7 books about battles fought over magical relics
There are objects forged in myth, whispered of in prophecy, and hungered for by kings and tyrants alike. Magical relics—runes wrapped in destiny, blades thrumming with ancient spirits, crowns that bend wills—these are not merely treasures. They are catalysts. War-bringers. The spark that ignites empires and shatters peace.
In the world of fantasy, the pursuit of a relic is rarely a quiet quest. These objects come with a cost—one often measured in blood, betrayal, and the unraveling of reality itself. Here are 7 mesmerizing books where the clash of swords and sorcery is fueled by the lust for powerful relics, and where battles are fought not only for survival, but for the fate of worlds.
. The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
Relic: The One Ring
“One ring to rule them all…” This is the archetype. A ring so potent it can corrupt even the noblest heart. Though forged in fire, it draws fire to itself—kindling wars, crumbling alliances, and birthing a reluctant hero. The battles fought over it are not just physical, but spiritual, as the relic tests everyone it touches.
2. The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Relic: The Sword Ascalon
An ancient, dragon-slaying sword lost to history becomes the focus of a war that spans continents. Shannon crafts a sweeping tale of queens, mages, and dragonriders, all orbiting a relic of such mythic import that its very existence threatens to rewrite prophecy—and reignite a slumbering evil.
3. The Legend of Broken by Caleb Carr
Relic: The Book of Ephanial
This epic saga blends historical fantasy with myth as warring factions seek an ancient text said to grant unshakable power and divine right. The battles are brutal, the ideology stark, and the relic’s influence corrosive, demanding a price in blood and belief.
4. The Inheritance Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin
Relic: The God’s Inheritance
Not a weapon, but a divine artifact bound in celestial power, this relic becomes the center of divine wars and political turmoil. As gods walk among mortals, the relic reshapes empires and shatters identities, reminding us that power from the heavens often scorches more than it sanctifies.
5. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
Relic: Ancient Silver Weaponry
In a fractured kingdom where magical elites oppress the powerless, lost weapons from the past become the keystones of rebellion. The search for these relics—and the battles to wield them—ignite revolution, as steel meets lightning and secrets buried in dust come alive in fire.
6. Elantris by Brandon Sanderson
Relic: Aon Artifacts of the Fallen City
The decayed city of Elantris holds more than broken walls—it hides relics of a once-divine magic system. As political factions and forgotten magic collide, the battle for control over these mysterious remnants becomes a war not just for power, but for rebirth.
7. The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons
Relic: The Lyric of the Song
More than a simple talisman, the Lyric is a myth-wrapped relic capable of rewriting fate. Everyone wants it. Everyone will kill for it. Told through fractured timelines and tangled loyalties, this is a tale of relic-hunting where the battle is as much about truth as it is about conquest.
Final Word:
In each of these tales, relics are not inert objects—they are characters, forces, obsessions. They twist fates, destroy dynasties, and make monsters of men. When magic sleeps in metal or ink, it never slumbers long. These 7 books remind us that power, once found, demands to be used—and war is never far behind.
Dare to chase it? Just know that not all relics want to be fo
