The year 2025 has already delivered an exciting array of fantasy and speculative fiction, marking it as a memorable year for fans of the genre. With standout releases such as Joe Abercrombie’s The Devils, Richard Swan’s Grave Empire, and V.E. Schwab’s Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, fantasy readers have much to celebrate. However, the year is far from over, and there remain several highly anticipated fantasy books still to come in 2025 that promise to captivate and expand your reading list. Let’s explore five of the most eagerly awaited releases that fantasy enthusiasts won’t want to miss.
1. Queen Demon by Martha Wells
Queen Demon continues the thrilling journey in The Rising World series. Martha Wells, known for her bestselling sci-fi series The Murderbot Diaries, brings a fresh and bold take on epic fantasy with this sequel to The Witch King. The story follows Kai, once assassinated and bound to a well, now transformed into the dreaded Witch King.
As the world shifts around him, Kai seeks answers amidst the rise of a new heirarch and the looming threat of grave diggers uncovering his tomb. Queen Demon promises a compelling blend of intrigue and dark fantasy, making it one of the highly anticipated fantasy books still to come in 2025. Fans can look forward to its release on October 7, 2025.
2. Tailored Realities by Brandon Sanderson
Tailored Realities by Brandon Sanderson is a must-have collection for any fan of the author or the broader fantasy genre. Sanderson, one of the most prolific writers in fantasy, offers a fresh take with this compilation of short stories and novellas, including the unpublished Moment Zero.
Known for his clear, script-like prose, Sanderson’s Tailored Realities provides approachable yet richly imaginative tales set within his expansive Cosmere universe. This collection stands out among the highly anticipated fantasy books still to come in 2025, presenting both longtime readers and newcomers with engaging narratives. Tailored Realities is slated for publication on December 9, 2025.
3. Outlaw Planet by M.R. Carey
Outlaw Planet by M.R. Carey delivers a uniquely imaginative story that hooks readers from the back-of-the-book blurb alone. In this novel, readers meet Bess, a lone outlaw nicknamed Dog-Bitch, and her connection to Wakeful Slim, the spirit of a dead man bound to her gun.
Set against the backdrop of a vast multiverse, Outlaw Planet explores themes of vengeance, violence, and survival. This novel is a standout among the highly anticipated fantasy books still to come in 2025, offering a raw and gripping narrative that challenges conventional fantasy tropes. Look for Outlaw Planet’s release on November 18, 2025.
4. Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree
From Travis Baldree, the author who popularized cozy fantasy with bestsellers like Legends & Lattes and Bookshops & Bonedust, comes Brigands & Breadknives. This novel introduces readers to Fern, a former bookseller who moves to the city of Thune to be near a friend’s coffee shop, only to find herself embroiled in unexpected adventures alongside a legendary warrior and a chaos goblin.
Brigands & Breadknives offers a low-stakes yet emotionally rich fantasy tale, standing out among the highly anticipated fantasy books still to come in 2025. Fans of heartfelt and character-driven stories will appreciate this novel’s release on November 11, 2025.
5. Alchemised by SenLinYu
Alchemised marks the highly anticipated debut novel from SenLinYu, set in a dark fantasy world overrun by undead creatures and forbidden magic. The story follows Helena Marino, the sole survivor she knows in a defeated Resistance, grappling with memory loss and uncertain pasts.
As Paladia’s ruling class interrogates her, Helena must navigate a perilous path to reclaim her identity before her captors strip her soul away. Alchemised stands as one of the most intriguing highly anticipated fantasy books still to come in 2025, blending mystery, magic, and dark themes. Readers can anticipate its arrival on September 23, 2025.
Conclusion
As 2025 progresses, the literary world continues to offer a wealth of captivating stories for fantasy lovers. From Martha Wells’s Queen Demon to SenLinYu’s Alchemised, these highly anticipated fantasy books still to come in 2025 promise to enrich the genre with diverse voices and imaginative tales. While George R.R. Martin’s The Winds of Winter remains a hopeful dream, the novels listed here provide plenty to look forward to in the near future. Which of these upcoming releases are you most excited to dive into? 5 Highly Anticipated Fantasy Books Still to Come in 2025. Stream, comment, and explore more on Cobble Hill Blog for continued fantasy coverage.
