What Are The New Must Read Books For Fantasy Fans This Year?

I get most of my recs from BookTok, for better or worse. The algorithm recently shoved 'Fourth Wing' by Rebecca Yarros down my throat—dragon riding war college, enemies-to-lovers, high mortality rate. It's a tropey, addictive rollercoaster. Not high literature, but pure, unadulterated fun if you want a page-turner.

I get most of my recommendations from TikTok, which is a mixed bag. The hype for 'Fourth Wing' was insane, and yeah, it's a fun dragons-and-war-school romp, but it’s not the second coming of fantasy. It’s a great gateway book for people new to the genre, though. The romance is central and spicy. Manage your expectations—it's an entertaining, fast read, not a literary masterpiece. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need.

A masterful use of folklore can root a story in a deep, cultural sense of place. 'Uprooted' by Naomi Novik is based on Polish fairy tales, with a dark, sentient Wood that encroaches on villages and a mysterious wizard known as the Dragon. The relationship between the wizard Agnieszka is contentious and compelling, and the magic feels wild, intuitive, and tied to the earth. It’s a standalone novel that feels both mythic and fresh. For a new fan, it’s a brilliant example of how to adapt folkloric structures into a complete, satisfying narrative. The atmosphere is thick with dread and wonder, and the protagonist’s growth from a clumsy village girl to a powerful, nature-aligned witch is incredibly satisfying to follow.

Is it weird that my favorite part of these threads is watching people fight over Malazan? Steven Erikson's 'Gardens of the Moon' gets called a 'must-read' and a 'must-avoid' with equal passion. It's the ultimate litmus test. Some adore its uncompromising complexity and vast scope; others bounce off hard because it throws you in the deep end with zero hand-holding. I'd say it's a terrible first fantasy book, but if you've cut your teeth on a few series and crave something massive and philosophical, the Reddit debates will inevitably point you there. It's a genre rite of passage.

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.

Embarking on the journey through fantasy light novels is like stepping into endless worlds, each with unique flavors and adventures. One of my absolute favorites is 'Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World.' The premise is fresh and thrilling: the protagonist, Subaru, gains the ability to return to a specific point in time upon dying. It creates a chilling atmosphere, exploring the emotional weight of choices and consequences. I love how it plays with the concept of time and character growth, making it not just a typical isekai but a deep narrative that pulls on your heartstrings. Plus, the character dynamics, especially Subaru's relationships with Emilia and Rem, are compelling and nuanced, adding layers to the story. Another fantastic pick is 'That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime.' It’s such a fun and light-hearted read! The protagonist, Saitama, ends up as a slime in a fantasy world, and he grows more powerful while being charmingly relatable. The humor is delightful, and it balances action with slice-of-life moments beautifully. It showcases the imaginative possibilities of light novel storytelling, making it perfect for someone new to the genre who wants something enjoyable and exciting. Plus, the community around this series is vibrant, and discussing it is always a blast! Lastly, consider giving 'Sword Art Online' a go. It’s quite the classic now but still holds a strong place in the hearts of fans. The concept of being trapped in a VR game where if you die in the game, you die in real life creates such gripping stakes. Kirito, the main character, brings a mix of coolness and vulnerability that resonates with many readers. The storyline evolves beyond gaming into themes of love and adventure! Discovering all these worlds through light novels, each perspective is enriching in its own way. Happy reading!

Honestly, I get most of my recommendations from BookTok, but the algorithm is a fickle beast. It pushed 'The Serpent and the Wings of Night' by Carissa Broadbent on me hard, and I devoured it in a day. It's a vampire fantasy romance centered on a human girl adopted by a vampire king, who enters a deadly tournament to win her freedom. It's fast-paced, romantic, and brutal—think 'The Hunger Games' meets 'From Blood and Ash.' It's not high literature, but it's incredibly entertaining and a great entry point for romance readers dipping into fantasy.

My pick is for the urban fantasy lovers who think the genre got stale. 'The City We Became' by N.K. Jemisin is a love letter and a battle cry for New York City, where each borough manifests as a human avatar who must unite to fight off an existential, extra-dimensional threat. The concept is wildly inventive, the prose is vibrant and punchy, and it’s steeped in a palpable, gritty love for the city’s diversity and chaos. It’s also unapologetically and intelligently about identity, gentrification, and collective power. It reads like a superhero story, a myth, and a sociological thriller all at once. The first in a series, it stands strong on its own and will change how you look at the cities you live in or visit. Jemisin just doesn’t miss.