Top 20 Fantasy Books of 2023

I asked more than 500 readers what was their favorite fantasy book of 2023 so far... and the results amazed me! In this video we're going to see the best 20 reads, the top 20 books or series that were mentioned the most as 5-star reads.
With 1 exception (covered in the top 20), all books mentioned are top adult fantasy recommendations from other readers. I hope that if these books were the best for other fantasy readers, hopefully it will also be great for you.
I already read some of these books and I am sharing my honest opinion (which sometimes is aligned and sometimes not as much!) so please remember that reading is very subjective!
Let me know you favorite fantasy read of 2023!
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:56 Top 20
01:46 Top 19
02:36 Top 18
03:27 Top 17
04:08 Top 16
04:49 Top 15
05:27 Top 14
06:18 Top 13
07:02 Top 12
08:09 Top 11
09:03 Top 10
09:56 Top 9
11:00 Top 8
12:17 Top 7
12:52 Top 6
13:42 Top 5
14:39 Top 4
15:42 Top 3
16:54 Top 2
18:00 Top 1

[@FunFantasyBooks]

Sorry if my voice sounds a bit off, still a bit sick! Hope you enjoy it nonetheless!! 🎉

[@SilverScribe85]

Already own a copy of L&L, read it and LOVED IT! I loved it so much that I immediately preordered my copy of the prequel book, Bookshops & Bonedust; which is coming in November

[@Tetsujin-28]

You are a trooper!!!! Love this channel.

[@JohnSaxon-vw5vi]

No problem 😉 hope it is feeling better soon and thanks for adding to my long tbr list

[@mariareadsssf]

"The Dandelion Dynasty" is my favorite reading experience of the year. It has one of the most complex character I ever encountered in all literature. It is a character that you can argue was both hero and villan. But you need to finish the series to find out who this character is. Consider "The Grace of Kings" as a prologue, the starting historical point fir the generational saga that will unfold.

[@matthewarlich670]

Loved the video! Definitely made my TBR list bigger! Hope you continue to feel better!

[@jennayoung7722]

I wish I could read faster because I am always getting new recommendations from your channel! Some of my favorites made the list and there are some others that I've never heard of but immediately added to my TBR. Thanks as always! 💛

[@EmberJune]

Loved this list! Please please at some point finish first law. I read the trilogy this year and the first stand alone best served cold. I love Glokta too and seeing his story unfold throughout the last two books was great to me. If and when you have the space on your tbr and are in a grim dark fantasy mood I def think it’s a series worth finishing.

[@laku_u]

I was expecting mostly new releases and timeless classics, but there were a couple books here that really surprised me! Scythe most of all, I had no idea it was still that popular. Gunmetal Gods as well, though it's nice to see a self-pub making the list!

[@FunFantasyBooks]

I was also very surprised!! In my case I expected to see more “booktube darlings” but Malazan and Sword of Kaigen were mentioned, but not as much! I haven’t read Scythe nor Gunmetal Gods, but definitely intrigued!! 👀

[@hannahblackwellbooks]

What an AMAZING list!!!

[@just-83]

Great list of fantasy books.Some ahead of me.I will definitely read:)

[@luananoret8142]

Legends of Latte seems soooo cosy ! Can't wait for Fourth Wings ! the adventure of Amina was such a great book ! I loved Red Rising !

[@samiurai0]

I too have read The Ocean at the End of the Lane this year and my goodness is Gaiman a maestro. It's definitely one of my best reads this year.

[@Talking_Story]

Great List! Just finished Blade Itself hope to have a review up by weeks end. You must go forward with Red Rising books it grows in such amazing ways after the first trilogy.

[@FunFantasyBooks]

Really!! Ahh man I want to get there, but I promise you I fear for this characters. I don’t want any harm to come to them haha

[@Talking_Story]

@@FunFantasyBooks Ohhhh...you are so right to be very afraid.

[@Elle_is_in_Wonderland]

I highly recommend the biggest surprise for me, which was Morgan Is My Name by Sophie Keech. It’s a brilliant retelling of Morgan le Fey. If you like Circe or The Witch’s Heart, or if you enjoy Arthurian lore, this is an outstanding read.

[@steveschiely5783]

Four Wing started out good then became OK... The Book That Wouldn't Burn! Loved it! Get well!

[@nicoledavis9524]

Loved this video! I’m mostly a romance reader but I love listening about fantasy books. I am interested in Red Rising and Jade City. I absolutely love GOT. What would be anyone’s recommendation that will give me the grit, sexy times, and politics. I think something like that would be my “jam”!

[@FunFantasyBooks]

Ahhh thank you so much! It really means a lot that you enjoyed the content! Uhh both books have savage plot twist!! If you like sexy times, politics and fantasy.. have you tried Fourth Wing or Serpent & The Wings of Night?

[@noname3609]

You should read the whole First Law Trtilogy to fully understand its potential.The blade itself is the weakest book of the three.Last Argument of Kings is a masterpiece :) Absolutely loved Tress :)

[@FunFantasyBooks]

Ahhh that is fair!! I have heard it recommended time and time again, you might tempt me to go back to their world!

[@noname3609]

@@FunFantasyBooks Wait till u get to Best Served Cold. Its my favourite book so far while The Heroes is even better than that from What I heard. Joe Abercrombie is The kind of writer that becomes better with Time. 🙏

[@strawberrylime33]

I want to give Jade City another chance. I DNF'd at 70%, there were so many sit-down strategy meetings and so many characters. I enjoyed every characters' pov except shae (and there was so much shae). I reeeeeally wanted to love it.

[@cindywitte5052]

I've read " The Ocean at the End of the Lane" and most of Joe Abercrombie. A lot of the rest were or now on my TBR. I just started the "Green Bone Saga" I recommend "The Aurelian Cycle" and "The Winnowing Flame" trilogy

[@ryankoeppe1916]

The Library at Mount Char such a good adult fantasy book unlike anything else!!

[@Tetsujin-28]

Everyone seem to suggest what everyone else is reading, but I'm guessing "Viewers suggest something different" is a separate video. Nightfall Gardens by Allen Houston and Shady Hollow by Juneau Black you might enjoy. Great content.

[@FunFantasyBooks]

Lovely!! Thank you so much for sharing!! I just added them to my TBR!

[@emanuelgonzalez7500]

Gunmetal gods is absolutely amazing 👍👍👍

[@caitlinl2750]

19/20 woohoo🎉

[@joelindley5113]

This might be a little on the dark side but I just read The Traitor by Anthony Ryan and it's gone right up to the top three so far this year. Granted I do have a penchant for stabby fantasy. The main character is one of those roguish ne'er-do-wells I like reading about. The whole trilogy has outlaws, civil wars, religious schisms, witchcraft and a man blinded by love

[@cmeeki4]

I finally finished Jade City and although the first 30% of the book was super slow, the rest is amazing.

[@FunFantasyBooks]

Yay!!! So happy you enjoyed it!! I agree that it takes a solid minute to get into the action (for me it took a while to learn which character was who!) but ahhh so brilliant!

[@cmeeki4]

Yes, so many different characters. I’m looking forward to book 2.

[@user-bt5xd4gr8j]

Also if u have any no romance fantasy recommendations, it would be helpful .

[@vickibing6771]

Does the will of many end in a cliffhanger? Because my little heart cannot handle anymore of those.

[@FunFantasyBooks]

It absolutely does 🥲🫠. BUT gosh it is so worth it!

[@37_vanshiDLakhani]

This comment is a request. Unrelated to your video. I have been watching your videos and am in awe on how many books you have read. My not so avid reading beart wishes to read so much too. Not being a published author, I strive to publish my debut fantasy series as soon as I can. But this comment is to ask for your recommendations on certain plots for fantasy, magic school trope (for writing, as I'm working on my debut series) I have build a magic world and it's a coming of age, young adult fantasy series and I would honestly love your opinions and suggestions. So basically, I feel stuck in my story despite working on it for 3 years and since you have read many stories, your suggestion would be of high value to me. It's a magic school story, with learning magic to saving it, to possessing more magic than others, there's politics, there's a social evil character trying to win over the world. I need some plot points. Some suggestions. Well, take it this way. You have read many books, seen them in the publishing rounds and you have your favourite themes. Well I'm interested in adding those themes in my novels. As many themes as you like, all are appreciated. If in the future, I do end up using those themes or anything that you wish to see in novels, I will mention your name in the acknowledgements of my book. - to be author of HEDS Series (hope soon, so you can see your name in the acknowledgements, do contact me if you find your name and want to give even more suggestions or talk to me regarding my novels)

[@user-bt5xd4gr8j]

Can anyone recommend me closed door fantasy romances with "guy falls first" trope ?

[@YaFeya13]

Oh no, the Red rising isn’t just better it’s on a whole other level!!! The only comparison to The will of many is that the first book takes place at the institute but the red rising is 100 times better!!!! Dear readers, decide for yourself but seriously, no comparison 😐

[@matiashofmann6010]

Holy J, how many books do you have? U still keep the count?