Some great 21st - century fantasy novels include 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series by George R.R. Martin. It has complex characters, political intrigue, and a vast world. Another is 'The Name of the Wind' by Patrick Rothfuss. It tells the story of Kvothe, a legendary figure, with beautiful prose and a captivating plot.
One of the best is 'The Lies of Locke Lamora' by Scott Lynch. It's set in a Venice - like city and follows a group of thieves. The world - building is superb, and the characters are full of charm and mischief. Also, 'American Gods' by Neil Gaiman is remarkable. It weaves together different mythologies in a modern - day America setting.
One great 21st - century Western novel is 'The Goldfinch' by Donna Tartt. It has a complex and engaging plot that follows the life of a young boy who becomes involved with a valuable painting after a tragic event. Another is 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel. It offers a vivid look into the court of Henry VIII. And 'A Little Life' by Hanya Yanagihara is also a notable one, though it's quite intense, exploring themes of friendship, trauma, and the human condition.
If you want a more emotional and deep read right away, 'Me Before You' would be a great choice. It will make you laugh and cry, and it has a very profound exploration of love and sacrifice. The characters are well - developed and the story is very engaging.
Haruki Murakami's '1Q84' is also a great choice. It's a complex and surreal story set in an alternate version of 1984 Tokyo. Murakami's unique writing style, with its blend of the ordinary and the extraordinary, makes this book a fascinating read. There are themes of love, mystery, and the search for self.
Some great fantasy novels from 2018 include 'Spinning Silver' by Naomi Novik. It's a richly detailed retelling of fairytales with strong female characters. Another one is 'Children of Blood and Bone' by Tomi Adeyemi. It has a unique magic system and a story of revolution in a fantasy world.
Well, in recent fantasy fiction, 'The Name of the Wind' by Patrick Rothfuss is a must - read for many. It has a brilliant narrative style as Kvothe tells his own story. 'Uprooted' by Naomi Novik is also very good. It has a fairytale - like quality with a strong female lead and an interesting magic - based plot. Additionally, 'Red Sister' by Mark Lawrence stands out. It's set in a harsh convent - like school where girls learn to be assassins and there are elements of dark magic.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien is a must - read. It has a richly detailed world with elves, dwarves, hobbits and more. The story of Frodo's quest to destroy the One Ring is epic and full of adventure.
One great fantasy harem novel is 'The Rising of the Shield Hero'. It has an interesting concept where the main character is wrongly accused but builds his own party which includes multiple female characters with different personalities and abilities. Another good one is 'In Another World with My Smartphone'. The protagonist gets transported to a fantasy world and attracts a harem of various characters along his adventures.
One popular fantasy smut novel is 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' by Sarah J. Maas. It has a great blend of fantasy elements like faeries and magic, along with some steamy romantic scenes. Another is 'Fifty Shades of Grey' which, while not strictly pure fantasy, has elements of a fantasy - like relationship dynamic and some rather sensual scenes. Also, 'The Black Dagger Brotherhood' series by J.R. Ward is known for its combination of vampire - based fantasy and some hot romantic encounters.
One of the best is 'The Legend of Condor Heroes' by Jin Yong. It's filled with amazing martial arts, complex characters, and an engaging plot. The story follows the adventures of Guo Jing, a simple but determined young man who rises to become a great martial artist.
The 'Lord of the Rings' by J.R.R. Tolkien also features wizard - like characters such as Gandalf. It's an epic tale of good versus evil in a richly imagined Middle - earth. The magic in it is more subtle in some ways but still very impactful in the grand scheme of the story, especially Gandalf's powers.