At Book Hero it goes without saying that we love books! But we also love board games. In fact, this coming Friday the team is getting together after work to play Bananagrams, One Night Ultimate Werewolf, Poetry For Neanderthals, and The Chameleon!
Earlier this year we started building out our range, and it got us thinking…if you're new to board games, what books pair well with them and might help you get started?
Read on for a few of our favourite book and board game pairings - perfect for yourself or a thoughtful gift for a friend!
Fantasy Adventures & Epic Campaigns
Book: The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Game: Gloomhaven
If you love getting lost in a rich fantasy world, this pairing is hard to beat.
The Name of the Wind draws you into Kvothe’s story and the wider world around him, full of mystery, magic and unforgettable characters. Gloomhaven gives you the chance to step into an adventure of your own, with evolving characters, tactical decisions and a campaign that unfolds over many sessions.
Cosy Crime & Clever Clues
Book: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
Game: Decrypt
If you enjoy the sharp wit and clever twists of Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron, this pairing is a lot of fun. The Thursday Murder Club is full of secrets, small clues and satisfying reveals as the residents of Coopers Chase quietly outsmart everyone around them. Decrypto captures that same feeling of piecing things together. In this team game, you’re given coded clues to help teammates guess secret words while trying to stop the other team from cracking the code first.
Why it works: It’s clever, fast-paced, and very satisfying when your team finally connects the dots.
Romantasy & Dragon Magic
Book: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Game: Flamecraft
If you’ve been caught up in the romantasy craze, this is a fun pairing to try. After the intense training and dragon bonding at Basgiath War College in Fourth Wing, Flamecraft offers a much cosier dragon experience. In this strategy game, you and your friends become Flamekeepers, placing artisan dragons around a magical town, gathering resources and helping enchant different shops.
Why it works: The stakes might be a lot lower than Violet’s training, but the dragon theme and beautiful artwork make it a great companion for fans of dragon-filled fantasy. It’s so cute!
Dystopia & Strategic Survival
Book: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Game: Pandemic
Few books capture the need to survive quite like The Hunger Games. Every decision matters, and one wrong move can mean the difference between life and death.
Pandemic brings that same pressure to the table. Instead of fighting in an arena, you’ll work together with your friends as a team trying to stop deadly outbreaks spreading across the world. Plans change quickly, the clock is always ticking, and everyone has to think a few moves ahead.
Why it works: Both are all about survival, teamwork and making the right call before things spiral out of control.
Epic Journeys & World Exploration
Book: Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne
Game: Ticket to Ride Adventure awaits!
Follow Phileas Fogg’s daring race across the globe, then chart your own routes in Ticket to Ride. Both celebrate travel, planning and just a touch of competitive tension (Ticket to Ride is kinda banned at our family gatherings…).
Why it works: It’s a light-hearted, family-friendly pairing that captures the spirit of travel and adventure!
Science Fiction & Civilisation Building
Book: Dune by Frank Herbert
Game: Terraforming Mars
Politics, power struggles, and planetary ambition define both of these science fiction giants. After exploring the desert world of Arrakis, gather your fellow strategists to reshape Mars through careful planning and resource management.
Why it works: Strategy and expansive worldbuilding - ideal for fans of immersive Sci-Fi.
Kids & Family Fun
Book: The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
Game: Outfoxed!
Storytime meets game time!
After enjoying the clever rhymes and woodland adventure of The Gruffalo, keep the fun going with Outfoxed!, a cooperative mystery game where players work together to catch a sneaky fox.
Why it works: It’s colourful, accessible, and perfect for building teamwork skills — making it a fantastic choice for younger Book Hero readers and their families.