Books like Phantastes
20 fantasy books to read after Phantastes, by Macdonald, George, the closest match first.
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1. The Well At The World's End
by Morris, William
- On the same lists
challenging classic literary fantasy that will appeal to those who love The Lord of the Rings. This is not as easy a work to follow though, as the pages incorporate...
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2. 1991: Thomas The Rhymer
by Kushner, Ellen
- On the same lists
Thomas is a young and flashy balladeer who follows the various courts of the mighty while preserving a friendship with a farming couple and flirting with their pretty neighbor. Thomas...
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3. At the Back of the North Wind
by Macdonald, George
- Same author
This is a children's book about a boy who travels with the North Wind. But, it is also brings out many philosophical and spiritual questions.
This is a children's book about a boy who travels with the North Wind. But, it is also brings out many philosophical and spiritual questions.
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4. The Golden Key
by Macdonald, George
- Same author
The adventurous wanderings of a boy and girl to find the keyhole which fits the rainbow's golden key.
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5. The Princess And The Goblin
by Macdonald, George
- Same author
This classic is written in a similar manner as Brother's Grimm and is a magical fairy tale about an independent, yet innocent, eight-year-old princess who discovers that her mysterious great-grandmother...
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6. The Complete Fairy Tales
by Macdonald, George
- Same author
If C.S. Lewis and Tolkien say that Macdonald is their master and that they build on his foundation in every story they write… The Complete Fairy Tales must be a...
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7. The Book Of Lost Things
by Connolly, John
- On the same lists
This book makes the list for its unique focus on psychology inside of the sub-genre. Connolly tells the story of a child so lost in books and darkness that he...
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8. The Worm Ouroboros
by Eddision, E. R.
- On the same lists
If there was an award given out for the Most Influential Fantasy Novel Ever Written That No One Ever Reads, this book would get it. The book tells a stylized...
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The Last Unicorn book 1 Start here
9. The Last Unicorn
by Beagle, Peter S.
- On the same lists
The short sequel to The Last Unicorn and is the quest of a young girl who seeks to make her village safe from a mean griffon.
Told from the perspective of the unicorn herself, this novel is as much satire as it is fairytale. The journey begins when she overhears a conversation insinuating that the unicorns...
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10. The Once And Future King
by White, T. H.
- On the same lists
An Arthurian retelling and is also very much a coming of age story.
This classic is the Arthurian tale standard by which modern iterations are measured. Or blatantly ripped off ('cough' Disney 'cough'). While the first section is a bright and comical depiction...
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11. The King Of Elfland's Daughter
by Dunsany, Lord
- On the same lists
The King of Elfland's daughter tells the tale of a human prince who is dispatched by his father to woo and wed the elf princess of a mystical land.Why it's...
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The Book Of The New Sun book 1 Start here
12. 1981: The Shadow Of The Torturer
by Wolfe, Gene
- On the same lists
The sun has dimmed, the Earth is cooler and has been transformed in wondrous ways.
'The Shadow of the Torturer' is the first book in Gene Wolfe's The Book of the New Sun tetralogy. Narrated by Severian, a member of the Guild of Torturers, the...
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Ghormenghast book 2
13. Gormenghast
by Peake, Mervyn
- On the same lists
The first real Fantasy of Manners series and is set in a Byzantium kingdom rife with intrigue, treachery, manipulation and murder.
A startling work of imagination that will evoke feeling when you read it. Reading Gormenghast is like feasting your eyes on a masterfully drawn painting -- you might not always...
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14. Chronicles Of Narnia
by Lewis, C. S.
- On the same lists
In the first book of this series a wardrobe serves as the portal to the magical land of Narnia.
Nearly half a century ago, fantasy was dividing into two fantasy worlds: Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia. Narnia has entertained generations of children and...
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Watership Down book 1 Start here
15. Watership Down: A Novel
by Adams, Richard
- On the same lists
On one level a classic tale of adventure, with anthropomorphized rabbit characters. On another level, it is an epic struggle between tyranny and freedom.
Yes, we're talking about that book about bunnies. No, we haven't lost our minds. Take note: This isn't a children's book, despite it being about fluffy animals. If you've read...
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16. Lord Of The Rings
by Tolkien, J.r.r.
- On the same lists
Possibly the most, well-recognized world of fiction in history. The Lord of the Rings is the third best-selling novel ever written, with over 150 million copies sold. This high fantasy...
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Elric book 1 Start here
17. Elric Of Melnibone
by Moorcock, Michael
- On the same lists
The first of the Elric Saga, this novel is signficant because the protagonist is a magic user and a bit frail—not quite the typical Sword and Sorcery hero.
Elric is the prince of a dying race, a pale, morose champion of right, despite the cards stacked against him. He's a physical weakling who needs to take drugs and...
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Lyonesse book 1 Start here
18. Lyonesse
by Vance, Jack
- On the same lists
If you were to open a copy of Lyonesse and give it a good shake, a bunch of (very annoyed) fairies would fall out. Because they're everywhere in this book....
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The Magicians book 1 Start here
19. The Magicians
by Grossman, Lev
- On the same lists
A prequel novel about a high school senior who is admitted to a school for gifted children, for a magical education in upstate New York. A typical quest story that turns dark. Things are not black and white in this world and the characters are psychologically rich.
School fantasy is often aimed at children, and it's very successful at hitting that market. It's much harder to appeal exclusively to adults, and that's where The Magicians shines. Rather...
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20. 2005: Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell
by Clarke, Susanna
- On the same lists
The revival of magic in an alternate Britain with two very different magicians and some fairies, too.
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is an epic tale of the rebirth of magic in nineteenth-century England. Taking place among the regular historical occurrences of the time, the main difference...
Matches come from series and authors, from the lists the books share, and from the books readers open together. They are rebuilt every night. Back to Phantastes.
The shortlist
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