Often it feels like standalone novels in the fantasy genre are the underappreciated stepchildren. But I’m hear to tell you that there are some killer standalone novels in the fantasy genre that I simply must INSIST you read. I know all the usual hesitations about standalones. You don’t feel as plugged into the world created. You don’t get to know the characters well enough. The plot is over too quickly and you’re left with an unresolved feeling. I took all these into consideration when choosing which books to include on my list. Plus, sometimes it’s just nice to break the pattern of reading series after series after series. The 10 fantasy standalone novels below are ones I thought passed all the points mentioned above. They provide a rich introduction to a new world, have characters that are memorable and well-developed, and posses a plot with a full arc and good resolution. Plus, the nice thing about fantasy standalone novels is it gives you a taste of the writing style of an author you may want to start reading.
Spinning Silver
By Naomi Novik
Miryem’s father’s inability to collect his debts has left his family on the edge of poverty–until Miryem takes matters into her own hands. Hardening her heart, the young woman sets out to claim what is owed and soon gains a reputation for being able to turn silver into gold. When her work draws the attention of the king of the Staryk–grim fey creatures who seem more ice than flesh–Miryem’s fate, and that of two kingdoms, will be forever altered. Set an impossible challenge by the nameless king, Miryem unwittingly spins a web that draws in a peasant girl and the unhappy daughter of a local lord who plots to wed his child to the dashing young tsar. But Tsar Mirnatius while not what he seems, also has a deadly secret. Torn between deadly choices, Miryem and her two unlikely allies embark on a desperate quest that will take them to the limits of sacrifice, power, and love.
Heartless
By Marissa Meyer
Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland, and a favorite of the unmarried King of Hearts, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, all she wants is to open a shop with her best friend. But according to her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for the young woman who could be the next queen. Then Cath meets Jest, the handsome and mysterious court joker. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the king and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into an intense, secret courtship. Cath is determined to define her own destiny and fall in love on her terms. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.
Romanov
By Nadine Brandes
Anastasia “Nastya” Romanov was given a single mission: to smuggle an ancient spell into her suitcase on her way to exile in Siberia. It might be her family’s only salvation. But the leader of the Bolshevik army is after them. Nastya’s only chances of saving herself and her family are to either release the spell or enlist help from Zash, the handsome soldier who doesn’t act like the average Bolshevik. Magic doesn’t frighten her half as much as her growing attraction to Zash. Especially when she’s on one side of a firing squad . . . and he’s on the other.
The Night Circus
By Erin Morgenstern
The circus arrives without warning. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an unique experience. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night. But behind the scenes, a fierce duel between two young magicians is underway. They have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for the remarkable battle. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love. True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved hang in the balance.
Cruel Beauty
By Rosamund Hodge
Dads are totally clueless sometimes. Especially when they arrange a marriage between you and the evil ruler of your kingdom. That’s the situation Nyx finds herself in as she goes to live with Ignifex. Lucky for her, Ignifex is not at all who she expected.
To Best The Boys
By Mary Weber
Every year in Pinsbury Port, all eligible-aged boys are invited to compete for an esteemed scholarship to the all-male Stemwick University. Women train in wifely duties and men pursue collegiate education, but Rhen wants to be a scientist. As the poor fall prey to a deadly disease, she and her father work desperately to find a cure. But when her mum succumbs to it as well? Rhen decides to enter the annual all-male scholarship competition. With her cousin by her side, the girls don disguises and enter the labyrinth, to best the boys and claim the scholarship prize. Except not everyone survives the deadly maze.
Stardust
By Neil Gaiman
Life moves at a leisurely pace in the tiny town of Wall—named after the imposing stone barrier which separates the town from a grassy meadow. Here, young Tristran Thorn has lost his heart to the beautiful Victoria Forester and for the coveted prize of her hand, Tristran vows to retrieve a fallen star and deliver it to his beloved. It is an oath that sends him over the ancient wall and into a world that is dangerous and strange beyond imagining…
Sky in the Deep
By Adrienne Young
Raised to be a warrior, seventeen-year-old Eelyn fights alongside her Aska clansmen in an ancient rivalry against the Riki clan. One day she sees the impossible on the battlefield—her brother, fighting with the enemy—the brother she watched die five years ago. Faced with her brother’s betrayal, she must survive the winter in the mountains with the Riki, in a village where every neighbor is an enemy. But when the Riki village is raided by a ruthless clan, Eelyn becomes desperate to get back to her family. She is given no choice but to trust Fiske, her brother’s friend, who sees her as a threat. They must do the impossible: unite the clans to fight together, or risk being slaughtered one by one.
The Shadow Queen
By C.J. Redwine
Lorelai, crown princess and fugitive, has one mission: kill the wicked queen who took her throne and her father. To do that, Lorelai needs to use a weapon she and Queen Irina have in common—magic. In the neighboring kingdom, when Prince Kol’s father and older brother are killed, the prince must save his kingdom. To do that, Kol needs magic. He makes a deal with the queen of Ravenspire to become her personal huntsman…and bring her Lorelai’s heart. But Lorelai is nothing like Kol expected—beautiful, fierce, and unstoppable—and despite dark magic, Lorelai is drawn in by the passionate and troubled king. Lorelai does everything in her power to ruin the wicked queen. But Irina isn’t going down without a fight.
Fawkes
By Nadine Brandes
Keepers think the Igniters caused the plague. Igniters think the Keepers did. But all Thomas knows is that the Stone Plague infecting him is spreading. And soon, he’ll be a lifeless statue. So when his Keeper father, Guy Fawkes, invites him to join the Gunpowder Plot—claiming it will put an end to the plague—Thomas is in. The plan: use 36 barrels of gunpowder to blow up the Igniter King. The problem: Doing so will destroy the family of the girl Thomas loves. But backing out of the plot will send his father and the other plotters to the gallows.
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