Best Fantasy Books of 2022

Below you will find a list of the fantasy books published in 2022 that we enjoyed most. Click on a book title to read the full review.

  1. The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez

    The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez book cover

    Jimenez delivers a transformative masterpiece that feels like an ancient myth whispered through a futuristic lens. The story follows two guardsmen escorting a dying goddess across a landscape ravaged by her tyrannical sons, the Moon-Thrones. Its narrative structure is breathtakingly experimental, utilizing a "theater of the mind" framing device where voices from the past and future interject. The prose is lush and visceral, blending breathtaking martial arts sequences with a profound, queer romance. It is a dense, challenging, and ultimately rewarding epic that redefines the boundaries of how science fantasy stories can be told.

    Buy on Amazon | Read our full review of The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez

  2. Babel by R. F. Kuang

    Babel by R. F. Kuang book cover

    R.F. Kuang's Babel is a breathtaking masterpiece that uses historical fantasy to dissect the soul of the British Empire. Set in 1830s Oxford, it introduces a brilliant magic system powered by silver bars and the nuances of translation. The book is fantastic because it makes linguistics feel like a high-stakes weapon of revolution. By blending rigorous historical detail with a heartbreaking story of friendship and betrayal, Kuang exposes the cost of colonialism and the pain of assimilation. It is a dense, scholarly, and emotionally devastating work that proves fantasy can be the most effective tool for social critique.

    Buy on Amazon | Read our full review of Babel by R. F. Kuang

  3. Fairy Tale by Stephen King

    Fairy Tale by Stephen King book cover

    This epic is King at his most inventive and heart-stirring. While the initial suburban setup is a minor drag, the book becomes a non-stop, glorious ride once the portal opens. It is a spectacular, emotional, and satisfying adventure that successfully bridges the gap between horror and high fantasy.

    Buy on Amazon | Read our full review of Fairy Tale by Stephen King

  4. The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent

    The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent book cover

    In The Serpent and the Wings of Night, Carissa Broadbent delivers a masterclass in atmospheric tension and high-stakes survival. This isn't just another vampire tale; it is a brutal, heart-wrenching examination of agency in a world designed to crush it. Oraya, a human ward of a vampire king, is a protagonist defined by her sharp edges and underlying vulnerability. Her chemistry with Raihn is electric, built on a foundation of mutual wariness and earned respect. Broadbent's prose is evocative, grounding the soaring magic and bloody trials of the Kejari in profound, grounded emotion. It is a breathtaking, visceral triumph.

    Buy on Amazon | Read our full review of The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent