Kali J Desautels

The Quiet Joy of Reading Fantasy Without the Pressure to Review

There’s a particular kind of joy in picking up a fantasy novel—the lure of other worlds, epic quests, and characters who live large. Fantasy books promise adventure, imagination, and a window into worlds both familiar and strange. And yet, as much as I love them, I rarely feel the urge to review the fantasy books I read. Why? Because it feels like everyone has already written about them, and there’s a quiet satisfaction in simply enjoying them without feeling the need to add my voice to the chorus.

Finding Freedom in a Crowded Genre

When you scroll through social media or Goodreads, it’s easy to find countless reviews of the latest fantasy bestsellers, classic epics, and everything in between. Fantasy fans are among the most vocal readers, and they often dive deep into every detail, discussing plot points, lore, magic systems, and character arcs in ways that feel exhaustive. It’s wonderful to have this rich, thriving community, but it can also feel like everything that could be said has already been covered. Sometimes, this makes the thought of reviewing a fantasy book feel redundant, even unnecessary.

The Pressure of “Saying Something New”

There’s an unspoken expectation that reviews should offer fresh insight or a unique perspective. When it comes to fantasy, a genre so well-loved and deeply dissected, finding that original angle can feel daunting. What could I say about Tolkien or SJM that hasn’t been said a thousand times over? I sometimes wonder if my thoughts on a certain plot twist or world-building element would add anything to the conversation. And in that uncertainty, I often choose to stay silent and let my reading experience remain personal.

Reading for Pleasure, Not for Performance

With other genres, I might feel a stronger pull to share my reactions—perhaps to introduce an underrated book to new readers or to offer a different perspective. But with fantasy, it’s freeing to simply read without any intention of sharing my thoughts publicly. I can immerse myself in sprawling, unfamiliar worlds and get lost in the narrative without worrying about translating my experience into a coherent, insightful review. This mindset lets me savor the journey as a private adventure rather than a performance.

The Private Magic of Fantasy

Fantasy, in its essence, is about escapism. It allows us to step away from our own world and live vicariously in another. For me, part of that magic is keeping some of it to myself. I don’t need to share my thoughts on every world or character; sometimes, I just want to enjoy the story for what it is—a brief escape, a quiet joy. Not reviewing these books has become a way of protecting that magic, of keeping it just for me.

Letting Fantasy Be Personal

So while I might not review every fantasy novel I read, I’m okay with that. Reading fantasy doesn’t need to come with the pressure to review, rate, or analyze. It’s enough to be swept away, to lose myself in a world of dragons, heroes, and enchanted lands without feeling obligated to say something new about them. And that, in itself, is worth cherishing.