I totally understand why people find fantasy intimidating. You see those thick books with maps in the front and glossaries in the back and think "I'm not smart enough for this" or "I don't have time for this." And some fantasy really is a major commitment.
But the genre is huge, and there's plenty that's accessible, engaging, and won't require you to take notes. These are the series I recommend to people who think they don't like fantasy, and they have an excellent conversion rate.
What Makes Fantasy Accessible?
For beginners, I look for: relatively simple magic systems (or magic that's not central to the plot), protagonists who are also learning the rules of the world, reasonable length (no 1200-page doorstoppers to start), writing that prioritizes clarity over world-building detail, and stories that work on their own without requiring series commitment.
1. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Yes, I know. But hear me out: there's a reason The Hobbit has been introducing readers to fantasy for decades. It's relatively short, it doesn't require any prior knowledge, and it's genuinely fun in a way that Middle-earth's reputation for seriousness might not suggest. Bilbo is a reluctant hero readers can identify with, and the episodic structure keeps things moving.
Don't start with Lord of the Rings. Start here.
2. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
A legendary wizard tells the story of his life to a chronicler, beginning with his childhood in a traveling troupe. Rothfuss's prose is beautiful—some of the best in fantasy—and Kvothe's journey from orphan to student at a magical university is genuinely compelling.
Fair warning: the series is unfinished (two books of a planned trilogy are published). But the first book is satisfying on its own, and those of us waiting for book three would trade nothing for having read what exists.
3. Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
In a world of ash and oppression, a crew of thieves plans to overthrow the immortal Lord Ruler. Sanderson is known for his intricate magic systems, but Mistborn is also known for its heist-movie energy and satisfying plotting. The magic is complex but explained clearly, and the payoffs are immensely satisfying.
If you like understanding exactly how things work, Sanderson is your author.
4. Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
An angel and a demon who've become friends over millennia team up to prevent the apocalypse because they've grown rather fond of Earth. It's hilarious, heartfelt, and completely unique. The fantasy elements are obvious but never overwhelming, and the humor makes everything accessible.
Perfect for people who don't take their fantasy too seriously.
5. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Two young magicians are bound into a competition they don't understand, playing out their rivalry through a mysterious circus that appears without warning. The plotting takes a backseat to atmosphere and wonder, but what atmosphere and wonder they are. Reading this feels like being under a spell.
Perfect for readers who want magic to feel genuinely magical.
6. A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
A young mage's arrogance releases a shadow into the world, and he must journey to confront what he's unleashed. Le Guin's prose is lyrical but never obscure, the world is vivid without being over-explained, and the themes of identity and responsibility resonate universally.
At under 200 pages, it's also proof that fantasy doesn't need to be long to be profound.
7. Circe by Madeline Miller
The goddess Circe, known from The Odyssey for turning men to pigs, tells her own story—exile, magic, love, and ultimately finding her own power. It's literary fantasy that reads like literary fiction, making it perfect for readers who think they only like "serious" books.
If you have any fondness for Greek mythology, this is unmissable.
8. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
I mentioned this in the cozy fantasy article, but it deserves a spot here too. A case worker for magical youth is sent to evaluate an orphanage of extremely powerful children and finds his entire worldview challenged. It's warm, funny, and genuinely moving.
Perfect for readers who want fantasy without darkness or violence.
9. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
Richard Mayhew helps an injured girl on a London street and falls through the cracks into London Below, a magical world beneath the ordinary city. Gaiman's urban fantasy is accessible because the protagonist is as baffled as the reader, learning the rules as we do.
If you live in or have visited London, the way Gaiman transforms familiar places is especially delicious.
10. Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
A man lives alone in a mysterious House of infinite halls, cataloging its statues and tides. Gradually, the mystery of who he is and how he came to be there unfolds. It's strange and beautiful and completely unlike anything else. At under 300 pages, it's also a quick read.
This won't be for everyone, but for the right reader, it's transformative.
The Most Important Advice
Don't feel like you have to start with the "classics" or the "important" books. The best fantasy for you is the one that hooks you personally. Read the descriptions above and pick whichever sounds most interesting. If you don't connect with it, try something else. The goal is to find your entry point, not to check boxes on a list.
Fantasy is an enormous genre with room for every taste. Your perfect book is out there.
— mrod