What New Fantasy Novels Are Worth Reading This Year?

'The Dark Forest' by Cixin Liu (translated by Joel Martinsen) is a must, though it's sci-fi. For pure fantasy, 'Vita Nostra' by Marina and Sergey Dyachenko is a mind-bending magical school novel that's less Harry Potter and more a terrifying, philosophical descent into existential horror. It's not new this year, but the recent sequel finally got translated, so it's back on my radar. It's the most unique and disturbing take on 'education as transformation' I've ever encountered.

The new anthology 'The Future of Fantasy' is less a collection of stories and more a statement of where the genre's bleeding edge is. It's not all hits, but the misses are fascinating. You get glimpses of twenty different potential futures for fantasy—some leaning into bio-punk, others into surrealist folklore reimaginings. Anthologies are a great way to sample new authors without committing to a trilogy. The stand-out for me was a story about grief manifesting as a constantly shifting, labyrinthine room in a wizard's tower. It's more about texture and emotion than plot, which seems to be a growing direction. Not for everyone, but thrilling if you're tired of epic quest structures.

Personal pet peeve: info-dumping in dialogue. 'As you know, Bob, our kingdom has been at war for a thousand years...' If the world-building isn't woven naturally into the narrative, I'm out. Show me the world through action, culture, and subtle detail, don't have characters lecture each other about it. A new series that trusts me to piece things together gets massive bonus points for respecting my intelligence and patience.

For a military fantasy that focuses on logistics and the brutal reality of war rather than glorious heroics, 'The Seven Blades in Black' is phenomenal. The protagonist, Sal the Cacophony, is a gunslinging mage-hunter out for revenge, and her voice is dripping with cynical, tragic wit. The magic system is complex and deadly, the world is a weird, industrial wasteland, and the body count is high. It's not a happy book, but it's incredibly compelling if you like morally grey protagonists who leave a trail of carnage in their wake. The pacing is breakneck, and the audiobook performance by Daisy May is an absolute masterclass in voice acting.

One standout is 'A Fire Endless' by Rebecca Ross, the sequel to 'A River Enchanted,' which blends Celtic-inspired magic with a slow-burn romance that feels both epic and intimate. Another gem is 'The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches' by Sangu Mandanna—think cozy magical realism meets found family, with a heartwarming love subplot that sneaks up on you. For those craving darker tones, 'The Foxglove King' by Hannah Whitten offers a poison-wielding heroine and a love triangle drenched in gothic aesthetics. Meanwhile, 'Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries' by Heather Fawcett delivers academic whimsy mixed with fae courtship rituals. I also pre-ordered 'Divine Rivals' by Rebecca Ross, which promises wartime letters between rival journalists—and yes, it’s as achingly romantic as it sounds. Each of these books brings fresh twists to the genre, whether through world-building or emotional depth.

there are some real gems to look forward to. 'A Fire Endless' by Rebecca Ross is the sequel to 'A River Enchanted,' and it promises more lush world-building and a captivating love story. Another one I'm excited about is 'The Stardust Thief' by Chelsea Abdullah, which blends Arabian Nights-inspired fantasy with a slow-burn romance. For those who love historical fantasy with romance, 'The Foxglove King' by Hannah Whitten is a must-read. The chemistry between the characters is electric, and the dark, magical setting adds depth to the love story. I also recommend 'The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches' by Sangu Mandanna, which is a cozy, whimsical romance with a magical twist. Each of these books offers a fresh take on the genre, making them perfect for fantasy and romance lovers alike.

I've been chewing through new fantasy like a kid with a stack of library cards, and a few titles have kept me up way past my bedtime. If you want sweeping, immersive worldbuilding that still hits on human politics and queer relationships, start with 'A Day of Fallen Night' — it’s lush, complex, and reads like a map you want to explore slowly. I found myself pausing to picture whole cities while sipping terrible instant coffee on late nights; it’s one of those books that rewards patience and returns favors with big emotional payoffs. For something sharper and more intellectually discomforting, try 'Babel' — it plays with language as power and made me rethink how translation and empire can be woven into fantasy. Then slide into 'The Golden Enclaves' if you liked magical school vibes but want them darker and more bittersweet; the stakes feel very real, and the pacing is snackable (I blasted it on a single weekend and felt delightfully terrible about neglecting chores). Lastly, if you’re craving adventure that smells of salt and spice, 'The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi' is a brilliant, swashbuckling change of pace with strong historical texture. If you listen to audiobooks, grab narrators for 'Babel' and 'Amina' — both performances add layers I didn't expect. My pick depends on mood: epic escape, intellectual bite, dark school drama, or sea-faring fun. Pick one based on which vibe you need right now, and don’t be afraid to swap if the first chapter doesn’t stick — that happens to me all the time.