bibliobabe

Book lists by genre

The Best Fantasy Books to Read Right Now — Organised by Subgenre

Fantasy is enormous — and "best fantasy book" means something completely different depending on whether you want a cosy comfort read or a 1,000-page epic. So here are my favourites sorted by subgenre, with a note on where to start if you are new to the genre.

How I picked these

Every book below is one I have read and would happily recommend. I chose titles that are both excellent and approachable — the kind that win people over to a subgenre rather than overwhelming them. Mix recent hits with modern classics, and you have a reading list that lasts well beyond one year. Working through a reading challenge? Several of these fit common prompts perfectly.

Epic & high fantasy

  • The Name of the Wind — Patrick Rothfuss. Gorgeous prose and a magnetic narrator. The gold standard for readers who want a world to disappear into.
  • The Way of Kings — Brandon Sanderson. A vast, meticulously built epic with a famously satisfying magic system. The doorstopper that converts doubters.

Standalone fantasy

  • Piranesi — Susanna Clarke. Short, strange and hypnotic. A perfect entry point and a book you will press on everyone.
  • The Night Circus — Erin Morgenstern. Atmospheric and romantic, with a setting so vivid it lingers for years.

Cozy fantasy

  • Legends & Lattes — Travis Baldree. A retired orc opens a coffee shop. Low stakes, high comfort — the genre’s breakout feel-good hit.
  • The House in the Cerulean Sea — TJ Klune. Warm, kind and quietly moving. The literary equivalent of a hug.

Dark & grimdark fantasy

  • The Poppy War — R.F. Kuang. Brutal, ambitious and unforgettable, drawing on real history. Not for the faint-hearted.
  • The Blade Itself — Joe Abercrombie. Razor-sharp characters and morally grey everyone. The benchmark for grimdark.

Romantic fantasy

  • Fourth Wing — Rebecca Yarros. Dragons, rivals and high tension — the runaway hit that pulled a wave of new readers into fantasy.
  • A Court of Thorns and Roses — Sarah J. Maas. The series that defines modern romantasy. Start here if romance is your way in.

Best fantasy for beginners

  • The Hobbit — J.R.R. Tolkien. The cosy adventure that began it all — still the friendliest doorway into fantasy.
  • The Lies of Locke Lamora — Scott Lynch. A witty heist in a gorgeous canal-city. Fast, fun and endlessly re-readable.

Found your next read? When you finish, jot the one line you want to remember — the heart of our Read, Remember, Recommend challenge. Or cross into another genre with the best thrillers and the best romance novels.

Fantasy Books FAQ

What are the best fantasy books to start with?

For newcomers, start short and friendly: Piranesi, Legends & Lattes or The Hobbit ease you in without a huge time commitment. If you prefer a bigger world from the off, The Name of the Wind and The Lies of Locke Lamora are gripping and approachable.

What is the difference between epic and cozy fantasy?

Epic (or high) fantasy features large casts, high stakes and richly built worlds, often across long series — The Way of Kings is a classic example. Cozy fantasy keeps the magical setting but lowers the stakes for a warm, comforting read, like Legends & Lattes.

What is "romantasy"?

Romantasy is fantasy with a central romance given equal weight to the plot. Books like Fourth Wing and A Court of Thorns and Roses define the category and have brought a huge new audience to the genre.

Do I have to read fantasy in long series?

Not at all. Standalone fantasy like Piranesi and The Night Circus delivers a complete, satisfying story in one book — ideal if you want the magic without committing to ten volumes.

What is grimdark fantasy?

Grimdark is darker, morally grey fantasy where heroes are flawed and the world is harsh. The Blade Itself and The Poppy War are standout examples. Start there if you like your fantasy with sharp edges.

What is the best fantasy book of all time?

There is no single answer, but The Lord of the Rings shaped the entire genre, and modern readers often name The Name of the Wind or Brandon Sanderson’s work among the best. The "best" is the one that matches the kind of story you love.

Is fantasy only for younger readers?

No. Plenty of fantasy is written for adults, with complex themes and mature content — grimdark and much of romantasy especially. The genre spans all ages, from cozy comfort reads to dark, demanding epics.

How do I pick my next fantasy read?

Decide what you want first: comfort, escape, a big world, or a romance. Match that mood to a subgenre above, then pick the title that appeals most. When in doubt, a short standalone is the lowest-risk way to try the genre.