Well, we’ve done it! We’ve made it past the halfway point of 2017. To say it’s been a crazy year so far would be a bit of an understatement. In times like these, we need the option to escape into a fantasy world for a little while before heading back out and fighting the good fight for this world. So, here are a few diverse fantasy tales to help get you through to 2018.
Shadowhouse Fall
by Daniel José Older
Arthur A. Levine Books
September 12th 2017
After two long years, Daniel José Older returns to the world of Shadowshaper with this highly anticipated sequel. In this installment, Sierra and her friends are starting to embrace their lives as shadowshapers when a new threat arrives from the Deck of Worlds. Once again, the shadowshapers must work together to protect their community and everything they hold dear.
The Black Tides of Heaven
by JY Yang
Tor.com
September 26 2017
Tor.com has been knocking it out of the park lately with their novellas, and The Black Tides of Heaven is definitely one of the highlights of this new trend. As a standalone addition to Yang’s Tensorate Series, this new epic fantasy adventure blends science and magic as it follows the relationship of two siblings.
The Tiger’s Daughter
by K Arsenault Rivera
Tor Books
October 3rd 2017
Ever since I read that V. E. Schwab blurbed this book, it’s been at the top of my wish list. As the start of a new series, Rivera weaves an imaginative story about an infamous Qorin warrior, Barsalayaa Shefali, and a spoiled divine warrior empress, O-Shizuka, who must band together to overcome a dark and dangerous world.
Akata Warrior
by Nnedi Okorafor
Viking Books
October 3 2017
If you thought the wait for the second Shadowshaper book was long, the wait for the second book in Okorafor’s Akata Witch series has been even longer. The first book came out way back in 2011, but we can’t complain too much now that it’s almost here. For those unfamiliar with the series, Okorafor reveals a modern day Nigeria filled with a fantastic mythology and history, which makes for a truly unique world. While we wait for the October release of Akata Warrior, we also have plenty of time to catch up with Okorafor’s Binti series.
Oracle Bone
by Lydia Kwa
Arsenal Pulp Books
October 10 2017
I don’t know too much about this book, but I do know it’s a magical realism novel set in 7th century China from one of my favourite indie publishers. The story will feature magic, fox spirits, vengeful orphans, and demon lovers, and that’s more than enough for me to be interested!
Forest of a Thousand Lanterns
by Julie C. Dao
Philomel Books
October 10 2017
The gorgeous cover was the first thing that drew me to this book. The dark snake combined with the pale, delicate flower is such a striking image. Thankfully, beyond the cover is a striking story as well. In an East Asian reimagining of the Evil Queen fairy tale, eighteen-year-old Xifeng is on a quest to become the next Empress of Feng but, in order to do so, she must first embrace the darkness inside her.
The Beautiful Ones
by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Thomas Dunne Books
October 24th 2017
I have a soft spot for fantasy that takes place in historical settings, especially when there are beautiful gowns and parasols involved. The newest novel from Silvia Moreno-Garcia takes us back in time to the Belle Époque, where Antonina Beaulieu is ready to attend her first Grand Season, fall in love, and learn to hone her telekinetic powers.
Beasts Made of Night
by Tochi Onyebuchi
Razorbill
October 31 2017
Another Nigerian inspired fantasy! In the walled city of Kos exist sin-beasts, evil creatures created by corrupt mages from people’s feelings of guilt. The hero of this story is the young and talented sin-eater Taj. In order to provide for his family and protect those around him, Taj must hunt down and slay the sin-beasts that plague his world, but at a terrible cost. For every one he kills, the creature’s guilty memories become his own and a tattoo of the beast appears on his skin. Before he knows it, he soon finds himself involved in a dark conspiracy and must fight to save his family, the girl he loves, and his own life.
The City of Brass
by S.A. Chakraborty
Harper Voyager
November 14 2017
I’ve seen this recommended to fans of The Golem and the Jinni, The Grace of Kings, and One Thousand and One Nights, which is a pretty big draw in and of itself. I love the idea of a magical version of 18th century Cairo, and all of the characters and unique elements involved in the tale (like six djinn tribes) make this book sound like a non-stop adventure. Though this is technically adult fantasy, the characters are a bit on the younger side, so I think it will ultimately end up being a great crossover read for YA and adult fantasy fans alike.
