“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.” – George R. R. Martin, A Storm of Swords
Perhaps you are aware that fantasy books have great benefits. They not only help to stimulate the reader’s creativity, but they also encourage the reader to think out the box. Your horizon becomes widened, and your perspective about the world’s boundaries grows larger. Now, if you are looking to get some adult fantasy books to read, here are five great suggestions you can take on.
A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
A Game of Thrones is the first book in the series titled A Song of Fire and Ice by George R. R. Martin. It is an award-winning book that has taken on a life of its own even as a television series by HBO from 2011 to 2019. It features the story of the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos in a somewhat outplay of fantastic political events. The book focuses on the significant effect of the choices we make as humans, especially when we realize that we are too deep in such decision making to turn back. Ned Stark is invited by his childhood friend, Robert Baratheon, the king of King’s Landing to be his principal advisor, “hand of the king.” Ned obliges the invite at the expense of his family at Winterfell. And that singular choice spirals into what later becomes a deep succession of events that evolves the characters and the mood of the reader.
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
This 2011 release is a unique bestseller. The historical fantasy book has gotten mainly positive reviews from literary critics for its perfect blend of history and fantasy. The plot circles around a Yale University professor, Diana bishop, who specializes in the history of science. In this book, she becomes opened up to the world of magic deposited inside her. And the ball of this series of events is set rolling by her reading of a manuscript, Ashmole 782, which has been missing for 150 years. At the first touch of the book in the Oxford University library, her witch powers come alive. The presence of a vampire, Matthew Clairmont, is also notable in the book, with whom she engages in a forbidden romantic relationship.
A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin
In the series, A Song of Ice and Fire, A Clash of Kings stands as the second novel. Just like its predecessor, it won several awards. It was adapted as the second season of the television series, A Game of Thrones. The story continues from the flow of thoughts in the previous debut novel, where King Robert Baratheon dies. With his death, the whole kingdom is thrown into turmoil, and what is known as the War of the Five Kings ensues. The major characters in this battle are Jeoffrey, Renly, Stannis, Robb Stark, Robert Baratheon, and Theon Greyjoy. They acclaim themselves as the rightful heirs to the iron throne in their rights. This war serves as the fulcrum on which other subplots and stories develop in this second novel of the series.
The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang
Referred to by Publishers Weekly as “a strong and dramatic launch to Kuang’s career,” The Poppy War has arrested the heart of many fantasy novel lovers all around the world. And it is a recent release debuting in 2018. The Poppy War is about the Sino-Chinese war, and Kuang was inspired to write it because books of the Chinese 20th century are not common on the bookshelves. The story is that of Rin, a lady who secretly trains to join the Sinegard army. She is called to the frontlines as the war ensues between the Kamari empire and her people, the Federation of Mugen. With the Shamanic powers she possesses, she has to choose between having to change the course of the war in her favor at the expense of her humanity.
The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson
This book stands as the second volume of the Mistborn trilogy. It was written in 2007 and has been regarded as a great fantasy book to read by lovers of sci-fi and fantasy novels. The Well of Ascension is a buildup on The Final Empire, the preceding novel in the trilogy. The story in the book circles around the remaining members of the Kelsiers crew who attempt to bring order to the Luthadel and the final empire at large. After the death of Lord Ruler, the realm has been thrown into turmoil. And Vin, who has grown to be the most powerful Mistborn in the land, and Elend Venture must work to build a better empire from scratch while escaping various attacks.
Rest assured, these fantasy and sci-fi books have gotten great reviews since their release, and they stand as a perfect read. Getting them would a great idea for you.
If you think you are ready to make a commitment and read some fantastic fantasy and look no further than these five novels. They’ll bring you into a world of magic and power which will have you keep the book glued to your eyes for days. Subscribe to my site for new news on my upcoming work and keep a look out for my latest blog posts and ideas!