Recs if you like Ship of Magic...

I've noticed most fantasy lists are saturated with YA and romantasy books, but some of us crave adult high-stakes adventures. If you enjoy epic stakes, deep characters, and majestic world-building (without the distraction of romance) this list is for you. For series, I've only added the first book. 📖

I'm sure some of these are already on your TBR, so might as well add some more! Let me know if I am missing any of your favorites!

I'm quite experienced in the man-hating field. These books made me hate men more than I already did.

I got my swim trunks & my flippy floppies 🩳🩴

I was listening to the lonely island and the next thing you know, this list happened.

this list contains a variety of books that take place on a variety of boats, ships and vessels

as always, taking any and all suggestions

Books in this list are in at least two quests. Thus helping to earn more badges. Books will span different genres. Once I scan through all the quests, I plan to further organize the list. I am thinking of creating a seperate list and moving the books with three or more quests to the new list and keeping the two badge books in this list. Are there other ways you would organize a list this big?

A compendium of books featuring dragons

the sea cares not for those who sail it, yet sail they do

No just pirate books! This list includes any tale that takes place (mostly) on a ship at sea.

Feminism and female empowerment in fantasy and speculative fiction, inspired by the always iconic Éowyn. Only the first book in a series listed unless there’s something specific about a later book, and suggestions welcome!

Seafaring stories and Little Mermaid-esque tales! (I'm excluding classics and books that just take place on the ocean but don't have any speculative elements, even my baby Moby Dick😭)

Open waters, treasures, it's a pirates life

30 of the best epic high fantasy books with the highest stakes, featuring richly detailed worlds, intricate magic systems, and immersive storytelling.

Robin Hobb's 'The Realm of the Elderlings' in order (my goal is to read them all... if anyone wants to do the same I made this list so the order of the books is the right one hehehehe)

This is a list of books representing every pokemon in HeartGold and SoulSilver (So Johto+Kanto regions). For my sanity, this is one book per evo line. The list with match-ups is in the comments✊🏻💚

f*ck misogyny, women write epic fantasy too

Note: Only the first book in a series are added. The goal is to try it, not dedicate oneself to it. Marion Zimmer Bradley has been added with caution--buy from a small business if not able to check out at the library.

High seas, hidden treasure, questionable life choices, and a lot of dramatic shouting. Dive in if you’re ready for adventure, danger, and a little bit of glorious chaos.

robin hobb reading order

This is just something I'm working on because I've decided this is my favorite trope. I'll be collecting here, so don't expect it to be amazing right now 😅. These are characters that stray far from being human but still contain an edge of humanity that makes me feel okay to be delightfully weird. Suggestions welcome!

Fantasy romance books from before the coining of Romantasy.

The complete (as of Jan. 2026) Realm of the Elderlings series. Novels only, not short stories.