Best Fantasy Books of 2010

Below you will find a list of the fantasy books published in 2010 that we enjoyed most. Click on a book title to read the full review.

The Immortals by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell (The Edge Chronicles: Book 10)

Five hundred years into the third age of flight and mighty phraxships steam across the immensity of the Deepwoods, plying their lucrative trade between the three great cities. Nate Quarter, a young...

Published: 2010

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by NK Jemisin (The Inheritance Trilogy: Book 1)

N.K. Jemisin has won the Hugo Award for Best Novel, Nebula Award for Best Novel, Audie Award for Science Fiction and the Crawford Award. Enough said. You want more? Okay, every now and ag...

Published: 2010

Shadowheart by Tad Williams (Shadowmarch Quartet: Book 4)

Southmarch Castle is about to be caught between two implacable enemies, the ancient, immortal Qar and the insane god-king, the Autarch of Xis. Meanwhile, its two young defenders, Princess Briony an...

Published: 2010

Mr. Monster by Dan Wells (John Cleaver series: Book 2)

Wells is such a visual writer, and some of the things he comes up makes you seriously wonder about his of mind. From embalming's gone wrong to graphic torture scenes and even the effortless way...

Published: 2010

Color Bleach+: The Bleach Official Bootleg by Tite Kubo

It is lots of fun, and ideal for those who have an interest in all the characters including Ganju Shiba and his pet boar, Bonny....

Published: 2010

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson (The Stormlight Archive: Book 1)

With The Stormlight Archive, Brandon Sanderson clearly stamps his authority as the master of the "Hollywood" style of epic fantasy. It is hard to comprehend just how much stuff is going o...

Published: 2010

Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay

Under Heaven, inspired by the Tang Dynasty of Ancient China, is as beautiful and enriching a novel as you could possibly wish for. Kay is an expert storyteller, his writing style strong and fluid, ...

Published: 2010

Once Walked With Gods by James Barclay (Elves Trilogy: Book 1)

The elves have fled to Calius, seeking to escape the overwhelming power of the demonic Garonin. A desperate last stand in their own dimension saved the race, at the cost of 100,000 elves lost to th...

Published: 2010

Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan (Wheel of Time: Book 13)

The Last Battle has started. The seals on the Dark One's prison are crumbling. The Pattern itself is unravelling, and the armies of the Shadow have begun to spill out of the Blight. Perrin Ayba...

Published: 2010

The Broken Kingdoms by NK Jemisin (The Inheritance Trilogy: Book 2)

In the city of Shadow, beneath the World Tree, alleyways shimmer with magic and godlings live hidden among mortalkind. Oree Shoth, a blind artist, takes in a strange homeless man on an impulse. Thi...

Published: 2010

Corvus by Paul Kearney (The Macht: Book 2)

It is twenty-three years since a Macht army fought its way home from the heart of the Asurian Empire. The man who came to lead that army, Rictus, is now a hard-bitten mercenary captain, middle-aged...

Published: 2010

The Midnight Mayor by Kate Griffin (Matthew Swift: Book 2)

When you review books for a site called “Fantasy Book Review” you’re going to get a lot of stuff that harkens back to Tolkien, or Brooks, or Lewis, or whoever. So it’s wonde...

Published: 2010

City of Ruin by Mark Charan Newton (Legends of the Red Sun: Book 2)

So, how do you classify this book? Weird fantasy? New weird fantasy? Slightly scary horror fantasy?… I’m not really sure; I just know that it’s a really great addictive read. Som...

Published: 2010

Tymon's Flight by Mary Victoria (Chronicles of the Tree: Book 1)

Sometimes in fantasy you will come across a hidden gem, a book that you cross paths with having heard absolutely nothing about it, a book that you were unprepared for that completely blows you away...

Published: 2010

Haven by Joel Shepherd (A Trial of Blood and Steel: Book 4)

This book is the final book of four, so no, I don’t recommend reading it without reading the other three. But all the books have done their utmost to entertain me without resorting to mindles...

Published: 2010

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games: Book 3)

Mockingjay is one of the most entertaining, emotionally gripping, and wonderful books I have ever had the pleasure of reading; please, do yourself a favour and read it soon....

Published: 2010

The Ring of Solomon by Jonathan Stroud (The Bartimaeus Trilogy: Prequel)

The year is 950 BC and the self-proclaimed master djinni Bartimaeus is to be found causing chaos whilst serving at the court of King Solomon in Jerusalem. But with the arrival of Asmira, an assassi...

Published: 2010

The Spirit Eater by Rachel Aaron (The Legend of Eli Monpress: Book 3)

Again there were scenes that made me grin from ear to ear and the humour that Aaron puts into Eli’s actions and dialogue is spot on and fits perfectly with the story. Eli is now one of my fav...

Published: 2010

Zoo City by Lauren Beukes

An intriguing “what if?” urban fantasy story that gives a twist to the contemporary world we live in. This story involves animals and magic, that fits into the world of Zoo City. As wel...

Published: 2010

After America by John Birmingham

All in all After America delivers a similar punch as Without Warning, be it a bit more reigned in. Without Warning showed the global extent of the Wave hitting North America in the first book. In t...

Published: 2010

Bearers of the Black Staff by Terry Brooks (Legends of Shannara: Book 1)

Five hundred years have passed since the devastating demon-led war that almost exterminated humankind. Those who escaped the carnage were led to sanctuary by the boy saviour known as Hawk: the gyps...

Published: 2010

The Evolutionary Void by Peter F Hamilton (The Void Trilogy #3)

Exposed as the Second Dreamer, Araminta has become the target of a galaxywide search by government agent Paula Myo and the psychopath known as the Cat, along with others equally determined to preve...

Published: 2010

The Spirit Rebellion by Rachel Aaron (The Legend of Eli Monpress: Book 2)

The Spirit Rebellion is a worthy sequel to The Spirit Thief. Aaron’s writing style matures well while maintaining her light-hearted touch. There is plenty of action complemented by witty dial...

Published: 2010

The King's Bastard by Rowena Cory Daniells (King Rolen's Kin Series: Book 1)

Only seven minutes younger than Rolencia’s heir, Byren has never hungered for the throne. He laughs when a seer predicts that he will kill his twin. But the royal heir resents Byren’s g...

Published: 2010

The Cost of Betrayal by David Dalglish (Half-Orcs #2)

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Published: 2010

Tales of Terror from the Tunnel's Mouth by Chris Priestley (Tales of Terror)

A boy is put on a train by his stepmother to make his first journey on his own. But soon that journey turns out to be more of a challenge than anyone could have imagined as the train stalls at the ...

Published: 2010

White Crow by Marcus Sedgwick

Winterfold, a place of crumbling cliff paths, deserted churches and ruined graveyards, forms the backdrop for Marcus Sedgwick's latest work, White Crow, a contemporary gothic thriller for young...

Published: 2010

Spring by William Horwood (Hyddenworld: Book 1)

If there is one author I like to recommed as often as possible, it is William Horwood. He is a wonderful writer who, in Hyddenworld: Spring, has written a wonderful book, it was a delight to r...

Published: 2010

Returner's Wealth by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell (Wyrmeweald: Book 1)

May 2010 will see Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell, creators of the multi-million-selling Edge Chronicles, return with a brand-new frontier-fantasy trilogy. The Wyrmeweald series will have Stewart an...

Published: 2010

The Radleys by Matt Haig

Life with the Radleys: Radio 4, dinner parties with the Bishopthorpe neighbours and self-denial. Loads of self-denial. But all hell is about to break loose. When teenage daughter Clara gets attacke...

Published: 2010

Artemis Fowl and the Atlantis Complex by Eoin Colfer (Artemis Fowl Series: Book 7)

This is the seventh outing for Eoin Colfer’s anti-hero Artemis Fowl and avid followers of this collection will attest that this is one character whose strong storylines and even stronger one ...

Published: 2010

I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett (The Discworld Series: Book 38)

One of my favourite authors is Terry Pratchett. There’s no secret to that if you’ve spent even a little bit of time browsing FBR; he notches ten-out-of-ten books regularly, in my opinio...

Published: 2010

The Necromancer by Michael Scott (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel: Book 4)

I was really pleased to get a chance to read this fourth book in Michael Scott's Secrets of The Immortal Nicholas Flamel series as I had the pleasure of reading the first three last year. All i...

Published: 2010

White Cat by Holly Black (Curse Workers: Book 1)

When I first opened the book I was disappointed to find out that it was written in the first person present tense. This is my least favourite point of view in a book and one that appears more and m...

Published: 2010

Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld (Leviathan series: Book 2)

This book has a sound appeal to all genders and ages, Westerfield is very engaging writer, his characters are easy to warm to and I really couldn’t wait to see what would happen to them next....

Published: 2010

The Black Prism by Brent Weeks (Lightbringer: Book 1)

I had never read the previous trilogy and had committed the cardinal sin of buying a book simply because I liked the cover, but that momentary whim has repaid me with interest! This is a beautifull...

Published: 2010

Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn (Rome Trilogy #1)

As the tale unravels of their pasts and their futures, Mistress of Rome will leave you puzzled and sitting on the edge of your seat. For historical lovers, this novel is necessary read as Kate Quin...

Published: 2010

Flight to Dragon Isle by Lucinda Hare (The Dragonsdome Chronicles: Book 2)

If you’ve read the first book, The Dragon Whisperer, then the return of Quenelda and Root will be like revisiting old friends (if you haven’t read it, then go and read it...now!) You mi...

Published: 2010

Mortals & Deities by Maxwell Alexander Drake (Genesis of Oblivion: Book 2)

I enjoyed Drake’s almost ‘Rashomon’ like shifts in character perspective where the same events are seen from different eyes. Everyone is taken out of their comfort zone and everyt...

Published: 2010

Dream of Legends by Stephen Zimmer (Fires in Eden: Book 2)

If ‘Crown of Vengeance’ was about the exiles then this entry is very much about the inhabitants of Ave, particularly their struggle for freedom. Hefty at over 700 pages long, but ultima...

Published: 2010

The Spirit Thief by Rachel Aaron (The Legend of Eli Monpress: Book 1)

I have read many books recently that focus more on the darker aspect in fantasy, so The Spirit Thief was a nice change of scenery. The Spirit Thief does has its “dark” moments, where th...

Published: 2010

Dragon Haven by Robin Hobb (The Rain Wild Chronicles: Book 2)

Dragon Haven is an excellent novel that benefits from prior hard work in the previous instalment. A tale rich in plot and characterisation it forms a worthy and exciting addition to Hobb’s de...

Published: 2010

Cold Magic by Kate Elliott (Spiritwalker: Book 1)

This book had me hooked from the first page, and the fact that this is a world where the ice-sheets never receded as much as they had in ours really played to the science-nerd in me. Add in the war...

Published: 2010

Virals by Kathy Reichs (Tory Brennan series #1)

All in all I found that this specific combination of supernatural and forensic science worked to it fullest in Virals producing a very engaging, unique and interesting story. This unique blend did ...

Published: 2010

Zombies vs. Unicorns by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier

I’m sure you’re familiar with this typical family dinner scenario: everyone is seated around the table and Grampa- like Grampa always does- turns a perfectly pleasant conversation into ...

Published: 2010

The Uncrowned King by Rowena Cory Daniells (King Rolen's Kin Series: Book 2)

Thirteen year old Pro watches powerless as her father’s enemies march on his castle. A traitor whispers poison in the King’s ear, undermining his trust in her brother, Byren. Determined...

Published: 2010

The Never Pages by Graham Thomas

The Never Pages is a very odd book to behold – there's no blurb on the back, no author announced on the front and it actually looks like an old journal. It tells us the story of Mr G____,...

Published: 2010

Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs (Mercy Thompson: Book 5)

I think this is a fantastic series, and would recommend to anybody who enjoys Jim Butcher, Kelly Armstrong and Laurell K Hamilton to name just a few as it definitely stands up better than a lot of ...

Published: 2010

The Thing Beneath the Bed by Patrick Rothfuss (The Adventure of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle)

This is not a book for children. It looks like a children's book. It has pictures. It has a saccharine-sweet title. The main characters are a little girl and her teddy bear. But all of that is ...

Published: 2010

Diamond Eyes by AA Bell

Diamond Eyes is a fantastic read, one that I think will appeal to a lot of sci-fi and fantasy readers. It is a book that has a bit of everything, and at times it tries a little too hard, but I have...

Published: 2010

The Truth of Valour by Tanya Huff (A Confederation Novel #5)

Former Marine Gunnery Sergeant Torin Kerr is attempting to build a new life with salvage operator Craig Ryder on his ship, the Promise. Turns out civilian life is a lot rougher than she'd imagi...

Published: 2010

Lightborn by Alison Sinclair (Darkborn Trilogy: Book 2)

The Darkborn aristocracy has rejected magic in favour of science, leaving Lady Telmaine Hearne torn. She must hide her own powers - while calling upon them to protect the Archduke against a magical...

Published: 2010