genre that combines martial arts with fantasy elements. Thanks to jade’s magical properties, wearers gain superhuman strength, speed, heightened reflexes, and enhanced fighting abilities. The result is nonstop, Hong Kong-style kung fu action with a fantasy twist.

9 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' (1967)

One Hundred Years of Solitude book cover

One Hundred Years of Solitude plays out just like its title suggests. Spanning seven generations, the family saga takes place in the fictional Colombian town of Macondo, founded by José Arcadio Buendía and Úrsula Iguarán. However, as the decades pass, their descendants struggle with inescapable personal tragedies and destructive obsessions.

Whether during the civil wars or the Banana Massacre, one thing remains constant: the cycle of pain and grief. But instead of offering a full-on discourse on trauma, One Hundred Years of Solitude tells its tale of family, fate, and forgotten history by drawing from Latin American myths and folklore, which are intentionally incorporated to reflect the characters’ deepest fears through supernatural happenings.

10 'Dungeon Crawler Carl' (2020)

the front cover of "Dungeon Crawler Carl' by Matt Dinniman

It’s a game of a lifetime in Dungeon Crawler Carl. Former Coast Guard veteran Carl isn’t having the best day. Apart from breaking up with his ex-girlfriend, he must also tend to her pampered cat, Princess Donut. But there’s no time for whining. When Earth is destroyed by a powerful interstellar corporation, Carl finds himself stuck in the World Dungeon.

With 14 million readers to boot and a TV adaptation in the works, the hype for Dungeon Crawler Carl is undeniable. Readers are transported to an 18-level death game similar to The Hunger Games or Squid Game. Each level is harder than the one before, and it’s here that Carl does the most—from battling monsters while leveling up to completing quests across the galaxy.