Fast Fantasy Reads – Smash your 2025 Reading Goal with These Short Books

One of the many reasons we adore fantasy is its ability to whisk us away from our ordinary world into realms of wonder; full of mythical creatures, political intrigue, and intricate magic systems✨ These worlds invite us to stay awhile, to wander their winding paths and lose ourselves in adventure, and they can therefore demand a significant time commitment.

While we love sinking our teeth into an epic saga, sometimes we crave something shorter, sharper, but just as powerful. And as the end of 2025 fast-approaches, many of us will be seeking quick wins to help meet ambitious yearly reading goals. If you’re looking for some shorter fantasy stories that still pack a punch with rich world-building and mesmerising magic, we’ve got some recommendations for you!

Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher (128 pages)

Toadling was stolen from birth by the fairies, but she grew up safe and sound within their lands. However once Toadling becomes an adult, the fae ask for a favour: for her to return to the human world and protect a newborn child. Centuries later, a knight visits a towering wall of brambles with thorns as sharp as swords. He’s heard a rumour that there’s a curse that needs breaking there, but it’s a curse that Toadling will do anything to uphold.

The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar (105 pages)

The Hawthorne family reside on the edge of Faerie in the small town of Thistleford. There, they devote themselves to tending to the enchanted willows and sing to them in respect and thanks for their magic. Esther and Ysabel, the two youngest daughters, love and cherish each other as much as the trees, but this bond becomes sour after Esther rejects a forceful suitor in favour of a lover from Faerie.

Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo (121 pages)

A young royal from the north is sent down south for an arranged, political marriage. Her brother is dead, and her armies and their war mammoths are long defeated and caged behind their borders. All alone in this empire resembling imperial China, she must choose her allies carefully.

A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young (273 pages)

Twins James and Johnny Golden have always had a deep connection. Going beyond usual twin intuition, they can feel what each other feels. That’s why before James’ phone even rings, she knows that her brother is dead and she is now truly alone for the first time in her life. She devotes herself to investigating Johnny’s mysterious death, and soon discovers her strange connection with him hasn’t fully disappeared.

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When Among Crows by Veronica Roth (166 pages)

In this story inspired by Slavic folklore, Dymitr visits Chicago’s monstrous but magical underworld with one dangerous mission: pick the mythical fern flower and offer it to a cursed creature in return for help finding a legendary witch.

The Emperor’s Soul by Brandon Sanderson (130 pages)

Shai is a forger, capable of making flawless copies of objects and masterful at rewriting their history to turn them into something new. After being caught stealing the Emperor’s sceptre, she is given an opportunity to save herself. After a failed assassination attempt the Emperor is left half dead, and she must complete the impossible task of forging his soul.

The Wicked Lies of Habren Faire by Anna Fiteni (272 pages)

When Sabrina’s sister, Ceridwen, vanishes from their small, Welsh mining town leaving behind nothing but an iron ring, Sabrina ventures into fairyland in search for her. Far more dangerous than she thought it would be, Sabrina feels forced to accept help from a charming fae prince. But as with all fairy bargains, there is always a cost.

Kiki’s Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono (198 pages)

Kiki is a trainee witch, and on her thirteenth birthday she must follow tradition and leave home to find a new village. She knows she has to use only her powers to make a living, but Kiki’s no good at potions or spells. She sets out with her beloved black cat, Jiji, on an exciting journey, hoping to use her flying abilities to make her own way in the world and to make new friends along the way.

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Six Scorched Roses by Carissa Broadbent (204 pages)

Lilith has been slowly dying since the day she was born, and while she may have come to terms with her own imminent death, the death of her loved ones is a different story. As her town slowly withers from a mysterious illness, she makes a dangerous bargain with a vampire to save them all.

How many more books are you hoping to read this year? We hope some of these recommendations take your fancy!