12 Highly-Anticipated Fantasy Books You Must Read This Year

There are so many fantasy books you MUST read. Here are some fantasy books that you need to add to your list.

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I usually have a little bit of a hard time making a reading list for the whole year, and I usually don’t stick to it when I do. However, there are so many fantasy books coming out this year that I am SO excited about. I’m going to to tell you about the books you must read this year.

These books are from popular authors like Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer Armentrout, Stephanie Garber, and more! They’re the absolute must-read books for 2022.

After you read this post, you’ll have an amazing list of books to read this year!

*Sidenote: some of these books don’t have their covers announced yet, so if you see some really plain covers here, that’s why!

This post is all about books you must read.

The Best Fantasy Books You Must Read

1. House Of Sky And Breath

This series has masterfully formed characters who you really root for, deep exploration of trauma, along with being set in an intricate fantasy world with angels, fae, shapeshifters, etc. Also, there’s romance. 😉

The first book in this series is one of my all-time favorites, and if you haven’t read it I 10/10 recommend. If you’ve already read it, be on the lookout for House of Sky and Breath to come out!

2. The War of Two Queens

The Blood and Ash series is another one of my all-time favorites. It’s insanely good. The steamy romance is everything, and this series will absolutely keep you on the edge of your seat.

This series gives literally everything you could ever want when it comes to a kick-ass heroine, a morally grey love interest, friendship, and a really well crafted world-building. I’m obsessed and can’t wait for the War of Two Queens.

If you’ve not read the first 3 books in this series yet, you’re lucky. Jennifer Armentrout is the absolute queen of ending her books with cliffhangers, but since the first 3 books are already out, if you start now you won’t have to go through the torturous waiting period in between books!

Related Post: Books I Read In 2021 Part 1

3. The Book of Night

The Folk of the Air series (the Cruel Prince) is also by this author and it is a cult favorite.

After reading all of the Folk of the Air series, I’m a really big fan of Holly Black. I’m really looking forward to reading this book. This author is really good at writing enemy to lovers, so I’m hoping this book is going to have some of that as well.

Also, this is an adult fantasy book. The Folk of the Air books were YA fantasy and were just a little bit too tame for me, so I’m hoping this one is a little more steamy.

4. The Ballad of Never After

The first book in this series, Once Upon a Broken Heart, was one of my favorite reads of 2021. Stephanie Garber is so good at writing the most atmospheric, magical fantasy worlds.

This book is another one with a morally grey love interest, so if you’re into that, definitely be on the lookout for it to come out!

5. Kingdom of the Feared

The Kingdom of the Wicked series was another one of my favorites of 2021. It’s full of romance, darkness, and mystery. Really great series to read if you’re into enemies to lovers/ morally grey love interests!

It’s about witches and devils and saying I’m obsessed is an understatement. So excited for the next installment in the series!

Related Post: Books I Read In 2021 Part 2

6. A Light In The Flame

This series is set in the same world as the Blood and Ash series. If you’ve read that series already, it has characters we’ve met before, and it’s set in the past. It’s so good! Same vibes of dark lovers, fantasy creatures, and the like.

Also, can we just appreciate how quickly Jennifer Armentrout comes out with new books?

7. This Woven Kingdom

This book is by the author of the very popular Shatter Me series. People are calling this novel a “mafia fantasy romance,” and honestly, I’m here for it. Looking forward to reading this one.

8. A Forgery of Roses

The author of this book had a very much anticipated debut fantasy novel, Sing Me Forgotten. I really liked her first book, so I’m looking forward to reading this one! I’m hoping it gives the same amount of atmospheric romantic fantasy vibes as Sing Me Forgotten.

People are saying this is supposed to be “stalking jack the ripper meets the picture of dorian gray.”

Related Post: Books I Read In 2020

9. Daughter of the Moon Goddess

I’ve heard amazing things about this book. It’s the author’s debut fantasy novel, and it was inspired by the legend of Chang’e, the Chinese moon goddess.

People are saying that it is “an incredible fantasy epic” so I’m really excited to read this!

10. Only a Monster

This is another YA fantasy debut. This book already has amazing reviews and one of the reviewers said it has “a unique magic system, character dynamics that sweep you up, themes about humanity and monsters, a magical underworld, time travel and forgotten memories, and an enemy soulmate trope.”

Based on that review, I am so excited to read this book. Dark fantasy vibes are the best.

*Update: I read this book and it was SO good and interesting!

11. A Magic Steeped in Poison

Yet another fantasy author debut, and the vibes are supposed to be “girls ready to burn down the world for their families.” Along with this, one review says that it is a “whimsical, fast-paced fairytale-like story.”

It’s about a magician who is studying the art of tea. I love anything having to do with tea, and tea combined with fantasy??! Count me in.

Also, isn’t this cover absolutely to die for????

12. Violet Made of Thorns

This is a book is an enemies to lovers with a morally grey “antiheroine” who is a witch, along with a cursed prince. The description calls it a “darkly enchanting fantasy debut.” Excited to read this one!