Fantasy literature has historically been a genre dominated by white authors and white characters.
However, in recent years, there has been a push for more diversity in fantasy literature, including more representation of black authors and black characters.
This blog post will highlight seven books by black fantasy authors you should add to your reading list.
From epic fantasy to Afrofuturism, these authors are breaking new ground in the genre and creating stories that are both imaginative and thought-provoking.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into the world of black fantasy literature.
1. “The City We Became” by N.K. Jemisin.
This book is the first in a trilogy set in New York City and tells the story of five strangers who must come together to save the city from an ancient evil.
2. “The Black God’s Drums” by P. Djèlí Clark.
This novella takes place in an alternate-history New Orleans where airships and magic coexist, and follows a young orphan girl who gets caught up in a conspiracy involving a stolen artifact with the power to summon the Black God.
3. “Who Fears Death” by Nnedi Okorafor.
Set in post-apocalyptic Sudan, this novel follows the journey of Onyesonwu, a girl born of rape, as she discovers her powers and sets out to defeat the sorcerer responsible for her mother’s death.
4. “The Deep” by Rivers Solomon.
This novel tells the story of the descendants of pregnant African women thrown overboard by slave traders, who survive and form their own underwater society, and their struggle to reclaim their humanity.
5. “The Chaos” by Nalo Hopkinson.
This novel is set in a Caribbean-inspired fantasy world and follows the story of a young woman who must confront her family’s past and the dark forces that threaten her community.
6. “The Shadow Speaker” by Nisi Shawl.
Set in a post-apocalyptic Africa, this novel follows the story of Ewu, a girl with the ability to see and communicate with the dead, as she sets out on a journey to save her village from an evil sorcerer.
7. “The Water Dancer” by Ta-Nehisi Coates.
This novel is set in pre-Civil War America and tells the story of Hiram Walker, a young enslaved man who discovers he has the power to transport himself through memories of water.
What are your favourites?