While there’s no new A Song of Ice and Fire book coming out this year as well, there are plenty of excellent fantasy novels to read, including some highly anticipated ones like The Magician’s Land, the Tower Lord and Words of Radiance.
The Magician’s Land, Lev Grossman
The Third book in his Magician’s series and the closing chapter in the trilogy, sees the return of Quentin Coldwater to the Brakebills Preparatory College of Magic before his road back to Fillory and his attempt to save everyone from destruction he himself brought. It comes out in August.
Tower Lord, Anthony Ryan
This is the second book in Ryan’s Raven’s Shadow series, which is as big as a Fantasy world can get. In this one, Vaelin Al Sorna tries to find peace in a distant reach far from the troubles of the realm, but it wouldn’t be interesting if trouble didn’t find him.
Half a King, Joe Abercrombie
There are many who see Abercrombie as better than GRRM and his First Law series better than A Song of Ice and Fire. Half a King comes out in July, telling the tale of Prince Yarvi trying to regain a throne he never wanted.
The Dark Defiles, Richard Morgan
The third book in A Land Fit for Heroes, Morgan’s books are always something different than your usual fantasy and sci-fi novels. This is the third in a trilogy about Ringil Eskiath, a war hero shunned by his family because he is gay. It comes out in July.
The Emperor’s Blades, Brian Staveley
Unlike most current trending fantasy novels, Staveley doesn’t make all of his work about grit and realism. There’s a dark undertone to everything, but plenty of humor and escapism that sometimes goes missing in current fantasy series.
Words of Radiance, Brandon Sanderson
The second book in The Stormlight Archive epic fantasy series was published earlier in March. What it’s about? There are a lot of things similar to ASOIAF, especially the POV things, but there’s a lot more desert, magic and weird names to memorize.
The Fifth Season, N.K Jemisin
For those who love to feel uncomfortable with what they’re reading, things that makes you move in your seat but also feel unable to put the book down, Jemisin’s novels are for you, in what seems to be the beginning of a new trilogy.
The Crimson Campaign, Brian McClellan
The second book in his Power Mage trilogy, following the excellent promise of blood from last year. For those who love reasonable magic structure and plenty of violence, this is the series for you. It comes out in May.
Prince of Fools, Mark Lawrence
If you loved the Broken Empire trilogy, focusing on Jorg, you’ll probably Lawrence returning to his world with the Red Queen’s War planned series, this time focusing on a new prince, Jalan, who’ll probably just as problematic to like as Jorg. It comes out in June.
Hat tip: Sean Fagan
For a list of sci-fi and fantasy novels that still don’t have their movie adaptation, check out our list of those that deserve it.
