I've been struggling to find good new fantasy books that aren't just spice with a poorly conceived plot and a fantasy set dressing. I went to Barnes and Noble with friends from my DND party, and most of the books I found were Forth Wing, Lightlark, Quicksilver, etc.
All I want is Fantasy with a great story, compelling characters, a truly well-thought-out world, and maybe some romance on the side. I only like romance in my fantasy story if it's a good romance, and it's not just the main focus. Please, give me actual stakes and not just "oh, this evil war criminal shadow daddy has kidnapped me, but his castle is nice and he's only kind to me, even though he locked me in a dungeon and threatens to kill me every day if I don't fuck him".
I truly miss fantasy stories with daring quests, deadly duels, and a foreboding enemy. It feels like all the new fantasy books I can find are just romance, where the love interest is creepy or abusive and should be in jail, the worldbuilding is nonexistent, the main protagonist is stupid and/or "not like other girls", and the story is just there to get the reader to the next smut scene.
What are some actually good fantasy books that aren't just TikTok trash? Please help, I am going insane. (Not literally, I just miss when people actually wrote and cared about good books).
by Enby_Geek