Alright, now that it’s February, let’s talk about all of the amazing new fantasy books that were published in January 2024! From epic quests to heartwarming stories, these new fantasy book releases promise to transport you to realms where anything is possible!
Discover fresh voices in the fantasy genre, or rediscover old favorites. Follot the journeys of unlikely heroes facing daunting challenges in these new fantasy book releases. Explore mystical landscapes, encounter mythical creatures, and unravel the secrets of captivating new worlds.
Whether you prefer high fantasy with intricate world-building or character-driven narratives that tug at your heartstrings, January brings a diverse array of new fantasy choices. So grab your favorite blanket, brew a cup of tea (or something stronger!), and get ready to lose yourself in the pages of these exciting new fantasy releases.
Let’s jump in to the January 2024 new fantasy books!
This post may contain affiliate links at no additional cost to you.
Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett
Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands is probably my most anticipated book for the entire year! (Okay, so what do I look forward to now??). I LOVED the first book in this series, and I devoured the second book in less than three days. I cannot highly enough recommend the Emily Wilde series, especially if you’re a fan of faeries and academia!
In the second installment of the Emily Wilde series, brilliant faerie folklore scholar Emily faces a new challenge when enigmatic faeries materialize at her university. Determined to uncover their secrets before it’s too late, Emily finds herself entangled in a heartwarming and enchanting adventure.
Having recently authored the world’s first comprehensive encyclopedia of faeries, Emily has delved into the secrets of the Hidden Ones, both through her scholarly pursuits and the guidance of her former rival, the infuriatingly charming Wendell Bambleby. Unbeknownst to many, Bambleby is an exiled faerie king seeking refuge from his murderous mother and a way back to his realm. Despite Emily’s deep feelings for him, she hesitates to accept his marriage proposal, aware that loving a member of the Fair Folk comes with hidden dangers.
As Emily immerses herself in a new project—a map of the faerie realms—Bambleby’s past catches up with them. Assassins sent by his mother invade Cambridge, prompting the duo to embark on another adventure, this time to the picturesque Austrian Alps. Amidst navigating new relationships and the lurking dangers of the Folk, Emily must decipher the workings of faerie doors and unravel the mysteries of her own heart.
House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas
The enthralling third installment of the Crescent City series, a captivating addition to the globally acclaimed House of Earth and Blood and House of Sky and Breath.
Bryce Quinlan never anticipated venturing beyond Midgard, but now, stranded in an unfamiliar realm, her sole desire is to return home. Everything she holds dear—her family, friends, and mate—are in Midgard. Navigating this strange world, Bryce must rely on her instincts to find her way back, a daunting task made even more challenging by the uncertainty of whom to trust.
Hunt Athalar, no stranger to life’s pitfalls, faces one of his deepest challenges yet. Despite enjoying a brief period of bliss, he finds himself imprisoned once again in the Asteri’s dungeons, oblivious to Bryce’s fate. Eager to assist her, Hunt’s hands are figuratively tied until he can break free from the Asteri’s control.
In this sensual and gripping sequel to the #1 bestsellers House of Earth and Blood and House of Sky and Breath, Sarah J. Maas propels the Crescent City series to new heights. As Bryce and Hunt confront a world on the brink of collapse, the future hangs in the balance, their shoulders burdened with the responsibility of saving it.
Sons of Darkness by Gourav Mohanty
In a world drenched in blood-soaked ballads, the Mathuran Republic teeters on the edge of extinction, drained by brutal clashes with the Magadhan Empire. Senator Krishna and his wife Satyabhama strategize within and beyond borders to shield their homeland from imminent annihilation. Yet, the fragility of alliances and the transient nature of gold unravel their plans, revealing that they are mere pawns in a larger game.
Pirate-Princess Mati of Kalinga seeks redemption from her murderous past, while Karna, haunted by a brutal history, attempts to bury it but is thwarted by an unforgiving destiny. Former hero turned torturer, Shakuni, navigates a perilous path, haunted by foes and woes, consumed by the pursuit of vengeance.
As sinister queens, naive kings, devout assassins, and insatiable priests converge, the lives of these characters become even more complex. The stage is set where the prophesied rise of the Son of Darkness looms, entwined with the machinations of forgotten Gods preparing to unveil their hand.
The Atlas Complex by Olivie Blake
The riveting conclusion to Olivie Blake’s trilogy, “The Atlas Complex,” follows the New York Times bestselling phenomenon, “The Atlas Six,” in an anticipated and heart-wrenching climax.
In a world where only the extraordinary are chosen and the cunning survive, the six Alexandrians find themselves vulnerable to the lethal terms of their recruitment in a harrowing return to the library. As old alliances crumble, the initiates grapple with opposing strategies to navigate the deadly bargain they’ve struggled to uphold. Within the archives, ethical dilemmas arise concerning their astronomical abilities, while an unexpected duo from the Society cohort joins forces to influence global politics.
Facing external threats, the Society recruits must contend with the world mobilizing against them. Meanwhile, Atlas Blakely, the Caretaker himself, unveils a plan with potentially world-ending consequences. As the stakes escalate, a race for survival ensues, forcing the recruits to confront the profound question of what they are willing to betray for limitless power—and who will pay the ultimate price along the way.
Faebound by Saara El-Arifi
In the enchanting realm of the fae, two elven sisters find themselves ensnared in a web of danger and love in “Faebound,” the inaugural installment of a mesmerizing trilogy by the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Final Strife.
Yeeran, born on the battlefield and destined to die there, has only known a life of violence as a warrior in the elven army. Her sister, Lettle, endeavors to forge a different path as a diviner, seeking prophecies for a brighter future. However, a fatal error results in Yeeran’s exile from the Elven Lands, thrusting both sisters into the treacherous wilderness beyond their borders.
There, amidst the improbable, lies the fae court—a realm unseen for a millennium. Now, Yeeran and Lettle must navigate this seductive world, torn between their loyalty to each other, their elven homeland, and the yearnings of their hearts. As alliances shift and loyalties are tested, the sisters find themselves entangled in a romantic fantasy of epic proportions, crackling with magic and passion, where choices have far-reaching consequences.
Sanctuary of the Shadow by Aurora Ascher
In a realm where some follow their destiny and others succumb to it, Salizar holds allure and enigma for humans but serves as a sanctuary for Harrow. Fleeing the annihilation of her clan, it becomes a haven where she conceals both her true self and extraordinary abilities.
Everything changes with his arrival.
He arrives with no memory of who—or what—he is, only aware of being a monster with wings and unprecedented powers. Beneath the layers of fury and solitude, his inky black eyes reveal a soul that resonates with Harrow’s loneliness.
Choosing him, Harrow is drawn to the mystery surrounding him, driven by an insatiable longing for his kiss. As formidable adversaries plot against them, the only salvation lies in escape. Unraveling the secrets of his past, Harrow unwittingly releases a shadow from her own, attracting enemies seeking vengeance. Her winged companion, however, conceals a truth that is not what it seems, prompting a revelation that neither Harrow nor her enigmatic companion are as they appear.
The Djinn Waits A Hundred Years by Shubnum Khan
In the haunting narrative of “The Djinn Waits a Hundred Years,” Akbar Manzil, once a grand estate off the South African coast, now stands in ruins, a boardinghouse for those wishing to vanish into its dark corridors. Amidst a cast of eclectic misfits, Sana stands out as an anomaly. Unlike her fellow inhabitants, she is driven by curiosity and a relentless quest for knowledge about the mansion’s past.
The forgotten East Wing becomes the focal point of Sana’s intrigue, housing broken and discarded remnants. Behind a locked door lies a bedroom frozen in time and a weathered diary that murmurs the tragic tale of Meena, a young woman who met her demise a century ago. Unbeknownst to Sana, a besotted djinn, mourning Meena’s mysterious death, watches from the shadows.
Sana’s relentless pursuit of Meena’s story unveils ancient and harrowing secrets, weaving a tale that transcends the boundaries of the living and the dead at Akbar Manzil. “The Djinn Waits a Hundred Years” is a sublime, heart-wrenching love story and mystery, interwoven seamlessly into a young girl’s poignant search for belonging, offering a lyrical and stunning exploration of the mansion’s haunted history.
Mislaid in Parts Half-Known by Seanan McGuire
Embark on a thrilling journey through portals and peril in the upcoming installment of the Hugo and Nebula Award–Winning Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire.
Antsy, the newest student at Eleanor West’s School for Wayward Children, possesses a unique talent for locating anything—a skill that becomes both a gift and a curse. When the school’s irresistible mean girl realizes Antsy’s potential extends to doors, Antsy must flee with a small group of friends. Their quest leads them from a world cloaked in beauty and painful memories to a realm untouched by time’s passage. The ultimate destination is the Shop Where the Lost Things Go, where promises made by Vineta and Hudson await verification.
As they traverse these worlds, more than one student’s life is irrevocably altered, revealing the profound truth that achieving desires does not always fulfill the deeper needs within. In “Mislaid in Parts Half-Known,” McGuire weaves a tale that underscores the complexity of yearning for what you want while discovering what you truly need.
The City of Stardust by Georgia Summers
Dive into a mesmerizing contemporary fantasy world of enchantment, stardust, and creatures beyond imagination in Georgia Summers’ captivating debut.
For generations, the Everlys have witnessed their brightest members vanish, a consequence of an ancient crime lost to memory and a purpose shrouded in mystery. The enigmatic Penelope, their eternal tormentor, remains untouched by time and unyielding in her pursuit of retribution. Violet Everly’s world unraveled when her mother, Marianne, left in a stormy quest to break the family curse. As the years pass without Marianne’s return, Penelope issues an ultimatum: Violet must find her mother within a decade or take her place as the last suffering Everly.
In a quest to break the curse, Violet navigates a seductive magical realm filled with power-hungry scholars, capricious gods, and vengeful monsters. Along the way, she encounters Aleksander, Penelope’s reserved assistant, whose trustworthiness remains questionable, yet an undeniable attraction pulls Violet closer.
As time ticks away, Violet embarks on a journey to the edges of the world, seeking Marianne and the elusive key to the city of stardust, where the Everly saga originated. In a race against destiny, the last Everly must unravel the mysteries that bind her family and confront the malevolent forces that threaten to consume them all.
A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft
Step into a captivating Regency England-inspired fantasy world with Allison Saft’s “A Fragile Enchantment,” a romantic fantasy of manners. Niamh Ó Conchobhair, a magical dressmaker, grapples with her impending mortality as she stitches emotions and memories into fabric. Commissioned for a royal wedding in the neighboring kingdom of Avaland, she becomes entangled in scandal when a gossip columnist exposes her undeniable chemistry with the groom, Kit Carmine.
Avaland, far from the fairytale she envisioned, harbors social unrest amidst the glittering nobility. Kit, a reluctant groom used as a political pawn, forms an unexpected bond with Niamh. As their friendship deepens into something more, an anonymous gossip columnist threatens to reveal royal secrets unless Niamh aids in the exposure. With a rot at Avaland’s core, unraveling the truth may jeopardize dreams Niamh dared not have and a love she deemed impossible. Saft weaves a sweeping romance filled with intrigue and unforgettable characters, crafting a love story for the ages in this magical and enchanting tale.
The Slain Divine by David Dalglish
In the thrilling conclusion to USA Today bestselling author David Dalglish’s new epic fantasy trilogy, a usurped prince must master the magic of shadows in order to reclaim his kingdom and his people.
The Everlorn Empire’s grip on Thanet is tighter than ever. The God-Incarnate himself has arrived on its shores to crush the struggling rebellion and carry out his final, sinister plan: he will sacrifice the entire island in order to rise, reincarnated from its ashes.
The rebellion is struggling to separate allies from enemies, and to figure out a way to stop the slow destruction of everything and everyone they care for. Meanwhile, Cyrus is disappearing deeper beneath the vicious mask of the “Vagrant”. Under the mantle of the legendary assassin, he may be strong enough to take down the Empire, but at what cost?
Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White by Amélie Wen Zhao
The Demon Gods have risen. Skies’ End has fallen to the colonizers. And Lan and Zen have chosen sides.
But they will not fight together.
Though Lan inherited the power of the Silver Dragon, she understands the path she must take. She believes the Demon Gods to be the cause of war, conflict, and turmoil, and that the future of the Last Kingdom depends on their being eliminated forever. Worse, she knows that if the Elantians manage to bind one of the legendary beings, their army will be unstoppable. To save her kingdom and her people, Lan will need to find the only mythical weapon capable of destroying the Demon Gods: the Godslayer.
Zen is sure that the only way to free the Last Kingdom is to use the power of the Demon Gods. When he bound the Black Tortoise, he paid the ultimate price: to inherit its strength, he will forfeit his body, his mind, and his soul. Yet one Demon God is not enough against the might of the colonizers. In the ruins of the northern Mansorian lands slumbers a magical army of demonic practitioners capable of facing off against the Elantians—but Zen must find the Seal to awaken them to fight by his side.
The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland
Three girls, one supernatural killer on the loose . . .
Zara Jones believes in magic because the alternative is too painful to consider—that her murdered sister is gone forever and there is nothing she can do about it. Rather than grieving and moving on, Zara decides she will do whatever it takes to claw her sister back from the grave—even trading in the occult.
Jude Wolf may be the daughter of a billionaire, but she is also undeniably cursed. After a deal with a demon went horribly wrong, her soul has been slowly turning necrotic. It’s a miserable existence marred by pain, sickness, and monstrous things that taunt her in the night. Now that she’s glimpsed what’s beyond the veil, Jude’s desperate to find someone to undo the damage she’s done to herself.
Enter Emer Byrne, an orphaned witch with a dark past and a deadly power, a.k.a. the solution to both Zara’s and Jude’s problems. Though Emer lives a hardscrabble life, she gives away her most valuable asset—her invocations—to women in desperate situations who are willing to sacrifice a piece of their soul in exchange for a scrap of power. Zara and Jude are willing, but they first have to find Emer.
When Emer’s clients start turning up dead all over London, a vital clue leads Zara and Jude right to her. If a serial killer is targeting her clients, Emer wants to know why—and to stop them. She strikes a tenuous alliance with Zara and Jude to hunt a killer before they are next on his list, even if she can’t give them in return what Zara and Jude want most: a sister and a soul.
Bone Pendant Girls by Terry S. Friedman
Andi Wyndham has communicated with spirits since she was a kid. When a bone pendant carved into the likeness of a girl’s face calls to her at a gem show in Pennsylvania, she can’t resist buying it and a sister piece. When she discovers the girls are missing runaways and the pendants are made of human bone, Andi is drawn into a mystery that will force her to confront her gifts, her guilt, and the ghosts haunting her.
Pendant Girls Mariah and Bennie urge Andi to find a man they call “Fisherman,” a master of disguise. Teaming up with a handsome private eye and a South Carolina sheriff, Andi must find the girls’ bodies and put their souls to rest, before the Fisherman casts his deadly net to trap Andi.
Destroy the Day by Brigid Kemmerer
Prince Corrick is out of options. Held captive by the vicious Oren Crane, he’s desperate to reunite with Tessa, but will need to ally with the rebel leader Lochlan, who until now wished him dead. An unlikely but deadly pair, Corrick and Lochlan must plot their next moves carefully. . .
An island away, Tessa Cade is heartbroken and angry. Grieving Corrick, and unsure how to find a way back to Kandala, she doesn’t know who to trust. Until Rian–the man she trusts least–makes an offer: aid in a plot to finally oust Oren Crane and see what the future holds. . .
Meanwhile in Kandala, Harristan is dethroned and on the run. He’s struggling to unite the rebels in his fractured kingdom, but he finds support–and maybe more–in unexpected places.
Can Harristan be the king his people need? Can Corrick and Tessa find their way back to each other? As outside threats loom and the fires of revolution burn from within, time is running out to save their kingdom.
Pillar of Ash by H. M. Long
The enthralling conclusion to the HALL OF SMOKE saga, perfect for fans of Ragnarök, Claire LeGrand, Margaret Owen, V. E. Schwab and Melissa Caruso.
Yske, daughter of the legendary warrior priestess Hessa, has dedicated her life to medicine and pacifism in service to Aita, the Great Healer. When her twin brother Berin, hungry for glory, gathers a party to investigate rumours of strange sightings in the Unmade – shadows in the darkness at the end of the world – Yske joins the mission, to keep him safe.
Their journey east takes them through primal forests, walking paths last trod when gods were at war and ancient, powerful beasts were defeated and bound. And the closer they get to the Unmade, the more strange and terrible things haunt them from the shadows, corruptions in nature and monstrous creatures of moss and bone.
Earning the respect of Berin and his warriors, Yske must forge a place for mercy and healing in a world of violence and sacrifice. She must survive murderous ambushes and brutal sieges and take her place at the centre of the oldest war of all.
Thrust into a desperate conflict of survival, Yske and Berin will wage the final war with the gods – in the shadow of a vast and ancient tree, the fate of creation is about to be decided.