The summer heat is already upon us and there’s nothing like a maritime-themed fantasy novel to transport you to a world of treacherous open waters and thrilling adventure. These seafaring books often include daring heroines, morally grey pirates, underwater monsters, hidden islands, and sentient ships, offering a vividly immersive experience like no other.
There’s something about the sense of freedom and excitement that comes from sailing across the vast oceans beneath the endless sky that draws readers to the genre of nautical fantasy. So, if you’ve always had a soft spot for the sea and its secrets, set sail on a magical expedition with these nautical fantasy books!
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi:
The author of the bestselling Daevabad trilogy, Shannon Chakraborty returns to the fantasy genre with The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi, the first entry in a planned trilogy and starring a lady pirate in the lead. The story follows the retired Amina on “one last heist” to save her missing granddaughter and secure the family fortune, but of course, there’s more to the voyage than what initially meets the eye, including demon husbands, cunning sorcerers and plenty of perilous secrets. With a rich blend of history and fantasy, The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi is a captivating and unputdownable read with a recent sequel, The Tapestry of Fate, which released in May.
The Nature of a Pirate
The Nature of a Pirate is the third book in A. M. Dellamonica’s Lambda-nominated series, Hidden Sea Tales, which have a distinctly nautical vibe. Dellamonica invests in a lot of detail in designing her secondary fantasy world, offers answers to some long-burning questions and writes a compelling character arc for Sophie Hansa, a marine biologist solving mysteries and finding romance on the way. Overall, a great conclusion to a fascinating series packed with memorable characters and top-tier worldbuilding.
Tress of the Emerald Sea
Perfect for fans of The Princess Bride and other fairytale adventures, Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson is a light standalone read, with a strong focus on adventure and exploring the open seas. With a unique magic system involving fungal spores, the narrative follows Tress who leaves her island home and embarks on a voyage to find her childhood friend, accompanied by a talking rat and a host of colorful characters.
Filled with magic, whimsy and plenty of Cosmere references, this is a charming book that will satisfy both longtime fans as well as readers casually dipping their toes into the genre.
The Elfin Ship
If you love stories set around water bodies and wouldn’t mind a riverine trip, you can check out The Elfin Ship by James P. Blaylock. There’s a lot of traditional high fantasy elements in here—such as the timely appearances of elves, dwarves, goblins, witches and wizards—accompanied by a heady dose of magic and pseudoscience. It’s a cozy lil book, with a smattering of dark humor and quirky shenanigans, making for an immensely fun read.
The Deep Range
Those in the mood for a book with maritime vibes but seeking something “a little different” may find Arthur C. Clarke’s The Deep Range to be a rather refreshing read. It follows Walter Franklin, a former astronaut who gets involved with herding whales and finds a new reason to live while exploring the oceanic depths. From operating submarines to capturing a kraken, The Deep Range is a highly atmospheric and engaging read that was initially based on a short story by the same writer.
Red Seas Under Red Skies
Red Seas Under Red Skies is the second book in the acclaimed Gentleman Bastard Sequence series that was already off to a glowing start with The Lies of Locke Lamora. While the first book focused more on street urchins, thieves, mercenaries and heists within a medieval Venice-inspired setting, the second book is more nautical-themed, continuing the protagonists’ adventures on the shores of Tal Verrar. With fierce pirates, skullduggery, gambling dens, epic battles and some cats all thrown into the mix, Red Seas Under Red Skies is an unforgettably entertaining read.
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Most of the narrative in C.S. Lewis’s The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (part of his Chronicles of Narnia series) unfolds aboard a ship. In this book, the Pevensie siblings and their cousin Eustace Scrubb are whisked off to Narnia via a painting of a ship at sea. They are reunited with King Caspian and his crew, as they search for the seven lost lords of Narnia, traveling to different hidden islands and perilous locales, uncovering new secrets, treasures and wisdom. Highly imaginative and enticing, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is reminiscent of ancient narratives like The Odyssey and enchants both kids and adults alike.
Ship of Magic
Robin Hobb’s Ship of Magic is the quintessential nautical fantasy book, starring Vivacia, a sentient seafaring vessel imbued with the memories of its dead crewmates and crafted out of a mysterious substance called Wizardwood that is capable of sailing across the dangerous Rain River and trade with the Rain Wilders. With complex characters, an intricate plot and detailed worldbuilding, Ship of Magic is an incredibly bewitching read that will certainly motivate you to check out more of Robin Hobb’s magical books.
The Merman's Children
Every Poul Anderson novel is unique in their own way, and The Merrman’s Children is no different. It’s heavily influenced by Danish folklore, and features mermaids and fey people within a medieval background. With the advance of Christianity, the mer-people have been driven out and are now questing for a new home. Poignant, philosophical and kind of tragic, The Merrman’s Children is a fascinating tale that will definitely stay with you for a long while.
