T.C.Crawford’s Favorite Fantasy Books About the Hero’s Journey

by T.C. Crawford
|
5 books
Introduction: Why did I recommend this topic and these books? The same reason I chose to read them! Nothing captures the imagination more than a fantasy novel. And epic fantasies are simply the most exquisite, magical, grand adventures one could ever hope to go on – all from the safety of your own bedroom (or wherever you choose to read!). I read to escape and explore worlds that I can never see except in my dreams, to go where I simply cannot go, and to experience the struggles, share the hope, and bring life to the dreams of faraway friends I otherwise couldn’t meet. Reading is a journey – and fantasy books with a hero’s journey are simply the best one could hope for. Simply put, I am a reader and writer of the majesty of the imagination.
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Furies of Calderon

Jim Butcher, 2005
This book is the first in a fantasy series called “The Codex Alera”. It is the first fantasy book written by this author and is a fantastic start to an even more fantastic series. The story follows the main protagonist through his late childhood and into his early adulthood as he grapples with his own inability to connect with and harness the power of the furies – elemental type magical beings abundant in the world. Because of this, he learns to overcome challenges he faces through his own wit and resourcefulness, a trait that later proves to be pivotal in the events to come. Highly recommended for any who love a good fantasy series with epic scale conflicts and battles.

Wizard's First Rule

Terry Goodkind, 2001
I recommend this book because of the incredible journey the author takes you on across this vast series (11 books in the main story). This is definitely an underdog and hero’s journey fantasy series. The magic system, characters, and setting are all fantastic and unforgettable. I loved the main character in this book and watching him grow from a nobody into a great leader and warrior, and ultimately beyond. The support characters also play main roles and include a female protagonist who is not only strong and capable, but intelligent and beautiful, and what I love most is that she proves to be an equal to the main character, rather than a damsel in distress like many books tend to portray female characters.

Mistborn

The Final Empire
Brandon Sanderson, 2010
This book series follows a female protagonist in a world so vastly different than anything I’ve ever read. The magic system is complex with strict rules and is definitely the most unique magic system I’ve ever encountered so far. The characters here are flawed, but grow with time and experience, making them believable and more human. The story again follows the underdog, hero’s journey archetype and is highly recommended!

The Hobbit

J.R.R. Tolkien, 2012
I recommend this book because it was one of the first fantasy books that I ever read and really set me off on my journey that ultimately led to me writing my first fantasy book and also made me become a major Lord of the Rings nerd. It’s fun, lively, at times scary and suspenseful, but it leaves the reader with a sense of awe and wonder because of the wonderful characters, magic, and world building. The protagonist is, of course, a Hobbit – someone so unthreatening it’s hard to believe he’s the hero of the story, which of course makes it all the better to read! And what an incredible journey this little fellow finds himself in – a journey that kick starts a series of events that lead into “The Lord of the Rings” by the same author. Which leads me to my next recommendation…

The Fellowship of the Ring

Being the First Part of the Lord of the Rings
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, 2012
I recommend this book because you can’t read the Hobbit and NOT read “The Lord of the Rings”. This book kick starts the journey of Frodo Baggins, the nephew of Bilbo Baggins – the protagonist in “The Hobbit”. He’s forced into a journey because of a particular heirloom his uncle leaves him upon his departure to Rivendell – I bet you know what that is! This gift ends up becoming, strangely, a character in and of itself throughout the series with its own will and intentions. The resulting adventure is filled with friendship, bonding, fright, action, and suspense enough to keep you reading until the end. The writing is just almost poetic, and the world is so magical it will stay with you for the rest of your life.