This blog post is all about the best fantasy books for adults that I’ve read, highly recommend and the fantasy books that are on my radar.
I used to love fantasy books when I was younger. The past few years? I wouldn’t go anywhere near them.
But recently, I’ve found myself reading more and more fantasy books and I simply can’t get enough.
I wanted to put a list together of my the best fantasy books for adults that I’ve read over the past couple of years.
It goes without saying that the best fantasy books include Harry Potter, Twilight, Game of Thrones, The Hunger Games and the Divergent series, but we’re looking at more recent book releases in this list.
Let me know if there are any more best fantasy books for adults that you would add to this list in the comments!
Make sure to follow along with my reading in realtime over on Goodreads!
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The Best Fantasy Books for Adults You Need to Read
Below are the best fantasy books for adults that I’ve read recently. I have so many more fantasy books sitting on my shelves waiting to be read, so I expect this list to get a lot longer soon!
For now, these are the best fantasy books for adults that I recommend reading first!
1. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Violet Sorrengail, a frail twenty-year-old, is thrust into the perilous world of dragon riders at Basgiath War College by her demanding mother, the commanding general.
As she battles for survival against stronger candidates and the ruthless wingleader Xaden Riorson, Violet relies on her wits to avoid death by dragon or by her rivals.
Amidst the escalating war and failing protective wards, she uncovers a sinister secret within the leadership, realizing that in this brutal environment, everyone has their own dangerous agenda, and the only way out is to graduate or die.
My Rating: ★★★★★
RELATED Best Fantasy Books for Adults blog post to read: Review of the Complete Fourth Wing Book Series by Rebecca Yarros
2. Caraval by Stephanie Garber
Scarlett Dragna, confined to her tiny island by her cruel father, dreams of experiencing Caraval, a legendary and interactive performance. When her long-awaited invitation arrives, her sister Tella and a mysterious sailor help her escape, only for Tella to be kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind, Legend.
Scarlett learns that this year’s game revolves around finding Tella, leading her through a labyrinth of love, heartbreak, and magic.
Despite warnings that Caraval is merely an elaborate show, Scarlett must navigate its twists and dangers to save Tella before the game ends, or risk losing her forever.
My Rating: ★★★★★
3. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Achilles, the greatest of the Greeks, and Patroclus, an awkward exiled prince, form a deep bond despite divine disapproval.
Trained by the centaur Chiron, their friendship faces a severe test when Helen of Sparta is kidnapped, prompting a call to arms against Troy. Achilles, drawn by the lure of glory, joins the siege, and Patroclus follows out of love and loyalty.
Together, they confront the harsh trials imposed by fate, culminating in an ultimate sacrifice.
My Rating: ★★★★★
4. Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
After surviving her first year at Basgiath War College, Violet Sorrengail faces even harsher trials as real training begins.
With a new vice commandant determined to break her unless she betrays her love, Violet must rely on her wits and iron will to endure the brutal regimen.
Despite her physical frailty, she remembers that dragon riders make their own rules. Yet, her resolve to survive might not be enough, as she uncovers a centuries-old secret that threatens them all, making even dragon fire seem insufficient to save them.
My Rating: ★★★★★
5. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Nora Seed, engulfed in misery and regret, discovers the Midnight Library, a place between life and death where she can rectify her past choices.
Guided by an old friend, Nora explores different versions of her life, seeking the perfect one.
However, her choices soon endanger both the library and herself, forcing Nora to confront the profound question of what it truly means to live well before time runs out.
My Rating: ★★★★★
6. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf and faces retribution from a terrifying faerie named Tamlin, who takes her to a magical land.
Initially hostile, Feyre’s feelings for Tamlin transform into a passionate romance, challenging her preconceived notions about the Fae. However, a looming ancient evil threatens the faerie lands, compelling Feyre to uncover a way to save Tamlin and his world.
This seductive and adventurous tale blends romance with faerie lore, crafting an unforgettable story.
My Rating: ★★★★
7. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
Linus Baker, a solitary forty-year-old Case Worker for magical youth, is tasked by Extremely Upper Management with a secret assignment to assess six dangerous children at Marsyas Island Orphanage.
As he overcomes his fears, Linus grows close to the enigmatic caretaker, Arthur Parnassus, who fiercely protects his wards. Amidst unraveling secrets, Linus faces a pivotal choice: destroy the home or risk the world’s end.
This enchanting tale explores the discovery of an unlikely family in an unexpected place and the realization of belonging.
My Rating: ★★★★
8. Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield
Miri’s wife, Leah, returns from a catastrophic deep-sea mission, but she is profoundly changed, having brought something inexplicable back from the ocean depths.
As Miri struggles to reconnect with Leah, she realizes their former life may be lost forever.
This haunting debut novel, “Our Wives Under The Sea,” by Julia Armfield, explores themes of love, loss, grief, and the mysteries lurking beneath the sea.
My Rating: ★★★★
9. The Secret Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab
Addie LaRue trades her soul for immortality with the devil, but in return, she is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets.
Across centuries, she wanders the world as a forgotten muse, finding solace only in fleeting love and her yearly encounters with the devil.
However, when she meets someone who remembers her in a Manhattan bookshop, Addie realizes she can’t evade her fate indefinitely, forcing her to confront her dark companion and the consequences of their deal.
My Rating: ★★★
10. The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston
Florence Day, a disillusioned ghostwriter, returns home after her father’s passing, facing unresolved family issues and a town she’s long avoided.
Amidst her grief, she encounters a ghost at her family’s funeral parlor, sparking unexpected revelations about love and her own beliefs.
With echoes of romance and the supernatural, Ashley Poston’s adult debut, “Romance Is Dead”, follows Florence on a journey of rediscovery and second chances.
My Rating: ★★★
11. Bunny by Mona Awad
In the MFA program at Warren University, Samantha Heather Mackey feels like an outsider among the clique of wealthy, eccentric girls known as the Bunnies.
When she receives an invitation to their mysterious Smut Salon, Samantha is drawn into their world, risking her friendship with Ava. As she delves deeper, participating in their eerie rituals, reality blurs and tensions rise, leading to a collision between friendships with deadly consequences.
“Bunny” by a fearless chronicler of the female experience offers a mesmerizing tale of loneliness, friendship, and the power of imagination.
My Rating: ★★★
The Best Fantasy Books for Adults I Recommend Most
You could say I’m very much in my fantasy era right now. After going years without reading anything with a slight fantasy element, now I’ve started, I can’t stop.
It might be something to do with picking up Fourth Wing for the first time and being obsessed from the very first page.
Since then, I’ve completed the Fourth Wing series, am making my way through ACOTAR and enjoying anything with a slight magical trope.
I’d highly recommend getting started with Fourth Wing first (the best fantasy books for adults in my opinion) and if you want some romance added in, Ashley Poston books are always a go-to for me.
RELATED Best Fantasy Books for Adults blog posts to read:
- The Best 13 Book Series Like Fourth Wing You Need To Read
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By Orlagh Shanks
Orlagh Shanks is the Editor of Orlagh Claire, an award-winning travel and lifestyle blog.
After working in the PR & Influencer Marketing industry in New York City and London, Orlagh quit her job to travel Asia for 12 months and moved to Sydney, Australia where she is now a full-time travel blogger and content creator sharing travel tips and recommendations for all 30 of the countries she’s visited so far.
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