The fantasy genre continues to evolve in exciting directions, blending classic tropes with fresh perspectives that keep readers coming back for more. From dark academia and gothic horror to cosy fantasy and epic political intrigue, there's never been a better time to dive into new worlds.
Whether you're searching for books like Fourth Wing, craving enemies-to-lovers tension, or wanting something with intricate magic systems and morally grey characters, this list has something for every fantasy reader. We've selected eight standout titles that deserve a place on your to-be-read pile.
1. Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab
V.E. Schwab returns with a haunting gothic fantasy that spans centuries, weaving together the stories of three women bound by blood, darkness, and an insatiable hunger. This atmospheric tale explores themes of power, identity, and what it means to be truly monstrous—or truly free.
Schwab's lyrical prose creates an immersive reading experience that lingers long after the final page. Fans of dark fantasy romance and sapphic fiction will find this an unmissable addition to their collection.
Why You Should Read It
Beautifully crafted gothic atmosphere with richly detailed historical settings
Complex exploration of female rage, autonomy, and the cost of immortality
Compelling sapphic love stories woven throughout each timeline
Perfect for fans of Interview with the Vampire and dark romantasy
Voted Goodreads' favourite fantasy of 2025
2. The Will of the Many & The Strength of the Few by James Islington
James Islington's Hierarchy series has quickly become essential reading for fans of epic fantasy with political intrigue. The Will of the Many introduces readers to Vis, a young man harbouring dangerous secrets in a Roman-inspired world where power is literally transferred between individuals in a rigid social hierarchy.
The sequel, The Strength of the Few, expands the scope dramatically whilst maintaining the tight plotting and compelling character work that made the first instalment so gripping. This is intelligent fantasy that rewards careful reading, with mysteries that unfold across both volumes.
Why You Should Read It
One of the most innovative magic systems in modern fantasy
Intricate plotting with mysteries that keep you guessing until the very end
A protagonist you'll root for whilst questioning his every move
Perfect for readers who loved Red Rising or Name of the Wind
Rich world-building inspired by ancient Rome with a fresh fantasy twist
3. Katabasis by R.F. Kuang
From the bestselling author of Babel and Yellowface comes a darkly compelling descent into the underworld. Katabasis follows two rival graduate students who must journey through Hell itself to retrieve the soul of their professor—whose death they inadvertently caused.
R.F. Kuang brings her signature sharp prose and unflinching examination of academia's darker corners to this mythologically-inspired tale. This isn't a story of heroes; it's a story of guilt, ambition, and the lengths we'll go to escape the consequences of our actions.
Why You Should Read It
A fresh take on classical mythology meets dark academia
Morally complex characters you'll love to hate
Kuang's razor-sharp commentary on academic culture and ambition
Gripping narrative tension that never lets up
Essential reading for fans of literary fantasy and Greek mythology retellings
4. Grave Empire by Richard Swan
Richard Swan continues his acclaimed Empire of the Wolf series with Grave Empire, a dark flintlock fantasy that blends sweeping epic scope with intimate character drama. Fans of the previous trilogy will find everything they loved amplified here, whilst new readers can jump in fresh.
This is fantasy with teeth—a slow-building sense of dread permeates every chapter, leading to moments of genuine horror amongst the political machinations. Swan has crafted something special for readers who want their fantasy with a dark edge.
Why You Should Read It
Masterful blend of epic fantasy and horror elements
Atmospheric flintlock setting that feels genuinely lived-in
Character-driven storytelling with real emotional weight
Accessible entry point for new readers to the series
Perfect for grimdark fans seeking something fresh
5. The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson
The Raven Scholar is a substantial fantasy epic that demands your full attention—and richly rewards it. Antonia Hodgson has crafted a sprawling narrative in the tradition of Brandon Sanderson, where intricate plotting and detailed world-building create a truly immersive reading experience.
Don't be intimidated by its length; this is the kind of book that fantasy readers live for. Once you're absorbed in its pages, you'll find yourself racing through chapters, desperate to uncover the next revelation.
Why You Should Read It
Epic scope that will satisfy readers craving substantial fantasy
Intricate plotting reminiscent of Sanderson's best work
Richly developed world with its own history and cultures
Perfect for readers who want to lose themselves in a new fantasy world
Ideal for fans of doorstop fantasy and complex magic systems
6. Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett
The cosy fantasy trend shows no signs of slowing, and Heather Fawcett's Emily Wilde series sits at its heart. This latest instalment continues the adventures of the delightfully prickly academic Emily Wilde as she catalogues the folklore and faerie creatures of her world.
If you're looking for fantasy that feels like a warm cup of tea on a rainy afternoon, this is your book. Fawcett perfectly balances charming romance, whimsical adventure, and genuine peril to create something truly special.
Why You Should Read It
The perfect cosy fantasy read for when you need gentle escapism
Charming academic setting with delightful folklore elements
Wonderful slow-burn romance with banter-filled dialogue
Unique take on fae mythology that feels fresh and inventive
Ideal for fans of T. Kingfisher and Katherine Arden
7. Heir by Sabaa Tahir
Sabaa Tahir, beloved author of An Ember in the Ashes, delivers a character-driven fantasy that subverts expectations at every turn. Heir is a deeply personal story that uses the fantasy genre to explore themes of legacy, identity, and the weight of expectations.
This is fantasy that prioritises emotional truth over spectacle, though there's plenty of both on offer. Tahir's gift for creating characters you genuinely care about shines throughout, making this an unforgettable read.
Why You Should Read It
Masterful character development from a proven storyteller
Emotionally resonant themes of legacy and identity
Unexpected twists that genuinely surprise
Beautiful prose that elevates the fantasy genre
Essential for fans of Ember in the Ashes and literary fantasy
8. The Incandescent by Emily Tesh
Emily Tesh offers a refreshing twist on the magic school trope by focusing not on students, but on the exhausted faculty trying to keep everything from falling apart. The Incandescent follows Dr Sapphire Walden, director of magic at Chetwood School, as she battles demons—both literal and bureaucratic.
This is fantasy for anyone who's ever felt burned out, stretched too thin, or wondered when their efforts would finally be enough. Tesh brings warmth and wit to a story that's surprisingly relatable despite its fantastical setting.
Why You Should Read It
A clever subversion of magic school fantasy tropes
Relatable themes of burnout and professional pressure
Sharp, witty writing with genuine emotional depth
Perfect for readers who loved Tesh's Greenhollow novellas
Ideal for fans of cosy fantasy with darker undercurrents
Find Your Next Fantasy Obsession
Whether you're drawn to the gothic darkness of Schwab's vampire saga, the intellectual puzzles of Islington's political fantasy, or the gentle charm of Fawcett's cosy adventures, these eight books represent the very best the fantasy genre has to offer right now.
Each offers something unique whilst delivering the immersive escapism and emotional resonance that keeps us coming back to fantasy again and again.
Happy reading!
Books Featured in This Article
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil
by V. E. Schwab
The Heart-Stopping International Sensation! Instant No. 1 Sunday Times Bestseller No. 1 New York Times Bestseller The Radio 2 Book Club Pick From V. E. Schwab, a genre-defying, unforgettable novel to sink your teeth into . . . This is a story about hunger. 1532. Santo Domingo de la Calzada. A young girl grows up wild and wily - her beauty is only outmatched by her dreams of escape. But María knows she can only ever be a prize, or a pawn, in the games played by men. When an alluring stranger offers an alternate path, María makes a desperate choice. She vows to have no regrets. This is a story about love. 1827. London. A young woman lives an idyllic but cloistered life on her family's estate, until a moment of forbidden intimacy sees her shipped off to London. Charlotte's tender heart and seemingly impossible wishes are swept away by an invitation from a beautiful widow - but the price of freedom is higher than she could have imagined. This is a story about rage. 2019. Boston. College was supposed to be her chance to be someone new. That's why Alice moved halfway across the world, leaving her old life behind. But after an out-of-character one-night stand leaves her questioning her past, her present, and her future, Alice throws herself into the hunt for answers . . . and revenge. This is a story about life . . . how it ends, and how it starts again. Utterly unmissable, this is a twisting, gothic tale of immortality and hunger. From the bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. Praise for Bury Your Bones in the Midnight Soil: 'Nobody can write like V. E. Schwab . . . This is so much more than a vampire book. It's a book about how women are judged differently than men and how when society sees you as a monster you become one' - Jodi Picoult, author Mad Honey, By Any Other Name and many other international bestsellers 'Lush, gorgeous prose and a gripping take on the vampire that pays homage to the greats while doing something deliciously new.' - Lex Croucher 'Lyrical and immersive . . . sweeping history, deep emotions and [a] touch of magic' - Cosmopolitan Magazine 'Three young women who lived centuries apart rise again to rebel, seek revenge and fall in love' - Red Magazine Readers are obsessed with Bury Your Bones in the Midnight Soil: 'A brutal masterclass in tragedy. Page-turning. Heartbreaking. Unforgettable' 'This book gave me CHILLS' 'It's easily one of my favourite books of the year!' 'I actually am at a loss for words to describe how this book made me feel' 'This book was beautiful. And gut-wrenching. And I was obsessed' V. E. Schwab's Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil was a Sunday Times bestseller w/c 16/06/2025
The Will of the Many
by James Islington
At the elite Catenan Academy, a young fugitive uncovers layered mysteries and world-changing secrets in this new fantasy series by internationally bestselling author of The Licanius Trilogy, James Islington.AUDI. VIDE. TACE. The Catenan Republic—the Hierarchy—may rule the world now, but they do not know everything. I tell them my name is Vis Telimus. I tell them I was orphaned after a tragic accident three years ago, and that good fortune alone has led to my acceptance into their most prestigious school. I tell them that once I graduate, I will gladly join the rest of civilised society in allowing my strength, my drive and my focus—what they call Will—to be leeched away and added to the power of those above me, as millions already do. As all must eventually do. I tell them that I belong, and they believe me. But the truth is that I have been sent to the Academy to find answers. To solve a murder. To search for an ancient weapon. To uncover secrets that may tear the Republic apart. And that I will never, ever cede my Will to the empire that executed my family. To survive, though, I will still have to rise through the Academy’s ranks. I will have to smile, and make friends, and pretend to be one of them and win. Because if I cannot, then those who want to control me, who know my real name, will no longer have any use for me. And if the Hierarchy finds out who I truly am, they will kill me.
The Strength of the Few
by James Islington
Featuring a reversible book cover that matches the original hardcover art design, sprayed edges, and beautifully designed endpapers!This highly anticipated follow-up to The Will of the Many—one of 2023’s most lauded and bestselling fantasy novels—follows Vis as he grapples with a dangerous secret that could unravel history across alternate dimensions. OMNE TRIUM PERFECTUM The Hierarchy still call me Vis Telimus. Still hail me as Catenicus. They still, as one, believe they know who I am. But with all that has happened—with what I fear is coming—I am not sure it matters anymore. I am no longer one. I won the Iudicium, and lost everything—and now, impossibly, the ancient device beyond the Labyrinth has replicated me across three separate worlds. A different version of myself in each of Obiteum, Luceum, and Res. Three different bodies, three different lives. I have to hide; fight; play politics. I have to train; trust; lie. I have to kill; heal; prove myself again, and again, and again. I am loved, and hated, and entirely alone. Above all, though, I need to find answers before it’s too late. To understand the nature of what has happened to me, and why. I need to find a way to stop the coming Cataclysm, because if all I have learned is true, I may be the only one who can.
Katabasis
by R. F. Kuang
"Alice Law has only ever had one goal: to become one of the brightest minds in the field of Magick. She has sacrificed everything to make that a reality: her pride, her health, her love life, and most definitely her sanity. All to work with Professor Jacob Grimes at Cambridge, the greatest magician in the world. That is, until he dies in a magical accident that could possibly be her fault. Grimes is now in Hell, and she's going in after him. Because his recommendation could hold her very future in his now incorporeal hands and even death is not going to stop the pursuit of her dreams"--Provided by publisher.
Grave Empire
by Richard Swan
From critically acclaimed author Richard Swan, Grave Empire begins the epic tale of an empire on the verge of industrial revolution, where sorcery and arcane practices are outlawed - and where an ancient prophecy threatens the coming end of days. Blood once turned the wheels of empire. Now it is money. A new age of exploration and innovation has dawned, and the Empire of the Wolf stands to take its place as the foremost power in the known world. Glory and riches await. But dark days are coming. A mysterious plague has broken out in the pagan kingdoms to the north, while in the south, the Empire's proxy war in the lands of the wolfmen is weeks away from total collapse. Worse still is the message brought to the Empress by two heretic monks, who claim to have lost contact with the spirits of the afterlife. The monks believe this is the start of an ancient prophecy heralding the end of days--the Great Silence. It falls to Renata Rainer, a low-ranking ambassador to an enigmatic and vicious race of mermen, to seek answers from those who still practice the arcane arts. But with the road south beset by war and the Empire on the brink of supernatural catastrophe, soon there may not be a world left to save...
The Raven Scholar
by Antonia Hodgson
"A labyrinth of a book--vast and intricate, full of fiendish twists and clever traps--with a deeply human heart at its center. It's thrilling, romantic, often tragic, and always funny; I'm obsessed." --Alix E. Harrow, New York Times bestselling author of Starling House The Raven Scholar is a masterfully woven tale of imperial intrigue from an electrifying new voice in epic fantasy--in a stunning edition featuring French flaps and silver foiled cover effects! Let us fly now to the empire of Orrun, where after twenty-four years of peace, the reign of Bersun the Brusque has come to an end. In the dizzying heat of midsummer, seven exceptional warriors, thinkers, strategists compete to replace him. When one of them is murdered, it falls to Neema Kraa, the emperor's brilliant, idiosyncratic High Scholar, to find the killer and fight for the throne. Neema believes she is alone. But we are here to help; all she has to do is let us in. If she succeeds, we will win an empire. If she fails, death awaits her. But we won't let that happen. We are the Raven, and we are magnificent. ★ "Sharply written and intricately plotted. A masterclass in storytelling!" --Ann Leckie, Hugo Award-winning author of Ancillary Justice ★ "Fiendishly charming and clever, this is a book you absolutely must devour." --Tasha Suri, World Fantasy Award-winning author of The Jasmine Throne ★ "The Raven Scholar is as clever as its namesake--each beloved character, each twist and each turn, is a shiny new gift. It is magnificent." --C. L. Clark, author of The Unbroken ★ "Epic fantasy at its finest--fiendish political intrigue, the ultimate trial for the throne and a shocking crime at the center. Simply glorious!" --Georgia Summers, author of The City of Stardust ★ "Engrossing and unputdownable...my favorite read of the year. A conflagration of court intrigue, religious folktale, and characters with deliciously murky motivations, The Raven Scholar is a pure delight." --Bethany Jacobs, Philip K. Dick Award-winning author of These Burning Stars
Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales
by Heather Fawcett
"Emily Wilde has spent her life studying faeries. A renowned dryadologist, she has documented hundreds of species of Folk in her Encyclopaedia of Faeries. Now she is about to embark on her most dangerous academic project yet: studying the inner workings of a faerie realm-as its queen. Along with her former academic rival-now fiance-the dashing and mercurial Wendell Bambleby, Emily is immediately thrust into the deadly intrigues of Faerie as the two of them seize the throne of Wendell's long-lost kingdom, which Emily finds a beautiful nightmare, filled with scholarly treasures.Emily has been obsessed with faerie stories her entire life, but at first she feels as ill-suited to Faerie as she did to the mortal world-how could an unassuming scholar like herself pass for a queen? Yet there is little time to settle in-Wendell's murderous stepmother has placed a deadly curse upon the land before vanishing without a trace. It will take all of Wendell's magic-and Emily's knowledge of stories-to unravel the mystery before they lose everything they hold dear."--Publisher.
Heir
by Sabaa Tahir
"An orphan. An outcast. A prince. And a killer who will bring an empire to its knees. Growing up in the Kegari slums, AIZ has seen her share of suffering. An old tragedy fuels her need for vengeance, but it is love of her people that propels her. Until one hotheaded mistake lands her in an inescapable prison, where the embers of her wrath ignite. Banished from her people for an unforgivable crime, SIRSHA is a down-on-her-luck tracker who uses magic to trace her marks. Destitute, she agrees to hunt down a killer who has murdered children across the Martial Empire. All she has to do is carry out the job and get paid. But when a chance encounter leads to an unexpected attraction, Sirsha learns her mission might cost her far more than she's willing to give up. QUIL is the crown prince of the Empire and nephew of a venerated empress, but he's loath to take the throne when his aunt steps down. As the son of a reviled emperor, he, better than anyone, understands that power corrupts. When a vicious new enemy threatens the survival of the Empire, Quil must ask himself if he can rise above his tragic lineage and be the heir his people need. Beloved storyteller Sabaa Tahir interweaves the lives of three young people as they grapple with power, treachery, love, and the devastating consequences of unchecked greed, on a journey that may cost them their lives--and their hearts. Literally"--
The Incandescent
by Emily Tesh
Naomi Novik's Scholomance series meets Plain Bad Heroines in this sapphic dark academia fantasy by instant national and international bestselling author Emily Tesh, winner of the Hugo and World Fantasy Awards."Look at you, eating magic like you're one of us."Doctor Walden is the Director of Magic at Chetwood School and one of the most powerful magicians in England. Her days consist of meetings, teaching A-Level Invocation to four talented, chaotic sixth formers, more meetings, and securing the school's boundaries from demonic incursions.Walden is good at her job—no, Walden is great at her job. But demons are masters of manipulation. It’s her responsibility to keep her school with its six hundred students and centuries-old legacy safe. And it’s possible the entity Walden most needs to keep her school safe from—is herself.