There are many ways for fantasy books to make an impression, and the ones that feature compelling villains or surprising plot twists tend to leave their mark. Some novels within the genre even manage to combine these strengths, featuring villain-related plot twists that leave readers speechless. Not every villain twist is pulled off effectively, but a handful of fantasy books manage to cement themselves as unforgettable with these kinds of reveals.
The Harry Potter series is known for upending reader expectations when it comes to its secondary villains, and it’s far from the only fantasy story to flip the script on seemingly innocent characters or vice versa. Some revelations go even further than that, confirming a villain has shocking connections or powers that change the direction of the story. The best twists feel earned, as they’re set up throughout the narrative. Somehow, they still manage to be surprising though, causing them to stick with readers long after they happen.
8 Mistborn: The Final Empire By Brandon Sanderson
Twist: Rashek Is The Lord Ruler, Not Alendi
Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn books feature a number of impressive twists and turns, but the villain reveal at the end of the first book is probably the most memorable. Sanderson includes journal entries throughout The Final Empire. These allow readers to immerse themselves in the story as Vin and the crew unpack the writings of Alendi, the man originally believed to be the Hero of Ages. For most of the first Mistborn book, we’re led to believe that Alendi and the Lord Ruler are the same person. However, Vin’s showdown with the Lord Ruler turns this notion on its head.
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Vin is able to defeat the Lord Ruler when she realizes that he isn’t actually Alendi; instead, he’s a background character Alendi talks about in his journal entries. The revelation that the Lord Ruler is a Terrisman named Rashek makes sense of his powerful abilities — and it explains Alendi’s failure to save the world. The fact that it’s followed by an even bigger twist — that the Lord Ruler is fending off a greater evil — makes this one of the most unforgettable endings to a fantasy book yet.
7 Harry Potter & The Sorcerer’s Stone By J.K. Rowling
Twist: Quirrell Is After The Stone, Not Snape
The Harry Potter books are set up like mysteries, so each of them features a surprising twist at the end. This starts in Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone, which brilliantly uses Snape as a red herring throughout its run. Once the Golden Trio learns that the Sorcerer’s Stone is being hidden within Hogwarts, they jump to the conclusion that Snape is trying to steal it. To be fair, the evidence against Snape seems solid. The book inserts many clues that Snape is the one who’s after the stone, only to reveal he’s actually trying to save it.
Harry realizes this at the end of Sorcerer’s Stone, when Quirrell is waiting for him after the potion trial. Looking back at the evidence against Snape, readers will pick up on a common theme: Quirrell is also present for many of these scenes, which set up this book’s ending twist perfectly. Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone isn’t the only installment to feature a jaw-dropping twist regarding its villain. However, it’s the first one to do so, making it even more surprising than the sequels’ big reveals, since readers aren’t expecting it.
6 The Lightning Thief By Rick Riordan
Twist: Luke Is Working For Kronos
The Lightning Thief sets up Kronos as Percy Jackson & the Olympians’ Big Bad, but the book’s minor villain reveal is far more heartbreaking. Percy discovers that his friend, Luke Castellan, is working with Kronos to get revenge on the gods. And Luke’s betrayal is teased earlier than this, when the flying shoes he gifts Percy nearly drag Grover down into Tartarus. Riordan cleverly works this detail into the first Percy Jackson & the Olympians book’s climax, setting up Luke’s turn before Percy actually confronts him.
Such villain twists are always more satisfying when authors lay the groundwork for them, and Riordan does so impressively in
The Lightning Thief.
Such villain twists are always more satisfying when authors lay the groundwork for them, and Riordan does so impressively in The Lightning Thief. Luke’s motive for betraying Camp Half-Blood and the means to do so are all there. However, readers want to trust him because Percy and Annabeth do. That makes his betrayal hit harder, rendering this an effective and emotional revelation.
5 The Last Magician By Lisa Maxwell
Twist: Nibsy & Professor Lachlan Are The Same Person
Lisa Maxwell’s Last Magician series is one of the most underrated YA fantasy stories out there, and it makes the perfect replacement for Six of Crows. The first book, The Last Magician, also features a bombshell plot twist at the end: that Nibsy Lorcan, who Esta meets in the book’s past timeline, is the same person as Professor Lachlan, her father figure who sends her back in time. This makes it doubly heart-wrenching when Nibsy betrays Dolph, Esta, and the rest of his crew in order to steal the Ars Arcana for his own sinister ends.
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As with many great fantasy book twists, the clues for this revelation are scattered throughout The Last Magician for those looking out for them. But with Esta traveling to 1902 with biased expectations — ones planted by Professor Lachlan himself — it’s not hard to believe that Harte or another character is the group’s traitor. Nibsy is easy to overlook until it’s too late, which is what makes this villain twist so genius. And it has lasting repercussions for the remainder of the series, proving itself a meaningful turn for Esta’s story.
4 The Golden Compass/Northern Lights By Philip Pullman
Twist: Mrs. Coulter Is Lyra’s Mother
The Golden Compass — known as Northern Lights outside the United States — hardly tries to sell Mrs. Coulter as one of the good guys. However, while it’s apparent almost immediately that she’s a villain, the first His Dark Materials book still manages to land a surprise in regard to her character. The revelation that she’s Lyra’s mother comes as a shock, and it successfully raises the emotional stakes of the story. Lyra’s narrative is already tragic in His Dark Materials, but the fact that she’s often fighting her own family makes matters even worse.
This devastating twist fits well with Lyra’s coming-of-age narrative, which forces her to forgo her innocence and see the darker truths of her world. That she’s related to the likes of Mrs. Coulter is one of these harsh realities she must face, though her mother does somewhat redeem herself later in the series. Even so, it’s still surprising to learn Mrs. Coulter’s true connection to Lyra, especially after she treats her so horribly.
3 Shadow And Bone By Leigh Bardugo
Twist: The Darkling Is The Black Heretic
One might think it’s obvious that a character called the Darkling is a villain, but Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone manages to make this revelation surprising regardless. When Alina first meets the Darkling in Shadow and Bone, she believes he’s on the side of Ravka. He insists he wants to destroy the Shadow Fold, but it’s later revealed that he’s the one who created it. The twist that the Darkling and the Black Heretic are the same person makes a lot of sense, but it still manages to be a shock.
Although the Darkling being
Shadow and Bone
‘s villain isn’t necessarily a surprising twist, the specifics surrounding his character are.
After all, few readers expect the Darkling to be immortal while working their way through Shadow and Bone. This makes his involvement in the Fold’s creation seem less likely, even if all the clues about his true nature are there from the beginning. Although the Darkling being Shadow and Bone‘s villain isn’t necessarily a surprising twist, the specifics surrounding his character are. That ensures this revelation a memorable one — as does the fact that it hits Alina so hard after she begins to develop a bond with him.
2 Fourth Wing By Rebecca Yarros
Colonel Aetos Used His Son’s Signet Against Violet & Xaden
Dain’s betrayal at the end of Fourth Wing is one of the biggest twists of The Empyrean Series so far. And while Dain doesn’t qualify as a villain — Iron Flame places him fully on the path to redemption — his father seems to fit the description. Colonel Aetos is the one who convinces his son to use his signet on an unexpecting Violet, and he’s also the person who sends Xaden and the marked ones to their deaths. This all happens very quickly in Fourth Wing, and readers realize what he’s done alongside Violet and her friends.
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Although Yarros sets up Dain’s power and his opportunity to use it against Violet well, it happens so subtly that it still manages to be a surprise. This development makes it clearer than ever that people inside Navarre and Basgiath War College cannot be trusted. It also highlights how dangerous Colonel Aetos really is, though The Empyrean Series probably hasn’t shown Dain’s father at his worst. It’s possible Onyx Storm‘s debut will see him becoming even worse.
1 City Of Heavenly Fire By Cassandra Clare
Twist: The Seelie Queen Is Working With Sebastian Morgenstern
The Mortal Instruments is no stranger to villain twists, as its two biggest threats are both related to Clary — and Valentine also happens to be the man who raised Jace. While these revelations are meant to be surprising, they’re somewhat easy for seasoned readers to pick up on. However, there is one reveal in City of Heavenly Fire that feels sudden and surprising: the fact that the Seelie Queen is working with Sebastian Morgenstern. The revelation of this betrayal arrives as the Downworlder representatives are gathered together for dinner.
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This event is revealed to be a trap, and from Magnus’ point of view, readers realize the representatives have been drugged by Meliorn. Having things unfold from Magnus’ perspective is a smart move on Clare’s part, as it fully immerses readers in the scene and makes it feel more shocking as they realize what’s happening. After so many books setting up the tensions between the Fair Folk and the Nephilim, something like this feels inevitable. Still, it’s a memorable revelation that stands out within the fantasy series.
