A world different from our own is tough to create. Nevertheless, some writers excel at it, and you can revel in the hours spent trying to perfect something simply – out of this world!
Are you ready to discover five of the best fantasy worlds ever written?
Fantasy Books With Fascinating Worlds
Middle Earth – Lord of the Rings – J. R. R. Tolkien
"Over rock and under tree, by caves where never sun has shone, by streams that never find the sea; over snow by winter sown, and through the merry flowers of June, over grass and over stone, and under mountains in the moon."
A world found across countless stories and series, the depth of Middle Earth is endless, similar to the journeys undertaken by each character in The Lord of the Rings.
While the physical world-building is undeniably beautiful, the societal structure depicted within is arguably not as appealing. Nevertheless, Tolkien writes with such grace, creating a rich history for these lands with a single stroke of his pen.
Characters embark on long and enduring expeditions through vividly described landscapes, traversing open grasslands, military installations, and ancient ruins, inviting the reader to step into a world unlike any other.
Narnia – Narnia – C. S. Lewis
"And as you turned away from the window you suddenly caught sight of that sea or that valley, all over again, in the looking glass. And the sea in the mirror, or the valley in the mirror, were in one sense just the same as the real ones: yet at the same time they were somehow different - deeper, more wonderful, more like places in a story: in a story you have never heard but very much want to know."
A childhood classic for many, Narnia is a timeless series filled with the childlike wonder and imagination of the Pevensie children. Offering a blissful escape from the heart-wrenching reality of World War II, Narnia transports readers to a world unlike any other.
With mythological beings, talking animals, and epic quests, Narnia perfectly embodies the essence of a fantasy world. Get ready to read about a perfect land spanning diverse biomes while also learning a valuable lesson: don't betray your family for a Turkish delight!
Westeros - Game of Thrones – George R. R. Martin
"The night is dark and full of terrors, the day bright and beautiful and full of hope. One is black, the other white. There is ice and there is fire. Hate and love. Bitter and sweet. Male and female. Pain and pleasure. Winter and summer. Evil and good.” She took a step toward him. “Death and life. Everywhere, opposites. Everywhere, the war."
Fueled by political intrigue and the machinations of monarchies and exploring themes of poverty and the treatment of women, Westeros is cleverly crafted, allowing for endless encounters with different mythological beings and espionage across its many regions.
George R. R. Martin masterfully weaves a rich history into the developing events of Game of Thrones, making it a must-read for fans of multi-layered fantasy with complex worlds.
Unnamed planet - The Witcher – Andrzej Sapkowski
"There are legends that Elder blood was one of the key ingredients in the creation of the first Witcher mutagens. Mutagens that were destroyed in the sacking of Kaer Morhen. Not another Witcher’s been created since.."
Although never explicitly named, the planet on which The Witcher is set is phenomenal. The captivating monsters and creatures created by Sapkowski will leave you in awe of his imagination.
Even the depth of the Witcher kind itself is incredibly well thought out and cleverly executed. Whether you've played the games, watched the TV show, read the books, or experienced all three, the universe becomes more complex and fascinating with each interaction.
Grishaverse – Shadow and Bone - Leigh Bardugo
"Why can a Grisha possess but one amplifier? I will answer this question instead: What is infinite? The universe and the greed of men."
If you've heard of the Netflix show Shadow and Bone, you might not know it's based on books by Leigh Bardugo. The magical fantasy world that Bardugo created, known as the Grishaverse, spans multiple book series and features differing regions.
What makes this world fascinating, beyond the classic themes and twists in the stories, is the wall of mist that separates the two sides of the world, creating a sense of intrigue surrounding the potential consequences of a world without it.
These are just five of the better-known fantasy worlds written, but many more await. You shouldn’t need a reason to read fantasy, but if you do, here are 10 reasons why the genre is worth your time .
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