10 Recent Fantasy Reads I Loved (Ft. All The Sarcastic Characters)

In case you haven’t noticed, fantasy is kind of my thing. Fantasy and I go together like peanut butter and cheese. Like bacon and maple syrup. Like … necromancy and a graveyard!

I mean, sure, you can technically do necromancy anywhere, but it’s never quite as effect as when you’re standing in a graveyard. Unless you count the catacombs, which would be necromancy on steroids, and I don’t recommend that. Also, Paris would probably just … collapse into the Earth. Sure, you’d have more recruits to your undead army, but who needs that sort of hassle in their life?

This week’s Top Ten Tuesday is most recent reads, but of course I only want to share the books I really enjoyed!

Not that you can’t enjoy books that I didn’t, because you absolutely can. It’s just not as fun to talk about a book you were utterly meh about, now is it? So here are ten fantasy books I’ve read in the last couple of months that I absolutely loved (and which were five star reads for me) that you would probably love, too. Or, you know, you should at least give them a try. I mean, what’s the harm in that? Never mind all the glares and dirty looks your TBR is giving you. I’m sure it’s not plotting anything.

Eye of the Sh*t Storm

Teagan Frost might be getting better at moving sh*t with her mind – but her job working as a telekinetic government operative only ever seems to get harder. That’s not even talking about her car-crash of a love life . . .

And things are about to get even tougher. No sooner has Teagan chased off one psychotic kid hell-bent on trashing the whole West Coast, but now she has to contend with another supernatural being who can harness devastating electrical power. And if Teagan can’t stop him, the whole of Los Angeles will be facing the sh*tstorm of the century…

Reasons to Read:

• Extremely sarcastic narrator who always cracks jokes at the worst times (but hey, don’t we all?).
• Jam packed full of action and explosions and things flying through the air.
• Takes a good, hard look at humanity and all the icky things that go with being said hairless monkey.
• Has plenty of twists and turns that’ll surprise you over and over again.
• Adult superpower book!

First Lines:

Goodreads     My Review

Aurora Burning

Our heroes are back… kind of. From the bestselling co-authors of the Illuminae Files comes the second book in the epic series about a squad of misfits, losers, and discipline cases who just might be the galaxy’s best hope for survival.

First, the bad news: an ancient evil—you know, your standard consume-all-life-in-the-galaxy deal—is about to be unleashed. The good news? Squad 312 is standing by to save the day. They’ve just got to take care of a few small distractions first.

Like the clan of gremps who’d like to rearrange their favorite faces.

And the cadre of illegit GIA agents with creepy flowers where their eyes used to be, who’ll stop at nothing to get their hands on Auri.

Then there’s Kal’s long-lost sister, who’s not exactly happy to see her baby brother, and has a Syldrathi army at her back. With half the known galaxy on their tails, Squad 312 has never felt so wanted.

When they learn the Hadfield has been found, it’s time to come out of hiding. Two centuries ago, the colony ship vanished, leaving Auri as its sole survivor. Now, its black box might be what saves them. But time is short, and if Auri can’t learn to master her powers as a Trigger, the squad and all their admirers are going to be deader than the Great Ultrasaur of Abraaxis IV.

Shocking revelations, bank heists, mysterious gifts, inappropriately tight bodysuits, and an epic firefight will determine the fate of the Aurora Legion’s most unforgettable heroes—and maybe the rest of the galaxy as well.

Reasons to Read:

• So. Many. Sarcastic. Characters.
• The flirty banter between the squad is on point. Even if they’re still hurting from book one. (Hey, so am I. We’re in this together.)
• All the plot twists. Guaranteed they will hurt.
• Fin is a freaking treasure, okay?
• It will utterly destroy your feels. That’s fine, though. I’m sure you weren’t using them anyway.
• Plenty of action and adventure. Well, maybe it’s mostly misadventure. Still counts.

First Lines:

Goodreads

In Deeper Waters

A young prince must rely on a mysterious stranger to save him when he is kidnapped during his coming-of-age tour in this swoony adventure that is The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue meets Pirates of the Caribbean.

Prince Tal has long awaited his coming-of-age tour. After spending most of his life cloistered behind palace walls as he learns to keep his forbidden magic secret, he can finally see his family’s kingdom for the first time. His first taste of adventure comes just two days into the journey, when their crew discovers a mysterious prisoner on a burning derelict vessel.

Tasked with watching over the prisoner, Tal is surprised to feel an intense connection with the roguish Athlen. So when Athlen leaps overboard and disappears, Tal feels responsible and heartbroken, knowing Athlen could not have survived in the open ocean.

That is, until Tal runs into Athlen days later on dry land, very much alive, and as charming—and secretive—as ever. But before they can pursue anything further, Tal is kidnapped by pirates and held ransom in a plot to reveal his rumored powers and instigate a war. Tal must escape if he hopes to save his family and the kingdom. And Athlen might just be his only hope…

Reasons to Read:

• Sweet romance between two absolute cinnamon rolls.
• Queer twist on fairy tales, without the negative misogynistic male roles.
• Men who are allowed to have feelings! Huzzah!
• Utterly charming sibling bonds and interactions.

First Lines:

Goodreads    My Review

The Accidental Apprentice

A boy who accidentally bonds with a magical Beast must set off on an adventure in the mysterious Woods.

The last thing Barclay Thorne ever wanted was an adventure.

Thankfully, as an apprentice to the town’s mushroom farmer, Barclay need only work hard and follow the rules to one day become the head mushroom farmer himself. No danger required. But then Barclay accidentally breaks his town’s most sacred rule: never ever EVER stray into the Woods, for within the Woods lurk vicious magical Beasts.

To Barclay’s horror, he faces a fate far worse than being eaten: he unwittingly bonds with a Beast and is run out of town by an angry mob. Determined to break this bond and return home, Barclay journeys to find the mysterious town of Lore Keepers, people who have also bonded with Beasts and share their powers.

But after making new friends, entering a dangerous apprenticeship exam, and even facing the legendary Beast of the Woods, Barclay must make a difficult choice: return to the home and rules he’s always known, or embrace the adventure awaiting him.

Reasons to Read:

• Nevermoor’s magical world meets Pokemon’s monster sidekicks with all the middle grade charm.
• The most reluctant of all the reluctant heroes.
• A world filled with magic and danger.
• Friendship bonds and found family.
• All sorts of different adorable (and scary) creatures with various magical abilities.

First Lines:

Goodreads    My Review

A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking

Fourteen-year-old Mona isn’t like the wizards charged with defending the city. She can’t control lightning or speak to water. Her familiar is a sourdough starter and her magic only works on bread. She has a comfortable life in her aunt’s bakery making gingerbread men dance.

But Mona’s life is turned upside down when she finds a dead body on the bakery floor. An assassin is stalking the streets of Mona’s city, preying on magic folk, and it appears that Mona is his next target. And in an embattled city suddenly bereft of wizards, the assassin may be the least of Mona’s worries…

Reasons to Read:

• A sarcastic but adorable young protagonist who can perform baking magic.
• A charming gingerbread man with his own little personality.
• A living sourdough starter familiar with a personality of its own.
• Lots of interesting different ways to use magic, including ZOMBIE HORSES.
• (Yes, they’re every bit as awesome as they sound.)
• Heartfelt commentary about why kids shouldn’t have to be heroes and the adults that fail them along the way.
• All sorts of danger and action.

First Lines:

Goodreads

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue

Henry “Monty” Montague was born and bred to be a gentleman, but he was never one to be tamed. The finest boarding schools in England and the constant disapproval of his father haven’t been able to curb any of his roguish passions—not for gambling halls, late nights spent with a bottle of spirits, or waking up in the arms of women or men.

But as Monty embarks on his Grand Tour of Europe, his quest for a life filled with pleasure and vice is in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family’s estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and traveling companion, Percy.

Still it isn’t in Monty’s nature to give up. Even with his younger sister, Felicity, in tow, he vows to make this yearlong escapade one last hedonistic hurrah and flirt with Percy from Paris to Rome. But when one of Monty’s reckless decisions turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt that spans across Europe, it calls into question everything he knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores.

Reasons to Read:

• Adorable queer romance with friends-to-lovers trope.
• Asexual rep.
• All the sarcasm, debauchery, and compromising conditions.
• Plenty of adventure, because if it can go wrong … it will.
• A wonderfully dramatic protagonist that’s arrogant and self-centered but will absolutely grow on you (and, eventually, grow up).
• Audiobook narrator with the perfect voice for Monty (and it’s super sexy, too!).

First Lines:

Goodreads

Ashlords

Red Rising meets The Scorpio Races in this epic fantasy following three phoenix horse riders–skilled at alchemy–who must compete at The Races–the modern spectacle that has replaced warfare within their empire.

Every year since the Ashlords were gifted phoenix horses by their gods, they’ve raced them. First into battle, then on great hunts, and finally for the pure sport of seeing who rode the fastest. Centuries of blood and fire carved their competition into a more modern spectacle: The Races.

Over the course of a multi-day event, elite riders from clashing cultures vie to be crowned champion. But the modern version of the sport requires more than good riding. Competitors must be skilled at creating and controlling phoenix horses made of ash and alchemy, which are summoned back to life each sunrise with uniquely crafted powers to cover impossible distances and challenges before bursting into flames at sunset. But good alchemy only matters if a rider knows how to defend their phoenix horse at night. Murder is outlawed, but breaking bones and poisoning ashes? That’s all legal and encouraged.

In this year’s Races, eleven riders will compete, but three of them have more to lose than the rest–a champion’s daughter, a scholarship entrant, and a revolutionary’s son. Who will attain their own dream of glory? Or will they all flame out in defeat?

Reasons to Read:

• A high fantasy world filled with strife and conflict.
• Fantasy races featuring fire horses that are reborn every morning.
• Super unique horses that you will obviously wish you had.
• Classism and racism mixed into one high-stakes struggle.
• A plot that is actually more than it seems.
• Intelligent characters that all have ulterior motives.

First Lines:

Goodreads    My Review

Death Warden

A teenage assassin. An impossible choice. The fate of everything hangs in the balance…

Sixteen-year-old Reen swore she’d never take another life. Divinely selected to assassinate a few in order to save many, she learned to jump from shadow to shadow and claim her victims without question… until she was ordered to kill the boy she loved. But when an ancient plague returns threatening to infect everyone she knows, she is forced to resume her deadly duties.

Battling a disease that turns people into nightmarish monsters, Reen must track down and terminate those responsible before the city falls, and the evil spreads beyond its borders. But the closer she gets to the source, the more she uncovers sinister secrets that will shake the foundations of her world and everything she believes.

Can Reen defend her realm without losing her soul?

Reasons to Read:

• Dark fantasy world filled with deadly secrets and an even deadlier (is that a word?) history.
• Plot twist after plot twist that’ll keep you guessing.
• Plenty of action and mystery.
• A squad of unique characters.
• A strong female protagonist who happens to be a stabby assassin (not by choice, but it still counts).
• Large-scale death and danger and … other fun D things?

First Lines:

Goodreads    My Review

The Incredibly Dead Pets of Rex Dexter

Rex Dexter is itching to have a dog. He was practically born to have one. His name is Rex, for crying out loud. It’s a dog’s name. Any pooch is preferable, but a chocolate Labrador is the pinnacle. The best of the best. The dream of all dreams.

When Rex’s B-Day for Me-Day finally arrives, his parents surprise him with a box. A box with holes. A box with holes and adorable scratchy noises coming from inside. Could it be? Yes! It has to be! A . . . a . . .

Chicken?
Pet poultry?
How clucky.

One hour and fourteen minutes later, the chicken is dead (by a steamroller), Rex is cursed (by the Grim Reaper), and wild animals are haunting Rex’s room (hounding him for answers). Even his best friend Darvish is not going to believe this, and that kid believes everything.

Rex’s uninvited ghostly guests are a chatty, messy bunch. And they need Rex to solve their mysterious deadly departures from the Middling Falls Zoo before it happens again.

But how?

Reasons to Read:

• A laugh-out-loud humor book for kids (but perfect for any audience who enjoys laughing).
• A hilarious take on the wholly relatable quest for a dog.
• Fun mystery involving ghost animals.
• A ludicrous story line that’s over-the-top silly.
• Quirky ghost animals.
• A funny narrative voice and a protagonist who’s not a bad kid but is woefully unaware … of, like, anything.

First Lines:

Goodreads    My Review

The Ruthless Lady’s Guide to Wizardry

A charming historical fantasy with a tender love story at its core, from the author of Unnatural Magic.

Hard-drinking petty thief Dellaria Wells is down on her luck in the city of Leiscourt—again. Then she sees a want ad for a female bodyguard, and she fast-talks her way into the high-paying job. Along with a team of other women, she’s meant to protect a rich young lady from mysterious assassins.

At first Delly thinks the danger is exaggerated, but a series of attacks shows there’s much to fear. Then she begins to fall for Winn, one of the other bodyguards, and the women team up against a mysterious, magical foe who seems to have allies everywhere.

Reasons to Read:

• Sarcastic characters who know how to banter.
• Thieves and liars, who are really good at what they do.
• Necromancy in an interesting, unsettling way.
• An undead hamster named Buttons! Best hamster ever. Could use a better name, though.
• A sweet F/F romance practically doomed to fail.
• A cast of strong women, with few men in sight.

First Lines:

Goodreads    My Review

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