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I am a self-proclaimed fantasy book lover. In fact I read way more fantasy than any other category. I love the other-worldly aspect to escape into where characters can have powers and super-human traits, other nations & universes are created, and urban legends are given life. This list below mainly encompasses books set in a whole different world, but a few include spins on werewolves and vampires, and alternate/futuristic settings to our world.  

Also I am so jealous because I have read every book and series on this list, but I literally started with the first book in almost all these series and had to wait for each one after to come out! It’s so easy now to be able to binge a whole series in a week because you don’t have to wait!  Also just a head’s up I’m going to link the first book in the series below in the kindle version (because I read 90% of books on my e-reader) so you can start them!

FYI you won’t find Twilight or Harry Potter on this list- don’t worry!  

Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas

I absolutely love this series- the first book is one I will recommend to anyone and everyone who I can talk about books with. The series is six books long and honestly just gets better and better as it goes along. The first book is fantastic and grabs you into Celaena’s world, but it gets even better in the middle of the series- without giving any spoilers away you’ll just have to trust me!  Link to the kindle version here: https://amzn.to/3scJ9fs

A Court of Thorns and Roses Series by Sarah J. Maas

It stands to reason since I loved her first series so much that I immediately jumped on the bandwagon for her next series. I must say the first book is amazing, but books 2 and 3 are by far the best books I’ve read from this author. I have to be honest and say I can’t even read the first book anymore because of a certain development that I won’t share for spoiler reasons, but I urge you to pick up this book it is a definite must for all fantasy lovers. Link can be found here: https://amzn.to/3ra0DHT

Mistborn– The Final Empire Series by Brandon Sanderson

I absolutely love the concept of this book, it’s not the stereotypical traditional “superpowers” but the citizens of this world gain certain attributes by ingesting and “burning” metals. Brandon Sanderson is unparalleled at fantasy world building and there is so much depth to this one. The books are long and it takes a bit of devotion to make it through the end but the way it all comes together is 100% worth it. Link to be kindle version here: https://amzn.to/3f3rJOu

Shadow and Bone– the GrishaVerse Series by Leigh Bardugo

If there’s one book on this list you pick up, it has to be this one ASAP before the Netflix show comes out. I am so pumped and excited and I hope Netflix does this book justice. The concept of “Grisha’s” is so unique and this is such a great fantasy book I highly recommend it. Link here: https://amzn.to/314yzeA

Six of Crows Duology by Leigh Bardugo 

Okay please read the first GrishaVerse series first, and then read this companion duology. Leigh Bardugo introduces a whole new set of characters set in her famous world and it’s part heist thriller part fantasy book and it’s wonderful if you loved the first series. Link can be found here: https://amzn.to/314z1JO

Lord of the Fading Lands– The Tairen Soul Series by C. L Wilson

I don’t know how I found this book and I don’t see it many places, but I absolutely loved this series. It has Fae and fated mates elements, add in mystical lands and a bit of magic and dragons, and it makes for a fantastic fantasy series to read. Link can be found here: https://amzn.to/3vLa6sL

Legend Series by Marie Lu

This is series a quick YA bundle to read through. I remember really liking the synopsis when I first read it and the series is one to read if you’re looking for something light and quick (in my opinion). It has a bit of a syfy futuristic element with rebellion and romance. Link here: https://amzn.to/3eYJ3nO

The Winners Curse– The Winner’s Trilogy by Marie Rutkoski

Okay, I can’t really explain why I love this book without spoiling the concept, but I liked all stages of this book and how the story progressed. Marie is definitely a great writer and I was invested in this series from the first book to the last of the trilogy. Link here: https://amzn.to/3f6gTXZ

The Queen of all that Dies– The Fallen World Trilogy by Laura Thelassa 

This one is my guilty pleasure series that I have re-read a bunch of times. It is actually a quick series, the books aren’t too long and there’s never a dull moment in them. It’s about a world ruled by basically one dictator and the main character is offered up by her country as part of their surrender, and romance ensues *swoon*. I have to admit that’s basically my favorite trope and will read anything with this concept, and Laura Thalassa does it does well. Link here: https://amzn.to/3rerWkw. Honorable mention for her Bargainer series, which is equally amazing and can be found here https://amzn.to/392sxzb

Cinder– Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

This is a cute YA series that puts twists on classic fairytales. The main character Cinder is part cyborg, and the series itself is part space-opera and part rebellion trope. Some of the books focus on other characters and it’s really nice addition to the overall story, while mirroring classic fairytales so you can see hints of stories you already know. Link here: https://amzn.to/3lyBFAQ

The Mayfair Moon– The Dark Woods Trilogy by Sonja J. Breckon

When I read this it was published under J.A Redmerski and the kindle blurb says it’s since been updated and published under a new name (it was previously a pen name). I’m including this here because I really enjoyed the original story line. I can’t say home much changed on this updated version but I would say it’s worth checking out! Link here: https://amzn.to/3cc4gch

A Great and Terrible Beauty– The Gemma Doyle Trilogy by Libba Bray

A friend of mine handed this book to me when I was in middle school. I picked it up, was entirely confused by the first chapter and put it back down. Let me just say it is well worth getting past the beginning and it’s a wonderful and fantastic story with a bit of old-world London charm. Link here: https://amzn.to/3vMeR58

Fallen Series by Lauren Kate

Last on this list is Fallen, and let me just say I put it last because I have a love-hate feeling for the last book of the series, but don’t let that put you off because many people feel differently and loved the ending. The series is well worth reading through, playing a spin on fallen angels when the angel trend swept through YA literature some ten/fifteen years ago. When I heard it was made into a movie I had to find it- unfortunately it didn’t come to theaters near me but I managed to find it on Hulu I believe and it was a bad guilty pleasure (think the Twilight movie adaptations) that I had to see. Link to the book is here: https://amzn.to/3f2saII

Thank you for making it to the end and I hope I was able to recommend a book series you haven’t read or heard of before!