Best Fantasy Books of 2016

Below you will find a list of the fantasy books published in 2016 that we enjoyed most. Click on a book title to read the full review.

  1. All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders

    All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders book cover

    Charlie Jane Anders achieves something brilliant in All the Birds in the Sky, blending sci-fi and fantasy into an intense emotional roller-coaster. Following Patricia, a witch, and Laurence, a tech genius, the novel navigates their painful youth into adulthood against an impending environmental collapse. What truly elevates this story is its focus on human connection and the perils of miscommunication. Despite their incredible abilities, both leads feel as helpless as any of us, making their stoic resolve deeply relatable. Anders delivers a vital message on cooperation without being preachy, producing a remarkable, genre-bending masterpiece that may well be my book of the year.

    Buy on Amazon | Read our full review of All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders

  2. Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

    Nevernight by Jay Kristoff book cover

    If Harry Potter and The Lies of Locke Lamora had a dark book baby, it would be Nevernight. Jay Kristoff knows his audience, delivering a wickedly delightful epic centred on Mia, a young assassin seeking vengeance. She trains at the Red Church alongside fierce rivals, wielding shadow magic and a fear-draining familiar. Packed with betrayals, poison, and intricate schemes, the story maintains continuous high energy with zero lulls. Mia feels like a darker Arya Stark, navigating lethal competition while maintaining her agency. It is a brilliant, mystery-filled masterpiece that I immediately re-read before tackling the sequel.

    Buy on Amazon | Read our full review of Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

  3. Touch of Iron by Timandra Whitecastle

    Touch of Iron by Timandra Whitecastle book cover

    Touch of Iron is an absolute blast for anyone who loves dark, action-packed fantasy. The story follows Nora - a fierce, wonderfully sarcastic fighter - and her bookish twin brother Owen as they get dragged into a dangerous quest for a legendary weapon. Timandra Whitecastle nails the grimdark vibe, pairing effortless prose with bloody, intricate fight scenes, witty banter, and genuine heart. With its brilliant worldbuilding, deliciously awful villains, and a refreshing heroine who will do anything to protect her family, it is a fast-paced, swearing-filled triumph. I flew through it and immediately needed book two.

    Buy on Amazon | Read our full review of Touch of Iron by Timandra Whitecastle

  4. The Wheel of Osheim by Mark Lawrence

    The Wheel of Osheim by Mark Lawrence book cover

    Mark Lawrence nails the landing in The Wheel of Osheim, delivering a triumphant end to The Red Queen's War. We rejoin Prince Jalan Kendeth plummeting semi-clad into the desert, fleeing a demon with his signature mix of cowardice and dumb luck. Yet Jal's shift from selfish rogue to reluctant man of action forms the story's beating heart. Supported by the stoic Snorri, his journey unfolds against a world unravelling into apocalyptic chaos. Seamlessly blending dark humour, sci-fi flourishes, and genuine emotional stakes, Lawrence avoids bloated subplots to craft an exceptional, high-octane fantasy finale that is utterly unmissable.

    Buy on Amazon | Read our full review of The Wheel of Osheim by Mark Lawrence

  5. The Silent Army by James A Moore

    The Silent Army by James A Moore book cover

    James A Moore delivers an absolute powerhouse in The Silent Army, picking up right after City of Wonders. The relentless Saba Taalor march across Fellein, leaving total devastation in their wake until they hit Old Canhoon's mythical stone defenders. Moore trims the cast with brutal creativity, giving each death actual weight while deepening our view of both sides. Crammed with wild magic, inventive battles, and sheer momentum, it breaks traditional rules to construct unforgettable set pieces. It brilliantly wraps up long-standing plot threads while leaving enough open to demand a sequel. It is a triumphant, action-packed high point for epic fantasy.

    Buy on Amazon | Read our full review of The Silent Army by James A Moore

  18. The Sudden Appearance of Hope by Claire North

    The Sudden Appearance of Hope by Claire North book cover

    Claire North's The Sudden Appearance of Hope is a brilliant, intense piece of speculative fiction that trades traditional escapism for sharp social commentary. It follows Hope Arden, a woman cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets the moment she leaves their sight. North uses this brilliant supernatural premise to explore deep, modern anxieties regarding social media manipulation, the pursuit of unattainable perfection, and the fear of leaving no footprint on the world. Told in a gripping, stream-of-consciousness style, it is a demanding, thought-provoking read that leaves you utterly absorbed in Hope's lonely, desperate crusade.

    Buy on Amazon | Read our full review of The Sudden Appearance of Hope by Claire North

  29. The Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz

    The Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz book cover

    Anthony Horowitz's The Magpie Murders is a brilliant meta-fiction masterpiece that offers two clever stories in one. First, you get a pitch-perfect homage to Golden Age detective fiction, featuring detective Atticus Pund investigating a death in a quaint English village. Then, the main plot kicks off when editor Susan Ryeland notices the final chapter of the manuscript is missing. After the author's death, Susan turns detective herself, searching through the fictional world to unlock real-life secrets. Horowitz expertly weaves these twin narratives into an utterly ingenious love letter to the genre that keeps you guessing until the end.

    Buy on Amazon | Read our full review of The Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz