With epic worlds, compelling characters, and timeless tales of good versus evil, the fantasy genre is a favourite for many. Whether you’re looking for some new fantasy book recommendations or just want to know what British authors you should be reading, here are some must-reads.
This collection of must-read fantasy books are by some established and emerging British authors. With a selection of newly published titles and older books, these top 10 fantasy novels are the perfect addition to any reading list.
For your 2025 reading list, explore these Fantasy Books:
Table of Contents
1. Starborn by Lucy Hounsom
Starborn is the first book in the fantasy fiction series, The Worldmaker Trilogy by Lucy Hounsom. Shortlisted for the 2016 David Gemmell Morningstar Award for Best Debut, this epic fantasy fiction novel explores fate, power, and the severe repercussions of ancient magic.
When Kyndra disrupts a sacred ceremony, she inadvertently unleashes an unnatural storm and becomes the target of her superstitious community. With the help of two mysterious strangers wielding long-forgotten powers, she embarks on a perilous quest to the citadel of Naris.
But as she uncovers her own magic, she must confront the dark history of war and betrayal that threatens her world.
Can she control the power within her to right the ancient wrongs before it’s too late?
2. A Fool’s Errand by D.E. King
Lani’s quiet life is upended when she stumbles upon a dying man. With his final breath, he entrusts her with a powerful secret that will set her on an epic adventure.
In A Fool’s Errand by D.E. King, the first book in the In All Jest series, Lani finds herself bound to an ancient and dangerous world of Jesters, as the jewel she inherits unlocks a long-hidden secret.
With deadly assassins on her trail, Lani must travel across Dharatan to find the one person Ashantha trusted, all while being hunted by enemies who will stop at nothing to reclaim the amulet.
In this gripping epic novel we see fantasy elements like magic, mystery, and life-or-death stakes. Lani’s survival will depend on her ability to uncover the secrets of the past and keep the dangerous amulet out of the wrong hands.
3. A Little Hatred by Joe Abercrombie
A Little Hatred is the first book in The Age of Madness trilogy by Joe Abercrombie. In this epic fantasy we see the rise of industry clashes with the persistence of magic. As the chimneys of Adua’s industrial revolution rise, old grudges and rivalries continue to fester.
Leo dan Brock seeks glory on the battlefields of Angland, while Prince Orso’s incompetence only deepens the kingdom’s troubles. Savine dan Glokta, determined to climb the social ladder, faces the uncontrollable rage of the impoverished masses. Meanwhile, Rikke must grapple with the strange and volatile gift of the Long Eye, a power that lets her glimpse the future but binds her to forces beyond her control.
4. Daughters of Night by Laura Shepherd-Robinson
Daughters of Night by Laura Shepherd-Robinson is a gripping historical crime novel set in 18th-century London. The pursuit of justice uncovers the city’s most dangerous secrets in this fantasy book.
When Caroline ‘Caro’ Corsham finds a well-dressed woman murdered in the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, the authorities are quick to dismiss the case once they discover the victim was a high-priced prostitute.
But Caro, desperate for answers and motivated by her own reasons, refuses to let the matter rest. She enlists the help of thieftaker Peregrine Child to investigate the hidden underworld of Georgian society, where deception, artifice, and betrayal lurk in the shadows. As the inquiry leads them deeper into a web of secrets, Caro’s own reputation is at risk, and the truth may be far more treacherous than she could have imagined.
5. Eight Ghosts by Max Porter
The fantasy novel Eight Ghosts by Max Porter is an eerie collection of ghost stories and sinister histories. This fantasy fiction work is a collection of authors, including Mark Haddon, Jeanette Winterson, Andrew Michael Hurley, Sarah Perry, and more.
Each tale is inspired by the haunting atmospheres of English Heritage sites, ranging from medieval castles to a Cold War nuclear bunker, and promises to send shivers down your spine.
6. The Crow Folk by Mark Stay
In The Crow Folk by Mark Stay, Faye Bright’s quiet life in the village of Woodville is turned upside down when she uncovers her late mother’s magical diary, revealing her own mystical heritage.
With ancient spells, cryptic runes, and a recipe for jam roly-poly, Faye embarks on an adventure. As the sinister Crow Folk arrive, led by the mysterious Pumpkinhead, threatening both Faye and the villagers, she must rise to the challenge. Armed with her mother’s wisdom, a trusty bicycle, and the unexpected aid of two eccentric old ladies, Faye steps into a magical conflict that will test her powers and her courage.
7. The Binding by Bridget Collins
In The Binding by Bridget Collins, Emmett Farmer apprentices as a binder, crafting beautiful books that hold far more than just words. Each book contains a memory, whether it’s a secret, a sorrow, or something better left forgotten.
For a price, people can come to Emmett to have their painful memories bound away, locked in a book, never to be recalled again. But when Emmett stumbles upon a volume with his own name on it, everything changes. The discovery forces him to confront the mystery of his past, the choices he’s made, and the dark magic surrounding the craft of binding.
8. The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro
The Buried Giant is by Nobel Prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro. This fantasy tale weaves a captivating tale set in post-Arthurian Britain, where a mysterious mist has caused a widespread amnesia.
Axl and Beatrice, an elderly couple, embark on a mission to find their long-lost son, but their memories are fragmented, and they can barely recall their past. Along the way, they encounter a Saxon warrior, an orphaned child, and a renowned knight, all of whom slowly piece together the forgotten history that binds them.
9. The Wood at Midwinter by Susanna Clarke
From the internationally bestselling author of Piranesi and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell comes The Wood at Midwinter by Susanna Clarke.
The tale follows nineteen-year-old Merowdis Scot, a girl with an extraordinary gift. She can communicate with animals and trees. Her heart belongs to the woods, where she finds solace. One snowy afternoon, as she roams the woods with her dogs and Apple the pig, Merowdis encounters a blackbird and a fox. As dusk settles, a mysterious figure appears, altering the course of her life.
10. The Porpoise by Mark Haddon
In The Porpoise by Mark Haddon we see a mix of ancient myths and contemporary drama. The fantasy novel centres on Angelica, a young woman trapped in an abusive relationship with her father. When a man named Darius uncovers their secret, he is forced to flee on a boat bound for the Mediterranean, only to be swept back in time. Darius travels back over two thousand years into a world of pirates, shipwrecks, plagues, miracles, and vengeful gods.
Explore More Books by British Authors
Fantasy books offer more than just an escape from the mundane. Whether it’s through epic fantasy sagas or modern fantasy adventures, you can travel and escape into fictional universes and magical adventures.
Whether you prefer your fantasy books with a hint of romance, some high-stakes twists, or fantastical elements entwined into your world-building, there’s a book for everyone.
If you’re craving more fantasy adventures, why not dive into some fantasy books by British authors? Find your next favourite book today and get lost in worlds of magic, betrayal, and epic battles.Explore more Science Fiction and Fantasy Books by British authors and happy reading.