35 Highly-Anticipated Fantasy Books of 2021

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With the new year comes the new, highly-anticipated fantasy books of 2021! Can I get a woot-woot! From highly-anticipated debuts to exciting sequels to your favorite fantasy series, 2021 is bringing its A-game with these stunning titles.

January Fantasy Book Releases 2021

Lore by Alexandra Bracken

Release Date: January 5th

The Argon offers the ultimate prize for descendants of ancient bloodlines: immortality and divinity. Lore Perseous left that life behind after the tragic annihilation of her family by the hands of a rival line. But in a shocking turn of events, Lore is offered an alliance with the goddess Athena who promises her vengeance on the man responsible for the brutal massacre of her family. 

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Crown of Bones by A.K. Wilder

Release Date: January 5th

Four friends embark on a journey to Aku island for a competition where Marcus and Belair will compete for their yellow robes. As savants, they have the power to invoke a phantom and with each level of mastery, they earn a different colored robe. Non-savant Ash has always hoped to have some kind of higher purpose in life and she soon realizes that she may just get her wish.  

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Blood Heir by Ilona Andrews 

Release Date: January 12th

In a world ravaged by the fight between magic and technology, the city of Atlanta is quickly unraveling as infrastructure crumbles and monsters rise from the depths of the wreckage. With the apocalypse drawing close, Julie Lennart knows it’s time to return to save her loved ones. Except there’s one person who has the power to thwart all her plans – the love of her life.  

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The Frozen Crown by Greta Kelly

Release Date: January 12th

Thrust into an unending war with the mad emperor of the Roven Empire, Askia and her kingdom face a grim fate if the invaders manage to enslave their lands. To save her people, Askia sets sail to the neighboring Southern lands of Vishir to seek help from the Emperor Armaan. Racing against the clock, Askia must do the impossible all while keeping her magical secrets hidden from those who would use them against her. 

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We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal 

Release Date: January 19th

In this hotly-anticipated sequel to We Hunt the Flame, Zafira, Nasir and Kifah return in this epic conclusion to the Sands of Arawiya duology as they fight against time to restore magic to Arawiya in the midst of falling in love.

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Hall of Smoke by H.M. Long

Release Date: January 19th

Banished from her priesthood after defying her goddess’s command to kill a traveller, Hessa, a warrior priestess of the Goddess of War, takes refuge on a mountainside, praying for forgiveness. When she hears of the decimation of her Eangi priesthood, she takes her fate into her own hands, paving a path to redemption. Plagued by treacherous gods, rising demons, extremists, warring clans and much greater powers slowly awakening beneath the surface, Hessa must fight to survive these tumultuous times.    

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Cast in Firelight by Dana Swift

Release Date: January 19th

Powerful witch Andraa and gifted wizard Jatin would sooner see each other dead than be burdened by a sham marriage, a betrothal forged in the fiery pits of Hell, but fate has plans of her own. When their paths intertwine, neither fiancée recognizes the other beneath their false identities, but between epic battles and death-defying missions, the pair must learn to trust each other or die trying.  

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Wings of Ebony by J. Elle

Release Date: January 26th

Rue’s life is upended in the aftermath of the tragedy that struck her family. Whisked away from her home by the father she never knew, Rue soon learns that she is a magic-wielder: half-god and half-human. Desperate to see her sister, Rue breaks the law by leaving the island and returning to Houston where she discovers malicious forces at work that threaten to send East Row into chaos and mayhem.  

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A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer

Release Date: January 26th

In the eagerly-awaited third installment to Brigid Kemmerer’s popular series, Rhen, Grey, Harper and Lia Mara return as Emberfall crumbles under political upheaval in this epic conclusion to the Cursebreakers trilogy.

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February Fantasy Book Releases 2021

Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell

Release Date: February 2nd

In the aftermath of Imperial Prince Taam’s death, his widower Jainan is hurried into an arranged marriage with Taam’s cousin, Kiem, to settle the rising tensions between the planets. When news of Prince Taam’s death rises to the surface, suspicion and distrust festers between the new couple that threatens to unravel their union and force them into a deadly war. 

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This Golden Flame by Emily Victoria 

Release Date: February 2nd

Determined to find her brother, Karis will do whatever it takes… even if that means awakening an automaton. When Alix is roused from his slumber, he is filled with a deep-rooted curiosity for the reasons behind his father’s attempt to eradicate the world of automatons. Together, Alix and Karis set out to find her brother and, in the process, learn more than they ever thought possible.      

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The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna 

Release Date: February 9th

Sixteen-year-old Deka’s hopes and dreams of fitting in vanish the day of the ceremony when it is determined that her blood runs gold: a symbol of impurity. Faced with a fate worse than death, Deka is shocked when she is offered the chance to survive by joining an elite force of girls with god-like gifts, better known as the alaki. 

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The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec

Release Date: February 9th

The Witch’s Heart follows Angrboda, a powerful witch who took refuge in a remote forest after surviving the burning by the Norse Gods. Determined to remain alone, her plans are quickly foiled by Loki who helps turn her life around as they fall in love and start their own family. When Angrboda foresees the role her children will have in the death of the gods, she knows it’s time to rise against the gods and ensure the safety of her children.

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Of Silver and Shadow by Jennifer Gruenke

Release Date: February 16th

As a silver-wielder, Ren Kolins lives a dangerous life that, if exposed, can be grounds for her demise. When she is offered the chance to make a killing, she takes it. Afterall, how hard can it be? All she has to do is overthrow the king.

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A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

Release Date: February 16th

In the anxiously-awaited fourth installment to Maas’s bestselling series A Court of Thorns and Roses, Nesta Archeron and Cassian finally get their moment to shine as they forge their own paths to redemption while battling the monsters set on destroying them. 

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A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth

Release Date: February 23rd

The Fae live in the Mortal Realm, hidden from humanity, but with the current state of affairs, their cloak of invisibility may soon disintegrate. It is up to four queer teens to solve the mystery and track down the allusive killer behind the murders.

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March Fantasy Book Releases 2021

Chain of Iron by Cassandra Clare

Release Date: March 2nd

In the eagerly anticipated sequel to Cassandra Clare’s popular spinoff series, Cordelia Carstairs and James Herondale return, blanketed in pre-marital bliss. At least, it would be blissful if James’s devotion laid with Cordelia. Luckily, they have bigger things to stress about than their sham engagement. Afterall, demons are always ready to rain hellfire down on their favorite shadowhunters.

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Sing Me Forgotten by Jessica S. Olson

Release Date: March 9th

Born with the power to manipulate memories when people sing, Isda was left for dead and would have died if it weren’t for Cyril, the owner of the opera house. In return for sanctuary, Cyril asks Isda for only two things: to keep ticket sales high and remain hidden for if she were ever exposed, their lives would both be forfeit. When she breaks that second rule upon meeting the charming Emeric Rodin, she is thrust into a new world that promises her the freedom she has always craved.

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Sweet & Bitter Magic by Adrienne Tooley

Release Date: March 9th

Two powerful witches strike an unlikely bargain in a desperate attempt to save their queendom. Tamsin, the most powerful witch of her generation, is desperate for love after committing the ultimate magical misdemeanor and being cursed to never love again. Wren, a rare type of witch, is desperate to save her ailing father from a magical plague that will soon see him dead if she fails to act soon. Forced into a perilous union, the two witches must fight against the clock before all is lost.

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Namesake by Adrienne Young

Release Date: March 16th

In the eagerly-awaited sequel to Adrienne Young’s popular series, Fable and her crew return in this epic conclusion to the maritime-fantasy duology. 

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The Unbroken by C.L. Clark 

Release Date: March 23rd

In this military-political fantasy, a deteriorating nation on the brink of war faces rebellion and espionage as Touraine, a soldier sent to snuff a rebellion in her homeland, fights for her freedom and Luca, niece to the king, fights for her throne and her subjects.  

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Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas

Release Date: March 23rd

In this stunning debut novel from Aiden Thomas, we are thrust into an imaginative retelling about our resident fairytale hero Peter Pan. After five disappearance-free years, the town’s sense of safety is shattered when kids begin vanishing once again. Faced with the past, Wendy attempts to outrun it by fleeing only to almost run over an unconscious boy in the middle of the road who goes by Peter – a boy who existed solely in her dreams. Until now. 

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Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo

Release Date: March 30th

In this highly-anticipated installment to Leigh Bardugo’s highly-praised series, Nikolai Lantsov, Zoya Nazyalensky and Nina Zenik return to battle in the epic conclusion to the King of Scars duology.

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April Fantasy Book Releases 2021

The Infinity Courts by Akemi Dawn Bowman

Release Date: April 6th

Nami never expected to be murdered on her way to a graduation party, much less to wake up in a place called Infinity where human consciousness goes upon the death of the physical bodies. While there, she soon learns that the virtual assistant Ophelia, widely used throughout the world, reigns as Queen in the afterlife. When Nami discovers Ophelia’s nefarious plans, she must join forces with a team of rebels to dismantle Ophelia once and for all.

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The Crown of Gilded Bones by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Release Date: April 20th

In this long-awaited third installment to Jennifer L. Armentrout’s popular series, Poppy and Prince Casteel return to fight for their people and each other in the epic conclusion to the Blood and Ash series.

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These Feathered Flames by Alexandra Overy

Release Date: April 20th

Twin heirs Asya and Izaveta had their future scripted from the moment they were born: Asya would train with her aunt, the elusive Firebird, while Izaveta would remain at court in preparation for her role as the future queen. When Asya’s powers rise to the surface before completing her training, she knows something is wrong… because that would mean the queen is dead, leaving the twins to question everyone and everything as they search for their mother’s murderer. 

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Witches Steeped in Gold by Ciannon Smart 

Release Date: April 20th

In this Jamaican-inspired fantasy debut, two enemy witches, Iraya and Jazmyne, enter a fragile alliance in hopes of defeating a common threat. 

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June Fantasy Book Releases 2021

Daughter of Sparta by Claire M. Andrews 

Release Date: June 8th

Since she was a young girl, Daphne has dedicated her entire life to becoming a warrior that will be accepted by the ancient people of Sparta. Daphne’s dreams are destroyed when she is approached by the goddess Artemis and ordered to recover nine important relics, or else her brother’s life will be forfeit. With Apollo’s help, Daphne’s journey will take her from the labyrinth of the Minotaur to the Sphinx of Thebes to Theseus and more.

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Girls at the Edge of the World by Laura Brooke Robson

Release Date: June 8th

In a world that will soon be submerged beneath water, only a lucky few will be granted safe passage into the new world. The Kostrovian royal court and their guards will be guaranteed spots, but the fate of the court’s Royal Flyers is still unknown. Lead flyer Natasha Koskinen is dead set on saving the flyers, her family in every sense of the word. And she will do whatever it takes to ensure they survive the flood.

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The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri

Release Date: June 10th

The Jasmine Throne has all the elements of an alluring fantasy romance novel: a traitorous prince hungry for power, a princess desperate to escape the deadly clutches of her dictator brother and a maidservant harboring dangerous secrets that could spell her death.  

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For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten

Release Date: June 15th

The fate of the heirs are predetermined at birth: the first daughter will sit on the throne and the second will be a sacrifice to the Wolf in the Wood. As the only Second Daughter born in centuries, Red understands what must be done and she welcomes her imminent death with open arms knowing her deadly powers will never be able to harm a living soul again. But her world is soon toppled over when she learns that her entire life was a lie and that she may be the world’s only salvation.  

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The All-Consuming World by Cassandra Khaw

Release Date: June 22nd

Maya and her crew of cyborg ex-cons are swept into a rescue mission when their fellow crewmate goes missing, but that becomes the least of their worries in the face of the omnipotent AI who plan to wipe out all of humanity.  

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The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik

Release Date: June 29th

When you attend a school that’s hazardous to your livelihood, you learn to protect yourself. At least, that’s how El, Orion and the other students have managed to survive this long. With their deadly graduation on the horizon, El and Orion must prepare for the deadliest battle of their lives in the highly-anticipated sequel to A Deadly Education.

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July Fantasy Book Releases 2021

She Who Becomes the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

Release Date: July 20th

Heralded as the next Mulan meets The Song of Achilles, She Who Becomes the Sun is a highly-anticipated fantasy book of 2021 featuring female monk Zhu will do whatever it takes to escape her predetermined fate: death. 

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September Fantasy Book Releases 2021

Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff

Release Date: September 7th

Jay Kristoff’s latest novel, Empire of the Vampire, is bound to excite many fans of Interview With the Vampire as the premise seems very interview-esque. Gabriel de León is the last of the Silversaints, an order dedicated to bringing an end to the eternal night. Imprisoned for murdering the vampire king, Gabriel is charged with telling his story which involves a forbidden love and the Grail, a fabled cup foretold to end the reign of the vampires.

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