9 Best High Fantasy Novels of 2025: Epic Reviews
Ready to escape reality? Here are the best high fantasy novels to keep you lost in wild, magical worlds and epic adventures.
Looking for high fantasy novels that don’t just gather dust on your bookshelf? You’re in the right place. We focus on grand worlds, wild magic, characters who can’t keep out of trouble, and plots so twisty even your cat would be confused. With swords, dragons, and the kind of adventure that made us wish we’d learned Elvish instead of high school French, these high fantasy novels will sweep you into another world—without needing a passport or, hopefully, a therapist. Get ready to meet the absolute best the genre has to offer, chosen after lots of reading, late-night debates with friends, and only a few spilled drinks on the pages.
On this list:
9 The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
We picked this high fantasy novel because it has magic, music, and a main character with a name we still can’t spell without looking it up. Kvothe’s story kept us reading way past our bedtime, which led to a lot of yawning at work. The writing is smooth, and the world feels alive. The pacing is a bit slow sometimes, but we forgive it because, well, magic.
8 Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
One of the best high fantasy novels for readers who like their magic with rules so complex we had to make a cheat sheet. The plot is full of twists and turns, and Vin is an awesome main character. Some of us are still finding coins in our couch, hoping for allomantic powers.
7 The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
Dragging this book around is a workout, but it’s worth every sore muscle. The world-building is huge, the plot is epic, and the Shardblades are just cool. Sometimes it gets a bit wordy, but the stormlight keeps us going.
6 The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
This high fantasy novel is about dragons, queens, and enough drama to fill a soap opera. The cast is huge, and the world is pretty unique. Sometimes we got a bit lost, but there are dragons, so we kept going.
5 The Wheel of Time: The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
This classic high fantasy novel comes with so many books, our shelves finally gave up. The adventure kicks off strong and there’s enough magic and lore to keep us guessing. Some parts can feel a bit slow, but once you’re in, you’re hooked.
4 Sabriel by Garth Nix
A solid pick for anyone looking for high fantasy novels with necromancy, bells, and a cat who may be more than he looks. Fast-paced and exciting, it’s a refreshing change from the usual elves and dragons.
3 The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
Think high fantasy meets Oceans 11, and then throw in a lot more swearing. Fun, clever, and more cons than our last board game night. The city of Camorr is full of grit, which is great unless you spill your tea.
2 The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
A list of high fantasy novels without Tolkien would get us thrown out of the local library. This classic is funny, smart, and full of adventure. Bilbo’s quest and the cheeky tone still charm us, even if the dwarves can be a bit much.
1 The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
This is the crown jewel of high fantasy novels. We had arguments in our group over which book is the best, but this one always wins. Tolkien’s world shaped every fantasy book that came after. Sure, elves and hobbits are everywhere now, but no one does it quite like this. The story is epic, with battles, friendship, and enough walking to break any pedometer. The writing can be old fashioned, and sometimes we get lost with all the names, but there’s a reason this book has fans all over the globe. If you want the best high fantasy novel to start with, trust us, this is the one.
