Fantasy is often defined by older works from writers of the past. However, the contemporary generation of speculative fiction authors has delivered excellent works that are moving the genre in an exciting direction. As fiction, and writing in general, becomes more inclusive and diverse, it opens the door for a greater number of stories to be told that connect with audiences. While plenty of these works are the beginnings of a sweeping fantasy series, some are standalone projects that have become just as influential in the world of fiction. These books represent the trends that fantasy will continue to follow.

Many of these are complex fantasy books with great payoffs that deliver strong endings after laying the groundwork with intricate world-building. While world-building and the creation of concrete magic systems are important parts of the fantasy genre, it's equally vital that these novels include complex characters who undergo significant development before the story is through. The past decade has seen authors deliver works that achieve all this and more and bode well for future contributions to the world of fantasy. Both critical reception and audience opinion play a role in how these books are received and ed.

10 Six Of Crows (2015)

Written by Leigh Bardugo

The spinoff duology of Shadow and Bone, Six of Crows, begins with the titular novel and is easily the best of the Grishaverse series. No longer following Alina Starkov and her quest to defeat the Darkling, Six of Crows picks up with Kaz Brekker and his crew of thieves as they pull off an incredible heist that takes the reader to the furthest corners of the Grishaverse. While the Shadow and Bone books rarely strayed from Alina's storyline, Six of Crows thrives because it follows a large ensemble of distinct characters.

Six of Crows relentlessly propels itself to the novel's conclusion, and though it seems like it will be a simple burglary story, it turns out to be much more.

Not only does Six of Crows have one of the best enemies-to-lovers arcs in romantasy, it successfully uses these tropes and weaves them into the intricate story while developing each other characters individually. The universe that Leigh Bardugo created in the original series flourishes in Six of Crows, and the new pieces of lore the audience learns never feel forced or out of place. Six of Crows relentlessly propels itself to the novel's conclusion, and though it seems like it will be a simple burglary story, it turns out to be much more.

9 Gideon The Ninth (2019)

Written by Tamsyn Muir

Gideon the Ninth is the first in Tamsyn Muir's The Locked Tomb series. It deftly introduces the audience not only to the dangerous world that the protagonist, Gideon, inhabits but to Gideon and her unique voice as well. Gideon is a fantastic character to follow through the darkness and humor of the story. Combining elements of sci-fi into its story that blends perfectly with fantasy, Gideon the Ninth paves the way forward for speculative fiction by incorporating multiple genres into its narrative, including horror and romance.

The tone and language of Gideon the Ninth are in conversation with contemporary humor and slang, which might date the book many years from now but also help root it in a particular period of culture. Like many new fantasy books, Gideon the Ninth incorporates LGBTQ+ representation into the plot through a compelling and well-developed romance that is built on trust and friendship. As Gideon helps her nemesis, Harrowhawk, rise through the ranks of necromancers, she learns about herself and discovers the truth about the dark empire around her.

8 The Invisible Life Of Addie LaRue (2020)

Written by V.E. Schwab

V.E. Schwab is a prolific fantasy writer and has penned well-received novels like A Darker Shade of Magic and Vicious, but the author's best work of the decade is The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. Spanning generations, the reader gets to spend lifetimes with Addie, who does everything she can to not be forgotten. Though it's an extreme situation, as Addie has immortality in exchange for never being ed by anyone she meets, her story is universal, as everyone wants to be ed.

The bittersweet conclusion is a reminder that not every story has a perfectly happy ending and that there are many ways to be ed.

Nominated for several awards, including the 2021 Locus Award for Best Fantasy, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue connects with readers because of Addie as a character. It's her journey and development that keeps the audience engaged as she grapples with her desire to feel seen by the world. It's an interesting new take on the tale of Faust, which involves a person selling their soul to the devil. The bittersweet conclusion is a reminder that not every story has a perfectly happy ending and that there are many ways to be ed.

7 She Who Became The Sun (2021)

Written by Shelley Parker-Chan

Shelley Parker-Chan's debut novel, She Who Became the Sun, is an excellent representation of the most exciting parts of contemporary fantasy. The book follows the story of Zhu, a young woman who takes on the identity of her brother and eventually vies for the throne of the emperor. As a reimagining of Chinese history in the 1300s with a magical twist, it interrogates LGBTQ+ people's existence in history. The story calls into question the nature of greatness and prophecy and a person's power in shaping their own destiny.

She Who Became the Sun doesn't shy away from the violence and intensity of war that's woven throughout the plot. Parker-Chan isn't afraid to make their characters suffer but also affords them deeply satisfying moments of triumph. Gender identity and exploration are a significant part of the story and are tackled from multiple perspectives and experiences, which provides many lenses through which to look at the narrative and its themes. Parker-Chan followed the novel with the sequel, He Who Drowned the World, which completes Zhu's story.

6 Children Of Blood And Bone (2018)

Written by Tomi Adeyemi

The first in the Legacy of Orïsha series, Children of Blood and Bone, immediately captured the attention of fantasy lovers everywhere, as the novel seamlessly took the best parts of the YA genre and incorporated relevant contemporary social issues. Deeply in conversation with the discrimination against Black Americans in the U.S., Children of Blood and Bone follows the story of Zélie Adebola, who sets out on a quest to restore magic to her home after the terrible King Saran. With elements of romance and action, Children of Blood and Bone chronicles an amazing odyssey for Zélie.

Inspired by West African mythology, the magic that Zélie and her allies tap into is a well-crafted aspect of the novel, and Zélie's ion for magic and her birthright propels her through the story.

Both a coming-of-age tale and a sharp social commentary, Children of Blood and Bone hits home with every reader who picks up the novel. Inspired by West African mythology, the magic that Zélie and her allies tap into is a well-crafted aspect of the novel, and Zélie's ion for magic and her birthright propels her through the story. Her relationship with her friends and the bond they form as they complete their dangerous mission is also a touching and relatable part of the tale that helps root the intense story in the YA genre.

5 Words Of Radiance (2014)

Written by Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson is a prolific fantasy writer, with works like the Mistborn series garnering attention and his work finishing The Wheel of Time after Robert Jordan's ing. However, Sanderson cemented his position within the fantasy canon with The Stormlight Archive, which began in 2010. The epic high fantasy series is an intricate tale that blends the stories of many different characters from multiple perspectives. However, Sanderson is consistently able to differentiate between these characters and bring them to life with ease.

Words of Radiance is the second installment in The Stormlight Archive and does what few sequels are able to do, which is top the original. Many novel series and book trilogies suffer from second-book syndrome, which sees a decline in quality after the initial installment. However, Words of Radiance is an exception to this rule, as it increases the stakes and tension and thrusts the characters right back into the heart of the action. Since the series is far from over, as Sanderson has many more installments planned, it's exciting to anticipate how he will top Words of Radiance.

4 The Fifth Season (2015)

Written by N. K. Jemisin

N.K. Jemisin's Broken Earth Trilogy begins with The Fifth Season, a tremendous interweaving of three women's journeys through a world that is ravaged by geological disasters. Essun, Damaya, and Syenite each bring a distinct perspective to the novel and have varying viewpoints on the experiences of the Orogenes, the people with the power to control the environment. With each chapter of The Fifth Season, the reader learns more about the world of the story and the history of the women who have been affected by the strict caste system.

Each installment of the trilogy won the Hugo Award for Best Fiction, making history and drawing attention to Jemisin's brilliantly imagined universe.

Each installment of the trilogy won the Hugo Award for Best Fiction, making history and drawing attention to Jemisin's brilliantly imagined universe. Not only are the characters deeply engaging and unforgettable, but the themes and tone of The Fifth Season become more relevant as time progresses. The titular fifth season that the book chronicles is a timely metaphor for the horrors of climate change. The Fifth Season effectively communicates the interconnected nature of discrimination in both cultural and environmental spheres and how all of these prejudices inform each other.

3 Circe (2018)

Written by Madeline Miller

Circe wasn't Madeline Miller's first foray into retellings of classic Greek myths, but it did take the groundwork laid by The Song of Achilles and create something even more incredible. While The Song of Achilles is a much more romantic work, Circe reclaims the stories told about the titular witch by exploring her side of the lore and uncovering how so many myths and legends came to revolve around her power. Other books have followed this formula of recounting the tales of women in history and myth through a feminist lens, but Circe is one of the most successful.

Torn between the mortal and divine worlds, Circe might have access to magic and amazing abilities, but she seeks the acceptance and kindness of others as much as any regular person. Though Miller hits the major beats of Circe's life, she also focuses on the everyday realities of her isolation. For all her power and greatness, what Circe truly desires is a life of her own without the meddling and restrictions of others who are afraid of what they don't understand.

2 Uprooted (2015)

Written by Naomi Novik

As the folktale of Uprooted unfolds, the reader is drawn into the world of Agnieszka and the Dragon and the chilling Wood they seek to tame. Naomi Novik is also known for the Temeraire series as well as The Scholomance novels, but her standalone project Uprooted remains a highlight of her work. The protagonist, Agnieszka, believes herself to be an unlikely heroine, not believing in her hidden potential for magic and greatness, which the wizard, the Dragon, can plainly see.

While Agnieszka does take on the role of the chosen one, she remains a relatable character who makes mistakes and must rely on her friends and allies in her quest.

Loosely based on Polish folklore, Uprooted is a vast story that incorporates many journeys, triumphs, and failures into Agnieszka's development. While Agnieszka does take on the role of the chosen one, she remains a relatable character who makes mistakes and must rely on her friends and allies in her quest. Winning both the Locus and Nebula Awards, Uprooted received strong praise from critics and audiences alike but would be worth reading regardless. Though a friendship and budding romance do develop for Agnieszka, this is secondary to her path to greatness.

1 Babel (2022)

Written by R.F. Kuang

R.F. Kuang has been a writer to watch since her debut, The Poppy War, in 2018. While The Poppy War trilogy is an amazing work of historical fantasy, Babel might be Kuang's best work to date. A sweeping tale about Robin Swift, a young man who's taken from his home in Canton to study language in England, eventually gaining acceptance to the fictional Babel College at Oxford. Set in the 1830s, Babel scrutinizes the history of British imperialism and violence through a fantasy lens and explores the moments when resistance becomes necessary and the right course of action.

The winner of the Nebula Award for Best Novel, in addition to other accolades, Babel was quickly singled out as not just a great work of fantasy but a great novel all around. Babel is a lesson in contradictions and the ability to hold two beliefs at once as the magical aspects of the story perpetuate the violence but also enchant the reader. Additionally, Babel explores how language and academia play into these topics by incorporating history and etymology into the story.