Fantasy
The Empress of Salt and Fortune
Nghi Vo
A young royal from the far north is sent south for a political marriage in an empire reminiscent of imperial China. Her brothers are dead, her armies and their war mammoths long defeated and caged behind their borders. Alone and sometimes reviled, she must choose her allies carefully. Rabbit, a handmaiden, sold by her parents to the palace for the lack of five baskets of dye, befriends the emperor's lonely new wife and gets more than she bargained for. At once feminist high fantasy and an indictment of monarchy, this evocative debut follows the rise of the empress In-yo, who has few resources and fewer friends. She's a northern daughter in a mage-made summer exile, but she will bend history to her will and bring down her enemies, piece by piece.
Midnight horizon
Daniel José Older
YOUNG ADULT FICTION Star Wars
Science Fiction, Fantasy
After a series of losses, the Republic seems to have the villainous Nihil marauders on the run. Jedi Masters Cohmac Vitus and Kantam Sy are sent to the world of Corellia, in the Galactic Core, to investigate a suspected Nihil attack. There, Padawans Reath Silas and Ram Jomaram encounter security specialist Crash, whose friend was one of the victims of the attack. What they uncover on Corellia turns out to be part of a great plan-- one that could lead the Jedi to their most stunning defeat yet. -- adapted from jacket
The High Republic is so captivating. Another good installment here. -Mykle
Gardens of the Moon
Steven Erikson
The Malazan Empire simmers with discontent, bled dry by interminable warfare, bitter infighting and bloody confrontations with the formidable Anomander Rake and his Tiste Andii, ancient and implacable sorcerers. Even the imperial legions, long inured to the bloodshed, yearn for some respite. Yet Empress Laseen's rule remains absolute, enforced by her dread Claw assassins. For Sergeant Whiskeyjack and his squad of Bridgeburners, and for Tattersail, surviving cadre mage of the Second Legion, the aftermath of the siege of Pale should have been a time to mourn the many dead. But Darujhistan, last of the Free Cities of Genabackis, yet holds out. It is to this ancient citadel that Laseen turns her predatory gaze. However, it would appear that the Empire is not alone in this great game. Sinister, shadowbound forces are gathering as the gods themselves prepare to play their hand... Conceived and written on a panoramic scale, Gardens of the Moon is epic fantasy of the highest order--an enthralling adventure by an outstanding new voice.
Having read this book and series almost 8 years ago now, it is still to this day the best series I have ever had the privilege to read. This book is the first in the Malazan Book of the Fallen series. This is a vast series with hundreds of characters spanning 10,000 pages and something like 3,000,000 words. It took me 3 months to read the whole series, but for 10,000 I think that says just how much I loved it. I read all that while going through school and work! This series can be graphic violently and sexually, so it may not be for a lot of people, but if you like sprawling stories filled with gods, mages, creatures of all kinds, and wonderfully built characters and worlds, this one is for you. -Zach
Dungeon academy : no humans allowed!
Roux, Madeleine, 1985- writer.
jFICTION Dungeon
Fantasy, Adventure
"When Zellidora "Zelli" Stormclash seeks answers to her true lineage, she embarks on a dangerous adventure"--
Added by Casey
Black Sun
Rebecca Roanhorse
The first book in the Between Earth and Sky trilogy, inspired by the civilizations of the Pre-Columbian Americas and woven into a tale of celestial prophecies, political intrigue, and forbidden magic. A god will return When the earth and sky converge Under the black sun In the holy city of Tova, the winter solstice is usually a time for celebration and renewal, but this year it coincides with a solar eclipse, a rare celestial event proscribed by the Sun Priest as an unbalancing of the world. Meanwhile, a ship launches from a distant city bound for Tova and set to arrive on the solstice. The captain of the ship, Xiala, is a disgraced Teek whose song can calm the waters around her as easily as it can warp a man’s mind. Her ship carries one passenger. Described as harmless, the passenger, Serapio, is a young man, blind, scarred, and cloaked in destiny. As Xiala well knows, when a man is described as harmless, he usually ends up being a villain.
Epic fantasy is one of my favorite genres, and this book had a unique take on it. I loved it and I love Fevered Star, the sequel. -Zach
The queen in the cave
Júlia Sardà
jE Sarda
Picture Books, Fantasy, Adventure
Once upon a time there were three sisters: Franca, Carmela, and Tomasina. This is their story of adventure and discovery. A tale of hidden mysteries and new wonders, of finding a strange world beyond home and unlocking the secrets inside themselves.
I cannot wait to share this ethereal long-form picture book at home. Look for this title on an upcoming list of great gift books! -Casey
I'm a unicorn
Helen Yoon
jE Yoon
Picture Books, Humor, Fantasy, Kids
"See?" cries the calf. "Uni means one, and corn means horn!" Even their baby picture proves it: they were born with one horn! But as the eager little calf continues their research, a budding identity crisis arises...
Potty humor AND unicorns?! Get ready to repeat this read. -Casey
The bone witch
Chupeco, Rin, author.
YOUNG ADULT FICTION Chupeco Rin
Young Adult, Fantasy
Tea's gift for death magic means that she is a bone witch, a title that makes her feared and ostracized by her community, but when an older bone witch trains her to become an asha--one who can wield elemental magic--Tea will have to overcome her obstacles and make a powerful choice in the face of danger as dark forces approach.
In a high fantasy world where you can literally give your heart to someone, a young necromancer accidentally raises her dead brother. Taken to a faraway island, she must learn to control her power amidst the threat of mysterious villains. This book really introduces a series that gets better with each book. -Mykle
The empress of salt and fortune
Nghi Vo
SCIENCE FICTION Vo Nghi
Fantasy
"A young royal from the far north, is sent south for a political marriage in an empire reminiscent of imperial China. Her brothers are dead, her armies and their war mammoths long defeated and caged behind their borders. Alone and sometimes reviled, she must choose her allies carefully. Rabbit, a handmaiden, sold by her parents to the palace for the lack of five baskets of dye, befriends the emperor's lonely new wife and gets more than she bargained for."--Provided by publisher.
This is a subtle, quiet, beautiful--and short--fantasy book. I highly recommend it. -Brian
Expedition backyard : exploring nature from country to city
Rosemary Mosco
jGRAPHIC NOVEL Mosco
Graphic Novels, Nature, Adventure, Fantasy
Mole and Vole always venture out into the world to see what nature they can find, but after an accidental move from the country to the city, the best friends have to learn to discover new plants and animals in their new environment.
Onward adventurers! This adorable graphic novel is perfect for the season, newly independent readers, and family sharing. Simply lovely! -Casey
I'm a story-teller. I love writing as much as I love reading, so when I read this series it really spoke to me in a bunch of different ways. I would say the second book is my favorite of the three, it read so easily and far too quickly because I wish I could read a thousand more pages of this world. They were very quick and lovely reads and I will want to go back to revisit the lovely stories that are told here. -Zach