🐉 fantasy starter pack for newbies

aka: so you wanna get into fantasy but you don’t know where to start

whether you’re here because booktok got to you, or you just realized you need more dragons and morally questionable magic users in your life — welcome. these are my go-to recs for anyone dipping their toes into the chaotic, magical mess that is fantasy. good luck. may your tbr swallow you whole.

the essentials

1. eragon by christopher paolini
   vibe: dragons, destiny, questionable teenage decisions
   why it’s here: classic coming-of-age fantasy with ✨big dragon energy✨. also, it’s basically a rite of passage.

2. throne of glass by sarah j. maas
   vibe: assassin with a flair for the dramatic
   why it’s here: you will love her. you will hate her. you will question everything. the gateway drug to messy, magical series.

3. the hobbit by j.r.r. tolkien
   vibe: cozy adventure with dwarves and dragons
   why it’s here: if you skip to the modern stuff without reading at least one tolkien book, the fantasy gods might smite you. also, it’s fun.

4. fourth wing by rebecca yarros
   vibe: dragons, war college, trauma bonding
   why it’s here: if you want new fantasy blood with a little spice and a lot of dragon chaos.

5. the cruel prince by holly black
   vibe: fae court drama and bad decisions
   why it’s here: enemies-to-lovers, court politics, and everyone is kinda hot and terrible. essential.

6. priory of the orange tree by samantha shannon
   vibe: feminist dragons and epic worldbuilding
   why it’s here: if you want something chunky and iconic. the fantasy brick™.

7. a court of thorn and roses by sarah j. maas
   vibe: beauty & the beast but make it spicy & fae
   why it’s here: listen. it’s booktok’s fault. it’s practically law at this point.

8. caraval by stephanie garber
   vibe: magical carnival, sisterly love, and reality-bending games
   why it’s here: whimsical, fast-paced, and good for people who want fantasy without a full worldbuilding manual.

9. serpent & dove shelby mahurin
   vibe: witch and witch hunter forced to marry (oops)
   why it’s here: chaotic romance, magic, and snark for days.

10. shadow and bone by leigh bardugo
    vibe: dark magic, chosen one drama, and a morally questionable shadow daddy
    why it’s here: easy to read, lots of drama, and the gateway to the grishaverse.