Cliffhangers are a classic part of not just the fantasy genre but of all types of books and stories. While it can be agony for readers who have to wait for the author to craft the next installment of the narrative, it also builds hype and intrigue surrounding the series. Though audiences aren't the biggest fans of cliffhangers, they can be effective tools for writers. They set up dramatic turns, forcing the characters to confront their most pressing issues. In crafting a good cliffhanger, the author must balance the use of foreshadowing with genuine shock value.

Some of the most shocking plot twists in fantasy books leave off on cliffhangers, forcing readers to wait for the next installment to get the answers to their questions. Though some authors release their books in quick succession, there are just as many who take their time, meaning the wait for the story's resolution might be several years. However, if the story is gripping enough, it shouldn't matter how long the gap between books is. A good cliffhanger will leave readers thinking about the narrative and the potential resolutions for a long time.

5 Iron Flame (2023)

Written by Rebecca Yarros

The third installment of Rebecca Yarros' Empyrean series, Onyx Storm, has finally hit shelves, marking the end of a long and agonizing wait. After Iron Flame ended on such a shocking note, many readers hoped Onyx Storm wouldn't be far behind, but audiences ended up having to wait a few years for the resolution. Part of the reason this time in between installments was so difficult was because Xaden turns Venin during a gripping battle sequence. This happens on the heels of Violet losing her mother during this fight.

In the Empyrean books, the Venin are terrifying enemies and are often described as soulless. Xaden becoming Venin is a devastating loss for Violet, as he's been her primary love interest throughout the books. However, drawing energy directly from Earth was the only way to save Violet, and there are many hints dropped throughout Iron Flame that foreshadow Xaden making this sacrifice. Fortunately, readers no longer have to wonder what happens next between Violet and Xaden, thanks to Onyx Storm.

4 Mistborn: The Well Of Ascension (2007)

Written by Brandon Sanderson

The second book in Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn Era 1, The Well of Ascension, paves the way for the stunning conclusion to the initial trilogy. Mistborn follows the story of Vin, a young woman who s the crew of a powerful Allomancer, Kelsier, and attempts to bring down an empire. Like all of Sanderson's work, the Mistborn books have a well-crafted magic system and world with solid internal logic. This makes it easy to juggle the complex world of the story without losing the emotional threads of the main characters.

The Hero of the Ages prophecy plays a significant role in the Mistborn novels, as this foretold hero is meant to save the world, and much of the story makes the reader think it could be Vin.

The Hero of the Ages prophecy plays a significant role in the Mistborn novels, as this foretold hero is meant to save the world, and much of the story makes the reader think it could be Vin. However, at the end of The Well of Ascension, it's revealed that the prophecy was a lie created to release the dark force, Ruin. This means that many of the characters were working against themselves throughout the first installments, and the future is uncertain. Brandon Sanderson's books will continue expanding the Cosmere with Mistborn Era 3.

3 The Golden Com (1995)

Written by Philip Pullman

Despite being meant for younger audiences, Philip Pullman's series, His Dark Materials, is a rich, complex, and dark addition to the fantasy genre. Throughout the first book, The Golden Com​​​​​​, the protagonist, Lyra, is tasked with dangerous missions and comes face-to-face with enormous loss and shocking revelations. Her primary goal in the story is to find her friend Roger, who's been taken by a mysterious organization that's been experimenting on children. During her travels, Lyra discovers that these experiments could open the doors to new worlds.

Though Lyra ultimately succeeds in her quest, the one man she thought she could trust, her father, Lord Asriel, betrays her.

Though Lyra ultimately succeeds in her quest, the one man she thought she could trust, her father, Lord Asriel, betrays her. He severs Roger from his dæmon, the physical manifestation of his soul, killing him, and leaves for a parallel universe. This sparks terror and sadness in Lyra, who follows him into the unknown universe. This spellbinding and heartbreaking ending is part of why The Golden Com remains a children's fantasy book that is just as compelling to adults.

2 Six Of Crows (2015)

Written by Leigh Bardugo

Leigh Bardugo's spinoff series within the world of Shadow and Bone, Six of Crows, is considered one of the author's best works to date. While there were plenty of twists and turns within Alina's story in the original trilogy, the hidden criminal underworld that Kaz and his Crows rule is even more immersive. Unlike Shadow and Bone, Six of Crows uses multiple perspectives to tell its story, giving the reader further insight into the world of Ketterdam. After watching Kaz craft the perfect heist and always be one step ahead, the ending of Six of Crows was shocking.

The relationship between Kaz and Inej, Kaz's second-in-command, is one of the most emotionally compelling parts of Six of Crows and is an amazing slow-burn romance. However, it's because of the intensity of the cliffhanger at the end of Six of Crows that the characters realize the depth of their feelings. After Kaz confronts the corrupt official who set them on their mission, he kidnaps Inej as collateral, forcing Kaz and the Crows into an impossible position, desperate to get Inej back.

1 The Mark Of Athena (2012)

Written by Rick Riordan

Rick Riordan's spinoff series, The Heroes of Olympus, expanded the world and story of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, bringing Roman mythology into the fold. There were many mysteries and new characters introduced in this series, but unsurprisingly, readers were most excited for Percy and Annabeth to be reunited after he disappeared. However, in The Mark of Athena, just when the pair are finally back together and finding their footing, the couple is almost torn apart once again when Annabeth and Percy are pulled into Tartarus.

While it's a tragically romantic turn of events seeing Percy follow Annabeth into Tartarus, determined to save them both, it's a devastating way to end the book. The remaining characters who were with Percy and Annabeth on the quest have no idea if they're going to live or die, and neither does the audience. Waiting for The Blood of Olympus seemed impossible after the pair tumbled into the depths of hell. Fortunately, was Disney+'s most-watched show in 2024, and this bodes well for the continuation of this fantasy series and the spinoffs.

Book	Year of Release
The Lost Hero	2010
The Son of Neptune	2011
The Mark of Athena	2012
The House of Hades	2013
The Blood of Olympus	2014

Percy Jackson & The Olympians

Created by

Rick Riordan

First Film

Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Latest Film

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters

First TV Show

Percy Jackson & the Olympians