17 Enchanting Fantasy Novels for Book Clubs to Obsess Over

Fantasy might not be a typical go-to genre for book clubs, but fantasy books can be just as fun to read and discuss with a group! The characters can be just as fleshed out, and the story just as emotional as any novel. Here are some addicting and discussion-worthy fantasy novels for book clubs to enjoy!

fantasy novels for book clubs

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Best Fantasy Book Club Books

The fantasy genre is one of my favorites! It encompasses a ton of unique sub-genres, from romantasy to historical fantasy, urban fantasy, and beyond.

I’m sharing a wide variety of novels below, so you can easily pick and choose based on your book club’s reading preference!

Need more book club ideas? Here are more wonderful, discussion-worthy book club books of 2024, perfect historical fiction novels for book clubs, and contemporary & literary fiction book club novels.

The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown

The Book of Doors book cover

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Magical Realism

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In New York City, a bookseller named Cassie receives a magical book – the Book of Doors – that can transport her wherever she wants.

She and her best friend are thrilled by the discovery. But soon, they come to find that there are other magical books in the world, and dangerous people are now hunting for hers.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

ACOTAR by Sarah J. Maas book cover

Genre: Fantasy/Romance

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This romantic fantasy novel is a fairy tale retelling that’s loosely inspired by Beauty and the Beast.

I think I can safely say: this series is the reason a vast number of readers discovered and fell in love with the romantasy genre (myself included)!

It has fabulous characters, strong world-building, and some spice – plus, there are faeries (known as fae in this series).

(Even if this first book doesn’t completely hook you right away, I recommend sticking with it – the series gets better as it goes on!)

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

Spinning Silver book cover

Genre: Fantasy/Fairy Tale Retelling

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This story turns the classic tale of Rumpelstiltskin on its head, with a female protagonist named Miryem who can spin silver into gold.

But when a powerful king of mythical creatures finds out about her ability, Miryem is drawn into a dangerous scheme – and the fate of her world hangs in the balance.

The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab

The Invisible Life of Addie Larue book cover

Genre: Historical Fiction/Fantasy/Magical Realism

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This enchanting novel follows a young woman living in the early 1700s. She makes a bargain to live forever, while being doomed to be alone, forgotten by anyone she ever crosses paths with.

Until one day, after hundreds of years, she comes across a man in a bookstore who remembers her name.

It’s an exquisite story, with everything I love most about reading captured in one book. Highly recommended!

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Fourth Wing book cover

Genre: Fantasy/Romance/New Adult

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This breakout bestselling fantasy novel is about a bookish young woman who is forced to join a war college for dragon riders, where cadets are subjected to deadly trials designed to train them for war.

It’s like a cross between The Hunger Games, ACOTAR, and Eragon!

Here are more details about Fourth Wing & the rest of The Empyrean series.

The Change by Kirsten Miller

The Change book cover

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Mystery

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Three Long Island women undergo unexpected changes on the cusp of mid-life. As new powers awaken within them, they’re pulled to investigate the mysterious death of a teenage girl who was found on the beach.

When more bodies are discovered, the trio of women discover a shocking secret hidden within their very town.

This would be a perfect Halloween book club pick!

Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater

Half a Soul book cover

Genre: Fantasy/Romance/Historical Fiction

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This wholesome genre-mashup combines cozy fantasy and regency historical romance for a story that’s described as Bridgerton meets Howl’s Moving Castle.

A faerie-cursed young woman without the ability to feel fear or embarrassment attempts to get through a season of high society unscathed. But of course, things don’t go according to plan.

The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden

The Warm Hands of Ghosts book cover

Genre: Historical Fantasy

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From the author of The Bear and the Nightingale comes a new historical fantasy about a combat nurse during World War I.

When Laura Iven returns home after serving as a combat nurse, she’s devastated to hear her brother Freddie was killed in the war.

But something isn’t adding up, so she returns to Belgium as a volunteer nurse to follow the strange, eerie rumors she’s heard.

Weyward by Emilia Hart

Weyward book cover

Genre: Historical Fantasy/Magical Realism

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Spanning multiple centuries, Weyward follows the stories of misunderstood women, from a woman who’s hunted as a witch in the 1600s to a modern-way woman discovering her ties to the power of the natural world.

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

Legends and Lattes book cover

Genre: Cozy Fantasy

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A battle-worn orc decides to give up her past life and open a coffee shop for travelers – despite the fact that no one in her world even knows what coffee is. There’s a love-able cast of characters, some romance, and low-stakes (but still exciting) fun!

This is a cozy fantasy that’s more slice-of-life than epic fantasy, but it will keep your interest with its lovable characters, found-family vibe, and intricate world-building.

Here are more details about the Legends & Lattes series, including the prequel!

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

An Ember in the Ashes book cover

Genre: YA Fantasy/Romance

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In a brutal world inspired by ancient Rome, a desperate young woman is forced to join a military academy where she comes head-to-head with the school’s best soldier.

But what she doesn’t yet know is that their goals may be more similar than she thinks.

A Short Walk Through a Wide World by Douglas Westerbeke

A Short Walk Through a Wide World book cover

Genre: Fantasy/Historical Fiction/Magical Realism

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Fans of The Invisible Life of Addie Larue, be sure to add this historical fantasy novel to your TBR list!

It follows a woman with a peculiar condition that requires her to constantly be on the move, unable to return to any place she’s been before.

As she travels across the globe, she starts to realize there might be something even more unusual about the world she inhabits.

Here are book club discussion questions (plus my thoughts) on A Short Walk Through a Wide World!

The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune

The House in the Cerulean Sea book cover

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Cozy Fantasy

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Linus Baker is a rule-following caseworker assigned to investigate an orphanage for magical children located on a small island. But the orphanage’s enigmatic caretaker – and the six potentially dangerous children that reside there – might just change his outlook on life.

Check out this series guide to The House in the Cerulean Sea for details on the sequel!

The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker

The Golem and the Jinni book cover

Genre: Historical Fiction/Fantasy/Magical Realism

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Set in New York City during the turn of the century (early 1900s), two mythical creatures from different cultures – a golem and a djinn – cross paths and form a friendship.

And, if you love this book, there’s also a sequel called The Hidden Palace to enjoy!

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow

The Ten Thousand Doors of January book cover

Genre: YA Fantasy/Historical Fiction

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January Scaller is the lonely ward of a wealthy man, living in a vast estate (during the early 1900s) that’s filled with strange trinkets.

One day, she comes across a peculiar book – and she’s inexplicably drawn to what’s inside. Because it’s not just a story, but a doorway to somewhere else.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches book cover

Genre: Cozy Fantasy/Romance

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A lonely witch who’s been forced into hiding her entire life receives a message one day, inviting her to teach magic at a school called Nowhere House.

There, she meets a host of interesting characters – including the prickly librarian – and eventually starts to feel like she belongs. But soon, the school and everyone who lives there are threatened.

For more books with witches, check out this post with the best witchy fiction books (both cozy & spooky)!

The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo

The Fox Wife book cover

Genre: Historical Fantasy/Mythology

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Set in China in 1908, The Fox Wife explores the folk mythology of fox spirits who are believed to transform themselves into beautiful humans in order to lead people to their deaths.

When a woman’s body is found in the snow – her death swirling with rumors about the fox gods – a detective is called to investigate.

Meanwhile, a cursed family believes they are about to lose their eldest son, until a mysterious woman arrives. It seems her arrival may have turned their luck around – but can she be trusted?

I hope your book club loves these enchanting fantasy books! Have you read any of these? Which was your favorite?

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