Love ‘em or hate ‘em, the fantasy genre is awash with tropes: wise old mentor figures, magic schools, over coming oppression, and of course, the regular person turned Chosen One (who is later revealed to be from a secret royal lineage anyway).
But one of the most common tropes is the vaguely European medieval fantasy, where armored knights bow to lords, wars are conducted on horseback, and slothful monarchs mismanage their kingdoms until the protagonist comes to save the day.
In fact, it’s practically synonymous with the fantasy genre. If you asked a random stranger what “fantasy” is, they’re more likely to describe something like George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones) rather than M. L. Wang’s Japan-inspired The Sword of Kaigen, despite both being incredible takes on the fantasy genre.
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
In a world inspired by “China’s bloody twentieth century,” R. F. Kuang mixes shamanism magic, elite military schools, and a brutal war into a cocktail of grimdark fantasy — and it’s her first debut novel! War orphan Rin aces the Empire-wide test for talented youth and learns that she has “an aptitude for shamanism,” a mythical gift that might be the only way to save her people.
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
Vengeance-seeking, ruthless princess Malini covets the throne, and powerful priestess Priya, hidden as a servant, tries to keep her family & secrets safe. This Indian-inspired story weaves together the fates of the two women, highlighting the morally grey choices that they must make to survive. For those eager for romance, the sapphic love between the two is a slow burn.
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
Rebecca Roanhorse’s novel Black Sun draws inspiration from the civilizations of the pre-Columbian Americas, pulling together political intrigue, celestial prophecies, and a journey that you can’t help but be swept along into. A small ship’s captain, Xiala, heads toward the holy city of Tova with her lone, blind, and supposedly harmless passenger, Serapio. They’re set to arrive on the same day that the Sun Priest describes as “an unbalancing of the world…”
Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor
An albino twelve-year-old girl named Sunny lives in Aba, Nigeria, and she just wants to survive the day without being bullied. Her two new friends, Orlu and Chichi, introduce her to the Leopard People, a world where “your worst defect becomes your greatest asset.” This young adult fantasy novel is deeply entrenched in the myths and magic of West Africa, leaving any hungry reader, young or old, feeling sated.
Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
If you’re looking for a fantasy romance novel set in 1920s Mexico, look no further. Disgraced by the life decisions of her parents, protagonist Cassiopeia is forced to work for her remaining family as a maid when she defiantly opens her grandfather’s chest and releases a Mayan god of death, Hun-Kame. The two set off on a quest to find and restore Hun-Kame, while his treacherous twin brother (and her awful cousin) stand in their way.