Fantasy invites us to step beyond the familiar – into worlds shaped by magic, myth, and the choices that define us.
Some stories span continents and centuries; others focus on a single voice or moment. Together, they reveal the scope of human imagination.
This list brings together classics and modern favorites, each offering its own world to discover, challenges to face, and characters to remember long after the story ends.
Enjoy!
Table of Contents
- HIGH / EPIC FANTASY
- The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis
- The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
- The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
- The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
- Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
- The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
- Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb
- The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks
- The City of Dusk by Tara Sim
- The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
- GRIMDARK
- URBAN / CONTEMPORARY
- ROMANTASY
- HISTORICAL FANTASY
HIGH / EPIC FANTASY
The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis
Evacuated to the countryside during World War Il, the Pevensie siblings discover a magical wardrobe that leads to Narnia, a land trapped in eternal winter under the rule of the cruel White Witch. Initially skeptical, the children soon find themselves drawn into Narnia’s unfolding conflict when one falls under the Witch’s influence. Together, the siblings become involved in an ancient prophecy and battle.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Bilbo Baggins, a comfort-loving hobbit from the quiet Shire, is swept into adventure when the wizard Gandalf and thirteen dwarves arrive at his door. Persuaded to join their quest to reclaim a lost mountain kingdom, Bilbo finds himself crossing wild lands filled with trolls, goblins, giant spiders, and mysterious forests. Along the way, he discovers a strange ring that grants invisibility – and hints at darker powers.
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Young hobbit Frodo Baggins inherits a mysterious ring from his uncle Bilbo – a trinket that proves to be the One Ring, forged by the Dark Lord Sauron to dominate Middle-earth. Joined by loyal friends Sam, Merry, and Pippin, Frodo is thrust from his quiet life in the Shire and sent on a journey to keep the Ring from falling into evil hands.
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
A legendary figure named Kvothe begins to tell his own story – the truth behind the myths that surround his name. Born into a troupe of traveling performers, Kvothe’s life shatters when tragedy strikes, setting him on a path of survival and discovery. Gifted with a sharp mind and a dangerous curiosity, he makes his way to the University, where magic, knowledge, and politics intertwine.
Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
A thousand years of ash and oppression have left the world under the unchallenged rule of the immortal Lord Ruler. Among the downtrodden skaa, a street thief named Vin discovers she possesses Allomancy – a rare magic fueled by ingesting different metals. Recruited by the charismatic rebel leader Kelsier, Vin joins a daring plot to overthrow the Empire from within.
The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
A once-glorious world ravaged by endless storms teeters on the edge of collapse. Enslaved soldier Kaladin struggles to survive the brutality of battle. Highprince Dalinar seeks to unite his fractious nation. Scholar Shallan risks everything to apprentice under a woman whose studies may uncover truths long buried. As their paths move toward one another, ancient forces begin to stir.
Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb
Young Fitz is a royal bastard thrust into the dangerous world of the Six Duchies’ court. Taken in by the king’s spymaster, he is trained in the arts of stealth, espionage, and the mysterious Skill – a magical ability to influence minds. As Fitz grows, he must navigate the treacherous politics of the court while contending with the burdens of his heritage and the expectations placed upon him.
The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks
Azoth, a street urchin in the crime-ridden city of Cenaria, dreams of escaping the slums and rising above his harsh life. He becomes the apprentice of Durzo Blint, the city’s legendary wetboy, a magician-assassin who teaches him the deadly arts of stealth, combat, and intrigue. As Azoth trains, he must navigate the brutal underworld, political machinations, and the blurred lines between right and wrong.
The City of Dusk by Tara Sim
The city of Nexus stands at the crossroads of four realms – Life, Death, Light, and Darkness – each governed by a god and mortal heir. However, the gods have withdrawn their favor, leaving the city on the brink of collapse. The heirs – Risha, a necromancer; Angelica, an elementalist; Taesia, a shadow-wielder; and Nik, a soldier – must form a fragile alliance to avert a realm-shattering war.
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
A remote village in the Two Rivers is attacked by Trollocs, forcing young Rand al’Thor and his friends to flee with the guidance of the mysterious Aes Sedai, Moiraine, and her protector, Lan. As they journey across the continent, they are pursued by dark forces seeking a powerful artifact linked to the fate of the world. Their travels take them through strange cities, dangerous wilderness, and ancient ruins, revealing a larger conflict that threatens all of humanity.
Grimdark Fantasy
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
The Seven Kingdoms of Westeros are rife with political intrigue, shifting alliances, and looming threats both human and supernatural. Lord Stark is drawn into the deadly machinations of the royal court when he is asked to serve as the king’s chief advisor. Across the Narrow Sea, exiled heirs of the deposed Targaryen dynasty plot to reclaim the Iron Throne. Meanwhile, in the North, rumors of ancient forces stir beyond the Wall, threatening all of humanity.
The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
The lives of three very different individuals converge in a grim world on the brink of war. Logen Ninefingers, a barbarian with a bloody past, seeks survival. Inquisitor Glokta, a crippled torturer of the King’s Inquisition, navigates deadly court politics. Meanwhile, the ambitious nobleman Jezal dan Luthar pursues glory, unaware of the forces that will soon demand more of him than he ever imagined.
Blood Song by Anthony Ryan
Vaelin Al Sorna, a boy with a mysterious past, is sent to the Sixth Order, an elite military academy, where he is trained in combat, strategy, and the secretive ways of the King’s Guard. Haunted by his past and driven by a personal code of honor, Vaelin becomes embroiled in political intrigue, brutal battles, and the dangerous ambitions of kings and nobles.
Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence
Young Jorg Ancrath, heir to a fractured kingdom, leads a band of ruthless outlaws through a violent landscape. Scarred by tragedy and driven by vengeance, Jorg seeks to claim power and settle scores against those who wronged him. As he carves a path through rival lords, mercenaries, and the chaos of a decaying world, his cunning and brutality set him apart even among killers.
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
A war orphan named Rin escapes a life of poverty by earning a place at the Empire’s most elite military academy – a rare victory in a world that dismisses her because of her class and skin. There, she discovers not only her fierce talent for strategy but also a dangerous connection to the gods of old. As the fragile peace between nations shatters, Rin is thrust into the horrors of real war.
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
The world of the Stillness is a land plagued by catastrophic seismic disasters, where survival depends on controlling both the earth and one’s own power. Essun – a orogene capable of manipulating geological energy – must conceal her abilities in a society that both fears and enslaves people like her. When a sudden cataclysm destroys her community, she is forced to flee, searching for her missing child while confronting the brutality embedded in her world.
Urban / Contemporary Fantasy
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Alex Stern is given a second chance at life when she is offered a scholarship to Yale – on the condition that she oversee the secret societies of the university. These societies, steeped in occult rituals and hidden power, mask dark magic and dangerous traditions. As Alex investigates a mysterious death linked to one of the societies, she uncovers layers of corruption and long-buried secrets.
The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
Six extraordinarily talented individuals are invited to join the secretive Alexandrian Society, a clandestine organization that guards forbidden knowledge. Each member possesses a unique skill and must compete for a coveted spot that promises immense power – but only five will survive the selection. As alliances form and betrayals unfold, the group navigates shifting loyalties, hidden agendas, and the ethical dilemmas of wielding world-altering knowledge.
Jade City by Fonda Lee
The island metropolis of Janloon is ruled by powerful clans whose members wield jade-enhanced abilities, giving them strength, speed, and near-superhuman skill. The Kaul family, leaders of the No Peak clan, struggle to maintain their dominance as rival clans challenge their authority, igniting violent turf wars. Amid the clashes, young prodigy Shae Kaul rises to prominence, navigating loyalty, honor, and the heavy cost of power.
The Surviving Sky by Kritika H. Rao
The Surviving Sky is set on a jungle-covered planet where cataclysmic storms known as “earthrages” make survival on land impossible. The inhabitants have adapted by building a floating city made of plants, held together by a combination of magic and technology. However, this city is now descending toward the dangerous earthrage below, threatening the lives of its residents.
Romantasy
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Feyre Archeron, a mortal huntress struggling to provide for her family, kills a wolf in the woods, unknowingly setting off a chain of events that draws her into the realm of the Fae. She is taken to the magical and dangerous land of Prythian, where she discovers dark forces threatening both the Fae lands and her own world.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail is thrust into the brutal world of Basgiath War College, a military academy where students train to become elite dragon riders. Despite her dream of becoming a scribe, Violet is ordered by her mother, General Lilith Sorrengail, to join the Riders Quadrant. Violet must decide where her loyalties lie and what kind of person she wants to become in a world where power is paramount.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
A mysterious and magical circus appears without warning, open only at night and captivating audiences with impossible wonders. Behind the scenes, two young magicians, Celia and Marco, are bound by a lifelong competition orchestrated by their mentors, testing their skill, creativity, and endurance. As their rivalry unfolds, they discover a deep and unexpected connection that complicates the game and threatens everything around them.
Circe by Madeline Miller
The minor goddess and enchantress Circe, daughter of Helios, is cast out from Olympus and exiled to a remote island. There, she discovers and hones her powers of witchcraft, transforming mortals and gods alike while grappling with her own identity and desires. Over the centuries, Circe encounters legendary figures from Greek mythology, including Hermes, Daedalus, and Odysseus, whose lives intersect with hers in profound and often dangerous ways.
Historical Fantasy
Babel by R.F. Kuang
Robin Swift, a young orphan from Canton, is brought to 1830s Oxford to study languages and prepare for entry into the Royal Institute of Translation, known as Babel. At Babel, he learns to wield “silver-working,” a form of magic that uses translated language to empower silver, fueling the British Empire’s imperial dominance. When he becomes involved with a secret society, he is forced to confront the ethical consequences of his work and the power structures sustaining it.
The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang
The seemingly peaceful village of Kaigen hides people trained in both martial arts and elemental magic, preparing for threats from rival nations. Prodigy Misaki rises through rigorous training, balancing her dedication to family, duty, and personal growth. When war breaks out, the villagers face an onslaught that tests their skills, courage, and the bonds that hold them together.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
Addie LaRue, a young woman in 18th-century France makes a desperate bargain to escape an unwanted life, gaining immortality but cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets. Over centuries, Addie navigates the world unseen, leaving subtle marks on art, literature, and lives without ever being remembered. Her existence shifts when she encounters a mysterious man who remembers her, upending everything she has endured.
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is on a second honeymoon in 1945 Scotland when she is mysteriously transported back in time to 1743. Stranded in a dangerous and unfamiliar world, she must navigate political intrigue, clan rivalries, and the harsh realities of 18th-century life. There, she meets a young Scottish warrior, whose loyalty, courage, and passion challenge her understanding of love and destiny.
The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty
Nahri, a cunning con woman in 18th-century Cairo, discovers that her seemingly ordinary abilities are tied to a hidden magical heritage. When summoned to the legendary city of Daevabad, she finds herself caught between ancient political rivalries and the dangerous magic that shapes their world. As she learns to navigate the palace’s intrigue, Nahri must confront her own past, her powers, and the fragile alliances that hold the city together.
The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne
The world of the Nordlings is haunted by the remnants of fallen gods, whose lingering powers shape both land and lives. Orka, a fierce widow, seeks vengeance after her family is slaughtered, navigating a brutal landscape of monsters and warlords. Alongside her, surviving warriors and outcasts contend with rival clans, ancient magic, and the weight of a dying culture.
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