7 Good Fantasy Books You Should Read In 2025

Fantasy is more than dragons and magic spells—it is a mirror held up to humanity, reflecting our fears, hopes, ethics, and hunger for meaning. At its best, fantasy literature stretches our imagination while grounding us in emotional truth. We journey through invented worlds not to escape reality, but to better understand it.

Below is a list of 7 good fantasy books you should read in 2025. Whether you are new to fantasy or a lifelong reader looking for your next unforgettable adventure, these books offer depth, wonder, and lasting impact. We selected them based on literary quality, world-building, character development, and cultural influence, drawing on insights from critics, scholars, and reader communities worldwide.

1. A Wizard of Earthsea – Ursula K. Le Guin

A Wizard of Earthsea is a quiet, philosophical fantasy that focuses on self-knowledge rather than conquest. Ged, a young wizard, must confront the shadow born from his pride. Le Guin’s restrained prose and Taoist-inspired worldview emphasize balance, responsibility, and inner growth. Unlike many fantasy stories, power here requires wisdom and humility. Literary scholars frequently praise the novel for its psychological depth and moral subtlety. This book is important because it reshaped fantasy, showing that the greatest battles are often fought within ourselves.

2. The Way of Kings – Brandon Sanderson

The Way of Kings is an expansive epic that blends action, philosophy, and emotional realism. Set in a storm-ravaged world, the novel explores leadership, honor, trauma, and resilience. Characters like Kaladin and Dalinar struggle with depression, guilt, and responsibility in ways that feel strikingly modern. Mental health advocates have praised Sanderson’s compassionate portrayal of psychological pain. Despite its massive scope, the story remains deeply personal. This book matters because it proves epic fantasy can address real human struggles while delivering breathtaking scale and imagination.

3. The Blade Itself – Joe Abercrombie

The Blade Itself introduces readers to grimdark fantasy at its finest. Abercrombie dismantles heroic clichés, presenting deeply flawed characters driven by self-interest, pain, and survival. Violence is brutal, humor is dark, and morality is rarely clear. Influenced by modern realism and classic sword-and-sorcery, the novel examines power and futility with sharp insight. Its importance lies in redefining tone within fantasy, paving the way for morally complex narratives that reject idealism in favor of uncomfortable, human truth.

4. The Hobbit – J.R.R. Tolkien

The Hobbit is a timeless coming-of-age adventure that captures the magic of discovery. Bilbo Baggins begins as a reluctant hero, valuing comfort over courage, yet grows through bravery, wit, and compassion. Tolkien’s light, humorous tone makes the story accessible, while its themes of transformation and moral choice give it lasting depth. Often recommended by educators, the book introduces fantasy tropes without overwhelming complexity. Its importance lies in its universality—The Hobbit reminds us that ordinary people can rise to extraordinary moments when it matters most.

5. The Magicians – Lev Grossman

The Magicians is a modern fantasy that deconstructs the idea of magical escapism. Following Quentin Coldwater, a disillusioned young adult admitted to a secret magical university, the novel explores depression, privilege, and the emotional cost of power. Grossman blends traditional fantasy elements with sharp psychological realism, questioning whether magic can truly fix human unhappiness. Critics often compare it to a darker, more self-aware take on Harry Potter for adults. This book matters because it confronts fantasy’s promises head-on, offering a mature, unsettling, and deeply honest narrative.

6. The Eye of the World – Robert Jordan

The Eye of the World launches The Wheel of Time, one of the most ambitious fantasy series ever written. Jordan blends myth, prophecy, and cyclical time to explore destiny and free will. The story follows ordinary villagers drawn into a world-spanning conflict between light and darkness. Influenced by Eastern philosophy and Western mythology, the novel emphasizes balance rather than absolute good or evil. Its detailed cultures and slow-building tension reward patient readers. This book matters because it demonstrates the power of long-form epic fantasy to explore grand philosophical ideas.

7. The Sword of Shannara – Terry Brooks

The Sword of Shannara played a crucial role in bringing epic fantasy to mainstream audiences in the late 20th century. Set in a post-apocalyptic world reclaimed by magic, the novel follows Shea Ohmsford on a classic hero’s journey. While its structure echoes Tolkien, Brooks emphasizes emotional vulnerability and inner conflict. The sword itself forces characters to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves. Its importance lies in its accessibility and commercial success, which helped establish fantasy as a viable, popular genre in modern publishing.

Conclusion

Fantasy is not about escaping reality—it is about reimagining it. The books on this list endure because they speak to universal truths through extraordinary worlds. They remind us that courage can come from the smallest person, that power demands responsibility, and that stories themselves shape who we are.

Our recommendation? Start with the book that sparks your curiosity most. Let yourself be immersed. Take notes. Discuss with others. Fantasy is richer when shared.

The journey always begins with a single page.