The Ultimate List of Paranormal Fantasy Books
par·a·nor·mal
For me, the word “paranormal” evokes spooky and eerie vibes, makes me think of magical, powerful beings that are not of this world, supernatural and unexplainable events tied to spirits, signs or mysticism, even things that may go bump in the night and are clairvoyant.
The Oxford Dictionary and Merriam-Webster define “paranormal” as “events or phenomena that are beyond the scope of normal scientific understanding or that are not scientifically explainable”. Synonyms include supernatural, preternatural (I always found this word weird!), and otherworldly. Even the Urban Dictionary describes it as “anything unexplainable by science. Anything supposedly thought to be the figment of [the] imagination which cannot be proved by scientific means.”
In the book world, when you see this tag or category associated with a book title, it typically means you can expect creatures or beings that cannot be explained by our normal standards of real life, just in general, such as Vampires, Witches, or Werewolves; Angels, Demons or Ghosts; even Dragons or other dark, eerie monsters or creatures of legend. And overall, all of these subcategories roll up under the general umbrella of the Fantasy genre.
Epic fantasy is by far my favorite kind of story and this right here, I’ve recently figured out, is my FAVORITE fantasy genre. Ever, ever, ever. That’s right, Paranormal or Supernatural Fantasy! If you’re wondering what fantasy books to read next, look no further! In honor of spooky season, I’ve compiled…
the ultimate book list of paranormal fantasy reads, stand alone and series included!
Because 1. spooky season, obviously and 2. just because it’s the best, best, best and also my favorite! Generally speaking, if you enjoy fantasy plus fantasy with romance, plus fantasy with magic and legendary creatures that do not exist in the real world, plus escaping the real world through epic stories, you are likely going to LOVE this ultimate book list and be interested in almost all of these stories. Basically, if you liked The Mortal Instruments - book, TV show, or movie - or The Vampire Diaries, this will be right up your ally!
Okay, ready? Let’s do this.
The Ultimate Book List of Paranormal Fantasy
I’m covering 50+ books that are all things otherworldly, dark, eerie, mythical and supernatural! This ultimate book list includes fantasy books with demons, fantasy books with witches, fantasy books with dragons, and fantasy books about vampires (plus so much more). Some are fantasy books series and some are fantasy books without sequels. And most are fantasy books with a romance!
I’d also like to note that these are not scary in the creepy Halloween sense by any means. You’ll be able to go to sleep without worrying about creatures forming in your bedroom shadows or watching you while you sleep. They just have elements that may make them feel darker and more mysterious, but not necessarily sinister or like I said unable-to-fall-asleep kind of scary. I promise you’ll be okay!
I’ve also denoted whether the book or series is Young Adult vs. Adult or New Adult and have included links to Goodreads and where you can buy them! Alrighty, I think that should cover it! So, let’s dive in. Here is a comprehensive and ultimate book list of paranormal fantasy.
Blog Contents
The Ones I’ve Read
The Ones I’m Currently Reading or Own
The Series on my tbr
The Stand Alone Books on my TBR
Debuting Later in 2020
In Spookulsion
The Ones That I’ve Read
Fantasy Books with Demons, angels, werewolves, and vampires
The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare
YOUNG ADULT | This is the world of Shadowhunters, demon fighting warriors who are half human, half angel. With an urban fantasy feel, there’s a touch of romance mixed with darkness and all the plot twists you’ll never see coming.
Fallen Series by Lauren Kate
YOUNG ADULT | A retelling of the fall from grace but from the angels perspective. There’s an epic love story and major plot twist that will leave you wanting more!
The Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer
YOUNG ADULT | A bit angsty with an annoying, yet somewhat loveable love triangle, this saga follows Bella, a human, who falls in love with a vampire, Edward. *Consider donating to the Quileute Tribe and learn more about why.
Crescent City Series by Sarah J. Maas
NEW ADULT | An urban fantasy with a murder mystery to solve. There’s angels, demons, werewolves, fae, magic and so much more. Book 1, House of Earth and Blood, is currently published with 2 more known works scheduled to publish in 2021 and 2022.
Blood and Ash Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout
NEW ADULT | It’s also classified on Goodreads as Young Adult, but I would consider this story and it’s characters more on the adult side. We follow Poppy, The Maiden in a paranormal urban fantasy world of The Ascended, a people blessed by the God’s… supposedly. This story has vampires, werewolves, gods and goddesses, my current favorite love story, and feels incredibly mythic. Book 1 and 2, From Blood and Ash and A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire are currently available with Book 3 scheduled to be published in 2021. I even heard that there may be a book 4, but I don’t think that’s set in stone yet!
The Ones That I’m Currently Reading or Own To Read
Fantasy Books with angels, witches, and vampires and those that also feel dark + eerie
Serpent & Dove Series by Shelby Mahurin | YOUNG ADULT (some also classify as Adult on Goodreads)
The Nevernight Chronicles by Jay Kristoff | YOUNG ADULT (some also classify as Adult on Goodreads)
Daughter of Smoke and Bone Series by Laini Taylor | YOUNG ADULT
Fable Series by Adrienne Young | YOUNG ADULT
Legacy of Orïsha Series by Tomi Adeyemi | YOUNG ADULT
The Series That Are On My TBR
Fantasy Books with angels, witches, dragons, and vampires
Hush, Hush Series by Becca Fitzpatrick | YOUNG ADULT
Beautiful Creatures Series by Jamie McGuire | YOUNG ADULT
The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare | YOUNG ADULT
The Beautiful Series by Renée Ahdieh | YOUNG ADULT
Crave Series by Tracy Wolfe | YOUNG ADULT
The Dark Elements by Jennifer L. Armentrout | YOUNG ADULT
Bargainer Series by Laura Thalassa | NEW ADULT
The Dark Artifices by Cassandra Clare | YOUNG ADULT
Wraith Kings Series by Grace Draven | NEW ADULT
Bone Grace Series by Kathryn Purdie | YOUNG ADULT
The Locked Tomb Series by Tamsyn Muir | ADULT
The Last Hours Series by Cassandra Clare | YOUNG ADULT
Courting Darkness Duology by Robin LaFevers | YOUNG ADULT
Alex Stern Series by Leigh Bardugo | ADULT
The Vine Witch Series by Luanne G. Smith | ADULT
Monsters of Verity Series by Victoria Schwab | YOUNG ADULT
Glimmer Lake Series by Elizabeth Hunter | ADULT
The Harbinger Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout | YOUNG ADULT
Guardians of the Maiden Series by Beck Michaels | YOUNG ADULT
Flameskin Chronicles by Camille Longley | YOUNG ADULT
The Burning Series by Evan Winter | ADULT
The Caraval Series by Stephanie Garber | YOUNG ADULT
A Secret in Onyx Series by Jessica Florence | NEW ADULT
The Lost Queen Trilogy by Signe Pike | ADULT
Hades & Persephone Series by Scarlett St. Clair | NEW ADULT
The Hades Trials Series by Eliza Raine, Rose Wilson | NEW ADULT
Charlie Travesty Series by Jessi Elliott | NEW ADULT
All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness | ADULT
The Stand Alone Books On My TBR
Fantasy Books with angels, witches, ghosts, dragons, and vampires
The Year of the Witching by Alexis Hendersen | YOUNG ADULT
The Shadow Between Us by Tricia Levenseller | YOUNG ADULT
Sorcery of Thorns by Renée Ahdieh | YOUNG ADULT
House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig | YOUNG ADULT
The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones | YOUNG ADULT
Winterwood by Shea Ernshaw | YOUNG ADULT
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix | ADULT
Home Before Dark by Riley Sager | ADULT
Ghost Wood Song by Erica Waters | YOUNG ADULT
The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones | ADULT
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas | YOUNG ADULT
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab | ADULT
The Roaring by Lindsey Duga | YOUNG ADULT
Opium and Absinthe by Lydia Kang | ADULT
The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw | YOUNG ADULT
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern | YOUNG ADULT (some also classify as Adult on Goodreads)
Debuting Later in 2020 (and also on my TBR!)
Fantasy Books with witches
The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow (Expected publication: October 13th 2020) | ADULT
These Violent Delights Series by Chloe Gong (Expected publication: November 17th 2020) | YOUNG ADULT
Kingdom of the Wicked Series by Kerri Maniscalco (Expected publication: October 27th 2020) | YOUNG ADULT
Scholomance Series by Naomi Novik (Expected publication: September 29th 2020) | YOUNG ADULT
The Midnight Bargain by C.L. Polk (Expected publication: October 13th 2020) | ADULT
In Spookulsion…
What did you think?! Have you read any of these? Are they are on your TBR?
I hope you found this blog helpful in growing your TBR list!!
What other books are you reading for spooky season and think should be on this list!?
If you’re looking for fantasy recs, check out one of my TBR blogs covering 35 Fantasy Book Series That I Want To Read!
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Hey y'all, 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.
