15 Fictional Worlds I’d Like to Leap Into (Ft. Lots of Pictures of Books with Maps)

 As bookworms, we all want to live in a fictional world.

Who wouldn’t want to get their letter to Hogwarts or have Rhysand appear out of nowhere and ask you if you want to come with him to the Night Court or go trekking in Cabeswater with the Gangsey or hang out in Camp Half-Blood with Percy Jackson and the gang? We all would, duh.

So, I’d thought it’d be nice to talk about some of my favorite fictional worlds that I’ve read about, and even talk about some  that I haven’t read about yet, but are on my TBR, and have cool maps, so I couldn’t resist them.

Also, as the title says, this post will feature lots of pretty pictures of books with maps. So be prepared for book porn.

The Legend Trilogy

So, this is probably one of my favorite trilogies of ever, but it also has totally awesome dystopian world-building. This was published in the midst of The Hunger Games phenomenon where lots of people published their dystopian novels and they had really shoddy world-building. I was really happy to see such interesting world-building from Marie Lu, where America is split into The Republic of America and The Colonies of America, especially since we see the world from both sides – the rich and the poor.

The Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy

As I’m sure you guys know, Laini Taylor has a way with words, and is fantastic at world-building. I mean, the world of Eretz is a horrifying one, but monsters! Magic! Angels! I sort of can’t resist? Not to mention that this is some of the best world-building of ever.

The Grisha Trilogy

I actually didn’t like this trilogy that much (and only read the first book and nothing else – oops), BUT, you can’t deny that the map is stunningly gorgeous. And I love how Bardugo’s world-building has a sort of European influence, specifically Russian. IT’S JUST ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS AND I CAN’T.

The Chaos Walking Trilogy

I actually haven’t even read this trilogy yet (I KNOW, I KNOW), but I was flipping through the books I owned to see if they had maps in them, and I stumbled upon this one! I’ve heard brilliant things about this series, and A Monster Calls was one of my favorite reads of last year, so I can’t wait to dive into this one! Also, the covers are freaking beautiful. Guilty as charged.

The Winner’s Trilogy

Again, another series I really don’t like, BUT I LOVE THE MAP. And the covers. It’s probably why I’m still even keeping the books, to be honest. And, in my opinion, the world-building was actually the strongest part of the book for me (besides Kestrel, who is pure and everything), so the map is perfection.

The Divergent Trilogy

This is actually from the collector’s edition of Divergent (I don’t even know why I have a collector’s edition since this isn’t even one of my favorite series…a mystery), but it’s actually really nice to get a visual of what the Dauntless compound looks like because I suck at visualizing places and things. And, also, DAMN, that chasm is big and scary.

The Young Elites Trilogy

I’ve already mentioned Marie Lu’s other trilogy, but this one is a dark fantasy trilogy, and absolutely one of my favorites (even though I haven’t read The Midnight Star yet. Oops.), and the map that goes along with the books is absolutely stunning. I would totally love to go on an adventure with Adelina (and especially Magiano. Not for any special reason or anything). And I highly urge you to go read this series; it’s fantastic.

The Shades of Magic Trilogy

Okay, TECHNICALLY this isn’t really a map, but I absolutely love the title pages of this trilogy. They’re just so intricate and filled with so much detail that I can’t resist including them in here. Not to mention, who wouldn’t want to adventure with Lila, Kell, Alucard, and Rhy through the three Londons, because I know I totally would! And, fingers crossed, the STUNNING collector’s edition will have a map (pretty please?)!

The Shattered Sea Trilogy

Okay, I’ve only read the first book in the series, and, again, TECHNICALLY not a map, but I absolutely love the drawings on the end pages of the last book of the trilogy. It’s just really pretty to look at, and I like to marvel at drawings in any way, shape, or form because how does one art? But, again, really hoping to finally finish this series someday.

Three Dark Crowns

I actually haven’t even read this book yet, but the cover is total map porn, so I’m including this one anyway. Actually, the entire book is just book porn in general, when I think about it. I’ve heard mixed things about this book, but I’m super excited to read it anyway because I always have unpopular opinions.

The Red Rising Trilogy

Okay, I can’t really say that I want to REALLY leap into this world because, first off, SPACE IS TERRIFYING. And, two, the characters in this book sort of live in an oppressive society filled with war, death, and betrayal at every turn, and I’m not really about that life. But, the map in Morning Star is very pretty, so I’ll give it that. And I like Sevro, Darrow, and Mustang enough that I might visit for, like, a day. Maybe.

The Six of Crows Duology

BUT WHO DOESN’T WANT TO HANG OUT WITH THE DREGS?

The A Court of Thorns and Roses Trilogy

I WOULD LITERALLY GIVE ANYTHING TO VISIT RHYSAND THE NIGHT COURT. The town of Velaris just sounds so beautiful and the way things are described, and, yes, I love the Night Court gang, so I obviously can’t help myself and I literally want to meet them all. TAKE ME THERE.

The Throne of Glass Series

Okay, this is another war-torn series, so, technically, it wouldn’t be the best idea to visit, BUT I’M DOING IT ANYWAY. The sacrifices I make because Sarah’s characters are just so damn worth it.

The Falling Kingdoms Series

I haven’t picked up this series in SO LONG (which is utterly ridiculous), but I remember that there was magic in this series, and I love magic in fantasy series. I like to think I’d be one of the special ones, even though I probably would just be that one person who dies in that battle in the first book.

How much do you like maps in books? Which ones are your favorites? Which fictional worlds would you like to be a part of?

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