14 Fantasy Books by Black Authors That You Should Read

A young girl is transformed into Death’s adopted daughter after an extraterrestrial encounter. Known thenceforth as Sankofa­­ instead of Fatima, she searches for answers to how this happened to her—with Death alongside her the entire way.

The first in a series. The UnbrokenTouraine and Luca are two women who live in a world ruled by military rule and rebellion. If you’re looking for complex worlds and a Sapphic story, this debut fantasy novel is for you.

Vern, seven months pregnant and still in the religious compound where she was raised, escapes and gives birth to twins. Vern is forced to survive with her family as her ex-captors are constantly hunting her. Fantastical Gothic tale. SorrowlandThis book is a must-read.

Laina thought that her brother was a victim to police brutality. But it turns out that it was something entirely different. The world as Laina knew it changes drastically after learning that monsters exist and mythical creatures begin to emerge.

This book is inspired by the precolonial empires in West Africa and it’s about Danso, who lives at the ancient city of Bassa. He stumbles upon a form of magic that is not supposed to be possible. He discovers secrets and sets off on an extraordinary adventure to protect the empire.

Hetty Rhodes works as a Conductor for the Underground Railroad. After the Civil War comes to an end and she settles in with her husband in Philadelphia, the two solve mysteries and crimes that the authorities won’t. The couple set out to find answers after a close friend is killed. They eventually discover more than they see.

Iraxi, one of few survivors still alive after the floods of Iraxi’s kingdom, is afloat on an Ark seeking refuge. Scared and pregnant with something that could be more than human, Iraxi’s fate is as uncertain as the waves below her.

To solidify their love, Otto Shin and Xavier Shin are given a trip aboard a sleeper train. However, their trip abroad the locomotive seems a bit more peculiar than normal, as it seems like they’re the only passengers—that is, until they come across a woman with a secret message. They find themselves in a maze of clues, questions, and mysticism.

Every city has its soul. New York City has six souls. These personified souls must work together to defend their city when it is under threat.

Ella and Kev have two sibling siblings with incredible and extraordinary power. They were shaped by the brutality and racism they suffered growing up. Ella visits Kev when he is incarcerated in America for being Black.

Beatrice Clayborn dreams to be a Magus who is extremely powerful and would not require her to perform her magic in secret. When it finally seems as if she’s going to achieve her dreams, she is deceived and entangled in a series of conflict, love, and magic.

After her grandmother’s death and her family being left in debt, Lena Johnson quits college and accepts a high-paying job at Lakewood in Michigan. The only catch? The job has to be a complete secret from her family and friends, as the experiments they’re carrying out could be detrimental and devastating. Lena enjoys the idea of sacrifice as she spends her time in Lakewood.

Inspire by African mythology and history Black Leopard, Red WolfThis is the story of Tracker, a mercenary hired for the purpose of finding a missing child. Tracker is the protagonist of the story. He joins a group to help find his missing child, despite working alone most of the time. This novel is full of fantasy and myths that will keep you turning the pages.

This book takes place in a world where thoughts can be controlled or erased. Your life and destiny are controlled by everyone except you. Jane 57821 is determined to break free of these binds. Jane takes the reader along on an Afrofuturistic story that explores freedom, queerness, race and love.

Available April 19, 2022