Fantasy shelves are crowded right now. That’s both good and annoying.
Good, because readers have more choice than ever. Annoying, because it’s easy to waste time on a hyped series that doesn’t match your taste. Some books promise dragons and romance. Some offer brutal gods, strange magic, political schemes, or cozy fae worlds. A few throw you into necromancers in space or a deadly alien game show with a talking cat.
That’s why this guide to the best fantasy book series 2026 keeps things practical. I’m not just listing popular names. I’m looking at strong starting points, finished arcs, award recognition, reader buzz, and whether the series still feels worth your time in 2026.
Fantasy is also shifting. Romantasy still pulls in huge numbers. BookTok still moves sales. But readers are also going back to completed trilogies, clever fantasy mysteries, cozy reads, and long epics with real payoff.
So, if you’re ready to start a new world, here are the fantasy series most worth opening now.
Why Fantasy Series Still Hit Hard in 2026
A good fantasy series gives you room to settle in.
You don’t just meet a hero. You watch them change. You don’t just visit a kingdom. You learn its rules, lies, gods, food, wars, and secrets. That slow build is the best part.
In 2026, fantasy isn’t stuck in one lane. You can read romantic dragon fantasy, grim Norse-inspired revenge, academic fae folklore, magical crime families, LitRPG chaos, or award-winning literary fantasy.
Romantasy is still one of the biggest forces in the market. The Guardian reported that UK science fiction and fantasy sales jumped 41.3% between 2023 and 2024, with romantasy and BookTok playing a major role. Publishers Weekly also reported that U.S. adult fiction print sales rose 1% in 2025, while romance rose 3.9%. Fantasy print sales fell 8.7%, which makes smart recommendations more useful than ever.
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2026 Fantasy Trend |
What It Means for Readers |
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Romantasy is still huge |
Readers want magic, danger, and romance in one package. |
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Completed trilogies feel safer |
You can binge the whole story without waiting years. |
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Awards help cut through hype |
Hugo and World Fantasy winners are strong quality signals. |
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Genre blending is everywhere |
Fantasy now mixes with mystery, horror, sci-fi, romance, and comedy. |
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Audiobooks matter more |
Long fantasy series are easier to start in audio format. |
Best Fantasy Book Series 2026: Quick Reading Guide
Not every fantasy reader wants the same thing. That’s why this best fantasy book series 2026 list covers different moods, not just the loudest fandoms.
|
Series |
Author |
Best For |
Status in 2026 |
|
The Stormlight Archive |
Brandon Sanderson |
Massive epic fantasy |
First major arc complete |
|
The Empyrean |
Rebecca Yarros |
Dragon romantasy |
Ongoing |
|
A Court of Thorns and Roses |
Sarah J. Maas |
Fae romantasy |
Ongoing, new books scheduled |
|
Shadow of the Leviathan |
Robert Jackson Bennett |
Fantasy mystery |
Ongoing |
|
The Bloodsworn Saga |
John Gwynne |
Norse-inspired epic fantasy |
Complete trilogy |
|
The Green Bone Saga |
Fonda Lee |
Clan politics and jade magic |
Complete trilogy |
|
The Broken Earth |
N.K. Jemisin |
Literary science fantasy |
Complete trilogy |
|
Between Earth and Sky |
Rebecca Roanhorse |
Mythic epic fantasy |
Complete trilogy |
|
The Burning Kingdoms |
Tasha Suri |
Political fantasy and sapphic romance |
Complete trilogy |
|
Emily Wilde |
Heather Fawcett |
Cozy academic fae fantasy |
Ongoing |
|
Dungeon Crawler Carl |
Matt Dinniman |
LitRPG and dark comedy |
Ongoing |
|
The Locked Tomb |
Tamsyn Muir |
Gothic science fantasy |
Ongoing |
|
Mistborn |
Brandon Sanderson |
Magic systems and heists |
Multiple completed arcs |
1. The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson
Start with The Way of Kings.
This is the giant table feast of modern epic fantasy. You get ancient orders, magical armor, brutal storms, broken heroes, deep lore, and a world that feels too big to hold in one book.
The best reason to start now is timing. Book five, Wind and Truth, closes the first major arc of the series. That gives new readers a real stopping point instead of a cliff-edge wait.
Brandon Sanderson’s official site says The Stormlight Archive has sold more than 10 million copies and describes Wind and Truth as the climax of the first arc.
|
Key Detail |
Notes |
|
First book |
The Way of Kings |
|
Best for |
Readers who want huge epic fantasy |
|
Main strength |
World-building, magic systems, character arcs |
|
Watch out for |
These books are very long |
|
Why start in 2026 |
The first major arc now has a natural pause point. |
This isn’t a quick weekend read. It’s a commitment. But if you want one fantasy world to live inside for months, this is a strong pick.
2. The Empyrean by Rebecca Yarros
Start with Fourth Wing.
If you want dragons, danger, romance, secrets, and nonstop tension, this is still one of the easiest series to recommend.
Fourth Wing became a major romantasy gateway book. The series mixes military college stakes with dragon bonding and emotional cliffhangers. It’s fast, dramatic, and very easy to binge.
Rebecca Yarros’s official site lists Onyx Storm as the follow-up to Fourth Wing and Iron Flame. Publishers Weekly reported that Onyx Storm sold about 1.3 million copies in its first week through outlets reporting to Circana BookScan.
|
Key Detail |
Notes |
|
First book |
Fourth Wing |
|
Best for |
Readers who want dragons and romance |
|
Main strength |
Fast pacing and emotional hooks |
|
Watch out for |
The series is not finished |
|
Why start in 2026 |
It remains one of romantasy’s biggest names. |
Read it when you want something addictive. Wait if unfinished series annoy you.
3. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Start with A Court of Thorns and Roses.
ACOTAR is still one of the biggest gateway series for romantasy readers. The first book starts with a Beauty-and-the-Beast-style setup. After that, the series expands into fae courts, war, trauma, friendship, desire, and messy emotional stakes.
It’s also timely again. Bloomsbury lists A Court of Thorns and Roses 6 for October 2026. Harper’s Bazaar also reported that ACOTAR 6 is scheduled for October 27, 2026, with ACOTAR 7 expected on January 12, 2027.
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Key Detail |
Notes |
|
First book |
A Court of Thorns and Roses |
|
Best for |
Fae romance and emotional fantasy drama |
|
Main strength |
Relationships, court politics, fandom energy |
|
Watch out for |
Later books lean more adult |
|
Why start in 2026 |
New ACOTAR books make this a good catch-up year. |
For readers searching for the best fantasy book series 2026 because they want romance-heavy fantasy, ACOTAR still belongs in the conversation.
Read Also: 20 Best Books to Read in 2026 Across Every Genre
4. Shadow of the Leviathan by Robert Jackson Bennett
Start with The Tainted Cup.
This is a fantasy series for mystery lovers.
The setup feels fresh. A murder investigation unfolds inside a strange empire threatened by giant leviathans, biological engineering, and political rot. It has a detective-story engine, but the world feels fully fantasy.
The award record is strong too. The Tainted Cup won the 2025 Hugo Award for Best Novel and the 2025 World Fantasy Award for Best Novel. Penguin Random House also lists A Trade of Blood, the third Ana and Din mystery, for August 2026.
|
Key Detail |
Notes |
|
First book |
The Tainted Cup |
|
Best for |
Readers who like fantasy mixed with murder mystery |
|
Main strength |
Clever plotting and strange world-building |
|
Watch out for |
It’s not a classic quest fantasy |
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Why start in 2026 |
Book 1 has major award wins, and book 3 is coming. |
This is one of the smartest newer fantasy series to start now.
5. The Bloodsworn Saga by John Gwynne
Start with The Shadow of the Gods.
This trilogy is built for readers who want blood, gods, monsters, revenge, and battle scenes with real bite.
It’s Norse-inspired, but it doesn’t feel like a lazy mythology copy. The world is harsh. The characters carry pain. The action lands hard.
The trilogy is complete, with The Fury of the Gods serving as the finale.
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Key Detail |
Notes |
|
First book |
The Shadow of the Gods |
|
Best for |
Readers who want brutal epic fantasy |
|
Main strength |
Battles, monsters, mythic atmosphere |
|
Watch out for |
Violence and gore |
|
Why start in 2026 |
You can read the full trilogy now. |
Pick this when you want fantasy with sharp teeth.
6. The Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee
Start with Jade City.
Imagine a crime family saga with magic, martial arts, clan loyalty, politics, and blood debt. That’s the heart of The Green Bone Saga.
The story follows powerful families who control jade, a magical substance that gives trained warriors special abilities. But the real draw is the family drama. Every choice costs something.
Fonda Lee’s official site describes Jade City as a World Fantasy Award winner. Orbit’s collector’s edition page lists the trilogy as Jade City, Jade War, and Jade Legacy.
|
Key Detail |
Notes |
|
First book |
Jade City |
|
Best for |
Readers who like crime sagas and clan politics |
|
Main strength |
Family drama, power struggles, cultural depth |
|
Watch out for |
Some sections build slowly |
|
Why start in 2026 |
It’s complete and highly respected. |
This is one of the best completed fantasy trilogies for adult readers.
7. The Broken Earth by N.K. Jemisin
Start with The Fifth Season.
This is not a soft comfort read. It’s bold, heavy, and brilliant.
The trilogy mixes apocalyptic fantasy, science fantasy, climate disaster, oppression, motherhood, survival, and power. It asks hard questions and doesn’t rush to make you feel better.
N.K. Jemisin made Hugo Awards history with this trilogy. Each book won the Hugo Award for Best Novel, making her the first author to win that category three years in a row.
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Key Detail |
Notes |
|
First book |
The Fifth Season |
|
Best for |
Readers who want serious, literary fantasy |
|
Main strength |
Originality, structure, emotional weight |
|
Watch out for |
Heavy subject matter |
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Why start in 2026 |
It remains one of modern fantasy’s key works. |
Read this when you want fantasy that challenges you.
8. Between Earth and Sky by Rebecca Roanhorse
Start with Black Sun.
This trilogy is a great pick if you’re tired of the same old medieval-style fantasy map.
It offers prophecy, gods, sea travel, political tension, and a world inspired by pre-Columbian cultures. The story moves through multiple points of view, so you get a wide view of power, faith, and ambition.
The series won the 2025 Hugo Award for Best Series. Simon & Schuster also describes Mirrored Heavens as the conclusion to the trilogy.
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Key Detail |
Notes |
|
First book |
Black Sun |
|
Best for |
Readers who want mythic political fantasy |
|
Main strength |
Setting, atmosphere, and cultural texture |
|
Watch out for |
Multiple POVs need attention |
|
Why start in 2026 |
It’s complete and Hugo-recognized. |
This is one of the strongest picks for readers who want a fresher fantasy setting.
9. The Burning Kingdoms by Tasha Suri
Start with The Jasmine Throne.
This trilogy blends empire, forbidden magic, rebellion, ambition, and sapphic romance. It’s lush, but it’s not gentle. Love and power both come with danger here.
The characters don’t just want one thing. They want safety, revenge, freedom, control, and each other. That mix gives the series its heat.
The 2025 Hugo Awards listed The Burning Kingdoms as a finalist for Best Series. The Lotus Empire closes the trilogy.
|
Key Detail |
Notes |
|
First book |
The Jasmine Throne |
|
Best for |
Political fantasy with romance |
|
Main strength |
Power struggles and emotional tension |
|
Watch out for |
Slow-burn pacing |
|
Why start in 2026 |
The full trilogy is available. |
Read this if you want politics and romance to feel equally dangerous.
10. Emily Wilde by Heather Fawcett
Start with Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries.
This is the cozy pick. But cozy doesn’t mean weak.
Emily Wilde is a scholar of faeries. She’s brilliant, prickly, and not always good with people. The series blends folklore, academic notes, wintery charm, and fae danger.
Penguin Random House lists the Emily Wilde books as a series. Heather Fawcett’s official site also lists Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales as book three.
|
Key Detail |
Notes |
|
First book |
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries |
|
Best for |
Cozy fantasy and folklore fans |
|
Main strength |
Voice, charm, and atmosphere |
|
Watch out for |
Smaller stakes than epic fantasy |
|
Why start in 2026 |
Great for readers tired of grim stories. |
This is one of the best fantasy book series 2026 readers can pick when they want something clever, warm, and still a little dangerous.
11. Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
Start with Dungeon Crawler Carl.
This series sounds absurd at first. A man named Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s cat, Princess Donut, must survive a deadly alien dungeon watched by a galactic audience.
Then the book gets its claws in you.
It’s funny, violent, strange, and much more emotional than it has any right to be. It also helped bring LitRPG further into the mainstream.
Penguin Random House lists A Parade of Horribles as book eight and an instant #1 New York Times bestseller. Times Union reported in 2026 that the series had sold more than six million copies.
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Key Detail |
Notes |
|
First book |
Dungeon Crawler Carl |
|
Best for |
LitRPG, dark comedy, audiobook fans |
|
Main strength |
Humor, pacing, chaos |
|
Watch out for |
Crude jokes and violence |
|
Why start in 2026 |
Book 8 keeps the series very active. |
This is the “one more chapter” series on the list.
12. The Locked Tomb by Tamsyn Muir
Start with Gideon the Ninth.
The short pitch still works: necromancers in space.
But the books are much weirder than that. The series mixes gothic fantasy, science fantasy, swordplay, grief, bones, puzzles, memes, and sharp dialogue.
Tor Publishing Group describes Gideon the Ninth as the first book in the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Locked Tomb series. It also notes the book won the 2020 Locus Award and Crawford Award.
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Key Detail |
Notes |
|
First book |
Gideon the Ninth |
|
Best for |
Readers who want weird, gothic fantasy |
|
Main strength |
Voice and originality |
|
Watch out for |
Later books can feel confusing on purpose |
|
Why start in 2026 |
Few fantasy series feel this bold or strange. |
Don’t start this expecting a normal fantasy structure. The weirdness is the hook.
13. Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
Start with Mistborn: The Final Empire.
If The Stormlight Archive feels too big, start here instead.
Mistborn gives you a cleaner entry into Sanderson’s style. You get a heist, a rebellion, political tension, and one of fantasy’s most famous magic systems. The first trilogy is also complete, which makes it easier for new readers.
Sanderson’s official site describes the original trilogy as a hybrid epic fantasy heist story with political intrigue and action.
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Key Detail |
Notes |
|
First book |
Mistborn: The Final Empire |
|
Best for |
New epic fantasy readers |
|
Main strength |
Magic system and plot momentum |
|
Watch out for |
The early prose is simpler than Sanderson’s later work |
|
Why start in 2026 |
It’s still one of the easiest fantasy gateways. |
For many readers, this is the best place to start with Brandon Sanderson.
How to Choose Your First Fantasy Series
Don’t start with the “most important” series. Start with the one that fits your mood.
That sounds simple, but it saves time. If you want romance, don’t force yourself through a grim war saga. If you want politics, don’t start with cozy fae research. Match the book to the kind of story you actually want tonight.
|
Reader Mood |
Best Starting Series |
|
I want dragons and romance |
The Empyrean |
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I want fae courts and emotional drama |
A Court of Thorns and Roses |
|
I want a huge epic |
The Stormlight Archive |
|
I want a complete trilogy |
The Green Bone Saga, The Broken Earth, or The Bloodsworn Saga |
|
I want cozy fantasy |
Emily Wilde |
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I want fantasy mystery |
Shadow of the Leviathan |
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I want something weird |
The Locked Tomb |
|
I want a strong magic system |
Mistborn |
|
I want mythic political fantasy |
Between Earth and Sky or The Burning Kingdoms |
New fantasy readers should start with Mistborn, Fourth Wing, or Emily Wilde. Regular fantasy readers should try The Tainted Cup, Jade City, Black Sun, or The Fifth Season. If you hate waiting, start with a completed trilogy.
Final Thoughts
The best fantasy book series 2026 readers should start depends on what kind of story they want.
Want dragons and romance? Pick The Empyrean. Want fae courts and emotional drama? Catch up on ACOTAR. Want a huge epic with a finished first arc? Start The Stormlight Archive. Want a complete trilogy? Go with The Green Bone Saga, The Broken Earth, Between Earth and Sky, or The Bloodsworn Saga.
The best part is that fantasy no longer feels boxed in. It can be cozy, brutal, romantic, political, literary, funny, strange, or all of those things at once.
Pick one series. Read the first book. If the world follows you after the final page, you’ve found your next obsession.
Uncommon FAQs About the Best Fantasy Book Series 2026
|
FAQ |
Answer |
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Should I start an unfinished fantasy series in 2026? |
Yes, if you enjoy theories, fandom talk, and release buzz. No, if cliffhangers bother you. |
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Which fantasy series is easiest for beginners? |
Mistborn, Fourth Wing, and Emily Wilde are the easiest entry points. |
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Which series works best for adult readers who don’t want YA tone? |
Try Jade City, The Tainted Cup, The Fifth Season, or The Jasmine Throne. |
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Which completed fantasy trilogy should I start first? |
The Green Bone Saga is the most accessible. The Broken Earth is the most literary. |
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Is romantasy still worth reading in 2026? |
Yes. Start with ACOTAR for fae romance or Fourth Wing for dragons and war college tension. |
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Which series should I avoid if I dislike violence? |
Be careful with The Bloodsworn Saga, Dungeon Crawler Carl, and The Broken Earth. |
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Which fantasy series is best on audiobook? |
Dungeon Crawler Carl has a huge audio reputation. Onyx Storm also won the 2025 Goodreads Audiobook category. |
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Which series feels most original? |
The Locked Tomb, The Broken Earth, The Green Bone Saga, and Shadow of the Leviathan stand out. |
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Which series should I read if I want less romance? |
Try Mistborn, The Stormlight Archive, The Tainted Cup, or The Bloodsworn Saga. |
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Which series should I start if I only have time for one book? |
Start with The Tainted Cup or Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries. Both work well as first books. |
