Looking for the best adult fantasy books to add to your shelf? You’re in the right tavern. Here are fifteen genre-defining novels, and why they belong on every fantasy reader’s quest list.
1. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Rothfuss’s lyrical debut won the 2007 Quill Award and landed on Publishers Weekly’s Best Books list, proof that epic, character-driven storytelling can be a critical darling and a commercial juggernaut.
Why it’s a best book: Kvothe’s coming-of-age tale mixes music, magic, and myth in a narrative voice so intimate it feels confessional—catnip for readers who like their fantasy intensely personal.
2. A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
Long before HBO, critics praised the novel’s “magnificent” realism and labyrinthine plot.
Why it’s a best book: Martin’s morally gray politics reshaped modern fantasy, spawning the “grimdark” subgenre and proving adult audiences would binge thousand-page doorstoppers.
3. The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin
The first book ever to kick-off a trilogy that won three consecutive Hugo Awards for Best Novel.
Why it’s a best book: Jemisin fuses planetary apocalypse with razor-sharp social commentary, raising the bar for inclusivity and literary ambition in fantasy.
4. Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
Sanderson’s heist-meets-alchemy saga garnered Romantic Times’ Best Epic Fantasy award and a devoted global fandom.
Why it’s a best book: An ingenious metal-based magic system and a satisfyingly twisty plot make this perfect for readers who crave rule-based world-building.
5. The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
Beloved on r/Fantasy for its whip-smart banter and brutal turnarounds.
Why it’s a best book: Think Ocean’s Eleven in a Venetian-style city, soaked in dark humor and sharper knives.
6. The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
A modern standalone epic with multiple award nominations and a fiercely loyal fanbase.
Why it’s a best book: Dragons, queendom politics, and LGBTQIA+ leads in one gargantuan volume—ideal for readers wanting epic scope without a multi-book commitment.
7. The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang
Lauded for weaving Chinese history into grim, addictive fantasy.
Why it’s a best book: Kuang’s military magic school story quickly shifts into harrowing wartime commentary, redefining what “dark” adult fantasy can tackle.
8. The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
Praised for top-tier character work and winner of the Gemmell Legend Award.
Why it’s a best book: It kicks off The Stormlight Archive, a flagship series whose sprawling world feels as detailed as Tolkien but paced for 21st-century readers.
9. Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb
Considered the perfect gateway to Hobb’s critically revered Realm of the Elderlings.
Why it’s a best book: Few authors render internal struggle like Hobb; Fitz’s coming-of-age aches with authenticity, making every triumph (and tragedy) land harder.
10. Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James
Winner of the Ray Bradbury Prize for Science Fiction, Fantasy & Speculative Fiction.
Why it’s a best book: James blends African myth with literary flair, crafting an uncompromising, adult exploration of sexuality, violence, and unreliable narration.
11. The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
Hailed by Grimdark Magazine as a cornerstone of gritty fantasy.
Why it’s a best book: Lovable rogues, cynical soldiers, and a bloody sense of humor—Abercrombie shows moral ambiguity done right.
12. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
The novel (and its award-winning BBC adaptation) revived 19th-century-style fantasy for modern readers.
Why it’s a best book: It marries footnote-laden satire with classic Enlightenment-era Englishness—imagine Pride & Prejudice…with dueling magicians.
13. The First Binding by R. R. Virdi
A breakout 2020s epic hailed on r/Fantasy for its nested-story structure.
Why it’s a best book: Fans of Name of the Wind will relish Virdi’s charismatic narrator and lush South Asian-inspired setting.
14. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
A 2023 phenomenon—topping bestseller lists and already green-lit for a Prime Video series.
Why it’s a best book: “Romantasy” at dragon-fire speed; perfect for readers who want adult stakes with blockbuster pacing.
15. Bonus Classic: The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien
Yes, it’s obvious—but the data tell us you still search for it with “best adult fantasy books,” and it remains the template every epic imitates.
FAQ: Best Adult Fantasy Books
Q1: What are the best adult fantasy books right now?
Start with the Hugo-sweeping Broken Earth trilogy (The Fifth Season et al.) and hot newcomers like Fourth Wing (if you enjoy romance-heavy plots) or The First Binding for classic-style epic vibes.
Q2: How is adult fantasy different from YA fantasy?
Adult fantasy typically features older protagonists, denser world-building, and more explicit treatments of politics, sex, and violence. YA often centers teenage perspectives and tighter coming-of-age arcs.
Q3: Which adult fantasy series are finished?
Completed sagas on this list include Mistborn’s first trilogy, The Poppy War trilogy, Robin Hobb’s Farseer trilogy, and Clarke’s standalone Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell.
Q4: Where can I buy these books in Canada, the U.S., or the U.K.?
Check Bookshop.org (U.S.), Indigo (Canada), Waterstones (U.K.), or your local indie. All titles above are also available in e-book and audiobook formats globally.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re in Toronto leaf-peeping, London tube-hopping, or Sydney beach-lounging, these best adult fantasy books promise worlds bigger (and sometimes bleaker) than our own. Grab one, turn the page, and let the adventure begin. Fancy a longer read? Many of these books also make up part of the list of best fantasy novel series, meaning there's plenty for you to binge.
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