In 2018, 'The Cruel Prince' by Holly Black was a big hit in the fantasy genre. It follows a mortal girl in the faerie world, full of political intrigue and dark magic. There were also other notable ones like 'Sky in the Deep' by Adrienne Young, which has a Viking - inspired fantasy setting and tells a story of a fierce female protagonist.
Well, 'Spinning Silver' by Naomi Novik was quite popular in 2018. It's a retelling of the Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale but with a much more complex and fantastical world - building. And then there's 'Vengeful' by V.E. Schwab, a sequel to 'Vicious' that continues to explore the concept of super - powered individuals in a dark and imaginative setting.
A great one is 'Harry Potter' series by J.K. Rowling. It follows the journey of Harry Potter in the wizarding world. It has elements of magic, friendship, and the fight against the dark wizard Voldemort. The Hogwarts School setting is really interesting.
Well, 'The Hobbit' by J.R.R. Tolkien is a classic among the best fantasy fiction books. It's a shorter adventure story that sets the stage for 'The Lord of the Rings'. 'The Name of the Wind' by Patrick Rothfuss is also a favorite. It tells the story of a young man's journey to become a powerful magician. And don't forget about 'The Dark Tower' series by Stephen King. It blends elements of fantasy, western, and horror in a very unique way.
The 'His Dark Materials' trilogy by Philip Pullman is among the top fantasy books. It has a unique concept of daemons which are manifestations of a person's soul in animal form. The story is full of adventure and challenges the ideas of authority and religion. Then there's 'The Chronicles of Narnia' by C.S. Lewis. This series transports readers to the magical land of Narnia, where animals can talk and there are epic battles between good and evil. It has a strong Christian allegory but is also a great fantasy read in its own right. 'The Earthsea Cycle' by Ursula K. Le Guin is also a wonderful choice. It focuses on a world of islands and magic, and the coming - of - age story of its main character Ged.
In 2017, 'The Bear and the Nightingale' by Katherine Arden was also quite popular. It's a story that weaves Russian folklore into a fantasy narrative. The vivid descriptions of the cold Russian landscape and the magical elements make it a great read. And 'Tower of Dawn' by Sarah J. Maas is another one, which delved deeper into the world and characters of her Throne of Glass series.
Well, 'The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue' can also be considered. Although it's not strictly pure fantasy, it has elements of magic as the main character makes a deal with a devil - like entity and lives for centuries, seeing the world change in many ways. It was quite popular in 2020.
One of the best books in fantasy fiction is 'The Lord of the Rings' by J.R.R. Tolkien. It has a richly detailed world, complex characters, and an epic adventure. Another great one is 'A Song of Ice and Fire' by George R.R. Martin, known for its political intrigue and diverse characters. 'Harry Potter' series by J.K. Rowling is also a top choice, with its magical world and themes of friendship and good vs. evil.
A really good YA fantasy book is 'Shadow and Bone' by Leigh Bardugo. It has a fascinating world with the Shadow Fold and Grisha powers. Then there's 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' by Sarah J. Maas. This series has a great mix of faerie lore, romance, and adventure. 'An Ember in the Ashes' by Sabaa Tahir is another excellent choice. It's set in a world inspired by ancient Rome, with a strong female lead fighting against an oppressive regime and a complex plot full of magic and intrigue.
Some of the best - selling fantasy fiction books include 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien. It has sold millions of copies worldwide and has been highly influential in the fantasy genre, creating a rich and detailed world of Middle - earth. Another one is 'Harry Potter' series by J.K. Rowling. It has a huge global following and has not only sold an astronomical number of copies but also been made into a highly successful movie franchise, introducing the wizarding world to generations of fans.
One of the best is 'The Name of the Wind' by Patrick Rothfuss. It has a richly detailed fantasy world set within a framework that feels like a historical account of a remarkable magician's life. Another great one is 'Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell' by Susanna Clarke. It combines historical England with a world of magic in a very unique and engaging way. And 'A Game of Thrones' by George R.R. Martin also fits this genre well. It's set in a fictional world with a medieval - like history, full of political intrigue, battles, and magic.
Some great fantasy fiction books include 'The Name of the Wind' by Patrick Rothfuss. The main character, Kvothe, has a very engaging story. 'American Gods' by Neil Gaiman is also a top pick. It blends modern and ancient mythology in a very creative way. Also, 'The Lies of Locke Lamora' by Scott Lynch is excellent. It has a great plot full of heists and intrigue in a fantasy city - state.