Short & Sweet: 8 Fantasy Series Under 1200 Pages

Looking for epic fantasy that won’t take you months to finish? You’re in the right place.

This guide features 8 completed fantasy series under 1,200 pages, perfect for readers who want immersive worlds without a massive time commitment. Whether you’re between longer sagas, craving something fast-paced, or looking for a satisfying weekend binge, these short fantasy series deliver rich storytelling in compact packages.

From cozy coffee-shop tales to gritty heists and magical schools with bite, each series on this list is unique in tone, genre, and pacing—but all share one thing: you can finish the whole story in a weekend or two. We’ve highlighted total page count, tone, best formats, and more to help you find your next quick-read favorite.

Ready to explore finished worlds that won’t crowd your TBR forever? Let’s dive in.

Quick-Glance Comparison

Series / Author	Books	Total Pages*	Tone / Vibe	Best For
The Chronicles of Narnia — C.S. Lewis	7	~770	Classic, allegorical	Nostalgic portal fantasy
Earthsea Trilogy — Ursula K. Le Guin	3	~688	Lyrical, introspective	Fans of elegant prose
Six of Crows Duology — Leigh Bardugo	2	~1,016	Gritty heist, dark YA	Found-family enthusiasts
The Winternight Trilogy — Katherine Arden	3	~1,088	Slavic fairytale	Atmospheric winter read
The Scholomance — Naomi Novik	3	~1,152	Dark academia snark	Hogwarts-but-deadlier fans
Binti Trilogy — Nnedi Okorafor	3	~480	Afrofuturist novella	Sci-fi-curious fantasy fans
Clocktaur War Duology — T. Kingfisher	2	~588	Cozy-grim, witty	D&D slice-of-life readers
Legends & Lattes — Travis Baldree	2	~648	Cozycore, low-stakes	Comfort-read lovers

*Page counts based on trade paperback averages.

How We Chose The 8 Fantasy Series Under 1200 Pages

We curated this list of binge-worthy fantasy based on a few firm guidelines:

• Series Length: ≤ 1,200 pages total
• Complete Arcs: No waiting for sequels or finales
• Highly Rated: 4.0+ on Goodreads across all entries
• Genre Diversity: Each brings something different to your shelf
• In Print & Digital: Easily accessible in major formats

Fantasy Series Under 1200 Pages Spotlights

1. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Pages: ≈ 770 across 7 slim volumes
Mini-Synopsis: Classic portal fantasy where children step through wardrobes and paintings into the mystical land of Narnia to battle evil and find faith.
Why It’s Worth Your Weekend:

• Breezy, stand-alone entries perfect for skipping around
• Hidden allegories that reward adult rereads
  Start With: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (publication order)

2. Earthsea Trilogy by Ursula K. Le Guin

Pages: ≈ 688 (3 books)
Mini-Synopsis: Follow Sparrowhawk’s path from reckless youth to wise mage in an archipelago world ruled by balance, names, and dragons.
Why It’s Worth Your Weekend:

• Elegant, poetic prose with philosophical weight
• Pioneering take on magic systems and cultural nuance
  Hook Line: “Only in silence the word, only in dark the light…”

3. Six of Crows Duology by Leigh Bardugo

Pages: ≈ 1,016 (2 books)
Mini-Synopsis: A ragtag crew of streetwise teens take on a deadly heist in the Grishaverse. Betrayals, slow burns, and razor-sharp banter await.
Why It’s Worth Your Weekend:

• Tight plotting, strong character arcs
• Found family and morally grey faves
  Content Warning: Contains trauma, violence, and light torture themes.

4. The Winternight Trilogy by Katherine Arden

Pages: ≈ 1,088 (3 books)
Mini-Synopsis: Set in medieval Russia, this series blends folklore, fairy tales, and feminism as Vasya communes with spirits and defies societal norms.
Why It’s Worth Your Weekend:

• Beautiful wintry prose perfect for snowy nights
• Unique historical fantasy with Slavic roots
  Pair With: A warm blanket and candlelight.

5. The Scholomance Trilogy by Naomi Novik

Pages: ≈ 1,152 (3 books)
Mini-Synopsis: Dark academia meets magical survival horror in a school that eats its students. Snarky loner El fights to survive—and change the game.
Why It’s Worth Your Weekend:

• Genre-blending brilliance: fantasy, horror, satire
• Antiheroine you’ll root for against your will
  Tagline: What if Hogwarts was trying to kill you?

6. Binti Trilogy by Nnedi Okorafor

Pages: ≈ 480 (3 novellas)
Mini-Synopsis: A Himba girl leaves her home planet to attend a prestigious interstellar university—and sparks an alien conflict with her mind.
Why It’s Worth Your Weekend:

• Compact but deeply emotional storytelling
• Vibrant Africanfuturist culture and tech
  Best Format: Audiobook narrated by Robin Miles.

7. Clocktaur War Duology by T. Kingfisher

Pages: ≈ 588 (2 books)
Mini-Synopsis: A reluctant paladin, a grumpy forger, and a nervous wizard team up to stop alchemical horrors. Chaos and charm abound.
Why It’s Worth Your Weekend:

• Genuinely funny, with heartwarming character beats
• Quirky blend of cozy fantasy and undead monsters
  Tone: Think D&D campaign with baked goods.

8. Legends & Lattes Duology by Travis Baldree

Pages: ≈ 648 (2 books)
Mini-Synopsis: An orc retires from adventuring to open a coffee shop. Cue pastries, found family, and low-stakes drama with high emotional payoff.
Why It’s Worth Your Weekend:

• Wholesome, stress-free vibes
• Great intro to cozy fantasy trend
  Sips Well With: Coffee and cinnamon rolls.

Why Short Series Scratch the Itch

• Momentum: Finish an entire saga in a weekend
• Budget Friendly: Less cost, more closure
• Completion High: That rare, satisfying “I finished the series” glow

Buying & Reading Options

• Omnibus Editions: Available for Narnia, Earthsea, Binti
• Audiobooks: Most under 35 hours total—ideal for road trips
• Kindle Unlimited: Clocktaur War, Binti (availability may vary)

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