The best humorous fantasy that isn’t Pratchett

Why am I passionate about this?

I love reading and I love books that evoke a response whether it’s an ooey gooey feeling from a soppy love story, too scared to turn the bedtime light out because of the terrifying horror book or sniggering quietly at witty, humorous, and amusing storytelling. I never intended to write humorous books myself, my characters took me there with their individual idiosyncrasies and peculiar habits. I adore writing my Roshaven novels, it’s like sitting down with friends for coffee, cake, and a catch-up. I hope you enjoy my list, get in touch with the ones you’ve read and any others you think I’d like.


I wrote...

The Rose Thief

By Claire Buss,

Book cover of The Rose Thief

What is my book about?

Someone is stealing the Emperor's magical roses and all of love will be lost if Ned Spinks, Chief Thief-Catcher, can't catch them. He must go on a quest to defeat vampire mermaids, illusionists, estranged family members, and an evil sorcerer – what could possibly go wrong?

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Eyre Affair

Claire Buss Why did I love this book?

Thursday Next is the main character of this fantastically funny series from Jasper Fford. She is a literary detective, charged with keeping fictional characters inside their books. You can imagine the mayhem, the wit, and the puns! If you love literature, then you will thoroughly enjoy this jaunt through Fford’s inspired imagination. 

By Jasper Fforde,

Why should I read it?

9 authors picked The Eyre Affair as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Meet Thursday Next, literary detective without equal, fear or boyfriend

Jasper Fforde's beloved New York Times bestselling novel introduces literary detective Thursday Next and her alternate reality of literature-obsessed England-from the author of The Constant Rabbit

Fans of Douglas Adams and P. G. Wodehouse will love visiting Jasper Fforde's Great Britain, circa 1985, when time travel is routine, cloning is a reality (dodos are the resurrected pet of choice), and literature is taken very, very seriously: it's a bibliophile's dream. England is a virtual police state where an aunt can get lost (literally) in a Wordsworth poem and forging Byronic…


Book cover of Rivers of London

Claire Buss Why did I love this book?

Set in London this humorous series of books follows the magical adventures of PC Peter Grant as he discovers magic is real. And he can do it. This isn’t necessarily laugh-out-loud humour but it’s the type of cleverness that will have you smirking and appreciating the twist on the norm to create the fantastical. If you know London at all, you will find yourself nodding along as you recall the places Grant takes you and it will definitely have you thinking differently about rivers. 

By Ben Aaronovitch,

Why should I read it?

8 authors picked Rivers of London as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Book 1 in the Rivers of London series, from Sunday Times Number One bestselling author Ben Aaronovitch.

My name is Peter Grant, and I used to be a probationary constable in that mighty army for justice known to all right-thinking people as the Metropolitan Police Service, and to everyone else as the Filth.

My story really begins when I tried to take a witness statement from a man who was already dead...

Probationary Constable Peter Grant dreams of being a detective in London's Metropolitan Police. After taking a statement from an eyewitness who happens to be a ghost, Peter comes…


Book cover of A Spell for Chameleon

Claire Buss Why did I love this book?

This is the first book in the Xanth magical series which began in the 70s so it has some legs for sure. Is it necessarily politically correct? Probably not but this was my first introduction to humorous fantasy, before dabbling in Discworld, and it has a fond place in my heart. It’s mischievous and zany and utterly mental in places. Everything you want in a humorous fantasy tale. 

By Piers Anthony,

Why should I read it?

6 authors picked A Spell for Chameleon as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

BEST NOVEL OF THE YEAR, BRITISH FANTASY SOCIETY • Discover the magical beginning of Piers Anthony’s enthralling Xanth series

Xanth was the enchanted land where magic ruled—where every citizen had a special spell only he could cast. It was a land of centaurs and dragons and basilisks.

For Bink of North Village, however, Xanth was no fairy tale. He alone had no magic. And unless he got some—and got some fast!—he would be exiled. Forever. But the Good Magician Humfrey was convinced that Bink did indeed have magic. In fact, both Beauregard the genie and the magic wall chart insisted…


Book cover of Magic Kingdom for Sale

Claire Buss Why did I love this book?

I read Shannara by Brooks first then picked this up and it’s completely different and yet still filled with the same literary magic that makes you want to read it from cover to cover immediately. It’s funny and frustrating and sad and also the first in a series so you can read assured there’s more to follow. 

By Terry Brooks,

Why should I read it?

7 authors picked Magic Kingdom for Sale as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Here in his first non-Shannara novel, Terry Brooks has written a gripping story of mystery, magic, and adventure—sure to delight fantasy readers everywhere.

Landover was a genuine magic kingdom, with fairy folk and wizardry, just as the advertisement has promised. But after he purchased it, Ben Holiday learned that there were a few details the ad had failed to mention.

The kingdom was in ruin. The Barons refused to recognize a king, and the peasants were without hope. A dragon was laying waste the countryside, while an evil witch plotted to destroy everything.

Ben's only followers were the incompetent Court…


Book cover of Soulless

Claire Buss Why did I love this book?

I stumbled on this series by accident and rapidly devoured the lot. Alexa Tarrabotti has no soul and can remove the effects of the supernatural with her touch. Imagine the possibilities in an 18th-century London filled with vampires, werewolves, and ghosts. Amusing through social observation and full of wit, definitely recommended. 

By Gail Carriger,

Why should I read it?

7 authors picked Soulless as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Alexia Tarabotti is labouring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette.

Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire - and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate.

With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high…


You might also like...

Split Decision

By David Perlmutter,

Book cover of Split Decision

David Perlmutter Author Of The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

I am a freelance writer from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, specializing in media history and speculative fiction. I have been enchanted by animation since childhood and followed many series avidly through adulthood. My viewing inspired my MA thesis on the history of animation, out of which grew two books on the history and theory of animation on television, America 'Toons In: A History of Television Animation (available from McFarland and Co.) and The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows (available from Rowman and Littlefield). Hopefully, others will follow.

David's book list on understanding the history of animation

What is my book about?

Jefferson Ball, the mightiest female dog in a universe of the same, is, despite her anti-heroic behavior, intent on keeping her legacy as an athlete and adventurer intact. So, when female teenage robot Jody Ryder inadvertently angers her by smashing her high school records, Jefferson is intent on proving her superiority by outmuscling the robot in a not-so-fair fight. Not wanting to seem like a coward, and eager to end her enemy's trash talking, Jody agrees.

However, they have been lured to fight each other by circumstances beyond their control. Which are intent on destroying them if they don't destroy each other in combat first...

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in magic-supernatural, wizards, and steampunk?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about magic-supernatural, wizards, and steampunk.

Magic-Supernatural Explore 608 books about magic-supernatural
Wizards Explore 95 books about wizards
Steampunk Explore 92 books about steampunk