Recently arrived fantasy fiction
Gods to the left, fae to the right, reimagined fairy tales and cosy stories make up our fantasy fiction roundup this month.
Set in the world of the Celestial Kingdom, Liyen, the mortal ruler of Tianxia, is burdened by her predecessor's betrayal of the immortal realm. When the enraged Immortal Queen commands the feared God of War to attack, Liyen faces down the gods, vowing to free her people from their servitude. She forges a dangerous, tenuous alliance with the ruthless God of War, intending to learn their secrets. As dark forces gather, a powerful, forbidden, enemies-to-lovers attraction ignites between the two, forcing Liyen to risk her life, her kingdom, and her heart to achieve salvation. Mixing fantasy, romantasy and Chinese inspired mythology Immortal can be read as a standalone novel, or as part of Tan's larger universe.
Daughter of the Otherworld by Shauna Lawless
Shauna Lawless blends Irish myth with historical facts in this story of Isolde, an Irish royal and a descendant of the Tuatha Dé Danann (supernatural beings) who reappears after over a century missing. Though a prophecy names her as the one to defeat their ancient enemies, the fire-wielding Fomorians, she appears to be 'giftless', lacking magic. The Fomorians, led by the calculating Gormflaith, are growing in power by manipulating the Norman lords to invade Ireland and seize control of the mortal realm. Forced into a quest to find her hidden purpose, Isolde must navigate human politics and the deadly mythological conflict to realise her true, destined worth.
Morrigan arrives in ancient Ireland as a strange, shapeshifting member of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Over a thousand years, we trace her journey to becoming the renowned goddess of battle and blood, known as Badb, Macha, or Nemain in her various guises, an unflinching account of her loves, losses, and relentless rage as she constantly seeks power and influence in a world where male-dominated myths attempt to diminish her. Morrgan's story, a 'fierce feminist retelling' is rich in lyrical prose and the goddess has a compelling, unapologetic voice that explores her divine struggles and the timeless fight for female agency.
A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic by J.Penner
Cosy, food based fantasy is having its day in the sun, with Travis Baldree's Legends & Lattes, and Becky Chambers' Monk & Robot being hot favourites. Penner's addition to the oeuvre stars Arleta Starstone, a human baker who is one of the only people in her community without magic. She works hard to perfect her baking using apothecary herbs and spices to achieve unique, delicious results. When her supportive orc neighbor secretly enters Arleta's creations into the prestigious, elf-run Langheim Baking Battle, she is selected as a contestant. Arleta is terrified because her lack of magic will likely draw prejudice from the judges and fellow competitors. A cosy, sweet, rivals-to-lovers fantasy romance that feels like The Great British Bake Off meets classic high fantasy.
Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy
Leovander "Leo" Loveage is an impulsive scriver of "small magics". Sebastian "Grimm" Grimm, an exceptionally talented caster is his rigid academic rival. When a forbidden spell is accidentally cast, Leo is magically bound to obey Grimm's every command and terrified of expulsion for using illegal magic, the enemies are forced into a reluctant alliance. They venture into the monstrous and untamed Unquiet Wood in search of a sorcerer capable of lifting the curse. Rich in classic fantasy tropes, especially the grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, and rivals-to-lovers dynamics this is a believable, slow-burn queer romance that develops as the characters confront their insecurities and prejudices while fighting for survival.
The Magician of Tiger Castle by Louis Sachar
The survival of the kingdom of Esquaveta hinges on Princess Tullia's arranged marriage to the odious Prince Dalrympl. However, weeks before the nuptials, Tullia falls for a humble scribe, Pito, jeopardising the alliance. The king tasks the aging, ridiculed magician Anatole, one of the few people Tullia trusts—with brewing a potion to erase her memory of Pito and ensuring the wedding goes ahead. Anatole is a flawed but endearing protagonist and readers of Sachar's other books will appreciate this gentle dip into adult fantasy.
A Far better Thing by H.G. Parry
Sydney Carton was stolen by the faeries as a child and forced into a life of servitude to the cruel Faery Realm. The kind-hearted Charles Darnay is the changeling left in his place. Shuttling between London and revolutionary Paris during the Reign of Terror, a bitter and self-loathing Carton sees a chance for revenge against the fae who ruined his life. His actions are driven by love for Lucie Manette and a desire to right the generational wrongs caused by the fae's interferences. Parry, a New Zealand author of several successful fantasy novels blends historical fiction with traditional, ruthless faerie lore in this reimagining of Dickens', A Tale of Two Cities.
To Bleed a Crystal Bloom by Sarah A. Parker
Orlaith, a trauma survivor encased in crystal as a child, lives in isolation at Castle Noir under the protection of the High Master, Rhordyn. Their toxic, highly-angsty relationship centres on a daily ritual where she provides him a drop of her mysterious blood. Plagued by PTSD, Orlaith is confined by her own fears, treating her protective tower as a mental prison but as political pressures mount, she is forced to confront the world and a demanding suitor. Another dark reimagining, this time of the Rapunzel fairytale, and the first in a new series from the Kiwi author of the Moonfall series.
