Need an Escape? These Are the Best Fantasy Books to Read Right Now

This dark, gothic fantasy follows Leena, a young woman who harbors a great secret—she can see the dead. When her brother falls ill, she seeks out the Saint at Weavingshaw estate for a cure. But she soon learns that, when it comes to the Saint, nothing comes for free. And the ghosts of her past are far more valuable to him than she imagined.

This fantasy title is The Everygirl Book Club’s April 2026 pick!

Anamaya Onyx is the last member of a cursed bloodline of sorcerers. When her mother dies, she leaves behind one final clue for Anamaya: a secret text that could be the key to her family’s innocence. To find it, she’ll have to infiltrate Nightsbridge Academy as a student. But when complicated feelings begin to arise, Anamaya has to decide if her need for revenge is truly strong enough.

In this enthralling romantasy series, making art is a crime punishable by death. But even with the bloodthirsty shadows often born of creative works, Inana still pursues storytelling, selling her illicit fiction in the underbellies of the city. Then, one day, Dominic—a Shadowbane who is a hunter by nature—catches her in the act, and she is forced to strike a deal. Serve Dominic as an artist capable of summoning the shadows, and he won’t turn her in.

Despite being a book veiled in magic and romance, Odette’s books are a metaphor for the modern-day threats to artists and creatives. If this one isn’t already on your TBR, make sure to add it.

For readers in need of a cozy and warm fantasy, this charming novel takes place in 1920s Montréal and follows Agnes Aubert as she desperately tries to find a new home for her shelter for stray cats. Eventually, she’s forced to turn to Havelock for help, an infamous magician who dances on her last nerve.

This will be one you’ll want to instantly reread. It’s the perfect comfort read for spring.

Long ago, there was an island where the dead walked the earth. But when the conqueror’s blade fell, their lords were killed, and their legacies extinguished. Marozia, the heiress to the island, and her cousin, the uncanny Lady Agnes, are the only remaining members of the family line. Now, they’ll have to recapture the secrets of death magic and avenge their family’s fallen honor.

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This six-book series strikes a delicate balance between fantasy romance and political intrigue, one that’s becoming increasingly difficult to nail in the romantasy genre. Lara is a warrior princess trained to defend her homeland, and when she’s sent to the Bridge Kingdom—a storm-ravaged land that deprives its rivals—as a bride, she’s determined to fracture its defenses and come out stronger. But as she learns about her new “home” and grows closer to her husband, she begins to question if she’s really the hero at all.

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As a Percy Jackson kid, I’m a sucker for any story that blends Greek mythology with fantasy, and Heavenly Bodies was an absolute delight to read. The story follows Elara, who flees her kingdom after Ariete, Star of Wrath, War, and Chaos, wreaks havoc on her home. Now in the grips of an enemy prince, Elara is forced to train with Prince Lorenzo to battle against the tyrannical rage of the stars.

The first in a trilogy, this is an immersive series that will push the bounds of your imagination and warm your heart.

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Rachel Gillig has quickly become an autobuy author for me, and The Knight and the Moth only solidified my love for her writing. Sybill Delling is a prophetess forced to accompany a knight on an impossible quest. But some futures are beyond her sight, and as the two grow closer, they’ll realize only the Gods have the answers they need.

The Stonewater Kingdom series is only a duology, so for readers looking to get into a series of a manageable size, this one is a great choice!

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This is a six-book series perfect for readers looking for a story as immersive and addictive as ACOTAR or Fourth Wing. Poppy is a maiden bound to the gods, never to be given the freedom she so deeply desires. But as the darkness of a cursed kingdom sweeps over the land, along with Hawke, a golden-eyed guard honor-bound to ensure Poppy’s honor, Poppy begins to question if a fate chosen for her before she could speak is worth losing everything over.

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Ripped from her forgotten homeland, Tisaanah has learned to survive on her own. But now, she’s desperate to save the best friend she left behind, meaning she must journey to the Order’s—a powerful legion of magic wielders—and train for war. Thrown by the Order’s cryptic intentions and the strange feelings she’s harboring toward her mentor, Tisaanah must confront her past to move into the future.

Broadbent originally self-published Daughter of No Worlds, which was later picked up by Tantor and Blackstone Publishing after garnering a massive readership! It really is worth the hype.

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Loren Calla is a human living in the city of Angelthene, a metropolis that overflows with werewolves, vampires, witches, and other supernatural creatures. She’s determined to live a quiet existence. But when she only narrowly escapes abduction at the hands of Darkslayers—supernatural bounty hunters—and her best friend is taken in her place, she’s thrust into the dark underbelly of the city, unraveling secrets more destructive than she could ever imagine.

Fans of Sarah J. Maas’s Crescent City will enjoy this gritty, romantic urban fantasy that stands at four books. Make sure to add it to your list!

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Eliza Arnold is a botanist who is desperate to save her job. Out of options, she drives to Blackwood Manor—a mysterious home that houses an even more mysterious family—and asks for a donation. Jasper, the only family member left at the manor, agrees on one condition: Eliza is to restore the conservatory, all by herself. But as Eliza gets to work, she battles secrets and thorns she never saw coming, including an undeniable connection with Jasper.

This is the first in a series of standalone fantasy romances! Make sure to order now.

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When Arwen Valondale offered her life to save her brother’s, she thought that would be it. But then she was taken hostage by the most dangerous kingdom on the continent, forced to use her rare magical abilities to heal the soldiers of the vicious Onyx King. Desperate for an escape back to her homeland, she teams up with a fellow prisoner to find a way out. But escaping the Onyx King means confronting a dark magic lurking within the kingdom’s walls.

This is the first in a trilogy—you won’t want to miss out on the other books!

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In a land where Gods often kill each other for power, the young goddess Matilda has learned to be quiet and humble. She wields her herald magic and stays hidden within her mother’s burrow. But when she encounters a young mortal boy in her dreams—Vincent of Beckett—she begins to wonder what secrets lie beyond the Underworld, and how this young boy’s fate is tied to hers.

The story is a prequel to Rebecca Ross’s Divine Rivals duology.

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While this is technically the first in a series, it can also be easily read as a standalone. The story follows Grey Flynn and her mage, Kier, as they fight to protect the child of an enemy kingdom, eventually coming face to face with a secret Grey can no longer hide.

For readers just getting into fantasy, this is a perfect entry-level read. It also has a steamy romance that will leave you unable to put the book down.

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Kerri Maniscalco’s adult debut is not one to miss. Throne of the Fallen follows a cursed prince and  reluctant Lady as they embark on a perilous journey through the Underworld, peppered with glittering demon courts, riddles, and hexed objects. Along the way, they’ll have to avoid the most damaging fate of all: falling in love.

This is the first in a series of fantasy romance standalones. Trust me—you’ll want to add Kerri Maniscalco to your must-read list.

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The explosive fates of three individuals—a princess caught between duty and desire, the fearsome warrior king she’s promised to, and the assassin tasked with hunting them down—collide in this steamy adult romantic fantasy as they face a series of impossible choices. This is the first in a trilogy full of adventure and romance. You won’t want to miss it.

If you’re rolling your eyes thinking, “Everyone always recommends Sarah J. Maas,” I get it, I do. But even if you never pick up a single ACOTAR book, I beg you to read this series. It seriously changed my life—nothing compares. The story follows Celaeana Sardothien, a notorious assassin summoned to the King’s castle to compete in a deadly competition for his favor. The series spans eight books and is full of magical twists and turns you’ll never see coming.

Being a young adult series, don’t let this deter you from reading Legendborn. The Legendborn Cycle has quickly become one of my favorite fantasy series of all time. The story is an intricately woven web of fantasy, magic, and Black history, centering on Bree Matthews, a new student at UNC-Chapel Hill who discovers something more than just books lurking on the school grounds. Soon, she’ll discover a mystery tied to her family, her school, and everything she holds dear.

The series has three books out now and is slated for a fourth!

Sciona’s entire life has been devoted to one goal: being the first woman to gain admission to the High Magistry at the University of Magics and Industry. But once she is finally let in, her welcome is far from warm. Determined to make her feel lesser than, she’s given a janitor as a lab assistant. Luckily, the “janitor” in question is a nomadic hunter determined to uncover the secrets that decimated his tribe. Together, Sciona and the hunter will uncover an ancient secret destined to change the course of magic forever.

Though an academic setting may feel overdone, I can say with my full chest that this book exceeded my expectations. Add it to your TBR!

Sir Una Everlasting is the hero of her realm—the orphaned girl turned knight who died for her queen. Her legend lives on in songs and stories—and in the heart of Owen Mallory, a failed and struggling scholar who falls in love with the tale of Una Everlasting. His passion takes him into the past, until his and Una’s stories are so intertwined they put everything at risk. Now, they’ll have to risk everything to rewrite history.

This is a genre-bending novel you won’t forget, one that highlights the power of love to rewrite the narrative.

One of Time Magazine’s 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time, The Poppy War is a military fantasy inspired by China’s rich and bloody history. Rin is a war orphan who escapes the rural Rooster Province for the esteemed Sinegard Academy. But being a poor, dark-skinned girl at a prestigious school isn’t easy. And soon, Rin discovers that her identity is not the only thing separating her from her classmates. She has a deadly power—one that will come to head as war rages across the country.

I read this series this year after putting it off for a long time, and I can say without a doubt that it lives up to the hype. However, be advised: this is not a light-hearted romantasy. It is dark and gruesome—even graphic, at times.

Despite this rich and captivating high fantasy’s intimidating length (roughly 850 pages, to be exact), the story’s powerful female main characters and unique magic system will pull you in from page one. The novel weaves the stories of Queen Sabran, Ead Duryan, an outsider at court, and Tané, a soon-to-be dragon rider, as they face a divided continent and a dangerous enemy threatening to awaken.

Don’t let the length deter you from this one. It’s worth the commitment!

This instant sensation hit shelves this past fall, but the story actually began as a hugely popular Harry Potter fan fiction titled Manacled. Don’t let that stop you, though. Rewritten and adapted, Alchemised follows Helena Marino, a once-promising alchemist who is now a prisoner (of war and her mind). To uncover her memories, Helena is sent to the High Reeve, one of the most powerful and ruthless necromancers in the world. Together, they’ll lead Helena out of the hole she’s found herself in, unearthing secrets that have a cost neither can imagine.

Winters are long and harsh in the Russian wilderness, but Vasya and her siblings know how to pass them: by the fire, with stories. That is, until their stepmother forbids the mentioning of such winter spirits and tales. In a desperate attempt to protect her family from the evildoings of their stepmother, Vasya calls on a gift long-buried within her.

This novel is beautiful and lyrical. It’s the perfect pre-bedtime read, and the first of the trilogy.

This series deserves way more love and hype from readers. Taking place in 2059 in the mysterious Republic of Scion, the novel follows Paige Mahoney, a powerful (and rare) clairvoyant who is arrested for murder. Trapped by the founders of Scion—who have elaborate and unkind plans for her special abilities—she must use everything she’s ever been taught to survive and escape.

V.E Schwab is a writer with a knack for weaving gripping and genre-defying stories. Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil connects three different women across multiple centuries, blending feminist critique, horror, suspense, and tiny, magical moments that will leave you dazzled. The story is filled with love, loss, and art. It’s perfect for a reader who enjoys literary fiction but wants to try out some fantasy titles as well.

In the small mountain town of Jasper, North Carolina, the Farrow family is known for their flower farm, as well as the curse that haunts their family line. When June Farrow starts hearing and seeing things that aren’t really there, she isn’t surprised. However, she is resolute in her quest to end the curse once and for all. Using clues regarding her mother’s cryptic disappearance, she embarks on a journey that will uncover the secrets of her small town and alter the past and future.

This novel is a Goodreads Choice nominee. Its careful blend of magic, romance, and mystery that will make for a story you’ll never forget.

This is a warm and cozy fantasy novel that follows Belladonna Blackthorn, a 30-year-old witch who is losing the spark for magic she so desperately needs. When she’s summoned by her coven for a trial to test her worthiness, she’ll need all the help she can get—from the women in her life, a mysterious mentor, and an infuriating watchman sworn to protect her.

For someone just getting into fantasy, this is an uplifting and heartwarming read!

The first in a trilogy, Blood Bound is a high-stakes romantic fantasy set against the backdrop of a once-in-a-generation duel between witches and dragon riders. Both groups will fight for control over the magic source of all of their kingdoms. This time around, though, a dangerous connection between rival dragon riders and witches threatens to upturn everything the continent has ever thought it knew.

Releasing April 28, 2026

The second book in The Wolves of Ruin trilogy, Fury Bound picks up just as Meryn Cooper has finally inherited the crown. But as the Kingdom of Nocturna splinters under generations of lies, it is up to Meryn to fight for her loved ones and prove her strength as a formidable leader.

Still need to read the first book? Order Dire Bound here!

Releasing May 5, 2026

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth—creator of the Divergent franchise—comes an epic dystopian fantasy novel packed with romance and political intrigue. Elegy Ahn is a soldier defending her small country from the Talusar, a powerful nation that worships a deadly Fever, one that blesses half of its victims with mysterious gifts. But then, in a single day, her life changes completely. She’s summoned to hear her prophecy, which ordains that she and Talusar general, Rava Vidar, will come face to face, with one of them leading their people to victory. Now, she must fight against her fate and for everything she loves.

Releasing May 12, 2026

The first in a duology, Tempest is a pirate fantasy novel releasing this fall from #1 bestselling author Victoria Aveyard. Aveyard is best known for her young-adult fantasy series, Red Queen. This is Aveyard’s first venture into adult fiction, and as a longtime fan, I could not be more excited. The story follows Cat Rose, Lady of the Meridian Empire and queen of a pirate tavern in the Lyrian Sea. Soon, Cat is faced with an impossible challenge: bring home the body of Valerian—an enemy pirate king, and the only man she’s ever loved—or hang.

Releasing September 8, 2026

B.K Borison is an editor-favorite author. Borison’s And Now, Back to You romance novel was even an Everygirl Book Club pick! Grim Tidings is a perfect entry-level read for someone just trying out fantasy. The story follows Darcy Moore, a Grim Reaper who is sick of death. When she receives an assignment to drag her next target to the Underworld, she decides to ignore it, seeking refuge in a bar. Just one complication—Guardian Angel Gabriel Aetos, who doesn’t tolerate the Grim Reaper showing up at his bar and freaking out his customers. Soon, the pair grows closer, and Aetos will have to decide if he should squash his doubts and trust Darcy once and for all. Read Good Spirits, the first book of the series, while you wait for this anticipated release.

Releasing September 15, 2026

You may have heard Sarah J. Maas’s massive announcement—two new books in her bestselling ACOTAR series. Readers will get to return to the courts of Prythian in the sixth installment of the series. Synopsis and cover are still under wraps, but make sure to preorder your copy ASAP!

Haven’t read it yet? Click here to read the rest of the ACOTAR series!

Releasing October 27, 2026

The seventh installment in this bestselling series is slated for an early 2027 release. Similar to the title above, the synopsis and cover are yet to be revealed. But that won’t stop us from getting our hands on a copy as soon as possible.

Haven’t read it yet? Click here to order the rest of the ACOTAR series!

Releasing January 12, 2027