by Victoria Marie
“Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.”
– Mason Cooley
Fantasy books immerse readers in the magnificent worlds their authors have created. Our lockdown situation has left many of us bored and craving an escape to somewhere bright and adventurous. When things aren’t going my way in life and all seems dreary, I pick up a book and become a part of something bigger. Just because stores are closed and deliveries are far and few, this doesn’t mean you can’t download any of these magical beauties on your kindle or other e-reader and find a new reality.
Caraval – Stephanie Garber
Caraval is the first in Garber’s trilogy and tells a story about a carnival which appears once a year and holds the idea that nothing you see is real, it’s only a game. Through trickery on the protagonist Scarlett and the kidnapping of her sister Tella, you are left in suspense as the magician, Legend, creates a magical world to fight against our own views of reality. The book leaves you wondering what’s truly real and what’s been warped by the clever owner of his powerful magic.
City of Bones – Cassandra Clare
A tale of angels and faeries, vampires and werewolves, ‘City of Bones’ takes you on a journey through the things that happen in our world just beyond our mortal mind’s eye. Cassandra Clare writes about a version of Earth very similar to our own, but in this world, all the stories are true. The protagonist, Clary, knows nothing of the supernatural world beyond the myths and fairy tales every child is brought up with. She becomes entangled in a world usually hidden to ‘mundanes’ (humans) and is made to realise that not everything is as it seems, including her own history.
This is the first book of many in the Mortal Instruments set alongside a prequel series, sequel and a couple of offshoots all based in the same world Clare has created. After being given a few of these sets for my birthday, I haven’t had the chance to stop and read; now I’m soaring through them hungrily (nothing fills a craving quite like exploring a new world).
The Binding – Bridget Collins
This is a newly released book which I was given for Christmas, it’s shockingly one I hadn’t heard of until it was gifted. It follows the life of Emmett and his journey in becoming a binder. The binders in this world are not as you’d think, they bind the unwanted memories of others into their own personal books to forget the pain they’ve experienced. With heartfelt twists that will leave you gasping, this really is the perfect read to get away from the drone of quarantined life.
The Night Circus – Erin Morgenstern
You may have heard of Morgenstern’s anticipated new book ‘The Starless Sea’, but have you read her original standalone? My all-time favourite book is a story of a twisted carnival – yes, I have a thing for carnivals – which appears unexpectedly and leaves in the same suspicious way. An ongoing competition between two magicians, brought up not knowing the aim or rules of the game keeps you gripped throughout the story. Entering the carnival, even though it is set in an ordinary world, makes you feel as though you’re somewhere else altogether. The magic of Le Cirque des Rêves and the eager members of the fan club who call themselves Rêveurs make you dream it were real; the way Morgenstern writes makes you second guess whether this is a work of fiction or simply a recollection of the events which transpired.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – J.K. Rowling
No fantasy post would ever be complete without mentioning the most famous wizard in this generation. If you haven’t read this well-known series but have seen the films then I encourage beg you to read the books, for your own sake. The story of the boy who lived takes us into a world of magic right next door to our own lives unbeknownst to us ‘muggles’. Many have been brought up with the story of the boy with the lightning scar but it’s true what they say – the book is always better. Even knowing the story, the books provide additional information to help you truly escape into Harry Potter’s life; you will find out things you never knew and fully become a part of the Weasley family. There are no better books to help you avoid reality that that of the most popular fantasy series worldwide, so go pick up the first.
I’ve had a lot of times in my life in which I’ve found myself deep in a reading slump, now is the perfect time to end it. If you’re finding it hard to drag yourself out of it and read something new then do what I did and try reading one of your old favourites, reignite your love of books – preferably not by igniting the pages – then delve into the fantasy worlds these brilliant authors have written for us to experience.
“You can’t skip chapters, that’s not how life works. You have to read every line, meet every character. You won’t enjoy all of it. Hell, some chapters will make you cry for weeks. You will read things you don’t want to read, you will have moments when you don’t want the pages to end. But you have to keep going. Stories keep the world revolving. Live yours, don’t miss out.”
– Courtney Peppernell
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27883214-caraval
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/256683.City_of_Bones
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39964740-the-binding
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9361589-the-night-circus
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3.Harry_Potter_and_the_Sorcerer_s_Stone
Where to buy:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Caraval-Novel-Stephanie-Garber/dp/1250095255
https://www.amazon.co.uk/City-Bones-Mortal-Instruments-1/dp/1406307629
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Binding-Bridget-Collins/dp/0008272115
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Night-Circus-Erin-Morgenstern/dp/0099554798
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Harry-Potter-Philosophers-Stone-Rowling/dp/0747532745
[…] always reading, in my previous post I spoke of my favourite fantasy picks to help escape reality (https://brightonjournal.co.uk/the-light-in-lockdown-life/). You could also try spending some time in the sun doing some gardening […]