Best Fantasy Series Recent (2026): 5 Starts and Sets Compared

The best fantasy series recent readers are starting share a shape: a first book you can buy today, with the rest planned. We compared five on series position, stated dates and format. Two list full details; three are listed on title alone.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Folk of the Air Box Set by Black	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
2	One Dark Window by Gillig	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
3	The Ever King	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Death Before Dragons	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Curse of Shadows and Thorns by Andrews	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Folk of the Air Box Set by Black

Holly Black·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

The trilogy plus a full-color novella in one paperback box, for a fantasy fan who wants the whole set at once.

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Pros

• The main trilogy and the novella arrive in one box
• Listed grade level 9 and up suits high school readers
• 1328 pages gives a long read for a teen who likes big fantasy worlds

Cons

• 1328 pages is long for a reader who wants a shorter book
• The description mentions murdered parents, bloodshed and civil war, so preview it for a younger teen
• Reading age is marked as from customers, not stated by the publisher

2

One Dark Window by Gillig

Rachel Gillig·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A gothic romantasy about a maiden and the monster in her mind, for readers who like romance with dark magic.

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Pros

• Publication date of September 27, 2022 is listed
• 432 pages in one hardcover volume
• Book 1 of 2, so the series position is clear

Cons

• The description mentions romance and high treason
• Book 1 of 2, so the second book is needed to finish
• No reading age or grade level is stated

3

The Ever King

LJ Andrews·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Book 1 of The Ever Seas, published September 16, 2023 by Ace.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 4; the series starts here
• From September 16, 2023, by Ace
• Sea-set, by its series name

Cons

• No print length is stated
• A four book commitment
• The story continues

4

Death Before Dragons

Lindsay Buroker·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

The first three books of an urban fantasy series in one set, from March 11, 2021.

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Pros

• Three books in one set
• Urban fantasy setting
• Published March 11, 2021

Cons

• Duplicates Book 1 if bought singly
• No print length is stated
• Not for epic-only readers

5

Curse of Shadows and Thorns by Andrews

LJ Andrews·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A royal heir faces an arranged marriage negotiation while uncovering dangerous secrets about a mysterious court negotiator.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 9 begins a complete nine-book fantasy romance series
• The description highlights a Viking-inspired setting and multiple interconnected couples
• Published by Victorious on October 1, 2021 as the opening volume of The Broken Kingdoms

Cons

• No print length or page count is stated in the listing
• The listing does not provide a reading age or grade level
• The description mentions mature romance themes and an impending fae uprising

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Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit, contents and edition, and value. Fit rewards a clean start. Only two listings state a date, 2023 and 2021, so recent is judged on those dates and on series shape. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best fantasy series recent

Opener, head start, or whole series

The Ever King and One Dark Window are single openers. Death Before Dragons bundles Books 1-3. The Folk of the Air set is the whole series at once. Choose by how certain you are. Our best ya fantasy books with dragons list sorts a neighbouring shelf.

Setting decides the flavour

Sea fantasy, urban fantasy, faerie courts: recent fantasy splits by setting more than by plot, so pick the world before the author.

Before you buy

• Three listings state no date or page count; check first.
• LJ Andrews opens two different series in this list.
• A box set duplicates its own Book 1.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which series is the most recent here?

By stated date, The Ever Seas, from September 16, 2023. The set is from 2021; the rest state none.

Which can I finish fastest?

The Folk of the Air set, complete in the box.

Which is best for a first fantasy series?

One Dark Window or The Ever King, the lowest commitment openers.

Are any of these urban fantasy?

Yes: Death Before Dragons, Books 1-3 in one set, is the urban entry in this list.

Still deciding? Our top pickFolk of the Air Box Set by Black

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