Fantasy bestsellers

Babel

“Finishing a book like this is equal parts pleasure and pain: pleasure in that reading something as striking and beautiful as this is everything a reader hopes to feel in a book juxtaposed by the pain of something beautiful ending and leaving these characters behind in the pages. There are few books that have brought tears to my eyes (I can still count them on one hand) but Kuang's Babel, or The Necessity of Violence is now numbered among them.”

Maxwell, Paragraphs Bookstore

#1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson expands his Cosmere universe shared by The Stormlight Archive and Mistborn with a new standalone novel for everyone who loved The Princess Bride. Narrated by Michael Kramer.

The only life Tress has known on her island home in an emerald-green ocean has been a simple one, with the simple...

The House in the Cerulean Sea

“I adore this book. The story begins in a morose greyscale, setting you up with the story of a hard-working but not terribly inspired man, Linus Baker. Linus works for the equivalent of Magic CPS, evaluating the homes that care for magically gifted children. He is pulled out of his drab and grey life in the city when he is assigned to address a new sort of home, by the sea. As soon as Linus arrives in the house by the sea, via train (a common vehicle for normal to magical transportation, as we all know), Linus' world explodes in color, chaos, and children. The traumatized children in the house by the sea open up Linus' eyes and heart, and give him the inspiration to help them in return. Excellent for fans of Pratchett and Gaiman, whimsy and magic, sarcasm and a healthy dose of pragmatism.”

Gwyn, Hudson Booksellers

“Readers will be wowed." –Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Wealth. Power. Murder. Magic. The Ivy League is going straight to hell in the sequel to the smash New York Times bestseller Ninth House from #1 bestselling author Leigh Bardugo.

"Bardugo’s imaginative reach is brilliant." –Stephen King

Find a gateway to the underworld. Steal a soul...

The City We Became

“This is a fantastic read, and even better in audio. To be able to close your eyes and let the layers of story and reality wash over is enchanting. I will never look at a map again without imagining each place as a beings.”

Carrie, Skylark Bookshop

Legends & Lattes

“This is the cozy and heartwarming fantasy novel you didn't know you needed! It's a tender story with delightful characters in a snug setting. The kind of tale that Dungeon Masters will feel inspired to have for their next laid-back D&D campaign. So if you are a fan of wholesome, found-family stories do yourself a favor and listen to this book!”

Courtney, Auburn Oil Co. Booksellers

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches

“This book is a warm cup of tea on a rainy day. From the quirky cast of characters to the less than traditional love story, this book will bloom in you and make you feel whole. Plus, the audiobook narrator is truly excellent!”

Leah, Scrawl Books

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

“Epic, beautifully written, heartwarming, and heartbreaking, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is a contemplation on life, death, what it means to make your mark on the world, and why we feel it’s important to do so. Addie makes a deal with a demon so she can live her life the way she wants to. But, like most deals, there are strings attached — and these strings make it so she is forgotten by everyone she meets. Dancing about time, the book shows Addie’s life over 300 years and takes a closer look at her modern life — after a boy in a bookshop remembers her. Months later, I’m still thinking about this book and how beautiful it is; my words don’t even come close to doing it justice. Read this book.”

Lindsey Pattavina, R.J. Julia Booksellers

Fairy Tale

“This book is for anyone who grew up reading Tolkien (or Stephen King, for that matter) under the covers with a flashlight, for anyone who has longed to turn back time, and, most importantly, for anyone who has ever loved a dog. Fairy Tale has my whole heart. Seth Numrich's earnest narration and King's guest appearance makes this a must-listen.”

Felix, Kingfisher Bookstore

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas comes a seductive, breathtaking book that blends romance, adventure, and faerie lore into an unforgettable read. When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a terrifying creature arrives to demand retribution. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she knows about only... Read more »

Mexican Gothic

“Best book I have read this year. An amazing, gripping tale of a young woman in a strange old house. It's an epic ghost story mixed with some element for "Girl with all the Gifts." Compelling characters and a twist ending that will have you in the edge of your seat until the very end. 10/10 would recommend. ”

Tiffany, Leaves Book and Tea Shop

Legendborn

“I listened to this audiobook almost entirely it one sitting. It was utterly enthralling.”

Rosie, One More Page

The Ten Thousand Doors of January

“This lovely, magical book is a coming-of-age story that blends the best qualities of the adventure stories of the early 20th century with some thoroughly modern sensibilities. January Scaller is an almost-orphan in the early 1900s, the unlikely ward of a rich collector of antiquities who employs her father to travel the world discovering treasures for his collections. When she discovers that she has the ability to open doors into other worlds, she finds a myriad of other civilizations, some beautiful, some terrifying, where the color of her skin and her gender don't matter the way they do in her own world. But her discovery threatens everything she believes about her life, her family and herself. The Ten Thousand Doors of January features beautiful writing and heart-stopping action. The perfect crossover novel, it will appeal equally to teens and adults alike. And January LaVoy's talented narration makes the story leap from the page. It's an immensely satisfying book!”

Emily, Inklings Bookshop

Ninth House

“Queen Leigh’s first foray into adult fantasy is a sensational success! One of the best fantasy books I’ve read in a long while, Ninth House contains Yale secret societies, ghosts, magic, morally gray characters, and murder. Bardugo balances dual timelines with intricate precision, and the history and world-building of her fantastical New Haven is superb. I couldn’t put this book down; I had to know what was going to happen next. I savored every moment reading this novel, and I am jealous of readers who get to experience it for the first time!”

Isabella Ogbolumani, Page 1 Books

Under the Whispering Door

“If Wallace Price was still alive, I would want to meet him. Well, no, I would like to meet the dead Wallace because he’s much nicer that way; a true curmudgeon turned marshmallow as he accepts he’s done in this plane of existence. I wasn’t sure a book about death and grieving was what I needed this year, but upon finishing I can assure you this book is exactly what we all need right now. Klune’s signature quirky characters have that tendency to sneakily sink their hooks into your chest. Before I knew it, I had fallen in love with everyone, especially the ghost dog Apollo. There will likely be a lot of emotions in this reading experience, but it is all beautifully cathartic. Laughter, yes, and some tears. Many quietly profound passages had me pause to reflect and think about my own life and my family. I recommend reading it with a cup of tea and having someone you can hug within reach.”

Leah, Bright Side Bookshop

If you enjoyed Gods of Jade and Shadow, then you’ll love Black Sun.

“‘Today he would become a god.’ From the first line, Black Sun pulls you in and keeps you enthralled until the very end. Roanhorse submerges the reader into a cinematic world full of adventure, lore, magic, mystery, destiny, culture, political maneuvering, and a touch of romance. Her world building is complex, detailed, and beautiful springing off the page and into the mind....I found myself rooting for all of the characters despite potentially not all being on the same side. Set in a world inspired by mythos from pre-colonial Americas, this is a must read for any epic fantasy lover. Black Sun will keep you engaged until the last page and jumping up and down for the next book in the trilogy (Spring 2022!).”

Emma, Content

Deadly storms have ravaged Mina’s homeland for generations. Floods sweep away entire villages, while bloody wars are waged over the few remaining resources. Her people believe the Sea God, once their protector, now curses them with death and despair. In an attempt to appease him, each year a beautiful maiden is thrown into the sea to serve as... Read more »

A Deadly Education

“This book is a dark, feminist Harry Potter but in this one, Hogwarts is trying to kill the students and terrifying Lovecraftian monsters are sprinkled for extra chaos. How could you not love the premise? This book is terrific fun and the sequel cannot come soon enough!”

Samantha, Rediscovered Books

THE FIRST PART OF J.R.R. TOLKIEN’S EPIC MASTERPIECE, THE LORD OF THE RINGS In a quiet village in the Shire, young Frodo Baggins is about to receive a gift that will change his life forever. Thought lost centuries ago, it is the One Ring, an object of terrifying power once used by the Dark Lord to enslave Middle-earth. Now darkness is rising,... Read more »

Four-time Hugo Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author N.K. Jemisin crafts a glorious tale of identity, resistance, magic and myth.

All is not well in the city that never sleeps. Even though the avatars of New York City have temporarily managed to stop the Woman in White from invading—and destroying the entire universe in the...

The Starless Sea

“What an amazing written and performed tale of love, mystery, and magic. This homage to books and storytelling is like nothing I’ve read... ever. Morgenstern has achieved a wondrous feat that defies measure.”

Paul, Village Books

Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author Octavia E. Butler paints a stunning portrait of an all-too-believable near future. As with Kindred and her other critically-acclaimed novels, Parable of the Sower skillfully combines startling visionary and socially realistic concepts. God is change. That is the central truth of the Earthseed movement, whose... Read more »

Nona the Ninth

“My honest review of this book is basically inarticulate screaming, wailing, gnashing of teeth, rending of garments, etc. I've rarely in my adult life been so INTO a book series--I've re-read and re-listened to Gideon and Harrow multiple times, and Nona will soon join the rotation. These books are bonkers fun and I loved every wild and confusing and sweet and funny moment of Nona, and am eagerly awaiting Alecto! Very glad Nona got her own book--I love her with a similar depth of passion as I do Gideon and Harrow respectively. Remarkable. What the fuck is going ON??? I can't wait.”

Gretchen, A Room Of One's Own Bookstore

This Is How You Lose The Time War

“Agents for opposite sides of a war without an end or beginning find themselves drawn to one another. It starts as a little deadly competition, but it quickly becomes clear that it's more than just fascination. Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone work together like steak and a fine wine. Some of the most beautiful prose, and two of the most complex characters ever written, This is How You Lose the Time War is a tragic love story wrapped in science fiction. Emily Woo Zeller and Cynthia Farrell narrate with such emotion that the listener believes every word they say. This is one of my favorite Audiobooks of all time.”

Sophie, Cavalier House Books

If you enjoyed She Who Became the Sun, then you’ll love Daughter of the Moon Goddess.

“Where do I even begin with this book? The Daughter of the Moon Goddess is an enchanting, atmospheric, romantic fantasy that has captured my heart, mind, and soul. The story of Xingyin is one of sacrifice, determination, and love set in a rich world inspired by Chinese myths with fierce monsters, fiercer friends, and formidable immortals. Xingyin is the daughter of Chang'e, the goddess exiled to the moon - she will do anything to save her mother from the punishment placed upon her by the Immortal Emperor. Her quest finds her amid palace and soldier life, befriending the crown prince, the esteemed soldier of the Celestial Army, and making a name for herself through her skills in archery. This is one of the best books I have read in quite a long time!...As I closed the last few pages of this book, I left a part of myself between the lines, sitting with Xingyin in the palace on the moon, dreaming of what's to come.”

Anna, The Well-Read Moose

BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: BUZZFEED, GOODREADS, BOOKRIOT • A rollicking feminist tale set in 1950s America where thousands of women have spontaneously transformed into dragons, exploding notions of a woman’s place in the world and expanding minds about accepting others for who they really are. • The first adult novel by the Newbery award-winning... Read more »

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries

“I thoroughly enjoyed this story! It was appropriately dark for a book about fairies...'real' fairies, you know. It is set in a world in which Folklore, as in the lore of the fae, is a legitimate field of scientific study and it was fun reading a fairytale told through that lens. There was a sweet hint of romance and it features a heroine who could arguably be ace. Way to represent!!”

Maren, Nook & Cranny Books

Sorcery of Thorns

“Amazing! I wonderful fantasy I loved every bit of. The narrator brought this story to life, and I was hypnotized the entire time. This story has some of my favorite elements in it. A strong, smart heroine? Check. A charming hero with demons and a chip on his shoulder? Check. An evil threatening the safety of the world? Check. Elizabeth is such an interesting character, she is determined and clever and she has approximately no quit in her. Despite all of the things that stand in her way, she never says die. When she is forced to choose between the person she has always been, and sacrificing all she knows about herself to help save a clueless, thankless world, she becomes someone new. Part of this is because of Nathaniel. He embodies everything she has learned to avoid and fear. But the world she lives in is bigger than the fears she has been taught. Nathaniel is mysterious and tortured. Elizabeth is everything he doesn't want to need, and he rebels against that. Their partnership progresses naturally, slowly and arduously as they wrestle with what is happening. By the end of the book they have complete confidence in each other and I reveled in every stage of their relationship. Give me the slow burn partnership that neither wants, but works so well. I'll love it every time. Margaret Rogerson is amazing and this book HAD me from the very beginning.”

Sam, Bright Side Bookshop

THE SECOND PART OF J.R.R. TOLKIEN’S EPIC MASTERPIECE, THE LORD OF THE RINGS The Fellowship is scattered. Some prepare for war against the Dark Lord. Some fight against the treachery of the corrupt wizard Saruman. Only Frodo and Sam are left to take the accursed Ring to be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom. Mount Doom lies in the very heart... Read more »

THE GREAT MODERN CLASSIC AND PRELUDE TO THE LORD OF THE RINGS Deep down here by the dark water lived old Gollum, a small slimy creature. I don’t know where he came from, nor who or what he was. He was Gollum—as dark as darkness, except for two big round pale eyes in his thin face. He had a little boat, and he rowed about quite quietly on the... Read more »

The Way of Kings

“I have a love of hefty fantasy, partnered with a lack of the time usually needed to invest into the genre. The Way of Kings is the peak of everything that has made fantasy my go-to genre for enjoyment, and my ability to proclaim it as such lay directly with the audiobook. Reading and Kramer deliver the world with a clear poise, and give shape to the phenomenon Sanderson evokes within his description. A masterful novel by itself, The Way of Kings and its audiobook reading are perfect examples of literary mutualism.”

Rayne, The Liberty Book Company

An AudioFile Magazine Best Audiobook of 2018!

A Library Journal, Paste Magazine, and ENTROPY Best Books of 2018 pick!

Washington Post "5 Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Novel of 2018" pick!

A Bustle "30 Best Fiction Books of 2018" pick!

“I have no doubt this will end up being the best fantasy debut of the year [...] I have absolutely no doubt...

The Once and Future Witches

“Alix Harrow’s The Ten Thousand Doors of January was my favorite book last year, so I had incredibly high expectations when I picked up The Once and Future Witches. This book is very different, but I adore it just as much! Set in the late 1800s in a world with a slightly alternate history from ours, women are fighting for the vote and losing. Three wayward sisters decide to challenge the patriarchy by bringing back witchcraft. Told through familiar stories twisted in new ways, this book is incredible. You will not be able to put it down, from the beautifully written introduction to the pulse-pounding ending!”

Carrie Deming, Dog Ear Books

James and Cordelia must save London—and their marriage—in this thrilling and highly anticipated conclusion to the Last Hours series from the #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Cassandra Clare. Chain of Thorns is a Shadowhunters novel.

All first edition hardcovers will include full-color reverse jacket art, ten black-and-white... Read more »

The much-acclaimed BookTok sensation from Olivie Blake, The Atlas Six is now newly revised, edited with additional content, and available on audio for the first time.

• The tag #theatlassix already has millions of views on TikTok

• A dark academic debut fantasy with an established cult following that reads like The Secret History meets The...

If you enjoyed The City We Became, then you’ll love The Fifth Season.

“Maybe one of the best science fiction/fantasy novels I've ever read! No wonder the entire trilogy won three consecutive Hugo Awards. I loved: the masterfully crafted nonlinear storytelling that kept me guessing til the very end, the unparalleled world building, the strong characterization, the high stakes action/adventure, the diversity of relationship dynamics, the provocative depictions of the sexuality and gender, and the commentary on how otherness is so feared in society it leads to brutality and in some cases catastrophic ends. AMAZING! COMPLEX! and ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!”

Zinna, A Great Good Place for Books

An instant #1 New York Times bestseller!

The powerful sequel to the New York Times bestselling and award-winning Legendborn—perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare and Margaret Rogerson!

The shadows have risen, and the line is law.

All Bree wanted was to uncover the truth behind her mother’s death. So she infiltrated the Legendborn Order, a secret... Read more »

Masterful storytelling from #1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas brings her sexy, action-packed series to new heights. Feyre has undergone more trials than one human woman can carry in her heart. Though she’s now been granted the powers and lifespan of the High Fae, she is haunted by her time Under the Mountain and the terrible... Read more »

Raybearer

“Such a cool fantasy novel with an incredible magic system! Perfect for fans of "Children of Blood and Bone." I highly recommend listening to the audiobook to further immerse yourself in this beautiful world that Ifueko has created.”

Coleen, An Unlikely Story

The Atlas Paradox

“Please tell me there's another book coming in this series because I NEED MORE! I loved this book, maybe even more than the first one. Finally, our magicians have made it through initiation after their first year of the Alexandrian Society, and now comes their studies. What the characters decide to do from this point on could determine the fate of society as we know it. This story is lush, dark, and seductive - definitely a binge-worthy read! This book and The Atlas Six (book one) are fantastic audiobooks. I really like the different voice actors they have for every character. They breathe life into this wonderful story.”

Anna Rose, The Well-Read Moose

The Night Circus

“Scintillating, ethereal, and utterly captivating. And with narration by Jim Dale, who could say no? Morgenstern writes in sparkling prose, slowly weaving tapestries that come together in beautiful, unexpected ways, though when you look back, the stage had been set from the beginning. The Night Circus is a beautiful tale of being open to the magic in the world and choosing your own path through it all. Now if only I knew where the Cirque was making its next stop. Perhaps I'll email the proprietor... ”

Britt, Second Star to the Right

The Book Eaters

“A deliciously different approach to the vampire story about the power of love and motherhood and the lengths one young mother goes to when she realizes her diet of fairytales is not enough and discovers her insular existence in a patriarchal world is filled with unexpected monsters. It asks what makes for a monster? What does good mean? Who is family? An atmospheric and dark urban fantasy that’s perfect for literary lovers with its creative descriptions of what books taste like. Excellent audiobook.”

Cori, Bright Side Bookshop

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson, Words of Radiance, Book Two of the Stormlight Archive, continues the immersive fantasy epic that The Way of Kings began.

Expected by his enemies to die the miserable death of a military slave, Kaladin survived to be given command of the royal bodyguards, a controversial first for a...

Children of Blood and Bone

“Children of Blood & Bone, is a story told in a world where magic no longer exists. Years ago, this was not the case. Once, magic and the Gods were celebrated. Now, Diviners (those with Maji blood, but no magic) are treated poorly, and all the Maji have been killed. One of those including our main protagonist, Zélie’s, mother. Determined to find a way to bring back magic, Zélie, along with her brother Tzain, and Orïsha’s only princess, Amari (gone rogue), set out on a quest against all odds. Told from Zélie, Amari and Amari’s brother and crown prince, Inan’s viewpoints, Tomi Adeyemi weaves together a tale so beautifully and tragically relevant, it will leave you craving for answers and more.”

Jen, Vroman's Bookstore

From Hugo, Nebula, and Locus award-winning author T. Kingfisher comes an original and subversive fantasy adventure.

This isn't the kind of fairytale where the princess marries a prince.
It's the one where she kills him.

Marra never wanted to be a hero.

As the shy, convent-raised, third-born daughter, she escaped the traditional fate of princesses,...

#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Saving the world is a test no school of magic can prepare you for in the triumphant conclusion to the New York Times bestselling trilogy that began with A Deadly Education and The Last Graduate.

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: Paste, Publishers Weekly

The one thing you never talk about while you’re in the Scholomance is... Read more »

Rin’s story continues in this acclaimed sequel to The Poppy War—an epic fantasy combining the history of twentieth-century China with a gripping world of gods and monsters.

The war is over.
The war has just begun.

Three times throughout its history, Nikan has fought for its survival in the bloody Poppy Wars. Though the third battle has just ended,...

The stunning sequel to Daughter of the Moon Goddess delves deeper into beloved Chinese mythology, concluding the epic story of Xingyin—the daughter of Chang’e and the mortal archer, Houyi—as she battles a grave new threat to the realm, in this powerful tale of love, sacrifice, and hope. 

After winning her mother’s freedom from the Celestial...

An unfathomable power Nesta Archeron has always been prickly—proud, swift to anger, and slow to forgive. And ever since being forced into the Cauldron and becoming High Fae against her will, she’s struggled to find a place for herself within the strange, deadly world she inhabits. Worse, she can’t seem to move past the horrors of the war with... Read more »

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson, the Mistborn series is a heist story of political intrigue and magical, martial-arts action.

For a thousand years the ash fell and no flowers bloomed. For a thousand years the Skaa slaved in misery and lived in fear. For a thousand years the Lord Ruler, the "Sliver of Infinity," reigned...