It’s no secret that viral TikTok books have taken the world by storm over the past few years. Both indie and mainstream authors have found major success with the help of the platform, and as a BookToker myself, I’ve been tuned into the most popular books on TikTok this year.
If you want to read the most trending books on TikTok in 2024, this post has you covered. These are the top TikTok books in the adult fantasy/romantasy category, meaning they contain some explicit scenes that may not be for everyone. I will also be posting a YA edition of trending books on TikTok, so make sure you keep an eye out for that!
The Most Viral TikTok Books of 2024
1. House of Flame and Shadow (Crescent City 3) - Sarah J. Maas
One of the most highly anticipated releases of this year was the third book in the Crescent City series. Sarah J Maas is one of the most popular authors right now, both on TikTok and on the New York Times best sellers list. Maybe you’ve heard of her and don’t know where to dive into her 16 book universe. This post is a great place to start!
House and Flame and Shadow received incredibly mixed reviews but I personally really love the Crescent City series overall. I loved the first 2 books, so for me 2/3 isn’t terrible for a series. There has been no word if there will be more books in the Crescent City series or if this was the final installment.
Sarah J Maas also of course has the immensely popular ACOTAR and Throne of Glass series’ but House of Flame and Shadow was her only 2024 release.
2. The Serpent and the Wings of Night (The Crowns of Nyaxia) - Carissa Broadbent
Carissa Broadbent is probably the next most popular adult fantasy author you can find on TikTok right now. She has multiple series that are ALL over TikTok but the one I see the most hype about is the Serpent and the Wings of Night.
This book is about the adopted human daughter of a vampire king who enters into a deadly competition held by the goddess of death (Nyaxia). The main storyline is a duology that comes to a complete conclusion after book 2, however book 3 (The Songbird and the Heart of Stone) follows a character we are introduced to in the first 2 books.
Within the Crowns of Nyaxia world, there are also 2 standalone books that are both excellent, Six Scorched Roses and Slaying the Vampire Conquerer.
3. Bride - Ali Hazelwood
Ali Hazelwood is another author you will constantly come across on BookTok. She is most famously known for her women-in-STEM contemporary romances, so her first adult fantasy release was highly anticipated this year. Due to all the hype, it received very mixed reviews, but I personally found it very enjoyable.
Bride is a standalone book about humans, werewolves, and vampires (yes, I know what you’re thinking… that sounds familiar), but it couldn’t be more different from the plot of Twilight. This story follows the only daughter of one of the most powerful vampires, who is forced into an arranged marriage to an Alpha werewolf. It's a standalone fantasy and a quick read!
4. Quicksilver (Fae and Alchemy) - Callie Hart
Quicksilver, in my opinion, might be the most hyped fantasy book of the entire year. For a book released halfway through the year, I would give it the 2024 fantasy BookTok crown (as far as hype goes). This book definitely feels like it could be the “next ACOTAR” (if such a thing even exists).
It’s hard to say since there is only one book currently out, with no word on a release date for the rest of the series or even how many books it will have. From what I’ve gathered from those who enjoyed this book, it is a gripping and fast-paced romantasy featuring Fae, vampires, alchemical magic, and high stakes.
5. Phantasma - Kaylie Smith
Phantasma was a later-in-the-year release (debuting on September 4th) but almost immediately took the TikTok world by storm. You will find this book in nearly every romantasy book roundup made after September 4th. It features a necromancer as the female main character and a phantom as the male main character. Yes, you read that correctly.
Phantasma is a deadly competition where most contestants don’t make it out alive, but the winner is granted one wish. Ophelia must enter the game to save her sister, but Phantasma is as haunted as a house can be…
Phantasma is Kaylie Smith's debut adult novel and is the first book in the Wicked Games series. The second book in the series (Enchantra) is set to release on April 8, 2025. Although it’s an interconnected series, each book can be read as a standalone and follows different main characters.
6. City of Gods and Monsters (House of Devils) - Kayla Edwards
The House of Devils series starts with City of Gods and Monsters, which was released in 2022. The third of the six-book series (City of Lies and Legends) was released in 2024 and is seriously blowing up on TikTok. Of all the books on this list, I do think this one is still the least hyped.
This series leans more toward urban fantasy/magical realism, which is having its moment in fantasy right now. It follows Loren (a human) whose friend is kidnapped by the Darkslayers (supernatural bounty hunters). Loren has to work with Darien, the leader of the Seven Devils (the most feared Darkslayers in the city), to find her friend and solve the mystery of other women being abducted.
If you love Crescent City, this book definitely has a similar vibe.
7. Daughter of No Worlds (War of Lost Hearts) - Carissa Broadbent
The War of Lost Hearts trilogy is probably tied with the House of Devils series for the least hyped on this list, but I still see it regularly appear on my FYP. This is another Carissa Broadbent series that is making the rounds on TikTok (likely due to the popularity of The Serpent and the Wings of Night).
This is a completed trilogy (the final book was released in 2022), but I only just started seeing it frequently on TikTok this year. If you love Throne of Glass, this series is a must-read. It follows Tisaanah, a former slave who joins the Orders (a powerful organization of magic wielders) to fight for justice and free other slaves. I will admit the first book is a little slow, but it is overall an incredible series.
8. When the Moon Hatched (Moonfall) - Sarah A. Parker
When the Moon Hatched released in January 2024 and continued to make the rounds on romantasy TikTok for the rest of the year. This book is very high fantasy and over 700 pages, so I would not recommend it if you are new to fantasy. The writing is very descriptive (some critics feel it is actually over-descriptive), which could appeal to you if you love really immersing yourself in a fantasy universe.
I suggest reading the description of the book (which will do a better job than I can, lol). If you love dragons, high fantasy, multi-POV, and forbidden romance, you should definitely give this book a try. The second book in this series is expected to be released in October 2025.
9. A Fate Inked in Blood (Saga of the Unfated) - Danielle L. Jensen
Danielle L. Jensen has two series that have become trending books on TikTok this year. Although The Bridge Kingdom could have easily made this list, I think A Fate Inked in Blood is even more popular at the moment. This book is a Norse-inspired fantasy romance about a woman trapped in an unhappy marriage who is able to win her freedom from her husband in a fight to the death.
The fight to the death results in her being bound to a prince, creating forbidden love, tension, and longing. The setting is also quite different from many other romantasy series that are popular right now, which makes it stand out. The second book in this duology, A Curse Carved in Bone, is expected to release in May 2025.
10. Spark of the Everflame (Kindred’s Curse Saga) - Penn Cole
Spark of the Everflame is a book that has very recently started becoming super popular on TikTok. It is an independently published four-book series, and Spark is Penn Cole’s debut novel. The first three books in this series have been released, and the release date for the fourth has not been announced yet.
This story takes place in a mortal world colonized by the gods and ruled over by the Descended (their cruel offspring) who believe themselves to be superior to mortals. The mother of our FMC goes missing, and Diem embarks on a journey to find her mother and uncover her secrets. There is a good amount of political tension, an interesting magic system, and the slowest burn romance to ever exist!
11. Road of Bones (The Ashen) - Demi Winters
Similar to Spark of the Everflame, The Road of Bones has really just started popping up all over my FYP, and I don’t see it slowing down anytime soon. There are currently two books in The Ashen Series that have been released, with no word yet on the release dates of the rest of the series.
This is another Viking/Norse-inspired series (a trend I anticipate will only grow in popularity), which allows this book to stand out in a really saturated romantasy space. The world-building is really unique, and while there is an overarching plot, the series feels like a collection of interconnected stories rather than a long-running series. The second book was released in 2024.
12. The Zodiac Academy Series - Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti
Zodiac Academy is a series that has been around for several years, with the first book (The Awakening) releasing in 2019. This series is written by the Twisted Sisters (Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti) and has a whopping nine books, with even more novellas and spin-off stories sprinkled in. Book nine (Restless Stars) was released this year, which is likely why I’ve seen such a surge in people talking about this series.
This series definitely has a cult-like following, but I know it’s not going to be right for everyone. Please check the trigger warnings for this series before you dive in!
13. Metal Slinger (Fire and Metal) - Rachel Schneider
Metal Slinger is another book that is really starting to pop off on the TikTok scene, particularly because the ending has everyone talking. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a book hyped up so much because of a cliffhanger, but apparently, it’s epic (I haven’t gotten to this book yet, so I can’t confirm or deny)!
The blurb about the plot of this novel is fairly lacking; there isn’t anything particularly intriguing to grab onto, but the Goodreads reviews paint a different picture. The comments have people saying things like, “If you can only read one romantasy book this year, let it be this,” and “You’re about to have your socks blown off.”
No word yet on any release dates for the rest of the books in the series.
14. Gild (Plated Prisoner) - Raven Kennedy
I couldn’t make a popular books on TikTok post without mentioning Raven Kennedy. The sixth and final book in the Plated Prisoner series (Goldfinch) was released in September, and it had quite literally everyone talking.
The first book in this series is called Gild, and it is described as “the myth of King Midas reimagined.” The main female character in this series is the Plated Prisoner. If you’re like me and hate waiting (aka you’re looking for completed series only), this book might be one to check out.
There you have it! These viral TikTok books were all over my FYP in 2024, and I’m excited to see what the romantasy genre gives us in 2025 (starting with ONYX STORM)!
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