Official Trailer – 15 Fantasy Series for Beginners | Easy, Addictive, and Essential | as of 2026
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Mike talks about 15 fantasy books or series for those looking to get into the genre for the first time.
Check out my other channel, Mike’s Media Reviews, here: @mikesmediareviews
ℙ𝕦𝕣𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕤𝕖 𝕓𝕠𝕠𝕜𝕤 𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕕 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠:
Harry Potter https://amzn.to/3OdLQx4
The Legend of Drizzt https://amzn.to/3Mc1l8d
The Chronicles of Narnia https://amzn.to/4csGJDb
The Hobbit https://amzn.to/4bUia1W
The Inheritance Cycle https://amzn.to/4aeP6AV
Riyria Revelations https://amzn.to/4kwHZHq
Mistborn https://amzn.to/4bOh083
The Licanius Trilogy https://amzn.to/4aAyiTV
The Wheel of Time https://amzn.to/4crtoem
The First Law https://amzn.to/4aNvrrT
A Song of Ice & Fire https://amzn.to/3ZE4aBY
The Dark Tower https://amzn.to/3OcLGpM
The Dresden Files https://amzn.to/4qvE7rt
Percy Jackson & The Olympians https://amzn.to/3Mnb7o2
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland https://amzn.to/4qDRfLb
ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕟𝕖𝕝𝕤 𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕖𝕡𝕚𝕤𝕠𝕕𝕖:
𝕎𝕒𝕟𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕤𝕖𝕟𝕕 𝕄𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕤𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘? 𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕕𝕠 𝕤𝕠 𝕥𝕠 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕓𝕖𝕝𝕠𝕨 𝕒𝕕𝕕𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕤:
Mike K.
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Microphone used in these videos: https://amzn.to/3IpFSAX
0:00 Introduction & Background
1:21 First Time
Fantasy Readers
7:05 Ready For More
Characters/Locations
12:02 Bring on the
Magic Systems
18:16 I’m An Adult…
Gimme The Darkness
25:13 Urban and
Portal Fantasy
31:30 Final Thoughts
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Theme music provided by Infraction
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkRrhwhJ2Ia_ZlkTQ4XFWJA
Music used: Epic (No Copyright Music)
https://infractionroyaltyfreemusic.bandcamp.com/track/epic-royalty-free-music
Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0(CC BY 3.0)
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
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#MikesBookReviews #scifi #scififantasy
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A great series for beginners that unfortunately nobody talks about is Magic Kingdom of Landover by Terry Brooks. Don't worry it is nothing like the Shannara series at all. There are 6 books but every book is right around 300 pgs so they read fast. Also there is alot of comical moments so its fun if you don't want alot of the dark fantasy. Basically plot is Lawyer from our world receives a catalog in the mail advertising rare items for rich people. One listing is a Magic Kingdom that is for sale. He ends up purchasing the Kingdom and the Kingdom does exist in its own fantasy world but once he gets there nothing is what he expects. The castle is rundown his court Wizard is inept and his Scribe has been turned into a dog. He gets to work getting his kingdome back in order and and what he expects it to be. There are also antagonists that try to kill him as they believe he is Just a play king and does not deserve to be King. Great series that is sad no one talks about.
It was wonderful to meet you!
I have read the first two books in the Dark Tower series, but for some reason I'm not feeling it, the first book was very odd and made little sense but it did introduce the plot and characters well, Drawing of the three`s beginning was very good and exciting not until we meet Detta and Odetta where my interest sort of came to a halt the middle section of Eddie, Roland and Odetta just walking for ever and ever searching for the final door, I liked the idea of doors being the gateway to other worlds and not just that but literally other people`s minds too but overall I don't think there was enough meat on the bone to justify the beginning of the book, the ending was a bit interesting but I fear that the next book will be like this one just them 3 walking until they find another door or the way station hance the name, anyway I just its more action packed and higher stakes than the sequel but idk when to even start it.
Read The Worst Witch if you're looking for more Harry Potter.
Jill Murphy has been writing them since the 1970s, and It has a lot of the same ploting and characters, but a slightly lighter tone.
Considering what a huge hit these books were in the U.K. It's hard to imagine that Rowling wasn't inspired by Murphy's work.
Hey! Continue producing such fantastic content.
For a portal fantasy you should also read the death gate cycle, it was also one of the few books that came with the actual music sheets at the back of the book for prominent songs in the books and since I couldn't play any instruments I badgered my elementary school's music teacher to play them for me. 😀
I have the Narnia series, the hobbit and The Lord of the rings.
Gave away all of my Christopher Paolini, Robin Hobb, Raymond Feist, and song of ice and fire series.
I also thoroughly enjoyed Anne McCaffery, Morgan Rice, and Morgan Llwellyn. Too many authors to mention
Im 415 pages into War of Kings and im getting irritated nothing is happening yet🤷🏼♀️. This is my first fantasy novel and…well…hrmph.
I loved many of the books and series you showcase here. I also loved the following series, they are definitely good introductions to fantasy and science fiction:
Katherine Kurtz, the Deryni series, the Adept series, the Knughts of the Blood series, the Templar series;
Anne McCaffrey, the Dragonriders of Pern series, the Brainship series, the Crystal Singers series, the Acorna series, the Talents Universe etc.;
Mercedes Lackey, the Valdemar series, the Secret World Chronicle, the Elemental Masters series, etc. etc;
Katherine Kerr, the Deverry Cycle;
Roger Zelazny, the Chronicles of Amber;
Orson Scott Card, A planet called Treason (stand alone), Ender series;
Piers Anthony, Xanth series, Incarnations series, Space Tyrant series etc.;
Stephen R. Donaldson, Thomas Covenant Chronicles, Mordant's Need;
Raymond Feist, Midkemia series, Kelewan series;
All top writers, all splendid series I loved ( and love) a lot!
Crimson Shadow trilogy by R.A. Salvatore was my first fantasy series. I read it like 100 times and i couldnt get enough. Also didnt know there was a third book. I read third one couple of years ago when i was 28 years old and it was still awesome. Brings so much childhood memories, even now i can feel pastel yellow sun hitting my back in my grandma's backyard while reading the crimson shadow.
I recommend reading Memory, Sorrow, & Thorn by Tad Williams.
It's where Game of Thrones/ASoIaF gets its ideas from AND it's actually finished 😂
A bit confused here I am back to reading fantasy again and I have been watching a lot of booktube channels now and I am missing a lot of books and authors from the past that I considered to be a great read. For instance David Eddings that I consider to be a great author and his series should be considered beginner friendly I guess. This is no criticism to your list I am just curious why these authors nowadays is not mentioned at all as far as I can see and then I am talking about David Eddings and Elizabeth Moon mainly. I consider the deeds of paksenarrion to be one of the great trilogies at least for me and I see very little about this on the tube and the late follow up Paldins Legacy that I am a bit curious about. Maybe I am just getting old how nows
I would recommend The Living Ships for any young female too. It a great read but I felt it was more like a female fantasy series to me, I am male. Its a great read.
I couldn't get past page 5 of the Hobbit, it turned me off of Tolkien completely. But I've been told to skip it and try LOTR instead.
When i was in junior high, I had read some of my brother's Dragonlance books before I dove into the sillier side of fantasy. Robert Asprin, Piers Anthony, and still my favorite of all time, Terry Pratchett. Another fave, The Doomsday Book by Connie Willis, is a bit of a tome, but great for anyone who likes time travel stories.
I got 200 pages into The Shadow of what was lost, and not sure why, but thats the first book I DNF. Had no desire to continue. I ought to, but afraid I forgot all the characters names by now. Currently at the end of book 3 Dark Tower.
You did read someone off a pov character it just wasn't fantasy cause Crichton does that!
Urban fantasy: I adore Butcher's Dresden Files. If you haven't tried it yet, please give Patricia Briggs a try. It's VERY much the same genre, but I think her characters and plots are even more original. Great characters, about as many books as Butcher, etc. I've really only cried once reading a book–one of Briggs' books. I've also only done a 180 flip on a character once…also one of Briggs' books. Her Mercy THompson series has everything that makes Dresden fun, plus more.
For young readers AND adults, one of my favorite series EVER is the Tiffany Aching series by Terry Pratchett. One of those series that I could NOT put down. And one of my top picks that I REALLY want to see on the big screen. Desperately. The wee free men are…unique…and fun.
Not for kids. Long books. Lot of detail. I love the Saga of Recluse books. The books, not in order of published, go from beginning to end which is century after century – some stories become myths in later stories. Sometimes the white magic was good and black bad, and vice verse. I would sink into the detail and my world would just drop away. by Modesitt Jr. Imager books were good too.
I had such high hopes for The First Law trilogy and it’s probably because it’s so often hyped, but I was really disappointed in it. I hated every one of the characters and was basically actively rooting against them all. lol. I thought the writing was mediocre and the overall never really came together. The ending, to me, was so unsatisfying. I really wish that I liked it as much as everyone else seems to. But I just don’t get it.
Great list though, overall. And fun video. I think I may finally give Dresden Files a shot. I’ve been avoiding the series since there are so many books to catch up on. But they sound like fun, quick reads.
Im in my 30s and I read eragon as i discovered reading again since middle school. And I thoroughly enjoyed it; it led me to the bound and broken which is an advanced version of it. I still recommend Eragon Series.
Id add terry Pratchetts disc world. Everyone needs some whimsy from time to time.
I would suggest David Eddinggs Belgariad series, the original Dragonlance trilogy and the original Howard Conan.
The Last Unicorn?
Skulduggery pleasant for sure
Not knowing this, when I was young I read HP, but the Dark Tower is the only saga I've read, and I didn't have any problema with it.
I don’t read heaps of fantasy, though I have read all of Harry Potter several times, read The Hobbit, the first few GoT and WoT books, but my absolute favourite is Dresden. I’m so pleased that you love The Dresden Files, because you hadn’t started them when I first found your channel and I absolutely adore Harry Dresden. I don’t know how many more Harry books Jim Butcher will write but I will look forward to every one of them. x
The lack of Dragonlance is criminal. Chronicles and Legends provide the most complete and satisfying story arc i ever read. IMO it jas some of the strongest characterizations ever written.
Thanks for the video, I was kind of looking for a list like this for a while. Alice in Wonderland surprised me!
Dragon of Shadow and Air by Talia Beckett is also an amazing series. Currently reading it, and absolutely love it.
Please please check out Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend. Middle grade Harry Potter feel. But it’s amazing. Four books so far. Great characters and visuals, very quotable, great themes and talking points without being ‘in your face’. Fun, whimsical, and funny.
Love to know your thoughts.
The Crystal Shard- that brings back memories. The Icewind Dale trilogy was my introduction to the Forgotten Realms. Artemis Entreri is one of my favorite characters ever.
All great picks.
My son is in a similar age bracket to yours and actually has really been getting to the old Star Wars Rogue Squadron books.
God im glad you mentioned The Dresden Files, way too many ppl look down on it because its a palette cleanser. I am curious what you think about his 2 other series
For younger readers I’d include the Septimus Heap series by Angie Sage and The Witch Trade series by Michael Malloy
For adults The Dragon Knight series by Gordon R Dickson
Wow! So many true classic young adult/beginner fantasy from the 60’s just ignored.
Just to start.
The Dark is Rising series by Susan Cooper
The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander
The Weirdstone of Brisingamen by Alan Garner