Red Rising

Top 5 Unforgettable Fantasy & Romance Novels for 2024

Introduction

Fantasy and romance novels have a way of whisking us away into magical worlds and unforgettable stories. In this guide, we’ve rounded up the top five must-read books for 2024 that blend epic adventures with heartwarming romance. From daring quests to tender moments, these novels offer something for every reader who loves getting lost in a great story.

1. Red Rising

“Red Rising ascends above a crowded dystopian field.” —USA Today

Accolades: Named one of the best books of the year by Entertainment Weekly, BuzzFeed, and Shelf Awareness.

Darrow, a member of the lowest caste known as Reds, toils beneath Mars’s surface, believing his labor is vital for future generations. However, he discovers that humanity has long inhabited the planet’s surface, and his people are mere slaves to a decadent ruling class. Driven by a desire for justice and the memory of lost love, Darrow sacrifices everything to infiltrate the elite Institute, where he must compete against society’s most powerful to bring down his oppressors.

Praise for Red Rising:

“A spectacular adventure… one heart-pounding ride… Pierce Brown’s dizzyingly good debut novel evokes The Hunger Games, Lord of the Flies, and Ender’s Game… [Red Rising] has everything it needs to become meteoric.” —Entertainment Weekly

“Ender, Katniss, and now Darrow.” —Scott Sigler

“Red Rising is a sophisticated vision… Brown will find a devoted audience.” —Richmond Times-Dispatch

Explore the Red Rising Saga:

Red Rising

About the Author

Picture of Pierce Brown

Pierce Brown

Pierce Brown is the #1 New York Times Bestselling author of the Red Rising Saga. He spent his childhood building forts and setting traps for his cousins in the woods of six states and the deserts of two. He now lives in Los Angeles, where he scribbles tales of spaceships, wizards, ghouls, and most things old or bizarre.

www.PierceBrown.com

Additional Information

FeaturesDescription
Print length 416 pages
PublisherRandom House Worlds
Publication DateJuly 15, 2014

2. The Fourth Wing: Empyrean, Book 1

“Suspenseful, sexy, and with incredibly entertaining storytelling, the first in Yarros’ Empyrean series will delight fans of romantic, adventure-filled fantasy.” —Booklist, starred review

Violet Sorrengail, a 20-year-old destined for the Scribe Quadrant, is thrust into the perilous world of dragon riders at Basgiath War College by her mother, the commanding general. Despite her frail stature, Violet must outwit rivals and bond with a dragon to survive. As external wars intensify and internal secrets emerge, she realizes that at this elite academy, one graduates or dies.Accolades:
  • #1 New York Times Bestseller
  • Amazon Best Books of the Year
  • Barnes & Noble Best Fantasy Book of 2023
  • NPR “Books We Love” 2023
Explore the Empyrean Series:
The Fourth Wing

About the Author

Picture of Rebecca Yarros

Rebecca Yarros

Rebecca Yarros is an American author. She is best known for the Empyrean fantasy book series, which will be adapted into a television series with Amazon; Yarros will serve as a non-writing executive producer. Yarros graduated from Troy University, where she studied European history and English.

Additional Information

FeaturesDescription
Listening Length21 hours and 22 minutes
PublisherRecorded Books
NarratorRebecca Soler, Teddy Hamilton

3. The Midnight Library: A GMA Book Club Pick: A Novel

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig is a globally acclaimed novel that explores the infinite possibilities of life through the lens of a mystical library. Nora Seed, the protagonist, discovers a library between life and death, where each book represents a different version of her life based on the choices she could have made. This journey allows Nora to confront her regrets and find fulfillment.
The Midnight Library

About the Author

Picture of Matt Haig

Matt Haig

Matt Haig is the internationally bestselling author of the novels The Midnight Library, How to Stop Time, The Humans, The Radleys, children's novel A Boy Called Christmas, and memoir Reasons to Stay Alive. His latest novel is The Life Impossible, which will be published in summer 2024. His work has been translated into over fifty languages.

@matthaig1 | matthaig.com

Additional Information

FeaturesDescription
Print length 304 pages
PublisherPenguin Books
Publication DateMay 9, 2023

4. George R. R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones 5-Book Boxed Set

A Song of Ice and Fire: Books 1-5 Boxed Set

“One of the best series in the history of fantasy.” —Los Angeles Times

Delve into George R. R. Martin’s epic fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire, with this boxed set of the first five novels:
  • A Game of Thrones
  • A Clash of Kings
  • A Storm of Swords
  • A Feast for Crows
  • A Dance with Dragons
Set in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, noble families vie for the Iron Throne amidst political intrigue, betrayal, and supernatural threats. This series inspired the acclaimed HBO series Game of Thrones.Accolades:
  • International bestseller
  • Dubbed “the American Tolkien” by Time magazine
Game of Thrones 5-book

About the Author

Picture of George R. R. Martin

George R. R. Martin

George R.R. Martin is the globally bestselling author of many fine novels, including A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, and A Dance with Dragons, which together make up the series A Song of Ice and Fire, on which HBO based the world’s most-watched television series, Game of Thrones. Other works set in or about Westeros include The World of Ice and Fire, and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. His science fiction novella Nightflyers has also been adapted as a television series; and he is the creator of the shared-world Wild Cards universe, working with the finest writers in the genre. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Additional Information

FeaturesDescription
Print length5216 pages
PublisherBantam
Publication DateOctober 29, 2013

5. Remarkably Bright Creatures: A Novel

Remarkably Bright Creatures is a captivating debut novel by Shelby Van Pelt, offering a poignant exploration of loneliness, healing, and the unexpected bonds that transform our lives. Set in the quaint town of Sowell Bay, Washington, the story follows Tova Sullivan, a widow who finds solace in her nightly shifts as a cleaner at the local aquarium. Her routine is disrupted when she forms an extraordinary friendship with Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus residing in the aquarium. Through their unique connection, Tova uncovers long-buried secrets, leading to a journey of self-discovery and healing.

Remarkably Bright Creatures

About the Author

Picture of Shelby Van Pelt

Shelby Van Pelt

When Shelby Van Pelt isn’t feeding her flash-fiction addiction, she’s juggling cats while wrangling children. Her debut novel, REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES, will be published by HarperCollins in May 2022. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, she’s currently missing the mountains in the suburbs of Chicago.
Find her at www.shelbyvanpelt.com, on Twitter @shelbyvanpelt, and Instagram @shelbyvanpeltwrites

Additional Information

FeaturesDescription
PublisherEcco
Print Length368 pages
Publication DateMay 3, 2022

Conclusion

These five fantasy and romance novels are perfect additions to your 2024 reading list. Each one delivers a unique mix of captivating worlds, compelling characters, and powerful storytelling. Whether you’re a fan of sweeping fantasy or heartfelt romance, these books promise to leave a lasting impression. Don’t wait—dive into these incredible reads today!

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