Top 50 New and Popular Fantasy Books

Curated list of the top 50 new and popular fantasy books for 2025 so far.

May 11, 2025

1. The House in the Cerulean Sea (Cerulean Chronicles #1) by Tj Klune

A NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY, INDIE and WASHINGTON POST BESTSELLER!
A 2021 Alex Award winner!
The 2021 RUSA Reading List: Fantasy Winner!
An Indie Next Pick!
One of Publishers Weekly's "Most Anticipated Books of Spring 2020"
One of Book Riot's "20 Must-Read Feel-Good Fantasies"

A magical island. A dangerous task. A burning secret.

Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. As a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages.

When Linus is unexpectedly summoned by Extremely Upper Management he's given a curious and highly classified assignment: travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. Linus must set aside his fears and determine whether or not they're likely to bring about the end of days.

But the children aren't the only secret the island keeps. Their caretaker is the charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, who will do anything to keep his wards safe. As Arthur and Linus grow closer, long-held secrets are exposed, and Linus must make a choice: destroy a home or watch the world burn.

An enchanting story, masterfully told, The House in the Cerulean Sea is about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place--and realizing that family is yours.

Subjects: Magic -Orphans -Children -Orphanages -Institutional care -Social workers -Animals, Mythical -End of the world -Fantasy fiction -Paranormal fiction -Gay fiction

PRINT | E-BOOK

2. The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar

AN INDIE NEXT AND LIBRARY READS PICK!

The River Has Roots is the hugely anticipated solo debut of the New York Times bestselling and Hugo Award winning author Amal El-Mohtar. Follow the river Liss to the small town of Thistleford, on the edge of Faerie, and meet two sisters who cannot be separated, even in death.

The hardcover edition features beautiful interior illustrations and a foil case stamp.

"Half delicious murder ballad, half beguiling love story."—Holly Black

-"An absolute must-read."—T. Kingfisher

-"Every sentence sings!"—Sarah Beth Durst

-"Utterly enchanting."—Fonda Lee

-"A story that outlasts itself."—Alix E. Harrow

-"Truly exquisite."—Zoraida Córdova

- "A beautiful, musical, and loving story."—Emma Törzs

"Oh what is stronger than a death? Two sisters singing with one breath."

In the small town of Thistleford, on the edge of Faerie, dwells the mysterious Hawthorn family.

There, they tend and harvest the enchanted willows and honour an ancient compact to sing to them in thanks for their magic. None more devotedly than the family's latest daughters, Esther and Ysabel, who cherish each other as much as they cherish the ancient trees.

But when Esther rejects a forceful suitor in favor of a lover from the land of Faerie, not only the sisters' bond but also their lives will be at risk...

Categories: Fiction | Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, Legends & Mythology | Fantasy

Subjects: Willows -Sisters -Magic -Songs -Man & woman relationships -Novellas -Fairy tales -Fantasy -Imaginary places

PRINT | E-BOOK

3. Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao

NATIONAL BESTSELLER - A woman inherits a pawnshop where you can sell your regrets, and then embarks on a magical quest when a charming young physicist wanders into the shop, in this dreamlike fantasy novel.

"Race through a lush world of pure wonder and romance—kites made of wishes that become stars, origami that holds time in its folds, and a night market in the clouds—in this lovely, cozy fantasy reminiscent of Erin Morgenstern's The Starless Sea."—Booklist

On a backstreet in Tokyo lies a pawnshop, but not everyone can find it. Most will see a cozy ramen restaurant. And only the chosen ones—those who are lost—will find a place to pawn their life choices and deepest regrets.

Hana Ishikawa wakes on her first morning as the pawnshop's new owner to find it ransacked, the shop's most precious acquisition stolen, and her father missing. And then into the shop stumbles a charming stranger, quite unlike its other customers, for he offers help instead of seeking it.

Together, they must journey through a mystical world to find Hana's father and the stolen choice—by way of rain puddles, rides on paper cranes, the bridge between midnight and morning, and a night market in the clouds.

But as they get closer to the truth, Hana must reveal a secret of her own—and risk making a choice that she will never be able to take back.

"Highly recommended . . . Readers who have been swept up in the cozy charm of Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi and The Dallergut Dream Department Store by Miye Lee will fall hard for the mix of magical realism, fantasy mystery, and star-crossed romance."—Library Journal

Categories: Fiction | Fantasy | Romance | Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, Legends & Mythology

PRINT | E-BOOK

4. Blood Over Bright Haven by M L Wang

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - 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 "provocative stand-alone novel [that] deftly incorporates elements of science and philosophy into dark academia" (The Washington Post), from the author of The Sword of Kaigen.

"Bears comparison to groundbreaking works by Ursula K Le Guin . . . the best fantasy novel of the year"—The Guardian

Features gold and red foil on the jacket, a full-color endpaper map, and an interior illustration of an in-world magical item!

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.

Subjects: Conspiracies -Magic -Secrecy

PRINT | E-BOOK

5. Wind and Truth: Book Five of the Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson

The long-awaited explosive climax to the first arc of the #1 New York Times bestselling Stormlight Archive—the iconic epic fantasy masterpiece that has sold more than 10 million copies, from acclaimed bestselling author Brandon Sanderson.

Dalinar Kholin challenged the evil god Odium to a contest of champions with the future of Roshar on the line. The Knights Radiant have only ten days to prepare—and the sudden ascension of the crafty and ruthless Taravangian to take Odium's place has thrown everything into disarray.

Desperate fighting continues simultaneously worldwide—Adolin in Azir, Sigzil and Venli at the Shattered Plains, and Jasnah in Thaylenah. The former assassin, Szeth, must cleanse his homeland of Shinovar from the dark influence of the Unmade. He is accompanied by Kaladin, who faces a new battle helping Szeth fight his own demons . . . and who must do the same for the insane Herald of the Almighty, Ishar.

At the same time, Shallan, Renarin, and Rlain work to unravel the mystery behind the Unmade Ba-Ado-Mishram and her involvement in the enslavement of the singer race and in the ancient Knights Radiant killing their spren. And Dalinar and Navani seek an edge against Odium's champion that can be found only in the Spiritual Realm, where memory and possibility combine in chaos. The fate of the entire Cosmere hangs in the balance.

The Stormlight Archive
1) The Way of Kings
2) Words of Radiance
2.5) Edgedancer (novella)
3) Oathbringer
3.5) Dawnshard (novella)
4) Rhythm of War

Categories: Fiction | Fantasy | Epic | Military

Subjects: Good and evil -Science fiction -Magic -Imaginary places -Ocean travel -Quests (Expeditions)

PRINT | E-BOOK

6. The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY AND INDIE BESTSELLER!
A #1 LibraryReads pick!
An Indie Next pick!

DELUXE EDITION--a gorgeous hardcover edition featuring beautiful lavender sprayed edges!

The Spellshop is Sarah Beth Durst's romantasy debut--a lush cottagecore tale full of stolen spellbooks, unexpected friendships, sweet jams, and even sweeter love.

Kiela has always had trouble dealing with people. Thankfully, as a librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium, she and her assistant, Caz--a magically sentient spider plant--have spent the last decade sequestered among the empire's most precious spellbooks, preserving their magic for the city's elite.

When a revolution begins and the library goes up in flames, she and Caz flee with all the spellbooks they can carry and head to a remote island Kiela never thought she'd see again: her childhood home. Taking refuge there, Kiela discovers, much to her dismay, a nosy--and very handsome--neighbor who can't take a hint and keeps showing up day after day to make sure she's fed and to help fix up her new home.

In need of income, Kiela identifies something that even the bakery in town doesn't have: jam. With the help of an old recipe book her parents left her and a bit of illegal magic, her cottage garden is soon covered in ripe berries.

But magic can do more than make life a little sweeter, so Kiela risks the consequences of using unsanctioned spells and opens the island's first-ever and much needed secret spellshop.

Like a Hallmark rom-com full of mythical creatures and fueled by cinnamon rolls and magic,The Spellshop will heal your heart and feed your soul.

Categories: Fiction | Romance | Fantasy | Romantic Comedy | Romance

Subjects: Magic -Animals, Mythical

PRINT | E-BOOK

7. Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales (#3) by Heather Fawcett

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - The third installment in the heartwarming and enchanting Emily Wilde series, about a curmudgeonly scholar of folklore and the fae prince she loves

Emily Wilde has spent her life studying faeries. A renowned dryadologist, she has documented hundreds of species of Folk in her Encyclopaedia of Faeries. Now she is about to embark on her most dangerous academic project yet: studying the inner workings of a faerie realm--as its queen.

Along with her former academic rival—now fiancé—the dashing and mercurial Wendell Bambleby, Emily is immediately thrust into the deadly intrigues of Faerie as the two of them seize the throne of Wendell's long-lost kingdom, which Emily finds a beautiful nightmare filled with scholarly treasures.

Emily has been obsessed with faerie stories her entire life, but at first she feels as ill-suited to Faerie as she did to the mortal world: How can an unassuming scholar such as herself pass for a queen? Yet there is little time to settle in, for Wendell's murderous stepmother has placed a deadly curse upon the land before vanishing without a trace. It will take all of Wendell's magic—and Emily's knowledge of stories—to unravel the mystery before they lose everything they hold dear.

Book Three of the Emily Wilde Series

Don't miss any of Heather Fawcett's charming Emily Wilde series:

Subjects: Women scholars -Universities and colleges -Magic -Faery (Imaginary place) -Imaginary places -Fairies -Blessing and cursing -Magic realist fiction

PRINT | E-BOOK

8. Can't Spell Treason Without Tea (Tomes & Tea #1) by Rebecca Thorne

In the tradition of Legends & Lattes, comes a cozy fantasy steeped in sapphic romance about one of the Queen's private guards and a powerful mage who want to open a bookshop and live happily ever after...if only the world would let them.

All Reyna and Kianthe want is to open a bookshop that serves tea. Worn wooden floors, plants on every table, firelight drifting between the rafters... all complemented by love and good company. Thing is, Reyna works as one of the Queen's private guards, and Kianthe is the most powerful mage in existence. Leaving their lives isn't so easy.

But after an assassin takes Reyna hostage, she decides she's thoroughly done risking her life for a self-centered queen. Meanwhile, Kianthe has been waiting for a chance to flee responsibility-all the better that her girlfriend is on board. Together, they settle in Tawney, a town nestled in the icy tundra near dragon country, and open the shop of their dreams.

What follows is a cozy tale of mishaps, mysteries, and a murderous queen throwing the realm's biggest temper tantrum. In a story brimming with hurt/comfort and quiet fireside conversations, these two women will discover just what they mean to each other... and the world.

Categories: Fiction | Fantasy | Romance | LGBTQ+ - Lesbian

Subjects: Tearooms-Queens-Bodyguards-Magic-Bookstores

PRINT | E-BOOK

9. Somewhere Beyond the Sea (Cerulean Chronicles #2) by Tj Klune

A #1 NEW YORK TIMES, #1 USA TODAY and #1 INDIE BESTSELLER!

Hope is the thing with feathers. And hope is the thing with fire.

DELUXE EDITION--Featuring gorgeous golden yellow sprayed edges! Somewhere Beyond the Sea is the hugely anticipated sequel to TJ Klune's The House in the Cerulean Sea, one of the best-loved and best-selling fantasy novels of the past decade.

A magical house. A secret past. A summons that could change everything.

Arthur Parnassus lives a good life, built on the ashes of a bad one. He's the headmaster of a strange orphanage on a distant and peculiar island, and he hopes to soon be the adoptive father to the six magical and so-called dangerous children who live there.

Arthur works hard and loves with his whole heart so none of the children ever feel the neglect and pain that he once felt as an orphan on that very same island so long ago. And he is not alone: joining him is the love of his life, Linus Baker, a former caseworker in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth; Zoe Chapel white, the island's sprite; and her girlfriend, Mayor Helen Webb. Together, they will do anything to protect the children.

But when Arthur is summoned to make a public statement about his dark past, he finds himself at the helm of a fight for the future that his family, and all magical people, deserve.

And when a new magical child hopes to join them on their island home--one who finds power in calling himself monster, a name Arthur worked so hard to protect his children from--Arthur knows they're at a breaking point: their family will either grow stronger than ever or fall apart.

Welcome back to Marsyas Island. This is Arthur's story.

Somewhere Beyond the Seais a story of resistance, lovingly told, about the daunting experience of fighting for the life you want to live and doing the work to keep it.

Most Anticipated from Goodreads, Paste, Polygon, BookBub, and more.

Subjects: Paranormal fiction -Gay fiction -Lesbian fiction -Romance fiction -Gay fathers -Foster parents -Islands -Magic -Orphanages -Families

PRINT | E-BOOK

10. The Bones Beneath My Skin by Tj Klune

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY AND INDIE BESTSELLER!

A spine-tingling standalone novel by #1 New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune—a supernatural road-trip thriller featuring an extraordinary young girl and her two unlikely protectors on the run from cultists and the government.

There's nothing more human than a broken heart.

In the spring of 1995, Nate Cartwright has lost everything: his parents are dead, his only brother wants nothing to do with him, and he's been fired from his job as a journalist in Washington, DC.

With nothing left to lose, he returns to his family's summer cabin outside the small mountain town of Roseland, Oregon, to try and find some sense of direction. The cabin should be empty. It's not.

Inside is a man named Alex. And with him is an extraordinary ten-year-old girl who calls herself Artemis Darth Vader. Artemis, who isn't exactly as she appears.

Soon it becomes clear that Nate must make a choice: let himself drown in the memories of his past, or fight for a future he never thought possible. Because the girl is special. And forces are descending upon them who want nothing more than to control her.

Subjects: Grief -Oregon -Strangers -Science fiction -Action and adventure fiction

11. The Ragpicker King (The Chronicles of Castellane) by Cassandra Clare

12. The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong

13. Galaphile: The First Druids of Shannara (The First Druids of Shannara) by Terry Brooks

14. Accomplice to the Villain (Accomplice to the Villain #3) by Hannah Micole Maehrer

15. Four Ruined Realms (Deluxe Limited Edition) (Broken Blades #2) by Mai Corland

16. A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher

17. Wicked [Movie Tie-In]: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire

18. The Crescent Moon Tearoom (The Spellbound Sisters #1) by Stacy Sivinski

19. A Dragon of Black Glass (Moonfall #3) by James Rollins

20. The Bright Sword: A Novel of King Arthur by Lev Grossman

21. I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons by Peter Beagle