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20 Must-Read Fantasy Books to Lose Yourself In
20
items Step into worlds where dragons soar, magic has a price, and heroes are forged in the shadows. Whether you’re a fan of epic high fantasy, gritty grimdark, or enchanting magical realism, this list of 20 essential fantasy reads has something for every d...
Sections
5
The Modern Epics
Dark & Gritty
Enchanting Worlds
The Classics & Must-Know Foundations
Cultural & Diverse Fantasy
The Modern Epics
High Fantasy
The start of the epic Stormlight Archive. It features a world of giant swords, mystical armor, and a magic system based on light. A masterpiece of world-building.
The Way of Kings (Stormlight Archive Series #1) by Brandon Sanderson ...
Follow the life of Kvothe, a legendary figure who went into hiding. The prose is lyrical, and the story of his education at a magical university is utterly gripping.
The Name of the Wind (Kingkiller Chronicle #1) by Patrick Rothfuss, ...
A massive, standalone epic featuring dragon riders, powerful queens, and ancient magic. It’s a feminist reimagining of Saint George and the Dragon.
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon, Paperback
This 'Silkpunk' epic brings a refreshing aesthetic to fantasy, focusing on two friends who become rivals during a revolution. Stunning and political.
The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu, Paperback
The sensation that took the world by storm. It’s 'Hunger Games' meets dragons—high stakes, intense romance, and a brutal flight school.
Fourth Wing (Standard Edition) - Yarros
Dark & Gritty
Grimdark Fantasy
Character-driven fantasy at its finest. It’s cynical, violent, and darkly funny, featuring characters you'll love to hate.
The Blade Itself (First Law Trilogy 1)
Inspired by 20th-century Chinese history, this is a haunting tale of war, gods, and a girl who discovers a terrifying shamanic power.
The Poppy War: Kuang, R. F.: Books
A dark journey following Jorg Ancrath, a young prince leading a band of outlaws. Not for the faint of heart, but brilliantly written.
Prince of Thorns (Broken Empire Series #1) by Mark Lawrence, Paperback
Enchanting Worlds
A dreamlike story set in a house with infinite rooms and tides. It’s mysterious, atmospheric, and unlike anything else you’ve ever read.
Piranesi (Women's Prize for Fiction Winner) by Susanna Clarke, Paperback
A bold retelling of the goddess Circe’s life. It transforms a minor mythological villain into a complex, relatable, and powerful protagonist.
Circe by Madeline Miller, Paperback
Dark academia meets the occult. Set at Yale University, it explores secret societies and the ghosts that haunt them.
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo, Paperback
A love letter to stories themselves. It’s a labyrinthine tale of hidden libraries, timeless lovers, and magical doors.
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern, Paperback
The Classics & Must-Know Foundations
The gold standard of fantasy. No list is complete without the journey of Frodo Baggins and the rich history of Middle-earth.
The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings, Part 1) by J. R. R. Tolkien ...
The book that brought political intrigue and high stakes to the forefront of the genre. Winter is always coming.
A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1) by George R. R. Martin, Paperback
A unique take on necromancy. Sabriel must journey into the Old Kingdom to save her father, using a set of magical bells to control the dead.
Sabriel (Old Kingdom/Abhorsen Series #1) (25th Anniversary Classic Edition)
Cultural & Diverse Fantasy
Known as the 'African Game of Thrones.' It’s a wild, hallucinogenic, and myth-drenched journey through a landscape unlike any other.
Black Leopard, Red Wolf (Dark Star Trilogy)
Set in 18th-century Cairo, this story dives into the world of Daevas and Djinn. Rich in folklore, romance, and political tension.
The City of Brass (Daevabad Trilogy #1)
A 'Godfather' style family saga but with magical jade that grants superhuman abilities. It’s a brilliant blend of martial arts and organized crime.
Jade City (Green Bone Saga #1) by Fonda Lee, Paperback
A dark fairy tale inspired by Mexican folklore. A young woman accidentally frees the Mayan god of death and must help him reclaim his throne.
Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Paperback
A historical fantasy about the power of language, translation, and the violence of colonialism. Intellectual, heartbreaking, and vital.
Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford ...