Best Forbidden Magic Books

The highest-rated books featuring the Forbidden Magic trope, ranked by readers and listeners. Browse 50 titles across Fantasy, Romance, Horror.

Read more

Forbidden magic is the ultimate power fantasy wrapped in genuine danger. There's an electric thrill in watching characters cross boundaries society has declared sacred, knowing each spell cast could unravel everything. The best forbidden magic stories make you complicit—you're rooting for the transgression even as dread builds about what it will cost. These aren't stories about heroes following the rules; they're about people deciding the rules deserve to be broken, and paying the price in ways that feel earned rather than arbitrary.

You'll find this trope across dark fantasy, paranormal romance, and literary fantasy. The 157 books here span morally gray sorcerers, ancient witches reclaiming suppressed power, and rebels building magic systems from scratch. Expect richly realized magical worlds with real stakes, characters who can't undo their choices, and that delicious tension of knowing something forbidden is worth it—or might not be.

  1. 1
    Cold Days cover

    Cold Days

    The Dresden Files • Book 14

    by Jim Butcher

    ★ 4.73 BLT Score (107.2K ratings)
    ★ 4.47 Goodreads (107.2K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  2. 2
    Quicksilver cover

    Quicksilver

    The Fae & Alchemy Series • Book 1

    by Callie Hart

    ★ 4.64 BLT Score (889.6K ratings)
    ★ 4.32 Goodreads (889.6K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  3. 3
    Circe cover

    Circe

    by Madeline Miller

    ★ 4.58 BLT Score (1.4M ratings)
    ★ 4.22 Goodreads (1.4M)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  4. 4
    Warbreaker cover

    Warbreaker

    The Cosmere • Book 5

    by Brandon Sanderson

    ★ 4.55 BLT Score (285.7K ratings)
    ★ 4.29 Goodreads (285.7K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  5. 5
    Howl's Moving Castle cover

    Howl's Moving Castle

    Howl's Castle • Book 1

    by Diana Wynne Jones

    ★ 4.51 BLT Score (453.3K ratings)
    ★ 4.28 Goodreads (453.3K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  6. 6
    The Silver Thief cover

    The Silver Thief

    The Cycle of Galand • Book 2

    by Edward W. Robertson

    ★ 4.49 BLT Score (2.6K ratings)
    ★ 4.41 Goodreads (2.6K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  7. 7
    Beyond the Veil cover

    Beyond the Veil

    The Grey Wolves • Book 5

    by Quinn Loftis

    ★ 4.45 BLT Score (14.3K ratings)
    ★ 4.48 Goodreads (14.3K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  8. 8
    The Iron Flower cover

    The Iron Flower

    The Black Witch Chronicles • Book 2

    by Laurie Forest

    ★ 4.45 BLT Score (30.8K ratings)
    ★ 4.3 Goodreads (30.8K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  9. 9
    Hunger cover

    Hunger

    Unbound • Book 3

    by Nicoli Gonnella

    ★ 4.43 BLT Score (5.6K ratings)
    ★ 4.42 Goodreads (5.6K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  10. 10
    Kushiel's Avatar cover

    Kushiel's Avatar

    Phèdre's Trilogy • Book 3

    by Jacqueline Carey

    ★ 4.41 BLT Score (38.0K ratings)
    ★ 4.38 Goodreads (38.0K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  11. 11
    Spinning Silver cover

    Spinning Silver

    The Mortal Instruments

    by Naomi Novik

    ★ 4.41 BLT Score (154.1K ratings)
    ★ 4.18 Goodreads (154.1K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  12. 12
    The Emperor's Soul cover

    The Emperor's Soul

    Elantris • Book 2

    by Brandon Sanderson

    ★ 4.38 BLT Score (133.7K ratings)
    ★ 4.37 Goodreads (133.7K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  13. 13
    Sabriel cover

    Sabriel

    Abhorsen/The Old Kingdom • Book 1

    by Garth Nix

    ★ 4.37 BLT Score (219.2K ratings)
    ★ 4.16 Goodreads (219.2K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  14. 14
    The Sword of Truth Books 1 to 4: 1. Wizard's First Rule, 2. Stone of Tears, 3. Blood of the Fold, 4. Temple of the Winds cover

    The Sword of Truth Books 1 to 4: 1. Wizard's First Rule, 2. Stone of Tears, 3. Blood of the Fold, 4. Temple of the Winds

    Sword of Truth • Book 1

    by Terry Goodkind

    ★ 4.34 BLT Score (254.2K ratings)
    ★ 4.12 Goodreads (254.2K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  15. 15
    Anathema cover

    Anathema

    The Eating Woods • Book 1

    by Keri Lake

    ★ 4.33 BLT Score (115.2K ratings)
    ★ 4.2 Goodreads (115.2K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  16. 16
    The Shadow of What Was Lost cover

    The Shadow of What Was Lost

    The Licanius Trilogy • Book 1

    by James Islington

    ★ 4.33 BLT Score (91.9K ratings)
    ★ 4.14 Goodreads (91.9K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  17. 17
    Hell Bent cover

    Hell Bent

    Alex Stern • Book 2

    by Leigh Bardugo

    ★ 4.30 BLT Score (183.8K ratings)
    ★ 4.1 Goodreads (183.8K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  18. 18
    A Discovery of Witches cover

    A Discovery of Witches

    All Souls • Book 1

    by Deborah Harkness

    ★ 4.29 BLT Score (560.2K ratings)
    ★ 4.02 Goodreads (560.2K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  19. 19
    The Red Sea cover

    The Red Sea

    The Cycle of Galand • Book 1

    by Edward W. Robertson

    ★ 4.29 BLT Score (3.6K ratings)
    ★ 4.19 Goodreads (3.6K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  20. 20
    Wizard's First Rule cover

    Wizard's First Rule

    Sword of Truth • Book 1

    by Terry Goodkind

    ★ 4.29 BLT Score (254.1K ratings)
    ★ 4.12 Goodreads (254.1K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  21. 21
    Zealot's Eleventh Crusade cover

    Zealot's Eleventh Crusade

    Divine Apostasy • Book 11

    by A.F. Kay

    ★ 4.29 BLT Score (1.0K ratings)
    ★ 4.55 Goodreads (1.0K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  22. 22
    One Dark Window cover

    One Dark Window

    The Shepherd King • Book 1

    by Rachel Gillig

    ★ 4.28 BLT Score (683.8K ratings)
    ★ 4.26 Goodreads (683.8K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  23. 23
    Penric’s Demon cover

    Penric’s Demon

    Penric and Desdemona (Publication order) • Book 1

    by Lois McMaster Bujold

    ★ 4.27 BLT Score (12.8K ratings)
    ★ 4.2 Goodreads (12.8K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  24. 24
    The Prisoner of Limnos cover

    The Prisoner of Limnos

    Penric and Desdemona (Publication order) • Book 6

    by Lois McMaster Bujold

    ★ 4.27 BLT Score (5.7K ratings)
    ★ 4.32 Goodreads (5.7K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  25. 25
    Assassin's Apprentice cover

    Assassin's Apprentice

    Farseer Trilogy • Book 1

    by Robin Hobb

    ★ 4.25 BLT Score (409.2K ratings)
    ★ 4.19 Goodreads (409.2K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  26. 26
    Silence cover

    Silence

    Unbound • Book 2

    by Nicoli Gonnella

    ★ 4.25 BLT Score (6.4K ratings)
    ★ 4.22 Goodreads (6.4K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  27. 27
    The Dragon in Winter cover

    The Dragon in Winter

    Kagen the Damned • Book 3

    by Jonathan Maberry

    ★ 4.22 BLT Score (758 ratings)
    ★ 4.38 Goodreads (758)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  28. 28
    The Apocalypse Codex cover

    The Apocalypse Codex

    Laundry Files • Book 4

    by Charles Stross

    ★ 4.21 BLT Score (11.5K ratings)
    ★ 4.18 Goodreads (11.5K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  29. 29
    Storm Over Camelot cover

    Storm Over Camelot

    Morgan le Fay • Book 3

    by Sophie Keetch

    ★ 4.20 BLT Score (817 ratings)
    ★ 4.17 Goodreads (817)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  30. 30
    City of Ghosts cover

    City of Ghosts

    Downside Ghosts • Book 3

    by Stacia Kane

    ★ 4.20 BLT Score (9.4K ratings)
    ★ 4.22 Goodreads (9.4K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  31. 31
    The Mists of Avalon cover

    The Mists of Avalon

    Avalon • Book 1

    by Marion Zimmer Bradley

    ★ 4.20 BLT Score (213.5K ratings)
    ★ 4.13 Goodreads (213.5K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  32. 32
    Spell or High Water cover

    Spell or High Water

    Magic 2.0 • Book 2

    by Scott Meyer

    ★ 4.20 BLT Score (24.6K ratings)
    ★ 4.04 Goodreads (24.6K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  33. 33
    Babel cover

    Babel

    by R. F. Kuang

    ★ 4.19 BLT Score (491.2K ratings)
    ★ 4.14 Goodreads (491.2K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  34. 34
    The Night Circus cover

    The Night Circus

    by Erin Morgenstern

    ★ 4.18 BLT Score (1.1M ratings)
    ★ 4 Goodreads (1.1M)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  35. 35
    Daughter of the Forest cover

    Daughter of the Forest

    Sevenwaters • Book 1

    by Juliet Marillier

    ★ 4.18 BLT Score (71.7K ratings)
    ★ 4.29 Goodreads (71.7K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  36. 36
    Celestial Magic cover

    Celestial Magic

    Thorne Witches • Book 11

    by T.M. Cromer

    ★ 4.15 BLT Score (1.2K ratings)
    ★ 4.6 Goodreads (1.2K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  37. 37
    Sacrificial Magic cover

    Sacrificial Magic

    Downside Ghosts • Book 4

    by Stacia Kane

    ★ 4.14 BLT Score (6.8K ratings)
    ★ 4.21 Goodreads (6.8K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  38. 38
    First King of Shannara cover

    First King of Shannara

    The Original Shannara Trilogy

    by Terry Brooks

    ★ 4.13 BLT Score (31.6K ratings)
    ★ 3.98 Goodreads (31.6K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  39. 39
    The Women of Wild Hill cover

    The Women of Wild Hill

    by Kirsten Miller

    ★ 4.13 BLT Score (6.2K ratings)
    ★ 4.15 Goodreads (6.2K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  40. 40
    The Locust Job cover

    The Locust Job

    Daniel Faust • Book 9

    by Craig Schaefer

    ★ 4.12 BLT Score (1.2K ratings)
    ★ 4.42 Goodreads (1.2K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  41. 41
    Merrick cover

    Merrick

    The Vampire Chronicles • Book 7

    by Anne Rice

    ★ 4.11 BLT Score (45.5K ratings)
    ★ 3.77 Goodreads (45.5K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  42. 42
    The Legacy cover

    The Legacy

    Darkness Within Saga • Book 1

    by J.D. Franx

    ★ 4.11 BLT Score (1.7K ratings)
    ★ 4.13 Goodreads (1.7K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  43. 43
    Fire cover

    Fire

    Graceling Realm • Book 2

    by Kristin Cashore

    ★ 4.10 BLT Score (194.6K ratings)
    ★ 4.09 Goodreads (194.6K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  44. 44
    The Cycle of Arawn cover

    The Cycle of Arawn

    The Cycle of Arawn #1-3

    by Edward W. Robertson

    ★ 4.10 BLT Score (5.7K ratings)
    ★ 4.01 Goodreads (5.7K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  45. 45
    The Killing Floor Blues cover

    The Killing Floor Blues

    Daniel Faust • Book 5

    by Craig Schaefer

    ★ 4.10 BLT Score (2.8K ratings)
    ★ 4.23 Goodreads (2.8K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  46. 46
    Seed of Chaos cover

    Seed of Chaos

    Eve of Destruction • Book 5

    by Benjamin Medrano

    ★ 4.09 BLT Score (317 ratings)
    ★ 4.7 Goodreads (317)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  47. 47
    Asgard Awakening cover

    Asgard Awakening

    VeilVerse: Asgard Awakening • Book 1

    by Blaise Corvin

    ★ 4.08 BLT Score (1.3K ratings)
    ★ 4.21 Goodreads (1.3K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  48. 48
    The Adventure of the Demonic Ox cover

    The Adventure of the Demonic Ox

    Penric and Desdemona (Publication order) • Book 14

    by Lois McMaster Bujold

    ★ 4.08 BLT Score (2.3K ratings)
    ★ 4.37 Goodreads (2.3K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  49. 49
    The Dragonbone Chair cover

    The Dragonbone Chair

    Memory, Sorrow & Thorn • Book 1

    by Tad Williams

    ★ 4.07 BLT Score (78.3K ratings)
    ★ 3.97 Goodreads (78.3K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  50. 50
    Blood of Amber cover

    Blood of Amber

    The Chronicles of Amber • Book 7

    by Roger Zelazny

    ★ 4.07 BLT Score (14.1K ratings)
    ★ 4.04 Goodreads (14.1K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →

Browse Related Lists

Forbidden Magic Books Forbidden Magic Audiobooks War / Epic Battle Magic System Unlikely Alliance Dark Lord / Ultimate Evil Ancient Evil Awakens Portal Fantasy Magic Academy / School Secret Heir Chosen One Rejects Destiny Rival to Ally All Tropes

How We Rank Audiobooks

Rankings are driven by listener ratings and review counts from Audible and Goodreads. Books with high ratings across a large number of listeners rank higher — a 4.5 with 50,000 ratings says more than a 4.8 with 200.

Unlike most book lists, we weight audiobook-specific factors: narrator performance, production quality, and how well a story translates to audio. A great book with a poor narration isn't a great audiobook.

We don't accept paid placements or prioritize new releases. These rankings reflect what listeners actually enjoy, not what's being promoted.

Rankings update periodically as new ratings come in and new titles are added to the collection.

Read our full ranking methodology →