Summary
Some of the most popular books and series published in recent years are from thefantasygenre, andJuly 2024 is bringing readers even more exciting releases in that category. In general, 2024 has been a great year for fantasy readers. There are numerous highly anticipated sequels hitting shelves, as well as new books from well-known authors and exciting debuts. Several of themost-anticipated fantasy books of 2024arrive in July, including the sequel to a viral romantasy hit and a new novel by the author ofThe Magicianstrilogy.
AfterJune 2024’s impressive fantasy releases, July continues a positive trajectory for the genre. Althoughbeach reads tend to take precedenceduring the summer, there will always be readers looking for fantastical new worlds and complex narratives to dive into. Fortunately, suchreaders will have plenty of offerings to choose from throughout July.
10 Underrated Fantasy Book Series That Should Be On Everyone’s Radar
Not every fantasy book series can be The Lord of the Rings or A Song of Ice and Fire, but there are 10 underrated fantasy sagas worth reading anyway.
10Reckless by Lauren Roberts
Release Date: July 28, 2025
Recklessby Lauren Roberts is one of the most-anticipated fantasy books coming out all summer, and readers can finally get their hands on it come July 2. The sequel to 2023’s viral TikTok success,Powerless,Recklesswill continue the story of Paedyn and Kai now that the Purging Trials are over. According to the book’s synopsis, their lives won’t be any easier in Roberts' newest installment. Paedyn is now on the run, and Kai is the person tasked with hunting her down. Despite their attraction to one another, they’re officially enemies, which will make for a tense narrative.
Judging by the sequel’s 4.63 Goodreads rating, this July 2024 fantasy book doesn’t suffer from middle-book syndrome.
Recklessis the second book in Roberts’Powerless Trilogy,so readers can expect another follow-up to Paedyn and Kai’s story after. Judging by the sequel’s 4.63Goodreadsrating, this July 2024 fantasy book doesn’t suffer from middle-book syndrome. It promises to be even better thanPowerless,which is an impressive and exciting prospect. For romantasy fans and those who enjoyed the first book, this will be a must-read for July.
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9The Night Ends With Fire by K.X. Song
K.X. Song publishedAn Echo in the Cityin 2022, andthe author is back withThe Night Ends With Firein July 2024. Drawing inspiration fromMulan, The Night Ends With Fireopens with a similar premise. It follows Mellin, whose father won’t respond to the Imperial draft, as she’s nearly sold off to an angry and abusive man. Refusing to subject herself to such a fate, Mellin disguises herself as a man and joins the army in her father’s stead.
Unfortunately, Mellin also feels trapped while she’s at war — and her primary chance of freedom comes from a sea dragon spirit who may not be trustworthy. Mellin’s story has all the trappings of a gripping fantasy tale, and it promises feminist themes to boot.The Night Ends With Fireis a July 2024 fantasy book readers should keep on their radar, especially if they enjoy retellings of classic tales.
8The Darkness Within Us by Tricia Levenseller
Release Date: July 22, 2025
Tricia Levenseller is known for theDaughter of the Pirate Kingseries, as well asThe Shadows Between Us.The author’s July 2024 release is set in the same world as the latter, withThe Darkness Within Usserving as a companion novel to the 2020 book. According toLevenseller’s website,The Darkness Within Uscan be read without picking up the first installment. So, while fans ofThe Shadows Between Usmay get more out of this book, it’s one that fantasy-romance readers should keep an eye out for regardless.
The Darkness Within Usfollows Alessandra’s sister, Chrysantha Stathos, whose commitment to becoming a duchess has finally paid off. She’s looking forward to having freedom and money once her elderly husband perishes, but her plans quickly go awry. She’s forced to contend with the duke’s grandson showing up and claiming everything that’s hers. It sounds like Chrysantha could be attracted to him, but she also has every reason to want him dead. Needless to say,fans of enemies-to-lovers books should probably dig intoThe Darkness Within Usthis July.
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7The Sky on Fire by Jenn Lyons
Jenn Lyons' published the final book inA Chorus of Dragonsback in 2022, and the author is releasing a standalone fantasy novel in 2024.The Sky on Fireis marketed as a heist story that’s set in “a world ruled by dragons”(viaTor/Forge), and that’s probably enough to sell it to fantasy readers. It follows Anahrod, who prefers to be left to her own devices. When she’s captured by a local warlord, however, she’s rescued by a band of outcasts — and they expect something in return for their service.
With its gripping premise and standalone status,The Sky on Firesounds like the perfect book to take to the beach.
That’s how Anahrod finds herself planning to steal from a dragon’s hoard — one belonging to a dragon who hates her.This setup promises a thrilling and tense narrative, and the addition of dragons will likely prove a selling point, especially on the heels ofbooks likeFourth Wing.With its gripping premise and standalone status,The Sky on Firesounds like the perfect book to take to the beach. It’s a must-read summer 2024 release.
6Black Tide Son by H.M. Long
The sequel to H.M. Long’sDark Water Daughterhits shelves in July 2024, andBlack Tide Sonpromises to be even better than its predecessor. The second installment ofThe Winter Seaseries,Black Tide Soncontinues Samuel and Mary’s adventures at sea. The two of them set out in search of Samuel’s brother after receiving a surprising tip. The sequel’s synopsis suggests that reaching Benedict won’t be easy, and it sounds like it could force them to penetrate a seemingly impenetrable fortress. That’s a thrilling setup, even without the promise of sparks between the pair.
Long’s series is perfect for readers who enjoy fantasy books about pirates, and the summer is the best time to pick up stories about sailing the high-seas.Black Tide Sonboasts a 4.27 averageGoodreadsrating, promising an impressive addition toThe Winter Seaseries. This July 2024 release will be among the biggest fantasy books of the month, so it’s well worth looking out for.
5Navola by Paolo Bacigalupi
Award-winning author Paolo Bacigalupi is publishing a fantasy novel in July 2024, andNavolasounds like a mature and compelling exploration of power.Navolais named for the city it’s set in, and it follows Davico di Regulai, whose family has a massive amount of political and financial sway there. Davico will take over his family’s affairs, and that means he’ll have to navigate a landscape full of untrustworthy allies. As though that isn’t enough to worry about, Davico also believes a fossilized dragon eye is calling him to some greater purpose.
Pitched for fans ofGame of ThronesandThe Godfather,Navolasounds like an intense novel with plenty of political intrigue. It also promises magic, though how much the novel will lean into its fantasy elements remains to be seen. Either way,Bacigalupi latest holds plenty of promise. There’s a reason it’s getting attention ahead of its July 2024 release, and hopefully, it will prove worthy of the hype.
4The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman
Release Date: August 14, 2025
Lev Grossman is known forThe Magiciansbooks, andthe popularity of that series will likely push fantasy readers to pick upThe Bright Swordin July. An Arthurian story, Grossman’s latest will follow Collum, a young knight who hopes to join the Round Table. Unfortunately, when Collum arrives at Camelot, he learns that King Arthur is dead. The remainder of his knights aren’t the heroes Collum believed them to be, but they’ll need to summon their strengths to keep Camelot alive and save Britain from ancient evils.
This retelling highlights Grossman’s talent when it comes to putting a darker, more realistic spin on typical fantasy narratives — somethingThe Magiciansexcels at as well.
An intriguing take on Arthurian legend,The Bright Swordpromises to be one of July 2024’s biggest new releases. Its impressive 4.29Goodreadsrating suggests it does its premise justice, making it a must-read for fans of Arthurian lore and historical fantasy. This reimagining highlights Grossman’s talent when it comes to putting a darker, more realistic spin on typical fantasy narratives — somethingThe Magiciansexcels at as well.
3The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer
On the heels ofThe Wishing Gamein 2023,Meg Shaffer is publishing a fantasy novel dubbedThe Lost Story— and it’s inspired byThe Chronicles of Narnia. The Lost Storyfollows Jeremy Cox and Rafe Howell, both of whom disappeared in the woods when they were younger, then mysteriously returned months later. As an adult, Rafe still has no recollection of where they were when they were missing. However, Jeremy knows the truth about their odd disappearance — and as a missing-persons investigator, he’ll have to dredge up the past if he wants to find a girl who vanished from the same forest.
The Lost Storypromises to explore the darker side of magical realms, making it an ideal choice for fans ofThe Magiciansby Lev Grossman and theWayward Childrenseries by Seanan McGuire. It sounds like an emotional and intense story for the summer, but it’s one to keep an eye out for nonetheless. AfterThe Wishing Game’s success, Shaffer promises to knock it out of the park withThe Lost Story.Hopefully, it does its intriguing premise justice.
2The Black Bird Oracle by Deborah Harkness
Deborah Harkness is returning to herAll Soulsuniverse in July 2024, withThe Black Bird Oraclereuniting readers with Diana, Matthew, and their twins. Set four years afterTime’s Convert,The Black Bird Oraclewill put Diana in an impossible situation when the Congregation wants to test her kids for magic. Not wanting to put the twins through that, Diana refuses their demands and returns to her ancestral home at Ravenswood. This marks an emotional journey for her, though it promises to dig deeper into her background.
The prospect of such a character study will no doubt prove exciting for fans of theAll Soulsbooks. AndThe Black Bird Oracle’s impressive 4.59Goodreadsrating marks a series high. As such,Harkness' latest will be among the most-discussed fantasy books of July 2024. With any luck, it’ll set up future installments that are just as compelling.
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1The Mirror of Beasts by Alexandra Bracken
Release Date: July 17, 2025
Alexandra Bracken weaves a lush and intriguing fantasy narrative in 2023’sSilver in the Bone,andThe Mirror of Beastswill continue that story in 2024. The finale to Bracken’s duology,The Mirror of Beastswill pick up where the first novel left off, revealing what becomes of Tasmin and her allies after Avalon is destroyed. It seems they’ll set out on a new quest in this sequel, this time to find the titular item of legend. The Mirror of Beasts is the only way they can stop Lord Death from wrecking their world, but finding it will test Tamsin.
The perfect blend of urban fantasy and Arthurian legend,Bracken’s duology is well worth the read. This will be especially true if its conclusion lives up to the first book – and judging by its 4.31Goodreadsrating, it might even be better. Needless to say, Bracken’s latest is one of the most excitingfantasybooks to hit shelves in July 2024.
Silver in the Bone
