Fairies, the fae, seelies, the sidhe, and beyond — whatever you call them, they’ve been appearing in folklore for ages, even dating back to oral literature. Thankfully for us adult readers, these mythical creatures aren't reserved for children’s stories.
Fairy (or if you’re into the old school spelling, faerie) books for adults bring ethereal charm to the fantasy genre. And, when writing for more mature audiences, authors are free to break the traditional pixie mold and bring greater nuance, romanticism, and even a dark side to fairies.
So without further ado, I present a list of adult fairy books to bewitch your imagination and open your eyes to unseen worlds. If you can’t get enough of this sub-genre, I recommend starting with Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire — the first in a satisfying series by the author of the award-winning Wayward Children novels that follows a badass, half-fae heroine.
1. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
A round of applause for Maas, who created one of the most wildly popular and addictive romantasy book series about fairies for adults in the modern canon. It has everything fantasy readers could want: romance and intrigue, world-building and lore, and a heroine who’s proud, fierce, loyal, stubborn, and clever.
Feyre is a huntress, but when she kills the wrong wolf, she is taken from her family and into the fae realm — among the creatures she’s feared her entire life — to pay the price. Only, the fae have secrets and problems of their own.
2. Under the Pendulum Sun by Jeannette Ng
Ng’s brilliant debut is gothic meets grimdark — like if a Charlotte Brontë novel included malevolent fae. Madness, misdirection, and mortal terror are all present, making this among the top books about the fae for adults.
Cathy Helstone ventures into the faelands of Arcadia in search of her brother, a Victiorian Christian missionary who seemingly disappeared while trying to convert the faeries. She waits for his return at Gethsemane — a dark, eerie castle where nothing is familiar and no one, particularly the fae, are who they seem to be.
3. Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire
October Daye, or “Toby,” is a half-fae living among humans, working as a private investigator in San Francisco. But when a prominent fae dies, Toby is pulled back into the Faerie world to solve the case — forcing her to battle against dangers both mystical and human. (As if that’s not enough, she’s also cursed to live as a koi fish for 14 years. Queue the righteous fury.)
Rosemary and Rue is the start of McGuire’s urban fae fantasy series. If you love high-stakes mystery and incredible world-building, this is the series for you.
4. The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories by Susanna Clarke
This collection of short fairy tales takes place in an alternate 19th-century England where whimsical happenings and mischievous fae complicate the lives of proper English folk. Women’s magic takes front-and-center, so fans of feminist fantasy take note.
Those who’ve read Clarke’s popular Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell will recognize a few familiar characters. Those who haven’t won’t be left out of the loop, as each story is complete in its own.
5. Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher
Toadling, a human girl stolen and raised by the fae, guards a tower that holds a sleeping princess and dark secrets. After centuries, a prince arrives to save the damsel, not realizing his actions could destroy the world. A whimsical and darkly funny novella, Thornhedge will surprise you at every twist.
Kingfisher, a pseudonym for author Ursula Vernon, puts a unique spin on a classic fairy tale here. Read her Hugo Award-winning Nettle & Bone next for another fantasy story that includes a fairy godmother.
6. The Infinity Concerto by Greg Bear
After following a set of clues left by an eccentric composer whose ethereal concerto wreaks havoc on an unsuspecting audience, Michael Perrin stumbles into an alternative land. Sidhedark is a dark, dangerous place inhabited by the Sidhe — fairy folk who don’t take kindly to humans. (Pretty on-the-nose name, you see.)
Bear’s portal fantasy is the first part of the Songs of Earth and Power duology (concluded by The Serpent Mage), a coming-of-age adventure pulsing with danger, magic, music, and poetry.
7. Between Two Thorns by Emma Newman
In Nether — a land between the human world and the fae world — dwell the humans dedicated to their fae lords. Cathy, desperate to escape Nether’s suffocating social structures and her cruel father, sneaks into the human realm.
But when she meets Max, an arbiter of the realms, Cathy’s drawn back to Nether to help solve a series of kidnappings — a plot that may threaten her freedom, and her very life.
Between Two Thorns draws readers into The Split Worlds series, which blends urban fantasy and Regency-era high society.
8. Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
When Mac’s sister is murdered, her world changes forever — in more ways than one. Following a puzzling message her sister left right before she died, Mac ventures to Ireland, where she realizes she’s not just a regular woman — she’s gifted with the power to see beyond the veil and into the fae realm.
What started as a search for closure soon becomes a high-octane quest to find a dangerously powerful book — one that’s detrimental to both worlds. But to succeed, Mac will have to trust Jericho, despite his many secrets.
The first installment in Moning’s Fever series has everything: action, dark romance, and the fae, all in an atmospheric Irish setting.
9. Truthseeker by C.E. Murphy
Lara Jansen, the heroine of Truthseeker, can only tell the truth, and can always tell when people are lying. Her talents have been underutilized until a prince steps through the portal from Faerie, begging her to help him solve the mystery of his brother’s death. But will Lara’s gifts extend to the seelies she’s trying to understand, and can she truly trust the prince?
Continue the fae-filled Worldwalker duology with Wayfinder.
10. Phantastes by George MacDonald
MacDonald’s works are some of the earliest forays into the modern fantasy genre, inspiring authors like C.S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia) and Lewis Carroll (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland).
Phantastes, MacDonald’s debut, is a spiritual allegory that follows Anodos, a young man who’s lulled into Fairy Land and discovers a multitude of creatures, including flower-dwelling fairies. Anodos wanders Fairy Land in search of a beautiful Marble Lady, with many twists, turns, and challenges to overcome along the way.
11. A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare
Shakespeare’s classic comedy, set in an enchanted forest, intertwines the romantic misadventures of four young lovers, the comedic antics of amateur actors, and the magical meddling of the fairy king and queen, Oberon and Titania.
Whimsical chaos ensues under the midsummer moon — including secret love potions, mistaken identities, physical transformations, and other hilarities — all culminating in a joyous celebration of romance.
