Piranesi is set in a House of statues, tides, and mystery, following a narrator who finds beauty in a world he barely understands. It’s an atmospheric fantasy that blends mystery, philosophy, and surrealism into a dreamlike story. It’s a short but thoughtfully crafted book — more meditative than life-changing, but enjoyable in a way that sneaks up on you.
The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay
The Lions of Al-Rassan is a fantasy inspired by medieval Spain, where faith, politics, and culture are locked in uneasy balance. Through intertwined lives on opposing sides of a looming conflict, Kay explores loyalty, love, and the cost of change. Lyrical yet grounded, the novel blends epic scope with intimate emotion, leaving a lingering sense of beauty and loss.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is a quiet, character-driven fantasy about what it means to leave a mark. Spanning centuries, it follows an immortal woman cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets. Reflective and emotional, the story explores identity, loneliness, and the fragile ways we touch other lives.
Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence
Prince of Thorns is a dark, fast-paced fantasy that follows a ruthless young antihero on a path of vengeance and conquest. Mark Lawrence strips away traditional notions of heroism, exploring power, trauma, and moral ambiguity in a brutal world. Violent and unsettling by design, the novel challenges readers to confront how far ambition and pain can distort the self.