Best summer fantasy reads for the beach!

11 Best Summer Fantasy Reads for 2024

When the heat is on and the sun is high in the sky there’s nothing better than getting lost in a fantastic fantasy book. Summer fantasy reads are your ticket to escape the ordinary and dive into worlds where anything can happen, especially in epic fantasy!

From re-told fairy tales to spellbinding adventures and worlds full of magic and mythical creatures these books are the perfect mix of fun and comfort for those lazy summer days. Whether you’re lounging by the pool or in a shady corner of your backyard, here are the 11 best summer fantasy reads of 2024:

Disclosure: There are affiliate links below, which means if you make a purchase after clicking on one, I may earn a commission. Full Disclaimer here.

Best summer fantasy reads for the beach!

1. Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson

Tress of the Emerald SEa

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson lets you get lost in a mysterious world of magic and mythical creatures.

You’ll follow Tress the young heroine as she travels through the emerald sea of magical spores in an effort to rescue her love. Along the way she meets a talking rat, a ragtag gang of pirates, a bartering dragon, and more.

The magic system in this book is super unique (as you can expect with any Sanderson book), which centers around the volatile spores that make up the sea; even one drop of water causes the spores to react – sometimes in extremely dangerous ways!

This book features lots of sea-faring (though the sea is made of spores) making it the perfect summer book to tread by the beach.

2. A Darker Shade of Dark Magic by V.E. Schwab

shades of magic cover

If you like parallel worlds and magic adventures then A Darker Shade of Magic should be on your list.

Kell is a magician who travels between parallel Londons: Red, Grey, White and once Black.

In Red London magic is alive. White London is a savage place ruled by power-hungry twins.

Grey London is boring, no magic. (Our world! whomp-whomp.)

Black London is a mystery, consumed by dark magic.

Kell’s journey takes a turn when he meets Delilah Bard a cunning thief from Grey London who wants to be a pirate. Together they embark on a perilous quest with magical artifacts, thrilling chases and a rogue prince.

Schwab’s writing style is easy to consume and brings the scenes to life and a world that makes you feel like you’re right there. It’s one of my favorite books of all time and great to read at any time of year!

3. Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent

daughter of no worlds

If you like fantasy with a dash of romance and rebellion then Carissa Broadbent’s Daughter of No Worlds is a great book for your summer TBR. The story follows a former slave who joins a rebellion against a dark sorceress and questions everything she’s ever known about her family, her purpose and her deepest desires.

You’ll like the heroine’s bravery and stubbornness. The romance, while completely swoon-worthy, doesn’t overshadow the main story.

Expect magic, intrigue and defiance. The book is a great balance of action and character.

For those who like well-built fantasy worlds and a strong female lead.

4. The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett

The Tainted Cup

Get your favorite summer drink and get lost in The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett. This one grabs you from the start with murder and political intrigue. Quick disclaimer – I’m still in the middle of reading this as my own summer 2024 fantasy read, but I am LOVING it!

This book follows Din, a neurodivergent young man and an assistant investigator with the ability to remember everything he sees. His first murder investigation turns out to be a grizzly – if bizarre – one.

Part Sherlock Holmes mystery, part fantasy thriller, you will be glued to this book right from page one.

5. The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi

the last tale of the flower bride

If you feel like a summer book that reads more like literary fiction with a subtle hint of gothic fantasy, pick up The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi. The book is a lush tale of two girls growing up together in The House of Dreams and a marriage full of secrets. You follow the narrator, simply known as “Bridegroom” who gets pulled into a world that is both beautiful and deadly.

The character work and prose in this book is what makes it so memorable. Chokshi’s writing is beautiful and poetic so you can get lost in her words.

If you like books with fantasy and dark romance then this is one to not miss. It’s a quick read under 300 pages, making it the perfect moody read for picking up when you have some downtime at the cottage.

6. Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

Piranesi by Susana Clarke

Piranesi is a must-read at any time of year, but there is something inherently summery about it. Also a quick read, this book follows Piranesi, an endearing soul whose entire world is an endless labyrinth of statues surrounded by (and in someplace, submerged in) the ocean.

The story is set in a one of a kind universe, an infinite House with endless halls and statues. You’ll follow Piranesi the main character as he explores this vast maze, like a forbidden forest with secrets and danger.

Magic is woven throughout the story. It’s not showy but deep in the world and its secrets. You’ll be drawn into the mystery of the House with Piranesi.

Piranesi and The Other are the main plot drivers.

The book is beautiful. Clarke’s writing makes you feel like you’re walking the halls. The sense of discovery is constant as you figure out what’s real in Piranesi’s world. I read this on the plane ride home from my last vacation and I read it all in one sitting!

7. Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

sea of tranquility

If you like sci-fi, time travel, and future settings then Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel is a must read. You’ll be jumping through eras and experiencing the past and future.

This literary novel has multiple timelines so it’s complex but fascinating. You’ll meet characters who travel through centuries each journey is detailed and emotional.

One of the best parts is how it weaves personal stories with big sweeping narratives. The characters are well developed so you’ll care about their fate in every timeline they visit.

You’ll love the mix of intimate moments and the big time travel problems. The writing is worth diving into every page. It’s a layered story that will keep you hooked.

Beach or backyard, Sea of Tranquility is on your summer reading list.

8. Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

divine rivals

Imagine a world where gods and mortals live together and their lives intersect in the most unexpected ways. In Divine Rivals you step into this magical world reminiscent of World War 2 created by Rebecca Ross.

The story is about revenge, murder, and divine intervention. You’ll meet characters with big motivations. Rivals with personal vendettas and gods who are not just distant deities but active players in the mortal world. The main protagonists work at the local paper and are rivals who end up communicating to each other through a magical typewriter – unbeknownst to one of them.

If you like action with a bit of divine drama in your love stories, then this should be a fun read for you. Ross’s writing is beautiful and brings the world to life and you can almost smell the air in this mystical place.

9. Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

strange the dreamer

Strange the Dreamer is another of my all-time favorite reads!

The story follows Lazlo Strange, a young librarian who dreams of the lost city of Weep. Lazlo’s dreams are full of blue-skinned gods and hidden secrets. Alongside him, a young woman enters the story and things get interesting – and complicated.

As you follow Lazlo you’ll enter a world where dreams and reality blend. Taylor’s writing is so whimsical you’ll feel like you’re dreaming right along with him.

Monsters in Strange the Dreamer are not what they seem. The book will mess with your idea of good and evil. You’ll wonder who the real bad guys are.

Full of adventure, each chapter reveals more of the city’s mysterious past.

You’ll love Taylor’s writing; it is some of the most gorgeous prose I’ve ever read and her vivid descriptions will paint the world of Weep in your mind. Beach or hammock, Strange the Dreamer is the perfect escape into a fantasy world.

10. Fourth Wing: An Epic Fantasy by Rebecca Yarros

fourth wing

Fourth Wing is an action packed romance and war story. Perfect for those who like action, romance, and dragons.

You’ll follow a strong heroine, Violet (aka Violence). Her journey is full of surprises and intense moments, starting with a political marriage that sets everything in motion.

The romance is definitely on the steamy side. You can feel the tension building with each meeting. It’s not just a side plot, it’s integral to the story.

War is big in this book. Battles are written so you feel like you’re in the thick of it. These scenes are intense and well done and add to the story.

Although this book reads a little like fanfiction at times, it is undeniably fun to read, making it a favorite across BookTok.

Fourth Wing is a great combination all the way through. Beach or pool read.

11. Once Upon a Broken Heart: A Fairy Tale by Stephanie Garber

once upon a broken heart

In Once Upon a Broken Heart, Evangeline Fox believes in true love but her heart gets broken. She makes a deal with Jacks, the cruel Prince of Hearts to mend her broken heart, but things don’t play out the way she intended.

This story reads like a fairy tale, and is a sweet, firmly YA romance.

This world feels real and full of secrets, with heart-fluttering moments and deep connections between the characters. The relationship dynamics are complicated and keep you turning the pages.

Revenge is a thread throughout the story and Evangeline’s path to a happy ending is not straightforward, with many obstacles and betrayals.

If you want to escape into a world where magic and romance collide then Once Upon a Broken Heart will hook you from the very first page. Enjoy the ride as you turn the heart wrenching and magical pages of Evangeline’s story, which is the first in a trilogy.

What makes a book a summer fantasy read?

Summer fantasy books are fun and adventurous. Many are New York Times bestselling so you know they’re popular and well done. A New York Times bestselling author is a seal of approval and recognition so their books are a must-read for the season.

You want stories that sweep you away but not too far from your beach chair or picnic blanket. For that reason, I like to stick to shorter fantasy novels that aren’t too intimidating to pick up whenever you have some down time while you’re on summer vacation.

Romance also adds a little extra magic to your summer! particularly lighter romances those lazy afternoons.

Books with summer settings can make it even better. Personally, I enjoy fantasies set by the ocean or with pirates, which feel summery to me.

Conclusion

As you put together your summer reading TBR, you won’t be disappointed with these choices! These books have fun worlds and great adventures for your long sunny days. From the protagonist’s journey to the imperial city to political marriages and ambushes, each has its own story and characters that stick with you and are among some of my favorite books ever regardless of the season.

Happy reading this summer!

Similar Posts