The 16 Best Fantasy Novels of the 2000s

Grimdark antiheroes, sprawling magic systems, and beloved wizards-for-hire — the decade that reshaped modern fantasy is all here. Cast your vote!

1

The Name of the Wind

Patrick Rothfuss's 2007 debut following the legendary arcanist Kvothe recounting his own life.

1000pts

2

Anansi Boys

Neil Gaiman's 2005 comic fantasy following the sons of the trickster spider-god Anansi.

685pts

3

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

J.K. Rowling's 2007 finale to the blockbuster wizarding saga of Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

685pts

4

The Curse of Chalion

Lois McMaster Bujold's 2001 court fantasy of a broken soldier entangled in a divine curse.

645pts

5

Deadhouse Gates

Steven Erikson's 2000 Malazan epic chronicling a harrowing continent-spanning refugee march.

599pts

6

The Blade Itself

Joe Abercrombie's 2006 grimdark opener that subverts classic fantasy archetypes with brutal wit.

599pts

7

American Gods

Neil Gaiman's 2001 modern myth in which old and new gods wage war across America.

599pts

8

A Storm of Swords

George R.R. Martin's 2000 third Song of Ice and Fire volume, famed for its shocking twists.

545pts

9

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

Susanna Clarke's 2004 novel of rival magicians reviving English magic in the Napoleonic era.

545pts

10

The Amber Spyglass

Philip Pullman's 2000 finale to His Dark Materials, spanning multiple worlds and warring angels.

545pts

11

The Lies of Locke Lamora

Scott Lynch's 2006 caper about a band of con-artist thieves in a Venice-like city.

479pts

12

Storm Front

Jim Butcher's 2000 debut launching the Dresden Files, a wizard-detective noir set in Chicago.

479pts

13

Coraline

Neil Gaiman's 2002 dark children's fantasy about a girl who finds a sinister parallel home.

479pts

14

Going Postal

Terry Pratchett's 2004 Discworld satire about a con man forced to revive a derelict post office.

479pts

15

Mistborn: The Final Empire

Brandon Sanderson's 2006 heist epic with a metal-based magic system under a dark lord's reign.

399pts

16

Elantris

Brandon Sanderson's 2005 standalone debut set in a once-magical city now fallen to ruin.

399pts