Best Portal Fantasy Books

Ghostwater

Cradle • Book 5

by Will Wight

Wight isolates Lindon in Northstrider's collapsing experimental world, forcing rapid advancement through deadly trials while competing teams of Skysworn hunt the same treasures he desperately needs.

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Wight isolates Lindon in Northstrider's collapsing experimental world, forcing rapid advancement through deadly trials while competing teams of Skysworn hunt the same treasures he desperately needs.

Yumi and the Nightmare Painter

Hoid's Travails • Book 2

by Brandon Sanderson, Aliya Chen

Sanderson crafts his most intimate Cosmere tale yet: two people from radically different worlds must navigate body-swapping while preventing mutual annihilation. The contrast between Yumi's spiritual garden realm and Painter's nightmare-fighting cityscape creates fascinating cultural friction.

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Sanderson crafts his most intimate Cosmere tale yet: two people from radically different worlds must navigate body-swapping while preventing mutual annihilation. The contrast between Yumi's spiritual garden realm and Painter's nightmare-fighting cityscape creates fascinating cultural friction.

Howl's Moving Castle

Howl's Castle • Book 1

by Diana Wynne Jones

A witch's curse ages Sophie into an old woman, freeing her from eldest daughter expectations to become housekeeper for the dramatic wizard Howl. Jones crafts a fantasy where inner strength matters more than outer beauty.

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A witch's curse ages Sophie into an old woman, freeing her from eldest daughter expectations to become housekeeper for the dramatic wizard Howl. Jones crafts a fantasy where inner strength matters more than outer beauty.

Azarinth Healer: Book One

Azarinth Healer • Book 1

by Rhaegar

When brawler Ilea faces the horror of college and becoming a "fully functioning member of society," waking up in a world full of monsters trying to kill her almost seems lucky. Andrea Parsneau perfectly captures Ilea's irreverent voice and love of combat in this LitRPG adventure.

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When brawler Ilea faces the horror of college and becoming a "fully functioning member of society," waking up in a world full of monsters trying to kill her almost seems lucky. Andrea Parsneau perfectly captures Ilea's irreverent voice and love of combat in this LitRPG adventure.

House of Flame and Shadow

Crescent City • Book 3

by Sarah J. Maas

Savannah

System Universe • Book 3

by SunriseCV

House Gracefall's surprising humility challenges Derek's assumptions about nobility, but another house waits to confirm his worst stereotypes. This System Universe installment balances political intrigue with personal character development.

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House Gracefall's surprising humility challenges Derek's assumptions about nobility, but another house waits to confirm his worst stereotypes. This System Universe installment balances political intrigue with personal character development.

The Wee Free Men

Discworld • Book 30

by Terry Pratchett

Tiffany Aching, nine years old and armed with a frying pan, stands between her world and an invasion of nightmares—Pratchett's first young adult Discworld novel treats its child protagonist with respect while delivering his trademark wit.

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Tiffany Aching, nine years old and armed with a frying pan, stands between her world and an invasion of nightmares—Pratchett's first young adult Discworld novel treats its child protagonist with respect while delivering his trademark wit.

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow

Nevermoor • Book 1

by Jessica Townsend, Jim Madsen

The Drawing of the Three

The Dark Tower • Book 2

by Stephen King

Three doors on a beach transport gunslinger Roland into the minds of a heroin addict, a civil rights activist with multiple personalities, and a sociopathic killer. King expands his Dark Tower mythology while exploring how damaged people can forge unbreakable bonds.

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Three doors on a beach transport gunslinger Roland into the minds of a heroin addict, a civil rights activist with multiple personalities, and a sociopathic killer. King expands his Dark Tower mythology while exploring how damaged people can forge unbreakable bonds.

The Choice

The Dragon Heart Legacy • Book 3

by Nora Roberts

Roberts wraps her Dragon Heart trilogy with Breen finally choosing between two worlds—mundane reality and magical Talamhh—while dragons soar and ancient prophecies collide.

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Roberts wraps her Dragon Heart trilogy with Breen finally choosing between two worlds—mundane reality and magical Talamhh—while dragons soar and ancient prophecies collide.

Chronicles of Amber, Complete: Nine Princes in Amber + Guns of Avalon + Sign of the Unicorn + Hand of Oberon + Courts of Chaos + Trumps of Doom + Blood of Amber + Sign of Chaos + Knight of Shadows + Prince of Chaos (The)

The Chronicles of Amber #1-5 • Book 9

by Roger Zelazny

Prince Corwin discovers he's royalty in Amber, the one true reality casting shadows of all other worlds. Zelazny's complete saga blends family politics with reality-spanning adventure.

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Prince Corwin discovers he's royalty in Amber, the one true reality casting shadows of all other worlds. Zelazny's complete saga blends family politics with reality-spanning adventure.

Defiance of the Fall

Defiance of the Fall • Book 1

by TheFirstDefier, J.F. Brink

A cosmic System transforms Earth into a death game, stranding Zac in monster-filled forests where leveling up becomes literal survival in this compelling progression fantasy.

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A cosmic System transforms Earth into a death game, stranding Zac in monster-filled forests where leveling up becomes literal survival in this compelling progression fantasy.

The Hand of Oberon (The Chronicles of Amber, Book 4)

The Chronicles of Amber #1-10 • Book 4

by Roger Zelazny

Family betrayal reaches fever pitch as Corwin uncovers the truth behind Amber's troubles. Zelazny weaves mythology and noir detective work into his most revelatory installment yet.

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Family betrayal reaches fever pitch as Corwin uncovers the truth behind Amber's troubles. Zelazny weaves mythology and noir detective work into his most revelatory installment yet.

Neverwhere

London Below • Book 1

by Neil Gaiman

After helping a bleeding girl on a London street, Richard Mayhew becomes invisible to the normal world and must navigate London Below's market of wonders and horrors to get his life back. Gaiman turns the Underground literally underground.

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After helping a bleeding girl on a London street, Richard Mayhew becomes invisible to the normal world and must navigate London Below's market of wonders and horrors to get his life back. Gaiman turns the Underground literally underground.

Dissonance

Unbound • Book 1

by Nicoli Gonnella

A portal fantasy that asks what happens when life's biggest coward gets a chance to start over somewhere completely different. Felix's journey from failed relationships and tiny apartments to life-or-death choices on The Continent feels both escapist and emotionally real.

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A portal fantasy that asks what happens when life's biggest coward gets a chance to start over somewhere completely different. Felix's journey from failed relationships and tiny apartments to life-or-death choices on The Continent feels both escapist and emotionally real.

A Gathering of Shadows

Shades of Magic • Book 2

by V.E. Schwab, Victoria Schwab

Kell struggles with his magical abilities while Lila trains for Red London's deadly Essen Tasch tournament, as new threats emerge across the parallel worlds in Schwab's expanding fantasy.

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Kell struggles with his magical abilities while Lila trains for Red London's deadly Essen Tasch tournament, as new threats emerge across the parallel worlds in Schwab's expanding fantasy.

Coraline

by Neil Gaiman

Coraline discovers an alternate apartment where her Other Mother has buttons for eyes and wants to sew them onto her too. Gaiman's fairy tale horror about appreciating what you have.

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Coraline discovers an alternate apartment where her Other Mother has buttons for eyes and wants to sew them onto her too. Gaiman's fairy tale horror about appreciating what you have.

The Fragile Threads of Power

Threads of Power • Book 1

by V.E. Schwab, Victoria Schwab

Seven years after magic nearly destroyed four parallel Londons, new threats emerge as the balance between worlds grows unstable. Schwab expands her magical universe with fresh dangers.

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Seven years after magic nearly destroyed four parallel Londons, new threats emerge as the balance between worlds grows unstable. Schwab expands her magical universe with fresh dangers.

Anathema

The Eating Woods • Book 1

by Keri Lake

Lake creates a visceral gothic fantasy where banishment to the cursed Eating Woods becomes a journey of transformation, blending body horror with dark magic in a world where sin literally consumes.

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Lake creates a visceral gothic fantasy where banishment to the cursed Eating Woods becomes a journey of transformation, blending body horror with dark magic in a world where sin literally consumes.

Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess's Stardust(Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess' Stardust)

by Neil Gaiman, Charles Vess

Beyond the English village of Wall lies Faerie, where Tristran discovers the fallen star he promised his love is actually a fierce, immortal woman. Adventure and romance bloom in Gaiman's lushest fairy tale.

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Beyond the English village of Wall lies Faerie, where Tristran discovers the fallen star he promised his love is actually a fierce, immortal woman. Adventure and romance bloom in Gaiman's lushest fairy tale.

She Is the Widow Maker

The Unbelievable Mr. Brownstone • Book 5

by Michael Anderle

Dark elves return to Earth seeking half-Drow Alison, but getting to her means going through James Brownstone and risking interworld diplomacy.

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Dark elves return to Earth seeking half-Drow Alison, but getting to her means going through James Brownstone and risking interworld diplomacy.

The Golden Compass

His Dark Materials • Book 1

by Philip Pullman

Pullman creates a richly imagined Oxford where Lyra and her daemon companion uncover a sinister plot involving stolen children and mysterious Dust particles.

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Pullman creates a richly imagined Oxford where Lyra and her daemon companion uncover a sinister plot involving stolen children and mysterious Dust particles.

Morrigan's Bidding

Binding Words • Book 1

by Daniel Schinhofen

What starts as a simple bar disagreement escalates when Sean finds himself the prize in a supernatural auction between gods and archangels, each offering different deals for his soul.

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What starts as a simple bar disagreement escalates when Sean finds himself the prize in a supernatural auction between gods and archangels, each offering different deals for his soul.

Cultivating Chaos

VeilVerse: Cultivating Chaos • Book 1

by William D. Arand

High school martial artist Ash finds his earthly skills useless after being dragged through a portal into a world where power comes from magical cultivation techniques.

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High school martial artist Ash finds his earthly skills useless after being dragged through a portal into a world where power comes from magical cultivation techniques.

Imajica Il

by Clive Barker

Five parallel worlds teeter on the brink of either unity or annihilation, and a sensualist art forger holds the key to their fate. Barker creates a cosmic fantasy of staggering scope and dark sensuality.

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Five parallel worlds teeter on the brink of either unity or annihilation, and a sensualist art forger holds the key to their fate. Barker creates a cosmic fantasy of staggering scope and dark sensuality.

A Darker Shade of Magic

Shades of Magic • Book 1

by V.E. Schwab, Victoria Schwab

Kell is one of the last magicians who can travel between parallel Londons—until he smuggles a forbidden artifact that could destroy all four worlds.

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Kell is one of the last magicians who can travel between parallel Londons—until he smuggles a forbidden artifact that could destroy all four worlds.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane

by Neil Gaiman

Gaiman crafts childhood terror through adult memory as his narrator recalls Lettie Hempstock, whose family guards against creatures that slip through reality's cracks.

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Gaiman crafts childhood terror through adult memory as his narrator recalls Lettie Hempstock, whose family guards against creatures that slip through reality's cracks.

A Wrinkle in Time

Time Quintet • Book 1

by Madeleine L'Engle

Meg Murry's journey through tesseracts and alien worlds to save her scientist father remains one of the most inventive blends of family drama and cosmic adventure in children's literature.

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Meg Murry's journey through tesseracts and alien worlds to save her scientist father remains one of the most inventive blends of family drama and cosmic adventure in children's literature.

First Strike

Convergence • Book 3

by Craig Alanson

Defense isn't working against the Order's plans to unleash ancient gods, so Kaz Wolfe shifts to offense in this escalating supernatural conflict. Alanson raises the stakes as reactive heroism becomes proactive warfare against cosmic threats.

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Defense isn't working against the Order's plans to unleash ancient gods, so Kaz Wolfe shifts to offense in this escalating supernatural conflict. Alanson raises the stakes as reactive heroism becomes proactive warfare against cosmic threats.

Weaveworld

by Clive Barker

Barker weaves contemporary Liverpool into a hidden world where an entire magical civilization hides within carpet threads. Reality fractures as ordinary people become guardians of impossible wonders and ancient terrors.

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Barker weaves contemporary Liverpool into a hidden world where an entire magical civilization hides within carpet threads. Reality fractures as ordinary people become guardians of impossible wonders and ancient terrors.

Wildwood Dancing

Wildwood • Book 1

by Juliet Marillier, Unknown Author

Marillier reimagines classic fairy tales through Jena and her four sisters, who use a secret portal in their Transylvanian castle to dance in an enchanted otherworld every full moon.

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Marillier reimagines classic fairy tales through Jena and her four sisters, who use a secret portal in their Transylvanian castle to dance in an enchanted otherworld every full moon.

Abarat

Abarat • Book 1

by Clive Barker

A bored Minnesota teenager gets swept into the Abarat, where time itself is geography and every island holds different wonders, horrors, and pieces of a cosmic puzzle she's meant to solve.

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A bored Minnesota teenager gets swept into the Abarat, where time itself is geography and every island holds different wonders, horrors, and pieces of a cosmic puzzle she's meant to solve.

An Education in Magical Affairs: An Isekai LitRPG: I'm Not the Hero

I'm Not the Hero • Book 3

by SourpatchHero, Nick Podehl

Nick Podehl returns as scrawny Orrin, now growing into his own power after being separated from his athletic best friend Daniel in this RPG-reality adventure.

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Nick Podehl returns as scrawny Orrin, now growing into his own power after being separated from his athletic best friend Daniel in this RPG-reality adventure.

By the Grace of the Gods: Volume 1 (Light Novel)

By the Grace of the Gods (Light Novel) • Book 1

by Roy ., Ririnra, Mana Z.

This isekai skips the typical power fantasy for something gentler—a man who lived a disappointing life gets a second chance in a world of magic and slimes. The 'slice of life' approach to fantasy reincarnation offers a refreshing break from conquest-focused stories.

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This isekai skips the typical power fantasy for something gentler—a man who lived a disappointing life gets a second chance in a world of magic and slimes. The 'slice of life' approach to fantasy reincarnation offers a refreshing break from conquest-focused stories.

House of Many Ways

Howl's Moving Castle • Book 3

by Diana Wynne Jones

Great-Uncle William's cottage warps space and time, turning a simple housesitting job into magical pandemonium when doors open to mountains, the past, and royal mansions. Diana Wynne Jones crafts delightful chaos from domestic duties gone fantastically wrong.

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Great-Uncle William's cottage warps space and time, turning a simple housesitting job into magical pandemonium when doors open to mountains, the past, and royal mansions. Diana Wynne Jones crafts delightful chaos from domestic duties gone fantastically wrong.

Recon

Convergence • Book 4

by Craig Alanson

Alanson's urban fantasy finds Kaz Wolfe holding all the pieces to prevent interdimensional invasion, but missing the crucial knowledge of how they fit together. Humor balances high stakes.

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Alanson's urban fantasy finds Kaz Wolfe holding all the pieces to prevent interdimensional invasion, but missing the crucial knowledge of how they fit together. Humor balances high stakes.

Gravesong

The Singer of Terandria • Book 1

by Pirateaba

Pirateaba sends a Galway actress from city streets to an ancient tomb where her songs become necromantic spells. Theater training meets magical resurrection in unexpected ways.

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Pirateaba sends a Galway actress from city streets to an ancient tomb where her songs become necromantic spells. Theater training meets magical resurrection in unexpected ways.

Inkdeath

Tintenwelt • Book 3

by Cornelia Funke

Secrets and Strife: An Isekai LitRPG: I'm Not the Hero

I'm Not the Hero • Book 2

by SourpatchHero, Nick Podehl

The sidekick-hero dynamic flips when Daniel the legendary champion stumbles, leaving quiet Orrin to handle problems that can't be solved with flashy combat skills and charisma.

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The sidekick-hero dynamic flips when Daniel the legendary champion stumbles, leaving quiet Orrin to handle problems that can't be solved with flashy combat skills and charisma.

Moving Pictures

Discworld • Book 10

by Terry Pratchett

Discworld gets the movie treatment when alchemists invent cameras, but Holy Wood's dark magic threatens to trap everyone in tired entertainment tropes.

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Discworld gets the movie treatment when alchemists invent cameras, but Holy Wood's dark magic threatens to trap everyone in tired entertainment tropes.

Off to Be the Wizard

Magic 2.0 • Book 1

by Scott Meyer

Computer programmer Martin discovers he can manipulate reality like software code, but when caught by authorities, he escapes to medieval times to masquerade as a wizard with predictably chaotic results.

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Computer programmer Martin discovers he can manipulate reality like software code, but when caught by authorities, he escapes to medieval times to masquerade as a wizard with predictably chaotic results.

To No End: Tales of Forgotten Fae

Tales of Forgotten Fae • Book 1

by Lexy Night

Each High Court family sacrifices one child to the Offering, but Cress Blackthorn's final thirty days of freedom reveal cryptic prophecies and dangerous secrets.

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Each High Court family sacrifices one child to the Offering, but Cress Blackthorn's final thirty days of freedom reveal cryptic prophecies and dangerous secrets.

The Book of Lost Things

The Book of Lost Things • Book 1

by John Connolly

Connolly weaves a dark fairy tale where a grieving boy's books whisper him into a twisted fantasy realm. Classic stories become vehicles for exploring loss, anger, and the dangerous comfort of escapism.

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Connolly weaves a dark fairy tale where a grieving boy's books whisper him into a twisted fantasy realm. Classic stories become vehicles for exploring loss, anger, and the dangerous comfort of escapism.

Silver Kingdom

Alexis Silver • Book 6

by J.R. Rain, Matthew S. Cox

Agent Alexis Silver receives a CIA assignment that leads her to discover Atlantis itself—Rain and Cox blend espionage with underwater fantasy in this aquatic adventure.

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Agent Alexis Silver receives a CIA assignment that leads her to discover Atlantis itself—Rain and Cox blend espionage with underwater fantasy in this aquatic adventure.

Monsters

I Bring the Fire • Book 2

by C. Gockel

After surviving a serial killer, losing her savings to Loki's chaos, and caring for her grandmother, Amy Lewis fights to reclaim her veterinary school dreams through sheer determination.

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After surviving a serial killer, losing her savings to Loki's chaos, and caring for her grandmother, Amy Lewis fights to reclaim her veterinary school dreams through sheer determination.

Remnant

Remnant • Book 1

by Randi Darren

Steve awakens in an empty field with no memories, only farming tools and seeds suggesting his purpose. Building a farm becomes his only logical choice in this bizarre starting scenario.

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Steve awakens in an empty field with no memories, only farming tools and seeds suggesting his purpose. Building a farm becomes his only logical choice in this bizarre starting scenario.

Rogue Dungeon: Books 1 - 3 (Rogue Dungeon, Civil War, Troll Nation) (The Rogue Dungeon)

The Rogue Dungeon • Book 1

by James A. Hunter, Eden Hudson

Hedge mage Roark von Graf thinks he's stuck in a video game after a failed rebellion, but the troll he encounters plays by entirely different rules.

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Hedge mage Roark von Graf thinks he's stuck in a video game after a failed rebellion, but the troll he encounters plays by entirely different rules.

Sweep with Me

Innkeeper Chronicles [Dramatized Adaptation] #4.5 • Book 5

by Ilona Andrews, Nora Achrati, Ryan H. Reid, Samantha Cooper, Scott McCormick, Karen Novack, Rob McFadyen, Terence Aselford

Ancient innkeeper law forces Gertrude Hunt to welcome dangerous guests during Treaty Stay, the oldest holiday in their profession—expect delightful chaos at Red Deer, Texas's most unusual bed-and-breakfast.

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Ancient innkeeper law forces Gertrude Hunt to welcome dangerous guests during Treaty Stay, the oldest holiday in their profession—expect delightful chaos at Red Deer, Texas's most unusual bed-and-breakfast.

A Hero's Choice: An Isekai LitRPG

I'm Not the Hero • Book 4

by Tommy Kerper AKA SourpatchHero, SourpatchHero

After years supporting his hero best friend in an RPG world, timid Orrin must finally step up when everything depends on him.

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After years supporting his hero best friend in an RPG world, timid Orrin must finally step up when everything depends on him.

A Hero's Choice: An Isekai LitRPG (I'm Not the Hero, 4)

I'm Not the Hero • Book 4

by Tommy Kerper, SourpatchHero

The shy sidekick's journey continues as Orrin discovers that supporting the legendary hero Daniel requires its own kind of courage.

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The shy sidekick's journey continues as Orrin discovers that supporting the legendary hero Daniel requires its own kind of courage.