Escapist Fantasy: 5 Series To Turn Off Your Brain and Have Some Fun

If you’re anything like me, sometimes you need to read a book or series that isn’t very heavy. Something that focuses on good characters, a fun plot, and a fantastical adventure in a made up world. Don’t get me wrong, most of the series listed here have moments of heartache, a few deep themes here and there, but ultimately these are series I go to when I want to escape and just have some fun.

The Cradle series by Will Wight

Is anyone really surprised by Cradle’s (Why You Should Read Cradle) inclusion on this list? This ongoing series (will be 12 books total) boasts my 2nd favorite magic system only to Mistborn and incredible action in the vein of Naruto and Dragonball but in novel form. Not only that, but if you are into audiobooks Travis Baldree does an amazing job narrating this entire series. Action packed with a story that gets better and builds to higher stakes as it goes, read this series!

The Echoes Saga by Philip C Quaintrell

I have only read the first entry in this completed 9 book series (Full Book 1 Review here), but if the first book is any indication The Echoes Saga is gonna be a crazy, fast paced ride with plenty of action. Ancient evil arises. Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Dragons, and monsters populate the land. Familiar fantasy tropes are utilized to great affect in the first book and I can’t wait to see where the rest of the story goes!

One Punch Man (Manga) by ONE

I’m just gonna include this and call it fantasy even though the superhero genre is technically separate. This ongoing manga series has become my favorite manga of all time. One Punch Man combines incredible artwork with hilarious spoofs of the superhero genre and relentlessly fun and fast paced action. This is a must read for all manga fans and a perfect series to start with for those new to manga (Full Review of Volumes 1-21).

The Legend of Eli Monpress by Rachel Aaron

I think I can safely say after reading only 1 of 5 books in this series (Book 1 Review Here) that it is gonna be a lot of fun. Eli’s witty banter and crazy schemes, along with the ofttimes hilarious relationships he has with both of the characters in his small band of thieves makes this a series that is perfect for escaping to and one I am excited to get back to soon!

King’s Dark Tidings by Kel Kade

Kel Kade takes the trope of an unbeatable assassin and puts her own unique twist on it by making him totally clueless and awkward in basically all social situations. Social feau pax’s and hijinks ensue. Pulse pounding action, mysterious main character origins, and a plot that keeps the reader intrigued collide in a classic European style fantasy setting that makes this an easy and super fun read!

Bonus: The Fall (The Bound and the Broken #0.5) by Ryan Cahill

This 95 page standalone prequel novella (Full Review Here) to The Bound and the Broken series has it all. Within these few pages, Cahill manages to fit heart wrenching betrayal, combat on the back of dragons that makes you feel like you are there yourself, compelling characters, a familiar magic system with some unique twists, unsettling yet fascinating creatures, and an attempted coup of an empire. Each aspect of the story was done exceptionally well. The author sets a pace that will leave you breathless and longing for more in the best of ways.

There they are. A list of 5 series (And 1 novella, sorry not sorry) that you can basically just shut your brain off and enjoy the ride that each author takes you on. Do you have any series or books that you love that are like this? Let me know in the comments!