Best Fantasy Series for Women (2026): 5 Top Picks

Finding the best fantasy series for women starts with matching the story to your reading mood, whether you want an immersive multi-volume saga or a dark gothic romance. We compared five opening novels by listed print length, series order, publication date and what each publisher description outlines. Every pick offers an entry point into a distinct fantasy world, from Greek mythology retellings to Scottish folklore and urban witchcraft.

ShelfAnswers earns a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure.

The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	A Touch of Darkness by St. Clair	9.6/10	Buy
2	The Washwoman by Shade	9.6/10	Buy
3	A Winter's Promise by Dabos	9.5/10	Buy
4	Curse of Shadows and Thorns by Andrews	9.5/10	Buy
5	Woman of Blood & Bone by Anderson	9.5/10	Buy

1

A Touch of Darkness by St. Clair

Scarlett St. Clair·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

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 modern Greek myth retelling follows Persephone as she makes a high-stakes contract with Hades in New Athens.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• Print length of 400 pages offers a substantial opening volume for the series
• Book 1 of 8 begins an expansive multi-book saga centered on Greek mythology
• The listing states this 2021 release is a Bloom Books reprint edition

Cons

• The listing does not state a reading age or grade level
• The description mentions mature themes including a gambling empire and forbidden romance
• Readers must commit to an eight-book series to complete the full saga

2

The Washwoman by Shade

Megan Shade·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

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 ›

An immortal woman bound by a curse to wash grave clothes enters an uneasy alliance with the guard sworn to destroy her.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• Print length of 524 pages provides the longest volume among the picks
• Recent publication date of September 1, 2026 from Shade Made Publishing LLC
• Scottish folklore setting combines gothic atmosphere with an enemies-to-lovers storyline

Cons

• The listing gives Book 1 of 1 for a title described as part of a series
• The description mentions dark themes including death, murder and grave clothes
• No reading age or grade level is stated in the listing

3

A Winter's Promise by Dabos

Christelle Dabos·9.5/10 Shelf Score

i

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 young woman who can read the history of objects and travel through mirrors is thrust into court politics on a floating ark.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• The listing states a reading age of 15 to 18 years and grade level 10 to 12
• Book 1 of 4 introduces a complete translated fantasy quartet
• Rich world-building features floating celestial arks and unique magical abilities

Cons

• No print length is stated on the listing
• Listed reading age of 15 to 18 years targets high school readers rather than an adult audience
• The description notes themes of arranged marriage and perilous political intrigue

4

Curse of Shadows and Thorns by Andrews

LJ Andrews·9.5/10 Shelf Score

i

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.

Check price on Amazon

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

5

Woman of Blood & Bone by Anderson

Annie Anderson·9.5/10 Shelf Score

i

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 ›

An immortal witch who has survived centuries of executions faces a demon who threatens to end her life permanently.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• Book 1 of 6 provides the starting point for a complete urban fantasy series
• Urban fantasy premise combines a witch protagonist with dark humor and paranormal action
• Earliest release among the picks, published on February 27, 2018

Cons

• The listing omits both print length and publisher information
• The listing does not state a reading age or grade level
• The description mentions violent executions including burning at the stake and stoning

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

More picks to compare

• Of Fae and Wicked Kings by McCraryFor readers seeking a dark enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance novella with an Unseelie king.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 17 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for adult women seeking immersive fantasy, contents and edition, value across the series, and listed reading levels where provided. Only one of the five picks lists a reading age and grade level (A Winter’s Promise lists ages 15 to 18 and grade 10 to 12), while the remaining four listings state no reading age or grade level because they are marketed to adult readers. 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 for women

Decide between a long saga and a shorter commitment

Some readers want an expansive world that unfolds across many volumes, while others prefer a self-contained story. A Touch of Darkness begins an eight-book saga, and Curse of Shadows and Thorns opens a nine-book series. In contrast, The Washwoman at the River’s End is listed as Book 1 of 1 at 524 pages, offering a complete narrative in a single purchase. If you want more standalone or series choices, browse our guide to best fantasy books for women.

Check subgenre tropes and maturity

Fantasy for women spans diverse subgenres with varying tones and themes. A Touch of Darkness and Curse of Shadows and Thorns emphasize enemies-to-lovers romance and mythological or Viking elements, whereas Woman of Blood & Bone leans into urban witchcraft and dark humor. Meanwhile, A Winter’s Promise focuses on political intrigue and ark travel with a listed reading age of 15 to 18 years. For similar multi-book journeys, explore our roundup of best fantasy books for adults series.

Before you buy

• Verify the series position on the listing, such as Book 1 of 8 for A Touch of Darkness or Book 1 of 9 for Curse of Shadows and Thorns, to ensure you begin with the first installment.
• Check whether print length is specified, as listings like A Touch of Darkness state 400 pages while others omit page counts entirely.
• Review the listing description for mature content notices, including dark themes or romance elements that may not suit every reader.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which book should I start with in the Hades x Persephone series?

Start with A Touch of Darkness, which is listed as Book 1 of 8 in the Hades x Persephone Saga. It introduces Persephone and Hades in New Athens across 400 pages.

What age group is A Winter’s Promise suitable for?

The listing gives a reading age of 15 to 18 years and grade level 10 to 12. Its description outlines political intrigue and danger in a translated French fantasy setting.

How many books are in The Broken Kingdoms series?

The listing identifies Curse of Shadows and Thorns as Book 1 of 9 in The Broken Kingdoms. The description states that the series is complete and follows four interconnected couples.

Still deciding? Our top pickA Touch of Darkness by St. Clair

Check price on Amazon

Related lists

See every fantasy and romantasy list and all fiction lists.

More lists: browse fiction books for women, book club books for women and fantasy books for adults like fourth wing.