The best books that have the most unique magic systems

I could populate this list with all of the books by Brandon Sanderson, but Mistborn, for me, has some of the most interesting magic systems. As a faith-based author, my own systems tend to center around deities. That is the concept that magic or power is not inherent to someone but must come from somewhere else. In Mistborn, even though the systems in a way are created by the deities that fashioned the universe, the scale of how much magic a person can use is specifically determined by their birth or race.

Moreover, there are three distinct systems in play in Sanderson’s world. All are metal based but how the metal is utilized is different in each type of system. One burns metals in their stomach to enhance physical abilities, another can put abilities into metal and then later on draw that out to enhance their abilities, and the last use metal to control others. This book is number one for me because it has three unique magic systems, where most books have just one. Three for one…you can’t beat that.

Well, I could have chosen Dresden for this list instead of the Codex Alera but come on! Spirit-like creatures, that inhabit the elements working alongside humans, how can you go wrong? It kind of feels like Pokemon without the balls. Seriously though, it is far more than that. Each person when they reach a certain age is approached by a Fury. They bond with this fury and then they are able to use the elemental-based powers to perform various different feats. Air furies can help you fly, earth furies can give you enhanced strength, and so on. And just like many toys and games from the 80s, each type of fury is weak or strong against the other types. Air is weak against earth, fire against water, and likewise.

Yes, elemental magic is a staple in the fantasy world, but to merge it with elemental beings, that I found to be intriguing. The differing philosophy of Fury crafting that each society has is also very interesting. Some think they are simply tools to be used, kind of like pack animals. While others feel they are sentient beings that should be treated as equals and worked with rather than exploited. If you haven’t guessed, when an author finds imaginative ways to utilize the magic system, then I am hooked.

So, if you haven’t already noticed, for most of this list I have chosen the first book in a series. Let's be honest, if you read fantasy, then you know pretty much every book is part of a series. In The Black Prism we are introduced to one of my favorite magic systems. In this system, the magicians or “Drafters” are able to turn light into substance. Each color of the light spectrum has a different property. A drafter can create constructs using light. Most people can only access one color, but there are those special people that can use multiple colors, and of course, there are the select few who can use all. What I love about this system is that it is only limited to the strength and imagination of the user.

I am a big fan of systems that you have to think to use. Anyone can just simply cast a fireball, and the bigger the better, but if you have to use your imagination to apply your magic and the smarter and more imaginative you are the better, that gets me every time. Also, let's be honest, it kind of reminds me of the different Lantern Corps in DC comics and I love the lanterns. I even cosplayed as a Green Lantern and my kids bought me a silver Green Lantern ring I wear everywhere. 

I know that this is a three-book series, but it was written as one book and separated by the publishers in order to make more money. You can buy the series as one book as it was intended to be read, so that is the book I am promoting here. Now, most people will say that Tolkien really doesn’t tell you much about the magic of Middle Earth, and I would agree. That, however, is the beauty of Tolkien. He leaves things to mystery, including magic. He lived through the early 20th century, and he felt that the world was changing too fast and that we were explaining away all of the mysteries of the universe and taking away the magic of life. To him, this was a great and terrible evil and a truly bad thing for mankind, and I agree.

In Tolkien’s world, magic is spirit and divine-based, very much like I believe it is in our world. When Glorifindel and Aragorn call on or invoke the name of Albereth we see how this mirrors Christianity and other religions that believe that the name of their deities have power.  Afterall. Middle Earth is supposed to be the older age of our world. This, for me, gives it a more realistic and lived-in feel. This is why I love it so much. We don’t actually understand all of the rules, and because of that, we are always on the edge of our seats wondering just exactly how powerful Gandalf or Sauron really are. I love the fact that he doesn’t explain everything, but we never feel like he uses his magic as a McGuffin to just suddenly solve problems that the characters can’t overcome. The fact that it feels mysterious and real is why I love the magic of Tolkien. He is also one of the greatest influences on my own writing journey, so I am biased. 

Okay, if you try to tell me that Star Wars doesn’t have a magic system, then I will fight you right here and now. I mean it, I will actually fight you. In all honesty, Star Wars is sci-fantasy, not really sci-fi. I think every kid and even adult from my generation can remember trying to move something using the force. In fact, I still wave my hand in front of electric doors and pretend I am a Jedi. Oh, don’t judge me, you know you do it too. Jedi and Sith are, after all, simply space wizards. They even dress the part. Well, maybe more like space clerics, but you get the point. Why I chose this book is because I feel that it gets into a lot of discussion on how each side views the force and its applications. I am particularly fascinated by Malgus and his ideology that the nature of the force is conflict. The force is a unique magic system that we all grew up with and this book delves into a lot of the differing philosophies and that’s why I recommend it. Also, who doesn’t love the Old Republic, am I right?