Good New Fantasy Books to Add to Your Reading List
Fantasy is in a particularly inventive mood. Recent books range from swashbuckling adventures and intricate mysteries to intimate stories about magic, memory and belonging. Whether you’re looking for a richly imagined new world or a clever twist on familiar folklore, these titles are a fine place to start.
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty
Set in the twelfth-century Indian Ocean, this lively adventure follows Amina, a retired pirate captain drawn back to sea for one last dangerous voyage. Chakraborty combines historical detail, supernatural dangers and a wonderfully capable heroine in a tale full of daring escapes and complicated loyalties. It’s an excellent choice for readers who like their fantasy with ships, monsters and a strong sense of adventure.
The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett
Part fantasy, part murder mystery, The Tainted Cup introduces an investigator and her unusual assistant as they investigate a baffling death in an empire threatened by monstrous incursions. The setting is strange and memorable, but the heart of the book is its satisfying puzzle and the partnership at its centre. Try it if you enjoy fantasy that borrows the pleasures of a classic detective story.
Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett
In this second adventure, academic and reluctant adventurer Emily Wilde continues her research into the world of the fae. Fawcett’s writing blends folklore, wintry landscapes and dry humour, while Emily’s scholarly notes give the story a distinctive voice. It’s a charming pick for readers who enjoy cosy fantasy, prickly characters and faerie magic with a hint of danger. The first book, Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries, is worth reading before this one.
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
Set in Golden Age Spain, this atmospheric fantasy follows Luzia, a servant whose small acts of magic attract the attention of powerful people. Bardugo builds a world of religious suspicion, ambition and courtly intrigue, where every favour comes with a cost. Choose this one for a darker, character-led story with historical flavour and a tense, elegant atmosphere.
The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown
For a contemporary fantasy with a brisk, mysterious plot, try this debut about a bookseller who discovers that a particular book can open a door to anywhere. Other magical books soon draw her into a perilous struggle involving collectors, secrets and people who will do almost anything to gain power. It’s a good option for readers who like portal stories and fast-moving adventures in a recognisable modern world.
The City of Stardust by Georgia Summers
This dreamlike fantasy centres on a family caught in the shadow of an old bargain. As Violet searches for answers, she encounters dangerous magic and a world that feels both wondrous and unsettling. Summers’ tale is a strong choice for readers drawn to lyrical prose, family mysteries and stories that take a more atmospheric approach to fantasy.
Where to begin
For high-seas adventure, start with The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi. For an ingenious fantasy mystery, pick up The Tainted Cup. If you’d rather settle into folklore and a cosy academic atmosphere, try Emily Wilde’s adventures. And if you’re in the mood for something darker and more romantic, The Familiar may be the book for you.
These books show just how broad modern fantasy can be: it can whisk you across enchanted oceans, invite you to solve a supernatural crime or make a familiar city feel full of hidden doors. The best choice depends on the kind of journey you want to take.
Good New Fantasy Books: 7 Frequently Asked Questions for 2026
- What are the best new fantasy books to read in 2026?
- Which new fantasy books are good for beginners?
- What are the best new fantasy book series to start?
- Which recent fantasy books have strong female protagonists?
- What are some good new cosy fantasy books?
- Which new fantasy books are suitable for young adult readers?
- Where can I find recommendations for newly released fantasy books?
What are the best new fantasy books to read in 2026?
The best new fantasy books to read in 2026 depend on the kind of adventure you’re after. For seafaring action, try Shannon Chakraborty’s The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi; for a clever fantasy mystery, pick up Robert Jackson Bennett’s The Tainted Cup; and for folklore, faerie magic and a cosier atmosphere, explore Heather Fawcett’s Emily Wilde books. These are recent favourites rather than 2026 releases, so check current bookshop and library listings for the latest titles published this year.
Which new fantasy books are good for beginners?
For readers new to fantasy, The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown is an inviting choice, with a contemporary setting and an easy-to-grasp magical premise. The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty is another accessible pick, offering a lively, standalone-feeling adventure with pirates and mythical creatures. For a cosier introduction, try Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett, the first book in its series, which mixes folklore, humour and an engaging academic heroine.
What are the best new fantasy book series to start?
If you’re looking for a new fantasy series to begin, try Heather Fawcett’s Emily Wilde books for charming faerie folklore, wintry settings and a scholarly heroine, starting with Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries. For swashbuckling adventure, Shannon Chakraborty’s The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi launches a planned series about a retired pirate drawn back to sea. If you prefer fantasy with a murder-mystery twist, start Robert Jackson Bennett’s Shadow of the Leviathan series with The Tainted Cup. Each is a good entry point, with a distinctive world and plenty more story to explore.
Which recent fantasy books have strong female protagonists?
Recent fantasy books with compelling female protagonists include Shannon Chakraborty’s The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi, featuring a resourceful retired pirate captain drawn into one last voyage, and Heather Fawcett’s Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries, starring a brilliant, fiercely independent scholar investigating the fae. Leigh Bardugo’s The Familiar follows Luzia, a servant who risks everything after her magical talent attracts the attention of the Spanish court, while Robert Jackson Bennett’s The Tainted Cup features the sharp and unconventional investigator Ana Dolabra. These books offer heroines with plenty of agency, ambition and complexity.
What are some good new cosy fantasy books?
For a recent cosy fantasy read, try Sarah Beth Durst’s The Spellshop, about a librarian who escapes to a quiet island and opens a shop selling books and homemade jam. Julie Leong’s The Teller of Small Fortunes is another charming choice, following a travelling fortune-teller who finds friendship and adventure on the road. Both offer gentle magic, warm-hearted characters and a welcome escape from high-stakes fantasy.
Which new fantasy books are suitable for young adult readers?
For young adult readers, Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross offers a spellbinding mix of rival journalists, magic and romance, while Amie Kaufman’s The Isles of the Gods is a lively choice for readers who enjoy quests and sea-faring adventure. For a darker story, try Kylie Lee Baker’s The Scarlet Alchemist, which blends alchemy, danger and courtly intrigue. YA books can vary in tone and intensity, so it’s worth checking the publisher’s age guidance and content notes to find the right fit.
Where can I find recommendations for newly released fantasy books?
You can find recommendations for newly released fantasy books on bookshop and publisher websites, library catalogues, and trusted review sites and literary magazines. Fantasy-focused blogs, podcasts and social media communities can also highlight new releases and share readers’ opinions. For a more personal suggestion, ask a bookseller or librarian to recommend titles based on the authors and sub-genres you enjoy.
