The Bookish Mindset

This has to be one of my favourite themes to date. All too often I despair about British and worldwide politics, but at least in fiction it can be overhauled. If you’re ready to get angry and get even, this is the list for you.

Chain-Gang All-Stars – Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah. If you’ve been around here for a little while then you’ll know this is a book I adore. Dystopian fiction, questioning the unjust incarceration system. Absolutely brilliant.

Her Majesty’s Royal Coven & The Shadow Cabinet – Juno Dawson. Honestly, I’m obsessed with this series so far. Brilliantly feminist and intersectional. Witches and warlocks and multiple POV. Genius. Start reading it now. Book 0.5 out this Summer and book 3 out next year.

Sing Me to Sleep – Gabi Burton. Grumpy siren assassin is really a bad-ass that just cares about her sister, has to work for the royal family to keep her secrets. First in the series and the next is out later this year.

The Last Bloodcarver – Vanesssa Le. Brilliant debut in YA fantasy with a clever new concept. Bloodcarver’s have been outlawed by society, but sometimes they’re the only people that can heal the sick. The first in a duology.

Hunt on Dark Waters – Katee Robert. It’s a well known fact that I’m a Katee Robert fan and I enjoyed this new start to a series. Very much a romantasy set on the high seas in an in-between world. Fun read with some corrupt rules!

Pet & Bitter – Akwaeke Emezi. Another set of YA fantasy’s that totally blew me away. Absolute must reads. These two question the difference between good and bad people and it’s deliciously clever. Do yourself a favour and read these ASAP (Pet first and then Bitter, Bitter was published second!).

Warrior Girl Unearthed – Angeline Boulley. I’m a huge fan of Boulley’s – her debut, Firekeeper’s Daughter was brilliant and Warrior Girl Unearthed is no different. You don’t need to read FKD first, but I would recommend. WGU is brilliant and feisty and angsty perfection.

Vagabonds – Eloghosa Osunde. If you’re looking for a little more magical realism with your system chaos, then Vagabonds is for you. I don’t even know how to describe it more than that, but if you love to read about spirits and trickery then pick this one up.

Tempest of Tea – Hafsah Faizal. So I’ve got Faizal’s backlog to get through later this year but I really did enjoy this fantasy heist. Clever and witty characters and a follow up being written. Oh, and it’s set in a teashop – what more could you want?

That Self-Same Metal – Brittany N. Williams. Do you love a Shakespeare retelling with a bucketload of representation and more? Me too! This one is set around A Midsummer’s Night Dream and honestly shot up there as one of my favourite YA fantasy’s. The next is coming this year.

Faebound – Saara El-Arifi. The first of a duology and an clever one at that. A romantasy set between the POV of two sisters who couldn’t be more different. Lots of pining, lots of magic, I really enjoyed this one.

The Principle of Moments – Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson. If you grew up loving Star Wars like I did, I think you’re going to love this one. Sci-fi space saga with multiple timelines, multiple POV’s and the first of a trilogy. I’m very excited for the next instalment.

The Gilded Ones Trilogy (including The Merciless Ones and The Eternal Ones) – Namina Forna. What can I say about this series that I’ve not already said? I loved this series, it’s the kind of book(s) that my younger self would have devoured. YA fantasy set in a patriarchal world. Get them and thank me later.

Babel – R. F. Kuang. Last but not least, Babel. I hope this book doesn’t need an introduction, but in case it does: dark academia that addresses colonialism, racism and many others. A fantastic read. She’s thick but absolutely worth it.

All of the above are available in it’s very own list here on Bookshop.org, check out the link to add to your TBR.

Last updated: 14/04/2024