There exists, you must know, a particular sort of reader—perhaps you are one yourself—who craves not merely stories, but entire worlds. Worlds with their own histories and languages, their own customs peculiar and wonderful, their own heroes who rise against darkness most formidable. If your heart quickens at the thought of such adventures, then come along, and let us explore together the very finest epic high fantasy has to offer.
The Best Epic High Fantasy Books of 2025
The year 2025 has proven rather splendid for those of us who delight in tales of magic and grandeur. Allow me to introduce you to the books that have captured readers’ imaginations most thoroughly.
The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett
Here is a marvel of a thing—a fantasy novel that won both the Hugo Award and the World Fantasy Award, which is rather like winning all the best prizes at the fair. In a great mansion at the Empire’s borders, a high officer lies dead, killed when a tree erupted from his very body. Most impossible, most terrifying!
The tale follows a detective duo in the manner of Holmes and Watson, set within a world where the blood of leviathans works strange magical changes upon all it touches. The New York Times called it “a thoroughly satisfying delight,” and one cannot help but agree.
The Devils by Joe Abercrombie
Mr. Abercrombie has crafted something deliciously wicked here—an alternate medieval Europe threatened by elvish invasion, featuring a most unusual company of heroes. Brother Diaz, expecting a commendation, instead finds himself leading unrepentant murderers, practitioners of ghastly magic, and outright monsters on a holy mission.
Imagine, if you will, a geriatric vampire, a werewolf, an invisible elf, and a narcissistic necromancer, all bound together in reluctant fellowship. It won the Dragon Award for Best Fantasy Book, and reviewers declare it possibly the most fun one can have reading a fantasy novel.
Of Empires and Dust by Ryan Cahill
This fourth installment of The Bound and The Broken series has readers declaring it “the best fantasy series being written right now”—quite the extraordinary claim, yet the evidence supports it handsomely. At over 1800 pages, it is the longest book many shall ever read, yet Cahill’s prose flows so smoothly one sails through without weariness.
It is a story of family and loyalty, of promises made and love untold, set against the backdrop of the Blood Moon’s rising. The book earned a remarkable 4.75 rating on Goodreads, making grown readers weep—twice.
The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson
In a kingdom where the emperor’s power is constrained by term limits, a competition unfolds every twenty-four years to determine the new ruler. Seven competitors—one from each House dedicated to mythical animal Guardians—must strategize and battle their way to the throne.
When a contestant is murdered, the brilliant but unconventional High Scholar Neema Kraa must become the replacement candidate whilst solving the mystery. Paste Magazine declared it “the fantasy debut that deserves to be the biggest book of the year.” Ann Leckie praised it as “a masterclass in storytelling.”
Between Earth and Sky Trilogy by Rebecca Roanhorse
Beginning with Black Sun, this Hugo Award-winning series draws inspiration from pre-Columbian civilizations, weaving celestial prophecies, political intrigue, and forbidden magic into something altogether original. The pages turn themselves, one reviewer noted, which is what one hopes for in an adventure.
The trilogy—Black Sun, Fevered Star, and Mirrored Heavens—offers gorgeous writing with characters so vivid they might step from the page. Kirkus Reviews proclaimed it “the next big thing,” and so it has proven to be.
Anticipated Epic High Fantasy Books for 2026
Now we turn our gaze to the horizon, where several magnificent tales await their moment to emerge into the light.
Alecto the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
The Locked Tomb series has earned devoted admirers who wait with considerable patience for this fourth and final volume. Described as a blend of Dune, Riddick, and Gormenghast, the series mixes necromantic theory with thrilling swordplay and a most wonderfully sacrilegious sense of humor.
The faithful have dubbed the waiting period “The Alectopause”—for the book was originally expected years ago. Publisher announcements suggest 2026 may finally bring resolution to this beloved saga.
Other 2026 Adventures
Penguin Random House has announced several treasures for the coming year, including an epic sequel featuring a young Indigenous woman and her dragon fighting for their homeland’s independence, and new works from beloved authors in cultivation fantasy and gothic traditions. The year promises rich pickings for those who favor tales of wonder.
All-Time Classic Epic High Fantasy Series
Yet what of the foundations upon which all modern fantasy stands? These are the series that shaped generations of readers and writers alike, and they remain as magnificent as ever.
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
One cannot speak of epic fantasy without beginning here, at the very wellspring. Frodo’s quest to destroy the One Ring and save Middle-earth established what this genre could achieve—complete with invented languages, detailed histories, and a battle between light and darkness that echoes through every fantasy written since.
It is the standard against which all other fantasies are measured, and rightly so. The detailed setting of Middle-earth, with its elves and hobbits, its wizards and dark lords, remains unmatched in its depth and beauty.
The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson
Spanning fourteen volumes plus a prequel, this series sold over 90 million copies and stands among the most ambitious fantasy epics ever attempted. After Robert Jordan’s passing in 2007, Brandon Sanderson completed the final three volumes from extensive notes, honoring Jordan’s vision magnificently.
The intricate world-building, exhaustive history, and comprehensive depictions of nations and cultures create an immersive experience that rewards patient readers with one of the most detailed, well-thought-out fantasy epics of our era.
A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin
Though yet unfinished, this series revitalized high fantasy by infusing it with unprecedented political and psychological realism. The enormous world, complete with rich histories, cultures, and intricate political systems, set a new standard for what modern fantasy could achieve.
It became the measure against which all modern fantasy fiction is judged, inspiring both devoted readers and the celebrated television adaptation.
The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson
Set on Roshar, a world of stone swept by magical storms of incredible power, this ongoing masterpiece has sold more than ten million copies. With the recent publication of Wind and Truth, the first arc of this planned ten-book epic is complete.
Sanderson’s trademark magic systems, well-thought-out worldbuilding, and endearing characters make this essential reading for any fantasy enthusiast who prizes depth and grandeur.
The Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson
For readers who desire a truly formidable challenge, Erikson’s ten-book series offers over 400 point-of-view characters and action spanning continents and magical dimensions. Drawing on twenty years of experience as an anthropologist and archaeologist, Erikson created something reviewers call “one of the greatest literary achievements of our time.”
It is not for the faint of heart, but the payoff, we are told, is too enormous to ignore.
Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
In this archipelago where magic concerns balance and true names hold power, Le Guin crafted tales that work equally well for young readers seeking adventure and adults seeking philosophical depth. Margaret Atwood called it one of the “wellsprings” of fantasy literature.
The series introduced the idea of a wizard school long before Harry Potter, and its exploration of identity, power, and redemption remains profoundly moving.
The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb
Following FitzChivalry Farseer, a royal bastard trained as an assassin, this trilogy offers what the Library Journal called “masterworks of character-based epic fantasy.” George R.R. Martin himself acknowledged Hobb as one of the pre-eminent writers of modern fantasy fiction.
The Fool, the Wit, the Skill—these elements weave together into a tale that proves a quiet seduction, drawing readers ever deeper into Fitz’s complicated life.
The Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss
Beginning with The Name of the Wind, this acclaimed series tells of Kvothe—swordfighter, magician, musician, and rumored Kingkiller—recounting his legendary life over three days. George R.R. Martin is a devoted fan, and Michael Chabon compared its prose to Le Guin’s own.
The books have sold over ten million copies, testament to their extraordinary storytelling power.
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
Seven novels transport readers to a magical land populated by talking animals, mythical creatures, and the great lion Aslan. Beginning with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, this series has enchanted readers since 1950, proving that the best tales never grow old.
The Riddle-Master Trilogy by Patricia A. McKillip
Blending mystery, mythology, and lyrical prose, this trilogy concerns a world of ancient magic, riddles, and long-forgotten truths. McKillip’s gift for language makes these books sing upon the page.
Finding Your Next Adventure
Whether you seek the award-winning triumphs of 2025, the anticipated wonders of 2026, or the timeless classics that have shaped the genre, epic high fantasy offers worlds enough and time. Each book upon this list promises what every true reader desires—the chance to lose oneself entirely in another world, to adventure alongside heroes, and to return, at story’s end, somehow changed.
For is that not the very magic of reading? To close a book and find that while you sat quite still, you have nonetheless traveled very far indeed.
