Tag: books

22 High/Epic Adult Fantasy Books with 1 POV & a Male Protagonist

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Books with a massive set of multiple POVs drive me crazy. I prefer stories with a tighter focus that invite readers to enjoy (and work to unravel) some mysteries about the larger world. Sometimes less is more.

But these days, multi-POV fantasy books seem to be the norm, especially in adult fantasy. It’s so hard to find books that feature only one point-of-view character, but I’ve done some legwork for you!

Note: this list focuses on male protagonists and dark, mythic, political, and military fantasy, rather than romance, satire, or coming-of-age.

I’ve read about half of these so far, and all others have at least a thousand 4+ star reviews. Most of these authors have a larger body of work which also feature a similar style.

  1. Classic and pre-2000s fantasy with 1 POV
  2. Modern fantasy books with 1 POV
  3. Fantasy books with predominantly 1 POV – but with brief cutaways

This article contains affiliate links – I may earn a small amount on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Classic and Pre-2000’s Fantasy with 1 POV

1. Nine Princes in Amber by Roger Zelazny

Ok, technically this is science fantasy, but it FEELS so epic, and most of the story takes place in a medieval setting. The main character is a centuries-old mage poet and swordsmaster who stepped out of literal golden age Avalon! One of my absolute favorites!

Corwin is a prince of Amber, the “immortal city from which every other city has taken its shape.” All other worlds, including Earth, are shadows of that reality. Corwin has spent centuries on Earth with no memory of his birth.

But when someone in the family tries to kill him, Corwin begins a search for his past, discovering the universe itself will bend to his shaping. He is one of nine men who might rule Amber, if he can fight past the armies of his brother and nemesis Eric.

2. Assassin’s Apprentice (The Farseer Trilogy #1) by Robin Hobb

Young Fitz is the bastard son of Prince Chivalry, raised in the shadow of the royal court by his father’s gruff stableman. He is treated as an outcast by all the royalty except the devious King Shrewd, who has him secretly tutored in the arts of the assassin. For in Fitz’s blood runs the magic Skill.
 
As barbarous raiders ravage the coasts, Fitz grows to manhood and soon he will face his first dangerous, soul-shattering mission. And though some regard him as a threat to the throne, he may just be the key to the survival of the kingdom.

3. Elric of Melniboné (The Elric Saga #1) by Michael Moorcock

Elric is the brooding, albino emperor of the dying Kingdom of Melnibone. With Melnibone’s years of grandeur and decadence long since passed, Elric’s amoral cousin Yrkoon sets his eyes on the throne. Elric, realizing he is his country’s best hope, must face his nefarious cousin in an epic battle for the right to rule.

4. The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold

A man broken in body and spirit, Cazaril returns to the noble household he once served and is named secretary-tutor to the strong-willed princess. It is an assignment Cazaril dreads, for in the royal court of Cardegoss, the powerful enemies who once placed him in chains now occupy lofty positions.

Worse yet, a sinister curse hangs like a sword over the blighted House of Chalion. And only by employing the darkest, most forbidden of magics can Cazaril hope to protect his royal charge.

5. The Shadow of the Torturer (The Book of the New Sun #1) by Gene Wolfe

The writing style in this one is quite dense, and absolutely packed with complex vocabulary. The language is masterful, but it’s no light read. Keep a dictionary tab open!

The Shadow of the Torturer cover: a cloaked man in a strange mask holds a longsword, standing upon a curling pedestal throne that rises into a cloudy sky.

Severian is a torturer, born to the guild and with an exceptionally promising career ahead of him… until he falls in love with one of his victims, a beautiful young noblewoman. Severian helps her commit suicide and escape her fate. For a torturer, there is no more unforgivable act.

He is exiled from the guild with little more than Terminus Est, a fabled sword, to his name. Along the way, a strange gem falls into his possession, which only makes his enemies pursue him with ever-more determination…

6. The Legend of Nightfall by Mickey Zucker Reichert

This was published back in 1993, but the link will take you to an updated Kindle version that the publisher released in 2019, which is why it has apparently few reviews.

He has been known by countless names and deeds – thief, swordsman, assassin, adventurer. But chief among those personae is that of Nightfall, gifted with unique powers which any sorcerer would kill to possess.

Yet even the cleverest of beings must occasionally slip. When Nightfall falls prey to a royal trap, he is bound by sorcery and oath to guard a young prince on his quest. He will need every trick and talent to keep both himself and his idealistic charge from death at the hands of unknown betrayers.

Modern Fantasy Books with 1 POV

7. The Hands of the Emperor (Lays of the Hearthfire #1) by Victoria Goddard

Cliopher Mdang is the personal secretary of the Last god Emperor of Astandalas, the Lord Magus of Zunidh, the Sun-on-Earth.

He has spent more time with the Emperor of Astandalas than any other person. But he has never once touched his lord, nor called him by name. He has never initiated a conversation.

One day, Cliopher invites the Sun-on-Earth home to the Wide Seas for a holiday. The mere invitation could have seen Cliopher executed for blasphemy. The acceptance upends the world.

Read my 5-star review here!

8. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

The Name of the Wind cover: a cloaked figure faces a single tree in an overcast grassland, the world tinged a blue-grey.

My name is Kvothe.

I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep.

You may have heard of me.

9. Traitor’s Blade (Greatcoats #1) by Sebastian de Castell

The Greatcoats are travelling magistrates bringing justice to all… or at least they were, before they watched the Dukes impale their King’s head on a spike. Now the land’s heroes are reviled as traitors, their Greatcoats in tatters.

Facio, Kest and Brasti have been reduced to working as mercenaries, but when they find their employer dead – and are forced to watch as the killer plants evidence framing them for the murder – they realize the royal conspiracy is spreading.

10. Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City by K.J. Parker

A siege is approaching, and the city has little time to prepare. The people have no food and no weapons, and the enemy has sworn to slaughter them all.

To save the city will take a miracle, but what it has is Orhan. A colonel of engineers, Orhan has far more experience with bridge-building than battles, is a cheat and a liar, and has a serious problem with authority. He is, in other words, perfect for the job.

11. Transformation (Rai Kirah #1) by Carol Berg

Note: this book is much better than its cover.

Seyonne is a man waiting to die. He has been a slave for sixteen years, almost half his life, and has lost everything of meaning to him: his dignity, the people and homeland he loves, and the Warden’s power he used to defend an unsuspecting world from the ravages of demons.  

But from the moment he is sold to the arrogant, careless Prince Aleksander, the heir to the Derzhi Empire, Seyonne’s desperately crafted apathy crumbles. When he discovers a demon lurking in the Derzhi court, he must find hope and strength in a most unlikely place…

12. Prince of Fools by Mark Lawrence

Prince Jalan Kendeth—drinker, gambler, seducer of women—has a secret. He can see the Red Queen’s, his grandmother’s, greatest weapon: The Silent Sister. But content with his role as a minor royal, Jal pretends that the hideous crone is not there.

After escaping a death trap set by the Silent Sister, Jal finds his fate magically intertwined with a fierce Norse warrior. But war with the undead is coming, and as the two undertake a journey to undo the spell, they realize they are but pieces in a game—and the Red Queen controls the board.

13. The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman

Kinch Na Shannack owes the Takers Guild a small fortune for his education as a thief, which includes wall-scaling, lie-weaving, trap-making, plus a few small magics.

But today, Kinch has picked the wrong mark. Galva is a knight, a survivor of the brutal goblin wars, and handmaiden of the goddess of death.

Unsuccessful in his robbery and lucky to escape with his life, Kinch now finds himself braving krakens and giants with Galva in an epic journey to find her missing queen.

14. Among Thieves by Hulick Douglas

Drothe is a Nose, an informant who finds and takes care of trouble inside his criminal organization. On his latest assignment, Drothe unearths that someone is trying to stir up trouble between lower-level criminal organizations, including Drothe’s.

Rumors stir of a book containing imperial glimmer (or magic), and two crime bosses known as the Gray Princes are on the hunt. Drothe discovers the book, gaining the power to bring down emperors, shatter the criminal underworld, and unlock forbidden magic – if he can survive long enough to use it.

Fantasy Books with Predominantly 1 POV – but with brief cutaways

These books are told almost entirely (95%) from 1 point of view, with only brief cutaways to secondary characters. Note that some of these, like The Night Angel Trilogy and the Codex Alera, start incorporating more perspectives later in the series.

15. The Way of Shadows (Night Angel Trilogy #1) by Brent Weeks

The Way of Shadows cover: a cloaked man takes up a fighting stance, a dagger in each fist. Shadows swirl around him.

For Durzo Blint, assassination is an art – and he is the city’s most accomplished artist.

For Azoth, survival is precarious. As a guild rat, he’s grown up in the slums, and learned to judge people quickly – and to take risks. Risks like apprenticing himself to Durzo Blint.

But to be accepted, Azoth must turn his back on his old life and embrace a new identity and name. As Kylar Stern, he must learn to navigate the assassins’ world of dangerous politics and strange magics – and cultivate a flair for death.

16. Blood Song by Anthony Ryan

Vaelin Al Sorna was only a child of ten when his father left him at the iron gate of the Sixth Order to be trained and hardened to the austere, celibate, and dangerous life of a warrior of the Faith.
 
Vaelin’s father was Battle Lord to King Janus, ruler of the Unified Realm—and Vaelin’s rage at being deprived of his birthright knows no bounds. Even his cherished memories of his mother are soon challenged by what he learns within the Order.
 
But Vaelin cannot escape a future that will alter not only the Realm but the world.

17. The Black Company by Glen Cook

Some feel the Lady, newly risen from centuries in thrall, stands between humankind and evil. Some feel she is evil itself. The hard-bitten men of the Black Company take their pay and do what they must, burying their doubts with their dead. 

Until the prophesy: The White Rose has been reborn, somewhere, to embody good once more. There must be a way for the Black Company to find her… 

18. Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames

Kings of the Wyld cover: a group of rough looking armored men stand together holding shields and bloodied swords.

Clay Cooper and his band were once the best of the best, the most feared and renowned crew of mercenaries this side of the Heartwyld.

Their glory days long past, the mercs have grown apart and grown old, fat, drunk, or a combination of the three. Then an ex-bandmate turns up at Clay’s door with a plea for help – the kind of mission that only the very brave or the very stupid would sign up for.

It’s time to get the band back together.

19. The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter

Among the Omehi, one in every two thousand women has the power to call down dragons. One in every hundred men is able to magically transform himself into a bigger, stronger, faster killing machine.

Everyone else is fodder, destined to fight and die in the 200 year war. Young, gift-less Tau plans to get himself injured, get out early, and settle down to marriage, children, and land.

But when those closest to him are murdered, his grief turns to vengeance. He’ll become the greatest swordsman to ever live for the chance to kill the three who betrayed him.

20. Furies of Calderon (Codex Alera #1) by Jim Butcher

For a thousand years, the people of Alera have united against the aggressive and threatening races that inhabit the world, using their unique bond with the furies—elementals of earth, air, fire, water, wood, and metal. But in the remote Calderon Valley, the boy Tavi struggles with his lack of furycrafting.

At fifteen, he has no wind fury to help him fly, no fire fury to light his lamps. Yet as the Alerans’ most savage enemy—the Marat horde—return to the Valley, Tavi’s courage and resourcefulness will be a power greater than any fury, one that could turn the tides of war…

21. Age of Assassins by R.J. Barker

Girton Club-foot has no family, a crippled leg, and is apprenticed to the best assassin in the land. He’s learning the art of taking lives, but his latest mission tasks him with a far more difficult challenge: to save a life.

Someone is trying to kill the heir to the throne, and it is up to Girton to uncover the traitor and prevent the prince’s murder.

In a castle thick with lies, Girton finds friends he never expected, and a conspiracy that could destroy an entire kingdom.

22. The Silverblood Promise (The Last Legacy #1) by James Logan

Lukan Gardova is a cardsharp, academy dropout, and—thanks to a duel that ended badly—the disgraced heir to an ancient noble house.

When Lukan discovers that his estranged father has been murdered, he finds fresh purpose. Deprived of his chance to make amends for his mistakes, he vows to unravel the mystery behind his father’s death.

His search for answers leads him to Saphrona, fabled city of merchant princes, where anything can be bought if one has the coin. But the price of truth is the deadliest of all.

Hi, I’m Caylah Coffeen, a freelance editor and marketer of sci-fi and fantasy books. I love reading and writing and am a follower of Jesus Christ.

I’ve worked for Monster Ivy Publishing and Eschler Editing, and am currently a weekly editor with Havok Publishing. Reach out to chat about books and publishing!

Thanks for stopping by my website! I hope you’ve found some helpful resources about reading, writing, and publishing. If you liked this article, here’s some more free content…

Pursuing True Diversity in Fantasy Books

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Guest post by Izaic Yorks

Fantasy as a genre has long captured the imaginations of readers with its thrilling adventures and heroic narratives. But if you’ve spent any time in the trenches of Reddit, BookTok, or even Threads, you’ve likely come across a question echoing throughout the zeitgeist:

Does fantasy suffer from a lack of diversity?

That, however, is the wrong question.

At the heart of this conversation lies a more critical distinction. The real question we should be asking is:

What do we even mean by “diversity”?

Is it simply about including characters of various races and socioeconomic backgrounds? 

Or does true diversity dig deeper? 

This article explores that very question while offering insights into how diversity can (and should) transform the realm of fantasy. Along the way, you might come to love me, or you might come to hate me. But one thing you won’t accuse me of is being a vapid wanderer with nothing but clouds for thoughts.

What Does Diversity Mean in Fantasy?

When we think about diversity in fantasy, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? For many, in a culture increasingly unmoored from classical philosophical foundations, “diversity” is often reduced to outward traits: ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic status.

And yes, those factors matter.

But they shouldn’t overshadow what truly makes stories vibrant and enduring: diversity of thought. Because a book, at its core, is a well assembled stream of consciousness. A meditation and confrontation with ideas.

Diversity in My Own Career

This subject is actually quite dear in my own author journey and not for the reasons you might suspect. Whenever diversity comes up, it’s often along the lines of: “Hey, Izaic, why don’t you mention you’re Black? That could really help spotlight you or bring money in the door.” Every time I hear that, it feels like an arrow to the heart.

Why? 

Because it screams the bigotry of low expectations. Ideas that stand the test of time are based on merit. To have mine judged by skin tone or assumed hardships might grant me a short‑term dopamine hit but, in the end, would leave me wondering: did I earn X or Y, or was that just the result of someone’s assumption about me?

So, over and over again, I have declined grants or invitations that hinge solely on my skin tone. At times it’s been hard and a challenge to the life of virtue. Undoubtedly I am leaving money on the table, but I have faith that I am more than the base materials of my physical body. What remains, and what is important, is the diversity of my mind and soul, which God made perfectly to His design.

Beyond Biometric Metrics

Reducing diversity to metrics like race, gender, or class oversimplifies a much richer and more vital conversation. Biometric diversity does not automatically guarantee depth or quality in storytelling.

True diversity emerges from exploring nuanced ideas, conflicting beliefs, and different cultural frameworks for understanding universal human experiences.

Imagine a world where fantasy novels challenge readers to see the world differently—to entertain new possibilities and reflect deeply on their own beliefs.

That is authentic diversity.

More Than Skin Deep

Reducing diversity to physical characteristics is a form of tokenism, where characters are included as symbolic gestures rather than meaningful contributors to the narrative.

Instead, let’s consider stories where ideas and beliefs are the defining elements of uniqueness.

For example, a Black author can skillfully craft a European medieval fantasy steeped in knights, castles, and folklore. Likewise, a White author can authentically write a story centered around urban Black youths navigating the challenges of Chicago through the lens of portal fantasy.

The richness of a story stems not from the biometric traits of its characters or creators, but from the depth and clarity of its ideas.

Biological factors ≠ Diversity.

They are merely a potential starting point from which diversity might emerge.

This is not to deny the importance of representation but to elevate the conversation.

Our ultimate goal as lovers of literature should be compelling storytelling that speaks to the human condition. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously said, what matters most is “the content of their character.”

For fantasy, this means content that challenges, inspires, and transports readers into the vast frontiers of imagination.

The Reader’s Role in Seeking True Diversity

Writers aren’t the only ones responsible for cultivating meaningful diversity. Readers play an equally crucial role in shaping demand for more thoughtful and expansive narratives.

When audiences seek out stories that offer fresh perspectives and complex characters, they help pave the way for a broader, richer literary landscape.

Supporting Authentic Storytelling

Here’s how readers can contribute:

  • Explore New Authors: Seek out voices from various cultural and social backgrounds. But celebrate them not for their skin or heritage—celebrate them for the merit of their thoughts and craft.
  • Foster Conversations: Discuss books with others. Unearth the deeper themes and perspectives within a story.
  • Prioritize Depth: Choose books that offer intricate world-building, moral complexity, and provocative ideas over ones that simply check superficial boxes.

By demanding authenticity and intellectual richness, readers uplift authors and help shape a publishing culture centered on excellence.

Raising the Next Generation of Readers

Creating a culture where diversity of thought thrives doesn’t happen overnight. It begins with nurturing a love for reading in young minds. Exposing children of all backgrounds to a range of high-quality, diverse literature helps expand their worldview and strengthens critical thinking.

How to Foster a Love for Diverse Literature:

  • Start Early: Introduce imaginative fantasy stories that stretch the mind and expose kids to different ideas.
  • Align with Values: Share stories that reflect your core values but don’t avoid those that challenge or stretch them.
  • Create a Rich Literary Environment: Fill homes or classrooms with books spanning genres, cultures, and philosophies.
  • Celebrate Curiosity: Encourage kids to ask hard questions about characters, themes, and conflicts.
  • Train for Excellence: Stop paying lip service to mediocrity. If you’re invested in the future of Black youth—or any youth—invest in their craft. Train them rigorously. Push them to be extraordinary.

A sustained effort to introduce children to rich, diverse storytelling shapes a generation that values both creativity and authenticity. Excellence is the only foundation that ensures diversity lasts beyond trends.

Building a Future of Excellence in Fantasy Literature

Fantasy offers endless room for exploration, creativity, and connection. But for the genre to thrive, it requires intentional effort from writers, readers, and publishers alike.

Christian authors, especially, have a unique opportunity to contribute by anchoring their work in faith and reflecting the boundless creativity of God’s design.

The future of fantasy doesn’t rest on superficial representation. It depends on cultivating excellence and allowing the diversity of ideas to compete in all aspects of storytelling.

And that journey begins now.

With you.

About Izaic Yorks

Yorks spent six years as a professional Track athlete, earning silver in the United States championships, among several other distinguishing awards. Now, he seeks his true passion for authoring fantasy works with a heart for virtues that chase the Good, True, and Beautiful.

​Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Yorks is now happily lost in Hillsborough, living the small-town life and raising a growing family with his wife Courtney.

Check out his book!

Hi, I’m Caylah Coffeen, a freelance editor and marketer of sci-fi and fantasy books. I love reading and writing and am a follower of Jesus Christ.

I’ve worked for Monster Ivy Publishing and Eschler Editing, and am currently a weekly editor with Havok Publishing. Reach out to chat about books and publishing!

Thanks for stopping by my website! I hope you’ve found some helpful resources about reading, writing, and publishing. If you liked this article, here’s some more free content…

13 Diverse Authors Adding Their Unique Voices to Christian Fantasy and Sci-Fi

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God’s world is beautifully and wonderfully made! And his kingdom is made up of people from all 4 corners of the earth – I love hearing the stories of all my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Sci-fi and fantasy is special because it opens new worlds to me and examines ideas I may never have encountered otherwise. So when these genres are written by unique voices who come from different walks of life than me, I often find even greater delight in the imaginations they have spun into being!

Christian SFF has grown dramatically as a genre in the past 2 decades alone, and we’re seeing a wider range of authors than ever before! So I’ve compiled this list of diverse Christian authors of sci-fi and fantasy to help readers find and enjoy their compelling stories!

This article contains affiliate links – I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

1. Anna Tan

About

Anna Tan grew up in Malaysia, the country that is not Singapore. She writes fantasy stories and fairy tales, puts together anthologies, and wrangles writers for the Malaysian Writers Society (MYWriters).

Anna has an MA in Creative Writing and is interested in Malay/Nusantara and Chinese legends and folklore in exploring the intersections of language, culture, and faith.

Standout Book: Amok (Absolution #1)

All Putera Mikal wants is to gain the Amok Strength, the supernatural power granted by Kudus to the Mahan royal family. No matter how religiously Mikal keeps his vows, Kudus still denies him the Strength—whilst his father, Sultan Simson, flaunts the Strength despite his blatant defiance of the Temple and the priests’ visions of coming doom.

Then the prophecies come true. Taken captive, Mikal must find a way to liberate his people and restore his throne in Maha—and the key to this is the Amok Strength. But what does it take to gain Kudus’ favour?

2. Tosca Lee

About

Tosca Lee is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of twelve novels, including a series with Ted Dekker. Her work has won multiple awards and has been translated into 17 languages and optioned for TV and film.

She serves on the Board of Directors of International Thriller Writers and as adjunct faculty for Drexel University’s MFA program. Tosca lives in Nebraska with her family, a drooling cat named Misty, and giant 160-lb. German Shepherd, Timber.

Standout Book: The Progeny

Emily Jacobs is the descendant of a serial killer. Now, she’s become the hunted.

Her quest takes her to the secret underground of Europe and the inner circles of three ancient orders—one determined to kill her, one devoted to keeping her alive, and one she must ultimately save.

Filled with adrenaline, romance, and reversals, The Progeny is the present-day saga of a 400-year-old war between the uncanny descendants of “Blood Countess” Elizabeth Bathory, the most prolific female serial killer of all time, and a secret society dedicated to erasing every one of her descendants.

3. Jon Del Arroz

About

Jon Del Arroz is a #1 Amazon Bestselling author and “the leading Hispanic voice in science fiction.” He is a popular YouTuber with hilarious livestreams.

He says on his X (Twitter), “I became a #1 bestselling author by standing for Christian values.” In his free time he likes roleplaying, reading comics, and playing tennis.

Standout Book: Justified (The Saga of the Nano Templar)

To save a world… he must rely on God.

After years of fighting for justice with his deadly nanotech, Templar Drin abandons his post, crash landing on a desert world controlled by a tyrannical alien empire. Its inhabitants are forced into slavery, broken where a once-proud race cultivated its lands.

For the first time in Drin’s life, he has no backup, no support, none of his brothers. Yet he still seeks to liberate millions of slaves from their captors and bring faith to a downtrodden world. But in his way stands the most dangerous weapon in the galaxy.

4. Valicity Elaine

About

Valicity Elaine is the author of several Christian YA dark fantasy novels and a former Booktuber. In 2015, after her experience with indie publishing, she founded The Rebel Christian Publishing.

Their goal is to produce and publish good quality Christian books with a strong focus on the inclusion and representation of minority cultures. They aim to keep Christ at the center of their business and to positively reflect the Christian faith in the books they produce.

Standout Book: I am Man

Code-X5 is a Guardian, fresh from the factory after a memory wipe. But there is a flaw in X5’s programming. He can’t pinpoint it, but something is wrong. Despite this, X5 just wants a fresh start, but that’s hard when your client is an exiled princess who wants you to bust her out of prison.

He thinks it will be a simple mission until they discover a scheme that could unravel the very fabric of the Valetian Empire.

Is it possible that X5’s programming is more than flawed… and that he wasn’t always a Guardian – what if he isn’t the only one?

5. Dylan West

About

Dylan West writes faith-based, young adult science fiction and fantasy novels. He is a Jesus lover, web and video game developer, former Navy nuclear operator, foreign language nut, and a nut in general.

While other people are busy thinking normal thoughts, he’s crafting corny jokes. Dylan lives in Chesapeake, VA, with his wife and daughter.

Standout Book: Scribe’s Descent

People worship technology on Planet Daishon. With inventions that prolong life and eradicate disease, it’s little wonder. Death seems obsolete until an earthquake kills thousands, including Mallory’s parents. Suspecting the top research center triggered it, she begins to investigate.

She unlocks an underground world and the remnants of a universal war. To survive, Mallory must trust the voice of one she can’t see, to find the very bottom. Something out of folklore is trapped there, and it is trying to escape.

6. Willamette Sutta

About

Willamette’s earliest memories of books coincided with those of America, when she first came here from Hong Kong at the age of seven. Awed by the abundance of free books, she determined to learn English so that she could partake of this bounty.

At first she wanted to be a detective, but after studying physics and library sciences, she became an academic librarian. Now she combines her love of information and speculation to create fantastic stories that nevertheless give an air of a world truer than the one we see.

Standout Book: Adamant in Dust

Pergi can only retain her father’s throne if she marries the neighboring prince, combining their kingdoms. Yet the same prophecy that calls for the reunification also warns that they must join by love. So she is supplanted by her younger sister, Sadira, who unexpectedly runs on her wedding day, only to be snared by the dark lord Malchor.

What starts as an impromptu rescue of the wayward bride leads to a desperate struggle against a deadly foe. For if Malchor completes his true goal, and gains the Far Stones of power, he will subjugate all the peoples of Miran. Can Pergi’s adamant sense of duty rise above the forces crushing her?

7. Lee James

About

Lee James writes stories of hope and redemption. Whether it’s fantasy, mystery or historical fiction, her beautifully awkward characters traverse a dark labyrinth on their journey to a hopeful end.

She is vehement about the importance of creating and preserving the sanctity of the written word. In that vein, she supports literacy programs and her local libraries. Most importantly, she supports her fellow writers. She also enjoys photography, watching The Simpsons, and of course, reading.

Standout Book: Azriel

Bree, a feisty protegee fighter, is sent to infiltrate the city of Azriel. Unexpectedly, the Watchmen of the Keep welcome her as one of their own.

But the city’s water source has dried up, they face constant attacks from the vengeful spirits of former Watchmen who sold their souls for power, and an immortal creature lurks.

Then, a Watchman is murdered. But only a Watchman can kill another Watchman, so all eyes shift to Bree. Should she betray the dying city, or find the killer before it’s too late?

8. Daniel Tuituku

About

Daniel Tuituku is from Hawaii, but grew up in North Carolina, which is still his home. He’s a Christian and homeschooled alum, and his favorite works include Pilgrim’s Progress and the writings of C.S. Lewis.

When he got laid off from a job back in 2021, he jumped on the opportunity to write and publish his first book, Strange City. Daniel writes about real world themes and problems, but ensures the message of salvation and hope shines through the darkness of this fallen world.

Standout Book: Outlaw City

Noe Ryker grew up in the Gray Zone as an orphan whose parents were killed for their beliefs. Whether he’s being harassed by The Law, being ordered around by robots, or forced to bow down to the tyrannical King, Noe has been giving in for too long.

All of that changes when he meets Faith, a strangely powerful woman – or spirit – he thought he once knew. Driven by a sense of purpose for the first time, Noe sets out to take down the King and liberate the city. But can he speak boldly, act courageously, and hold on to what he knows is true, even as the shadows of doubt and fear grow all around him?

9. Izaic Yorks

About

Yorks spent six years as a professional Track athlete, earning silver in the United States championships, among several other distinguishing awards. Now, he seeks his true passion for authoring fantasy works with a heart for virtues that chase the Good, True, and Beautiful.

​Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Yorks is now happily lost in Hillsborough, living the small-town life and raising a growing family with his wife Courtney.

Standout Book: Aithos

Magnate Rivia watches his land crumble, and the High King refuses to answer his pleas. He sends a skyship on a desperate mission—commanded by an invalid whose body is shattered but whose will remains unbroken.

The invalid’s destination? The lost promised land that drove Magnate Rivia’s father to madness. Their path? The storm-ridden skies of Aithos, where dragons once soared, secrets lie buried, and death waits in the clouds.

Failure means rebellion. Success could mean salvation, but at what price?

10. R.J. Amezcua

About

R. J. Amezcua is the creative director of Quentorex Studios and the author of a science fiction book trilogy and an illustrated children’s book.

Mr. Amezcua’s favorite TV shows – Lost in Space, Outer Limits, and Star Trek – sparked his imagination. He also enjoys watching the Food Network, walking in the morning, and gathering with friends and family.

Standout Book: retribution (Mantis Force: Marium Kahnet #1)

Decades after global infanticide wiped out millions on the planet Ramah, Jazrene Vallo tries to piece her Holy Order back together.

But those responsible – the merciless, sorcerer-led Necrogog legions – still threaten multitudes of star systems, following their objective: to kill the promised Mantis messiah, whose birth mother is a member of the Holy Order, Marium Kahnet.

A group of rogue sisters is out for revenge. And her past isn’t clean either, with her own government seeking to prosecute her for war crimes. Even with a group of elite mercenaries and the instructions of a divine messenger, Jazrene may not be able to stop another wave of destruction.

11. A. Bean

About

A. Bean is a Christian author who writes fictional stories that reflect the body of Christ and the Bible. She writes in multiple genres, including end times fiction, historical fantasy, and more.

Her treasured dog, Sesame, is a small tricolor beagle that loves peas! On their days off, they like to travel, visit new restaurants, and find exciting dog treat recipes.

Standout Book: The Scribe

In a world where reading is a rare ability you must be born with, it’s been decades since a new Scribe has surfaced…

Amana Hart believes she was born with the Gift; the ability to innately understand and speak multiple languages – but she must keep this a secret. Only men of great wealth and stature are supposed to have this ability, so to pursue her dream of becoming a Scribe, she must take on a new identity.

Only God can keep Amana safe. The Scribal Institution will stop at nothing to silence liars and fakes. If she isn’t careful, she could end up burned at the stake.

12. S.E.M. Ishida

About

S. E. M. Ishida is a children’s book author who writes science fiction and fantasy. She is also a technical communicator. The two roles allow her to write for both small publishers as well as a large technology company.

Her hobbies include reading, drawing, and collecting toys. She likes robots and tea!

Standout Book: Nick Newton is Not a Genius

Nick Newton is not a Genius. He’s just a merely average boy from the country of Thauma. He may not be brilliant like his mom and dad or a child prodigy like his sister, but he won’t let that stop him from uncovering the mysteries of a clockwork factory or revealing a war hero’s greatest secret.

With help from two new friends and his butler named Jude, Nick embarks on an adventure that will change his life forever.

13. Jaymi Mozeak

About

Jaymi Mozeak was born in 1982 in Nuernberg, Germany. Soon after, her family moved back to the states where she grew up on the central coast of California.

Besides being an author, artist, and speaker, Jaymi Mozeak is also a Christian Seer. She became a Christian at age 7 and has walked with the Lord ever since. Now she draws inspiration for her stories and artwork from the dreams and visions she receives.

Standout Book: Demon Warrior

“I drank the blood of an angel… How can You want me?”

Follow Silver Fox, a brave young wolf-dog, in her quest to find a place for herself among the glories of heaven. She looks like a demon and is hampered, abused, and mistrusted because of it. She feels like no one will ever trust her or want her around.

No one will love her except Shepherd, the white lion. He alone invites her to join his army. What does he see in her that no one else has?

Help Me Expand This List!

Do you know of any other authors whose works would fit this list? Comment below or shoot me an email, and I’ll feature them here!

Hi, I’m Caylah Coffeen, a freelance editor and marketer of sci-fi and fantasy books. I love reading and writing and am a follower of Jesus Christ.

I’ve worked for Monster Ivy Publishing and Eschler Editing, and am currently a weekly editor with Havok Publishing. Reach out to chat about books and publishing!

Thanks for stopping by my website! I hope you’ve found some helpful resources about reading, writing, and publishing. If you liked this article, here’s some more free content…

Top Reviewers of Christian Speculative Fiction (Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and More)

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Good reviews are absolutely essential for the sales of your book. Readers want to find out if your book is worth reading without having to expend much time upfront. The opinion of readers like them is a huge factor in decision-making.

But Christian fantasy, sci-fi, and horror are niche genres which have a relatively small audience. It’s already hard enough for authors of mainstream fiction to find reviewers, but you might feel incredibly frustrated trying to find the small crowd of readers who won’t condemn your themes of faith OR accuse you of “condoning witchcraft.”

So I’ve compiled a list of resources to help you gain reviews for your Christian SFF book – all of them are friendly toward indie and self-published authors:

  1. ARC websites DO accept Christian sci-fi and fantasy books
  2. Book magazines that review Christian sci-fi and fantasy
  3. Websites that review Christian spec fic
  4. Blogs that review Christian speculative fiction
  5. Christian speculative fiction on Booktube
  6. Christian fantasy reviewers on Instagram
  7. Goodreads reviewers of Christian SFF

ARC Websites DO Accept Christian Sci-Fi & Fantasy Books

Top advanced reader copy (ARC) websites include NetGalley, BookSirens, and BookSprout. Publishers list their upcoming releases and readers can create an account and request free copies, in exchange for leaving an honest review.

These websites accept all types of genres and any reader can sign up for a free account. I’ve seen Christian fantasy and sci-fi listed on these sites (I’m a reviewer on BookSirens). It’s quite possible that other Christian readers of sci-fi and fantasy browse these websites and will request your book.

The MOST important factor which affects your book’s likelihood of approval on these sites is your release date. If your book was published more than 6 months ago, they will not consider it eligible. Ideally, your book should be available on these sites at least 3 months before publication so that you gain some positive reviews by the time your book goes live. That’s why they’re called advance reader copies.

Note that you are not paying for a review. You are paying these companies to connect you with their list of reviewers.

NetGalley

This is the go-to location for the Big 5 Publishers, so indie authors have to compete with many famous authors and books in high-demand. However, the publishers are also picky about which reviewers they send free books, so there are many readers on the platform who want free books and will keep browsing if they don’t get their top choice.

Prices: $60-800+ depending on what type of plan you purchase. Kindlepreneuer has a great article summarizing the best NetGalley deals.

BookSirens (Our Top Choice!)

This is my favorite ARC site because I think they have the best search function – this makes it easy for me, as a reader, to narrow down their choices and find exactly the type of book I’m looking for.

They also keep a public database of reviewers which allows authors to search for good matches and reach out in-person to readers they think will enjoy their book.

Prices: $10/ARC plus $2/reader or $100/year for unlimited ARCs – learn more

BookSprout

BookSprout is similar to BookSirens, in that it’s very friendly to indie authors. Their plans offer a certain amount of reviewers per month. For instance, if you pick their $9/mo plan, you can receive up to 25 reviews. With their $29 and $59/mo plans, you get unlimited potential reviews.

Prices: $9-59/month – learn more

Book Magazines that Review Christian Sci-Fi and Fantasy

Readers Favorite

This is a popular site that reviews indie and bestselling authors alike. They state that, “more than half of the books submitted for a free review will receive one within three (3) months. Some books are reviewed in less than a week while others are never selected for review.”

You can see some of the Christian fantasy books they currently have listed.

Request a free review.

Independent Book Review

The Independent Book Review exclusively reviews indie release in a wide variety of genres. They’re composed of a team of reviewers, with varied preferences. They note that they do not accept: “some religious books.” But that likely does not exclude SFF with themes of faith, redemption, and the like.

Request a free review.

Booklist Online

This site helps library professionals choose which books to stock. They state, “As the book review journal of the American Library Association, Booklist connects library and education workers to the books and resources needed to support and enrich their communities.” They also have a branch of their site oriented toward library patrons who are searching for their next read.

Since they receive over 60K review requests per year, I suggest only submitting to them if you think your book has wide appeal. This could be a great option for children’s book authors as well.

Request a free review. Or look through their database of reviewers and connect locally.

Websites that Review Christian Spec Fic

Lorehaven (Our TOP Choice!)

Lorehaven is currently the only major website completely dedicated to writing about Christian sci-fi, fantasy, and other speculative fiction. They maintain a database of Christian SFF books, and authors and readers alike can submit books to be included.

They have a team of reviewers and for your book to be considered it must be: Christian-made, fantastical in genre, and professionally published (indie or traditional). Lorehaven also runs a podcast and has an active discord server for readers.

Request a free review.

Redeemed Reader

They review both secular and Christian-made sci-fi and fantasy, but focus on works released by major publishers. So this is not a good option for self-published authors. They review mostly middle grade and YA, aiming their reviews at parents, though you can submit books aimed at adults as well.

Find their review submission guidelines here.

Reformed Perspective

Jon Dykstra, the editor of Reformed Perspective, has reviewed a number of Christian fantasy books, including the Wingfeather Saga and The Dark Harvest Trilogy. There’s not an official way to request reviews on this website, which emphasizes curated and reflective content, but there is no harm in bringing your series to their attention.

You can contact them here.

PluggedIn

PluggedIn is aimed at parents and mostly reviews popular media. Their intent is to help parents filter through the (often secular) content their children are most likely to encounter and request to read or watch. But they have reviewed Christian-made fantasy novels.

They do not have an official way to request reviews, but you can email them directly at letters@pluggedin.com. Keep in mind that the more requests they receive for a certain type of review (or specific work of fiction), the more likely they are to see it as a high demand and expand into that area.

Blogs That Review Christian Speculative Fiction

A Writer’s Hand (by Creative Cornerstones)

This is our blog, and we’re glad you’ve found your way here! We love reviewing science fiction and fantasy of all types, including those with Christian themes!

You may submit a review request here. Please be sure to check out my reading wishlist first! Note that I do not review books with more than 2 POVs.

Periapsis Press (Our Top Choice!)

Periapsis Press is one of the most prolific reviewer sites of Christian SFF, run by Katie and David Roome! They also offer author interviews and invite guest posts from reviewers.

Request a review.

Christian Indie Book Review

Chris Solaas writes concise reviews that include: an analysis of each story, a summary of the Christian content, and estimated ratings for mature content. He notes that he receives way more requests than he can ever accept or even respond to, and is also behind on the books he has chosen to read.

Request a review.

Madi’s Musings

She reviews fantasy and historical romance if they’re “squeaky clean.” She is actively posting.

Request a review.

Kristi’s A Journey of Words 

Kristi notes: “As a self-published author myself, I realize the need for reviews and certainly empathize with the difficulty of self-marketing. I read some fantasy, but not really paranormal. I read sci-fi, but not so much space operas.” She has a list of her preferred genres.

Request a review.

Explore Words and Worlds

Leah is a Christian and avid book lover who reviews books clean in language and content, though she will read dark and violent content – which she will then warn of in her reviews.

Request a review.

GraceBought

Coralie reads and reviews both Christian fantasy and classics. She notes in her book review index that you can reach out on her contact page if you’d like to see specific reviews.

Request a review.

Inside the Wrong Mind

Kim is a Christian and reviews clean fiction including fantasy, sci-fi, and romance.

Request a review.

Wishful Endings

Tressa only reviews clean books and notes, “I pretty much read all sub-genres (contemporary, historical, fantasy, dystopian, scifi, steampunk, etc., except most thrillers).” She is backlogged with requests, so be sure to compare her recent reads with your book to see if you’ll be a good fit.

Request a review.

Christian Speculative Fiction on Booktube

Be aware that YouTube videos rarely focus on reviews of individual books, and are more likely to include a list of recommendations or a discussion and comparison of a genre. It’s still a great way to reach a wider audience of readers!

Celestria

Celestria says, “I talk about clean and Christian books here. Subscribe to watch me fangirl about fictional characters, drink too much coffee, and sing the occasional song.”

Rochelle Ackerman

Rochelle is a vlogger based out of South Africa! She makes videos about her faith, her daily life, and books. Here’s a video she made about Christian fantasy.

Rachel Reads

Her bio says she’s “a teenage author, book lover, and Christian with a big dream and an even bigger God.” She reviews and recommends Christian fantasy, definitely on the cleaner side.

Book Lover Amanda

She creates a lot of great content, including book recommendations and reading vlogs.

Jamie The Kansan Reader

She focuses most on clean fantasy fiction and is actively creating videos.

The Rebel Christian

Valicity Elaine used to run this BookTube channel, but transformed it into an indie publishing company with the same name! She still actively reviews on Goodreads. I encourage you to get in touch with her!

Christian Fantasy Reviewers on Instagram

There are many great book reviewers on Instagram who mention that they’re Christian and love to read sci-fi and fantasy! Try searching with tags like #Christianbookblogger, #christianfantasy, and #bookreview. It might take you a while to filter through, but it’s well worth it. I find reviewers on IG to be incredibly friendly, excited, and open to helping share the work of new and indie authors!

Note: I am actively researching and expanding this section.

Goodreads Reviewers of Christian SFF

These individuals have left Goodreads reviews on multiple major works of Christian sci-fi and fantasy and most note on their profile that they are interested in both genre fiction and Christian works. I only included accounts of people who have been active on the platform within the past year.

You could certainly friend them and send a message, but keep in mind that most of these people are readers who do not run “official” reviewer blogs. So be sure to browse through some of their favorites to make sure that they’d actually be interested in your book, BEFORE reaching out to them.

Find more individual readers by scrolling through positive reviews left on your favorite Christian SFF books!

Who Are Your Favorite Reviewers?

If you’re an author of Christian SFF and have some favorite reviewers who love your work, please share so I can keep expanding this list! If you yourself are a reviewer of Christian SFF, please let me know if you’d like to be featured!

Hi, I’m Caylah Coffeen, a freelance editor and marketer of sci-fi and fantasy books. I love reading and writing and am a follower of Jesus Christ.

I’ve worked for Monster Ivy Publishing and Eschler Editing, and am currently a weekly editor with Havok Publishing. Reach out to chat about books and publishing!

Thanks for stopping by my website! I hope you’ve found some helpful resources about reading, writing, and publishing. If you liked this article, here’s some more free content…

15 High/Epic Fantasy Books About Tropical Settings and Cultures

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Due to the heavy influence of Greco-Roman, Egyptian, and Norse myths, European fairy tales, and the Bible, fantasy books have largely been set in European and Mediterranean analogues. These settings usually include temperate forests and mountains, deserts, and cold regions.

But what are some fantasy books set in the tropics?

Note: I’m using the scientific definition of the word “tropics.” According to the Köppen climate classification system, Earth is divided into five main climate groups based on patterns of seasonal precipitation and temperature. The weather, flora and fauna, and geography vary vastly within each zone. So a fantasy story set in the tropical zone may very well feature tropical islands or rain forests, but could also take place in savannahs, highlands, volcanic valleys, and more. I’m omitting deserts only because that’s already a well-established sub-genre.

I’ve most commonly encountered tropical settings in seafaring fantasy books that feature pirates and Caribbean-style islands (popular vacation spot for Western authors). There’s also a slew of cringe-worthy “savage jungle tribes,” who threaten traveling heroes in the tradition of pulp fiction or Indiana Jones, which I want to avoid.

But do any fantasy books feature intricate, original worldbuilding of tropical zone societies? Or ones where the author has clearly deeply researched an existing culture and written stories inspired by their land and mythos? Ones about a main character who’s grown up in the culture, rather than a “gawking outsider,” reader-insert POV?

I’ve scoured the internet to compile this list (favoring adult fantasy over YA) – I hope you find some great reads!

This article contains affiliate links – I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Islander-Inspired Fantasy

1. The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard

The main character in this book is from a culture inspired by the Pacific Islands, but there are many other intricately developed cultures in this world which the mc negotiates with! Read my 5 star review here!

Cliopher Mdang is the personal secretary of the Last god Emperor of Astandalas, the Lord of Rising Stars, the Lord Magus of Zunidh, the Sun-on-Earth
He has spent more time with the Emperor of Astandalas than any other person.
He has never once touched his lord. He has never called him by name. He has never initiated a conversation.

One day Cliopher invites the Sun-on-Earth home to the Wide Seas for a holiday.

The mere invitation could have seen Cliopher executed for blasphemy. The acceptance upends the world.

2. Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson

This story contrasts two cultures: a small kingdom that’s a European analogue and a coastal city state inspired partly by Sanderson’s honeymoon in Hawaii. I believe he was also influenced by Indonesian culture. Read my 4 star review here.

Each person is born endowed with the power of one Breath―which can be sold and collected by others, then used to Awaken objects and even corpses to do their bidding. A few individuals who die in glory return as gods, with the power of thousands of Breath, but no memory of their mortal lives―and are enthroned in Hallandren’s Court of Gods.

To Vivenna and Siri, princesses of Idris, the abuse of Breath and deification of the Returned are repugnant blasphemy. But with one princess wed to the God King of their nation’s enemies in a bid for peace, the other finds she must rely on Breath-using mercenaries to try to rescue her sister from her monstrous husband.

3. The Bone Ships by R.J. Barker

This story is mostly set at sea. Characters travel an ocean full of islands which some readers have described as “Asian-inspired.”

For generations, the Hundred Isles have built their ships from the bones of ancient dragons to fight an endless war. The dragons disappeared, but the battles for supremacy persisted.

Now, the first dragon in centuries has been spotted in far-off waters, and both sides see a chance to shift the balance of power in their favor. Because whoever catches it will win not only glory but the war.

4. Nation by Terry Pratchett

This story takes place on an island set in a Pacific Ocean analogue. Pratchett subverts tropes commonly seen in tales about shipwreck survivors encountering natives with his characteristic satirical humor.

When a giant wave destroys his village, Mau is the only one left. Daphne—a traveler from the other side of the globe—is the sole survivor of a shipwreck. Separated by language and customs, the two are united by catastrophe.

Slowly, they are joined by other refugees. And as they struggle to protect the small band, Mau and Daphne defy ancestral spirits, challenge death himself, and uncover a long-hidden secret that literally turns the world upside down.

5. Where the Waters Turn Black by Benedict Patrick

This story also carries a flavor of the south Pacific Islands and caught my attention because of the mythic vibe.

The Crescent Atoll is a remote string of tropical islands, connected by long canoe journeys and a love of stories. Islanders live in constant contact with gods and monsters, following the rules handed down by their storytellers to survive in harmony with these primal forces.

But, when a young ocarina player called Kaimana discovers the lair of a taniwha – a legendary monster – she attracts the ruining gaze of the god of war. In a land of sea witches, pig-faced gods, and Magpie Kings, Kaimana must trust her growing friendship with her taniwha if they are both to survive.

African-inspired Fantasy

6. The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter

Among the Omehi, one in every two thousand women has the power to call down dragons. One in every hundred men is able to magically transform himself into a bigger, stronger, faster killing machine.

Everyone else is fodder, destined to fight and die in the 200 year war. Young, gift-less Tau plans to get himself injured, get out early, and settle down to marriage, children, and land.

But when those closest to him are murdered, his grief turns to vengeance. He’ll become the greatest swordsman to ever live for the chance to kill the three who betrayed him.

7. Imaro by Charles Saunders

A rousing adventure… a tale of a young man’s continuing struggle to gain acceptance amongst his people, and to break the cycle of alienation and violence that plagues his life.

Imaro is a larger-than-life warrior, an outcast, who travels across Nyumbani, searching for a home. No Tarzan… no Conan… Imaro is a warrior inspired by pre-colonial African legends and myths. The first of its kind and a cult classic!

For more African-inspired fantasy, check out this list. Also take a look at the sub-genre coined “Sword and Soul.”

South Asian Inspired Fantasy

8. Sons of Darkness by Gourav Mohanty

A re-imagining of the Indian epic the Mahabharata.

Bled dry by violent confrontations with the Magadhan Empire, the Mathuran Republic simmers on the brink of oblivion. A cast of sinister queens, naive kings, pious assassins and ravenous priests are converging where the Son of Darkness is prophesied to rise… even as forgotten Gods prepare to play their hand.

9. The Garden of Delights by Amal Singh

In the city of Sirvassa, where petals are currency and flowers are magic, the Caretaker tends to the Garden of Delights. He imparts temporary magical abilities to the citizens of Sirvassa, while battling a curse of eternal old age.

He thinks no Delight could lift his curse, until one grants a young girl the ability to change reality.

When a magical rot takes root in his Garden, the Caretaker must join forces with the girl and stop it from spreading, only to learn that Delights are always a precursor to Sorrows.

For more India-inspired fantasy, check out this list.

10. Revelation by Shienny M.S.

This is the only (high) fantasy book I was able to find that’s set in an Indonesia equivalent! However, the English version is out of print. I reached out to the author to see if there’s still any way to obtain a copy.

Vrey, a notorious thief, embarks on a journey to search for a legendary treasure, the Nymph Dress.

Meanwhile, Valadin, a knight, is on a secret quest to seek the power of the Aethers, the seven mythical beings worshiped by his race.

When Vrey steals an important amulet Valadin requires to complete his quest, their paths converge and their hidden past is brought to light. Once the closest of companions, they now have to face each other as enemies.

11. Vandarian Saga – Indonesian Open Fantasy World

I was also fascinated to discover that there is an open fantasy world popular in Indonesia which many authors have written about. There’s also a video game. But according to the script writer of a comic adaptation of the Vandarian Saga, fantasy is unpopular in Indonesia, and writers face stigma. I still hope to see English versions and originals by Indonesian authors though!

12. The Last Phi Hunter by Salinee Goldenberg

This one is Thai-inspired! I haven’t read it yet, but I’m excited to, as I visited Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and the mountains bordering Myanmar back in high school!

Phi Hunter, Ex, is on the hunt for the legendary Shar-Ala, the demon of nightmares and madness who has eluded his masters for decades.

On his quest, Ex meets the charming runaway Arinya,and the two strike a deal. For a hefty payday, Ex will escort her through the forest, protecting her unborn child from malignant spirits.

With men and monsters on their tail, and secrets that could unravel the whole kingdom, Arinya and Ex must get to the safety of the Capital of Suyoram before it’s too late.

13. Kings of Paradise by Richard Nell

This one stood out to me because it features 2 settings less commonly seen in fantasy – a tropical island inspired by Sri Lanka, AND a frozen tundra. I imagine the contrast will be fascinating!

Ruka, called a demon at birth, is a genius. Born malformed into the snow-covered wasteland of the Ascom, he was spared from death by his mother’s love. Now he is an outcast, consumed with hate for those who’ve wronged him.

Across the sea on the island of Sri Kon, Kale is the youngest son of the Sorcerer King. At sixteen, Kale is a disappointment. As the first prince ever forced to serve with low-born marines, Kale must prove himself to secure his future and love.

But in a changing world where ash meets paradise, only one man can be king…

Americas-Inspired Fantasy

14. The Return of the Sorceress by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

This one is inspired by Mesoamerican settings and myths, by the author better known for Mexican Gothic.

In a fantastical land where jewels and blood provide symbiotic magical powers to their wearers, Yalxi, the deposed Supreme Mistress of the Guild of Sorcerers, is on a desperate mission. Her lover and confidant seized her throne and precious diamond heart and now she must find a weapon capable of destroying him.

But this will mean turning to unlikely allies and recalling suppressed memories. For Yalxi is no great hero—she forged her path in blood and must reckon with the consequences.

15. Cradle of Sea and Soil by Bernie Anés Paz

This story is set in an archipelago inspired by Puerto Rico. The islands are connected by root-roads extending from massive “tree-lords” – cool, right! It made me think of the root bridges of Meghalaya, India. Its blurb doesn’t do the setting justice.

The Primordial Wound has festered with corruption since the birth of the world. The island tribes have warred against its spawn for just as long—and they are losing.

Former warrior Colibrí lives in exile, burdened by the same spiritual affliction that drove her ancestors insane. Her son Narune dreams of becoming a mystic to earn glory and prove their worth.

When Colibrí discovers a hidden source of corruption, she must live up to her old oaths.

Tropical Settings in Other Fantasy Sub-Genres

If you love tropical settings and are interested in other fantasy sub-genres, you’ll have a good chance of finding:

  • Urban fantasy or supernatural stories set in South Asia (Jade City)
  • Historical fantasy or magic realism set in Africa (Changa’s Safari)
  • Magic realism or contemporary fantasy set in Central and South America (Gods of Jade and Shadow)

Hi, I’m Caylah Coffeen, a freelance editor and marketer of sci-fi and fantasy books. I love reading and writing and am a follower of Jesus Christ.

I’ve worked for Monster Ivy Publishing and Eschler Editing, and am currently a weekly editor with Havok Publishing. Reach out to chat about books and publishing!

Thanks for stopping by my website! I hope you’ve found some helpful resources on reading, writing, and publishing. If you liked this article, here’s some more free content…

“Toxic Femininity” – Where “Strong Female Characters” Went Wrong

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By Caylah Coffeen

I recently picked up an epic fantasy book I had greatly anticipated reading – it promised unusual worldbuilding, an intricate plot, and a unique authorial voice. I didn’t make it through the first chapter.

In the opening, the main female character gets drunk, breaks into someone’s home to commit adultery, assaults the homeowner when he tries to stop her, and gets thrown in jail. When she wakes up, she bangs on the bars and yells at the guards to let her out, as though she’d done nothing wrong. A stranger, who greatly outranks her, bails her out and gets her acquitted because he wants to hire her. She struts out like she owns the place, doesn’t offer this man a single thank you, and instead mouths off at him, becoming offended that he expects her to work off her debt to him!

That’s when I stopped reading. I was astounded we were supposed to find this character likeable. Or even admire her defiant attitude and the gargantuan chip on her shoulder.

Unfortunately, this is the exact type of character readers can expect to see over and over again, advertised as a “strong female lead.”

I would use another word: cocksure. I’m sorry if you find that crass, but that’s the point – that’s exactly what these characters are.

The Double Standard

How is it that the word I’ve found to best describe these “strong female characters” has largely been used in the past to describe men being jerks? It’s pretty much the old word for “toxic masculinity!” If a male character acted the way these female characters do, that’s exactly what they’d be called! No, if they acted half so horribly, they would never have made it past a publisher’s slush pile. Instead, we would have seen acquisitions editors tweeting about how triggered they felt.

I’m glad that publishing has enacted a higher standard for male characters! So many male “heroes” in books do treat everyone around them terribly, break their word, kill and torture without remorse, look out only for themselves, emotionally abuse their friends, abandon their families, and drink, swear, and fight with impunity. It continues to horrify me that stories like Prince of Thorns were ever published, and I’m relieved that publishers would reject such books today.

But I don’t want to read about hubristic, “antihero” women any more than I want to read about sociopathic, egotistical men. So why is this behavior seen as not just acceptable, but “cool” when enacted by women?

It shouldn’t be, for two reasons. But before I get into why, let’s define our terms.

“Toxic” or “Sinful?”

I’m a Christian, and I’m fine with using the phrase “toxic masculinity” because men are sinners, and like all sinners, glorify their sin as right. The world’s version of a “strong man” is extremely different from God’s version, and yes, it’s often toxic. Greed, rape (jokes), idolatry, and violence are all sins that God condemns. In the Bible, the “men after his own heart,” are faithful, humble, selfless, obedient to his law, self-controlled, and gracious. This is “righteous masculinity,” nothing like the “locker room boasters” which our culture has seen as cool (in the past). And praise God for the men who seek to be made anew in such a way!

When women call out “toxic masculinity,” I feel a lot of compassion for people who are often coming from non-Christian households. They’ve never met a godly man in their life, and they don’t have the words to explain why their relationships feel so wrong. So they use terms given to them by mental health professionals.

However, I know that many modern* feminists also use the phrase “toxic masculinity” to assert that the idea of gender differences and the existence of masculinity are in themselves toxic. I reject that claim and do not use the phrase in such a way.

*Early feminists were wonderfully brave women who championed equal rights under the law and were almost all Christians, so please be careful if you’re tempted to make blanket denigrating statements about feminists. I encourage you to read about the different “waves” of feminism to understand how/when things went wrong.

Our culture also praises the sins of women, glorifying selfish, petty, greedy, cruel speech and actions as “subversive, bold, driven, audacious, or strong.” We could refer to this as “toxic femininity,” and indeed if we are going to call out sinful masculinity, then we should be willing to do the same for sinful versions of femininity.

Though perhaps it’d be much better if we dropped this phrase entirely, in favor of biblical language. The Bible uses different words than “toxic”:

Righteous or wicked
Godly or ungodly
Integrity or crookedness
Alive in Christ or dead in sin
The wise or the fools

What does Proverbs tell us about what it looks like to live a righteous life?

The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves.
The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
The righteous detest the dishonest; the wicked detest the upright.

Proverbs 13:5, 15:28, 29:27

I yearn to read about main characters who are considered heroes because they are righteous, not because they are wicked!

How dare publishers act as though they’ve made a stand for morality, only to turn around and espouse those same evils when committed by people like themselves! And these new heroes aren’t even well written.

Most “Strong Female Characters” Are Badly Written

It wasn’t just a shift in culture that led to a decline in the “toxically masculine” character. Publishers just started pointing out that such characters are often badly written and make for flat stories. Which is true.

Contemporary female leads, like many stereotypical male leads in older books (prophesied farm boy), are often 2-dimensional, cut-and-pasted copies of each other. Handing a girl a sword doesn’t give her a personality, though apparently it gives the author an excuse not to develop one. The most noticeable things about them, aside from their superior talent and skills, are their entitlement, aggression, arrogance, and air of martyrdom. When the story starts, they are the universe’s gift to humanity, and when the story ends, they are the universe’s greater gift to humanity.

Readers see very little character development, with the exception of “healing” from whatever injustice the world has perpetrated against the main character. There are no personal flaws they need to face and overcome. Everything is someone else’s fault. This makes for extremely boring storytelling. It breaks the cardinal rule of character development.

Everyone who’s taken an intro to creative writing course knows the joke about “the frat boy who signed up to get an easy humanities credit”: The guy writes a story about a perfectly handsome, intelligent, desirable young man who breezes through all his problems and gets the girl who wrongly rejected him before. The professor has to explain that a good (and realistic) story needs flawed protagonists (not the same as morally grey) and problems that they can’t immediately overcome. This creates tension in the plot and spurs development in the character. Usually, the new writer resists, because their character is actually a self-insert and they feel personally attacked at the implication that they have flaws.

These points are no less true for female writers and female characters. In fact, these days male writers are much more likely to accept feedback when you tell them their character needs work – I know, I’ve worked with quite a few developing male writers. But female writers are likely to get up in arms if anyone criticizes how unrealistic or entitled their female characters are. Because these authors are often living out their dreams of being able to get away with literal crime, say whatever they want to the men in their life, and be respected and taken seriously for it.

And, predictably, the characters and plot of these stories suffer for it. Yet publishers will ignore these obvious problems when they’re seen in female characters, because they too are fantasizing about walking around like god and being worshiped for it – as all sinful humans do.

Which brings me to the second reason why we should reject “toxic femininity” – the glorification of unrighteous women – in books.

Bad Ideology, Bad Examples

The version of femininity which is portrayed in so many of these stories is not something I want to embody. I don’t find these women strong. They are not good role models. Most of them are angry, bitter, self-absorbed individuals who hate authority, are isolated from healthy community and family, and listen to no one but themselves. They are unrighteous and thoroughly broken.

These characters embody everything that women have called out as wrong in male behavior. At least modern feminists have gotten more honest. Their actual message is, “men shouldn’t play god, but women are god.” I suppose these books sell because fallen people do relate to this desire. I don’t know why anyone is shocked – this is the oldest sin there is.

“You will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Yours truthlessly,
Satan

That’s the message publishers are selling to girls: “you can be like god.” Girls down these books like cheap shots, craving temporary gratification in place of the answer that will truly quench their thirst. Such stories can never satisfy, because they run in direct opposition to the Great Story, which tells of a plain, humble, kind man doing what is right and vanquishing evil at great cost to himself, for the sake of others.

This doesn’t mean I only want to read stories about knights saving damsels in distress from dragons, though the trope is justifiably iconic (pun intended)! This is one major reason why I personally prefer reading about male mc’s.

But I do want Queens who save their kingdom from evil. Yes, give me heroines running around in capes and busting out martial arts moves. I need to read stories about female strategists, inventors, explorers, and more. AND I want to read stories about mothers, sisters, shy girls, bookworms, wives, and any other profession out there.

SO LONG as all these women first and foremost embody integrity, kindness, faithfulness, humility, goodness, and other signs of godly character. So long as her flaws and mistakes are actually portrayed as problematic and she actively wrestles to overcome them!

We have beautiful examples to guide us!

Noah’s wife cared for her family through the ending of the world, Abigail defied her wicked husband, Ruth braved the wilderness and poverty for love, Esther faced the emperor of the known world head on, Mary encountered an eldritch creature with who knows how many eyeballs and sang for joy. Jael and the woman of Thebez smashed open the heads of villains with household implements!

The woman of Thebez wields her deadly millstone

These are strong women, brave women, faithful women – women after God’s own heart.

Don’t believe the world’s picture of femininity. It is toxic. It is the way that leads to death. I urge you not to write self-absorbed, 2D, arrogant female OR male characters, but to look at the truth of God’s word and write stories that would please him and better teach us how to hear his story.

P.S. If anyone wants to make a biblical argument in favor of the descriptor “toxic,” I’m all ears (Matt 16:6). After all, a little Axe body spray goes a long way. 😉

Hi, I’m Caylah Coffeen, a freelance editor and marketer of sci-fi and fantasy books. I love reading and writing and am a follower of Jesus Christ.

I’ve worked for Monster Ivy Publishing and Eschler Editing, and am currently a weekly editor with Havok Publishing. Reach out to chat about books and publishing!

Thanks for stopping by my website! I hope you’ve found some helpful resources about reading, writing, and publishing. If you liked this article, here’s some more free content…

Interview with Jeremiah Friedli – Debut Author of Christian Sci-Fi Novel CORE Deception

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By Caylah Coffeen

CC: Thanks for joining me Jeremiah, and congrats on your debut novel! Tell us about it!

JF: Thanks, and I appreciate you inviting me to join today! Here’s what you’ll find in my novel CORE Deception:

A tyrannical government, a cryptic letter, a devious hacker…

In a world where the government’s CORE systems see and track everyone, seventeen-year-old hacker Seth Alvarez is determined to save his sister from being placed in a reeducation facility. Armed with a cryptic letter, Seth embarks on a search for the valuable incognito devices—cyber master keys that can set his sister free. But with only three weeks remaining, he finds himself wedged between two powerful forces who will stop at nothing to get the devices first.

CC: That sounds exciting! I love books about siblings (I have 6 myself!). And congrats on making it to the finalist stage in the debut category at the 2025 Realm Makers Awards! What do you love most about this story and what are you hoping readers will connect with?

JF: I love stories of espionage, undercover, and page-turning suspense. I also like some level of technology. A dystopian setting offers the perfect venue for teen characters to get into these activities. If you love clean YA read that keeps you turning pages, stories of underdogs standing up to dystopian governments, and plots filled with intrigue and suspense, CORE Deception is for you.

Take codes and ciphers for example. I’d read about them in true spy accounts and liked the idea of incorporating them into the CORE Series. As I learned more so I could write about them correctly, I really enjoyed codes and ciphers. In fact, they play key roles in CORE Deception and its prequel novella Association. I even created a Code and Cipher Guide to go along with my books.

Another reason I like CORE Deception is the primary thematic element, which grew out of 2020 when I faced fears I didn’t know I had. I’ve struggled with fear of acceptance, fear of failure, and fear of incompetence before—to name a few fears. But this was new to me. It was fear that dominated my thinking and tried to control my actions. (And really, doesn’t all fear do that?)

Something told me this wasn’t right—more like Someone. As a Christian, I shouldn’t fear like that, not if I believe the Bible. After all, our future is secure, no matter what happens to us physically. And as Christ-followers, we have more hope than anyone else.

So why was this fear so strong? Later I came across a quote by Max Lucado from his book Fearless. He put it really well: “Fear, at its center, is a perceived loss of control.”

That was me. It felt like I’d lost control of almost every aspect of normal life. Not that I had control in the first place. And that was the foundational deception of my fear. Experiencing this it was painful because it forced me to face a reality—I wasn’t trusting God like I thought I was, like I wanted to think I was. But as painful as that was, it was a gift, growing me as a Christian. And I soon incorporated it into CORE Deception.

CC: That’s such a powerful way to put it. I’ve certainly struggled with that. It’s easy to “trust” God when everything is going well. How else has your faith shaped this story? Could you share what “Christian sci-fi” means to you?

JF: Faith should shape everything Christ’s followers do and think. It’s easier said than done, but that’s what I try to do, including with my writing. This doesn’t mean there’s a Bible verse on every page, but it does mean my writing should reflect a Christian worldview and be done for Christ’s glory.

This reminds me of a pivotal point years ago. I’d been writing it since I was a kid, mainly for enjoyment but with the possibility of publishing eventually. I sensed a challenge from the Lord regarding my time used in writing. If I was going to spend time on it, I should use it for His glory and not just my personal enjoyment. Yes, I want to write engaging stories that whisk readers away into an amazing world of fiction, but I also sensed the call to use my stories to “lay up treasure in heaven” (Matthew 6:20). That includes reflecting biblical worldview and weaving in themes that inspire courageous living for God, regardless of the genre.

I like to think of Christian sci-fi—really any genre—as stories written from a biblical worldview. The Bible should always be the foundation and guide for creators and readers. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, God’s word is sufficient for all areas of life.

CC: Amen! What did you most enjoy about writing your book? What was most challenging?

JF: I absolutely love the phase of writing when the spark of an idea grows into something bigger. It’s that phase when I’m exploring characters or a storyworld (or both!), ideas explode, and it seems anything is possible. It’s like receiving a fascinating new toy on Christmas Day—I’m just so excited to play with this new idea and see what it can do! With CORE Deception, it didn’t take long to realize I had enough for more than one novel.

But for all those loose ideas to form a cohesive story, I eventually had to put it into a framework (either before or after writing the first draft). The phase of structuring everything, making my setting consistent, and refining character arcs posed one of my greatest challenges. I’ve polished words before and cranked out many drafts over the years, but pushing a novel through developmental edits (making all the large pieces work) wasn’t something I’d done before and was harder than anticipated. But the story is so much better for it.

CC: Worldbuilding is definitely the fun part! Actually sitting down and writing takes so much discipline! How long have you been writing and how did God guide you into this career?

JF: One of my first stories was a one-of-a-kind picture book I wrote and illustrated myself as a kid. It was four pages long with a grand total of seven sentences (if you include “the end”), put together with construction paper, masking tape, and staples. [optional: insert picture below] The name was Twenty Door Bells. A real page-turner, huh? You can tell I was using cutting edge print-on-demand technology too. But you can see my imagination was already at work.

Mostly, I only wrote creatively when it was required for school. But somewhere along the way, I found I liked crafting stories. Sometimes it was because my siblings were writing stories. Later, it’s more likely that I ran out of stories to read, and so I decided to write my own. I enjoyed it so much I kind of became an overachiever with writing assignments.

For example…

Assignment: 5 pages of fanciful fiction

Completed Project: 39-page story of animals in a medieval kingdom, complete with intrigue and major battle scenes.

Assignment: Short story with dialogue (short, as in, only a few pages)

Completed Project: 35-page mystery with black-cloaked thugs and a pie fight, among other things.

Soon I was writing even when there wasn’t any assignment—short stories, poems, novellas, novels—and sharing them with my family and friends.

I got into westerns, action, mystery, humor, sci-fi, fanciful, fantasy, retellings, and even an interactive mystery-thriller. I did flash fiction, short stories, novelettes, novellas, short novels, novels. Having siblings who wrote helped a lot, offering camaraderie and some friendly competition. I have terrific memories cowriting with my brothers and sisters. Also, it was huge that my mom (and homeschool teacher) fostered creativity.

As time went on, I sensed God calling me to do more with my creative writing, as I mentioned above.

CC: Haha, I love your enthusiasm! And that your mom kept your first story! How would you describe your writing style and how has it evolved since those early stories? Do you have any advice for writers as they try to develop a unique style?

JF: I love stories with high suspense, action, and thriller pacing. I think a lot of teen guys would agree. When I read books in that genre, I’m able to detect a general style, especially for action and suspense scenes.

But when it comes to developing my own style, I’ve largely followed James Scott Bell’s advice on the subject. Keep in mind, both he and I write for the commercial fiction market, not literary or what your high school English teacher taught you. In Revision and Self-Editing for Publication, Bell says, “It’s best to allow voice and style to emerge naturally in the telling of your tale. Attend to the fundamentals of the craft, and voice and style will seem organic. That’s your goal.”

Put another way, don’t think too hard about style. As you write more and more, you’ll naturally develop one of your own. But if you concentrate too much on style, you risk awkward, unnatural prose that jars the reader.

CC: That’s a good point. Sometimes writers can over-plan, rather than letting things develop organically. What was your journey to publication like? Why did you pick the route you did and what kind of challenges did you face along the way?

JF: As mentioned, at some point I pivoted from writing for fun to writing intentionally, like for the purpose of publication. I dedicated myself to the craft of writing and eventually started looking for publishers and agents. But eventually, I didn’t sense any major publisher’s interest in my writing. While a small publishing house might have been, I felt like I’d be doing much of the same work as independently publishing—an idea I gradually liked more and more.

More significantly, as time went on I realized that I would really like to have a say in the final book product. I sensed that God wanted me to influence the story, the editing, the cover, the marketing, and so on. The catch is, I had to learn at least some about all those areas. For example, I knew I should outsource my cover design, but that still requires I understand the norms for covers in my sub-genre and can create a design brief for the designer.

Pragmatically, indie publishing works well in the book industry today. There’s definitely a learning curve if you’re going to do it well, but it’s easier than ever for an author to tackle areas like typesetting and selling directly from their website. And I’ve found I enjoyed the business and marketing parts of writing a lot more than I anticipated.

CC: That must be a relief! It’d be so hard to stick with it if you hated the business and marketing like a lot of authors do!
There has been discussion lately of how few young adult books feature male main characters (outside romance plots). Indeed, it seems like major publishers aren’t interested in these types of stories. Why do you think this is? Are you hoping to reach boys and young men in particular, and how do you hope your book can accomplish this?

JF: Yes, I write for teen guys. Perhaps because as a teen guy, I had a hard time finding books I enjoyed. Thankfully, I did find some, and that’s probably why I ended up writing YA! But more importantly, that’s the genre I sense God calling me to. I still have a lot to learn here, so I’m always eager for resources that help me do this.

It’s no secret to those in the book industry that guys don’t read/buy as many books as girls.

If you look at what the large publishers are producing, the same disparity seems to exist in the young adult genre. Not that there’s anything inherently wrong with that. My guess is they’re publishing what sells. To an extent, it’s a chicken or the egg situation—since not a lot of guys read, few new books get published for them, which leads to fewer guys reading and therefore publishers creating fewer books for that diminishing readership.

Some blame the gaming industry for drawing guys away from books, but my counter to that is “what is it about those games that connect with guys?” There are a number of independently published authors who have figured out how to produce stories guys love and are filling the void left by the larger publishers. Because plenty of young men do like to read, even if they’re not looking for reading material in the same places other people are.

This is a big topic, and this excellent discussion on the Christian Publishing Show is a good next stop.

CC: Thank you! That’s a valuable perspective. What’s next for you as an author?

JF: I’m well into the planning phase of CORE Deception‘s sequel. Readers can expect more suspense and espionage while exploring new facets of the CORE Series storyworld and digging deeper into characters like Seth, Krystin, and Jhalak. The next title and plot are a secret right now, though I’m feeding some insider snippets to those subscribed to my emails. Here’s a teaser for the sequel:

A relentless pursuer.
An unpredictable ally.
The opportunity of a lifetime.

Can seventeen-year-old hacker Seth Alvarez survive a daring undercover mission that could change the course of a nation…or destroy everything he’s even known and loved?

After a third novel in the CORE Series, I’m praying about what to write. Several ideas are pushing their way to the front of the line, and it’s too early to say which one will win out. It could be another sci-fi, a modern thriller, kingdom adventure—you get the idea.

CC: Thanks Jeremiah, I look forward to it! And best of luck in the next stage of judging at the 2025 Realm Makers competition!

JF: Thanks so much for allowing me to join the discussion today!

About Jeremiah Friedli

Author of the 2025 Realm Awards Finalist CORE Deception, Jeremiah Friedli is a homeschool graduate, lifelong writer, ice cream lover, and native Texan. He enjoys getting out in God’s creation, whether that’s hiking, camping, running, or just reading quietly on the porch. Otherwise, you might find him seated behind a large screen with one of his beloved spreadsheets or watching a movie with his family. Learn more and connect with him at jeremiahfriedli.com.

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Hi, I’m Caylah Coffeen, a freelance editor and marketer of sci-fi and fantasy books. I love reading and writing and am a follower of Jesus Christ.

I’ve worked for Monster Ivy Publishing and Eschler Editing, and am currently a weekly editor with Havok Publishing. Reach out to chat about books and publishing!

Thanks for stopping by my website! I hope you’ve found some helpful resources about reading, writing, and publishing. If you liked this article, here’s some more free content…

Why Christians Should Read Fantasy: Can You Imagine Things Unseen?

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Guest Post By Willamette Sutta

Let’s face it. When we write our debut novel, we expect the world to be as excited about it as ourselves. At least our family and friends. Mine did make a big deal of my achievement. But when I told them it was a fantasy novel, their smiles became polite, baffled, or embarrassed. Not everyone, but enough to dampen my enthusiasm. True, peoples’ reading tastes vary, so it could just be the genre. But after conversations and consideration, I came to a disturbing conclusion. Few people in my circle of acquaintances read fiction. A common denominator among those acquaintances is that they are Christians. Could there be a correlation?

Christian fiction has gained more acceptance in the ecclesiastical fold in recent decades. Works from such authors as C. S. Lewis and Tolkien are even held in theological esteem. But most seem to be valued as clean entertainment, comfortable encouragement, or harmless escapes to restore mental health. All fine for the young, leisurely, and convalescent. But “serious” Christian growth happens from didactic doses of information, right?

Do we only glean the deepest insights from within the careful lines of logic, or can we also learn through the mysteries of the imagination? Is reason the only tutor of innovation, or must it co-create with abstraction? Consider science. It observes facts and imagines possibilities (hypotheses) which are tested to become theories (new facts). In the Christian life, we seek to grow in faith, which is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Yet, belief in the unseen requires believers to step into the realm of the imagination. So, if imagination is critical to expand all types of  knowledge and faith, how can we cultivate it?

When we delve into a story and put ourselves in the shoes of fictional people, our minds summon images out of thin air. We experience events and desire outcomes that don’t exist. We are exercising our imagination. And we are learning another important life skill—empathy. Given these benefits, reading fiction should be an essential practice, especially for Christians. Yet the opposite seems to be true. Why would that be?

Why don’t More Christians read fiction?

Whether consciously or not, Christians may hold the mindset that theological textbooks or other expository writings alone can teach real spiritual insights. Perhaps there is some justification for such thinking, as many Christian novels contain little more than a sanctified dollop of sugar or shot of adrenaline. They may provide moments of distraction, but surely, we can offer more than euphoria that quickly evaporates. Following our Master Storyteller, who convicted scholars and laymen alike with life-changing parables, we too could weave profound truths into tales that lead to lasting hope.

Such stories are harder to write and to read. We must deal with murky concepts organically and often indirectly, all while negotiating a riveting plot. But like all things that are uncertain, we seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit. And as with all things difficult, we keep practicing. Indeed, Christians ought to “look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18). It may take time to build up a body of excellent Christian fiction, and to cultivate a reputation of edifying content. But we can do it if we push on in that good work.

There may be another reason that Christians shun the imagination. We fear it. Beyond being an intangible quality that we cannot define and confine, we have much evidence of its potential for evil in our world. Too often it is twisted by our sin nature and the Enemy to create vivid products of destruction. But these are not reasons to retreat. 

Can You Imagine?

I believe that the imagination is a potent aspect of being created in God’s image. It is a touch of the divine to glimpse into the edges of eternity. Of course the Enemy wants to usurp it, corrupting it to focus us on hedonistic desires and to extol ourselves as gods. We, as God’s people, should not concede this mighty gift. We need to claim the imagination for the glory of God. In 2 Corinthians 10:5, Paul tells us to be in the business of “casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”

We are not to abandon imagination, but to bring it into obedience to Christ. So, Christian should be at the forefront of penning magnificent speculations that sing His praises, ignite others to wonder at His goodness, and showcase His beauty and majesty. Stories of power and skill that draw people to His truth. And we should read those stories too, to enlarge our own faith and engage with others.

The imagination is a potent aspect of being created in God’s image.

When I was a 7-year-old immigrant in New York City, I learned to read in a public library. Stories opened the way to a new language and country for me. They normalized a strange culture and transported me to worlds of friendship and adventure. Yes, I relished the escape at first, but my mind was also training to see invisible things. So, when I heard the Greatest Story Ever Told, I could imagine Jesus and His salvation. I knew it was true. He had prepared me to believe.

Since then, faith is a constant journey of trusting God’s promises by seeing that which is not yet. Now, I want every story I write to convey an air of His transcendence, so that readers will long for it and recognize it when they encounter it in this world. Fantasy, more than any other genre, allows the supernatural to be a normal force in the narrative. Therefore, I see it as a perfect conveyance to reveal the most exalted One who surpasses all powers.

For readers, let me leave you with a challenge. Read a fantasy story today and let it take you on a quest. See yourself as the hero you never thought you could be. Find the evil in your world and surmount every danger to vanquish it in Jesus’ name. Do you dare?

About Willamette Sutta

Willamette Sutta is the pen name of a former academic librarian who has always been more fascinated with the worlds of imagination than the STEM books that she curated. Now she combines her love of information and speculation to create fantastic stories that nevertheless give an air of a world truer than the one we see. Find the story beneath the story.

Check out Her Debut Novel!

Hi, I’m Caylah Coffeen, a freelance editor and marketer of sci-fi and fantasy books. I love reading and writing and am a follower of Jesus Christ.

I’ve worked for Monster Ivy Publishing and Eschler Editing, and am currently a weekly editor with Havok Publishing. Reach out to chat about books and publishing!

Thanks for stopping by my website! I hope you’ve found some helpful resources about reading, writing, and publishing. If you liked this article, here’s some more free content…

18 Young Adult Urban Fantasy Books with a Male Protagonist (Science Fantasy, Superhero, Steampunk, & More)

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This is part 2 of my ongoing series of book lists featuring young adult books with male protagonists. Part 1 lists high/epic fantasy books with young male leads, which you can read here!

I personally prefer reading about male protagonists (I’m a woman). I also would rather read a book with 1 POV, rather than ones that switch back and forth between different perspectives. The pacing of young adult fiction is also perfect after a long day at work!

Or perhaps your son has outgrown Spiderman, but isn’t ready to pick up adult fiction yet.

However, since the young adult market is largely aimed at girls and women these days, it can be a bit hard to find fast-paced books with 1 male main character. So I thought I’d share my growing TBR list with you all to help you find this kind of story as well!

Happy reading!

  1. Science Fantasy
  2. Superheroes and Academies
  3. Urban Fantasy and Supernatural
  4. Steampunk
  5. Comedy/Parody

This article contains affiliate links – I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Science Fantasy Books

Science fantasy is the umbrella term for fantasy that doesn’t fit neatly into just one genre! From contemporary fantasy and superpowered characters, to fantasy that leans a bit more toward sci-fi, there are a lot of great stories that fall outside of the epic category.

1. I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

John Smith seems like an ordinary teenager, living a normal life with his guardian Henri in Paradise, Ohio. But for John, keeping a low profile is essential, because he is not an ordinary teenager. He’s an alien from the planet Lorien, and he’s on the run. A group of evil aliens from the planet Mogadore, who destroyed his world, are hunting anyone who escaped.

Nine Loric children were sent to Earth to live in hiding until they grew up and developed their Legacies, powers that would help them fight back—and help them save us. Three of them are now dead. John is Number Four, and he knows he’s next….

2. Steelheart (The Reckoners 1) by Brandon Sanderson

Ten years ago, Calamity came. It was a burst in the sky that gave ordinary men and women extraordinary powers. The awed public started calling them Epics. But Epics are no friend of man. With incredible gifts came the desire to rule. And to rule man you must crush his will.

Nobody fights the Epics…nobody but the Reckoners. A shadowy group of ordinary humans, they spend their lives studying Epics, finding their weaknesses, and then assassinating them.

And David wants in. He wants Steelheart — the Epic who is said to be invincible. The Epic who killed David’s father.

3. Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card

Only his father knows the truth about Rigg’s strange talent for seeing the paths of people’s pasts. But when his father dies, Rigg is stunned to learn just how many secrets Father had kept from him—secrets about Rigg’s own past, his identity, and his destiny. And when Rigg discovers that he has the power not only to see the past, but also to change it, his future suddenly becomes anything but certain.

Rigg’s birthright sets him on a path that leaves him caught between two factions, one that wants him crowned and one that wants him dead.

4. Flames of Mira (The Rift Walker 1) by Clay Harmon

Among boiling volcanoes under Mira’s frozen lands, people like Ig are forced to undergo life-threatening trials that bind chemical elements to the human body. One of Mira’s most powerful elementals, Ig serves as an enforcer for Magnate Sorrelo Adriann, but is cursed with flesh binding magic that will kill him at the first sign of disobedience.

When Sorrelo is overthrown, Ig quickly learns he can do far worse than what has been asked of him so far. If he can’t escape the flesh binding in time, he will have to kill friend and foe alike to stop his master reclaiming the throne, or sacrifice himself trying.

Superheroes and Magic Academies in Fantasy

These books aren’t so different from the ones above, as they also feature superpowered individuals. But if you like the added structure of magic academies and secret organizations, or you’re looking for stories set in the superhero/supervillain “metaverse,” these ones are for you!

5. The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson

More than anything, Joel wants to be a Rithmatist, one who has the power to infuse life into two-dimensional figures known as Chalklings. Rithmatists are humanity’s only defense against the Wild Chalklings—merciless creatures that leave mangled corpses in their wake.

As the son of a lowly chalkmaker at Armedius Academy, Joel can only watch as Rithmatist students study the magical art that he would do anything to practice. Then students start disappearing—leaving trails of blood. Assigned to help the professor who is investigating the crimes, Joel and his friend Melody find themselves on the trail of an unexpected discovery.

6. The Never Hero (Chronicles of Johnathan Tibbs 1) by T. Ellery Hodges

Heroes are supposed to be the first to step forward. I didn’t. I was drafted.
An Alien, Heyer, did this to me. I asked him once why I had to do all the fighting while he watched from the shadows. He said he couldn’t be replaced. But I could be.

My name is Jonathan Tibbs. I’m the one standing between Earth and the Enemy.
They tell me every hero’s story follows a path. If I’m going to save the world, I have to find a different one.

7. The Paladin Prophecy by Mark Frost

Will West is careful to live life under the radar. At his parents’ insistence, he’s made sure to get mediocre grades and to stay in the middle of the pack on his cross-country team. Then Will slips up, accidentally scoring off the charts on a nationwide exam.

Now Will is being courted by an exclusive prep school . . . and followed by men driving black sedans. When Will suddenly loses his parents, he flees to the school. There he begins to explore all that he’s capable of–physical and mental feats that should be impossible–and learns that his abilities are connected to a struggle between titanic forces that has lasted for millennia.

8. The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea M. Campbell

Sixteen-year-old Damien Locke has a plan: become a professional evil genius, just like his supervillain mom. But then he discovers that the one-night stand that spawned him was actually with a superhero, and his dad insists he come live with him.

Damien has to survive his dad’s “flying lessons” that involve throwing him off the tallest building in the city and keep his supervillain girlfriend in the dark. But when Damien uncovers a plot to turn all the superheroes into zombie slaves, a plan hatched by his own mom, he has to choose: let his family become zombies, or stand up to his mom and become a real hero.

9. Psion Beta by Jacob Gowans

In the shadowy underbelly of a futuristic city, Sammy, a fourteen-year-old fugitive, stumbles upon a secret: he possesses the extraordinary powers of a Psion.

Plucked off the streets, he is thrust into the rigorously disciplined environment of Psion Beta headquarters. As a new Beta, Sammy must hone his newfound abilities using holographic fighting simulations, stealth training missions, and complex war games.

But when things go horribly wrong on a routine training mission, he must rely on the other Betas to stay alive.

10. Into the Labyrinth (Mage Errant #1) by John Bierce

Hugh of Emblin is the worst student that the Academy at Skyhold has ever seen. He can barely cast any spells at all, and those he does cast tend to fail explosively. He’s also managed to attract the ire of the most promising student of his year – the nephew of a king.

When an unusual mage unexpectedly selects him as apprentice in the Choosing, however, his life starts to take a sharp turn for the better. Now all he has to worry about is the final test for the first years – being sent into the terrifying labyrinth below Skyhold.

Urban Fantasy & Supernatural Books

Most urban fantasy tends to jump straight to adult fiction, with adult characters and grittier scenarios and content. A lot of supernatural fantasy shifts towards paranormal romance. But I found a promising few. If you can think of any more urban fantasy examples with young male leads, please share!

11. White Cat (Curse Workers 1) by Holly Black

Cassel comes from a family of curse workers—people who have the power to change your emotions, your memories, your luck, all by the slightest touch. Since curse work is illegal, they’re all criminals. But not Cassel. He hasn’t got the magic touch, so he’s an outsider—the straight kid in a crooked family—as long as you ignore one small detail: He killed his best friend, Lila.

Now he is sleepwalking, haunted by terrifying dreams of a white cat. His brothers are keeping secrets from him. As Cassel begins to suspect he’s part of one huge con game, he must unravel his past and his memories. To find out the truth, Cassel will have to outcon the conmen.

12. Infinity (Chronicles of Nick 1) by Sherrilyn Kenyon

At 14, Nick Gautier thinks he knows everything about the world around him. Streetwise, tough, and savvy, his quick sarcasm is the stuff of legends. . . until the night when his best friends try to kill him. Saved by a mysterious warrior who has more fighting skills than Chuck Norris, Nick is sucked into the realm of the Dark-Hunters: immortal vampire slayers who risk everything to save humanity.

Now Nick has to hide his werewolf friends from his mom, his chain saw from the principal, and keep the zombies and the demon Simi from eating his brains, all without getting grounded or suspended.

13. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Conor has the same dream every night, ever since his mother first fell ill, ever since she started the treatments that don’t quite seem to be working. But tonight is different. Tonight, when he wakes, there’s a visitor at his window. It’s ancient, elemental, a force of nature. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor. It wants the truth.

Patrick Ness takes the final idea of the late, award-winning writer Siobhan Dowd and weaves an extraordinary and heartbreaking tale of mischief, healing and above all, the courage it takes to survive.

14. Nightlife (Cal Leandros 1) by Rob Thurman

There’s a troll under the Brooklyn Bridge, a boggle in Central Park, and a beautiful vampire in a penthouse on the Upper East Side—and that’s only the beginning. Of course, most humans are oblivious to the preternatural nightlife around them, but Cal Leandros is only half-human.

His father’s dark lineage is the stuff of nightmares—and he and his entire otherworldly race are after Cal. Why?

He and his half-brother Niko have managed to stay a step ahead for three years, but now Cal’s dad has found them again. And Cal is about to learn why they want him, why they’ve always wanted him…

Steampunk Books

Classic steampunk mostly features adult characters, and a lot of contemporary steampunk has merged with the fantasy of manners sub-genre, featuring dashing young girls with pistols under their skirts. But here are a few that feature young men!

15. Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

It is the cusp of World War I. The Germans have their Clankers, steam-driven iron machines loaded with guns and ammunition. The British Darwinists employ genetically fabricated animals as their weaponry. Their Leviathan is a whale airship, and the most masterful beast in the British fleet.

Aleksandar Ferdinand, a Clanker, and Deryn Sharp, a Darwinist, are on opposite sides of the war. But their paths cross in the most unexpected way, taking them both aboard the Leviathan on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure…. One that will change both their lives forever.

16. The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison

The youngest, half-goblin son of the Emperor has lived his entire life in exile, distant from the Imperial Court and the deadly intrigue that suffuses it. But when his father and three half brothers are killed in an “accident,” he has no choice but to take his place as the only surviving rightful heir.

Entirely unschooled in the art of court politics, he has no friends, no advisors, and is surrounded by sycophants.

He is alone, and trying to find even a single friend . . . and hoping for the possibility of romance, yet also vigilant against the unseen enemies that threaten him, lest he lose his throne–or his life.

Comedy/Parody Fantasy

I don’t read much comedic fantasy, so if you do, please help me fill out this section. You can’t go wrong with Terry Pratchett!

17. Dodger by Terry Pratchett 

Seventeen-year-old Dodger is content as a sewer scavenger. But he enters a new world when he rescues a young girl from a beating, and her fate impacts some of the most powerful people in England.

From Dodger’s encounter with the mad barber Sweeney Todd, to his meetings with the great writer Charles Dickens and the calculating politician Benjamin Disraeli, history and fantasy intertwine in a breathtaking account of adventure and mystery.

18. Nice Dragons Finish Last (Heartstrikers 1) by Rachel Aaron

As the smallest dragon in the Heartstriker clan, Julius survives by a simple code: keep quiet, don’t cause trouble. But this meek behavior doesn’t fly in a family of ambitious magical predators, and his mother, Bethesda the Heartstriker, has had enough.

Now, sealed in his human form and banished to the DFZ–a vertical metropolis built on the ruins of Old Detroit–Julius has one month to prove he can be a ruthless dragon or kiss his true shape goodbye forever. But in a city of modern mages and vengeful spirits where dragons are exterminated, he’s going to need some serious help to survive this test.

How to Find More YA Fantasy Books with Male Leads

Here’s the trick to finding young adult books with male protagonists. They’re NOT marketed as YA anymore. Use tags such as “coming of age fantasy” or “teen fantasy.” “Adventure fantasy” is a tag more often paired with high fantasy worlds, but can still be helpful if paired with other themes you’re looking for. For instance “superhero adventure fantasy” can filter through stories that primarily feature romance.

Why am I focusing on YA? Well, it’s not hard to find adult fantasy about male main characters. It IS hard to find contemporary adult fantasy with only 1 male POV, so I also made a list for those.

Until then, stay tuned for the next male YA lists which will feature dystopian, progression fantasy, and more!

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Hi, I’m Caylah Coffeen, a freelance editor and marketer of sci-fi and fantasy books. I love reading and writing and am a follower of Jesus Christ.

I’ve worked for Monster Ivy Publishing and Eschler Editing, and am currently a weekly editor with Havok Publishing. Reach out to chat about books and publishing!

Thanks for stopping by my website! I hope you’ve found some helpful resources about reading, writing, and publishing. If you liked this article, here’s some more free content…

Book Review: The Hands of the Emperor (Lays of the Hearthfire #1) by Victoria Goddard

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Summary

Rating: 5 stars!

The Hands of the Emperor is a stunningly wrought tale of mythic friendship, set in a world of wild magic and serendipity, featuring rich diversity, epic cultural traditions, and tear-inducing moments of truth between family.

Synopsis

A magical cataclysm devastated the 5 worlds bound into the Empire of Astandalas, ending the 4000 year reign of the lion-eyed god Emperors. Upon the world of Zunidh, the last Emperor of Astandalas, now reduced merely to the lord magus of Zunidh, attempts to piece back together the magic and order of the world on which he was raised. At his right hand, Cliopher Mdang of the Wide Sea Islanders dismantles the lingering corruption of the Empire, establishing a new government and ushering in an era of peace and prosperity.

He loves his lord dearly, but magical and ritual taboos prevent them from truly being friends. Until Cliopher (Kip), seeing the deep loneliness and despair his lord has buried in his heart, invites him on a vacation to his home in the Wide Seas. His gesture, as simple as it is treasonous, changes the course of their lives and that of their world.

Characters

5/5 stars!

The characters are truly where this book shines! Most of the cast is composed of middle-aged characters, which is such a treat given the preponderance of 17-year-old heroes and heroines out on a bildungsroman. These characters know who they are, are solid in their positions in the world, and yet have half a life of choices and regrets behind them, and a whole world of unfulfilled goals before them. There are more and more layers to peel back as the story continues. Cliopher and the Emperor are the twin stars around which this story orbits, but there is a larger cast of strongly developed characters, including Cliopher’s (widely!) extended family and hometown friends and the other members of the Emperor’s household.

Kip is wicked smart, idealistic, and deeply passionate about his culture’s traditions. He’s one of those people that will-powered himself to the top through audacity and stubbornness, in addition to raw talent. In many ways, though, he’s a man at war with himself. He’s desperate for his family to understand why he’s worked so hard to improve the world but is also terrified of letting the prejudiced see what his heritage truly means to him. I related so deeply to his desperate desire to be asked about himself! His family says things like, “why didn’t you let us know how important you were,” and he says, “Because you told me I was boasting every time I mentioned something I cared deeply about!” I resonated with his deep urge to be seen and accepted for all parts of himself, but unsure of how to claim them all. Above all, he is a loyal friend who will do anything to see his Emperor smile, which is why some people have referred to this as a cozy fantasy, though I would call it a low-stakes political & mythic fantasy.

The Emperor, hereafter known as His Radiancy, as that is the title by which his personal household endearingly refers to him, is traumatized both physically, magically, and mentally due to the isolation and other side effects of his power. It’s heartbreaking to see and so rewarding to learn more about him throughout the story. Even Kip didn’t know him fully, despite spending half their lives together. In this way, it almost reads as a mystery (and there is one – if you know, you know, haha), as we piece together both his and Kip’s personal pasts, and their work to reshape the remnants of an empire.

I absolutely love the humor in this book! All these characters rib each other, often in the most subtle ways (satin anyone?).

“‘Come now, I hear you called him a soft-spoken hypocrite. What did he call you to prompt that?’
Cliopher bit his lip. ‘A reasonable man.’
‘A strike to the heart! My dear Kip, do not look so mulish. I would never stoop so low as to call you reasonable. You are quite the most radical idealist I have ever known-or at least, the only sane one.’”

The Hands of the Emperor
Fanart by @alex_caloen

Plot

4.5/5 stars

Some people have complained that this book has a rather meandering plot. I didn’t mind that, since it is decidedly a character-driven story, not a plot-driven one. I wouldn’t even call it straight political fantasy, since while Kip is essentially the Secretary of State of his whole planet, we mostly see his big picture ideas for changing the world, rather than the nitty gritty day-to-day details. All scenes and actions circle around the relationships between Kip and the Emperor, and Kip and his family. In some ways it can almost feel like slice-of-life.

I’d put it this way: the plot felt unpredictable, yet not unplanned. It feels true to life – surprises happen and throw a wrench in your plans, you have a fight with your oldest friends, get an unexpected visitor, nearly lose someone to an illness, and yet still push forward each day in service to others. And yet all of the mini conflicts and revelations propel the characters toward a unified resolution at the end, which is incredibly emotionally rewarding.

Some of Kip’s later accomplishments stretched my suspension of disbelief (establishing a universal income for an entire planet in about 5 years… and there were no major problems?). But because the story was truly about Kip and His Radiancy’s promises to each other, I pushed such doubts aside. However, the vagueness of the explanations (“Kip had contingency plans in place if things did go wrong”) would likely frustrate readers that are more interested in plot and worldbuilding than bromance.

“I have been fortunate beyond the lot of many men that not only can I, do I, admire and respect my lord and my master, but that I could, that I do, also love him.
My lord, my… Tor… if you were my brother or my cousin I could not love you more.
When you are no longer sitting on the Lion Throne, I would like to know the man behind the Serenity. As a friend.”

The Hands of the Emperor

Worldbuilding

5/5 stars!

What absolutely phenomenal worldbuilding! How rare to find a book that is so incredibly character-focused, yet has such intricately spun magic systems, cultures, traditions, and history! There is so much here, and yet I kept wanting to learn more. Kip’s culture is based around our world’s Pacific Islander culture. I’ve never read a fantasy book like that! So refreshing. There are many uniquely invented cultures too!

The Upper Aristocracy of Astandales feels somewhat like a mix between Roman, Egyptian, and Chinese governance systems, and yet in many ways entirely unique. The rulers are black, descended from both the Sun and Moon, only marry close relatives, and enact a strictly hierarchical system of taboos, blessings, and curses. They conquered and bound their empire together with wild magic yet now employ a rigid schooled magic system. What a delicious set of contradictions and delightfully tormented family history!

I did initially find discussion of “The Fall,” the cataclysmic event which broke the magical connections of the multi-world Empire, to be confusing. The main characters are all intimately familiar with the event, and no one in the world likes talking about it – it was deeply traumatic for everyone. There’s hardly a person who didn’t lose multiple family members and friends in the event, and even time was distorted, causing strange effects on the mind and body in ways even master magicians don’t understand. So basically, the characters are still confused about it, which made me kind of confused about it. The author would mention things like, 100 years ago, or 1000 years ago, so-and-so who’s still alive did x, which had me lost before I realized that time literally broke and who knows why aging didn’t happen.

I was also a bit confused about the world’s level of technology, and which world was which. Characters mention trains, universities, healthcare, and instant mail, but still carry around spears and swords and wear grass skirts if they want. I guess they feel like a 20th century society achieved through magic. The different worlds are essentially planets connected by magic “portals”in-between places,” which wasn’t explicitly stated, so at first I thought the names mentioned were other countries, not entirely separate worlds! But that’s kind of par for the course when it comes to learning about not just one world, and one prior Empire of many worlds, but also about what all those worlds are like after everything broke.

Fanart by @alex_caloen

Writing

4/5 stars

Victoria Goddard’s prose is artful in some places, and surprisingly dense in others. One moment feels like a fairy tale or scene from an old myth, where the gods materialize and issue a challenge in a voice of thunder. Then other scenes felt rather bloated with description, like a pages-long explanation of the structure of the Palace’s throne room. Kip is one of the loremasters of his culture’s oral tradition and lives out their poetry through his actions! He will absolutely walk into a room and declare, “I sing the Wide Seas!” or respond gleefully to the challenge, “Who is this who comes out of the sunrise?” So, in many ways the dialogue of the story is what’s the most artful. His Radiancy also enjoys songs and stories and can be poetic in speech (he is so into it when Kip gets into it, which is utterly adorable).

But at times I felt frustrated that Goddard didn’t go “all in” with the lyrical style and that some passages almost felt journalistic in the way information was conveyed. Yet I also think this was a complex attempt to marry two styles into one, which reflected the character’s personal journey perfectly. After all, Kip is a bureaucrat who has “elevated the report to an art form.” We see him wandering the beach under the full moon, calling upon a goddess’ blessings, and we also see him corralling politicians and writing memos in his office. It would feel strange if the latter scenes were written in a way worthy of an epic. In the second book (minimal spoilers ahead), the plot leans much more toward the mythical, so in turn, so does the writing itself. But I do find myself skipping over some chunks of description when I reread this.

Impact

5/5 stars!

Sometimes, the greater the impact a story has on you, the harder it is to write a book review. It’s a matter of exposing the sticky webs that have woven themselves around your heart and laying them out in order. I fell in love with The Hands of the Emperor on my first read and immediately went on to devour the next 4 books (plus several short stories) in her world! Then I went back and reread my favorite parts of The Hands of the Emperor. Then I fully reread both it and its sequel At the Feet of the Sun.

Each new time, I feel like my heart grows larger as these characters fill my imagination with passion, beauty, and joy. They’re the type of books that richen with each read, revealing more layers to Goddard’s world, the inner lives of these characters, and the philosophies and cultures which define them. The more books you read in life, the harder it is to find a book that truly lights a new spark in your heart (metaphor intended). This is one of those!

“I suppose we always hope that those closest to us can see into our hearts—but unless we invite them, or show them in words or deeds, how can they?”

The Hands of the Emperor

Conclusion

If you enjoy character-driven stories, diverse, sprawling worlds packed with history and magic, deep friendships and found family, and emotional and philosophical conversations, then you will love The Hands of the Emperor! Warning: you will become addicted. Writing this got me all fired up. I need to go read it a fourth time!

You can find books set in the rest of Victoria’s universe on her website! And buying books directly from her site will allow the majority of profits to go to her, not to retailers!

But if, like me, you find it hard to pass up the convenience of Prime, here you go.

P.S. I always advocate supporting authors by buying their books! But for those of you who can’t, I found almost all of Goddard’s books on Hoopla. If your library doesn’t carry them, there is a Discord fan server called the HoTE Support Group and you can request that someone gift you a copy (sub-channel: Crowdfunding the Nine Worlds)! Such a gem of a fandom!

Hi, I’m Caylah Coffeen, a freelance editor and marketer of sci-fi and fantasy books. I love reading and writing and am a follower of Jesus Christ.

I’ve worked for Monster Ivy Publishing and Eschler Editing, and am currently a weekly editor with Havok Publishing. Reach out to chat about books and publishing!

Thanks for stopping by my website! I hope you’ve found some helpful resources about reading, writing, and publishing. If you liked this article, here’s some more free content…