Some of the most popular books and series published in recent years are from the fantasy genre, and July 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 the most-anticipated fantasy books of 2024 arrive in July, including the sequel to a viral romantasy hit and a new novel by the author of The Magicians trilogy.

After June 2024’s impressive fantasy releases, July continues a positive trajectory for the genre. Although beach reads tend to take precedence during the summer, there will always be readers looking for fantastical new worlds and complex narratives to dive into. Fortunately, such readers will have plenty of offerings to choose from throughout July.

10

Reckless by Lauren Roberts

Release Date: July 2, 2024

Reckless by 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, Reckless will 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.

Reckless is 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 4.63 Goodreads rating, this July 2024 fantasy book doesn’t suffer from middle-book syndrome. It promises to be even better than Powerless, 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.

9

The Night Ends With Fire by K.X. Song

Release Date: July 2, 2024

K.X. Song published An Echo in the City in 2022, and the author is back with The Night Ends With Fire in July 2024. Drawing inspiration from Mulan, The Night Ends With Fire opens 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 Fire is a July 2024 fantasy book readers should keep on their radar, especially if they enjoy retellings of classic tales.

8

The Darkness Within Us by Tricia Levenseller

Release Date: July 9, 2024

Tricia Levenseller is known for the Daughter of the Pirate King series, as well as The Shadows Between Us. The author’s July 2024 release is set in the same world as the latter, with The Darkness Within Us serving as a companion novel to the 2020 book. According to Levenseller’s website, The Darkness Within Us can be read without picking up the first installment. So, while fans of The Shadows Between Us may get more out of this book, it’s one that fantasy-romance readers should keep an eye out for regardless.

The Darkness Within Us follows 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 into The Darkness Within Us this July.

7

The Sky on Fire by Jenn Lyons

Release Date: July 9, 2024

Jenn Lyons’ published the final book in A Chorus of Dragons back in 2022, and the author is releasing a standalone fantasy novel in 2024. The Sky on Fire is marketed as a heist story that’s set in “a world ruled by dragons” (via Tor/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.

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 of books like Fourth Wing. With its gripping premise and standalone status, The Sky on Fire sounds like the perfect book to take to the beach. It’s a must-read summer 2024 release.

6

Black Tide Son by H.M. Long

Release Date: July 9, 2024

The sequel to H.M. Long’s Dark Water Daughter hits shelves in July 2024, and Black Tide Son promises to be even better than its predecessor. The second installment of The Winter Sea series, Black Tide Son continues 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 Son boasts a 4.27 average Goodreads rating, promising an impressive addition to The Winter Sea series. This July 2024 release will be among the biggest fantasy books of the month, so it’s well worth looking out for.

5

Navola by Paolo Bacigalupi

Release Date: July 9, 2024

Award-winning author Paolo Bacigalupi is publishing a fantasy novel in July 2024, and Navola sounds like a mature and compelling exploration of power. Navola is 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 of Game of Thrones and The Godfather, Navola sounds 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.

4

The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman

Release Date: July 16, 2024

Lev Grossman is known for The Magicians books, and the popularity of that series will likely push fantasy readers to pick up The Bright Sword in 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.

An intriguing take on Arthurian legend, The Bright Sword promises to be one of July 2024’s biggest new releases. Its impressive 4.29 Goodreads rating 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 — something The Magicians excels at as well.

3

The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer

Release Date: July 16, 2024

On the heels of The Wishing Game in 2023, Meg Shaffer is publishing a fantasy novel dubbed The Lost Story — and it’s inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia. The Lost Story follows 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 Story promises to explore the darker side of magical realms, making it an ideal choice for fans of The Magicians by Lev Grossman and the Wayward Children series 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. After The Wishing Game‘s success, Shaffer promises to knock it out of the park with The Lost Story. Hopefully, it does its intriguing premise justice.

2

The Black Bird Oracle by Deborah Harkness

Release Date: July 16, 2024

Deborah Harkness is returning to her All Souls universe in July 2024, with The Black Bird Oracle reuniting readers with Diana, Matthew, and their twins. Set four years after Time’s Convert, The Black Bird Oracle will 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.

1

The Mirror of Beasts by Alexandra Bracken

Release Date: July 30, 2024

Alexandra Bracken weaves a lush and intriguing fantasy narrative in 2023’s Silver in the Bone, and The Mirror of Beasts will continue that story in 2024. The finale to Bracken’s duology, The Mirror of Beasts will 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 4.31 Goodreads rating, it might even be better. Needless to say, Bracken’s latest is one of the most exciting fantasy books to hit shelves in July 2024.