Entertainment

15 Fantasy Books To Read Before They Become Movies

by Meg Kehoe

As an avid bookworm, I'm always concerned when my favorite books are turned into movies. And I'm particularly picky when it comes to the fantasy genre. After all, there are so many magical moments that have to be translated from your imagination to the big screen and you worry that the scenes won't be translated as well. That's why it's important to get a hold of fantasy books you need to read before they become movies.

When you read the book first, you're able to create an idea of the characters, the world, the scenery, in your mind. (And a good imagination is everyone's best friend, right?) Even if having read the book can sometimes make the movie disappointing, after so many book to film adaptations, you learn to separate the books from the movies, and expect different things from each. However, reading a book first is almost always beneficial. You understand characters actions, their motives, on a much deeper level. Having read the book, you've gotten a sense of character development that can't always be correctly portrayed on screen. To gear up for the abundance of movie adaptations coming your way this year, check out the recommended fantasy books below.

1

'The BFG' by Roald Dahl

The BFG is a Roald Dahl classic, telling the story of a young girl named Sophie who gets scooped up in the night by a big friendly giant, and is whisked away to Giant Country.

Film Release Date: July 1, 2016

Click to read and watch.

2

'Through The Looking Glass' by Lewis Carroll

In Through The Looking Glass, the sequel to Alice's Adventures In Wonderland, Alice finds herself in a reversed world with her friends, finding herself as a pawn in a game of chess with a few familiar faces.

Film Release Date: May 27, 2016

Click to read and watch.

3

'A Monster Calls' by Patrick Ness

A Monster Calls follows 13-year-old Connor as he finds the monster from his nightmares outside of his bedroom door. And the monster is in search of the truth.

Film Release Date: Oct. 14, 2016

Click to read and watch.

4

'Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them' by J.K. Rowling

A Hogwarts textbook turned major motion picture, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them follows the author of the text book, Newt Scamander, as he leads the way in New York's secret community of witches and wizards 70 years before the world of wizards we're familiar with comes along.

Film Release Date: Nov. 18, 2016

Click to read and watch.

5

'Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children' by Ransom Riggs

Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children is just that – peculiar. The story starts when 16-year-old Jacob Portman meets Miss Peregrine, who fosters a group of orphans with supernatural abilities.

Film Release Date: Sept. 30, 2016

Click to read and watch.

6

'Daughter Of Smoke and Bone' by Laini Taylor

Star-crossed lovers make readers swoon in Daughter Of Smoke and Bone. In this fantasy trilogy, Karou, a deamon, falls in love with Akiva, an angel. Go figure.

Film Release Date: TBD

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7

'Grasshopper Jungle' by Andrew Smith

Grasshopper Jungle follows Austin Szerba, a teenager in Ealing, Iowa, who just accidentally unleashed a crazy plague that turns people into enormous praying mantises. Yikes.

Film Release Date: TBD

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8

'The Immortal Rules' by Julie Kagawa

The Immortal Rules is set in a time when vampires come out of hiding to rule society and take control of the world. Allie is a human who's been taught to fear and hate vampires. But when she becomes immortal herself, will she change her mind?

Film Release Date: TBD

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9

'Legend' by Marie Lu

Military prodigy June comes from an elite family. When murder and sickness come to the West Coast, petty criminal Day takes matters into his own hands. Their stories intertwine in Legend, uncovering government conspiracies and secrets along the way.

Film Release Date: TBD

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10

'Shadow And Bone' by Leigh Bardugo

Set in the fictional world of Ravka, the supernatural seeps into the story of Shadow and Bone and engages readers with ease.

Film Release Date: TBD

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11

'An Ember In The Ashes' by Sabaa Tahir

The Story: Set in a brutal fantasy universe, An Ember In The Ashes blends a revolution in with every day themes like love, politics, and prejudice. Told from two points of view, the epic fantasy has been on the receiving end of massive amounts of hype.

Film Release Date: TBD

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12

'The Night Circus' by Erin Morgenstern

In The Night Circus, two magicians compete in a mysterious circus that runs only when night falls. The fate of everyone surrounding them hangs in the balance as they compete.

Film Release Date: TBD

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13

'A Wrinkle In Time'

Meg Murry's father goes missing while working on a government project, and Meg and her siblings set out to find him in A Wrinkle In Time. Through space and time, the siblings find themselves on a perilous journey.

Film Release Date: TBD

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14

'Red Queen' by Victoria Aveyard

Red Queen follows Mare, a Red Blood who discovers powers that could put her on par with the elite Silver Bloods.

Film Release Date: TBD

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15

'Illuminae' by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Set in the year 2575, Illuminae is bound to draw you in with thrilling scenes and a love story that's too beautiful not to read.

Film Release Date: TBD

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