Ditch your to-do list and dive into epic quests, found families, and worlds worth getting lost in.
Summer—the season of sunburns, overpriced lemonade, and pretending you’ll finally make a dent in your TBR.
While some are out here chasing tan lines and sipping watered-down cocktails, the rest of us are planning our vacations around fictional kingdoms, magical uprisings, and morally questionable chosen ones. If your idea of “epic reading” involves dragon duels, post-apocalyptic magic systems, or intergalactic dungeon crawls. Don’t worry. We see you. And we’ve got you covered.
Whether you’re poolside, fireside, or hiding inside from the heat (same), these fantasy adventures are the ultimate form of escapism—and frankly, a lot more thrilling than your neighbor’s third beach photo dump this week.
Why Fantasy Is the Ultimate Summer Escape
Because SPF 50 doesn’t protect you from fire-breathing wyverns.
Look, when the real world feels like a prequel to the apocalypse, sometimes the best cure is a story where someone else has to save the world. Fantasy offers an all-inclusive pass to epic drama, ancient secrets, and emotional damage, all without the need for bug spray.
And it’s not just fun. Reading regularly can reduce stress, improve brain function, and actually make you more empathetic. So really, binge-reading fantasy is basically self-care.
Escapism isn’t just a vibe. It’s a strategy. Vogue Business even called it “the new marketing currency,” which is just a fancy way of saying everyone’s emotionally exhausted and we all need a break.
Cue the magic portals.
What Makes a Fantasy Adventure Epic?
High stakes. Big feelings. Found families and fatal prophecies.
An “epic” fantasy isn’t just about word count. Though, if it can’t double as a doorstop, is it really trying? It’s about scale. Sweeping worldbuilding. Moral complexity. And the kind of plot twists that make you text your friend at 2 a.m. like, “You need to read this NOW.”
Bonus points for:
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Ancient evils no one bothered to properly seal away
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Training montages that end in emotional trauma
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One (1) character with a secret identity and a death wish
Curating Your Summer Reading List
(a.k.a. The only packing list that matters)
Epic reading doesn’t require a boarding pass, but it does require some planning. You want a mix of tones—something to match your mood whether you’re basking in sunbeams or spiraling in existential dread.
Need a few ideas?
We’ve curated an entire list of fantasy adventures to keep your summer lineup spicy. Think rebellion-fueled heists (Mistborn), dungeon-crawling absurdity (Dungeon Crawler Carl), and ancient blood magic (Jade City).
And if you’re in the mood for even more inspiration, check out these other rec-worthy favorites:
