As 2026 draws near, I’ve started looking into the books coming out next year that I would love to read. In this post, I’m sharing a few books releasing in 2026 that I’m planning to read. The list is ordered by release date, not by my level of excitement. I’ll include the expected month of release, but please keep in mind that all dates are still weeks or months away, so minor changes are to be expected.
Let’s get to it!
January
The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto Yambao
The author received a lot of love for her 2025 release, Water Moon. I wasn’t terribly interested in that one, as the premise didn’t really speak to me, but The Elsewhere Express sounds genuinely intriguing. It’s described as a cozy fantasy set on the fictional Elsewhere Express, and even the details included in the synopsis have already sparked my curiosity. It seems there will be great worldbuilding and beautiful descriptions, so I am looking forward to checking this one out.
March
The Somewhat Wicked Witch of Brigandale by C. M. Waggoner
The synopsis describes this as a cozy fantasy in which “a somewhat wicked witch,” Gretsella, must stop her son from ascending the throne and I am fully on board with that premise. I am a bit concerned about how the author will balance the cozy elements with the hinted-at political plot, but I’m happy to give it a try and find out.
Wolf Worm by T. Kingfisher
This book drops us into T. Kingfisher’s version of North Carolina in 1899 and follows Sonia Wilson, a scientific illustrator. Sonia is down on her luck when she receives an offer to illustrate a vast insect collection for the reclusive Dr. Halder and, of course, nothing is quite as it seems. This promises to be a classic Kingfisher story. I’ll admit I might have been more excited about this a year ago, as I’ve felt somewhat lukewarm about her most recent works, but the synopsis alone has me hopeful.
This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews
This book is marketed as a portal fantasy, which, honestly, is enough to get my interest piqued. It feels like it’s been ages since we got one of those. In this book, we follow Maggie, who wakes up inside the world of an unfinished book series she knows well. She can’t be killed, but everyone else can. Instead of trying to return home, she sets out to save the characters and the world itself. This sounds right up my alley, and since it’s the first installment in a new series, I’m hopeful it will be a strong start.
Last Contract of Isako by Fonda Lee
Described as a standalone space opera with samurais, this already sounds like a compelling release. I’m aware this leans more toward science fiction than fantasy but the two often sit side by side on our shelves anyway. We follow Isako, a legendary swordswoman, as she takes on her final contract. The story promises to “change humanity’s existence in the stars forever,” which is a bold claim for a standalone, but I’m intrigued enough to come along for the ride.
June
The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden
Historical fiction mixed with fantasy? Sign me up. If you add powerful real-life female figures reimagined for the story, I’m already sold. This book follows Anne of Brittany as she fights to keep her duchy independent from France, by hunting unicorns. I’m very excited to see how this story unfolds.
Six Savage Thrones by Holly Race
This sequel to Six Wild Crowns continues a fantasy series inspired by the six wives of Henry VIII. The first book focused on Queen Boleyn and Queen Seymour, inspired by Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour. This installment appears to shift the focus toward Queen Howard and Queen Cleves. I can’t say much more without spoilers, but I loved the first book and am very much looking forward to this one.
A Trade of Blood by Robert Jackson Bennett
This is the third book in The Shadow of the Leviathan series by Robert Jackson Bennett. I absolutely loved A Drop of Corruption, the second installment, and I can’t wait to read this one. We’ll once again follow Ana and Din as they investigate a murder, but this time with the added pressure of preventing a war between two of the Empire’s most powerful families. This might be my most anticipated release of the year.
July
Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst
Sea of Charms is the third book in Sarah Beth Durst’s cozy fantasy series Spellshop. This time, we’ll follow Marin, a supply runner we met in a previous installment. I loved The Spellshop but barely made it through The Enchanted Greenhouse, so I honestly don’t know what to expect here. I’m fully prepared to either DNF this one or discover a new favourite, and that in itself carries some excitement for me. I’ll be happy to pick this one up while (hopefully) vacationing and not worrying about it too much.
Bonus: A new series by Naomi Novik?
Some time ago, it was announced that Naomi Novik is working on a new series. There’s no confirmed release date yet, reportedly because she wants to finish the entire series before publication. I think that’s a fantastic approach, and I’m happy to wait as long as it takes. The original publication date was set for September 2026, but that may change. I’m including it here because I know I’ll be picking it up the moment it’s released.
These are some of the fantasy book releases I’m most interested in keeping an eye on in 2026. While release dates may shift and expectations can always change, this list reflects the upcoming fantasy books that have caught my attention so far. If you’re also looking ahead to new fantasy releases in 2026, I hope this gives you a few titles to watch.
Feel free to share which upcoming books you’re most curious about – I’m always interested to see what others are anticipating.
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