Standalone fantasy books are perfect for when you're looking to get lost in a world of magic but don't want to commit to a longer series. Whether you're looking for high fantasy, urban fantasy, or books with a dark academia aesthetic, here are some of my top standalone fantasy book recommendations.
Blood Over Bright Haven by ML Wang
Blood Over Bright Haven is an epic standalone novel that takes place in an industrial 'utopian' city powered by magic. Our main character Sciona is determined to become the first woman ever admitted to the High Magistry. The magic system was fascinating and the world felt so immersive. It was well-paced, with characters that were interesting to follow even if they weren't always likable.
Although it doesn't have the atmosphere you might typically associate with 'dark academia' novels, it explores familiar themes, including the pursuit of knowledge. If you're looking for a book with a university setting then I'd recommend adding this to your radar.
Looking for another fantastic fantasy standalone from ML Wang? I recently included another of her books - The Sword of Kaigen - on my best books of 2023 list!
Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs
Ink Blood Sister Scribe follows two sisters - Esther and Joanna - whose father was the protector of a collection of rare and magical books. While Joanna follows in their father's footsteps, Esther left home when she was 18 and hasn't returned since. When their father dies suddenly, an unusual new book in his collection seems to be responsible. Joanna and Esther must reunite to preserve their family legacy and uncover the truth behind this magical library.
It took a little while for the plot to get going. The first half concentrates on explaining the magic, while the second half focuses more on the plot. But if you enjoy books about books then I think you might enjoy this! I thought it was a clever mystery with a hint of magic and adventure. I love it when a book gradually feeds you pieces of the puzzle until you're able to put the full picture together.
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
Effy Sayre is an architecture student who would much rather be studying literature. Unfortunately, this takes place in a sexist society where women aren't permitted to join the Literature college. Her favourite author recently passed away and his family announces a contest to redesign his estate. Effy jumps at the opportunity and soon arrives at the crumbling manor. Another student from the Literature Collage is already there and is determined to carry out his own agenda.
The atmosphere was incredible and felt like a gothic fairytale. I appreciated Effy's character development and I liked the relationship she had with her love interest. I thought their banter was done well. Although this is YA, it has some darker themes, including trauma and moving forward after sexual assault so approach with caution if any of those topics are triggers for you.
The Once and Future Witches by Alix E Harrow
Set in 1893 during the suffragette movement, The Once and Future Witches follows three sisters who must work together to bring back the full power of witchcraft.
Although I struggled with the pacing and found it a little slow, I thought the writing was lyrical and atmospheric. I love reading about sister relationships in books, and it was a very character-driven story. Would recommend it if you like the idea of a standalone historical fantasy about witches!
Babel by RF Kuang
Babel (Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution) is set in the late 1800s and follows a Chinese boy called Robin who is brought to England as a child and trained in various languages until he is old enough to attend Oxford University's prestigious Royal Institute of Translation. Once there, he is taught the process of silver working; creating the magical silver bars that England has used to colonize countries around the world.
The strength of this book is the way it explores its themes, including colonialism, racism, and identity. I could see how much research RF Kuang had put into this book and I really appreciated that. RF Kuang created an interesting magic system and I could visualise the setting well. Although it reads like a textbook at times, that didn't take away from my enjoyment and I loved the intensity of the ending.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by VE Schwab
In France, in 1714, Addie LaRue makes a deal to live forever, however, the consequence is she can never be remembered and will never leave a mark on the world.
If you love lyrical prose and character-driven stories then there's a good chance you'll love The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. It's slow-paced and descriptive, slow and repetitive. But I couldn't help but feel invested in Addie's story and enjoyed how it wrapped up.
What are your favourite standalone fantasy books?
