Fantasy Books for Adventurous Kids
My love for reading began as a child.
One thing that my parents never refused me was another book to read, and another adventure to explore. While I’m sure there are some excellent new books out there for kids, I really wanted to share some of my old favs - the books that have stuck with me into adulthood, shaped my reading and writing style, and initially drove my love for literature.
The Septimus Heap Books by Angie Sage
I thought I’d start with my favourite book series of all time; The Septimus Heap Series. I’m not sure how popular this book series is - the very few times I’ve met someone else who has read these books has felt like reuniting with a long lost friend, and everyone I know who has read these books has a similar feeling of unwavering nostalgia for them. The Septimus Heap books are a series of seven books following the magykal adventures of a young apprentice, Septimus Heap, and the various family and friends who get caught up in them. These books are full of magic, excitement, and a wonderfully developed world with a creative and expansive magic system.
While our leading characters, Septimus and Jenna, are complex and intriguing characters and drive the story perfectly, the minor characters tend to steal the show. My personal favourites were Alther Mella, Nicko Heap, O. Beetle Beetle, and Lucy Gringe. However, all of the characters have fully fleshed backstories and interwoven fates, and I love how much we learn about them all. I wish I could talk more about them but I don’t want to give any spoilers!
Angie Sage has such a unique knack for storytelling. Every detail is made fun and no witty or wonderful word is wasted. My sister and I still often listen to the audiobooks of these stories which are read excellently and, if I had the time, I would reread all of these books in an instant. I truly think any kid looking for a little adventure will adore these books with their excellent twists and consistent humour (which still cracks me up). I also think that these books would be fun to read to children as there are plenty of jokes hidden in there that are intended for adults.
I would recommend these books for 10+ as the series does get a little darker with each instalment.
The Edge Chronicles by Paul Stewart & Chris Riddell
Beyond the Deepwoods is a fantasy novel and the first book in The Edge Chronicles. This book follows Twig who, raised by woodtrolls, has always suspected that he wasn’t like his family, and longs to know who he truly is. On a mission to discover his true identity Twig ventures beyond the Deepwoods and soon does the one things no woodtroll would ever dare to; he strays from the path. On his journey we join Twig as he comes face to face with the grotesque, fearsome, and cunning creatures of the woods - all while learning who he really is. These books are completely original and absorbing, while remaining relatively short! The thing that has really stuck with me since childhood is Chris Riddell’s beautiful illustrations which really bring each and every creature to life.
I recently bought the second book in this series so that I can continue reading the series that 8-year-old me loved so much (although I just found out that apparently this one is for kids 12+ !?)
The Inkheart Trilogy by Cornelia Funke
Heading into tween territory here - I absolutely devoured this trilogy between the ages of 12-14. The books follow 12 year old Meggie Folchart whose life is upended when she discovers that her bookbinder father, Mo, has the ability to bring fictional characters to life when he reads aloud. For years Mo has been searching for his wife, lost within the pages of a fantasy tale, Inkheart. While on his hunt, characters from the book have spilled into the real world and now the book has become impossible to find. When Meggie meets Dustfinger, a man once comprised of paper and ink now come to life, Mo is forced to confront the reality of his gift and use it to try and save this world from the powers of fiction.
Not to give too much away, but these books only become more deeply intrenched in fantasy and magic as the series continues. The stakes always feel pretty high and the characters are completely compelling and loveable.
These books really have it all; daring, danger, magic, found family, a glimmer of romance. These books champion the magic of storytelling and are full to bursting with spellbinding characters and the possibility of fantasy worlds. If you have a child who loves to read, I really recommend these books. My biggest takeaway from these books was that I really want the Inkheart in the books to be a book I could actually read if someone could make that happen. Funke also released a sequel to this series in 2023 called The Colour of Revenge which just goes to show that the fandom for this series is still very much alive and kicking.
The Icemark Chronicles by Stuart Hill
The Icemark Chronicles are essentially a series of battles featuring unearthly creatures and won by the protagonists just when you think all is lost. This could be really dull if it weren’t for the characters. In the first book of the trilogy, The Cry of The Icemark, we meet Thirrin Freer Strong-In-The-Arm Lindenshield - a strong willed thirteen year old princess. Thirrin is who I wanted to be when I was thirteen - she is brave, whip-smart, strong willed, and a leader of a small army. Thirrin’s land, Icemark, is under threat of invasion by the Polypontian army - an empire set on ‘improving’ the world through science and harks largely of the Romans. Thirrin is forced to make alliances with peoples and creatures that she has been taught to fear, and this starts with Oskan Witch’s Son, a young healer with whom Thirrin quickly makes a unique bond.
These books are full of vampires, werewolves, snow leopards, and earth shaking powers. I think about these books all the time and would love to reread them as an adult. I feel that you would get so much from them both at 12 years old and at 32.
The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini
This series is best known for its first instalment, Eragon, and the unfortunate flop of a film that came from it. These books are best suited for those 13 and up due to general reading ability. These books are still very much being released with the latest book coming out in 2023.
Eragon is a fifteen year old farmhand who finds a shiny blue stone while out hunting. He brings it home with him, thinking it may buy his family food for the winter, but soon discovers it is in fact a dragon egg - the likes of which have not been seen for an age. The egg hatches and the dragon, Saphira, bonds with Eragon. Following the destruction of his uncle’s farm at the hands of the King’s vicious servants, the Ra’zac, Eragon is forced to flee with Saphira and plans to hunt the Ra’zac down with the intention of avenging his uncle. While his world falls apart around him, he is entrusted with the fate of the Empire.
The Inheritance Cycle is a high fantasy series written for teenagers (by a teenager!!) and thus, the world building may be a little too complex for those younger readers. These books, however, would be great for anyone interested in magic, dragons, and epic battles. I might go as far as to say it’s a kid-friendly Lord of the Rings with more dragons but I don’t want to be put in the internet stocks and have metaphorical tomatoes thrown at me… so I won’t.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
I actually only read Percy Jackson and the Lighting Thief very recently (December 2023) and I can’t believe I didn’t read it sooner. This book made me laugh out loud on multiple occasions and I’m really looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
If you have somehow missed the Percy Jackson train, like I did, these books follow 12 year old Percy’s journey as he discovers he is a demi-god - the child of a Greek god. The story begins when evil forces track Percy down in New York, forcing him to leave his life behind and enrol at Camp-Halfblood, a summer camp for children just like him. Here he discovers centaurs, satyrs, and that Capture the Flag can be a really dangerous game. He is soon thrust into a quest with a satyr and a daughter of Athena, and trek across the US in search of Zeus’ master bolt. Throughout these books we come face-to-face with Ancient Greek gods and monsters as Percy and his friends navigate the world of the gods and try to prevent the Titans from destroying the world.
The books are witty, genuinely funny, and also full of notes on the importance of friendship and familial love. These books are recommended for readers 9+.
What I read as a kid really fuelled my insatiable love for fantasy and reading as a whole. I’m still reading some of these series, and want to reread the ones I read as a child which only goes to show how the things we consume stick with us and mould us. If you have read or are reading any of these be sure to leave a comment over on my Instagram.