I’d say Fantasy Fiction is enjoying a “renaissance,” but it never went away, and has garnered massive mainstream interest since a certain boy wizard’s first day at Hogwart’s, or even since Bilbo left the Shire. That said, today’s fantasy readers can choose from an unprecedented diversity of subgenres, settings, voices and themes. We recently compiled an exensive list of our favorite fantasy novels of 2022; here’s a small taste of what you’ll find there:
Half a Soul, by Olivia Atwater. Don’t blame tart-tongued Theodora Ettings for making such a scene amidst the glittering demimonde of London’s marriage market. A faerie curse has snipped away half of her soul, and all of her restraint. Might the dashing Elias Wilder, Lord Sorcier of England, restore her to her former self – or is she just fine as she is? As the duo delve into a mysterious sleeping sickness sweeping the land, faerie magic and Regency romance combine with cozy mystery for a swift and witty genre-blender, first of a series.
The Sturgeon’s Heart, by Amy E. Casey. Duluth, Minnesota, is a great place to disappear. Fleeing childhood fame, Sarah revels in her newfound anonymity, working as a cashier at the grocery store. Jo seeks a fresh start after an acrimonious divorce. Across the hall from Jo is Howard, whose skin is literally disappearing, turning transparent and revealing all that lays beneath. These three lonely seekers will find each other in the most startling and mystical way, in this ravishing and moving contemporary magical realist fantasy.
The Final Strife, by Saara El-Arifi. When the Sandstorm sect was massacred, all hope of rebellion against the rigorous caste-riven Wardens’ Empire seemed dead. Enter Sylah, an unlikely hero hiding in plain sight and harboring a dread secret. But is she ready to risk everything in a perilous attempt to bring blood prejudice to an end? This vivid, imaginative debut conjures up a world inspired by Ghanaian and Arabian folklore, launching an epic fantasy trilogy rife with intrigue and exhibiting clear parallels with the ills of our own world.
Kaikeyi, by Vaishnavi Patel. In the tradition of Madeleine Miller’s blockbuster Circe, this lush and lyrical mythological novel re-imagines the despised Queen Kaikeyi of the Ramayana. But was she truly a jealous, power-mad woman who foolishly challenged the gods and lost? Or is there another side to her story? Whether or not you’re familiar with Patel’s source material, you’ll be captivated by this resonant and timeless story of a remarkable antiheroine who risked everything for the rights of women, and the future of humankind.
Find many more excellent fantasy novels suited to every taste in our full list of Seattle Picks: Fantasy 2022.
~ Posted by David W.
Leave a Comment