Best Fantasy Books Characters (2026): 5 Picks for Character Fans

A reader who falls for the people in a story will follow them anywhere, and the best fantasy books characters lists are built for that reader. These picks were compared by what their listings publish: the characters, the page count, the edition date, and any stated reading age.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Wingfeather Saga Boxed Set by Peterson	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	The Hobbit by Tolkien	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	How to Draw Fantasy Characters by Brock	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Good Faeries/Bad Faeries by Froud	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
5	How to Draw Your RPG Character by Barton	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Wingfeather Saga Boxed Set by Peterson

Andrew Peterson·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A four-novel paperback boxed set of the Wingfeather Saga, a fantasy adventure about three siblings and a lost legend.

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Pros

• Four complete novels in paperback in one boxed set
• 1520 pages across the four novels
• The spec table lists illustrations, footnotes and a map for this set
• Grade level 3 to 7 and a reading age of 9+ are both listed

Cons

• Reading age is marked from customers only
• The description also promotes an animated adaptation
• The description mentions a battle between good and evil and villains, so check the peril first
• 1520 pages is a long commitment for a reader still building stamina

2

The Hobbit by Tolkien

J.R.R. Tolkien·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

The original prose novel, for a young reader who wants Bilbo's journey in the book itself rather than in pictures.

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Pros

• The original prose novel that the keyword names
• The description says the text follows the Collins Modern Classics edition and includes a note on the text
• Listed reading age of 9+ years gives a starting point for a young reader

Cons

• The listing gives 320 pages in its details but 372 pages in its description
• The description mentions a very dangerous dragon and a frightening creature, which younger readers may find scary
• Reading age is marked as from customers rather than stated by the publisher

3

How to Draw Fantasy Characters by Brock

Jace M Brock·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Teaches 20 fantasy characters in 6 steps each, with practice pages; for young artists.

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Pros

• Reading age of 8+ years stated, marked as from customers
• 148 pages with practice pages after each drawing
• 20 characters, each taught in 6 steps

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers, not the publisher
• A drawing guide, not a novel
• The 7 years of drawing is the author's own claim

4

Good Faeries/Bad Faeries by Froud

Brian Froud·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A book of good and bad faeries, from Dream Weavers to the Gloominous Doom; for folklore lovers.

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Pros

• 192 pages of faery characters, per the spec table
• Good faeries and bad ones in one volume
• First edition dated October 15, 1998

Cons

• No reading age or grade level is stated
• Dark figures in the bad-faeries half; preview for young readers
• Dated 1998, the oldest printing here

5

How to Draw Your RPG Character by Barton

Chrissa Barton·9.4/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Step-by-step drawing guide for RPG characters like elves and dragonborn; for gamers who draw their party.

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Pros

• 160 pages, over 450 step-by-step illustrations
• Many classes, from fighters to wizards
• Dated May 14, 2024, a recent printing

Cons

• No reading age or grade level is stated
• A drawing guide, not a novel
• Aimed at gamers, not general readers

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More picks to compare

• Fantasy Characters by MatsuuraOver 600 character designs for fantasy artists and game designers.Check on Amazon
• Harry Potter Characters by RevensonProfiles of more than 60 characters from the films.Check on Amazon
• Draw Fantasy Characters by OsbornOver 25 tutorials for designing original RPG characters.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. One pick states a reading age. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best fantasy books characters

Match the format to the reader

Some picks are novels to get lost in, like The Hobbit and the four-novel Wingfeather box set. Others are guides to characters: two drawing books and a faery book. Pick the novel for a reader, the guide for a maker.

Check the reading age

Only How to Draw Fantasy Characters states a reading age, 8+ years, marked as from customers. The others state no reading age or grade level. See also our fantasy books with dragons and fantasy book villains lists.

Before you buy

• Check the format: a drawing guide, a novel, an art book, or a box set of four novels.
• For a box set, confirm what is inside: the Wingfeather set holds four novels in paperback.
• Compare any stated reading age with the reader.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which pick suits a young artist?

How to Draw Fantasy Characters states a reading age of 8+ years, marked as from customers, with 148 pages and 20 characters taught in 6 steps each.

Which pick gives the most reading?

The Wingfeather Saga Boxed Set holds four novels in paperback, the longest read here by format.

Which books teach drawing?

How to Draw Your RPG Character has 160 pages with over 450 illustrations, and How to Draw Fantasy Characters has 148 pages with practice pages.

Still deciding? Our top pickWingfeather Saga Boxed Set by Peterson

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Related lists

See every fantasy list and all fiction lists.

More lists: fantasy books with dragons, fantasy book villains, fantasy series like Harry Potter.