It is typically known that introverts like reading, especially fantasy fiction. Why? They want to immerse themselves in the world of imagination, being alone, and enriching their thoughts with characters and settings in a controlled environment that is conducive to their deep thinking and internal brain processing.
Reading occurs to them as a breath of fresh air. Essentially, the fantasy genre offers them a chance to use their creative mind processes, giving them a venture for detailed worldbuilding and an outlet for their creativity.
The same holds true for Henry Cavill. He has been able to personify some of the most glorified fantasy and sci-fi characters in the books that he had read himself, including the Witcher series.
Here is the list of books recommended by Henry Cavill himself that you should not miss getting your hands on.
Henry Cavill’s favourite reads
First off, Cavill has been a proponent of sci-fi and fantasy books and he confessed in an interview with BBC where upon being asked by the host about his favourites, he suggested any books written by Raymond E. Feist, David Gemmel, Brandon Sanderson and Robert Jordan.
He clarified the differences among them all. He explained that Feist’s books present a massive world of “interconnected stories” and then went on to mention that Gemmel’s stories are also interconnected but distinctive in their own special way. He has awards named after him, he mentioned.
He praised Brandon Sanderson who, according to Cavill, has “done an incredible job with the Stormlight archive”. He was all in awe of his storytelling where he has constructed a fantasy world with his own rules, which “is not easy to do”.
As Cavill said, anything from his favourite writers is his go-to book recommendation, hence, we have come up with the supremely revered books based on Goodreads ratings.
The Riftwar Saga by Raymond E. Feist
Feist’s Riftwar saga includes Magician: Apprentice (#1), Magician: Master (#2), Silverthorn (#3), and A Darkness at Sethanon (#4). Their Goodreads ratings are 4.17, 4.25, 4.11 and 4.20 respectively.
The first book was initially published in 1982 and inculcates the story of an orphan who came to study with a master magician, after which he was able to earn a place in court. The story intertwines the two worlds of magic and dark beings with spacetime battles.
The series’ next part was also published in the same year. The story moves on to the point where the orphan is captured and enslaved by a race of invaders from another world. Again, he won his place in their exotic place with the cultivation of his superior powers and fighting an old evil enemy.
The third part of the series was published in 1985. Its story mainly revolves around Princess Anita who got help from the orphan. She was to marry Prince Arutha who later went on a journey to search for the mystic herb, Silverthorn.
The last part of the series was published in 1986. This is where a dramatic confrontation of all the heroes of the saga is witnessed naming Arutha, the orphan, Tomas the warrior and Murmandamus (a Moresdhal warlord). Readers have expressed their ultimate satisfaction after devouring this one as it has an excellent fusion of sorcery, swordsmanship, dark fantasy and forces of good and evil at its best.
The Troy series by David Gemmel
Gemmel’s Troy series includes Lord of the Silver Bow (#1), Shield of Thunder (#2) and Fall of Kings (#3). Their Goodreads ratings are 4.34, 4.38 and 4.41 respectively.
First published in 2005, Troy has been adapted into a movie, in which the first part of the series highlights the struggles of the protagonist, Helikaon or the Golden One. His brave endeavours, coloured by only blood, are narrated by Gemmel with such prose and plot-driven characters that readers like Henry Cavill find it hard to keep themselves from delving into the world of battleships.
The second book was published in 2006, continuing to mesmerise its readers with the entwinement of myth and history. The story interlocks Piria, Kalliades and Banokles masterfully together where treachery and deceit are spotted in detail.
The third book of the series was published in 2007 in which the darkness deepens. An official war is witnessed among the forces that is meant to wreak havoc. Enemies are bloodthirsty, and men and women emerge as heroes, wonderfully narrated only by Gemmel.
The Stormlight Archive series by Brandon Sanderson
Sanderson’s Stormlight archives include The Way of Kings (#1), Words of Radiance (#2), Edgedancer (#2.5), Oathbringer (#3), Dawnshard (#3.5), Rhythm of War (#4), Horneater (#4.5), Wind and Truth (#5), and The Sunlit Man (#5.5).
Their respective Goodreads ratings are 4.67, 4.76, 4.17, 4.62, 4.39, 4.62, 4.00, 4.60, and 4.31.
The first book was published in 2010, entering the world of survival where different yet amalgamated stories of Kaladin, Shallan Davar, Dalinar Kholin, Adolin Kholin, Szeth-son-son-Vallano are recounted. It won the David Gemmel Legend Award in 2011.
The second book was published in 2014 and won the same award in 2015. The story picks up from where it left in part one. It is a work of dexterity in storytelling where action sequences and complex character-building cast their spell.
Book 2.5, published in 2016, is a bridge between the second and third books; mainly a novella. It is short but maintains its stance well. The story is about Lit and her dealings with the Nightwatcher, still maintaining the clandestine nature of her secrets that are still to be unveiled.
With book 3, published in 2017, we step into the world of depth and intricacies, which some readers found a bit dragged, but cleverly uncovered the subtleties of the characters. The victory of the Alethi army was at a certain cost, instigating a violent storm of destruction and violence.
What was said about book 2.5 is true for 3.5. It was published in 2020 and gives a detailed account of Rysn, a character that is seen in the interludes of the main books. This novella would help understand her struggles and is a great spotlight for the next novel, Rhythm of War.
The next book in the series is also a mind-bending work by Sanderson, published in 2020. It sheds light on the sustained threat even after a brutal war that Dalinar Kholin and his knights fought. However, technological advancements change the face of events.
The next is the tentative title, Horneater, focusing on the story of Rock. It is expected to be released in 2026 or 2027.
The fifth long-awaited concluding novel of the series was published in 2024 in which the climax of the entire story was blissfully found by the readers as a fantasy masterpiece. The story is about a challenge that Kholin put forward to the evil god Odium which was to keep Roshar’s future on line. Rhythm of War shows a larger role of Dalinar.
The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan
The Wheel of Time is also a fantasy series where its last three instalments are co-authored by Brandon Sanderson. It spans over 14 volumes, starting from first publishing in 1990.
Jordan died in 2007 but he had left extensive notes of his twelfth and final volume, which Sanderson helped to complete. It was later extended to three volumes.
The series includes a prequel and three short books to help the readers understand the workings of the fantasy world, which would be new for some, as they need to comprehend cosmic embodiments, the passage of time and human destiny in order to fully enjoy the series.
The wholesomeness of the series is rooted in European and Asian mythology, which is reflected in Buddhism and Hinduism as well. The series is notably known for its length in the subject matter with an extensive narration of imaginary work, magics and character-building.
The Goodreads ratings of all of the books in this series range from 3.93 and 4.48.
How is Cavill shaped by these books?
Before playing his iconic role of Geralt in The Witcher, he had read the book. Henry Cavill infused the magically articulated actions with style in his acting, which he was also able to learn from the titular game.
He knew that while reading the book, one cannot voice the character, which he actually learned from the game. In the game, Geralt’s voice is done by voiceover artist Doug Cockle, but he personalised it on his own to bring the character to life after taking notes from Cockle.
Cavill incorporated the character arc of Pug, the magician in Feist’s universe while depicting grand battles in The Witcher. He learned Pug’s codes of honour and morality and gave the same touches in The Witcher.
Further, the Superman hero found strength in accepting his vulnerabilities, just like Gemmel’s characters. He balanced the sheer human attribute of the mythical world into his heroic act of Superman.
Of course, he did not miss the magical and ethical dilemmas of Sanderson’s series. The burden of leadership, power and the pull of destiny took the shape of what he portrayed in The Witcher.
Cavill has accepted that these books gave him the creative fuel which assisted him in setting the right direction for his roles. This is the very fact that his introverted nature sparked its own immersive world-building from literary enchantment and helped him sprinkle some inspiration in his acting.