15 Best Fantasy Books of 2024

2024 was a great year for fantasy books, with a wide variety of new stories joining the ranks of the genre. A series of highly anticipated fantasy sequels hit stores this yearsome of them ending beloved, long-running series. This is certainly the case with the biggest new fantasy book of 2024, which concludes a decade of storytelling by Brandon Sanderson. The same goes for new releases from Tasha Suri, John Gwynne, Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Roanhorse.

Sequels aren't the only big fantasy books coming in 2024; there are standalones and first installments that also helped define the year. Several of them come from well-known fantasy authors such as Lev Grossman, Leigh Bardugo, and Sabaa Tahir. Others are pleasantly surprising additions to the genre, starting new stories that have become among the year's biggest hits. Together, they offer readers a wide range of fantasy stories to dive into, both in 2024 and beyond.

15

An academy for liars

By Alexis Henderson

Alexis Henderson is excellent at mixing fantasy and horror in her books, and An Academy for Liars continues this trend with its dark academic narrative. An Academy for Liars follows Lennon Carter as she enrolls at Drayton College, a school specifically to hone the magical gift of persuasion. However, her time at the institution reveals the darkness of the world Lennon has fallen into, and it could risk everything she has worked for.

Lennon's story is moving and Henderson orchestrates this masterfully in An Academy for Liars. It was a Goodreads Choice Awards nominated in the fantasy category, highlighting how well this 2024 release went down. Given the character work and remarkable ending, it deserves a place among the best new fantasy books of the year. The pacing occasionally slows down during the first half of the story, and there are several recognizable tropes. These don't stop An Academy for Liars to be a fun read, however.

14

The Shining Sword

By Lev Grossman

Lev Grossman is best known for The magicians series, but the author has returned with a new story in 2024 – one just as likely to challenge every fantasy trope you've ever known. The Shining Sword puts an intriguing twist on the Arthurian legendmeeting a young knight hoping to win a place at the Round Table. When he arrives in Camelot, however, he discovers that the king is dead, the court is in ruins, and his heroes are not so heroic.

Another Goodreads Choice Awards nominee for best fantasy book of the year, The Shining Sword is certainly one of the most memorable romances coming in 2024. Its modern take on a familiar narrative provides a fresh, emotionally resonant story that touches on a number of important themes. Grossman's latest adventure is a delightful surprise, even if it is a bit over the top.

13

The Blackbird Oracle

By Deborah Harkness

It's no surprise that Deborah Harkness' newest addition to the All souls universe is among the best fantasy books of 2024as The Blackbird Oracle provides a satisfying return to Diana and Matthew's story. If nothing else, The Blackbird Oracle proves that revisiting familiar worlds and characters can be effective, as long as the author has something interesting to say while doing so. And Harkness's exploration of Diana's family history and her predicament with the Congregation certainly qualifies.

While this book sometimes feels like a bridge to the next chapter, it's hard to deny how fun it is to fall into these characters' lives once again.

The Blackbird Oracle It feels like I'm coming homebut it also helps create a whole new story in the All souls world. While this book sometimes feels like a bridge to the next chapter, it's hard to deny how fun it is to fall into these characters' lives once again. The book's emotional ending also promises more excitement, even if it is frustrating on first reading. There's a reason this is nominated for the Goodreads Choice Awards and is highly rated on the platform.

12

The familiar

By Leigh Bardugo

Leigh Bardugo's books tend to alienate fantasy lovers and The familiar is no exception to the rule. The release of Bardugo in 2024 marks some firsts for the author, as it is her first independent story and first foray into the world of historical fantasy. The book does not disappoint, painting a lush picture of Spain's Golden Age and using its fantastical elements to make the period even more interesting.

As with all of Bardugo's books, it's obvious that a lot of research and planning went into it. The familiarand pays off in dividends.

As with all of Bardugo's books, it's obvious that a lot of research and planning went into it. The familiarand pays off in dividends. Its world-building alone guarantees its inclusion among the best books of the year, as well as among those nominated for the Goodreads Choice Awards. The romance, characters, and writing are all handled masterfully. If anything, The familiarThe biggest shortcoming of is that it comes right after many of Bardugo's other great storiesmaking it difficult to do justice to his greatest works.

11

A sorceress comes to call

By T. Kingfisher

T. Kingfisher is another author whose name appears on many best-of lists in the fantasy and horror categories, and that's for good reason. The author's release in 2024, A Witch Comes to Calltakes place among the biggest hits of the yearproving the power of dark retellings when done right. Goose Girl is not a Brothers Grimm story that gets much public attention, but A Witch Comes to Call extracts the most intriguing details and follows them up.

While A Witch Comes to Call It's a dark vision Goose Girl, It's a more hopeful, uplifting story at its core, and that makes it an incredibly satisfying addition to the 2024 fantasy lineup. Its worldbuilding, character writing, and nuggets of humor all contribute to its success. There are lots of great references to the original story, and This all comes together to make the latest episode of T. Kingfisher quite memorable.

10

Heavenly Tyrant

By Xiran Jay Zhao

The long-awaited sequel to Xiran Jay Zhao Iron Widow is finally on shelves and is without a doubt one of the most exciting fantasy books released this year (even if the release date almost pushes it to 2025). Heavenly Tyrant builds on everything readers love Iron Widow, reminding them why Zetian's story was so successful in the first place. Those looking for well-crafted female rage and solid plot progression will find it here, even if Heavenly Tyrant It doesn't really fit in with the first book.

It certainly comes close, firmly establishing itself among the year's best fantasy releases and best sequels. Heavenly Tyrant really pushes the boundaries of its young adult categorization, but its mature themes and unflinching approach to justice only elevate this story. It's exciting to be back Iron Widowworld, and Heavenly Tyrant will only increase demand for another sequel.

9

Map of Emily Wilde's Other Lands

By Heather Fawcett

Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Fairies is hailed as one of the best cozy fantasy books out there, and its 2024 sequel manages to recapture the charm and fun of its predecessor. Map of Emily Wilde's Other Lands' 4h30 on average Good reads the rating is a testament to its success, as is the Goodreads Choice Awards nomination. It manages to surpass the previous book, which is not always easy for a long-awaited sequel.

The characters are the heart of this sequel and it is thanks to them that this book is among the best fantasy releases of 2024.

Emily and Wendell's latest adventure makes them even more likable as charactersand continues everything readers loved about the first book – from the diary entries to its intriguing magical world and creatures. The characters are the heart of this sequel, and it's thanks to them that this book is among the best fantasy releases of 2024. While there are certainly more epic fantasy narratives to explore, this one offers fun relief that's no less moving or worthwhile.

8

Heir

By Sabaa Tahir

Sabaa Tahir's return to Ember in the Ashes universe was one of the most exciting fantasy developments of 2024, and Heir did an impressive job of reviving the beloved series with a new generation of characters. The first book in Tahir's new duology, Heir proves that next-gen tracking can be done in a way that doesn't feel gimmicky or repetitive. It features everything readers loved An ember in the ashesfrom stunning prose to complex yet compelling characters.

Heir is a must-read for fans of Tahir's previous seriesand the book's themes and narratives will attract newcomers just as easily. It's 4.33 Good reads classification and appointment in Goodreads Choice Awards'young adult fantasy category highlights how effective it is in depicting the consequences of An ember in the ashes. Even though some of the book's twists are predictable, Tahir's latest resonates almost as well as the last. It's also darker than many other YA options, though it obviously doesn't come close to some of 2024's darker adult fantasy releases.

7

House of Flame and Shadow

By Sarah J. Maas

Sarah J. Maas' fantasy series tend to produce some of the best books of the year, and House of Flame and Shadow this trend continues. The third installment of Maas' Crescent City series wraps up Bryce and Hunt's initial story – although the author has confirmed Crescent City 4 is on the horizon. As far as endings go, House of Flame and Shadow proves an emotional conclusion filled with big revelations and emotional character moments. It also fulfills the long-awaited ACOTAR crossover, making it a promising addition to Maas' lineup.

Unfortunately, House of Flame and Shadow doesn't really increase Crescent City on the heights of Maas' other two series, despite being a satisfying conclusion and an overall fun read. This leaves a lot at stake in terms of story, and Bryce doesn't get to fully evolve as a character. While it's one of the biggest and best books of the year, it pales in comparison to an ending like Kingdom of Ashes. There's a reason this book won Reader's Favorite Romantasy node Goodreads Choice Awardsbut it falls somewhere in the middle of the genre's best 2024 releases for these reasons.

6

The contaminated cup

By Robert Jackson Bennett

Robert Jackson Bennett The contaminated cup is a surprise standout in the fantasy genre in 2024although given the success Casting side, readers probably should have seen this coming. The contaminated cup begins the author Leviathan's Shadow series, and for a first installment, its reception is extremely positive. It has an impressive average of 4.31 Good reads classification, and is among the 20 books nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award in the fantasy genre.

The contaminated cupIts greatest strength comes from its ability to masterfully blend genres, as it is as much a mystery thriller as it is a fantasy narrative.

The contaminated cupIts greatest strength comes from its ability to masterfully blend genres, as it is as much a mystery thriller as it is a fantasy narrative. This element of Bennett's story is highly praised, although his ability to tackle serious subjects and the central character's compelling dynamic are also among its highlights. The contaminated cup proves a promising start to the author's new seriesalthough it doesn't reach the epic levels of 2024's best sequels and finales, which make up the top five fantasy titles of the year. Maybe your follow-up will.

5

Mirrored Skies

By Rebecca Roanhorse

Some of the best fantasy books of 2024 are conclusions to beloved series, and that's the case with Mirrored Skies by Rebecca Roahhorse. Mirrored Skies offers a satisfying ending for Roanhorse Between Earth and Heaven seriesand it is 4.27 Good reads the rating reaches new heights for the trilogy. Mirrored Skies brings the main characters' story to an emotionally charged and moving close that is surprisingly upbeat while maintaining the realism of the series.

Mirrored Skies holds the landing, even if it takes some time to fully reach the rhythm. It is certainly the strongest book in the Roanhorse series.and its ending fits perfectly with the characters and plots established in the previous books. Mirrored Skies leaves a big impression, offering an emotional farewell to readers who have stuck with this story and characters for so long.

4

Somewhere beyond the sea

By TJ Klune

The House on the Cerulean Sea is one of TJ Klune's best books, and its sequel manages to live up to its predecessor's impressive reputation. Somewhere beyond the sea brings readers back to Linus and Arthur's island orphanage for another story full of charm and magic. If any 2024 fantasy release is guaranteed to bring out the waterworks, it's this one. It's so easy to invest Somewhere beyond the seacharacters, and it's great to meet Arthur and Linus again.

Somewhere beyond the sea won the Goodreads Choice Award in the fantasy categoryand it is 4.25 Good reads testifies to how well he landed. While this sequel isn't as risky as some of the epic fantasy endings that hit stores this year, its heartfelt narrative and hopeful conclusion feel like necessary additions to the genre's current landscape.

3

The Lotus Empire

By Tasha Suri

A number of beloved fantasy series came to an end with their finales this year, and The Lotus Empire by Tasha Suri assured The Burning Realms was one of them. The Lotus Empire is another ending that appropriately pays homage to its characters and their story, serving as a reminder of why readers fell in love with them in the first place. Your average is 4.46 Good reads the ranking is a testament to its success, marking a high point for the series overall. It's no surprise that it's so well-received, as it brings the story to an unpredictable but satisfying conclusion.

The Lotus Empire delivers on the relationships established throughout the series, leading to some truly memorable character moments – most often between Malini and Priya, but also with Suri's great supporting cast. Those concerned about The Lotus Empire doing justice to The Oleander SwordSuri's emotional ending doesn't have to be this way, as Suri masterfully manages to resolve the new threats and complex dynamics that come from the previous book.

2

The Fury of the Gods

By John Gwynne

John Gwynne Bloodsworn Saga also came to an end in 2024, and The Fury of the Gods is without a doubt one of the strongest endings – and books – of the year. It has a shocking high Good reads rating of 4.53, and it's both disappointing and surprising that it wasn't recognized in the fantasy category of the Goodreads Choice Awards. However, this does not lessen its impact, as this novel is everything readers could hope for from a highly anticipated conclusion.

The Fury of the Gods reveals Vigrid's fate through a story full of action and emotion, adequately fulfilling the stakes that Gwynne spent two books preparing. However, its greatest strength lies in its character moments, which serve as the emotional backbone of this novel and make the ending all the more difficult. It's not easy to say goodbye to Gwynne's characters, but The Fury of the Gods proves our time with them was worth it.

1

Wind and truth

By Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson Stormy Archive is one of the most influential fantasy series to debut in the 21st century, and its books are destined to be considered fantasy classics one day. It's no surprise, then, that the conclusion to The Stormlight ArchiveThe first arc of was the most anticipated release of 2024 within the genre. And it didn't disappoint, proving everything Sanderson fans expected and more.

Wind and Truth is undeniably the biggest and best fantasy book of 2024appropriately wrapping up decades of narratives and somehow managing to create more. This fifth installment not only gets readers more excited about the second arc of The Stormlight Archive; also perfectly sets the stage for Born from the mists Era 3. Successfully uniting countless complex stories and character arcs, Wind and Truth will be considered one of the best books of the decade. It's 4.71 Good reads the classification is almost unprecedented, making this point clear.

Source: Goodreads