Julia’s Favourite Self Published SFF Books – A Giant List – Part 1 – Epic Fantasy

I really miss those epic feeling worlds lately. Here we have strong, female characters with their own agency and voice, in a world that really lets you sink right in, with plenty of magic, creatures and different races.

The story didn’t progress too much in the book, it was more about setting up the world and characters, with action scenes interspersed ro keep it fast and griping. This has more of an epic feel to it than Sufficiently Advanced Magic, and for that sort of fantasy, it missed a bit of “complexity” in the plot and more suspense to be perfect, but still perfectly entertaining.

The group of characters isa bit tropey, but I still enjoyed them all and especially the interactions between them. The main character is definitely neurodivergent and on the ace spectrum, but we learn this more in the sequels. It feels a bit like Rothfuss writing a LitRPG light. I adore this series, despite the tropes and over powereded characters.

I enjoyed the characters and especially the flying pet fox. The characters took a while to get from two dimensional tropes to more rounded people, but then I was fully hooked. Plenty of military strategy, for those who enjoy it.

The balance between fun, blood, action, plot, character development, worldbuilding and magic was just perfect for me. It also has a lot of dark humor, that I absolutely adore! If you are looking for a “thrown right in the action” start, you might have to wait a bit for things to get going.

A standalone epic about Task, a war golem forced to fight in a human war he doesn’t believe in. The book balances large-scale battles with the quieter question of what it means to have free will. It’s brutal and bloody at times, but also surprisingly moving, with Task’s struggle for identity giving the story real heart.

A dark fairytale woven from folklore and myth, set in a forest where the legends everyone whispers about are very real. Patrick blends a haunting atmosphere with a story that feels timeless, pulling you into a world where superstition and reality collide. It’s imaginative, eerie, and a striking introduction to Yarnsworld.

A character-driven epic told through the eyes of a disabled, neurodivergent protagonist who refuses to fit the usual fantasy mold. Caplan blends the intimate struggles of living with trauma and difference with the sweeping collapse of an empire, giving the story both emotional weight and grand scope. The voice is sharp, raw, and deeply personal, making it stand out from more traditional epics while still delivering political intrigue and bloody conflict. It’s a bold, fresh take on what epic fantasy can be.

The opening to a sprawling saga full of gods, empires, and clashing armies. Mitchell wastes no time plunging readers into high-stakes action, but he balances the battles with intrigue and shifting alliances that keep the story engaging. It’s fast-paced, dramatic, and sets the stage for an epic series with plenty more to come.

A wife on a mission to rescue her husband. Frank combines strong character relationships with tense action and a well-thought-out magic system. The personal stakes make the battles hit harder, turning this into both a heartfelt and exciting start to the series.

The chapters felt a bit short to me, and I would have liked to stay with the characters longer at most character breaks. I especially liked the different aspects – witches, religion, mafia, politics, bounty hunters, a lost order of knights… The best part about this book are the characters, albeit there are a lot of them to keep track of in a book that isn’t actually that big.

A fast-paced start to a new epic where ancient magic, dangerous quests, and desperate choices collide. Estes blends action with worldbuilding that feels expansive without slowing the story down. The result is an adventure that hooks quickly and sets up plenty of intrigue for what’s to come.

This is a world full of magic and tension, where humans and elves are constantly at odds. It’s a story that moves between close, character-driven moments and a larger, high-stakes political conflict, and it does both well. Green lets you sympathize with multiple factions, even when they’re at odds, making every conflict more compelling, and every battle more emotionally charged.

A gritty blend of art and violence, where creativity and brutality meet in unexpected ways. Samuels uses the concept of painting with blood as both literal and symbolic, giving the story a striking, visceral edge. It’s unusual, raw, and memorable, a book that carves out its own space in the fantasy landscape.

A coming-of-age tale set against a backdrop of harsh winters, ancient traditions, and lurking monsters. Visceral action combined with heartfelt character moments, making the heroine’s journey as emotional as it is dangerous. It’s atmospheric, well-paced, and a compelling entry point into a rich new world.

A martial-arts inspired fantasy where loyalty, honor, and deadly skills shape every choice. Matthews builds a world steeped in Eastern influence, with political tension and personal rivalries driving the action. It’s a thoughtful, disciplined start that balances philosophy with gripping combat.

A dark and unsettling tale of ancient fae returning to haunt the mortal world. Austin-King blends folklore, horror, and epic fantasy, creating a story where the sense of dread grows with every chapter. It’s immersive and eerie, the kind of book that lingers long after you put it down.
A main strenght is as always the prose.

I really enjoyed getting a deeper view into his character, and the plot was interesting enough to keep me glued to the pages. It is about Klöss, one of the main characters of the Fae series, and about his first time out on see after finishing his training. The prose is as always exactly my style, one of the reasons I enjoy Austin-Kings books so very much!

The world started out pretty straight forward, but expanded over the course of the story. I enjoyed how some characters stay true to what I expected of them, while others grew out of their earlier behaviour. I especially liked to explore a hidden valley with all kinds of beasts and other mysteries to uncover!

A classic-feeling epic with found family, secret powers, and the spark of rebellion. Andrews balances humor and heart with moments of high tension, making the characters easy to love and the stakes easy to care about. It’s warm, adventurous, and exactly the kind of fantasy that reminds you why you fell in love with the genre.

While it felt a bit abrupt at the end, and might not be a fully satisfying story on its own, it is definitely is a good sample to see if th style is for you or not. A political fantasy with intrigue, shifting loyalties, and the spark of rebellion in an empire on the brink. Kang blends martial training, courtly maneuvering, and personal stakes to create a rich prequel that sets the stage for the larger saga. It’s compact but layered, giving a taste of both the world’s depth and the conflicts to come.

The story of a reluctant hero drawn into ancient prophecies and rising danger. Rosell combines fast-paced adventure with moments of humor and heart, making the tale feel both classic and fresh. It’s a solid entry point to an expansive world, with just enough mystery to pull you straight into the sequel. Definitely for fans of the more classic style fantasy.

An epic fantasy, where the wilderness itself feels as alive and dangerous as any villain.
Sweeping landscapes, monstrous threats, and a lone ranger caught between survival and duty. It’s both adventurous and atmospheric, perfect for readers who love wild settings, high stakes, and a touch of grit. And it features a personal favourite thing – an archer who knows what she is doing, and a capable woman at that!

Biology, magic, mythology, politics, action, creatures, twists and prose that was easy to follow and pulled me along, made for a gripping story. Friendships and new found family at the heart of it all bound the different POVs and plot lines together.

Epic fantasy with multiple worlds linked by portals and dragons, and worldbuilding that feels alive from flora and fauna to fresh magic. I loved the animal companion angle, with communication shown in images, which made the bond feel real and sweet. The story balances darker moments with humor and keeps things moving through several distinct points of view and found family vibes. It left me satisfied but very ready for the next book

A sweeping epic where kingdoms fall, secrets of the past resurface, and ordinary people are thrust into extraordinary roles. Cooper builds a vast world full of danger and wonder, balancing large-scale battles with intimate character struggles. It’s ambitious, immersive, and a strong start for readers who enjoy sprawling fantasy sagas.

It’s an epic fantasy that manages to balance a complex world and magic system with a rather more close and intimate viewpoint than these type of stories usually have. The magic system was both mysterious, but still felt solid enough to fit smoothly within the world. Here the story splits between scenes of training her magic as well as her fighting skills, and a secondary time line of the main character telling her about his past.

The story kicks off with a bang as Kef frees a prisoner, instantly showing her snarky voice and setting a fast pace. I connected with her right away and ended up finishing the whole book in a single sitting. The tight focus on Kef keeps things moving quickly, even if the side characters could have used more page time. The ending felt a bit too neatly resolved for me, but it was still a satisfying read with enough closure to stand alone while leaving threads for future stories.

I really liked the characters (and be prepared, not everyone will make it to the end of the book!), even if Rhodri sometimes did some quite stupid things, he is a teenager when the book starts after all. The writing style was really good and kept me sucked into this world all the way through. Bi sexual main character.

At times I thought the characters a bit too naive (there surely is good in almost anyone!) for the hardships they did live through and some of the troubles were resolved too easily, so it felt a tiny bit artificial, but overall the plot and characters kept me well immersed in the world and story. The plot is bloody and brutal in some places, but not just for the sake of it, but because it does fit the story. Asta is a great main character, who can be both strong and weak.