An (incomplete) list of my go to fantasy recommendations!
the people asked, so I simply must deliver
Hello friends!
Long time, no see! I’m sure your inbox has been weeping without my book posts to keep you fed. But never fear, I am back with something I hope most of you will enjoy!
I get asked a lot about book recommendations - which to be quite honest is my favorite love language. Nothing makes me happier than answering the question “hey do you have any reccs?” (except well maybe someone actually reading the books and then coming back to tell me all about it)
I’ve got so many favorites I usually recommend but I’ve never actually sat down and written it all down in one place. So each time someone asks for some suggestions, I sit down and write out the same list -again and again and again. Which is only now striking me as entirely inefficient. Go figure.
So here I am with one mammoth post about all my go to recommendations - specifically for fantasy novels. I’m hoping this will be a fun resource for those of you looking to dabble in the genre and will also save my poor wrists from typing out the same fervent bookish thoughts about my favorite stories. My only ask is that if you read one of these books, you must tell me all your thoughts about it.
Without further ado! Here is the (incomplete) list of go to fantasy recommendations:
Young Adult Fantasy:
If you’re in search of YA fantasy with a strong romantic plot line
The Winners Curse trilogy by Marie Rutkoski
This series is genuinely so underrated and it bums me out!! There’s a lot of political machinations and romantic angst - so just about everything one could want from a young adult fantasy novel.
The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare
This is the only series to do a love triangle the right way. You root for every side of the triangle (precisely because they all love each other) and feel your heart ache on every page as the story develops. I read this for the first time back in 2013 and still choke up on the final book each time. So worth the tears though.
The These Violent Delights duology by Chloe Gong
Romeo and Juliet but in 1920s Shanghai! So much angst and witty banter. Some of the prose can be overwritten but this is still a good time with some fun characters.
If you’re looking for YA fantasy where romance is more of a subplot
The Aurelian Cycle by Rosaria Munda
It hurts me on a deep level that my favorite fantasy series is so underrated. I can’t believe so many people are sleeping on this story. The series is everything that I wish YA could be all the time. The books drive home the point that I think many other novels often miss- that the regimes that come after a revolution overthrowing an evil system can be just as corrupt. And even when you’d like to be the good within the system, if the system is bad you’ll find yourself doing monstrous things in the name of upholding order. This whole series is just thematically excellent!! Plus there’s some good romance crumbs.
The Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo
If you’ve spent any time in the YA space you’ve probably heard of this book. And I’m here to tell you the hype is all worth it. This book contains one of the most original fantasy plots (a heist!!!) and the most iconic lines.
Leigh Bardugo did not need to go so hard when she wrote Six of Crows (and the character Kaz Brekker) but she did and now we all get to reap the benefits of her writing. (note: imo you don’t need to read the original and tbh far inferior Shadow and Bone trilogy to understand the series. I read this first and had no problems)The Cruel Prince trilogy by Holly Black
The ultimate enemies to lovers serve in YA fantasy. There’s also political shenanigans and a world full of cruel faeries. I would say book 1 isn’t my favorite but the rest of the trilogy is a banger.
The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater
I cannot tell you one single plot point of these books but all these years the characters within the page still live within me. This series is for readers who pick their favorite books exclusively on good vibes and interesting characters/relationship dynamics.
And here are some recommendations of series where books are still releasing but I’ve enjoyed what’s out already
Song of Silver, Flame Like Night by Amélie Wen Zhao.
A full and complex story about colonization and the difficult choices people will make to reclaim the power that was taken from them. Such a unique take for a YA fantasy novel. You can expect morally grey characters and fantasy that delves into Asian history. I spoke with Zhao about the book for H&N.
Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen
Many novels have been compared to The Cruel Prince but this was the first I’ve read that really lived up to that comparison. The dynamic between the main characters is one full of mistrust and lust and history - so intertwined that even they can’t sort out what they feel. Gina Chen really nailed the whole “I hate that I want you and I hate that I can’t stop myself from wanting you” thing. The chemistry was palpable and had me eagerly reading on for more interactions between the two. But if the characters and their relationship don’t work for you, the rest of this book probably won’t.
Only A Monster by Vanessa Len
This book feels very fresh for YA and blended time travel into fantasy pretty seamlessly. You can expect a love triangle (that isn’t annoying) and some major plot twists.
Dark Rise by C.S. Pacat
This book contains one of my favorite tropes (the corruption arc) and for that reason alone it makes this list.
Adult Fantasy:
The Poppy War trilogy by RF Kuang
This is my go to recommendation for adult fantasy. It is however very dark and not for the faint of heart. You will cry but probably be complimenting the story building and writing while you do so. You can expect: angst, pain and an exploration of the way power and history are intertwined.
The Daevabad Trilogy by SA Chakraborty
I love this one! Such a unique world with great characters who face impossible decisions. It's all complete and out
The Darker Shade of Magic trilogy by V.E Schwab
I always recommend this as a great entry level fantasy series. The world building is super easy to understand. I love the writing style and the characters. Also it sticks the landing in the final book, which is not many series manage to do
Standalone Fantasy Novels
The North Wind by Alexandria Warwick
This book feels like a Hades/Persephone retelling but with teeth.
The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow
I fell in love with Harrow’s writing this year and can’t recommend her work enough. This is a singular fantasy novel that is centered female rage - the kind that comes with being told to sit quietly. It’s also a complex portrayal of sisterhood - both the love and cruelty that exists within the bonds of that relationship.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E Schwab
A book about the joys and burden that come with immortality. Wonderfully conceptualized and delivered.
Hope there’s at least one book on this list that captures your attention! You can always find more of my bookish thoughts and reviews on instagram. That’s all for now!
Catch you next chapter,
Kalyani