7 Fantasy Books That Need To Become TV Shows

Radiant Lovely's book cover shows a pink moon with flowers, vines, and a dagger with butterfly wings.

By Dani Kessel Odom Published 20 minutes ago Dani Kessel Odom (they/them) is an autistic lead writer on the New TV team, focusing on writing and content planning for streaming shows. They often assist with Classic TV coverage, as well. They have covered events, such as Denver Fan Expo. Their articles have also been shared by professionals in the field, such as Damien Leone and Lucy Hale. In university, they majored in English Writing with a minor in psychology. They have always had a passion for analyzing TV and movies, even taking filmography and scriptwriting classes in university. They also studied and participated in onstage and onscreen acting extensively from the ages of 7 to 18. Aside from working at Screen Rant, Dani has worked as a freelance editor and writer over the past decade, often in a ghostwriting capacity. Sign in to your ScreenRant account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread 1 Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

Some phenomenal fantasy books are practically begging to get adapted, and we’re dying to see these seven come to our TV screens. Fantasy stories were once reserved primarily for the big screen because they were too expensive for networks to take on. Fantasy TV shows were mainly limited to low-budget and urban fantasy stories.

However, in a world of Game of Thrones and Rings of Power, high fantasy stories have the opportunity to appear on the small screen without diminishing their expansive worlds and magic systems due to higher budgets. More fantasy books are being optioned, with these ten being the most exciting upcoming fantasy adaptations on TV.

However, others deserve the same opportunity. These seven fantasy books would make an incredible series due to their fun and refreshing stories, and we’re dying to see them come to our screens in the future.

7 Mistborn "Era One" by Brandon Sanderson

The covers of the original Mistborn trilogy: The Final Empire, The Well of Ascension, and The Hero of AgesCustom Image by Simone Ashmoore

Brandon Sanderson has rightfully earned his place as one of the best contemporary fantasy authors, which makes it all the more surprising that his Mistborn series hasn’t been brought to the screen. His series of seven books and a novella (with many more to come) is divided into distinct stories set in the same world.

Mistborn "Era One" would be the perfect foundation for a TV show. The story follows a group of Allomancers who try to overthrow a dystopian, tyrannical empire. Allomancers can ingest metals to enhance their mental and physical abilities.

Although Hollywood has had their sights set on Mistborn, all the movie plans have fallen through. This is for the best, as Mistborn is better suited to TV. The extra runtime would allow the creative team to explore the incredible worldbuilding and magic system from the books.

6 Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Graceling book cover shows an assassin hiding in the leaves with a knife

The coming-of-age fantasy book Graceling has all the fundamentals of a great TV show. Set in the world of the Seven Kingdoms, some citizens are born with Graces, or extraordinary abilities and skills.

Graceling Book Series

Book #

Title

Release Year

Graceling

2008

Fire

2009

Bitterblue

2012

Winterkeep

2021

Seasparrow

2022

A young woman named Katsa has the Grace of killing, with the ability to murder with just a small gesture. She has been forced since a young age to be the king’s assassin. However, everything changes when she meets a stranger named Prince Po and learns a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms.

Graceling is immersive and action-packed. The world is exceptionally well-developed, so much so that a movie wouldn’t do it justice. The story has romance and light sexual content. The main characters also feel realistic and compelling. Ultimately, it’s a story about growing up and deciding who you want to be.

5 Raven's Mark Trilogy by Ed McDonald

Blackwing book cover

There aren’t many fantasy shows that have delved into the grimdark genre, but the Raven’s Mark Trilogy would be a great way to bring the genre to the small screen. It’s grimdark with just a tiny hint of hope that shines through.

The story follows bounty hunter Ryhalt Galharrow, who lives in a bleak magical world called the Misery, born of chaos magic and filled with horrifying creatures. He becomes involved in political unrest and ancient powers as the Misery spreads and fractures.

The Raven’s Mark Trilogy has a nihilistic and bleak tone, influenced by morally gray characters. The post-apocalyptic setting includes gritty descriptions and disturbing violence. While it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, this dark fantasy style would be an excellent TV show.

4 Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Wicked Lovely book cover shows a moon with ivy and a crown

The book series Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr is one of the best young adult dark fantasy series. Not many fantasy shows or movies focus on faeries, and Wicked Lovely would be a great place to start.

The story follows Aislinn, a human with the Sight, a rare ability to see the fae. She soon realizes Keenan and Donia, two faeries with opposing goals, are following her. The two are trying to win over Aislinn, believing her to be an important figure in a centuries-old war between different faerie courts.

It ties together urban fantasy and high fantasy in an interesting way. The characters in Wicked Lovely are compelling, with plenty of secrets to spare. There’s political intrigue with the Winter Court and Summer Court. Plus, the story has a romance subplot that’s necessary to the overarching story.

3 Unholy Blood by Lina Lim

Unholy Blood volume 1 book cover shows hayan with white hair and a crown of thorns

The manhwa Unholy Blood was published on Webtoons, but it has since been turned into multiple graphic novels. This is one of my favorite fantasy stories, and I will never stop rallying for it to become a TV show, whether that be animated or live-action. The story puts a fresh and interesting twist on the vampire subgenre.

The graphic novels follow pureblood vampire Hayan Park, who wants to live a normal life. However, ten years before the start of the story, murderous human-vampire hybrids take over. Though she tries to lie low for safety, she realizes after an impactful death that she must use her real powers to protect everyone. Luckily, she has the help of a member of the anti-vampire team.

While I think it would be better as an anime, Unholy Blood would be an incredible TV show no matter the format. The narrative and characters are compelling. Hayan is very relatable, considering she’s a different creature. What’s more, the villains are top-notch.

2 A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes

A thousand ships book cover

The Trojan War might be inspired by real history, but the most famous retellings all rely on heroes and gods to fill in the gaps. Greek mythology is laced with fantasy in the best way. Unfortunately, most versions view the event exclusively from the men's perspective. Even when women are present in the stories, their experiences are told strictly from a man’s point of view.

Classicist Natalie Haynes flips the script, not just retelling Homer’s book from a woman’s interpretation but actually reimagining it from the perspective of the women characters. A Thousand Ships incorporates the voices of women affected by the Trojan War, such as bigger figures in the story like Hecabe and Calliope and also ordinary women.

Based on the unique point of view and the dramatic storytelling, it would make for an excellent miniseries or TV show. The format already feels like it was written as episodes, since the chapters switch perspectives. Plus, now is an excellent time for a TV version of A Thousand Ships, with popular TV shows drawing upon Greek mythology.

1 Blackheart Knights by Laure Eve

Blackheart Knights Book Cover shows a knight riding a motorcycle with a sword

Anyone who ever wondered “what would happen if King Arthur’s knights dressed in leather, rode motorcycles, and existed in the city of Gotham?” needs to read the book Blackheart Knights by Laure Eve. It’s a unique, gritty, queernorm high fantasy series with the slightest tinge of grimdark. What’s more, it’s practically begging to be a TV show.

Blackheart Knights is set in a dark, futuristic London, where magic is banned, and all disputes are settled through combat. The knights ride around in armor on motorcycles instead of horses, prepared to do battle with swords. Magic users hide in the underground parts of the city, afraid of being tattooed and persecuted. The world and concept alone is fresh and interesting.

As for the story, two plotlines weave together. In the distant past, a young magic-gifted man named Art defies odds to become the king. In recent years, a woman named Red, harboring deep secrets, trains to become a knight with vengeance in mind. It’s hard to explain more without spoilers, but the fantasy book is a sexy and bloody good time.

Books

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Atlas Atlas Atlas #LH036704 Member since 2023-10-19 0 Reviews 0 Ratings Following 0 Topics 0 Users Follow Followed 0 Followers View
I suggest the Bone graphic novel series.
2025-11-22 11:03:29 Upvote Downvote Reply Copy