The Best New Adult Fantasy Books (2024 Edition)

When you think of the fantasy genre, it is likely that you think of fairy tales, princesses, and dragons.

While these are all aspects of the genre, they can seem a bit juvenile.

Fortunately, a whole world of adult fantasy novels incorporates mature themes into fantasy worlds.

Adult fantasy is a great way to escape the harsh realities of real life.

There are so many possibilities within the genre that make it a great choice for many types of mature readers.

Whether you are a lifelong fantasy fan or you are just getting into the genre, there is bound to be a book for you.

If you are looking for recommendations on the best new adult fantasy books, you have come to the right place.

Check out the novels below and get started on a fantastic new journey. 

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is a 2020 adult fantasy novel by V.E. Schwab. It has been widely recognized and praised as one of the best fantasy novels of the century so far. It was on the New York Times Bestseller list for 37 consecutive weeks, indicating the wide success and fan base of this novel. 

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue follows the story of a young woman who feels stuck in an unhappy marriage, something that many adults around the world can relate to.

Addie makes a deal with the devil that allows her to live forever.

The only caveat is that everyone she meets instantly forgets her.

The author uses flashbacks to go back and forth between the early 1700s to the present day to give insight into Addie’s life when she made the deal and how she is living now.

Throughout this novel, there are many adult themes, including depression, the passing of time, and contentment with life.

There is also plenty of magic and mysterious occurrences throughout. 

Ninth House 

Ninth House is the first novel in the Alex Stern series by Leigh Bardugo.

It is currently the only novel in the series that has been published, but the second installment is slated to be released in early 2023.

This novel is quite dark and sinister.

It is full of many adult themes and situations, including mass murder, drug dealers, and abusive boyfriends.

If you enjoy reading about young people with horrible lives, then this is the novel for you. 

Ninth House follows the life of Alex, a young girl who has been through some incredibly hard times in her life. Alex attends Yale, but she is on scholarship under very suspicious circumstances.

She gets involved with some of Yale’s secret societies and uncovers terrifying secrets.

She becomes incredibly paranoid and deals with these secrets in some unconventional ways.

There are occult activities, dark mysteries, and terrifying happenings in the pages of this novel.

It is certainly meant for mature readers who are able to deal with the heavy content within.

After you read this novel, you will be counting down the days to the next release, awaiting the day when you can reunite with Alex and her challenges. 

The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires 

The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires is a 2020 novel by Grady Hendrix.

Though it is definitely a fantasy novel, it would also be at home in the horror genre.

It is a supernatural thriller that leaves readers feeling scared and satisfied. 

This novel takes place in the early 1990s in the Deep South.

A stranger moves into this small southern town, and strange things begin to happen.

People go missing, children turn up dead, and there is a sense of terror in the air.

There is suspicion that this stranger may have something to do with these crimes, and that he may actually be a vampire.

As the title suggests, the novel’s main plot revolves around a women’s book club and their dealings with a vampire.  

This novel touches on many aspects of real life that are heavy and difficult to deal with, including racism, sexism, and serial killers.

It may not be the fantastic escape you are looking for if you want to leave the real world behind.

However, it is still a great novel, and it is definitely one that you will want to enjoy with the lights on. 

The Dark Star Trilogy 

The Dark Star Trilogy is a series of novels by Marlon James.

Currently, only the first two novels are in publication, with the third and final installment coming in the next few years.

This series takes place in a mythical African world.

Though it could be considered historical fiction, it certainly has a sense of fantasy about it.

Each novel in the series takes on different points of view.

This gives the reader a lot of information and insight into the world. 

The main storyline of this series centers on the disappearance of a young boy.

Eight mercenaries are tasked with solving this mystery.

After nine years of searching, the boy is dead, and only three mercenaries remain.

These mercenaries are locked in a cell awaiting trial to answer for the boy’s death. This series is rooted in African mythology.

It also takes many old folktales and spins them in new and more modern ways. 

Though this series largely focuses on a child, it is definitely not a series for children.

There are many mature scenes and themes throughout, many of them sexual in nature.

Before reading this series, it may be a good idea to check the content warnings given by the author and other readers.

Death, violence, and sex are very important to the plot and the overall series.

It is vital that readers know what they are getting into before picking it up.

Best New Adult Fantasy Books: Conclusion

I hope this article has given you some ideas of good new adult fantasy books to read.

And if you have some of your own recommendations you want to be featured in this list, leave a message in the comments below!

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