Perhaps one of the most popular book types out there today are those that involve an adventure. The best adventure books draw us into another world and allow us to learn as we go. We can see ourselves experiencing that moment. And no matter what’s going on in your life, you’re able to escape into a new reality.
We befriend the characters we meet and care about the things that are important to them. We cheer them on and fall in love as they would. Inside each of us is that is the desire to do things we wouldn’t ordinarily do. Maybe we’re too busy, but that spark is always there. Thankfully, we have the adventure and our imagination to take us wherever we want to go.
As we sit down to read an adventure book, it’s tough to pull away. You get sucked right in, eager to discover what comes next. Some might say that modern day living has undermined the classic adventure novel, but the adventurous spirit in your soul will always carry on. Existence would be too mundane without it. The journey is hope for the masses.
What Did These Adventure Books Do To Qualify For This List
Any time you are ranking the best of something the results are usually somewhat subjective but we have did our best to come up with a list the readers of the adventure genre will truly like. To come up with this list we took into account:
- quantity and quality of user reviews
- sales data
- public perception
- opinions of readers of this genres
- commercial success
- and of course personal opinion
Take a look at the best Adventure Books you can read right now:
Table of Contents
Best Adventure Books
Here are the best Adventure books by the experts:
1)The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann D. Wyss
Book Summary:The story is great adventure for the entire family about a family that had become shipwrecked on a remote island. The family lives on this remote island, for a decade learning and adjusting to their new reality..
- Book Reviews:
2)The Black Stallion by Walter Farley
Book Summary:It certainly does go without saying, any good and well written story is surely going to make it to the big screen and this is another I title that did just that. The Black Stallion is a story between a boy and horse which starts out on a ship. The boy, Alac Ramsay and the Black Stallion become the sole survivors after the ship they’re on becomes shipwrecked. The two develop a strong bond and from this point the adventure has only just begun.
- Book Reviews:
3)The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Book Summary:The adventures of a nineteenth-century boy from a Mississippi River town as he travels down river with an escaped slave.
- Book Reviews:
4)Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift
Book Summary:Gulliver’s Travels is a four-part adventure covering the adventures of Lemuel Gulliver, a surgeon and sea captain. The story walks the reader through the sea adventures Lemuel endeavored beginning the start of the story being shipwrecked on an island where the people are all six inches tall.
- Book Reviews:
5)The Odyssey by Homer
Book Summary:The Odyssey is an epic tale of Odysseus’ phenomenal ten-year voyage home after the Trojan War.
- Book Reviews:
6)King Solomon’s Mines by H. Rider Haggard
Book Summary:King Solomon’s Mines tells the adventures of Allan Quatermain, an elephant hunter and explorer. He is hired by Sir Henry Curtis for his knowledge of Africa and his hunting skills to search for Sir Henry’s lost brother, George Neville.
- Book Reviews:
7)The Three Musketeers, by Alexandre Dumas
Book Summary:The Three Musketeers is about the adventures of a poor young nobleman named D’Artagnan which begins to take place after he leaves his home to join the Musketeers of the Guard.
- Book Reviews:
8)20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
Book Summary:20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is not only a classic adventure but also come’s with a sci-fi element. Three adventurers take on expedition they believed would take them to the seas of a sea monster, but in fact the sea monster simply turns out to be a giant steampunk submarine, commanded by Captain Nemo. The three are captured by Captain Nemo and the real adventure begins this point on.
- Book Reviews:
9)Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
Book Summary:This is a story of adventure of men seeking treasure with all your typical characters you’d expect in adventure, be it a classic or a modern made-for-screen film. So you’ve got your one legged pirate, a talking bird and of course we’ve mentioned treasure, so let’s not forget about the treasure map.
- Book Reviews:
10)Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs
Book Summary:Tarzan of the Apes tells the story of a family marooned in the western coastal jungles of Africa. It’s really a coming of age story as we’re going see this boy evolve, learn and adapt after he loses his parents and is then raised by Apes and then given the name Tarzan. Tarzan of the Apes is just the first publication with nearly two dozen sequels. A fun and adventurous read for all ages.
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Best Adventure Movies
If you enjoyed the best adventure books, why stop there? Take a look at our list of best adventure movies and witness these marvelous films from the big screen.
1)The Longest Day
Starring: John Wayne and Arletty
Directed by: Andrew Marton
Movie Summary:Allied forces prepare for a massive D-Day assault upon the beaches of Normandy during World War II.
Movie Reviews:
To my way of thinking, this is the greatest movie of all time about D-Day. An international all star cast show the preparation and execution of perhaps the greatest event in WW2. The Germans speak German and the French speak French,etc.Cameos of the biggest stars of the era many of whom are now deceased. The musical score was written by pop star Paul Anka. At the end of the movie, the theme song is sung by the Mitch Miller Singers.I first saw this at the movies & almost was late to work because I didn’t realize it was that LONG! All in all an excellent movie!
-Amazon Reviewer
If you like this wonderful cast you will like this movie, period. I’ll assume you’ve already seen this classic and that’s why you’re buying it. The best thing about buying this Blu-ray is that it comes with the DVD. How smart is that? If they all included a DVD I bet they would sell a lot more Blu-rays.
Lets face it, DVD’s are so much more practical, you can play them on almost anything. Though I have a Blu-ray deck the Br disk will never get used in all likelihood. Why bother? This is a 1960’s B&W movie with all the grainy goodness you’re learned to love . Sit back and enjoy this epic !
-Amazon Reviewer
2)John Wick
Starring: Keanu Reeves and Adrianne Palicki
Directed by: David Leitch and Chad Stahelski
Movie Summary:From the producer of CLASH OF THE TITANS and THE TOWN comes a tale of adrenaline-fueled revenge and redemption. When a retired hit man is forced back into action by a sadistic young thug, he hunts down his adversaries with the skill and ruthlessness that made him an underworld legend.
Movie Reviews:
Must See movie. John Wick is one of those action films which that defines a genre. While the reality of the combat may be argued by the combat cogniscenti, the quality of the characterization, the plot and the action raised the bar to such an extent it is hard to find an equal. If you enjoy action movies and you’ve never watched this movie, you’re wrong.
-Amazon Reviewer
3)The Kid, 2019
Starring: Ethan Hawke and Dane DeHaan
Directed by: Vincent D’Onofrio
Movie Summary:A young boy is forced to cross the American Southwest in order to save his family, along the way encountering the infamous outlaw Billy the Kid and Sheriff Pat Garrett. Through his journey, this film tells the classic story from a new perspective.
Movie Reviews:
This was a decent western. It includes a fairly accurate description of his escape from jail, minus the Rio aspect. However, Rio would account for stories of Billy’s survival. Nice script.
-Amazon Reviewer
4)Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
Starring: Eddie Redmayne and Katherine Waterston
Directed by: David Yates
Movie Summary:Newt Scamander is enlisted by Hogwarts Professor Albus Dumbledore to battle Dark wizard Grindelwald, whose plan to rule over non-magical beings threatens to divide the wizarding world.
Movie Reviews:
A great movie that brings the watcher up to date about the who’s and what’s that lead to Harry Potter. However this second installment of Fantastic Beast and its prior movie are great stand alones that carry the watcher into the world of wizards, and magic and the man behind the educational guide for students about “Fantastic Beast” in the world of Hogwarts. And events that occur long before anyone ever heard of Harry Potter.
-Amazon Reviewer
5)Saving Private Ryan
Starring: Tom Hanks and Matt Damon
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Movie Summary:Based on a World War II drama. US soldiers try to save their comrade, paratrooper Private Ryan, who’s stationed behind enemy lines.
Movie Reviews:
A Movie that speaks for itself. The story is full of emotion, good and bad, that will put you involved in the battles, as viewed by German soldiers, the U.S.A, and other allied forces.
-Amazon Reviewer
Best Adventure Audio Books
Now that you’ve seen our list of the best adventure books and movies, I’m sure you’ll be interested in trying out more of the best adventure books in audio!
1)Redemption: Memory Man Series, Book 5 by David Baldacci
Book Summary:Amos Decker and his FBI partner Alex Jamison are visiting his hometown of Burlington, Ohio, when he’s approached by an unfamiliar man. But he instantly recognizes the man’s name: Meryl Hawkins. He’s the first person Decker ever arrested for murder back when he was a young detective.
Though a dozen years in prison have left Hawkins unrecognizably aged and terminally ill, one thing hasn’t changed: He maintains he never committed the murders. Could it be possible that Decker made a mistake all those years ago? As he starts digging into the old case, Decker finds a startling connection to a new crime that he may be able to prevent, if only he can put the pieces together quickly enough….
Book Reviews:
-Amazon Reviewer
2)Deathtrap: Expeditionary Force Mavericks, Book 1 by Craig Alanson
Book Summary:The human soldiers stranded on the planet Paradise have been recruited into an alien legion to do the dirty jobs that the high-tech species won’t do. Their first mission is to kick the enemy off a backwater planet no one cares about. It’s a simple assignment, except everyone has a hidden agenda, and the planet could become a deathtrap.
Book Reviews:
Well written, The dynamic and sarcasm between Skippy and Joe is hilarious and very relatable. I found myself giggling out loud at work during every book. Good action to kept me eagerly reading and wanting more. I finish every book nearly in one sitting, and can’t wait for the next one to be released. The narration is second to none. R.C. Bray is absolutely fantastic. I couldn’t possibly imagine another voice for tone for Skippy or any one of the band of merry pirates. Craig Alanson has an amazing imagination and is wonderfully adept at keeping you wanting more. If your like me and can’t get enough check out the “Ascendant” trilogy, I was sad that I finished the last book, because would have gladly kept reading more in that series as well.
-Amazon Reviewer
What treachery at each turn. This is a fun read with creative characters and awesome tech. Funny stuff too lol, can’t wait to read book 2.
-Amazon Reviewer
3)A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1 by George R. R. Martin
Book Summary:Winter is coming. Such is the stern motto of House Stark, the northernmost of the fiefdoms that owe allegiance to King Robert Baratheon in far-off King’s Landing. There Eddard Stark of Winterfell rules in Robert’s name. There his family dwells in peace and comfort: his proud wife, Catelyn; his sons Robb, Brandon, and Rickon; his daughters Sansa and Arya; and his bastard son, Jon Snow. Far to the north, behind the towering Wall, lie savage Wildings and worse – unnatural things relegated to myth during the centuries-long summer, but proving all too real and all too deadly in the turning of the season. Yet a more immediate threat lurks to the south, where Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King, has died under mysterious circumstances. Now Robert is riding north to Winterfell, bringing his queen, the lovely but cold Cersei, his son, the cruel, vainglorious Prince Joffrey, and the queen’s brothers Jaime and Tyrion of the powerful and wealthy House Lannister – the first a swordsman without equal, the second a dwarf whose stunted stature belies a brilliant mind.
All are heading for Winterfell and a fateful encounter that will change the course of kingdoms. Meanwhile, across the Narrow Sea, Prince Viserys, heir of the fallen House Targaryen, which once ruled all of Westeros, schemes to reclaim the throne with an army of barbarian Dothraki – whose loyalty he will purchase in the only coin left to him: his beautiful yet innocent sister, Daenerys.
Book Reviews:
I was sitting next to a young woman reading on a plane who was reading this. She told me that she liked it much better than the series. That it was well-written and hard to put down. She specifically mentioned that it had very little of the gratuitous sex that seems to pervade the TV show. On her recommendation, I bought the book and completely agree with everything she said.
Even though it is difficult not to imagine the faces of the actors when reading the book, it is still an awesome read. Much more detailed than the series, but also enhanced by it to a certain extent.
Brilliant writing.
-Amazon Reviewer
For years, people have rambled on and on about GAME OF THRONES, and all the while I was not interested. But after many cast interviews, and observations of the political goings-on, I thought, “Alright! ALRIGHT! Let’s see how they did.” But before I could watch the first few episodes of the first season, I had to read the first book. And that’s exactly what I did! And you know? It was most rewarding. Personally, for me, reading about Arya Stark turned out to be more fun than watching her on the show. Same goes for Jon Snow and Lord Eddard Stark. But the one that I was really hooked on, next to Snow, was Tyrion Lannister. An educated soul among a very masculine, not-so-educated family. I really can’t understand how I did not hear of A Song of Ice and Fire when it was out in the 90s. I CANNOT!! Anyway, after reading far enough into the book, I started the series. And the rest is history. It is way beyond The Wizard of Oz. No disrespect intended.
-Amazon Reviewer
4)The Collected Stories of Arthur C. Clarke by Arthur C. Clarke
Book Summary:Author of the Hugo and Nebula Award-winning novels Rendezvous with Rama and The Fountains of Paradise along with such memorable novels as Childhood’s End, Sir Arthur C. Clarke was – with Isaac Asimov and Robert A. Heinlein – one of the writers who defined the classic era of science fiction. From early work like “Rescue Party” and “The Lion of Comarre” through classic stories including “The Star”, “Earthlight”, “The Nine Billion Names of God”, and “The Sentinel” (kernel of the later novel and movie 2001: A Space Odyssey), all the way to later work like “A Meeting with Medusa” and “The Hammer of God”, this comprehensive short story collection encapsulates one of the great science fiction careers of all time.
Book Reviews:
Still reading/listening, enjoying immensely! Constant mind benders. Wonderful
-Amazon Reviewer
Great collection – these short stories reminded me why Mr. Clarke is considered to be one of the best science fiction authors to ever pick up a pen (old school reference).
-Amazon Reviewer
5)The Complete Void Wraith Saga: Books 1 – 6 in the Epic Military Science Fiction Series by Chris Fox
Book Summary:After 26,000 years the Void Wraith have returned. The Eradication has begun.
Mankind’s outer colonies are disappearing. Without warning. Without a trace. Fleet command chalks the attacks up to pirates, but Captain Dryker of the UFC Johnston isn’t buying it.
Defying command, he leads his misfit crew into hostile territory in search of answers. They encounter the mythical Void Wraith, an unstoppable legend whispered by the first race. After 26,000 years the Void Wraith have returned to begin the next Eradication. Their technology is superior, their motives unclear.
Humanity cannot stop them. Not without help. Captain Dryker’s only hope is to forge an alliance with mankind’s greatest enemy, the savage Tigris.
One maverick captain, an unlikely crew, and an aging vessel are all that stand between humanity and the Eradication.
Book Reviews:
Outstanding series of adventures in outer space, fast action and great growth of story line and charter development. This author is one of the best in kindle. He also puts out a great price offer frequently that makes binge reading even more enjoyable!
-Amazon Reviewer
I stumbled across this series on a Facebook ad. I didn’t know the author, but decided what the heck. I’m glad I did!
I liked the development of the main and secondary characters and how the story kept expanding itself to a satisfying conclusion.
Well done.
-Amazon Reviewer
Conclusion
What do you think about our list of best adventure books? If you have another genre that you prefer to read we have probably compiled a list of our favorites for that genre too. So if you are looking for something other than the best adventure books you can find other genres here.
