25 Fall Fantasy Books To Cozy Up With This Season
Fall Fantasy Books
September is here which means that crisp, cooler, autumn weather is on its way! I love this time of year. Being cozy is kind of my natural state of mind, so when the temps drop, the sun sets early, and it’s bonfire season, I am in heaven! Curling up by the fire, inside or out, with a hot beverage in hand and the perfect fall read is one of my favorite past times. And definitely give me all the books that complement the season!! From witches & demons to mysteries and eerie and hauntingly atmospheric tales and some light horror, you’ll definitely want to add some of these to your fall TBR. Check out my list of 25 fall fantasy books to cozy up with this season.
Blog Contents
YOUNG ADULT FALL BOOKS - standalones
Young adult fall books - series
adult/new adult fall books - standalones
adult/new adult fall books - series
Young Adult Fall Fantasy Books — Standalones
From fairy tale retellings and witches to gothic atmospheric mysteries, check out this list for the best young adult fantasy books to curl up with this fall season! This first section contains standalone books and I’ve also denoted a little bit more about each book below its title. The book descriptions (“About The Book”) come directly from Goodreads!
Small Favors by Erin A. Craig
CATEGORIES: Paranormal/Horror, Rumplestiltskin Retelling, Mystery
Winterwood by Shea Ernshaw
CATEGORIES: Paranormal, Witches, Romance, Mystery
This was such a beautiful tale! I just finished it myself and can’t stop thinking about it. Check out my little review on Instagram here!
Dark and Shallow Lies by Ginny Myers Sain
CATEGORIES: Paranormal, Supernatural, Mystery
I just finished this book and WOW. I loved it!! A paranormal fantasy x mysterious thriller?! The plot twists had me reeling!
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
CATEGORIES: Urban Fantasy, LGBTQIA+, Paranormal, Ghosts
I read this last fall and adored it! It’s super cozy and mysterious, with the perfect paranormal and supernatural elements for the season.
The Orphan Witch by Paige Crutcher
CATEGORIES: Supernatural, Witches + Magic, Romance
This one will be released on September 28, 2021! I’ve got it on preorder and I can’t wait for it to arrive.
House of Salt & Sorrows by Erin A. Craig
CATEGORIES: Retellings, Horror/Mystery, Romance
I’ve been meaning to read this since last summer! It’s on my list for this fall and I can’t wait to pick it up. This is a retelling of The Brothers' Grimm tale of The Twelve Dancing Princesses!!
The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin
CATEGORIES: Witches, Urban Fantasy, Romance
The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw
CATEGORIES: Paranormal, Witches, Romance, Mystery
House of Hollows by Krystal Sutherland
CATEGORIES: Paranormal, Horror/Thriller, Magical Realism
Crossbones by Kimberly Vale
CATEGORIES: Paranormal, Pirates, Romance
Young Adult Fall Fantasy Books — Series
Next up, we’ve got the best young adult fall fantasy book series! From historical fiction thrillers and romances to paranormal mysteries with gothic vibes and monsters, this list is sure to give you the spoops. I’ve also provided more info about each book below its title. The book descriptions (“About The Book”) are still coming directly from Goodreads!
Stalking Jack The Ripper Series by Kerri Maniscalco
CATEGORIES: Historical Fiction, Thriller, Romance
About The Series
Between social teas and silk dress fittings, Audrey Rose Wadsworth leads a secret life studying corpses in the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. A string of ghastly corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer as she searches for the identity of Jack the Ripper.
This is only the beginning of Audrey's life-shattering journey. Soon, she's drawn deeper into the captivatingly gruesome world of bizarre murders. As Audrey finds herself in the castle of Dracula himself, and then face-to-face with the one and only Houdini, she discovers that love and death go hand in hand, and there's something irresistible about the charming Thomas Cresswell who accompanies her.
Shocking, blood-soaked discoveries will take Audrey and Thomas across the seas from London to America, where they find themselves dangerously lost in the infamous Murder Hotel. Will Audrey Rose and Thomas see their last mystery to the end-together and in love-or will their fortunes finally run out when their most depraved adversary makes one final, devastating kill?
Kingdom of the Wicked Series by Kerri Maniscalco
CATEGORIES: Paranormal, Witches + Demons, Romance
I read Kingdom of the Wicked shortly after it came out last year and it was one of my favorites. So atmospheric and haunting and mysterious. You'll have one thousand and one theories after you finish! Book 2 is set to release on October 5th in just a couple of weeks!
About The Series
Two sisters.
One brutal murder.
A quest for vengeance that will unleash Hell itself…
And an intoxicating romance.
Two sinful princes.
Infinite deception with a side of revenge…Welcome to Hell.
*Book 3 - not actual cover. personally made as a placeholder for this blog.
The Beautiful Series by Renée Ahdieh
CATEGORIES: Supernatural, Vampires/Witches/Werewolves, Mystery, Romance
About The Series
At once a sultry romance and a thrilling murder mystery, master storyteller Renée Ahdieh embarks on her most potent fantasy series yet: The Beautiful.
book 1 blurb
In 1872, New Orleans is a city ruled by the dead. But to seventeen-year-old Celine Rousseau, New Orleans provides her a refuge after she's forced to flee her life as a dressmaker in Paris. Taken in by the sisters of the Ursuline convent along with six other girls, Celine quickly becomes enamored with the vibrant city from the music to the food to the soirées and—especially—to the danger. She soon becomes embroiled in the city's glitzy underworld, known as La Cour des Lions, after catching the eye of the group's leader, the enigmatic Sébastien Saint Germain. When the body of one of the girls from the convent is found in the lair of La Cour des Lions, Celine battles her attraction to him and suspicions about Sébastien's guilt along with the shame of her own horrible secret.
When more bodies are discovered, each crime more gruesome than the last, Celine and New Orleans become gripped by the terror of a serial killer on the loose—one Celine is sure has set her in his sights . . . and who may even be the young man who has stolen her heart. As the murders continue to go unsolved, Celine takes matters into her own hands and soon uncovers something even more shocking: an age-old feud from the darkest creatures of the underworld reveals a truth about Celine she always suspected simmered just beneath the surface.
*Book 4 - not actual cover. personally made as a placeholder for this blog.
Ember of Night Series by Molly E. Lee
CATEGORIES: Paranormal, Angels + Demons, Urban fantasy
Shadow of Light, book 2, is coming on November 30, 2021.
About The Series
Book 1 Blurb
I’ve never been a stranger to the darkness. But when darkness comes knocking and looks that good, who wouldn’t invite him in?
Draven is mysterious, evasive, and hot as sin. The only thing more infuriating than how much he won’t say is how obnoxious he is every time he does open his mouth. But when a group of strangers attacks me and he fights back, causing them to vanish into a cloud of black dust, I know Draven is more than he seems.
He finally shows me there’s a veil separating the world I know from a world of demons living all around us. Turns out, good and evil are just words. Some of the demons don’t fall into either category. And I’m realizing just how easily I fit in among the ancient warlocks, the divine soldiers, and the twisted supernaturals...
There’s so much more to me. To my past. And to what I am truly capable of than I ever thought possible. So when all signs point to me having the ability to unleash Hell on earth? I’ll have to decide if I want to do the world a solid and save it, or give it one hell of a makeover.
Caraval Series by Stephanie Garber
CATEGORIES: Mystery, Paranormal, Ghosts, Romance
About The Series
Welcome, welcome to the world of Caraval—Stephanie Garber's sweeping tale of the unbreakable bond between two sisters and the game that is more than what it seems…
book 1 blurb
A legendary competition.
A mesmerizing romance.
An unbreakable bond
between two sisters.
Scarlett Dragna has never left the tiny island where she and her sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval—the faraway, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show—are over.
But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt-of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.
Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. Nevertheless, she becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic. And whether Caraval is real or not, Scarlett must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over or a dangerous domino effect of consequences will be set off, and her beloved sister will disappear forever.
Welcome, welcome to Caraval . . . beware of getting swept too far away.
Lakesedge Series by Lyndall Clipstone
CATEGORIES: Gothic/Horror/Paranormal, Fantasy Romance, Monsters
Lakesedge is set to release on September 28, 2021 this fall!
About The Series
A lush gothic fantasy about monsters and magic, set on the banks of a cursed lake. Perfect for fans of Naomi Novik and Brigid Kemmerer.
book 1 blurb
There are monsters in the world.
When Violeta Graceling arrives at haunted Lakesedge estate, she expects to find a monster. She knows the terrifying rumors about Rowan Sylvanan, who drowned his entire family when he was a boy. But neither the estate nor the monster are what they seem.
There are monsters in the woods.
As Leta falls for Rowan, she discovers he is bound to the Lord Under, the sinister death god lurking in the black waters of the lake. A creature to whom Leta is inexplicably drawn…
There’s a monster in the shadows, and now it knows my name.
Now, to save Rowan—and herself—Leta must confront the darkness in her past, including unraveling the mystery of her connection to the Lord Under.
Adult & New Adult Fall Books — Standalones
Ah and now onto the best adult and new adult fantasy books to cozy up with this fall! This first section focuses on standalones and has got more witches and all the mysterious and dark and gothic vibes. Descriptions are again pulled from Goodreads and I’ve listed additional genres and categories below each title!
Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
CATEGORIES: Historical Fiction, Supernatural, Magic, Dark, Mystery, Romance
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
CATEGORIES: Gothic Mystery, Historical Fiction, Horror/Thriller
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
CATEGORIES: Paranormal, Magical Realism, Romance
The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow
CATEGORIES: Historical Fiction, Paranormal, Witches
Adult & New Adult Fall Books — Series
And now the adult and new adult series! YESSSS. We’re still focusing on the best ones to cozy up with this fall and get ready for witches, demons, magic, a haunting fairy tale retelling, an actual haunting, and a lusciously gothic forbidden romance. All book descriptions are from Goodreads and check out those additional genres below each title. Enjoy!
Tales of Weeping Hollowing by Nicole Fiorina
CATEGORIES: New Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Witches
Each book is a tale about a different character, so each could be considered standalone, but within the same world, among the same set of characters. I read Hollow Heathens earlier this year, and just wow. There’s really nothing like it! Check out my review here. There’s also a YA version of Hollow Heathens available, and the NA version can also be found on Kindle Unlimited. Book 2, Bone Island, is coming fall/winter of 2021.
About The Series
book 1 blurb
A forbidden, timeless, and haunting love story.
Once upon a time, there lived a girl named Fallon who was taken far away from home shortly after she was born.
A home that held more than strange traditions and bizarre superstitions.
Twenty-four years later, she returned to Weeping Hollow, a town she’d only heard about in stories during restless nights under a marble moon, in the middle of the night to take care of her last living relative.
They called the nosy mortician a freakshow–a ghastly thing.
They said I couldn’t go near her.
Still, there was this aching pull to Fallon Grimaldi that I couldn’t escape.
A nostalgic pull as if we’d been here before.
Once upon a time, there lived a mysterious boy named Julian with a curse as old as centuries wrapped around his soul.
He was one of the four Hollow Heathens, the very dark creatures who caused the town’s people to live in fear.
And the Blackwell name was stained with darkness and death.
They called him a monster. Cold and hollow.
They said I shouldn’t go near him.
Still, there was this aching pull to Julian Blackwell that I couldn’t escape.
A nostalgic pull as if we’d been here before.
Crystal Bloom Series by Sarah A. Parker
CATEGORIES: New Adult, Fae, Paranormal, Rapunzel Retelling
I’ve been screaming about this series since I read book 1 in August. It was AMAZING! So much angst, so much emotion, all the secrets, and just an all-around cozy, gothic read. If you are a romantasy fan, you need to go ahead and pick this up ASAP. Book 2 is coming so soon, and you can snag book 1 on Kindle Unlimited, too!
About The Series
To Bleed a Crystal Bloom is a dark Rapunzel reimagining full of immersive imagery and breathtaking angst. A unique new fantasy series perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout, guaranteed to grip you from the very first page.
book 1 blurb
What a pretty flower to keep locked in a big, rocky tower.
Nineteen years ago, I was plucked from the heart of a bloody massacre that spared nobody else.
Small. Fragile.
An enigma.
Now ward to a powerful High Master who knows too much and says too little, I lead a simple life, never straying from the confines of an imaginary line I've drawn around the castle grounds.
Stay within. Never leave.
Out there, the monsters lurk. Inside, I'm safe ... though at a cost far greater than the blood I drip into a goblet daily.
Toxic, unreciprocated love for a man who's utterly unavailable.
My savior. My protector.
My almost executioner.
I can't help but be enamored with the arcane man who holds the power to pull my roots from the ground.
When voracious beasts spill across the land and threaten to fray the fabric of my tailored existence, the petals of reality will peel back to reveal an ugly truth. But in a castle puddled with secrets, none are greater than the one I've kept from myself.
No tower is tall enough to protect me from the horror that tore my life to shreds.
The Demon Queen Trials Series by C.N. Crawford
CATEGORIES: New Adult, Demons, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
About The Series
"I flew through this book... Hot demon lord—check, action—check, romance—check. And there's spice! If you love my books, you definitely want to read this one." — Laura Thalassa
book 1 blurb
I never thought I'd be singing happy birthday to myself in a dungeon. And yet when a sinfully sexy demon crashes happy hour, that's exactly what happens. He’s known as the Lord of Chaos, he’s mistaken me for my succubus doppelgänger.
Happy birthday to me.
When he tastes my blood, he finally understands I’m mortal. And I realize we have something in common: we both crave revenge. So we make a deal: I can stay in the forbidden city to hunt for my mom's killer. In return, I’ll help him get the vengeance he craves. I just have to pose as a sexy succubus. One problem--he's my number one suspect.
And that’s increasingly hard to remember as he teaches me my role: seduction. With each heated touch I drift further into peril. And if I fall under his seductive spell, death awaits me.
Practical Magic Series by Alice Hoffman
CATEGORIES: Adult, Magical Realism, Witches, Romance, Paranormal
Magic Lessons and The Rules of Magic are both novellas to the main series which starts at Practical Magic. Book 2 is coming out in October!
About The Series
The Owens sisters confront the challenges of life and love in this bewitching novel from New York Times bestselling author Alice Hoffman.
book 1 blurb (practical magic)
For more than two hundred years, the Owens women have been blamed for everything that has gone wrong in their Massachusetts town. Gillian and Sally have endured that fate as well: as children, the sisters were forever outsiders, taunted, talked about, pointed at. Their elderly aunts almost seemed to encourage the whispers of witchery, with their musty house and their exotic concoctions and their crowd of black cats. But all Gillian and Sally wanted was to escape.
One will do so by marrying, the other by running away. But the bonds they share will bring them back—almost as if by magic...
Bethel Series by Alexis Henderson
CATEGORIES: Adult, Historical Fiction, Witches, Paranormal, Horror
Book 2, The Dawn of the Coven, is on the way! The release date is set at December 9, 2021, but no cover yet!
About The Series
A young woman living in a rigid, puritanical society discovers dark powers within herself in this stunning, feminist fantasy debut.
book 1 blurb
In the lands of Bethel, where the Prophet’s word is law, Immanuelle Moore’s very existence is blasphemy. Her mother’s union with an outsider of a different race cast her once-proud family into disgrace, so Immanuelle does her best to worship the Father, follow Holy Protocol, and lead a life of submission, devotion, and absolute conformity, like all the other women in the settlement.
But a mishap lures her into the forbidden Darkwood surrounding Bethel, where the first prophet once chased and killed four powerful witches. Their spirits are still lurking there, and they bestow a gift on Immanuelle: the journal of her dead mother, who Immanuelle is shocked to learn once sought sanctuary in the wood.
Fascinated by the secrets in the diary, Immanuelle finds herself struggling to understand how her mother could have consorted with the witches. But when she begins to learn grim truths about the Church and its history, she realizes the true threat to Bethel is its own darkness. And she starts to understand that if Bethel is to change, it must begin with her.
The Haunting of Beatrix Greene Series by Rachel Hawkins, Ash Parsons, Vicky Alvear Schecter
CATEGORIES: Supernatural, Gothic/Horror Mystery, Historical Fiction
So, I’m not sure the plan for this “series”, but this first installment is called episode 1 and it’s a super shorty, but goodie haunting. I loved it. I spent my Halloween day last year reading it and definitely hope there’s more to come!
About The Series
episode 1 blurb
In Victorian England, a savvy spiritual medium must outsmart the most important client of her career: a scientist determined to expose frauds like her.
But their game of wits has fatal consequences when a vengeful spirit answers their summons. If they cannot put aside their prejudices—and growing passion—and find a way to banish the ghost together, one of them could be its next victim.
What books are on your TBR for this fall?
Check out more of my recent book recs below, especially my favorite paranormal fantasy romances that are perfect for spooktober!
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I’m Leah! Cozy connoisseur and bountiful book buyer. I have a minor obsession with getting lost in the pages of a good book, guzzling coffee, and thriving at home. Yoga pants, wine, and essential oils are also my jam. I'm truly just a homebody at heart with a knack for content creation, flatlays & cozy shots. This is my creative space.
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