I’ve been dissecting world-building and soft magic systems for nearly two decades, trying to understand what makes them tick. My fascination with epic fantasy compelled me to attain a degree in linguistics and English literature, which provided a unique excuse to read extensively on the matter. I only became serious about fantasy writing once I started developing a soft magic system of my own. And so I set out to create materials, weapons, creatures – and later, entire histories, philosophies, and languages – all centered on “imagination”. The books I picked for this list all feature intricate fantasy worlds and magic systems that feel organic and malleable. I hope you enjoy!
Since my very first visit to Middle Earth, I fell in love with J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic and grandiose settings and the intelligent magic systems permeating his work. The Two Towers, the second installment in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, holds a special place in my heart, chiefly because of its many thematic dichotomies and its unique take on the “consequences of warfare”. The many parallels between the Ringbearer and the creature Gollum offer unique insight into the darkness of the human heart. The Battle of Helm’s Deep was and remains my most beloved fictional battle, and The Last March of the Ents must be my favourite metaphor for excessive industrialization.
This brand-new unabridged audio book of The Two Towers, the second part of J. R. R. Tolkien's epic adventure, The Lord of the Rings, is read by the BAFTA award-winning actor, director and author, Andy Serkis.
The company of the Ring is torn asunder. Frodo and Sam continue their journey alone down the great River Anduin - alone, that is, save for the mysterious creeping figure that follows wherever they go.
This continues the classic tale begun in The Fellowship of the Ring, which reaches its awesome climax in The Return of the King.
The reason I fell in love with George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire goes hand in hand with why I love J.R.R. Tolkien’s work. GRRM’s series builds upon the work of his classic contemporary, layering a darker, grittier veil over the genre of epic fantasy. A Dance with Dragons, in my opinion, further builds upon the subject of power and politics as well as duty and honour. The “relativity of evil” is something that particularly stands out in this fifth installment, which is constructed so brilliantly and so effectively, it has completely changed the way I build grey and morally ambiguous characters. Its soft magic system, featuring things such as “greensight”, “shadow-binding” and “face-changing” is one of my favourite magic systems in ages.
HBO's hit series A GAME OF THRONES is based on George R. R. Martin's internationally bestselling series A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE, the greatest fantasy epic of the modern age. A DANCE WITH DRAGONS is the fifth volume in the series.
The future of the Seven Kingdoms hangs in the balance.
In the east, Daenerys, last scion of House Targaryen, her dragons grown to terrifying maturity, rules as queen of a city built on dust and death, beset by enemies.
Now that her whereabouts are known many are seeking Daenerys and her dragons. Among them the dwarf, Tyrion Lannister,…
Terry Pratchett's entire body of work is a masterclass in fantasy writing, yet the novels featuring little shepherdess and witch-in-training Tiffany have influenced my writing the most. A Hat Full of Sky, the 32nd novel in the Discworld series, and the 2nd in Tiffany Aching’s saga, is a compelling story about a young witch who must defeat an hiver (bodiless hive mind). The writing style is charming, weaving elements of comedy and darkness, something I greatly appreciate in an epic fantasy novel. The magic system of Tiffany’s world is unique and quite far removed from “witchcraft” as we have come to understand it. She is a witch whose power doesn’t reside in spells or potions, but in “headology”, a talent for walking the world of Death, and the ability to produce Second Thoughts (the thoughts you think about the way you think). While the novel is a clever satire of young adult fiction, I can see it standing on its own legs quite beautifully.
When I first finished reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (the 7th and final book in J. K. Rowling’s epic fantasy franchise), I knew I was holding a most exquisite piece of fiction. As a long-time researcher of superb world-building and soft magic systems, I found myself positively engulfed and enthralled by this novel. Harry Potter’s magical and whimsical world is penciled in both fine lines and broad strokes, building towards an epic and rewarding conclusion that had me on the edge of my seat. Harry’s moral conundrum of “Horcruxes” vs. “Hallows”, which ultimately decides the path to his destiny, is a delightful and multifaceted bit of writing, one that I cannot stop praising.
It's time to PASS THE MAGIC ON - with brand new children's editions of the classic and internationally bestselling series
The seventh and final book in the global phenomenon series that changed the world of books forever
As he climbs into the sidecar of Hagrid's motorbike and takes to the skies, leaving Privet Drive for the last time, Harry Potter knows that Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters are not far behind. The protective charm that has kept Harry safe until now is now broken, but he cannot keep hiding.
The Dark Lord is breathing fear into everything Harry loves,…
As far as soft magic systems come, none are softer and more adaptable than those crafted by Sarah J. Maas. The first in a series of five fantasy novels, A Court of Thorns and Roses is a retelling of the classic Beauty and the Beast fairytale and a beautiful love story to boot. On my first reading, I found Maas’ writing fast-paced and endearing, as I gently fell in love with the fantastical faerie world of Prythian.
Experience Feyre Archeron's journey all over again with the beautiful collector's edition of A Court of Thorns and Roses, the seductive first book in the #1 New York Times bestselling series by Sarah J. Maas, featuring a deluxe new package, an updated map, ribbon pull, and more!
When nineteen-year-old Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin-one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.
As she…
Prepare to lose yourself in a new fantasy series, where the thoughts of today become the events of tomorrow. In a world in which reality can be altered and history can be rewritten, a young hero discovers her powers to "imagine things true" stand between cosmic order and chaos.
Vivian Amberville® is a bestselling fantasy book series about a girl whose imagination can reshape reality. The first book in the series, The Weaver of Odds introduces 13-year old Vivian to her unique if dangerous power of altering odds, outcomes, and the very substance of reality. Fantasy like never told before: a mythical fiction of friendship and acceptance; of fate and free will; of destiny and despair; of extraordinary ordinary heroes and their reality-changing journeys.
Historical fiction inspired by the story of Mary Leakey, who carved her own path to become one of the world's most distinguished paleoanthropologists.
It's 1983 and seventeen-year-old Grace Clark has just lost her mother when she begrudgingly accompanies her estranged father to an archeological dig at Olduvai Gorge on the Serengeti plains of Tanzania. Here, seventy-year-old Mary Leakey enlists Grace to sort and pack her fifty years of work and memories.
Their interaction reminds Mary how she pursued her ambitions of becoming an archeologist in the 1930s by sneaking into lectures and working on excavations. When well-known paleoanthropologist Louis Leakey…
Historical fiction inspired by the story of Mary Leakey, who carved her own path to become one of the world's most distinguished paleoanthropologists.
It's 1983 and seventeen-year-old Grace Clark has just lost her mother when she begrudgingly accompanies her estranged father to an archeological dig at Olduvai Gorge on the Serengeti plains of Tanzania. Here, seventy-year-old Mary Leakey enlists Grace to sort and pack her fifty years of work and memories.
Their interaction reminds Mary how she pursued her ambitions of becoming an archeologist in the 1930s by sneaking into lectures and working on excavations. When well-known paleoanthropologist Louis Leakey…
