The Greatest American "Adventure, Fiction" Books Since 2017

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 305 '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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Adventure

The Adventure genre is characterized by stories that take readers on thrilling journeys filled with danger, excitement, and unexpected twists and turns. These books often feature brave protagonists who embark on quests, explore new territories, and face challenges that test their physical and mental limits. Adventure stories can be set in any time period or location, from ancient civilizations to futuristic worlds, and can include elements of romance, mystery, and suspense. Whether it's a treasure hunt, a survival story, or a battle against evil forces, Adventure books offer readers an escape into a world of excitement and adventure.

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  1. 1. Aru Shah And The End Of Time by Roshani Chokshi

    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 9144th Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 2. Trail Of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse

    In a post-apocalyptic world where rising waters have drowned much of the earth, the story unfolds on a Native American reservation that has survived the cataclysm. The protagonist, a monster hunter with supernatural abilities, navigates a landscape steeped in the lore and gods of her indigenous culture. As she embarks on a journey to uncover the truth behind a series of brutal murders, she is accompanied by an enigmatic medicine man with secrets of his own. Together, they confront not only malevolent creatures from legend but also the darker aspects of humanity and personal trauma, all set against the backdrop of a world struggling to rebuild from environmental and societal collapse.

    The 9144th Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 3. Song Of Blood & Stone by L. Penelope

    In a world cleaved by war and deeply entrenched racism, a young woman with a mysterious magical gift finds herself at the center of an epic struggle between two nations. She possesses the power to open magical gateways, a talent that could be the key to ending the longstanding conflict. When she rescues a spy from the enemy side, the pair must work together to thwart a villainous plot and unite their divided lands. As they journey through treacherous landscapes and confront their own prejudices, they discover that the true power lies in understanding and acceptance, and that love may be the most potent magic of all.

    The 9144th Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 4. The Dragon Republic by R. F. Kuang

    In this dark and gripping fantasy sequel, the protagonist, a young warrior and shaman, grapples with the aftermath of a brutal war and her own harrowing actions. Betrayed by allies and seeking redemption, she aligns with a new military force with the hope of transforming the corrupt empire into the titular republic. As she navigates political intrigue, battles monstrous forces, and confronts her inner demons, she must also contend with the destructive power of the gods and the weight of her burgeoning abilities. The novel explores themes of power, identity, and the cost of revolution in a richly detailed, war-torn world.

    The 9188th Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 5. We Hunt The Flame by Hafsah Faizal

    In a fantastical world inspired by ancient Arabia, a fierce hunter disguises herself as a man to provide for her people, while a tormented prince is tasked with assassinating those who defy his autocratic father's rule. Their paths converge when both are sent on a perilous quest to retrieve a magical artifact that can restore magic to their cursed world and stop the encroaching darkness. As they journey through treacherous lands and face insurmountable odds, they must contend with their own secrets and the growing attraction between them, all while navigating the complex politics and power struggles that threaten to tear their world apart.

    The 9251st Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 6. Children Of Virtue And Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi

    In this fantasy sequel, the protagonists struggle to unite the kingdom of Orïsha and restore magic to the oppressed maji. After a brutal battle, the maji have regained their powers, but the monarchy and military now possess magical abilities as well. The heroine grapples with her role as a leader and her complex feelings for the enemy prince, while the kingdom is on the brink of civil war. As both sides fight for dominance, the characters must navigate betrayal, ancient mythology, and their own inner demons to bring peace and justice to their divided land.

    The 9251st Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 7. Woven In Moonlight by Isabel Ibañez

    "Woven In Moonlight" is a vibrant young adult fantasy novel that immerses readers in a world inspired by Bolivian culture and politics. The story follows a young woman who serves as a decoy for the last remaining royal of her people. After her kingdom is overthrown, she is sent to the conqueror's palace as part of a peace treaty, where she secretly uses her magical weaving abilities to weave tapestries that come to life. As she navigates a complex web of political intrigue, rebellion, and romance, she must decide where her loyalties lie and how to use her unique powers to shape the future of her divided nation.

    The 9416th Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 8. Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger

    In this young adult fantasy novel, we follow the story of a Lipan Apache teenager with the unique ability to awaken the ghosts of dead animals, a skill passed down through generations of her family. When her cousin dies under mysterious circumstances, she sets out to uncover the truth behind his death, delving into a small town's dark secrets. Alongside her ghost dog sidekick, she navigates a world filled with magic, spirits, and creatures from folklore, confronting the intersection of her Indigenous culture and the supernatural realm. Her journey tests her courage and her ancestral gifts, as she seeks justice and upholds her family's legacy.

    The 9416th Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 9. House Of Sky And Breath by Sarah J. Maas

    In "House of Sky and Breath," readers are plunged into a fantastical world where a diverse cast of characters grapples with the aftermath of a revolutionary war. The narrative centers on a half-fae, half-human protagonist and her found family of rebels as they navigate political intrigue, ancient prophecies, and forbidden romances. They must contend with oppressive regimes and unearthly powers, all while confronting their own personal demons and forging alliances with unlikely partners. The stakes are high as they fight for freedom and survival in a world teeming with danger, magic, and betrayal, where the boundary between life and death is as tenuous as the sky and breath.

    The 9926th Greatest Book of All Time
  10. 10. In The Distance by Hernan Díaz

    The novel follows the epic journey of a young Swedish immigrant named Håkan Söderström, who is separated from his brother during their voyage to America. Stranded in California, Håkan embarks on a quest to reunite with his sibling, traveling eastward through an unrecognizable and often hostile American frontier. Along the way, he encounters a diverse cast of characters and experiences the harsh realities of the Gold Rush era, transforming from an innocent boy into a mythic figure. His odyssey is marked by moments of profound isolation and violence, as well as encounters that challenge his understanding of the world and his place within it.

    The 10213th Greatest Book of All Time
  11. 11. Dactyl Hill Squad by Daniel José Older

    "Dactyl Hill Squad" is an adventurous historical fiction novel set during the Civil War era. The story follows a group of young orphaned children who possess the ability to communicate with dinosaurs. When their home is attacked and their caretaker is kidnapped, they join a secret society of young rebels who ride dinosaurs to fight against the oppressive forces of the Confederacy. With their unique abilities and newfound allies, the children embark on a dangerous mission to rescue their friend and bring justice to their war-torn world.

    The 10324th Greatest Book of All Time
  12. 12. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

    "The Cruel Prince" is a dark and captivating fantasy novel that follows the story of Jude, a human girl who is taken to the faerie world after her parents are murdered. In the treacherous and ruthless Court of Faerie, Jude must navigate a dangerous game of politics and power, where she becomes entangled in a web of deceit, betrayal, and deadly intrigue. As she fights for her place in this world, Jude discovers her own strength and resilience, challenging the cruel and twisted nature of the faerie realm.

    The 10324th Greatest Book of All Time
  13. 13. Go Tell The Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon

    In this historical fiction novel, we follow the story of a time-traveling woman who has reunited with her 18th-century husband in pre-Revolutionary America. As the couple attempts to build a life together in the tumultuous setting of the American colonies, they are faced with the challenges of the impending war, family drama, and the complexities of navigating a society on the brink of rebellion. The novel intertwines elements of romance, adventure, and historical events, as the protagonists balance their personal lives with the larger historical forces at play, all while maintaining the secret of the woman's time-traveling origins.

    The 10478th Greatest Book of All Time
  14. 14. The Thousand Crimes Of Ming Tsu by Tom Lin

    Set in the American West during the era of the transcontinental railroad, this novel follows the story of a Chinese-American assassin, Ming Tsu, who was forcibly taken from his homeland and trained by a crime boss. After falling in love and marrying a woman against the wishes of his boss, Ming is separated from his wife and sent to work on the railroad. He escapes and embarks on a quest for vengeance against the men who wronged him, using his lethal skills to exact justice. Along the way, he gathers a posse of outcasts, and together they navigate the harsh realities of a landscape marked by violence and racism. The narrative weaves elements of Western genre with magical realism, exploring themes of love, revenge, and the search for redemption in a lawless land.

    The 10478th Greatest Book of All Time
  15. 15. A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark

    Set in an alternate Cairo at the turn of the 20th century, where magic and steampunk technology infuse the air, the story follows Fatma el-Sha’arawi, the youngest woman working for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities. When someone claiming to be al-Jahiz, the famed Sufi mystic who opened the veil to the magical realm forty years prior, returns to wreak havoc in the form of a murderous cult, Fatma must unravel the mystery behind this imposter. With the help of her new partner, a clever ministry bureaucrat, and her girlfriend, an enigmatic lounge singer, Fatma delves into a world of djinn and gods to prevent the imposter's diabolical plot from unleashing chaos upon the world.

    The 10580th Greatest Book of All Time
  16. 16. Network Effect by Martha Wells

    In this science fiction novel, the protagonist, an artificial intelligence with a sarcastic personality and a penchant for self-preservation, finds itself and its human companions embroiled in a complex mystery. The AI, which typically inhabits a humanoid robot body, must navigate treacherous political landscapes and confront its own past while attempting to protect its friends from a multitude of threats. As the group is pulled into a dangerous situation involving an alien artifact and a missing colony, the AI must leverage its unique abilities and wit to unravel the conspiracy and ensure their survival. The narrative combines action, humor, and emotional depth as the AI grapples with its identity and the meaning of personhood.

    The 10586th Greatest Book of All Time
  17. 17. Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett

    In a city where magic is harnessed through intricate sigils and the industrial revolution meets sorcery, a talented thief with a unique ability is drawn into a heist that uncovers a nefarious plot threatening the very essence of reality. As she navigates a world of powerful merchant houses, technological marvels, and ancient artifacts, she must ally with unlikely partners to confront a force that could shatter the delicate balance of power and spell doom for her city and its inhabitants. With the lines between her personal quest for freedom and the greater good blurring, the thief's actions will determine the fate of magic and mankind alike.

    The 10638th Greatest Book of All Time
  18. 18. Persepolis Rising by James S. A. Corey

    In the science fiction novel set in a distant future where humanity has colonized the solar system, an aging crew of a well-known ship faces a new authoritarian threat emerging from the shadows of the past. Thirty years after their last major conflict, the crew must come to terms with their own mortality and the evolution of their relationships while confronting the rise of a militant empire. This empire, armed with advanced technology from an ancient alien civilization, seeks to impose a rigid order on the disparate colonies of humans. The crew must navigate political intrigue, shifting alliances, and the moral complexities of war to protect the fragile balance of power and prevent the solar system from plunging into tyranny.

    The 10651st Greatest Book of All Time
  19. 19. The 10,000 Doors Of January by Alix E Harrow

    In this enchanting novel, a young girl named January Scaller discovers a mysterious book that reveals a world of secret doorways leading to other realms, each unique and wondrous. As she delves deeper into its pages, she learns about her own family's connections to these other worlds and their role in guarding these portals. Set against the backdrop of the early 1900s, the story weaves a tale of adventure, self-discovery, and the power of words and stories to open doors to new possibilities. January must navigate a complex web of historical societies, hidden powers, and her own identity as she seeks to unlock the truth of her past and shape her destiny.

    The 10660th Greatest Book of All Time
  20. 20. Tiamat's Wrath by James S. A. Corey

    In this science fiction epic, humanity is embroiled in an interstellar conflict with an authoritarian regime seeking to control ancient alien technology. The story follows a band of renegade heroes who struggle against the oppressive Laconian Empire, which has harnessed the power of the mysterious protomolecule to assert its dominance over the human colonies. As the empire faces an unforeseen threat from the alien entities that created the protomolecule, the protagonists must navigate political intrigue, personal loss, and the complexities of human and alien morality to protect humanity's future and unravel the secrets of the universe itself.

    The 10692nd Greatest Book of All Time
  21. 21. Leviathan Falls by James S. A. Corey

    In the epic conclusion to a sweeping space saga, humanity faces its greatest challenge as factions within the solar system struggle for power amidst the looming threat of an ancient alien empire. As the fabric of reality itself begins to unravel, the crew of a storied ship must navigate political intrigue, personal demons, and cosmic mysteries to prevent the annihilation of human civilization. With the fate of countless worlds hanging in the balance, alliances are tested, sacrifices are made, and the very nature of existence is questioned as the series culminates in a dramatic showdown that promises to reshape the future of humanity and the universe beyond.

    The 10706th Greatest Book of All Time
  22. 22. A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher

    "A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking" is a young adult fantasy novel by T. Kingfisher. The story follows fourteen-year-old wizard Mona, who uses her magical abilities to defend her town from dangerous creatures. However, when a mysterious assassin begins targeting the town's wizards, Mona finds herself in the middle of a dangerous conspiracy. With the help of a talking sourdough starter and a few unlikely allies, Mona must use her baking skills and her magic to save her community and uncover the truth behind the attacks.

    The 10740th Greatest Book of All Time
  23. 23. Pahua and the Soul Stealer by Lori Lee

    "Pahua and the Soul Stealer" is a thrilling adventure story set in a mystical world where a young girl named Pahua must embark on a dangerous journey to save her village from a soul-stealing monster. With the help of her friends, Pahua sets out to find the monster's lair and put an end to its reign of terror. Along the way, she discovers the true strength of her own spirit and the power of friendship and determination. This captivating tale is filled with magic, suspense, and heart, making it a must-read for young readers who love action-packed fantasy stories.

    The 10848th Greatest Book of All Time
  24. 24. The Hills Have Spies by Mercedes Lackey

    In this fantasy novel, readers are introduced to a young protagonist, Perry, who embarks on his first mission as a spy to gather intelligence for his kingdom, Valdemar. Accompanied by his magical Companion, a horse-like being with significant powers, Perry navigates through treacherous terrains and faces various challenges. His journey leads him to uncover a plot that threatens not just his mission but the very safety of his homeland. Through courage, wit, and the bonds of friendship, Perry must navigate the complexities of espionage and warfare to protect his kingdom from looming danger. This tale is a blend of adventure, magic, and the timeless struggle between good and evil, set in a richly imagined world.

    The 11025th Greatest Book of All Time
  25. 25. City Of Miracles by Robert Jackson Bennett

    In the concluding volume of a genre-blending trilogy, a once-powerful minister, now a reclusive fugitive, is thrust back into the chaotic world of political intrigue and divine magic following the murder of his old friend. Seeking vengeance, he navigates a city teeming with divine entities and their earthly agendas. As he uncovers secrets that could reshape the world, he finds himself becoming a linchpin in the struggle for power among the gods and their human conduits. The narrative weaves a tale of redemption, the cost of power, and the nature of miracles in a reality where the divine walk among men, and the fate of all rests on the brink of monumental change.

    The 11220th Greatest Book of All Time

Reading Statistics

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Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download