The 20 Best Fantasy Books Like The Witcher Saga

With a popular video game and hit Netflix series, almost everyone has at least heard of The Witcher. But this fantasy world was gracing bookshelves long before it came to life on screen. Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski wrote the brilliant book saga in the 1990s. 

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The 20 Best Fantasy Books Like The Witcher Saga

If you’ve read the series, you know how quickly this fantastical world and riveting characters capture your imagination. It is surprisingly lighthearted in tone for a tale filled with sorcery, mythical creatures, monster hunters, and war. The witty banter and deep connections between the characters deliver an emotional yet funny story of humanity amidst the sword-wielding battles and monsters.

Andrzej Sapkowski created a must-read series for any fantasy fan, but there are plenty of fantasy books with similar themes and elements if you’ve already finished The Witcher. Read on to discover the 20 best fantasy books like The Witcher saga.

The 20 Best Fantasy Books Like The Witcher Saga

The Red Knight (The Traitor Son Cycle #1) by Miles Cameron

The Red Knight (The Traitor Son Cycle, 1)

Miles Cameron is the pen name of prolific author Christian Cameron, which he uses for his fantasy novels. The Red Knight is the first book in his debut fantasy series, The Traitor Son Cycle.

The Red Knight (a.k.a. Captain) and his mercenaries are hired to protect an Abbess and her nunnery from a monster. Little does Captain know that defending the fortress is more than just another job: it’s the tipping point for war.

The phenomenal world-building and intricate story will enthrall fans of The Witcher saga. Buy The Red Knight here.  

Assassin’s Apprentice (The Farseer Trilogy #1) by Robin Hobb

ASSASSINS APPRENTICE PB

Award-winning fantasy writer Robin Hobb has been writing professionally for over 30 years, but she is best known for her work The Farseer Trilogy, a perfect pick for any fan of The Witcher.

In the first book, Assassin’s Apprentice, you’ll meet royal bastard Fitz, who possesses the Wit, a magical link with animals. Unlike other magic, the Wit is despised by nobility. So Fitz is forced to give up his gift when he enters the royal household to train to become a royal assassin.

Robin Hobb delivers a unique, action-packed world full of intense, emotional moments. Buy a copy here.

The Rage of Dragons (The Burning #1) by Evan Winters

The Rage of Dragons (The Burning, 1)

Named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time, The Rage of Dragons by award-winning author Evan Winter is the first book in The Burning series.

Some of the Omehi people are born gifted. One in every hundred men can become more powerful and more deadly, while one in every two thousand women can summon dragons. These are the lucky ones in the hopeless war the Omehi people have been fighting for almost two hundred years. Everyone else will die, including Tau, who plans to escape. But before he can, a betrayal leads to the death of those he’s closest to, so Tau does the impossible: he becomes the greatest swordsman ever to live.

Don’t miss this thrilling fantasy series. Buy a copy of The Rage of Dragons here to get started.

The Monster of Elendhaven by Jennifer Giesbrecht

The Monster of Elendhaven

This debut novel from author Jennifer Giesbrecht is an equally captivating and horrifying book that fans of dark fantasy will sink their teeth into.

Nominated for the Goodreads 2019 Best Horror, this book follows the story of Johann, a murderous monster in the plague-ridden city of Elendhaven. When Johann first meets Florian, he plans to kill him, but Florian has powers of his own, and Johann finds himself under the man’s spell. Now Florian is using Johann to get revenge on those who wronged him,

This gothic horror of a novel is the perfect quick read after you finish The Witcher. Get a copy here.

Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones

Wintersong: A Novel (Wintersong, 1)

New York Times bestselling author S. Jae-Jones debuted onto the literary scene with Wintersong, a gripping fantasy novel steeped in magic, music, and romance.

Liesl grew up with tales of the Goblin King, stories that inspired and captivated her throughout her young life. But now that she’s eighteen, she must trade her childhood fantasies for the responsibilities of helping her family run their inn. But then the Goblin King takes her sister, and Liesl must embark on a trek to the Underground to save her.

This exquisite coming-of-age tale is perfect for fans of The Witcher. Purchase a copy here.

Fledgling by Octavia Butler

Fledgling

You know it will be a fantastic story when it’s written by Hugo and Nebula award-winning author Octavia Butler. In her fantasy novel Fledgling, she spins a masterfully plotted yarn filled with darkness and humanity.  

Although Shori appears to be ten, she’s actually a 53-year-old vampire who wakes up in a cave burned, blind, and amnesiac. Now she’s on a mission to remember who she is and why someone attempted to kill her.

Buy a copy of Fledgling here.

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

Spinning Silver: A Novel

Acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Naomi Novik brings you Spinning Silver, a phenomenal and vivid spin on Rumpelstiltskin, perfect for any reader who enjoyed The Witcher saga.

Determined to keep her family out of poverty, Miryem takes over the collection of debts for her money-lending father, landing her the reputation of being able to turn silver into gold. But when the king of the Staryk gets wind of her, she’s challenged with the impossible, leading her into a plot of deadly choices and a quest for power and love.

Buy this atmospheric and enchanting tale here.

City of Lies (The Poison Wars #1) by Sam Hawke

City of Lies

Sam Hawke’s debut novel, City of Lies, has won numerous awards and is a must-read for all fans of The Witcher.

Young noble siblings Jovan and Kalina live in the city-state Silastra. Jovan is an apprentice poison master and assistant to Tain, the nephew and heir to the Chancellor. When the Chancellor is mysteriously poisoned at the same time an army attacks Silastra, it is up to Jovan and Kalina to protect Tain and save their city-state.  

This fantastic book explores gender, disability, class, and race issues while enveloping readers in a fantastical world of mystery and suspense. You can get a copy here.

Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James

Black Leopard, Red Wolf (The Dark Star Trilogy)

In Black Leopard, Red Wolf, New York Times bestselling author Marlon James brings you a rich and captivating fantasy novel that will stay with you long after you finish.

Tracker is a man who lives up to his name: A skilled hunter who works alone. But when he’s charged with finding a boy who’s been missing for three years, he ends up with a motley crew of characters to help. As he tracks the boy, he and his crew find themselves being hunted, leading Tracker to ask questions about who the boy is and why some people want to ensure he’s not found.   

Black Leopard, Red Wolf was named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time and won the L.A. Times Ray Bradbury Prize. Buy your copy here.  

Queen of the Conquered (Islands of Blood and Storm #1) by Kacen Callender

Queen of the Conquered (Islands of Blood and Storm, 1)

Another one of TIME’s Best Fantasy Books of All Time, Queen of the Conquered by Kacen Callender will be beloved by anyone who couldn’t get enough of The Witcher saga.

In the wake of a massacre by colonizers, a young Sigourney Rose became the sole survivor of noble lineage of the Hans Lollik islands. Now she is ready for revenge, and she will use her power to control minds to do it. But she soon finds she and the ruling families are the targets of dangerous magic being used to wipe them all out, and it’s up to Sigourney to stop it.

This brutal and haunting novel is available here.

Hawkspar: A Novel of Korre by Holly Lisle

HAWKSPAR

This gripping fantasy novel by master world-builder Holly Lisle will keep you intrigued and on the edge of your seat until the end.

Hawkspar is the Oracle of War, the most powerful of the avatars of the stone Eyes. She can see into the past and the future and the secrets and evil of the Eyes. Before she dies, another avatar must be chosen, but Hawspar has a plan to help free the enslaved and destroy the Eyes.

Buy a copy of Hawkspar: A Novel of Korre here.

Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames

Kings of the Wyld (The Band, 1)

A band of retired mercenaries plus an impossible mission equals one gritty and epic tale in this debut novel from Ontario-born writer Nicholas Eames.  

Gabriel’s daughter, Rose, has a natural talent for her dad’s former occupation as a mercenary. So it’s no surprise when she answers the call for mercenaries from the Republic of Castia to confront a horde of monsters. But then she’s trapped in a siege, and her only hope might be her father, hellbent on getting his old gang of mercenaries back together.

This award-winning epic fantasy has all the elements of a great fantasy novel. Get it here.

Mystic and Rider (Twelve Houses #1) by Sharon Shinn

Mystic and Rider (The Twelve Houses, Book 1)

Sharon Shinn is a prolific writer with several fantasy books to her name. Mystic and Rider is the first of the five-book series Twelve Houses and is sure to be a favorite for readers who enjoyed The Witcher.

Fire mystic Senneth is on a reconnaissance mission in the southern provinces of Gillengaria for the king, who fears treachery in the area. She travels with two shape changers, Kirra and C+Donnal, a young mystic, Cammon, and two of the King’s Riders, Justin and Tayse. The more places they visit, the more they find disturbing evidence of devious plots and fanaticism for the anti-mystic religion of the Pale Goddess.

Get this outstanding fantasy book here.

Camber of Culdi (The Legends of Camber of Culdi #1) by Katherine Kurtz

Camber of Culdi

New York Times bestselling author Katherine Kurtz delivers a rich medieval historical fantasy filled with magic and mysticism in her novel Camber of Culdi.

The Deryni are a magical race of the Gwynedd Kingdom. Under the rule of King Imre, the human population of Gwynedd is oppressed, a fact that weighs heavily on Camber, a Deryni noble. Though he has little choice but to serve the Festils, the Deryni tyrants who came to power through the use of dark magic, after the unimaginable death of his son, he embarks on a quest to find the last true heir to the throne.

Purchase this masterfully written novel here.

Jirel of Joiry by C.L. Moore

Jirel of Joiry (Golden Age Masterworks)

Jirel of Joiry is the phenomenal medieval fantasy novel from Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Famer C.L. Moore, sure to be a favorite of fans of The Witcher saga.

The land of Joiry has just been conquered by Guillaume, who has the Joiry commander brought before him. Surprised to find it is Lady Jirel, a woman, he has Jirel thrown into the dungeons. But, using her strength and cunning, she is soon free from captivity and goes to the chapel to find Father Gervase. Despite his warnings against it, Jivel reveals her plans to descend a secret staircase into the hellish world to find a weapon worthy of her revenge.

This dynamic and rousing fantasy novel of the pulp era can be purchased here.

The Ladies of Mandrigyn (Sun Wolf and Starhawk #1) by Barbara Hambly

The Ladies of Mandrigyn (Sun Wolf and Starhawk, No. 1)

Author Barabara Hambly has a gift for writing lavish worlds, rich characters, and exciting plots. Her book The Ladies of Mandrigyn will surely be a hit with people who enjoyed The Witcher.

A power-hungry wizard has conquered the city of Mandrigyn. All the men have either been killed or captured, so it’s up to the women to form a resistance. They seek out captain Sun Wolf, a mercenary who refuses to fight their battle. But the ladies of Mandrigyn will not take no for an answer.

This sword and sorcery fantasy novel can be purchased here.

Lens of the World (Lens of the World Trilogy #1) by R.A. MacAvoy

Lens of the World (Lens of the World Trilogy)

Highly acclaimed and award-winning author R. A. MacAvoy is known for creating absorbing worlds filled with adventure. Fans of The Witcher Saga will love getting lost between the pages of Lens of the World.

After being kicked out of military school, Nazhuret is taken in by Powl, an oddball master of optics, who will mentor the young orphan. Nazhuret has much to learn from Powl, including how to be a killer and an optician.

Get a copy of this unique and dark fantasy book here.

Incursion (The Necromancer’s Key #1) by Mitchell Hogan

Incursion (The Necromancer's Key)

Winner of the Aurealis Award, author Mitchell Hogan created a chilling and mysterious dark fantasy series, The Necromancer’s Key, which begins with the book Incursion.

Ansker DeVantte is about to undergo the ruthless initiation required to become a knight-sorcerer for the Order of Eternal Vigilance. But as he climbs the ranks, he becomes skeptical, and power begins to rise within him, drawing division between him and the Order. Then the long-gone Necromancer Queen’s fanatics take notice of Ansker, and he must choose which side he is on in a raging war.

Incursion is perfect for any fan of The Witcher saga. You can purchase it here.

Graceling (Graceling Realm #1) by Kristin Cashore

Graceling (Graceling Realm, 1)

Graceling is a phenomenal, award-winning novel from the mind of bestselling author Kristen Cashore. Fans of The Witcher do not want to miss this riveting fantasy tale.

In the Seven Kingdoms, some people are born with a unique talent, a Grace. Katsa’s is killing, and, as the king’s niece, her Grace is exploited to be his enforcer. Then combat-skills-Graced Prince Po comes into her life, and Katsa learns new things about her Grace and a terrible secret about the Seven Kingdoms that threatens to destroy them all.

Kristin Cashore’s exciting and gripping novel will have you hooked from page one. Get a copy here.

A Wizard of Earthsea (The Earthsea Cycle #1) by Ursula K. Le Guin

A Wizard of Earthsea (The Earthsea Cycle, 1)

No fantasy novel list is complete without beloved and award-winning author Ursula K. Le Guin. Renowned for tackling issues of gender, politics, and otherness, she has been an inspiration to some of the greatest modern authors, such as Neil Gaiman and Margaret Atwood.  

Her novel, A Wizard of Earthsea, follows the adventure of Ged as he transforms from Sparrowhawk in his youth to the greatest sorcerer in Earthsea.

If you enjoyed The Witcher, A Wizard of Earthsea is an absolute must-read. Put it at the top of your TBR pile with your own copy, which you can get here.

Final Thoughts

The Witcher saga is a superb dark fantasy series that has captured the imaginations of its readers. And while Geralt’s tale may be complete, there are plenty of other fantasy books to dive into. We hope this list of the 20 best fantasy books like The Witcher saga will get you started. Happy reading!

FAQs

What D&D class is Geralt?

This has been a subject of debate in the D&D world. Some say he’s a Rogue. For others, Cleric is more fitting. He’s also been called a Ranger, a Blood Hunter, and an Eldritch Knight. But no matter how you classify him, you don’t want to be in his path when his player rolls a natural 20.

What type of fantasy is The Witcher saga?

The Witcher saga is an epic fantasy, a subgenre of fantasy defined by the epic nature of its setting or by the epic stature of its characters, themes, or plot. Because of its darker nature, it is also considered a dark fantasy.

What is considered dark fantasy?

Dark fantasy is gloomy and deals with more disturbing elements and frightening themes. It is often a combo of fantasy and horror.

Who is the father of fantasy?

No question about it: J. R. R. Tolkien is the father of fantasy, writing the beloved trilogy The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, both of which are given credit by most fantasy authors for influencing their work and inspiring their writing careers.

What is the oldest fantasy series?

Considered by many to be the first book in the modern fantasy genre, The King of the Golden River is a fairy tale you can find in The Victorian Fairy Tale Book, edited by Michael Patrick Hearn.

What is the largest fantasy series?

That honor belongs to the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett, with a walloping 45 novels in its universe — a tip of the hat to the late Mr. Pratchett, a master of the fantasy genre.

What is the Sword & Sorcery fantasy book genre?

Sword & Sorcery is a genre of fantasy literature that typically features a hero of humble origins who is thrust into an epic conflict involving supernatural forces and fantastic creatures. This hero is often armed with a magical sword or another mythical weapon which they use in battle against their enemies.

These books often center around themes of good versus evil, with the hero ultimately emerging victorious and overcoming daunting odds. Sword & Sorcery books often contain elements of myth and folklore, as well as elements of horror and romance. The sub-genre genre is often seen as a predecessor to modern fantasy literature.

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Maile Allen