Lists are re-scored approximately every 5 minutes. The Details: The final instalment in Jen William’s ‘Winnowing Flame’ trilogy, this new fantasy book for 2020 promises to bring a thrilling conclusion to a trilogy wrapped in dark magic, gripping character drama and shocking moments unique to grimdark. Here are the best new fantasy books in July 2020. Fans of young adult fiction who enjoy sprawling epic fantasy, but prefer a modern tone of voice when it comes to prose and narrative design. Where to Start: The Bone Ships is this is the first book in the upcoming Tide Child Trilogy. June last year saw the release of the third in the trilogy, Crowfall, which is guaranteed to be one of the best fantasy books for 2020 that you do not want to miss. From the battlefield, to alternate realities, to the mean streets of the dark city, we walk in the shoes of those who struggle to survive in a neon-saturated, tech-noir future. His previous trilogy, The Faithful and The Fallen, was received to great acclaim. Set in a bleak and desolate world, these short but sweet new fantasy books aren’t typical of the genre. Originally touted as being the next Game of Thrones (although this was later said to be a joke by James) the world of fiction was nonetheless buzzing upon the release of this new fantasy book. I’m very excited for this one. The book I am most looking forward to reading in 2020 is The Thorn of Emberlain from The Gentleman Bastards. Start by reading the first novel, Godblind. Now he brings us one of the best fantasy books of 2020, in the form of Seven Blades in Black. Fighting a war when you don’t know the truth of right and wrong is one thing. One of the earliest additions to this list, The Ruin of Kings was promised to us as being a new fantasy book that was worth looking out for, and it did not disappoint. Here’s the full list featured on this timeline for the best fantasy books of 2020: Of Sand and Snow (The Wings of War) by Byrce O’Connor - January 1st, The Unspoken Name (The Serpent Gates) by A.K Larkwood - February 11th, A Time of Courage (Blood and Bone) by John Gwynne - April 2nd, Shorefall (The Founders Book) by Robert Jackson Bennett - April 21st, The Empire of Gold (The Daevabad Trilogy Series) by S. A. Chakraborty - May 18th, The Obsidian Tower (The Gate of Secrets) by Melissa Caruso - June 2nd, Ten Arrows of Iron (The Grave of Empires) by Sam Sykes - August 4th, Master Artificer (The Silent Gods) by Justin Call - August 20th, Return of the Thief (Queen's Thief) by Megan Whalen Turner - August 25th, The Thorn of Emberlain (Gentleman Bastard Sequence) by Scott Lynch - Expected September, The Trouble with Peace (The Age of Madness) by Joe Abercrombie - September 15th, Call of the Bone Ships (The Tide Child Trilogy) by RJ Barker - September 24th, The Burning God (The Poppy War) by R.F Kuang - November 19th, Rhythm of War (The Stormlight Archive) by Brandon Sanderson - Expected November.
Who is It For? The Details: When Jenn Lyons’ second instalment to the Chorus of Dragons saga was announced as launching in October of last year, there was no way we could leave it off this list of the best fantasy books of 2020. In the tradition of Dashiell Hammett, Philip K Dick, and David Mitchell, Neon Leviathan is a remarkable debut collection from a breakout new author. The Details: Ed McDonald’s powerhouse trilogy of dark fantasy novels has gone from strength to strength since the release of Blackwing in 2017. Adrian Collins runs Grimdark Magazine and loves anything to do with telling darker stories. Get wrapped up in Kozloff’s epic world, follow the tale right to its end, and immerse yourself in a world that awaits the return of its true Queen. Sequel to Sin Eater and conclusion to the Iconoclasts series., (Actual cover not pictured; taken from the author’s website). If you are looking to begin a new fantasy adventure this year, you can’t go wrong with Sykes’ latest offering. The novel is inspired by African mythology, and draws heavily upon political influences of the continent and tribal culture. It will be updated as the year goes by to include the latest releases, so once you’ve read a few of these great new fantasy novels, be sure to check back for more of the best of 2020.
Often, an author seems to drive right out the gate on a high, only for quality to dip over time as they become too familiar with their world, or ideas start to flounder and readers realise they aren’t going to get the answers or conclusions they crave. Now, already back with the follow-up, fans of the first book don’t have long to wait before they can dive back into Lyon’s epic world. This best fantasy book for 2020 combines classic coming-of-age narrative ideas with elements of magic, dark fantasy and epic world-building. The Details: It’s been eleven long and arduous years since we’ve had a new fantasy book in the The First Law trilogy. Who Is it For? And all the while Locke must try to deal with the disturbing rumours about his past revealed in The Republic of Thieves. They might have offered new depth to his world, but what fans have really been clawing for is a true followup to the saga of Logen, Ferro, Glockta and the rest. It’s hard not to describe this new fantasy book without giving too much away, but let’s just say the third instalment alone is enough to make you think about getting on board with the entire Witchland saga.
Noted by reviewers as ‘a brilliantly compelling heroic fantasy’, amongst much other praise, the release of this new fantasy book means it is definitely worth picking up Of Blood and Bone, and seeing it through to the end. The son of legendary writer Diana Gabaldon of Outlander fame, Sykes has fantasy in his blood, and in his latest saga, he demonstrates that affinity for the genre to devastating effect. The marketing blurb reads as “worlds collide in this epic new series, perfect for fans of Joe Abercrombie and Robin Hobb.” A sorcerer wants a young lady as his assistant, sword-hand and assassin. The next series begins in the world of The Book of the Ancestor, which is a trilogy I completely fell in love with.
The town he knows so well is suddenly revealed to him from a whole new perspective. Worst of all, he discovers a serial killer who has been preying on the area for over a century, one capable of traveling with him through his dreams.
Blurb: A stunning new epic fantasy series following a young outcast who must fight with everything she has to survive, set in the same world as Red Sister.