Fantasy & Fairytales for Adult Readers

Enjoy this list of adult books that follow the theme for our SweetBean Reading Challenge in June!

Updated May 24, 2024
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The adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi : a novel
Chakraborty, S. A.
Paper Book
"A thrilling, transportative adventure that is everything promised-Chakraborty's storytelling is fantasy at its best." -- R.F. Kuang, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Babel and The Poppy War "An exhilarating, propulsive adventure, stitched from the threads of real history, Amina's...
The awakening
Roberts, Nora
Paper Book
#1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts begins a new trilogy of adventure, romance, and magick in The Awakening. In the realm of Talamh, a teenage warrior named Keegan emerges from a lake holding a sword--representing both power and the terrifying...
The bear and the nightingale : a novel
Arden, Katherine
Paper Book
Katherine Arden's bestselling debut novel spins an irresistible spell as it announces the arrival of a singular talent with a gorgeous voice.   "A beautiful deep-winter story, full of magic and monsters and the sharp edges of growing up."--Naomi Novik, bestselling...
The black god's drums
Clark, P. Dj©·l©?
Paper Book
Rising science fiction and fantasy star P. Djèlí Clark brings an alternate New Orleans of orisha, airships, and adventure to life in his immersive debut novella The Black God's Drums. Alex Award Winner! In an alternate New Orleans caught in the tangle...
The city of brass
Chakraborty, S. A.
Paper Book
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY Library Journal | Vulture | The Verge | SYFYWire *Finalist for the World Fantasy Award: Best Novel *Nominated for the Locus Award: Best First Novel *Finalist for the British Fantasy Award: Best Newcomer<...
The city we became
Jemisin, N. K.
Paper Book
An instant NYT Bestseller! Four-time Hugo Award-winning author N.K. Jemisin crafts her most incredible novel yet, the first book in The Great Cities Duology, a crackling tale of culture, identity, magic, and myths in contemporary New...
A Court of Thorns and Roses A Court of Thorns and Roses Series, Book 1
Maas, Sarah J.
Audiobook
#1 BESTSELLING GLOBAL PHENOMENON From #1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas comes a seductive, breathtaking book that blends romance, adventure, and faerie lore into an unforgettable read. When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills...
Divine rivals : a novel
Ross, Rebecca
Paper Book
When two young rival journalists find love through a magical connection, they must face the depths of hell, in a war among gods, to seal their fate forever. After centuries of sleep, the gods are warring again. But eighteen-year-old Iris Winnow just wants to hold her family...
Faebound : a novel
El-Arifi, Saara
Paper Book
NATIONAL BESTSELLER * Two elven sisters become imprisoned in the intoxicating world of the fae, where danger and love lie in wait. Faebound is the first book in an enchanting new trilogy from the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Final Strife. "A romantic...
Juniper & Thorn
Reid, Ava
Paper Book
From highly acclaimed, bestselling author Ava Reid comes a gothic horror retelling of The Juniper Tree, set in another time and place within the world of The Wolf and the Woodsman, where a young witch seeks to discover her identity and escape the domination of her abusive wizard father,...
The last smile in Sunder City
Arnold, Luke
Paper Book
A former soldier turned PI tries to help the fantasy creatures whose lives he ruined in a world that's lost its magic in a compelling debut fantasy by Black Sails actor Luke Arnold. Welcome to Sunder City. The magic is gone but the monsters remain. I'm Fetch...
Lavinia
Le Guin, Ursula K.
Audiobook
"A transporting novel told in the voice of a girl Virgil left in the margins. It is an absorbing, reverent, magnificent story" from the iconic, award-winning Ursula K. Le Guin (Cleveland Plain Dealer). In The Aeneid, Vergil's hero fights to claim the king's daughter,...
A master of djinn
Clark, P. Dje?li?
Paper Book
Nebula, Locus, and Alex Award-winner P. Djèlí Clark goes full-length for the first time in his dazzling debut novel, A Master of Djinn. Cairo, 1912: Though Fatma el-Sha'arawi is the youngest woman working for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural...
Midnight Riot Rivers of London Series, Book 1
Aaronovitch, Ben.
Paper Book
10th Anniversary Edition of Midnight Riot by #1 Sunday Times bestselling author Ben Aaronovitch, the first book in the international bestselling Rivers of London series! Restored to its original British title Rivers of London, this Author' s Preferred...
Nettle & Bone
Kingfisher, T.
Paper Book
Winner of the Hugo Award for Best Novel An Instant USA Today & Indie Bestseller An Oprah Daily Top 25 Fantasy Book of 2022 A Vulture Best Fantasy Novel of 2022 An NPR Best Sci Fi, Fantasy, & Speculative Fiction Book of 2022 A...
Paladin's grace
Kingfisher, T.
Ebook
The poppy war
Kuang, R. F.
Paper Book
Winner of the Reddit Fantasy Award for Best Debut 2018'The best fantasy debut of 2018' - WIRED A brilliantly imaginative epic fantasy debut, inspired by the bloody history of Chinaâe(tm)s twentieth century and filled with treachery and magic. When Rin aced the Keju âe" the...
The Raven tower
Leckie, Ann
Paper Book
SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2020 WORLD FANTASY AWARD Gods meddle in the fates of men, men play with the fates of gods, and a pretender must be cast down from the throne in this masterful first fantasy novel from Ann Leckie, New York Times...
Sistersong
Holland, Lucy
Paper Book
In an ancient land steeped in wild magic, three royal siblings fight to keep their kingdom safe from the warriors who threaten its borders--and their bond--in this lyrical debut of spells and song, sisterhood and betrayal. "ABSOLUTELY STUNNING."...
Sunbringer
Kaner, Hannah
Paper Book
"Brilliant mythology-inspired world-building paves the foundation for Kaner's fantasy adventure, but it's the fully realized ensemble cast that, ultimately, makes the series so memorable."-- Elle "An epic fantasy odyssey." -- Entertainment Weekly Return to the world of ...
The ten thousand doors of January
Harrow, Alix E.
Paper Book
"A gorgeous, aching love letter to stories, storytellers, and the doors they lead us through...absolutely enchanting."--Christina Henry, bestselling author of Alice and Lost Boys LOS ANGELES TIMES BESTSELLER! Finalist for the 2020 Hugo, Nebula,...
That self-same metal
Williams, Brittany N.
Paper Book
This stunning YA fantasy debut "seamlessly weaves together history, fantasy, culture, magic, and love" (New York Times bestselling author Daniel José Older) and is perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Holly Black, and Justina Ireland. The Forge & Fracture Saga...
That time I got drunk and saved a demon
Lemming, Kimberly
Paper Book
Spice trader Cinnamon's quiet life is turned upside down when she ends up on a quest with a fiery demon, in this irreverently quirky rom-com fantasy that is sweet, steamy, and funny as hell.   All she wanted to do was live her life in peace--maybe get a cat,...
Thornhedge
Kingfisher, T.
Paper Book
Winner of the Hugo Award for Best Novella! From New York Times bestselling author T. Kingfisher, Thornhedge is the tale of a kind-hearted, toad-shaped heroine, a gentle knight, and a mission gone completely sideways. *The very special...
Tress of the emerald sea
Sanderson, Brandon
Paper Book
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson comes a rollicking, riveting tale set in the Cosmere universe--a standalone adventure perfect for fans of The Princess Bride. The only life Tress has known on her island home in an emerald-green ocean...
Uprooted
Novik, Naomi
Paper Book
NEBULA AWARD WINNER * HUGO AWARD FINALIST * "If you want a fantasy with strong characters and brilliantly original variations on ancient stories, try Uprooted!"--Rick Riordan   "Breathtaking . . . a tale that is both elegantly grand and earthily humble, familiar as...

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