What is Polar Fantasy?
A sub-genre of fantasy, polar fantasy is a broad group of books that can be for any age level and may draw on existing stories or build a completely new world. Some common hallmarks of this niche are that they are set in cold landscapes, often in the far north, and that the world-building in the book often draws on Scandinavian or Slavic cultures. These stories may include elements of northern folklore, Norse mythology, and/or the animals (like polar bears) that are unique to the region. Common motifs in the stories often revolve around ice magic, natural phenomenon such as the Northern Lights, or other landscape features unique to the region. Perhaps one of the most well-known polar fantasy authors of the last few decades is Philip Pullman, whose His Dark Materials trilogy made strong use of many of these themes. Other, more recent fantasy series have also used polar regions for their world-building, such as in Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse, which draws on Russian culture. By going to the Arctic for their inspiration, these authors—and the ones listed below—give readers the opportunity to dive into fantasy worlds not seen in other books in the genre. Note: There is a definite lack of authors of color on this list, which is especially notable given the many Indigenous cultures living in Arctic regions.
Middle Grade Polar Fantasy Books
Young Adult Polar Fantasy Books
Adult Polar Fantasy Books
Hopefully some of these chilly tales can give you an escape to a magical world this winter. Need even more polar reads? Check out these ten books about the Arctic. Whether your reading niche is polar fantasy books or something else entirely, the bibliologists at Tailored Book Recommendations, AKA TBR have something for you! Let them pick your next read through either digital or print subscriptions!
