I Read The Best Fantasy Books of the Last Decade: Here's What You Shouldn’t Miss

Fantasy is bigger than ever, and over the last ten years, we’ve seen an explosion of magical worlds, unforgettable characters, and mind-blowing storytelling.
I decided to go on a quest — to read the most popular, most awarded, and most loved fantasy books of the last decade.
From cozy fantasies to dark war epics, here's the ultimate guide to the stories that truly shaped modern fantasy.

Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson (2014)

Let’s kick off with one of the undisputed kings of modern fantasy: Brandon Sanderson.
Words of Radiance, the second book in The Stormlight Archive, isn't just a sequel — it's an absolute masterclass in world-building, epic battles, and character development.
While it didn’t win the Goodreads Choice Awards back then, it has since gathered nearly half a million ratings with an almost perfect score.
Kaladin’s journey, Shallan’s secrets, and the legendary war scenes make this one of the best fantasy novels of the 2010s — hands down.

The Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin (2015)

Winning the Hugo Award three years in a row?
Yeah, The Broken Earth Trilogy made history.
N.K. Jemisin created a brutal world where the Earth itself is a constant threat — and humans must control its rage to survive.
The second-person writing style might not be for everyone (I personally found it jarring), but the fresh magic system, layered world, and emotional weight are undeniable.
It’s fantasy reinvented — raw, powerful, and unforgettable.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (2015)

Ah, ACOTAR. The series that dragged millions of readers into the world of sexy fae and fantasy romance.
Originally marketed as YA (ha, barely), it quickly exploded into adult fantasy territory and reshaped the genre’s popularity.
The first book is a bit slow and Beauty and the Beast-esque, but books two and three? Absolute magic.
A Court of Mist and Fury still lives rent-free in many readers' hearts.

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab (2016)

Multiple Londons. Blood magic. Morally gray characters.
V.E. Schwab dropped A Darker Shade of Magic and fantasy readers lost their minds — in the best way.
The way she builds different parallel worlds with varying levels of magic is just brilliant.
Kell, Lila, Holland — these names still give me chills.
If you love a fast-paced, atmospheric fantasy adventure, this one’s essential.

Jade City by Fonda Lee (2017)

If you haven’t read Jade City, you’re seriously missing out.
Fonda Lee's Greenbone Saga blends family drama, political scheming, and magical martial arts into something utterly unique.
The story of two clans fighting over magical jade is brutal, emotional, and impossible to put down.
By the end, you'll be ready to pledge loyalty to the Kaul family — or maybe their enemies.
One of the best urban fantasy series ever written.

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden (2017)

Set against the icy backdrop of medieval Russia, The Bear and the Nightingale is a haunting, slow-burn fantasy masterpiece.
Blending pagan folklore with the rise of Christianity, Katherine Arden’s writing is lush, lyrical, and quietly powerful.
Vasya is a heroine who defies expectations, and her story only gets richer across the Winter Night Trilogy.
Perfect for cozy winter nights — with a touch of magic and menace.

Circe by Madeline Miller (2018)

Greek mythology lovers, this one’s for you.
Circe reimagines the infamous witch from The Odyssey — and transforms her into one of the most relatable, beautifully tragic characters in fantasy.
Madeline Miller’s prose is vivid without being flowery, and Circe’s journey from outcast to self-empowered goddess hits hard.
Over a million readers agree: this book is pure magic.

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang (2018)

The Poppy War doesn’t pull punches.
It starts as a dark academia fantasy and quickly shifts into a brutal war story inspired by real-world events.
R.F. Kuang crafts a main character, Rin, who’s messy, rage-filled, and absolutely unforgettable.
Trigger warnings galore, but if you can handle the darkness, this trilogy is one of the most impactful of the decade.

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon (2019)

Dragons?
Epic world-spanning lore?
A standalone that’s actually 800 pages long?
The Priory of the Orange Tree is a massive, ambitious fantasy with strong female leads and intricate political plots.
While the ending felt a bit rushed for my taste, the journey is still worth every page if you love classic high fantasy with a modern twist.

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir (2019)

Necromancers in space.
Gothic horror.
Unapologetically weird humor.
Gideon the Ninth doesn’t just walk the line between sci-fi and fantasy — it dances across it with a smirk.
Tamsyn Muir’s writing isn’t for everyone (it's chaotic in the best way), but if it clicks with you, it really clicks.
A bold, bizarre masterpiece.

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune (2020)

During one of the darkest years in memory, The House in the Cerulean Sea was the warm hug the world needed.
Following a caseworker sent to investigate magical orphans, TJ Klune's story is cozy, funny, and profoundly heartwarming.
If you need a book that feels like sunshine after a storm, this is it.
Pure, joyful fantasy.

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (2020)

After the epic Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, Susanna Clarke returned with something totally different — and utterly mesmerizing.
Piranesi is short, strange, and beautiful, set in a vast magical house filled with endless halls and statues.
It’s a meditation on solitude, wonder, and memory that lingers long after you finish.
Magical realism at its finest.

Babel by R.F. Kuang (2022)

Another Kuang masterpiece, Babel is dark academia done right.
Exploring colonialism, language, and resistance within a magical version of Oxford, it’s heavy, thoughtful, and devastating.
It’s not a fast read, but it’s an important one — and it cements Kuang as one of the most exciting voices in fantasy today.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (2023)

You couldn’t escape Fourth Wing in 2023.
Dragons, deadly trials, academic rivalries, spicy romance — it had all the hooks.
Rebecca Yarros captured a massive audience (over 12 million copies sold!) by blending old-school fantasy vibes with addictive romance and adventure.
And yes, the hype was real.
If you love fantasy with heart-pounding action and serious swoon, this one’s for you.

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From stormlight warriors to magical orphans, these books have truly reshaped the fantasy landscape over the last decade.
Whether you’re into dark war sagas, cozy hugs in book form, or mind-bending space necromancers, there’s something here that’ll capture your imagination.
The only hard part? Deciding what to read first.

Stay enchanted with more magical reading adventures at Land of Geek Magazine!

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