Hilarious Fantasy Comedies or Parodies Worth Reading

Comic fantasy is one of my absolute favourite sub-genres in the overall fantasy category. While I do enjoy a long high fantasy adventure or sometimes marvel at the complex story writing of some dark fantasies, most of the time I prefer reading something much lighter.

I prefer fantasy adventures with a good amount of humour. I just can’t get enough of them. For me, they are a true escape from all the gloom that surrounds us at the moment with pandemics and social unrest.

The following books are not exactly in the same sub-genre but they are all classified as either comedies or parodies of other fantasy literature. Some of these books are downright funny and hilarious.

1) Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride

Raising the dead has never been this much fun. Lish McBride’s Hold Me Closer, Necromancer is funny, fast-paced and quite engrossing. The book is mainly meant as a fantasy for young adult or teen readers. However, it is definitely one of those books that readers of all ages will enjoy especially if you are looking for a lighter fantasy with lots of creepy, paranormal activity.

2) Girl’s Guide to Witchcraft by Mindy Klasky

It has been 15 years since author Mindy Klasky published the first book from the Washington Witches series. This is a series that has stood the test of time. It is even today regarded as one of the best fantasy romantic comedies in the market.

Girl’s Guide to Witchcraft is the first book of the series and a perfect starting point for romantic comedy fans. As you may have guessed from the name, our protagonist Jane Madison is a witch. She is just coming to terms with her true self while dealing with imaginary crushes, handling her job and confronting evil forces.

This is a light, funny and sometimes hilarious adventure for all fans of fantasy, especially if you like witches, comedies and romance.

3) The Colour of Magic and other works by Terry Pratchett

Now the entire Discworld series with its 40+ books is a whimsical fantasy adventure that parodies some of the standard fantasy tales we are accustomed to hearing since childhood.

Author Terry Pratchett was simply the king of hilarious and light-hearted fantasy books and it is so difficult to recommend just one of his books. Some readers feel Small Gods was one of his best works when it comes to humour. While others love the start of the Discworld series with Colour of Magic and Light Fantastic.

Honestly, I just read all the books one after the other in a sequence although it is not necessary to do so. Just pick up a book from the Discworld series and you won’t be disappointed.

4) Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

Angel and a demon working together to stop the apocalypse. When two of the best fantasy authors with a brilliant sense of humour come together, you get Good Omens. Authors Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett collaborated together for this book before the latter sadly passed away.

Although you can watch the television adaptation on Amazon Prime, I do recommend reading the book first as the book is at a different level when it comes to humour and certain subtle nuances.

5) The Princess Bride by William Goldman

William Goldman’s The Princess Bride has got to be one of the most loved fantasy classics ever. Although the book has a pretty good movie adaptation as well, the book as is always the case, is a much better read and way more detailed.

The Princess Bride has everything you would want from a fantasy book. It is charming, romantic, witty and of course funny. The book is an adventure that will make you laugh, wonder and maybe even get you a bit emotional. The Princess Bride is highly recommended for all fans of fantasy literature. Some say it is amongst the best satire of fairy tales you can read.

6) The Tough Guide to Fantasyland: The Essential Guide to Fantasy Travel by Diana Wynne Jones

Diana Wynne Jones had a real flair for writing beautiful fun adventures that can be read by the entire family. So many of her books have bits that are absolutely hilarious. However, one of her books that always tops the ‘funny’ charts is The Tough Guide to Fantasyland.

Although this book is a bit tough to find, it is worth searching for it. Now this book is not exactly a standard fantasy novel. It is more like a guide for aspiring fantasy authors. How not to get trapped by the standard clichés of fantasy writing. However, the book is presented in an absolutely hilarious way and quite honestly all readers should enjoy it even though it is not a typical story.

7) SlappyWorld Goosebumps by R. L. Stine

Although the humour in R. L. Stine’s SlappyWorld is meant for a much younger audience, the books are still a fun read. Obviously considering the age group you should not expect anything too sinister or complex. However, if you are looking for a fun afternoon with a light-hearted book and want to be creeped out a bit, then any of the books from SlappyWorld is perfect for you.

Part of the overall Goosebumps universe, SlappyWorld focuses on the deeds of the evil doll Slappy. The ironic thing is although Slappy is the evilest entity of the Goosebumps world, he is also the funniest with continuous one-liners and a narrative that tries to both creep you out and make you smile.

8) Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Another cult classic on our list. This is for science fiction fans. Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by author Douglas Adams is by far one of the most hilarious science fantasy fiction books you will ever read. This book is incredibly popular and so famous that nothing I write here can do justice to its essence. So if you are looking for a quirky, whimsical space adventure with a completely twisted sense of humour, this book is meant for you.