It’s shaping up to be a pretty weird week in America. With a hotly contested election on the horizon, the threat of protests from both sides of the aisle, and an ongoing pandemic, we could all use a break, and a little lightness in our lives.
Below, I have compiled a list of my favorite adult, YA, and children’s fantasy books to help you escape the chaos of the real world, and enter the more magical chaos of the made-up. While YA is written for a teen audience, it is the most popular genre among all readers–and for good reason. These books are all bursting with magic, romance, and a healthy dose of drama, and many were ones that my middle and high school students enjoyed just as much as I did.
I hope you find a book you love, and one that allows both you and your kids to take a nice little mental vacation!
Young Adult Books
Cinder – Marissa Meyer
Cinder is a take on Cinderella, but the protagonist is a cyborg, who may have a secret identity that even she doesn’t know about, and is trying to save a kingdom from evil, as well as a mysterious and deadly pandemic. It might sound like there’s too much going on here, but somehow it works. This book has just the right amount of tension, romance, and surprise factor to keep you hooked for the long haul. I read the entire series with a few of my eighth graders several years ago, and we all thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. (And so did their moms.)
Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children – Ransom Riggs
Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children is my #1 most recommended book, to both teens and adults. The world-building in this book is second to none, and the characters are so real that I honestly feel like I know them.
The story follows a teen named Jacob who almost witnesses his grandfather’s mysteriously violent death, and then begins having nightmares about the imaginary “monsters” his grandpa used to tell him stories about when he was young. In an attempt to calm his anxious mind and come to terms with his personal tragedy, Jacob decides to pay a visit to his grandfather’s childhood home. Once there, he embarks on an adventure that transports him back in time, to a world full of magic, danger, and unexpected friendship.
It’s a story unlike any other, and I can still vividly picture so many of the scenes from this story, despite the fact that I read it several years ago. This is one of those books that honestly makes me question whether Riggs made this world up, or actually lived it…
The Selection
The Selection Series is the definition of fluff, which is exactly why it’s so wonderful. It’s about a girl who attends the “selection” event (which is basically The Bachelor, but without the cameras, plus a royal twist), and is “forced” to vie for the heart of the prince. It’s chock full of romance, rebellion, a juicy love triangle, and everything else you need to totally escape from reality for a few blissful hours. AND it’s a four book series, so you can set up camp in this alternate reality for a long time…
The Red Queen – Victoria Aveyard
The Red Queen is set in a world with two castes of people–the “Reds” who are essentially the lowly humans, and the “Silvers,” whose silver blood awards them supernatural abilities. The protagonist, Mare Barrow is the “regular” girl turned super hero we all dream of becoming. After tragedy strikes her already suffering family, Mare is forced to take up a position at the Silver palace. It is here, that she, and those around her, discover that she is more than she appears to be. Mare does some pretty bad-ass fighting, takes a stand for the little guy, and falls in love a time or two. It’s a fun read, and a great escape, and sends an important message about the dangers of divisiveness that is pretty perfect for our current moment.
The Watchmaker’s Daughter
The Watchmaker’s Daughter because it was different than most other fantasy novels I’ve read recently. The protagonist, India Steele, is the daughter of a watchmaker who dies unexpectedly, leaving his business to her two-faced fiancée instead of his own daughter. Desperate for work, India finds a job as the “assistant” to an American stranger–one who ends up having a very special watch that’ he is in urgent need of fixing. There’s a lot of mystery, a bit of magic, and a great romance, all set against a historical backdrop that will make you feel like you’ve been sent back in time. I listened to this one on audio, and highly recommend that format as well.
Children of Blood and Bone – Tomi Adeyemi
I read Children of Blood and Bone at the prompting of one of my students last year, and I am so glad I did. The book takes place in a divided world, where the reigning powers have suppressed the magic of the maji: white haired diviners who once wielded incredible power. The protagonist–Zélie–“accidentally” embarks upon a quest to restore power to the maji when she happens upon the young princess when trading in town. The story is full of shifting allegiances, and some pretty great plot twists, in which a few of the characters learn that power can be easily abused, and that the two castes of society who have grown to hate each other so much, might not be as different as they once thought. All the drama and intrigue, along with a subtle theme concerning the way in which violence and revenge will only ever breed more violence and revenge, as well as a diverse cast of characters, make this book a must-read for both teens and adults.
Adult Books
The Night Circus – Erin Morgenstern
Gah, what do I even say about this book? The Night Circus is unique, and complex, and completely engrossing. It follows the story of a group of magicians who set up a “circus” in the late 1800s. Two of the most preeminent magicians are life-long rivals, and each find a protegee to use as a tool in their competition with one another.
As the night circus evolves and the protegees grow up, their talents, and the magic of the circus becomes darker and more complex. Relationships get tricky, tragedy strikes, and the two young competitors find a surprising connection in one another.
This book was surprising at every turn, beautifully written, and incredibly fresh. A great read for lovers of the fantasy genre, and a perfect introduction to those who want to test the waters for the first time.
A Discovery of Witches – Deborah Harkness
A Discovery of Witches is a truly wonderful book. It follows the story of a witch (Diana) who would rather distance herself from her growing powers, and a vampire (Matthew) who is both drawn to her, and wary of the power she seems to possess.
When Diana stumbles upon an ancient book in the library, she sets in motion a chain of events that will turn her world upside down. The story follows Diana and Matthew as they travel back in time in search of answers about what kind of power the book really contains, as well as the secrets Diana’s family hid from her for so long. A great strong, smart female protagonist, and a thrilling love story, make this one of my most favorite fantasy books of all time.
The Vine Witch – Luanne Smith
Witches, romance, France and wine. What could be better? The Vine Witch’s unique take on the world of witchcraft transports readers to a vineyard in France, where a witch named Elena is just emerging from a 7-year curse. She returns to her home amongst the vines in order to reclaim what was once hers, and take revenge on the fiancée she thinks cast the spell on her in the first place. The characters in this novel are interesting and complex, and the setting will entrance you. I was delightfully surprised by both the romance, and a few of the plot twists, and very much enjoyed reading this one with a glass of red by my side.
Children’s Books
Flotsam – David Wiesner
THIS BOOK IS AMAZING. It’s a wordless picture book about a little boy who finds a camera on the beach. He takes the film in to get developed, and the pictures that are returned to him are a little more than surprising. It turns out that this lucky boy is one of a chain of children who have discovered the camera and have thus become privy to the secrets of some pretty amazing underwater creatures. This book will make your imagination run wild, and your heart feel full of the wonder of childhood.
Uni The Unicorn – Amy Rosenthal
Uni The Unicorn is a very cute story about a world where unicorns rule, and children are the real “mythical creatures.” Uni is a one-of-a-kind unicorn who ends up finding the little girl he has been waiting for, and who has also been waiting for him.
The Paper Bag Princess – Robert Munsch
The Paper Bag Princess is a great book for little girls, as it tells the story of a beautiful princess who is also intelligent and brave enough to outsmart the dragon who destroyed her home, and stole her “true love.” After the princess succeeds in her quest, she discovers that her prince doesn’t quite live up to her standards, and ends up deciding to move on to bigger and better things.
The Not Quite Narwhal – Jessie Sima
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My Father’s Dragon
This wonderfully whimsical story brought as much joy to me in adulthood as it did when I was a child. The story follows Elmer and his alley cat friend as they travel to the island of Tangerina. Here, they survive on tangerines and outsmart a crew of crocodiles in order to save an imprisoned baby dragon. It is a lovely read-aloud that will keep your kids hooked for nights on end, and is sure to make the whole family smile.
Honorable Mentions and The Classics:
