Social Proof

What is Fantastic Fiction?

Speechify is the #1 audio reader in the world. Get through books, docs, articles, PDFs, emails - anything you read - faster.

Featured In

forbes logocbs logotime magazine logonew york times logowall street logo
Listen to this article with Speechify!
Speechify

Discover how Fantastic Fiction can help you find your next favorite book as well as learn where you can find the best audiobooks.

Fantastic Fiction

Fantastic Fiction is a virtual gateway to an extensive collection of authors, books, and series spanning across a multitude of genres. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Fantastic Fiction as well as its top genres and an audiobook platform that any Fantastic Fiction fan will love.

What is Fantastic Fiction?

Fantastic Fiction stands as a digital haven for bibliophiles and literary enthusiasts, offering a treasure trove of information about authors, books, and series across various genres. Whether you're an avid reader, a researcher, or simply seeking your next literary adventure, Fantastic Fiction provides a comprehensive database of bibliographic data, synopses, and cover images for an extensive collection of books.

Fantastic Fiction history

Founded by Dave Wands in 1999, Fantastic Fiction began as a labor of love, driven by a passion for literature and a desire to create a centralized hub for bibliographic information. Over the years, the platform has evolved into a go-to resource for readers and authors alike, attracting a dedicated community of users who rely on its vast database for book recommendations, author biographies, and series reading orders.

Fantastic Fiction pricing

One of the most remarkable aspects of Fantastic Fiction is its accessibility—it's entirely free to use. Unlike some other literary platforms that require paid subscriptions or memberships, Fantastic Fiction remains open to all, ensuring that readers from all walks of life can benefit from its wealth of information without barriers.

The best Fantastic Fiction book genres

Your favorite authors can bring fictional characters and worlds to life through tales of farces and exiles, romance and adventure, or even political intrigue and mystery. From top-rated short stories on Goodreads to long New York Times bestselling heroic fantasy series, there are countless fantastic fiction titles out there just waiting for you to explore so let’s take a look at some of the best fantastic fiction books by genre.

Science fiction

Science fiction explores imaginative and speculative concepts often based on scientific principles or futuristic technologies. It delves into the possibilities of the future, space exploration, advanced civilizations, and the impact of technology on society. Enjoy futuristic worlds, advanced technologies, and thought-provoking ideas with the following sci-fi novels:

  • Dune by Frank Herbert
  • The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
  • Foundation by Isaac Asimov

Fantasy

Fantasy transports readers to imaginary worlds filled with magic, mythical creatures, and epic quests. It often incorporates elements of folklore, mythology, and legends, creating intricate realms where anything is possible. Explore immersive and imaginative stories with these fantasy recommendations:

  • The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
  • Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
  • A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin

Horror

Horror literature instills fear and dread in its readers through suspenseful plots, supernatural elements, and chilling atmospheres. It explores themes of the macabre, the unknown, and the darkest aspects of human nature. These horror novels will have you too scared to turn out the lights:

  • Dracula by Bram Stoker
  • The Shining by Stephen King
  • The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

Urban fantasy

Urban fantasy blends elements of fantasy with modern urban settings, often featuring supernatural beings such as vampires, werewolves, and witches navigating contemporary society. Go on a journey with urban fantasy titles, such as:

  • The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher
  • Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
  • American Gods by Neil Gaiman

GameLit

GameLit incorporates elements of gaming, virtual reality, and online communities into its narrative structure, often blurring the lines between the real world and digital realms. Immerse yourself in digital dimensions with these Gamelit books:

  • Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
  • The Gam3: Opening Moves by Cosimo Yap
  • The Land: Founding by Aleron Kong

HaremLit

HaremLit revolves around protagonists who find themselves in romantic entanglements with multiple partners, often featuring elements of fantasy or supernatural themes. Read these HaremLit stories where forbidden desires, thrilling adventures, and passionate romance intertwine:

  • Monster Girl Doctor by Yoshino Origuchi
  • The Rising of the Shield Hero by Aneko Yusagi
  • In Another World with My Smartphone by Patora Fuyuhara

Paranormal romance

Paranormal romance combines elements of romance with supernatural or paranormal elements, such as vampires, werewolves, or witches, creating passionate and often dangerous love stories. Check out the following paranormal romance titles:

  • Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
  • A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
  • City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Young adult fantasy

Young adult fantasy targets teenage readers with fantastical worlds, coming-of-age themes, and adventurous plots, often featuring young protagonists discovering their magical abilities or embarking on epic quests. Go on an adventure with these young adult fantasy recommendations:

  • Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
  • The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
  • An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Mystery

Mystery novels focus on solving crimes, puzzles, or enigmas through investigation, suspense, and deductive reasoning, keeping readers engaged as they unravel the truth. Become a detective with these mystery stories:

  • Killing Floor by Lee Child
  • Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
  • The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

Thriller

Thrillers are characterized by fast-paced plots, suspenseful twists, and intense action, often involving high stakes, danger, and psychological tension that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Check out these heart-pumping thrillers:

  • The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
  • The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
  • The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum

Historical fiction

Historical fiction brings past eras to life through vivid storytelling, meticulous research, and immersive settings, offering readers insights into different time periods, cultures, and historical events. Explore the past with the following historical fiction books:

  • The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
  • All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
  • The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Historical mystery

Historical mystery novels combine elements of historical fiction with the intrigue and suspense of mystery storytelling, often set in past eras and featuring amateur or professional sleuths solving crimes. Travel back in time and solve mysteries with these tales:

  • The Alienist by Caleb Carr
  • Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
  • The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

Cozy mystery

Cozy mysteries offer light-hearted and charming tales of amateur detectives solving crimes in small, close-knit communities, featuring minimal violence and often focusing on themes of friendship, community, and quirky characters. Enjoy these cozy mystery recommendations:

  • Murder She Wrote: Gin and Daggers by Donald Bain
  • The Cat Who Could Read Backwards by Lilian Jackson Braun
  • Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death by M.C. Beaton

Western

Westerns depict the American frontier during the 19th century, featuring rugged landscapes, cowboys, outlaws, and tales of adventure, honor, and survival in the Wild West. Explore the West with:

  • Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
  • True Grit by Charles Portis
  • The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt

Romance

Romance novels focus on romantic relationships and love stories, often exploring themes of passion, desire, and emotional connection between characters. If you’re looking for a love story, check out these romance books:

  • Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
  • The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
  • Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Historical romance

Historical romance novels blend romantic plots with historical settings, often featuring characters from different social classes navigating the challenges of love in the past. Here are some classic historical romance novels to enjoy:

  • Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
  • The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons
  • The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough

Romantic suspense

Romantic suspense combines elements of romance with thrilling suspense and danger, featuring protagonists facing perilous situations while navigating romantic relationships. For romantic suspense, check out:

  • The Witness by Nora Roberts
  • The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
  • Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

Sagas

Sagas are expansive narratives that span generations, chronicling the lives and adventures of families or communities over extended periods, often rich with drama, history, and personal struggles. Take a journey with these sagas:

  • The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
  • The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough
  • The Godfather by Mario Puzo

New adult romance

New adult romance novels focus on romantic relationships and coming-of-age themes, typically featuring protagonists in their late teens or early twenties navigating love, independence, and self-discovery. If you’re seeking a new adult romance tale, here are some recommendations:

  • Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
  • Slammed by Colleen Hoover
  • The Deal by Elle Kennedy

Gay romance

Gay romance novels explore romantic relationships between LGBTQ+ characters, delving into themes of love, acceptance, and identity within the LGBTQ+ community. Gay romance reads include:

  • Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman
  • Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
  • Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Young adult romance

Young adult romance novels cater to teenage readers, focusing on themes of first love, friendship, and self-discovery, often featuring relatable protagonists navigating the complexities of teenage relationships. The following books are considered Young adult romance novels:

  • To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
  • The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
  • Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

General fiction

General fiction encompasses a broad range of literary works that do not fit neatly into other genres, focusing on character development, interpersonal relationships, and everyday life experiences. General fiction books include:

  • The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
  • Life of Pi by Yann Martel
  • A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

Literary fiction

Literary fiction delves into deeper themes and explores complex human experiences through rich prose and intricate storytelling, often prioritizing artistic expression and emotional depth. Explore these Literary fiction reads:

  • Beloved by Toni Morrison
  • The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
  • The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Urban fiction

Urban fiction centers on contemporary urban settings, depicting the struggles, aspirations, and realities of characters living in cities, often focusing on themes of street life, crime, and social issues. If you’re looking for a good Urban fiction read, check out the following:

  1. The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah
  2. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
  3. Monster by Walter Dean Myers

Inspirational fiction

Inspirational fiction uplifts and motivates readers through stories of personal growth, triumph over adversity, and spiritual enlightenment, offering hope, encouragement, and insight. Inspirational fiction includes:

  • The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
  • Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
  • The Shack by William P. Young

Young adult fiction

Young adult fiction addresses the experiences, challenges, and emotions of teenage characters, exploring issues of identity, belonging, and self-discovery in narratives that resonate with adolescent readers. The following novels are considered young adult fiction:

  • The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
  • Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
  • Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Children's fiction

Children's fiction encompasses a wide array of stories tailored to young readers, offering engaging narratives, colorful illustrations, and valuable life lessons to inspire imagination and foster a love of reading. These tales include:

  • Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
  • Matilda by Roald Dahl
  • Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Listen to Fantastic Fiction audiobooks with Speechify Audiobooks

Speechify Audiobooks has an extensive collection of Fantastic Fiction bestseller audiobooks. You can browse thousands of audiobooks, including but not limited to Ghost stories, BT fantasy, Indic fiction, classic European literature, English fiction, French fantastic literature, gothic literature, or even books based on fantasy games.

Get your first audiobook for free with Speechify Audiobooks.

FAQ

What is Flemish fantastic fiction?

Flemish fantastic fiction refers to a genre of imaginative literature from Flanders, Belgium, characterized by elements of fantasy, surrealism, and the supernatural.

What does "Fantastic Fiction" mean?

"Fantastic Fiction" refers to a website offering a wide array of book synopses, author information, and tools for book lovers to organize and track their reading preferences.

Cliff Weitzman

Cliff Weitzman

Cliff Weitzman is a dyslexia advocate and the CEO and founder of Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews and ranking first place in the App Store for the News & Magazines category. In 2017, Weitzman was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work making the internet more accessible to people with learning disabilities. Cliff Weitzman has been featured in EdSurge, Inc., PC Mag, Entrepreneur, Mashable, among other leading outlets.