Best Fantasy Books of 2021

Below you will find a list of the fantasy books published in 2021 that we enjoyed most. Click on a book title to read the full review.

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker Chan

Shelley Parker-Chan's "She Who Became the Sun" is a searing, queer re-imagining of the founding of the Ming Dynasty. Set in 14th-century China, it follows an orphan who steals her dead brother's identity - and his great fortune - to escape starvation. The book is fantastic because it treats "fate" as a tangible, agonising force. By weaving ghosts and divine mandates into a gritty military campaign, Parker-Chan explores gender and ambition with brutal honesty. It is a masterpiece of historical fantasy that balances epic political manoeuvres with an intimate, raw look at what one is willing to sacrifice to exist.

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The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne

John Gwynne's The Shadow of the Gods is a visceral, masterfully executed return to the roots of Norse-inspired fantasy. Set in a world where the gods have destroyed one another, leaving behind a shattered landscape of jagged fjords and bone-magic, Gwynne crafts a narrative that feels both ancient and immediate. The story thrives on its gritty realism and a "shield-wall" intensity that few authors can replicate. Through the eyes of Orka, Elvar, and Varg, we witness a brutal society built on the literal remains of fallen deities. It is a sophisticated study of motherhood, vengeance, and the weight of legacy.

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A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

Freya Marske's A Marvellous Light is a dazzling blend of Edwardian manners and visceral enchantment. Set in a reimagined 1908 England, the narrative follows Robin Blyth, a non-magical baronet accidentally thrust into a hidden world of bureaucracy and hexes. The interplay between Robin and his prickly magical counterpart, Edwin Courcey, is a masterclass in slow-burn tension. Marske's prose is elegant and witty, reminiscent of E.M. Forster but infused with a tactile, inventive magic system. It is a sophisticated, sensual, and thoroughly British romp that treats its romantic core with as much gravity as its high-stakes magical conspiracy.

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The God is Not Willing by Steven Erikson

Steven Erikson's The God is Not Willing is a triumphant return to the world of the Malazan, yet it thrives by shedding the sprawling complexity of the main decalogue for a tighter, more visceral narrative. Set ten years after the Crippled God's departure, the novel focuses on a small Malazan marine squad facing a burgeoning Teblor threat. Erikson's signature intellectual depth remains, but it is channeled through a biting, cynical wit and a masterful exploration of the "legacy of heroes." It is a sophisticated, gritty, and profoundly human look at the unintended consequences of power and the indifference of the divine.

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The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman

Christopher Buehlman's 'The Blacktongue Thief' is a masterclass in gritty, imaginative world-building. We follow Kinch Na Shannack, a clever rogue burdened by debt to the Takers Guild, on a quest that artfully balances pitch-black humour with genuine stakes. Buehlman eschews tired tropes, populating his landscape with terrifying giant corvids and a unique, goblin-ravaged history. The prose is sharp and rhythmic, capturing a voice that feels both ancient and refreshingly cynical. It is a foul-mouthed, blood-soaked delight that prioritises character depth alongside its chaotic magic. For any lover of dark fantasy, this is an essential, reinvigorating read.

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The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri

The Jasmine Throne is a magnificent triumph. Suri creates a complex cultural experience rooted in South Asian mythologies. The hypnotic world-building of the Parijati empire, coupled with an authentic, rage-fueled revolutionary partnership between Malini and Priya, offers unparalleled emotional and political depth. A required, unforgettable read.

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Blood Heir by Ilona Andrews

Ilona Andrews delivers a masterclass in urban fantasy with Blood Heir, a sharp, cinematic return to the post-Magic Shift world of Atlanta. Shifting the spotlight to Julie Lennart - now Aurelia Silverthorn - the narrative crackles with high stakes and hidden identities. The world-building remains unparalleled, blending gritty realism with ancient mythos as Aurelia navigates a city on the brink of ruin. Her evolution from a scrappy ward to a formidable power is breathtaking, punctuated by visceral combat and a slow-burn tension that demands a sequel. It is a brilliant, dark, and sophisticated expansion of a beloved universe.

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The Hand of the Sun King by J. T. Greathouse

J. T. Greathouse's 'The Hand of the Sun King' is a masterclass in epic fantasy, weaving a rich tapestry of cultural conflict and personal identity. We follow Wen Alder, a protagonist torn between his father's rigid Imperial legacy and his grandmother's forbidden, ancient magic. The world-building is breathtakingly detailed, grounded in a magic system that feels both academic and primal. Greathouse's prose is elegant, capturing the yearning of a young man caught between two worlds with profound emotional resonance. It is a sophisticated, character-driven exploration of sovereignty and sacrifice that marks a brilliant start to the Pact and Pattern trilogy.

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A Master of Djinn by P. Djeli Clark

P. Djeli Clark's A Master of Djinn is a vibrant, inventive triumph that reimagines 1912 Cairo as a global superpower fueled by the return of the supernatural. It follows Fatma el-Sha'arawi, a dapper agent of the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities, as she investigates a mass murder linked to a man claiming to be a legendary prophet. The book is fantastic for its "steampunk-meets-mythology" aesthetic, replacing Victorian soot with desert sun and clockwork djinn. It is a stylish, fast-paced mystery that masterfully explores themes of anti-colonialism, gender, and the blending of ancient folklore with modern progress.

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Master Artificer by Justin Call

Justin Call's Master Artificer is a sprawling, ambitious sequel that masterfully deconstructs the traditional hero's journey through the descent of Annev de Breth. The narrative scope expands brilliantly, weaving intricate world-building with a darker, more philosophical exploration of power and morality. Call's meticulous attention to the mechanics of magic and artifice adds a layer of intellectual depth rarely seen in contemporary epic fantasy. As Annev grapples with his burgeoning divinity and the cost of his choices, the lines between saviour and villain blur effectively. It is a dense, rewarding tome that demands patience but offers a truly profound payoff.

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Elder Race by Adrian Tchaikovsky

This brilliant novella plays with the boundary between magic and technology. It features two perspectives: a princess who believes she is seeking a sorcerer's help to save her kingdom, and the "sorcerer" himself, who is actually an anthropologist from Earth struggling with depression and advanced tech he cannot explain to her. Tchaikovsky uses this dual narrative to explore the evolution of language and how we interpret the "miraculous" through our own cultural limitations.

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The Black Coast by Mike Brooks

In Mike Brooks' The Black Coast, the traditional foundations of epic fantasy are revitalised through a masterfully nuanced exploration of cultural collision. When the seafaring Tabbard clans seek refuge in the peaceful land of Narua, Brooks eschews predictable bloodshed for a sophisticated study of diplomacy, linguistics, and mutual adaptation. The world-building is impeccably realised, featuring diverse social structures and a refreshing approach to gender and identity that feels organic rather than performative. With its high-stakes political intrigue and formidable drakon-riders, the narrative balances exhilarating action with profound character development, delivering a triumphant start to a truly inclusive saga.

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Idols Fall by Mike Shel

Mike Shel's 'Idols Fall' is a masterclass in grimdark fantasy, providing a harrowing yet deeply satisfying conclusion to the 'Iconoclast' trilogy. Shel weaves a tapestry of existential dread and cosmic horror, forcing his weathered protagonist, Auric Manteo, to face the devastating consequences of past sins. The prose is atmospheric and sharp, dripping with a palpable sense of decay as the stakes escalate beyond mere survival. With its intricate world-building and uncompromising exploration of trauma, this novel rejects easy answers. It is a bleak, brilliant ending that cements the series as a modern classic for readers who crave intellectual depth.

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The Free Bastards by Jonathan French

In the blistering finale of Jonathan French's "The Lot Lands" trilogy, "The Free Bastards" delivers a visceral, mud-spattered conclusion that honours the series' gritty reputation. French masterfully balances foul-mouthed camaraderie with high-stakes political intrigue, pushing protagonist Oats through a harrowing crucible of identity and resilience. The world-building remains impeccably coarse, featuring the iconic "half-orc" riders on their formidable hogs, yet the emotional depth reaches surprising new heights. It is a foul, frantic, and frequently brilliant subversion of traditional fantasy tropes. This is 'grey' fantasy at its most unapologetic, providing a satisfying, blood-soaked closure for fans of this unique, filth-encrusted epic.

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Bacchanal by Veronica G. Henry

Veronica G Henry's 'Bacchanal' is a bewitching fusion of historical fiction and dark fantasy that pulses with the rhythmic heartbeat of the Depression-era South. Set within a travelling carnival, the narrative follows Eliza Meeks, a young woman whose hidden African magic awakens amidst a world of ancient demons and carnival folklore. Henry's prose is lush and evocative, painting a vivid portrait of survival and heritage against a backdrop of supernatural peril. The atmospheric tension is palpable as the line between performative wonder and genuine ancient horror blurs. It is a sophisticated, spellbinding exploration of power, community, and the shadows that linger in the American wilderness.

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The Wisdom of Crowds by Joe Abercrombie

Joe Abercrombie delivers a devastating masterclass in grimdark subversion with 'The Wisdom of Crowds', concluding 'The Age of Madness' trilogy with unflinching brutality. As the industrial revolution's soot mixes with the blood of the Great Change, Abercrombie's razor-sharp wit dissects the cyclical nature of power and the terrifying unpredictability of the mob. Characters like Orso and Savine are pushed to their absolute breaking points, proving that in this world, no one is safe from the consequences of their ambition. It is a bleak, cynical, yet utterly gripping exploration of societal collapse that cements Abercrombie as the premier voice in modern epic fantasy.

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Choir of the Damned by Steve McKinnon

Steve McKinnon's Choir of the Damned is a masterclass in grimdark tension, weaving a gritty, atmospheric tale that prioritises character depth alongside its brutal world-building. The narrative's strength lies in its unflinching exploration of morality, as disparate souls are thrust into a symphony of violence and desperation. McKinnon's prose is sharp and evocative, capturing the stench of decay and the flicker of hope with equal precision. For any connoisseur of dark fantasy, this novel offers a compelling, visceral experience that lingers long after the final note. It is an essential, albeit blood-soaked, addition to the modern fantasy canon.

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Risen by Benedict Jacka

Benedict Jacka delivers a masterclass in urban fantasy with Risen, the pulse-pounding finale to the Alex Verus series. The stakes have never been higher as Verus faces his ultimate reckoning against the Council and the terrifyingly powerful Richard Drakh. Jacka expertly weaves together years of intricate world-building, ensuring every sacrifice feels earned and every magical duel crackles with tension. The protagonist's evolution from a cautious diviner to a formidable force is both logical and emotionally resonant. It is a rare feat to conclude a long-running saga with such precision, offering a bittersweet yet deeply satisfying resolution for fans.

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The Fall of Babel by Josiah Bancroft

Josiah Bancroft concludes the Books of Babel with a masterstroke of imaginative storytelling in The Fall of Babel. This final volume elegantly balances whimsical prose with high-stakes tension as Senlin and his companions confront the vast, labyrinthine mystery of the tower. Bancroft's world-building remains unparalleled, blending steampunk aesthetics with deep philosophical inquiry into power and humanity. The character arcs are resolved with poignant sincerity, ensuring every sacrifice carries weight. It is a dense, rewarding spectacle that avoids easy answers, opting instead for a bittersweet reflection on legacy. Truly, this is a triumphant finale to one of modern fantasy's most ambitious sagas.

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The Witness for the Dead by Katherine Addison

Katherine Addison's "The Witness for the Dead" is a haunting, quiet masterpiece of "clerical noir." It follows Thara Celehar, a prelate who can hear the final thoughts of the deceased, as he solves murders and resolves the estates of the forgotten in the city of Amalo. The book is fantastic because it treats "necromancy" as a weary, bureaucratic burden rather than a dark art. Addison excels at building a world where the "forensic" magic is grounded in empathy and rigid tradition. It is a sombre, deeply moving procedural that prioritises the dignity of the victim over flashy action.

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