Fantasy, mystery, magic, and otherworldly realms—these have fascinated me since childhood. Growing up in Landshut, a town straight out of a fairytale, with misty hills and an ancient castle, I’ve always felt surrounded by magic. It makes you wonder what secrets lie in the woods or castle grounds. I crave fast-paced, suspenseful, fantastical books with a dash of romance and just enough weirdness to keep things exciting. If you’re like me and love stories that keep you guessing, check out my list of the best fantasy books that do just that. Plus, my debut Epic Fantasy novel is coming out this year, and it fits right into that category!
I wrote
Dohva - The Land Within: A Tale of Elemental Sorcery and Ancient Mysteries
This story follows Alex, a girl haunted by ghosts only she can see. Because of this extraordinary ability, she gets—despite being a crime suspect—chooses to go to Yale and oversee their secret societies that meddle with magic. As she tries to rebuild her life, the death of a girl and her suspicions about the societies pull her back into danger.
The book’s intricate plot and suspense have made me read it multiple times, with its vividly real world, societies, and characters making me eager to visit New Haven and see if it matches the story. Its twists and turns ensure you'll be hooked and constantly wondering what comes next. Also, I've loved Yale since I first saw Gilmore Girls.
*The adult debut from the author of SHADOW AND BONE - now a Netflix Original series!*
The instant SUNDAY TIMES and NEW YORK TIMES bestseller that Stephen King calls 'Impossible to put down'.
Galaxy 'Alex' Stern is the most unlikely member of Yale's freshman class. A dropout and the sole survivor of a horrific, unsolved crime, Alex was hoping for a fresh start. But a free ride to one of the world's most prestigious universities was bound to come with a catch.
Alex has been tasked with monitoring the mysterious activities of Yale's secret societies - well-known haunts of the…
This is a fantasy novel about noble families competing for control of the Iron Throne in a world filled with political intrigue, betrayal, and war. As alliances shift and conflicts arise, a supernatural threat from the north begins to emerge, adding to the chaos.
If you love Epic Fantasy, this is a must-read. The story offers complex characters and unexpected twists. Fun fact: I'm an ENFJ personality type, the same as Daenerys Targaryen.
HBO's hit series A GAME OF THRONES is based on George R R Martin's internationally bestselling series A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE, the greatest fantasy epic of the modern age. A GAME OF THRONES is the first volume in the series.
'Completely immersive' Guardian
'When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground'
Summers span decades. Winter can last a lifetime. And the struggle for the Iron Throne has begun.
From the fertile south, where heat breeds conspiracy, to the vast and savage eastern lands, all the way to the frozen…
The Victorian mansion, Evenmere, is the mechanism that runs the universe.
The lamps must be lit, or the stars die. The clocks must be wound, or Time ceases. The Balance between Order and Chaos must be preserved, or Existence crumbles.
Appointed the Steward of Evenmere, Carter Anderson must learn the…
This book follows Richard Mayhew, who is pulled into the hidden world of "London Below" after helping a mysterious girl named Door. In this strange, dangerous realm, filled with magical creatures and dark forces, Richard embarks on a journey to return to his normal life.
I get bored easily, and many times when you read four chapters and there is still basically nothing going on, I stop and never open it again. But this book never came up short. With twists at every turn, the story keeps you guessing, never revealing what comes next. I loved it! And it is wonderfully weird as well.
This is a historical romance with a fantasy twist, following Claire Randall, a WWII nurse who is mysteriously transported to 18th-century Scotland. Despite its lack of classic fantasy elements, the novel creates its own unique sense of magic through time travel, suspense, and constant surprises. Claire's journey, torn between two lives and a passionate romance, is filled with unexpected twists that keep you on edge.
I'm not a big fan of historical fiction, but this one is special to me. I've read it a lot, and I just love the descriptive details Gabaldon has effortlessly woven into the story. Also, you really want to know "what comes next" for Claire and Jamie.
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The first book in Diana Gabaldon’s acclaimed Outlander saga, the basis for the Starz original series.
One of the top ten best-loved novels in America, as seen on PBS’s The Great American Read!
Unrivaled storytelling. Unforgettable characters. Rich historical detail. These are the hallmarks of Diana Gabaldon’s work. Her New York Times bestselling Outlander novels have earned the praise of critics and captured the hearts of millions of fans. Here is the story that started it all, introducing two remarkable characters, Claire Beauchamp Randall and Jamie Fraser, in a spellbinding novel of passion and…
Haunted by her choices, including marrying an abusive con man, thirty-five-year-old Elizabeth has been unable to speak for two years. She is further devastated when she learns an old boyfriend has died. Nothing in her life…
This book is a paranormal romance that follows Bella Swan, a teenage girl who moves to the misty town of Forks and quickly becomes fascinated by the mysterious Edward Cullen, who turns out to be a vampire. The book hooks you from the start as you're drawn into the suspense of figuring out what's really happening with Edward and his family.
I love the dark, misty, and magical atmosphere—what the movie perfectly captured with its now iconic "Hoa Hoa Hoa" vibe—that adds a haunting, almost dreamlike quality to the story.
When 17 year old Isabella Swan moves to Forks, Washington to live with her father she expects that her new life will be as dull as the town.
But in spite of her awkward manner and low expectations, she finds that her new classmates are drawn to this pale, dark-haired new girl in town. But not, it seems, the Cullen family. These five adopted brothers and sisters obviously prefer their own company and will make no exception for Bella.
Bella is convinced that Edward Cullen in particular hates her, but she feels a strange attraction to him, although his hostility…
My book is a fast-paced, thrilling epic fantasy novel. It will take you to the isolated flying continent of Dohva, where elemental magic reigns supreme, and every soul is trapped in an endless cycle of rebirth.
When a magical darkness overtakes the world, a group of anti-heroes are thrown into the madness of the powerful, leaving them to save their world from the malevolent force that wields the forbidden dark magic of the demon prince Agthod.
