And here’s the moment you have all been waiting for… FANTASY! As my good friends, the Czech, would say – “I do not have the fantasy.” Inside joke from my time in the Czech Republic, I’m sorry that doesn’t make any sense to anyone but I just had to add it, haha! (Also, dobry den to any of my Czech readers!!!). And now, here I am to give you all the fantasy!
And if you’re like, but what about ACOTAR? Harry Potter? ToG? LoTR? Well, I couldn’t be too obvious and include series that are so well-known. I figured that would kind of defeat the purpose of the post.
The Bone Season SeriesĀ by Samantha Shannon
Can I just say how awesome this series is? Because it’s so awesome. If you like complicated and intense magical systems, then you’ll love this series. Shannon put a lot of thought into it and it’s just so unique from most fantasy novels. Also, Warden is basically a mixture of moody/intense Rowan Whitethorn and the public facade of Rhysand. Yes, you did read that right.
Monsters of Verity DuologyĀ by Victoria Schwab
Okay, I just read this duology last month and haven’t stop thinking about it since. This fantasy is dark and twisted, but leaves you with some very interesting philosophical thoughts. Or, at least it did for me. I can always appreciate how she is able to create such complex characters.
All Souls TrilogyĀ by Deborah Harkness
This is an adult paranormal fantasy that actually gets fairly scientific in some parts. You can tell that Harkness is a real professor, which really adds something extra to the overall story. I will say that the second book is my favorite of the three, which I know isn’t typical when it comes to series. Also, there is a bit of a trigger warning when it comes to the relationship as it is portrayed with a possessive male.
Revenge and the WildĀ by Michelle Modesto
Now this recommendation is really interesting as it’s kind of a mix of genres – steampunk, fantasy, alternate history, mystery, and western. Basically this book is just a fun story. And if the main character, Westie, doesn’t make you laugh-out-loud and want to pick up a pair of six shooters to join her on her crusade for revenge, then I shall be very surprised. She might be my favorite character so far of 2017.
The Remnant Chronicles TrilogyĀ by Mary E. Pearson
I will admit that the first book took me a while to get into, but this is definitely one of those series that just gets stronger with each book. I would be lying if I said this series didn’t blow me away, because it really did. I love the fact that Pearson gave us such a strong and independent female lead. If you’re looking for a new heroine along the lines of Wonder Woman, I think you’ll find Lia could be your girl.
An Ember in the Ashes SeriesĀ by Sabaa Tahir
I wasn’t as blown away by the first book as some people were, but I will say that the sequel was amazing. I love how all of the characters are so different and the multiple points of view really play off of each other well. It’s awesome to see such a complete view of story from different sides. If you haven’t picked up this series yet, I think you’re really missing out.
Night Angel TrilogyĀ by Brent Weeks
If you like grim, heavy, and intense adult fantasy, then look no further than this trilogy from one of the kings of fantasy, Brent Weeks. Don’t expect to fall in love with any of these characters, as Weeks doesn’t create good people. In fact, you’ll probably really dislike them for their attitudes or the choices they make. But that’s what makes it so much fun!
The Young Elites TrilogyĀ by Marie Lu
I really struggled with whether or not I wanted to include this one. On the one hand, I really loved the overall story, but on the other, I absolutely hated the finale. However, I do think that this is one of those series that I still want everyone to read. I think my opinion on the final book is actually in very small minority, actually it might just be a minority of one this time. Haha! If you’re into really twisted and morally ambiguous characters, this will be right up your alley.
The Witchlands SeriesĀ by Susan Dennard
I put off starting this series for over a year because after all of the incredibly mixed reviews on the first book, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to pick it up. But luckily, I did and I loved it! Yes, it can be a bit confusing in the beginning but I was able to finally piece together the magic system as time went on. Also, the main characters are all so amazing and I just want them to live happily ever after, alright?!
The Splintered TrilogyĀ by A.G. Howard
First off, let me state that I do not like Jeb whatsoever and I am #TeamMorpheus to the very end. But seriously, who doesn’t appreciate a great dark retelling of their favorite fairytales, like Alice in Wonderland? Because I sure as hell do! And trust me, this one can be as dark and twisted as they come. And I’m so here for it.
What are some fantasy books that you would recommend? Have you read any of the books on this list? If so, what did you think of it?
Wonderfilled Reads 
Great recommendations! I really enjoyed Monsters of Verity and The Remnant Chronicles. I have owned one of the Deborah Harkness books for years now, so this might well have to move up my TBR š I recently bought my first Brent Weeks book as I had started to see his name everywhere, your blurb makes the books sound really intriguing.
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Thank you! Oh, I really hope you enjoy Harkness’ books. They aren’t super popular but I loved them! Weeks is definitely a fun author. I have another of his more recent series on my TBR and I’m really excited to pick it up!
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I am so sorry in advance for this but prepare for the longest comment ever!
I’ve been meaning to read The Bone Season FOREVER but I’m glad you’re recommending it because that just means I need to get to reading it quicker! I really love intricate magic systems since I feel it adds so much more to the world building!
And of course you convinced me already that I need to pick up Our Dark Duet here as well!
I’ve also seen A Discovery of Witches quite a bit but never knew if it was something I’d be interested in or not but it turns out I probably will be! Thanks for the trigger warning as well about the possessive male, while I don’t have personal experience with it I don’t think anyone likes that.
I’m glad to see Revenge and the Wild on here! I honestly feel like it’s such an underrated book since I hardly see anyone read or review it let alone recommend it! I love the cover and the fact that it seems to be quite the mish mash of genres! I’m really excited to get to reading that one!
I’ve been really on the fence with Kiss of Deception since there seem to be mixed reviews on that one and I don’t usually enjoy romance-y YA fantasies. However, I’m really happy to see that while the first book is a little slow that continuing the series seems to be worth it so maybe I will take the plunge and try it out!
Of course I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED An Ember in the Ashes and just need to get my hands on the next book now.
I’m surprised to see The Way of Shadows on here since that’s another one I feel I never see around the blogosphere! I actually have the first book and just haven’t gotten to it yet but I love assassin books.
I also have a copy of The Young Elites that I need to get to and I don’t have much for expectations with it but I do love me some morally ambiguous characters!
As for Truthwitch I personally wasn’t the biggest fan but it did have a lot of potential, would you say you enjoyed Windwitch more? I might consider continuing if the world building gets a little more fleshed out.
I’m also super interested in reading the Splintered trilogy since I loooove Alice retellings, glad to see you recommending that one! š
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You were not kidding about the longest comment ever, hahaha!
YES! You definitely need to pick up The Bone Season. It’s literally up at the top of my favorite fantasy series right now. And the latest book ended on such a cliffhanger. Dying!!
I really love the All Souls Trilogy and I wish more people would read it! The male is a vampire and so he’s got that vampire possessiveness that’s so prevalent in fiction, think Edward Cullen but an actual adult who’s like 600 years old so it’s a bit more intense. It didn’t particularly bother me a whole bunch as I haven’t dealt with that personally, but I know some people could definitely be affected by it.
Revenge and the Wild is the best! I will continue to push that book onto everyone I know lol!
So Kiss of Deception definitely starts out as a romance-y YA, but it turns into something completely different. I’ve never enjoyed growth in a series as much as that one. It turns into such a phenomenal independent female empowerment series. You should really give it a try sometime!
I don’t think a lot of bloggers tend to read (or maybe just review) adult fantasy. I used to all of the time before I started blogging but I want to get back into it. I’ve got quite a few sitting on my TBR shelf at home right now and plan to pick some up this month actually!
I absolutely loved The Young Elites but I wanted to burn that final book. It was just a mess, in my opinion. But I didn’t see where anyone else agreed with me about that, haha!
I loved Truthwitch but I didn’t quite enjoy Windwitch as much. One of the storylines went a little off the deep end and I didn’t like the change in that character. However, I really enjoyed the rest of the story and I think the next book is going to be great.
Splintered is so much fun! It’s so twisted which is perfect for Alice in Wonderland. The author is also a fellow Texan so I can’t help but love her. š
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I still have to read Midnight Star and Our Dark Duet. Thanks for reminding me! š
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You’re so welcome! I hope you enjoy them both! š
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Great recommendations! I loved monsters of Verity duology! I also loved Truthwitch, An ember in the ashes, young elites, and the kiss of Deception but I haven’t finished these series yet.
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Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed them! I highly recommend finishing the Kiss of Deception series because it just gets sooo good. The finale was amazing!
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I’m glad to hear that! I hope I’ll get to finish it soon!
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I want to read This Savage Song so badly now!
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You’ll love it, I promise! š
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i only read the bone season and AEITA and the remnant chronicles and i really enjoyed reading them, i haven’t thought of warden as a mixture of rowan and rhys but now since you said it i can see some similarities . i won this savage song so i’ll read it in the future . the night angel and truth witch i series i’m looking for reading them. your list is great made somethings clear for me thanks!!
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Thank you! Yeah, I just recently reread The Bone Season and its sequels, and I just was really reminded of Rowan & Rhys. Maybe wishful thinking? Haha! I really hope you enjoy the books when you get to them. They’re all really great! š
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hopefully i will 3<
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