worlds beyond our own // 4 action packed fantasies perfect for summer

I’m a sucker for a good action packed fantasy. Vastly different from the currently popular dystopian or realistic fiction genres, action fantasy (a genre I sorta made up just now) pulls readers into worlds so exquisitely unique they’re hard not to love. Chucked full of mystic mystery, thrilling battles, dangerous quests and phenomenal characters, these stories are a perfect fit for the freedom and imagination that come with seemingly magical summer months.

1// Caraval by Stephanie Garber

This. Book. Left. Me. Breathless. Utterly breathless. In Caraval, Stephanie Garber tells the story of two sisters who find themselves wrapped up in an assumed trick-of-the-light performance turned deadly, magical game. Garber drenches her story in magnificently rich and colorful description, building a world so real the reader thinks they can reach out and feel it. Caraval’s whimsical world is paired with a puzzle of a plot, as I literally found myself gasping after holding my breath for too long! Perfect for reading outside by the bonfire, Caraval sucks readers into a world where truths can be just as misleading as lies.

2// A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare

Shakespeare in summer? Absolutely. A full force fantasy bursting with faeries, curses, palaces and enchanted forests, Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream has been causing both the hearts and minds of readers to swoon for centuries. In this play, both human and non-human characters wrestle with love and power, while other characters (I’m looking at you, Puck!) live to stir the pot. Classic yet fresh, A Midsummer Night’s Dream is perfect for reading amidst the blooming flowers of a secluded garden or in a quiet corner of the woods.

3// River Secrets by Shannon Hale

I think I’ve read this book about five times. Yes-- it’s that good. Dubbed my most favorite book of all time (tied with Pride and Prejudice, of course), River Secrets is the third book in a four part series, but could be read first, or as a stand alone novel. Centered around a dangerous mystery, Hale’s vivid and bold settings paired with a wonderfully clever and sarcastic main character makes River Secrets both extremely easy and an absolute delight to read. A perfect option for reading while lounging beside the ocean, pool, or lake, River Secrets is a story you’ll want to come back to again and again.

4// Strange the Dreamer by Lanini Taylor

Rich in detail and drenched in powerful language, Strange the Dreamer commands every part of the reader’s attention as Lanini Taylor crafts a world so far from our own. Lazlo Strange has always been enthralled with the lost city of Weep, and when the opportunity arises to find Weep with the hero Godslayer and a slew of dangerous and mysterious warriors, Lazlo must rush to grip the chance he’s only dreamed of. Perfect for reading whilst swinging in a hammock, Strange the Dreamer sparkles with wonderful mystery and gorgeous thrill.