I went on a search for stories with a magical theme to them by authors who are women of color. On my search I managed to procure these six stories for your enjoyment. They are all a little different, so hopefully you’ll find one to strike your fancy.
The Girl From Everywhere by Heidi Heilig is a novel with an unusual time traveling premise. To time travel you need an accurate map of when and where you want to go and a strong belief that time travel will work. Nix, our main character, is on her father’s ship as he time travels to Victorian Hawaii in an attempt to bring his wife, Nix’s mother, back from death. What will happen to Nix if her mother is saved?
Meet Allison Sekemoto our strong, imperfect female main character in The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa. Set in a dystopia where vampires rule the world and humans are forced to scrounge for food or be cattle. Allison does what she has to do to stay alive and free. Or almost alive because one night she gets unlucky and is on the verge of death when she’s given the option to become a vampire. Can she handle living as something she has hated her entire life?
Death’s Dancer by Jasmine Silvera is an urban fantasy taking place in Prague. Isela Vogel uses dance to attract the favor of the gods. Her last contract as a dancer will be for a necromancer. He believes she will enhance his abilities and help him discover a murderer. However, their partnership leads to more discoveries about the world than either expected to find.
Damali Richards is an artist by day and a demon killer by night in Minion by L.A. Banks. This first book sets up the world of Vampire Huntress series. Introducing you to Damali who is on the verge of coming of age and gaining her full powers, but dark forces are trying to stop her. Unusual brutal murders start happening, beyond anything seen before, and what she doesn’t realize yet is this killer is coming for her. The beginning can be a little slow, but stick with it and the pace starts to build.
Jade City by Fonda Lee takes places on the island of Kekon. This is the only place magical jade comes from, which can enhance your abilities. This island is controlled by two crime syndicates and we focus on the Kaul family. The world is changing rapidly as more people are able to use the magical jade to enhance their fighting powers and the Kaul family struggles to stay relevant. Politics, magic, and blood feuds fuel the story in this first book of the Green Bone Saga.
As a last suggestion try Lullaby for a Lost World. A short story by Aliette de Bodard with magnificent storytelling. Charlotte dies to protect her master’s house. Charlotte, now dead, is left with a desire for vengence. If you are looking for a great horror-esque quick read give this one a try.
~posted by Meranda T.
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