Do you like a hearty dose of laughter along with your magical creatures? While some people may not head to fantasy novels for the laughs, there are a whole bunch of fantastical and funny fantasy books out there that provide some escapism and comic relief. We rounded up fifteen of the funniest fantasy books that go beyond masters like Terry Pratchett and Jasper Fforde-so get ready to fall down a rabbit hole of laughter and magic!
the house on the cerulean sea by tj klune
linus baker works in the department in charge of magical youth, and his latest assignment is a rather strange one: he must travel to arthur parnassus’s orphanage and assess six children to determine what the chances are of them bringing about the end of the world. . But when Linus arrives, it’s clear that Arthur is keeping some pretty big secrets about these kids and will do whatever it takes to keep them safe.
You are reading: Fantasy books with humor
gedeon ninth by tamsyn muir
This book is a bananpants mix of sci-fi and fantasy with a sprinkling of horror thrown in for good measure, and it’s hilarious. Set on an abandoned space station, Gideon is a sword-fighting knight sworn to protect his worst enemy as he uses necromancy to discover how to win the Emperor’s competition. winners get immortal life, but it’s not an easy prize to come by, especially when the killing starts. this book has a strong voice and is the beginning of a trilogy!
thorn wizardry by margaret rogerson
elisabeth is a trainee librarian in one of the great libraries in her kingdom and loves her job protecting innocent people from evil grimoires. But when a grimoire escapes one night and wreaks havoc, Elizabeth is blamed and must ally herself with a notorious sorcerer and her demon servant to clear her name. This is an animated and humorous indie fantasy with a lot at stake.
the order of the pale moon reflected in the water by zen cho
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In this charming novel, a nun joins a gang of bandits, horrifying them all by how inappropriate she is. but she has nowhere to turn: religious persecution in her land has left her homeless. But when she discovers that the bandits have in her possession very important religious relics, she hijacks her mission, with unexpected results.
soulless by gail carrier
All of Gail Carriger’s Victorian steampunk novels populated by vampires and werewolves are hysterically funny, but you might as well start with her first novel and the first in the Parasol Protectorate series. Lady Alexia Tarrabotti is an old maid and she has no soul: her touch makes immortality mortal. That’s why she’s feared, but when someone tries to kill her, she must work with a brooding werewolf count to get to the bottom of the mystery. is one of the best funny fantasy books with a touch of romance.
my lady jane by cynthia hand, brodi ashton and jodi meadows
In this hilarious game, England’s history is rewritten and given a slight fantasy makeover. Lady Jane Gray is about to marry a stranger named Gifford, who is secretly Eðian, meaning he turns into a horse during the day and returns to his human form at night. Add in a young King Edward who is sick and dying but determined to have his first kiss before he leaves, and you have the ingredients for a scandalous affair. this is also the first in a series!
super mutant magic academy by jillian tamaki
In this fantasy graphic novel (originally serialized online), Masha attends a boarding school for witches and mutants, where normal teenage antics unfold alongside some magical misadventures. Meanwhile, Masha has a very unrequited crush on Wendy, a cute girl with cat ears. Tamaki gives us a look at a wide cast of eclectic characters in this funny and heartwarming book.
senlin promoted by josiah bancroft
Newlyweds Thomas and Marya Senlin have chosen to spend their honeymoon in the Tower of Babel, a wondrous wonder that contains many, many stories and ringdoms that are sometimes friendly, sometimes hostile, almost all exciting. But when the pair part ways shortly after they arrive, Thomas must ascend through the chaos to find his new wife.
the blacksmith queen by g.a. aiken
keeley is a blacksmith who does not pay much attention to the death of the old king and a prophecy that declares that the new sovereign will be a queen to usurp the princes of the kingdom. war is good for his business. But he has to start to worry when he discovers that the prophesied queen is her younger sister, and a group of mountain warriors are determined to see her on the throne!
temper by nicky drayden
In an alternative South Africa, twin brothers live very different lives. Auben has six vices branded on his arm for the world to see, and that means fewer opportunities for the good life. he just has a bit of a grudge against his kasim twin, who only has one vice and goes to a better school. auben always keeps everyone entertained, at least. But when he begins to hear voices encouraging him to give in to his vices, it’s clear that demons are tempting him, and if he breaks, his whole world could come crashing down.
heroin complex by sarah kuhn
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In this first book in a superhero trilogy, Evie is her childhood friend’s assistant and the biggest superhero in town, who also happens to be something of a diva. Evie is good at managing it and staying in the background, but when she has to pose as her boss one night, she reveals her big secret: she has powers too. and this revelation is about to put her and her little sister in danger.
kill the farmer by delilah s. dawson and kevin hearne
if you’re a fan of the princess bride, then you must pick up this wacky story of a farmer who is one of the chosen… but finds his story is anything but conventional when he goes to rescue a princess in a tower and you get more than you bargained for. This is a hilarious parody of hilarious fantasy books and choice stories, featuring an eclectic cast of characters.
crown sorcerer by zen cho
In Zen Cho’s witty debut novel, Zacharias Wythe is the royal sorcerer of the Unnatural Philosophers, charged with seeing that all magic in England is kept in balance. But when the magic wears off, he goes to the far reaches of fairyland to discover the cause and meets a young girl with formidable powers that he won’t soon forget.
continue by rainbow rowell
Simon Snow and his roommate Baz are mortal enemies. Simon is the one, and Baz is mean, but they have their routines, and when Baz doesn’t show up for school, Simon gets worried. especially since there’s a monster going around who looks exactly like simon, his girlfriend just broke up with him and the end of the world is near… but baz is probably okay, right?
the walk by drew magary
ben is just a regular guy who decides to stretch his legs and take a walk between meetings on his business trip. but when he takes a certain path, it becomes clear that he is no longer in his own reality, but in a strange fantasy land, and there is no turning back. The only way out is through, and Ben must track down the producer, who created this world, to find a way to get back home to his family.
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