The kingdom of Westfalin sets the scene for Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George, but underneath this world lies the realm of the King Under Stone. This retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses is full of magic and deception. The intricate realm beneath the kingdom is rich with ties to the original fairytale, but it also demonstrates an enchanting new spin. The second book of the trilogy features the story of Cinderella, while the third is a Red Riding Hood and Robin Hood retelling. Each adds a new perspective on the stories while staying true to the world building of the first book.
Ransom Riggs’ Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children depicts the fascinating world of peculiars, where some humans possess great and strange abilities—like being as light as air, or being able to turn into a bird. The first peculiars we meet of this world are a group of children that live in a secret haven, a time loop, constructed by their matron, Miss Peregrine, to hide from the monsters that hunt them. What I particularly love about the Peculiar world is Riggs’ use of vintage and unexplainable images, which inspires both his characters and setting in this peculiar series.
Elves, dwarves, humans, and many other creatures live together in the land of Alagaësia, the home of Eragon in The Inheritance Cycle. Dragons, or, more accurately, the return of dragons, is a central part of the narrative, especially in the first book, Eragon, where all but the King’s dragon has been killed. After Eragon finds a dragon egg, he is thrown head-first into a world he could barely even imagine, finding himself in the middle of a war where he must learn the magic of dragon riders to protect both himself and his dragon.
Set out upon the yellow brick road and all manner of friends will join you. The world of Oz, from L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, is full of never-before-seen magic, including flying monkeys, a man made of tin, and a scarecrow that lives without a brain. Dorothy spends the entirety of the story trying to get home, but while she tries to leave, Baum pulls readers in with loveable characters, charming magic, and an all-new world.
Holly Black could very well be called the Queen of the Faeries, and for good reason. Alongside fellow author Tony DiTerlizzi, Black created The Spiderwick Chronicles, which happens to be one of the most fleshed-out faerie-centered books I have read. In these books, the three Grace children move into their old family mansion where they find a field guide that details all the creatures living around them—ones they can’t see. The creativity that Black and DiTerlizzi infuse into these books shows a great amount of research and imagination, making this one of the most interesting fantasy worlds I have discovered.
Retellings and adaptations of Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie have long been a source of great joy and laughter. A boy who never grows old, a gang of Lost Boys, a ship of villainous pirates, and a fairy companion create the perfect recipe for Neverland. This magical world that exists past the second star to the right is home to several fascinating locations, such as the Neverwood, the Home Under the Ground, the Jolly Roger, and Mermaid’s Lagoon. Other well known spots that were created by Disney include Skull Rock, Crocodile Creek, and Hangman’s Tree.
C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia follow the adventures of four children as they travel through the world of Narnia, a realm that exists outside of the real world and is full of witches, talking lions, and centaurs. What begins with the four Pevensie siblings falling into a land of eternal snow through a wardrobe turns into a battle to end winter and bring spring again. Their adventures continue as the country of Narnia faces more threats, introducing more fascinating creatures and magic. Eventually, a cousin of the Pevensies must pick up where they left off, both facing his fears and discovering his own bravery to protect a fantastical land that only gets bigger each time he visits.
No other fantasy worlds can hold a candle to the pure madness of Wonderland. A curious girl named Alice falls through a rabbit hole into a land with talking animals, living cards, and all other sorts of wonderful magic. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll is the oldest book on this list and remains among the most influential fantasy novels, with a slew of new and interesting characters that defy the way of the world we live in. It is one the most treasured children’s books of all time.
Hannah Goerndt, Pine Reads Review Writer