2026 is already shaping up to be an extraordinary year for fantasy readers. From cozy magical tales to dark, grimdark epics, this year’s releases offer something for every kind of fantasy fan. Whether you’re looking for dragons, enemies-to-lovers romance, morally grey characters, or comforting found-family stories, you’ll find your next obsession on this list.
I’ve compiled the best fantasy fiction books for 2026 to help you plan your reading year. This guide covers the most anticipated releases, hidden gems, exciting debuts, and beloved series continuations. If you’re searching for the best fantasy fiction books to add to your TBR, you’re in the right place.
Let’s dive into the best fantasy fiction books that deserve your attention this year.
Most Anticipated Fantasy Releases of 2026
These are the books generating the most buzz in the fantasy community. From bestselling authors dropping new installments to fresh voices making waves, these releases have readers counting down the days.
Platform Decay by Martha Wells
Martha Wells returns with another installment in her beloved Murderbot Diaries series. Platform Decay continues the story of everyone’s favorite antisocial security unit, and early buzz suggests it’s one of the strongest entries yet. If you love sarcastic AI protagonists and found-family dynamics in space, this is a must-read.
Wells has won multiple Hugo and Nebula Awards for this series, and there’s no sign of the quality declining. Fans have been eagerly awaiting this release since the announcement, and it’s sitting at the top of countless “most anticipated” lists across the fantasy community.
Publisher: Tor Books
Perfect for: Fans of found family, AI characters, and sharp wit
A Trade of Blood by Robert Jackson Bennett
The third installment in Robert Jackson Bennett’s critically acclaimed Shadow of the Leviathan series arrives in June 2026. Following the massive success of The Tainted Cup and A Drop of Corruption, this finale promises to deliver the same blend of mystery, magic, and intricate world-building that made the series a standout.
Bennett has crafted a world that feels like Agatha Christie meets epic fantasy, with a detective duo solving impossible crimes in a world threatened by massive titans. If you haven’t started this series yet, now is the perfect time to catch up before the conclusion drops.
Publisher: Del Rey Books
Perfect for: Mystery lovers, fans of intricate magic systems
Steel Gods by Richard Swan
Richard Swan follows up his acclaimed Grave Empire with Steel Gods, continuing his dark fantasy horror vision set in the Empire of the Wolf universe. Set centuries after his previous trilogy, this world has banned magic while an industrial revolution takes its place.
Swan’s ability to blend political intrigue with creeping dread has earned him comparisons to Joe Abercrombie and George R.R. Martin. This release is a must for grimdark fans who appreciate slow-building tension and morally complex characters.
Publisher: Orbit Books
Perfect for: Grimdark enthusiasts, fans of political fantasy
The Bone Door by Frances White
Frances White’s sophomore novel, The Bone Door, follows her breakout hit Voyage of the Damned. Early readers are describing it as a puzzle wrapped in an enigma — a genre-bending mystery that defies easy categorization.
White has quickly established herself as one of fantasy’s most exciting new voices, and this release has garnered significant pre-publication buzz. If you enjoy books that keep you guessing until the very last page, The Bone Door should be on your radar.
Publisher: Orbit Books
Perfect for: Fans of locked-room mysteries and unconventional narratives
The Girl with a Thousand Faces by Sunyi Dean
Sunyi Dean delivers a Gothic historical fiction spanning decades and continents. The story weaves together the lives of two women connected by supernatural abilities and the horrors of war — Mercy Chan, a ghost-talker in World War II Hong Kong, and Sung Siu Yin, who fled the Japanese invasion 33 years earlier.
Dean earned acclaim for her debut The Book Eaters, which challenged genre conventions while exploring themes of motherhood and sacrifice. This new release promises the same thoughtful, slightly horrific storytelling that made her first book so memorable.
Publisher: Tor Books
Perfect for: Historical fiction fans, readers who love supernatural elements
Best Cozy Fantasy Books for 2026
The cozy fantasy trend shows no signs of slowing down, and 2026 delivers plenty of comforting reads. These best fantasy fiction books offer the escapism of fantasy without the high-stakes violence — think magical bakeries, enchanted bookshops, and characters who solve problems with kindness rather than swords.
Nine Goblins by T. Kingfisher
T. Kingfisher — the pen name of Ursula Vernon — releases yet another delightful novella with Nine Goblins. The story follows a group of not-particularly-bright goblins trapped behind enemy lines during the Goblin War who stumble upon a veterinarian for magical creatures.
Kingfisher has become the undisputed queen of cozy fantasy, with books like Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree citing her influence. Her blend of humor, heart, and low-stakes adventure makes her work perfect for readers who want comfort without sacrificing quality.
Publisher: Red Wombat Studio
Perfect for: Fans of quirky humor and heartwarming adventures
Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett
Heather Fawcett, author of the beloved Emily Wilde series, brings us a new cozy fantasy centered on a magical cat shelter. Fawcett has proven herself a master of the subgenre with Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries and its sequels, and this standalone promises the same warmth and wit.
If you’re a fan of found family, magical creatures, and protagonists who’d rather solve problems with tea than combat, this book has your name on it.
Publisher: Del Rey Books
Perfect for: Cat lovers, fans of the Emily Wilde series
Disenchanted by Lucy Jane Wood
Lucy Jane Wood returns to the magical world of Rewitched with Disenchanted, which she describes as “light academia Hocus Pocus x Beauty and the Beast, with a sprinkle of Shrek.” Wood’s cozy witchy romances have found a devoted audience, and this September 2026 release will continue her winning streak.
Her books offer the perfect blend of romance, magic, and British charm that makes them ideal comfort reads for autumn evenings.
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Perfect for: Witchy romance fans, readers who love British settings
The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Shannon
Samantha Shannon, known for her epic Bone Season series, delivers something different with The Elsewhere Express. Described as a wistful, Ghibli-esque fantasy, this book follows a magical train that finds people who’ve lost their way in life and might take them to their life’s purpose.
This represents an exciting departure for Shannon, proving that established fantasy authors can successfully pivot to cozier fare while maintaining their storytelling prowess.
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Perfect for: Studio Ghibli fans, readers seeking hopeful fantasy
Best Romantasy Books for 2026
Romantasy — the blend of fantasy and romance — continues to dominate bestseller lists, and 2026 offers plenty for fans of the subgenre. Expect enemies-to-lovers tension, fated mates, and slow-burn romances set in magical worlds.
The Faithful Dark by Chloe Gong
Chloe Gong, bestselling author of These Violent Delights, delivers a queer Gothic fantasy set in a holy city where sin can literally be seen. The story follows Csilla, a young woman born without a soul, sent by the Church to assassinate a heretic descended from angels. Naturally, things spiral into forbidden love, political intrigue, and murder.
Ava Reid described it as “a twisty and beguiling gothic fantasy,” which is high praise from one romantasy queen to another. This book sits at the top of many 2026 romantasy anticipation lists.
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Perfect for: Gothic romance fans, readers who love morally complex heroines
We Who Have No Gods by Kelley Armstrong
witches. Described as “darkly gripping from the first page” with “dangerous rivals, guarded secrets, and simmering chemistry,” this book combines dark academia with fantasy romance in a way that’s sure to please fans of both.
Armstrong delivers smart, sexy fantasy that doesn’t shy away from darker themes while still providing the romantic payoff readers crave.
Publisher: Orbit Books
Perfect for: Dark academia lovers, fans of enemies-to-lovers
Eternal Night by Annie Summerlee
A vampire hunter falls in love with her roommate — who happens to be a vampire — at a Scottish Highlands university in this sapphic paranormal fantasy debut. Eternal Night promises dark academia vibes, forbidden romance, and atmospheric Scottish settings.
If you’re looking for your next sapphic fantasy obsession and loved books like Gideon the Ninth or A Dark and Hollow Star, this debut should be on your TBR.
Publisher: Tor Books
Perfect for: Sapphic fantasy fans, vampire romance lovers
Best Dark Fantasy & Grimdark of 2026
For readers who prefer their fantasy with sharper edges, 2026 delivers plenty of dark, morally complex stories. These best fantasy fiction books don’t shy away from violence, difficult themes, or characters who exist in ethical grey areas.
The Devils by Joe Abercrombie
Joe Abercrombie, the reigning king of grimdark, begins a new trilogy with The Devils. Set in an alternate medieval Europe far from his First Law world, this book features a ragtag group of antiheroes in what’s been described as “A League of Extraordinary Gentlemen meets Suicide Squad.”
Early reviews call it a romp of absurd situations that had readers both cringing and cackling. Abercrombie’s trademark dark humor and moral ambiguity are on full display, making this a must-read for grimdark fans.
Publisher: Gollancz
Perfect for: Fans of morally grey characters and dark humor
The Last Contract of Isako by Fonda Lee
Fonda Lee, author of the acclaimed Green Bone Saga, delivers epic science fiction-fantasy where money trumps loyalty and the elite can extend or end life at will. One woman in the twilight of her career must decide what’s ultimately worth living — or dying — for.
Lee’s previous work earned her multiple Hugo and World Fantasy Award nominations, and this new release promises the same level of sophisticated storytelling and morally complex characters.
Publisher: Orbit Books
Perfect for: Fans of morally complex worlds and strong female protagonists
Children of Memory by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Adrian Tchaikovsky continues his acclaimed Children of Time series with another installment exploring humanity’s future alongside evolved species. A motley crew of humans, spiders, and mantis shrimp head into space where they discover the crumbling remains of a colony ship.
Tchaikovsky won the Arthur C. Clarke Award for Children of Time, and the series has become a landmark in modern science fiction-fantasy. This continuation promises more of his signature blend of hard science fiction concepts and intimate character work.
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Perfect for: Hard SF fans, readers who love non-human perspectives
Katabasis by R.F. Kuang
R.F. Kuang, author of Babel and Yellowface, delivers a dark descent into the underworld. Following two grad students studying magic who journey through Hell to find their professor’s soul, Katabasis won Goodreads’ Best Fantasy 2025 and continues generating discussion into 2026.
Kuang has established herself as one of fantasy’s most vital voices, and her exploration of academia, morality, and mythology makes this essential reading for dark fantasy fans.
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Perfect for: Dark academia fans, mythology lovers
Fantasy Debuts to Watch in 2026
Some of the most exciting books come from first-time authors. These best fantasy fiction books are generating significant pre-publication buzz and represent the future of the fantasy genre.
Sublimation by Isabel J. Kim
Isabel J. Kim’s debut expands on her acclaimed short story “Homecoming is Just Another Word for the Sublimation of the Self.” In this world, immigration splits you into two selves, or instances. Soyoung Rose Kang left her instance behind in Korea at ten years old, and when she returns for her grandfather’s funeral, her instance plots to merge with her and steal her American life.
Described as Past Lives meets Severance, this debut has already been picked up for a TV adaptation. Kim earned considerable acclaim for her Clarkesworld story “Kid in the Omelas Hole,” and her debut represents one of 2026’s most exciting new voices.
Publisher: Tor Books
Perfect for: Literary fantasy fans, readers who love identity exploration
The Saint of Silence (Untitled Debut)
This Gothic fantasy debut follows a young woman who can see the dead as she strikes a deal with the dangerous Saint of Silence to save her brother’s life. It’s the first book in a planned trilogy and promises dark bargains, atmospheric settings, and morally complex magic.
Gothic fantasy continues to thrive, and this debut looks to carry the torch alongside established voices in the subgenre.
Publisher: Orbit Books
Perfect for: Gothic fantasy fans, readers who love dark bargains
Wolfskin by E.J. Beaton
E.J. Beaton concludes the Common Saga with Wolfskin, an adult space opera arriving in March 2026. While technically not a debut, this represents Beaton’s continued growth as a voice in science fiction-fantasy.
Publisher: Gollancz
Perfect for: Space opera fans, readers who love political intrigue
Best Fantasy Series Continuing in 2026
Sometimes the best fantasy reading comes from returning to beloved worlds and characters. These 2026 releases continue series that have already captured readers’ hearts.
The Strength of the Few by James Islington
The second book in James Islington’s Hierarchy series follows The Will of the Many, which received widespread acclaim. Readers have called it “wildly ambitious” with “jaw-dropping scenes and wonderful thematic work.”
Islington builds on his previous Licanius trilogy’s success with this new series, and the sequel promises to triple the complexity and scope of an already intricate story.
Publisher: Saga Press
Perfect for: Epic fantasy fans, readers who love intricate plots
To Shape a Dragon's Breath Sequel by Moniquill Blackgoose
The sequel to the multi-award-winning To Shape a Dragon’s Breath continues the story of a young Indigenous woman and her dragon fighting for their homeland’s independence. The first book was hailed as “a remarkable novel bound to be a staple of fantasy shelves for years to come.”
This series offers a fresh perspective in fantasy, centering Indigenous experiences and challenging colonialism within a dragon-riding framework.
Publisher: Del Rey Books
Perfect for: Dragon lovers, readers seeking diverse perspectives
FAQ: Fantasy Books in 2026
What fantasy subgenres are trending in 2026?
Cozy fantasy continues its dominance, but dark academia, romantasy, and Gothic fantasy are all seeing significant growth. Readers are also gravitating toward fantasy that blends genres — mysteries with magic, horror with romance, and literary fiction with speculative elements.
When do most fantasy books release?
Publishers typically cluster major releases in spring (March-May) and fall (September-November). January and summer see fewer major releases but often feature exciting debuts and mid-list titles that deserve more attention.
What's the difference between fantasy and romantasy?
Romantasy puts the romance at the center of the story alongside fantasy elements. Traditional fantasy may include romantic subplots, but romantasy treats the relationship as equally important as the worldbuilding and plot. Think Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros or A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas.
How do I find new fantasy releases?
Goodreads maintains lists of upcoming releases, and sites like Book Riot, Tor.com, and Fantasy Faction regularly cover new releases. Following authors and publishers on social media also helps you catch announcements early.
Start Your 2026 Fantasy TBR Now
These are my picks for the best fantasy fiction books for 2026. Whether you’re drawn to the comfort of cozy fantasy, the tension of romantasy, or the moral complexity of grimdark, this year has something extraordinary waiting for you.
The fantasy genre continues to evolve, welcoming new voices while beloved authors push their craft in exciting directions. From debuts that challenge conventions to series conclusions that deliver satisfying endings, 2026 promises to be a landmark year for the best fantasy fiction books.
Looking for completed series to binge? Check out my [Finished Cultivation Novels 2025] list.
Which books are you most excited about? Your next favorite story might be waiting on this list.
Happy reading!