how long should a fantasy novel be

When it comes to the length of a fantasy novel, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The ideal length can vary depending on several factors, including the depth of world-building, complexity of the plot, and the target audience. However, there are some general guidelines that can be considered.

Typically, fantasy novels tend to be longer compared to other genres, allowing for the intricate development of magical realms, unique characters, and complex storylines. Most fantasy novels range between 80,000 to 150,000 words. This word count provides ample space for authors to fully immerse readers in their imagined worlds and deliver a satisfying reading experience.

Some of the most popular fantasy novels have pushed the boundaries of length. For example, J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy spans over 500,000 words, while George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series (commonly known as "Game of Thrones") exceeds 1.7 million words across five published books, with more to come.

However, it is essential to note that not all readers have the patience or time to commit to lengthy novels. As a result, there has been a surge in the popularity of shorter fantasy novels, often referred to as novellas. These compact yet captivating stories, ranging from 20,000 to 50,000 words, can be consumed in one or two sittings, making them a popular choice for readers seeking a quick escape into fantastical worlds.

Ultimately, the length of a fantasy novel should be determined by the story being told. Some tales require more extensive exploration and world-building, while others may benefit from concise and focused narratives. Both shorter and longer novels have their merits, and it's up to the author to find the right balance for their unique vision.

If you're an avid fantasy reader searching for captivating novels to dive into, here are a few highly recommended options:

1. "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by J.K. Rowling: The beginning of the beloved "Harry Potter" series, introducing readers to a magical world filled with adventure, friendship, and of course, wizardry.

2. "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss: This enthralling tale follows a young musician named Kvothe, as he navigates a world of magic, music, and mysteries.

3. "Mistborn: The Final Empire" by Brandon Sanderson: The first book in the "Mistborn" trilogy, this epic fantasy brings forth a unique magic system and a diverse cast of characters.

When searching for fantasy novels, you can explore dedicated book websites like Goodreads or fantasy-specific book review blogs for further recommendations. Happy reading!
Crime Trafficking Fiction
Crime Trafficking

Genius. Autistic, lonely, paranoid, insane. Whenever the times change, he raises the flag of the inverted cross. He becomes a king or a minister when he succeeds, and becomes a maggot or filth when he fails. In times of peace and chaos, his subordinates unite from all directions and he stands out as exceptional. In the hidden alleys, he looks down upon the world, only one person exists.

110.77 Million words | 2022-06-05 18:38Update

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I can see the compatibility of martial arts techniques. Fiction
I can see the compatibility of martial arts techniques.

Ye Yun was injured in a duel and coincidentally hit a mysterious acupoint on the back of his head, which unlocked his ability to see the compatibility of martial arts techniques. From then on, he soared to new heights on the path of cultivation. "Tiger Fist, 3 points." "Gentle Breeze Sword Technique, 1 point." "Hmm, Ripple Fist, 11 points." ... We have established a QQ group for those interested in discussing the plot and other aspects of this book. Feel free to join us! Group ID: [insert QQ group number]

89.13 Million words | 2023-06-13 17:57Update

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Sword Defying the Sky Fiction
Sword Defying the Sky

Sword genius, rising with great strength, finally becoming a legendary sword god! One finger obliterates gods, I defy the heavens with my sword! For those experiencing a shortage of books, you can read "Pure Yang True Immortal," a masterpiece with over ten thousand characters, a pinnacle of cultivation fantasy! Please bookmark for upcoming new releases and kindly vote for a recommendation, thank you! Reader discussion group: [group link] VIP communication group: [subscription verification required] This book has already been published in both Traditional Chinese (Taiwan) and Simplified Chinese (Mainland), please don't worry about TJ,

388.98 Million words | 2020-12-26 14:55Update

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Fantasy: I Am the Chosen Villain Fiction
Fantasy: I Am the Chosen Villain

Luyuan crossed over and arrived in a fantasy world, becoming the Son of the Northern Region's Void Sea. Not only did he possess extraordinary talents, but he was also extremely handsome. In terms of background, cultivation, and talent, he aimed to become the most prominent figure on the continent! However, his face instantly fell when he accessed the memories of the original host. The original host seemed to seek death every day, first by punching a talented individual from the Lin family into disability. Now, that person's son seems to be making some progress. Then, the host annihilated the Ye family, except for a lone survivor named Ye Fan, whom he inexplicably let go. To make matters worse, he even intervened in the affair of the Xiao family in the South Sea, where a marriage was called off! Isn't this just like the big villains in those novels who wouldn't survive a few hundreds of chapters?! Can he still survive?! ... "Ding! The Antagonist System has been successfully bound!" [Please, host, step on the path of the Son of Destiny and prove my Antagonist Way!] [Expand] [Collapse]

29.48 Million words | 2021-10-06 08:32Update

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Iron Arm Sword Sovereign Fiction
Iron Arm Sword Sovereign

He was determined to become stronger, to reclaim the glory that belongs to the Shen family, to earn more respect in the Lingzhou Continent, and to become a revered Sword Master. But the world refused to cooperate, with everyone becoming obstacles on his path to becoming a Sword Master. When he was knocked down by his enemies, he held onto one belief. I will become stronger! I will bring back the glory that belongs to the Shen family! I will make the whole world bow down at my feet! Hey! You don't believe it, do you? Then watch my swordsmanship!

515.60 Million words | 2020-08-09 04:24Update

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Super God Collection Fiction
Super God Collection

Gamer Xu Zhou arrived in a magnificent martial arts world and became an ordinary teenager in the Wohu Village. Since childhood, he has been learning blacksmithing from his father. At the age of sixteen, he was ready to fulfill the ancestral tradition: crafting a Profound Tool all by himself. Unexpectedly, he accidentally activated his inherent gaming skills: Gathering Technique, along with a game backpack.

136.05 Million words | 2022-10-07 10:19Update

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The Cataclysm of Destruction Fiction
The Cataclysm of Destruction

At the ancient end of time, the world underwent annihilation, and the continent fell into chaos. Billions of years later, a young boy emerged from the city's borders, obtaining the knowledge of the primordial source. He ventured into the desolate forbidden zone, braving the ancient sacred grounds, and achieved an immortal legend.

205.35 Million words | 2021-07-14 12:38Update

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Supreme Evil Emperor Fiction
Supreme Evil Emperor

Celebrating the 6th anniversary of our writing journey, Xiami expresses gratitude to our fans by offering a special giveaway. All subscribers who fully subscribe to "Swallowing the Heavens" will receive free mobile phone top-up cards worth up to a thousand yuan. During this event, we also present a limited-time free reading of "Supreme Evil Emperor" and other Xiami masterpieces. Read more, earn more! ~O(∩_∩)O~ ........... In the ancient era of primordial chaos, ferocious beasts roamed freely. Gods, demons, and other races ruled the vast world. The ancient ancestors pleaded to the heavens amidst floods, fought for survival amidst wildfires, and perished for miles under epidemics. As the claws and minions of the ferocious beasts

44.25 Million words | 2023-04-06 21:53Update

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Brothers, let's do it again. Fiction
Brothers, let's do it again.

When my little sister was sold by our foster parents, she was only twelve years old. That day, I began to change. I only hoped that one day when I saw her again, I could protect her. "What goes around comes around," this is the sorrow of fate's cycle. "What I lost, I will regain," this is the motivation to strive harder. "Most importantly, I cannot die in the police station," this is the desolation of a hero's lonely path. The underworld is filled with passion and sorrow. Is it helplessness or a quiet longing deep within the heart? Filled with passionate recklessness, brothers are like the sky, joining hands to create brilliance.

247.96 Million words | 2020-07-26 11:48Update

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The Empire of Klos Fiction
The Empire of Klos

Closs Klein, the eldest son of the Count of the Borderlands. Activated the ancient god bloodline within him after being assassinated, leading to his rebirth. The ancient god's bloodline has granted him powers far beyond that of an ordinary person. In the eyes of ordinary humans, he is the most powerful warrior; in the eyes of the bloodline clan, he is the reincarnation of the Demon King; in the eyes of the Dragon clan, he is a descendant of the Dragon King; he is regarded as a legendary genius wizard; he is the controller of time, the spokesperson of his ancient god. Despite this, Closs himself is cautious and has established his own power in order to survive in chaotic times. He only wishes to live a peaceful life as a farmer, but he is always seen as a formidable enemy by others. Forced by circumstances, he eliminates all his enemies and establishes the Closs Empire. A western fantasy farming and power struggle story. Updates are stable, with two chapters released every day.

45.55 Million words | 2021-07-02 12:46Update

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Game player Fiction
Game player

At the peak of Ling Mountain in mainland China, Lingxiao looks up to the sky and roars in anger: "I refuse to be a chess piece, I want to be the standard-bearer! I want to awaken and control the world, to lie in drunken stupor at the knees of a beautiful woman. I want the entire continent to tremble for me. What to do when encountering a beauty? One word, conquer! What to do when facing enemies? Still one word, kill! Suddenly, Lingxiao becomes embarrassed and shyly adds:

262.81 Million words | 2022-04-08 04:13Update

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Mysterious Wife's Challenge Fiction
Mysterious Wife's Challenge

As the wedding day approached, Lu Xueman discovered that her fiancé had found a new lover. She called the reporters and police, threw her engagement ring in the face of the scumbag, and said, "I wish you a pleasant prison life and eternal misfortune!" Unfortunately, troubles never come alone, and she was kidnapped by a mysterious person. In her moment of peril, a handsome god descended from the sky to rescue her, and it turned out to be the dashing older man she had forcefully kissed

267.37 Million words | 2021-06-30 09:09Update

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The song of the vast sky fades away with the blood of rouge. Fiction
The song of the vast sky fades away with the blood of rouge.

Will you marry me when my hair grows long to my waist, Master? When your hair grows long to your waist, I will spread red decorations for ten miles for you! When we first met, she was still young, while he was already a young man! That year, full of youthful vigor, he saved her from fire and water! When we met again, she had nowhere to go, while he had already become a master! That year, with a great reputation, he took her in when she had nowhere to go! When she came of age, with a

60.73 Million words | 2020-08-07 14:37Update

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Rebirth of the Ultimate Scoundrel Fiction
Rebirth of the Ultimate Scoundrel

They crossed over, Feng Wuheng crossed over too! After crossing over, others either became princes or heroes. But him? He became a complete waste! Not only that, but he even turned out to be a homosexual! How can one continue to live like this? Facing the strange gazes of others, Feng Wuheng could only grit his teeth secretly: Go ahead and mock me! Ridicule me! Heroes do not need an introduction, and ruffians have no age limit! When the time comes for me to have the ability to be a ruffian, you will all be nothing more than lambs waiting to be

508.93 Million words | 2021-04-28 08:51Update

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Baptism of Fire Fiction
Baptism of Fire

... Today is not the day you expelled me from the Yu family, but rather the day I willingly left. You will surely regret today's decision in the future... You possess both the bloodlines of the Azure Dragon and Vermilion Bird, but the forces of water and fire are incompatible. This is a deadly situation... Through a fortuitous encounter, I have obtained the Five Elements physique

110.23 Million words | 2022-03-07 17:55Update

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Twin Asura Kings Fiction
Twin Asura Kings

Life and death. Yin and yang. Black and white. Good and evil. God and demon. Capital and temple. Corona and eclipse. Light and darkness. All choices in the world are dualistic. Regardless of which path you choose, as long as you reach the extreme, you will become an unparalleled powerhouse. However, there was a young man who, against all odds, chose a path that no one dared to tread, walking between gods and demons in defiance of their anger. Why did he make such a choice? Can he withstand the wrath of the heavens and reach the end? What kind of world lies beyond the door that he sees after pushing open the sighing wall that had been sealed for many years? Witness all of this in "Twin Asura King."

144.80 Million words | 2021-10-15 05:35Update

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I blame whom for being a monster Fiction
I blame whom for being a monster

Theme 3 Essay Contest: Rebirth in Journey to the West Everything started with an unexpected incident. I was reborn on a spiritual stone, which used to be a precious pearl in the Heavenly Palace known as Spirit Pearl Fairy. Unfortunately, it was accidentally damaged by Little White Dragon, the Third Prince of the Western Sea. As a consequence, Little White Dragon was demoted to be a white horse accompanying Tang Sanzang on his journey to the west. In order to be able to follow Little White Dragon and aid Spirit Pearl Fairy, I joined Tang Sanzang's team and embarked on the arduous journey. Along the way, we met mischievous creatures like Red Boy and were rescued multiple times by the enchanting immortal, Hui'an. Together, we unravel a series of comical and absurd stories.

587.79 Million words | 2021-02-05 19:53Update

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Game system Fiction
Game system

Can the swordsmanship of cutting fruits in the world be comparable to the great swordsmen from another world? Which is stronger, the destructive purple flame of the Eight Gods or the hellfire of the demons? Can a hungry great white shark devour the massive sea monster? Find all the answers in this book! (Newcomer and new book seeking support!)

565.05 Million words | 2021-07-24 23:02Update

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One Hundred Ways to Counter the Fox Fiction
One Hundred Ways to Counter the Fox

【Normal Version】In order to gather information on the haunted house, she went to the legendary haunted house to take photos. The ghosts didn't see her, but she saw a room full of monsters! Oh my god, she's just a miserable journalist who hasn't even won "another bottle." Why did she suddenly win such a big prize? Readers, a character name as the secret passcode for this story...

201.11 Million words | 2021-04-16 23:35Update

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Super Rich System Fiction
Super Rich System

A teenager overwhelmed by reality, accidentally trades three bowls of noodles for a relic bestowed upon him by the Creator God, and thus begins his journey of extravagant wealth... This is a story of a quasi-RMB player cultivating immortality.

383.96 Million words | 2023-06-18 15:02Update

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