Epic fantasy standalones: why they’re trending

Are you even a member of the book community if you haven’t read Throne of Glass, Six of Crows, Shatter Me, or The Cruel Prince? For the record, yes, but give me a sec I promise I’m making a point here.

For years, fantasy series have dominated the scene, and while some are more of a commitment than others (I’m looking at you, SJM), they all have one thing in common; multiple books. But recently, a new trend is emerging; standalones. Telling a complete story with satisfying character arcs set inside a fully realized fantasy world that takes place, get this, within a singular volume of literature. All the best parts of epic fantasy, without the multi-book commitment.

When you think about it, YA fantasy went through an inverse of this around the time Six of Crows was popular; instead of standalones or trilogies, the duology rose in popularity as the trending method of storytelling. This appears to be in response to sophomore slumps and/or lackluster endings.

It makes me wonder if contemporary romance will go through something similar. If readers will tire of the interconnected standalone formula and reach for standalones again. And part of me wonders if this new epic fantasy standalone trend is partially out of fatigue not just for series, but also for a similar interconnected standalone trend (see, Serpent and the Wings of Night, The Bridge Kingdom, etc). Are readers tired of having to commit to five 500 page books in order to consume one story?

It does seem as though, if you’re a fantasy reader, you’re also forced to be a series reader. Maybe that will change, but for now (shameless plug incoming), if you’re looking for an epic fantasy standalone, I hope you’ll consider picking up mine, The King’s Starkeeper, out March 31st, 2026.