T.L. Huchu’s The Library of the Dead is a captivating urban fantasy set in a dystopian Edinburgh, Scotland, where the supernatural and the mundane coexist in surprising ways. The story follows Ropa Moyo, a young girl with the extraordinary ability to communicate with ghosts. As she navigates her life as a ghost talker, Ropa is…
The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm by Nancy Farmer is a thrilling and imaginative novel that seamlessly blends African mythology with science fiction, taking readers on a journey through a futuristic Zimbabwe. When the children of the country’s chief of security are kidnapped, a team of mutant detectives—known as the Ear, the Eye, and…
The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi is an enchanting fantasy novel that invites readers into a lush, historical world infused with West African and Egyptian mythology. Set in an alternate version of 19th-century Paris, the story follows Séverin Montagnet-Alarie, a wealthy treasure hunter who gathers a diverse crew of talented individuals to unravel a mysterious…
Nnedi Okorafor’s Who Fears Death is a deeply compelling and thought-provoking novel set in a post-apocalyptic Sudan. With its roots in African folklore, the story follows Onyesonwu, a young woman born from violence who discovers she has extraordinary magical abilities. As she embarks on a journey of self-discovery, Onyesonwu is forced to confront not only…
The Clockwork Planet by Yuu Kamiya and Tsubaki Himana offers a unique and captivating blend of steampunk, fantasy, and mystery. Set in a world where Earth has been entirely reconstructed with gears and clockwork mechanisms, the story follows high school student Naoto Miura and his encounter with a mysterious automaton girl, RyuZU. As they join…
The Night is Short, Walk on Girl is a delightful blend of surrealism, whimsy, and eccentricity. Written by Tomihiko Morimi, this novel takes you through a dreamlike night in Kyoto with a college student, known only as The Girl with Black Hair. As she roams the city’s vibrant nightlife, she crosses paths with quirky characters,…
In a world where fantasy and history blend seamlessly, The Secret of the Blue Glass by Tomiko Inui stands out as a rare and poignant gem. Set against the backdrop of World War II in Tokyo, this heartwarming and bittersweet tale follows the Little People—tiny, magical beings living within a blue glass bottle, protected by…
The magical world of Tale of the Magatama continues in Mirror Sword and Shadow Prince, the second book in Noriko Ogiwara’s captivating series. Set against a backdrop of magic, politics, and prophecy, this installment introduces new characters, including Oguna, a prince foretold to bring destruction, and Toko, a girl with the ability to control shadows….
If you’re a fan of immersive fantasy worlds, deep political intrigue, and unforgettable character development, Sea of Shadow by Fuyumi Ono is a must-read. As the first book in The Twelve Kingdoms series, it introduces readers to Yoko Nakajima, an ordinary high school girl whose life is turned upside down when she is transported to…
In The Beast Player (Kemono no Soja) by Nahoko Uehashi, readers are introduced to Elin, a young girl with the extraordinary ability to communicate with magical beasts. Her peaceful world is shattered when her mother is executed for allegedly using these creatures to attack the kingdom, forcing Elin into exile. As she navigates the complex…