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37 editor’s picks matching Fantasy
Good for readers who want fantasy mystery, clever deductions, odd-couple investigators, and inventive world-building.
The Tainted Cup
Fantasy · Mystery
Our take
A national bestseller called “A masterpiece” by Hideo Kojima, The Tainted Cup follows eccentric detective Ana Dolabra and her altered assistant Din as they investigate an impossible murder tied to strange magic, leviathan blood, and a threat to the Empire, with a 4.5-star rating from more than 13,800 Amazon reviewers. Good for readers who want fantasy mystery, clever deductions, odd-couple investigators, and inventive world-building.
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About the book
HUGO AWARD WINNER • WORLD FANTASY AWARD WINNER • NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A Holmes and Watson–style detective duo take the stage in this fantasy with a mystery twist, from acclaimed author Robert Jackson Bennett
“Like an endearing fantasy version of Knives Out . . . A great murder mystery is hard to pull off but Bennett structures his perfectly, and the fact that it’s in a fantasy setting only makes it better.”—T. J. Klune, The New York Times
LOCUS AWARD FINALIST • EDGAR AWARD NOMINEE
A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review, NPR, Elle, BookPage
In Daretana’s greatest mansion, a high imperial officer lies dead—killed, to all appearances, when a tree erupted from his body. Even here at the Empire’s borders, where contagions abound and the blood of the leviathans works strange magical changes, it’s a death both terrifying and impossible.
Assigned to investigate is Ana Dolabra, a detective whose reputation for brilliance is matched only by her eccentricities. Rumor has it that she wears a blindfold at all times, and that she can solve impossible cases without even stepping outside the walls of her home.
At her side is her new assistant, Dinios Kol, magically altered in ways that make him the perfect aide to Ana’s brilliance. Din is at turns scandalized, perplexed, and utterly infuriated by his new superior—but as the case unfolds and he watches Ana’s mind leap from one startling deduction to the next, he must admit that she is, indeed, the Empire’s greatest detective.
As the two close in on a mastermind and uncover a scheme that threatens the Empire itself, Din realizes he’s barely begun to assemble the puzzle that is Ana Dolabra—and wonders how long he’ll be able to keep his own secrets safe from her piercing intellect.
By an “endlessly inventive” (Vulture) author with a “wicked sense of humor” (NPR), The Tainted Cup mixes the charms of detective fiction with brilliant world-building to deliver a fiendishly clever mystery that’s at once instantly recognizable and thrillingly new.
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Perfect for fans of Shadow and Bone and Serpent & Dove, it’s equal parts epic and emotionally devastating.
Dark Rise
Fantasy · LGBTQIA+ · Bisexual Romance · Gay Romance
Our take
Dark Rise is a New York Times and Indie bestseller from C. S. Pacat, set in a lush, magic-drenched version of 1800s London. With 4.5 stars on Amazon, this high-stakes fantasy blends ancient rivalries, reincarnated heroes, and slow-burn romance. Perfect for fans of Shadow and Bone and Serpent & Dove, it’s equal parts epic and emotionally devastating.
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About the book
Will is just a dock boy—or so he thought.
After witnessing his mother’s murder, Will goes into hiding, only to be drawn into a secret war between ancient powers. The Stewards, sworn to fight the return of the Dark King, believe Will has a role to play in the rising conflict.
As London teeters on the edge of chaos, Will trains to join the last heroes of the Light. But danger stalks him at every turn—and not everyone on his side is truly an ally.
In a world where past lives echo and betrayal cuts deep, Will must decide if he’s ready to become the hero fate demands—or repeat history’s darkest mistakes.
The war isn’t over. It’s just beginning. And this time, it’s personal.
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In a forest shaped by fear and ritual, kindness becomes a quiet act of defiance.
The Girl Who Drank the Moon
Fantasy · Teen + Young Adult
Our take
In a forest shaped by fear and ritual, kindness becomes a quiet act of defiance. The Girl Who Drank the Moon follows Luna, a child raised by a gentle witch after being accidentally infused with powerful magic, as her abilities awaken and long-buried truths surface. This middle grade fantasy balances tenderness and tension, unfolding as a lyrical fable about love, sacrifice, and the cost of misunderstanding.
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About the book
Winner of the 2017 Newbery Medal ★ A New York Times Bestseller ★ An Entertainment Weekly Best Middle Grade Book of 2016 ★ A New York Public Library Best Book ★ A Chicago Public Library Best Book ★ An Amazon Top 20 Best Book ★ A Publishers Weekly Best Book ★ A School Library Journal Best Book ★ A Kirkus Reviews Best Book ★ A Booklist Youth Editors’ Choice
With more than a million copies sold, acclaimed fantasy author Kelly Barnhill’s Newbery Medal winner is a must-read for fans of classic children's literature or timeless fantasy fables, described as “impossible to put down… As exciting and layered as classics like Peter Pan or The Wizard of Oz” (The New York Times Book Review).
Every year, the people of the Protectorate leave a baby as an offering to the witch who lives in the forest. They hope this sacrifice will keep her from terrorizing their town. But the witch in the Forest, Xan, is kind. She shares her home with a wise Swamp Monster and a Perfectly Tiny Dragon. Xan rescues the children and delivers them to welcoming families on the other side of the forest, nourishing the babies with starlight on the journey.
One year, Xan accidentally feeds a baby moonlight instead of starlight, filling the ordinary child with extraordinary magic. Xan decides she must raise this girl, whom she calls Luna, as her own. As Luna’s thirteenth birthday approaches, her magic begins to emerge, with dangerous consequences. Meanwhile, a young man from the Protectorate is determined to free his people by killing the witch. Deadly birds with uncertain intentions flock nearby. A volcano, quiet for centuries, rumbles just beneath the earth’s surface. And the woman with the Tiger’s heart is on the prowl . . .
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The Twilight Order has fallen under Ashok’s control—and only Gyre and Maya can stop his rise.
Emperor of Ruin
Fantasy · LGBTQIA+ · Steampunk
Our take
The Twilight Order has fallen under Ashok’s control—and only Gyre and Maya can stop his rise. In the explosive finale to Django Wexler’s Burningblade & Silvereye trilogy, the siblings must unite their forces and defy fate itself. War brews, magic burns, and the final battle for the Splinter Kingdoms begins. A bold, brilliant ending to an unforgettable fantasy saga.
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Ashok, the last surviving Chosen, has seized the Twilight Order—and the power to reshape the world. Promising unity and justice, he instead leaves ruin in his wake. Only two people see through the lies: siblings Gyre and Maya, once enemies, now reluctant allies.
To stop Ashok’s reign of terror, Gyre must rally warriors, rebels, and outcasts from across the fractured Splinter Kingdoms. Meanwhile, Maya embarks on a perilous quest through treacherous mountains to recover a legendary weapon that could end the Order’s grip once and for all.
The time for resistance is over. It’s a war for the soul of their world.
Packed with explosive action, heart-wrenching choices, and an unforgettable finale, this epic conclusion delivers everything fans have been waiting for.
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In Blood of the Chosen, the second installment in Django Wexler’s thrilling trilogy, Gyre races to unite rebels and ghouls in a rising war against the Twilight Order,…
Blood of the Chosen
Fantasy · LGBTQIA+ · Steampunk
Our take
In Blood of the Chosen, the second installment in Django Wexler’s thrilling trilogy, Gyre races to unite rebels and ghouls in a rising war against the Twilight Order, while Maya delves into a forgotten library in search of answers—and her own truth. Action-packed, emotionally charged, and full of dark magic, this sequel raises the stakes in every way.
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About the book
The Twilight Order’s grip is strong—but cracks are beginning to show.
Gyre sees a chance to finally ignite a revolution. To topple the Order, he must unite the fractured human rebels of the south and the monstrous ghouls of the Splinter Kingdoms. Old hatred dies hard, and forging an alliance may cost more than he’s willing to pay.
Meanwhile, his sister Maya—still sworn to the Order—can no longer ignore her doubts. Haunted by her last battle with Gyre, she tracks a powerful artifact to a long-lost library. What she uncovers there could reshape their world—or destroy it.
With enemies gathering and loyalties shifting, war is inevitable. The question is: will brother and sister stand on the same side when the dust finally settles?
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A strong match for readers drawn to epic fantasy with sibling conflict, ancient magic, post-catastrophe worldbuilding, and divided loyalties.
Ashes of the Sun
Fantasy · LGBTQIA+ · Steampunk
Our take
Called “fantasy at its finest” by Nicholas Eames, Gyre and Maya are siblings separated by the Twilight Order and reunited on opposite sides of a looming civil war, as Gyre pursues revenge and Maya wields magic for the Order, with a 4.3-star rating from more than 1,500 Amazon reviewers. A strong match for readers drawn to epic fantasy with sibling conflict, ancient magic, post-catastrophe worldbuilding, and divided loyalties.
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About the book
"Ashes of the Sun is fantasy at its finest."—Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld
Long ago, a magical war destroyed an empire, and a new one was built in its ashes. But still the old grudges simmer, and two siblings will fight on opposite sides to save their world in the start of Django Wexler's new epic fantasy trilogy.
Gyre hasn't seen his beloved sister since their parents sold her to the mysterious Twilight Order. Now, twelve years after her disappearance, Gyre's sole focus is revenge, and he's willing to risk anything and anyone to claim enough power to destroy the Order.
Chasing rumors of a fabled city protecting a powerful artifact, Gyre comes face-to-face with his lost sister. But she isn't who she once was. Trained to be a warrior, Maya wields magic for the Twilight Order's cause. Standing on opposite sides of a looming civil war, the two siblings will learn that not even the ties of blood will keep them from splitting the world in two.
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Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry (4.5 stars on Amazon!) is a slow-burn romantasy perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros.
Shield of Sparrows
Romantasy · Epic Fantasy
Our take
A forgotten princess. A cursed realm. A monster hunter who loathes her. Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry (4.5 stars on Amazon!) is a slow-burn romantasy perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros. If you crave forced proximity, ancient monsters, and a heroine who finally refuses to kneel, grab this high-stakes fantasy now.
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About the book
The gods sent monsters to remind mortals to kneel—and Princess Soreya has done exactly that. To her father. To her crown. To a future she never chose.
But everything changes the day a monster hunter arrives at her father’s court, a blood treaty is sealed, and Soreya is forced into a political marriage that binds her to a war-torn realm and a husband she can’t trust.
Now she’s crossing cursed lands with a warrior who resents her, hunted by creatures born of ancient wrath. Everyone wants to use her—as a queen, a pawn, a sacrifice.
But Soreya isn’t playing along. Not anymore.
Shield of Sparrows is a slow-burn romantasy full of enemies-to-lovers tension, court intrigue, and the kind of heroine who finds power in being underestimated—and dares to reach for it.
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Blood Over Bright Haven follows the first woman admitted to an elite mage order as she and a displaced outsider uncover a truth that could upend magic itself.
Blood Over Bright Haven: A Novel
Dystopian · Fantasy · Sci-Fi
Our take
Blood Over Bright Haven follows the first woman admitted to an elite mage order as she and a displaced outsider uncover a truth that could upend magic itself. This dark, cerebral fantasy blends power, prejudice, and sacrifice, earning 4.5 stars on Amazon and more than 122,000 ratings on Goodreads and recognition as an Elle Best Book.
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About the book
The first woman ever admitted to a prestigious order of mages unravels a secret conspiracy that could change the practice of magic forever, in this standalone dark fantasy from the author of The Sword of Kaigen.
“Powerful, thought-provoking. . . . Fans of R.F. Kuang’s Babel will find much to admire here, from the intricate magic system to the unflinching exploration of societal issues.”—Booklist
AN ELLE BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
For twenty years, Sciona has devoted every waking moment to the study of magic, fueled by a mad desire to achieve the impossible: to be the first woman ever admitted to the High Magistry at the University of Magics and Industry.
When Sciona finally passes the qualifying exam and becomes a highmage, she finds her challenges have just begun. Her new colleagues are determined to make her feel unwelcome—and, instead of a qualified lab assistant, they give her a janitor.
What neither Sciona nor her peers realize is that her taciturn assistant was not always a janitor. Ten years ago, he was a nomadic hunter who lost his family on their perilous journey from the wild plains to the city. But now he sees the opportunity to understand the forces that decimated his tribe, drove him from his homeland, and keep the privileged in power.
At first, mage and outsider have a fractious relationship. But working together, they uncover an ancient secret that could change the course of magic forever—if it doesn’t get them killed first.
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Best for readers who like epic fantasy shaped by apocalypse, oppression, revolution, and dangerous power.
The Fifth Season
Fantasy · Post-Apocalyptic
Our take
Winner of the 2016 Hugo Award and called “intricate and extraordinary” by The New York Times, in a world where earth's power is weaponized, a woman with a secret ability searches for her kidnapped daughter amid global catastrophe and betrayal in The Fifth Season, with a 4.5-star rating from more than 41,900 Amazon reviewers. Best for readers who like epic fantasy shaped by apocalypse, oppression, revolution, and dangerous power.
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About the book
At the end of the world, a woman must hide her secret power and find her kidnapped daughter in this "intricate and extraordinary" Hugo Award winning novel of power, oppression, and revolution. (The New York Times)
This is the way the world ends. . .for the last time.
It starts with the great red rift across the heart of the world's sole continent, spewing ash that blots out the sun. It starts with death, with a murdered son and a missing daughter. It starts with betrayal, and long dormant wounds rising up to fester.
This is the Stillness, a land long familiar with catastrophe, where the power of the earth is wielded as a weapon. And where there is no mercy.
Read the first book in the critically acclaimed, three-time Hugo award-winning trilogy by NYT bestselling author N. K. Jemisin.
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A battle-hardened warrior who fears nothing finds herself drawn back toward the one place and past she has never wanted to face.
Red Sonja: Consumed
Fantasy · Sword and Sorcery
Our take
A battle-hardened warrior who fears nothing finds herself drawn back toward the one place and past she has never wanted to face. In Red Sonja: Consumed, rumors of buried horrors and a voice in her dreams pull Sonja home to confront what was left behind. This fantasy adventure blends brutal action, dark supernatural menace, and a heroine forced into reckoning as much as combat.
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About the book
"Gail Simone writes like a storm gathering. Thunder is coming!" ―John Scalzi, New York Times bestselling author
"Fierce and fascinating. This is the story Red Sonja has always deserved. Unmissable." ––Felicia Day
Red Sonja, the iconic, fiery, she-devil with a sword, is reinvented for a new generation of readers in this action-packed epic fantasy by legendary comic book writer Gail Simone.
The warrior Red Sonja, the famous fiery She-Devil of Hyrkania, has never concerned herself with the consequences of her actions. She’s taken what she wanted, from treasure to drink to the companionship of bedfellows. She’s fought who deserved it (and sometimes those who didn’t). And she’s never looked back.
But when rumors start bubbling up from her homeland—rumors of unknown horrors emerging from the ground and pulling their unsuspecting victims to their deaths—and a strange voice begins whispering to her in her sleep, she realizes she may have to return to the country that abandoned her. And finally do the only thing that has ever scared her: confront her past.
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Best for readers who like morally gray characters, superpowers, former friends turned enemies, and dark revenge-driven fantasy.
Vicious
Fantasy · Sci-Fi
Our take
Called “Fresh, merciless, and, yes, vicious. Wow.” by Mira Grant, Vicious follows former college roommates Victor and Eli, whose experiments with extraordinary abilities leave them enemies pursuing competing ideas of revenge and justice. Best for readers who like morally gray characters, superpowers, former friends turned enemies, and dark revenge-driven fantasy.
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About the book
V. E. Schwab's New York Times bestseller Vicious is a masterful tale of ambition, jealousy, desire, and superpowers.
Victor and Eli started out as college roommates—brilliant, arrogant, lonely boys who recognized the same sharpness and ambition in each other. In their senior year, a shared research interest in adrenaline, near-death experiences, and seemingly supernatural events reveals an intriguing possibility: that under the right conditions, someone could develop extraordinary abilities. But when their thesis moves from the academic to the experimental, things go horribly wrong.
Ten years later, Victor breaks out of prison, determined to catch up to his old friend (now foe), aided by a young girl whose reserved nature obscures a stunning ability. Meanwhile, Eli is on a mission to eradicate every other super-powered person that he can find—aside from his sidekick, an enigmatic woman with an unbreakable will. Armed with terrible power on both sides, driven by the memory of betrayal and loss, the archnemeses have set a course for revenge—but who will be left alive at the end?
In Vicious, V. E. Schwab brings to life a gritty comic-book-style world in vivid prose: a world where gaining superpowers doesn't automatically lead to heroism, and a time when allegiances are called into question.
"A dynamic and original twist on what it means to be a hero and a villain. A killer from page one…highly recommended!" —Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author of Marvel Universe vs The Avengers and Patient Zero
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Good for readers who want mythological retellings, ancient Greece, literary fantasy, and tragic romance.
The Song of Achilles
Fantasy · LGBTQIA+ · Historical Fantasy
Our take
Called “A book I could not put down” by Ann Patchett, The Song of Achilles reimagines The Iliad through the legend of Achilles, the Trojan War, and an epic love story, with a 4.5-star rating from more than 128,800 Amazon reviewers. Good for readers who want mythological retellings, ancient Greece, literary fantasy, and tragic romance.
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About the book
“At once a scholar’s homage to The Iliad and startlingly original work of art by an incredibly talented new novelist….A book I could not put down.” —Ann Patchett
“Mary Renault lives again!” declares Emma Donoghue, author of Room, referring to The Song of Achilles, Madeline Miller’s thrilling, profoundly moving, and utterly unique retelling of the legend of Achilles and the Trojan War.
A tale of gods, kings, immortal fame, and the human heart, The Song of Achilles is a dazzling literary feat that brilliantly reimagines Homer’s enduring masterwork, The Iliad. An action-packed adventure, an epic love story, a marvelously conceived and executed page-turner, Miller’s monumental debut novel has already earned resounding acclaim from some of contemporary fiction’s brightest lights—and fans of Mary Renault, Bernard Cornwell, Steven Pressfield, and Colleen McCullough’s Masters of Rome series will delight in this unforgettable journey back to ancient Greece in the Age of Heroes.
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