Fantasy books offer an escape to magical realms filled with ancient castles, enchanted forests, and fiery dragons. For many readers, these worlds come alive in vivid mental images. However, the experience is often more abstract and sensory for people with aphantasia.
While visualising worlds and characters isn’t possible for aphants, stories may come alive through other imagined senses if you aren’t a ‘total aphant’. Can you smell the lavender soap? Feel the heat of dragonfire? Taste the tavern bread or hear the anguished scream echoing into the skies?
I picked up my first fantasy book three years ago on a friend’s recommendation. A quick scroll through my Goodreads reveals that most of my teenage years were spent in dystopian worlds, spy academies, and contemporary novels by authors like John Green (a fellow aphant) and Gayle Forman. My preferences have always leaned towards character-driven stories. I immerse myself in a book by connecting with its characters, imagining how it would feel to view the world from their perspective. Like the chill and terror of fleeing across a glass bridge while pursued by fifteen palace guards, or the exhilarating power of wielding a blade imbued with ancient magic as I stand against impossible odds.
Although I wasn’t aware of aphantasia back then, fantasy books felt daunting for several reasons. Worldbuilding seemed overwhelming, especially trying to imagine continents like Middle-earth, track complex family trees like those in Westeros, or picture creatures described in long, intricate passages. On top of that, starting an eight-book series often came with the pressure to dive into these expansive worlds with the same fervour as its most passionate fans. It was hard to imagine fully immersing myself in the way others seemed to.
Still, my friend was convinced I’d fall in love with The Cruel Prince trilogy, and she was right! The world of Elfhame captivated me. The political intrigue hooked me, the fairytale-like writing created a magical atmosphere, and the morally complex characters had incredible depth and development. The author, Holly Black, stayed true to traditional faerie lore, such as the inability of faeries to lie, which added layers of clever wordplay and exquisite dialogue. The romance is one of my favourites, despite being a subplot, and the twists kept me guessing. What I loved most, though, was the high stakes.
For me, reading fiction is all about the emotional journey. Fantasy offers a heightened sense of urgency and tension that draws me deeper into the story and makes it feel personal. I felt the weight of the characters’ struggles, the thrill of their victories, and the sting of their betrayals. Even though I couldn’t visualise the scenes, it didn’t feel like I missed out on any of the magic.
7 Tips for Reading Fantasy with Aphantasia
If you’re new to fantasy or unsure where to start, here are a few tips to make the experience more accessible and enjoyable.
Start with YA fantasy
Young Adult fantasy often features fast-paced plots, character-driven narratives, and less intricate worldbuilding than adult fantasy. It’s a great way to ease into the genre without feeling overwhelmed. Many YA books gradually introduce world-building details as they become relevant, allowing you to piece things together alongside the characters. A perfect entry point is the Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo with its gripping plots, unforgettable characters, and a touch of magic grounded in realism. If you want to dive right into the magic, you won’t regret starting with The Cruel Prince as I did.
Skim Heavily Descriptive Passages
For books with elaborate descriptions (looking at you, Lord of the Rings), it’s okay to skim! If you can’t visualise those paragraphs detailing how sunlight reflects off a sword or mist clings to a mountain range, you can focus on the sensory details or actions instead.
Explore Fanart
Fanart is a gift for aphants. Artists bring characters, scenes, and worlds to life in ways that words on a page might not fully capture for us. Seeing someone’s depiction of Kaz Brekker’s infamous crow cane or the Night Court during Starfall can make stories feel more vivid and tangible. I’ve even started a Pinterest board to revisit the most cathartic and magical moments I’ve experienced in fantasy worlds.
That said, beware of spoilers! Searching for ‘no spoiler fanart [book/character/location]’ isn’t foolproof, so it’s best to avoid temptation and wait until you’ve finished the series. Some Reddit book communities or TikTok videos compile spoiler-free fanart for individual books, but it’s always wise to tread carefully.
Use Maps and Visual Resources
Many fantasy books include maps at the beginning, which can help you follow the characters’ journeys and understand the geography. If these maps seem confusing at first, fan-made versions online often provide additional context like colour, terrain, or kingdom dynamics, which make them easier to use as references. Some books also include glossaries, family trees, or visual guides, which are great tools for keeping track of unfamiliar terms or relationships.
Set the Mood with Ambience
YouTube is a treasure trove of fantasy ambience videos. Whether it’s crackling fires, the birdsong in a field of wildflowers, or the bustling sounds of a marketplace in a desert city, you’re sure to find the perfect immersive atmosphere. While reading The Cruel Prince, I adored this magical faerie forest ambience to feel like I was truly there.
If ambience videos aren’t your thing, try reading in a magical setting that brings the story to life. While visiting Croatia, the Biokovo mountain range – a filming location for Game of Thrones – became the perfect backdrop to read the Throne of Glass series. I could almost imagine soaring on dragonback off its cliffs and across the Adriatic Sea.
Try Film Adaptations or Clips
Watching a film or TV adaptation of a fantasy book before reading it can be a controversial move, but it’s a helpful strategy for some aphants. Having a visual reference for characters and locations can make the story easier to follow and more engaging, reducing some of the mental load of worldbuilding. Even if you don’t watch the entire adaptation, checking out trailers can help you picture the world and characters in action. If you’ve watched the popular Netflix adaptation of ‘Shadow and Bone‘, why not dive deeper into the Grishaverse and read Six of Crows?
Give Audiobooks a Try
Audiobooks bring stories to life with emotion, tone, and pacing, making complex worldbuilding entertaining and easier to follow. I often listen to fantasy audiobooks to ease into a new world or keep my mind engaged while multitasking. Dramatised versions, like those from GraphicAudio, include a full cast of voice actors, sound effects, and music, perfect for immersive fantasy stories. A great narrator can make all the difference, so listen to samples and read reviews to find one that suits your preferences.
Conclusion
There’s no ‘right’ way to read fantasy. Your experience is unique, and it’s okay to tailor your approach to suit your needs. Whether you explore fanart, skim descriptions, or set the mood with ambience, the most important thing is to enjoy the journey. Fantasy may look different for those of us without a mind’s eye, but it’s proof that magic can be something you feel rather than see.