14 Short Fantasy Books Under 300 Pages
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Looking for short fantasy books to read? Here are some fantasy books under 300 pages to bring you closer to your reading goal!
Fantasy is a genre that is known for two things: long books and long series. Sometimes, readers don’t want to read books over 300 pages just to come to an epic conclusion.
If you’ve been reading long fantasy books that are part of series with three, four, five, or more books, you might be feeling burnt out and looking for a quick, short fantasy book to read next.
The best way to get out of a reading slump is to pick up a short yet magical read that keeps you at the edge of your seat. With that being said, let’s dive into a list of short fantasy reads.
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14 Best Short Fantasy Books Under 300 Pages
Here are the best short fantasy books to dive right into:
1. Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
Length: 245 pages
If you are looking for a short and delightful fantasy novel, look no further than Piranesi.
At just under 250 pages, this is a very quick read. Piranesi lives alone in a strange and magical house, visited twice a week by a being called The Other, who enlists his help with research into A Great and Secret Knowledge.
Incase you’re wondering, Piransi is part of greek mythology. If you’re a fan of fantasy books with mythology in it, be sure to check this one out!
2. Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
Length: 173 pages
Every Heart a Doorway is another short fantasy book that’s under 200 pages.
Although this list is about short fantasy books under 300 pages, I wanted to include some that are under 200 incase you really do not have the time to read and need to catch up with your reading goal.
This is the first book in a series of fantasy novellas that take place in the same world. They are portal fantasies about children who find doorways to other worlds.
This one follows Nancy, who longs to return to the magical world she discovered.
3. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
Length: 181 pages
The Ocean at the End of the Lane is another great short fantasy book. This story that follows an unnamed man who returns to his hometown for a funeral.
There, he remembers events that began forty years earlier, involving a magical struggle that he took place in as a boy in this hauntingly beautiful fairytale-like story.
4. Nettle and Bone by T. Kingfisher
Length: 245 pages
Another one of the best fantasy books under 300 pages to read is Nettle and Bone.
Although it’s short, this novel packs in a lot of fantasy adventure. Marra is a shy, third-born, convent-raised daughter who escaped the fate of her sister, the princess, who was married off for a political alliance.
But she is tired of seeing her sister suffer at the hands of a powerful and abusive prince, so she embarks on a quest to rescue her.
5. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis
Length: 206 pages
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is the gateway into one of the most classic and beloved children’s fantasy series of all time, the Chronicles of Narnia.
This familiar story follows to four Pevensie siblings who stumble into a wardrobe in England and find themselves transported to a magical land called Narnia.
6. A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
Length: 183 pages
A Wizard of Earthsea is the first book in the acclaimed Earthsea Cycle fantasy series.
All of the books are quite short, with this first installment coming in at under 200 pages.
This story follows a boy named Ged, who has a great power and joins a school of wizardry, where his prickly nature drives him into conflict with a fellow student.
7. The Black Tides of Heaven by Neon Yang
Length: 236 pages
The Black Tides of Heaven is the short first book in an epic fantasy series. Mokoya and Akeha, the twin children of the Protector, were sold to the Grand Monastery as infants.
Now, a rebellion is growing, led by the Machinists. Unwilling to continue as a pawn in their mother’s twisted schemes, Akeha leaves everything she knows behind and falls in with the rebels.
But can Akeha find peace without shattering the bond they share with their twin?
8. A Dowry of Blood by S. T. Gibson
Length: 248 pages
A beautiful and unique short fantasy book is A Dowry of Blood.
This lyrical book puts a spin on the typical Dracula story that everyone is familiar with.
Instead, this story is told through the perspective of Dracula’s first bride, in a series of letters she is writing to him after his death, explaining why she murdered him.
9. Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Length: 248 pages
Stardust is a short fantasy novel about Tristran, who will do anything to win the cold heart of beautiful Victoria, even fetch her the star they watch fall from the night sky.
But to do so, he must enter the unexplored lands on the other side of the ancient wall in their village.
Beyond that old stone wall lies Faerie, where nothing is what he imagined.
10. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Length: 288 pages
Looking for a good standalone fantasy novel? Try reading The Midnight Library. In this standalone, explore the possibilities of a library with books that contains stories of different paths of life that you could have taken.
In this book, follow Nora on her journey on the choices she makes, and what it means to live a fulfilled life.
11. A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow
Length: 128 pages
Coming in at under 150 pages, A Spindle Splintered is a short fantasy novella that is based on the fairytale of Sleeping Beauty.
In this reimagined version, it’s Zinnia’s twenty-first birthday, which is extra-special because it’s the last birthday she’ll ever have.
Something strange and unexpected happens, and she finds herself falling through worlds, with another sleeping beauty, just as desperate to escape her fate.
12. The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo
Length: 281 pages
Finally on this list of short fantasy books to read is The Language of Thorns. This is a fantasy book made up of standalone short stories that are set in the popular Grishaverse fantasy world.
These Russian folklore-inspired fantasy tales are very atmospheric and have a fairytale-like quality to them.
13. Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
Length: 296 pages
Just a little under 300 pages, Legends and Lattes is a low stakes cozy fantasy novel that follows Viv, a retired adventurer who finds a new passion – coffee making. She decides to open a coffee shop in a nearby small town.
You meet a lot of interesting characters when you follow Viv on her coffee shop journey. If you love the found family trope in fantasy novels, you’ll enjoy reading this book.
This short fantasy book for adults has a lot of valuable lessons that you can takeaway! Some of them are – not judging people by what they’re born to do, how they look and also reinventing yourself at any point in life!
14. The Tea Dragon Society by K. O’Neill
Length: 71 pages
Looking for quick fantasy reads? Try reading cottagecore fantasy graphic novels like The Tea Dragon Society.
This is such an easy and fast read that I managed to read the book in a span of a couple of hours!
Despite this book is light-hearted and cozy, it also touches on important topics such as loneliness, patience, passing down art/tradition to the younger generation and more.
Plus, all three books are short fantasy reads that you can read for free on Kindle Unlimited.
Best Short Fantasy Books
These are the best short fantasy books for when you’re looking for a quick read. Reading shorter books, especially at the start of the year can be incredibly motivating as you progress quickly towards your reading goals.
Are there any other short fantasy books you would recommend? Let me know in the comments!
I spy a few of my personal favorites on this list! I also had no clue that a few of these were so short and it definitely makes me want to pick them up when I need a quick weekend read or something to break up the streak of reading longer books. Thanks for the suggestions!
Thank you! I hope some of these books bring me closer to my reading goal. 🙂