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It helps the world make sense, gives a limit to what power can do, and brings some
There are several basic types of magic systems you can see in a fantasy world, but I
Today, we’re looking at books with magic systems based on art!
For at its core, art is a creative work that evokes feelings — and that can come in
Like dance, weaving — and heck, even tea-making can be considered an art
Therefore, you can say that there are many types of magic systems based on art, depending on
So for today’s list, not all books will fit a classic art type
In it, the characters brew tea to get different magical effects
Shadowshaper is the perfect book for this topic because those who use magic can connect with spirits
The story follows a girl named Sierra Santiago, who was looking forward to a fun, artsy summer
But everything changes when a zombie-like creature appears at a party, and her comatose grandfather starts apologizing
The only problem? Someone is trying to get rid of all the Shadowshapers — and it’s up
The art fantasy elements are more low-key in Phoenix Extravagant, but it still very much deserves its
That’s because it actually uses a magical pigment that you can paint on automatons to animate
But fate has other plans: they are drafted by the Ministry of Armor to paint mystical sigils
So naturally, when Jebi finds out, they escape with a mighty mechanical dragon and plans to take
We follow Lady Sandrilene after she discovers a young boy using dance magic
Brandon Sanderson is a popular fantasy author, and his magic systems always stand out
This is one of his lesser-known books, but it has a fun magic system based on art!
That is, until students at the Armedius Academy start to disappear — and Joel and his friend Melody
Silvia Moreno-García’s debut is being released again, complete with a gorgeous new cover
In Signal to Noise, characters cast magic spells using one of my favorite art forms — music! The
The first is in 1988, when she finds out she can cast spells using vinyl records
Then it jumps 21 years into the future, where we see Meche return home for her father’s
The story follows the titular Bitter, who is attending a school named Eucalyptus
It’s like a safe haven for her, even if injustice plagues the streets outside of it
Bitter wants to stay safe inside Eucalyptus’s walls, but her friends aren’t willing to keep
The Four Profound Weaves follows a weaver named Uiziya, who is looking for the master weaver to
The two travel together to find Benesret — but there’s a price for what they want out
Looking for more fantastical stories? Head over to our SFF archives to find all kinds of lists,