15 books with settings in otherworldly realms
Some worlds exist just beyond our reach, realms so fantastical and untouchable that they take us to the very edge of imagination. These are the places where the laws of nature bend and break, where creatures of myth and magic roam, and where reality itself feels thin, like gossamer thread. Books set in otherworldly realms transport us into these dreamlike spaces, making us question the boundaries of possibility. Whether a hidden land that exists alongside our own or an entirely separate universe, these books invite us to step into the unknown and experience the strange beauty of otherworldly settings.
Here are 15 books that plunge you into realms that exist beyond the veil of this world.
1. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
Narnia, a magical land accessed through a wardrobe, is the quintessential otherworldly realm. In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, four siblings stumble into a world where animals talk, the seasons are frozen in eternal winter, and a battle between good and evil rages. The enchanted landscapes of Narnia, from the snowy forests to the mystical mountains, captivate readers with their sense of wonder and adventure. Each book in the series expands the magical realm, drawing you further into its beauty and peril.
2. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
The circus in The Night Circus isn’t just any circus—it’s an enchanted realm that shifts and changes, appearing without warning in various locations around the world. The black-and-white striped tents hold wonders beyond imagination, from a garden that grows under moonlight to a maze that leads to impossible places. The circus is a dreamlike space, where magic is real, and every corner holds a new secret. Morgenstern’s hauntingly lyrical prose draws readers into a world of beauty and mystery that exists outside of ordinary time and space.
3. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Wonderland is a realm where nothing is as it seems, and every turn reveals something more bizarre and unexpected. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland takes readers on a journey through a topsy-turvy world filled with talking creatures, enigmatic characters like the Cheshire Cat, and bizarre laws of physics. Alice’s journey is a labyrinth of shifting realities, where even time itself is a mutable concept. Carroll’s iconic story invites us to surrender to the magic and madness of a realm where logic is suspended, and imagination reigns supreme.
4. His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
In His Dark Materials, Lyra Belacqua embarks on a journey through parallel universes, each with its own rules and dangers. The book introduces the concept of multiple worlds—some eerily familiar and others entirely alien. From the icy landscapes of the north to the bustling city of Cittàgazze, the novel’s settings evoke a sense of awe, both for their beauty and the unsettling sense of otherness. Pullman’s vivid world-building invites readers to explore realms that are rich with both wonder and existential questions.
5. The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King
Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series is a sprawling epic that weaves together elements of fantasy, horror, and science fiction, creating a world that is both familiar and utterly foreign. Roland, the last gunslinger, travels through a vast and fractured multiverse, passing through worlds that are at once dystopian and magical. The varied settings—from post-apocalyptic landscapes to enchanted forests—are each a piece of a much larger puzzle, reflecting the precarious balance between order and chaos in these otherworldly realms.
6. The Neverending Story by Michael Ende
The world of The Neverending Story is a land known as Fantastica, a realm of endless imagination where anything is possible. From the Ivory Tower to the swamps of sadness, the landscapes of Fantastica mirror the internal struggles of its inhabitants, including the young hero, Bastian. Fantastica is a place where dreams, fears, and fantasies take form, and where the very fabric of reality is constantly shifting, making it one of the most evocative and surreal realms in literature.
7. The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
In The Priory of the Orange Tree, the world is divided between ancient kingdoms and diverse realms, all of which are shaped by powerful dragons and elemental magic. The story takes us through landscapes of vast deserts, snow-capped peaks, and mystic forests, all teeming with ancient creatures and magical forces. The intertwining of these realms—each with its own culture and magic—creates a rich, multi-dimensional world that is both awe-inspiring and deeply immersive.
8. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
The realm of the Fae in A Court of Thorns and Roses is as dangerous as it is enchanting. Feyre, a mortal girl, is drawn into the mystical lands of the Fae, where magic flows through every blade of grass and every creature. From the dark and dangerous Night Court to the golden courts of Spring and Summer, each realm in Maas’ world is filled with beauty, danger, and mystery. The boundaries between the mortal and magical worlds are fragile, and Feyre’s journey through them is one of transformation, treachery, and discovering the power of the land itself.
9. The Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin
The world in The Broken Earth trilogy is one of cataclysmic destruction, where the Earth itself is a living, breathing entity capable of immense power. Orogeny, a type of magic that allows people to manipulate seismic energy, is both a gift and a curse, and its wielders are feared and oppressed. Jemisin’s world-building is masterful, creating an otherworldly setting where the very environment is hostile and unpredictable, and the struggle for survival is bound to the land itself. This series invites readers into a realm where magic, suffering, and survival collide.
10. Coraline by Neil Gaiman
In Coraline, Gaiman’s eerie and enchanting world of the “Other World” draws readers into a realm that mirrors our own but is darker, more sinister, and inhabited by strange creatures. After discovering a door that leads to a parallel universe, Coraline finds herself in a world where everything appears better at first but soon turns nightmarish. The setting of the Other World, with its unnerving quietness and twisted inhabitants, is a haunting exploration of what lies beneath the surface of reality.
11. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
In The House in the Cerulean Sea, the magical island where Linus Baker is sent to inspect an orphanage for magical children is a place where reality bends in the most delightful ways. This realm is filled with whimsical creatures like a shape-shifting child, a gnome, and a girl who can control the weather. The island is both a sanctuary and a place of mystery, where the boundaries of family, identity, and magic are constantly tested. Klune’s world is one of warmth, heart, and deep enchantment.
12. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
V.E. Schwab’s The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue takes us through multiple realms, both in time and space. Addie LaRue makes a deal with the devil to live forever, but in return, she is forgotten by everyone she meets. This otherworldly existence is both magical and tragic, as Addie wanders through cities and eras, experiencing the world from a distance. Her journey spans realms of love, loneliness, and discovery, making the world itself feel as much like a character as she is.
13. The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart
The Bone Shard Daughter introduces readers to the Empire of the Shattered Isles, a world filled with magic, mysterious creatures, and a political structure that is ruled by bone shard magic. The settings, from floating islands to forgotten temples, evoke a sense of adventure and danger, where the very architecture itself is alive with power. As the protagonist Lin struggles to uncover secrets from her father’s empire, she navigates a realm filled with treachery and a deep connection to the bones of the earth.
14. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
London Below is the shadowy, forgotten counterpart to the bustling city of London Above, and in Neverwhere, it becomes a world of bizarre creatures, hidden places, and dark magic. Richard Mayhew finds himself transported to this otherworldly realm, where he must navigate its strange streets and encounter its eccentric inhabitants. From the dangerous, labyrinthine tunnels to the mysterious floating markets, Gaiman’s London Below is a place where the rules of the world no longer apply, and anything is possible.
15. The Dark Is Rising Sequence by Susan Cooper
In The Dark Is Rising sequence, the realms of light and dark are at odds, and Will Stanton is thrust into a world where the boundaries between the ordinary and the magical are thin. From ancient forests to mystical stone circles, the settings in Cooper’s world are deeply rooted in mythology, history, and the eternal struggle between good and evil. Each location is imbued with ancient magic, and the realm itself seems alive with the power of centuries-old forces. The settings are both eerie and comforting, evoking a timeless connection between nature, magic, and human destiny.
Final Thoughts
Otherworldly realms are the ultimate escape, where the limits of reality dissolve, and anything becomes possible. The 15 books listed here transport readers to fantastical realms—each one more enchanting, dangerous, and mysterious than the last. Whether it’s a land hidden beneath the surface, a parallel universe, or a dreamlike world where magic reigns, these stories remind us of the power of imagination and the allure of places beyond our own. So, take a step into the unknown and let these otherworldly realms sweep you away into adventure, mystery, and magic.
