From timeless sagas to modern masterpieces, and even strange treasures like “black fantasy 1968”—this is your portal to another world.
Fantasy books have a special kind of magic. They don’t just tell stories—they transport you to new worlds. Sometimes, they help you escape. Other times, they help you face the real world with newfound courage. Whether you’re here for the best fantasy books of all time, crave a fantasy book for adults that isn’t just sword-swinging but deeply emotional, or want a revenge after death novel that leaves you breathless—this article is your personal guide into the most spellbinding corners of fantasy literature.
Let’s get into it.
🌍 What Makes a Fantasy Book The Best?
Before we get into the list, let’s ask ourselves: What really makes a good fantasy book? Is it worldbuilding? The character arcs? The magical systems or mind-bending plot twists?
The truth is: it’s all of that—and more.
The top fantasy novels give you goosebumps when a beloved character takes up their sword one last time, or when a seemingly small decision changes the course of a kingdom. They make you root for heroes, weep for anti-heroes, and even fall for villains. And when done right, fantasy reflects real-world struggles—grief, loss, freedom, love—through the lens of dragons and stars.
📚 The Best Fantasy Books of All Time (That You Need to Read Right Now)
Let’s kick things off with the big guns—the absolute legends.
1. “The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien
Trilogy: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King
It would almost be criminal to talk about the best fantasy book series without paying homage to Tolkien. This saga isn’t just a fantasy—it’s the blueprint. From the lush Shire to the desolate lands of Mordor, Tolkien created an entire mythology that feels ancient and real. For adult readers, this is not just a story—it’s a lifetime’s worth of wisdom wrapped in fantasy.
Why it belongs on your shelf: Because no matter how many fantasy books you read, the world always loops back to Middle-earth.
2. “A Song of Ice and Fire” by George R.R. Martin
Still waiting for the ending… but it’s already iconic.
Let’s be honest—if you’ve only seen the show, you haven’t even scratched the surface. These are fantasy books for adults who love moral grayness, political intrigue, and dragons that actually feel like game-changers.
What makes Martin stand out is that every character, whether noble or nasty, feels real. You’ll find yourself rooting for someone only to read a twist and think, but she found herself on the wrong side of history—and yet, you still care.
3. “The Fifth Season” by N.K. Jemisin
Book One of The Broken Earth Trilogy
When it comes to black fantasy 1968 inspired works and stories that shake the genre, Jemisin is the queen. This Hugo Award-winning masterpiece blends science fiction, earth magic, apocalypse, and trauma in ways you’ve never seen before.
And trust me, the writing will haunt you. It’s lyrical. It’s gut-wrenching. It’s the kind of book where every page dares you to look away—and you can’t.
👑 Best Fantasy Romance Books for the Dreamers and Fighters
Let’s get one thing straight: fantasy and romance go together like magic and mayhem. Here are some of the best fantasy romance books that manage to be both swoon-worthy and unforgettable.
4. “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas
What starts as a loose “Beauty and the Beast” retelling evolves into a fierce, romantic, and high-stakes fantasy epic. It’s got fae courts, brutal trials, slow-burn romance, and powerful female leads.
And speaking of twists, the romance with a twist in this book is not what it seems at first. Lovers turn into enemies. Enemies turn into soulmates. And somewhere in the middle… she found herself. Literally.
5. “Daughter of Smoke and Bone” by Laini Taylor
If you’ve ever wanted to read a revenge after death novel disguised as a whimsical fantasy romance, this is your next obsession. Karou, an art student in Prague, discovers she’s tied to a world of monsters, magic, and forbidden love.
This story will break your heart, stitch it back together, and then rip it again with poetic grace.
🚀 Sci-Fi Book Series About a Group of Teens Who Save the World (Because, Why Not?)
Fantasy isn’t the only genre that captures our hearts—sometimes you want a story that blends science fiction, teen angst, and end-of-the-world stakes. Enter the sci fi book series group of teens genre.
6. “Illuminae Files” by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Teen hackers, rogue AI, alien infections, and a spaceship that’s literally falling apart. Told in emails, files, and classified transcripts, this is not your average sci-fi. It’s heart-pounding, emotional, and surprisingly funny. If you’re a fan of chaos, space, and sharp-tongued teens—this is it.
7. “Legend” by Marie Lu
Dystopian Los Angeles. Government secrets. A boy genius and a girl prodigy locked in a deadly game. It’s one of those series that starts strong and ends stronger. Also, the slow-build chemistry between Day and June? Chef’s kiss.
🌀 Hidden Gem: A Nod to “Odysseus Book” & Myth-Inspired Fantasy
Sometimes, the best fantasy comes not from pure invention—but from reinventing the past. That’s where myth-inspired tales come in, especially ones like the Odysseus book you might’ve read in school—but with a twist.
8. “Circe” by Madeline Miller
Told from the perspective of the infamous witch of “The Odyssey,” this novel is a feminist reimagining that gives Circe her voice back. It’s myth, yes—but it’s also modern. The prose is rich, and the character arc? Phenomenal. A good fantasy book for anyone who loves Greek mythology with emotional depth.
9. “The Silence of the Girls” by Pat Barker
This one’s brutal. It’s not fantasy in the traditional sense, but it reclaims the voice of women during the Trojan War. Think of it as the darker, grittier cousin to “Odysseus book” themes—where you see what happens to the people not praised in songs.
✨ Fantasy Books That Make You Think (and Feel)
Some fantasy books are just… different. They stay with you. You close them, but they don’t close on you.
10. “The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern
A circus that only opens at night. A magical competition between two young illusionists. A love story told through spells and silence. This isn’t your traditional fantasy—it’s poetry with a plot. The kind of book that’s a good fantasy book for dreamers who want their stories to glow in the dark.
11. “The Poppy War” by R.F. Kuang
Inspired by Chinese history, this military fantasy is raw, unapologetic, and dark. Themes of power, colonization, and rage are explored through the eyes of Rin, a war orphan who becomes a weapon. This is not for the faint-hearted, but it’s easily one of the top fantasy novels of the last decade.
12. “The Priory of the Orange Tree” by Samantha Shannon
Dragons. Queer romance. Epic worldbuilding. Political tension. A standalone that reads like a 3-season fantasy show. If you’re tired of long-running series but still want the depth of the best fantasy book series, this one is perfect.
🔮 Fantasy Books for Adults Who Want More Than Just Magic
Fantasy isn’t just for kids or teens—some of the most emotionally complex, mature, and thought-provoking stories live within the pages of fantasy books for adults. These stories blend war, philosophy, romance, identity, and social commentary, all wrapped in world-shaking magic.
13. “The Bear and the Nightingale” by Katherine Arden
Set in medieval Russia and steeped in Slavic folklore, this novel follows Vasilisa, a young girl with the gift to see spirits. It’s atmospheric, spiritual, and chilling in the best way. As the story unfolds, she found herself facing societal norms and spiritual battles that will resonate with modern readers.
The trilogy that follows is just as mesmerizing—perfect for readers who love quiet fantasy with an undercurrent of fire.
14. “City of Brass” by S.A. Chakraborty
This one is an opulent, deeply layered dive into djinn lore, Middle Eastern history, and class warfare. Nahri, a con-woman in 18th century Cairo, accidentally summons a powerful djinn and unlocks a world far more dangerous and rich than she ever imagined.
A good fantasy book for those craving diversity, lush world-building, and characters who walk the line between right and wrong.
15. “The Bone Season” by Samantha Shannon
Before Shannon gave us “The Priory of the Orange Tree,” she stunned us with this dystopian-fantasy hybrid. The heroine, Paige, is a dreamwalker—a rare clairvoyant hunted in a society where magic is outlawed. It’s a complex web of rebellion, romance, and psychic powers.
Oh—and the revenge after death novel vibe? Strong here. There’s a constant push-and-pull between justice and survival.
🛡️ Best Fantasy Book Series You’ll Obsess Over (And Why They’re Worth the Commitment)
A standalone can be powerful, but there’s something sacred about getting invested in a best fantasy book series. You know the feeling—when the final book ends and it feels like losing a part of yourself?
Here are some of the most gripping series that will make your bookshelf proud:
16. “Mistborn” by Brandon Sanderson
In a world where the Dark Lord won, an unlikely crew of rebels led by a street thief with explosive magical potential attempt to change fate. If you love heist stories, brilliant magic systems, and satisfying reveals, this is the series.
Also, Sanderson is the king of endings. And the progression from street rat to chosen one to… well, you’ll see. It’s so satisfying when she found herself in power.
17. “The Inheritance Trilogy” by N.K. Jemisin
This series begins with “The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms,” where gods are enslaved and the balance of power is fragile. The prose is lush, the lore is rich, and the stakes? Utterly divine. Jemisin continues to shatter the boundaries of what fantasy can do—melding black fantasy 1968 themes with modern narrative style and depth.
18. “The Raven Cycle” by Maggie Stiefvater
While technically a young adult fantasy series, this deserves a shout-out under sci fi book series group of teens. It follows Blue, the only non-psychic girl in a family of seers, and a group of elite boys on a quest to awaken a dead Welsh king.
Yes, it sounds absurd. And yes, it’s brilliant.
The friendships, the heartbreaks, the idea of fate and sacrifice—it’s all wrapped in dreamlike prose and unforgettable twists. The boys are charmingly broken. The magic is strange. The ending? Heart-wrenching in the best way.
🧟♂️ Revenge After Death Novel Recommendations That Hit Hard
This subgenre might sound niche, but some of the best fantasy books of all time explore vengeance from beyond the grave—and they do it with chilling intensity.
19. “The First Law Trilogy” by Joe Abercrombie
Gritty. Brutal. Darkly funny. Abercrombie takes traditional fantasy and throws it into a war machine. Characters die. Heroes fail. And sometimes… they come back different.
It’s a revenge after death novel without ghosts, but the emotional haunting is real. If you like your fantasy with steel, grit, and gallows humor—dive in.
20. “The Blacktongue Thief” by Christopher Buehlman
Dark fantasy at its finest, this novel is for those who love assassins, undead monsters, and sharp-tongued narrators. The world is cruel, the magic is dangerous, and the protagonist is just trying not to get killed—again.
It’s the perfect underdog story with just enough bite and blood.
📖 Retelling the Classics: From “Odysseus Book” Echoes to Modern Myth
Fantasy has always had deep roots in myth. But some authors take that myth and breathe fire into it—reshaping it into something modern, raw, and powerful.
21. “The Song of Achilles” by Madeline Miller
This might not be traditional fantasy with dragons and kingdoms—but it’s legendary. It reimagines Achilles and Patroclus’ bond, painting the Trojan War in a soft, tragic light. The writing is lush, and you’ll never look at Greek myths the same way again.
22. “Lore” by Alexandra Bracken
What if the gods had to walk among us every few years, vulnerable and hunted? Set in modern-day New York, this novel blends the thrill of The Hunger Games with ancient Greek mythology.
It’s action-packed, brutal, and deeply layered. If you’re a fan of the Odysseus book and want a present-day twist, this one’s for you.
💬 Final Reflection: The Fantasy Book Is Never Just a Fantasy
Fantasy isn’t one-size-fits-all. It can be cozy or grimdark, romantic or nihilistic, fast-paced or lyrical. Whether you’re looking for the best fantasy romance books, stories of revenge after death, or that beautifully bizarre black fantasy 1968 title you heard once and can’t forget—there’s a book out there that will feel like it was written just for you.
In the end, all the top fantasy novels share one thing: they reveal something about ourselves. They’re mirrors wrapped in magic. And maybe, just maybe, reading them helps us become who we’re meant to be.
Because sometimes, like the heroines in the stories we adore—we find ourselves in the pages of a book.
🧚♀️ This has been a magical guide from Riya’s Blogs.
If you found a new favorite from this list or have one to recommend, share it with fellow readers! And keep turning pages… because the next fantasy world might be your favorite.
Want to read a bit more? Find some more of my writings here-
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