Best Fantasy Duology Books

One Dark Window

Author: Rachel Gillig

Year: 2022

Genre: Fantasy Romance

More info: The Shepherd King, book 1 of 2

Spice Rating:💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

Elspeth has the voice of a monster in her head whom she calls Nightmare. He has been there for almost as long as she can remember.

After a meeting with a highwayman, who is actually the king’s nephew and the Captain of the Destiers, Elspeth joins him on a quest to save the kingdom from the surrounding mist. Nobody has ever come out of the mist alive. The two must work together and learn to trust each other while collecting 12 Providence Cards. Only when the cards are reunited can the curse be broken.

But Elpeth has another secret, the Nightmare is slowly getting stronger each time she uses his magic and she is having a harder time maintaining control over her mind. She knows that the next time she calls upon Nightmare’s magic to protect her, it might be the last thing she does.

Why Jackie loves it

This is an adult romance fantasy book unlike anything else I have read. Parts of the story read like a fairy tale and the concept of the Providence Cards is so unique and complex as each card gives its user a different magical ability. I immediately picked up the second book in the duology and wished it was a much longer series.

Find this book in: Adult Fantasy Romance Books / Best Adult Fantasy Novels / Books like A Court of Thorns and Roses / The Best Books Like Fourth Wing / Fantasy Duology Books

Serpent and the Wings of Night

Author: Carissa Boradbent

Year: 2023

Genre: Fantasy Romance

More info: Crowns of Nyaxia book 1 of 4, Book 1 of Nightborn Duet (books 1 & 2 are a duology)

Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

Oraya is the human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king. She has existed in world that would have killed her long ago if it was not for the skills she honed to make herself into a ruthless killer. The only chance she has in ensuring she does not spend her entire life as prey is winning the Kajari, a tournament helpd by the goddess of death.

To survive, Oraya forms an alliance with Raihn, a rival and an enemy to her father’s crown. But as the competition becomes more feirce and the two depend on each other, their romance could mean her death.

Trigger Warnings

violence, death

Why Jackie loves it

I love that Oraya is not a delicate flower waiting to be saved. Instead, she is a total bada**. The story is so fast-paced. It is non-stop!

Find this book in: Fantasy Duology Books / Vampire Books

A River Enchanted

Author: Rebecca Ross

Year: 2022

Genre: Fantasy

More info: Elements of Cadence, book 1 of 2

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

Rebecca Ross’s historical fantasy books are sweeping magical stories. This particular one is about the Island of Cadence and its warring inhabitants. It’s also a love story between Jack, a bard who can sing to the elements, and Adaira, the heiress of the East.

The story slowly builds but ends on a cliffhanger, which concludes in the second book of the duology. The story is perfect for fans of books like Outlander because it’s inspired by Scotland. This is one of my favorite books on the list of adult fantasy novels and books set in Scotland.

Trigger Warnings

Kidnapping

Why Kirsten loves it

I love fantasy romance novels and the fact that it is inspired by Scotland makes this high on my list of favorite adult fantasy novels as well. Ross weaves a brilliant and beautiful story

Find this book in: Best Adult Fantasy Novels / Books like Outlander / Historical Fantasy Books /Best Books About Scotland / Fantasy Duology Books

Divine Rivals

Author: Rebecca Ross

Year: 2023

Genre: YA Fantasy

More info: Letters of Enchantment Book 1 of 2

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 14+

Plot

Iris Winnow works at the Oath Gazetter and hopes to get the promotion she has been working so hard for. Her rival at the Gazette is Roman Kitt who stands between her and the promotion she so badly needs. Her brother has gone missing in the War of the Gods, and her mother is battling addiction.

To keep herself connected to her brother, she writes him letters and slips them underneath her door where they vanish. The letters she receives in return are from an anonymous writer who is not her brother, but her rival Roman. Her connection with Roman Kitt will take her to the battlefront in search of her brother while trying to save mankind from a horrible fate.

Trigger Warnings

War, death of a parent, alcoholism

Why Jackie loves it

This is an enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance novel that I loved. The story is so original and addictive and it is a romance without explicit scenes making it appropriate for ages 14+. I love how the characters develop and the plot is so unique. This is a perfect book for anyone who loves a YA Fantasy book with Gods.

Find this book in: The Ultimate List of YA Fantasy Books / Young Adult Fantasy Romance Books / Fantasy Duology Books

A Fate Inked in Blood

Author: Danielle L. Jensen

Year: 2024

Genre: Mythology

Spice Rating:💋💋💋

More Info: Saga of the Unfated Book 1 of 2

Age Range: 18+

Plot

I love Greek mythology retellings and recently have started reading mythology retellings from other cultures too! Outside of Marvel’s Thor movies, I don’t know much about Norse mythology, so I was particularly eager to dive into this book.

The first in a trilogy, the story follows Freya, who goes from being a fishwife to the kingmaker after her goddess blood is discovered. Sworn in oath to one man; but burning with passion for another, Freya is one of the fiercest heroines I’ve ever read.

Why Kirsten loves it

This STEAMY romantasy is filled with blood lust, battle scenes, and world-building. I was transfixed by Jensen’s ability to weave such a mythical world. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series, especially after the way this one ended!!

Find this book in: Adult Fantasy Novels / Books set in Winter / Adult Fantasy Novels / Mythology Books / Fantasy Duology Books

Heartless Hunter

Author: Kristen Ciccarelli

Year: 2024

Genre: YA Fantasy

More info: Instant New York Times Bestseller, Crimson Moth, book 1 of 2

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 14+

Plot

This new fantasy book is the first in a series and I am already dying to read the next one.

Witches were once the queens and rulers until the night of the revolution. Now, witches are hunted down and Rune must hide her true identity. During the day, Rune acts like a socialite with nothing on her mind other than parties and gossip. By night, she is the Crimson Moth, a rebel who rescues witches before they can be murdered.

After a rescue went very wrong, she needs info she can only get from Gideon, a witch hunter. The book becomes a deadly game of cat and mouse when Gideon and Rune start to fall for each other.

Why Jackie loves it

This fantasy romance kept me on my toes throughout. Gideon and Rune are the epitome of enemies to lovers with a side of fake-dating. The tension between these two is palpable and the story is page-turning.

Find this book in: Best Enemies-to-Lovers Books/ YA Fantasy Romance Books / Fantasy Duology Books

Strange the Dreamer

Author: Laini Taylor

Year: 2017

Genre: YA Fantasy

More info: National Book Award Finalist, Book 1 of 2

Spice Rating:💋💋

Age Range: 14+

Plot

This book started so strong for me, I was completely enraptured with this world. As the story continued, I found the story changed tones. What was once a hopeful story, slowly became a story of unreachable love.

200 years ago Weep was cut off from the world, so much so that nobody can even remember the city’s real name. When Lazio starts dreaming of a blue-skinned woman, he cannot forget her.

Trigger Warnings

Death of a Child

Why Kirsten likes it

This YA fantasy book has warriors and magic, but is it also a completely original paranormal book. It is unlike any other.

Find this book in: Ghost Books / Long Books / YA Fantasy Books / Fantasy Duology Books

The Belles

Author: Dhonielle Clayton

Year: 2018

Genre: YA Fantasy

More info: The Belles #1

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 13+

Plot

The people in the world of Orleans are devoid of natural beauty and need The Belles to use their magical treatments to be beautiful. The most powerful of the Belles is known as the favorite and works for the royal family to set trends and perform beauty treatments.

But what happens when a sick queen and a greedy princess have differing views on ruling the people of Orléans and The Belles of the world?

Trigger Warnings

Body shaming, Sexual assault

Why Kirsten loves it

I loved the first book. I finished it and immediately rushed into book 2. The world-building in this YA Fantasy was wonderful and the descriptions of the elaborate beauty treatments painted a vivid picture. The characters were flawed but wonderfully constructed and the teacup pets were adorable.

Find this book in: Books Like the Selection / YA Fantasy / Best Books for 13-year-olds

Six of Crows

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Year: 2015

Genre: Fantasy

More info: Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom Duology

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 12+

Plot

This fantasy duology is set in the Grishaverse, the same universe as Shadow and Bone. Six outcasts come together for a deadly heist. Kaz must assemble a crew that can succeed and make them all rich beyond imagination. To do this, he will need a group of people who might just end up killing each other before they can pull it off.

Why Jackie likes it

I actually liked this duology better than the Shadow and Bone series. This is crazy, I know. I loved the heist aspect, and I really love a fantasy duet!

Find this book in: Fantasy Duology Books / Leigh Bardugo Books in Order / Books like Shadow and Bone

The Stolen Heir

Author: Holly Black

Year: 2023

Genre: Fantasy

More info: The Stolen Heir Book 1 of 2

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 15+

Plot

We return ot Elfhame in this first book in a duology. Wren has fled to the human world. She is haunted by the cruelty she endured in the Throne of Teeth. When a storm hag chases her down, she is saved by Prince Oak, her former betrothed. He is heading North and needs her help, and she must decide if she can trust him

Trigger Warnings

Violence, Abuse, Suicide (mentioned)

Why Jackie loves it

I love traveling back to Elfhame. Holly Black is a master storyteller and I loved this fantasy duology

Find this book in: Fantasy Duology Books

Wings of Ebony

Author: J. Elle

Year: 2021

Genre: YA Fantasy

More info: Wings of Ebony #1

Age Range: 12+

Plot

An urban fantasy set in two locations: modern-day Houston and the magical island of Ghizon, off the coast of Madagascar. Rue is a half human, half god, but she didn’t know about the magic in her blood until her mother died.

The first book in YA duology, has Rue struggling to fit in with the white Ghizon culture as the only black girl. But after accidentally using her magic to save a human, Rue becomes an enemy of the state and finds the real source of Ghizon’s magic.

Trigger Warnings

Racism, Colonisation

Why Kirsten loves it

I loved the fantasy version of white appropriation, that portion of the book is done particularly well. I found that this is YA book that is written for its younger audience.

Find this book in: Books Set in Africa / Fantasy Duology Books