The Greatest British "Fantasy, Time travel" Books of All Time

Click to learn how this list is calculated.

This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 305 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

Filter by: Genres Dates Countries
Follow on:

Genres

Fantasy

Fantasy is a genre of literature that typically involves imaginative and supernatural elements, often set in a fictional world or alternate reality. These stories often feature mythical creatures, magic, and epic battles between good and evil. Fantasy books can range from high fantasy, which includes complex world-building and intricate plotlines, to urban fantasy, which blends fantastical elements with contemporary settings. The genre allows readers to escape into a world of wonder and adventure, where anything is possible.

Time travel

The category of "Time travel" books typically involves stories where characters travel through time, either intentionally or accidentally, to different eras or periods in history. These books often explore the consequences of altering the past or future, and the challenges and dangers that come with navigating different time periods. Time travel books can span a variety of genres, including science fiction, historical fiction, romance, and adventure, and offer readers a unique perspective on the possibilities and complexities of time travel.

Add additional genre filters

Countries

British

Add additional country filters

Date Range

Filter

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download
  1. 1. Tom's Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce

    In "Tom's Midnight Garden," a young boy named Tom is sent to stay with his aunt and uncle in their small apartment while his brother recovers from measles. Feeling bored and lonely, Tom discovers a magical garden that only appears at midnight. As he explores the garden, he meets a young girl named Hatty who lived there in the past. Together, they embark on a series of adventures, uncovering the mysteries of time and friendship.

    The 1489th Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 2. Night Watch by Terry Pratchett

    "Night Watch" is a satirical fantasy novel that follows the story of Sam Vimes, a city watch commander who is transported back in time. He must navigate the complexities of the past, assume the identity of his old mentor, and prevent a violent revolution, all while trying to find a way back to his own time. The book is filled with humor, social commentary, and a detailed fantasy world.

    The 2736th Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 3. The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell

    This novel weaves together the lives of diverse characters through a narrative that spans decades, centering on a teenage runaway with psychic abilities. As she becomes embroiled in a covert war between immortal factions, the story explores themes of mortality, power, and the interconnectedness of human lives. The intricate plot moves through different times and places, revealing a hidden world of mysticism and a looming apocalyptic crisis, all while examining the impact of our actions on the future of the planet.

    The 6586th Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 4. Thief Of Time by Terry Pratchett

    In this satirical fantasy novel, the concept of time is personified and at risk as a young clockmaker is tricked into creating a time-stopping clock, which could bring about the end of the world. Meanwhile, the history monks, guardians of time, along with the anthropomorphic personification of Death and his granddaughter, work to prevent this temporal catastrophe. The narrative weaves through multiple storylines filled with quirky characters, including a martial arts monk with a talent for baking, as they confront the nature of time, the importance of living in the moment, and the challenge of managing an increasingly unstable reality. The book combines humor, philosophy, and a richly detailed world to explore the complexities of time and human existence.

    The 6996th Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 5. The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

    In a parallel 1985 where literature is taken to extremes, a literary detective named Thursday Next navigates a world where the boundaries between reality and fiction are blurred. When a criminal mastermind begins kidnapping characters from classic novels, Thursday must enter the pages of Charlotte Brontë's "Jane Eyre" to pursue the villain and restore the beloved story to its rightful course. Her journey is fraught with danger, wit, and a touch of romance, as she contends with a time-traveling father, a pet dodo, and the complexities of her own life entwined with the fictional landscapes she protects.

    The 9088th Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 6. The Dancers At The End Of Time by Michael Moorcock

    Set in a far-flung, decadent future where the Earth is at the brink of its existence, the narrative unfolds in a society that has mastered time travel and harnessed the power to manipulate reality. The inhabitants, who are the last remnants of humanity, live in a state of hedonistic and aesthetic abandon, with little regard for consequences. The story centers around a love affair between a time-traveling aristocrat from this era and a 19th-century woman, whose arrival disrupts the status quo. As they navigate the complexities of their relationship, they explore various epochs and grapple with the moral and philosophical dilemmas posed by their vastly different worldviews and the impending collapse of their time.

    The 9882nd Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 7. The Crown of Dalemark by Diana Wynne Jones

    "The Crown of Dalemark" is the fourth and final book in the Dalemark Quartet series by Diana Wynne Jones. The story follows Maewen, a young girl who is transported from her own time to the land of Dalemark where she becomes involved in a dangerous struggle for the throne. With the help of her friends, Maewen embarks on a journey to find the missing crown of Dalemark and restore the rightful ruler to the throne. Along the way, she discovers the truth about her own past and the role she must play in the future of Dalemark. The book is a thrilling conclusion to the series, filled with magic, adventure, and unexpected twists.

    The 10537th Greatest Book of All Time

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download