Best Fantasy Books of 2025, according to BookTok!
Why this list is different
If you have an unhealthy obsession with BookTok like myself, you already know that 2025 has been a fantastic (pun intended) year for fantasy readers. You’d think at this point we would have had our fill of dragons, morally grey characters, and cottagecore witches, but our hunger is insatiable! I can almost say that there’s been such a surge of new fantasy and science fiction book titles this year on my For You page, that I can barely keep up. But keep up I shall try!
Despite the mountain of fantasy-related content on BookTok, when you search for “best fantasy books,” most of what you’ll find are either critic-led roundups (solid but detached), or personal mid-year favourites that skim the surface. They’ll list the same heavy-hitters over and over again: The Silverblood Oath, A Court of Starlight and Smoke, maybe a new Brandon Sanderson epic. And then move on without ever explaining why these stories caught fire online.
That’s where this list stands apart.
This isn’t a list of what publishers or critics declared “best.” It’s a list of what readers on BookTok actually cared about: the books that dominated reading vlogs, trended under #FantasyBookTok, and had fans talking about for hours on end.
I looked at hundreds of 2025 fantasy reads and asked myself three simple questions:
Did BookTok talk about it (a lot)?
Did it genuinely deliver a memorable reading experience?
Would I recommend it to our readers, the fantasy fans who want to feel something, not just finish another 600-page quest?
From sprawling epics to cozy forest tales, this year’s fantasy releases have something for everyone. You’ll see viral romantasy book sensations, dark academia crossovers, and a few quiet gems that are starting to rise in the algorithm. Each title earned its place not just because it’s good, but because it stuck and had that rare magical ability to make you scroll for fan art at 2 a.m.
And unlike many other lists, I’ve made sure to highlight who each book is perfect for. At least, according to my humble opinion. You can always fight me on it, be be warned: I run VERY fast. But I digress…
Whether you’re craving dragon warfare or tea-sipping magic, this list will help you find your next obsession.
If you’re joining us from our Top 10 Romantasy Books According to BookTok!, you’ll feel right at home. We’re continuing that same love of hype, heart, and emotional storytelling here.
So grab a cup of something warm, open your notes app, and prepare to meet the Fifteen fantasy books that defined BookTok’s imagination in 2025!
The Best Fantasy Books of 2025 (According to BookTok)
Below are fifteen stories that dominated #BookTok this year and wound up on almost everyone’s TBR list. Each of these delivered something that TikTok couldn’t stop talking about. So let’s see what that is.
Oh, and before I forget: I’ll be adding an Amazon affiliate link for each title. So if you are looking to buy the ones missing from your collection (or, you know, something that will actually let me buy bread this month) I’d highly appreciate it if you support our team!
The Best Fantasy Books of 2025:
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
Alchemised by SenLinYu
The Devils by Joe Abercrombie
Isles of the Emberdark by Brandon Sanderson
Grave Empire by Richard Swan
Katabasis by R.F. Kuang
The Rose Field by Philip Pullman
Written on the Dark by Guy Gavriel Kay
The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
The Strength of the Few by James Islington
Empire of the Dawn by Jay Kristoff
The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson
Of Empires and Dust by Ryan Cahill
A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
Genre: Epic Romantasy / Dragon Riders / War College Fantasy
BookTok didn’t just love Fourth Wing: it built a universe around it. And Onyx Storm, the third instalment in Yarros’s Empyrean series, proved that 2025’s fantasy scene still belongs to dragon riders and their dangerously charming love interests.
Why it’s trending: The emotional fallout from Iron Flame set the stage for one of the most anticipated releases in fantasy history. Readers went feral dissecting clues, theories, and leaked page counts. Hashtags like #OnyxStorm and #EmpyreanSeries racked up millions of views within days of release.
The vibe: Think high-stakes battles, fierce loyalty, and a romance that’s equal parts devotion and destruction.
Who will love it: Readers who devoured Fourth Wing, obviously, but also anyone who craves fantasy with adrenaline, angst, and zero chill.
If you liked this: Check out our Top 10 Romantasy Books According to BookTok! for even more dragon-core favorites.
Alchemised by SenLinYu
Genre: Dark Romantic Fantasy / Dystopian Magic / Trauma & Rebellion
What began life as a wildly popular fan-fic phenomenon has become one of 2025’s most talked-about fantasy releases. Alchemised reimagines its source material into a legally distinct world of necromancers and alchemists, and it debuted at #1 on the NYT list while trending across TikTok, followed by a splashy film deal that poured more fuel on the fire.
Why it’s trending:
Reader reaction videos swung between awe and devastation; annotated copies and “I am unwell” edits took over #BookTok. The buzz only intensified after news of the bestseller debut and adaptation pickup.
The vibe:
Bleak, seductive, morally thorny. It’s a story of power brokered through bodies and blood, with a slow-burn connection that feels both inevitable and impossible.
Who will love it:
Readers who want their fantasy dark, intimate, and emotionally brutal: think the ethical edge of Babel with the forbidden chemistry of top romantasy.
If you liked this:
Slide over to our Top 10 Romantasy Books According to BookTok! — several picks there scratch the same “angst + obsession” itch, minus the dystopian grind.
The Devils by Joe Abercrombie
Genre: Grimdark Fantasy / War Epic
Why it’s trending:
Released in 2025, The Devils marks Abercrombie’s return and has already entered bestseller lists. On TikTok, it has been gaining traction through “grimdark fantasy you didn’t know you needed” clips and reaction videos to its morally-murky characters and brutal stakes.
The vibe:
Blood, betrayal, reluctant heroes and villains. Expect the kind of dark fantasy where victory may just be surviving.
Who will love it:
Readers who want their fantasy heavy, morally complex, and world-shattering. If you’re tired of always romanticising power and want something grittier, this is your pick.
Isles of the Emberdark by Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Cosmere Epic / Seafaring Fantasy / Standalone (secret-project line)
Sanderson’s 2025 Cosmere standalone crashed into feeds the moment backers started receiving eBooks and premium hardcovers in early July. The Spanish NOVA edition followed in November 2025, while Tor’s wide U.S. hardback lands in early 2026, so the 2025 hype has been very real (and very global).
Why it’s trending:
Backer unboxings + annotation reels = instant #BookTok takeover. The book’s “far-future Cosmere on the seas” pitch, cameos/lore tie-ins, and gorgeous Dragonsteel edition made it the fantasy flex of the year.
The vibe:
High-adventure on strange archipelagos, cognitive-realm weirdness, and that signature Sanderson combo: clean magic mechanics, big heart, bigger payoff.
Who will love it:
Readers who want a 2025 fantasy that’s both hypey and genuinely fun, even if you’re not fully Cosmere-caught-up. If deep-lore breadcrumbs light you up, prepare to pause and theorize every few chapters.
Grave Empire by Richard Swan
Genre: Dark Fantasy / Epic Fantasy
Why it’s a solid fit:
Grave Empire, published in 2025, is already receiving strong acclaim and social-buzz traction. It was featured in several “best of 2025 fantasy” lists for dark-fantasy lovers and is still quite popular with BookTok creators.
The vibe:
Lush world-building, morally complex characters, and an epic empire-scale story that still manages to feel personal.
Who will love it:
Readers who gravitate toward dark, layered fantasy rather than just high-action; fans of epic sagas with emotional weight.
If you liked this:
For those who enjoyed the gothic intensity of the romantasy/academy-styled pick we had earlier, this is a darker variant. You may also want to check out our review of The Whispering Dark for another take on ambition + world-building.
Katabasis by R. F. Kuang
Genre: Dark Academia Fantasy / Gothic Magic
[IMAGE: Katabasis cover | Alt: Dark academia fantasy book set at Cambridge and the underworld]
R. F. Kuang’s Katabasis (released August 2025) has been the dark academia event of the year. And BookTok can’t stop talking about it! The premise is deceptively simple: two rival magicians descend into Hell to rescue their professor. What they find instead is a study in guilt, grief, and the unbearable weight of brilliance.
Why it’s trending:
#KatabasisBookTok blew up in early September as readers filmed tear-streaked reviews and argued about the ending. Kuang’s trademark precision: part philosophy, part heartbreak, hit the same nerve Babel did, but with even higher emotional stakes.
The vibe:
Scholarly decay. Lush prose. Hell as a metaphor for ambition and memory.
Who will love it:
Readers who crave intelligent, slow-burning fantasy that isn’t afraid to ask moral questions. It’s cerebral, chilling, and completely unforgettable.
If you liked this:
Try our Best Fall Books to Read on a Rainy Sunday as several of those atmospheric picks share the same introspective melancholy and haunting lyricism that make Katabasis linger long after you close it.
The Rose Field by Philip Pullman
Genre: Fantasy Novel / Legacy Epic
Why it’s trending:
Published October 2025, The Rose Field is the long-awaited final volume of Pullman’s Book of Dust series. The return of Lyra Silvertongue, aged and changed, sparked huge BookTok interest under hashtags like #LyraForever and #RoseFieldFinale.
The vibe: A legacy epic bridging childhood fantasy with adult reckoning: daemons, Dust, and moral questions that span decades.
Who will love it: Readers who grew up with His Dark Materials, enjoy richly imagined worlds with philosophical depth, or want a viral 2025 release with serious fandom momentum.
If you liked this: For other picks with strong fandom and emotional stakes, check our romantasy roundup.
Written on the Dark by Guy Gavriel Kay
Genre: Historical Fantasy / Portrait of War & Art
Why it’s viral:
Released May 27, 2025, this novel by Kay, already a veteran in the fantasy domain, took social media by storm as fans celebrated his return. It merges his classical historical-fantasy style with a focused narrative set during analogue to the Hundred Years’ War.
The vibe:
Elegant, bittersweet, and deeply human. A tavern poet, war-weary knights, and the slow unravel of power and art in a fractured world. If you wanted epic fantasy with dignity and grief, this is it.
Who will love it:
Readers who admire layered prose, moral complexity, and a fantasy world that moves at the pace of politics and art rather than non-stop battle. Think The Lions of Al-Rassan energy, but refreshed for 2025.
If you liked this:
For other fantasy reads that combine historical weight with emotional resonance, you might enjoy our Lies We Sing to the Sea – Book Review, as both offer that “sorrow + hope” blend.
The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig
Genre: Gothic Romantasy / Fantasy Quest
Why it’s trending:
Released May 20, 2025, this novel has stirred BookTok into a frenzy. It’s been described as the “next romantasy sensation” and has generated strong social buzz under hashtags like #TheKnightAndTheMoth.
The vibe: A foundling diviner, a reluctant knight, a cathedral of secrets, and a quest through shadows and prophecy: rich gothic atmosphere meets slow-burn romance.
Who will love it: If you’re into romantasy with mood, mousty candles, intrigue, a touch of supernatural, and strong heroines who fight for their destiny, this is it.
If you liked this: Try other emotionally charged fantasy/romantasy picks from our Top 10 Romantasy Books According to BookTok! list for similar vibes.
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
Genre: Dystopian Fantasy / Prequel / Series Revival
Why it’s trending:
Released March 18, 2025, this prequel to the hugely popular The Hunger Games series sold over 1.5 million copies in its first week and immediately fueled BookTok reaction videos. The hashtag #SunriseOnTheReaping trended as readers film unboxings, first-read reels and emotion-filled reflections.
The vibe:
Familiar yet fresh: set 24 years before the original series, it revisits Haymitch Abernathy’s story during the 50th Hunger Games, blending beloved lore with new moral stakes and the brutal machinery of Panem.
Who will love it:
Readers who want high-buzz fantasy that’s part epic, part commentary. If you’ve followed BookTok’s “what to read next” threads, this must-read is everywhere.
The Strength of the Few by James Islington
Genre: Epic Fantasy / Multiverse Saga
Why it’s trending:
The Strength of the Few is scheduled for release on November 11, 2025. Pre-orders and fan discussions on forums and BookTok show high momentum, with readers from the author’s popular Hierarchy series are waiting patiently, tagging the book as one of the most anticipated fantasy releases of 2025.
The vibe:
Expansive, layered world-building spanning multiple worlds, with themes of identity, sacrifice, and the cost of power. If you’re looking for a fantasy that goes big (both in scope and emotional stakes), this is it.
Who will love it:
Readers who enjoy dense epics, morally grey characters, massive worldbuilding, and fan-driven hype. If you’re active on BookTok looking for the next “must-preorder” fantasy, this fits the bill.
If you liked this:
If you’re a fan of Islington’s work, check out our list of The Best Fantasy Series ever written, where we feature his Licanius Trilogy!
Empire of the Dawn by Jay Kristoff
Genre: Grimdark Epic / Revenge Fantasy / Final Installment
Jay Kristoff has been tormenting and thrilling us in equal measure with the Empire of the Vampire series, and now, at long last, the saga closes with Empire of Dawn. I’ve been a massive fan of the first two books: for the lush writing, the unapologetic violence, and the surprisingly tender emotional core beneath all the blood.
Why I’m excited:
Kristoff’s world has always been one of exquisite contradictions: monsters who crave redemption, heroes who commit unforgivable sins, and prose that reads like scripture written in ash. If the early reactions are anything to go by, Empire of Dawn promises a finale that’s both devastating and transcendent: the kind of book that makes you close it slowly, stare into space, and mutter, “I need a moment, for f*ck’s sake...”
BookTok is already bracing itself. The hashtag #EmpireOfDawn has started trending with fan theories, reading vlogs, and “prepare your emotions” videos. And frankly? Same.
If you’re catching up:
Now’s the perfect time to dive into Empire of the Vampire and Empire of the Damned before the final curtain falls. You’ll want to experience the heartbreak in real time with the rest of us.
The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson
Genre: Epic Fantasy / Murder-Mystery Court Politics
Why it’s trending:
Published April 15, 2025, The Raven Scholar introduces a new epic trilogy and surged in buzz thanks to its blend of imperial intrigue, clever plotting, and strong character hooks. The author, previously known for historical crime, brings a fresh voice to adult fantasy, and early reviews highlight its surprising depth.
The vibe:
The empire of Orrun is choosing its next ruler through brutal trials. High Scholar Neema Kraa, brilliant and underestimated, is drawn into a court murder that could decide survival or catastrophe. Think strategic games, sacred animals, a murder mystery cast into epic scale.
Who will love it:
Readers who enjoy “smart fantasy” with political manoeuvring, deep world-building and a mysterious twist at its core. If you liked stories where the protagonist has to fight not just weapons but systems, this will hit.
Of Empires and Dust by Ryan Cahill
Genre: Epic Fantasy / Sword & Sorcery / Military Saga
Ryan Cahill has quietly built one of the most loyal fantasy fandoms online, and with Of Empires and Dust, he’s no longer just an indie favorite: he’s a BookTok staple.
Why it’s trending:
This sprawling war epic gained traction after fans of The Bound and the Broken began posting reaction reels to its jaw-dropping finale. It’s the kind of series where you can feel every sword swing and heartbreak. What made BookTok love it most? Cahill’s self-published grit, proof that indie fantasy can absolutely stand with the giants.
The vibe: Relentless battles, quiet heroism, and devastating loyalty.
Who will love it: Readers of Brandon Sanderson, John Gwynne, or anyone who lives for the phrase “just one more chapter” at 3 a.m.
If you liked this: Revisit our Best Fall Books to Read on a Rainy Sunday. Several of our cozy picks make perfect recovery reads after Cahill’s emotional carnage.
A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett
Genre: Fantasy Mystery / Epic Fantasy
Why it’s trending:
Released April 1, 2025, this sequel to The Tainted Cup has already generated major buzz. It’s a fantasy murder mystery set at the fringes of an empire, and it combines high stakes, inventive worldbuilding and a detective core, all ideal for BookTok’s “I couldn’t put this down” tag.
The vibe:
Locked-room mystery meets epic fantasy. Investigators Ana Dolabra and Din Kol peel back layers of empire, magic, and treachery. Political intrigue, biological horror (leviathans and marrow), and twisting conspiracies abound.
Who will love it:
If you relish fantasy that leans into mystery, with sharp characters, morally complex empires, and inventive magic systems, this is one to pick up. Also great for fans of the detective-fantasy crossover who want something trending in 2025.
What We Learned from BookTok’s Fantasy Obsession
If 2025 has proven anything, it’s that fantasy readers don’t just want world-building. They want feeling. The books that dominated BookTok this year weren’t necessarily the densest epics or the bloodiest wars; they were the ones that connected. Whether through aching slow-burns, clever political metaphors, or hopeful endings, each story offered emotion strong enough to pull readers off their screens and back into the page.
Fifteen titles later, one truth stands clear: fantasy in 2025 is more emotionally expansive than ever. The genre has evolved past simple quests and chosen-one tropes into something layered: stories that dare to be introspective, romantic, political, and beautifully human.
BookTok didn’t just promote these books; it shaped their success.
From Onyx Storm’s dragon-fueled intensity to A drop of Corruption’s political intrigue, this list captures what makes fantasy so enduring: the endless ways we escape, confront, and rediscover ourselves in impossible worlds.
If you’re ready to keep exploring, don’t miss our My 2025 Reading Challenge, where I will try to update as often as I can my progress this year. FYI - currently closing in on that 70-book milestone!
Discover the best fantasy books of 2025 that BookTok can’t stop talking about - from epic adventures and dark academia to romantasy sensations and viral new releases. Explore 15 must-read titles, upcoming favorites like Empire of Dawn, and the stories redefining fantasy this year.