The best high fantasy books and series to escape into

Destined to be sacrificed to her cult’s god on her fourteenth birthday, Csorwe had never imagined a future beyond her tragic fate. So when a powerful sorcerer offers her an escape, but only on the condition that she become his assistant and assassin, a new world opens before her. As they journey across realms, searching for an ancient artefact that could alter their destinies, Csorwe must confront the very cult that threatened to kill her. The Unspoken Name is the first high fantasy novel in A. K. Larkwood’s Serpent’s Gate duology, which concludes with The Thousand Eyes.

Growing up in the slums of Quur as a bard’s apprentice, Kihrin has always relied on his wits to survive. But when a raid on the wrong house ends with his capture and enslavement by a powerful royal family, Kihrin discovers he’s at the centre of an ancient prophecy and that he is the person who could either save or destroy the kingdom. A tale of magic, destiny and belonging, this epic high fantasy novel is the first book in Jenn Lyons’ A Chorus of Dragons series. 

The first novel in a new high fantasy series by bestselling author Cassandra Clare, Sword Catcher introduces the magical city-state of Castellane. Kel, an orphan suddenly thrust into a new world, is hired to become Prince Conor Aurelian’s ‘Sword Catcher’, a role that means he must be ready to die for his charge. Meeting Lin, a physician ostracised for her magical powers, the pair are drawn into Castellane’s criminal underworld. The Ragpicker King, the sequel to Sword Catcher, will be published in March 2025 and is available to preorder now.

Safiya has been bestowed with a rare power. As a Truthwitch, she can tell the truth from lies through merely the power of touch. But, in an empire fueled by secrets and lies, her power is as dangerous as it is brilliant. Hunted by evil sorcerors, Safiya and her loyal companion Iseult – a Threadwitch who can understand people’s emotions – must find their way through an empire at war. Truthwitch is the first novel in Susan Dennard’s bestselling Witchlands series. Continue the series with Windwitch. 

Magic once thrived in the lands of Orïsha, until the Maji were ruthlessly massacred by the king. Zelie’s mother was among those killed, and in a search for justice, Zelie and her brother Tzain set out on a quest to restore magic to their land. Joined by escaped Princess Amari, they journey across Orïsha in search of three ancient artefacts that could bring magic back. Children of Blood and Bone is the first novel in Tomi Adeyemi’s West African-inspired high fantasy trilogy.

The first novel in a heroic high fantasy series by master of the genre John Gwynne, A Time of Dread is set in the same world as The Faithful and the Fallen quartet. Once a land where giants and gods thrived side by side, the Banished Lands are now ruled by the Ben-Elim, a race of warrior angels. When Drem, a trapper, and Riv, a soldier, uncover secrets that threaten to change the course of the Banished Lands’ future, they find themselves at the heart of a conflict that could determine the fate of their world.

On the day of her coming-of-age, Kyndra’s celebration takes an unexpected turn. Interrupting an ancient ritual and breaking centuries of magical tradition, she soon finds herself blamed for everything that goes wrong in her village. Fearing for her life, Kyndra is rescued by two mysterious strangers with magic powers not seen in the land for centuries. Filled with magic, mystique, and a battle between good and evil, Starborn has everything you are looking for in a high fantasy novel.

When the Emporer of the Annurian Empire is murdered, his three heirs must fight to uncover a conspiracy and keep the throne in their family. As each find themselves hunted, will they be able to stay safe and continue their father’s legacy? An epic story of sword-wielding mercenaries and political intrigue set in an empire in turmoil, The Emporer’s Blades is the fast-paced high fantasy debut novel from Brian Staveley. Continue the series with The Providence of Fire. 

Charting Frodo Baggins’ quest to destroy the One Ring and save Middle-earth, J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy is one of the most beloved high fantasy series ever written. As he journeys from his home in the shire to the dark, desolate landscape of Mordor to destroy the ring and stop it from falling into the hands of the dark lord Sauron, Frodo is supported by the Fellowship, including fellow hobbits Samwise, Merry and Pippin, the elf Legolas, dwarf Gimli, and the wise wizard Gandalf. 

Set in the mythical Seven Kingdoms of Westeros – where seasons last for years and dragons live alongside humans and other fantastical beings – George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series chronicles an epic power struggle as noble families fight for control of the Iron Throne. Beginning with A Game of Thrones, the novel that inspired one of the most-watched TV shows of the past decade, the series is awaiting its sixth and penultimate book, which Martin has been writing for over a decade.