5 Short Fantasy Books for Beginners

Fantasy books are exciting and suspenseful, but can be difficult to get into at first. It’s hard to become attached to characters when the story is so long, and it’s easy to put down a book if it’s taking you too long to finish it. But what if you don’t have all the time in the world? Maybe you only want to read something on your lunch break, or maybe you want to finish a book over the weekend.

If you’re a fantasy fan but haven’t read many books in the genre, don’t worry! There are plenty of short fantasy books that can give you the same experience without bogging you down with thousands of pages of backstory and character development (although those kinds of books are great too). For anyone who wants to get started with the genre, here are five fantastic short fantasy books that you can read in just one or two sittings!

The Lion. the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis is an allegorical fantasy novel that follows Lucy, a young girl from modern-day England who discovers a wardrobe that leads to Narnia, a place where it’s always winter but never Christmas. There was a movie about it, you might've watched it. Still the reading experience is much better. Despite some very serious themes (death of loved ones), these books are a joy to read due to Lewis’s masterful storytelling skills. This book is considered to be one of Lewis’s most popular novels, one that he himself once said was his personal favorite of all his works. Over 100 million copies of it have been sold. It has been translated into many languages and adapted to film and television.

The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle

The Last Unicorn is one of those rare books that transcends genre. It’s funny, poignant, beautiful, and heart-wrenching; it has to be read by anyone who loves fantasy and fiction. The book follows a unicorn on her quest to find others of her kind in a mythical world where they may not exist. The story is simple, but magical, and a must-read for any budding fantasy fan.

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin

First published in 1968, this is the first book in the Earthsea Series. A Wizard of Earthsea presents a young wizard named Ged. A gifted student, Ged finds himself on a journey that will change his world and lead him to self-discovery. Though short at just under 200 pages, A Wizard of Earthsea is complex and compelling. Ged is an interesting protagonist and is easy to root for as he develops into a powerful mage.

I do recommend reading all books from the series. This work from Le Guin is considered to be one of fantasy’s best. Honestly, it's a freaking amazing journey. If you enjoy reading about wizards then you will definitely want to read these books!

The Riddle-Master of Hed by Patricia McKillip

This book was published in 1976, but it remains an absolute classic in fantasy literature. It's the first book in the Riddle-Master trilogy by McKillip. It’s also a great place to start for readers interested in short fantasy books. The Riddle-Master of Hed follows Morgon, who has been raised by his uncle after being abandoned as a baby on his doorstep. Now, Morgon is growing into a young man with his own share of questions and doubts about where he came from.

It’s a great read for beginners because it reads fast, but also has a lot of depth and thoughtfulness to it. Also, McKillip writes very beautifully and poetically; she uses words in ways that I never would have imagined before I read her work. If you like poetry, or if you just want to see how beautiful prose can be written, check out her work!

Stardust by Neil Gaiman

A few years back I wanted to start reading more fantasy books. However, a friend of mine insisted that I should check out his favorite: Stardust by Neil Gaiman. Stardust actually became one of my favorite picks—and definitely a great introduction to fantasy for new readers. Stardust is a standalone book (meaning it’s not part of a series) that tells an engaging tale of fantasy, magic, and heroism. It follows Tristran Thorn and his quest to retrieve a fallen star for Victoria Forester—the girl he loves. In order to do so, he must travel beyond his world into a magical land where things aren’t quite as they seem. This book isn’t just entertaining—it also has tons of heart and humor.