Top 25 Fantasy Books of 2022

This was a spectacular year for fantasy, a genre that has steadily risen in prestige and importance over the decades. Once mainly accessible to niche literary fans, fantasy now occupies the minds and captures the imaginations of followers of every type of medium. From hit films like Everything Everywhere All at Once and Wakanda Forever to TV series like Rings of Power and House of the Dragon, the influence of fantasy is everywhere.

One of the most exciting trends in fantasy has been the increase in opportunities for diverse authors to incorporate their cultural traditions and ideas into the genre. Decades ago, mainstream fantasy literature was often seen as the domain of white male authors influenced by European history. Despite the significant contributions of authors like Octavia E. Butler, Margaret Atwood, and Ursula LeGuin, much of the shelf space dedicated to fantasy was woefully homogenous, lending itself to the frequent dismissal of the genre as derivative.

Fortunately, so much has changed for the better. This year’s bench of fantasy authors includes influences from across the world, including South America, the Middle East, Africa, East Asia, and South Asia. Mythology, religion, and the retelling of classic stories is also crucial to the traditions of fantasy writing, and global religions, fairy tales, and fables have made their way into the milieu of influences for fantasy authors to draw on, making the genre richer and more appealing to a wide range of readers than ever.

Something that has not changed is the abundance of serialized fantasy novels occurring in massive, interconnected settings with deep and complex world-building elements. If a reader finds a story they like, it doesn’t have to end after one novel; the characters and world often continue for multiple entries. Several of the books on this list are first installments of new series or continuations of existing ones.

Without further ado, here are 25 enchanting, riveting, and engaging fantasy novels to read.