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20 of the Best Fantasy Books of 2023

Leah Rachel von Essen

Leah Rachel von Essen reviews genre-bending fiction for Booklist , and writes regularly as a senior contributor at Book Riot. Her blog While Reading and Walking has over 10,000 dedicated followers over several social media outlets, including Instagram . She writes passionately about books in translation, chronic illness and bias in healthcare, queer books, twisty SFF, and magical realism and folklore. She was one of a select few bookstagrammers named to NewCity’s Chicago Lit50 in 2022. She is an avid traveler, a passionate fan of women’s basketball and soccer, and a lifelong learner. Twitter: @reading_while

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So naturally, we can’t read every fantasy book that was released in 2023, no matter how much we try. That’s what these lists are for: to tell you what you missed. Out of the piles and piles of surely excellent books that are all over the shelves this year, which books should you actually spend some valuable holiday gift cards on? Which fantasy books are fully worth buying to get you through the next dreary winter — snf which books might finally be available at your local library after being so much in demand all last year?

Gathered below are the 20 best fantasy novels, novellas, and collections released in 2023. From fierce political battles to cozy fantastical bookstores, from bonds between a woman and her dragon to a lost princess struggling to keep her people safe, from wild court intrigue to cozy character quests, this list has something for every fantasy lover. Check out my list so that you can catch up on all the best fantasy books you may have missed!

The Water Outlaws by S. L. Huang

Lin Chong is an expert arms instructor who believes in following the rules. But when a powerful man decides to ruin her life, she’s tattooed as a criminal and driven out of town. She ends up with the Bandits of Liangshan, a gang of female mountain outlaws who fight for the common people in an Empire full of corruption and toxic political machinations. This incredible fantasy is full of epic action scenes, devastating betrayals, and queer love. The character arcs are incredible, and the narrative is written with superb skill.

Content warnings for violence, sexual assault, torture, misogyny, cannibalism, classism, suicidal ideation.

Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

Anyone who enjoyed Gallant by VE Schwab simply has to check out this southern gothic featuring a delightfully creepy sentient house and the people haunted by it. Arthur is its current warden — his parents are long dead. But he needs help managing the house. And Opal seems to fit the bill: a twentysomething with few dreams except getting her younger brother Jasper out of this small, ugly town of Eden, Kentucky, she’s willing to take on whatever job will help her raise enough money to do it…even if Starling House and its dark secrets risk tearing everything apart all over again.

Content warnings for grief, parental death, misogyny, suicidal ideation, violence, self-harm, homophobia.

The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty

Amina al-Sirafi was an iconic pirate in the Indian Ocean for decades, defeating all kinds of seafaring rogues and monsters. But now she’s retired: a mother living a happy life. At least, until an old crew member’s daughter is kidnapped, and she is forced back onto the ocean in order to save that young girl. And, of course, the drama and adventure only unspools from there, as an epic story begins from the author of The City of Brass . Who doesn’t love a queer woman-driven pirate tale?

Content warnings for violence/body horror, torture, grief, misogyny, animal death, sexual harassment, transphobia.

The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw

This dark, poetically written novella features a deadly tale that kind of, sort of draws on “The Little Mermaid” — except that the bride who came out of the waters to marry a prince is a terror with long, sharp teeth. And her daughters have eaten the kingdom alive. So where is she to go now? Soon, she and a plague doctor are on a journey through a terrifying snowy forest, where they discover a group of children who themselves might host terrors far past their own dark, jagged abilities.

Content warnings for body horror, violence, cannibalism, animal death, abuse, miscarriage.

Lost Places: Stories by Sarah Pinsker

This glittering collection of short stories by the author of the marvelous We Are Satellites and A Song for a New Day includes a genre-smashing, Hugo Award–winning story, “Where the Oaken Hearts Do Gather,” in which the footnotes on a song-lyric analysis website reveal a haunting folkloric mystery. A half-remembered children’s TV show haunts a woman who lies compulsively to old friends at home. A group of Girl Scouts finds that the forest holds dark secrets, but they’re more than prepared to deal with all of them. All SFF fans should be reading Sarah Pinsker, and this is a great place to get started.

The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem

In this Egyptian-inspired fantasy, the lost heir of the kingdom of Jasad is on the run. Sylvia can’t let anyone know about her true identity, not while her people are still hunted and eliminated by the Nizahl military. But when the Nizahl heir, Arin, appears in a local village hunting down rebels and discovers Sylvia has magic, he insists on having her help — whether she wants to give it or not — in tracking down the rebels. She makes a deadly bargain in the hope of rising back up as queen — but will it be of her own kingdom or of his? This book has all your high fantasy favorite tropes, including an enemies-to-lovers romance.

Content warnings for violence, torture, child abuse, sexual violence, pedophilia.

Lost in the Moment and Found by Seanan McGuire

Young Antsy lost her father. But it’s ok. She finds herself in the Shop Where Lost Things Go — a new place where maybe she can find her ideal home, opening doors and helping people find what they need the most. The Wayward Children series, in which young kids stumble onto magical doors that bring them to worlds that can save, hurt, or abandon them, is iconic at this point, and every fantasy lover should give them a try. As a big fan of the series, I was surprised to find that the 8th novella was the best yet: both whimsical and devastating.

Content warnings for parent death, gaslighting, child abuse, pedophilia, grief.

To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose

When Anequs finds a dragon egg outside of her remote village on the Indigenous island of Masquapaug, her clan sees a glimmer of hope for the first time in too long. But the colonial powers of the Anglish descend shortly after to make demands: either she and the dragon she’s bonded with come to the big city and start getting official, structured training in their tradition, or they’ll take her dragon away from her — and end its life as well. This is a rich classic fantasy with a gorgeously written Indigenous twist and a strong, stubborn heroine.

Content warnings for racism, ableism, misogyny, classism, xenophobia, violence, sexual harassment, forced institutionalization.

The Blue Is Where God Lives by Sharon Sochil Washington

In this tale that combines magic and folklore with the Book of Job, a woman named Blue is struck into stillness and plunged into a flashback of sorts. She watches as her grandparents, Palmer and Amanda, use their power to try to avoid a plot that would doom their descendants to a life of poverty. When she emerges more than a year later, Blue wonders if she can access any of that power. It’s a book about spirituality, intergenerational trauma and knowledge, and surviving through pain.

Content warnings for sexual assault, suicide, violence, classism.

Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

In Baldtree’s follow-up to the viral phenomenon that was Legends & Lattes , we jump back in time: Viv is still in the midst of her career with her gang of mercenaries. When she’s wounded, she ends up recuperating, against her will, in a little town by the ocean. She spends her time at a small bookshop that’s struggling to make ends meet. But don’t worry, it’s got plenty of adventure. Still just as cozy as the first book readers loved, this book moves at a faster pace as Viv negotiates an unexpected mystery to solve and an adventure to conclude.

Content warnings for violence, animal cruelty, violence.

The Dead Take the A Train by Richard Kadrey and Cassandra Khaw

This new dark fantasy duology features a New York City underworld as a drug-laden, self-destructive woman named Julie Crews is trying to earn a place for herself in the local magical scene, even if it means taking some of the uglier, tougher jobs on the side. While Julie is determined to make it work, she doesn’t expect to attract the attention of an eldritch god in the process. This great, dark story critiques capitalism and vividly describes a NYC at risk of being plunged into total chaos.

Content warnings for body horror, substance abuse, self-harm, suicide, violence, domestic abuse, medical trauma, classism.

A Power Unbound by Freya Marske

Marske began this Edwardian-era trilogy of queer, romantasy reads with A Marvellous Light and now ends it with A Power Unbound . This third and final book in the series follows Lord Hawthorn, a complicated, often haughty nobleman with a mysterious past, and Alan Ross, a thief with no respect for elites like Hawthorn, who is willing to help the squad track down the last puzzle piece in a magical conspiracy…but only for the money, of course. Along with closing out the larger story, this is a delightful enemies-to-lovers romance with plenty of spice.

Content warnings for violence, grief, classism, xenophobia, suicide.

The Magician’s Daughter by H.G. Parry

In this cozy historical fantasy, a young orphan named Biddy grew up on the strange island of Hy-Brasil, a land of sea salt and mysterious black rabbits, and the person who raised her, the magician Rowan. But as she grows up, Biddy wonders if there’s more to the world off of the island. And when her guardian disappears on an excursion off-island, Biddy has a chance to find out herself by diving into his nightmares and figuring out how to protect her island home.

Content warnings for violence, body horror, death, torture, grief.

Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

There are two things you should know about Emily Wilde: first, she’s an absolute expert on faeries. Second, she’s really not good with people. So, on her quest to find out as much as possible about the Hidden Ones, the most mysterious faeries of all, she really doesn’t need any distractions. She especially doesn’t need her academic rival breathing down her neck, especially because his handsome charm keeps winning over the townsfolk. This cozy romantasy is witty, fun, and super, super charming.

Content warnings for violence, animal death, self-harm, child abuse, torture, ableism.

He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-Chan

If you haven’t already read She Who Became the Sun , go do it so you can read its sequel, which was unquestionably one of the best fantasy releases of 2023. The genderbent Zhu Yuanzhang, a woman who secretly usurped her older brother’s fate, has officially become the Radiant King after defeating the Mongols. But her new ambition is to take it all: to be emperor of all of China. As new contenders break onto the scene of twisting political games and lethal vengeance, all the characters — many of them queer — are complicated and their world brutal, leaving the reader pleasantly uncertain who exactly they want to win the crown.

Content warnings for self-harm, violence, sexual assault, misogyny, homophobia, torture, transphobia, suicidal ideation, miscarriage.

Prophet by Sin Blaché and Helen Macdonald

Two intelligence agents need to figure out how a diner just appeared from nowhere in the middle of a field in England. Colonel Adam Rubenstein is the physical side of the mission — Rao can sniff out lies. Their mission becomes more and more important as people start dying and their happiest memories turn against them. Meanwhile, the two agents’ queer romance begins to blossom. While readers seem to agree that this is a weird one and not for everyone, fans are drawn in by the strong romance at the core of this twisty, wild read.

Content warnings for death, violence/body horror, suicidal ideation, torture, substance abuse, suicide.

The Daughters of Izdihar by Hadeer Elsbai

Both Nehal and Giorgina are women with fierce powers. But their choices are limited. Nehal, an excellent waterweaver, is forced to get married rather than pursue an education in the magic she craves to master. And Giorgina, an earthweaver who can’t quite control her own strength, buries herself in the Daughters of Izdihar, a feminist group fighting for the right for women to have autonomy over their lives. It’s a vivid fantasy inspired by contemporary Egypt but flush with elemental magic and slow-burn reveals.

Content warnings for misogyny, police brutality, violence, classism, homophobia, sexual assault, ableism.

A Season of Monstrous Conceptions by Lina Rather

It’s 1600s London, and babies are being born around every corner with strange deformities. Sarah has her own secrets, but she’s channeled her gift for the uncanny into helping to deliver children. Midwives are technically illegal but much needed as births continue to be tricky and suspicion around the uncanny infants — and the women who give birth to them — grows. But when one woman’s husband gets too curious and asks Sarah to help him in his scientific investigation of the uncanny, she’s caught up in a Lovecraftian plot in this dark, twisting novella.

Content warnings for child death, body horror, misogyny, violence, homophobia.

The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi

Indigo Maxwell-Casteñada was beautiful and wealthy. She agreed to marry a young, dedicated scholar with one catch: he could never ask about the mysterious circumstances that haunt her past. It all goes well until they have to return to her family home, the House of Dreams, a crumbling gothic mansion full of secrets and hidden turns, and he starts asking questions about her best childhood friend, a girl named Azure. Will he dig too deep and risk the marriage that’s been fine for so long?

Content warnings for violence, pedophilia, gaslighting, sexual harassment/assault, animal death, body horror, self-harm, suicidal ideation.

Our Share of Night by Mariana Enríquez, translated by Megan McDowell

I’ve been raving about this book since 2023 began, and I have no plans to stop now. This chunky novel by the Argentine writer of dark gothic tales is a rich story about young Gaspar and his father, Juan, who is determined to keep his son’s magical abilities secret from the rich, powerful family that already has Juan do their dirty summoning work for them, even with his weak heart. As Gaspar grows up, he has to face the dark cult and their horrifying secrets in this vivid, frightening, suspenseful tale that mixes rich fantasy with Argentinian history.

Strong content warnings for violence, body horror, domestic & emotional abuse, trauma; also warnings for suicidal ideation/suicide, homophobia, ableism, substance abuse, r-slur, self-harm.

Want to dig deeper into the incredible backlist options on offer? Check out Book Riot’s best books of 2023 , from nonfiction to sci-fi and everything in between.

•   Science Fiction & Fantasy
•   The best fantasy books of 2024, and all time

The best fantasy books of 2024, and all time

Check out our picks of the most exciting new fantasy novels of 2024, the best of 2023, as well as the top fantasy books of all time..

Fantasy books offer readers the perfect escape into another world. Here we share some of the top fantasy books to give you some inspiration for your literary bucket list. From cosy fantasy to curl up with, to the gothic horrors of dark fantasy , we've got you covered. 

The best fantasy books of 2024

Can’t spell treason without tea, by rebecca thorne.

Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea is a cosy sapphic fantasy story of following your heart and building a community of found family. Tired of their high-stakes existence in the cruel Queen’s kingdom, bodyguard Reyna her partner, and powerful mage Kianthe, embark on a new adventure: to open a bookshop and teahouse together. As the pair flee to Tawney, a snow-covered town in the heart of dragon country, they discover a whole new world of adventure. As Reyna and Kianthe encounter mishaps and mysteries along the way, their love for each other is put to its greatest test yet. 

The Ashes and the Star Cursed King

By carissa broadbent.

Full of twists, intrigue and bloodthirsty romance, The Ashes and the Star Cursed King is the second book in Carissa Broadbent’s vampiric fantasy Crowns of Nyaxia series . A prisoner in her own kingdom, Oraya finds herself fighting for freedom and forced to enter into a secret alliance with Raihn, the vampire who betrayed her. With the rival Houses threatening to wage warfare against one another, and Oraya’s only hope of reclaiming her kingdom at the hands of her enemies, will she reclaim the throne or will her heart lead her astray? 

The Courting of Bristol Keats

By mary e. pearson.

This is the long-awaited adult debut from bestselling YA author Mary E. Pearson. Expect forbidden romance, deadly faerie curses and pulse-pounding action. Bristol Keats and her sisters are struggling to survive after the death of their parents. In her desperation, Bristol agrees to meet with a mysterious 'aunt' she's never heard of, who has been writing to her offering help. What she learns changes everything she thought she knew about her family, and sets Bristol off on a journey to a land of gods, fae and monsters, and a deadly bargain with the fae king. 

The Atlas Complex

By olivie blake.

In The Atlas Complex Olivie Blake offers a riveting conclusion to the internationally acclaimed The Atlas Six trilogy. Following a dramatic incident at the library, the Alexandrians must navigate their dangerous recruitment terms. With alliances crumbling and ethical dilemmas concerning their exceptional abilities, the initiates are split. Meanwhile, global forces are plotting their downfall, and Atlas Blakely, their Caretaker, might be planning something catastrophic. As they face decisions about power and betrayal, everyone is in a desperate race for survival.

by TJ Klune

Heartsong , the third book in the Green Creek series, is a queer, paranormal romance set in Oregon's enchanting wilderness. Robbie Fontaine, having moved from pack to pack following his mother's death, yearns for a place to belong. His journey brings him to Caswell, Maine, where he experiences pack life as Michelle Hughes's trusted deputy. But when a mission incites doubt about his place and exposes whispers of treachery and magic, Robbie seeks answers, especially concerning Kelly Bennett, a wolf he believes may be his mate, and a rumored traitor. With the inevitable revelation of truth, everything stands to fall apart.

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A tempest of tea, by hafsah faizal.

Vampires. Secrets. Tea. What more do you want?! Already causing a ruckus on TikTok, in  A Tempest of Tea , Hafsah Faizal takes us to Arthie Casimir's prestigious tea establishment in the city of White Roaring. Tearoom by day, illegal bloodhouse by night, Arthie caters to both humans and vampires – but this arrangement is under threat, and Arthie can't save it alone. . .

by Lucy Jane Wood

Such is the excitement around YouTube star Lucy Jane Wood's cosy fantasy, that when she announced it, it flew to number one on the Amazon book chart on pre-orders alone. Balancing work at her beloved Lunar Books and concealing her witchcraft from the non-witches around her has left Belle burnt out. But when her thirtieth birthday brings a summons from her coven, Belle risks losing her magic forever. With the month of October to fix things, and signs that dark forces may be working against her, Belle will need all the help she can get – from the women in her life, from an unlikely mentor figure, and even an (infuriating) watchman who’s sworn to protect her.

by Genevieve Cogman

Daring, adventurous, and elusive, for Eleanor life as a member of the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel is never boring. As the League travels through revolutionary France rescuing vampires and aristocrats from the revolting masses, they learn that Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand, a notorious French diplomat, has gone missing and offer their services to find him. Learning that de Talleyrand’s disappearance is part of a bigger plot, Eleanor must take matters into her own hands. From Genevieve Cogman, author of The Invisible Library series , comes the second novel in her thrilling fantasy retelling of The Scarlet Pimpernel .

Running Close to the Wind

By alexandra rowland.

If you found yourself accidentally in possession of the world’s biggest secret, what would you do? For Avra Helvaçi, former loyal servant of the Arashti Ministry of Intelligence, the answer is to flee to the open sea on his ex, pirate Captain Teveri az-Haffar’s galleon. Will the pair be able to sell the secret and secure a lifetime of wealth and their place in the history books? A queer pirate adventure fantasy from the author of A Taste of Gold and Iron , Running Close to the Wind is a story of betrayal, lust, secrets, and riches beyond belief.

Daughter of Calamity

By rosalie m. lin.

Jingwen lives two lives. While the sun is up, she delivers the bones of the dead to the doctor of the city’s most feared gangster family. In darkness, she charms the city’s wealthiest patrons at a decadent cabaret club. When hidden attackers start stealing the faces of the women who dance at the club, Jingwen must become something she has always feared if she is to survive the Shanghai underworld. A dark fantasy set amidst the glittering glamour, gangsters, and gods of 1930s Shanghai, Rosalie M. Lin’s debut novel is sure to sweep you up and transport you to her reimagined historical setting.

Children of Anguish and Anarchy

By tomi adeyemi.

Locked in a cage and trapped on a foreign ship by warriors, thousands of miles from her people and her homeland, Zélie is forced to confront her enemies once more. Facing King Baldur, the man who has destroyed everything in his path in search of her, Zélie, Amari, and Tzain set off in search of new allies to their cause to help the maji rise once and for all. With Baldur and the Skulls closing in, will Zélie save her people? The epic conclusion to Tomi Adeyemi’s Legacy of Orïsha trilogy, Children of Anguish and Anarchy is one of the most anticipated fantasy novels of 2024.

The best fantasy books of 2023

Sword catcher, by cassandra clare.

Two outcasts find themselves at the centre of world-altering change in the start of an epic fantasy series from author of The Shadowhunter Chronicles. In Castellane, Kel is stolen to become Prince Conor Aurelian’s body-double. As his ‘Sword Catcher', Kel lives for one purpose: to die for Conor. Lin Caster is an Ashkar physician, part of a community ostracised for its rare magical abilities. But events pull her and Kel together and into the web of the mysterious Ragpicker King who rules Castellane’s criminal underworld. Together, they’ll discover an extraordinary conspiracy. But can forbidden love bring down a kingdom? 

The Serpent and the Wings of Night

In Carissa Broadbent's series opener, a human-vampire survival game akin to The Hunger Games, unfolds. Oraya, an adopted human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king, battles for more than mere survival in the Kejari, a legendary contest run by the goddess of death. To win, Oraya must ally with perilous Raihn, a deadly vampire and fierce competitor. Despite being an enemy to her father's reign, Oraya is irresistibly drawn to Raihn. In the merciless Kejari, compassion is scarce, and love could prove fatal.

Bookshops & Bonedust

By travis baldree.

From cosy fantasy author Travis Baldree comes the prequel to BookTok sensation Legends & Lattes, Bookshops & Bonedust. Wounded while hunting a necromancer, Viv, from Rackam's Ravens mercenary company, is sent against her will to recover in the remote beach town of Murk. Who would think she'd end up in a struggling bookshop with a grumpy proprietor as her main company? Despite the seclusion, adventure lurks close with strange visitors, a resentful gnome, a summer romance, and countless skeletons, making Murk more eventful than Viv expected.

Starling House

By alix e. harrow.

Nobody in Eden remembers when Starling House was built – stories of the house’s bad luck have been passed down the generations. Opal knows better than to mess with haunted houses, or brooding men. But when an opportunity to work there arises, the money might get her brother out of Eden. Starling House is uncanny and full of secrets – just like Arthur, its heir. Sinister forces converge on Eden – and Opal realizes that if she wants a home, she’ll have to fight for it, even if it involves digging up her family’s ugly past. This is a romantic and spellbinding Gothic fairytale from Hugo, Nebula and Locus Award-shortlisted Alix E. Harrow.

Set in the dreamy backwoods of Oregon, Ravensong is the second book in TJ Klune’s beloved Green Creek series. Gordo Livingstone, scarred by past betrayals, isolates himself from his wolf pack in a mountain town. However, when the wolves return, he teams up with Mark Bennett to face a common enemy and emerges victorious. A year later, Gordo becomes the witch of the Bennett pack, battling his feelings for Mark and a mysterious impending threat. As Green Creek settles, internal turmoil arises. Unbreakable bonds may prove fragile as danger looms.

Stone Blind

By natalie haynes.

The sole mortal raised in a family of gods, Medusa lives with an urgency that her family will never know, and is alone in her ability to experience change and to be hurt. Then, when the sea god Poseidon commits an unforgivable act in the temple of Athene, the goddess takes her revenge where she can. Writhing snakes replace her hair, and her gaze now turns any living creature to stone. Unable to control her new power, she is condemned to a life of shadows and darkness. Until Perseus embarks upon a quest. Shorlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2023, this retelling of the famed myth of Medusa asks who the real monsters are, after all.

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He who drowned the world, by shelley parker-chan.

He Who Drowned the World  is the sequel to the  Sunday Times  bestseller  She Who Became the Sun. After triumphing over the Mongol rulers, Zhu Yuanzhang aspires to become emperor. However, her ambitions are challenged by Madam Zhang, who seeks the throne for her husband, and Wang Baoxiang, a scorned scholar craving revenge. To secure her position, Zhu forms a risky alliance with the unstable eunuch general, Ouyang, while all contenders push their limits for power. As desire and ambition clash, the question remains whether even the most ruthless heart can bear the steep price of their pursuits. 

Masters of Death

This book is about an estate agent. Only she’s a vampire, the house on sale is haunted, and its ghost was murdered. When Viola Marek hires Fox D’Mora to deal with her ghost-infested mansion, she expects a competent medium. But unbeknownst to Viola, Fox is a fraud – despite being the godson of Death. As the mystery unfolds, Viola and Fox are drawn into a quest that neither wants nor expects. And they'll need the help of a demonic personal trainer, a sharp-voiced angel and a love-stricken reaper. And it transpires that the difference between a mysterious lost love and a dead body isn’t nearly as distinct as you’d hope.

Spirits Abroad

Drawing inspiration from Asian myth and folklore, Zen Cho's short story collection combines magic, joy, humour and tenderness. We’ll meet an elderly ex-member of parliament, who recalls her youthful romance with an orang bunian. Then a teenage vampire struggles to balance homework, bossy aunties, first love . . . and eating people. A mischievous matriarch returns from the dead to disrupt her own funeral rites and Chang E, the Chinese moon goddess, spins off into outer space – the ultimate metaphor for diaspora. Enjoy this journey into magical new worlds, each with its own meaning. 

The First Bright Thing

By j. r. dawson.

Ringmaster, or Rin for short, can jump to different moments in time. With the scars of World War I feeling more distant as the years pass, Rin is focusing on the brighter things in life, like the circus she’s built and the magical misfits and outcasts. But while the present is bright, threats come at Rin from the past as a malevolent shadow looms, and from the future with an impending war on the horizon. The First Bright Thing  by J. R. Dawson is a spellbinding debut for fantasy fans that also asks the difficult question – if you knew how dark tomorrow would be, what would you do with today?

Fall of Ruin and Wrath

By jennifer l. armentrout.

From the author of  From Blood and Ash,   Fall of Ruin and Wrath  is a scorching romance with high stakes, breathtaking magic and a searing enemies-to-lovers romance. In a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by vengeful gods, nine surviving cities thrive under pleasure-seeking rulers. Calista, possessing infallible intuition, hides as a courtesan. She rescues a prince, triggering warnings of joy and doom. As the prince and her protector vie for power, she navigates rebellion, danger, and desire, torn between intuition's safety and heart's risk. Fall of Ruin and Wrath  is a captivating romantic fantasy from a mega bestselling author and global sensation.

One For My Enemy

In New York City, two rival witch families fight for the upper hand in Olivie Blake's new fantasy fiction. The Antonova sisters and their mother, Baba Yaga, are the elusive supplier of premium intoxicants while the Fedorov brothers and their crime boss father, Koschei the Deathless, dominate the shadows of magical Manhattan. For twelve years, the two families have been in stalemate, but that is about to change. While fate draws together a brother and sister from either side, the siblings still struggle for power, and internal conflicts could destroy each family from within. 

A guide to The Atlas Six and Olivie Blake's books

A taste of gold and iron.

Kadou, the modest prince of Arasht, has no plans to wrestle for imperial control with his sister, the queen. Yet he is in conflict with the father of queen's new child, who is a powerful ambassador at the court. Then a hunting expedition goes badly wrong, and Kadou finds himself accused of murder. This sensual tale of courtly intrigue, backstabbing politics and romance set against the backdrop of an Ottoman Empire-inspired world, is a must-read.

The Mystery at Dunvegan Castle

By t. l. huchu.

Ghostalker Ropa Moyo and her rag-tag team of magicians are back in The Mystery at Dunvegan Castle, the third book in the spellbinding Edinburgh Nights series. Ropa Moyo is no stranger to magic or mysteries. But she’s still stuck in an irksomely unpaid internship. So she’s thrilled to attend a magical convention at Dunvegan Castle, on the Isle of Skye, where she’ll rub elbows with eminent magicians. For Ropa, it’s the perfect opportunity to finally prove her worth. Then a librarian is murdered and a precious scroll stolen. Suddenly, every magician is a suspect, and Ropa and her allies investigate.

Fourth Wing

By rebecca yarros.

Welcome to the brutal and elite world of Basgiath War College, where everyone has an agenda, and every night could be your last . . . Violet, destined for a quiet life among books, is forced by her commanding mother to become a dragon rider, despite her fragility. With dragons rarely bonding with humans like her, danger looms. Amidst a deadly war and failing protective wards, she suspects a dark secret among the leadership. Forming alliances and facing treacherous foes, Violet fights for survival. Romance and betrayals intertwine as she navigates this perilous path. Graduation or death awaits in the world of dragon riders. 

Immortal Longings

By chloe gong.

In the kingdom of Talin, the deadly games held in the capital twin cities of San-Er attract thousands, offering unimaginable riches to those skilled enough to jump between bodies and enter the fight to the death. Princess Calla Tuoleimi seeks to take down her tyrannical uncle, King Kasa. To achieve her goal, she must win the games, where Anton Makusa, desperate to save his comatose childhood love, enters to secure the prize money. An unexpected alliance between Calla and Anton forms, leading to a consuming partnership. As the games near their end, Calla faces a crucial choice: her lover or her kingdom.

by Frances Hardinge

In a world where anyone can cast a life-destroying curse, only one person has the power to unravel them. Kellen does not fully understand his unique gift, but helps those who are cursed, like his friend Nettle who was trapped in the body of a bird for years. She is now Kellen's constant companion and his closest ally. But the Unraveller carries a curse himself and, unless he and Nettle can remove it, Kellen is a danger to everything – and everyone – around him . . .

The Women Could Fly

By megan giddings.

Part fantasy, part dystopia,  The Women Could Fly  is a powerful novel that speaks to our times. In a world where witches are real and unmarried women over the age of thirty must be monitored by the state, Josephine Thomas is twenty-eight, ambivalent about marriage and on the cusp of losing autonomy over her own life. It's been fourteen years since her mother's disappearance, and Jo has heard ever possible explanation from kidnapping to murder . . . to witchcraft; but all these years later, she feels she's never understood her mother more. So when she's offered an opportunity to honour one last request from her mother's will, she takes it . . .

When Ox Matheson was twelve his father taught him that he was worthless, destined to be misunderstood, and then he left him. Four years later, the energetic Bennett family moved in next door, harbouring a secret that would change his life forever: they are shapeshifters, and can transform into wolves at will. Drawn into an unimaginable new world, Ox found a friend in Joe, the youngest Bennett brother, but when the pack was pulled apart by tragedy and murder, Joe left town . But now, he has returned, and Ox can no longer ignore the song that howls between them.

Origins of The Wheel of Time

By michael livingston.

This companion to Robert Jordan's internationally bestselling series, The Wheel of Time, will delve into the creation of a masterpiece, drawing from interviews and an unprecedented examination of his unpublished notes. Michael Livingston tells the behind-the-scenes story of who Jordan was (including a chapter that is the very first published biography of the author), how he worked, and why he holds such an important place in modern literature.

The best fantasy books of all time

The atlas six.

Dark-academia fantasy novel  The Atlas Six  was originally self-published by Olivie Blake, and was then snapped up for re-publication after it shot to fame on TikTok. The story follows six young magical practitioners as they compete to join the secretive Alexandrian Society, whose custodians guard lost knowledge from ancient civilizations. Yet each decade, only six practitioners are invited – to fill five places. Following recruitment by the mysterious Atlas Blakely, they travel to the Society’s London headquarters. Here, each must study and innovate within esoteric subject areas. And if they can prove themselves, over the course of a year, they’ll survive. Most of them.

Legends & Lattes

After decades of adventuring, Viv the orc barbarian is finally hanging up her sword for good to open the first coffee shop in the city of Thune. Even though no one there knows what coffee actually  is . But old rivals and new stand in the way of success, and Thune’s shady underbelly could make it all too easy for Viv to take up the blade once more. If you've already read Legends & Lattes then Bookshops & Bonedust , the highly anticipated prequel, is available to pre-order now. 

The Invisible Library

The Invisible Library is the astounding debut fantasy book by Genevieve Cogman, and the first novel in The Invisible Library series. Professional spy Irene works for the mysterious Library, along with her enigmatic assistant Kai. Their mission is to steal a dangerous book from an alternative London. But when they arrive, it's already been stolen. And to make things more complicated, this alternative world is infested with chaos, full of supernatural creatures and unpredictable magic.

The Invisible Library books in order

A marvellous light, by freya marske.

For fans of Bridgerton who'd like to welcome magic into their lives. Set in an alternative Edwardian England, this is a comedy of manners, manor houses, and hedge mazes: including a magic-infused murder mystery and a delightful queer romance. Young baronet Robin Blyth thought he was taking up a minor governmental post. However, he's actually been appointed parliamentary liaison to a secret magical society, and he’ll need the help of Edwin Courcey, his adversarial magical-society counterpart, as together they discover a plot that threatens every magician in the British Isles.

Empire in Black and Gold

By adrian tchaikovsky.

This epic fantasy novel is the first book in Adrian Tchaikovsky’s critically acclaimed fantasy series The Shadows of the Apt. The Lowlands have lived in peace and prosperity for decades, but now an ancient Empire is conquering city after city, and the Lowlands are next . . . Stenwold Maker, spymaster, artificer and statesman, sees the threat, but can he convince his people of the danger that is coming? 

Adrian Tchaikovsky's books in order

Blood of an exile, by brian naslund.

In Brian Naslund's must-read debut fantasy novel we meet Bershad, an adventurer sentenced to kill dragons for a living after being caught trying to assassinate a fellow noble. When the king who sentenced Bershad offers him a way out of his forced occupation and exile, Bershad sees a way to earn redemption, but it won't be easy.  Blood of an Exile , the first book in the Dragons of Terra series is packed with adventure and of course, lots of dragons.

The Lord of the Rings

By j. r. r. tolkien.

J.R.R. Tolkien’s trilogy is a classic of fantasy fiction and is a must-read for all fantasy fans. The story of the hobbit Frodo and his epic quest to reach Mount Doom and defeat the Dark Lord, Sauron, by destroying the One Ring, Tolkien’s epic fantasy was adapted into three of the most popular films of the 2000s. One of the best fantasy books ever written. 

The Witchlands series books in order

Fury of a demon.

The third and final instalment in Brian Naslund's Dragons of Terra trilogy has come to paperback this year. Osyrus Ward has subdued most of Terra, but to finish the job and annihilate the dragons he must add to his huge army of skyships and create a machine that possesses unheard-of power. Rebels Bershad and Ashlyn are doing every everything they can to prevent this, but they have been captured in Dainwood by Ward's mercenaries. Ashlyn employs her dark magic against the terrifying forces massing around them, and Bershad summons his history of victory in battle. But will their combined energies be enough to save the world?

The Empire's Ruin

By brian staveley.

In the first book in Brian Staveley's epic fantasy trilogy, Ashes of the Unhewn, the great Annurian Empire is on its last legs, and its elite soldiers – the Kettral – are dwindling. Kettral soldier Gwenna Sharpe is given a quest, in order to restore the hawk-riding battalion. She must travel beyond the known world, to the place where the mighty war hawks nest. She will face obstacles along the way, from poisoned land to a monk turned conman to sinister forces massing against the empire. Gwenna's quest to save it is fraught with danger, but full of potential for recovery and renewal.

by Neil Gaiman

In the tiny town of Wall, young Tristan Thorn is madly in love with the beautiful Victoria Forrester. When she agrees to marry him if he retrieves a fallen star he doesn’t hesitate. But to find the fallen star he’ll need to cross the ancient wall which the town is named for, into a world of magic and danger. This charming fairytale fantasy will delight fans of Naomi Novik’s Uprooted and Spinning Silver . 

The Colour of Magic

By terry pratchett.

Terry Pratchett’s wonderfully inventive fantasy fiction series Discworld begins with  The Colour of Magic . Set in a flat world resting on the back of four elephants who are balanced on the shell of a giant turtle, this is a parallel time and place full of magic. When the first-ever tourist arrives, their survival is charged to a comically inept wizard who must face robbers, mercenaries and Death himself. Terry Pratchett is the author of some of the most-loved fantasy books of all-time.  

The Star-Touched Queen

By roshani chokshi.

Maya's world is torn apart when her father, the Raja, arranges her marriage for political advantage. She becomes the Queen of Akaran and the wife of Amar despite a horoscope that promised a marriage of death and destruction. As Akaran's queen, she finds her voice and power. As Amar's wife, she finds something else entirely: Compassion. Protection. Desire. But Akaran has its own secrets. Soon, Maya suspects her life is in danger, but who besides her husband can she trust? Steeped in Indian folklore and mythology The Star-Touched Queen is an enthralling fantasy read.

A Game of Thrones

By george r.r. martin.

No list of the best fantasy fiction is complete without George R. R. Martin’s epic fantasy fiction series, universally acknowledged to be some of the best fantasy books of all time. The first book in the series gave its name to the TV series that became one of the most talked-about in history. In a world where summers span decades and winter can last a lifetime, the battle for the Iron Throne has begun. The breakout success of A Game of Thrones means the series will feature on best fantasy books lists for years to come.

Books series to read if you love Game of Thrones

The fifth season, by n. k. jemisin.

The Fifth Season is the first fantasy novel in N. K. Jemisin's Broken Earth trilogy. In a far-future Earth, a continent known as the Stillness is plagued by apocalyptic natural disasters known as Seasons, that can last for generations. Book one follows the story of Essun, a woman living an unremarkable life in a quiet town until three tragedies strike in one day. Her husband murders their beloved son in cold blood and kidnaps their daughter, a world-spanning empire falls, and a great rift has been torn into the Stillness throwing ash into the sky and blocking the sun's light for years to come. And so Essun's fight to save her daughters in this dying land, begins . . .

Sorcerer to the Crown

Sorcerer to the Crown is the first book in Hugo Award-winning author Zen Cho’s fantasy series. In Regency London, Zacharias Wythe is England's first African Sorcerer Royal. He leads the Royal Society of Unnatural Philosophers, whose duty it is to keep the levels of magic stable   – but they're failing. The supply of magic is being disrupted by the Fairy Court, and war with France means the government wants to drain this scarce resource even further. When Zacharias meets ambitious orphan Prunella Gentleman they find that her recent magical discovery might just change the nature of sorcery forever.  

by John Gwynne

Malice is the first book in John Gwynne’s The Faithful and the Fallen series , from bestselling author Conn Iggulden. Set in the Banished Lands where armies of men and giants clash in battle, Young Corban watches enviously as boys become warriors, learning the art of war. He yearns to wield his sword and spear to protect his king’s realm. But that day will come all too soon. Only when he loses those he loves will he learn the true price of courage.

The Ruin of Kings

By jenn lyons.

The hugely anticipated debut by Jenn Lyons is the first fantasy book in the A Chorus of Dragons series. Brim-full of big ideas – body-swapping, prophecy, rich worldbuilding and grim commentaries on many aspects of empire – to name but a few, this is the tale of Kihrin, a young prince cursed with bad luck and worse prophecy.  The Ruin of Kings  is a fantastically complex and multi-layered fantasy book, and characters like Doc and Galen, alongside Kihrin's own well-balanced set of talents and flaws make this a promising new fantasy series. 

Children of Blood and Bone

Tomi Adeyemi’s YA fantasy book is the first in her West African-inspired fantasy fiction series Legacy of Orisha. Zélie remembers when Orisha was full of magic. When different clans ruled with unique powers, including her Reaper mother who could summon forth souls. But everything changed when the ruthless king had anyone with powers killed. Now only a few people still have the power to use magic, and they must stay hidden. Zélie is one of those people, but now she has the chance to bring magic back to her people and strike against the monarchy . . . Tomi Adeyemi is the author of some on the best fantasy books for YA readers in recent years.

She Who Became the Sun

A Number One  Sunday Times  Bestseller, this absorbing historical fantasy novel from Shelley Parker-Chan reimagines the rise to power of the Ming Dynasty’s founding emperor. In 1345, China lies restless under harsh Mongol rule, and when a bandit raid wipes out her home and her brother perishes, Zhu resolves to overcome her destiny by taking her dead brother’s identity. Can Zhu escape what’s written in the stars, as rebellion sweeps the land? Or can she claim her brother’s greatness – and rise as high as she can dream?

Black Leopard, Red Wolf

By marlon james.

Black Leopard, Red Wolf  is the first fantasy novel in Marlon James's Dark Star Trilogy. A New York Times bestseller, National Book Award finalist and Ray Bradbury Prize winner, it's no stranger to accolades. Set in an African-inspired fantasy world, the first book in the series follows Tracker, a mercenary with an extraordinary ability to follow scents, as he hunts down a missing boy. On his journey Tracker's crosses paths with strange companions, from shapeshifters to giants, who seek the same child and hide their own secrets . . .

The Buried Giant

By kazuo ishiguro.

Booker Prize-winning author Kazou Ishiguro does not disappoint in his first fantasy book, The Buried Giant . The book begins as a couple, Axl and Beatrice, set off across a troubled land of mist and rain in the hope of finding a son they have not seen for years. They expect to face many hazards - some strange and other-worldly - but they cannot yet foresee how their journey will reveal to them dark and forgotten corners of their love for one another. Sometimes savage, often intensely moving, this is a novel about lost memories, love, revenge and war.

Howl's Moving Castle

By diana wynne jones.

Now also a movie from Studio Ghibli, this beloved modern classic follows Sophie Hatter from the land of Ingary as she catches the unwelcome attention of the Witch of the Waste and is put under a spell. Deciding she has nothing more to lose, Sophie makes her way to the moving castle that hovers on the hills above her town, Market Chipping. But the castle belongs to the dreaded Wizard Howl, whose appetite, they say, is satisfied only by the souls of young girls . . . 

Northern Lights

By philip pullman.

First published in 1995, and acclaimed as a modern masterpiece, this first book in the Hid Dark Materials series is a must-read for all fantasy fans. Lyra Belacqua and her animal daemon live half-wild and carefree among scholars of Jordan College, Oxford. The destiny that awaits her will take her to the frozen lands of the Arctic, where witch-clans reign and ice-bears fight. Her extraordinary journey will have immeasurable consequences far beyond her own world. 

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The best science fiction and fantasy books of 2022

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We’ve run through our favorite games , movies , and TV shows of 2022, and now it’s time to talk about our favorite science fiction and fantasy books of the year.

2022’s best SFF books feel like an apt reflection of the past few years, as so much has changed. It may come as no surprise that this year ushered in a tidal wave of terrifying gothics and hauntings — books where protagonists were trapped in by the spaces around them. Science fiction gave us visions of the future, from white flight and space exploration to hopeful philosophical ramblings about the nature of being alive to post-pandemic technofuturism. At the same time, much of this year’s best fantasy looked backward, retelling mythologies and critiquing institutions of power.

This list has a range of titles from beloved authors, impressive debuts, and short-story collections, that all share one thing in common: We absolutely loved the time we spent with them. And we hope you do too. The list is in reverse chronological order of release, so the most recently released books will be at the top — with honorable mentions at the end.

Africa Risen edited by Sheree Renée Thomas, Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, and Zelda Knight

Africa Risen showcases some of the most talented contemporary speculative writers — ranging from established writers to debut authors — whose works are set in Africa and across the African diaspora. This large volume reimagines fantasy and science fiction with stories about capturing lost memories and minds, those of climate crisis, and interpretations of folklore and myth. Stories range from whimsical and imaginative to hefty and contemplative, and each is the perfect size to read over a morning commute or before bed (which is how I have been slowly savoring this book). The breadth of this anthology harkens back to the seminal Dark Matter: A Century of Speculative Fiction From the African Diaspora . Africa Risen ’s editors take care, in their introduction, to mention numerous other publishers and collections of short speculative fiction set in the African diaspora and written by Black authors — including independent presses, zines, and other short-story collections. As the editors write in their introduction: “Africa isn’t rising — it’s already here.” — Nicole Clark

Heart of the Sun Warrior (The Celestial Kingdom #2) by Sue Lynn Tan

Sue Lynn Tan’s debut, Daughter of the Moon Goddess , took the world by storm earlier this year. And she published the second in the duology this year as well, gifting us with a short wait and another romance- and action-packed adventure. In the first book, Xingyin, daughter of the moon goddess Chang’e, worked her way into the palace’s army in order to ensure her family’s survival — falling for Liwei the prince, son of the Celestial Emperor, in the process.

Heart of the Sun Warrior picks up right where the previous book left off, throwing Xingyin back into action. The Celestial Emperor once again found reason to punish the moon goddess and her daughter, forcing them to flee for their lives. Wenzhi attempts to curry Xingyin’s favor, even after his betrayals. It is unwise to attempt to outsmart the gods, but this is once again the choice our heroine is given. This sequel packs an impressive, near-breathless amount of plot into its pages, telling a tale of love for one’s family, and the quiet dignity of never giving up. — NC

The World We Make (Great Cities #2) by N.K. Jemisin

New York City may be the fifth character in Sex and the City , but it’s all six main characters in The World We Make . The conclusion to Jemisin’s Great Cities duology finds five of the city’s avatars still struggling to figure out how to stop the R’lyeh — a feat made more difficult without the aid of Staten Island, who remains allied with the enemy despite idly watching her borough’s boroughness be leached out of existence. The rest of the city is similarly threatened by a popular mayoral candidate whose campaign built on hateful rhetoric and gentrification threatens the very fabric — and existence — of the city. The battle for New York is thus fought across two planes in The World We Make , with some of the avatars focusing on the multidimensional fight for survival against an eldritch terror, and others standing off against Proud Men chanting “Make New York great again.” Subtle, this book is not. Though not as strong as the first installment in the duology, The World We Make still has enough grit, heart, and humor to propel you through to the very end. Though maybe I’m biased. I am a New Yorker, after all. — Sadie Gennis

Bliss Montage by Ling Ma

Bliss Montage is a departure from Ling Ma’s bestselling debut, Severance , in the best of ways. I was sucked into this collection of short stories from the very first page as Ma melds the fantastical with reality, serving it all in a witty deadpan. The opening paragraph from “Los Angeles” immediately sets the tone:

The house in which we live has three wings. The west wing is where the Husband and I live. The east wing is where the children and their attending au pairs live. And lastly, the largest but ugliest wing, extending behind the house like a gnarled, broken arm, is where my 100 ex-boyfriends live. We live in L.A.

Stories deftly blur the lines between reality and satire, borrowing from speculative fiction conventions to create something entirely new and satisfyingly odd. It is a must-read. — NC

The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez

The Spear Cuts Through Water is many things. At its core, it’s the tale of Jun and Keema, two strangers who help a fallen god escape her captivity at the hands of her cruel husband, the emperor, and their sons, aptly dubbed the Three Terrors. But Jun and Keema’s adventure is actually being acted out in a magical theater in another dimension hundreds of years later, with the book’s narrative winds between Jun and Keema’s story, the performance of it, and the experience of one man watching from the audience — though he’s fated to forget what he’s witnessed as soon as he leaves the theater.

The Spear Cuts Through Water recalls Gabriel García Márquez with its surreal fluidity, though the way Jimenez weaves together first-, second-, and third-person perspectives creates an immersive style just his own. And his decision to consistently disrupt the primary story with the flowing thoughts of surrounding characters gives you the sense that you’re floating through this world, both tethered to and set free by Jimenez’s mesmerizing prose.

So, as I said, The Spear Cuts Through Water is many, many things. It’s a spellbinding tribute to oral storytelling and folklore. It’s a thoughtful exploration of identity and family. But more than anything, The Spear Cuts Through Water is a love story, and one unlike anything you’ve read before. — SG

The Oleander Sword by Tasha Suri

While the first Burning Kingdoms book was a beautifully lush piece of world-building and slow-burn romance, The Oleander Sword is a brutal epic that relentlessly builds toward utter devastation. The Jasmine Throne ends with Malini’s and Priya’s paths diverging, as Malini wages her vengeful war against her brother to claim the throne and Priya steps into her role as an Elder of Ahiranya. But when the two women see an opportunity to come together to help each of their people, the lovestruck pair leap at the chance to reunite and end Parijatdvipa’s reign. Malini’s brother is not the only threat facing the kingdom, though. The rot continues to spread throughout the kingdom, and new revelations about the Yaska leave Priya and Bhumika reevaluating their people’s history and relationship to their faith. A series already beloved for its thorniness, Suri muddies the dynamics further in The Oleander Sword as political plots, romantic desires, and religious beliefs intertwine and clash in in engrossing and often heartbreaking ways. — SG

Babel: Or The Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators’ Revolution by R.F. Kuang

In this masterful, lengthy book, R.F. Kuang sharply critiques British imperialism and the bureaucratic institutions that hold it up — particularly academic scholarship and monarchy. Historical fiction intertwines with fantasy, as a cohort of four students pursue translation studies at Oxford’s Babel. The end goal of their academic pursuits is to make magic-imbued silver for the crown. These magical silver bars are created through a process of translation — namely, that bit of meaning that’s lost between words in different languages, or as they’ve evolved over time.

One such example comes early in the book: the gulf between triacle and treacle , the former from Old French and Middle English with herbalist connotations of curing poisons and ailments. The contemporary in English is a kind of sweet and bitter syrup. This creates a silver bar with the power to heal, and that leaves a sweet aftertaste in the mouth. It is also the bar that Professor Lovell uses to save Robin Swift (this is the English name the boy chooses) from cholera in 1828, before whisking him from his home in Canton.

While studying at Babel, Robin and his cohort are given access to abundant resources they could have never dreamed of. At the same time, they see the ugly agenda of Oxford, and how even their mother tongues become tools of British imperialism. Their professors and classmates see the value in the silver they may produce, with their knowledge of such “exotic” languages, but view those who live in foreign countries as less than human and ultimately expendable. Robin and his friends must choose between two paths set before them: comfort and wealth in the bosom of the crown, or simply burning it all down. — NC

Shutter by Ramona Emerson

The National Book Award-winning novel follows a forensic photographer who — unfortunately for her — can see ghosts. The traumatized spirits haunt Rita at all hours, refusing to let her sleep and purposefully sabotaging her life. These hauntings are also what pushed her out of the Navajo reservation she grew up on, where even discussing death was seen as taboo. But no ghost has given her as much trouble as an alleged suicide victim, whose crime scene Rita is sent to photograph at the start of the novel. The rageful ghost is insistent that she was murdered and won’t stop terrorizing Ramona until her case is solved. Soon, Rita is in deep over her head as she finds herself immersed in a web of crime and corruption involving one of New Mexico’s top cartels.

A thrilling yet melancholy read, Shutter delivers on all levels. But be warned: If you can’t stomach too much gore, you might need to skim through the crime scene descriptions where Emerson’s own experience as a forensic photographer shines through in her grisly prose. — SG

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s newest novel is a retelling of the 1896 classic by H.G. Wells. But Moreno-Garcia sets it in 1871 in Yucatán, during the Caste War — a time when the Mayan people fought back against their Mexican and European oppressors.

As in her other works, this Gothic tale is told through the perspective of the young woman at its center. Sequestered in her father’s estate in the Yucatán Peninsula, Carlota Moreau lives alongside hybrid creatures, formed of animal and human DNA. She grows up alongside these hybrids, treating them as siblings, though the outside world would see them otherwise. She has long suffered from a “disease of the blood” that her father has treated with a regular injection of jaguar “gemmules.” To keep their work private, her father claims that he runs a sanatorium — attempting to hide the Lovecraftian horrors that lie within.

Carlota loves her home, and feels as if no other place would contain such natural beauty — though she begins to suspect all is not well. When Eduardo Lizalde, son of the doctor’s benefactor, visits the estate, her doubts only intensify. The Daughter of Doctor Moreau explores themes of colonization, class, and what it means to be human, all while being a suspenseful page turner. — NC

A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers

Becky Chambers’ newest installment of her Monk and Robot series follows Sibling Dex and Splendid Speckled Mosscap’s journey through the wilds of future human civilization. A Psalm for the Wild-Built , the first in the series, details the context of this world. In the future, AI has gained sentience — and in response, humans decided to let them form agency and leave to build their own civilization in the wilderness.

Sibling Dex had been a Tea Monk, a profession that led them to human settlements; they would prepare tea and chat or offer guidance to those who sought their various brews. But one day the monk chose to eschew this path, leaving behind their profession to wander in the wilderness — where they stumbled upon Mosscap, a robot on a quest to learn about humans and their needs. In the first book, the two wander through uninhabited lands, discussing philosophical questions about the nature of being alive. In this second slim volume, the two finally enter a settlement of humans.

Chambers builds an alternate, gentler world than the one we live in — though it has its fair share of melancholy, sorrow, and prejudice. Through their questions back and forth, Dex and Mosscap get closer to the tender marrow of what keeps them going, and what their friendship might look like once their “quests” have come to a close. Chambers’ work has been called “hopepunk” by various critics, and this small novel continues on this theme. — NC

Speaking Bones by Ken Liu

I was dreading having to write this blurb because it’s incredibly intimidating — and I think, frankly, impossible — to do justice to Speaking Bones in a few hundred words or less. Though, my struggle is thematically aligned with one of the Dandelion Dynasty series’ larger points: that people’s truths are too complicated and contradictory to ever be fully captured. Often, the intricacies of people’s hearts, minds, and relationships become stripped of context, simplified, misinterpreted, or erased until what’s left is a cohesive, neatly wrapped-up history that’s easy to digest. But even within these stories, there’s truth and there’s power. And learning how to wield the power of storytelling is just as important in Speaking Bones as the ability to wield a sword, the might of a garinafin, or the grace of kings.

Speaking Bones is a detail-rich, multigenerational saga with a scope and ambition that would be unwieldy if not helmed by someone of Liu’s masterful talent. There are gods and war, political cunning and philosophical debates, pages upon pages of technical specifications for inventions, and dialogue that reads more like poetry. The questions the book raises and the empathy it extols are not things easily forgotten. But what has stayed with me the most is the gap between the characters’ stories that I read and the ways those stories get retold — within the book, but also outside it, as I try to share my love for this story with others. There’s so much that gets lost in that translation, but it doesn’t make either version any less true. — SG

The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi

This epic fantasy remixes tropes to create something entirely new and impossible to put down. As in other dystopias, society is separated by a strict class system — this time by blood color. Embers have red blood, which affords them the powers and privileges of blood magic. Dusters, the middle classes, have blue blood, while Ghostings, the servant class who are maimed at birth, have transparent blood.

Sylah was raised as a Duster and trained to overthrow the Embers by winning the Wardens’ annual trials. But when the rebellion was quashed — killing her family, or so she believed — she coped by turning to other vices, hoping to vanish into the background. All of this changes when she sneaks into an Ember princess’s quarters and gets roped right back in. The Final Strife sets its bureaucratic squabbles and a gripping love triangle against the backdrop of a deadly competition. It’s thrilling and entertaining from start to finish. — NC

The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas

If you loved Mexican Gothic , then The Hacienda will be right up your (haunted) alley. This Gothic is set at the lavish Hacienda San Isidro, in the aftermath of the Mexican War of Independence. Beatriz faces dire prospects — her father had been executed, and she and her mother are near penniless. When Don Rodolfo Solórzano proposes marriage, she feels as if her problems have been solved. She’ll turn Hacienda San Isidro into the home she and her mother have long craved, with bright windows and beautiful gardens.

But the Hacienda is not what it first appears. It is profoundly haunted, projecting visions of blood-soaked floors and walls caved in, blacking out the lights and rattling doors. In this tale, the monster is in the house — but the monster also is the house. Beatriz is abandoned without allies: Rodolfo has left on a business trip and his sister, who lives at the estate, turns her nose at Beatriz at every turn. Who will save her from this house? And who will give her and her mother a place to live if she cannot make this work? Only Padre Andrés, the young priest — with other secrets of his own — is there to help. — NC

Eyes of the Void by Adrian Tchaikovsky

The Architects, an alien species of moon-sized planet destroyers, are back, and the one thing that used to ward them off is no longer effective. So, how does humanity respond? With infighting, power grabs, and petty squabbles. At the center of all this is Idris Tellemier, the only person to ever communicate with an Architect, who spends the majority of Eyes of the Void being bargained over, used, and kidnapped for political gain and protection. But while Idris is the one burdened with saving the world, his friends on the Vulture God are tasked with saving Idris. Eyes of the Void finds Solace, Kris, Kit, and Ollie (who rightfully gets her own POV chapters this time around) navigating the tense political atmosphere and facing down enemies ranging from the Architects to cultists to their own people in order to protect their unusual family.

Adrian Tchaikovsky has built a dizzyingly complicated narrative, and his inventive world-building gets a chance to shine in Eyes of the Void, as the Vulture God crew becomes further entangled with new characters, species, and cultures — most of whom the crew finds various ways to piss off. And though the book raises more questions than answers, the compounding mysteries raise the stakes to heart-pounding heights as Idris’ quest to learn how to stop the Architects unravels startling truths about the very makeup of the universe. — SG

The Hunger of the Gods by John Gwynne

In its second outing, The Bloodsworn Saga remains a merciless and brutal series filled with graphic action, impeccable world-building, and an ever-growing ensemble of characters who straddle the lines of morality. Only now, it’s no longer just about mortals fighting for power, revenge, or family. Gods have returned to Vigrið, throwing the balance of society into chaos. As many scramble to find footholds of power in the shifting world order, our original protagonists — Okra, Elvar, and Varg — continue resolutely down their paths to rescue and avenge those taken from them, even if that means fighting (or enslaving) a god. While characters’ storylines were largely separate in the first novel, here they weave in and out of each other’s lives as fate and (mis)fortune reveal how intricately their paths intertwined. Tightly paced and with invigorating action throughout, The Hunger of the Gods is the epic payoff to the foundation Gwynne meticulously laid down in The Shadow of the Gods and a thrilling setup for the series conclusion. — SG

The Candy House by Jennifer Egan

Like A Visit From the Goon Squad before it, The Candy House , the newest novel from Jennifer Egan, is written in the mode of its subject matter. While the 2010 outing’s connected-yet-discrete short stories functioned much like a mixtape, or an experimental album from a band that had gotten sick of releasing catchy singles, The Candy House functions more like the omniscient, hyper-reactive style of communication that defines social media, and the internet writ large.

Following ancillary characters from Goon Squad , the sort-of sequel focuses on a groundbreaking consciousness-sharing app, its celebrity creator, and the multifarious cast that gave rise to its existence. As in Goon Squad, and even Manhattan Beach , Egan is above deploying the ramifications of such a godlike technology for soapbox diatribes — instead, she explores her own winding maze of characters and conflicting interests with disgust, empathy, and some of the year’s best prose: ”My problem is the same one had by everyone who gathers information: What to do with it? How to sort and shape and use it? How to keep from drowning in it? Not every story needs to be told.”

Above all, The Candy House explores both the danger and the sublime in humans’ compulsion to share their lives with others. Weaving stories from dozens of points of view in New York, the redwood forests, and the deserts of the American Southwest, among many others, it’s a sobering reminder that the connective technology — the “social media” — that could either save or ruin us is already here. — Mike Mahardy

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

Emily St. John Mandel has demonstrated her talent for penning interlacing stories, with both Station Eleven and The Glass Hotel introducing their casts in piecemeal fashion, slowly revealing how each of these characters know each other. Sea of Tranquility is even more sprawling, stretching from the 1910s and into the further future, a time when people live in moon colonies. The book also creates an official Mandel multiverse , if that’s your thing, with characters from The Glass Hotel serving as some of the novel’s primary focuses.

My favorite part of Sea of Tranquility is its wholesale embrace of one of my favorite science fiction tropes. It’s a time travel story with a number of well-plotted turns, all in Mandel’s fluid, introspective writing style. It’s a great read for anyone who loves The Matrix movies or enjoyed Disney’s Loki (but maybe wished it stuck the landing a bit better). — NC

This Rebel Heart by Katherine Locke

Budapest is where Csilla’s family has lived for hundreds of years. It’s also where they died. In 1956, seven years after her parents were executed by the Soviet police, Jewish newspaper typist Csilla and her aunt are preparing to flee to Israel. But after chance encounters with a student revolutionary and an angel of death, Csilla begins questioning what means more to her: fighting to survive or fighting for a better life.

With its richly drawn characters and gutting depictions of post-Holocaust trauma and antisemitism, This Rebel Heart is a grounded, often heartbreaking account of Jewish life under Russian occupation. As Csilla finds herself on the forefront of the Hungarian revolution, she navigates the dueling realities that have shaped her — remembering and forgetting, survival and freedom, and loving a city that has never loved her back. Elegantly blending history with magical realism and Jewish folklore, Katherine Locke has created a profound tribute to those willing to risk everything for hope. — SG

The Way Spring Arrives and Other Stories edited and collected by Yu Chen and Regina Kanyu Wang

Chinese science fiction has become increasingly popular in the United States, as Ken Liu (an accomplished author in his own right) translated Liu Cixin’s groundbreaking Three-Body Problem into English. Since then, Chinese speculative fiction has gained popularity, making way for other literary talent.

The Way Spring Arrives is a collection of 17 Chinese science fiction and fantasy stories — and all of them have been written, translated, and edited entirely by women and nonbinary writers. Curated by Yu Chen and Regina Kanyu Wang, the excellent collection spans topics and tropes. — NC

Goliath by Tochi Onyebuchi

In the near future, a mass white flight to space colonies has left the largely poor, BIPOC population to eke out an existence on Earth, which has become uninhabitable after ecological and human-made disasters. But though the powerful and privileged abandoned the planet, the system they profit off of remains intact. Now, years later, the space colonists have begun to return — some to gentrify the neighborhoods their ancestors deserted and others as trauma tourists seeking to gawk at those who’d been left behind. A nonlinear series of vignettes, Goliath switches between several characters’ perspectives, but the main focus is on a group of stackers, a Black and brown crew of workers who scrape by salvaging bricks from demolished buildings to send to the colonies. With no hope of circumstances improving, they’ve long ago come to accept that grief will be the primary constant in their inevitably short lives — if the cancerous air doesn’t kill them, the automated drone police will. But while so much of their lives are defined by pain, the stackers keep moving forward, searching for meaning and fleeting moments of joy in a world designed to destroy them.

Impressive in its scale, ambition, and range of voice, Goliath is a shattering work that is so much more than the sum of its parts. In addition to the stackers, Tochi Onyebuchi weaves in tales of a gay white couple leaving the colonies to play pioneer on Earth, a journalist hoping to tell the stackers’ story (but really, hoping to assuage her white guilt), an incarcerated Yale grad who becomes a negotiator in a prison protest, and a Black marshal dragging a slaver across the West to retrieve the body of a murdered boy. Goliath is simultaneously sprawling and intimate, exploring racism, classism, gentrification, the prison system, and the climate crisis through brief moments in these largely disconnected lives. But taken together, these small moments add up to a powerful look at America’s broken system and the harrowing trajectory we find ourselves on. — SG

Akata Woman by Nnedi Okorafor

If the first two installments in The Nsibidi Scripts series were about Sunny discovering and exploring her identity, Akata Woman is about her defining it. The inventive, adventurous novel follows Sunny during a period of great growth as she and Chichi are forced to uphold their bargain with the giant spider Udide to return her stolen ghazal. With Orlu and Sasha tagging along, the coven’s treacherous journey to retrieve the ancient scroll leads them to discover breathtaking new worlds and the increasing limits of their juju abilities. But as Sunny strains to keep up with her rapidly evolving powers, she must also face the growing fracture in her relationship with her spirit face, Anyanwu.

Being doubled and being a free agent both carry heavy burdens in Leopard culture, but throughout Akata Woman , Sunny discovers a strength and comfort in who she is and what she can do. It’s yet another beautiful leg in Sunny’s coming-of-age journey, made all the more impactful by Nnedi Okorafor’s rhythmic prose. — SG

How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu

Sequoia Nagamatsu’s How High We Go in the Dark is easily one of the best books I’ve read this year so far — and I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s my absolute favorite by the end of the year. Tender and dystopian, the pandemic novel is told in a series of vignettes, each exposing a different pocket of future society — and eventually connecting through characters and circumstances.

Nagamatsu sharply paints a picture of society inevitably building industry out of grief, as people fight for basic human dignity and struggle to hold onto memories of loved ones. It’s an ambitious critique of late-stage capitalism, wrapped up in a series of family dramas that sound wild out of context: a robo-dog toy that contains recordings of a deceased mother’s lullabies, a euthanasia state park for children whose parents want them to have happy final memories, and tech-bro-created funereal currencies are just a few of the scenarios. — NC

Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan

This heartfelt, lyrical fantasy follows Xingyin, a young immortal raised in secret by her mother Chang’e, the moon goddess exiled to a life of solitude by the cruel Celestial Emperor. But when Xingyin’s existence is discovered, she must flee the only home she’s ever known and carve a new path for herself while hiding the truth of who she is.

Daughter of the Moon Goddess sweeps through the years of Xinglin’s journey with efficient, effortless speed, chronicling her evolution from a sheltered child to the Celestial prince’s unlikely but dearest companion and a decorated archer serving the very emperor she despises. All the while, Xingyin must juggle the desires and duties she develops in her new life with her long-held determination to free her mother from under the emperor’s thumb. A story about how far we go for love and the painful choices we must make along the way, Daughter of the Moon Goddess weaves together Chinese mythology, court intrigue, romance, action, and betrayal into one of the year’s most exciting debuts. –SG

Runners-up:

• House of Hunger by Alexis Henderson
• The Genesis of Misery by Neon Yang
• The Last White Man by Mohsin Hamid
• What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher
• Fruiting Bodies: Stories by Kathryn Harlan
• Walk the Vanished Earth by Erin Swan
• Fevered Star (Between Earth and Sky #2) by Rebecca Roanhorse
• The Memory Librarian by Janelle Monáe
• Woman, Eating by Claire Kohda
• Scattered All Over the Earth by Yōko Tawada, translated by Margaret Mitsutani
• Dead Silence by S.A. Barnes
• The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan

Writing Advice & Epic Fiction

The 29 Best Fantasy Books of 2023

Looking for a truly magical story? The best Fantasy books of 2023 are right here.

Let your troubles melt away and be whisked off your feet to explore dazzling new lives full of drama, magic, terror, and—sometimes—fiery passion or sweetest victory. 

This year, both romance and war are in the air, as monsters and dragons alike begin to wake. With riveting new mysteries from best-selling authors like Leigh Bardugo, to indie-published epics with glowing reviews and 100,000+ devoted readers, this list will let you glimpse into the greatest fantasy books of 2023. 

Featuring new adventures, romances, and mystical tales of dark, burning dedication from authors including Chloe Gong, Martha Wells, Brandon Sanderson, keep reading, and you will escape between the pages of your new, favorite fantasy book. 

1. Hell Bent (Alex Stern #2)

Alex Stern is going to rescue Darlington from purgatory by breaking into the underworld, even if it costs her future at Lethe and Yale. Unable to call upon her old allies, she must form an unlikely team to navigate a maze of arcane texts and bizarre artifacts, to open a portal to the underworld—and to save a soul. But the hand of death follows too close, and Alex is forced to reckon with monsters of her past and the darkness built into the university’s walls. Violent magic, gut-wrenching twists, and a world steeped in history make for a story you can’t put down.

Genres: Urban Fantasy (set in a University), Adult, Thrilling Mystery

2. Immortal Longings

In this adult epic fantasy, inspired by Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, the games are about to begin in the kingdom of Talin. Each year, the palace hosts a deadly competition for unimaginable riches. Princess Calla Tuoleimi is in hiding after a massacre she committed. Damned and alone, she plots her revenge against the Kingdom that cursed her. Anton Makusa, an exiled aristocrat, enters the games in a desperate attempt to save his childhood love. The two team up, finding an unexpected ally in King Kasa’s own adopted son. Calla must choose between love, survival, and loyalty to her own monarchy before the games come to a close.

Genres: Romance, Historical Fantasy, Adult

3. The Tyranny of Faith (Empire of the Wolf #2)

In the second book of the trilogy, Sir Konrad, a powerful and magical Justice of the Empire, returns to a city on the brink of rebellion. Rumors of the Magistratum’s weakening authority and growing unrest in the Senate put the Empire’s future at risk. But when the Emperor’s grandson is kidnapped, Konrad must put aside politics to rescue the missing prince. Alongside allies Helena, Bressinger, and Sir Radomir, he sets out on a perilous quest that leads them to the southern frontier where they confront the puritanical templar knights … and a more sinister power, besides.

Genres: Grimdark Mystery, High Fantasy, and the Judicious Use of Necromancy

4. Divine Rivals

In a world where the gods are at war, 18-year-old Iris Winnow struggles to hold her family together amidst her mother’s addiction and her brother’s absence on the front lines. Desperate for stability, Iris competes for a promotion at the Oath Gazette, but her letters to her missing brother are intercepted by her rival, Roman Kitt. As they begin to anonymously correspond, they develop an unexpected connection that leads them to the front lines of the war, where they face the ultimate test of love and loyalty. This epic enemies-to-lovers fantasy, filled with magic and heartbreak, is a must-read for fantasy readers who know that love must conquer all.

Genres: Young Adult Fantasy, Romance, Historical Fantasy, Enemies-to-Lovers

5. Witch King

Kai is a powerful mage, and a born killer. So, when he’s assassinated—and finds himself curiously reawakened—he returns with a vengeance. But in his absence, the world has forever changed. The old rules are gone, and new powers gather. With the help of his allies and a unique brand of magic based on pain, Kai must unravel the mysteries of his own death, and confront the harsh truth of this new life. But every answer will come at a high cost. This epic adventure is brimming with friendship, lies, and betrayal. If you love dry wit, dark humor, and chaotic relationships, you won’t want to stop reading. 

Genres: Adult Fantasy, Witches and Pain-Based Magic, High Fantasy, Reincarnation

6. The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi

After her infamous career as an Indian Ocean pirate, Amina al-Sirafi is content with her new, quiet life of piety and motherhood. But when she is offered a job to retrieve a kidnapped girl for an obscenely wealthy mother, she cannot resist the chance to have one last adventure with her crew and win a fortune to secure her family’s future. Only, there is more to the girl’s disappearance than she was led to believe. Enter a new trilogy of magic and mayhem on the high seas, ruled by pirates and sorcerers who will find one last chance at glory.

Genres: Pirate Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Adventure

7. Victory City  

14th-century Southern India: a divine encounter sets a young girl’s unique destiny into motion. Pampa becomes a vessel for a goddess who foretells the rise of a great city called Bisnaga, the wonder of the world. Over two hundred and fifty years, Pampa’s life becomes interwoven with Bisnaga’s as she works to give women equal agency in a patriarchal society. But as rulers come and go, battles are won and lost, and allegiances shift, Bisnaga’s fate remains uncertain. This epic tale of history, power, and the struggle for equality is a must-read for fans of historical fiction.

Genres: Magical Realism, Historical Fantasy, Mythology

8. The Stolen Heir

In the first book of a new duology, a runaway queen and a reluctant prince are thrown together on a quest that could destroy them both. Atop the Ice Needle Citadel, Lady Nore uses an ancient relic to create monsters, while Suren, the child queen of the Court of Teeth, lives feral in the woods, haunted by her past. When Prince Oak appears, seeking her help, Suren must confront the horrors she left behind and guard her heart against the boy she once knew. A tale of magic, betrayal, and love in the opulent world of Elfhame.

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy Romance, Fae & Magic

9. Song of Silver, Flame like Night

Discover the secrets of a fallen kingdom in this epic fantasy series inspired by ancient Chinese mythology and folklore:

Lan, a songgirl in the conquered city of Haak’gong, carries a mysterious mark on her arm that no one but her can see, let alone decipher. But when a practitioner named Zen notices her mark—and recognizes her hidden power—they set out to uncover the truth deep within the Last Kingdom’s pine forests and misty mountains. With the conqueror’s regime on their heels, Lan and Zen must keep their secrets as they climb toward destiny. Will they liberate their land … or destroy it? 

Genres: Young Adult, Dragons, Mythology, Romance

10. Tress of the Emerald Sea

Tress lives a blissfully simple life on a secluded island where her days are spent collecting cups gifted by passing sailors and listening to stories spun by her friend Charlie. However, when Charlie sets sail with his father on a perilous journey to find a bride, tragedy strikes. Forced to leave behind her idyllic existence, Tress must take matters into her own hands and embark on a treacherous voyage to find the fabled Sorceress of the Midnight Sea. But in a world of deadly spore oceans and cutthroat pirates, can Tress summon the courage to navigate this perilous path and forge a new destiny for herself? The fate of her entire world rests on her journey – and every single drop of water could spell her demise. Perfect for fans of The Princess Bride, this epic tale is a must-read for anyone who loves swashbuckling adventure and epic fantasy.

Genres: High Fantasy, Romance, Adventure

11. Chain of Thorns (The Last Hours #3)

From her father’s murder, to a crumbling marriage, to being bound by an ancient demon, Cordelia Carstairs has lost everything. Hoping to forget her sorrows, she flees to Paris with Matthew Fairchild, but a new threat arises with Tatiana Blackthorn’s escape and London’s danger from the Prince of Hell, Belial. Cordelia returns to a London in chaos, and the revelation that Belial is James and Lucie’s grandfather puts the ones she loves in mortal peril. Facing Belial’s deadly army, Cordelia and her friends must muster their courage, swallow their pride, and trust each other again to save their city and families.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Historical Fantasy

12. A Day of Fallen Night 

Take a new journey back to the enchanting world of Priory of the Orange Tree. Four women’s lives are intertwined, and their actions shape their world for generations. Tunuva Melim is a warrior of the Priory, training for fifty years to slay wyrms … that may never appear. Sabran the Ambitious hopes to save two realms from destruction with her marriage, while her daughter Glorian follows in the shadows. And Dumai has spent her life trying to wake the gods from their slumber, but when the Dreadmount erupts, must unite with the others to protect humankind from a terrifying threat.

Genres: Fantasy, Adult Romance, LGBT, Dragons

13. Godkiller

As a godkiller, Kissen loves her job … until she encounters Skediceth, the god of white lies, who Kissen can’t kill because of the god’s connection to a certain noble girl. Meanwhile, Elogast, a former warrior in the god war, is summoned back to the city he helped purge of a thousand shrines. As he travels, he meets a godkiller, a little girl, and a tiny god, who must not discover the true purpose of his journey. This self-contained epic fantasy is an impressive debut with a golden heart. 

Genres: Epic Fantasy, Adult, Mythology, Myth-Killers

14. Time Trials

Gifted linguist and former Egyptology scholar, Marty Cohen, leads a content life running a woodworking shop, far from academic strife, until mysterious visions disrupt his sleep, and beckon him back to Egypt. An off-the-grid dig has unearthed ancient texts of immense significance, promising a handsome reward for Marty’s expertise. Despite leaving academia, he can’t resist the temptation—or the money. As he delves into the texts, his visions intensify, leading him and a group of archaeologists on an astonishing journey to a protohistoric North Africa, which is rampant with monstrous adversaries. Here, they must become champions of Earth in a life-or-death struggle for humanity’s survival.

Genres: Egyptian Myth & Monsters, Time Travel, Monster Hunting Fantasy

15. The Will of the Many

A fugitive pretends to be an orphan, and lies his way into Catenan Academy. His mission: to solve a murder, find an ancient weapon, and unearth secrets with the power to fracture the Catenan Republic. Determined not to surrender to the oppressive Hierarchy, the fugitive must ascend the Academy’s ranks, maintaining a facade while battling those who seek to control or eliminate him. He must not let anyone know his true identity…

Genres: Epic Fantasy Mystery, Magical School, Underdog Fantasy

16. Defiant (Songs of Chaos #3)

Holt and his blind dragon, Ash, are summoned by Elder Dragon of Life, and must embark on a dangerous mission. Through steamy jungles and scorching islands, they encounter ancient magical secrets and dragons that challenge the historical separation of dragons and men. 

The Red Queen must keep pirates and mercenaries from closing in on her land. With her empire in turmoil, she must decide whether to unleash her devastating powers against mortal enemies or witness her people suffer. Osric seeks solace alongside his newly-bonded black dragon, healing internal wounds along the frontier. But inner peace still eludes him.

Dark powers creep across the lands, ignored while the clash between Elders and Paragons threatens kingdoms. The dragon riders must unite, or see their world fall into ruin. 

Genres: Dragon Riders, Progression Fantasy, Epic Fantasy

17. Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries

Professor Emily Wilde is a brilliant scholar of faerie lore, but struggles with social situations (you might call her a curmudgeon) and prefers the company of books and the Fair Folk to people. When she arrives in the village of Hrafnsvik to study the elusive Hidden Ones, she has no interest in making friends with the gruff locals … or her new academic rival, Wendell Bambleby, who is both (insufferably) handsome and great at charming the locals. Yet, as she delves deeper into the faerie secrets of the forest, she finds herself perplexed by another mystery: who is Wendell Bambleby, really? In this charming and enchanting tale, Emily must navigate both the world of faeries and the complexities of human emotions.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Fae, Historical Fantasy

18. The Foxglove King

When she was 13, Lore escaped a death magic cult in the catacombs beneath the city of Dellaire, but her power keeps her tethered here. Now, she runs a poison business, but when her magic is revealed during a job, she’s taken by Presque Mort, a group working for the Sainted King. The king wants Lore to use her power to investigate strange deaths in villages, or face death. Lore enters the king’s court, where politics, religion, lies, and romance tangle her path. As she navigates the glittering society, her past in the catacombs—and her oldest enemies—draw near.

Genres: Adult Fantasy, Romance, Courtly Intrigue

19. Lost in the Moment Found (Wayward Children #8, Standalone)

In this standalone addition to the Wayward Children series, Antoinette discovers a shop where lost things go. That sock? Your missing headphones? You’ll find them here. Desperate to find her missing father, Antoinette embarks on a journey through infinite worlds, each with its own unique magic and danger. But as Antoinette moves further away from the shop, she realizes that leaving behind her childhood and innocence comes at a cost. Lost in the Moment and Found is a heartwarming and bittersweet tale about the power of love and the pain of growing up.

Genres: Young Adult, Portal Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Novella

20. Mysteries of Thorn Manor (Sorcery of Thorns #1.5)  

Elisabeth and Nathaniel are finally enjoying their new life together, when something strange happens at Thorn Manor. The estate’s wards, meant to keep them safe, are acting up and trapping the occupants inside. Elisabeth suspects it’s not a coincidence. With no way to contact the outside world, Elisabeth, Nathaniel, and Silas – along with their new maid Mercy – must work together to unravel the source of the malfunctioning wards before the Midwinter Ball. But with unexpected secrets lurking in the house, and their growing desire for each other causing, ahem, distractions , this proves no easy task. The house, it seems, requires a price. 

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy Romance, Cozy Fantasy

21. Untethered Sky

A thrilling epic fantasy fable about a daughter’s unwavering obsession to avenge her family’s death at the hands of manticores. In her quest, Ester joins the King’s Royal Mews, where she pairs with a fledgling, cold-hearted roc named Zahra to hunt the deadly monsters. Together, they embark on the empire’s most perilous manticore hunt, leading Ester to a journey of perseverance and acceptance that will forever change her life.

Genres: High Fantasy, Epic Adult Fantasy, Novella

22. Portal to Nova Roma: The Rhine (Portal to Nova Roma #3)

After conquering Carthage, Alexander struggles with the aftermath of war. He’s mentally exhausted and demonically corrupted. In his desperation, he turns to a mysterious, enigmatic prisoner who offers him a unique, risky form of power that could help him further his goals. On a journey to secure trade routes for Venice before the pirate threat returns, Alexander must confront his inner demons and find a way to heal his mind and body. Can he overcome the challenges ahead and claim the resources of the frontier?

Genres: Portal Fantasy, Historical Fantasy, Adventure & Magic, Self-Published

23. Bloodcrete (The Weirkey Chronicles #6)

Reborn after a murderous betrayal, Theo is given a second chance at life—and a second chance to enter the Nine Worlds. Armed with the knowledge of his past life, he sets out to unravel the deception that cost him everything. As he climbs the ranks to Authority, Theo must navigate old rivalries, impending war, and a dangerous new material created by the Asplundat Movement: bloodcrete. No one truly knows how its use will change the worlds.

Genres: Reincarnation Fantasy, Progression Fantasy, Epic Fantasy

24. Cassiel’s Servant (Kushiel’s Legacy #1.5)

Return to the realm of Terre d’Ange in Cassiel’s Servant, a retelling of Kushiel’s Dart from the perspective of Joscelin, a warrior-priest and protector of Phèdre nó Delaunay. When both are betrayed, they must rely on each other to survive as they journey together to avert the conquest of Terre D’Ange. Joscelin’s journey shatters his body and mind but also brings him an impossible love that he will do anything to keep, even if it means breaking all vows and losing his soul. This epic hero’s journey is a must-read for fans of Kushiel’s Dart and new readers alike.

Genres: Adult Fantasy, Adult Romance, LGBT

25. A Shadow Crown (The Halfling Saga #2)  

In a kingdom held hostage by a cruel king, Keera, the king’s most trusted Blade, must navigate a world of political scheming and backstabbing as she works with Prince Killian and his Shadow to take down the oppressive regime from within. But with secrets and enemies lurking around every corner, Keera finds herself in more danger than she ever thought possible. As she battles her own grief and navigates the complexities of love, Keera must decide what she’s willing to risk in order to save her kingdom and those she loves. Will she be able to survive the high stakes of rebellion, or will she lose everything she’s fighting for?

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Fae

26. Clytemnestra

In Ancient Greece, a queen knows that she is either hated or forgotten. Born to a king but married to a tyrant, she has suffered unspeakable horrors at the hands of her husband, including the sacrifice of their child. As she watches him wage war, she plots her revenge. But when her husband returns in triumph, she must become a woman of unparalleled strength and cunning to get what she wants. Full of power and prophecy, love and hatred, this novel blazes with passion, and thrilling retribution.

Genres: Mythology, Historical Fantasy

27. Of War and Ruin (The Bound and Broken #3)

An epic tale of sacrifice, courage, and resilience, written for fans of dark fantasy and bloody adventure. 

The city of Kingspass burns, but Calen refuses to give up hope. With a new ally at his side, he must fight his own demons and find the strength to lead those who need him most. Meanwhile, Ella struggles to understand the power that flows through her veins and the changes it brings. The Blood Moon rises, the balance of power shifts, and Epheria will never be the same. 

Genres: Epic Fantasy, Adult Fantasy, Dragons, Self-Published

28. A Thousand Li: The Third Realm (Book #8)

As Wu Ying, a cultivator on a journey to grow his god-like powers and reach the heights of the Heavens, ventures beyond the kingdom of Shen, he discovers that not all the governors and sects of the Middle Kingdom exist in harmony. As Wu Ying chases the traces of the Heaven’s Wind, grasping at the truth it so elusively dangles before him, he must also contend with his own place under the Heavens … or among them.

Genres: Cultivation, Xianxia Fantasy, Progession Fantasy, Indie-Published

29. Aiduel’s Sin (The Illborn Saga #2) 

The medieval nations of Angall are on the brink of a Holy War, and the four Illborn face massive challenges as they try to understand their growing powers and their true, supernatural identities. Arion and Allana find themselves on opposing sides, while Leanna becomes a target of the Holy Church (and the killers are already closing in). Corin must face a deadly new peril while coping with the aftermath of an attack on his wife. With mysteries still to unravel, the Illborn must navigate their choices and actions to shape their destinies.

Genres: High Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Adult, Indie-Published

Find Your New Favorite Fantasy Book in 2023

This year is already bursting with wondrous tales, dazzling characters, and jaw-dropping worlds. Whether you’re looking for a new romantic thrill, stories of war-torn empires, or a curious, mystical mystery, read this list, and I think you’ll find something to love or inspire or help you live a new, magical life somewhere far away.

If I missed one of your favorite new fantasy books, let me know in the comments below. 

Happy reading 🙂

Recommended:

• Best Science Fiction Books | 2023
• Best Fantasy Books | 2022

More Articles

The Top 13 Science Fiction Books in 2023

The Best Fantasy Books of 2022

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Best fantasy books 🧙‍♂️

Curated by our reviewers this week

THURSDAY 27th JUNE, 2024

Jody Norman

An action packed book that explores the relationships between people and the world around us. This is a must read for fantasy e...

Reviewed by Natasha White

Epic Fantasy

City of rain.

William Lejeune

An epic fantasy novel with remarkable world-building and a cast that feels incredibly lifelike!

Reviewed by Rohit Rawat

Rising Water

James Clarke

With his unique ability, Gil is a key figure in the future of The Gaia. The only question is, who is his friend or foe?

Reviewed by Chewable Orb

The Reverse Tower

A beautiful, stifling novel, both in prose and packaging. Recommended to fans of Sanderson, The Dark Tower, and epic magical f...

Reviewed by Julianna Caro

Crossroads of Awakening Memory

M. D. House gives us a tale of magic, intrigue, and suspense set against an interplanetary backdrop, with faith at its heart.

Reviewed by Lisa Henson

Marked for Fire

As tragedy strikes, Gil is given a new life in a world of magic and mystery. Although beauty awaits, he soon realizes that more...

The Guild Master's Daughter

Geneva Price

A unique blend of history, art and fantasy in which a willful young woman triumphs over restrictive social mores.

Reviewed by Kit Trzebunia

The Last of the Giant Fire Lizards

Christopher Fetherolf

Zephyr, the last of living dragon, seeks vengeance against the evil wizard that killed her mate and hatchling.

Reviewed by Megan Weiss

A New Age of Man

D.A. Putman

An intriguing examination of the implications on the use of AI and its effect on humanity

Reviewed by Diamond Harrell

A Tale of the Nine Lands

J. K. F. Sandham

An ancient magic awakens in the Nine Lands. Is it enough for humans and dwarves to finally thwart the witches and giants enslav...

Queen of the Blood Throne

Rhiannon Hargadon

Malinda enters the castle of Death, literally. Does this young thief have what it takes to survive in the world of fates?

The Blade in the Angel's Shadow

Plenty of action, magical intrigue, and well-developed characters which make this a page-turning adventure.

Reviewed by Jessi Hafeman

Keepers of Time

M. N. Kinch

A riveting new adult fantasy novel blending a mystery about lost Time with a wondrous account of found family.

Lia Dàn – Stone of Destiny

James Raquepau

Our heroine Breanna is on a quest for the Stone of Destiny. Can she rid the land of Erin of the Dreadlord once and for all?

Urban Fantasy

Interview with death.

V.K. Pasanen

Beautiful. Chilling. Haunting. Sticks with you long after reading the final page.

Reviewed by Asha Ashley

The Emerald Sea: An Epic Fantasy Romance

K. Stan Tinos

A gripping novel that showcases the inner turmoil of an enemies-to-lovers story in a lush fantasy setting.

Reviewed by Bailey Cavender

Fanning Fireflies

A gripping story for the ones who see the ugliness of the world and look for the beauty in, around, underneath, and beyond it.

Reviewed by Meaghan Wood

Wyvern's Plague

A. K. Bryce

An addictive introduction to a fantasy world that is hard to put down.

Reviewed by Tawny Molina

Heir to Chaos

Adrian Holmes

Deven desires to live a simple life but the time of reckoning is coming. Armed with an unforseen power he discovers his true ca...

Out of Body: Master of the Archons

Christopher John Chater

Hands down, Mr. Chater has made me enjoy reading again, and I'm here for it.

Reviewed by CL Huth

Chooser of the Slain

Fate shines on us when we least expect it, thus is the case for Antje. For she will fulfill the destiny to protect those inhabi...

Lann Dàn – Blades of Destiny

A fierce warrior arises, one with white hair unlike all of the others. With abilities to foreshadow opponent's strikes, she is ...

Ildri & The Echoes of Trees

Krystal Bailey

A great fantasy opener from Krystal Bailey, which promises much more, with tense action, great characters and a world easy to v...

Reviewed by Rachel Deeming

The Wellermans' Tale

Samson's Sister

Set sail on a thrilling voyage through the pages of a high-sea adventure filled with humour, sibling bonds, and—of course—pirat...

Reviewed by Betty McCann

Devine Enquiries

Martin Hull

If Micky Spillane and Ben Arronivich got together, this is the book they would have written — solid detective work in a fantasy...

Reviewed by Tess Quinn

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36 of the best fantasy books everyone should read

Are you looking for your next fantasy must-read? From wizards and werewolves to weird happenings underground, we've pulled together some of the WIRED team's favourite fantasy series. Some are set in strange and fantastic worlds, while others start a little closer to home. And, if you'd like more reading ideas, try our guide to the best sci-fi books or our picks of the best books on Audible .

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Piranesi is a wondrous, genre-defying book, but if it had to fit somewhere, 'fantasy' would be the label we'd give it. The less you know about Piranesi , the better, but as a taster, it follows the life of a man who lives within the spectacular, statue-filled halls of a vast, labyrinthine house. Waves roll into the halls, birds and sea creatures come and go, but he has no idea why he's there or how he got there. He's more concerned with writing journal entries and documenting things he encounters.

It's a twisting novel that's both beautiful and deeply unsettling. It's one you could read in a single sitting because the narrator seems so unnervingly naive, and the more you discover, the more you itch for what secrets are hiding beneath the surface. Released in 2021, Piranesi was shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction and won a massive amount of critical acclaim for author Susanna Clarke. If her name rings a bell, it's because she's already well-known for her first novel Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell , which was published in 2004 and adapted into a TV series.

Price: £7.50 | Amazon | Waterstones | Audible trial

Described as Game of Thrones meets Ocean’s Eleven , Six of Crows is set in the Grishaverse – like the award-winning Shadow and Bone trilogy, which is now a major Netflix show. In fact, the show might be called Shadow and Bone , but it draws from the cast of characters in Six of Crows , too. Six of Crows begins in Ketterdam, a raucous, busy hub of trade with an underbelly of crime. Kaz Brekker is a criminal mastermind who’s offered the chance to carry out a risky heist with a considerable reward. He handpicks a team to help, including a convict, excellent sharpshooter, and a spy – six outcasts in total, all trying to pull off the ultimate heist. Bardugo is brilliant at world-building, which is a treat if you’re entering the Grishaverse for the first time and a welcome return for anyone who’s read the Shadow and Bone trilogy or her latest duology set in the same universe, King of Scars . Yes, Six of Crows and the other Grishaverse books are technically YA, but don’t let that put you off.

If anyone deserves to be on this list twice, it’s Neil Gaiman. Stardust is a magical fantasy novel that’s a delight to read at any age. It’s about a young man called Tristran Thorn, who vows to find a star for the woman he loves after they see it fall from the night sky.

By Kate Knibbs

By Jaina Grey

By Becky Ferreira

By Matt Reynolds

What follows is a fairy tale that weaves in stories, characters and settings that are already embedded in our cultural make-up, like pirates, spells, curses, witches, power struggles, falling stars, otherworldly beings and much more. Gaiman said: “I wanted to write a story that would feel, to the reader, like something he or she had always known” – and that’s the enduring appeal of Stardust. The book was adapted into a movie in 2007 with a star-studded cast, including Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Claire Danes. Once you’ve read the book, you should find it on your go-to streaming service, as it does Neil Gaiman’s original tale justice.

Price: £9 | Amazon | Waterstones | Audible trial

Another award-winning entry, Jade City bagged The World Fantasy Award in 2018 and was shortlisted for many others, including the Nebula Awards and the Locus Awards. It’s an epic story that many have said is reminiscent of classic Hong Kong gangster movies. However, the twist here is that it’s set in Janloon, a fantastical metropolis that Lee describes incredibly vividly.

The central premise of Jade City is, as you might guess, all about Jade. This is a stone that’s the lifeblood of the city and has magical properties as it can enhance a person’s natural abilities. That’s why it’s so precious and controlled by two warring families. But when a new drug emerges that gives anyone the power to take advantage of the mystical energies of Jade, tension rises, and violence ensues. It’s stylish, full of beautiful, gritty descriptions and, despite being a fantasy book, touches on all kinds of relatable themes, like family honour and tradition.

Price: £8 | Amazon | Waterstones | Audible trial

Considered one of the best fantasy books ever written, The Last Unicorn is a magical story about a unicorn living in a forest. One day, hunters arrive in the forest and believe it must contain a unicorn because of the magic protecting the creatures there. One of the hunters shouts a warning to the unicorn that she might be the last of her kind, which urges her to embark on a quest to find more unicorns – or learn what’s happened to them.

What comes next is full of sadness, adventure and wonder, with talking animals, witches, a harpy, spells, a magician, and much, much more. It’s another book that’s a trip back into the world of magic and fairy tales for adults, but a firm favourite for children of all ages, too. The Last Unicorn has since been adapted for the screen. In 1982, it was made into a movie featuring the voices of Alan Arkin, Jeff Bridges, Mia Farrow, Angela Lansbury, and Christopher Lee.

Price: £16 | Amazon | Waterstones

Who Fears Death, by Nnedi Okorafor (2018)

Written by award-winning science-fiction and fantasy writer Nnedi Okorafor, Who Fears Death is set in Sudan in a far off, nuclear holocaust-ravaged future. There’s genocide and suffering between two warring tribes and, amidst this immense pain and violence, Onyesonwu is born – her name means “who fears death?” in an ancient language. Onyesonwu is special, displaying all manner of magical powers from an early age. This book is a mesmerising blend of magic, folk tradition, love and spirituality. But read it soon before it hits your TV screen if you’re a book-before-adaptation kind of person. Who Fears Death is being made into a TV series for HBO and George R. R. Martin is set to be an executive producer.

Price: £9 | Amazon | Waterstones | Audible

A Court of Thorns and Roses, by Sarah J. Maas (2020)

Imagine Beauty and the Beast but ramp up the romance and fantasy even more, transform Beauty into a huntress and Beast into some kind of fantastical faerie lord and that’s A Court of Thorns and Roses . Sara J. Maas might have used the classic fairytale as a starting pont for this epic fantasical romance, but it’s a brilliant story in its own right. So much so that it’s the first in a best-selling series of the same name. A Court of Thorns and Roses begins with Feyre, a huntress who kills a wolf to feed her family. But this was no ordinary wolf. In fact, it wasn’t a wolf at all and Feyre has to face the consequences of her violent actions. This is, technically, a YA (young adult) novel, but don’t let that put you off, it has a huge adult fanbase.

Price: £7 | Amazon | Waterstones | Audible

The Power, by Naomi Alderman (2017)

The Power could also be classed as science-fiction, but we’re including it in our fantasy recommendations because what’s more fantastical than every woman in the land suddenly being able to electrocute men Palpatine-style with their fingertips? That’s the searingly smart and brilliantly-explored premise of The Power , which allows us to imagine what would happen if the present balance in the world – or, more rightly so, imbalance, – was reversed in favour of women. Would we be living in a calm utopia within a fortnight? Would we face the same problems we always have? Or would there be a whole host of new challenges to contend with?

The Fifth Season, by N. K. Jemisin (2016)

It doesn’t feel like there’s a right way to begin explaining the truly monumental premise and proportions of The Fifth Season , so let’s just dive in. This book takes place on a planet with one massive supercontinent called Stillness. Every few hundred years the ‘fifth season’ occurs – a period of catastrophic climate change. The world-building prowess of Jemisin’s The Fifth Season is epic, there are different ethnicities, species, areas and castes with all kinds of powers and conflicts, and plenty of other details that won’t make sense until you read the book – be prepared to be a little overwhelmed when you’re first introduced to this new universe. This award-winning tome is the first in the Broken Earth series, with later books also scooping up prestigious Hugo Awards in their own right.

Riot Baby, by Tochi Onyebuchi (2020)

Set in the near future, Riot Baby might be a story with fantastical elements weaved throughout it, but it explores very real, pertinent and important issues of race and bias algorithms. The riot baby in this book is Kev, a young Black man who’s in prison. His sister, Ella, has a number of special powers – like being able to see into the future. Riot Baby is novella length (perfect for anyone whose concentration span isn’t what it used to be) and written in a fast-paced style that makes us, as readers, feel as if we’re witnessing flashes of memories in a manner that’s wedded to some of the central themes of anger and injustice.

Price: £14 | Amazon | Waterstones | Audible

Kindred, by Octavia E. Butler (2018)

Some might say Octavia E. Butler’s fantastic Kindred is a work of science-fiction or speculative fiction, but it’s in our list because Butler herself called it “a kind of grim fantasy”. This is a time travel narrative, but we’d bet it’s quite unlike any you’ve read before. Kindred follows the story of a woman called Dana who’s transported from 1976 Los Angeles to a Maryland plantation in 1815, where she’s assumed to be a slave. Like all good fantasy and science-fiction, the magical, surreal, time-travelling elements act as a way into a raw exploration of race, power and gender that’s as relevant and urgent now as it was when Butler first published it in 1979.

Price: £7.50 | Amazon | Waterstones | Audible

The Lies of Locke Lamora, by Scott Lynch (2006)

Renaissance Venice meets fantasy meets the twists and turns of a well crafted crime novel. Scott Lynch builds a fascinating fantasy city with real detail and real grit. No shining heroes and wistful princesses here. Instead criminal gangs, corrupt officials and the high likelihood of being mugged in a back alley. There is almost a sense of Oceans 11 meets venetian masquerade, blink and you’ll miss the sleight of hand! Fantasy is almost an afterthought in this novel and it is really about the character building and storytelling. Sure there are shark matadors and alchemical alcoholic fruits, not to mention the mysterious Elderglass, but these are more a backdrop rather than plot driving and all combine to make, subtle and intriguing read. There are plenty of twists and turns as Locke navigates the underworld of Camorr, but it’s unlikely you’ll see all of them coming!? This is the first book of a trilogy and although it stands alone you’ll want to read the other two to see what happens next in Red Seas Under Red Skies and A Republic of Thieves .

Earthlings, by Sayaka Murata (2020)

Not one for the faint hearted, this dark fantasy comedy from the author of Convenience Store Woman is tricky to pin down into any one category and the final pages will probably leave you gobsmacked. Natsuki and Yuu are cousins who have long prepared to be abducted back to their home planet. So far, so childhood but then they grow up and the plan persists. In the meantime they have to try to function in regular society, securing partners and jobs and not drawing attention to themselves. No taboo is left unturned with Earthlings encouraging minor acts of rebellion from what 'society' tells us we have to do.

Price: £10.50 | Amazon | Waterstones | 30-day Audible trial

Circe, by Madeline Miller (2018)

Circe, daughter of Titan sun god Helios, finds herself overshadowed in the halls of the gods until she discovers her own, different power: witchcraft. Banished to a deserted island for abusing her magic, and repeatedly let down by the men she puts her trust in, Circe must forge her own path: as a goddess, a witch, and a woman. Miller’s novel offers a new perspective on tales of Greek myth, with Circe’s centuries-long story seeing her appear at the birth of the Minotaur, face off with goddess of war Athena, and host hero Odysseus on his long return from Troy. An accessible read with larger-than-life characters and an adventurous plot, Circe is mythology as you’ve never known it before.

Price: £7 | Amazon | Waterstones | 30-day Audible trial

Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, by Tad Williams (1988 to 1993)

The three books in this trilogy, The Dragonbone Chair , Stone of Farewell and To Green Angel Tower , are beautifully crafted fantasies that deftly interweave almost comically simple tropes with a rewarding complexity and depth. Game of Thrones fans will find much to enjoy – George R. R. Martin readily admits they were a big inspiration for him – as Williams takes a similarly methodical approach to creating the fictional continent Osten Ard and the races that inhabit it. His tales of the humble kitchen scullion who has great things ahead of him are full of joyful and sorrowful moments that will have you laughing and crying, making them a delightful diversion from life's ups and downs.

Price: £6 | Amazon | Abe Books | 30-day Audible trial

Malazan Book of the Fallen series, by Steven Erikson (1999 to 2011)

Spanning 10 books and over 9,000 pages of brutal, beautiful and complex fantasy writing, Steven Erikson's series delivers world building on a larger scale than Tolkien and Jordan put together. Erikson will have you laughing and crying as you follow the lives of disparate heroes and anti-heroes across a sweeping vista of worlds peopled by a unique set of races and animals. You will fall in love with his characters and you will hate them, either way you will want to know what happens next. Beginning with the Gardens of the Moon , Erikson’s ability to write epic convergence is unparalleled and will leave you unable to stand the tension leading up to the major events he depicts.

The First Law Trilogy, by Joe Abercrombie (2006 to 2008)

Joe Abercrombie writes brilliant characters. Be it the story of an ageing berserker, a crippled torturer or a pompous noble, his The First Law Trilogy immerses you in a bloody mire of violent, visceral and gritty adventures. You will see the glory of battle in all its bowel spilling ineptitude and hopelessness, but there is always someone to root for even if it is not the god blessed heroes and heroines you might usually expect. As an added bonus there are also three standalone books and a collection of short stories that revisit some of the First Law characters and world, something you will be eager to devour once you’ve read the first trilogy.

Price: £17 | Amazon | Waterstones | 30-day Audible trial

The Golem and the Djinni, by Helene Wecker (2013)

Helene Wecker's debut novel is an eerie tale of two magical creatures set loose in 19th century New York. A golem – a mythical creature of Jewish lore – awakens during a sea voyage, and is taught to pass as human among the diverse groups of people living in the city. At the same time, a tinsmith in New York accidentally frees a genie from a flask after centuries of imprisonment, but he's trapped in human form seeking a way to return to his full power. The pair meet and become friends, and must team up to counter an evil sorcerer who wants to enslave them both.

Price: £10 | Amazon | Waterstones | 30-day Audible trial

Dune, by Frank Herbert (1965)

Welcome to a desert planet where water is more precious than gold, everyone wears moisture-preserving jumpsuits and giant worm creatures can come out of the earth's floor that can kill you at any moment. This is Dune, a stark wasteland where warring houses scheme against each other in bloody battles that can alter the course of human history. Although it's science-fiction on the surface, Frank Herbert's epic tome features the fantasy tropes of betrayal, redemption and freedom in spades, and is rightly considered one of the most important of the genre. Herbert's masterpiece not only helped to inspire Star Wars – it still resonates today, tackling environmental concerns, the rise of superpowers and rebellion of people exploited on their own land.

The Dark Tower series, by Stephen King (1998)

"The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed." This iconic line kicks off Stephen King's iconic The Dark Tower, which mashes together fantasy, westerns and elements of science fiction. The first of seven books follows gunslinger Roland as he pursues a mysterious, malevolent presence across a strange world that's linked to our own. From there, it sprawls into a rambling epic that highlight's King's imagination as well as his touch for horror.

Price: £9 | Amazon | Waterstones | 30-day Audible trial

A Song of Ice and Fire, by George R.R. Martin (1996)

Fans of the television series have been distancing themselves from Game of Thrones in droves since that disastrous final season, but George R.R. Martin's books remain relatively untainted. A Game of Thrones , the first in the A Song of Ice and Fire Series, sets the tone – with violence and adult themes rarely seen in a lot of mainstream fantasy up to that point. Each chapter follows an individual character's point of view, and although the series does becomes slightly bogged down in later entries, it is gripping – and the ending is still to come.

Price: £8.50 | Amazon | Waterstones | 30-day Audible trial

Good Omens, by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman (1990)

Both Pratchett and Gaiman feature in their own right on this list and Good Omens , composed in part over answerphone messages three decades ago, delivers on the promise of a fantasy literature titan team up. It's the extremely silly story of an angel, Aziraphale, and a demon, Crowley, played with glee by Michael Sheen and David Tennant in this year's Amazon Prime Video series, trying to stop Armageddon. Most fantasy books ask for a serious commitment but Good Omens is a fully formed, read-in-an-afternoon treat.

Rivers of London series, by Ben Aaronovitch (2011)

Set in a lovingly described version of present-day London, the Rivers of London series charts the adventures of Detective Constable Peter Grant, one of two wizards in the Metropolitan Police. It grounds its fantastical elements in the scientific method, and the mixture of flying spells and police jargon gives the ongoing series a unique and enjoyable tone. The first book, Rivers of London describes an encounter with a malevolent spirit that draws Grant into the capital's magical underworld.

Price: £8 | Amazon | Waterstones | 30-day Audible trial

The Wheel of Time series, by Robert Jordan (1990-2007)

An epic fourteen novel saga, (as well as a prequel novel and two companion books), the author James Oliver Rigney Jr. (pen name Robert Jordan), published the first entry in 1990 and was still writing on his death in 2007. Too vast to summarise, the fantasy world – actually a distant version of Earth – is epic and magical, with a gigantic cast of characters. The series has spawned a video game, a roleplaying game, a soundtrack album and a forthcoming TV series, and the books have sold more than 80 million copies, making it one of the bestselling fantasy series since Lord of the Rings .

Price: £20 | Amazon | Blackwells | 30-day Audible trial

The Gormenghast series, by Mervyn Peake (1946-56)

The first instalment of Mervyn Peake’s epic fantasy series, which features three books and a novella, was published in 1946. It follows the residents of Castle Gormenghast – a giant, gothic castle. In the first book, we meet title character Titus Groan, who stands to inherit the castle and its kingdom. Populated with a host of fantastical creatures, Gormenghast is like a Lord of the Rings that didn’t blow up. Unlike much of the fantasy genre gets high praise in literary circles too: Harold Bloom called the series best fantasy novels of the twentieth century.

Price: £20 | Amazon | Waterstones | 30-day Audible trial

His Dark Materials, by Philip Pullman (1995)

Phillip Pullman’s Northern Lights is a children’s book with a depth and complexity that can satisfy adults. We follow Lyra Belacqua and Pantalaimon, her daemon – her inner self given animal form – as she investigates rumours of children being separated from their own spiritual companions. Over the three-book series, this transitions into a battle between humanity and heaven. It functions in part as a retelling and inversion of John Milton's epic Paradise Lost . The second entry of a three-part sequel trilogy was published in late 2019.

The Book of Dust, by Philip Pullman (2018)

Philip Pullman has returned with a follow-up to the His Dark Materials trilogy. The Book of Dust is a second trilogy set in the world of Lyra Belacqua and her inner self in animal form, Pantalaimon. At the point of writing two of the trilogy have been released: La Belle Sauvage (2018) and The Secret Commonwealth (2019). The first of these is set before the tumultuous events of His Dark Materials. But the second fast forwards to a decade after their conclusion. There's espionage, spies and frantic attempts to stop the world from vanishing into darkness.

Price: £7.50 | Amazon | Waterstones | 30-day Audible trial

The Dresden Files, by Jim Butcher (2000)

Harry Dresden is a professional wizard in a version of modern-day Chicago where fantastical creatures lurk just underneath the surface. He makes his living as a private detective, solving cases that bridge the worlds of the real and the uncanny. In Storm Front , the first book in long-running series The Dresden Files, he finds himself duelling with vampires, werewolves, and the mob.

Price: £40 | Amazon | Waterstones | 30-day Audible trial

Perdido Street Station, by China Miéville (2000)

China Miéville's work falls more accurately under the banner of Weird Fiction, an amalgamation of fantasy and horror pioneered by HP Lovecraft. This work, one in a series of books set in the world of Bas-Lag, lies closer to the fantasy genre. As Mieville describes it "it's basically a secondary world fantasy with Victorian-era technology. So rather than being a feudal world, it's an early industrial capitalist world of a fairly grubby, police statey kind”.

Price: £11 | Amazon | Waterstones | 30-day Audible trial

American Gods, by Neil Gaiman (2001)

The Amazon Prime series failed to spark, but Neil Gaiman's richly described novel is well worth a read. American Gods pits the abandoned folk deities of the old world against the modern idols we worship now. It follows Shadow Moon, a convict who finds out – days before his release – that his wife has died in a car accident, and falls into the surreal orbit of Mr Wednesday (Odin) and a looming showdown between the old gods and the new.

A Wizard of Earthsea, by Ursula Le Guin (1968)

Ursula Le Guin is one of the titans of fantasy and sci-fi – her books explore political and feminist themes in fantastical settings. The Left Hand of Darkness focuses on an androgynous civilisation, and The Dispossessed is set in anarchist Utopia. The Earthsea series is more traditional but still brilliant – we follow Ged, a teenager at magic school, who causes a disaster dabbling in the dark arts. Readers have pointed to the similarities between Ged’s school and Hogwarts.

The Farseer Trilogy, by Robin Hobbs (1995-1997)

Robin Hobbs' epic fantasy series hero follows FitzChivalry Farseer, or Fitz for short, the bastard son of the crown prince. Raised in a stable and trained as an assassin, the story charts his adventures through the kingdom of The Six Duchies: magic, murder, and political intrigue abound, as well as a zombie curse. Sound familiar? Definitely a good choice for those suffering from Game of Thrones withdrawal symptoms.

Price: £9 | Amazon | Waterstones | start a 30-day Audible trial

The Accursed Kings, by Maurice Druon (1955-77)

A curveball: not fantasy (the books cover the French monarchy in the 14th century), but a book for fans of fantasy. Its author Maurice Druon is the hero of George RR Martin, who penned the series that became Game of Thrones . As Martin wrote in the Guardian: “ The Accursed Kings has it all: iron kings and strangled queens, battles and betrayals, lies and lust, deception, family rivalries, the curse of the Templars, babies switched at birth, she-wolves, sin and swords, the doom of a great dynasty and all of it (or most of it) straight from the pages of history."

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, by Susanna Clarke (2004)

One of the more recent publications on this list, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is set in 19th-century England around the time of the Napoleonic Wars. The book’s premise is that magic has returned: two men, Gilbert Norrell and Jonathan Strange, wield it. Written in a comedy of manners, Jane Austen style, it took its author British writer Susanna Clarke (see Piranesi above) ten years to write and was widely acclaimed on its release in 2004.

Price: £11 | Amazon | Waterstones | start a 30-day Audible trial

Mort, by Terry Pratchett (1987)

One of the best entries in Terry Pratchett’s inimitable Discworld series, Mort focuses on a teenager who is taken under the apprenticeship of Death. Appearing in nearly every one of the Discworld books, Pratchett’s Death is one of the author’s greatest creations, and the source of some of the series’ most famous quotes ("Don’t think of it as dying, just think of it as leaving early to avoid the rush.”) It’s in Mort that Death grows into a sympathetic and likeable character, who loves cats and curry and is continuously baffled by the irrationally of humans.

Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James (2019)

Marlon James, who won the Booker prize for A Brief History of Seven Killings , is not traditionally a fantasy writer, but he dubbed his latest book the African Game of Thrones . (Although he later revealed the comparison was a joke). This book focuses on the political tensions between warring states, in a world populated by a host of magical creatures: cannibals, vampires, witches, ghosts and sorcerers.

This article was originally published by WIRED UK

Jennifer M. Wood

Laura Kipnis

Angela Watercutter

Marah Eakin

David Howard

Locus Online

The Magazine of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Field

New Books, 25 June 2024

Anthology of short stories involving time, mixing the cosmic weird of H.P. Lovecraft and the steam-age technology of H.G. Wells. Authors include James Chambers, Carol Gyzander, Will McDermott, Jody Lynn Nye.

Young-adult fantasy novel based on West African lore, the third book in the Legacy of Orisha trilogy. Zélie finds herself locked in a cage and trapped on a foreign ship as warriors with iron skulls traffic her and her people across the seas, far from their homeland.

Young-adult horror novel, based on Snow White. First in a series. 17 year old Princess Eve was raised to destroy the Knight, using her own unique magic — the ability to conjure weapons from nature. But Eve’s mother the queen has been acting strangely, talking to a mirror every night, and a messenger from the Knight reveals a shocking truth.

Fantasy novel inspired by Philippine history and mythology, the first in the Stormbringer Saga duology. Lunurin, a bisexual woman, promised her life to a storm goddess for power to destroy the colonizers, but she accidentally destroys her own village and gets sent away to a convent until ten years later decides to take up the fight again. A first novel.

Fantasy novel set in the world of The Blacktongue Thief . Galva has defied her family’s wishes and joined the army’s untested new unit, the Raven Knights, who march toward a once-beautiful city overrun by the goblin horde, accompanied by scores of giant war corvids.

SF space opera adventure novel, second in the Pandemonium duology. The artificial intelligence known as Rupshe assembles a team to find the Mother Mass — a force that exists somewhere in the multiverse, which can end the war between two mighty empires.

Fantasy novel mixing Slavic lore and elements of Soviet-era city life, first in the Witch’s Compendium of Monsters duology. Kosara, a witch in the walled city of Chernograd, has to trade away her shadow — the source of her powers — to escape her ex, and develops a deadly sickness that plagues shadowless witches. To survive she has twelve days to get her shadow back. A first novel.

Foul Days … mixes folklore and modernity, setting itself between the walled ghetto-city of Chernograd – where monsters roam the streets, magic is as commonplace as poverty, and in order to leave you have to pay people-smugglers to get you across the wall – and the prosperous city of Belograd on the far side of the wall, rich where Chernograd is poor, safe where Chernograd is dangerous.

— Liz Bourke, Locus , June 2024

SF novella. Alice, the last human, finds an AI in an antique data core, the “ghost” control unit of an ancient weapon system that refuses to believe the war is over, so she decides to use the stargate network to take it home and lay it to rest.

Collection of occult fiction with a frame narrative, set in 1970s England.

Urban fantasy mystery novella. A widow coping with grief moves to Oregon hoping for peace and quiet, but it turns out her neighbor is a stranded alien who needs some help getting home.

Satirical SF thriller/horror novel. Astronauts are sent to an unknown planet to wire it with the AI system called The Goo, but they discover mysterious secrets beneath the planet’s surface, and their faith in the all-powerful AI begins to wane.

Fantasy novel in the world of Valdemar, the second in the Kelvren’s Saga trilogy. On the border between Valdemar and the deadly Pelagirs Forest, the gryphon hero Kelvren returns from a near-fatal self-sacrifice that won him the approval of Valdemar’s ground troops—but caused a diplomatic crisis.

Fantasy romance novel. Cate Holloway has to go to the powerful Gage crime family to beg for her brother’s life, and winds up bound to the Unseelie Court of New Orleans’ decadent underworld.

YA feminist horror novel. Six girls, all born on the same day, are best friends until a rift causes their friendship to fracture. Then one of them disappears on the night of their sixteenth birthday, only to reappear two days later, very sick and with no memory of what happened. The girls reunite, realizing that something has come to claim them, one by one.

Lovecraftian horror novella. In the summer of 1963 Boy Scout Bud Castillo moves with his family from New York to Innsmouth, Massachusetts. There he makes a friend and founds a new troop. But as summer comes to an end, Bud discovers that Reverend Pritchett of the Evangelical Progress Temple has plans to return Innsmouth to greatness and glory.

SF novel, third in the Lightspeed trilogy. Hurled into the past by a time-slip, John Grant and his onboard AI navigate the long way back. They return to the present in a distant system, where they find Terre Nouveau, a human settlement already two hundred years old.

Many of the series’ underlying questions are those of humankind’s place among the infinities – about where we might go and why, how far is too far, and when is sufficiency enough.

— Russell Letson, Locus , June 2024

The remaining question at the end of Beyond the Light Horizon is whether humans are ready to accept limits, and the answer appears to be: probably not, even if we should. Chalk another one up for realism, I guess.

— Niall Harrison, Locus , June 2024

Fantasy mystery novel, first in the Haunted Shell Shop series. Following cryptic letters addressed to her late husband from a stranger, Folklorist Maureen Nash visits The Moon Shell, a shop on Ocracoke Island off the coast of North Carolina, and encounters its resident ghost pirate.

Horror novel. Eight-year-old Bella sees an Other Mommy, who asks every day to go inside Bella’s heart. Horrifying incidents around the house signal that Other Mommy is getting tired of waiting, and unless Bella says yes, her family will soon pay.

Horror novel. Third in the Killer VHS series. Four friends unearth a unique VHS tape that, when viewed, causes short-distance teleportation with euphoric after-effects, inadvertently launching a perilous trend. As copies of the original tape are made, the results become less predictable and more dangerous due to analog copying loss.

SF thriller novel. Jackson Nguyen, a petty crook in Melbourne, steals the shoes of a wealthy Chinese dissident, inadvertently acquiring Earth-shattering technology. Now he has to make sure it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.

Space opera SF novel, the third in The Devoured Worlds series. Naira and Tarquin have found a new home on Seventh Cradle. But the peace they’ve built is short-lived as mysterious assailants ambush the settlement and Naira is haunted by visions of a monstrous future.

Fantasy mystery novel, third in the Haunted Haven series. Florida innkeeper Maureen Doherty hosts a fishing tournament to drum up business, but then discovers that one of the contestants has been murdered. Maureen, together with the ghosts that inhabit her inn, must solve the mystery before the killer strikes again.

Fantasy novel. Kazan Korvic has made it her life’s work to craft weapons to kill vampires, until she is captured by an entire clan and is forced to attend the Vampire Court where she must act as their Queen — for three days. Then she will be consumed.

Fantasy romance novel of second-chances. An English professor winds up in the fictional town in which her favorite romance stories are set — but the town has been stuck where it was when the author died.

Collection of 16 stories (ten reprints) of climate fiction, set in a strange near future, mixing elements of the weird, absurd, fantastic, and humorous.

Fantasy novel, the first in a duology, based on Frankenstein and Indian Mythology. Unable to stand the horror of living without her sister, Kajal prepares to resurrect her, but the worst happens and her sister’s soul warps into a bhuta — a murderous wraith like spirit.

Postapocalyptic noir novel, part of the author’s Post-Exotic series. Mevlido, a double-agent in the last habitable city on Earth, dreams of a mysterious mission that he is told he must accomplish, unaware than an enigmatic organization is observing him and debating his fate and that of humanity as a whole. Translated by Gina M. Stamm from the French.

Fantasy romance novel, the first in the Grimm Bargains series, a twist on the story of “Beauty and the Beast”. In an alternate Silicon Valley, Alana is heir to a social media empire which is about to fail. Her father’s solution is to marry her off to the son of a competing family, but then someone tries to assassinate Alana, and her rescuer is the man destroying her father’s business.

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10 More Horror, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy Books to Read Before They're Adapted

10 more horror, sci-fi, and fantasy books to read before they're adapted, two stephen king classics—plus even more works to check out before movies and tv series drawn from their pages make their way to screens..

If you’re not already backlogged on reading all the sci-fi, fantasy, and horror books that are in line to be adapted (past io9 lists here , here , here , and here ), get ready: we’re about to add to the pile. Here are 10 more genre books coming to screens soon, a mix of familiar classics and recent best-sellers.

Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs

Deadline reports Amazon MGM Studios company Gato Grande is working on an adaptation of Emma Törzs’ 2023 debut fantasy novel, the tale of “two estranged half-sisters tasked with guarding their family’s library of magical books must work together to unravel a deadly secret at the heart of their collection.” It will be retitled Ink and is being shepherded into a series by writer and executive producer Bronwyn Garrity ( The Peripheral , Outlander ).

People Collide by Isle McElroy

Described as “a gender-bending, body-switching novel that explores marriage, identity, and sex, and raises profound questions about the nature of true partnership,” this 2023 release caught the eye of Abbi Jacobson (Broad City, A League of Their Own) , who according to Deadline will write and showrun the series. No word if she’ll also act in the project, which has the backing of Universal Studio Group’s UCP and Killer Films.

The Running Man by Stephen King

You’ve seen the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, sure, but the latest take on Stephen King’s dystopian novel— to be directed by Edgar Wright and star Glen Powell —is said to be even truer to the source material. Read up now and be ready when the movie arrives in the next few years.

The Long Walk by Stephen King

Here’s another King entry—also, another title originally penned as the author’s alter ego Richard Bachman. Based on the 1979 novel, The Long Walk is long-gestating project that got a fresh update in November when Lionsgate stepped in, according to the Hollywood Reporter . The Hunger Games stalwart Francis Lawrence—who’s no stranger to dystopian stories involving kids fighting against all odds to survive—is aboard to direct.

Earth Abides by George R. Stewart

Earlier this year, MGM+ ordered a six-episode series based on George R. Stewart’s 1949 post-apocalyptic sci-fi classic of the same title, according to Deadline , and it’s due before 2024 is out. It’s set to star Vikings ’ Alexander Ludwig.

Eruption by Michael Crichton and James Patterson

Earlier this month, Michael Crichton-James Patterson publishing juggernaut about a killer Hawaiian volcano—ideal fodder for a disaster movie, and a project Crichton was working on before his death in 2008—attracted the interest of directing duo Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, according to Deadline . They previously won an Oscar for climbing documentary Free Solo and also made the Oscar-nominated Nyad .

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

Last week, Deadline reported that this 2020 fantasy best-seller by the author of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell had been tapped for big-screen treatment by animation studio Laika, with Travis Knight (Kubo and the Two Strings) aboard to direct. In a statement to the trade, author Clarke expressed her excitement: “Animation is one of my favorite things ... [and] Laika has produced such extraordinary work. I’m thrilled that Piranesi has found a home with them and I can’t wait to see what they do.”

The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton

A killer cast (Andrew Garfield, Claire Foy, Michael Palin, Bridgerton ’s Nicola Coughlan, Sweet Tooth ’s Nonso Anozie, Baby Reindeer ’s Jessica Gunning, and more) is aboard this big-screen adaptation of the popular 1940s British children’s book series, as reported by Variety . Simon Farnaby (Wonka) is doing the adaptation, and Ben Gregor is directing; it’s set to begin filming this year.

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

An adaptation of the YA dystopian novel—about a world where a teenager rebels against getting a forced, conformist makeover when she turns 16—has been in the works for awhile; star and producer Joey King was talking it up to Deadline in 2022. McG is directing and it should one day arrive on Netflix, though no release date has been given.

Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobson

Now that he’s taking a break from Dune ’s Arrakis, Denis Villeneuve is turning his attention back to Earth. In April, it was reported that he’s circling an adaptation of this alt-reality book—non-fiction, but with all the elements of a thriller—that draws on real-world experts to imagine what a world devastated by nuclear war might be like.