Reddit's Top Fantasy Books of 2025 (And the Shocking Upsets!)

Top Fantasy & Sci-Fi Novels of 2025 – Reddit's Mega List Breakdown

Once a year, the collective hive mind of r/Fantasy blesses us with one of the most fascinating snapshots of modern genre taste — their Top Fantasy Books of the Year list. And the 2025 edition? Let’s just say… it’s full of surprises. Some expected. Others? Wild enough to make your jaw drop harder than a Mistborn in freefall.

Let’s break it all down — the risers, the fallers, the icons, and the internet darlings that turned into legends.

Big Risers, Bold Predictions

Okay, let’s start with the one that’s got everyone talking: Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman skyrocketed up the charts, landing at an incredible #17. That’s a 103-spot leap, folks. I called this. I locked this. And Carl delivered like a man in power armor drop-kicking a kaiju through a vending machine.

This series, which blends hilarious absurdity with real emotional depth, has been gaining serious steam — and Reddit officially took notice. It’s the biggest glow-up in this year’s list, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it breaks Top 10 next year.

The Fall of Sanderson?

Let’s address the Stormlight-sized chasm in the room.

For years, Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive held the crown at #1. But this year, Wind and Truth sparked mixed reactions, and for the first time in half a decade, Stormlight dropped to #4. Not out of the fight by any means, but a noticeable shift.

Some fans felt the fifth installment was the "shakiest" yet, and while the book still had plenty of signature Sanderson brilliance, the community’s vote feels like a collective “meh” after years of sheer hype.

That said, Sanderson’s reach is still massive. Mistborn remained strong at #8, and “The Cosmere” even had its own entry — but it’s worth wondering: has the honeymoon period started to fade?

Middle-Earth Reclaims the Throne

Cue the Howard Shore music — Tolkien’s Middle-Earth is back at #1.

After years of Sanderson dominance, it’s fitting that the OG high fantasy heavyweight reclaimed the top spot. Maybe it’s nostalgia. Maybe it’s the Amazon show (despite its controversies). Or maybe, just maybe, The Lord of the Rings still slaps. Whatever the reason, Middle-Earth reminded everyone why it’s the GOAT.

First Law's Huge Climb

Joe Abercrombie’s First Law series surged to #2, which, to be honest, felt inevitable. His consistent output, strong word-of-mouth, and gritty yet emotionally satisfying storytelling make him a fan favorite — especially among the grimdark crowd.

I predicted he’d be top 3, and it feels like the era of Abercrombie dominance is officially here. You love to see it.

Declines and Disappointments

Every year has its heartbreaks. A few notable drops:

• Kingkiller Chronicle continues to slide, falling to #18. Still hanging in, but the lack of Doors of Stone (and maybe the growing fandom fatigue) is taking a toll.
• Discworld held steady at #9, but for some of us, that’s still too low. Pratchett stans, rise up.
• The Dresden Files dropped again, now resting at #28. A far cry from its Top 10 days.

And surprisingly, even hot-topic authors like RF Kuang saw dips — The Poppy War dropped, reflecting r/Fantasy’s ongoing mixed feelings about her work.

Series That Shined

• Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee stayed solid in the Top 10, which feels absolutely deserved. If you haven't read this masterpiece of modern fantasy gang warfare, fix that.
• Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb cracked Top 5, a huge moment for one of the most beloved, quietly devastating fantasy series ever written. With Hobb teasing new projects, the hype is real.
• The Wandering Inn at #22 — Web fiction is officially mainstream now. What a time to be alive.

Reddit Trends & What They Tell Us

This list isn’t just a popularity contest. It’s a pulse check on modern fantasy. What r/Fantasy loves is often what drives reading trends across BookTube, BookTok, and beyond. And some clear takeaways from this year’s list:

• Romantic fantasy remains underrepresented, despite its popularity elsewhere. Sarah J. Maas fans, your time is not now (at least on Reddit).
• Sci-fi crossovers like Sun Eater and Hyperion still thrive, but pure sci-fi is slipping.
• Web serials and indie fantasy (Sword of Kaigen, Cradle) are gaining serious respect.
• Classic fantasy isn’t dead — Tolkien, Hobb, Le Guin, and even Frank Herbert still dominate the upper echelons.

Predictions for 2026

Lock it in:

• Dungeon Crawler Carl breaks the Top 10
• First Law takes #1
• Piranesi (Susanna Clarke) finally hits Top 10
• Hierarchy Series climbs even higher

Reddit’s taste is evolving, but what remains true is this: fans love stories that leave an emotional impact, whether it’s epic, funny, heartbreaking, or all three.

Reddit’s Top Fantasy Books of 2025 gave us chaos, Carl, and comebacks — and we’re absolutely here for it.

Keep your TBR stacked with more rankings, recaps, and nerdy book debates at Land of Geek Magazine!

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