Adult Fantasy Books Guide

Adult fantasy focuses on mature themes, intricate plots, and nuanced character work. These stories suit readers who prefer complex worlds and adult-focused narratives.

Curated by Fabled Tome

112 Books in subgenre
Apr 13, 2026 Last updated
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1 The Will of the Many

The Will of the Many

By

Rated 4.58 out of 5 stars, based on 235,690 reviews.

The Will of the Many by James Islington follows a young man hiding under the false identity of Vis Telimus as he enters the prestigious Catenan Academy at the heart of a rigid imperial hierarchy. In this epic fantasy with strong elements of political intrigue and mystery, Vis must excel within a brutal system that literally drains citizens’ strength and Will to empower those above them. Secretly investigating a murder and searching for a legendary weapon, he navigates rivalries, alliances, and the Academy’s dangerous traditions while concealing his true past as the survivor of an executed family. The novel blends high-stakes rebellion, academy politics, and layered worldbuilding as Vis weighs survival against his refusal to submit to the Republic’s control.

Book 1 of Hierarchy series

Fantasy Adult Science Fiction Epic Fantasy High Fantasy Mystery Rebellion Political Intrigue Strong Protagonist Academy Male Protagonist
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2 The Name of the Wind

The Name of the Wind

By

Rated 4.52 out of 5 stars, based on 1,096,185 reviews.

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss introduces the story of a gifted young man recounting his own life, marked by hardship and resilience. Set within a richly imagined world, the narrative explores his pursuit of knowledge and understanding amid personal tragedy. This first volume of The Kingkiller Chronicle combines elements of fantasy with a reflective tone as it traces the origins of a figure destined to become legendary.

Book 1 of The Kingkiller Chronicle series

Fantasy Adventure Magic Adult Romance Science Fiction Epic Fantasy High Fantasy War Medieval Mythology Sword and Sorcery Coming Of Age Strong Protagonist Zero to Hero Male Protagonist
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3 A Game of Thrones

A Game of Thrones

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Rated 4.45 out of 5 stars, based on 2,763,976 reviews.

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin opens an epic fantasy saga in a continent where summers and winters last for years and the natural order is breaking down. As Lord Eddard Stark leaves his northern stronghold of Winterfell to serve as Hand of the King, he is drawn into a web of political intrigue, war, and betrayal at court, while ominous forces gather beyond the Wall in the frozen north. Far across the sea, a dispossessed dragon prince uses his sister in a ruthless bid to reclaim a lost throne, adding another front to the struggle for power. With shifting alliances, brutal violence, and the constant threat of supernatural danger, this first volume sets the tone for a dark, expansive adventure in high fantasy.

Book 1 of A Song of Ice and Fire series

Fantasy Adventure Adult Science Fiction Dragons Epic Fantasy High Fantasy War Political Intrigue Strong Protagonist Male Protagonist Violence
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4 A Little Hatred

A Little Hatred

By

Rated 4.45 out of 5 stars, based on 62,376 reviews.

A Little Hatred by Joe Abercrombie opens in a Union transformed by factories, profit, and political maneuvering, even as old hatreds and border wars persist. In the north, young war hero Leo dan Brock seeks glory against Stour Nightfall’s forces, only to find royal support undermined by the unreliable Prince Orso. In Adua, ruthless investor Savine dan Glokta navigates high society and industrial expansion while unrest in the slums threatens to overturn the social order. Far from the capital, Rikke wrestles with the dangerous foresight of the Long Eye under the guidance of Isern-i-Phail, as lingering magic and the schemes of the First of the Magi collide with an age of machines, rebellion, and violent change.

Book 1 of The Age of Madness series

Fantasy Adult Science Fiction Epic Fantasy High Fantasy War Dark Fantasy Dark Rebellion Political Intrigue Strong Protagonist Female Protagonist Violence
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5 Fool's Assassin

Fool's Assassin

By

Rated 4.43 out of 5 stars, based on 67,055 reviews.

In Fool's Assassin, Robin Hobb returns to the life of FitzChivalry Farseer, now living under the name Tom Badgerlock as a country gentleman at the Withywoods estate. His quiet existence with his wife Molly and their household masks a history of war, political intrigue, forbidden magic, and service as an assassin to the Farseer crown. When a mysterious messenger arrives during Winterfest and vanishes, leaving only blood behind, Fitz is forced to confront the unresolved dangers of his past, including the loss of his wolf companion Nighteyes and the disappearance of the Fool. The novel blends epic and high fantasy with an intimate focus on an aging male protagonist drawn back into violence and adventure.

Book 1 of Fitz and the Fool series

Fantasy Adventure Magic Adult Science Fiction Epic Fantasy High Fantasy War Assassins Strong Protagonist Male Protagonist Violence
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6 Fool's Errand

Fool's Errand

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Rated 4.40 out of 5 stars, based on 108,473 reviews.

Fool's Errand by Robin Hobb returns to the Six Duchies years after the Red Ship War, following FitzChivalry Farseer as a middle-aged recluse living with his wolf companion, Nighteyes. Drawn reluctantly back into court politics, Fitz is tasked with finding Prince Dutiful, who has vanished on the eve of a politically vital marriage to an Outislander princess. As prejudice against the animal-bonded Witted intensifies and tensions with former enemies rise, Fitz must navigate magic, war memories, and shifting alliances to prevent a crisis that could destabilize the Farseer throne. This adult epic fantasy blends adventure, high-stakes diplomacy, and a strong male protagonist closely tied to animals and forbidden magic.

Book 1 of The Tawny Man series

Fantasy Adventure Magic Adult Science Fiction Epic Fantasy High Fantasy War Political Intrigue Strong Protagonist Male Protagonist Animals
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7 The Hands of the Emperor

The Hands of the Emperor

By

Rated 4.37 out of 5 stars, based on 4,098 reviews.

The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard follows Cliopher Mdang, an exacting and loyal civil servant who serves as personal secretary to the near-divine Emperor of Astandalas. In a world where magic, ritual, and politics are tightly interwoven, Cliopher’s unprecedented invitation for his ruler to visit his distant island homeland risks sacrilege and treason. When the Emperor accepts, their journey from the imperial court to the remote Vangavaye-ve quietly unsettles long-standing hierarchies and expectations. This leisurely paced, character-focused fantasy explores governance, power, and friendship through an adult queer male protagonist navigating both intimate loyalty and far-reaching political consequences.

Book 1 of Lays of the Hearth-Fire series

Fantasy Magic Adult Science Fiction High Fantasy Cozy LGBTQ Queer Ruling Class Political Intrigue Strong Protagonist Male Protagonist
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8 Wraithblade

Wraithblade

By

Rated 4.37 out of 5 stars, based on 3,689 reviews.

Wraithblade by S.M. Boyce follows Connor Magnuson, a hardened wanderer who has spent years surviving alone in a monster-infested, cursed forest. After risking his life to save a mysterious girl, he becomes unwillingly bound to the Wraith King, a notorious undead power that grants immense, dangerous magic. As this dark enchantment transforms him from nameless peasant to feared weapon, Connor is hunted by rulers who see him as an error to be erased rather than a man to be reckoned with. Blending high fantasy, dark magic, and brutal warfare, the novel traces his rise from outcast survivor to reluctant leader in a world determined to crush him.

Book 1 of The Wraithblade Saga series

Fantasy Magic Action Adult Science Fiction High Fantasy War Dark Fantasy Paranormal Rebellion Strong Protagonist Zero to Hero Male Protagonist
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9 The Crown Tower

The Crown Tower

By

Rated 4.33 out of 5 stars, based on 43,600 reviews.

In The Crown Tower, Michael J. Sullivan introduces Hadrian Blackwater, a disillusioned warrior, and Royce Melborn, a solitary assassin, forced into an uneasy partnership. Under the guidance of the enigmatic wizard Arcadius, they are sent on a high-risk heist into the Crown Tower, the last standing remnant of a once-mighty fortress that now guards the kingdom’s most closely held secrets. Their mission is not to seize wealth but to obtain a far more elusive prize that demands both Hadrian’s martial skill and Royce’s talent for infiltration. This adult epic fantasy blends action, magic, and tense character dynamics as two men who would rather be enemies must learn to work together or fail in a place no one is meant to breach.

Book 1 of The Riyria Chronicles series

Fantasy Adventure Magic Action Adult Science Fiction Epic Fantasy High Fantasy Assassins Strong Protagonist Male Protagonist Heist
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10 Dumb Luck

Dumb Luck

By

Rated 4.33 out of 5 stars, based on 297 reviews.

Dumb Luck (The Green Lord, #1) by J.G. Jerome follows Jack, an IT consultant and former soldier, whose ordinary life takes an extraordinary turn after a chance encounter with a mysterious woman on a plane. Set in an urban fantasy world where mythological beings are real, Jack discovers that he himself is connected to these legends. The narrative explores themes of panamory and harem relationships within a mature, adult fantasy context, incorporating elements of humor, mythology, and contemporary life. This book blends fantastical violence and romance with candid depictions of everyday experiences and language from diverse cultures.

Book 1 of The Green Lord series

Fantasy Magic Humor Harem Adult Romance Supernatural Fae Polyamory Mythology Strong Protagonist Zero to Hero Male Protagonist
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11 Kit & Basie

Kit & Basie

By

Rated 4.32 out of 5 stars, based on 570 reviews.

Kit & Basie by Tess Carletta is a cozy contemporary fantasy romance set in the small town of Long Lily, Pennsylvania, where magic and the supernatural quietly shape everyday life. Basie Yeats, an immortal who has never left his hometown, is shaken by his mother’s inexplicable death and resolves to finally abandon the place he loves. Kit Elliot, a queer wanderer searching for somewhere to settle, buys Basie’s old church-turned-cottage and quickly finds its former owner both exasperating and deeply attractive. As Kit helps Basie plan a new life elsewhere, their slow-burn connection, shared grief, and conflicting ideas of home complicate his departure, creating a gentle but emotionally candid story that includes depictions of panic attacks, euthanasia-related suicide, parental loss, and grief.

Book 1 of Tales from Long Lily series

Fantasy Magic Adult Romance Cozy Supernatural LGBTQ Queer Contemporary Gay Male Protagonist Small Town
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12 Tuyo

Tuyo

By

Rated 4.32 out of 5 stars, based on 1,103 reviews.

Tuyo by Rachel Neumeier follows Ryo inGara, a young warrior from a brutal winter land who is abandoned by his own warleader as a ritual sacrifice to the enemy. Taken captive by a powerful lord of the summer country, Ryo expects execution but instead finds himself drawn into a larger conflict where the current war masks a deeper, more dangerous threat. As he confronts magic, political maneuvering, and the possibility of an even greater enemy, Ryo must reconsider his loyalties and the meaning of honor. The novel blends adult fantasy adventure with war, rebellion, and intricate power struggles, centered on a strong male protagonist forced to choose between his people and an unexpected ally.

Book 1 of Tuyo series

Fantasy Adventure Magic Adult Science Fiction War Rebellion Political Intrigue Strong Protagonist Male Protagonist
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13 The Tattooist of Auschwitz

The Tattooist of Auschwitz

By

Rated 4.32 out of 5 stars, based on 1,187,412 reviews.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris follows Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jewish prisoner forced to tattoo identification numbers on fellow inmates in Auschwitz-Birkenau. Amid the brutality and constant threat of death, Lale meets Gita, a young woman in the tattoo line, and their relationship becomes central to his determination to endure. The novel blends historical fiction, wartime drama, and a restrained romance, focusing on survival strategies, moral compromise, and small acts of defiance within the camp system. With a male protagonist navigating extreme violence and oppression, the book portrays how love and responsibility shape his choices under Nazi rule.

Book 1 of The Tattooist of Auschwitz series

Fantasy Adult Romance War Historical Fiction Survival Drama Male Protagonist Violence
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14 The Hero Game: A LitRPG Superhero Adventure: Volume One: Tutorial

The Hero Game: A LitRPG Superhero Adventure: Volume One: Tutorial

By

Rated 4.32 out of 5 stars, based on 420 reviews.

The Hero Game: A LitRPG Superhero Adventure: Volume One: Tutorial by August Aird follows college student Jack Jenkins, who unexpectedly gains supernatural powers after bonding with a cosmic entity. Set in an urban fantasy world where superpowered beings exist, Jack must quickly develop his abilities to confront a dangerous crime boss threatening his community. The story explores Jack’s challenges balancing school, work, and complex relationships while navigating this new reality. This book blends elements of fantasy, romance, and LitRPG mechanics within a superhero framework.

Book 1 of The Hero Game series

Action Harem Adult Romance Monsters Superheroes Urban Fantasy War Thriller Contemporary LitRPG Progression Fantasy College Strong Protagonist Zero to Hero Male Protagonist
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15 Tress of the Emerald Sea

Tress of the Emerald Sea

By ,

Rated 4.31 out of 5 stars, based on 303,927 reviews.

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson, illustrated by Howard Lyon, follows Tress, a young woman whose quiet life on a remote island in an emerald-hued ocean ends when her closest friend, Charlie, is taken away by his noble father and lost to disaster. Determined to rescue him, Tress secretly boards a ship and is drawn into a wider world of spore-filled seas, lethal magic triggered by water, and ruthless pirates. As she seeks the feared Sorceress who rules the Midnight Sea, Tress must adapt from an unassuming islander into a capable protagonist navigating warlike tensions and dangerous alliances. This standalone fantasy adventure blends high-stakes magic, romance, and heroic discovery within Sanderson’s broader Cosmere setting.

Book 1 of Hoid's Travails series

Fantasy Adventure Magic Adult Romance High Fantasy Young Adult War Strong Protagonist Female Protagonist Pirates Heroic Fantasy
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16 Subjugation (Subjugation, #1)

Subjugation

By

Rated 4.31 out of 5 stars, based on 378 reviews.

Subjugation (Subjugation, #1) by James Galloway is a science fiction novel set in a future where the telepathic alien Faey have subjugated Earth, transforming it into a resource colony for their empire. The story follows Jason, a college student studying Faey technology who harbors resentment toward their oppressive rule. His life becomes complicated when he encounters Jyslin, a determined Faey Imperial Marine with her own agenda. The narrative explores themes of control, resistance, and complex interpersonal dynamics within a space opera and military fiction framework.

Book 1 of Subjugation Universe series

Harem Adult Romance Science Fiction War Military Fiction Space Opera Supernatural Enemies To Lovers Aliens Rebellion Political Intrigue College Strong Protagonist Male Protagonist
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17 A Time of Dread

A Time of Dread

By

Rated 4.30 out of 5 stars, based on 15,663 reviews.

A Time of Dread by John Gwynne returns to the Banished Lands in a grim era where the victorious Ben-Elim, a militant order of angelic beings, impose a harsh and often violent peace. In the south, impulsive warrior-in-training Riv uncovers a secret that challenges everything she believes about her protectors, while in the west the giantess Sig tracks rumors of demons and forbidden sorcery that hint at organized rebellion. Far to the north, solitary trapper Drem stumbles on savaged bodies that suggest monsters far worse than ordinary predators. As threats rise on multiple fronts, this dark epic fantasy follows scattered survivors forced to confront demons, war, and shifting allegiances across a brutal, high-stakes landscape.

Book 1 of Of Blood and Bone series

Fantasy Adventure Demons Adult Science Fiction Epic Fantasy Monsters High Fantasy War Dark Fantasy Angels Survival Violence
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18 Kingslayer

Kingslayer

By

Rated 4.29 out of 5 stars, based on 1,237 reviews.

In Kingslayer, Honor Raconteur opens with General Darius Bresalier captured and brought before the queen he has spent a year relentlessly pursuing. Once a loyal commander of Brindisi, Darius now bears the title of kingslayer, awaiting execution for assassinating his own monarch. As he recounts his reasons to an enemy sovereign, the narrative unfolds across a backdrop of war, rebellion, and shifting alliances, where military strategy and political maneuvering shape every choice. Blending epic fantasy with elements of science fiction and adult romance, the book centers on a strong male protagonist whose act of revenge against his ruler forces him to confront the cost of justice, loyalty, and power.

Book 1 of Kingslayer series

Fantasy Action Adult Romance Science Fiction Epic Fantasy War Military Fiction Revenge Rebellion Political Intrigue Strong Protagonist Male Protagonist
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19 Burn for Me

Burn for Me

By

Rated 4.29 out of 5 stars, based on 75,095 reviews.

Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews introduces Nevada Baylor, a private investigator in a magically stratified Houston who is forced to accept a case that amounts to a death sentence: apprehending a Prime fire mage capable of mass destruction. When Nevada is abducted by Connor “Mad” Rogan, a powerful and feared Prime with his own agenda, she is pushed into an uneasy partnership that tests her ethics, abilities, and self-control. As they track a dangerous suspect through an urban landscape shaped by hereditary magic and ruthless politics, Nevada must balance her role as detective with the growing, volatile attraction between them. The novel blends urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and action-driven suspense around a strong female lead navigating power, desire, and survival.

Book 1 of Hidden Legacy series

Fantasy Magic Action Adult Romance Urban Fantasy Paranormal Female Protagonist Suspense Detective Strong Female Lead
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20 Daughter of the Forest

Daughter of the Forest

By

Rated 4.29 out of 5 stars, based on 71,861 reviews.

Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier blends Celtic-inspired mythology, medieval atmosphere, and quiet magic in the story of Sorcha, the seventh child and only daughter of Lord Colum of Sevenwaters. When her six brothers fall under a brutal enchantment cast by their stepmother, Sorcha is bound to a harsh, silent task set by the Fair Folk, knowing that a single spoken word will doom them. Her vow is tested further when she is seized by enemies of her people and carried to a distant land, where an unexpected love complicates her duty. The novel unfolds as a slow-building heroic fantasy that balances violence and hardship with emotional depth, romance, and a resilient female protagonist.

Book 1 of Sevenwaters series

Fantasy Magic Adult Romance Young Adult Medieval Historical Fiction Mythology Female Protagonist Violence Heroic Fantasy Fairy Tales
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21 The Red Collar

The Red Collar

By

Rated 4.29 out of 5 stars, based on 644 reviews.

The Red Collar by M. Kato introduces Chief Inspector Hayashi Teruo, a demanding Tokyo homicide detective whose career is on the line if his latest partner transfer fails. Miyazaki Shinji, eager to leave his past in Hiroshima behind, brings an unusual advantage to the Tokyo MPD: he can communicate with the ghosts of murder victims, giving their new cases a distinctly paranormal edge. Their first investigation together centers on a series of killings linked by a weapon resembling a dog’s collar, drawing them into a complex pattern of crime, secrets, and restless spirits. As professional respect turns into an intense romantic and sexual relationship between these two men, hidden truths and Shinji’s evasions threaten both their work as detectives and their fragile bond.

Book 1 of Tokyo MPD Mysteries series

Adult Romance Supernatural LGBTQ Gay Male Protagonist Crime Ghosts Spicy Suspense Detective
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22 Sorcery and Small Magics

Sorcery and Small Magics

By

Rated 4.28 out of 5 stars, based on 14,229 reviews.

Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy follows Leovander Loveage, a sorcerer gifted in minor charms but notorious for disastrous attempts at serious spellwork. After a forbidden spell mishap forces Leo into magical obedience to his austere rival, the accomplished Sebastian Grimm, the two men must conceal their mistake and seek a way to break the curse. Their search leads them into the Unquiet Wood, a monster-haunted forest where outlaws and dangerous magic complicate every step. As they confront lethal threats, test the limits of Leo’s underestimated power, and rely uneasily on each other, their long-standing hostility begins to shift into an unexpected, slow-burn attraction.

Book 1 of The Wildersongs Trilogy series

Fantasy Adventure Magic Adult Romance Monsters Cozy LGBTQ Queer Enemies To Lovers Strong Protagonist Male Protagonist
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23 The Fifth Season

The Fifth Season

By

Rated 4.28 out of 5 stars, based on 340,049 reviews.

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin follows Essun, a woman living undercover as a schoolteacher in a small town, who faces devastating personal loss when her husband kills their son and abducts their daughter. Set in the Stillness, a continent plagued by seismic disasters and societal fear of orogenes—individuals who can manipulate the earth—this story unfolds amid the collapse of the Sanze empire and a catastrophic rift that threatens to darken the sky for generations. Essun’s determination to reclaim her daughter drives her through a fractured world on the brink of collapse.

Book 1 of The Broken Earth series

Magic Adult Post Apocalyptic Dystopia Epic Fantasy Monsters War LGBTQ Apocalyptic Survival Low Fantasy Ruling Class Revenge Rebellion Political Intrigue Strong Protagonist Female Protagonist
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24 Gentry

Gentry

By

Rated 4.28 out of 5 stars, based on 4,156 reviews.

Gentry by T.S. Joyce opens the Wolves of Winter’s Edge series with a paranormal romance set in a snowbound town ruled by unstable werewolves. Gentry Striker, a rogue wolf shifter who never meant to return home, finds himself drawn back into pack politics when a human woman insists on renting his isolated cabin. Blaire Hayward only wants a brief escape from her routine, but Rangeley’s strange behavior, hidden dangers, and Gentry’s volatile presence quickly overturn her plans. As attraction builds between a wary shifter and an unsuspecting human, both must confront the violent undercurrents of this supernatural community and decide how far they will go to protect each other.

Book 1 of Wolves of Winter's Edge series

Adult Romance Shapeshifters Dark Supernatural Paranormal Witches Werewolves Strong Protagonist Male Protagonist Wolves
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25 Men of the Otherworld

Men of the Otherworld

By

Rated 4.27 out of 5 stars, based on 16,831 reviews.

Men of the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong collects linked urban fantasy stories that trace the origins and inner lives of key male werewolves in her Otherworld series. The central narrative follows Clayton, a boy who willingly becomes a werewolf and struggles to survive alone until Jeremy finds him and brings him into the structured world of the American Pack. As Clayton matures, he must balance his feral instincts with human expectations, confront violent pack rivalries, and understand the weight of bloodlines and leadership. The book blends coming-of-age elements, supernatural politics, and romance with a focus on loyalty, power, and the often brutal costs of belonging.

Book 1 of Otherworld Stories series

Fantasy Adult Romance Urban Fantasy Shapeshifters Supernatural Paranormal Werewolves Coming Of Age Political Intrigue Strong Protagonist Male Protagonist Violence
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26 Outlander

Outlander

By

Rated 4.27 out of 5 stars, based on 1,164,941 reviews.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon follows Claire Randall, a World War II combat nurse in 1945, who is unexpectedly transported through an ancient stone circle to 1743 Scotland. Stranded in a landscape of clan rivalries, political unrest, and looming war, she must conceal her origins while navigating the dangers of Highland society. Her forced alliance with Jamie Fraser, a young Scottish warrior, grows into a powerful romantic bond that conflicts with her marriage in the future. The novel blends historical fiction, fantasy time travel, and adult romance, centering on a capable female protagonist confronting violence, loyalty, and divided loyalties across two eras.

Book 1 of Outlander series

Fantasy Adult Romance Time Travel War Historical Fiction Political Intrigue Female Protagonist Violence Strong Female Lead
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27 Phantom and Rook: When An Immortal Falls In Love With A Witch

Phantom and Rook: When An Immortal Falls In Love With A Witch

By

Rated 4.27 out of 5 stars, based on 398 reviews.

Phantom and Rook: When An Immortal Falls In Love With A Witch by Aelina Isaacs is a cozy, queer fantasy romance set in the magically vibrant city of Levena. Hedge witch Arlo Rook, finally leaving the orphanage-like Garren Castle at a hundred years old, stumbles into Thatch Phantom, an immortal trickster who secretly sustains the city with his annual scavenger hunt known as the Game. This year, Thatch raises the stakes by offering a wish to anyone who can uncover his true identity, only to find his carefully controlled existence disrupted by Arlo, who does not remember their earlier encounters. Blending humor, gentle supernatural intrigue, and slow-burn attraction between two male protagonists, the novel explores loneliness, chosen family, and the risks of wanting more than immortality.

Book 1 of Adventures in Levena series

Fantasy Magic Humor Adult Romance Cozy Supernatural LGBTQ Queer Witches Gay Male Protagonist
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28 Asiri and the Amaru

Asiri and the Amaru

By

Rated 4.27 out of 5 stars, based on 908 reviews.

Asiri and the Amaru by Natalia Hernandez follows Asiri, a young woman who can communicate with animals and flees a stifling home life for a quiet coastal village where she hopes to pass as ordinary. Her plans unravel when she repeatedly encounters Dario, an attentive local animal healer whose work brings him close to her hidden talent. After they discover an injured Amaru, a legendary creature from Peruvian mythology, Asiri must persuade Dario to help protect it from fearful townspeople while guarding her own supernatural secret. This cozy adult fantasy romance blends small-town intrigue, gentle mystery, and slow-building attraction with a strong female protagonist and a focus on animals and Andean-inspired folklore.

Book 1 of Pisqu Sweet and Sour series

Fantasy Adult Romance Cozy Mystery Supernatural Mythology Female Protagonist Small Town Animals
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29 Perfectly Imperfect Pixie

Perfectly Imperfect Pixie

By

Rated 4.26 out of 5 stars, based on 4,590 reviews.

Perfectly Imperfect Pixie by M.J. May is an urban fantasy romance about Phil, an unusually tall home-and-hearth pixie whose size keeps him from the work he is magically suited for. When werewolf Sedrick Voss becomes sole guardian to his young, grieving niece and nephew, he reluctantly seeks a pixie caretaker but doubts any fae could handle growing shifter children. Phil’s unusual stature makes him an ideal fit for Sedrick’s chaotic household, yet their fragile new stability is threatened by a ruthless alpha grandfather determined to win custody, along with meddling gnomes and sharp-minded fairy attorneys. As they fight to protect the children and define what family means, Phil and Sedrick confront long-held assumptions about fae, werewolves, and the possibility of a gay interspecies bond.

Book 1 of Perfect Pixie series

Humor Adult Romance Shapeshifters LGBTQ Fae Paranormal Werewolves Gay Male Protagonist
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30 Kings of the Wyld

Kings of the Wyld

By

Rated 4.26 out of 5 stars, based on 68,079 reviews.

In Kings of the Wyld, Nicholas Eames follows Clay Cooper, a retired mercenary whose legendary band has long since scattered into comfortable decline. When his former comrade arrives begging for help to save his daughter from a city surrounded by an overwhelming hostile force, Clay reluctantly agrees to reunite their aging crew. The group’s trek across the monster-infested wilderness known as the Heartwyld blends epic fantasy warfare, dangerous magic, and irreverent humor, as these once-great fighters confront both external threats and their own diminished abilities. The novel balances large-scale action with character-focused storytelling, emphasizing camaraderie, middle-aged protagonists, and the cost of returning to a life of violence.

Book 1 of The Band series

Fantasy Adventure Magic Action Humor Adult Science Fiction Epic Fantasy High Fantasy War Strong Protagonist Male Protagonist
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31 The Orb of Cairado

The Orb of Cairado

By

Rated 4.26 out of 5 stars, based on 1,078 reviews.

Set in the world of The Goblin Emperor, The Orb of Cairado offers an unlikely hero in historian Ulcetha Zhorvena.

Five years ago, Ulcetha was studying at the University of Cairado, working his way toward becoming a scholar first-class in the Department of History. Then a prize artifact disappeared and Ulcetha, deftly framed, was kicked out. Now he works for a crooked importer, using his knowledge of elven history to write provenances for the fake artifacts Salathgarad sells.

When the airship Wisdom of Choharo explodes, killing the emperor and three of his four sons, it takes with it Ulcetha's best friend, Mara Lilana. But Mara leaves behind a puzzle--the one thing Ulcetha can't resist. And the puzzle leads Ulcetha back to the Department of History... and maybe the chance to clear his name.

Book 1.1 of The Chronicles of Osreth series

Fantasy Adult Science Fiction High Fantasy Mystery Steampunk Short Stories
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32 The Goddess of Nothing At All

The Goddess of Nothing At All

By

Rated 4.25 out of 5 stars, based on 940 reviews.

The Goddess of Nothing At All by Cat Rector revisits Norse mythology from the perspective of a largely overlooked goddess whose life is bound to the fate of the nine realms. As the daughter of the king of gods in Asgard, she struggles with a title that brings her little respect and a father who refuses to see her worth. Her path collides with Loki’s, and their intense, complicated romance between gods and outcasts unfolds against a backdrop of prophecy, violence, and looming apocalypse. This dark fantasy with strong LGBTQ and lesbian themes follows a female protagonist forced to weigh love, revenge, and survival as her choices help shape the end of everything.

Book 1 of Unwritten Runes series

Fantasy Adult Romance Gods Dark Fantasy LGBTQ Queer Lesbian Mythology Revenge Female Protagonist Violence
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33 Ship of Magic

Ship of Magic

By

Rated 4.24 out of 5 stars, based on 108,167 reviews.

Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb opens the Liveship Traders trilogy in a maritime corner of the Elderling world, where rare wizardwood ships awaken into sentient beings after generations of a family die on their decks. Althea Vestrit, expecting to inherit her beloved liveship, is instead disinherited in favor of her harsh brother-in-law, setting off a conflict that entangles merchant houses, pirates, and the secretive Rain Wild traders. As schemes to seize or revive liveships multiply, including a damaged vessel left deranged and abandoned on a remote shore, political maneuvering and personal loyalties collide. The novel blends epic and high fantasy with seafaring adventure, war, and family drama, anchored by complex female protagonists and the eerie presence of dragons and magic.

Book 1 of The Liveship Traders series

Fantasy Adventure Magic Adult Dragons Epic Fantasy High Fantasy War Drama Political Intrigue Female Protagonist Pirates Strong Female Lead
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34 Dragon Ever After

Dragon Ever After

By

Rated 4.24 out of 5 stars, based on 4,076 reviews.

Dragon Ever After by Louisa Masters is a light-hearted urban fantasy romance featuring magic, dragons, and a retired supernatural leader who is not ready to settle into quiet obscurity. After stepping down from running the Community of Species Government, he is reluctantly content with a peaceful life until a young dragon’s crash-landing brings Brandt, the charismatic and unpredictable dragon wing leader, to his door. Their growing attraction pulls him back toward the politics and responsibilities he thought he had escaped, while pressure from his influential father to pursue a conventional career and marriage adds another layer of conflict. The novel balances paranormal worldbuilding, shapeshifter dynamics, and gay romance as its protagonist weighs personal desire against duty to both family and the wider magical community.

Book 1 of Here Be Dragons series

Magic Humor Adult Romance Dragons Shapeshifters LGBTQ Gay Strong Protagonist Male Protagonist
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35 Free the Darkness

Free the Darkness

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Rated 4.24 out of 5 stars, based on 25,441 reviews.

Free the Darkness by Kel Kade follows Rezkin, a highly trained young warrior raised in isolation at a hidden fortress on the edge of the Kingdom of Ashai. When a devastating attack destroys his home, he is left with only cryptic final orders, a cache of exceptional weapons from a dead king, and the faint trail of an elite fighter who may know the truth about his past. As Rezkin crosses Ashai in pursuit, he struggles to interpret concepts like conscience and friendship while extending his protection to an unlikely group of companions, creating moments of dry humor amid the violence. The novel blends epic and high fantasy elements with war, magic, and a strong male protagonist whose rigid training collides with a chaotic and increasingly dangerous world.

Book 1 of King's Dark Tidings series

Fantasy Adventure Magic Adult Epic Fantasy High Fantasy Young Adult War Strong Protagonist Male Protagonist Violence Heroic Fantasy
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36 The Lost War

The Lost War

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Rated 4.23 out of 5 stars, based on 3,296 reviews.

The Lost War by Justin Lee Anderson follows Aranok, a draoidh newly appointed as the king’s envoy in a realm that distrusts his kind. Tasked with escorting an exiled foreign queen back to her throne, he leads a mismatched band across Eidyn, a land still scarred by war, demon attacks, roaming Reivers, and spreading plague. As their journey progresses, unexplained deaths, shifting alliances, and buried secrets turn a straightforward political mission into a dark tangle of conspiracies. Blending epic and high fantasy with elements of mystery, war, and political intrigue, the novel centers on a strong male protagonist navigating magic, demons, and fragile loyalties in an unstable kingdom.

Book 1 of Eidyn series

Fantasy Magic Demons Adult Science Fiction Epic Fantasy High Fantasy Mystery War Dark Fantasy Political Intrigue Strong Protagonist Male Protagonist
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37 The Little Shop of Grand Curiosities

The Little Shop of Grand Curiosities

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Rated 4.23 out of 5 stars, based on 922 reviews.

In The Little Shop of Grand Curiosities, Iris Lake introduces Nepheli, a determined shopkeeper whose magical curiosity shop stands as the last remnant of wonder in the increasingly ordinary city of Elora. Her quiet routine unravels when Apollo, an enigmatic traveler from distant lands, arrives and draws her into a wider world filled with dangerous creatures, strange enchantments, and unsettling truths about her own powers. As Nepheli and Apollo navigate perilous landscapes and shifting loyalties, their partnership deepens into a nuanced romance shaped by empathy and shared vulnerability. Blending cozy fantasy atmosphere with adventure, mystery, and a subtle coming-of-age arc, the novel follows a strong female protagonist who must decide how far she is willing to go to protect magic from encroaching mundanity.

Book 1 of Tales from the Faraway North series

Fantasy Adventure Magic Adult Romance Cozy Mystery Coming Of Age Strong Protagonist Female Protagonist
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38 Bite Marks & Broken Hearts

Bite Marks & Broken Hearts

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Rated 4.22 out of 5 stars, based on 2,493 reviews.

Bite Marks & Broken Hearts by T.J. Rose follows Flynn, a heartbroken Irishman who escapes to London only to be attacked by a demon and left carrying dangerous dark magic that is slowly killing him. His unlikely protector is Sebastián, a centuries-old vampire who runs Killigrew Street, a hidden stronghold overseeing the city’s supernatural factions. As Sebastián shelters Flynn in his paranormal hotel, their wary alliance deepens into a queer romance complicated by secrets, demonic threats, and Flynn’s growing attraction to the very predator who might be his only hope. Balancing urban fantasy, found family dynamics, and slow-burning desire, the novel explores how two men marked by violence and immortality navigate trust, temptation, and survival in a city ruled by magic and monsters.

Book 1 of The Killigrew Street Case Files series

Demons Adult Romance Urban Fantasy Vampires LGBTQ Queer Paranormal Gay Male Protagonist Wolves
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39 The Devils

The Devils

By ,

Rated 4.22 out of 5 stars, based on 65,533 reviews.

The Devils by Joe Abercrombie, illustrated by John Anthony di Giovanni, follows Brother Diaz, a devout cleric summoned to the Sacred City in expectation of honor and holy duty. Instead, he is placed in command of a brutal company of killers, sorcerers, and inhuman beings whose methods clash with his faith even as they are deemed necessary for a sanctioned mission. As war looms, elves stalk the borders with predatory intent and rival princes maneuver for power, turning the campaign into a grim contest of survival, belief, and political calculation. This dark epic fantasy blends religious conflict, horror-tinged magic, and large-scale warfare around a male protagonist forced to reconcile doctrine with the violent realities of his new role.

Book 1 of The Devils series

Fantasy Magic Adult Epic Fantasy High Fantasy War Dark Fantasy Dark Historical Fiction Elves Horror Religious Conflict Male Protagonist
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40 Nevernight

Nevernight

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Rated 4.22 out of 5 stars, based on 117,032 reviews.

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff follows Mia Corvere, the daughter of a condemned traitor, in a world where three suns rarely set and shadows are scarce. Hiding in a city built on the remains of a dead god and pursued by the authorities, she discovers an affinity with darkness that leads her to a retired assassin and, ultimately, to the Red Church, an infamous school for killers. As Mia trains alongside other would-be assassins in blades, poisons, and covert magic, she pursues revenge against those who destroyed her family. Within this violent, dark fantasy setting, internal rivalries, a murderer within the Church, and buried secrets force her to question whom she can trust before she ever earns the title she seeks.

Book 1 of The Nevernight Chronicle series

Fantasy Magic Adult Romance High Fantasy Young Adult Dark Fantasy Revenge Assassins Female Protagonist Violence New Adult
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41 Aching God

Aching God

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Rated 4.21 out of 5 stars, based on 3,940 reviews.

Aching God by Mike Shel follows Auric Manteo, a former adventurer who has withdrawn from the world, burdened by physical and psychological scars from his past exploits. When his daughter’s life is threatened, he is forced back into peril, leading a largely untested group into the haunted Barrowlands and the remnants of the cruel Djao civilization. As they face monstrous creatures, lethal traps, and an atmosphere of mounting dread, Auric must confront not only external horrors but the trauma that once broke him. This dark epic fantasy blends high-stakes survival, horror-inflected tension, and a deeply introspective male protagonist in the opening volume of a planned trilogy.

Book 1 of Iconoclasts series

Fantasy Adventure Adult Gods Epic Fantasy High Fantasy Dark Fantasy Dark Horror Survival Strong Protagonist Male Protagonist Psychological
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42 Cephrael's Hand

Cephrael's Hand

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Rated 4.21 out of 5 stars, based on 3,971 reviews.

Cephrael's Hand by Melissa McPhail opens on the realm of Alorin, weakened centuries after the Adept Wars and facing the slow extinction of its magic-wielding race. Adept Vestal Raine D’Lacourte is tasked with tracking down Bjorn van Gelderan, a notorious figure whose knowledge may be the key to reversing this decline. Elsewhere, Prince Ean val Lorian’s pursuit of his blood-brother’s killer pulls him into a web of political intrigue surrounding the Eagle Throne and a shadowy First Lord. In the Nadori desert, the soldier Trell’s search for his lost past entangles him with dangerous Wildlings, linking his fate to the same hidden power shaping war, revenge, and high-stakes conflict across this epic fantasy world.

Book 1 of A Pattern of Shadow & Light series

Fantasy Magic Adult Science Fiction Epic Fantasy High Fantasy War Revenge Political Intrigue Strong Protagonist Male Protagonist
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43 A Psalm for the Wild-Built

A Psalm for the Wild-Built

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Rated 4.21 out of 5 stars, based on 194,292 reviews.

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers introduces the Monk & Robot series with a quiet, reflective science fiction setting on the moon of Panga, where human society has long since adapted to a post-industrial, sustainable way of life. Sibling Dex, a traveling tea monk, meets Mosscap, a robot whose kind left human civilization generations ago after gaining self-awareness. Bound by an old agreement, Mosscap seeks to understand what people truly need, while Dex is unsure of their own answer. Through their conversations and shared travels, the novella explores philosophical questions about purpose, contentment, and coexistence in a gentle, character-focused, and queer-inclusive narrative.

Book 1 of Monk and Robot series

Fantasy Adult Science Fiction Cozy LGBTQ Queer Philosophy Robots Non-human Protagonist Male Protagonist
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44 Kings of Paradise

Kings of Paradise

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Rated 4.21 out of 5 stars, based on 4,323 reviews.

Kings of Paradise by Richard Nell opens an epic, low-fantasy trilogy set between a frozen wasteland and a tropical island empire on the brink of upheaval. In the brutal north, Ruka, a disfigured outcast marked as a demon since birth, survives through ruthless intelligence and nurtures a meticulous plan for revenge. Far to the south, Kale, the indulged but disappointing youngest son of a sorcerer king, is forced into service with common soldiers, where war, politics, and forbidden love push him toward unexpected power. As these two male protagonists come of age in violently different cultures, their fates move toward collision in a dark narrative of ambition, vengeance, and shifting kingdoms.

Book 1 of Ash and Sand series

Fantasy Adult Science Fiction Epic Fantasy High Fantasy War Dark Fantasy Dark Coming Of Age Revenge Political Intrigue Male Protagonist Violence
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45 Wild Seed

Wild Seed

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Rated 4.21 out of 5 stars, based on 40,480 reviews.

Wild Seed by Octavia E. Butler follows Doro, an immortal being who survives by inhabiting and destroying human bodies, as he searches across centuries for people with unusual abilities. His ambitions are challenged when he encounters Anyanwu, a powerful shapeshifter whose control over her own body grants her extraordinary resilience and healing. Set between West Africa and the Americas, the novel blends historical fiction and speculative science fiction to explore power, survival, and the ethics of creating a new kind of people. Through the tense relationship between these two near-godlike figures, Butler examines domination, resistance, and psychological manipulation over a long span of time.

Book 1 of Patternist series

Fantasy Adult Science Fiction Gods Shapeshifters Historical Fiction Speculative Fiction Rebellion Male Protagonist Psychological
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46 Future Reborn

Future Reborn

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Rated 4.20 out of 5 stars, based on 1,115 reviews.

Future Reborn (Future Reborn #1) by Daniel Pierce is set two thousand years in the future in a post-apocalyptic world marked by warring tribes, mutated creatures, and supernatural beings. The protagonist, Jack Bowman, agrees to a cryogenic freezing experiment for financial gain but awakens to a drastically changed environment and encounters two women who introduce him to this dangerous new reality. As Jack navigates survival amid hostile forces, he discovers a transformation within himself that alters his humanity. The novel blends elements of science fiction, fantasy, and dystopia with mature themes and adult content.

Book 1 of Future Reborn series

Harem Adult Post Apocalyptic Science Fiction Dystopia Monsters War Apocalyptic Survival Progression Fantasy Reincarnation Strong Protagonist Zero to Hero Male Protagonist
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47 Butter, Sugar, Magic

Butter, Sugar, Magic

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Rated 4.19 out of 5 stars, based on 5,593 reviews.

Butter, Sugar, Magic by Jessica Rosenberg introduces Cassie, a recently divorced, midlife single mother who unexpectedly inherits a fully equipped bakery and an elegant apartment from a great-aunt she never knew. Moving to the small town to test this new life with her pre-teen daughter, she quickly realizes the apartment shifts to match her needs and the neighbors treat magic as casually as small talk. As Cassie weighs stability against the unsettling paranormal undercurrents, she must decide whether this cozy yet uncanny community can truly become home. Blending slice-of-life rhythms with light mystery and witchy elements, the novel focuses on a strong female protagonist rebuilding her future on her own terms.

Book 1 of Baking Up a Magical Midlife series

Fantasy Magic Adult Slice Of Life Cozy Mystery Paranormal Witches Strong Protagonist Female Protagonist Small Town
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48 Night Pleasures

Night Pleasures

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Rated 4.19 out of 5 stars, based on 82,907 reviews.

Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon introduces Kyrian of Thrace, an immortal warrior bound to the gods and sworn to fight supernatural threats in a modern urban setting. His disciplined existence unravels when he wakes up handcuffed to Amanda Devereaux, a practical, very human accountant who wants nothing to do with the paranormal world. As a powerful vampire targets Amanda, Kyrian is forced into an uneasy partnership that blends action, dark fantasy, and adult romance. Together they must confront ancient enemies and their own conflicting loyalties, knowing that the outcome of their war will determine the fate of humanity.

Book 1 of Dark-Hunter series

Fantasy Action Adult Romance Gods Urban Fantasy War Supernatural Vampires Paranormal Mythology Strong Protagonist Male Protagonist
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