Thefantasygenre encompasses many titles from all generations of lit , making it easy for certain books to be block , even though they make incredible reads . The early 2000s understand the publication of some of the most iconic full treatment of speculative fiction in recent computer memory , like several installments of theHarry Potterseries andThe Name of The Wind , arecent fantasy playscript that will be a classic someday . However , since there were so many innovational works being release , some every bit piquant and high - quality employment did n’t get the notoriety they deserved and are due for a revival in popularity .

10The Way Of Shadows (2008)

Written by Brent Weeks

Brent Weeks ' debut , The Way of Shadows , unfolds similarly to many fantasy talesabout unseasoned Hero of Alexandria and their rise to power . However , just becauseThe Way of Shadowsis part of a tenacious custom of fancy does n’t mean that it is n’t original or that it ’s not fun to link the characters on their journeys . The first in theNight Angelseries , The path of Shadows , follows the protagonist , Azoth , as he shed his original name and becomes a Modern , more life-threatening version of himself under the tutelage of his bravo mentor .

For readers who savor action , political conspiracy , and moral ambiguity , The Way of Shadowsis the pure dodging from the real world .

All three of the firstNight Angelbooks were released at the same time in 2008 , allow proofreader to down the story and immerse themselves in its supernatural world of deadly assassin . For readers who savor action , political conspiracy , and moral ambiguity , The elbow room of Shadowsis the complete escape from the real human beings . With epic fight and choices that force Azoth to question who he ’s really working for and what he ’s willing to leave behind , The agency of Shadowsis on equality with many of the most famous study of phantasy today .

Imagery from Gods and Monsters and Airheads Brendan Fraser in multiple roles

Book

twelvemonth of Release

The Way of Shadows

Book-Cover-Imagery-of-Best-Served-Cold-by-Joe-Abercrombie,-Iron-Widow-by-Xiran-Jay-Zhao,-Prince-of-Thorns-by-Mark-Lawrence

2008

Shadow ’s Edge

Beyond the shadow

10-Lesser-Known-Gothic-Fantasy-Movies-Worth-Checking-Out-v2

Night Angel Nemesis

2023

9Inkheart (2003)

Written by Cornelia Funke

Brendan Fraser ’s vocation includes hits and Miss but also underestimate films that , for a variety of reasons , do n’t get as much lovemaking as they merit .

On its own , this is a great premiss , especially for book lovers , but Funke does n’t permit the conception carry the storey . The heart and individual ofInkheartis the relationship between young Meggie and her father , Mortimer , who has been on the run from the villains that Mortimer accidentally brought to liveliness from a Koran . The duo have a deep bond , and their beloved for each other is a primal part of what makesInkheartso memorable . As the book continue , Meggie has even more adventures and learns she can count on herself as much as her Fatherhood .

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Inkheart

2003

Inkspell

10 Great 2000s Fantasy Books Barely Anyone Talks About Now

Custom Image by Simone Ashmoore

2005

Inkdeath

2007

The cover of The Way of Shadows

8Graceling (2008)

Written by Kristin Cashore

As much a romantasy Christian Bible as it is a narration of independence and escapade , Gracelingis a story about defy expectations and refusing to capitulate to other people ’s expectations . Katsa , the main lineament ofGraceling , is one of the Graced , but her special exponent is not one of beauty but violence . Kristin Cashore draws the reader into Katsa ’s world as she cope with the opposing sides of herself and wonders why she was give such a gift and what her obligation is to the people around her .

The way Graces wreak inGracelingmakes for an interesting magical system .

Katsa ’s journey is elevate by her Latinian language with Po , a prince who seems like the opponent of everything she ’s been told she is . The way Graces work inGracelingmakes for an interesting wizardly organisation . goodwill can take on both strong-arm and mental manakin , and Katsa apace discovers that her gifts are n’t what she ’s always believed . Though romance play a significant role in Katsa ’s ontogenesis , it ’s unclouded that Cashore is lick hard to wind a narrative of female authorisation through the chapter while provide to a YA interview .

Inkheart - Poster

Graceling

Fire

2009

Headshot Of Brendan Fraser

Bitterblue

2012

Winterkeep

Headshot Of Sienna Guillory In The 2012 Film Independent Spirit Awards

2021

Seasparrow

2022

Headshot Of Eliza Bennett

7Who Fears Death (2010)

Written by Nnedi Okorafor

Nnedi Okorafor takes on racism , colorism , and tyrannical histories of violence in her post - apocalyptic novel , Who Fears Death . Okorafor name her study as part of the Africanfuturism movement , as she go down her work in Africa and distinguish it from the Afrofuturism genre ( viaNnedi Blogspot ) . InWho Fears Death , Onyesonwu is raised in a dystopian world of magic and conflicting identity , but she come to recognize her power and emplacement in ending the genocide of her people .

Okorafor is n’t afraid to touch upon the violence and little terror of the world inWho Fears Deathanddraws clear and lineal comparisons between her fictional universe and the real world . However , this does n’t mean there is n’t faint , love , and the saving of tradition and household inWho Fears Death , even in the nerve of the intensity of the forces Onyesonwu amount up against . Who Fears Deathdistinguishes itself with a protagonist as complex and enthrall as Onyesonwu and Okorafor ’s writing .

Who Fears dying

Cast Placeholder Image

2010

The Book of the Phoenix

2015

The cover of Graceling

She Who jazz

2024

One elbow room Wiccan

The cover of Who Fears Death

Expected 2025

6Fablehaven (2006)

Written by Brandon Mull

TheFablehavenseries might be for kids , but its memorable storytelling and singular conceit make it deserving study for any generation . However , for those who did pick upFablehavenin their youthfulness , there ’s no motion thatBrandon Mull ’s serial is particularly nostalgic because there are so many charming animate being that haunt the Page of the history . InFablehaven , the siblings Kendra and Seth are exposed to the fantastic Earth of Fablehaven when they go to visit their grandparent and discover a hidden world of monster and magic .

Unfortunately , many awful books fulfilled the niche of fantasy for younger audience during the 2000s , so theFablehavenseries has n’t been as widely discussed .

Fablehavenis achildren ’s illusion Scripture that still hits home as an adultsince the references to classic caption and fairy narrative are such a large part of fiction . unluckily , many amazing leger carry out the recess of fancy for untested audiences during the 2000s , so theFablehavenseries has n’t been as wide discussed . However , since Mull lately released the companion seriesDragonwatch , start in 2017 , there ’s heap of great material that flesh out the world andFablehavenand give the heroes plenty of adventures to courageously embark on .

Several book covers from the Fablehaven book series.

Fablehaven

2006

Rise of the Evening Star

The cover of Ursula K. Le Guin’s Powers

Grip of the Shadow Plague

arcanum of the Dragon Sanctuary

Keys to the Demon Prison

The cover of The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms

5Powers (2007)

Written by Ursula K. Le Guin

Many ofUrsula K. Le Guin ’s best booksfall into the sci - fi category , but she save many fantasy novels that helped push the genre forward . afterward in her career , Le Guin pen the seriesAnnals of the Western Shore , which began in 2004 withGifts . ThoughPowersis the third book in the trilogy , it ’s an unforgettable conclusion to the story , andPowersmakes it well worth learn the first two installments . Like all of her work , the trilogy is deeply intertwined with the natural world and the complex body part of power .

ThoughPowersis a YA Scripture , Le Guin loses none of her potency when she is n’t writing for adults , as envision in the critically acclaimedEarthsea Cycle . Powersis an emotionally raw and arresting rule book , forcing readers to confront their fears and wishes alongside Gav , the main character . After slowly developing his gift for pot and memory , Gav ’s throw into a world he does n’t know and must swear himself and his desire for exemption . As always , Le Guin contribute vital ethnic and social messages to the audience but does so in the sort of a story worth getting lost in .

talent

Cover of Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie

2004

vox

Powers

The cover of Perdido Street Station

4The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms (2010)

Written by N. K. Jemisin

N.K. Jemisin’sBroken Earthtrilogy was immediately herald as crucial reading material within the phantasy musical style , but before the author received phonograph recording - breaking accolades for that series , she penned theInheritancebooks . Published just as the 2000s became the 2010s , The Hundred Thousand Kingdomswas Jemisin ’s first appearance and made its mark on the illusion cosmos , demonstrating that Jemisin was a vocalization to watch in the coming decade . Yeine Darr makes for a beguile protagonist as she ’s squeeze from the safety of her world to a kingdom of gods and treachery .

One of the most vivid constituent of Jemisin ’s writing inThe Hundred Thousand Kingdomsis the instantaneousness of gods and magic in the story .

In the wake of her mother ’s sudden decease , Yeine journey to her mother ’s homeland , a city in the sky , to vie for the right to predominate and uncover the secrets that have been keep for her . One of the most lifelike parts of Jemisin ’s composition inThe Hundred Thousand Kingdomsis the instancy of idol and magic in the story . Yeine is constantly speak and making deals with the Supreme Being in the castle , and the existence of these higher powers is something the humans in the book use as tools to pile up more power .

The cover of Leviathan

The Hundred Thousand kingdom

The Broken Kingdoms

The Kingdom of Gods

2011

3Best Served Cold (2009)

Written by Joe Abercrombie

Best Served Coldmight take seat in the same universe of discourse as theFirst Lawseries , but this addition to Joe Abercrombie ’s body of work is seldom mentioned when discussing the ripe parts of the serial . While Abercrombie ’s many works all have their merits , Best Served Coldis a fun , swaggering novel that thrills readers until the final pages . Led by the distaff supporter , Monza Murcatto , Best Served Coldassembles a motley crew of thief and brigands who come together to aid Murcatto take down the most powerful valet de chambre in the land .

While phantasy stories are defined by their magical and mystical worlds , often they ’re root in thrilling tales of revenge , romanticism , and treason .

It might be an uphill conflict , and Murcatto might have her work cut out for her getting her crew into push shape , but even during their worst moments , they ’re a team worth rooting for . Best Served Coldis concerned first and foremost with retaliation , but it leads its type down a course of adventure and growth even as they institutionalize tearing , bloodthirsty acts . Murcatto is a protagonist worth rout for , andAbercrombie does an excellent job convey an exciting young corner of theFirst Lawuniverse to liveliness .

2Perdido Street Station (2000)

Written by China Miéville

China Miéville’sPerdido Street Stationcemented the source as one of the undecomposed minds in contemporary fantasy . Blending phantasy and sci - fi , Perdido Street Stationwhisks the reader away to a world where technology has pass further than the audience can envisage and human - animate being hybrids are timeworn . The protagonist , Isaac , is one of the scientific nous who pushes boundaries inPerdido Street Station , but his curiosity and thirst for discovery come at a cost .

Isaac pays dearly for his experiment by the conclusion of the novel , and Miéville has no scruple about delve into the darkest corner of illusion and the human experience .

Isaac pays dear for his experimentation by the end of the novel , and Miéville has no qualms about dig into the darkest corners of fancy and the human experience . Perdido Street Stationwas instantly hailed by fantasy critic and fans as a pivotal addition to the genre . However , it does n’t have the same far - get to name recognition as similar novels . luckily , this did n’t turn back the writer from add to his vividly ideate universe . Miéville ’s other piece of work , The ScarandIron Council , are set in the same world asPerdido Street Station , but all three books can be read as standalone projects .

Perdido Street Station

2000

The Scar

2002

Iron Council

1Leviathan (2009)

Written by Scott Westerfeld

Scott Westerfeld ’s steampunk fantasy series kicks off withLeviathan , a fantastic reimagining of the First World War . Though Westerfeld is better known for spell the YA dystopian sci - fi seriesUglies , which come out a few years beforeLeviathan​​​​​ , his other work should n’t be overlooked . conflate alternative account withfantasycan be tricky to pull off , butLeviathaneasily engages the audience thanks to the central moral force between Aleksander and Deryn , the level ' protagonists .

The magic and technological systems inLeviathanare what set the novel asunder , as Westerfeld uses elements of advanced weaponized machinery as well as genetically engineered creature . Putting this otherworldly twist on an international fight that most readers know well is an interesting way into this account and make for an exciting backdrop to the characters ' ontogenesis . While the story is already immersive on its own , theLeviathanbooks are elevated by the gorgeous illustrations that accompany the schoolbook , giving the lector visual perceptivity into the landscape painting of the world .

Leviathan

Behemoth

Goliath