Best Fantasy Books for Book Club (2026): 4 Picks Compared

When your book club wants fantasy, the best fantasy books for book club are the ones that give the group a plot worth arguing about. This list is for book clubs that want a fantasy pick, and the titles below are compared by fit, page count, series position and publication date, using only what each listing publishes.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Fangs for Nothing by Holmes	9.4/10	Buy
2	Ruinous Ends by Marie	9.3/10	Buy
3	Secrets of the Catalogue by Spencer	9.2/10	Buy
4	Angel of Ashes by Kean	9.2/10	Buy

1

Fangs for Nothing by Holmes

Steffanie Holmes·9.4/10 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 cosy paranormal romance in which a book club suspects a vampire of murder, suited to groups that like romance with a mystery running alongside.

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Pros

• The book club and murder plot give a group a clear mystery to discuss
• The listing states a print length of 432 pages
• The listing states a publication date of January 20, 2026

Cons

• Romance is central, with a fake engagement and a vampire love interest, so check that the group is comfortable with it
• Book 1 of 3, so the group will need the next two volumes to follow the series
• No reading age or grade level is stated on the listing

2

Ruinous Ends by Marie

I. V. Marie·9.3/10 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 YA dark fantasy sequel in which six former pupils of Blackwood Academy face a threat to the afterlife, suited to teen groups.

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Pros

• Dark fantasy set at a school gives a teen group a clear hook
• The listing states a print length of 480 pages from Delacorte Press
• Published July 14, 2026, the most recent date among these picks

Cons

• Book 2 of 3 and described as a sequel, so the first book comes before it
• Grade level 9 and up and a reading age of 14 years and up make it a teen title, less suited to an adult group
• The description refers to the afterlife and a villain, which parents of younger readers may want to check

3

Secrets of the Catalogue by Spencer

Amelia Spencer·9.2/10 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 dark academia fantasy romance set in a hidden New York City library, suited to groups that enjoy political intrigue and secret societies.

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Pros

• A hidden library and banned books give a group plenty to debate
• The description says the series is now completed, so a group can finish it
• Book 1 of 5 in The Librarians gives a clear starting point

Cons

• Romance and a love triangle are central, so check the group's comfort with it
• The listing does not state a page count
• Published October 15, 2023, the oldest date among these picks

4

Angel of Ashes by Kean

KC Kean·9.2/10 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 fated-mates academy romance in which a rejected heroine meets four men again, suited to readers who want romance-led fantasy.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 4 in Neverbound Academy makes the start of the series clear
• The listing states a publication date of May 26, 2026
• The academy setting and fantasy elements suit a group that likes romance-led fantasy

Cons

• A why-choose romance with four male leads, which some readers will want to check
• The listing does not state a print length, and it gives a file size of 3.1 MB, so confirm the format
• No reading age or grade level is stated on the listing

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More picks to compare

• The Midnight Book Club by AndersenFor readers who like bookish charm and a friends-to-lovers romance, a first book.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 16 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or grade level where one is given. Only the Ruinous Ends listing states both a reading age and a grade level, so the other picks score zero on that part. 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 books for book club

Pick a discussion hook

A book with a clear question to debate gives a group something to talk through. Fangs for Nothing centers on a book club that suspects a murder in its village, so the mystery gives members a question to argue over. For more mystery picks, browse thriller and mystery books.

Check the series position first

Series books work best when every member starts at the same volume. Fangs for Nothing is Book 1 of 3, while Ruinous Ends is listed as Book 2 of 3 and described as a sequel, so it is a poor first read for a new group.

Match the content to the group

Romance is central to most of the picks, so check that every member is comfortable with it before voting. For a wider set of options, see book club picks.

Before you buy

• Check the format: the Angel of Ashes listing gives a file size of 3.1 MB, so confirm whether you are buying a digital or print copy.
• For a series, buy Book 1 first and confirm the series position, such as Book 1 of 3 for Fangs for Nothing.
• Look for the page count: the Secrets of the Catalogue and Angel of Ashes listings do not state one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should a book club start a fantasy series?

Start with Book 1, since Fangs for Nothing is listed as Book 1 of 3 and Ruinous Ends as Book 2 of 3. Joining at Book 2 means skipping the first volume.

Is Ruinous Ends right for an adult book club?

The listing gives grade level 9 and up and a reading age of 14 years and up, so it reads as a teen title. Check with the group before choosing it.

Does the Secrets of the Catalogue listing state a page count?

No, the listing does not state a page count, so check the listing before planning a reading schedule.

Still deciding? Our top pickFangs for Nothing by Holmes

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Related lists

See every Fantasy and Romantasy list and all Fiction lists.

More lists: best book for book club, fantasy books for adults and fantasy box sets.