If you’re looking for new standalone fantasy novels, you might need to do some digging. Fantasy authors tend to write epic trilogies or long series.
I enjoy a great trilogy or even a lengthy series (à la Michael J. Sullivan, Brandon Sanderson, or Robert Jordan) as much as the next fantasy reader.
However, every now and then I feel like a brief interlude between epics. Something that I can get through in a matter of days (or a late night) rather than months.
There are various lists of popular one-off titles (Neil Gaiman is probably my favorite in this category) but recently I found myself on a quest for some new standalone fantasy novels published in the past year.
I discovered quite a few but have narrowed it down to eight. Here they are, listed in alphabetical order by author’s last name.
The Candle and the Flame
by Nafiza Azad
Published: June 2, 2020
YA Epic Fantasy
Brief Description:
“In this William C. Morris YA Debut Award Finalist novel, Nafiza Azad weaves an immersive tale of magic and the importance of names; fiercely independent women; and, perhaps most importantly, the work for harmony within a city of a thousand cultures and cadences.”
D (A Tale of Two Worlds)
by Michel Faber
Published: December 8, 2020
Magical Realism
Brief Description:
“A stunning modern-day Dickensian fable and a celebration of friendship and bravery for freethinkers everywhere.”
“Glorious. A story that will be found and enjoyed and dreamed about for years to come.”—Neil Gaiman
The Midnight Library
by Matt Haig
Published: September 29, 2020
Science Fiction/Literary Fiction
So, maybe not pure Fantasy but certainly magical. Hooked me in the opening paragraph.
Brief Description:
“When Nora Seed finds herself in the Midnight Library, she has a chance to make things right. Up until now, her life has been full of misery and regret… But things are about to change.”
Pawn’s Gambit
by Rob J. Hayes
Published: January 26, 2021
Asian Myth & Legend
This is Book 2 in The Mortal Techniques series but it is a standalone story set in that universe.
Brief Description:
Pawn’s Gambit is a wuxia adventure filled with heroes, gods, spirits, and magic.
The Will and the Wilds
by Charlie N. Holmberg
Published: January 21, 2020
Teen & YA Fantasy
Charlie Holmberg has some great clean fantasy series (e.g. The Paper Magician) and other standalone fantasy novels.
Brief Description:
“A spellbinding story of truce and trickery.”
A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking
by T Kingfisher
Published: July 21, 2020
Children’s Sword & Sorcery Fantasy
This is one of those clever kids’ books that adults love.
Brief Description:
“Fourteen-year-old Mona’s life is turned upside down when she finds a dead body on the bakery floor. An assassin is stalking the streets of Mona’s city, preying on magic folk, and it appears that Mona is his next target.”
Burn
by Patrick Ness
Published: June 2, 2020
Teen & YA Coming of Age Fantasy
Brief Description:
“An all-consuming story of revenge, redemption and dragons.
On a cold Sunday evening in early 1957, Sarah Dewhurst waited with her father in the parking lot of the Chevron gas station for the dragon he’d hired to help on the farm…”
The Midnight Bargain
by C. L. Polk
Published: October 13, 2020
Historical Fantasy
Brief Description:
“From the bestselling, World Fantasy Award-winning author of Witchmark comes a sweeping, romantic new fantasy set in a world reminiscent of Regency England, where women’s magic is taken from them when they marry. A sorceress must balance her desire to become the first great female magician against her duty to her family.”
More Standalone Fantasy Books
What about you? If you’ve read (or read about) other new standalone fantasy novels, please recommend them in the Comments section below.
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