The best fantasy books for adults to lose themselves in strange yet familiar worlds & reawaken their inner child

Such a wonderful and endearing story, with so much wisdom embodied beneath its deceptively simple surface. It offers memorably sublime perspectives on love, loss, friendship, hope, and the human condition—to name just a few. 

I reconnected with this beautiful classic after receiving it on my 18th birthday from my mother, who had read it to me when I was a young child. I climbed a tree and read the whole book in that one (elevated) sitting, returning to earth several hours later with the special kind of uplifting sadness which the book evokes. Aware that some people will never be scared of hats, nor hear the tinkling laughter of the stars. As Kahlil Gibran once wrote: "Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children."

One of my favourite coming-of-age fantasy novels which, even many years later, remains so firmly imprinted in my mind. I remember having a bit of difficulty at the start (perhaps I was a little too young) but soon became utterly immersed in the magical world that Le Guin created, devouring the series with an ever-increasing wonder and obsession. There was a spiritual essence to Ged’s journey which I found incredibly powerful and moving, with mature ideas so elegantly and poetically expressed. A heartwarming tale, perfect for both children and adult readers alike. 

So many reasons why this book made the list. The enchanting concept of a world where humans have their own personal daemons, souls that take on the form of an animal and accompany the person through their life, is just brilliant. Pullman’s epic trilogy is full of weird and wonderful creatures and characters, from warrior bears, to angels and witches. Aside from the grand adventures and mysteries, there are deeper philosophical, religious, and transformative ideas, which examine the relationship of the inner self to the outer world in an almost Jungian way. I absolutely loved the vast amount of mythology that is cleverly woven throughout the story. It pulls the reader into a fantastical yet realistically familiar realm from which—if they are anything like me—there seems neither a choice, nor wish, to turn away. 

Another great coming-of-age fantasy series which I could not put down as a young reader. The sequence has five books in total and completely swept me away. Well-paced and gripping, the stories focus heavily on a variety of Celtic and British myths and legends. This series has a timeless and classical feel, and Cooper’s storytelling is fantastic. I have a particular fondness for these stories as—shortly after finishing them—I was inspired to recreate my own story, along a similar vein. The only problem was I failed to explain to the other children that this was all just make-believe. One of the children was so terrified that, once their parents discovered what was going on, I ended up getting in quite a lot of trouble. Perhaps witnessing this powerful effect was partly responsible for fuelling my passion for storytelling. 

On the surface, Wyndham’s post-apocalyptic dystopian novel, might seem an odd choice for this list, but what it lacks in pure fantasy it more than makes up for with heart. The reader is lured into a strange and wild world in which even bizarre concepts appear both credible and familiar. In the wake of a devastating war from long ago, any mutation or deviation from the norm is feared as a sign of God’s wrath. Within this strictly religious community, where even the slightest physical deformity will lead to banishment or eradication, a small group of children are hiding a dangerous secret. The Chrysalids is a poignant and pertinent tale of friendship, courage, and the strength of unity through adversity. A beautiful reminder that although a difference can be targeted and seen as a dangerous ‘unknown’, sometimes it might be the very thing that provides hope and even saves us.