Fantasy Featuring Art-Based Magic

The idea of art-based magic has fascinated me since I was a child. Perhaps it was the wonder with which I watched The Joy of Painting where Bob Ross created happy little trees and clouds from nothing.

So when I was ready to complete my first novel, I wanted to write fantasy and combine two of my favorite ideas; a post-apocalyptic world with art-based magic. Each of the novels I’ve listed below features some sort of art-based magic. Like always, the affiliate links cost nothing extra, but support my writing.

Adult Novels Featuring Art-Based Magic

Imager by L.E. Modesitt, Jr.

Imager was one of the better art-based magic stories I’ve read. It is the first in a series, and I wouldn’t consider it a “complete” novel by itself. I suppose you could read it as a stand-alone, but there are storylines left incomplete at the end of the first book, as expected for a 12-book series. I very much enjoyed Modesitt’s world-building and the interactions between characters. If you enjoy fantasy worlds featuring art-based magic, this was a fun one.

Amazon | Bookshop.org

Memory and Dream by Charles de Lint

This novel was my introduction to Charles de Lint’s stories. Frankly, I loved it. The story is engaging and your heart breaks for the POV characters. The protagonist Izzy, though the strongest of the bunch in terms of magic, is also the weakest—the artist who creates boldly but lives timidly. Watching de Lint push the character to make a decision and to live for herself was delicious. If you’ve ever felt like the characters you write or paint are almost real, you will love this book.

Amazon | Bookshop.org

Forests of the Heart by Charles de Lint

While Charles de Lint set both of the novels I’ve read by him in his fictional, bohemian city of Newford, the novels have no overlap in storyline or character. But, what they do share is art at the heart of their stories. Where painting is the art featured in Memory and Dream, Forests of the Heart showcases music and sculpting. I enjoyed how the author wove together disparate cultures to create a diverse and interesting cast of characters.

Amazon | Bookshop.org

Darker Tales

The Golden Key by Melanie Rawn, Jennifer Roberson, and Kate Elliot

The world-building is dense and rich, but learning the geopolitical structure, getting used to similar-sounding names, and the quirk of learning to read the quasi-Italian/Spanish constructed language took a little work. Although written by three people, I found they did a very good job of keeping the characters seamless, though I would argue that the second and third writers wrote with voices much more similar to each other than the first writer. I found the magic fascinating; the authors did a terrific job in explaining how the magic worked and what the repercussions of using the magic were. In all, I enjoyed the book, though I wouldn’t say it was a fast or easy read.

Amazon | Bookshop.org

Katy of Clay by U.L. Harper

This novel is about a girl whose entire identity is challenged when she learns the truth about her origins. The story is dream-like in places, and nightmarish in others. Although graphic, and sometimes horrific, I found the overall message empowering and uplifting. At its heart, it’s about creativity, and the ability to change reality through one’s choices and art. The novel straddles the line between horror, magical realism, and literary fiction. If you enjoy dark reads, give Katy of Clay a try.

Amazon | Bookshop.org

Roses and Rot by Kat Howard

Roses and Rot came up on several lists in my search for art-based magic. The story idea was interesting, and I found the interaction between the two sisters and their mother compelling. However, this book really wasn’t about art magic. Instead, it focused on artists and magic, but the artists neither control nor use magic as a part of their art.

Amazon | Bookshop.org

Young Adult Novels and Novellas

The Paper Magician by Charlie Holmberg

The magic used in this book is called “folding”, but being half-Japanese, I immediately thought “origami magic!” It is the first book in a trilogy and a light, fast read. Holmberg’s world feels familiar, and though I found the characters a little thin, I loved how Holmberg described the paper magic. My favorite characters were two of the paper creatures, Fennel and Jonto.

Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Emperor’s Soul by Brandon Sanderson

This novella is the first Sanderson I’ve read, and I enjoyed it. The art-based magic is very cool; a forger creates a stamp that can rewrite the nature of an object’s existence. My stepmother is a Japanese artist, so I grew up seeing her red stamp sealing her pieces, and the story spoke to me on a personal level. This novella is a fast read with a hopeful tone and satisfying ending. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for that quick, feel-good punch.

Amazon | Bookshop.org

Middle Grade Novels Featuring Art-Based Magic

The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann

Although McMann wrote this book for a middle grade audience, I found it entertaining. It provides several fun contrasts, such as creativity vs strength, individuality vs conformity, and the Unwanteds vs the Wanteds. However, because the art-based magic is used more for defense than creation, it didn’t quite hit what I was looking for.

Amazon | Bookshop.org

Circle of Magic by Tamora Pierce

This is the first book in the series, often referred to as Sandry’s Book. The story is enjoyable and about misfit children finding a home as they realize their own worth. In some ways, it reminded me of TJ Klune’s The House in the Cerulean Sea. Initially, I found the transition between each child choppy and confusing, but it was because I didn’t understand how young the characters were until they arrived at the circle. But, I found the description of craft-based magic particularly well done. I’d recommend this book to adults and children alike.

Amazon | Bookshop.org (ebook only, not in print)

My Art-Based Magic Books

Oil and Dust by Jami Fairleigh

In Oil and Dust, Book 1 of the Elemental Artist series, we’re introduced to Matthew Sugiyama, an artist with the capacity of altering reality via his painting and sketches. Click here for more information, reviews, and the content warning.

Amazon | Bookshop.org

Graphite and Turbulence by Jami Fairleigh

In Graphite and Turbulence, Book 2 of the Elemental Artist series, Matthew learns they can use art in ways he never imagined. Click here for more information, reviews, and the content warning.

Amazon | Bookshop.org

Header Photo by Luis Alfonso Orellana on Unsplash

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