If you loved Fourth Wing, A Court of Thorns and Roses, or When the Moon Hatched, then the first quarter of 2026 has some truly spectacular fantasy and romantasy releases waiting for you. From gothic horror to cosy fantasy, dark academia to epic samurai sagas, there is something for every reader looking to escape into magical new worlds.
Whether you are searching for books with enemies-to-lovers romance, morally grey characters, or breathtaking world-building, this curated list of upcoming fantasy novels will help you plan your reading for the year ahead. Here are the most anticipated fantasy book releases from January to March 2026.
January 2026 Fantasy Releases
Nine Goblins by T. Kingfisher
Release Date: 20th January 2026
Genre: Cosy Fantasy, Low Fantasy, Humorous Fantasy
From the Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author of Nettle & Bone and A Sorceress Comes to Call comes a delightfully irreverent tale perfect for fans of Legends & Lattes. When a confrontation with an evil wizard lands a troop of nine goblins deep behind enemy lines, goblin sergeant Nessilka must figure out how to keep her hapless band together and get them home in one piece. Unfortunately, between them and safety lies a forest full of elves, trolls, monsters, and that most terrifying of creatures; a human being.
This cosy fantasy novella delivers T. Kingfisher's signature blend of humour and heart, exploring themes of found family, the futility of war, and what happens when the supposed monsters turn out to be rather relatable. If you enjoy fantasy books with witty dialogue, unconventional protagonists, and a lighter tone, Nine Goblins is an essential addition to your January TBR.
February 2026 Fantasy and Romantasy Releases
The Fox Hunt by Caitlin Breeze
Release Date: 17th February 2026
Genre: Dark Academia, Gothic Fantasy, Revenge Fantasy
Perfect for fans of Ninth House, Atlas Six, Babel, and The Maidens, this stunning debut plunges readers into the shadowy underbelly of England's most ancient university. Emma Curran, a practical second-year student, is welcomed into the seductive world of the University's oldest secret society; until her participation in a centuries-old ritual changes her forever and exposes the twisted system that keeps this old boys' club on top.
Combining the darkness of old fairy tales with the glittering pleasures of secret societies, The Fox Hunt features mesmerising world-building as Emma navigates the realm of the Night City; a magical domain populated by spell-workers, healers, and hybrid human-animals. If you are looking for dark academia fantasy with feminist themes, atmospheric prose, and a protagonist fighting back against the elite, this one deserves a spot on your reading list.
The Ballad of Falling Dragons by Sarah A. Parker
Release Date: 24th February 2026 (UK) / April-May 2026 (US)
Genre: Romantasy, Epic Fantasy, Dragon Romance
The highly anticipated sequel to the BookTok phenomenon When the Moon Hatched is finally arriving, and fans of dragon romantasy have been counting down the days. Raeve and Kaan's story continues in this immersive fantasy featuring mysterious creatures, a unique magic system, and a love that blazes through the ages.
Following explosive revelations, Raeve embarks on a journey to find herself; one that includes embracing her forgotten identity and her role as the long-lost love of Kaan, the Burn's warrior king. With the world facing its most devastating moonfall yet, Raeve must choose between chasing death or life. If you devoured Fourth Wing and are searching for more books like it; featuring dragons, slow-burn romance, and epic fantasy world-building; The Ballad of Falling Dragons should be at the very top of your list.
March 2026 Fantasy and Romantasy Releases
Innamorata by Ava Reid
Release Date: 17th March 2026
Genre: Gothic Fantasy, Dark Romance, Horror Fantasy
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Study in Drowning and Lady Macbeth comes a visionary gothic fantasy about necromancy, vengeance, and soul-consuming love. Innamorata is the first book in The House of Teeth Duology, and it promises to be one of the most talked-about romantasy releases of 2026.
Once there was an island where the dead walked the earth, and seven noble houses ruled by the arcane secrets of necromancy. A conqueror's blade brought them low, burning their libraries, killing their lords, and extinguishing their eldritch magic. But defiant against the new order stands the House of Teeth and its last living members: beautiful Marozia and her uncanny cousin, Lady Agnes. Described as 'gorgeously gruesome' and 'depraved', this book is perfect for readers who love dark, atmospheric fantasy with morally complex characters and forbidden romance.
The Book of Fallen Leaves by A.S. Tamaki
Release Date: 17th March 2026
Genre: Epic Fantasy, Asian-Inspired Fantasy, Political Fantasy
Pitched as 'Shogun meets Game of Thrones', this debut epic fantasy is being heralded as one of the biggest fantasy releases of the year. A.S. Tamaki weaves a powerful tale of ambition, vengeance, and sacrifice in this masterful fantasy retelling of an ancient samurai saga, packed with memorable characters, stunning world-building, and epic adventure.
Sen Hoshiakari is an exiled prince of a clan that lost everything in his father's failed rebellion. Deprived of his birthright, Sen is determined to restore his family's lands and honour at any cost. Rui is a peasant girl who saved Sen's life on the night his family were put to the sword; but now the gods themselves have plans for her. As civil war throws the empire into chaos and demons seek vengeance on the living, Sen and Rui must fight for both their clan and their shared future. If you are searching for books like The Poppy War or Across the Nightingale Floor, this Japanese-inspired fantasy delivers sweeping battles, political intrigue, and breathtaking prose.
Your Q1 2026 Fantasy TBR at a Glance
Here is a quick summary of all the must-read fantasy and romantasy books releasing in the first quarter of 2026:
Nine Goblins by T. Kingfisher – 20th January 2026 (Cosy Fantasy)
The Fox Hunt by Caitlin Breeze – 17th February 2026 (Dark Academia Fantasy)
The Ballad of Falling Dragons by Sarah A. Parker – 24th February 2026 (Dragon Romantasy)
Innamorata by Ava Reid – 17th March 2026 (Gothic Fantasy)
The Book of Fallen Leaves by A.S. Tamaki – 17th March 2026 (Epic Fantasy)
2026 is shaping up to be an incredible year for fantasy readers. Whether you prefer cosy fantasy novels, dark gothic romance, or sweeping epic sagas, these upcoming releases offer something truly special. Be sure to pre-order your favourites and follow us for more fantasy book recommendations, reviews, and reading guides throughout the year.
Looking for more books like Fourth Wing, ACOTAR, or The Hunger Games? Check out our other recommendation articles for your next fantasy read.
Books Featured in This Article
Nine Goblins
by T. Kingfisher
From New York Times bestselling and Hugo Award-winning author T. Kingfisher comes Nine Goblins, a tale of low fantasy and high mischief.No one knows exactly how the Goblin War began, but folks will tell you that goblins are stinking, slinking, filthy, sheep-stealing, henhouse-raiding, obnoxious, rude, and violent. Goblins would actually agree with all this, and might throw in “cowardly” and “lazy” too for good measure.But goblins don't go around killing people for fun, no matter what the propaganda posters say. And when a confrontation with an evil wizard lands a troop of nine goblins deep behind enemy lines, goblin sergeant Nessilka must figure out how to keep her hapless band together and get them home in one piece.Unfortunately, between them and safety lies a forest full of elves, trolls, monsters, and that most terrifying of creatures...a human being.
The Fox Hunt
by Caitlin Breeze
Behind closed doors at England's most ancient university, a circle of privileged students enter into a dark pagan ritual--one that holds tantalizing power and comes at a terrible price. When practical, unassuming second-year student Emma Curran wins an exciting research fellowship, she is ushered into the glittering debauchery of the University elite. There, she falls for the devastating, aristocratic Jasper Balfour, leader of the all-male Turnbull Club: a shadowy secret society that has created centuries of Britain's leaders, power brokers and history-makers. One night, the Turnbulls propose a sinister little game: a fox hunt. The women run. The men chase. And Emma finds herself fleeing for her life through the streets, hunted by the boy she loves. Torn from her ordinary life and trapped in a dangerous, otherworldly realm, Emma awakens transformed. No longer mortal, she's become something beastly. And now she must summon every ounce of cunning and ferocity to save herself.
The Ballad of Falling Dragons
by Sarah A. Parker
Pre-order now to receive the stunning DELUXE LIMITED EDITION. The collector's hardcover features sprayed edges and full-colored endpapers. Sarah A. Parker returns with more romance, heart-pounding action, and scorching secrets in the much-anticipated sequel to the worldwide phenomenon When the Moon Hatched. Following explosive revelations, Raeve embarks on a journey to find herself--one that includes embracing her forgotten identity as the presumed deceased royal, Elluin Neván, and as the long-lost love of Kaan, the Burn's warrior king.
Innamorata
by Ava Reid
A visionary and atmospheric gothic fantasy about necromancy, vengeance, and soul-consuming love, the first in a duology from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Study in Drowning and Lady MacbethThis decadently dark first edition hardcover features designed sprayed edges and full-color illustrated endpapers—while supplies last!“Gorgeously gruesome . . . reads like the gory bones of a forgotten folktale.”—Jacqueline Carey, New York Times bestselling author of the Kushiel’s Legacy seriesOnce there was an island where the dead walked the earth, and seven noble houses ruled by the arcane secrets of necromancy. A conqueror’s blade brought them low, burning their libraries, killing their lords, and extinguishing their eldritch magic. But defiant against the new order stands the House of Teeth and its last living members: beautiful Marozia, the heiress to the House, and her cousin, the uncanny Lady Agnes. Though she has not spoken a word in seven years, Agnes is the true carrier of the House’s legacy. And she has her orders. She must recapture the secrets of death magic and avenge her family’s fallen honor. She must arrange the betrothal of her beloved cousin Marozia to Liuprand, heir to the conqueror’s throne, for access to the forbidden library in his grotesquely grand castle. Revenge burns in Agnes’s heart but so do stranger passions—and it is Liuprand, the golden prince, who speaks to her soul. This passion is as treasonous as it is powerful, poisoning the kingdom’s roots and threatening to tear the already shattered realm in two. For Agnes’s final order is the gravest: She must not fall in love. Book One of The House of Teeth Duology
The Book of Fallen Leaves
by A. S. Tamaki
Shogun meets Game of Thrones in the blockbuster epic fantasy event of the year. Debut author A. S. Tamaki weaves a powerful tale of ambition, vengeance and sacrifice in this masterful fantasy retelling of an ancient Samurai saga, packed with memorable characters, stunning worldbuilding and epic adventure. Sen Hoshiakari is an exiled prince of a clan that lost everything in his father's failed rebellion. Deprived of his birthright, Sen is determined to restore his family's lands and honor at any cost. Rui is a peasant girl who saved Sen's life on the night his family were put to the sword. But now, she is adrift and unsure of her place in the world, not knowing that the gods themselves have plans for her... As civil war throws the empire into chaos, and demons seek vengeance on the living, Sen and Rui must fight for both their clan and their shared future... But vengeance demands a bloody price.