The Best Fantasy Books Of 2022

There's no shortage of great books in the world, and every year, more titles get published, making it hard for even the most prolific readers to whittle down their to-be-read piles. Don't worry. The List is here to highlight some of the best of every genre, including fantasy — one of the most popular sections in bookstores, according to Forbes. 

With print and digital book sales in science fiction and fantasy doubling since 2010, SF&F — often grouped together as one category by publishers — has seen a massive resurgence on bookshelves in recent years. This is partly thanks to many self-published authors finding an audience eager to dive into worlds where witches and elves roam freely, alternate realities exist, and sword-wielding superheroes work to overthrow authoritarian regimes. If you love tales with clever world-building, iconic characters, and mystical creatures, you'll want to add these titles from 2022 to your must-read list.

USA Today calls "She Who Became the Sun" by debut author Shelley Parker-Chan "an important entry in the LGBTQ fantasy canon," and for good reason. The story follows the nameless sister of Zhu Chongba after he dies and she assumes his identity and gender in 1345 in China, working her way into positions of power as she ages. Meanwhile, General Ouyang is driven by revenge for being forcibly castrated, putting him on a collision course with Zhu Chongba. With both main characters experiencing romantic feelings for the same sex, they provide a rare perspective on what queer lives were probably like in 14th century China.

"The Daughter of Doctor Moreau" by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a reimagining of the classic novel by H.G. Wells, this time set in 19th century Mexico and focused on the daughter of the mad scientist at the heart of Wells' original tale. Carlota Moreau has grown up alongside the hybrid creatures made by her father in his lab, but when the son of Doctor Moreau's patron visits their estate, everything she has known or loved is threatened. This is a page-turner for fans of historical or science fiction.

"This Rebel Heart" by Katherine Locke is another young adult entry readers have fallen in love with for its mix of historical relevance, magical realism, and queer Jewish representation. During World War II, Csilla and her family were kept safe from the Holocaust by the magical river in the middle of Budapest near their home. However, when the Communists seize power, that changes, and Csilla is left alone to decide if the magic she still believes in is enough to save the country she's ready to escape.

"Daughter of the Moon Goddess" is the debut novel of Sue Lynn Tan, and it's an entertaining reimagining of a Chinese legend — Chang'e, who stole her husband's elixir of immortality, only to find refuge on the moon. In this version, Chang'e and her secret daughter, Xingyin, have lived on the moon for years when Xingyin's magical powers begin to manifest, bringing dangerous attention their way. Encouraged to flee, Xingyin shares her experiences growing from a naive young girl to a strong, independent woman, thanks to encounters with celestial princes, three-headed serpents, and dragons. It's a wonderful mix of fantasy, romance, and coming-of-age that will captivate your imagination.

"The Book Eaters" by Sunyi Dean is a dark urban fantasy for people who love stories. Devon Fairweather is a book eater, a supernatural creature who must consume books to survive. She also absorbs the knowledge found in each book she eats. Because female book eaters are rare, she's raised only on fairy tales and similar stories appropriate for her gender, but when her son is born, her entire viewpoint changes. Cai is a mind eater who must consume brains rather than books, and his kind is feared in their society. Devon flees into the human world in search of a cure for her son, only to discover the lengths mothers will go to for their children.

"Other Birds" by Sarah Addison Allen is a tale inhabited by magical secrecy. Set off the coast of South Carolina, The Dellawisp houses both human and bird tenants. When Zoey moves into her deceased mother's apartment, she befriends her quirky and mysterious neighbors, including three ghosts. By combining the fantastic with a touch of romance, myserty, and found families, Allen weaves an enchanting tale of second chances that will have you thinking about these characters long after you read "the end."

"Wild and Wicked Things" by Francesca May takes our view of World War I and puts an imaginative spin on it. The Lost Generation wants to forget about the magical trauma they endured at war, so they escape to Crow Island, but magic has seeped into the blood of its residents and places. Annie has no desire to become involved with magic when she comes to the island to settle her absent father's estate, but she quickly becomes ensnared by Emmeline Delacroix and her wicked witchcraft. The author describes it as a "slowburn sapphic historical fantasy novel loosely inspired by 'The Great Gatsby.'"

The first book in a planned series, "The City of Dusk" by Tara Sim follows the heirs of The Four Realms: Life, Death, Light, and Darkness. The god of each realm has withdrawn their favor from the city of dusk, putting each realm in jeopardy, too. Rather than allow total destruction, the four heirs put aside their differences to intervene, even thought it means they'll each have a steep price to pay. This story has queer representation, complex world-building, and political intrigue.