The 20 Best Fantasy Books to Read for Ultimate Escapism

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When was the last time you indulged your inner child? Fantasy, at its best, can reconnect you with your imagination and sense of wonder. On this list, you’ll find classics like Dune by Frank Herbert, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle, and the Harry Potter series. And on the more contemporary end of the spectrum, we have novels like Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James, and The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin. Whether you’re into witches and dragons or dystopias and folklore, there’s something here for you. Here are the 20 best fantasy books to read now.

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Written by Nigerian author Tomi Adeyemi, Children of Blood and Bone is a coming-of-age YA novel that follows a young heroine named Zélie as she sets out to restore magic in Orïsha. The sequel, Children of Virtue and Vengeance, sees Zélie take on a new adventure.

Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James

While Marlon James may be most known for his historical fiction novels like A Brief History of Seven Killings and The Book of Night Women, this is his first foray into fantasy. Billed as “the African Game of Thrones,” Black Leopard, Red Wolf tells the story of Tracker as he sets out to find a missing boy across multiple ancient cities. And last year, the sequel (Moon Witch, Spider King) was released.

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

If a fantasy book has won a Hugo Award (which honors the best literary works in the genre), then you know it’ll be worth your time. In The Fifth Season, a woman searches for her kidnapped daughter on the supercontinent called the Stillness.

Dawn by Octavia E. Butler

Octavia E. Butler blessed us with many iconic novels (most notably Kindred and Parable of the Sower). The first book in her Lilith's Brood series, Dawn, is no exception. In a post-apocalyptic world, a woman named Lilith sets out to restore society after a nuclear war.

Pet by Akwaeke Emezi

In Pet, a young girl named Jam trips and falls on one of her mother’s paintings, leaving behind a drop of blood. She soon learns that the creature from the painting (Pet) has come to life as a result of the incident.

The Women Could Fly by Megan Giddings

In this dystopian novel, 28-year-old Josephine lives in a world where all women must marry by the age of 30. With her future on the line, she decides to leave her life behind in search of something greater (which also includes looking for her missing mother).

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

This book hardly needs an introduction. As the first in the seven-part series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone sets the tone for what would become one of the most successful fantasy franchises of all time.

Dune by Frank Herbert

While you wait for Dune: Part Two to hit theaters next year, familiarize yourself with its source material. In the first book, we’re introduced to Paul (Timothée Chalamet in the films) and his ascent to power on the planet Arrakis.

Circe by Madeline Miller

You’ve certainly seen Circe on your BookTok feed. In it, Madeline Miller dives into Greek mythology and offers a retelling of various myths, as told from the perspective of the witch Circe.

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

Piranesi tells the story of (you guessed it) Piranesi as he explores the many mysterious halls, rooms, and corridors that populate his home. And he soon finds himself confronted with a secret world filled with hidden truths.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

If you were one of the few people who never had to read this in middle school, now’s your chance! A Wrinkle in Time is filled with all the tropes that make fantasy great: time travel, witches, and a harrowing battle between good and evil.

A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

You can’t talk about fantasy books without mentioning George R. R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones. Whether you’ve watched the HBO series or its prequel House of the Dragon, it’s never too late to read the book that started it all.

The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien

J. R. R. Tolkien's classic trilogy is a must-read for fantasy book lovers. The story follows hobbits Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin and their journey to destroy the One Ring.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

As the first book in The Chronicles of Narnia series, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe tells the story of Lucy and her siblings as they travel to the land of Narnia, filled with talking animals and evil witches.

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

At just 24 years old, author Chloe Gong has already made a name for herself in the fantasy genre. These Violent Delights is her debut novel (that she wrote just after her freshman year in college) and reimagines the story of Romeo and Juliet in Shanghai.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab

In 2020, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue was nominated for the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel. The novel, set in the 1700s, follows a young woman who makes a deal to become immortal at the risk of being forgotten by everyone she meets.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

Inspired by Chinese folklore, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon tells the story of a young girl named a young girl named Minli. After hearing classic folktales from her father, she sets out to find the “Old Man on the Moon” with the help of a dragon.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

In A Court of Thorns and Roses, 19-year-old Feyre gets captured by an immortal faerie named Tamlin. What follows is an unexpected story of adventure and romance.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

In Rebecca Yarros’ YA fantasy novel Fourth Wing, a 20-year-old named Violent embarks on her first year at an academy where she must learn how to ride dragons.

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

Stephen King once said that this was the best fantasy novel he’s read in years. If that alone doesn’t entice you, the plot just might. After Alex arrives at Yale for her freshman year, she soon finds herself involved with a secret society that indulges in dark magic.

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