What Even is Swashbuckling Fantasy?
Swashbuckling fiction has been around for a LONG time. It’s all about the fight of good versus evil, the hero’s journey, coming of age, and yes, sometimes pirates. This sub-genre has evolved a lot but its core has stayed the same, with the action usually revolving around sword-fighting. And while the term “swashbuckling” may indeed make you think of sailors and pirates, the term now mainly refers to any hero who lived (and sometimes died) by the sword. The early books in this swashbuckling fiction genre are books we know and love such as The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas, Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, and The Princess Bride by William Goldman. As we see with The Princess Bride, the genre has since evolved to include the magic and mystery we love today — enter swashbuckling fantasy! These are the books I will be focusing on in this list. With daring adventures, magic, and yes, also sword-fighting, these books are page-turners you need to add to your fantasy TBR.
13 Swashbuckling Fantasy Books
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This is a long series with a lot to discover — swashbuckling adventure for everyone!
This is the first in a thrilling duology.
This is the first in a planned trilogy.
A fantasy retelling of The Count Of Monte Cristo, Scavenge the Stars is the first in a duology.
This is the first in a series of a four.
