17 Kindle Unlimited Fantasy Books You Should Read RIGHT NOW

17 Kindle Unlimited Fantasy Books You Should Read RIGHT NOW (2024)

Chosen by the IBR Staff

Nobody reads like fantasy readers read.

Send me to new worlds. Mystify my current one. Short novellas or door-stopping tomes—doesn’t matter. If it’s not this world I’m living in, I’d gladly spend time in it.

The fantasy reader stereotype has changed a little bit, hasn’t it? We’re not carrying around those fat serial paperbacks with dragons in our back pockets anymore. Now we’ve got the dragon books in our Kindles.

If you have a Kindle Unlimited subscription, you have a library in your pocket, filled with thousands of fantasy novels. Ready to know which ones you should read? (Bonus points: they’re all indie!)

Have you used your KU free trial yet?

Here are 17 Kindle Unlimited fantasy books you’re going to love.

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1. Winterset Hollow

What it’s about:

When the chance comes up to visit the former home of the late legendary (fictional) writer Edward Addington, Eamon Buckley jumps at it. Passing up the possibility of seeing the island that inspired Addington’s novel Winterset Hollow is impossible. And what better day to go than Barley Day? The one day in the year that all the characters in the book celebrate with their loved ones?

Once Eamon and his closest friends, Caroline and Mark, arrive on Addington Isle they realize that the truth of Edward Addington’s life might be stranger than his fiction. And, too late, they find that coming to the island might have been a mistake—and it might just cost them their lives.

Why you should read it:

Winterset Hollow by Jonathan Edward Durham is the kind of whirlwind story that spirits you off in one direction and, just as you’re comfortably settling in for the ride, buffets you wildly into a different tale. A mix of quirky, wholesome, and horrific. This novel crosses genres in a way I’ve seldom seen before. And each of the genres is handled superbly. 

The horror aspects of the novel are fantastic. The fact that the relationships are built on such solid foundations cements the horror in place. All of the characters are stuck in their trauma: working through it, giving in to it, or just going with the path of least resistance in the hopes of avoiding any more pain. It’s awful and confronting and terrifying because it uses fiction as a mirror of reality. 

–Joelene Pynnonen

2. Dio in the Dark

What it’s about:

This is the story of a father—Zeus, king of the gods—and the complicated relationship he has with his two sons Dionysus and Apollo. While they’re languishing in the pleasures of contemporary life, mistrust and betrayal burns bright between them. When impending doom hangs over them, the gods are left feeling as though they’re grasping at straws to stop it. They’ve navigated the modern world with mortals for so long that their powers are not as strong.

When Zeus suddenly goes missing, Dio discovers that his father is being held hostage as part of an overwhelming darkness that’s festering because the mortals are forgetting about the gods. “Zeus was bound not by steel, enchanted or other wise, but by the dismissal of his legend, the failure of the modern scribes to engrave his deeds into the tablets of modern men.” The gods work to revive the mortals’ knowledge of the pantheon.

Dio encounters various primordial deities and mythological monsters as he embarks on the quest to find and rescue his father—and the entire mortal world. The author (Rizwan Asad) takes this story to The Underworld, secret underground parties, and to the powerful depths of Instagram. 

Why you should read it:

Dio in the Dark is a delightful reimagined future for Olympian gods. An ode to Greek mythology, this adventure offers something fresh and unique to their stories, and it proves to be an excellent choice for fans of both legends and urban fantasy.

It’s a story as delicious and full-bodied as the ancient Greek wine Dio adores. 

While set in modern Toronto, Dio in the Dark turns the city radiant with all the possibilities of ancient magic. The visuals are colorful and stylized, with gorgeous landscapes and stunning locations. Asad’s writing is vivid and descriptive—making it impossible not to feel as if you have climbed through a vibrantly drawn storybook, or crept right into the scene in the middle of a cinematic otherworldly battle. 

–Andrea Marks-Joseph

3. Fated Sworn

What it’s about:

Fated Sworn is a story of loyalty and leadership, strategy and sacrifice; of a generous queen and a warm-hearted thief who are fated to find each other and fall in love. 

Queen Faelyn—“‘Fae,’ they called her, with pointed ears, limitless magic, and a kingdom regaining its power in the world”—is a badass leader and passionate custodian of her kingdom. Her personal life and her people have faced so much hardship in the past, but by the time we meet her in this book she has successfully built her kingdom into a place where people are genuinely taken care of. 

While she’s making plans to marry a prince from a kingdom that will ensure this safety and abundance is secure for another generation, she begins to feel a mystical connection with a mysterious young man. “The echo of a familiar pain lanced through her, as if she’d been here before, losing him to an unknown future all over again. But none of that made any sense. She’d only just met him.”

Why you should read it:

Fated Sworn’s magic systems are fascinating and cinematic, simultaneously intimate and intense. Those with magic in this novel have the ability to sense proximity to each other, to feel the exact emotional state of others, and to manipulate natural elements with magnificent implications. For this reason, the action scenes are especially vivid.  

If you’re in the mood for exhilarating combat scenes, entrancing magical training montages, high-powered elemental magic battles, desperate street crime and ruthless gang dynamics—with the shining thread of destined soulmates sparkling throughout—this is the book for you. 

This would make an equally sensational, heart-wrenching, sexy TV or film adaptation as both Outlander and Beautiful Creatures series have had, especially with its visually enthralling magic systems.

-Andrea Marks-Joseph

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4. A Moonserpent Tale

What it’s about:

A Moonserpent Tale tracks a young witch, her guide, an elf, and a pigeon on a quest through a barren, peril-fraught land. 

Each has their own reasons for heading out on the journey, from Sol’s duty as a soldier to Araina’s mixed bag of grief and low self-esteem.

While delivering some spell books and a magical artifact to a friend at a nearby witch community, Araina’s latent magical ability manifests. She is the best choice for an important mission the coven needs to staff. A militaristic force seeks seven magical artifacts, hidden throughout the land, to wield even greater power. And something is wrong with nature itself, the land and its plants blighted. Are these events connected in some way? 

Why you should read it:

A Moonserpent Tale’s sweet, slow-burn romance is perfect for these characters in this situation. 

The book’s worldbuilding is thorough and thoughtful, and the description is immersive. The voice of the story has a wonderful, folkloric tone perfect for the material. 

Readers who enjoy character-driven fantasy fiction such as the fantasy novels of Lois McMaster Bujold will be impressed with A Moonserpent Tale. This is a tale both thoughtful and entertaining, a true pleasure to read. 

-Kathy L. Brown

5. The Wolf Esprit

What it’s about:

Young Esprit Lenoir follows his traveling family of performers around the French countryside. Even though they’re not Romani, they are still frowned upon for their peculiar lifestyle. Esprit does his best as an actor, always seeking his father’s approval, but his sexual orientation marks him as a sinner. His father wants him to as a heterosexual man, while Esprit just wants to be himself, even if locals ridicule him for it. 

One day, Esprit spots a handsome gentleman during one of his performances. This encounter leads him to a hidden world of powerful werewolf clans and centuries-old secrets. It will take him across countries, helping him understand the wolf inside him. 

Why you should read it:

Reading Wolf Esprit is like reading Anne Rice’s Interview with a Vampire—but with werewolves. Any werewolf fans (or general paranormal fans) will savor anything in the Lykanos Chronicles (Criminal Beware, Wolf Omega), but this is a terrific standalone.

The werewolves in Stone’s book are not the typical ferocious hairy mongrels running the woods attacking innocents at random. Stone’s wolves are smart, sophisticated, and insanely powerful. Just another reason why the author’s world is so intriguing.

Stone has the magical touch with his worldbuilding. I loved traveling with Esprit through rural France and in the lavish masquerade parties in Italy. Stone’s historical knowledge brings the world to life, while the fantasy enthralls.

-Alexandria Ducksworth

6. Dagny

What it’s about:

Left behind to tend their family’s cabin and reindeer as her father and brother are summoned to war, Dagny awakens one morning to find the herd under attack. Using every tool she has available, including Elvish rune magic, she ventures into the dangerous forest to rescue the stolen deer—where she discovers she must confront more intense obstacles than just a monstrous thief. 

Why you should read it:

This fantasy exposes Luedke’s clear ability for robust and creative storytelling in just a few pages. The author has created a new world, somewhere between ours and a fantasy realm, where a lot of our legends and fairy tales come true, like trolls, magic, ghosts, and more. The plot is fast-paced; the story itself isn’t very wordy, but it is immersive and engaging regardless. 

–Audrey Davis

7. Veil ONLINE

What it’s about:

The journey of VEIL Online begins in the real-life world with protagonist Jace Burton. Jace is a programmer for the behemoth gaming company WorldCog, the company behind VEIL. Players enter the game through their virtual reality gaming pods, but this is beyond your typical gaming console. When you play in VEIL, you’re literally in it—able to transfer both your money and consciousness into the game after you die.

When you’re alive, you can log off whenever you want to.

So when Jace gets off from work to find himself stuck in VEIL, he’s got some questions to ask. There’s only one conclusion: Jace is dead in real life. But how did he die? Did somebody kill him? Is WorldCog behind it? As Jace progresses through VEIL, readers will uncover the game’s secrets and meet helpful and entertaining characters along the way.

Why you should read it:

If you combined Ready Player One with Dungeons and Dragons, you might get pretty darn close to VEIL Online. This book is a must for adventurous readers who love journeys with dragons, mages, rogues, and trolls.

One thing is for sure: Cressman definitely knows how to write a page-turner. He guides readers through twists and turns, surprises, and constant danger. Like in every good fantasy RPG, there is never a dull moment. Every time Jace succeeds in a quest, a new problem arises. When Jace finally transfers his way to another human body, it’s a level one—no magic, no advanced skills. Jace has to start from scratch.

Gamers will be all over VEIL Online. The air of mystery surrounding Jace’s permanent place inside the game will really get readers flipping pages.

–Alexandria Ducksworth

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8. The Song of the Fae

What it’s about:

Kiera is compelled to heal others with her magic despite the threat of punishment if she is discovered. Only the fae may safely possess magic in their lands. But as hard as she tries to escape detection, her magical gifts attract the attention of the young fae prince Dorian. 

Instead of punishing Kiera for healing a farmer’s wife, he offers her the chance to hone her magic under his tutelage at his palace in the land of the fae. Kiera is instantly attracted to Dorian despite being suspicious of his motives. Kiera must decide whether or not she can trust Dorian as she embarks on a journey to discover the true potential of her own magic.  

As Dorian and Kiera work to strengthen her magical capabilities, their attraction deepens and evolves. Kiera soon discovers that Dorian is harboring secrets that threaten to upend her world. She also discovers that some of her friends and foes are not necessarily who they seem, so she must determine the truth and choose her allegiances to claim the full force of her magic and save her world from the throes of dark magic.

Why you should read it:

With sizzling sex scenes, a compelling romance, and vivid fantasy elements, E. H. Jahr delivers a delightful debut novel. Strong, outspoken, and intelligent, Kiera is an engaging heroine with an irresistible passion to heal and protect others. In spite of her efforts to blend into everyday life in Cresea, Kiera is propelled into a suspenseful mystery as she encounters the young prince Dorian. His offer to train her in fae magic is alluring, as is the instant chemistry between them. 

Vivid descriptions paint the fae world into brilliant detail. Fast-paced action propels us along the twists and turns of Kiera’s adventures in magical training and in romance. Kiera’s evolving passion for Dorian is masterfully spun too. Some scenes, however, do spend some time telling us information rather than offering its usually engaging dialogue and action.

–Lisa Parker Hayreh, PhD

9. The Scales of Balance (A Vengeful Realm)

What it’s about:

A fantasy novel replete with spilled blood in the name of a peace that every faction defines differently. Gods, judges, kings, mages, gladiators, slaves, all vying for position in a life that demands the deaths of one’s enemies to be achieved. 

New Rheynia is on the brink of another civil war. As King Varros stands before his kingdom, Queen Danella plots his assassination should he not heed her request. With the kingdom in the balance and the rebellious Revivalists’ in the shadows, Prince Laeden takes it upon himself to protect his father by bringing down the insurgents, unaware that the blood he seeks spilled is his stepmother’s.

And somehow, Zephyrus finds himself in the middle of all of this. Having awakened with no memories and the only indications of who he is foretelling opposing paths for him, he is made a pawn in the Prince’s game and enters gladiatorial slavery for his exceptional fighting abilities to be a spy on Laeden’s behalf. To establish his future, he must secure his past, for therein lies the key to his freedom from the arena, and toward his destiny. 

Why you should read it:

It is difficult to overstate the storytelling prowess of author Tim Facciola. As if representative of the balance the title speaks of, his writing rarely finds a scene that is not appropriately captured in tone, pacing, and dialogue. The rich catalogue of characters all have a greater depth than what may initially be perceived, and all have their own mostly sympathetic motivations. Perhaps most noteworthy of all is the vividly illustrative way in which the combat scenes are written.

This book is impressive. Readers of fantasy with a penchant for middle-aged settings will applaud its intricate storytelling and thoughtful worldbuilding. 

–Timothy Thomas

10. Wizard’s Masquerade

What it’s about:

When we meet Leyna, she’s in the middle of a magical battle that counts for her final exams to graduate school with a wizarding qualification. Working toward a life of stability and independence, Leyna is twenty-two years old, ambitious, hardworking, and aware of the privileges that allowed her to get has far as she has. 

She has one major goal: “As far as she was concerned, so long as her dream of becoming a wizard of His Majesty’s Royal Guard came true, the rest of the world could simply fall away.”

Wizard’s Masquerade instead leads her to a palace that is plagued by regicide, a monumental conspiracy against the monarchy as well as secret societies who are willing to do anything to further their agendas. 

When tragedy strikes the kingdom, Leyna is assigned to investigate the traitorous crimes. Leyna’s investigation takes her on emotional twists and turns relating to who she can and can’t trust and leads her to discover that she doesn’t really know the people she loves. 

Why you should read it:

The magic system that author Jay Pellegrin has built in this novel is fascinating and unique in its approach—familiar enough to understand immediately, but different in a way that feels fresh and necessary. Wizard’s Masquerade’s fantasy world features shapeshifting creatures, demon summonings gone wrong, levitation and lifesaving spells, vicious demon attacks, and mysterious magical spies. 

The novel has more mystery than romance, though the frequent appearance of suitors and intriguing potential love interests will definitely appeal to romance readers who prefer the pull of a potential fling to carry them through a story. 

With thrilling reveals to each new question, even the most clever mystery readers will find themselves surprised and delighted by the plot twists. 

Leyna finds love and reunites with family in a novel that creatively connects scenes filled with crushing grief, sheer terror, sexual tension, fierce loyalty and longing.

–Andrea Marks-Joseph

11. Soulstealer Origins

What it’s about:

It is the Lord’s year 1303, and the famed holy crusaders known as the Knight’s Templar have fallen from the height of their power. Two knights, Lucious de Montfort and Marcus, lead a company of men into the mountains of Matra, outside the town of Eger, in search of a fabled weapon powerful enough to turn the tide of the war that threatens to consume their holy order. 

They find that the weapon they seek, imprisoned in the mountain for centuries, is not an item to be wielded by man, but an instrument of God who is a harbinger of the end of days: the horseman of death. The knights free him from his prison on condition that he aid them in their war. 

As they settle into the town of Eger, intent on waiting out the rest of the winter, they quickly learn that the front lines have fallen, the Pope has been killed, and there is no one left they can trust. 

Lucious, reportedly in possession of the weapon they found, leaves Eger for Paris to take focus off of Marcus and the horseman, whom they’ve named Oxivius, as they remain in town. With their relationship growing each passing month, and tensions rising in both Eger and Paris, Oxivius and Marcus find their friendship, faith, and destiny are tested as nothing is what it seems. 

Why you should read it:

Soulstealer Origins is a well-executed blend of history, religious dogma, and fictional elements. It tells a heartfelt story that asserts the humanity of a monster while affirming the monstrousness of humanity. 

This book is really well-balanced for all that it contains, and it maintains that balance by keeping its focus on Oxivius and Marcus. Oxivius is an integral part of the plot, but he is fascinating on his own. Having lived, and destined to live, far longer than any of his companions, he has a unique perspective on life and humankind. 

Reed Logan Westgate has delivered something truly unique in this novel.

-Timothy Thomas

12. The Monsters In Our Shadows

What it’s about:

Edward J. Cembal’s debut novel, The Monsters in Our Shadows, details a dystopian world filled with the “afflicted:” humans who have parasitic, amorphous monsters tethered to them. 

As time goes on, the monsters—called “Shivers”—become so malnourished that they devour their human host and anyone around. Humanity is nearly extinct, the last of them all living in the city of Atlas. It’s our protagonist’s job, Anthem, to ensure these Shivers are disposed of day in and day out.

But tensions begin to rise amongst the afflicted and non-afflicted, forcing Anthem to go out and look for a cure for the monsters that have plagued his life.

Why you should read it:

The Monsters in Our Shadows is one of the most riveting books I’ve ever read. The book begins in the best, most gut-wrenching way, and it only continues this high threshold. It’s always hard to predict what will happen next, as there is a constant air of mystery and bog.

The pacing moves along swiftly and naturally, and it’s easy to get acquainted with the world of the story. The characters’ ways of life are established well, and somehow, even the concept of Shivers does not feel outlandish. The Monsters in our Shadows is able to live up to its hot start because of how much care Cembal utilizes in cultivating this world.

–Jadidsa Perez

13. The Yawning Gap

What it’s about:

The world outside of Cor Volucre’s homeland is falling apart. The divided lands, called Boundaries, have been using sacred energy as their own. It all stems from the dying Elementals. If they all perish, the world Cor knows, including his beloved home, will cease to exist. Cor gathers a special stone helping him step through Boundary lines, gathering new companions along the way, and coming closer to his goal of saving the world. 

Why you should read it:

The Elementals in Cor’s world are deeply respected gods. The idea of these otherworldly beings dying would cause anyone great distress. The world wouldn’t be much without them. The deeper you dive into this novel, the more you get the chance to truly discover the Elementals, like the “Fossils” they leave behind. Vobh shares so many intricate details that you’ll forget they’re not real.

One of the best traits of The Yawning Gap is the developing friendships of Cor, farmer girl Brayleigh, royal orator Celeste, and the famed Knight-Lord Deliad. Each character comes from distinctly different backgrounds, and some even had conflicts with each other. But with the weight of a dying world on their shoulders, they know their friendship can make a greater difference. The companionship closely resembles the bond of the Fellowship from Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. Their bond grows the closer they get to Mt. Doom. 

At last, one can’t read an epic fantasy without epic action scenes. Vobh has written so much action that it’ll keep readers flipping the pages like nobody’s business. There are some parts in The Yawning Gap where everything gets weighed down and a tad slow though, too. The prose can get repetitive in these moments. As soon as your eyes drift from the pages, Vobh has this magic of snapping your attention back to life with swords clashing and magic colliding. 

The Yawning Gap is a fantasy deserving of much attention. Vobh’s world is inspiring and the characters more than memorable.

–Alexandria Ducksworth

Find more fantasy (& other) books in our hidden gem books on KU.

14. Children of the Night

What it’s about:

Ayanda Draculesti navigates a world of “Naturals” and “Unnaturals,” a world dividing humans from those who have been tested on, mutilated, and reconstructed by alchemists who prey upon helpless children. A common enemy for the Naturals and Unnaturals, however, are the Risen Dead: vampires.

After five centuries of inactivity from these Dead, the cool and calculating vampire Isadora comes to Venice to wreak havoc, feeding on the Naturals and turning the Unnaturals against them. Ayanda’s particular set of skills, similar to those of vampires, may make her the perfect hero to fight against these killing things.

Ayanda does not have to fight this evil herself. The resurfacing of a familiar evil will connect Ayanda with other Unnaturals such as Jette Jekyll, Belle Frankenstein, and Yurei. Each character comes with their own set of skills and abilities as well as their own set of demons they must reconcile with.

While Ayanda is determined to take down the evil that is Isadora and her lackies, the other Unnaturals are hesitant to fight against such a lethal creature. They must also wrangle with the understanding that in fighting against the human-eating vampire, they would also be fighting for these Naturals who have forced an unbearable existence upon the Unnaturals.

Why you should read it:

Combining science fiction technology with Gothic and grotesque fantasy, this novel feels timeless yet futuristic, an anachronism well-juxtaposed.

For centuries, monsters and Gothic fiction have been utilized as representations of the cultural anxieties that took hold of the populations during the corresponding time periods. Safra has done an excellent job of implementing this storytelling tradition. Times have become more complex and convoluted, requiring more characters to represent a wider array of anxieties and identities that exist in today’s society. 

I would highly recommend this book to those with a penchant for steampunk fiction and Gothic tropes. Safra’s storytelling is grotesque and captivating, both repulsing and intriguing us to keep on listening.

–Samantha Hui

15. The Indigo

What it’s about:

In The Indigo, a teen travels through dimensions to retrieve the soul of her unconscious mother. Despite what her family has concluded, 16-year-old Jett doesn’t believe it is the end of her mother’s life. Jett’s mom has been in the hospital for a long time. The hospital bills have been piling up, and Jett’s aunt Margaret is thinking about pulling the plug. 

One night, Jett catches a glimpse of her mother in an alternate dimension, realizing she’s still alive. But how can she bring her back to physical reality? Jett bands together with Quantum club member Farold and dives into the mystical world of the astral realm. Getting into this strange new world is one thing, but battling the dangers waiting for her is another. 

Why you should read it:

The most captivating theme Siegel presents in this book is the idea of astral projection. Astral travelers can go anywhere and do anything they want during their out-of-body experiences until their spiritual cord takes them back to their physical bodies. I love this metaphysical subject since it’s not mentioned often in mainstream fiction.

Author Heather Siegel plays with the idea that there is more to our lives than our three-dimensional reality, something human civilization has pondered since the beginning of time…Highly recommended.

–Alexandria Ducksworth

16. The Lord of Long Shadows

What it’s about:

20-year old Alex Winters is an orphan and a waitress. She lives in a trailer and does everything she can to live a quiet, reclusive life, but one night, she saves a man from being beaten up. And the next day? She is transported to the sea of a completely new world: Aquillon. There, she starts the first of many battles to survive; in this world, lowly humans are abused, thieved, and treated like pests. In order to free humanity (and herself), she must embark on a journey with a few friends and discover her true role in this life.

Why you should read it:

The Lord of Long Shadows is the Young Adult book you’ll wish you had as a kid—but the one you’re happy to return to at any age. With magic, loss, bravery, and epic battles, this first book in the Knights of the Fallen Realm series comes out swinging—and hits.

M. Anderson creates a vivid world in Aquillon, offering a swift reminder to readers of how fun it is to imagine. There are no slow chapters in this novel, and no chapters lacking in absorbing detail. Fascinating animals like upright lions, goat warriors, and imaginative hybrids stand in the way of our main character’s goal and keep the reader enthralled with each next step.

–Jaylynn Korrell

17. The Brothers Dragon

What it’s about:

Hidden on an island in the Atlantic, dragons, mermen, gargoyles, and witches have maintained a peaceful existence for centuries. When a malevolent force begins threatening this bucolic existence, it falls on Luke and Nick—the youngest members of an ancient, dragon-blooded family—to protect the island. 

With Germany’s bombardment of London picking up, and their father away at war, eleven-year-old Luke and seven-year-old Nick are sent west to stay with an uncle they’ve never met. But when they discover strange maps, references to a land called Draksmore, and a tree house built of stone in the forbidden forest they find that their Uncle Bilok’s home is not the haven they had expected. Together, they quickly break their Uncle Bilok’s rules and find themselves in a world where the fantasy’s from Nick’s favorite books are real.

Why you should read it:

From the very beginning, an electric pace and compassionate understanding of character makes this story utterly captivating. Baker expertly leads Luke and Nick through their journey, delicately matching their burgeoning inner growth with its outward narrative display. 

Readers of all ages will be swept up in by the captivating prose, gripping plot, and the easy way that each of Baker’s character appears fully formed and relatable from the start. Each chapter smoothly shades into the next with an almost inexorable sense of fate leading the whole book forwards… Extraordinarily fun and readable.

-Warren Maxwell

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What are the best Kindle Unlimited fantasy books you’ve read? Let us know in the comments!

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