The 7 Best Medieval Fantasy Books You Won’t Be Able to Put Down

If you love epic fantasy and are looking for a new adventure you’re in the right place. Medieval fantasy books have a special magic that transports you straight into a world of knights, dragons, princes, and magic quests.

Whether you’re a bookworm or just starting to dip your toes into fantasy books you’ll find unputdownable choices that will capture your imagination. This list in particular is for anyone who wants to escape the ordinary and enter a world where heroes battle dark forces and kingdoms rise and fall.

From classic epics to modern masterpieces, each book is a doorway to a different world.

Without further ado, here are the best medieval fantasy books to add to your reading list:

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1. Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb

Assassin’s Apprentice is the first book in the Farseer Trilogy. Although this book has been around since the 90s, I only read it for the first time a couple of months ago, and I absolutely adored it!

In this one, you’ll follow Fitz, a royal bastard with a special destiny. You’ll love his raw emotions and struggles as he finds out about his heritage and mysterious powers.

The characters are complex. Chade, the royal assassin, is Fitz’s mentor and teaches him stealth and poison. Then there’s Burrich, the king’s stableman and reluctant caretaker of Fitz, and the Fool, a mysterious character who seems to take an interest in Fitz. You’ll be invested in all the character relationships by the end!

There’s lots of politics within the kingdom. Power plays and secret alliances will have you wondering who to trust and what to expect.

Hobb’s magic system is interesting. Fitz has the Skill, a mental magic tied to the royal family. He also has the Wit, an ability to bond with animals which adds to his character.

In short, Robin Hobb writes a great story with deep characters and a cool world. It’s a little slow-paced, but trust me when I say it’s worth your investment of time.

2. The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski

The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski introduces you to the main character, Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter known as a Witcher. Geralt is in a world of magic, monsters, and complex characters.

Sapkowski’s storytelling is adventure and fantasy. Dark lords, wizards, and spellcasters. The short story format keeps you engaged and interested in Geralt’s various adventures. The story format is told in short stories, so it reads kind of like serialized fiction. There’s plenty of magic and monsters throughout the book to keep you turning the pages!

In Geralt’s world magic is a gift and a curse. It empowers some and destroys others. You’ll meet dark lords, sorcerers, and mythical creatures each with their own agendas and secrets.

Whether Geralt is fighting a beautiful, cunning sorceress or a ruthless dark lord his encounters will blur the lines between good and evil. The stories explore destiny, morality, and survival.

If you like stories where the main character’s journey is full of adventure, magic, and moral grey areas The Last Wish is a great read. (The video games are also a lot of fun! The Netflix series.. eh, the first few seasons are okay.)

3. The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

The Way of Kings is the first book in Brandon Sanderson’s epic fantasy series The Stormlight Archive. You’re dropped into a world with a detailed magic system.

The story follows multiple complex characters. You’ll meet Kaladin, a soldier who becomes a slave and Dalinar, a high prince with visions. Each has their own motivations and arcs.

Roshar is a world where highstorms shape the land and the people. It’s a world like no other, full of wonder and danger.

Sanderson writes great battles. These aren’t just skirmishes, they’re complex and strategic and often showcase the magic systems.

The Way of Kings is a big book. But you’ll be invested and rewarded, with plenty of twists and character insight. It’s one of my favorite reads of the year and indeed, one of my favorites of all time! Be sure to check out my full review of the Stormlight Archive series for more information.

4. Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas

If you like medieval fantasy with a lot of melodrama and romance, Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas is a great choice.

This series follows Celaena Sardothien, a young and deadly assassin, who is in a royal household as part of a competition to become the King’s Champion. You’ll love the intrigue of the court. You also get a fun love triangle with Dorian, the charming prince who has an interest in Celaena and her secrets, and Chaol, the buttoned-up Captain of the Guard who eventually becomes Celaena’s ally.

As a young adult fantasy series, it also explores personal growth and moral grey areas. Celaena’s journey has tons of action, magic, plot twists, and romance to spare.

Magic and medieval politics will keep you hooked. From the dark secrets of the palace to the competition that tests Celaena’s skills every page is action packed.

Keep in mind, this first book is a bit of a slow start, but stick with the series and you will be rewarded. Check out my full review of the TOG series for more info!

5. One Dark Window by Rachel Gilleg

One Dark Window by Rachel Gilleg puts a twist on medieval fantasy and you’ll be drawn into a world of mysterious mists and a unique magic system based on cards. The story takes you to a medieval era where you’ll meet characters from opposite sides with complex backstories.

Like Game of Thrones, One Dark Window is also heavy on the romance, but has a strong plot to back it up. It’s also YA but is suitable for adults too and is a definite page-turner.

It’s also the first book of a duology, with the second book – Two Twisted Crowns – being just as good, if not better!

6. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

In A Game of Thrones, you’re dropped into a world of political intrigue. The many noble houses, all vying for power, pull you into a web of alliances and betrayals. The setting, reminiscent of medieval Europe, adds to the authenticity.

The complex characters make the story so good. Each character has their own reasons, strengths and weaknesses. You’ll love and hate them. This depth adds to the plot and keeps you hooked.

As the first book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series it sets the tone beautifully. The song of ice and fire theme runs throughout the story and you’ll see how that plays out.

However, if you don’t like books where important characters get killed of… this one might not be for you. It’s also a lot more graphic than the other books on this list.

7. Of Blood and Fire by Ryan Cahill

As a debut novel, Cahill impressively crafts an adventure that draws on classic fantasy elements while layering them with his unique touches, creating a vivid and engaging story.

Set in a land that feels torn straight from an ancient tapestry, “Of Blood and Fire” introduces a cast of characters, including elves, dwarves, and dragons, with plenty of medieval flair. From armor-clad warriors to ancient cities shrouded in mystery, the world evokes the sense of an old European kingdom—a realm bound by honor, tradition, and the magic that simmers beneath its surface.

At its core, this book tells the timeless tale of a band of people embarking on an Tolkienesque quest—a narrative structure that evokes the spirit of Arthurian legend. This foundation not only provides a sense of adventure but also allows for meaningful character development.

The story intricately weaves in themes of camaraderie, duty, self-discovery – and dragons!

Cahill’s writing kept me turning pages late into the night, captivated by the world he has built and the stakes the characters face. I’d rate “Of Blood and Fire” a strong 4.5 stars. With its availability on Kindle Unlimited, it becomes even more accessible for fantasy readers eager to delve into a new epic journey.

It’s clear Cahill has a deep love for the genre, and it shines through every page. The Tolkien influence is apparent, but Cahill manages to carve out his own voice and world. I’m definitely going to be continuing the series to see how the journey unfolds.

Conclusion

These are just a few great fantasy books that have a medieval times feel to them.

I still have lots of medieval books to read myself; a few other great medieval fantasy books on my TBR that I’ve heard are must-reads are:

• The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

• Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

• The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

Which medieval-era book is your favorite?

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