8 Fantasy Books With Medieval European Settings
The medieval European setting is one of the most iconic backdrops in fantasy. Towering castles shrouded in mist, vast battlefields echoing with the clash of steel, ancient forests teeming with creatures both wondrous and deadly—these landscapes evoke tales of heroism, treachery, and destiny.
From epic battles to courtly intrigue, from reluctant heroes to fearsome sorcerers, these eight must-read fantasy books transport you to a world where history and myth intertwine, weaving legends that endure through the ages.
1. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
📖 A Tale Told in Whispers and Songs
In an expansive medieval-inspired world, young Kvothe rises from a troupe of traveling performers to a legendary figure. Orphaned, desperate, and driven by a thirst for knowledge, he pursues magic, music, and revenge—unraveling the mysteries of a cruel and beautiful world.
🛡️ Why Read It?
✔ Lyrical prose that feels like an ancient ballad
✔ A richly developed medieval world with universities, inns, and mythic creatures
✔ A slow-burning mystery about the rise of a legend
2. The Witcher Saga by Andrzej Sapkowski
⚔️ A Monster Hunter in a Land of Kings and Betrayals
Steeped in Slavic and Western medieval influences, Sapkowski’s saga follows Geralt of Rivia, a mutant monster hunter, as he navigates feuding kingdoms, political betrayals, and arcane forces. With its knightly orders, warring duchies, and supernatural horrors, the world of The Witcher feels gritty, alive, and beautifully medieval.
🛡️ Why Read It?
✔ Gritty medieval world full of power struggles
✔ Unique blend of folklore, politics, and action
✔ An unforgettable protagonist caught between duty and destiny
3. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
🌿 The Grandfather of Medieval Fantasy
The quintessential medieval-inspired fantasy epic, Tolkien’s Middle-earth feels like a lost legend. From the castle halls of Gondor to the ruins of once-great kingdoms, Tolkien masterfully builds a world steeped in medieval chivalry, heroism, and history, drawing from Anglo-Saxon, Celtic, and Norse mythologies.
🛡️ Why Read It?
✔ A vast, deeply immersive medieval world
✔ Timeless themes of friendship, courage, and fate
✔ Tolkien’s poetic, mythic storytelling
4. The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie
🩸 A Brutal, Bloody, and Twisted Take on Medieval Fantasy
If you love your medieval fantasy gritty and morally complex, look no further than Joe Abercrombie’s brutal world of war, treachery, and ambition. Here, heroes are flawed, victories are pyrrhic, and kingdoms are ruled by deceit rather than honor. Magic still lingers—but at a cost.
🛡️ Why Read It?
✔ Dark, cynical take on medieval fantasy
✔ Unforgettable antiheroes and brutal political intrigue
✔ Blends realism with raw, visceral storytelling
5. The Kingdom of Liars by Nick Martell
🃏 A City of Magic, Lies, and Forgotten Histories
In a medieval-inspired kingdom where memory itself is a weapon, a young outcast must uncover the truth behind his father’s betrayal. With knightly houses, powerful mages, and royal conspiracies, Martell’s novel delivers a fresh yet familiar take on medieval fantasy.
🛡️ Why Read It?
✔ A unique magic system tied to memory
✔ Political intrigue in a medieval kingdom
✔ A compelling protagonist fighting against fate
6. The Traitor’s Blade by Sebastien de Castell
🏰 Swashbuckling Adventure Meets Medieval Chivalry
If The Three Musketeers met medieval fantasy, the result would be The Traitor’s Blade. Follow Falcio val Mond, a once-proud Greatcoat, as he fights to uphold the dying wishes of a fallen king in a realm of duels, corrupt nobility, and secret plots.
🛡️ Why Read It?
✔ Daring sword fights and charismatic characters
✔ A medieval setting filled with lawlessness and intrigue
✔ A thrilling, fast-paced adventure
7. Priest of Bones by Peter McLean
💀 A Medieval Crime Syndicate Like No Other
This is medieval fantasy with a criminal underworld twist. Think Peaky Blinders meets Game of Thrones—a war veteran-turned-crime boss returns to his city, only to find it overrun with rival factions and unseen enemies. Dark, brutal, and gripping, this is a fresh take on medieval fantasy.
🛡️ Why Read It?
✔ A blend of medieval politics and underworld crime
✔ A raw, bloody, and character-driven narrative
✔ A protagonist who is both a warrior and a schemer
8. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
🔮 A Medieval Past Clashing with an Age of Reason
Though set in an alternate version of 19th-century England, Clarke’s world feels deeply medieval, with ancient spells, lost kings, and the remnants of a mythic past lingering just beneath the surface. The book weaves the magic of medieval folklore into an age of reason and revolution, creating a world where the old ways are not quite gone.
🛡️ Why Read It?
✔ Deeply immersive, atmospheric storytelling
✔ A unique twist on medieval fantasy within a historical setting
✔ A beautifully crafted, literary take on magic
🏰 Which Medieval Fantasy Will You Explore First?
From the battlefields of war-torn kingdoms to the candlelit corridors of power, these eight books bring medieval European fantasy to life in breathtaking ways. Whether you crave heroic quests, political intrigue, or the clash of swords and sorcery, these novels will sweep you into worlds where knights and legends still reign.
📖 Which one will you read first? Let’s discuss!
