With so much going on in the world today that can make us feel discouraged or hopeless, many of us turn to books to find an escape from reality. Nowhere is that more true than in the fantasy genre. Losing ourselves in magic, dragons, prophecies and epic adventures can be a much-needed respite when the real world is more than we can bear.
But fantasy can offer so much more than escapism. Since the genre’s earliest days, fantasy authors have used their stories to grapple with complex societal issues in thought-provoking ways.
When we watch our favorite fantasy protagonists bravely challenge self-serving rulers, unjust laws and widespread inequality, it can inspire us to raise our metaphorical swords and do the same in the “real world.” By seeing characters overcome their oppression and get their Happily Ever After, it gives us hope that we, too, can survive dark times and fight our way back to the light.
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I had the same goal when writing my fantasy romance novel, Spark of the Everflame, the first book in the New York Times bestselling series, The Kindred’s Curse Saga. Our heroine, Diem Bellator, finds herself caught in a civil war between the magic-wielding demigods who make up the privileged ruling class and the poor, oppressed mortals fighting for their liberation after centuries of colonization.
Though I hope readers find an entertaining break from their lives in the mysteries, royal intrigue, banter, found family and steamy slow burn with a dangerous scarred prince, I also want Diem’s compassion to inspire readers to return to their lives with a more inclusive mindset and a more courageous heart.
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In honor of the hardcover release of book two, Glow of the Everflame, on Tuesday, December 3, I’ve compiled a list of ten more fantasy books with relatable political struggles that can keep our spirits high in the years to come.
‘Daughter of No Worlds’ by Carissa Broadbent
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Though Carissa Broadbent is best known for her super-popular Crowns of Nyaxia series, her earlier work is equally rave-worthy. In Daughter of No Worlds, the first book in this completed trilogy, escaped slave Tisaanah and disgruntled war hero Maxantarius are forced to work together by a powerful Order that holds the key to both their fates. Two achingly beautiful love stories are interwoven with complex themes of trauma, injustice, radicalization and bodily autonomy.
‘Kindling’ by Traci Chee
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Kindling follows a group of female and non-binary child soldiers, once valued for their deadly magic, now struggling to find their purpose in a post-war world. This standalone Seven Samurai retelling beautifully handles grief, PTSD and the heartbreaking effects of war on everyone it touches. Though not everyone gets a happy ending, the enduring friendship of the characters and their story of resilience will leave you thinking about this book for weeks.
‘Phoenix Extravagant’ by Yoon Ha Lee
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This standalone, character-driven steampunk fantasy features a nonbinary protagonist with a relatable problem: They don’t want to fight or get involved in the politics of their world, they just want to stay home and paint. This story brings so many unique characteristics, including an art-based magic system, mechanical dragons (not to mention a quasi-animal sidekick you’ll fall in love with), a colonial setting inspired by Japan-occupied Korea and a world that normalizes queer love and genderfluid characters.
‘Trial of the Sun Queen’ by Nisha J. Tuli
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Billed as “The Bachelor meets The Hunger Games,” this four-book romantasy series features a high-stakes tournament for a King’s hand in marriage that combines a spicy, enemies-to-lovers romance with the unpredictable twists and turns of epic fantasy. Lor is a fierce protagonist who holds her own in a world of men trying to control her. One of my favorite quotes says it all: “I am not his conquest. I am not his to claim. I am my own castle.”
‘For She Is Wrath’ by Emily Varga
Amazon
This Pakistani romantic fantasy retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo has so much to love: strong female friendship, feminine rage and the most perfect lovers-to-enemies arc. However, what struck me most was the powerful examination of how revenge can cost us everything, and how we must hold onto the things we love instead of being consumed by what we hate.
‘Crier’s War’ by Nina Varela
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With our world grappling with the ethical questions that come with new technologies, this sapphic love story raises a poignant question — what does it mean to be human? The unlikely bond that grows between Ayla, a human servant who lost everything in the human-AI war, and Crier, an android-like creation designed to be the cruel ruler’s flawless heir, also dives deeply into the consequences of oppression, privilege and cultural appropriation.
‘The Gilded Ones’ by Namina Forna
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Fans of The Handmaid’s Tale will resonate with the gender-based oppression in this story loosely based on the author’s upbringing in civil war-torn Sierra Leone. After being declared “impure” by her village, 16-year-old Deka is forced to join the emperor’s army of girl warriors who share her rare magical gifts. Though this recently completed trilogy takes on many dark topics like misogyny, racism, xenophobia and abuse, you will fall in love with the diverse, nuanced cast and find inspiration in the journey of these young women to take back their power in a patriarchal world.
‘To Shape A Dragon’s Breath’ by Moniquill Blackgoose
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Dragon lovers, this one’s for you. After finding and bonding with a young dragon, a rarity in her poor, indigenous village, Anequs enters a colonizer-run dragoneering academy where the stakes are high: if she does not assimilate to Anglish standards, her dragon will be killed. I love the way Anequs refuses to give up the culture and values of her upbringing, using them to challenge the unjust status quo and find success on her terms.
‘Blood and Brujas’ by Mikayla D. Hornedo
Amazon
Every woman in her feminine rage era will either want to be — or be with — Dayanara, a sharp-tongued diva who has no problem taking what she wants (and striking down the men who get in her way). This spicy why-choose romantasy features witches, vampires, wolf shifters and a Latinx, non-heteronormative world where every character is morally grey, including and especially our feisty protagonist.
‘The Spear Cuts Through Water’ by Simon Jimenez
Amazon
This captivating, incredibly unique fantasy follows two young warriors as they escort an ancient god across a country destroyed by the greed of its megalomaniacal ruler and his selfish, equally vicious sons. A Ghibli-like story of hope and redemption is told through many layers of diverse voices, with queer and disability representation. Though it can be brutally graphic at times, there is so much humor and artistry and unconventional love that make it an unforgettable read.
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