In 2022 I created a list of my top 5 standalone fantasy novels as part of Wyrd & Wonder, and my love of commitment-free fantasy has only grown since. Over the past couple years, I’ve been aiming to finish more series than I start, which means that when I’m craving something new I need to find a standalone novel. Fantasy can be a challenging genre to find standalone stories in as it’s known for its vast worldbuilding and epic conflicts that span multiple books. Although finding standalone fantasy can be challenging, here are 9 commitment-free stories I’ve uncovered.
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10 Standalone Fantasy Books that Captured my Attention
1. Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid
Ava Reid’s retelling of The Juniper Tree combines fantasy and gothic horror into a tale of a young witch struggling to escape her controlling father. As Marlinchen and her sisters dare to steal small moments of freedom, a monster begins claiming victims across the city.
2. Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
In the Jazz Age of Mexico Casiopea Tun dreams of a life beyond cleaning her grandfather’s house. Casiopea may get more than she bargained for when she accidentally frees the god of death, who’s already plotting his return to power.
3. The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo
Nghi Vo reinvents an American classic with a magical twist in another Jazz Age story inspired by The Great Gatsby. Jordan Baker learns to navigate life among her wealthy peers as a queer, Vietnamese woman.
4. The City in Glass by Nghi Vo
At the heart of this love story between a demon, her city, and an angel is a tale of grief that left me reeling. Nghi Vo’s innovative fantasy story is perfect for anyone looking for something new and unconventional.
5. Swordheart by T. Kingfisher
When a hapless widow suddenly inherits her great-uncle’s estate, her late husband’s family descend like vultures. Her only option is to give up her inheritance to protect herself… Or embark on a journey with a mysterious sword-man that swore to protect her to claim her inheritance.
6. Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher
T. Kingfisher’s Nettle & Bone is a surprisingly funny dark fantasy adventure inspired by The Princess and the Pea. Marra’s oldest sister died under mysterious circumstances after marrying a powerful prince, so when her other sister marries that same prince Marra leaves the safety of her convent to save her.
7. Thorn by Anna Burke
When Rowan’s father returns from an unfortunate hunting trip with nothing but a single white rose, another more dangerous hunt begins. The Huntress is coming for her rose, and all who dare to steal from her must pay. Anna Burke’s lesbian retelling of The Beauty and the Beast creates a foreboding atmosphere for a bittersweet romantic story.
8. Bride by Ali Hazelwood
Bride is one of those books where you get exactly what you pay for, nothing more nothing less. If reading a marriage of convenience romance between a vampire and a werewolf interests you, I recommend picking this one up!
9. Carmilla & Laura by S.D. Simper
S.D Simper retells the classic lesbian vampire story, Carmilla, about the budding relationship between a lonely young woman and her mysterious visitor. Laura can’t help but feel drawn towards Carmilla, but as young women begin dying following Carmilla’s arrival, Laura is forced to face the truth.
10. City of Bones by Martha Wells
In a post-apocalyptic world of endless desert, the city of Charisat remains a pillar of culture and possibilities. When a wealthy patron offers Khat a deal he can’t refuse, he finds himself swept up in quest to uncover the mysteries of ancient remnants to save the city of Charisat and what remains of the world’s water.
I find it interesting that so many standalone fantasy books are retellings. Going forward, I’d like to find more standalone stories that are not based on classics.
What are your favorite standalone fantasy novels?
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I spy some of my favourites here 😁 (THE CHOSEN AND THE BEAUTIFUL, NETTLE & BONE). Another favourite fantasy standalone of mine is Naomi Novik’s UPROOTED (which I realize is another sort of retelling!). Did you know there is a companion novella to THE CHOSEN AND THE BEAUTIFUL coming out this year (DON’T SLEEP WITH THE DEAD)?
I will have to look out for that companion novel! (even if it means The Chosen and the Beautiful won’t really fit on this list anymore lol). I didn’t realize how many standalone fantasy books were retellings until I was creating this list! It somewhat makes sense when I think about it since fairytales tend to be one off stories and authors tend to enjoy writing multiple books in the worlds they create, but I wish we had more original standalone stories. The Goblin Emperor and Legends & Lattes always come to mind, but both authors also later published a companion novels: The Witness for the Dead and Bookshops & Bonedust. Uprooted actually looks super good! I feel like I’ve heard of it, but for some reason haven’t added it to my TBR before now.
Nice list. I\ve read a could of these and also have a copy of Bride – just not managed to find the time to fit it in so far.
Lynn 😀
Thank you! Bride is definitely a fun read for whenever you get to it. I found it was best for between my more dense reads since it goes pretty quick doesn’t take much to get into the story.