45 Exciting New Fantasy Books 2026

A Vow in Vengeance by Jaclyn Rodriguez (Jan 13)

Jaclyn Rodriguez delivers revenge, immortals, and tension that feels like holding a lit match over a powder keg. Rune infiltrates a druidic college to reclaim her stolen family—and discovers her tarot-based magic is one of the rarest powers in the realms. Paired with the lethal Prince Draven, their alliance is messy, magnetic, and always on the verge of combustion. Dark academia, slow-burn romance, and ruthless scheming make this 2026 opener unmissable.

Twelve Months by Jim Butcher (Jan 20)

Harry Dresden thought saving Chicago meant he’d finally get a break. Instead, he gets a political engagement to the most dangerous vampire in the Midwest, a brother who’s dying, and a supernatural cold war that’s inching toward explosion. Ghouls, fae, vampires, and the worst wedding planning imaginable—sign me up immediately.

The Poet Empress by Shen Tao (Jan 20)

Shen Tao blends magic and heartbreak into a debut that already feels destined for cult status. Wei Yin becomes a concubine to survive a famine, only to discover forbidden poet-spellcraft in a world where women can’t read. Caught in civil war beside a violent prince, she must navigate love, loyalty, and rebellion. Fans of She Who Became the Sun will devour it.

The Wolf and His King by Finn Longman (Jan 27)

This queer retelling of Marie de France’s werewolf legend is brooding, lush, and romantic. A young king wrestling with secrets of his own crosses paths with a nobleman hiding the beast he fears he is. Loyalty, politics, and a love story with fangs? I’m counting the days.

February Fantasy Books 2026

Queen of Faces by Petra Lord (Feb 3)

Petra Lord crafts a villainous origin story you’ll cheer for. Ana, dying in a body she can’t afford to replace, tries to steal a new magical chassis—but gets caught and offered a deal: execution or mercenary in a brewing rebellion. If you like body horror that makes you flinch, assassins that make you swoon, and rebellion politics served with unhinged genius energy, this one hits first and hardest in February.

Throne of Nightmares by Kerri Maniscalco (Feb 10)

If you’ve ever wanted to fall into your favorite books—only darker and far more dangerous—this standalone delivers. A cursed artifact, a twisted prince, and a librarian who has to survive warped versions of beloved stories make for a fast, playful, high-stakes adventure. Romantic, chaotic, and very on-brand for Maniscalco fans.

A Forest, Darkly by A.G. Slatter (Feb 10)

Witches, snatched children, and sinister forest magic collide in this chilling dark fantasy. When Mehrab’s quiet life is upended by god-hounds and a desperate visitor, she must confront both her past and the forces threatening her forest—and the fragile new family she’s found. Think twisted fairy tale meets devastating fantasy—perfect for fans of Ava Reid or Lucy Holland.

Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett (Feb 17)

Cats, magic, and a grumpy-but-charming magician? Agnes Aubert runs a cat shelter in 1920s Montréal, but saving her rescue might mean teaming up with Havelock—the most infamous magician in the city. Cozy, whimsical, and packed with heart (and just the right amount of romance).

Half City by Kate Golden (Feb 17)

Viv Abbot is stressed, overworked, and secretly a demon hunter. When a dangerously alluring demon offers her a chance to join a school for hunters, Viv’s life flips upside down. Secrets, betrayals, and unexpected romance are everywhere, and I’m so excited to see her navigate the chaos, hone her skills, and maybe fall for the wrong demon.

The Sun and the Starmaker by Rachel Griffin (Feb 17)

Aurora Finch has always dreamed of the Starmaker, but meeting him on the morning of her wedding is way beyond anything she imagined. Pulled to his icy castle, she must master new magic, survive deadly frost, and navigate growing attraction to a sorcerer as cold as the mountains. I’m so ready for the beauty, the romance, and the magical world Griffin has built.

Crown of War and Shadow by J.R. Ward (Feb 17)

J.R. Ward mixes romantasy with shadow-soaked swagger. Sorrel must cross demon-haunted Badlands to return a queen’s crown, escorted by a mercenary with secrets of his own. Messy, dangerous romance amid world-saving stakes—this one delivers cursed girls, self-interested swords, and passion. If you’re in the mood for a slow-burn romance and high-stakes adventure, look no further.

The Red Winter by Cameron Sullivan (Feb 24)

Professor Sebastian Grave thought he’d left the Beast of Gévaudan behind, but fate has other plans—and so does an estranged lover with a dark secret. With demons, monsters, revolution, and creeping chaos, Sebastian has to navigate a world that’s darker than he remembers. If you like historical fantasy with blood, magic, and tense romance, this one is a must read.

March Fantasy Books 2026

Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser (March 3)

Finally, a Cinderella retelling from the stepmother’s point of view—and it’s everything. Lady Tremaine is determined, fierce, and just trying to secure her daughters’ future when a royal secret shatters everything. I’m here for the intrigue, the emotional depth, and a mother’s love that might just break all the rules—plus, let’s be real, I can’t wait to see this stepmother’s side of the story.

Green and Deadly Things by Jenn Lyons (March 3)

Necromancy is supposed to be gone…except it’s not. Mathaiik thought he was ready to defend the world, but waking a Grim Lord turns everything upside down. Forests that attack, ancient magic, and chaos that could end all life? Yes, please. If you’re looking for chaotic magic and world-ending stakes, mark your calendars for Green and Deadly Things.

Hell’s Heart by Alexis Hall (March 10)

Earth is dead, humanity’s living in domes, and fuel comes from psychic space monsters. Hall throws us into the hunt with a captain chasing unimaginable creatures, and let’s just say: things go sideways fast. I’m here for the dark humor, the insane stakes, and all the monster-slaying chaos.

The Fox and the Devil by Kiersten White (March 10)

Anneke’s father may have been a mad scientist—or something far worse. When he’s murdered by a surreal, untraceable woman, Anneke hunts a killer across Europe, piecing together clues no one else can see. Dark, clever, and beautifully twisted, this is for anyone who loves revenge, secrets, and a love story that’s as deadly as it is forbidden.

Innamorata by Ava Reid (March 17)

Agnes lost her family, her magic, and seven years to silence — but now she has a mission: protect the cousin who survived, navigate the noble house that still stands by sheer audacity, and resist the golden prince who keeps making loyalty feel inconvenient. Spoiler: resisting is futile, but the attempt is part of the delicious suffering. This is revenge-romantasy at its most intoxicating: lush, treacherous, swoony, and inevitable. 

Daughter of Crows by Mark Lawrence (March 24)

Rue sold herself to a brutal academy that turns girls into living weapons—and decades later, war comes knocking on her door. Cold, ruthless, and hauntingly mythic, this is survival, vengeance, and justice rolled into one unforgettable story. I can’t wait to dive into every dark, tense moment.

This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews (March 31)

Imagine waking up inside your favorite dark fantasy series—alive, in danger, and completely unkillable. Maggie knows the plot, but the characters don’t follow it, and the stakes are real. Outlander meets Game of Thrones with dueling princes, magical creatures, and a heroine who refuses to die…even when everyone else wants her gone. I’m here for every chaotic, thrilling second.

Starside by Alex Aster (March 31)

Vengeance is Aris’s only goal—but surviving the deadly Culling to get to Starside is just the beginning. Gods, magical swords, immortal competitors, and a merciless guard who betrayed her years ago…what’s not to love? It’s high-stakes, high-drama, high-chemistry, and I’m already emotionally packing snacks for March 31.

April Fantasy Books 2026

The Gravewood by Kelly Andrew (April 7)

Shea’s small town is trapped by the Gravewood, a deadly forest ruled by vampires. When her best friend disappears, she must team up with its ruthless leader to survive—and maybe become a killer herself. Dark, haunting, and endlessly suspenseful, this is a story where every choice is dangerous, and nothing is as it seems.

The Wicked Sea by Jordan Stephanie Gray (April 7)

Zephyra is a mermaid who’s shed her tail and hidden herself on land—but freedom comes at a price. When a ruthless warlock forces her into a magical bargain, danger, desire, and secrets collide. Dark, romantic, and deliciously tense, this one’s stealing my attention.

Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry (April 7)

A princess, a cursed realm, monsters, and the man who owns her heart. Calandra is terrified, hunted, and far from home, but she’s ready to embrace her power. I’m here for all the magic, peril, and emotional stakes this epic romantasy promises.

Thistlemarsh by Moorea Corrigan (April 21)

Mouse Dunne inherits a crumbling manor in the countryside…with one month to restore it or lose everything. But the house has secrets, and one very insufferably handsome Faerie has his own terms for helping her. I am so ready for magic, romance, and a slow burn full of mischievous Faerie energy and haunted-house vibes.

Blood Bound by Ellis Hunter (April 28)

Astrid is the last of the Nachstern witches, and the only way to protect what remains of her kingdom’s magic is to duel the crown prince she should hate—but can’t fully walk away from. If you like your fantasy romance sharp, stormy, and packed with dragon-rider politics, consider this your next obsession.

We Burned So Bright by TJ Klune (April 28)

TJ Klune knows exactly how to make an apocalypse feel like a scrapbook of love. It follows husbands Don and Rodney on a final coast-to-coast road trip before a black hole erases Earth. If you like end-of-the-world fantasy that’s more about love than spectacle, this one is essential.

The Ballad of Falling Dragons by Sarah A Parker (April 28)

The highly anticipated sequel to When the Moon Hatched follows Raeve, whose meticulously planned revenge arc gets obliterated by a moonfall catastrophe and the extremely inconvenient return of a past she thought was dead and gone. The magic is prophecy-soaked, the world is cracking at the seams, and the romance hits like a plot ambush in the middle of carnage.

May Fantasy Books 2026

Verity Guild by Mai Corland (May 5)

Slow-burn enemies-to-lovers with secrets, deception, and blood magic. If you loved A Court of Silver Flames, this one delivers all the tension, morally gray choices, and messy romance you’ll love.

Fable Bound by Sable Sorenson (May 5)

Meryn has the crown, a deadly war, and a dangerously loyal Alpha who might just be the love she never expected. Politics, rebellion, vengeance, and romance collide in Sorenson’s high-stakes fantasy world. I am all in for the action, intrigue, and romance that burns hotter than any crown.

Broken Dove by Dani Francis (May 12)

Wren Darlington is back, caught between two wars and two loves, and the stakes have never been higher. Loyalties are tested, secrets abound, and the fight for her home—and her heart—is just beginning. I’m ready for the twists, betrayals, and slow-burn tension that make this series impossible to put down.

Seek the Traitor’s Son by Veronica Roth (May 12)

Elegy Ahn just wanted a normal soldier’s life—but destiny has other plans. Summoned to hear a prophecy, she’s thrown into a deadly collision course with a ruthless enemy general, Rava Vidar…and a man who will change everything. I love this high-stakes enemies-to-lovers energy, with nations at war, prophecy-driven tension, and romance that could cost everything.

The Tapestry of Fate by Shannon Chakraborty (May 19)

Amina al-Sirafi is back on the high seas, chasing magical artifacts and navigating impossible quests for immortal peris. Add storms, sorceresses, betrayals, and a daughter she can’t leave behind, and this adventure feels as thrilling as it is heartfelt. I cannot wait to see Amina juggle impossible odds, dangerous magic, and a slow burn that never lets up.

June Fantasy Books 2026

The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden (June 2)

Anne is an orphaned duchess forced into a political marriage that means annexation, so she fakes a unicorn hunt to hide a secret betrothal. Except then a unicorn actually shows up. If you like fantasy that’s folklore-tinged, trope-savvy, and personal, this one delivers.

Nobody’s Quest by Alyssa Day (June 2)

Soli Graymind is a nobody, depressed and overlooked—but when the world’s last chance to stop a war falls to her, she becomes everybody’s hope. With a broken-but-fierce crew and impossible odds, this story is all about finding strength in the unlikeliest heroes. I love that the underdogs here aren’t just funny or charming—they’re vital, messy, and unforgettable.

Shadow Reaper by Lynette Noni (June 2)

Seventeen-year-old Viridia Solace is hunting reapers in a city where magic can be stolen and death lurks around every corner. Enter a silver-tongued criminal and a deadly forest mission, and suddenly enemies-to-lovers chaos is unavoidable. I cannot wait for this mix of high-stakes action, dark romance, and found-family vibes—it’s pure Noni magic.

White Lights by Lauren Kate (June 9)

Dez is running from the law, grief, and a shadowy attack that’s upended her life—only to find herself at an elite film school full of angels, power, and cosmic intrigue. I loved Lauren Kate’s Fallen series, so I cannot wait to get my hands on this new romantasy. 

​​Light Wielder: Fire & Metal by Rachel Schneider (June 9)

Four years of betrayal, war, and fractured relationships come to a head as Jovie and Acker navigate battles, magic, and lingering love. If you like fantasy romance built on fractured bonds and emotional consequences, this sequel is a must.

July Fantasy Books 2026

The Exquisite Torment of Loving Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley (July 7)

A healer and an assassin collide, and somehow the romance is the bigger threat. Osric (Fyren Order, knives first, questions later) ends up in a bribe-based healing pact with Aurienne (Haelan Order, gifted hands, terrible timing). There’s a man-made plague, shaky Order politics, and full-moon medical meet-ups that blur into something neither side planned for. If you like fantasy romance where feelings keep sabotaging the mission, this sequel brings the chaos.

A Forsaken Prophecy by Stacey McEwan (July 14)

Jailbreaks, warring magic factions, and an ex who definitely complicates the escape plan — elite drama combo. Patrick, the realm’s last alchemist, and Nina, its only earth charmer, break out while untangling loyalty, heartbreak, and a fate-rewriting idium spindle that could save the world or escalate the war. If you like romantasy that keeps tripping over prophecy and messy feelings, this one delivers.

Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst (July 28)

Marin’s back on the sea, delivering goods, dodging heartbreak, and getting tangled in a revolution…plus a charming pretend boyfriend who might not be so pretend in the heart department. If you like ocean whimsy, found-family dynamics, and fake-boyfriend trope seasoning, this is your July comfort-read with edges.

August Fantasy Books 2026

The Lion and the Deathless Dark by Carissa Broadbent (Aug 4)

Kyrene is hunting vampires, gods, and vengeance itself—but when she teams up with the silver-tongued vampire prince Septimus, the lines between ally, enemy, and something more blur. Packed with deadly intrigue, forbidden romance, and high-stakes magic, this is a must-read for romantasy readers.

Daggerbound by T. Kingfisher (Aug 25)

A scholar, a cursed sword, and a handsome immortal warrior who refuses to stay trapped…Kingfisher delivers charming, funny, and swoony adventure with unexpected twists. I can’t wait to get my hands on this romantic fantasy.

September Fantasy Books 2026

The Knave and the Moon by Rachel Gillig (Sep 1)

Sybil is desperate to save her kingdom, even if it means trusting a mysterious, amnesiac knave. Gillig delivers Gothic romantic tension, high stakes, and a story that twists tradition and magic into something unforgettable. I am so here for the drama, romance, and dark intrigue.

October Fantasy Books 2026

Victorious by V.E. Schwab (Oct 6)

Victor and the ExtraOrdinaries face a new director rewriting power itself, forcing unstable alliances, deadly battles, and moral compromises. Schwab masterfully ramps up tension and heartbreak while delivering the ultimate showdown.