10 Fantasy Books Even Non-Fantasy Readers Will Love

If you love gothic horror with a twist, Gideon the Ninth will be your new obsession. Imagine a haunted house but in space. Gideon, a sword-wielding badass, gets stuck with her necromancer rival, Harrowhark, on a crumbling, creepy space station. Their mission? Figure out why everyone is dying.

Except, this isn’t your grandma’s haunted house. Expect sword duels, bone magic, and enough snark to raise the dead (literally). Plus, there’s an unexpected emotional depth that’ll leave you wanting more. So, if you like your horror with a side of humor and a dash of the macabre, Gideon the Ninth is the perfect fantasy book for you.

If you love historical fiction with a creepy twist, The Year of the Witching might become your new favorite. It’s set in a Puritan-like community, where the rules are strict and women are oppressed. Our main character, Immanuelle, is an outcast who doesn’t quite fit in.

However, she wanders into the forbidden woods and discovers dark secrets about her family and town. The atmosphere is tense, the writing is gorgeous, and the story is chilling. If you’re looking for a fantasy book that feels like a classic horror novel with a dash of social commentary, this one’s for you.

“A Deal with the Elf King” by Elise Kova is a must-read fantasy book for non-fantasy readers who love romance! When human woman Luella accidentally crosses into the Elf King’s realm, she agrees to marry him to save her life. However, their relationship is far from perfect.

With lush world-building, sizzling chemistry, and a gripping plot, this book is a perfect gateway fantasy for romance lovers. Kova’s engaging and emotionally charged writing will keep you turning pages late into the night.

Romance lovers, don’t let the fantasy setting scare you away from A Court of Thorns and Roses! This Beauty and the Beast retelling will sweep you off your feet and into the enchanting faerie realm of Prythian. You’ll meet Feyre, a huntress forced to live with a High Fae named Tamlin after killing a wolf.

While there’s an undeniable spark between them, a dark secret lurks. Ancient evils threaten to destroy everything Feyre has come to love, and she must fight for her happily ever after. With twists and turns you won’t see coming, this fantasy novel is perfect for romance fans.

Mystery lovers, Magic Bites is your gateway to urban fantasy detective fiction! Meet Kate Daniels, a tough mercenary navigating a world where magic randomly replaces technology. When her guardian is murdered, Kate’s investigation plunges her into a shadowy underworld of power struggles and supernatural threats.

It’s not just about catching a killer, though. Kate must decipher cryptic clues, outsmart cunning enemies, and survive magical showdowns. If you crave a mystery with a fantastical twist, Kate Daniels will keep you guessing until the very end.

Mystery fans, meet Ivy Gamble, your cynical, non-magical private investigator in a world where magic exists. She gets tangled up in a murder at the fancy magic school where her estranged twin sister teaches. This case isn’t just about solving a crime, though. It’s about confronting past hurts and those what-if questions about the life she could have had.

Ivy’s witty observations and sharp deductions will keep you turning pages as she navigates magical secrets, messy relationships, and a murder mystery that hits close to home. This grounded story of jealousy, grief, and sisterhood will resonate even if you’re not into fantasy.

Literary fiction fans, get ready to be swept away by the timeless story of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. Addie makes a fateful deal with a dark god for immortality, but there’s a catch: she’s cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets. The novel spans centuries, following Addie’s extraordinary journey through history and art.

However, a flicker of hope emerges when, after 300 years, she meets someone who remembers her name. This beautifully written tale explores themes of love, loss, memory, and the enduring power of the human spirit. Even without dragons or magic swords, this fantasy novel will leave you pondering life’s big questions long after the last page.

Literary fiction lovers, if you crave atmosphere and enchanting prose, step into the mesmerizing world of The Night Circus. This isn’t your average fantasy novel; it’s a love letter to storytelling and the magic of the unknown. The story unfolds around Le Cirque des Rêves, a mysterious circus that appears without warning and vanishes just as quickly.

However, behind the enchanting illusions and captivating performances lies a deeper game. Two young magicians, Celia and Marco, are bound by a dangerous competition neither fully understands. Their fates intertwined with the circus itself; they must navigate a delicate dance of love, rivalry, and magic. Trust me, this beautifully written novel will linger in your thoughts long after you leave the circus tents behind.

History buffs, get ready to have your mind blown by Babel, a dark academia fantasy set in 1800s Oxford. It follows Robin Swift, a Chinese boy brought to England to study at the Royal Institute of Translation, also known as Babel. Here, they harness the power of language to fuel the British Empire’s magic.

However, Robin soon discovers that Babel’s magic comes at a steep cost to his homeland. He grapples with his loyalty to the institution that raised him and his growing anger at its exploitation of his people. This thought-provoking novel blends historical fiction with linguistic magic, exploring themes of colonialism, power, and the cost of knowledge. Even if you’re not a fantasy fan, this book will challenge your assumptions and spark important conversations.

A Natural History of Dragons” by Marie Brennan is the perfect fantasy book for historical fiction fans! Written as a memoir, it follows Lady Isabella Trent, a pioneering dragon naturalist in a world reminiscent of Victorian England. As Isabella pursues her passion and makes groundbreaking discoveries, readers are treated to thrilling adventures and rich, detailed world-building.
Brennan’s engaging narrative voice makes this fantasy accessible and enjoyable for non-fantasy readers. With a blend of scientific curiosity, adventure, and mystery, this book is an excellent choice for those looking to explore the fantasy genre through a familiar historical lens.