The Best Fantasy Books to Read in Summer 2025

At one point in her life, sunshine dwarf Doli Butterbuckle longed for more, but she’s grown content with her friends and her simple magic. Until a dragon egg changes everything, and soon she has to manage the creature, who attracts trouble. 

While trying to keep the new addition under control, she seeks guidance from gargoyle librarian Sarson, an expert in all things dragon. Over time, she can’t help but fall for him, as her life embarks on a new path that she must learn to embrace.

Although demigoddess Lexi Maxwell has grown up in comfort, she also has little control over her life. She is governed by rules that she briefly flees during her time spent riding. 

When Lexi graduates from college and returns home, she is shocked to find all of the men competing for her attention—and that none of them tempt her. That is until she meets Luke Carrington, and the two share an inexplicable attraction, her parents warn her to stay away from. But when Lexi learns the truth about her heritage, the budding romance will bloom…

When 17-year-old Lexi Carvalho is taken from her home on Earth, she is forced to confront devastating news: the planet perished centuries ago, and she has merely been living in a simulation. 

Aboard a massive space station, Lexi must learn to forge a new life, addressing issues the remnants of humankind are facing, as one of 700,000 “Iron Dreamers.” Joining forces with the mysterious Artemis, she will have to push past her deepest fears to not only save herself but also humanity, after life in space is threatened by a vengeful plot. 

In this touching manga series, three women—Zoe, Shishka, and Eliza—become unlikely friends. A failed witch, Zoe still has hope, particularly in the romantic field; Shishka owns a shop, and refuses to talk about her past; while Eliza is less than human… in fact, she’s a scarab beetle.

However, what they are united by is what they share: they have all recently lost their significant others. Together, they remember their loved ones and try to find a way forward through friendship and, of course, a bit of magic!

Detective Yuan Feng Liang is shocked to discover the murderer of more than a dozen people overnight is 18-year-old Jin Xi Cheng—and that he confessed to the crimes. Seven years later, bizarre murders with similar circumstances take place, prompting Officer Liang to call upon Cheng for answers.

What Liang uncovers is more extraordinary than he ever thought possible—Cheng is a powerful wizard. The unlikely duo will work together not only to uncover the truth behind the murders but also to help Cheng come to terms with his newfound power, for better or for worse. 

Ousted by her influential family, Lilith Leviathan flees to Nineveh, a district devoted to sin. With no other resources, she uses her magic to steal, attracting the attention of powerful families and the church. But when Lilith discovers a blade, she believes herself to finally be safe—that is, until she accidentally kills someone with it. 

She turns to Zahariev, the ruler of Nineveh, for help, but when he sees the blade, he knows they’re not ready for what they’re in for. Nevertheless, they join forces to uncover the secrets of their world as dark forces gather. 

Alien Tamzir Jaar has been stranded on Earth for almost a year, after his ticket out of there failed to collect him. He’s running low on supplies, and even worse, his camouflage is deteriorating, putting him at risk of being captured and taken to a test lab.

Still, when a group of humans he’s been messaging online invited him to a space-themed convention, why shouldn’t he have some fun? At least until he can find a way home. 

Aerin had grown up, being told the same story: her mother, a witch, charmed the king into marrying her. But when she bore a daughter, rather than a son, it is said she was forced to face a wall in shame until her death. 

The daughter in the story, Aerin, is tired of carrying the shame of being unwanted—it’s time for her to forge her own path and wield greater power than she ever thought herself capable of. 

Sentenced to the Dilemma Prison, Jean le Flambeur begins each day the same—by finding and killing his other self before he can kill him. That all changes when he is saved by the charming Mieli and taken to the Oubliette, a city on Mars.

But all things come at a price, and Mieli offers a deal—she will help Jean regain his powers if they can work together to complete the one heist he left unfinished. Along the way, the pair will encounter old and new enemies in a tale of betrayal and revenge.