As summer approaches and you start actively planning your Cape Cod vacation, you might begin looking at some oceanfront activities. Of course, you’ll relax in the sand and work on your tan, but you might also want something to read as you lounge in the sun.

Your options will be nearly endless as you choose some books for your vacation, and it will all depend on your preferred genres. And even if you forget to buy a book or two before you arrive, the Cape has bookstores in every town.

Are you still thinking about what to read on your vacation? Here are five ultra-popular fantasy novels to check out this summer.

1) Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Rebecca Yarros is one of the most popular authors on the planet and a New York Times bestseller. Fourth Wing is the first installment of her Empyrean series and features plenty of fantasy elements like dragons, griffins, and magic, making it a wonderful beach read for this summer.

If you’ve already read Fourth Wing, the next installment in the series, Iron Flame, is also available and will surely top the bestsellers’ list in the near future. Both books are incredibly challenging to put down once you start, so if you plan to spend hours and hours on a Cape Cod beach, they’re excellent choices.

2) A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon

Samantha Shannon’s A Day of Fallen Night is the prequel to the New York Times bestseller The Priory of the Orange Tree. It’s the story of four women and their battle to protect humankind from terror and violence, and it features fantasy elements like magic, dragons, and lore.

One thing you should know about A Day of Fallen Night is that it’s nearly 900 pages long. As a result, you might not need to bring a second book to the Cape because this one could take up most of your free time.

3) The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon

At 472 pages, The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon is a little more manageable. This book is the story of an orphan named All Talasyn, who has secret magic powers that are the only threat to the Night Empire’s rule. Prince Alaric is the heir to the Night Empire throne and must kill anything threatening their power.

This fantasy novel is full of conflict but features romantic elements between the two main characters. It’s an excellent beach read and something you won’t want to put down once you enter the world of The Hurricane Wars on your Cape Cod vacation.

4) Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong

Chloe Gong is a multi-time New York Times bestseller, and one of her latest offerings, Immortal Longings, is sure to keep you enthralled throughout your beach days on the Cape. This story is set in the kingdom of Talin, where thousands of residents flock to the capital cities yearly for a set of games.

Competitors fight to the death during these games, with the winner gaining significant wealth. At the same time, Princess Calla Tuoleimi is trying to bring down the monarchy and save the kingdom, while Anton Makusa attempts to win the riches to save the life of his childhood love. Immortal Longings features body jumping and other fantasy elements and will go incredibly quickly once you pick it up because it’s a real page-turner.

5) Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare

At 624 pages, Sword Catcher is another long book that you won’t be able to put down while reading on your favorite Cape Cod beach. This book is a new offering by New York Times bestselling author Cassandra Clare that’s set in Castellane, a city-state full of wealthy nobles and hardened criminals.

The story follows Kel, an orphan who becomes the Sword Catcher, the name given to the bodydouble of royal heir Prince Conor Aurelian. Kel and the prince are incredibly close, but both know that Kel will eventually have to die to protect this important member of the royal family. The only person who can potentially save Kel is Lin Caster, who possesses magic powers. You’ll quickly see why Sword Catcher is such a popular novel, as once you begin, it’s nearly impossible to put down.

The Perfect Place to Read

Fantasy books are about escaping reality for a little while and entering worlds entirely unlike our own. Vacationing on the Cape is also like entering a fantasy world, as the beaches, dining, and scenery seem like they’re straight from a novel, but they’ll become your reality for the week or two you spend in the area.

As you narrow down some beaches to visit on vacation, pack a few books to enjoy while experiencing the sun and sand in this idyllic destination.