Fantasy eBooks vs Physical Books: An In-Depth Analysis

With the growing fame of eBooks, especially fantasy eBooks, many readers now face a situation whether they should appreciate the convenience of digital reading or purchase physical books?
This article is based on the eBook vs physical book debate. After reading it, you can determine which one best suits your reading habits and preferences.

Statistics on eBooks vs traditional books

• At a global level, eBooks revenue is expected to touch US$14.92bn in 2025.
• As per the Statista, in the United States, a 2021 study shows that 68% of 18-29 year people prefer physical books.
• As per Statista, 20% of the US population buys e-books, compared to 30% who purchase physical books.    
• As per Statista, around 767.36 million units of printed books were sold in 2023. Though this signals a small decline from the previous year, the digit is still higher than in the years before 2021.

Understanding the Formats

What is an eBook?

An eBook is a non-editable electronic book (or reflowable document) available in any digital format, such as mobile devices or computer screens.

Keep note that eBooks differ from fixed page size output format (or prepress) which is PDF or PostScript. These are not reflowable means they cannot adapt its display according to the size of the device. On the other hand, reflowable documents such as eBooks can be adjusted as per the device screen settings.

Another characteristic of eBooks that you need to bear in mind is that an eBook cannot be edited under any circumstances. The reason is simple, without authors permission, the content should not be changed (not even a minor).

eBook formats

Now, as you are in the process of learning what an eBook actually is, you came across its certain format. Although there are multiple eBook formats, we will discuss the two most easy-to-use and that most authors prefer.

1. The first one is the EPUB (or Electronic Publication). It is the most appreciated format readable on multiple devices (smartphones, tablets and laptops/PCs) except Kindle. Based on the screen of the device, EPUB files are reflowable.
2. Second comes the formats (.AZW, .AZW3, .KFX) supportable only on Amazon Kindle  or devices with Kindle apps for its Kindle eReaders. These files have a capacity to store more complex content such as highlights, annotations and bookmarks. KFX (Kindle Format 10) is a newer format by Amazon that offers advanced features like enhanced typesetting, images and fonts.

Other formats include Broadband eBooks (BBeB) by Sony media, iBook (Apple), INF (IBM) and Microsoft LIT and many more.

👉 “If you need help with eBook publishing services, we’ve got you covered.“

Most Popular eBook Devices

You can read fantasy eBooks on any electronic platform or on any digital screen—smartphones, tablets, laptops/PC. However, with the dramatic changes in technology concerning user convenience, a more advanced approach has taken place, particularly for e-readers. Let’s overview some of them:

1. Amazon Kindle: In 2007, Amazon introduced its eBook platform called Kindle, which garnered huge attention. Kindle has an e-ink display that gives the same natural reading experience as the physical paper. It even reduces eye stains and is readable in direct sunlight. Supports MOBI, AZW, KF8/AZW3 and PRC formats.
2. Barnes & Noble Nook: Available only from NOOK Cloud™ for NOOK device users using Nook GlowLight 4. It has a 6″ HD 300-dpi screen. Its built-in lens to resist glare, scratches and fingerprints provides a paper-like reading experience. It uses EPUB format.
3. Kobo: Kobo Clara HD is an ideal reading partner, giving a natural, print-like reading experience. It has a 6″ HD glare-free 300 PPI (Pixels per inch) screen. Kopb has another platform called Kobo Libra (newly Libra 2) with a vivid color palette or book covers. It is best for reading comics.
4. PocketBook: PocketBook Touch HD uses a 6ʺ Eye-Friendly E-Ink Screen. Its ADJUSTABLE SMARTlight and e-ink carta technology offer a glare-free reading experience. PocketBook InkPad has a 7.8” Colour E-Ink Screen. It uses the new E-Ink technology Kaleido 3. Ideal for books, manga, comics and much more! Supports more than 20 formats, including EPUB, PDF, MOBI and more.

What is a Physical book?

A physical book is a printed format with a cover, multiple pages and binding. The pages are bound together between front and back cover. Physical papers are mostly made of wood pulp (cellulose fibers).

Characteristic of a Physical Book

1. Covering: Some books have hardcovers (or hardbacks), while some have softcovers (or paperbacks.) Hardcovers are durable and rigid and softcovers (or paperbacks) are paperboard cover or thick paper.
2. Spine:  The material that holds the pages and the book cover together is called a spine. You can see it when you put the book on a shelf in a library—the back vertical part.
3. Dust Jacket: A removable printed paper cover with a folded flap, printed with text and illustrations. It gives extra info about the book and is meant for promotional purposes.
4. Binding: How the book is bonded shows its actual worth. Some books used glue to attach papers to each other along the spine. In some high-quality books, pages are sewn together. On the other hand, some books use coils or combs to hold the pages together.

What sensory experience do Physical Books provide?

The comforting weight, subtle smell and smooth touch all contribute to the pleasure of physical books. As per the studies, it is found that those who love reading, can recall and remember the stuff better.  With physical books, you can convert your reading habit into a flavourful moment of exploration— free from the digital distraction.

Physical books are more than a stuff of transferring valuable info into your mind, these are containers of imagination, emotion and intelligence. No infinite scrolling and interruption due to no notifications, you can fully deep down yourself into the story.

Benefits of Fantasy eBooks

Convenience and Portability: You don’t need to worry about finding a space to store a book in your bag while traveling or in large bookshelves in your home. You can carry the full-library in your pocket.

Instant Access: No need to visit the library to purchase. With a few clicks, you can buy, access and read your favorite fantasy eBooks anytime, anywhere.

Customization Features: Adjustable backgrounds, screen brightness, e-ink technology and font size adjustments provide real comfort to reading your favorite fantasy eBooks. You can also have a text-to speech feature, best for visually impaired people.

Cost-Effective: eBooks are available at lower prices compared to physical books. As there is no printing and distribution cost, the price by itself is low. Even most of the public domain books are free, giving easier access to the huge range of literature.

Environmentally Friendly: All digitally available assets that can exist in physical form are the promoters of a greener planet. Fantasy eBooks are one of them. Paper is produced by harvesting trees needed for physical books. In contrast, fantasy eBooks are, as a whole, digital—no need of paper manufacturing.

Benefits of Physical Books in the Fantasy Genre

Tactile and Immersive Experience: The physical feeling of holding a book, splitting it into two and flipping a page is something only a real reader can sense. A curiosity about what is going to happen next is a sensation every physical book lover is obsessed with. The smell, soft touch and the visual aesthetics contribute to a mesmeric experience to the reader.

Aesthetic Appeal: “Don’t judge by its cover” is a false phrase when we talk about fantasy physical book pick-up. It is the first thing that catches our eye when browsing the shelves in a library. On the other hand, the typography and layout, paper quality and texture are proof of the entire book’s quality that attracts readers.

Easier digest information:  As discussed, you can remember and recall the point when reading your fantasy book. There are lots of studies performed and it is found that people who read physical books tend to gain higher scores in all academics. Scientists explain the reason is this due to the tactile sensation they get when holding a book.

Easier on eyes: On a screen, there is lots of wireless electromagnetic microwave radiation flowing between the device and your eyes; it is wise to give your eyes a break from this radiation by reading a physical book. Fantasy eBooks have lots of blurred vision. No matter whether you are using a Kindle or not, you still feel irritation and dryness. With printed books, there is no need to worry about that.

No distraction: People get lost focused easily when they read fantasy eBooks. Although most things are at your fingertips, a real reader always wants to spend time alone with no distractions to read a book—a physical book offers that experience.

👉 “Find your next great read with our in-depth eBook reviews: Ultimate guide to ebook review“

Comparing the Reading

Immersion in Fantasy Worlds

You can right away get access to a library of novels as an eReader. You tap and here it is right on your eyes—your preferred fantasy eBook. But everything has two sides and eBooks is no exception. Distractions come with eBooks. Notifications, messages and blue light from screens impacts your experience causing eye fatigue.    

In contrast, one basic quality a physical book carries is that it allows readers to immerse themselves in the story. Although distraction can be there as well, it is negligible, such as people’s voices and overthinking and it can be controlled. A true reader will be in a calm place, sitting on his/her couch, flipping the pages, assuming “what is next.” One more thing: the more your right hands get heavier, the more you feel thrilled, signalling you are at the end of your fantasy novel journey.

Reading Comfort and Eye Strain

When reading fantasy eBooks, eye strain is an issue a reader goes through. The more a reader consumes his/her time on screens, the more discomfort readers sense. Fantasy novels already have complex details and lengthy paragraphs. You can be a victim of eye fatigue and sleep when using a digital screen for a long time. Although Kindle and other related devices do come with e-ink technology that lets you release from glare, the issue still exists.

Physical books are free from any sort of eye strain or fatigue. No matter how much time you spend, pleasure will always be there with you. Even the more time you spend reading physical books, the more you have a delightful multisensory experience (touch, smell, sight and thoughts).

Speed of Reading

Fantasy eBooks are dynamic, which means you can adjust the font sizes per your preference. Moreover, you can highlight certain sections and right away search for terms or quotes without making an effort multiple times by flipping the pages.

The reading speed process in a physical book can be slower, especially those who take a pause to mark certain complex words or passages. As there is no search option, you need to flip the pages to find out the certain section again. Altogether, taking breaks, turning pages with no distractions gives thoughtful engagement.

The Social Aspect of Fantasy Reading

Digital reading is strictly protected and tied to specific accounts and devices, making it impossible to access the eBook by others. The introduction of Digital Right Management (DRM) makes it happen.

DRM is a technology that manages and controls copyrighted digital assets. It stops unauthorized distribution of the eBook. DRM uses the decryption key that prohibits your eBook from copying by others or limiting it to the certain allowed people.

Although, some devices like Kindle and Kobo do offer limited sharing options but for only specific titles with certain limitations. Thus, for eReaders, this privacy gives them real-time protection as what they pay for must be secured. 

In physical books, the ability to share or can move from hand to hand is a notable social aspect. Lending a book to a friend, family member or colleague creates a sense of connection and community.

Another social element is book clubs or book discussion groups. Book clubs are groups that meet in private homes, bookstores or libraries, pubs, cafes or online forums to read and discuss a specific book.

Also, public spaces such as cafes, libraries and bookstores are where there is a chance you will see some stranger with the book you like and have an unprepared conversation for an exchange. Also, the covers of the book spark curiosity about what the novel is all about.

Genre-Specific Considerations for Fantasy Fans

The Appeal of Fantasy Art

Many fantasy novels have maps, illustrations and special artwork such as calligraphy and illuminated letters. The physical books give an impressive experience in fantasy novels because of this unique artwork embedded in them. But somewhat, eBook readers won’t get that experience due to the small size.

On a large space, placement and size give a pleasant experience. The artist’s brushstrokes, complex details of an illustration and the overall composition are admired by the readers on big physical pages.

Maps in fantasy novels are a must because fantasy has its own world and characters. The map is essential to understand the fictional geography. A large, detailed map in a physical book helps readers to trace their characters’ destiny, explore new fantasy areas and get a sense of the entire fictional world.

Some fantasy books include gorgeous calligraphy or illuminated letters, mostly in special editions. Such elements improve the book’s rate further and make a strong impression on the readers.

J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” and the “Harry Potter” series by J.K. Rowling is a great example.

Long Epic Series

Fantasy eBooks are too lengthy and stretch over multiple volumes or series, each one is hundreds or even thousands of pages. Both physical books and eBooks have their own pros and cons when it comes to reading long epic series.

Some readers feel comfortable moving from one page to another by just scrolling or swiping a screen with no effort using fantasy eBooks. They prefer to store multiple books on a single device rather than carry hefty books on their hands or shelves.

On the other hand, some readers feel comfortable holding a book and flipping the pages on their fantasy novel reading journey. They feel the pleasure of holding a book that’s as weighty as the weight of the narrative.

Price and Accessibility

As discussed, fantasy eBooks are, in comparison, priced lower due to the lack of production, distribution and storage costs. However, there can be differences in the prices based on author and publisher status and the length of the book.

Regarding discounts and sales, platforms like Kindle offer seasonal discounts, monthly and yearly subscriptions and bundle package discount offers (means eBooks are bundled with other books in a series.)

In contrast, physical books offer premium price tags especially on limited or special edition and hardcover books. Special editions with exclusive artwork, higher-quality paper, signed copies and custom covers can make physical books a luxury stuff with a heavy price.

When it comes to pricing, one more thing holds importance: Geographic availability.  As eBooks are digital, they can be accessed anywhere. While physical books require shipping, handling fees along with taxes or import duties, makes it more costly.

Yet, as per the research, between 2021 and 2024, the price difference between hardcovers and eBooks reduced by 47.5%— with hardcovers becoming a bit more affordable compared to eBooks.

Conclusion

As a reading enthusiast, your choice between fantasy eBooks and physical papers reflects your personal recommendations.  If you value low cost and convenience over a tactile feel, fantasy eBooks are the right choice; otherwise, printed books are the best.

Download our “eBook Review Checklist” today to pick the best fantasy books, whether in digital or physical form. Subscribe now and never skip on the new fantasy upcoming novels!

We’d love to hear from you! Do you prefer eBooks or physical books for your favorite fantasy novels? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

We would also like to hear about some of your favorite fantasy books. Mention your favorite ones, along with some recommendations.