Adventure books to read
Not sure which adventure books to read? We ranked 180 of them using 103,587 reader ratings; the average is 7.8/10. Below: three books to start with, then short reads, series starts, and classics.
If you read only one, make it Skyward by Brandon Sanderson (8.7/10). If you prefer a series: The Trials of Apollo starts with The Hidden Oracle.
Start here
Three adventure books that many readers rate highly — each one a first volume or a book that stands alone.
Skyward“Skyward” is built for momentum: its academy, its battles and its settings are drawn so vividly that the pages go quickly.
Short reads: under 300 pages
For a weekend or a commute. 42 of the rated adventure books are this short; these score best.
Series worth starting
The first volume of each series, with the full reading order one click away.
Classics from before 1976
Still read, still rated: the older books that hold up best.
How long are the rated adventure books?
146 of 180 rated titles with a known page count. Largest group: 300–499 pages.
Narrow it down with “Find a book”
“Find a book” holds 86 adventure books. Pick a shortcut — the filters are already set:
Questions readers ask
What adventure books should I read first?
Skyward by Brandon Sanderson: 8.7/10 from 1,314 ratings, and it needs no earlier book. Next on our list: The Crown Tower and Kings of the Wyld.
What is a good adventure book under 300 pages?
The Ruins of Gorlan (289 pages, 8.1/10) is the highest-rated one under 300 pages.
Which adventure book series should I start?
The Trials of Apollo: begin with The Hidden Oracle, the first of 5 books. The reading order page lists every volume.
How are these books chosen?
Only books with enough reader ratings to be ranked (at least 50) are picked. The score is a weighted average across independent rating sources, pulled toward the category average when ratings are few.