If you're a fantasy fan looking for your next magical escape, 2025 is delivering in a big way. From dark academias and mythical creatures to epic quests and romantic intrigue, these new fantasy books offer something for every kind of reader. Below, we’ve rounded up the top new fantasy releases of 2025 that are already generating major buzz and why they deserve a spot on your TBR pile.

1. "The Last Ember Queen" by Elise Kova

Release Date: March 4, 2025
Why You’ll Love It: Elise Kova returns with a stunning start to a new high-fantasy trilogy, packed with elemental magic, political rebellion, and a fierce heroine with a fiery destiny. If you loved Throne of Glass or Red Queen, this one’s for you.

2. "House of Flame and Shadow" by Sarah J. Maas

Release Date: January 28, 2025
Why You’ll Love It: The third installment of the Crescent City series is one of the most anticipated fantasy books of the year. Expect epic crossovers, jaw-dropping twists, and Maas’s signature blend of romance, action, and world-building.

3. "The Drowned Gods" by R.F. Kuang

Release Date: May 2025
Why You’ll Love It: R.F. Kuang (Babel, The Poppy War) introduces an eerie mythological fantasy that blends folklore and divine terror. Set in a world where drowned deities rise again, this book promises lyrical prose and a haunting narrative.

4. "Court of Starlight" by Tahereh Mafi

Release Date: July 2025
Why You’ll Love It: Known for her poetic style, Mafi takes us into a court of celestial beings, ancient feuds, and forbidden love. A must-read for fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses and Daughter of Smoke and Bone.

5. "The Wilderwood Reborn" by Hannah Whitten

Release Date: September 2025
Why You’ll Love It: This spiritual successor to For the Wolf revisits a lush, enchanted forest full of cursed magic and ancient sacrifice. Dark fairytale vibes meet slow-burn fantasy romance in this highly anticipated standalone.

Honorable Mentions

• "The Bone Archive" by Tasha Suri – A dark academia fantasy with necromancy and deadly secrets.
• "Dragonsong" by Leigh Bardugo – A rumored expansion of the Grishaverse into dragon lore.
• "Crownless" by Victoria Aveyard – A standalone fantasy political thriller from the author of Red Queen.

Final Thoughts: Why You Should Be Reading 2025’s Best Fantasy Books

Fantasy fiction is more popular than ever, and 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting years for the genre. Whether you're into romantasy, high fantasy, dark fantasy, or magical realism, there’s a title on this list for you.