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10 Most Anticipated Fantasy Books of 2025

    

A close-up, slightly blurry image of a fluffy, orange cat lounging comfortably on a bed. The cat is looking directly at the camera with a relaxed expression. Beside the cat is a steaming cup of coffee and an open book with a worn leather cover. The image is intentionally out of focus, creating a sense of cozy domesticity. Text overlayed on the image reads "10 Most Anticipated Fantasy Books of 2025". This image is designed to evoke feelings of relaxation and anticipation, suggesting that these books are perfect for cozy reading sessions.


 

   As we step into 2025, the horizon of epic and high fantasy literature looks as promising as ever.

    This year, I'm particularly excited about a selection of books that promise to expand the worlds we love or introduce us to new ones. Here's a list of fantasy novels from some of my favourite authors and a few emerging stars, focusing solely on the grand, sweeping tales of adventure, magic, and the battle between good and evil.


A dramatic cover illustration for "The Dragon Awakens," the first book in Peter Wacht's urban fantasy series, "The Fallen Knight." The image features a brooding male figure clad in dark, intricately detailed armor, standing amidst a fiery cityscape. He stares intensely at the viewer, his face obscured by shadow, holding a sword in his right hand. Behind him, a ring of fire encircles the scene, suggesting both magic and danger. The image evokes themes of power, mystery, and epic battles, hinting at the exciting world and compelling story that awaits readers within the book.
The Dragon Awakens, by Peter Wacht
The Fallen Knight Series #1
Expected Release Date: February 6, 2025

Peter Wacht carries readers to a world in which dragons go beyond simple myth and are absolutely vital in determining the fate of the kingdom. Celebrated for his deft world-building and rich character arcs, Wacht creates a story in which the waking of a dragon marks both risk and possibility. This story explores the mechanisms of power and deftly illustrates the path of waking latent skills as well as the great moral obligations that go along with such changes. Readers are in for an engross trip full of adventure, examining ideas of leadership, bravery, and the timeless struggle between light and darkness.



A book cover for The Radiant King by David Dalglish, featuring a somber man in dark robes holding a large bowl filled with blood, with a golden stained glass window depicting a castle in the background. The tagline reads, "Blood is thicker than water."
The Radiant King, by David Dalglish
Astral Kingdoms #1
Expected Release Date: March 4, 2025

Dalglish's first novel in the Astral Kingdoms series, The Radiant King, takes readers on a cosmic journey. Here we are presented a universe in which cosmic conflicts and celestial thrones characterize the story. Expected to be a masterclass in narrative, this drama pulls together strands of power, treachery, and the search for atonement. The depth of Dalglish's characters is well-known, and in this new series, their decisions could determine the fate of whole universes. Anticipate an epic story in which light and shade interact in the life of gods, rulers, and those trapped between.



The cover of the fantasy novel "The Tomb of Dragons" by Katherine Addison. The cover is a vibrant orange with a textured, almost sandy background. Scattered across the cover are the bleached white bones of dragons, including skulls, ribs, and vertebrae. The title, "The Tomb of Dragons," is written in a bold, black font at the top of the cover. The author's name, Katherine Addison, is written in a smaller, black font below the title.The cover of the fantasy novel "The Tomb of Dragons" by Katherine Addison. The cover is a vibrant orange with a textured, almost sandy background. Scattered across the cover are the bleached white bones of dragons, including skulls, ribs, and vertebrae. The title, "The Tomb of Dragons," is written in a bold, black font at the top of the cover. The author's name, Katherine Addison, is written in a smaller, black font below the title.
The Tomb of Dragons, by Katherine Addison
The Cemeteries of Amalo #3
Expected Release Date: March 11, 2025

Katherine Addison continues her exploration of the enigmatic world of The Cemeteries of Amalo. This third book delves into a narrative where the past and present collide through ancient tombs, the lore of dragons, and the dark arts of necromancy. Each character's path across myth and history unveils layers of mystery about power, lineage, and the cost of immortality, so ensuring an engaging experience in which Addison's thorough world-building. This book is ready to be evidence of Addison's capacity to combine historical depth with fanciful aspects, so producing a narrative that speaks to issues of memory, identity, and the ongoing struggle against oblivion.



The book cover for "The Wilds Exile" by J.D.L. Rosell, book four in the Ranger of the Titan Wilds series. Against a backdrop of a lush, green forest, a young woman with determined features stands with a bow and arrow at the ready. She has braided brown hair and wears leather armor, hinting at her role as a skilled ranger. The title, "The Wilds Exile," is written in an elegant, flowing script, while a shadowy dragon illustration peeks out from behind the title, adding a sense of danger and intrigue. The tagline, "Ranger of the Titan Wilds," and "Book Four" are printed in a bold, clear font, emphasizing the fantasy and adventure themes of the novel.
The Wilds Exile, by J.D.L. Rosell
Ranger of the Titan Wilds #4
Expected Release Date: April 3, 2025

Rosell's The Wilds Exile, the fourth book in the Ranger of the Titan Wilds series, promises to be a thrilling continuation of an already beloved saga. This instalment brings us back to a world of vast, untamed wildernesses, where our heroes confront ancient evils and explore new lands. Adventure, character development, and the pursuit of fate await readers in this book thanks to Rosell's talent for incorporating myth into his stories. Fans of vast, intricate worlds like those created by Robin Hobb will find this to be a trip across the struggles of the human spirit.



A dark brown book cover for "Isles of the Emberdark" by Brandon Sanderson. The cover features a stylized yellow sun design in the center, its rays radiating outward and casting a warm glow against the dark background. The title, "Isles of the Emberdark," is written in a bold, black font above the sun, suggesting a sense of mystery and intrigue. The author's name, "Brandon Sanderson," is displayed in a smaller, yellow serif font beneath the sun, adding a touch of elegance and recognition to the design. The overall effect is a captivating blend of darkness and light, hinting at the epic fantasy adventure that awaits within the pages of the book.
Isles of the Emberdark, by Brandon Sanderson (Cover to come)
The Cosmere #32
Expected Release Date: 1 May 25

Another gem in the vast crown of the Cosmere, these islands, the balance between light and darkness is fundamental to their very survival. Sanderson's renowned complex magic systems and rich character development will highlight and introduce fresh civilizations, conflicts, and maybe new forms of Investiture. This book will probably add to the legacy of the Cosmere by giving a stand-alone adventure for both new readers and long-time fans to explore, and a story that every decision taken by the protagonists might change the balance of light and shadow over planets.



Four weathered and cracked pillars, seemingly made of stone, stand before a vibrant teal backdrop. The pillars, each with a distinct, aged texture, appear to be crumbling and losing their structural integrity. Across the pillars, in elegant gold lettering, is the title "The Strength of the Few" by James Islington. The image suggests a sense of fading power, perhaps representing the decline of a once-mighty institution or the erosion of a powerful force. The contrast between the bold gold lettering and the decaying pillars creates a visual tension, hinting at a story of resilience and the enduring impact of the past.
The Strength of the Few, by James Islington (Cover to come)
Hierarchy #2
Expected Release Date: May 6, 2025

James Islington carries on the Hierarchy trilogy by combining time travel with the vast scope of epic fantasy. Power, sacrifice, and the enormous costs of knowledge are the topics that this second volume claims to explore. In Islington's storytelling, people will be challenged to their limits as they navigate time and the moral complexities of a shifting past. We should brace ourselves for a scenario where a select few are saddled with immense responsibility, as their decisions have the power to alter the destiny of countless others.




The cover of the book "The Devils" by Joe Abercrombie. The cover is black with the title in a yellow-orange font that looks like it is burning at the top. Below the title is a red illustration of a skull with two lit candles in it like horns and a crown floating above it. Below the skull is the author's name in the same yellow-orange font. Above the author's name is "New York Times" and "Bestselling Author" in a smaller white font.
The Devils, by Joe Abercrombie
Expected Release Date: May 13, 2025

Joe Abercrombie ushers in his new epic fantasy series, with the same grit and dark humour he has done so in the past. It will no doubt introduce a cast of anti-heroes whose story is as morally gray as it is appealing. Most probably, Abercrombie's new world will be one in which the line between good and evil is not blurred but very often irrelevant, supplanted by survival and power, the counterbalancing of human nature in all its complexity. No doubt, the story will be filled with action, wits sharpened, brutal honesty, and that kind of character development that keeps a person guessing till the end who the devils really are.




The cover of the fantasy novel, "Ruins of a Shattered Dawn," book three of the "Elmerian Chronicles," by Corey Ratliff. A black dragon with glowing blue breath flies toward the top of the image, its wings spread wide and claws extended. The dragon's eyes glow a menacing red. The title and author's name are in white and light gray lettering, with the title in a bold, gothic font and the author's name in a more cursive style. The background is a dark, swirling sky with flashes of lightning. The dragon's shadow is cast on the ground below, adding to the sense of danger and foreboding.
Ruins of a Shattered Dawn, by Corey Ratliff
Elmerïan #3
Expected Release Date: June 11, 2025

After a devastating disaster, this novel prepares readers for a tale of survival, atonement, and painstaking reconstruction of a broken planet. Renowned for delving into the depths of feeling, Ratliff's character-driven stories are no exception; so, here the effects of calamity are experienced not just on land but also on the souls of the residents. This looks to be a moving investigation of loss, hope, and a human ability to survive and reconstruct.





The book cover for "The Scars of Archonia: Ashes and Empires Book Two" by Craig Andrews. The background is a worn brick wall with moss growing between some bricks. The words "Placeholder Cover" are printed across the middle of the image. The title and author's name are at the top and bottom of the image, respectively.
The Scars of Archonia, by Craig Andrews
Ashes and Empires #2
Expected Release Date: July 15, 2025

With a dark, captivating narrative of a world moulded by battle, Craig Andrews' The Scars of Archonia explores further into the Ashes and Empires trilogy. Focussing on the psychological and physical healing from conflict, this sequel looks at the wounds left on the land and its inhabitants. Using a combination of high fantasy and a realistic depiction of the aftermath of empire and battle, Andrews presents a story where characters must find their way through the remains of their past in order to create a new future. It tells of healing, memory, and the cycles of destruction and rebirth.



The cover of the fantasy novel "The Blackfire Blade: The Last Legacy, Book 2" by James Logan. The image shows three figures standing on a rooftop overlooking a city with a tall, ornate tower at its center. The tower is topped with a ring of purple fire, suggesting a powerful and potentially dangerous source of magic. The city is bathed in the warm light of the setting sun, casting long shadows from the buildings. The figures are silhouetted against the light, making it difficult to discern their features, but their stances suggest they are warriors or adventurers. The mountains in the background are shrouded in mist, adding to the sense of mystery and intrigue. The overall composition of the image creates a sense of epic scale and impending danger, hinting at the thrilling adventures that await the reader within the pages of the book.
The Blackfire Blade, by James Logan
The Last Legacy #2
Release date: November 6, 2025

James Logan carries on the exciting tale of The Last Legacy trilogy. Following Lukan Gardova farther into the City of Spires, Korslakov, after the dramatic end of The Silverblood Promise, this sequel combines grandiose fantasy with the suspense of crime. Logan's narrative will examine loyalty, betrayal, and the search for magical mysteries in a world where relationships are as brittle as they are required. Anticipate a story full of deft turns, nuanced characters, and the always lurking uncertainty.




    The books we're looking forward to in 2025 range from the seasoned pens of recognized masters who continue to alter the field to the fresh, bold strokes of emerging voices ready to make their mark. These stories will take us on journeys where magic is more than just a tool for wonder, but also a heavy obligation, where heroes bear the scars of their pasts, and where the fate of entire realms may depend on the shoulders of a few courageous, or occasionally desperate, souls. Each book is an opportunity to discover new worlds and tackle the challenges of power, morality, and identity.

Save these release dates in your calendars; they will lead you on a journey of epic proportions, filled with adventures that will test, excite, and ultimately change us.
    




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