The best fantasy books with incredible worlds to escape into

Why am I passionate about this?

Ever since I was a child, I’ve loved anything fantasy-related, and I especially loved stories where the world around you would completely melt away as you read. I used to write my own stories then, too, and I’ve always had a passion for diving into it headfirst and immersing myself in the world entirely. I went through a period in my life where I was dealing with depression, and fantasy books that I could escape into were very important to me at that time. 


I wrote...

Midnight Blood

By Ella d’Avoine,

Book cover of Midnight Blood

What is my book about?

My book follows Crecia’s princess, Elora, and how she becomes the most powerful warrior the land has seen in generations.

This fantasy story takes you through self-discovery as she untangles deceit surrounding her family and fights forbidden feelings for the mysterious warrior who becomes her father’s knight. And when she learns of a secret that breaks the last of her bleeding heart, she flees. Neither she nor the land would ever be the same again.

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

The books I picked & why

Book cover of From Blood and Ash

Ella d’Avoine Why did I love this book?

This book got me back into reading after some years of never picking up a book, and it’s the book that got me into reading fantasy. I loved the mix of the strong female main character, the steamy romance, the unique fantasy world, and the incredible plot that had me gasping every fifty pages.

I fell headfirst into this book and never wanted to come back out of it. I would read it whenever I could, and it gripped me, so I stayed up until ungodly hours just to finish it. I also adored the main female character. I felt incredibly connected to her as I read the book and found that I could relate to her as well. This is always something I look for in a book.

By Jennifer L. Armentrout,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

“I hope you guys love this book as much as I do!! (Let me just say...Hawk *swoon*!!)” ~ NYT bestseller Sarah J. Maas

Captivating and action-packed, From Blood and Ash is a sexy, addictive, and unexpected fantasy perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Laura Thalassa.

A Maiden…

Chosen from birth to usher in a new era, Poppy’s life has never been her own. The life of the Maiden is solitary. Never to be touched. Never to be looked upon. Never to be spoken to. Never to experience pleasure. Waiting for the day of her Ascension, she would rather…


Book cover of Daughter of the Moon Goddess

Ella d’Avoine Why did I love this book?

I’ve never read a book so beautifully written. The world created within it is vast, rich, and expansive, and I could picture all of it so clearly, from the jade palaces to the beautiful vermillion clothes. I could see all of it. I thought that this book had the perfect fantasy feel, too.

There’s magic, royalty, dragons, quests, and adventures. It all balanced out perfectly and created an incredible picture in my head. I also really liked the main female character. She is a softer character than some in other fantasy books, she’s kind but also incredibly courageous and I really enjoyed reading her story.

By Sue Lynn Tan,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked Daughter of the Moon Goddess as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The bestselling debut fantasy inspired by the legend of the Chinese moon goddess.

A young woman's quest to free her mother pits her against the most powerful immortal in the realm, setting her on a dangerous path where those she loves are not the only ones at risk...

*THE INSTANT TOP 5 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER*

THERE ARE MANY LEGENDS ABOUT MY MOTHER...

Raised far away on the moon, Xingyin was unaware she was being hidden from the Celestial Emperor - who exiled her mother for stealing the elixir of immortality. But when her magic flares and reveals her, Xingyin is…


Book cover of A Court of Thorns and Roses

Ella d’Avoine Why did I love this book?

I’ve never read anything with such a well-thought-through and descriptive world as the one in this book. The more you read, the richer it becomes, creating such an incredible story.

I was such a sucker for this book because it had a little of everything that I loved, and it is absolutely a story that’ll leave you wanting to make a Pinterest board. I love books with strong aesthetics, and I find them enjoyable to read. This book was absolutely that!

By Sarah J. Maas,

Why should I read it?

15 authors picked A Court of Thorns and Roses as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 13, 14, 15, and 16.

What is this book about?

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…


Book cover of Nevernight

Ella d’Avoine Why did I love this book?

If the beautiful map at the beginning of this book doesn’t tell you how good the story will be, I don’t know what will. I was amazed by how much of the world you get to know after only the first few chapters, and it just kept growing after that!

The world-building in this story was unique and inventive, and I was absolutely hooked because of it. I think the best fantasy books are ones with big plotlines and worlds that are so detailed you may as well be there with the characters as you’re reading, and this one was absolutely that.

By Jay Kristoff,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

In a world where the suns almost never set, a woman gains entry to a school of infamous assassins, seeking vengeance against the powers that destroyed her family. Daughter of an executed traitor, Mia Corvere is barely able to escape her father's failed rebellion with her life. Alone and friendless, she wanders a city built from the bones of a dead god, hunted by the Senate and its thugs. But her gift for speaking with the shadows leads her to the hearth of a retired killer, and a future she never imagined. Now, Mia is apprenticed to the deadliest flock…


Book cover of The Song of Achilles

Ella d’Avoine Why did I love this book?

I am a lover of mythology as well as fantasy, so this book was quite literally perfect for me. How the author paints a picture of the world in your head is dumbfounding.

This book made me want to swim in the lakes and dine in the halls with the gods. It is also a love story; being a hopeless romantic, I never wanted to put this book down. With fantastical creatures, aching romance, and places you could only dream of, this book was the perfect escape for me.

By Madeline Miller,

Why should I read it?

28 authors picked The Song of Achilles as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

**OVER 1.5 MILLION COPIES SOLD**
**A 10th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL EDITION, FEATURING A NEW FOREWORD BY THE AUTHOR**

WINNER OF THE ORANGE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION
THE INTERNATIONAL SENSATION
A SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

'Captivating' DONNA TARTT
'I loved it' J K ROWLING
'Ravishingly vivid' EMMA DONOGHUE

Greece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the court of King Peleus and his perfect son Achilles. Despite their differences, Achilles befriends the shamed prince, and as they grow into young men skilled in the arts of war and medicine, their bond blossoms…


You might also like...

Exchange Student

By Michael R. Lane,

Book cover of Exchange Student

Michael R. Lane Author Of The Gem Connection

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

As an avid reader, I read a wide variety of books. Of the fiction genre mystery and suspense remain my favorite. From the classics to the gritty, a well-told mystery is a literary gem. As my mystery palette has aged—like my taste in wine—so are my demands of what makes a good mystery novel. The best mysteries for me contain more than a serpentine journey toward the hidden truth. They have intriguing characters, crisp dialogue, interesting settings, formidable foes, and of course indispensable heroes or anti-heroes. My writing goal is aimed at achieving the same level of literary penmanship of the mysteries I enjoy reading so much.

Michael's book list on African American mysteries

What is my book about?

Daniel “Dan” Bluford is the Director of Polar City Single Organism Research Lab Facilities. A business he helped to create. The world’s leading architect of sustainable, ecologically conscious products for energy, manufacturing, water treatment, waste management, and environmental clean-up equipment. A company whose mission statement read in part, “Better environment through industry.”

Unable to stay awake on his drive home after work, the loving husband and father stopped for coffee at a familiar coffee shop. The place was empty, aside from a lone barista. A young woman with a sacred Maori chin tattoo and an infectious smile. Shortly afterward, Dan…

Exchange Student

By Michael R. Lane,

What is this book about?

Daniel "Dan" Bluford is the Director of Polar City Single Organism Research Lab Facilities. A business he helped to create. The world's leading architect of sustainable, ecologically conscious products for energy, manufacturing, water treatment, waste management, and environmental clean-up equipment. A company whose mission statement read in part, "Better environment through industry."

Unable to stay awake on his drive home after work, the loving husband and father stopped for coffee at a familiar coffee shop. The place was empty, aside from a lone barista. A young woman with a sacred Maori chin tattoo and an infectious smile.

Dan decides to…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in romantic love, revenge, and presidential biography?

11,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about romantic love, revenge, and presidential biography.

Romantic Love Explore 872 books about romantic love
Revenge Explore 116 books about revenge
Presidential Biography Explore 19 books about presidential biography