Most of these fantasy books are now some of my all-time favorites. A couple of them even landed on my list of the dumbest stories I’ve ever read. Some are very popular, others not so much, but what all these books have in common is that once I picked them up, I couldn’t put them down until I finished them (some I even devoured within 24 hours). Here is a list of 11 book recommendations that made me cancel every plan just to keep reading.
Fantasy Books About Witches and Peculiar Monsters
The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean: A Gothic Feminist Fantasy
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Imagine your favorite vampire story mixed with The Handmaid’s Tale, except the vampires eat books instead of blood. Sounds super weird, right? I thought so too, but the cover of The Book Eaters had a blurb by V. E. Schwab that simply said, “I devoured this,” so I had to give it a try.
The Book Eaters follows Devon, a book-eater woman, who defies her family’s rules to find the medicine to cure her son — who, unlike his mother, doesn’t crave books but human brains.
Hands down, one of my favorite books ever. It’s dark and weird, with a very unique premise and memorable characters. The story also offers an interesting commentary on the role of women in conservative patriarchal societies and is written in a very cinematic way, making it easy to read.
It made me so angry and so sad, and I loved everything about it.
Foul Days by Genoveva Dimova: A Bulgarian-Inspired Dark Fantasy
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When I started this book, I didn’t know what to expect. I was intrigued by the premise and very curious about the Bulgarian-inspired elements, but I wasn’t expecting it to be so much fun.
Foul Days is a dark fantasy that makes you laugh out loud one minute and mutter, “oh no” the next. It’s set in a magically cursed, post-Soviet-inspired city, where monsters terrorize citizens during the first fourteen days of the year, and only witches, with their knowledge and magical remedies, know how to keep them at bay.
The story follows Kosara, a competent witch with no patience for anyone’s nonsense (including her own). She’s clever, cranky, and completely unqualified for the situation she finds herself in — which makes her so fun to follow. The book is full of sharp worldbuilding, monster magic, a creepy ex-boyfriend, and a very awkward, slow-burning romance with an unexpected ally. If you love monsters, dark humor, and awkward romances, this story will not disappoint.
Middle-Eastern Inspired Fantasy Adventures
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir: A Rebellion and a Military Fantasy
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Strange magic, folklore, political intrigue, creepy priest/oracle/psychic characters, and a little romance — this is the recipe for a fantastic story. Full of suspense and cliffhangers, the first installment of this popular YA quartet kept me on the edge of my seat, fearing for the character’s safety the entire time.
An Ember in the Ashes follows Laia, a young scholar who becomes a spy for the rebellion in exchange for their help freeing her brother, who was captured by the martial empire, and Elias, the best student of the empire’s military academy who wants more than anything to defect. Their fates collide, intertwining their lives in ways neither expects.
It’s fast-paced, entertaining, and filled with memorable characters. Dark, sad, and unpredictable — I absolutely love this book and the rest of the series. My only regret? I read it after Heir, not knowing it continued the story, which spoiled some of the suspense. If you’re new to this universe, start with An Ember in the Ashes. Four books may seem like a big commitment, but that’s what we’re here for, right?
The Kingdom of Copper by S. A. Chakraborty: Jinn Magic and Political Intrigue
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The second installment in the Daevabad Trilogy, The Kingdom of Copper, is filled with magic and creatures inspired by Egyptian traditions. This trilogy is probably one of my favorite stories of all time, with complex political conflicts and a subtle commentary on colonialism — and the second book is by far my favorite.
Picking up five years after The City of Brass, the story follows the original characters as they navigate new realities and fight for freedom and ideals. I won’t spoil any details, but Chakraborty does a fantastic job showing the evolution of each character. It’s fast-paced, suspenseful, and will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time.
Dragons Riders Fantasy and Magical Military Academies
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros: A Dragon Rider Romance
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As much as I hate to admit it, Fourth Wing is so much fun! Don’t get me wrong; I still think it’s a silly story. The plot is predictable, the characters formulaic, and the worldbuilding inconsistent — yet I couldn’t stop flipping pages until the very end.
The story follows Violet Sorrengail, a young woman with a rare disease (presumably Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, EDS), who is forced to join the elite and dangerous Basgiath War College to train as a dragon rider and protect her country.
Despite its flaws, I read it in less than 48 hours, and the ending surprised me enough to want the second book. It’s a guilty pleasure — like junk food for your brain.
Furysong by Rosaria Munda: A YA Post-Revolution Fantasy and Dragon Riders
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The conclusion to The Aurelian Cycle trilogy. All three books (Fireborne, Flamefall, and Furysong) are fantastic, but Furysong, the third one in the series, is impossible to put down.
Without spoiling the plot, this post-revolution world follows Annie, an orphan who earns her place as a dragonrider, and Lee, the hidden son of the old regime. Rebellions spark, ideals are tested, and the story explores loyalty, identity, privilege, and justice. With dragons and slow-burn relationships, it’s one of my favorite YA stories. Highly recommended.
Fantasy Books with Strong Female Leads, Ready to Burn Down the World
The Night Ends with Fire by K. X. Song: A Feminist Mulan Retelling
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The Night Ends with Fire was advertised as Mulan with a feminist twist, I had to try it. Just like the original story, Meilin, the main character, disguises herself as a man to join the army. However, in this version, Meilin chooses to defy the norms for herself rather than her family. She fights for freedom and proves she can be as strong as any man in the kingdom.
The result? A gripping adventure with high stakes and an infuriatingly good ending.
Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel: A Hindu Mythology Retelling
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A stunning retelling of one of Hindu mythology’s most vilified women — the queen who exiled a god. In Kaikeyi, Patel shows the other side of the story, the circumstances that led to choices that would forever brand her as the evil and manipulative woman she is portrayed to be. The story explores themes of power, ambition, legacy, and the price women pay for having a voice. Vividly written and impossible to put down, it’s one of my all-time favorites.
Blood Over Bright Haven by M. L. Wang: A Dark Academia Fantasy
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After being emotionally scarred by The Sword of Kaigen, I approached this book with both excitement and dread. Blood Over Bright Haven follows Sciona, the first woman to enter the High Magistry at the University of Magics and Industry in Tiran, paired with a janitor, Thomil, as her assistant.
Part dark academia, part magical rebellion, it critiques colonialism, cultural erasure, and systemic oppression while delivering beautiful worldbuilding and a unique magic system. It’s tense, beautifully written, and emotionally devastating — a must-read.
Fantasy Romance Books to Kill and Die For
The Heartless Hunter (The Crimson Moth) by Kristin Ciccarelli: An Enemies-to-Lovers Fantasy
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A witch hunter trying to eradicate witches falls for an undercover witch trying to save her fellow witches. Classic enemies-to-lovers, cat-and-mouse chase, predictable — and I loved every second. Heartless Hunter is fast-paced and fun. A guilty pleasure you won’t regret.
His Mortal Demise by Vanessa Le: A Dark YA Filled with Grief and Healing Magic
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The second book in The Last Bloodcarver duology deals with grief, loss, and what one is willing to sacrifice for those we love in a raw and powerful way. This is an underrated YA series with lovable characters, a unique setting, and inventive healing magic. His Mortal Demise deserves more love.
FAQ
What makes a fantasy book “unputdownable”?
For me, it’s the combination of immersive worldbuilding, characters I care about, and high stakes that keep me saying “just one more chapter” until sunrise.
Which fantasy book should I start with if I’m new to the genre?
If you want an epic adventure and don’t mind a somewhat long series, An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir is a great entry point — fast-paced, full of suspense, and easy to follow even if you’re not a seasoned fantasy reader.
If you prefer a standalone, I would recommend The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean. It’s short (under 300 pages) and since the story takes place in the modern world is a lot less complex than the others.
What are the best fantasy books with strong female leads?
Some of my top picks are The Night Ends with Fire by K. X. Song, Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel, and Blood Over Bright Haven by M. L. Wang. These story centers entirely on these incredibly strong and feisty women. However, the female representation in The Aurelian Cycle (Fireborne, Flamefall and Furysong), The Daevabad Trilogy (The City of Brass, The Kingdom of Copper and The Empire of Gold) and the An Ember in The Ashes Quartet (An Ember in the Ashes, A Torch Against the Night, A Reaper at the Gates and A Sky Beyond the Storm) also have amazing female representation.
Are these fantasy books part of a series?
Most are part of a series, but The Book Eaters, Kaikeyi and Blood Over Bright Haven are standalones. I note it in the descriptions so you can choose what fits your mood.