December marks the end of a great year for fantasy books, so it’s fitting that some of 2024’s most exciting new releases hit shelves during its final month. 2024 kicked off with highly anticipated sequels like House of Flame and Shadow and The Atlas Complex, and things only got better from there. The year welcomed many compelling additions to the genre, including a new historical fantasy book by Leigh Bardugo, a fantasy novella from Veronica Roth, and the long-awaited finale to Tomi Adeyemi’s Legacy of Orïsha series.
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That’s just scratching the surface of what 2024 had in store for fantasy readers, and December is closing the year on a high note. Perhaps the biggest fantasy release of 2024, Brandon Sanderson’s Wind and Truth, will finally hit shelves, rounding out the first half of The Stormlight Archive. The much-anticipated follow-up to Xiran Jay Zhao’s 2021 hit, Iron Widow, also debuts this month. And while December is quieter than the rest of 2024 when it comes to new releases, there are a handful of other great fantasy books to keep an eye out for this month.
10 Blacklight Born By Alexander Darwin
Release Date: December 3, 2024
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December 3 welcomes a number of exciting fantasy books, starting with Blacklight Born by Alexander Darwin. Darwin’s The Combat Codes series was initially self-published, but it’s being re-released after Orbit Books’ acquisition. The books perfectly blend sci-fi and fantasy, and the new versions of them include even more content for fans of Darwin’s work to enjoy. Blacklight Born marks the conclusion to the series, so its December release is particularly exciting for those keeping up with this story.
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The Combat Codes Saga Books In Order |
Release Date |
|---|---|
|
The Combat Codes |
2023 |
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Grievar’s Blood |
2023 |
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Blacklight Born |
2024 |
And the stakes are high heading into Blacklight Born, which will determine the outcome of The Grievar War and decide the fates of everyone involved. The finale promises to deliver on the action and answer the series’ biggest questions. It’s also likely to pack an emotional punch, especially for those who have grown attached to the characters.
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9 The Last One By Rachel Howzell Hall
Release Date: December 3, 2024
Fourth Wing publisher Red Tower Books has a new fantasy romance book hitting shelves in December, and The Last One promises to be another gripping addition to 2024. Rachel Howzell Hall’s latest follows Kai, who finds herself waking up in a chaotic and dangerous kingdom full of threats. She has no recollection of how she got there, but she enlists the help of a skilled blacksmith to find answers — and a way out of her current predicament.
The central romance promises the right combination of lighthearted bickering and tense longing, and the fantasy elements sound just as promising.
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Hailed by early Goodreads reviewers as “unique” and “refreshing,” The Last One could become one of the most memorable romantasy releases of 2024. The central romance promises the right combination of lighthearted bickering and tense longing, and the fantasy elements sound just as promising. The answers Kai seeks are also likely to make this a twisty read, perfect for anyone looking for a fast-paced adventure to dive into this December.
8 Rebel Blade By Davinia Evans
Release Date: December 3, 2024
Davinia Evans’ Burnished City series comes to a close this month, with Rebel Blade rounding out the story on December 3. Rebel Blade picks up on the heels of Siyon Velo returning magic to the Mundane, showing the aftermath of this decision. Unfortunately, the fallout of it puts the city of Bezim in danger — and Evans’ heroes are tasked with saving it. Rebel Blade promises to give a proper send-off to Siyon, Annahid, and Zagiri, all while bringing the grander-scale conflicts of this underrated fantasy book series to a close.
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The Burnished City Books In Order |
Release Year |
|---|---|
|
Notorious Sorcerer |
2022 |
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Shadow Baron |
2023 |
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Rebel Blade |
2024 |
Evans’ entire Burnished City series is a fun and engaging time, and Rebel Blade is poised to end it on a high note. The finale’s early Goodreads reviews and 4.07 rating indicate that it sticks the landing, meaning readers shouldn’t wait to pick it up. Even if they haven’t started Evans’ story yet, December’s the perfect time to dive in.
7 The Peculiar Garden Of Harriet Hunt By Chelsea Iversen
Release Date: December 3, 2024
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Chelsea Iversen’s The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt delivers a lighter helping of fantasy than most of the books on this list, but it’s well worth keeping an eye out for this December. Set in Victorian London, The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt follows a woman who uses magical plants to her advantage. Harriet spends most of her days in her decaying estate — with a particular focus on her garden — and she doesn’t mind being alone. However, Harriet’s peace is shattered when she marries a man whose intentions are more sinister than he lets on.
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Fortunately, Harriet’s garden is the key to protecting herself from the men around her and reclaiming her independence. A feminist fantasy story that sounds akin to Emilia Hart’s Weyward or H.G. Parry’s The Magician’s Daughter, The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt is poised to deliver a delightfully entertaining read. With December welcoming the cold weather, it also sounds like a great way to immerse oneself in the blossoming plant life of spring.
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6 Wind And Truth By Brandon Sanderson
Release Date: December 5, 2024
Wind and Truth cover art by Michael Whelan
Fans of Brandon Sanderson’s books are eagerly awaiting the next addition to The Stormlight Archive series, which hits shelves on December 5. The much-anticipated conclusion to the first half of the story, Wind and Truth promises a conclusion worthy of the sprawling epic Sanderson has created. It’s also likely to set up future Cosmere books, so those keeping up with Sanderson’s fictional universe won’t want to miss out on this December 2024 release.
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The Stormlight Archive Books In Order |
Release Date |
|---|---|
|
The Way of Kings |
2010 |
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Words of Radiance |
2014 |
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Oathbringer |
2017 |
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Rhythm of War |
2020 |
|
Wind and Truth |
2024 |
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Boasting an impressive 4.71 average Goodreads rating ahead of its release, Wind and Truth may cement T he Stormlight Archive as one of the greatest high fantasy series of all time. It’s also likely to be an emotional ride, as readers won’t return to this world for quite some time. Sanderson has a knack for delivering action-packed, powerful endings, and this book seems poised to continue that trend. December 5 will be a big day for fantasy readers, bringing more than a decade’s worth of storytelling together at long last.
5 A Monsoon Rising By Thea Guanzon
Release Date: December 10, 2024
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Thea Guanzon’s The Hurricane Wars was a TikTok hit in 2023, and its sequel is making its debut in December 2024. Dubbed A Monsoon Rising, the next installment in Guanzon’s romantasy trilogy promises to raise the stakes of this enemies-to-lovers story. Judging by its whopping 4.48 Goodreads rating, it succeeds on that front. A Monsoon Rising will see Talasyn doing a delicate balancing act, playing the role of Alaric’s empress while also working towards his downfall.
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The Hurricane Wars Books In Order |
Release Date |
|---|---|
|
The Hurricane Wars |
2023 |
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A Monsoon Rising |
2024 |
While Talasyn is focused on upending Alaric’s reign, his sights are on a bigger threat — one that requires both of them to work together to defeat it. Blending political tensions with more Earth-shattering conflicts, A Monsoon Rising promises to build on everything introduced in The Hurricane Wars in a satisfying and exciting way. With the stakes steadily rising, it will set the stage for an epic conclusion to Guanzon’s story as well.
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4 North Is The Night By Emily Rath
Release Date: December 17, 2024
Emily Rath is known for her gripping hockey romance books, but her December 2024 release is quite different from her Jacksonville Rays series. North Is the Night is the first novel in Rath’s Tuonela Duet, a fantasy story steeped in Finnish mythology. Pitched for fans of Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher and The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec, Rath’s newest novel promises a dark and lush world to immerse oneself in. Its central narrative also highlights the power of female friendship and resilience in the face of unthinkable change.
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North Is the Night follows Siiri and Aina, two women facing massive amounts of upheaval. Siiri intends to protect Aina from the fallout of all the change, but that promise is tested when a death goddess takes Aina to the underworld of Tuonela. Siiri sets out on a journey to find and save Aina, while Aina must survive her horrible new circumstances until she can find a way home. A novel promising two strong female leads and plenty of thoughtful turns, North Is the Night is a release that must be on fantasy lovers’ radars in December.
3 A Cruel Thirst By Angela Montoya
Release Date: December 17, 2024
Readers looking to snuggle up with a vampire fantasy book this December should look no further than Angela Montoya’s new release, A Cruel Thirst. Hitting shelves on December 17, A Cruel Thirst blends fantasy and romance in a narrative that pairs two unlikely allies together against the monsters threatening their world. Vampire huntress Carolina and young vampire Lalo will both have to overcome their instinctual dislike of one another to get the job done, and that’s the ideal setup for any great fictional partnership.
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Although A Cruel Thirst doesn’t come out until later in the month, its early 4.37 Goodreads rating bodes well for its success. With a stunning cover, a compelling central romance, and a promising plot, this YA fantasy release is a must-read. And with so few vampire books coming out in December, it’s an obvious way to diversify any TBR.
2 Heavenly Tyrant By Xiran Jay Zhao
Release Date: December 24, 2024
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Readers have been asking for Xiran Jay Zhao’s follow-up to Iron Widow since its 2021 release, and after an unfortunate delay, Heavenly Tyrant will finally make its debut this December. The book will pick up on the heels of Zetian seizing power in Huaxia, but her problems aren’t over yet. The sequel will introduce an even greater threat, forcing its heroine to cooperate with her former enemy in order to save the people she cares about most. With its increased stakes, Heavenly Tyrant promises to surpass Iron Widow and take readers on a thrilling ride.
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Iron Widow Books In Order |
Release Date |
|---|---|
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Iron Widow |
2021 |
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Heavenly Tyrant |
2024 |
Of course, topping Iron Widow is no easy feat. But Heavenly Tyrant‘s 4.23 Goodreads rating speaks to its high quality, suggesting that the upcoming sequel will be well worth the wait. It’s certainly an exciting way to end 2024 and ring in the new year: with one of the most-anticipated fantasy novels, not just of 2024, but of recent years overall.
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1 A Sky Of Emerald Stars By A.K. Mulford
Release Date: December 24, 2024
A.K. Mulford’s A River of Golden Bones kicked off the Golden Court series in 2023, and A Sky of Emerald Stars will continue this romantasy trilogy. Picking up where book one left off, A Sky of Emerald Stars continues Calla’s story while introducing a new lead named Sadie. Both are forced to grapple with war and political upheaval, promising high stakes and tensions in this follow-up. A Sky of Emerald Stars also continues to deliver on the themes of self-exploration and self-discovery from the first novel, as well as the gripping romance elements.
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Books In The Golden Court Series In Order |
Release Date |
|---|---|
|
A River of Golden Bones |
2023 |
|
A Sky of Emerald Stars |
2024 |
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A Sky of Emerald Stars doesn’t arrive until December 24, but it’s already getting a positive reception on Goodreads. Those who enjoyed the first installment of Mulford’s series won’t want to skip out on this exciting expansion of the author’s world. And even newcomers should make time to pick up this fantasy series, as it excels in terms of romance, representation, and storytelling.
Source: Goodreads