12 Must-Read Fantasy Books by Black Authors
Have you ever found yourself reading a fantasy novel and thought, “Well, hold up, just a second, why don’t any of the main characters in this look like me?”
Or did you find yourself reading Lord of the Rings for the first time and think, “Now why did the evil men from the East have to be dark-skinned and exotic?”
Well, wonder no more.
Here is a list of 12 Must-Read Fantasy Books by Black Authors.
Through this list you’ll be introduced to the myths and folklore of African nations, see how the physical features we’ve been mocked for might just help us survive the end of the world, and explore narratives in which black people are not just the sidekick or the villain but the heroes.
Your journey into Black fantasy awaits.
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CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE by Tomi Adeyemi
In the kingdom of Orïsha, magic didn’t just vanish; it was purged. Zélie Adebola remembers the night the stars went dark and her mother—a powerful maji—was taken. Now, Zélie has one chance to strike back against a ruthless king.
Alongside a rogue princess and her own brother, she must outrun a crown prince who is as dangerous as he is conflicted. This West African-inspired epic is a pulse-pounding race to restore power to a broken people. In a world of vengeful gods and lethal spirits, Zélie must decide how much she’s willing to bleed for revolution.
THE FIFTH SEASON by N.K. Jemisin
In the Stillness, a continent wracked by apocalyptic "Seasons," the earth is a volatile enemy. Essun, a mother hiding her forbidden power to manipulate tectonic energy, returns home to find her husband has murdered their son and kidnapped their daughter.
As a massive new rift threatens to end civilization for good, Essun must navigate a landscape of crumbling empires and deep-seated prejudice to find her child. Jemisin delivers a brutal, breathtaking epic about survival and systemic oppression. It’s a genre-shattering masterpiece that asks: how do you keep fighting when the world is already over?
BLACK LEOPARD, RED WOLF by Marlon James
Marlon James’s Black Leopard, Red Wolf is a hallucinatory descent into a "dark star" version of ancient Africa. Often dubbed the "African Game of Thrones," this epic follows Tracker—a hunter with a supernatural "nose"—as he joins a lethal band of misfits to find a missing boy.
It’s a blood-soaked tapestry of myth, shifting perspectives, and shapeshifting monsters. James crafts a visceral, queer, and dizzying narrative that prioritizes atmosphere over easy answers. Part detective story, part brutal fever dream, it’s a challenging, unforgettable masterclass in modern folklore.
RAYBEARER by Jordan Ifueko
Tarisai has always craved the warmth of a family, but her mother, the mysterious Lady, has other plans. Sent to the capital of Arit to compete for a seat on the Crown Prince’s Council, Tarisai is bound by a lethal magical command: win the Prince’s trust, then kill him.
As she finds a true home among her fellow Council members—linked by the magical bond of the Ray—Tarisai must fight the dark purpose woven into her very soul. Jordan Ifueko’s brilliant debut is a lush, West African-inspired epic about the power of choice and the bonds we create.
AN UNKINDNESS OF GHOSTS by Rivers Solomon
On the generation ship Matilda, social order mirrors the brutal, segregated hierarchies of the antebellum South. Aster, a neurodivergent medic living on the lower decks, endures a life of forced labor and systemic violence. When she discovers her late mother’s cryptic journals, she uncovers a mystery that threatens the ship’s fragile stability and the iron-fisted ruling class. Rivers Solomon’s debut is a searing, imaginative exploration of trauma, identity, and resistance. It’s a hauntingly visceral space opera where the ghosts of the past are very much alive in the cold future.
LEGENDBORN by Tracy Deonn
Seeking a fresh start after her mother’s tragic death, Bree Matthews enrolls in a pre-college program at UNC-Chapel Hill. Her plan for a quiet recovery is shattered when she witnesses a demonic attack and uncovers the Legendborn—a secret society of students descended from King Arthur’s knights.
To uncover the truth about her mother’s past, Bree must infiltrate their ranks, navigating a high-stakes world of ancient magic and systemic prejudice. Blending Southern Gothic vibes with a modern Arthurian reimagining, Legendborn is a soulful, action-packed exploration of grief, ancestral power, and the cost of secrets.
THE GILDED ONES by Namina Forna
In the patriarchal kingdom of Otera, sixteen-year-old Deka’s survival depends on her blood running red. When the Ritual of Purity reveals her blood is gold, she’s branded a demon and cast out. However, a mysterious woman offers her a choice: stay and suffer, or join the alaki—an elite army of near-immortal girls with golden blood.
As Deka trains to hunt monstrous deathshrieks, she discovers that her "impurity" is actually a fierce, untapped power. Namina Forna delivers a breathtaking, West African-inspired epic about sisterhood, survival, and the beautiful danger of being different.
AKATA WITCH by Nnedi Okorafor
Twelve-year-old Sunny Nwazue is a walking contradiction: born in America but living in Nigeria, and an albino in a land where the sun is rarely a friend. Just as she’s leaning into her "outsider" status, she discovers she’s a Leopard Person, a practitioner of ancient West African magic. Alongside three eccentric new friends, Sunny dives into a world where Juju is real and spirit is currency. But this isn’t all whimsy; a dark force named Black Hat Otokoto looms. To save her world, Sunny must finally embrace her true self.
BLACK SUN by Rebecca Roanhorse
In the holy city of Tova, the winter solstice coincides with a total solar eclipse—a rare celestial event prophesied to trigger a world-altering convergence. Rebecca Roanhorse’s Black Sun is a breathtaking epic fantasy inspired by the complex civilizations of the Pre-Columbian Americas.
As the shadow looms, a vessel of divine vengeance, a disgraced sea captain, and a Sun Priestess find their destinies inextricably linked. This is a masterclass in world-building, blending dark magic, political intrigue, and ancient prophecies into a gripping, visceral tale of power and survival that will leave you breathless.
THE RAGE OF DRAGONS by Evan Winter
In a world of eternal warfare, Evan Winter’s The Rage of Dragons delivers a searing epic of revenge and relentless ambition. The Omehi people are locked in a centuries-old conflict, and Tau Solarin is merely fodder for the front lines—until those he loves are brutally taken.
Driven by a singular, obsessive need for vengeance, Tau eschews the traditional path of gifted magic to become the ultimate swordsman. Winter weaves a high-octane narrative featuring a unique, African-inspired setting and a magic system where dragons are both weapons and a death sentence. It is a raw, cinematic journey about what happens when a man refuses to break.
A MASTER OF DJINN by P. Djèlí Clark
Set in a lush, steampunk 1912 Cairo, A Master of Djinn follows Fatma el-Sha’arawi, the youngest agent at the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities. When a secret brotherhood is murdered by a man claiming to be the legendary al-Jahiz—who vanished after returning magic to the world—Fatma must distinguish truth from myth.
With her sharp suits and a clever new partner, she navigates a city of clockwork angels and ancient spirits. It’s a vibrant, socially conscious mystery that reimagines history with breathtaking imagination and wit.
WITCHMARK by C.L. Polk
In C.L. Polk’s Witchmark, a captivating blend of murder mystery and gaslamp fantasy, Miles Singer lives a lie. A noble-born veteran with the power to heal, Miles fled his elitist family to work in a veterans' hospital, hiding his magic to avoid being enslaved by the state.
When a dying patient reveals a supernatural conspiracy, Miles must risk exposure to uncover the truth. Set against a backdrop of post-war tension and featuring a soul-stirring romance, Witchmark is a lush, poignant tale of justice, sacrifice, and reclaiming one's identity.