10 Tips for Reading High Fantasy Books for Beginners

High fantasy is a marvel of literature, providing readers with incredible worlds and unforgettable characters. Joe Abercrombie’s First Law Trilogy, George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, and Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time are just a few examples of the genre-defining series that weave stories that straddle the ordinary and extraordinary. But for new readers, diving into these epic tales can be scary sometimes.

These epic sagas, which span several books and feature a complicated web of characters and plots, might sometimes present a significant challenge for a new reader. In addition, high fantasy exposes readers to carefully imagined worlds with their own histories, cultures, languages, and mythologies. The amount of information is astounding and, at first, may seem overwhelming.

The genre’s tendencies for non-linear storytelling only serve to accentuate this. The fact that narratives frequently switch between points of view and timelines creates a complex, all-encompassing picture of the story while also creating a barrier for newcomers.

However, it is precisely these details that give high fantasy its allure, turning it into a puzzle box whose secrets are gradually revealed and giving a catharsis like nothing else.

When I think back on my own early venture into high fantasy, I remember how my initial confusion gave way to fascination. The difficulties initially resembled a mysterious code. But as I dug deeper, propelled by my curiosity, I started to understand the genre’s rhythm. The initial difficulties developed into fascinating quests, and the genre changed from a difficult task to an engaging and thrilling journey.

High fantasy is a journey worth taking despite its complexity. Each novel is an exciting journey, and in the right direction, it can bring great satisfaction. I hope that this article will be helpful in guiding you through high fantasy and encourage you to explore its magical worlds.

The keys to a world of fantastic discoveries are patience, perseverance, and a sense of curiosity, just like in any great adventure. Take a look at the following tips for new readers to read high fantasy. Following these procedures has helped me a lot while I was starting out as a new reader of high fantasy, and I hope these tips will do the same for you.

10 tips for reading high fantasy books for new readers:

1. Start small

Starting with standalone books or shorter series can be helpful for those who are new to high fantasy. These books usually have fewer characters and simpler world-building, making them less intimidating for first-time readers. For instance, Neil Gaiman’s Stardust provides a delightful taste of high fantasy without the commitment of a lengthy series.

In a similar vein, J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, which serves as a prequel to The Lord of the Rings, succeeds as an engrossing fantasy book with a manageable cast and a straightforward plot. These books can act as a prelude to more substantial and intricate series.

You can also try some YA High Fantasy books or series, such as An Ember in the Ashes or the Grisha Trilogy, as they are great stories written for young adults with all the elements of high fantasy but in an easy-to-read manner.

2. Choose something you’re familiar with

If you’ve enjoyed a high fantasy film or television show like Game of Thrones or The Lord of the Rings, reading the books those works were based on can make the transition into the genre easier. Your familiarity with the world and the main characters will make it simpler for you to follow the story.

Additionally, you’ll probably discover a wealth of extra information, characters, and backstory in the books that weren’t presented in the screen adaptations, which will add to your understanding of the narrative and keep it fun.

3. Read or watch spoiler-free reviews

One thing I used to do before starting a new book or series, I find some spoiler-free reviews on YouTube or Goodreads and go through them just to get familiar enough with the characters and the world I’m about to get into. It makes getting into the story much easier, and I don’t have to find out about the characters and the vast world from nothing.

Although I don’t do that anymore after reading literally hundreds of books over the years; however, if you are just starting out in the enchanting and complex world of high fantasy, you should give this advice a try.

4. Embrace the glossaries and maps

Most high fantasy books include extras like glossaries, maps, and appendices. For instance, The Lord of the Rings’ intricate map of Middle Earth or A Song of Ice and Fire’s detailed glossaries can guide you through the world and explain the terms used. Since they are intended to improve your reading comprehension and experience, don’t be afraid to return to them as you read.

5. Keep notes

I did this following a friend’s advice when I was reading the First Law Trilogy. It had a really massive world and a wide cast of characters, and I was relatively new to the high fantasy genre at that time. Considering the complexity and vast cast of high fantasy, keeping track of important people, places, and events can be useful.

This straightforward action will help you keep track of everything in the story. You could make notes about character interactions in The Wheel of Time series or important political occurrences in the First Law Trilogy. Keeping a reading journal can help you remember important details, especially if there are long breaks between reading sessions.

6. Read daily (Even a little)

Regular reading can ensure continuity and memory retention because high-fantasy books tend to be lengthy. Even making a daily commitment to read a few pages or a single chapter can have a big impact. You can stay engrossed in the story and keep the plot, characters, and setting fresh in your mind by regularly engaging with it.

When I first bought the five books boxed set of the Song of Ice and Fire (GOT) for my Kindle out of excitement, I felt overwhelmed just looking at the volume of chapters and texts, and I thought, ‘How can I ever finish this?’ – but I kept reading a few pages per day and now I am almost done with the fourth book!

Just one book to go to finish all the published installments. You can do the same, read a few pages per day whenever you get time, and then one day; you’ll see you’ve finished reading an incredible book or series!

7. Join a book club or online community

Joining a book club in your local library or an online community such as the Fantasy Subreddit or a Facebook group such as Fantasy Book Discussion will help you a great deal when you are starting out as a high-fantasy reader. The members of these communities are really helpful to each other, and you will get all your questions answered regarding any book, character, or genre in general.

These book clubs or online communities enable debate, interpretation, and the sharing of ideas with other readers. Viewing the same material from different angles can help you understand it better and frequently reveals insights you may have missed.

8. Be patient and give it time

Even now, after reading hundreds of books over the years, I struggle to grasp a new high fantasy book’s world instantly and everything else. Each new epic fantasy is a new world, new culture, and even new creatures. You have to give it time to set in.

Always keep in mind that high fantasy usually begins slowly before revealing its world, protagonists, and conflicts to you. It’s okay if you don’t comprehend everything right away; some details might only make sense later in the narrative or even in additional books. When approaching high fantasy, patience is a virtue.

9. Listen to audiobooks

High fantasy novels can be intimidating due to their size, but audiobooks may be a more approachable option. They can help with comprehension as well, particularly if the narration is done well. For instance, Nick Podehl’s appealing and lively narration of Patrick Rothfuss’ audiobook, The Name of the Wind, is frequently praised.

10. Re-read

High fantasy is complex, and occasionally it takes two or three readings to understand the full meaning or significance of a passage fully. Don’t be afraid to read over a chapter or passage more than once if it seems particularly puzzling. Rereading the story can enhance your comprehension of it.

Final thoughts

Exploring unknown worlds, learning about complex plots, and getting to know a wide range of interesting characters are all exciting aspects of a high fantasy journey. It’s a journey of a thousand steps that frequently requires patience and persistence, but the payoff outweighs the difficulties with a deeply engaging, enriching reading experience that lingers long after the last page is turned.

With its extensive world-building, complex plots, and large cast of characters, high fantasy can at first seem overwhelming. However, the advice offered above aims to make it easier to deal with these complexities.

Each tactic is a tool to help you unravel the complex structure of epic fantasy, whether it’s starting small with simpler books, using extra resources like glossaries and maps, or connecting with other readers online.

Keeping this in mind, your journey into high fantasy will be entirely unique to you. The thrill of discovering a genre’s nuances and the process of grasping its rhythm are what make the journey itself an adventure as opposed to just the final destination.

So, as you enter the colorful high fantasy worlds, I wish you a magical journey. May the heroic tales awe you, the settings bewitch you, and the stories become cherished allies in your literary journeys. Happy reading, and enjoy the journey!