Fantasy is a beautiful genre that creates complex and intriguing worlds that readers can enjoy. Although fantasy usually takes the reader outside of the world we are living in, there are many elements in a fantasy novel that parallel our real world. Personally, when I am reading a fantasy novel, I prefer for the season to match the season in the book. For example, in the winter, I like to read fantasy books in winter landscapes. Since the summer season is here, I have made it my mission to find fantasy books that take place in a summer landscape, so you can enjoy a fantasy book without ever thinking about the cold.
In honor of the official start of summer, here is a list of five fantasy book recommendations to match the setting of the summer. While some may be Booktok hits, others are lesser know, but all these books definitely encapsulate all elements of a perfect summer read.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
The Cruel Prince is a Perfect summer read. In a luscious Maine landscape, the book follows a girl named Jude grappling for power in a fairy kingdom. From a young age, Jude was kidnapped by her now father figure and is forced to live in a kingdom full of fairies who hate humans. Fairies hate humans for the simple fact that humans can lie. Although she is reviled by those she has grown up with, the Kingdom of Fairy is her home, and she intends to have power in her home.
These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan
If you love stories about fae, These Hollow Vows is another addictive story about the fae that is perfect for the summer. In a world controlled by the fae, Brie despises them and refuses to enable their power-– even if that means sabotaging her own life. However, her sister is soon taken by the king of the Seelie court, Brie must make a deal with the king himself. She must find three magical objects to save her sister. On her journey, she encounters new creatures and challenges, which force her to question her own loyalties. These Hollow Vows takes the reader through an epic adventure in a beautiful summer-esque landscape that will not disappoint.
A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown
Do you enjoy the heroine going on an adventure to save a loved one? If you do, then you should most definitely read A Song of Wraiths and Ruin. Malik sees the festival of Solstasia as a getaway from the war that her home country has been enveloped in.
She is determined to go live with her sister in the desert city of Ziran. Unfortunately, Malik’s plan is soon ruined when her beloved sister is kidnapped by an evil spirit. However, the spirit sees reason and offers Malik and deal; Malik must kill the prince of Ziran to get her sister back. This incredible book will have you on the edge of your seat and is a must-read for the summer.
Dark and Deepest Red by Anna-Marie McLemore
Dark and Deepest Red is an exciting chilling story about magic and the repercussions of using magical artifacts. The story begins in the summer of 1518 in Strasbourg, which is plagued by sickness and dark magic. As whispers of witchcraft spread, an odd phenomenon continuously occurs; women are uncontrollably dancing in the street-– dancing until they die. As a result of this activity, suspicion turns toward Lavinia.
Hundreds of years later, and pair of red shoes finds its way onto Rosella Oliva’s feet. They are odd shoes that make her move and dance uncontrollably. They bring her to a boy that knows this mysterious history of dancing forever. Will Rosella get those shoes off her feet, or will she die dancing like the women of 1518? Dark and Deepest Red is an inventive retelling of the classic fairy tale, The Red Shoes, that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Twin Crowns by Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber
Twin Crowns is another amazing fantasy that fits perfectly into the summer season. Wren Greenrock longs for revenge… and her sister’s crown. Taken from her home as a baby, Wren has been trained to one day return home and kill her parent’s murderers. However, Wren’s want for violence is not only to seek justice; Wren also thirsts for the power to protect the community of witches she loves. The only thing that stands in her way is a distractingly beautiful palace guard…
Princess Rose Valhart has been stolen as she awaited marriage into a brutal kingdom. Now, she wakes up in an unfamiliar desert with a handsome captor. Initially, all Rose wants to do is get back to the palace, but she soon discovers that life outside of royalty may be better than she imagined. Rose still feels it is important to get back to her crown. What will happen when two sisters want one crown?
This list of books will give you the perfect summer-esque stories while also being transported to another magical world.
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