The Best New Fantasy Books of January 2025

It seems safe to say that this January has not met a great many of our customer satisfaction standards. From devastating wildfires and winter storms to…literally everything else, it’s been an uncomfortable harbinger of what the rest of 2025 may have in store for us. Luckily, if nothing else, it’s also offered some seriously fantastic reads, with multiple must-read fantasy titles arriving precisely when we needed them most.
Not only does this month include the biggest romantasy release of the year (Onyx Storm!), there are also multiple highly anticipated sequels and buzzy debuts on offer. And if there was ever a time to escape into richly imagined alternate worlds, it’s probably right now.
Here are our picks for the best new fantasy books of January 2025.
A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson
Release Date: January 7 from HarperCollins
Why We’re Excited: An intriguing mix of fantasy, historical fiction, and dark academia, A Language of Dragons is a speculative reimagining of the interwar period where dragons exist in 1920s Europe and a young girl must become a code-breaker at Bletchley Park in order to protect her family after her choice to free a dragon has dire consequences. A story that combines political intrigue, romance, and dragons, with a thoughtful exploration of linguistics and the power of language, this debut is highly satisfying.
Publisher’s Description: Dragons soar through the skies and protests erupt on the streets, but Vivien Featherswallow isn’t worried. She’s going to follow the rules, get a summer internship studying dragon languages, be smart, be sweet, and make sure her little sister never, ever has to risk growing up Third Class. She just has to free one dragon.
By midnight, Viv has started a civil war.
With her parents and cousin arrested and her sister missing, Viv is brought to Bletchley Park as a codebreaker—if she succeeds, she and her family can all go home again. If she doesn’t, they’ll all die.
As Viv begins to discover the secrets of a hidden dragon language, she realizes that the fragile peace treaty that holds human and dragon societies together is corrupt, and the dangerous work Viv is doing could be the thread that unravels it.
Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan
Release Date: January 7 from Harper Voyager
Why We’re Excited: This standalone fantasy is set in the world of Tan’s popular Daughter of the Moon Goddess duology that mixes political intrigue, forbidden magic, and a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance between a young ruler fighting to save her kingdom and the ruthless God of War. The worldbuilding is top notch and the relationship between the young ruler of Tianxia and the immortal she begrudgingly grows to trust is excellent.
Publisher’s Description: The young heir to a mortal crown, Liyen ascends a precarious throne when her grandfather dies, vowing to end her kingdom’s obligation to the immortals and take vengeance against those she feels responsible for his death. When she is summoned to the Immortal Realm, she seizes the opportunity to learn their secrets and to form a tenuous alliance to safeguard her people, all with the one she should fear and mistrust the most: the ruthless God of War. As they are drawn together, a treacherous attraction ignites between them—one she has to resist, to not endanger all she is fighting for.
But with darker forces closing in around them, and her kingdom plunged into peril, Liyen must risk everything to save her people from an unspeakable fate, even if it means forging a dangerous bond with the immortal… even if it means losing her heart.
The Starlight Heir by Amalie Howard
Release Date: January 7 from Avon
Why We’re Excited: The adult fantasy romance debut from popular author Amalie Howard, The Starlight Heir is inspired by Persian and Indian mythology. The achingly romantic story of a young bladesmith whose life is turned upside down when she’s unexpectedly embroiled in the king’s hunt for the mysterious Starkeeper and ends up on the run with an illegitimate prince, its detailed mythology and rich worldbuilding stands out.
’Publisher’s Description: “His Imperial Majesty King Zarek requests your presence as his esteemed guest.”
When the gold-dusted court invitation arrives at Suraya Saab’s forge, she believes it’s a joke. Nobles might seek her skills as a bladesmith, but she has no qualifications as a potential bride for the crown prince. Still, the invitation is the chance at adventure, and the means to finally visit the capital city her late mother loved.
But what awaits her in Kaldari is nothing she could have imagined—and fraught with danger. It’s not the crown prince, but his impossibly handsome, illegitimate half-brother, Roshan, who captures her interest…and her ire. The invitation isn’t a quest to find a suitable bride, but a veiled hunt for the Starkeeper—a girl rumored to hold the magic of the stars in her blood. And across the city, unrest is brewing between the noble houses and the rebel militia.
When the rebels attack, Suraya and Roshan find themselves on the run, trying to deny their simmering attraction and the knowledge that Suraya herself might be the Starkeeper. But Roshan is guarding secrets of his own. And with no control over the power stirring within her, Suraya has drawn the attention of a dark god, an immortal whose interest might be the biggest threat of all.
Four Ruined Realms by Mai Corland
Release Date: January 7 from Entangled/Red Tower Books
Why We’re Excited: The highly anticipated follow-up to Mai Corland’s Five Broken Blades, Four Ruined Realms will see the lives of our main characters—and the mission they thought they were undertaking together—turned upside down.
Ordered by the King of Yusan to steal the Golden Ring of the Dragon Lord from Quilimar, the Queen of Khitan, Sora, Tiyung, Royo, Aeri, Euyn, and Mikhail, must find a way to work together—despite their differing goals and personal conflicts—and turn the tables right back.
Publisher’s Description: The King of Yusan may be the greatest liar of them all.
His sister’s ring is in his sights, and he will do anything to get what he wants. Even manipulating the five blades to steal it…
Bonded by a common enemy, then divided by deceit, the blades must rely on their skills to pull off King Joon’s pursuit or risk his legendary wrath.
A foreign rule of law stands between them and Quilimar, the Queen of Khitan. Now they have one month to steal the powerful Golden Ring of the Dragon Lord. But that impossible task might be easier than trusting one another, even though their lives, their families, and the realms depend on it.
They can all agree on one thing: the king can’t win. But can they beat him at his own game?
Because for the blades, this time it’s not just personal, it’s revenge. Lies may have torn them apart, but now vengeance will bring them together.
The Dryad Storm by Laurie Forest
Release Date: January 7 from HarperCollins
Why We’re Excited: The fifth and final installment in Laurie Forest’s sprawling, occasionally controversial but always ambitious Black Witch Chronicles, The Dryad Storm does its best to tie the story’s many plot threads together into a satisfying conclusion. If you’ve been with this series this far, then you already know you’re about to strap in for a long ride in this finale, but Forest’s detailed worldbuilding remains top notch.
Publisher’s Description: Black Witch of prophecy Elloren Gardner Grey has unleashed her powers and embraced her legacy as a Dryad and guardian of the Forest. But the losses—of life, of love—have been almost too great to withstand as the Shadow continues to devour the world. With only a tattered shred of hope remaining, the Bearers of the Wand of Myth must battle their way back to each other to mount a final stand.
But Elloren and her allies are not only facing Mage Vogel’s advancing forces—the armies of the Eastern Realm will stop at nothing to see the Black Witch struck down.
With Elloren’s bonded mate prophesied to kill her, Shadow demons rising, and the ties between allies unraveling, can this fracturing world unite to face down the coming storm?
The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-Gwang, translated by Slin Jung
Release Date: January 21 from Ace
Why We’re Excited: This utterly charming story of a young girl who wins a golden ticket to a marketplace of dreams where she can exchange the story of her misfortunes for a better life is not particularly eventful, plot-wise, but feels like a warm hug.
Publisher’s Description: On the outskirts of Rainbow Town, there is an old, abandoned house. They say that if you send a letter detailing your misfortunes there, you could receive a ticket. If you bring this ticket to the house on the first day of the rainy season, you’ll be granted entrance into the mysterious Rainfall Market—where you can choose to completely change your life.
No one is more surprised than Serin when she receives a ticket. Lonely and with no real prospects for a future, Serin ventures to the market, determined to create a better life for herself.
There, she meets a magical cat companion named Issha and they search through bookstores, perfumeries, and fantastical realms while Serin tries to determine what her perfect life will look like.
A Crown So Silver by Lyra Selene
Release Date: January 21 from Orbit
Why We’re Excited: The highly anticipated sequel to A Feather So Black, A Crown So Silver returns to the world of the Fair Folk as Fia journeys to a mysterious island where she and her new husband find themselves involved in a brutal competition to claim the mystical Oak King’s Crown
Publisher’s Description: After her sacrifice on the Ember Moon, Fia is flush with powerful magic and eager to rush into battle against her murderous sister, Eala. However, Fia’s new husband Irian suggests they bide their time and retreat to the Silver Isle, a snowy island at the edge of the fae world.
Ruled by the cunning smith-king, the Silver Isle proves far from a safe haven. Fia and Irian become embroiled in the Tournament of Kings competing for a magical forging of immense power. Their relationship will be put to the test as they navigate their conflicting motivations, shifting allegiances, and ancient magic.
With the end of the tournament looming and Eala’s threat growing, Fia must decide just how much she’s willing to sacrifice to defeat her sister.
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
Release Date: January 21 from Entangled/Red Tower Books
Why We’re Excited: Anyone who reads any sort of fantasy—or, heck, has entered a bookstore in the last year—is undoubtedly aware of the phenomenon that is Fourth Wing, a high stakes romantasy about students at a war college for dragon riders. The second installment Iron Flame concluded with a massive (and emotionally devastating) cliffhanger, and readers have been counting the days to the release of the third book, Onyx Storm, ever since. It will hit shelves in January, and it’s unlikely that any of us are prepared for what awaits Violet Sorrengail and her friends. Just block the weekend off to read now.
Publisher’s Description: After nearly eighteen months at Basgiath War College, Violet Sorrengail knows there’s no more time for lessons. No more time for uncertainty.
Because the battle has truly begun, and with enemies closing in from outside their walls and within their ranks, it’s impossible to know who to trust.
Now Violet must journey beyond the failing Aretian wards to seek allies from unfamiliar lands to stand with Navarre. The trip will test every bit of her wit, luck, and strength, but she will do anything to save what she loves―her dragons, her family, her home, and him.
Even if it means keeping a secret so big, it could destroy everything.
They need an army. They need power. They need magic. And they need the one thing only Violet can find―the truth.
But a storm is coming…and not everyone can survive its wrath.
The Outcast Mage by Annabell Campbell
Release Date: January 28 from Orbit
Why We’re Excited: This debut from Annabell Campbell is a treat for everyone who likes epic fantasy with a slightly more contemporary feel. Featuring a magical academy, political unrest, found family, and a dash of romance, this multi-POV adventure features everything from a young mage who can’t use her magic to a powerful senator, a mysterious hunter, and a gifted wizard.
Publisher’s Description: In the glass city of Amoria, magic is everything. And Naila, student at the city’s legendary academy, is running out of time to prove she can control hers. If she fails, she’ll be forced into exile, relegated to a life of persecution with the other magicless hollows. Or worse, be consumed by her own power.
When a tragic incident further threatens her place at the Academy, Naila is saved by Haelius Akana, the most powerful living mage. Finding Naila a kindred spirit, Haelius stakes his position at the Academy on teaching her to harness her abilities. But Haelius has many enemies, and they would love nothing more than to see Naila fail. Trapped in the deadly schemes of Amoria’s elite, Naila must dig deep to discover the truth of her powers or watch the city she loves descend into civil war.
For there is violence brewing on the wind, and greater powers at work. Ones who could use her powers for good… or destroy everything she’s ever known.
Lacy Baugher Milas is the Books Editor at Paste Magazine, but loves nerding out about all sorts of pop culture. You can find her on Twitter @LacyMB