Fantasy! One of the most popular genres today – and for good reason with its ability to help you escape into a new world. Some of these stories span eras and empires, while others focus on just a few unforgettable characters. Here are some of the best fantasy books to read, sorted by subgenre.

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.

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

The protagonist crashes his plane in the middle of the Sahara desert. Stranded with nothing but sand and a dwindling water supply, he only has eight days to repair his aircraft. Unexpectedly, a golden-haired boy appears, claiming to be a traveler from another world in search of wisdom as he recounts his life story.

Paulo Coelho

Santiago is a shepherd, taking pride in his simple life and the connection with his sheep. Raised to become a priest, Santiago chooses a life of adventure, desiring freedom and a connection with the natural world. As he travels, Santiago’s quest becomes less about gold, but a quest for self-discovery.

J.R.R. Tolkien

Bilbo Baggins, a comfort-loving hobbit from the 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 kingdom, Bilbo finds himself crossing lands filled with trolls, goblins, and giant spiders. Along the way, he discovers a strange ring that grants invisibility – and hints at darker powers.

Patrick Rothfuss

A legendary figure named Kvothe begins to tell 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. Gifted with a sharp mind and a dangerous curiosity, he makes his way to the University, where magic, knowledge, and politics intertwine.

James Islington

Vis, a young man hiding his identity, enters the prestigious Catenan Academy where political power is literally drawn from obedience. As he navigates brutal tests, hidden agendas, and rival students, he uncovers truths linking his past to the Empire’s most dangerous secrets. With rebellion simmering and loyalties uncertain, Vis must decide how much of himself he is willing to sacrifice.

Brent Weeks

Azoth, a street urchin in the crime-ridden city of Cenaria, dreams of escaping the slums. He becomes the apprentice of Durzo Blint, the city’s legendary wetboy, a magician-assassin who teaches him the deadly arts of stealth and combat. As Azoth trains, he must navigate the brutal underworld, political machinations, and the blurred lines between right and wrong.

Brandon Sanderson

A thousand years of ash and oppression have left the world under the unchallenged rule of the 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.

Evan Winter

Tau Solarin is born into the Lesser caste of the war-torn Omehi, whose Gifted can call upon dragons. Trained by his father to become an Ihashe warrior, his quiet dreams of love and a modest life are shattered when tragedy strikes. Consumed by rage, Tau hones his skills at the cost of his soul, transforming himself into a weapon bent on punishing those who wronged him.

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.

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 expectations placed upon him.

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.

Joe Abercrombie

The lives of three very different individuals converge in a 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.

Anthony Ryan

Vaelin Al Sorna 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.

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, his cunning and brutality set him apart even among killers.

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 peace between nations shatters, Rin is thrust into the horrors of real war. 

Olivie Blake

Six extraordinarily talented individuals are invited to join the 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 time unfolds, the group navigates shifting alliances, hidden agendas, and the ethical dilemmas of wielding world-altering knowledge.

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, she uncovers layers of corruption and long-buried secrets.

Holly Black

Charlie Hall is a small-time con artist who’s spent years skirting the edges of the shadow-magic underworld, a place where secrets can be stolen – and shadows altered – for a price. When her past catches up, Charlie is drawn into a conspiracy involving forbidden magic, dangerous clients, and a boyfriend with mysteries of his own.

Scott Lynch

In the opulent, crime-ridden city of Camorr, orphan Locke Lamora rises to lead the Gentleman Bastards, a crew of con artists who rob nobles with audacious flair. But when a deadly rival upends the city’s underworld, Locke’s tricks and bravado face their ultimate test. Forced into a deadly game of deception, he must outwit enemies far more ruthless than he imagined.

Erin Morgenstern

A magical circus appears without warning, open only at night and captivating audiences with impossible wonders. Behind the scenes, two young magicians 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 threatens everything around them.

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 man who remembers her, upending everything she has endured.

Guy Gavriel Kay

The Lions of Al-Rassan is set in a land of warring kingdoms and religious tensions reminiscent of medieval Spain. Warriors, poets, healers, and rulers navigate shifting alliances, political intrigue, and personal loyalties. Amid epic battles, forbidden love, and betrayal, hearts and nations alike face choices that will shape the destiny of Al-Rassan.

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. 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.

R.F. Kuang

Robin Swift, a young orphan from Canton, is brought to 1830s Oxford to prepare for entry into the Royal Institute of Translation, known as Babel. At Babel, he learns “silver-working,” a form of magic that uses translated language to empower silver, fueling the British Empire’s imperial dominance. Over time, he is forced to confront the ethical consequences of his work and the power structures sustaining it.

S.A. Chakraborty

Nahri, a 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 dangerous magic. As she learns to navigate the palace, Nahri must confront her own past and the fragile alliances that hold the city together.

Susanna Clark

In an endless House of marble halls, sweeping tides, and towering statues, Piranesi lives a quiet life of wonder and ritual. His only companion, the Other, seems to hold secrets he refuses to share. As strange messages appear and memories shift, Piranesi begins unraveling a truth buried beneath the House’s beauty – one that threatens his identity, his past, and the world beyond.

Stuart Turton

Aiden Bishop wakes in a decaying manor where a lavish party ends in murder – one he must solve to escape. Trapped in a looping day, inhabiting a different guest’s body each morning, he uncovers hidden motives, buried scandals, and a killer determined to evade him. As timelines twist and allies shift, Aiden races to unravel the mansion’s deadly secret.

The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is technically a sci-fi but has a fantasy feel.