What makes fantasy books so great? The fantasy genre is filled with unique magic, sizzling romance, and swashbuckling adventures. Series can range from two books to twenty, hooking us with their captivating, complex stories. In this article, we’re highlighting fantasy book series that told brilliant stories in just two books.
Here is a list of seven fantasy duologies you won’t want to put down.
The Crimson Moth duology by Kristen Ciccarelli
In this enemies-to-lovers romantasy, a witch and a witch hunter are forced into a fake relationship. Rune Winters is a powerful witch known as the Crimson Moth, a witch vigilante by night and a naïve socialite by day. After a rescue gone wrong, she courts Gideon Sharpe, a witch hunter sworn to hunt her down. Unbeknownst to her, Gideon suspects her to be the Crimson Moth and courts her. Hoping to take each other down, the two enter into a fake relationship in order to learn each other’s secrets, but slowly find themselves falling for each other.
The Carve the Mark Series by Veronica Roth
In this dystopian fantasy, Akos Kereseth and Cyra Noavek are from enemy countries: Akos is the son of a powerful oracle, and Cyra is the sister of a ruthless dictator. When Akos is kidnapped and forced to work for the Noavek family, he begins to realize that the seemingly ruthless Cyra is just trying to survive her family, just as he is. When they find themselves in the midst of a rebellion, the two are forced to choose between loyalty and love in order to survive.
Six of Crows Duology by Leigh Bardugo
In this fast-paced, high-stakes duology, six thieves attempt one of the most dangerous heists: breaking a powerful magician out of their world’s deadliest and unbreakable prisons. The crew consists of Kaz, the mastermind, Inej, the stealthy Wraith, Jesper, the sharpshooter, Nina, the healer, Matthias, the reluctant tagalong, and Wylan, the shy chemist.
The Wrath & The Dawn Duology by Renée Ahdieh
In this young adult retelling of A Thousand and One Nights, the boy king, Khalid, takes a new bride each night only to murder her at sunrise. To avenge the murder of her best friend at the hands of the king, Shahrzdad volunteers to marry him. Instead of dying at sunrise, Shahrzdad lives another day… and the next… and the next. With each day she lives, she begins to learn that the murder of those girls is not what it seems.
The Shepherd King Series by Rachel Gillig
In this dark fantasy duology, heroine Elspeth Spindle has a monster in her head called the Nightmare, who protects her. Elspeth’s kingdom needs a monster to save them, but magic comes with a price. When Elspeth meets a mysterious highwayman, the king’s nephew guilty of high treason, she embarks on a dangerous quest to save their kingdom. But Elspeth begins to realize that the Nightmare is slowly infecting her mind…and she doesn’t know how to stop him.
The Queen’s Rising Duology by Rebecca Ross
In this magic-filled fantasy, seventeen-year-old Brienna wants two things: to master her passion and to have a patron. In her society, there are five passions: art, music, dramatics, wit, and knowledge, and Brienna struggles to find hers. Months after not receiving a patronage offer, Brienna gets a patronage offer from a disgraced lord, Cartier Évariste. She soon learns that there’s more to him than meets the eye. Cartier intends to overthrow a rival king and place a powerful queen in his place. Torn between loyalty to her country and her patron, Brienna must choose a side.
Dance of Thieves Duology by Mary E. Pearson
In this cat-and-mouse game, the young leader of an outlaw dynasty, Jase, is at odds with a young queen who threatens his dynasty. The queen sends a former street thief, Kazi, to investigate Jase’s lands, but the thief learns that there’s more to this young leader than they thought. As unexpected events force them together, the two must continue fulfilling their own secret missions.
As sparks fly and adventures call in these fantasy worlds, we hope you enjoy these thrilling and captivating short fantasy series.
For more fantasy recommendations, click here.
These books and more can be found on our Fantasy Lovers Paradise: Epics, Romances, and More! shelf at Bookshop.
