Best Fantasy Books of 2007

Below you will find a list of the fantasy books published in 2007 that we enjoyed most. Click on a book title to read the full review.

  3. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

    The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss book cover

    Patrick Rothfuss's debut, The Name of the Wind, is a masterclass in fantasy storytelling. Written as an autobiography framed around an interview, it follows Kvothe, a legendary musician and wizard now living as a humble innkeeper. What sets this book apart is the incredible lyricism of the prose and the grounded nature of its world. Rothfuss treats magic, called Sympathy, almost as a rigorous science, while making music, loss, and poverty feel deeply personal. From Kvothe's tragic childhood to his struggles at the University, the novel transforms familiar tropes into a poetic, unforgettable character study.

  4. The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon

    The leading man, one Meyer Landsman, is a festival of flaws and possibilities. The characters are alive, dynamically three-dimensional, and refreshingly complicated. Chabon’s world and its collapsing-star reality you completely buy. The analogs of human behaviour are poetic, tenderly ironic and brilliantly designed. Chess is key, but not in such a fashion that it bans the non-chess playing reader. And there is a seemingly self-perpetuating sense of devilish humour that had me choking every other page.

  5. The Dark is Rising Sequence by Susan Cooper

    The Dark is Rising Sequence by Susan Cooper book cover

    Susan Cooper's masterpiece is a chilling, atmospheric triumph of high fantasy that bridges the gap between the mundane and the mythic. On his eleventh birthday, Will Stanton discovers he is the last of the Old Ones - immortals dedicated to guarding the world from the encroaching forces of the Dark. Set during a snowy, midwinter English Christmas, the novel masterfully weaves Celtic and Arthurian legends into a contemporary setting. Cooper's writing is evocative and rhythmic, capturing the ancient weight of Will's burden. It is a haunting coming-of-age story that emphasises that true courage is often found in the quietest moments of duty.

  22. Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie

    Joe Abercrombie elevates dark fantasy in this thrilling sequel, balancing complex character work with relentless action. Dividing his ensemble across three distinct narrative arcs, the novel follows a desperate quest, northern warfare, and political intrigue in Dagoska. Superior Glokta shines brightest, his cynical internal monologues providing dark humour alongside brutal inquisitions. Abercrombie expands his world's history while delivering adrenaline-pumping battles and shocking twists. Though a certain subplot ending feels frustrating, the cast of morally grey, deeply flawed characters remains impossible not to root for. It is an exceptionally gritty, character-driven triumph.