I love fantasy books and I love the wonderful array of British authors out there, so I wanted to showcase some of them in my small selection of books. Some are well known, some less so but all have their own unique and fascinating way of creating fantasy worlds. There are so many good books to choose from but these five are real must-reads as far as I’m concerned.
Witches and hunters. Blood and magic. Heartache and lust. Will history repeat itself?
Life in the English fens is going to change for both Lora Smith and Regan White. Four centuries apart their lives take on unnerving parallels. With witches and magic at play, will either girl manage to survive?
The Lord of the Rings series is a must-read for any fantasy reader. Tolkien was ahead of his time in creating a magnificent world of hobbits, dwarves, and elves, but the adventure started with one little hobbit.
Personally, it is the humbleness of Bilbo Baggins that I absolutely love. He’s just a hobbit, with hairy feet and a penchant for second breakfasts but he has this absolutely epic adventure. I think there’s something about Bilbo that I, and I suspect most readers, really identify with. He doesn’t discover any magical powers or super strength, yet he’s most definitely a hero. Something everyone can take to heart; in our own way, we can all be the hero.
Special collector's film tie-in hardback of the best-selling classic, featuring the complete story with a sumptuous cover design inspired by THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY and brand new reproductions of all the drawings and maps by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely travelling further than the pantry of his hobbit-hole in Bag End.
But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard, Gandalf, and a company of thirteen dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an unexpected journey 'there and back again'. They have a plot to raid…
This has a quite classic theme of good versus bad. I was really rooting for Zacriah from the start. He was more of your “has hidden magic” hero, but he came from humble beginnings. I do like an underdog, but more than that I like everyday people (or elves!) and seeing how they rise against adversity. Maybe because, especially in the current climate, it feels like we need to do this more and more. Zacriah is an everyday hero. Hadrian, the other protagonist is, however, a prince. The writing is such though that I was rooting for him too. Maybe because it was obvious that he cared for Zac from the start and I’m a sucker for a love story.
A M/M Dragon Shifter Romance with powerful magic, an kingdom in danger and creatures beyond your imagination.
Zacriah Trovirn is concerned with two things in life: hunting and dodging Petrer, the boy who broke his heart.
Heartbreak becomes a distant concern when Zacriah is taken to the Elven capital of Thessolina, where he is forced into King Dalior’s new legion of shapeshifters. But Zacriah isn’t a shapeshifter. In truth, he doesn't know what he is.
Zacriah joins forces with new friends and they soon find themselves embroiled in a clash between the three Elven continents. With war on the horizon,…
Set in a world parallel with ours, I loved the Oxford of this book and the similarities with the world I know. I also loved the differences. My favourite thing about this series is the daemons, they are the same as our soul, but they take the form of an animal that is visual to all who interact with their human. This whole look at souls and what makes a person human is fascinating and, combining this with a rebellious female protagonist and an amazing adventure, makes this book just brilliant. The author does that wonderful trick of being readable by all ages, as a booklover, and as a parent, I really appreciate this skill.
The first volume in Philip Pullman's groundbreaking HIS DARK MATERIALS trilogy, now a thrilling, critically acclaimed BBC/HBO television series. First published in 1995, and acclaimed as a modern masterpiece, this first book in the series won the UK's top awards for children's literature.
"Without this child, we shall all die."
Lyra Belacqua and her animal daemon live half-wild and carefree among scholars of Jordan College, Oxford.
The destiny that awaits her will take her to the frozen lands of the Arctic, where witch-clans reign and ice-bears fight.
Her extraordinary journey will have immeasurable consequences far beyond her own world...
This book is amazing. Micah Grey, the new runaway boy to join the circus, has secrets to hide. Some of them start to be uncovered in this book, some will follow. I love that the author explores identity and belonging in a way that feels so authentic. I love that this book is the I in LGBTQIA+ fiction. I love the worlds created. I love everything about this book. Laura Lam is an amazing storyteller who brings to life fascinating characters in a real page-turner. I’ve included this in my best of British selection as the author lives in Scotland even though she’s American.
From the Sunday Times bestselling author of Seven Devils
'A fantastical, richly drawn, poignant take on a classic coming-of-age story' - Leigh Bardugo
In a land of lost wonders, the past is stirring once more . . .
Gene's life resembles a debutante's dream. Yet she hides a secret that would see her shunned by the nobility. Gene is both male and female. Then she displays unwanted magical abilities - last seen in mysterious beings from an almost-forgotten age. Matters escalate further when her parents plan a devastating betrayal, so she flees home, dressed as a boy.
What Best of British Fantasy list would be complete without Terry Pratchett included? The biggest difficulty is knowing which book of his to choose. Now I must be totally honest; the first couple of times I tried Pratchett, I couldn’t get into the books at all. Why? I don’t know because this author is a god of writing. Quirky, interesting, and wickedly funny, the worlds and characters created by this author are exceptional. After much consideration I chose this book as the main protagonist, Tiffany, is bloody brilliant. She is the example of a female protag all girls should read. Intelligent, strong, and fearless, I just loved her and want you all to love her too.
A nightmarish danger threatens from the other side of reality . . .
Armed with only a frying pan and her common sense, young witch-to-be Tiffany Aching must defend her home against the monsters of Fairyland. Luckily she has some very unusual help: the local Nac Mac Feegle - aka the Wee Free Men - a clan of fierce, sheep-stealing, sword-wielding, six-inch-high blue men.
Together they must face headless horsemen, ferocious grimhounds, terrifying dreams come true, and ultimately the sinister Queen of the Elves herself . . .
The Unproposed Guy is a captivating journey through the life of Kevin, a character stuck in a mundane existence and unfulfilling relationships, who discovers his passion for stand-up comedy and rapping amidst an existential crisis.
This contemporary fiction is peppered with humor, sarcasm, and poignant insights into modern relationships and societal expectations. Kevin's struggles and transformations offer a unique blend of comedy and emotional depth, making it a must-read for those seeking a fresh, humorous perspective on love, life, and self-discovery. Dive into Kevin's character of failed relationship and who portrays himself as "Every guy's best friend and every girl's worst nightmare".
There has been no significant change in the life of Kevin—a monotonous routine, ordinary family, and miserably failing relationships—until he finds out he is going through something abnormal: 'Existential Crisis'.
He has always been a marvellous entertainer, but has a mysterious way of putting off girls. The talent in him is growing creatively, and abundantly, but his inability to impress a girl keeps pulling him down slowly. He realises he can be any guy’s best friend, but he also seems to be every girl’s worst nightmare.
Hop onto the rollercoaster journey of Kevin’s life, as he navigates through mocking friends…
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