Best Fantasy Books of 2025

Below you will find a list of the fantasy books published in 2025 that we enjoyed most. Click on a book title to read the full review.

Katabasis by R. F. Kuang

In Katabasis, R.F. Kuang delivers a blistering deconstruction of the Orpheus myth, reimagined through the cutthroat lens of modern academia. Two rival PhD students must descend into a shifting, bureaucratic Hell to retrieve a lost manuscript, turning their intellectual competition into a literal struggle for survival. Kuang's prose is surgical and erudite, utilising the underworld as a profound metaphor for the soul-crushing weight of elite institutions and the predatory nature of ambition. It is a visceral, haunting masterpiece that blends classical scholarship with psychological horror, proving once again that Kuang is the preeminent voice of her generation.

Buy on Amazon | Read our full review of Katabasis by R. F. Kuang
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab

In Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, V.E. Schwab crafts a lyrical triptych of stories spanning centuries, following three women bound by a "hunger" that transcends traditional vampirism. Schwab's prose is rhythmic and earth-heavy, utilising the soil as a profound metaphor for ancestral trauma and the persistence of memory. This is a mournful, atmospheric gothic epic that deconstructs immortality, focusing on the existential dread of isolation rather than romantic allure. By weaving together disparate timelines with surgical precision, Schwab delivers a dark, poetic meditation on the legacies we leave and the gruelling cost of survival across the ages.

Buy on Amazon | Read our full review of Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab
The Strength of the Few by James Islington

"The Strength of the Few" is a staggering continuation that proves James Islington's "Hierarchy" is the successor to the throne of high-concept epic fantasy. The narrative expands the scope of Vis's journey, moving beyond the Academy's walls into a world where the stakes are existential. Islington masterfully juggles layered timelines and reality-bending revelations without losing the visceral tension of the political game. The character development is equally sharp; Vis's evolution into a leader is earned through blood and impossible choices. It is a dense, intellectually rigorous sequel that rewards close reading and cements this series as a modern masterpiece.

Buy on Amazon | Read our full review of The Strength of the Few by James Islington
The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson

"The Raven Scholar" is a stunning entry into dark fantasy, where ancient animal deities exert a heavy, visceral influence on the Empire of Orrun. Antonia Hodgson crafts a world where the sacred and the profane collide during a brutal succession ritual. The "Raven" is not just a symbol but a terrifying collective consciousness. This novel excels at blending the grit of a political thriller with the atmospheric weight of forgotten gods. The prose is sharp, reflecting a world where divine possession carries a ruinous physical cost. It is a haunting exploration of power, destiny, and the dark echoes of history.

Buy on Amazon | Read our full review of The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson
A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett

Robert Jackson Bennett continues to be a pioneer of the "industrial fantasy" subgenre. In A Drop of Corruption, he crafts a brilliant investigative thriller that feels like a gritty noir film set in a world governed by magical systems. The narrative follows a detective navigating a city where magic is a decaying commodity, serving as a biting allegory for systemic rot and social inequality. Bennett's strength lies in his world-building; he makes the complex mechanics of his universe feel intuitive while maintaining a breakneck pace. It is a cynical, intellectually stimulating, and ultimately essential read for 2025.

Buy on Amazon | Read our full review of A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett
Hemlock and Silver by T. Kingfisher

T. Kingfisher's "Hemlock & Silver" is a delightful 2025 addition to the "Forensic Fantasy" subgenre. Set in the universe of the Temple of the White Rat, it follows an ageing perfumer and a cynical lawyer tasked with investigating a death that the city watch has dismissed as natural. The book is fantastic because it centres on "practical magic" - using scent profiles and biological chemistry as investigative tools. Kingfisher's trademark wit shines through her practical, middle-aged protagonists who solve crimes with common sense and tea. It is a refreshing, cozy-noir masterpiece that proves "minor" magic can solve the major crimes.

Buy on Amazon | Read our full review of Hemlock and Silver by T. Kingfisher
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

"Onyx Storm" is a high-octane expansion of the Empyrean Series that trades the academic safety of Basgiath for a sprawling, global war. Rebecca Yarros raises the stakes significantly as Violet Sorrengail battles not just external venin threats, but a desperate, internal clock to save Xaden from his own corruption. The introduction of the seventh dragon breed - the Irids - adds a fascinating layer of lore, while Violet's "dream-walker" signet provides a hauntingly intimate look into the psychological toll of their bond. It is a darker, grittier instalment that proves the series is maturing alongside its battle-scarred protagonists.

Buy on Amazon | Read our full review of Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
The Devils by Joe Abercrombie

With The Devils, Joe Abercrombie proves once again why he is the reigning king of "grimdark" fiction. This novel introduces a motley crew of monsters - vampires, werewolves, and sorcerers - employed by the Church to do the dirty work that saints cannot touch. The book is an explosion of dark wit, visceral action, and moral ambiguity. Abercrombie's signature character-driven storytelling is at its peak here; despite their horrific nature, you cannot help but root for this band of outcasts. It is a bloody, hilarious, and high-octane adventure that successfully blends supernatural horror with political intrigue.

Buy on Amazon | Read our full review of The Devils by Joe Abercrombie
The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig

Rachel Gillig's The Knight and the Moth is a masterclass in gothic fantasy. The novel weaves a delicate yet dangerous bond between a duty-bound knight and a cursed shifter. Gillig's prose is sharp, capturing the eerie beauty of a twilight world with tactile precision. While the romance is central, the exploration of identity and sacrifice provides the narrative's true weight. It is a haunting, slow-burn tale that elevates standard fantasy tropes through sophisticated world-building and profound emotional depth. This journey into the shadows is both visceral and ethereal, cementing Gillig's place as a premier voice in dark fantasy.

Buy on Amazon | Read our full review of The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig