The best books with the best world building

Ian Rodgers Author Of A Princess and an Ooze
By Ian Rodgers

Who am I?

Ever since I was young, books have fascinated me. They contain entire worlds, just waiting to be explored. I believe creativity is an important part of life, and there’s nothing more creative than writing your own world! World building is one of the most vital aspects of any fictional series. It’s why I got into writing; I wanted to bring to life the visions of the fantastical creatures and places I had in my head. 

I wrote...

A Princess and an Ooze

By Ian Rodgers, Damien Sim (illustrator),

Book cover of A Princess and an Ooze

What is my book about?

It is important to understand you do not have to fit the molds made by other people. Jelly, an Ooze as well as the pet of a princess, learns this the hard way, as he slowly becomes self-aware through the love (and a healthy dose of magic!) he is showered with by his owner. Does Jelly want to spend the rest of his life as a pet? Can he be more than just a monster, in a world where he is the only one of his kind? He will have to explore the land of Erafore in order to find out just what it is he wants, and what Fate has in store for him. 

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

The books I picked & why

The Wee Free Men

By Terry Pratchett,

Book cover of The Wee Free Men

Why did I love this book?

This is the first book by Terry Pratchett I ever read, and it changed my life, simply because it got me into reading his other books. Terry Patchett is able to breathe life into his characters in such a way that you’d swear you know people just like them. Who hasn’t known a Nobby Nobs, or Tiffany Aching? Not to mention his world is built in such an intriguing way, you can’t help but read on!

This book, really all of the Discworld novels, acts as a mirror to see our own world through the lens of the fantastical and absurd.

The Wee Free Men

By Terry Pratchett,

Why should I read it?

8 authors picked The Wee Free Men as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

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 FIRST BOOK IN THE TIFFANY ACHING SEQUENCE

Explore
Topics
Genres

The Crystal Gryphon

By Andre Norton,

Book cover of The Crystal Gryphon

Why did I love this book?

One of the earliest books of fiction I ever read, Andre Norton’s character Kerovan and his adventures has stuck with me ever since. The way she wrote the tale of a young outcast exploring a fantastical world of magic and myth and discovering who they are in the process was truly engaging. The world came to life through the eyes of the characters themselves. Ever since, I have loved the trope of the young hero who travels the world, exploring and learning. It is something I feature in my own work heavily, as I truly believe that the best way to grow a character is to have them get to know themselves and others.

The Crystal Gryphon

By Andre Norton,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Crystal Gryphon as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The adventures of Witch World continue as a cursed hero and his true love struggle for survival in a vast parallel universe of magic and high fantasy.
 
Kerovan of Ulmsdale has long borne the curse of his ancestors’ depredations. After pillaging a sanctum of the Old Ones, his bloodline has been forever marred by painful sickness and death. Kerovan was born strong and hardy, but he walks on hooves instead of human feet and sees through eyes of amber—just as the Old Ones had.
 
Bound in marriage to the beautiful Joisan of Ithkrypt, Kerovan seeks to claim his rightful place…

Explore
Topics
Genres

Dark Lord of Derkholm

By Diana Wynne Jones,

Book cover of Dark Lord of Derkholm

Why did I love this book?

What better way to appreciate what we have than to explore a world where fantasy and adventure have become just another corporate commodity. When the position of ‘Dark Lord’ is nothing more than the equivalent of a theme park mascot, is there any magic or mystery left in the world? Exploring the world from the eyes of its inhabitants, who are forced to give heavily scripted tours to wealthy people from other worlds, really brings to light how similar people can be, even across different cultures. 

Dark Lord of Derkholm

By Diana Wynne Jones,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Dark Lord of Derkholm as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Everyone - wizards, soldiers, farmers, elves, dragons, kings and queens alike - is fed up with Mr Chesney's Pilgrim Parties: groups of tourists from the next-door world who descend en masse every year to take the Grand Tour. What they expect are all the trappings of a grand fantasy adventure, including the Evil Enchantress, Wizard Guides, the Dark Lord, Winged Minions, and all. And every year different people are chosen to play these parts. But now they've had enough: Mr Chesney may be backed by a very powerful demon, but the Oracles have spoken. Nw it's up to the Wizard…

Explore
Topics
Genres

The Ropemaker

By Peter Dickinson,

Book cover of The Ropemaker

Why did I love this book?

When it comes to building a world the readers can get involved in, you have to be careful not to reveal too much in the beginning. You want to captivate your readers, have them invest more and more time into exploring the world, allowing it to open up. The Ropemaker shows how well a fantasy story can be written this way. The distant and frightful empire is shrouded in mystery as Tilja and the others begin their adventure, but said mystery is slowly dismantled as they progress through their journey, coming to understand their enemy by living amongst them, all while seeking out a way to protect their home from invasion. 

The Ropemaker

By Peter Dickinson,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Ropemaker as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Tilja has grown up in the peaceful Valley, which is protected from the fearsome Empire by an enchanted forest. But the forest’s power has begun to fade and the Valley is in danger. Tilja is the youngest of four brave souls who venture into the Empire together to find the mysterious magician who can save the Valley. And much to her amazement, Tilja gradually learns that only she, an ordinary girl with no magical powers, has the ability to protect her group and their quest from the Empire’s sorcerers.

Explore
Topics
Genres

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

By J.K. Rowling,

Book cover of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Why did I love this book?

You cannot go wrong with a coming-of-age story, especially when the main character has to do so in a world so similar yet at the same time utterly alien and divorced from everything he once knew. The magical world grows and expands with every book in the series, allowing the reader to easily imagine themselves within it. 

It's the kind of story anyone of any age can enjoy, because everyone can relate to something within its pages.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

By J.K. Rowling,

Why should I read it?

35 authors picked Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Galloping gargoyles ... 2022 is the silver anniversary of J.K. Rowling's magical classic Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone!

The boy wizard Harry Potter has been casting a spell over young readers and their families ever since 1997. Now the first book in this unmissable series celebrates 25 years in print! The paperback edition of the tale that introduced us to Harry, Ron and Hermione has been updated and dressed in silver to mark the occasion. It's time to take the magical journey of a lifetime ...

Harry Potter has never even heard of Hogwarts when the letters start dropping…

Explore
Topics
Genres

5 book lists we think you will like!

The best books of science fiction and fantasy that create engaging characters
The best books that are personal and important to me
The best book series according to my twelve-year-old
The best fantasy books about friendship and bravery
The best books with the best worlds (to visit, but not to live there)

Interested in wizards, magic-supernatural, and witches?

9,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about wizards, magic-supernatural, and witches.

Wizards Explore 81 books about wizards
Magic-Supernatural Explore 502 books about magic-supernatural
Witches Explore 109 books about witches

And, 3 books we think you will enjoy!

We think you will like Anne of Green Gables, The Lord of the Rings, and The War of the Worlds if you like this list.

Book cover of Anne of Green Gables Book cover of The Lord of the Rings Book cover of The War of the Worlds