Okay, I need to talk about something that's been consuming my entire personality for the last few months: fantasy series. Not just any fantasy — I'm talking about the kind that makes you cancel plans, forget to eat, and suddenly realize it's 4 AM on a Tuesday.
If you're anything like me, you don't just read fantasy. You live in it. You learn the maps, memorize the magic systems, and emotionally bond with fictional characters to a degree that's probably not healthy. And honestly? I wouldn't have it any other way.
So whether you just finished Fourth Wing and you're desperately searching for "books like Fourth Wing" at 2 AM (been there), or you're brand new to fantasy and want to know where to start — this list is for you.
1. Fourth Wing — Rebecca Yarros
Let's start with the obvious one because if you haven't read Fourth Wing yet, what are you even doing here? Dragon riders, a brutal military academy, morally grey love interests, and plot twists that will make you throw your Kindle across the room. This series single-handedly broke BookTok in 2023 and it's STILL going strong in 2026.
The worldbuilding gets better with each book, and Xaden Riorson lives rent-free in my head. If you're reading this on your phone, do yourself a favor and grab a Fourth Wing Bookmark because you're going to need something to mark all the pages that personally attacked you.
2. A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) — Sarah J. Maas
The series that started the romantasy revolution. If you haven't read ACOTAR, you've at least seen it all over BookTok. Five books of fae courts, political intrigue, found family, and romance that ranges from "aww that's sweet" to "I need to put this book in the freezer."
Quick tip: push through the first book. I know some people struggle with it. But A Court of Mist and Fury? That's where everything changes. That book rewired my brain chemistry and I'm not exaggerating even a little.
This is the kind of series that deserves its own shelf. And honestly? If you love these books enough to claim them as yours, a Custom Book Embosser is the most satisfying thing you'll ever press into the first page. "From the library of [your name]" on your ACOTAR collection? Chef's kiss.
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3. Throne of Glass — Sarah J. Maas
Before ACOTAR, there was Throne of Glass. Eight books of an assassin queen finding her power, losing everything, and fighting back. The first two books read a bit YA, but by book three (Heir of Fire), this series transforms into something absolutely epic.
Aelin Ashryver Whitethorn Galathynius. If that name doesn't give you chills yet, it will. The character development in this series is unmatched — I literally got a reading tracker just to document my emotional journey through these books. Speaking of which, the Books Read This Year Counter is perfect for tracking your binge sessions.
4. Circe — Madeline Miller
Circe isn't technically a series, but pair it with Song of Achilles and you've got the most beautiful Greek mythology duology that exists. Miller's prose is genuinely some of the best writing I've ever encountered. You'll feel things you didn't know books could make you feel.
Perfect for the reader who wants something literary but still fantasy. Read these on a rainy day with the LED Wooden Book Lamp on. Trust me, the vibes are immaculate.
5. Dune — Frank Herbert
If you want the most ambitious, politically complex sci-fi/fantasy hybrid ever written — Dune is it. Six books of desert planets, giant sandworms, prescient heroes, and power struggles that make Game of Thrones look like a playground fight. The 2021 and 2024 movies brought millions of new readers in, and for good reason.
Fair warning: you will need a Bookstand because holding these monsters for hours will give you an actual arm workout.
6. We Who Will Die — Stacia Stark
Newer series alert! We Who Will Die is blowing up on BookTok right now and for good reason. Dark fantasy, morally complex characters, and the kind of tension that keeps you gripping the pages. If you're looking for what's hot RIGHT NOW in 2026 fantasy, start here.
7. The Stormlight Archive — Brandon Sanderson
This is for the readers who want to go DEEP. Sanderson's magic systems are so intricate they probably need engineering degrees to understand, and the books are absolute units (1000+ pages each). But if you want the most epic, sprawling, ambitious fantasy series currently being written? This is it.
8. The Priory of the Orange Tree — Samantha Shannon
Want a standalone that FEELS like a series? This 800+ page beast gives you dragons, ancient magic, multiple POV characters across different continents, and zero male saviors. It's feminist high fantasy at its finest, and the companion books that followed just expanded the world even further.
9. Crescent City — Sarah J. Maas
Yes, Maas gets multiple spots. Crescent City is urban fantasy meets romance meets absolute chaos. It's set in a modern-ish world with angels, demons, and fae, and the plot twists in this series are genuinely some of the most shocking I've ever read. If you've already binged ACOTAR and Throne of Glass, this is your next stop.
10. The Name of the Wind — Patrick Rothfuss
The Kingkiller Chronicle is one of the most beautifully written fantasy series ever. Kvothe's story is magical, heartbreaking, and frustrating (because we're STILL waiting for book three, Patrick). But the first two books are so good they're worth reading even without a conclusion. Yet.
How to Track Your Fantasy Binge
When you're deep in a fantasy binge, you need systems. Trust me, after reading 15 books in two series, they start blending together. I use my Custom Reading Tracker to log everything — which books I've finished, what I rated them, and my favorite quotes.
And for the physical books? I emboss every single one. There's something about pressing a Custom Book Embosser into the first page that makes a book feel officially YOURS. My fantasy shelf has become a full-on personal library and I'm not even sorry about it.
Oh, and if you annotate your books (which you absolutely should), grab some Sticky Stickers for marking your favorite scenes. Color-code them: pink for romance, blue for plot twists, red for "this character just personally victimized me."
Why Fantasy Series Are Dominating BookTok in 2026
Fantasy book series have become the most talked-about genre on BookTok and social media in 2026. From romantasy to epic fantasy, readers are discovering that binge-reading a fantasy series offers the deepest form of literary escapism. Whether you're looking for books like Fourth Wing, books like ACOTAR, or the best ongoing fantasy series, the community keeps growing. Fantasy books for beginners are more accessible than ever, with BookTok creators recommending perfect starting points every day.
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