This week, some standalone novels!

The Witch’s Boy

Goodreads rating: 4.02

Ned loses his identical twin brother when the two attempt to sail to sea. Everyone thinks he was the wrong boy to survive. When Áine’s mother dies, her father returns to his old ways and becomes the Bandit King once more. The Bandit King attempts to steal magic from Ned’s mother (who is a witch) but fate has something else in store.

The Witch’s Boy has a fairytale-esque quality to it and I can guarantee that the writing style will take your breath away. Although it’s a short book, about three hundred pages (and yes, that’s “short” when we’re talking fantasy), there is an ocean of meaning behind every word.

The Neverending Story

Goodreads rating: 4.18

When Bastian Balthazar Bux reads a stolen book, he finds himself sinking deeper and deeper into the story of Fantastica until he, himself, becomes a part of the story. Every reader’s dream, am I right?

The Neverending Story is one of my all-time favourite fantasy novels. I reread it this summer and, I swear, it just gets better as you grow older. The protagonist, Bastian, is one of the most relatable characters I have ever encountered in a book. Like most of us, he’s not a typical hero nor does he really become one. If you find yourself drifting off into a fantasy world, this book will remind you to come to terms with reality and make it a fantastic place.

Norse Mythology

Goodreads rating: 4.10

Neil Gaiman retells the great Norse Myths which have been drawn upon for inspiration by countless story-tellers. Covering a vast number of stories (like that one time Thor dressed up as a woman), it’s enough to get a broad overview of these myths. And if you’re familiar with Neil Gaiman’s work, then you know that you’re in for a fantastic journey.

There isn’t much to say about Norse Mythology other than it’s brilliant and you should drop everything, run to the library and borrow it as soon as possible. Yes, I think that should suffice.