Best Fantasy Books of 2025
Looking for your next unforgettable read? ✨ Discover the best fantasy books of 2025, featuring epic worlds, powerful magic, swoon-worthy romance, and must-read new releases every fantasy lover should have on their TBR.
2025 has shaped up to be an incredible year for fantasy and fantasy romance reads. From highly anticipated sequels to brand-new releases already dominating BookTok and Bookstagram, this year is packed with stories full of magic, emotional depth, and unforgettable characters.
As I’ve been reading and tracking these favorites, I’ve been logging my reactions and ratings across platforms—if you’re curious about where to track your own reads, I break it all down in my article Difference Between Goodreads and StoryGraph.
Whether you’re here for epic romantasy, morally gray love interests, or sweeping fantasy worlds, this list highlights the best fantasy books of 2025 that deserve a spot on your TBR.
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Gleam by Raven Kennedy
Gleam by Raven Kennedy is my favorite book of 2025 because it’s the moment the story turns feral. This isn’t just character growth, our FMC goes through reclamation. Watching Auren stop choosing survival and start choosing herself, while navigating rage, revenge, and dangerously seductive power, made this book unforgettable. The emotional depth, the tension with King Ravinger, our shadow daddy, and the sheer satisfaction of seeing her step out of the cage and set her own traps? Absolute perfection.
Kingdom of Claw by Demi Winters
Kingdom of Claw earns its spot as a 2025 favorite for its brutal stakes, sharp worldbuilding, and characters who are constantly forced to choose between survival and power. Demi Winter delivers a dark, fast-paced fantasy filled with political tension, dangerous magic, and emotionally charged decisions that keep the story moving without losing depth. It’s the kind of book that feels intense, immersive, and impossible to put down—perfect for readers who love high-stakes fantasy with teeth.
There’s more to say—read my honest book review. [Honest Book Review of Kingdom of Claw]
No Books for March….it was a terrible reading month for me. 😱😱😱
Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli
What truly sets Rebel Witch apart this year is how it balances heart-pounding action, layered magical intrigue, and character relationships that never feel predictable. Whether you’re here for morally gray love interests, high-stakes fantasy, or a heroine who fights for her own voice, this book delivers it all with style and soul. It’s the kind of story that sticks with you long after you turn the last page — the mark of a 2025 standout.
There’s more to say—read my honest book review. [Honest Book Review of Rebel Witch]
Voice of the Ocean by Kelsey Impicciche
Voice of the Ocean makes the 2025 best-of list with its beautifully immersive world, elemental magic that feels alive, and characters whose journeys are as deep and unpredictable as the seas they navigate. Kelsey Impicciche blends emotional depth, mythic stakes, and vivid imagery into a fantasy that’s both haunting and hopeful, making every page feel like a wave pulling you further into the story.
There’s more to say—read my honest book review. [Honest Book Review of Voice of the Ocean]
Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry
Shield of Sparrows earns a spot on the 2025 best fantasy list with its rich worldbuilding, layered magic, and a heroine who refuses to be anyone’s pawn. The story blends political intrigue with emotional depth and morally complex characters, giving readers both high-stakes conflict and moments of heart-pounding connection. It’s the kind of fantasy that grips you with its atmosphere and sticks with you because of the characters you won’t forget.
There’s more to say—read my honest book review. [Honest Book Review of Shield of Sparrows]
A Kingdom of Fire by JF Johns
A Kingdom of Fire stands out in 2025 for its fiery worldbuilding, relentless pacing, and characters forged in conflict. J.F. Johns delivers a fantasy that blends brutal battles, elemental magic, and complex loyalties into a story that knocks the breath out of you while keeping you eagerly turning pages. It’s the kind of high-stakes fantasy that grips you from the first chapter and refuses to let go.
There’s more to say—read my honest book review. [Honest Book Review of A Kingdom of Shadow & Ash]
Rose in Chains by Julie Soto
Rose in Chains shines in 2025 with its gripping blend of political intrigue, sharp magic, and emotionally charged character arcs. Julie Soto writes a fantasy that expertly balances tension, betrayal, and slow-burn connection, giving readers a world that feels dangerous and deeply personal all at once. It’s a story that grips you with its stakes and keeps you invested because of its unforgettable characters.
There’s more to say—read my honest book review. [Honest Book Review of Rose in Chains]
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
The Serpent and the Wings of Night is a standout 2025 fantasy because it effortlessly blends high-stakes worldbuilding, dangerous magic, and slow-burn enemies-to-lovers tension into a breathtaking adventure. Carissa Broadbent delivers a beautifully layered story with a fierce heroine, morally complex characters, and a plot that keeps you guessing. This novel earns its place on the list with emotional depth, fierce chemistry, and fantasy storytelling that stays with you long after the final page.
There’s more to say—read my honest book review. [Honest Book Review of The Serpent & the Wings of Night]
Servant of the Earth by Sarah Hawley
Servant of the Earth stands out in 2025 for blending immersive worldbuilding and elemental magic with a strong romantasy undercurrent. Alongside the high-stakes fantasy plot, the story weaves in emotional tension, connection, and longing that deepen the character arcs and raise the stakes beyond survival alone. It’s a perfect pick for readers who want rich fantasy with romantic weight and payoff, not just battles and magic.
Tusk in Love by Thea Guanzon
Tusk Love earns its place on the 2025 best fantasy list by delivering bold worldbuilding, high-stakes adventure, and a slow-burn romantasy that hits all the right feels. Thea Guanzon blends mythic tension with emotional depth, crafting characters whose love grows through danger, conflict, and irresistible chemistry. If you love romance that’s grounded in danger and destiny — especially the kind of trope-rich arcs that tug at your heart — this book delivers in a way few others do. It’s a must-read for fans of character-driven fantasy romance.
If you’re into trope-heavy emotional bonds like this, you’ll also enjoy my guide to [fated mates fantasy romance] — where connections like the one in Tusk Love truly shine. 💚📚✨
These Hallow Vows by Lexi Ryan
These Hallow Vows earns its place on the 2025 best fantasy list for its haunting atmosphere, dangerous magic, and emotionally charged romantasy that lingers long after the final page. The story builds a world of curses, hidden power, and forbidden bargains, while delivering slow-burn tension and deep emotional stakes. That intensity only deepens in Ruthless Vows, where the consequences of love, loyalty, and sacrifice come fully into focus, making the duology feel complete and devastating in the best way.
If you love fantasy romance that leans hard into emotional damage, devotion, and high-stakes relationships, you’ll also want to explore my guide to [enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance books], which captures the same dangerous tension and payoff found in this series. 💚📚🔥
Dire Bound by Sable Sorensen
Dire Bound stands out in 2025 for its deadly academy setting, high-stakes survival trials, and dark fantasy atmosphere that keeps the tension tight from start to finish. With dangerous training, powerful bonds, and a world that rewards strength over mercy, this book is a must-read for fans of intense, competition-driven fantasy. The story blends action, ambition, and a growing undercurrent of romantasy, making it especially appealing to readers who love stories where power is earned the hard way.
If you’re drawn to brutal training arcs and survival-focused fantasy like this, you’ll also want to check out my list of [5 books to read after Fourth Wing], which captures the same high-pressure, academy-style energy. 💚
There’s more to say—read my honest book review. [Honest Book Review of Dire Bound]
Brimstone by Callie Hart
Brimstone earns its place among the best fantasy books of 2025 for its dark, immersive world, high emotional stakes, and unapologetically intense atmosphere. Callie Hart delivers a shadowy fae fantasy packed with morally gray characters, political tension, and a romance that’s already forged in devotion rather than discovery. While it leans more into established bonds than slow-burn tension, the story’s fast pacing, obsession-laced dynamics, and expanding power struggles make it a standout for readers who love dark romantasy with teeth.
There’s more to say—read my honest book review. [Honest Book Review of Brimstone]
2025 delivered so many unforgettable reads, from epic fantasy adventures to emotionally devastating romantasy that will live rent-free in my head for a long time. This list is a celebration of the stories that truly stood out and earned their place on my shelf. Now I want to hear from you—what was your favorite book of 2025? Leave a comment below and let me know which read stole your heart (or ruined your life in the best way).
