Got a fantasy fan in your life with a birthday coming up, but not sure what gift you should go for? I’m an author of fantasy fiction, and here’s my quickfire list of books that are sure to scratch their itch. There are lots of sub-genres, so I’ve given a two-sentence summary for each one so that you can be sure it lines up with the kinda thing they like! Some you’ll have seen before, others will likely be new — all of them will make the perfect gift for the fantasy lover in your life! In no particular order, here are the best fantasy books to give someone on their birthday:
Books to buy for their birthday
Legend – David Gemmell
A pillar marking the transition of 1980s fantasy into its more modern form. Quick and fun to read, this book will also be a gateway into a huge catalogue of other stories by this author. Buy this one now, save the others for the next special occasion!
The Blacktongue Thief – Christopher Buehlman
A dark, gritty fantasy adventure (that I’ve reviewed in full over here). This is perfect for fantasy lovers who like their reads to have a bit of edge. Fast-paced and the start of an ongoing series.
The Sins of Steel and Shadow – Steve Pannett
A fresh take on vampyrs that is definitely more fantasy than horror. Dark, gritty and fast-paced, the first book in a trilogy that will delight any reader on their birthday.
Lightfall – Ed Crocker
Another fantasy/vampire mash-up. This one features a unique blood magic system and a murder mystery that leads to a wider conspiracy.
The Lies of Locke Lamora – Scott Lynch
Probably the epitome of gritty, witty fantasy. The city of Camorr is fabulously realised in this heist-like romp through a fantastical criminal underworld setting.
The Tainted Cup – Robert Jackson Bennett
This is the perfect book for those wanting to dip their toes into fantasy without diving in at the deep end. A fantasy murder mystery, this book is what it would be like if Sherlock and Watson lived in a fantasy world where the magic is based on plants and the blood of titans!
The Lord of the Rings – J.R.R Tolkien
A series that every fantasy fan should read at least once. It’s quite dense and can feel like a slog, but The Lord of the Rings is both of its time and timeless. It’s an epic journey that every reader should try once.
The Dark Tower – Stephen King
Another series that I’ve reviewed in full before. This one is probably more urban fantasy, but its definitely not the typical horror you might associate with this author. I’d recommend readers give it until at least the end of the second book (The Drawing of the Three) before they decide whether or not the whole series is for them!
Sea of Souls – N.C. Scrimgeour
A moody, broody dark fantasy with a romance arc. Scottish folklore abounds in the start of this complete trilogy, perfect for readers who like reading when its thrashing it down with rain outside.
The Blade Itself – Joe Abercrombie
The ultimate in grimdark fantasy. Set readers on an epic journey of mud, blood and dark humour with the beginning of the First Law saga (which I’ve helpfully ranked over here).
Promise of Blood – Brian McClellan
One for flintlock fantasy fans! The Powdermage Trilogy offers one of the best magic systems out there, and a host of brilliant characters and stories to follow along. If your intended recipient likes the Napoleonic era, this’ll be for them!
Someone You Can Build a Nest In – John Wiswell
A monster slaying sapphic fantasy romance, with body horror, from the perspective of the monster. I don’t know how Wiswell managed this, it’s unconventional, funny at times, gross at others, but it’s somehow both creepy and charming in equal measure. For those who like their horror-fantasy and appreciate a bit (ok a lot) of gore.
Between Two Fires – Christopher Buehlman
Speaking of horror-fantasy. Between Two Fires is one of my all-time favourite reads, and it’s also the second book on this list by this author. The reason for this is simple, this medieval horror-fantasy is so viscerally different to The Blacktongue Thief that it warrants a second entry!
The Name of the Wind – Patrick Rothfuss
This one is perfect if your intended recipient likes a slower pace and deep, thoughtful prose. It’s dense and moves slowly, but beautiful all the same.
A word of warning though; this is an unfinished series and it’s possible it will remain that way.
Dungeon Crawler Carl – Matt Dinniman
For those who enjoy fast paced video game style adventure with dark humour, social commentary and an unforgettable main duo, you cannot go wrong with DCC. Personally I’d suggest the audiobooks, Jeff Hayes narration is in a league of its own.
Nettle & Bone – T Kingfisher
Fancy a rag-tag, found family, dark fantasy fairy tale with a MC over the age of 30? Join Marra on a quest to kill an abusive prince and free her sister. On her way she’ll need the help of a gravewitch, a dog made of bones, a disgraced ex knight and a chicken possessed by a demon.
Legends & Lattes – Travis Baldree
Do you want fantasy, but with a cosy coffee shop/bookstore vibe? Then Travis Baldree has you covered. Follow Viv the orc barbarian as she hangs up her sword and opens up a coffee shop.
The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy – Megan Bannen
You’ve Got Mail, meets zombies, meets a frontier style fantasy land… it sounds like too much. It’s not. If your giftee likes a spicy romantasy that will hit them in the feels while also delivering on the fantasy aspect and plot. This is the one for them.
Kings of the Wyld – Nicholas Eames
The ultimate “get the band back together” adventure. Full of action, dry humour and outlandishly fun set pieces, if your intended recipient likes the vibe of Dungeons & Dragons (even if they don’t actively play it) then this will be the book for them.
Circe – Madeline Miller
Watched Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and in the mood for exploring Greek Myth reimaginings? Read the story of Circe, the witch goddess best known for turning Odysseus’s men into pigs — as she tells it her way.
Mistborn: The Final Empire – Brandon Sanderson
The start of an epic series with one of fantasy’s most well-known magic systems. Brandon Sanderson does world-building in a methodical, but intriguing way that shows the true vastness of what imagination can accomplish within this genre. If your intended recipient likes an in-depth experience, this one is for them!
Godkiller – Hannah Kaner
A female-led, Witcher-style character teams up with an unlikely group of misfits to undertake an epic adventure. Includes a tiny non-human companion who also happens to be a god.
Got a fantasy book that you’d recommend to others? Drop a comment below to let more readers know about it!
📚✌🏻SP
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Book One of the TURNED
The Sins of Steel and Shadow
Hated and reviled by humans and vampyrs alike, every day for a Turned is a deadly struggle. But when Bail is offered the chance of a lifetime, there’s much more at stake than just his survival.
The Turned series is a fast-paced, character-led, gritty fantasy saga for fans of Joe Abercrombie or Scott Lynch.
Steve Pannett is an author and designer based in Yorkshire, UK.
He writes primarily in the fantasy genre, combining character-led storytelling with epic, gritty world-building to create dark tales with plenty of action and lots of twists along the way.
He has self-published multiple books and is active online.
