Find your new favorite fantasy book: 2024 was incredible for the genre, bringing us unforgettable tales filled with magic, adventure, and unforgettable characters. Whether you’re a fan of epic quests, dark mysteries, or heartwarming stories of resilience, this list has something for every kind of fantasy lover.
- Crime-fighting sorcerors
- Sweet and cozy romances that hit you right in the heart
- Sprawling epics, undead assassins, magical books full of great power, and so much more…
These fantasy novels will transport you, challenge you, and leave you craving more.
Looking for more? Check out these other lists:
1. The Book of Doors
Cassie’s life takes a turn for the extraordinary when a cherished customer bequeaths her a mysterious tome. Enigmatic inscriptions reveal to her the books’ true power: it allows her to traverse through any door to any location. Joined by her best friend, Izzy, Cassie embarks on thrilling adventures across the globe. But she’s not the only one with magical books. When Cassie and Izzy run into a strange, enigmatic man named Drummond (who owns his own secret library of magical books), he tells them that sinister forces are searching for the Book of Doors. Cassie will find herself trapped in unimaginable places, and must use her wits, her strength, and her newfound powers to earn true freedom.
Read if you like:
- Exhilarating, award-winning mysteries brimming with magical realism
- Contemporary fantasy and alternate realities, similar to The Midnight Library
- Strong female friendships, a touch of romance, and fantasy that promises to whisk you away into far-off lands
2. The Tainted Cup
High fantasy meets murder mystery: in the opulent city of Daretana, Ana works as an eccentric investigator renowned for her unparalleled intellect. With her assistant, Din, an engraver magically endowed with perfect memory, Ana must uncover the truth behind the bizarre death of a high Imperial officer—found with a tree inexplicably sprouting from his body. But the investigation quickly unravels into a chaotic plot to rip the very fabric of the Empire. Ana and Din must follow the clues, battle magical contagions, and confront the ominous presence of Leviathans, while navigating a world where secrets are currency and trust is all-too-rare.
Read if you like:
- High fantasy detective thrillers with a Sherlock Holmes-inspired Duo analogue
- Rich magical worlds where ancient dangers lurk around every corner
3. The Dead Cat Tail Assassins
In the ancient city of Tal Abisi, assassins are sworn to the gods for life… and beyond. Eveen the Eviscerator, an undead assassin sworn to the Matron of Assassins, operates under strict vows: accept only just contracts, target only the designated, and always complete the mission. Her latest assignment during the Festival of the Clockwork King challenges these oaths, bringing her face-to-face with a past she’s meant to forget and a vow she cannot break.
Read if you like:
- Dark fantasy filled with assassins
- Fast-paced mysteries, rich with dark humor
- Terrifying gods, vile necromancers, and surprisingly light-hearted murder-heroines
4. Somewhere Beyond the Sea (Cerulean Chronicles #2)
Get whisked away to Marsyas Island, and continue the heartwarming journey of Arthur Parnassus, the compassionate headmaster of an orphanage for magical children. Alongside his partner, Linus, Arthur aspires to adopt the six extraordinary children under their care, ensuring they never experience the neglect he once endured. Of course, life never goes as planned. Upheaval knocks when Arthur is summoned to confront secrets from his past that could challenge the future of this unconventional family. The arrival of a new child, who identifies as a monster—a term Arthur has diligently shielded his wards from—further tests their bonds.
Read if you like:
- Whimsical fantasy filled with profound and heartwarming emotions
- Found families, LGBTQ+ romance, and provoking questions about social justice
- Gentle humor, like Good Omens, or personal growth like The Perks of Being a Wallflower
5. Empire of the Damned (Empire of the Vampire #2)
The saga of Gabriel de León, the last Silversaint, continues: having secured the Holy Grail, Gabriel’s quest to end the eternal night remains unfulfilled. Teaming up with the enigmatic vampire Liathe, he embarks on a perilous journey to deliver the Grail to the ancient Blood Esani, seeking the elusive means to reverse Daysdeath. On an odyssey of ever-escalating bloodlust, Gabriel will lose almost everything in his pursuit for redemption.
Read if you like:
- Epic dark fantasy set in a world shrouded in darkness
- Anti-hero vampire protagonists who aren’t afraid to make their enemies bleed
- Smart, violent, and amoral series like A Song of Ice and Fire or The First Law
6. The Book That Broke the World (The Library Trilogy #2)
The vast and enigmatic Library continues to connect disparate worlds and times. Our heroes Evar and Livira find themselves separated yet intertwined by destiny. Evar, pursued by an unyielding adversary, flees the Library into a massive and unfamiliar world. Meanwhile, Livira, ensnared in a ghostly realm, must use the power of her own writings to return to reality. Yet, in the Lubrary, an ancient lie has come unburied, and now it threatens to break the world…
Read if You Love:
- That breathtaking sense of new discovery
- Parallel worlds, mind-bending time travel, and magical books
- High-stakes adventures through deeply imaginative fantasy realms
Get Book #1 Here
7. This Inevitable Ruin (Dungeon Crawler Carl #7)
Welcome to the ninth floor of the apocalypse. Welcome to Faction Wars. Inside the AI dungeon that swallowed the Earth, nine powerful alien-led armies vie for control of a central castle, engaging in strategic alliances, intense battles, and painful-yet-inevitable betrayals. Unlike previous levels, this time, death is permanent. Or, uh, even more permanent. Amidst the chaos of a deteriorating (that is, absolutely insane) AI, Carl’s team emerges as an unexpected contender—perhaps the most surprising thing, until a group of NPCs become self-aware and form a tenth faction. Yet Carl’s team can’t last forever: the whole world wants to kill them. And worse, between the loyal Princess Donut and the shapeshifting Katia, only one may advance. Trust me: you don’t want to miss this one.
Read if you like:
- Video games, LitRPG, or outstandingly absurd adventures
- Dark humor and stubborn underdogs who must battle through the apocalypse
- High-stakes tournaments in a world full of dangerous secrets just begging (sometimes literally) to be uncovered
Get Book #1 Here
Do yourself a favor and listen to the audiobooks. They’re magnificent.
8. The Familiar
A tale of hidden strength, ambition, and peril in the shadow of the Spanish Inquisition: Luzia, a scullery maid with a hidden gift for small miracles, is thrust into a web of intrigue when her abilities catch the eye of powerful figures vying for the king’s favor. As she navigates a world of scheming nobility, seers, and alchemists, Luzia’s Jewish heritage puts her at constant risk of the Inquisition’s wrath. Her only ally is Santángel, a bitter immortal with dangerous secrets of his own. Rich with historical detail and dark magic, this standalone novel is a must-read for fans of romantic fantasy with themes of resilience and empowerment.
Read if you like:
- The blossoming of forbidden love between mortals and immortals
- Court intrigue in a historical Fantasy with jewish mythological elements
- Strong, complex female leads, as in Circe or The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
9. Wind and Truth (Stormlight Archive #5)
The climactic finale to The Stormlight Archive is finally here. Dalinar is set to confront the god Odium in a final contest for the destiny of all Roshar. With only ten days to prepare, the Knights Radiant face unprecedented challenges, especially after the cunning Taravangian assumes Odium’s mantle and throws the world into chaos. Battles rage in Azimir, on the Shattered Plains, and in Thaylen City, as our heroes grapple with personal demons, uncover ancient mysteries of betrayal, or dive into the Spiritual Realm, seeking desperately for any advantage. Every character arc finally weaves together in this intense, action-packed conclusion to one of the largest series ever written.
Read if you like:
- Character-driven epic fantasy like The Wheel of Time
- Extremely in-depth systems of magic and feats of complex worldbuilding
- Tons of heroes and villains and morally ambiguous characters who grow and weave together in intricate arcs
Get Book #1 Here
10. Map of the Otherlands (Emily Wilde #2)
Professor Emily Wilde is a brilliant yet socially awkward scholar of faerie folklore. Following the completion of her encyclopaedia, Emily embarks on a new project: mapping the realms of faerie. Her research is complicated by her colleague and former rival, Wendell Bambleby, an exiled faerie king seeking a way back to his realm. When assassins sent by Wendell’s mother invade Cambridge, Emily and Wendell venture to the Austrian Alps, hoping to find a portal to his world and thwart his family’s sinister plans. Amidst picturesque landscapes and lurking dangers, Emily must navigate complex relationships and the enigmatic workings of faerie doors, all while confronting the secrets of her own heart.
Read if you love:
- Cozy mysteries mixed with the charm of Fae Fantasy
- Slow-burn magical romance that develops in a near-academic world
- Determined heroines or books like The Cruel Prince or The Secret History
Get Book #1 Here
11. A Sorceress Comes to Call
A fairytale retold, rich with secrets, murder, and forbidden magic. In a house with no doors, Cordelia endures under the oppressive control of her sorceress mother, Evangeline. After a suspicious death in their town, Evangeline moves them in the middle of the night to the manor of a wealthy squire and his perceptive sister, Hester. For a brief moment, Cordelia finds solace in her new surroundings. But as Evangeline schemes to ensnare the squire, and Hester becomes increasingly aware of her sinister game, Cordelia must confront her mother’s dark intentions to protect those she has come to care for.
Read if you like:
- Dark fairy tale retellings, similar to Uprooted or The Bear and the Nightingale
- Gothic Fantasy blended masterfully with psychological horror (and a compelling family dynamic)
12. The Warm Hands of Ghosts
The Great War rages on. Laura, a Canadian nurse who, after being wounded and discharged, learns that her brother, Freddie, is missing and presumed dead on the battlefields of Belgium. Determined to uncover the truth, Laura returns to the front lines, where she encounters eerie tales of haunted trenches and a mysterious figure known as Faland, whose presence blurs the line between reality and the otherworldly. Ghosts walk, shells fall, and bonds are forged forever in this hauntingly beautiful novel.
Read if you like:
- All Quiet on the Western Front meets The Sixth Sense
- Haunting historical fiction set against the harrowing backdrop of World War I
- Beautiful prose that wraps you in an atmosphere of grief, longing, and memories of loved ones lost forever
13. House of Flame and Shadow (Crescent City #3)
Bryce finds herself stranded in a world beyond Midgard, determined to return to her loved ones. With only her wits and will to survive, she must grapple with this new world—and figure out who she can trust. Meanwhile, Hunt Athalar is once again imprisoned by the Asteri, stripped of his freedom and left in the dark about Bryce’s fate. Desperate to aid her, he faces the daunting challenge of escaping his captors. As their world teeters on the brink of collapse, Bryce and Hunt’s resilience and love are tested like never before.
Read if you like:
- Forbidden love between Fae and mortals
- Magical relationships with real emotional depth set in an urban fantasy world
- Romantasy with intense characters, fantastic suspense, and a breathtaking climax
Get Book #1 Here
14. Mirrored Heavens (Between Earth and Sky #3)
Serapio, avatar of the Crow God, claims Tova as his domain. But clan matrons plot his downfall and a new prophecy from the Coyote God foretells his doom. Xiala returns to her Teek homeland where war challenges her people’s magic and way of life. She is her people’s last, best hope—but in her time of need, the sea refuses to speak to her. And Naranpa, the Sun God’s avatar, seeks to prevent a prophesied catastrophe in Tova, even as the Jaguar God haunts her dreams. Power, prophecy, and sacrifice come to a head in this conclusion to an epic South American-inspired saga.
Read if you like:
- Epic fantasy set in a pre-columbian mythos
- Animalistic magic, bloody prophecies, and rich points of view
- Complex characters who grow into powerful heroes, similar to The Farseer Trilogy or The Broken Earth
Get Book #1 Here
15. The Trials of Empire (Empire of the Wolf #3)
The once-mighty empire teeters on the brink of collapse. Sir Konrad, the Emperor’s Justice—detective, judge, and executioner—joins forces with his protégé, Helena, to seek alliances beyond the empire’s borders. Their quest leads them to the wolfmen of the southern plains and the pagan clans of the north, both who stand to gain from the empire’s downfall. Meanwhile, an old zealot adversary has learned to wield dark powers granted by a mysterious demonic patron. To confront him, Vonvalt and Helena must forge costly alliances across mortal and supernatural realms. The battle lines are drawn. The fate of the empire hangs in the balance, poised to be reborn in justice or crushed under tyranny.
Read if you like:
- Late Medieval fantasy where magic and law are intertwined
- Dark fantasy filled with political intrigue, power struggles, and the supernatural
- One of the best mentor-protégé relationships I’ve ever read
Get Book #1 Here
16. The Fury of the Gods (The Bloodsworn Saga #3)
Norse-inspired myth and magic collide to decide the fate of all Vigrið. Varg, now a steadfast member of the Bloodsworn, faces his most formidable challenge: slaying a dragon. Elvar strives to consolidate her power in Snakavik, but her battle isn’t over until she learns how to dominate a wolf god. As Biórr and his warband march north, driven by bloodlust, and Guðvarr seeks to curry favor for his own ambitions, all paths converge on Snakavik. Here, a titanic battle looms—one that will shake the world’s foundations and reveal the true fury of the gods.
Read if you like:
- Bloody, violent, beautiful norse-inspired epic fantasy
- Battle-hardened characters who have no choice but to keep fighting
- Warriors with heart, complex character arcs, and a climax that hits you hard (and makes you want more)
Get Book #1 Here
17. The Black Bird Oracle (All Souls #5)
Diana’s seven-year-old twins, Pip and Rebecca, are summoned by the Congregation for magical testing, sparking fears that history will repeat itself. Determined to protect her children, Diana turns to her newly discovered great-aunt, Gwyneth Proctor, at the ancestral estate of Ravenswood. Under Gwyneth’s mentorship, Diana explores the higher magics, unlocking forgotten spells and unearthing long-buried family secrets. Ravenswood holds more than just echoes of the past; it serves as a battleground for Diana’s growing power and the external forces that threaten to tear her family apart. In a world where alliances shift like shadows and every revelation brings new peril, The Black Bird Oracle is a spellbinding tale of love, loyalty, and the indomitable will to safeguard the future.
Read if you like:
- Strong, witchy heroes who uncover the dark family secrets
- Supernatural academia told in a historical fantasy setting
Get Book #1 Here
18. Quicksilver
The realm of Zilvaren is a harsh desert land—one which Searis is uniquely adept at surviving. She ekes out a living by pilfering water from the despotic Undying Queen. But her life takes an unforeseen turn when she inadvertently activates an ancient portal, propelling her into Yvelia—a perilous, frozen realm inhabited by the Fae, a race she had dismissed as mere legend. There, she becomes entangled with Kingfisher, a formidable Fae warrior with a shadowy past. Bound together by unforeseen circumstances, they must cross a treacherous landscape teeming with political intrigue, ancient conflicts, and burgeoning magic. As Saeris delves deeper into her alchemical prowess, she uncovers latent powers that could alter the destinies of both realms.
Read if you like:
- Dark romantic fantasy with a heart-throbbing enemies-to-lovers arc
- Dangerous worlds and unique magical frameworks (especially alchemy)
- Complex and brooding anti-heroes or books like Six of Crows or The Cruel Prince
19. The Fox Wife
It’s 1908 Manchuria, near the end of the Qing Dynasty, and a fox spirit named Snow is on a relentless quest for vengeance against the man responsible for her daughter’s death. Capable of turning into a human, she heads for the bustling city of Dalian, where she assumes the role of a servant, all the while plotting her revenge. Meanwhile, Bao, an elderly detective with an uncanny ability to detect lies, investigates the mysterious death of a courtesan found frozen in the snow. His inquiries draw him into the enigmatic world of fox spirits, leading him to cross paths with Snow. As their stories converge, both are drawn into a complex web of grief, supernatural vengeance, and life after loss.
Read if you like:
- Chinese folklore fantasy mixed with historical fiction
- Dual narratives filled with spellbinding writing, steeped in atmosphere
- Powerful redemption arcs where the hero confronts tough moral questions of revenge
20. The Bright Sword
A young knight, Collum, arrives at Camelot only to find King Arthur dead and the Round Table in disarray. Joined by a diverse group of overlooked knights—including Sir Palomides, the Saracen Knight; Sir Dagonet, Arthur’s fool; and Nimue, Merlin’s former apprentice—Collum embarks on a quest to restore Camelot amidst rising chaos. As old gods and magical creatures resurface beneath the ambitions of Morgan le Fay, the group must reclaim Excalibur and uncover the reasons behind Arthur’s fall to rebuild their fractured world.
Read if you like:
- Arthurian quests with the lesser-seen knights
- Books like The Once and Future King and or Nicola Griffith’s Spear
- Sword and sorcery adventures with complex character development and a fresh perspective on familiar legends
21. The Spellshop
Kiela is an introverted librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium, who finds solace among ancient spellbooks and her sentient spider plant assistant, Caz. When a revolution engulfs the city, Kiela and Caz escape to her childhood home on a remote island, bringing with them as many spellbooks as they can carry. There, she encounters a persistent and charming neighbor who offers assistance in rebuilding her life. To support herself, Kiela combines her magical expertise with her parents’ jam recipes, creating enchanted preserves that become a hit among the islanders. As she integrates into the community, Kiela’s confidence blossoms, and she forms deep bonds, particularly with one handsome local. However, the arrival of a shipwrecked woman claiming to be an imperial investigator threatens to expose Kiela’s illicit use of magic. With the support of her new friends and the ever-loyal Caz, Kiela must navigate these challenges, protect her newfound home, and confront the evolving dynamics of her relationships—while helping those in need.
Read this if you love:
- Cozy romantic fantasy, similar to Legends & Lattes or The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
- Heartwarming tales of self-discovery, delightful community, and finding the courage to defy unjust norms
Find Your New Favorite Fantasy Reads
No other genre feels like Fantasy. It has the power to inspire, to fly us to other worlds, and to connect us with stories that resonate on a deeply human level—especially when they’re set in far-off realms. This year’s top picks have delivered all that and more, offering unforgettable characters and breathtaking adventures that stay with you long after the last page.
Whether you’re new to the genre or a seasoned fan, there’s a book here waiting to captivate your imagination. Don’t miss out on these incredible stories—start reading one today and fall into a whole new world of magic.
