There’s nothing like curling up on an autumn day, cup of tea in one hand and a fantasy novel in the other. With many fantasy novels starring protagonists who dash through forests in long cloaks and charge into battle on snow-covered fields, these books often seem tailor-made for the colder months.
But what happens when summer comes around? In terms of genre fiction, lots of people reach for contemporary romance or thrillers. But if (like me) you’re a fantasy reader year-round, you might want a magical world to sink your teeth into even when you’re baking in the sun.
I was so desperate for a warm-weather fantasy book that I wrote my own: The Glittering Edge begins in the heat of July in the American Midwest, and it follows three teenagers during a summer vacation that involves witch covens, a family curse, and long-buried secrets that will change their small town forever.
But stories don’t have to take place during summer to feel like the perfect beach read. With that in mind, here are a few more books (both high fantasy and contemporary fantasy) that are perfect for your next vacation–or even if you’re stuck inside next to the A/C.
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
The first book in Le Guin’s Earthsea Cycle, this book is a classic of fantasy literature. It follows young Ged, an islander who lives with his herbalist aunt. When he discovers that he has a great magical power, he leaves the island, first for an apprenticeship and then to enroll in a magical school for wizards. The island setting in A Wizard of Earthsea brings to mind warm temperatures and the ocean, but even as Ged travels, the coziness of his classic coming-of-age story makes this a thoughtful, beautifully written summer read. The pages fly by, so make sure to have the other books in the series on hand!
When the Bones Sing by Ginny Myers Sain
Every single one of Ginny Myers Sain’s books could be in this list. Known for her paranormal young adult novels set in the American South, her stories drip with a heat that’s almost as oppressive as the dark magic under the surface of every story. I think of Myers Sain’s books as fantasy thrillers, so if that sounds like your ideal beach read, you should add all of them to your TBR.
When the Bones Sing is Myers Sain’s most recent novel. Set in the fictional town of Lucifer’s Creek in the Ozarks, the story follows 17-year-old Dovie Warner as she grapples with an unusual gift: the ability to “hear” the bones of the dead and locate their resting places. Despite this inheritance, Dovie sees this as a skill, not a superpower, and she uses it for practical purposes—namely, to locate the bodies of dozens of hikers who have gone missing on a nearby trail over the last three years. When her best friend Lo claims to be haunted by the ghosts of the hikers, he enlists a reluctant Dovie to help them find their killer—an investigation that has blood-chilling consequences.
The Adventures of Amina al-Sarifi by S.A. Chakraborty
I couldn’t write a list of summer fantasy novels without including a pirate story. The Adventures of Amina al-Sarifi is a remarkable historical adventure following Amina, a renowned pirate of the Indian seas. But after a storied, successful career, she’s ready to retire—that is, until she gets an offer she can’t refuse. Her former crewmate’s daughter has gone missing, and the crewmate’s mother offers Amina a very healthy reward for her assistance. Amina figures this is the perfect way to end her career, and it will pad her coffers nicely. Except, of course, there’s a lot more to this job than meets the eye. Retirement soon becomes a distant dream; Amina will settle for survival. Be sure to read this before the sequel comes out in 2026!
Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko
Raybearer is a young adult fantasy novel that follows Tarisai, the daughter of a mysterious woman known only as The Lady. Left to grow up with servants and tutors in the countryside, Tarisai barely knows her mother and has never had a friend to call her own. So when The Lady sends her to their empire’s capital to become one of eleven children on the crown prince’s council, this seems like Tarisai’s one true shot at gaining a family. But Tarisai’s mysterious, magical origins point her down a darker path—one of betrayal and murder. She will have to find the power within herself to change her destiny before she destroys her new family and her empire.
The world of Raybearer is rich in descriptions of foliage, food, and the luxuries of the West African-inspired capital city. Think gauzy curtains, succulent fruits, and glowing mythical creatures. With layered worldbuilding and complex relationships, this book (and its sequel) will hook you from the first page and sweep you away to a land of Djinn, revolution, and first love.
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
To be fair, Uprooted takes place across years and many seasons. But the focus on plant magic, the cozy Polish-inspired setting, and the yearning romance make this an excellent read for a warm day.
Brave, outspoken Agnieszka loves life in her small village. But the Wood lies just beyond, full of dark magic. Without the protection of the Dragon—a mysterious immortal wizard—Agnieszka’s home would be destroyed. But the Dragon’s price is steep. In exchange for his protection, every ten years he chooses one young woman to serve him in his foreboding castle. But the Dragon always chooses a beautiful, accomplished woman, and these are qualities Agnieszka is convinced she doesn’t have. She knows he won’t choose her. Unfortunately for her, Agnieszka has manifested powerful magic. And when the Dragon finds out, he makes a choice that shocks everyone and changes Agnieszka’s life forever.
If you have any books to add to this list, drop them in the comments below!
Buy the Book
The Glittering Edge
