If you’re a fan of fantasy books, here’s a short list of the best fantasy books 2023. What do you prefer: dark fantasy? historical fantasy? maybe epic fantasy? No worries. Among the selected books you’ll find options for all tastes.
These are great reading choices! Each of these books has a fantasy world of its own and a unique story that will transport you to a magical and exciting place.
18 fantasy books 2023
If you’re not yet a fan of fantasy literature sagas, here are fourteen recommendations to get you started. And, if you are a devourer of books of the genre, here we bring you the best titles of fantasy sagas.
1- The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien
Originally intended by its author, J.R.R. Tolkien, as a sequel to The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings eventually became a stand-alone story.
In 1999, The Lord of the Rings trilogy was chosen as “Book of the Millennium” by participants in an Amazon.com poll. It all takes place in the quiet, idyllic Shire. There, a young, beardless Hobbit is tasked with protecting the One Ring.
His mission is to travel to the Rifts of Doom and destroy it. To fulfill his destiny, the young Hobbit sets out for Mordor in the company of Sam, Pippin and Merry.
▷ See full summary of The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien.
2- The name of the wind, by Patrick Rothfuss
This novel is the first book of the “Chronicle of the Kingslayer” trilogy. The story follows the hero Kvothe, who narrates his own story in a tavern.
The novel is written in beautifully detailed prose, and the world Rothfuss has created is compelling and rich in detail. The characters are complex and the plot is exciting, making it hard to stop reading
▷ View full summary of The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.
3- The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
The Final Empire stands as a captivating work of epic fantasy that immerses you in a vibrant world and pulls you through the pages at a breakneck pace. With a masterfully crafted plot and unforgettable characters, this Brandon Sanderson novel becomes a literary experience you can’t miss.
One of the highlights of this masterpiece is Sanderson’s unique ability to build a rich and believable world.
▷ View full summary of Brandon Sanderson’s The Final Empire.
4- Hell bent by Leigh Bardugo
Bent Hell emerges as a fast-paced, action-packed thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Bardugo’s sharp and witty pen unfolds in this work, as his characters come to life with impressive complexity and development. If you enjoyed Ninth House, you’ll definitely want to dive into the pages of Hell Bent.
Bardugo’s ability to create a tense and suspenseful atmosphere is undeniable. From the very first chapter, he wraps you in a web of intrigue and danger that will leave you yearning for more.
▷ View Full summary of the book Bent Hell by Leigh Bardugo.
5- Chain of Thorns by Cassandra Clare
Immerse yourself in the captivating universe of “The Book of Chain of Thorns,” where Cassandra Clare unfolds her distinctive blend of epic fantasy, romance, and thrilling adventure. Both die-hard fans of Clare’s previous works and first-time readers will discover an immersive world that will completely envelop them.
Epic fantasy is brought to life through exquisitely detailed landscapes and astonishing creatures, transporting the reader to a realm where the boundaries of reality are blurred.
▷ View full summary of the book Chain of Thorns by Cassandra Clare.
6- LORE by Alexandra bracken
The intriguing and twisted world of “Lore”, a story that will plunge you into the depths of revenge in a fantastic environment full of power and redemption. Alexandra Bracken’s sharp pen and meticulous character building make this novel an unforgettable experience.
The fast-paced plot will keep you on the edge of your seat, eager to uncover the truth behind every mystery
▷ View Full Book Summary o LORE by Alexandra bracken
7- Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
The Harry Potter series follows the story of a young orphan boy named Harry Potter, who discovers he is a wizard and is invited to attend the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There, he makes friends, learns magic, and battles the dark lord Voldemort.
The world of Harry Potter is filled with spells, creatures, and magical objects, and has captured the hearts of millions of readers around the world.
8- A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin
A Song of Ice and Fire is a gritty, realistic fantasy series that takes place in the fictional world of Westeros. The series is known for its complex characters, political intrigue, and shocking plot twists.
The story follows the struggles of several noble houses as they vie for power and survival in a brutal world, and the looming threat of the supernatural Others beyond the Wall.
9- The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
The Chronicles of Narnia is a series of seven books that take place in the magical land of Narnia. The series is known for its Christian themes and allegories, as well as its imaginative and fantastical creatures and settings.
The stories follow various children as they enter Narnia through different portals and become embroiled in the conflicts and battles of the magical world.
10- The Kingkiller Chronicle series by Patrick Rothfuss
The Kingkiller Chronicle is a series that tells the story of Kvothe, a legendary musician, adventurer, and wizard who is retelling his life story to a chronicler.
The story is set in a world filled with magic and intrigue, and features complex characters and a richly detailed world.
Buy in Amazon The Kingkiller Chronicle series
11- Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson
The Mistborn series takes place in a world where a select few can ingest and use metals to give themselves powerful abilities.
The story follows a young street urchin named Vin who discovers she has these abilities, and is soon caught up in a rebellion against the oppressive Lord Ruler. The series is known for its unique magic system, fast-paced action, and intricate plot.
12- “The Amber Chronicles” by Roger Zelazny
This series of ten fantasy novels follows the story of Corwin, the prince of Amber, as he fights for the throne of his kingdom. The series is known for its complexity and unique style, and has influenced many other fantasy authors.
Zelazny is known for his ability to create a magical and complex world with interesting and complex characters.
More information about Zelazny
13- The Stormlight Archive series by Brandon Sanderson
The Stormlight Archive takes place in a world where storms are magical events that power special stones that grant powerful abilities to those who can harness them.
The story follows several characters, including a warrior, a scholar, and a slave, as they struggle to survive in a world beset by war, betrayal, and supernatural forces.
Buy in amazon The Stormlight Archive series
14- The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan (and finished by Brandon Sanderson)
The Wheel of Time is a high fantasy series that spans 18 books and follows a large cast of characters as they try to save the world from the return of an ancient evil.
The series is known for its intricate and detailed world-building, complex characters, and epic scale. The series was finished by Brandon Sanderson after the death of the original author, Robert Jordan.
Buy in Amaon The Wheel of Time series
15- Forgotten Realms: Elminster by Ed Greenwood
The time of the great elven city of Cormanthor has come. The Midlands, home of the barbarians, terrifying dragon masters of the skies, lead the elven people to trust no one.It is then that Elminster arrives in Cormanthor, where Eltargrim was sovereign. There he lived for more than twelve summers, studying with many powerful wizards, learning to feel magic and to direct it and submit it to his will.
16- The Death’s Door Cycle by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
The Death Gate Cycle is a series of seven fantasy novels written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. The story takes place in a future age, which is composed of four worlds created by the powerful Sartans by separating Earth from the Old World. The Sartans decided to separate the world due to the growing fear that the Patryn, their ancestral enemies, would take control of the world and its inhabitants, the Mensch (elves, dwarves and humans). The Sartan also created the Labyrinth, a lethal prison for the patryn.
17- Dragonlance by Margaret Weis, Tracy Hickman and other authors
The War of the Lance is over. The Darkness has vanished. It is then that Raistlin will begin his quest to try to overcome the power of The Queen of Darkness. To do so, he will have to bring about the return of the darkness. Only two people will be able to stop Raistlin from achieving his goal: Crysania, beautiful priestess and Venerable Daughter of Paladine, and Caramon, Raistlin’s twin brother. Both of them, accompanied by the kender Tas, travel to the past to stop plans that could end the world of Krynn.
18- Chronicles of Belgarath by David Eddings
We are in a world still young, in which seven gods reign on a planet still at peace. However, as is almost always the case, there was an element of discord: the god Aldur preferred solitude. One day, the young Belgarath approached Aldur. He wanted Aldur to teach him the arts of magic, to which Aldur agreed.When Aldur decides to turn a simple stone into a jewel, the envy of his brother, the god Torak, is aroused. This god tries to steal the stone (The Orb). This act provokes the beginning of a cruel war. The Orb, whose spirit did not want to be dominated, almost destroyed the god Torak forcing him to retreat and hide it as a source of threat to the incipient humanity.After the war, the rest of the gods decided to leave the world, waiting for a more propitious moment to return. Since that time, the jewel (The Orb) has remained in the custody of the Riva lineage. However, now, thousands of years after all that, all the signs seem clear and the whole planet will have to face the worst of fates.
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