Ever wondered what would happen if witches ran bookshops, necromancers went to uni, or New York City decided to fight back? Welcome to the world of contemporary fantasy books — where the magical collides with the modern in the weirdest, cosiest, and most chaotic ways.
These stories are set in our world (or something close to it), but with a twist — whether it’s hidden magical societies, talking skeletons, enchanted teashops, or portals in library basements. Expect strange happenings, powerful feelings, and just enough reality to make it all feel a bit too possible.
We’ve rounded up some of the best contemporary fantasy reads — from heartwarming to haunting, dark academia to soft witch vibes. Choose your flavour of magic and dive in.
📚 Pick Your Potion: Contemporary Fantasy Books to Dive Into
Ready to get lost in worlds where the everyday bumps shoulders with the extraordinary? Whether you’re craving dark secrets behind ivy-clad walls, cosy witches brewing up a storm, or cities with minds of their own, this list has got you covered.
Grab your favourite cuppa, maybe a comfy blanket, and prepare to fall down the rabbit hole of contemporary fantasy books that bring magic smack into the modern day — with a twist, a wink, and plenty of surprises.
🏫 Contemporary Fantasy Books: Dark Academia & Secret Societies
Dark halls, darker secrets, and a whole lot of “don’t open that book” vibes. If you’ve ever wanted to snoop behind the library’s locked doors or join a society where the dress code is brooding and the homework might get you cursed, this is your jam. Power plays, mysteries, and enough magical skullduggery to make your uni days look like a picnic.
🐺 The Atlas Six — Olivie Blake
Six brilliant magicians. One secret society. A deadly competition that’s equal parts brains, magic, and backstabbing. Welcome to a world where trust is scarce, and power is everything.
Secret societies and dark academia vibes with a modern, stylish twist — this one’s addictive and mysterious.
🪦 Dark Mood: Intense, cerebral, simmering tension
💬 Why read it: Complex characters, juicy secrets, and magical mind games
🧠 Weird Factor: Medium — think magical chess with very high stakes
🕯️ A Deadly Education — Naomi Novik
No teachers, no rules, and a magical school where failure means death. Dark, dangerous, and dripping with snark — this is Hogwarts, if Hogwarts were a Hunger Games arena for sorcerers.
If you like your school stories deadly and your heroines sharp-tongued, this one’s for you.
🪦 Dark Mood: Gritty, ruthless, and full of fire
💬 Why read it: Dark magic meets sharp wit and fierce survival
🧠 Weird Factor: Medium-high — school drama with life-or-death consequences
📚 The Raven Boys — Maggie Stiefvater
A secret society of rich boys, a prophecy, and a girl who can see things others can’t. Mystical forests, ancient legends, and friendships that walk the line between magic and reality.
For those who love atmospheric, lyrical fantasy with a haunting edge.
🪦 Dark Mood: Moody, mysterious, and quietly intense
💬 Why read it: Beautiful writing, deep friendships, and a twisty plot
🧠 Weird Factor: Low-medium — subtle magic wrapped in real-world grit
🏫 Ninth House — Leigh Bardugo
Secret societies, dark rituals, and a survivor who can see ghosts — welcome to Yale’s underbelly, where privilege and power hide deadly secrets.
A gritty, noir-ish take on dark academia with some serious supernatural thrills.
🪦 Dark Mood: Dark, gritty, and haunting
💬 Why read it: Intrigue, ghosts, and sharp social commentary
🧠 Weird Factor: Medium — spooky meets elite academia
🔥 Hell Bent — Leigh Bardugo
The sequel to Ninth House dives even deeper into the shadows of Yale’s secret societies. Revenge, magic, and tough choices collide in this thrilling continuation.
If you liked the first book, prepare for more intensity and dark secrets.
🪦 Dark Mood: Even darker, more intense, and high stakes
💬 Why read it: Powerful characters, gripping plot, and dark magic
🧠 Weird Factor: Medium-high — stakes and supernatural scale raised
💀 Gideon the Ninth — Tamsyn Muir
Space necromancers, sword fights, and locked-room mysteries collide in this genre-bending gem. It’s part dark academia, part sci-fi, and all kinds of weirdly wonderful.
For readers who like their fantasy with a seriously twisted edge.
🪦 Dark Mood: Witty, dark, and wildly original
💬 Why read it: Unique blend of sci-fi, fantasy, and dark humour
🧠 Weird Factor: Very high — expect the unexpected
👻 Middlegame — Seanan McGuire
Twin alchemists with godlike powers, conspiracies, and a race against time — this one’s a mind-bending, genre-defying ride through magic and science.
Complex, clever, and just a little creepy — perfect for those who like their fantasy cerebral and strange.
🪦 Dark Mood: Thoughtful, eerie, and unsettling
💬 Why read it: Brilliant concept, emotional depth, and weirdness
🧠 Weird Factor: High — a magical puzzle that keeps you guessing
🌇 Contemporary Fantasy Books: Urban Fantasy & Hidden Worlds
The city’s got secrets — and no, we don’t just mean the dodgy kebab shop round the corner. Magic lives here, usually lurking in the shadows, hanging out in secret societies, or arguing with your sarcastic protagonist about life choices. If you like your fantasy gritty, snarky, and with just enough chaos to keep things interesting, welcome to your new obsession.
🌆 The City We Became — N.K. Jemisin
Imagine New York City coming to life as a set of human avatars battling ancient evil forces. It’s loud, chaotic, magical, and utterly original.
Urban fantasy with a pulse—where cities aren’t just places, they’re characters.
🪦 Dark Mood: Energetic, intense, and deeply imaginative
💬 Why read it: Unique concept, social commentary, and vibrant world-building
🧠 Weird Factor: Medium — city magic with a powerful heartbeat
🧙♂️ City of Bones — Cassandra Clare
Shadowhunters, demons, and secret battles hiding beneath the streets of New York. This urban fantasy classic is packed with action, romance, and supernatural drama.
Perfect for fans of fast-paced, magic-in-the-modern-world adventures.
🪦 Dark Mood: Adventurous, romantic, and thrilling
💬 Why read it: Exciting world, memorable characters, and supernatural mystery
🧠 Weird Factor: Low-medium — classic urban fantasy vibes
🌩️ Storm Front — Jim Butcher
Harry Dresden is a wizard and detective, solving magical crimes in gritty Chicago. Noir meets fantasy in a series that’s smart, funny, and packed with action.
If you want your magic with a side of sarcasm and detective noir, this one’s your cup of tea.
🪦 Dark Mood: Gritty, witty, and suspenseful
💬 Why read it: Sharp humour, fast pacing, and a compelling hero
🧠 Weird Factor: Medium — magic meets mystery with attitude
🧛 Not Even Bones — Rebecca Schaeffer
Dark, twisted, and not for the faint-hearted. A young woman sells magical body parts on the black market, all while questioning her own morality and family ties.
Perfect if you like your urban fantasy with a seriously dark edge.
🪦 Dark Mood: Grim, intense, and morally complex
💬 Why read it: Gripping story, dark themes, and strong characters
🧠 Weird Factor: High — dark magic meets crime thriller
⚡ The Lightning Thief — Rick Riordan
Greek gods are alive, and they’re not messing around—especially when a modern-day kid discovers he’s a demigod. Fast-paced, funny, and full of heart.
A gateway to urban fantasy for all ages, with myth and adventure in perfect balance.
🪦 Dark Mood: Light, adventurous, and humorous
💬 Why read it: Mythology meets modern-day fun and friendship
🧠 Weird Factor: Low — classic hero’s journey with a twist
🏡 Contemporary Fantasy Books: Cosy & Feel-Good Fantasy
Think witches who’d rather bake you a scone than curse your enemies, or orcs who’ve swapped their battle axes for espresso machines. This is fantasy with a big warm jumper wrapped around it — the kind of stories that make you sigh happily and maybe believe in magic just a little bit more. Bonus points if there’s found family and fuzzy feelings involved.
💘 The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches — Sangu Mandanna
A solitary witch, a quirky coven, and a whole lot of found family vibes. This one’s pure cosy magic, perfect for curling up with a cuppa and a comfy blanket.
If you like your fantasy warm, fuzzy, and sprinkled with a touch of mischief, this is your next binge.
🪦 Dark Mood: Light-hearted, heartwarming, and gently magical
💬 Why read it: Charming characters, feel-good vibes, and plenty of smiles
🧠 Weird Factor: Low — cosy magic and friendship galore
🐉 Legends & Lattes — Travis Baldree
An orc leaves the adventuring life behind to open a coffee shop. Yes, really. It’s cosy fantasy with frothy cups and low stakes, proving even heroes need a break.
Ideal for anyone who loves fantasy and a good cuppa — plus some delicious bakery daydreams.
🪦 Dark Mood: Chill, cosy, and delightfully mundane
💬 Why read it: Relaxing pace, gentle humour, and an orc with good taste
🧠 Weird Factor: Low — fantasy meets café life
🏳️🌈 The House in the Cerulean Sea — T.J. Klune
A government worker discovers a magical orphanage full of misfits—and finds his own heart changing along the way. It’s a sweet, inclusive story about acceptance and love.
Pure feel-good fantasy with a generous splash of charm and kindness.
🪦 Dark Mood: Warm, hopeful, and uplifting
💬 Why read it: Heartfelt characters, gentle humour, and magical mischief
🧠 Weird Factor: Low — feel-good magic for all
🪦 Under the Whispering Door — T.J. Klune
Death isn’t the end—it’s just a door to a new kind of life. This one’s a cosy, philosophical, and often hilarious exploration of what comes after.
Perfect for anyone who likes their fantasy with a side of existential pondering and warmth.
🪦 Dark Mood: Reflective, tender, and unexpectedly funny
💬 Why read it: Thought-provoking themes, quirky characters, and heart
🧠 Weird Factor: Medium — death with a wink
🧚♀️ Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries — Heather Fawcett
An encyclopaedia-writing protagonist discovers faeries are very real—and quite a handful. Fun, charming, and packed with whimsical magic and faerie lore.
Great for fans of light fantasy with a twist of faerie mischief and wonder.
🪦 Dark Mood: Light, playful, and enchantingly quirky
💬 Why read it: Delightful fae antics, charming protagonist, and magic galore
🧠 Weird Factor: Medium — faeries, but not as you know them
🌌 Contemporary Fantasy Books: Magical Realism & Lyrical Fantasy
Magic sneaks in like your mate who always crashes on your sofa—quietly, charmingly, and with a hint of “did that just happen?” These books are moodier than a rainy day and more poetic than your last deep text convo. Perfect if you want your fantasy sprinkled with a dash of daydream and a pinch of ‘hmm, is this real or did I just make it up?’
🌌 The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue — V.E. Schwab
Imagine making a deal to live forever but with one tiny catch—you’re forgotten by everyone you meet. Addie’s story is hauntingly beautiful, a lyrical dance between memory, time, and what it means to leave a mark.
For anyone who loves magic that whispers rather than shouts, this one’s pure poetry in fantasy form.
🪦 Dark Mood: Melancholy, timeless, and deeply emotional
💬 Why read it: Gorgeous writing, unforgettable character, and a twisty curse
🧠 Weird Factor: Medium — magic that’s as subtle as it is powerful
🪞 The Starless Sea — Erin Morgenstern
Secret libraries, hidden doors, and stories tucked inside stories—this book is basically a love letter to anyone who’s ever lost themselves in a book. It’s magical, mysterious, and wildly imaginative.
Ideal if you want to dive down the rabbit hole and never quite come back the same.
🪦 Dark Mood: Enigmatic, poetic, and richly atmospheric
💬 Why read it: Storyception at its finest, lush descriptions, and pure wonder
🧠 Weird Factor: High — story within story within story… you get the picture
🧠 The Midnight Library — Matt Haig
What if you could visit a library that holds every version of your life? Nora does just that, exploring what could’ve been—and what still might be. Existential fantasy with a big heart and even bigger questions.
For anyone who loves fantasy with a dash of “what if?” and a lot of feels.
🪦 Dark Mood: Thoughtful, hopeful, and a little bit philosophical
💬 Why read it: Emotional depth, relatable heroine, and life-pondering magic
🧠 Weird Factor: Low — fantasy meets self-help with flair
🌙 When the Moon Was Ours — Anna-Marie McLemore
A lush, poetic tale about two boys, faeries, and a town full of secrets. It’s queer, it’s beautiful, and it’s dripping in magic that feels like a dream you don’t want to wake from.
Perfect for readers who love their fantasy wrapped in lyrical prose and emotional richness.
🪦 Dark Mood: Ethereal, romantic, and quietly intense
💬 Why read it: Stunning language, tender themes, and a hint of faerie mischief
🧠 Weird Factor: Medium — magical realism with a moonlit twist
💫 Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil — V.E. Schwab
Short, sharp, and hauntingly powerful. This one’s a poetic exploration of grief, magic, and what’s left behind when the dust settles.
Great for those who like their fantasy small but mighty.
🪦 Dark Mood: Dark, emotional, and deeply atmospheric
💬 Why read it: Intense prose, emotional punch, and a haunting tale
🧠 Weird Factor: Medium — brief but unforgettable
🔮 If You Like Contemporary Fantasy Books, You Might Also Like…
So, you’re hooked on magic mixing with modern life? Brilliant. But just in case you’re feeling adventurous (or your reading list needs a bit more spice), here are some other genres that play in similar magical sandpits. They might not have quite the same kettle-warming charm or dark secret societies, but they’ve got their own special kind of sparkle.
Dive in if you fancy:
🧙♀️ Urban Paranormal
Ghosts, vampires, and all sorts of supernatural shenanigans hiding in plain sight. Like contemporary fantasy’s slightly edgier cousin who drinks black coffee and never sleeps.
🏰 Mythic & Epic Fantasy
Big worlds, bigger quests, and enough dragons to make your toaster jealous. Perfect if you want your magic with a side of medieval drama and plenty of world-building wonder.
🖤 Romantic Fantasy (Romantasy)
Love spells, heartbreak, and maybe a few swoony heroes. If you want your magic tangled up with all the feels, this genre’s your best friend.
🕵️♂️ Supernatural Mystery & Thriller
Magic meets whodunnit. Expect secrets, suspense, and just enough enchantment to keep you guessing until the very last page.
🌿 Folklore & Fairy Tale Retellings
Old stories with a shiny new twist. If you love myths, legends, and fairy tales but want them fresh, funky, and sometimes a little bit dark, this one’s for you.
❓ People Also Asked About Contemporary Fantasy Books (Because Everyone’s Curious)
You’re not the only one Googling this stuff — here’s the lowdown on the questions popping up faster than a wizard at a midnight duel. Spoiler: magic’s involved, obviously.
What are contemporary fantasy books?
These are stories where magic crashes the modern-day party — think spells in Starbucks, secret societies in your neighbourhood, and the occasional talking cat who’s definitely judging you.
What is the most popular fantasy book right now romance?
Romantasy is the new black, darling. Books like A Curse So Dark and Lonely and Fourth Wing are stealing hearts faster than a love potion gone rogue. Expect swoons, sparks, and maybe a bit of magical mayhem.
What is a modern fantasy novel?
Basically, contemporary fantasy’s slightly posher cousin. It’s fantasy that throws on its jeans and heads to the city, mixing magic with your everyday chaos. Dragons on the Tube? Why not.
What is modern day fantasy called?
Call it what you will—contemporary fantasy, modern fantasy, indigenous fantasy—they’re all fancy ways of saying “magic happening right now, not in some dusty old castle.”
What are the best fantasy books to read right now?
Depends if you’re team cosy witches, dark secrets, or magical mayhem. Lucky for you, our curated list is basically a treasure chest of all that and more. Magic wand not included.
What is the best modern romance novel?
If you want love stories that come with a sprinkle of the supernatural, try Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune or Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. They’ll break your heart and mend it again—with a bit of fairy dust.
✨ Ready to Keep the Magic Going?
So there you have it — your ultimate guide to contemporary fantasy books that’ll have you spellbound faster than you can say “Abracadabra!” If you’re craving more magical mayhem, cosy corners, or epic adventures, don’t stop here. Dive into our other book lists packed with everything from spine-tingling thrillers to heart-melting romances and beyond.
Go on — your next great read is just a click away. Because around here, the magic never ends.