55+ BOOKS ✨ Ranking All The Popular Fantasy Series I Read in 2022 

if you watched my 'what i read in december' vid (which i filmed after this but publish first haha) you know theres a little drama surrounding nocturna that makes me feel a little shaky about it being in my 'no notes, top 5' section lol. let me know your thoughts if you've read it!! **** and apparently defy the night isnt a finished duology so OOP ****

I am 99,99% sure that I will never read a Sarah J Maas book but I’m also 100% sure that I will always watch Cari’s plot breakdowns of her books 😂

The way I KNEW legendborn and once upon a broken heart was at the top because you will literally not stop harassing us into reading them 😂

ONE WHOLE HOUR OF CARI RANKINGS, I’M SO EXCITED 😭

I also read Graceling and I was blown away, definitely one of the best books I read in 2022. Bitterblue and Winterkeep are also amazing books, definitely recommend them.

I'm so happy you talked about the Mirror Visitor quartet (A winter's promise)! I'm french, I've read the first book when I was 13 years old and I can't explain to you the blissful joy that I felt just by reading the first pages. We lack original french good fantasy stories with a strong female lead and this book was one of them. I grew up with books by Pierre Bottero and Jean Claude Mourlevat who...use words like paint. Each word has its meaning, power and strength, whispering to your heart. And many years later, I found the same thing with Christelle Dabos's writing. I have to say, so quintessentially french. In France, we have many fantasy books translated from English or American. Since they already sold so well in their country of origin, french publishing houses tend to prefer to buy the rights of an English book and have it translated rather than betting on an original french/Belgian writer/book. And it's such a shame because a translation, even as good as it can be, is NEVER going to be like the original text. You keep the plot, the characters, and the feelings, but you lose the poetry, the flair, and even the humour or cleverness of the text and the words that come out of the character's mouths. And that's what happened to the translation of the Mirror Visitor. I'm sure the translator was very professional and did their best, but I can also guess that this book was an absolute nightmare to translate. Apart from all the words and puns that don't exist in English, there are actual plot points and turnarounds that are based on the words THEMSELVES. Writing a book is like baking a cake. You can make so many versions of a chocolate cake. Change the amount of some ingredients, and the time in the oven and you'll have a different cake from your first try. It's still going to be a chocolate cake, but it's going to be another version. So change the language of a story, and you'll have a different version of the same story. it doesn't have to be worse or better, but it won't have the exact intention that had the author in its original language. (dear reader, thank you so much for hearing my point of view and sorry for the misspells and shaky English :')

I really wish we could get more books given the acotar treatment. I love those videos. They're really entertaining and actually get me interested in reading and even writing.

honestly cari's description of 'once upon a broken heart' was on point. u can't describe it. it's just you read it and ur like 'wow'. months after reading it and it's still the only word that can give this series justice.

I genuinely appreciate these as someone who writes 24/7 fantasy, magic realism, etc because I know I will not get to all of these books for a while and hearing your synopsis for ideas as well as what you as an avid fantasy reader see and don’t see as likable or not in the genre is super insightful

Omg so glad you liked Magic Bites! That is one of my favourite adult romance fantasies. The series gets so much better as it goes along and it goes places that you wouldn’t expect based on the first book but doesn’t feel unearned because of how well the world building is done and how it is rolled out. Can’t wait for you to read more of them to see what you think.

It's always nice to see non french readers reacting to the mirror visitor/ A winter's promise! As someone who read all the books, i think the ending was mostly disliked because it was an open, bittersweet ending, which make sense given the story but sadly some peoples didnt understood that. Glad you liked the two first books!

The way my anxiety paused for 1 hour while I listened to Cari rank books is amazing. Its something I've been fighting with constantly for the past couple of months so I am always grateful when a video comes out and I can trick my mind to pay attention to something else. Thanks for making my day better!

I discovered Gideon the Ninth the literal day it came out completely by accident, and I’ve been obsessed ever since. I think if you reread Gideon, you’ll understand everything better going into Harrow.

Randomly ready the Remnant Chronicles because of your recommendation a while ago and I'm shook that they weren't/aren't more popular. They blew me away, love them and thank you for bringing attention to them

She's a reading machine! I'll be finishing The Bear and the Nightingale series this year. And I've had Winter's Promise on my shelf for a while. Such pretty books.

Cari you literally make everyones day better with your posts! Thank you for all the amazing book recs :)

I have to be honest that Cari got me into the Sarah J Maas books just because of how much fun I had watching her read these books. ACOTAR and Crescent City are now my favorite series

Acotar just brought me to life again. I don't understand how can anyone not talk about it on a preference fantastic book list. #justsaying

1hr Yes please 🙇‍♀! Thank you for recommending Legendborn in earlier vids so glad i finally read it, and I couldn't agree more with you about Tracy's writing it is magic!

I love your book videos! You finally convinced me to finish the shadow and bone series so I could read six of crows and of course it was amazing! Since you started this channel because of six of crows I’m glad I finally was able to find my love for reading again along with you!

Whether it’s here or your main channel I love your long videos, love listening to you talk and it’s a perfect way to start the day or end the evening. Especially when doing tasks you want a voice playing at the same time. Basically if you did a podcast 100/10 would listen!

Omg! I am so happy that you started the Kate Daniels series Magic Bites! You have to finish the series it is soooooo gooood!

Really liked Gideon and Harrow but wow Nona the Ninth has my whole heart and I already want to reread it. Can’t wait for you to read!

cari i found your channel a week ago and this is the absolute best gift you could have put in my inbox this evening

This is the first video you’ve made I’ve ever watched and I love you! Your insights are delightful and you’re wonderful at explaining plots.

Omg thank you!! I have been in love with Mary Pearson’s series for so long and I never see any love for it so I’m so glad you talked about it!

I just want to share, not complaining or anything, just had a panic attack few hours ago, sitting on the floor, crying, was so scared that I’m not gonna sleep, and here you are, Cari, saving my mind from breaking apart AGAIN!❤ Like if you’re watching this beautiful ginger girl for a while, you’ll understand me

I always get so excited when people still discover the Graceling trilogy! It's one of my absolute favourite book series

my favorite thing is when cari calls sjm just “Sarah.” in the most Done tone 😂 “come on, Sarah, come on!”

I saw the post on Instagram that she was dropping this video, and I literally cleared my schedule, grabbed a snack and some coffee, and prepared for another great night with Cari! ❤️❤️

I love how your ranking videos get longer and longer so I can listen to them while i'm doing work its really therapeutic

I loveeee the long video thank you so much Cari ❤ Both you and Merphy Napier really loved The Kiss of Deception and that's a book I read like right when it came out and I remember disliking it so much I DNFd it but now i'm getting fomo and i'm kinda thinking about giving it another chance?? maybe, we'll see. Another series I think is suuper underrated is The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski. I have not in all my years come across a series that encapsulates everything I like into such a concise and expertly written trilogy. It truly has it all, the story starts out simple and branches into a beautiful tapestry of super cool development of different cultures, the character's struggles are poignant and the dynamics between them are just so delicious to read. Marie's writing is so sharp in this series, she and her editors really trimmed all the fat off the story and every single character interaction, thought or seemingly unimportant detail is important to the plot. This results in a beautifully crafted story with interwoven themes of oppression and cultural identity. The power imbalance between the MCs throughout the books is adressed and never shied away from, and we see their relationship mature throughout the books ant it's so ksdjfbkasjdhlajsfhkSWFHAK You can also tell that the author is very smart bc many of her characters are also quite intelligent in a way that seems real and is very entertaining to read about. The political manouvering, the strategy , the BETRAYAL in here is so well crafted and so juicy. And to top it all off, the books get better as you go on, so you can trust that every installment will be better as the last. TLDR The Winner's Trilogy by Marie Rutkoski has the best yearning I have EVER read. Based on roman and greek wars. Enemies to friends to lovers back to enemies to lovers and it never feels disjointed or unnecesary. Just read it.

I'm actually really relived to see Once Upon a Broken Heart at the top of your list. I've been wanting to read it for a long time just because of how BEAUTIFUL the cover is, but I've not heard anything positive or negative about it on my side of booktube, so I'm super happy you've enjoyed it so much, and now I'm feeling a lot better about reading it even sooner than expected.

I think it's safe to say that I will NEVER read a book before I hear about it from Cari 💖!! All of your videos are PHEE-nom-enal, and your rankings are spot on girl! Case in point, based on Cari's choice I am reading, and DEVOURING, "Sorcery of Thorns"!!! Thank you SO much for giving my reading agenda a delightful and solid direction💕💕💕

Anything by ilona andrews is amazing. The other series by them you showed to describe covers is also amazing but those covers killed me. Reviews are amazing even with covers because they have a trusting fan base. The thing I like the most os their ability to create secondary characters that feels so well fleshed out and real.

Grabbed a coffee and a blanket, all snuggled up and ready to watch! Love love love your long vids!

The fact that you love the ballad of never after makes me uncontrollably giddy😂❤ I highly suggest listening to the audiobooks of series, because the narrator does an EXCELLENT job voicing jacks snarky sultry voice. .😳

I LOVED the kiss of deception trilogy and have not been hearing anyone talking about it. I was so excited that you liked it too! >

Happy to hear someone talking about Ilona Andrews’ books! The Magic Bites series were my favorites as a teen and I reread them when I need a jumpstart back into reading, there’s so much folklore and creative uses in them even if one villain isn’t your favorite, next book there’ll be a new bad guy to fight.

I had the best moments of my life reading Once Upon a Broken Heart and the Ballad of Never After in 2022. I love them. So whimsical and beautiful with full of twists. Waiting patiently for the next book and Jacks.💔

Love this video Cari...I've been loving your other channel too! It's so cool hearing your book tastes and life in Korea!

I'm so glad you gave Ilona Andrews a try. They're such an underrated writing duo. You should continue the Kate Daniels series, trust me, its SO WORTH IT. Magic Bites is the weakest book, because it was the first book and they were asked to cut down a lot of the scenes to keep within the word count, but as the series progresses its just chef's kiss. Kate Daniels is hands down my fav urban fantasy heroine

Thanks for always taking the time to recommend amazing books... you helped get me back to reading 2 years ago 🤗

This might be 5 months old but so many of these books are on my tbr and I think you've officially convinced me to move them higher up on the list

Started reading Magic Bites because of this video and it’s genuinely so well written for what it seems? You’re exactly right about the cheap obvious romance cover mood, but it’s great so far!

im glad you covered kiss of deception bc i was intrigued by the concept but turned off by the title so now with your seal of approval I can justify investing time into reading it

I love your long videos, thank you! can't wait to watch it!!

Please please please make a big video about the remnant chronicles!!! its literally my fav series and i NEVER hear anyone talking about it- the noise i let out when u said "kiss of Deception..." i got so excited

This is my FAVORITE video that you upload every year

Cari has been burned one too many times with the unfinished duologies. So thoughtful to include “finished duology” to save us the agony😂

Thank you for these reviews! As a retired person, I have the luxury of time and read a book every day or two. It's a rather perfect life. I'm looking forward to reading some of these. Harrow the 9th is next in my pile waiting for tomorrow. I'd like to recommend Lindsay Buroker's series "Death before Dragons" the first book called Sinister Magic. The main character is a female assassin whose life is a mess. This urban fantasy series is full of adventure, snark and just plain fun. Now if that dragon would only leave her alone....

I recently started watching your videos and I’m so glad I found this channel! Keep it up 😊

currently doing my gideon reread in prep to read nona and literally the amount of details that i missed first time round UGH love how she writes, can't wait for nona and (when we get there) alecto to ruin me. can't remember if you've read she who became the sun or not? great book, part 2 coming this year. OH and master of djinn by p djeli clark, it's set in like an alternate 1910s cairo where there's magic/steampunk vibes, and it's sapphic, there's mystery, and the main character wears these incredible suits and bowler hats, very much a fun time

Cari listing her top fantasy books are my favourite kinds of videos ❤

I have a job that allows me to listen to audiobooks while I work (and I would probably go crazy without them) and these videos are a LIFESAVER for finding new fiction to listen to

I'm reading the Caraval series just so I can read once upon a broken heart lol Yeah, I know I don't need to read one to read the other, but here I am - and i don't regret it: I just started Finale and I liked the first two books much more than I was expecting, so expectations are HIGH for the OUABH.

If you're up to a longer series, you should totally give the Falling kingdom series a try, it's amazing. It's by Morgan Rhodes. Love your videos ❤

Always love your ranking videos! Just as an FYI, when you were talking about Air Awakens, you put the author’s name on screen as “Elise Nova” when it’s Elise Kova 😊 May have been an honest typo but I wanted to let you know! Also: I knew EXACTLY what you meant about your “inner dialogue” adopting an accent lmao when I binge watched The Fall on Netflix, it’s set in Belfast (Ireland) and I swear my thoughts were in an Irish accent for a week straight. 😂

I screamed when i saw ur newest update! Your video makes me wanna read Legendborn 🤩🤩🤩

Your vids are always a treat to listen to! :)

I just read Legendborn this weekend after watching this video and I'm just BLOWN AWAY. Can't wait to read the second one!!! ❤ Thanks thanks thanks Cari for recommending it

Ohh yesss new video!! Time to grab some food and get comfortable. Love you videos queen♥️ (btw I read Legendborn because of your videos and OMG BEST BOOKS EVER)

i love your long videos!!!! i already know this will be good!!!

I love the way she explains books even if she didn't like them, Cari's long book videos >>>

awesome video, I now have more books to add on my to-read list haha

Reading kiss of deception next!! So excited 😍

A Winter's Promise/The Mirror Visitor is one of my favorite series and I loved to hear your opinion on it! I was so let down by the ending, but the first two books are wonderful. The third one has some great scenes too. Sadly the fourth one takes bizarre turns and the ending is just. Well. It certainly doesn't justify harassing the author at ALL but I understand why so many of us were sad/upset about it. Since the book released (I read it in French so it's been a while), I haven't been able to revist the series even though the characters are really dear to me. So I'd say you're right to stop at the second book.

I'm glad you discovered Illona Andrews. I really love all the books I've read by them. I also love the Air Awakens series, but I haven't liked any of Elise Kova's subsequent books, which is disappointing.

Graceling was my all time favourite series growing up, it is such a comfort series to me I remember when Bitterblue came out and it was only the first two for sooooo long! Highly recommend you finish it

Thanks for your feedback, a lot of these series are in my TBR in French or in English, you made me want to read them quickly 😁

The Graceling series is one of my favorites! Bitterblue and Winterkeep are amazing

The graceling series is my favorite series ever, it got me back into reading. so glad you loved it. If you’re going to continue reading this series, you have to read the newest one that came out last year! It’s called Seasparrow, and in my opinion it is the best of all the Graceling books. That could just be a personal taste thing, but I really think it is so good. Edit to add: You probably do need to read Winterkeep before Seasparrow, which I don’t like as much, but it was still good.

I felt the same for the Bridge Kingdom, but the second book was so much better it really made me feel the feels, especially the ending.

I enjoyed those recommendations so much… But the earrings!! They stole the show ughh 😍

Noooo I loooved A winters promise😭 I reeeallly hoped to finaly see somebody on youtube that loves it just as much as I do. I know it gets pretty complicated but if you read it slowly and maybe reread certain bits of everything will slowly begin to make sense. Maybe someday you can give it another try... But anyway I love your channel it alway makes me happy when I see you uploaded an other video!🥰

I love love love Bitterblue and Winterkeep and I super hope you read those in the graceling series

ONCE UPON A BROKEN HEART AND THE BALLAD OF NEVER AFTER!!!! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS!!!! We are the same

Currently reading once upon a broken heart and i am obsessed, i have never felt anything like reading this book! im also obsessed with the special edition covers they need to be back in print 😅

Your videos are so TOP, enjoy them so much ❤️

I know it’s a good day when you post

(No spoilers) I was also really sad about the ending to the Mirror Visitor quartet, and then somebody explained to me how the ending was described in the original French, and it completely changed my opinion of it: there’s a whole metaphor in the fourth book that I was really struggling to understand in English, but in French makes much more sense. Whatever I feel about the actual story, as someone who loves languages I *really* love discovering that the language in which an idea is expressed can drastically affect how I react to it emotionally.

Yas gurl! This is the video we needed! 👏❤️

❤ What a great fantasy wrap up. Some inspiration for me to finally pickup Legendborn and Strange the Dreamer. I know you’ve raved before but now I need to do it. Especially since both are already on my shelf! And your reaction to the badmouthing redheads is classic. I’m in a family full of redheads…any get-together is like a redhead convention…so I completely understand your reaction. I have always wondered why redheads take crap for their hair color in real life but then are used in ads all the time and literally are a small percentage of the population. Odd. How do people in Korea react to your hair? Thanks for the fun video and Happy New Year to both of you.

Winternight trilogy was my favorite read for 2022 - the clash between new and old gods, as well as the character arc of the head priest was just chef's kiss 👌🏼

As a neurodivergent person, if you are neuro diverse you may love the wisteria society of lady scoundrels/dangerous damsel series!! It’s zany and chaotic good for my adhd brain lol. Also, if you like Victorian literature & Wildean humor it’s perfect 🫶 India Holton is just so brilliant!

i just recently read (what is going to be a trilogy) called the burning kingdoms and from the first two books i can tell you that it will be a masterpiece once it is completed. the author has a very eerie and beautiful writing style, i can’t tell you the amount of times I got chills. while this series is mostly about a nation healing from literal annexation there is a sapphic romance as well that is written so beautifully.

Just a friendly reminder that a lot of these books could be in your local library! Please support your library as much as you can. 🙏 have fun reading guys 😃

I love watching you talk about the Kiss of Deception series and Dance of Thieves duology because I had the EXACT same experience. Down to the plot twist that just had me questioning everything lol I literally had to go back and reread and be like "wait am I just stupid or was that just really well written?" 😂

The Innkeeper Chronicles series was my introduction to Ilona Andrews' writing. It's so bonkers with the world-building in such a good way; cheesy, but also less smut-focused and a total comfort read. I recommend them if you're looking for more of that author duo :)

Yes QUEEN with the 1 hour video 👑

The Kiss of Deception was so so so compelling! What an amazing concept in the first book with the POVs! I was blown away

Same!!! 🙊🙈 It still mind boggling to me that no one talks about The Kiss of Deception as much. (Gave it 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I LOVE THIS SERIES SO MUCH!!!! 🥰😭💜💜💜) And yet Dance of Thieves I hear about nonstop when it's a spin off from that series lol! I personally thought it was okay, not as good as KOD- I did enjoy seeing how the characters from the KOD are doing though and still did enjoyed her writing. 🤗✒📖🌿⚔🥀 As for The Bear and Nightingale 😱😱😱🙈🙈 lol I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it. 🙊 Atleast you gave it a shot. 🤷‍♀️ My best friend wasn't into it either. I'm excited to hear your thoughts on your next reads. Maybe a plot on Throne of Glass next for this year? Haha! 😉 Happy reading/New year! Stay safe! 😆🎉📚🧸📖💕

I love Kiss of Deception! I’m so glad someone else appreciates it too 😂. It’s way too underrated!

Ilona Andrews books are my favorites 💜 Kate Daniels series is amazing. Kate is growing more and more in every book and I love it!

I was literally looking for this video on your page thinking you already posted it, as it posted. My spider sense we’re letting me know your video was coming hehe.

Defy the night is going to have more books :) it’s not a finished duology - don’t want you to be frustrated thinking the next book wraps things up haha

Definitely read Cursed (the sequel to Gilded)!! It’s so good!! I totally agree with you that the first book was a little slow but I promise it gets sooo much better!

I actually love the mirror visitor's ending, it is an open ending and pretty bittersweet but i liked it

I knew OUABH/TBONA would be in the top! Can't wait for A Curse for True Love. So far everything says September 12 but she's not finished writing it!!!! So who knows.

Dinner and a show - perfect timing!😊