The Greatest Fantasy Books Since 2000

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 759 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

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Genres

Fantasy

Fantasy is a genre of literature that typically involves imaginative and supernatural elements, often set in a fictional world or alternate reality. These stories often feature mythical creatures, magic, and epic battles between good and evil. Fantasy books can range from high fantasy, which includes complex world-building and intricate plotlines, to urban fantasy, which blends fantastical elements with contemporary settings. The genre allows readers to escape into a world of wonder and adventure, where anything is possible.

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  1. 126. The Undertaking Of Hart And Mercy by Megan Bannen

    In a world where the living and the dead coexist, a grumpy undertaker and a spirited marshal find themselves at odds, yet inexplicably drawn to each other. As they navigate their professional duties in a quirky, fantastical setting, their initial animosity gradually transforms into an unexpected partnership. Through a series of heartfelt letters and shared adventures, they uncover deeper connections and confront personal challenges, ultimately discovering that love can blossom in the most unlikely of circumstances. The story blends humor, romance, and a touch of the supernatural to explore themes of life, death, and the transformative power of human connection.

    The 9781st Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Amazon
  2. 127. Minion by L. A. Banks

    A Vampire Huntress Legend

    In this urban fantasy novel, the protagonist is a young woman with a unique heritage who is destined to fight against supernatural forces threatening humanity. Trained as a vampire huntress, she navigates a world filled with danger and darkness, where vampires and demons are very real and very lethal. With the help of her friends and allies, she must embrace her destiny and use her skills and powers to protect the innocent and battle the evil entities that seek to spread chaos and destruction. Balancing her personal life with her responsibilities as a huntress, she confronts the challenges of her calling while uncovering deeper secrets about her own mysterious past and the complex world she is a part of.

    The 9796th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Amazon
  3. 128. The Obelisk Gate by N. K. Jemisin

    The Broken Earth, Book 2

    In the second installment of a groundbreaking fantasy trilogy, the world grapples with an apocalyptic season of catastrophic climate change known as the Fifth Season. The narrative follows a mother searching for her missing daughter while coming to terms with her own seismic powers that could either save humanity or hasten its end. As communes and factions struggle for survival and dominance, the story delves into themes of oppression, resistance, and the complex nature of human relationships, all set against a backdrop of geological and magical upheaval. The protagonist must navigate a landscape of political intrigue and ancient mysteries to unlock the potential of obelisks, powerful artifacts that could be the key to the world's salvation or destruction.

    The 9805th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Amazon
  4. 129. City Of Glass by Cassandra Clare

    The Mortal Instruments, Book Three

    In this urban fantasy novel, the third installment of a series, the protagonist, a young Shadowhunter, travels to the titular city, a place of great significance to the secretive world of demon hunters, warlocks, vampires, and other supernatural beings. She is on a quest to find a cure for her poisoned mother, but her mission quickly becomes entangled with a larger conflict as she uncovers dark secrets about her family's past and the true nature of the Shadowhunters. As the city becomes a battleground, alliances are tested, and the protagonist must confront a powerful enemy who threatens to destroy everything she holds dear, all while grappling with her evolving feelings for her enigmatic companion.

    The 9824th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  5. 130. Aru Shah And The End Of Time by Roshani Chokshi

    A Pandava Novel

    In this enchanting mythological fantasy, a young girl named Aru Shah discovers she is the reincarnation of one of the five legendary Pandava brothers from the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. When she accidentally unleashes an ancient demon, she must embark on a perilous journey to save the world from an apocalyptic freeze. Alongside a diverse cast of characters, including a talking pigeon and her newfound Pandava sister, Aru delves into her heritage, battles creatures from Indian mythology, and confronts her insecurities to find the courage within herself to prevent the end of time.

    The 9906th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  6. 131. Daughter Of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

    In a world where the boundary between human and myth blurs, a blue-haired art student in Prague discovers her mysterious past and connection to a war-torn realm inhabited by angels and beasts. As she navigates her life between art school and errands for her chimeric guardian, she uncovers secrets about her identity and a star-crossed love that transcends worlds and species. Her journey reveals the complexities of family, love, and the devastating consequences of old enmities, ultimately leading her to confront her destiny in a battle that could reshape the boundaries of her world and all others.

    The 9973rd Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  7. 132. The Atrocity Archives by Charles Stross

    A Laundry Files Novel

    The book is a unique blend of espionage thriller and Lovecraftian horror, following a tech-savvy protagonist who works for a clandestine British agency responsible for suppressing dangerous occult phenomena. The narrative weaves together bureaucratic satire with supernatural elements, as the protagonist must navigate the perils of office politics and eldritch abominations alike. Tasked with halting extradimensional entities from wreaking havoc on Earth, he uncovers a sinister plot that threatens to unleash an unspeakable horror, leading to a high-stakes mission that blurs the lines between advanced technology and ancient magical forces.

    The 9980th Greatest Book of All Time
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  8. 133. This Inevitable Ruin by Matt Dinniman

    On the ninth floor’s Faction Wars, nine armies led by powerful aliens battle to seize a castle in a winner-take-all contest where death may be permanent. As the game’s AI falters, Carl, Donut, Katia and other crawlers join the fray, and formerly disposable NPCs become a self-aware tenth faction. With only one of Donut or Katia allowed to leave the level, the group must form alliances and rely on veteran help to survive.

    The 9979th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org
  9. 134. How To Date Your Dragon by Molly Harper

    A Paranormal Romance Novel

    In a whimsical blend of romance and fantasy, a pragmatic anthropologist is sent to the mystical town of Mystic Bayou to study its unique population of supernatural beings. Her scientific approach is challenged when she meets a charming and enigmatic sheriff who happens to be a dragon. As they navigate the complexities of their growing attraction, they must also confront the mysterious forces threatening the town's harmony. With humor and heart, the story explores themes of acceptance, love, and the magic of embracing the unknown.

    The 10027th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org
  10. 135. Wishes And Wellingtons by Julie Berry

    A Steampunk Adventure

    In a whimsical tale set in Victorian England, a spirited young girl named Maeve Merritt stumbles upon a magical sardine tin containing a wish-granting djinni. As Maeve navigates the challenges of her strict boarding school, she finds herself entangled in a series of adventures and misadventures, each wish leading to unexpected consequences. With the help of her friends, Maeve learns valuable lessons about friendship, courage, and the true nature of wishes, all while trying to outwit those who seek to exploit the djinni's powers for their own gain.

    The 10027th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  11. 136. Angelfall by Susan Ee

    In a post-apocalyptic world where angels have descended to Earth and unleashed destruction, a resilient teenage girl embarks on a perilous journey to rescue her kidnapped younger sister. With society in ruins and danger at every turn, she allies with a mysterious angel whose motives are unclear, navigating a landscape filled with roving gangs, gruesome creatures, and celestial warriors. As she fights to survive and uncover the truth behind the invasion, she confronts the blurred lines between good and evil, and the potential darkness within herself and her enigmatic companion.

    The 10083rd Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  12. 137. The Man Who Spoke Snakish by Andrus Kivirähk

    Set in a mythical version of medieval Estonia, this enchanting tale follows Leemet, a young boy who is one of the last to possess the ancient ability to communicate with snakes. As the world around him shifts from the old ways of the forest to the new ways of civilization, Leemet grapples with the loss of his cultural heritage and the encroaching influence of modernity. Through a blend of humor, folklore, and poignant reflection, the story explores themes of identity, tradition, and the inevitable march of progress, painting a vivid picture of a world caught between the past and the future.

    The 10108th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  13. 138. The Devils by Joe Abercrombie

    Brother Diaz arrives at the Sacred City expecting praise, but is instead put in charge of a dangerous flock of killers, dark sorcerers and monsters. Sent on a brutal mission that will force ruthless choices, he must navigate corrupt princes, hostile forces at the borders, and a hellish journey where unlikely, unholy allies could be his only chance.

    The 10163rd Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org
  14. 139. The Antidote by Karen Russell

    On Black Sunday, a massive dust storm descends on the fictional town of Uz, Nebraska. The story follows a group of residents—a “Prairie Witch” whose body stores other people’s memories, a Polish wheat farmer, his orphan niece who is a basketball player and witch’s apprentice, a talkative scarecrow, and a New Deal photographer with a time-traveling camera—as their secrets, losses, and the town’s past come to light. The novel blends folklore and magical realism with the harsh realities of the Dust Bowl and its human and environmental toll.

    The 10173rd Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  15. 140. Katabasis by R. F. Kuang

    Ambitious graduate student Alice Law descends into Hell to rescue her mentor, Professor Jacob Grimes, after a fatal magical accident. Paired unwillingly with her rival Peter Murdoch, they must navigate a perilous underworld guided by myth and their own limited spells, facing dangers and secrets from their pasts. A dark academia fantasy about ambition, rivalry, and the costs of pursuing knowledge.

    The 10190th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  16. 141. Wylding Hall by Elizabeth Hand

    In this gothic novel, a 1970s British acid folk band retreats to an ancient country house to create their next album, only to find themselves enveloped by supernatural occurrences. As the young musicians are drawn into the eerie atmosphere of Wylding Hall, the strange environment fuels their creativity, leading to the creation of a legendary album. However, the summer takes a dark turn when the lead singer mysteriously vanishes, leaving behind a tangle of haunting memories and unanswered questions that persist for decades, until the surviving band members reluctantly confront their past in a series of interviews, revealing the chilling truth behind the disappearance.

    The 10355th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Amazon
  17. 142. An Oral History Of Atlantis by Ed Park

    An Oral History of Atlantis is a short-story collection of sixteen inventive, deadpan tales that blur reality and performance while probing memory, identity, and the transitory nature of youth and art. Through witty, often surreal vignettes—from a college actor whose role begins to overtake him to a man confronting his life through forgotten passwords—Ed Park illuminates how ordinary, absurd moments become unexpectedly meaningful.

    The 10401st Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  18. 143. The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman

    In "The Bright Sword," a young knight named Collum arrives at Camelot, only to discover that King Arthur has recently died, leaving the kingdom in disarray. With no heir to the throne, the remaining knights of the Round Table are a diverse group of lesser-known figures, including Sir Palomides and Sir Dagonet. They are joined by Nimue, once Merlin's apprentice, who now seeks to restore balance to the land. As Britain faces chaos, with mythical creatures and old gods reemerging, Collum and his companions embark on a quest to reclaim Excalibur and rebuild Camelot. They must navigate a fractured world, where alliances are shifting, and rival factions vie for power. Their journey will uncover the truth behind King Arthur's downfall and confront the shadows of Britain's past, as they strive to bring unity and hope back to the realm.

    The 10415th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Amazon
  19. 144. The Wayfinder by Adam Johnson

    Kōrero, a young girl from a remote Tongan island, is chosen to save her people and undertakes a perilous seafaring journey across the Tu’i Tonga maritime empire. The novel follows her rise to leadership and explores cultural survival, ecological strain, and personal discovery without revealing key plot twists.

    The 10415th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  20. 145. Terrestrial History by Joe Mungo Reed

    A multi‑generation family saga that ranges from coastal Scotland to a human colony on Mars. When fusion scientist Hannah is visited by Roban, a young man traveling backward in time from the Colony, several family members must confront a warming Earth and the difficult choices between staying and leaving. The novel explores time, memory, hope, and the costs of escape, without revealing key plot events.

    The 10526th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  21. 146. Thief Of Time by Terry Pratchett

    A Novel of Discworld

    In this satirical fantasy novel, the concept of time is personified and at risk as a young clockmaker is tricked into creating a time-stopping clock, which could bring about the end of the world. Meanwhile, the history monks, guardians of time, along with the anthropomorphic personification of Death and his granddaughter, work to prevent this temporal catastrophe. The narrative weaves through multiple storylines filled with quirky characters, including a martial arts monk with a talent for baking, as they confront the nature of time, the importance of living in the moment, and the challenge of managing an increasingly unstable reality. The book combines humor, philosophy, and a richly detailed world to explore the complexities of time and human existence.

    The 10561st Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Amazon
  22. 147. Helm by Sarah Hall

    Helm follows a fierce, almost supernatural wind that shapes lives and stories across centuries in Northern England. Through linked episodes — a Neolithic tribe, a Dark Age priest, a Victorian engineer, a farmer’s daughter, and present-day scientist Dr. Selima Sutar — the novel traces human attempts to placate, banish, harness, love, and study this elemental force as people confront environmental change. It’s a lyrical, spoiler-free exploration of the relationship between people and the natural world.

    The 10562nd Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  23. 148. Caliban's War by James S. A. Corey

    In the gripping sequel to a science fiction series set in a future where humanity has colonized the solar system, tensions escalate as Earth, Mars, and the Outer Planets Alliance vie for control and resources. The discovery of a mysterious alien protomolecule has already wrought havoc on human civilization, and now, the fragile peace is threatened by new confrontations. When a high-ranking official's daughter goes missing on Ganymede, a soldier, a detective, a politician, and a rogue scientist must unite to unravel a conspiracy that could lead to war and the spread of the alien substance, risking all of human existence. Their journey takes them across the solar system, where they encounter monstrous creations, political intrigue, and questions about what it means to be human.

    The 10570th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Amazon
  24. 149. The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison

    "The Goblin Emperor" is a fantasy novel set in a world where goblins are considered lower-class citizens. When the half-goblin, half-elf Maia unexpectedly becomes emperor, he must navigate court politics, assassination attempts, and the challenges of ruling a kingdom filled with treachery and deceit. With his kind heart and determination to bring justice, Maia strives to prove himself as a capable leader while uncovering the truth behind his father's mysterious death.

    The 10577th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Amazon
  25. 150. Prophet by Helen MacDonald, Sin Blaché

    In a world teetering on the edge of the familiar and the fantastical, "Prophet" follows the journey of Adam Rubenstein, a composed American Intelligence officer, and Sunil Rao, a former MI6 agent with a knack for uncovering truths. Their partnership is tested when a peculiar incident—a classic American diner appearing in a UK field—draws them into a complex investigation. As they delve deeper, Adam and Rao find themselves on a whirlwind adventure across the globe, from secret labs in Colorado to the vast Nevada desert. Their mission: to understand and combat a mysterious entity known as Prophet, which manipulates cherished memories into dangerous realities. Amidst the chaos, the duo navigates their evolving relationship, blending elements of noir, sci-fi, and romance. Together, they face a formidable adversary unlike any they've encountered, challenging not only their skills but also their perceptions of reality and each other.

    The 10648th Greatest Book of All Time

Reading Statistics

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