⁠Best Fantasy Books of 2025 for Magical Escapes

Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales

A truly enchanting read, Heather Fawcett’s Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales is a delightful journey into the heart of Faerie. This book isn’t just a sequel; it’s a cozy, warm hug for those who adore folklore, academic whimsy, and a slow-burn romance. We rejoin the formidable and delightfully awkward Dr. Emily Wilde, a Cambridge professor who would much rather be studying folklore in a frozen forest than navigating the complexities of human—or fae—relationships.

The novel excels at what it does best: wrapping the reader in a blanket of meticulous world-building and charmingly understated wit. The prose is as precise as Emily’s academic notes, yet filled with a quiet magic that makes the world of Ljosland feel both ancient and lived-in. Fawcett has a knack for creating characters who feel deeply human despite their often otherworldly circumstances. Emily’s continued growth is a highlight, as she slowly learns to let people in, a process that is both clumsy and endearing.

However, the real star remains the relationship between Emily and her rival-turned-ally, Wendell Bambleby. Their dynamic is the perfect blend of intellectual sparring and unspoken affection. It’s a romance that feels earned, built on shared respect and a deep understanding of each other’s peculiar natures. It’s a testament to Fawcett’s skill that the grand, magical plots feel secondary to the simple, profound joy of watching these two characters find their way toward each other. The book is a gentle reminder that some of the greatest discoveries aren’t in ancient texts, but in the unexpected bonds we form. It’s a whimsical, witty, and wonderful addition to the series, and I can’t wait to see where their adventures take them next.

The Lord of the Rings

The Lord of the Rings is more than a book; it is a world you can live in, a mythos so complete it feels as though Tolkien did not create it, but merely uncovered it. This is not a fast-paced thrill ride but a slow, deliberate journey, like walking through an ancient forest where every leaf and stone has a story. From the humble Shire, a place of comforting domesticity and good food, to the harrowing depths of Mordor, the scope is breathtaking and deeply felt.

Tolkien’s genius lies in his commitment to his creation. The languages, the songs, the rich history that underpins every character and event—it all works to build a sense of profound reality. The characters are not simply archetypes but living, breathing beings. Frodo’s burden is our burden, Sam’s loyalty is the heart of the tale, and Aragorn’s long-sought kingship feels like a cosmic necessity. Gandalf is the wise elder, a mentor whose power is tempered by his genuine care for his companions. Even the villains, like Saruman and the great Eye of Sauron, are compelling forces of a malevolent order.

This is a story about the small things that matter most: courage in the face of impossible odds, the enduring power of friendship, and the quiet heroism of ordinary people. It’s about sacrifice and the bittersweet nature of victory. While the battles are epic, the most moving moments are often the quiet ones—a shared look, a song sung in the dark, or a hand offered in a moment of despair. To read The Lord of the Rings is to understand that the greatest evils are often conquered not by a mighty blow, but by a flicker of hope and a refusal to give up. It is a timeless masterpiece that reminds us of the light that persists even in the darkest of times.

A Curse Carved in Bone: Book Two of the Saga of the Unfated

A Curse Carved in Bone: Book Two of the Saga of the Unfated by Danielle L. Jensen is a brutal, beautiful, and utterly heart-wrenching conclusion that solidifies this duology as a standout in modern fantasy. Picking up right where the first book left off, we are plunged into a world of betrayal and shifting loyalties. The emotional landscape is as unforgiving as the Norse-inspired setting, and Jensen expertly navigates the turbulent relationship between Freya and Bjorn. Their dynamic is the raw, beating heart of the story; a complex tapestry of rage, hurt, and a love that refuses to be extinguished.

While the first book was a slow-burn of simmering tension and burgeoning romance, this sequel explodes with action, plot twists, and a deeper exploration of the gods and their cursed children. The pacing is relentless, pulling you through thrilling battle scenes and gut-punching revelations. Jensen’s world-building feels more expansive and lived-in than ever, and she weaves a complex political web that keeps you guessing until the very end.

But the true victory of this book lies in the character development. Freya’s journey from a betrayed shieldmaiden to a powerful leader is nothing short of captivating. Her pain is palpable, her choices are hard-won, and her growth feels genuine. Bjorn, too, is a beautifully rendered character, a man caught between his loyalties and his love. The book is a testament to the idea that some curses are not meant to be broken, but simply endured, and that fate is not an unchangeable path, but a road we carve with our own hands. It’s a gripping, emotional, and satisfying read that will stay with you long after the final page is turned.

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil

V.E. Schwab’s Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil is a tapestry woven with threads of hunger, love, and rage, spanning centuries and continents. It is a haunting, lyrical meditation on what it means to be a monster, and the profound, often tragic, cost of survival. This is not your typical vampire novel; it is a slow, methodical burn, more concerned with the emotional landscape of its characters than with jump scares or grand battles. Schwab’s prose is as sharp as a newly sharpened fang, yet as poetic as a whispered secret in the dark.

The book follows three women across three different timelines, their lives converging in a way that feels both fated and earned. There’s María in 16th-century Spain, whose desperate hunger for control leads her down a perilous path. Then there’s Charlotte, a woman sent away for a moment of forbidden intimacy in 19th-century London, who finds a different kind of freedom. And finally, Alice in present-day Boston, whose journey into her own rage unearths a terrifying truth.

Schwab masterfully intertwines their stories, using the shared experience of immortality to explore themes of identity, loneliness, and the enduring human desire for connection. The queer subtext is powerful and beautifully rendered, lending a rich layer of emotion to the narrative. Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil is a gorgeously written, emotionally resonant novel that will linger in your mind long after you’ve turned the final page. It’s a book that asks difficult questions and offers no easy answers, but instead a chilling and beautiful look at what we are willing to bury to keep living.

Immortal (Deluxe Limited Edition)

Sue Lynn Tan’s Immortal is a breathtaking addition to the world of her Celestial Kingdom series, and the deluxe limited edition feels like a treasure worthy of the story within. This is a novel that doesn’t just invite you into its world—it sweeps you away with a sense of grandeur and intimacy. It’s a tale of a young mortal ruler, Liyen, forced to navigate the treacherous world of the immortals, and the magnetic, forbidden connection she forms with the ruthless God of War, Zhangwei.

Tan’s writing is truly a work of art, with a lyrical quality that brings the vibrant, intricate world of gods and mortals to life. Every detail, from the celestial palaces to the lush mortal kingdoms, is painted with a delicate and vivid brush. The romance is a slow, delicious burn, built on a foundation of mutual respect and simmering tension that will have you on the edge of your seat.

What makes this book so compelling is the depth of its characters. Liyen is a heroine who is both fierce and vulnerable, driven by a deep sense of duty and a desire to protect her people. Her journey of self-discovery and her growth as a leader is as captivating as the fantastical elements of the plot. The story is filled with political intrigue, heart-stopping action, and an enemies-to-lovers dynamic that is executed with a master’s touch. Immortal is an enchanting, emotionally resonant novel that will linger in your heart and mind long after you’ve closed its beautifully designed pages.