Pictured above: Author Jen Williams. Image courtesy of WikiMedia Commons.
By Amelia Scarponi ’23
Staff Writer
Fantasy books offer the perfect escape from life’s stressful moments, but it can be intimidating to dive into the deep lore and hefty page counts of adult fantasy. Whether you’re looking for a new challenge or ready to say goodbye to some childhood favorites, here are a few beginner-friendly page-turners to help navigate the transition from young adult to adult fantasy.
“House of Earth and Blood” by Sarah J. Maas
According to Goodreads, “House of Earth and Blood” by New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas tells the story of half-Fae, half-human Bryce Quinlan as she seeks revenge against a demon who murdered her friends. Bryce’s story takes place in a contemporary fantasy world populated with fallen angels, demons and a hidden underworld.
At over 800 pages, Maas’ book seems daunting, but the host of snarky characters, smutty romance and prophetic destiny make it the perfect transition from young adult to adult fantasy. If you're a fan of Maas’ young adult series “Throne of Glass” or Cassandra Clare’s “Mortal Instruments,” you might find yourself a gateway to adult fantasy and a new favorite in “House of Earth and Blood.”
“The Ninth Rain” by Jen Williams
"The Ninth Rain,” the first novel in “The Winnowing Flame” trilogy by Jen Williams, opens with a short letter between two central characters 200 years before the main narrative: “You ask me to start at the beginning, Marin, my dear, but you do not know what you ask. Beginnings are very elusive things, almost as elusive as true endings.”
Set on the continent of Sarn, readers follow Vintage, an eccentric archeologist, Noon, a witch imprisoned since birth and Tormalin, an immortal warrior, as they team up to investigate an invading species that wants to destroy Sarn and secure the land for themselves.
“The Ninth Rain” is beginner-friendly while paying homage to the genre-defining epic high fantasy series “The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien.
“The Rage of Dragons” by Evan Winter
“The Rage of Dragons,” pitched as “‘Game of Thrones’ meets ‘Gladiator,’” chronicles Tau’s quest to to avenge his family’s murder and become the greatest swordsman ever known. Tau's culture is built around war. A lucky few among his people are born gifted with abilities that aid them in their centuries-long fight. Tau is not one of them, but he will do whatever it takes to get his revenge. “The Rage of Dragons” is an intense tale, but it is perfect for a reader searching for the courage to tackle a George R.R. Martin novel. Winter effortlessly creates a new fantasy world with a unique magic system, dragons and war without the reader getting lost in overwrought worldbuilding.
“The Rage of Dragons,” the first of Winter’s “The Burning” series, ranks among Time magazine’s “The 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time.”
“The Fifth Season” by N.K. Jemisin
The first book in N.K. Jemisin’s sophomore trilogy, “The Fifth Season,” awarded the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2016, is a dystopian novel following four characters grappling with loss and an uncertain future. According to the New York Times review by Annalee Newitz, “The Fifth Season” transports readers to the Stillness, the lone supercontinent on an exoplanet. Every few hundred years, the inhabitants survive what they call a “fifth season” of catastrophic climate change. Jemisin’s dialogue is free of quotation marks, which takes some getting used to. However, her writing guides the reader to recognize each character’s distinct voice. If you loved “Children of Blood and Bone” by Tomi Adeyemi and “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins, this trilogy is for you.