10 Fantasy Books With Floating Cities
Imagine a city, suspended high above the earth, where the horizon stretches endlessly, and the air is crisp and thin. Floating cities—ethereal, otherworldly, and always on the brink of something magical—have captured the imaginations of readers for centuries. These skyborne metropolises pulse with mystery, wonder, and the eternal question: how do they stay aloft? Whether powered by magic, technology, or the will of the gods, these floating cities offer adventure, danger, and untold secrets. In the following 10 fantasy books, you’ll find breathtaking realms that defy gravity, where every high-flying journey promises a new discovery. Ready to take off? Let’s soar into these enchanting tales.
1. The Cloud Roads by Martha Wells
In The Cloud Roads, the floating cities of the planet provide a stunning backdrop for a world filled with shape-shifting creatures and ancient magics. The protagonist, Moon, is a solitary being whose journey leads him to discover a city hidden in the clouds, a sanctuary for those like him. This atmospheric world is rich with the allure of high-flying adventure and the constant tension of balancing survival with belonging. The city in the sky isn’t just a marvel of architecture—it’s a living, breathing part of the world, teeming with its own mysteries and dangers.
2. Airborn by Kenneth Oppel
While not a “floating city” in the traditional sense, Airborn features an airborne world where airships and floating vessels reign supreme. As the protagonist, Matt Cruse, embarks on a thrilling journey across the skies, he encounters an array of skybound wonders, including magnificent floating cities and islands adrift in the clouds. The sense of adventure is as expansive as the skies themselves, and Oppel’s imaginative world-building makes the floating ships and cities feel alive with possibility. This book will have you yearning for a life in the clouds, filled with mystery and discovery.
3. The Floating Islands by Rachel Neumeier
In The Floating Islands, the world is divided by a series of islands that float high above a dangerous and tumultuous ocean. The cities built on these islands are held aloft by powerful, ancient magics. The story follows a group of characters who must navigate the politics, intrigue, and mysticism of these floating cities, uncovering secrets that have been buried for generations. Neumeier’s lush world-building, full of soaring landscapes and skyward adventure, draws readers into a world where the stakes are as high as the cities themselves.
4. The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi
Though more dystopian than traditional fantasy, The Windup Girl imagines a future where biotechnology reigns supreme, and cities hover above the ground, protected by immense air pressure. In a world ravaged by environmental catastrophe, the floating cities are a beacon of control and stability. The sprawling, atmospheric settings are filled with political intrigue, technological marvels, and the constant tension between progress and destruction. The floating cities, as fragile as they are powerful, encapsulate the precariousness of life in a world where science and nature are locked in a desperate struggle.
5. Lifeblood by Ben Macallan
Lifeblood immerses readers in a world where the last remnants of civilization live in floating cities, suspended high above a ravaged earth. These cities, built by those who survived the fall of humanity, are both a testament to human ingenuity and a reminder of the fragility of existence. The story follows a diverse group of characters who uncover a conspiracy that could shatter the delicate balance of life above the clouds. The floating cities are central to the narrative, adding an air of both wonder and suspense as the characters navigate their way through treacherous alliances and political intrigue.
6. Skyward by Brandon Sanderson
Though not about floating cities in the traditional sense, Skyward takes place in a world where human cities are buried beneath the surface of a planet, and the skies above are filled with high-tech ships and flying machines. The protagonist, Spensa, dreams of becoming a fighter pilot in a world constantly under siege by alien forces. The sense of soaring through endless skies, amid swirling clouds and floating islands of technological marvels, gives the book a sense of adventure and exploration that mimics the allure of floating cities. Sanderson’s dynamic world-building creates a place where the impossible becomes possible, and every moment in the air is filled with tension and awe.
7. The Last Sun by K.D. Edwards
Set in a world where the gods once ruled over the floating islands, The Last Sun immerses readers in a gritty, urban fantasy where towering cities float above the remnants of a shattered world. The protagonist, Rune, is a part of a once-powerful family that has fallen from grace, but the floating cities are still full of political intrigue, dangerous factions, and lost gods. The world is dark, filled with sharp edges and hidden dangers, but the allure of the skyborne cities—both magnificent and perilous—keeps readers hooked as Rune navigates the delicate balance between survival and reclaiming lost glory.
8. The Kingdom of Copper by S.A. Chakraborty
In this richly layered sequel to The City of Brass, floating cities in the magical world of Daevabad play a pivotal role in the narrative. Chakraborty weaves an intricate tale of politics, power struggles, and ancient magics set against the backdrop of a breathtaking, mystical world. The floating city of Daevabad, with its gilded spires and ancient secrets, is a symbol of both beauty and danger, representing the complexities of power and the fragility of peace. The allure of these sky-high wonders is palpable, drawing readers into a world where magic and politics collide in the most spectacular fashion.
9. Skyward Inn by Aliette de Bodard
In Skyward Inn, floating cities are part of a world where the boundaries between cultures, time periods, and dimensions are fluid. The setting is rich with alien landscapes and otherworldly technology, and the floating cities are places of both refuge and oppression. As the characters navigate the social and political intricacies of life in these cities, they must also contend with the tensions of a society built on secrets, power, and alien technologies. De Bodard’s haunting narrative and vivid world-building create a sense of unease and wonder, where every floating city is both a sanctuary and a prison.
10. The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart
In The Bone Shard Daughter, floating cities are suspended over a vast ocean, supported by powerful, arcane magic. These skybound realms are a testament to the ancient powers that once ruled the land, and they are filled with dangerous secrets that could tip the balance of power in the empire. The protagonist, Lin, seeks to uncover the truth behind the strange magic that holds the floating city aloft, and in doing so, she delves into the mysteries of the past—uncovering dark secrets that could change everything. The sense of gravity-defying wonder and suspense in these floating cities creates an irresistible atmosphere, where the stakes are high, and the city itself may be the most dangerous force of all.
Conclusion: Adventure Beyond the Horizon
Floating cities are more than just architectural marvels—they are symbols of human ingenuity, the fragility of civilization, and the endless yearning for freedom. Whether powered by magic, technology, or sheer will, these cities offer a sense of adventure, danger, and the thrill of the unknown. Each of these 10 books invites you to soar through skyborne worlds, uncovering secrets hidden in the clouds, navigating political intrigue, and embarking on high-flying quests. So pack your bags, because the skies are waiting, and adventure is just a leap away.
