Books are the source to imagination and freedom in day-to-day life! I love reading sometimes more than I love my sleep schedule and I have acquired some new favorites this year that I really want to share!
1. The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White
The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White can best be described as a feminist Camelot retelling with some serious badass girl vibes. The book starts out at the POV from our main character “Guinevere” who has some special powers and some hidden secrets. Between the romance and the backstabbing traitors, this one became my first 5 star of 2020. Even better, the sequel comes out in November so you won’t have to wait to read the next book after reading that horrible cliffhanger!
2. Spin The Dawn by Elizabeth Lim
Spin The Dawn by Elizabeth Lim is written by a POC author and is full of amazing characters. I mostly adored this book due to the romance but the fantasy elements are gorgeous. It’s a Mulan retelling with magic and serious adventure involved. Just thinking about it makes me want to reread this amazing tale. I highly highly recommend it.
3. Grace and Fury by Tracy Banghart
Grace and Fury by Tracy Banghart is from the POV of two sisters with drastically different plot twists in their lives. This is another amazing feminist rebellion story with some serious world building and plot twist action. Tracy Banghart wrote these plot twists so well that I never ever saw them coming and usually I catch plot twists. This is more of a dystopian book than fantasy but the fantasy elements are still there just in a lesser amount than most fantasy books.
4. The Princess Will Save You by Sarah Henning
The Princess Will Save You by Sarah Henning is a Princess Bride retelling with a feminist twist and some deadly sharp writing. Sarah Henning has some of the best writing I’ve ever read and her detail is stunning. The world building on this one lacks a bit but the adventure and action definitely makes up for it pretty quickly. Not to mention, romance!
5. Mirage by Soimaya Daud
Mirage by Soimaya Daud is a tad more sci-fi than the others but still counts as fantasy due to the amazing things that happen in this story. The author is POC and so are most of the cast of characters. Soimaya Daud uses intelligent writing to convey her plot twists and makes you feel serious emotion throughout the book. Rebellion is on the verge throughout most of the book and you can just feel the tension radiate throughout the book.
6. All The Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace
All The Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace missed the mark for me on character development and plot but the world building is to die for! Adalyn Grace built an absolutely fabulous world with her writing and all the magic in this fantasy novel is so lovely. As a person that is a sucker for world building, I did really enjoy this one due to those facts. Plus, a pirate ship!
7. Crier’s War by Nina Varela
Crier’s War by Nina Varela is another one that isn’t technically a fantasy YA book and is more dystopian/sci-fi but the plot for this is to die for. Four words; lesbian enemies-to-lovers! This trope is so fun to see in a sci-fi book and it makes for an even sweeter rebellion later in the novel. This is another book with a sequel that just came out so no waiting on that awful cliff hanger for this one!
Thank you for reading and I hope you got some new book recs!