The Fantasy Review‘s list of 13 fantasy series to start in 2026.
Like every other fantasy reader out there, I am already in the middle of SO many series, but I’ve decided that most of those I will either start from the beginning (one day) and read through again, or I’ll DNF.
This list, then, is the full list of 13 fantasy series to start in 2026 because they look cool, or fun, or whatever reason I want.
#1 – The Legends of the First Empire by Michael J. Sullivan
I started and completed the Riyria Revelations series by Michael J. Sullivan a while ago and adored it, so it’s about time I jumped into another series by this author.
Check out my review of Theft of Swords!
The Legends of the First Empire is a prequel series, I believe, set hundreds (at least) of years before the events of the Riyria Revelations. Starting with Age of Myth, there are six books in this series, all of which have great reviews, so I’m very exited.
#2 – King Rolen’s Kin by Rowena Cory Daniells
Beginning with The King’s Bastard, King Rolen’s Kin is a fantasy trilogy by Rowena Cory Daniells. From the blurb it looks like it’s got elements of political intrigue and an exciting magic system, so I’m ready to dive into this trilogy.
This series also looks like it could be one of those hidden treasures not many people have read, which is always an exciting prospect.
#3 – Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews
Opposite of the previous series, I think most people have read the Kate Daniels urban fantasy series by Ilona Andrews. With the latest book from The Dresden Files coming out later in January (which I will be devouring immediately), I will be in need of a new urban fantasy series to keep me busy once I’m done with it.
With a massive fanbase and loads of great reviews, these books seem like just the think I’m looking for.
#4 – Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
In my January TBR 2026 I said I wanted to read Powerless by Lauren Roberts – scratch that.
I will instead be reading Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard. I’ve seen this book on the shelves at Waterstones since I was a teenager, so it’s about time I gave the series a shot!
#5 – Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard
In recent years, Victoria Aveyard has published a fantasy series called Realm Breaker that sounds AWESOME! From the blurb it looks like the story is a chosen one plot, with an end-of-the-world thing they’ll need to stop.
Count me in!
#6 – The Necromancer Chronicles by Amanda Downum
Another underrated-looking fantasy series to read in 2026 is The Necromancer Chronicles by Amanda Downum. Starting with The Drowning City, this series has assassins, an empire, spies, necromancers…. it sounds badass.
#7 – The Reborn Empire by Devin Madson
A series that has been on my radar for a long time is The Reborn Empire by Devin Madson. Book one of the series is We Ride the Storm, and it begins at the decline of an empire ruled by a God-emperor.
We follow a princess, an assassin, and a warrior through this epic tale of a collapsing empire, and I am very excited to get into this one!
#8 – Red Rising by Pierce Brown
Honestly, the series I am least excited to read is Red Rising by Pierce Brown. I have been hearing for years how great it is, however, and I have the first book, so I will be giving it a try at some point in 2026.
#9 – The Dagger and the Coin by Daniel Abraham
I’m a BIG Song of Ice and Fire fan, but after those books I’ve struggled to find anything to fill that gap. Sure, Malazan was good, but sometimes I want something a bit easier!
So, The Dagger and the Coin series it is! These books are standard epic fantasy novels, that even George R.R. Martin recommends, so why not?
#10 – Lightlark Series by Alex Aster
I’ve decided that 2026 is the year I just pick up easy books to read that sound fin and not serious, and Lightlark looks like one of those books. Will I read the full series? Probably not, but if the first book is fun, I might give the series a go.
#11 – Healer Trilogy by Maria V. Snyder
I am a big fan of Trudi Canavan, and the Healer Trilogy by Maria V. Snyder sounds like it could be very similar to the Age of Five trilogy, or even The Black Magician series (I’m thinking more of the prequel novel).
So, instead of rereading Priestess of the White for the millionth time, I figured I’d look for something new (to me) that might feel like a similar book.
#12 – Covenant of Steel by Anthony Ryan
I LOVED Blood Song by Anthony Ryan, the first book in the Raven’s Shadow trilogy. However, I have been struggling through the sequel, Tower Lord for a few months now, stuck at 24% and I think it might turn into a DNF.
So… I’m going to replace Tower Lord with The Pariah, the first book in Anthony Ryan’s The Covenant trilogy and see if I like that instead!
#13 – The Faithful and the Fallen by John Gwynne
I have already read Malice by John Gwynne about two years ago now and I enjoyed it but even after finishing it, I couldn’t remember enough or care enough to write a review… I also read 20% of the second book in The Faithful and the Fallen series, but got distracted by other books and gave up.
Look, I want to like this series, so I am going to give it another go! I did enjoy Malice: I just can’t remember what happened. Perhaps with a reread I’ll end up loving it with all my heart – that’s what happened when I tried reading Gardens of the Moon for the second time.
Fantasy Series I am Currently Reading
There are two fantasy series I am currently reading and expect to complete (or read all books that are currently out) in 2026.
The Empyrean Series by Rebecca Yarros
Fourth Wing was my first book of 2026 and it was fun. It’s nothing special, but it’s addictive as hell and I sped through it, so I will be picking up the next two books that are currently out in The Empyrean series very soon (probably January!).
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
I read book one, Throne of Glass years ago and finally read book two, Crown of Midnight at the very end of 2025. As I write this list of fantasy series to start in 2026, I am 13% into book three in the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas, Heir of Fire.
It seems in this third book that the world is getting larger and the stakes are increasing dramatically, so I’m excited to see where it goes!
