Fantasy books of around 200 pages are much rarer than their 500+ page counterparts. But sometimes these fast-paced, exciting novels are just what we’re in the mood for.
If you’re looking for a fantasy short story, this list may have one for you.
You are reading: Best short fantasy books
here are 5 short fantasy books of about 200 pages:
- breakwater by catherine jones payne
- the red rope of destiny by k. meter. shea
- vivian vande velde’s dragon bait
- vivian vande velde’s companions of the night
- dealing with dragons by patricia c. wred
I’ve included book descriptions, reader ratings, and summaries of positive and negative reviews for each book below.
on the other hand, if you want a quick summary, here is a comparison table.
catherine jones payne breakwater
description
mermaids. murder. chaos.
a red tide is rising.
As the daughter of one of the Mer-King’s trusted advisors, seventeen-year-old Jade has great responsibilities. When her fiancé murders a naiad, throwing the underwater city of Thessaloniki into an uproar, tensions flare between the mer and the naiads.
jade finds out too late that the decisions she makes are more than she ever imagined. And as he battles the tide of rage in a city he lives for scandal, he discovers the danger that lurks in every waterway, endangering his family and shattering the fragile peace of the ocean.
Can the city’s divisions be mended before the surge of hatred shatters everything Jade holds dear?
what are readers saying?
good read rating: 3.71
Most common score: 4
positive comments
First on our list of 200+ page fantasy books is breakwater. This novel wowed readers with its fast-paced plot, political intrigue, and likeable main character, Jade.
A story about mermaids but also about power, prejudice and politics, Breakwater captivated fans with this unique combination. at the same time, readers said the breakwater moved at lightning speed, each chapter ending in the right place so they kept turning the pages for more.
Also, several mentioned that they found Jade and her inner struggle to be understanding, complex, and genuine. As she became more aware of realities outside of his high social circle, Jade questioned his world and his role in it. fans found it fascinating to watch his growth and admired his care and loyalty to his loved ones.
negative comments
what did the critics say about the breakwater? Overall, these readers said the jade looked flat or naive, which they didn’t like.
red string of fate by k. meter. shea
description
In a land where humans and elves find it difficult to communicate, Tari, an elf, joins Captain Arion, a human military officer, in a ceremony designed to promote friendship between the two races.
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When the ceremony ends, the couple discovers that the impossible has happened: they can understand each other despite the language barrier.
Thrown into a storm of politics, Tari and Arion are in danger from those who want humans and elves to remain separate.
To make matters worse, Tari realizes that she has fallen in love with Arion, who has the emotional capacities of a rock. Since both societies dictate that an elf and a human can never be together, Tari must hide her feelings for her.
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Unfortunately, the taciturn Arion is vigilant and attentive to Tari’s well-being, constantly pushing her to the limit with his loyalty, friendship, and terrifyingly casual habit of touching her.
If Tari and Arion survive, their tumultuous relationship will either strengthen their countries’ alliance or bring the human courts of the nobility to a standstill. The deciding factor will be Arion and her unfathomable feelings for Tari.
what are readers saying?
assessment of good readings: 4.17
Most common score: 5
positive comments
Another story on our 200+ page fantasy book list is The Red String of Fate. fans praised this book for its sweet and clean romance. Heartwarming and tender, the story was also filled with likeable characters, courtly intrigue, and entertaining moments of culture shock.
negative comments
In general, critics of the red rope of fate tended to focus on two areas. the first was that they thought the story was mostly straightforward, with no detours or complications. others, however, thought the romance seemed too sweet.
vivian vande velde’s dragon bait
description
alys, fifteen years old, is not a witch. but that doesn’t matter: the villagers believe she is hers and have staked her on a hillside as a sacrifice to the local dragon.
It’s late, cold and rainy, and Alys can only think of one thing: revenge. but first she has to escape, and even if she does, how is it possible for a girl to face an entire town alone?
Then the dragon arrives, a dragon that could possibly be the perfect ally. . . .
what are readers saying?
good reads rating: 3.93
most common score: 5
positive comments
what’s next on our 200+ page fantasy book list? is a book that readers describe as fun and with refreshing twists: the dragon bait.
Taking the ‘innocent maiden sacrificed to a dragon’ trope, the dragon bait has the maiden and the dragon as co-collaborators against the corrupt townspeople who sentenced her.
Readers were delighted by the unexpected changes: supposed enemies become allies, prey becomes predator, and predator becomes prey. They also reported that they connected with Alys, the protagonist, and felt her pain, anger, and eventual healing throughout the novel.
Others mentioned that they liked the deeper thematic elements of the novel, which focused on revenge and forgiveness. readers said this had enough presence to spark their imaginations without being so direct as to take them out of the story.
negative comments
If the readers didn’t like the dragon bait, what did they say? in general, they said that alys and selendrile, the main characters, were not that developed.
commented that, probably due to the book’s shorter length, alys’ changing feelings happen too quickly. others said selendrile comes comes off as less of a mysterious and intriguing character and more of a loosely characterized one.
night companions by vivian vande velde
description
When Kerry’s little brother forgets his teddy bear at the laundromat, Kerry ventures out at 11pm. to get it back for him.
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The laundromat is deserted and a bit scary, and while she’s there, three men burst in dragging a bound and bloodied young man whom they insist is a vampire.
kerry helps him escape, only to find himself embroiled in a desperate game between the vampire hunters and their prey.
what are readers saying?
assessment of good readings: 3.77
Most common score: 4
positive comments
Next on our list of 200+ page fantasy books is Companion to the Night, a novel that explores the myth of vampires in a modern setting. this story was published before twilight and was praised by fans for having refreshing insights and perspectives on “modern vampires” that they hadn’t seen before.
Fans described the book as having a genuinely intelligent protagonist, as well as insightful explorations of what it would be like to be a vampire in contemporary times. many praised its realism, describing it as compelling and intriguing.
Add to that the suspense of whether Kerry and Ethan could trust each other, and Companions of the Night turned out to be a wonderful book for vampire fans.
negative comments
no book is without its critics, so what did these readers say about the companions of the night? well, they tended to focus on the pacing of the story, saying it started slowly and seemed to end too quickly.
dealing with dragons by patricia c. wred
descriptions
cimorene is everything a princess shouldn’t be: headstrong, tomboyish, smart, and boring.
So bored that she runs away to live with a dragon and finds the family and excitement she’s been looking for.
what are readers saying?
assessment of good readings: 4.15
Most common score: 5
positive comments
Our latest fantasy book of about 200 pages is about dragons. This humorous and quirky novel delights in parodying typical fantasy tropes and tales. fans said they found themselves smiling and laughing throughout the story.
In addition to that, the fans were excited about the protagonist, cimorene. This princess turned captive dragon is brave, resourceful, and determined to break the mold. readers of hers found her engaging, refreshing, and an overall highlight throughout the novel.
Other than that, several adult readers said they appreciated the positive messages and themes when dealing with dragons. in particular, these readers thought the book was an excellent choice for girls.
negative comments
If readers didn’t like dealing with dragons, what did they say? overall, critics said the novel’s parody of genre-based fantasy tropes was too harsh.
Related to this, others thought the novel unintentionally sent a different message than it intended. they suspected that the story was meant to encourage its audience to have the courage to resist pressure to conform to others’ expectations. however, they said the message instead seemed to denigrate more traditionally feminine girls and women.
5 short fantasy books of about 200 pages to read
how do these fantasy novels compare?
5 short fantasy books of about 200 pages to read
- breakwater by catherine jones payne
- the red rope of destiny by k.m. shea
- vivian vande velde’s dragon bait
- vivian vande velde’s companions in the night
- dealing with dragons by patricia c.
Related: The Best Fantasy Books Under 300 Pages To Read Today
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