Welcome to The Ultimate Fantasy Assassins Reading List for Book Lovers
If you love fantasy assassins as much as I do, you’ll probably be looking for more assassin fantasy books to dive into.
Assassins pop up in just about every fantasy novel, so it would be a LOOONG list if I added every book with an assassin. Instead, the list below contains all the books that feature assassins as either a primary or secondary character (protagonist or antagonist). Or, at the very least, a supporting character that drives the story forward in a meaningful way.
Note: New books are released all the time, so it’s possible there’s a book or three newly released that’s not on this list. Either that, or there’s a book or series unfamiliar to me (I can’t read ALL the fantasy books, much as I want to!) that I’ve missed. If so, send me an email via my Contact page and send me the links to the fantasy assassin books that deserve a place on this list.
What started out as my personal reading list has now grown to include SO MANY amazing fantasy assassin books. May they bring you many happy hours of reading!
Brent Weeks
Durzo Blint: the most famous assassin in fantasy, ever? Definitely one of my favorites!
Night Angel:
Prequel Novella: Perfect Shadow
Michael J. Sullivan
Royce Melborne is the famous “bucket man” for the Black Diamond, and a truly epic character to read.
Riyria Revelations:
Riyria Chronicles:
Book 2: The Rose and the Thorn
Book 4: The Disappearance of Winter’s Daughter
R.A. Salvatore
Artemis Entreri, Drizzt Do’Urden’s foil, sociopath and cold-blood assassin is truly a thrilling character to read!
The Icewind Dale Trilogy:
Legacy of the Drow:
Paths of Darkness:
The Sellswords:
Book 2: Promise of the Witch-King
The Neverwinter Saga:
Companions Codex:
Codex 1: The Night of the Hunter
Homecoming:
Short stories:
“The Third Level” – Short story in the Realms of Infamy anthology
“Empty Joys” – Short story in the Best of the Realms anthology.
“That Curious Sword” – Short story from the Realms of Shadow anthology.
“Wickless in the Nether” – Short story in the Realms of Dragons anthology.
Steven Brust
Vlad Taltos, killer-for-hire, assassin of the Organization, man of House Jhereg, and all around bad-ass!
Sarah J. Maas
Celaena Sardothien took her first life at the age of nine, and her imprisonment in the Salt Mines has made her hard, fearless, and ruthless.
Throne of Glass:
Mark Lawrence
Nona Grey is a Red Sister, raised at the Convent of Sweet Mercy to be a killer in a crumbling empire.
Book of the Ancestor:
Brandon Sanderson
Szeth-son-son-Vallano, the Assassin in White, murdered King Gavilar Kholin and sparked the war between the Alethi and Parshendi. His skills as a Surgebinder make him one to be feared!
The Stormlight Archives:
Andrezj Sapkowski
Geralt of Rivia: Witcher, assassin, sorcerer, and hunter of all things dark and monstrous.
The Witcher:
George R.R. Martin
A man may be called Jaqen H’hgar by some, though as a Faceless Man of Braavos, his true name and face is never to be revealed. Valar morghulis.
A Song of Ice and Fire:
R.J. Barker
Girton Clubfoot’s crippled foot never got in the way of getting the job done! He may look clumsy and unskilled, but don’t be fooled by appearances.
The Wounded Kingdom:
Robin Hobb
The name FitzChivalry is well known and beloved, and the first young assassin to grace the pages of our favorite fantasy books. But for many, it’s Chade Fallstar, the Pocked Man, who is the most intriguing. Though he serves chiefly as Fitz’ mentor and trainer, his skills as an assassin are undeniably impressive.
Farseer Trilogy:
The Tawny Man Trilogy:
The Fitz and the Fool Trilogy:
Steven Erikson
Kalam Mekhar, big and bearlike, yet effortless in his movements. A deadly assassin of the Seven Cities, the best of the Claw before a deadly fallout.
Malazan Book of the Fallen:
Kel Kade
Raised as a killer, Rezkin is a truly epic assassin armed with magical weapons given him by a dead king.
King’s Dark Tidings:
Jay Kristoff
At a young age, Mia Corvere joined the Red Church to become an assassin, all in the pursuit of vengeance against those who killed her family.
The Nevernight Chronicle:
Michael John Grist
Sen: orphaned by disease, left with a mysterious prophecy carved into his skin, and the only savior in a world devoid of heroes.
Ignifer Cycle:
Andy Peloquin
Yes, it’s me! If you’ve gone this far down the list, consider giving my fantasy assassin—the Hunter of Voramis, half-demon bad-ass with a cursed dagger that drives him to kill—a read!
Hero of Darkness:
Errik, formerly known as Two, was chosen by House Serpent, the assassin arm of the Night Guild. Ilanna’s closest ally and friend, he is a cunning killer and a force to be reckoned with!
Queen of Thieves:
Book 1: Child of the Night Guild
Book 2: Thief of the Night Guild
Book 3: Queen of the Night Guild
Terry Pratchett
Mr. Jonathan Teatime is an amoral, ruthless, cunning killer with physics-defying abilities and a mind bordering on the insane.
Lindsay Buroker
Sicarius dedicated his life in service to the Empire of Turgonia, and is a skilled fighter with both bladed weapons and empty hands.
The Emperor’s Edge:
David Gemmell
Dakeyras, Drenai assassin known as the Waylander, determined to hunt down those who murdered his family.
Joe Abercrombie
Shenkt, cannibal and gourmand, Eater with enhanced strength and blinding speed.
Mickey Zucker Reichert
Nightfall is a man of many talents: thief, magic wielder, swordsman, adventurer, assassin. Or, perhaps, a demon wielding terrible and awe-inspiring sorcerous abilities?
Oliver Bowden, Christie Golden, Gordon Doherty
Based on the Assassin’s Creed game series, these stories follow fan-favorite assassins: Ezio, Bayek, Altair, Haytham, Edward, Arno and Elise, and many more!
Assassin’s Creed Origins: Desert Oath
Assassin’s Creed: The Secret Crusade
Scott Oden
He is the Old Man of the Mountain’s greatest weapon over the warring factions of the Moslem world. A single man. A lone Assassin. The one they call the Emir of the Knife…
N.K. Jemisin
Ehiru is a Gatherer, a priest practicing narcomancy, a form of ritualistic compassionate assassination that claims the last life from the old, sick, maimed, and those deemed corrupt.
Dreamblood:
Jeff Wheeler
Ankarette Tryneowy is the Queen’s Poisoner, assassin who wields the art of poison-crafting better than any man can swing a blade.
Kingfountain:
Kingfountain Prequel Tales:
Elizabeth Haydon
Cynical, sarcastic, hideous, and fiercely loyal, Achmed the Snake—or “The Brother”—is the greatest assassin…the Assassin King.
Symphony of Ages:
Book 1: Rhapsody: Child of Blood
Book 2: Prophecy: Child of Earth
Book 3: Destiny: Child of the Sky
Brian Staveley
Pyrre Lakatur is skullsworn–not, to her mind, an assassin or murderer, but a priestess in service to the God of Death.
Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne:
David Dalglish
Young Aaron becomes Hearn, the King’s Watcher, assassin turned protector of his city.
Shadowdance Series:
Cloak and Spider: A Shadowdance Novella
Paul Kearney
Rol Cortishane was driven from his home when he discovers his blood is that of an ancient race long ago lost to time. Trained as an assassin by the beautiful but troubled Rowen, he will embark on an adventure that will make him a legend…if it doesn’t kill him first.
The Sea Beggars:
Stevie Collier
Esh may be young, but a dark power within him makes him a killer to be reckoned with!
The Dark Assassin:
Raven Oak
Kidnapped at age five and trained by the assassins of the Order of Amaska, Adelei is highly skilled, clever, and determined.
Boahim Series:
Justin dePaoli
Astul, killer and purveyor of secrets, finds himself drawn into a shadow war between the realm of man and the dark magic threatening to destroy it.
The Assassin’s Blade:
Jon Kiln
Rothar’s duties as the Royal Assassin leads to a dangerous quest for justice when he finds children going missing—and a network of perfidy in the highest ranks of the nobility.
Veiled Dagger:
J.T. Williams
Sviska serves shadowy masters hell-bent on seeing the world rid of magic, but his journey leads him to unlock secrets that could destroy the world.
Rogues of Magic:
Book 1: Winemaker of the North
Book 3: Reckoning of the North
Devin Madson
Cassandra is a whoressassin—deadly courtesan—fighting to find peace from the voices in her mind, willing to take on the most impossible contract if it gives her the answers she seeks.
The Reborn Empire:
Jon Sprunk
What freelance assassin Caim lacks in scruples, he makes up for with the speed and sharpness of his blade.
Shadow Saga:
Kelly McCullough
Priest and killer, Aral is named “Kingslayer” because of a goddess’ divine weapons and blessing, enabling him to murder the king in the name of justice for his slain brethren.
A Fallen Blade:
J.C. Kang
Half-elf Jie may not appear much of a threat, but woe to any who find themselves on the wrong side of her daggers!
Dragon Songs Saga:
Book 0: Prelude to Insurrection
Book 2: Orchestra of Treacheries
Scions of the Black Lotus
Book 1: Thorn of the Night Blossoms
Book 2: White Sheep of the Family
Book 3: Wretches of the Trench
Book 5: Last Heir of the North Part 1
Standalones:
M.L. Spencer
Quinlan Reis is a thousand-year-old mage-killer assassin trained in “shadow diplomacy.”
The Rhenwars Saga:
David Benem
Karnag Mak Ragg, brutal highlander and killer-for-hire, is determined to be the greatest slayer the world has ever known
A Requiem for Heroes:
Book 1: What Remains of Heroes
Kristin Cashore
Katsa is a smart, beautiful teenager who lives in a world where selected people are given a Grace, a special talent that can be anything from dancing to swimming. Katsa’s is killing.
Graceling Realm:
Robin LaFevers
Fleeing a forced marriage, Ismae joins the convent of St. Mortain, where worship of the old gods includes bloody service to the God of Death.
His Fair Assassin:
Kage Baker
Formerly an extremely successful assassin, Smith has wearied of his work and is trying to retire in another country, to live an honest life in obscurity…but people just won’t stop trying to kill him!
David Alastair Hayden
Twenty years of faithful service to the Palymfar Order has forced Jaska Bavadi to do many things, including killing when needed. But could his true nature be hidden beneath a mind-charring spell?
Tales of Pawan Kor
Book 1: Wrath of the White Tigress
Book 2: Chains of a Dark Goddess
Eve Forward
The war is over, the good guys have triumphed, and, everything is Happily Ever After…. and boring as hell. An assassin, a thief, a sorceress, a dark knight and a druid set forth to ruin everything.
Mazarkis Williams
Eyul serves as imperial assassin, sworn to carry out whatever orders are given him by whatever ruler sits on the Petal Throne of Cerana.
The Tower and Knife Trilogy:
S.R. Vaught and J.B. Redmond
Aron, the apprentice to the assassin’s guild, his master, Stormbreaker, his teacher Dari, and his mysterious acquaintence, Nic, join their formidable talents of mind and body as they battle the leaders who want to destroy their land.
Oathbreaker:
Part 2: A Prince Among Killers
Paul S. Kemp
Quick to anger and driven by vengeance, Erevis Cale is a rogue, assassin, and Chosen of the Mask, wielding a magic-absorbing sword named Weaveshear.
The Erevis Cale Trilogy:
The Twilight War:
William King
In a world of magic and gunpowder, the half-breed Rik must rise from simple soldier to the deadliest assassin the world has ever known.
The Terrarch Chronicles:
S.D. Tower
Orphaned as a child, cast out from her village, Lale drifted until she found a place in the school of dark sorcery and assassination in Tamurin.
Philip C. Quaintrell
Born a thousand years earlier but with his memories lost to time, Asher is both a ranger and an assassin killing for hire.
Echoes of Fate:
Anne Lesley Groell
Aristocratic assassin Vera Devereaux finds herself embroiled in an increasingly complex web of lies and deceit after what appears a routine job to kill the First Minister.
Cloak and Dagger:
Disclaimer: I am using affiliate short links on every book, so I earn a tiny percentage on any books you buy from this list. It all helps keep the lights on!