Best New Fantasy Books (2026): 5 Compared

New fantasy means new worlds before the spoilers land. The best new fantasy books this round run from dark academia to fallen empires to boxed sagas, each with fresh releases and familiar favorites. We compared five new fantasy books on stated authorship, series, publisher and chart listings, using only what each listing publishes.

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More picks to compare

• Shannon J. SpannA Stage Set for Villains: instant chart-topper, slow-burn romantic fantasyCheck on Amazon
• Gareth HanrahanThe Dungeon Book: standalone epic fantasy, monsters and heartCheck on Amazon

Compare the picks

Publication details are as listed, collected 22 October 2026. Where the listing states no page count, that field reads “Not stated”.

The picks: best new fantasy books

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Bodies of Magic	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Under the Iron Sky	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Bloodsworn Saga by Gwynne	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	The Washwoman by Shade	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	The Ruins Beneath Us by Sloan	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Bodies of Magic

Freya Marske·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 ›

Bodies of Magic by Freya Marske, a dark academia fantasy from a USA Today best-selling author.

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Pros

• USA Today-listed title
• Dark academia
• Healer mages
• Grand Exam

Cons

• Page count not stated
• Publisher not stated
• Dark academia only
• Series unclear

2

Under the Iron Sky

A. T. Emerald·9.7/10 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 ›

Under the Iron Sky by A. T. Emerald, the first novel in a dark trilogy of a fallen empire.

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Pros

• Trilogy starter
• Fallen empire
• Warrior heroine
• Dark fantasy

Cons

• Page count not stated
• Publisher not stated
• Trilogy only
• Dark tone only

3

Bloodsworn Saga by Gwynne

John Gwynne·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 boxed trilogy of Norse-inspired epic fantasy, for readers who want a complete story in one set.

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Pros

• The listing states it contains the completed trilogy
• At 1776 pages, one set covers a long epic arc
• Three main characters: a huntress, a noblewoman and a thrall

Cons

• The description mentions battle, vengeance and violence
• 1776 pages is a long commitment for a casual reader
• No reading age or grade level is stated

4

The Washwoman by Shade

Megan Shade·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 ›

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

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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

5

The Ruins Beneath Us by Sloan

Sasha E. Sloan·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 ›

An elf with hidden magic takes a palace post in a human kingdom, suited to teens who want fantasy romance with court intrigue.

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Pros

• Reading age 14 years and up and grade 9 to 12 agree
• Published March 3, 2026, the most recent date in this list
• 368 pages from Disney Hyperion

Cons

• The description includes romance and stolen kisses, so check for mature content
• No series position is stated, so you cannot tell whether more books follow
• The description mentions an attack by a deadly monster, so preview it for violence

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How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs story appeal, edition quality, value, age fit and series depth. For new fantasy, story appeal means stated chart listings and reception; series depth means stated series or boxed sets. No warranty applies to books, so that field is not scored.

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.

Setup Notes

• Series starters suit readers wanting a long arc; standalones suit one-book commitments.
• Dark academia and dark romance suit mature readers; check the listing for tone.
• Boxed sets suit readers who want the whole saga at once.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which book is a series starter?

Under the Iron Sky is the first novel in a trilogy by A. T. Emerald.

Which book is dark academia?

Bodies of Magic by Freya Marske is a dark academia fantasy from a USA Today best-selling author.

Which book is a boxed set?

The Bloodsworn Saga Boxed Set by John Gwynne collects the saga in one set.

Where can I find more books like these?

Browse the fantasy books section for the full shelf.

Still deciding? Our top pickBodies of Magic

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Related lists

See every fantasy books list.

More picks: fantasy books with romance.