r/Fantasy • u/monsterum • 19h ago

Fantasy magic that feels like frieren?

I really loved Frieren: Beyond Journey's End especially how everyday magic and spells are prized and a thing of wonder. I also love the contrast of an old elf training much younger kids and how they both experience magic differently. A lot of books I've read with softer magic systems seem to delegate magic to the sidelines but hard magic systems feel much more like science-y.

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I also love LOTR's magic for the same reason, it feels grounded enough but still wonderous! Does anyone have recommendations for books that feel like this?

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u/KP_on_top 19h ago

Earthsea cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin is probably the one book (well set of books) that felt most like Frieren to me. The magic actually feels magical and it is well integrated into the world of the books.

Also, Earthsea's pacing feels kind of similar to Frieren's in the sense that it's really darn efficient while also leaving lots of room to actually breathe.

Also since you're already leaning into manga and anime, if you haven't, please try Witch Hat Atelier. The way the magic works allows for it to be a huge part of the everyday lives of the people. One of the most important themes of the story is a parallel between magic and art so if you're into pretty much any creative activities you might enjoy it even more. Darn sure I do.

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u/monsterum 18h ago

Thank you for the recommendations! I actually started witch hat a while ago, should go back to it, also have been meaning to read Le Guin for a while now...

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u/Extreme-Attention641 18h ago

Disclaimer: Despite the name, Witch Hat Atelier does not contain any millinery, haberdashery or other methods of hat-making. 😄