#The Chronicles of Arenacea

[smleeauthorspot]

Been a minute

Hey y’all!

So sorry it’s been a WHILE since I’ve given any updates but I AM ALIVE.

And I AM WRITING. Albeit slowly.

The last couple of years have just been A LOT for me. Between COVID and its stressors and personal stuff (there have been a lot of deaths in the past couple of years of ppl I care about) I just haven’t been able to focus on much more than just getting through each week.

But I am still here. I am still healthy. Things are just going much more slowly than I want them to be.

Hopefully y’all aren’t too disappointed 😅

And hopefully I’ll have something for y’all in the near future. Fingers crossed!

[arenacea]

10 reasons you might like The Chronicles of Arenacea

1) One of the two main protagonists, Zeteria, is a lesbian WOC

2) She is also a badass warrior

3) The other main protagonist, Tessimi, is a bisexual woman

4) There are gay men of color who are in love with one another

5) There will be a trans character in book 2

6) Gay dads in book 2

7) The books are about overcoming oppression

8) Lots of badass fight scenes

9) Soft wlw™️

10) High fantasy

If you’re interested in checking it out you can find it on Goodreads, Amazon, iBook, Nook, Kobo, Scribd, Smashwords and more.

Please reblog and share! 

Also, please rate it and leave me a review on whatever site you bought it from and/or on Goodreads!

[bookish-thinking]

Book Review: “The Chronicles of Arenacea” by S.M. Lee

Are you in desperate need for more diverse fantasy books? Look no further: "The Chronicles of Arenacea" has got you covered. The badass protagonist Zee is a black lesbian and the first woman warrior this very patriarchal society has had since 500 years. She is in a f/f relationship, there is a gay couple as side characters, and overall, there are more female than male characters. But the awesomeness does not stop there: their relationship is very well build up, slowly and naturally. The society also has an interesting LGBT-acceptance, with gay relationships actually being tolerated, but lesbian relationships being strictly forbidden. And I loved the constant surprise of the male characters about women being violent and fighting back - they never expected it!

The world building in general was great. It is a society of strict classes - the rulers, the fighters send out in combats to gain favors for their masters, the servants (and the healers, which are technically separate). This class system overlapped with a family or allegiance system, which was a bit confusing in the beginning, as too many names and titles were thrown around. But it clears up easily. And although the world is small (it all takes place in just one keep), it was filled to the brim with interesting plots and a lot of action. I liked the main conflict, which was present without the usual trope of a chosen one or a typical quest story line. In many more minor details, S.M. Lee did a good job of deviating from the expected to write a more interesting story.

The fight scenes were all amazing, whether Zee was in them or just watching, whether practicing on her own or fighting for her life. They were not too drawn out, yet detailed enough to basically feel every hit on yourself. As a bonus, the readers get a few practical self-defense lessons - who can say no to that? The characters were all deep and multi-layered and very realistic, down to the side characters. I also loved that Zee had great moral qualms about fighting, and was not some heartless killer. She was allowed to be feminine while kicking ass.

Overall, a 4,5 out of 5 star rating: the world being so confined, the confusion about the titles in the beginning, and a slight cringe factor of the love scenes caused that rating. But those a minor issues. I am really looking forward to the rest of this series! Also: great job writing a first installment that does not already end with a big bang action set piece, but merely sets up a larger conflict, while also standing well on its own.

[lost-in-a-story]

book mail! I picked up The Chronicles of Arenacea: Book One by @arenacea and Eleven Dancing Sisters by @melwikwrites! I’m hoping to get to both of them by the end of the year :)

[wlwfiction]

Hello! I was just wondering if you would check out the book The Chronicles of Arenacea? It’s a fantasy novel with a wlw storyline. I would very much appreciate it if you would consider reading and reviewing it. And then, if you enjoy it, perhaps you could recommend it to your followers? It’s available as a paperback on Amazon. Or, if you prefer ebook, you can get it on Kindle, Nook, iBook, Kobo or Smashwords. You can also check it out on Goodreads! It’s the first book I’ve published so I’m trying to promote it! Thanks!

Here’s a quick synopsis: Zeteria is the first woman to be warrior caste in over 500 years. Her world is harsh and unyielding, filled with fights to the death in an arena for the “glory” of the lord of her house. The noble caste is all powerful, treating women and the other castes as slaves. Zee’s life changes when she meets Tessimi, a noble born woman who has become servant caste due to the fact that she’s, as of yet, unmarried. In their world, love between two women is punishable by death. But that won’t stop Zeteria and Tessimi from fighting for a way to be together.

Just as a warning, there is a bit of violence.  (I don’t want to trigger anyone.)

Feel free to follow me for more updates about future books or if you want to discuss the book or my writing process with me!

Thanks!

[leavethereaderalone]

[28/09/17] Currently reading: The Chronicles of Arenacea Honestly when I first started reading this I wasn't really sure but it's been really good so far! Warriors, lesbians, warrior lesbians what more could you wish for right? 📚

[nikki-loves-books]

Hello! I was just wondering if you would check out the book The Chronicles of Arenacea? It's a fantasy novel with a wlw storyline. I would very much appreciate it if you would consider reading and reviewing it. And then, if you enjoy it, perhaps you could recommend it to your followers? It's available as a paperback on Amazon. Or, if you prefer ebook, you can get it on Kindle, Nook, iBook, Kobo or Smashwords. Thanks!

Sure. I’m always looking for wlw reads, so I’ll look into it :)

[sapphic-ai]

Hello! I don't know if you're interested in sci-fi/fantasy novels with wlw storylines, but if you are would you please consider reading and reviewing The Chronicles of Arenacea? It's fantasy with a wlw romance. It's available in ebook form on like any platform and is also available as a paperback on Amazon. And if you like it, perhaps you could recommend it to your followers? Thanks!

I’ll definitely check it out and recommend my followers to at least check it out no matter what! Here’s a link:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071NYSMXQ

Do digital and physical sales benefit the author equally, or is one more beneficial/ higher commission than the other?

[biandlesbianliterature]

Do you have any recommendations for books similar to The Chronicles of Arenacea? I absolutely LOVED that book and I was hoping to find something similar while I wait for the second one to come out.

I’m sorry, I haven’t read that one! Maybe some of my followers will have recs?

[inkinpages]

Hello! I was just wondering if you would check out the book The Chronicles of Arenacea? It's a fantasy novel with a wlw storyline. I would very much appreciate it if you would consider reading and leaving a review for it. And then, if you enjoy it, perhaps you could recommend it to your followers? It's available as a paperback on Amazon. Or, if you prefer ebook, you can get it on Kindle, Nook, iBook, Kobo or Smashwords. It's the first book I've published so I'm trying to promote it! Thanks!

Of course!! I read the synopsis and sounds very interesting, I’ll add it to my TBR. Here’s the Goodreads link for my followers :)

[smleeauthorspot]

Ebook Week!

Check out read an ebook week March 7th-March 13th from Smashwords!

They'll have lots of great ebook titles from independent authors like me on sale for the whole week!

https://www.smashwords.com/books/category/1/newest/1

[arenacea]

I just realized I never really posted my final version of the map! 

Took me forever to do, but here it is!

Don’t forget to check out The Chronicles of Arenacea Book 1 on Amazon, Smashwords, iBook, Nook and Kobo.

There’s also a Goodreads page!

[bookish-thinking]

Top 5 Favorite F/F Couples

1. Finn and Willa (from “Future Leaders of Nowhere”): two ambitious, strong girls who slowly, realistically and adorably fall in love with one another? Yes, please.

2. Sarah and Linda (from “Lies We Tell Ourselves”): historical fiction about race, and a mixed race lesbian couple, very well written and a great discussion of topics of discrimination and intersectionality. 

3. Idgie and Ruth (from “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe”): more historical fiction, more strong women in love with each other, more “yes, please”.

4. Ersel and Ragna (from “The Seafarer’s Kiss”): Nordic fantasy with mermaids AND well-written, adorable f/f romance, this book is a must-read.

5. Zeteria and Tessimi (from “The Chronicles of Arenacea”): a recent publication and I will never tire of recommending it. Action-packed, cute, strong female characters, fighting against the patriarchy, and more books to come.

T5W by Samantha

[folatefangirl]

Fantasy Book Recs: Masterpost

Disclaimer: All of these books are books are either books I’ve read, or that I’ve read enough of to feel comfortable recommending, so it’s biased and YMMV. Fantasy is defined rather loosely here for the sake of giving y’all more options.

Tips: This rec list has a lot of repeats because it’s organized by specific categories. Scroll down to the section or sections that seem the most interesting to you and have at it! (Let me know if links aren’t working.)

Last updated: June 29th, 2019

First Section: Read What You Want, Y’all

Fantasy classics book recs: 

Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll*

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum*

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis*

Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie*

Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper

The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander*

I’m not your mother so just read them, y’all. Or read some quality HP fanfiction to scratch that itch. (I highly recommend Oh God Not Again!, Hermione Granger’s Hogwarts Crammer for Delinquents on the Run, and Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality.)

Not!Harry Potter books:

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

The Magicians by Lev Grossman

Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo*

Short stories and short story collections:

A Glory of Unicorns compiled by Bruce Coville*

The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling*

Tales of Nevèrÿon by Samuel R. Delany (explicit adult content)

Across the Wall by Garth Nix

Vampires in the Lemon Grove by Karen Russell (disturbing content)

Theater of Cruelty by Terry Pratchett

Jackalope Wives by T. Kingfisher

Resilience compiled by Sasha L. Miller (explicit adult content)

A Faire Encounter by A.M. Valenza

The City of Dreams by Hailey Griffiths

Unlocking the Air by Ursula K. Le Guin

Valor Vol. 1 compiled by Isabelle Melançon (collection of indie stories)

Valor Vol. 2 compiled by Isabelle Melançon (a bunch of new stories)

Tortall and Other Lands by Tamora Pierce

The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin (available here)

The Fairy’s Return by Gail Carson Levine*

Death and What Comes Next by Terry Pratchett

The Found and the Lost by Ursula K. Le Guin

Solid standalone fantasy stories:

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Otherbound by Corinne Duyvis

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson*

In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay

The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay

River of Stars by Guy Gavriel Kay

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

Indie fantasy book recs:

Thornfruit by Felicia Davin

City of Dreams by Hailey Griffiths

A Faire Encounter + Alexey Dyed in Red by A.M. Valenza @amvi1323

Sunblind by Ramona Meisel @rmeisel​ (modern retelling in a prose and poetry format of Icarus and Apollo)

The Raven and the Reindeer by T. Kingfisher @tkingfisher

Digger by Ursula Vernon* (also available here)

The Chronicles of Arenacea by S.M. Lee @arenacea​

Our Bloody Pearl by D.N. Bryn @brynwrites​

The Songbird’s Refrain by Jillian Maria

The Posterchildren by Kitty Burroughs

The Fever King by Victoria Lee

Ice Massacre by Tiana Warner

Valor Vol. 1 compiled by Isabelle Melançon (collection of short stories) @isaportfolio​

Valor Vol. 2 compiled by Isabelle Melançon (a bunch of new stories)

Deadline by Stephanie Ahn @delphiiwrites​ (explicit adult content, BDSM)

More Than Enough by Elizabeth Wambheim @ajumbleofpages​

The Bones of the Earth by Scott Hale (warning: very disturbing content and body horror)

Resilience compiled by Sasha L. Miller (explicit adult content) @lessthanthreepress​

Nightblade by Garrett Robinson @garrettauthor​

Robbergirl by S.T. Gibson

Maple Street by A.M. Dorhauer*

Ascendant by Kimberly Grey

The Queen of Ieflaria by Effie Calvin

Second Section: Things in Fantasy Books

Main Characters of Color:

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

Jade City by Fonda Lee

Thornfruit by Felicia Davin

Tales of Nevèrÿon by Samuel R. Delany

Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher

More Than Enough by Elizabeth Wambheim

The Telling by Ursula K. Le Guin**

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale

Otherbound by Corinne Duyvis (also has a disabled main character)

City of Flowers by Mary Hoffman** (Stravaganza #3)

Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows

The Posterchildren by Kitty Burroughs

The Fever King by Victoria Lee

Fire by Kristin Cashore** (Graceling #2)

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore** (Graceling #3, warnings for abuse/suicide)

Daja’s Book by Tamora Pierce** (Circle of Magic #3)

Briar’s Book by Tamora Pierce** (Circle of Magic #4)

Circle Opens quartet by Tamora Pierce

Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova

River of Stars by Guy Gavriel Kay

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Deadline by Stephanie Ahn

LGBT+ Main Characters (yes, the rainbow is 100% intentional):

Daughter of Mystery by Heather Rose Jones (wlw)

Battle Magic by Tamora Pierce** (bi rep) (note LOTS of content and trigger warnings including genocide and animal harm)

More Than Enough by Elizabeth Wambheim (mlm, ace rep)

The Telling by Ursula K. Le Guin** (wlw)

Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner (mlm)

Mother of Souls by Heather Rose Jones** (wlw)

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson (mlm)

Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett** (wlw)

Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire** (wlw)

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo (mlm, bi rep)

Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova (wlw, bi rep)

The Mystic Marriage by Heather Rose Jones (wlw)

Valor Vol. 1 compiled by Isabelle Melançon (wlw, trans rep)

Ice Massacre by Tiana Warner (wlw)

Robbergirl by S.T. Gibson (wlw)

The Songbird’s Refrain by Jillian Maria (wlw)

The Queen of Ieflaria by Effie Calvin (wlw)

Deadline by Stephanie Ahn (wlw)

First Test by Tamora Pierce (ace-spec rep)

The Will of the Empress by Tamora Pierce** (wlw, ace rep, bi rep)

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (mlm)

Wicked by Gregory Maguire (bi rep)

Son of a Witch by Gregory Maguire** (mlm, bi rep)

Valor Vol. 2 compiled by Isabelle Melançon (wlw)

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee (mlm, bi rep, ace rep)

Our Bloody Pearl by D.N. Bryn (nonbinary rep, wlw rep)

The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater** (mlm)

Otherbound by Corinne Duyvis (wlw, bi rep, also disability rep)

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell (mlm, gay and bi rep)

In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan (mlm, gay and bi rep)

The Gardener’s Hand series by Felicia Davin (wlw and mlm)

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi (mlm)

Jade City by Fonda Lee (mlm)

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang (genderqueer)

The Fever King by Victoria Lee (mlm)

The Posterchildren by Kitty Burroughs (wlw and mlm)

Dragons books:

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling**

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

Son of a Witch by Gregory Maguire**

The Fire Within by Chris D’Lacey*

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede*

Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin

Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows

The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee

Fairies and Fae:

Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie*

Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs** (btw the fandom hates the American covers which is why this cover is not the one you’ll see on Goodreads)

The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander*

The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi

The Fairy’s Return by Gail Carson Levine*

Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson

The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett (Tiffany Aching #1)*

In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan

Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Mages and Magicians books:

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

The Magicians by Lev Grossman

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce (Immortals #1)

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

Graceling by Kristin Cashore (Graceling #1)

Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay

Sabriel by Garth Nix (Abhorsen #1)

Circle of Magic Quartet by Tamora Pierce*

The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater

Thornfruit by Felicia Davin

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

Jade City by Fonda Lee

Witches and Wizards books:

Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs (aka why we hate the American covers)

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin

The Witches by Roald Dahl*

Wicked by Gregory Maguire

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis*

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

The Fever King by Victoria Lee (warnings for trauma and CSA)

The City of Dreams by Hailey Griffiths

The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett (Tiffany Aching #1)*

Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett**

Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones*

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede*

The Phoenix Dance by Dia Calhoun

The Songbird’s Refrain by Jillian Maria

Sassy Cat Companions:

In the Hand of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce**

Sabriel by Garth Nix (Abhorsen #1)

Beka Cooper: Terrier by Tamora Pierce

Vampire books:

Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett

Vampires in the Lemon Grove by Karen Russell (disturbing content)

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs** (content warnings for a lot of things)

Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire**

Maple Street by A.M. Dorhauer*

Books with unicorns:

A Glory of Unicorns compiled by Bruce Coville*

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling*

The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis**

In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan

Third Section: Subgenres of Fantasy Books

Historical Fiction and Fantasy books: 

Stravaganza series by Mary Hoffman

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

Sailing to Sarantium by Guy Gavriel Kay

River of Stars by Guy Gavriel Kay

Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay

The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Daughter of Mystery by Heather Rose Jones

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

Science Fiction and Fantasy books:

Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey

Discworld series by Terry Pratchett (handy reading guides: [1] [2] [3])

Tales of Neveryon by Samuel R. Delany

Fall of Angels by L.E. Modesitt Jr.**

The Telling by Ursula K. Le Guin**

Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn

Otherbound by Corinne Duyvis

Resilience compiled by Sasha L. Miller (explicit adult content)

The Bones of the Earth by Scott Hale (warnings for disturbing content and a lot of body horror)

The Fever King by Victoria Lee (content warnings for trauma and CSA)

Celtic and Arthurian fantasy books:

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater

The Dark Is Rising sequence by Susan Cooper

The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander*

“Under the Lake” by Garth Nix (within Across the Wall)

The Fionavar Tapestry by Guy Gavriel Kay

Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell (prose and poetry)

The Keltiad Series by Patricia Kennealy-Morrison (mostly out of print but you might find these used or in a library)

Mythology books: 

Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Circe by Madeline Miller

Sunblind by Ramona Meisel (modern retelling in prose and poetry format of Icarus and Apollo)

A Hundred Forevers by Ramona Meisel (modern retelling in prose and poetry format of Hades and Persephone)

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman

Hekití and the Moon: A Taíno Legend by M.C. Olmo

If Lost, Please Return To by A.M. Valenza

Fairy tale-inspired fantasy books:

Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher

More Than Enough by Elizabeth Wambheim

The Raven and the Reindeer by T. Kingfisher

Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling

Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones*

A Curse as Dark as Gold by Elizabeth C. Bunce

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

Uprooted by Naomi Novik

Robbergirl by S.T. Gibson

The Phoenix Dance by Dia Calhoun

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine*

The Fairy’s Return by Gail Carson Levine*

The Frog Princess by E.D. Baker* (the bookspiration for Princess Tiana)

Beauty by Robin McKinley

The Princess Academy by Shannon Hale*

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire

Valor Vol. 1 compiled by Isabelle Melançon

Valor Vol. 2 compiled by Isabelle Melançon

Funny fantasy books:

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson #1)

Welcome to Night Vale by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede (Enchanted Forest #1)*

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

Mort by Terry Pratchett

Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett**

In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Digger by Ursula Vernon*

Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones*

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine*

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

Night Watch by Terry Pratchett**

Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett

Graphic novels with fantasy content:

Digger by Ursula Vernon

The Hedge Knight by Ben Avery and George R.R. Martin

Valor Vol. 1 compiled by Isabelle Melançon (also includes short stories)

Valor Vol. 2 compiled by Isabelle Melançon (also includes short stories)

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

Preludes & Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman (The Sandman comics series)

Creepy fantasy books: 

Welcome to Night Vale by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore** (content warnings for abuse and suicide)

The Dark is Rising sequence by Susan Cooper

The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi

The Wicked Years by Gregory Maguire

The Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs (note content warnings for just about everything in this series)

The Abhorsen series by Garth Nix

Vampires in the Lemon Grove by Karen Russell (has disturbing content)

Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire

NOTE: With possibly the exception of Shadow Spinner, don’t read these if you are easily triggered by disturbing content (e.g. death, abuse, etc.), in particular Briar Rose because it is a Holocaust story.

Stories that are downright disturbing and pure nightmare fuel (welcome to my hell): 

Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher (based on the story of Scheherazade) 

Briar Rose by Jane Yolen (Holocaust story written by a Jewish author, very disturbing and contains homophobia in addition to depictions of Nazi-era antisemitism)

The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor (Alice in Wonderland... but like a really super fucked up AU)

Wendy by Karen Wallace (disturbing Peter Pan retelling and has child abuse so FYI)

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire (unsettling Cinderella retelling in the era of the Dutch tulip mania)

The Problem of Susan by Neil Gaiman (available here and a very dark “what if” about the character Susan Pevensie)

Snow, Glass, Apples by Neil Gaiman (available here and a very dark retelling of Snow White)

Never by T. Kingfisher (available here and an incredibly disturbing and dark Peter Pan retelling so don’t say I didn’t warn you)

Elegant and Fine by T. Kingfisher (available here and yet another “what if” story about Susan Pevensie)

The Wolf & the Woodsman by T. Kingfisher (available here and a dark retelling of Little Red Riding Hood)

The Bones of the Earth by Scott Hale (body horror and very disturbing apocalyptic fiction with both sci-fi and fantasy elements)

The Fever King by Victoria Lee (lots of trauma, CSA, death, medical scenes, etc)

Fantasy books with less magic: 

Stravaganza series by Mary Hoffman

The Hedge Knight by Ben Avery and George R.R. Martin

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay

Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner

Tales of Nevèrÿon by Samuel R. Delany

Welcome to Night Vale by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

River of Stars by Guy Gavriel Kay

Nightblade by Garrett Robinson

Night Watch by Terry Pratchett

Daughter of Mystery by Heather Rose Jones

City of Dreams by Hailey Griffiths

Fantasy books and series lacking a major romantic arc:

Night Watch by Terry Pratchett

Reaper Man by Terry Pratchett

The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett*

Protector of the Small Quartet by Tamora Pierce (one relationship in later books but no romantic endgame)

Circle of Magic and Circle Opens Quartets by Tamora Pierce*

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis* (except The Horse and His Boy)

Welcome to Night Vale by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor

Castaways of the Flying Dutchman by Brian Jacques* (also many of his other kid-friendly Redwall books, but it depends so send me an ask or check the fan wiki)

See also: https://bookriot.com/2016/10/12/100-must-read-ya-books-little-no-romance/

Fantasy books that will give you an existential crisis and/or food for thought: 

The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin (also available here)

The Great Good Thing by Roderick Townley*

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman (also called The Golden Compass or Northern Lights)

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman

Tales of Neveryon by Samuel R. Delany

Fantasy books with religious satire and/or social commentary, from left to right:

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay

His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman (also called The Golden Compass or Northern Lights)

Small Gods by Terry Pratchett

Daughter of Mystery by Heather Rose Jones

Fantasy books with Christian elements/themes:

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

The Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs (again content warnings for just about everything for the entire series)

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis*

Castaways of the Flying Dutchman by Brian Jacques*

Redwall series by Brian Jacques* (and yes, I’ve read dozens of those books so I’m well aware that it’s not nearly as overt in this series as in the Flying Dutchman series but c’mon, it’s about an Abbey led by Abbots and Abbesses and St Ninian’s Church is canonical)

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Daughter of Mystery by Heather Rose Jones

Ascendant by Kimberly Grey

Fantasy books about books or the writing process:

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett**

The Great Good Thing by Roderick Townley*

The Field Guide by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi (Spiderwick #1)

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

Thornfruit by Felicia Davin

Bonus Book Rec Sections: 

Ocean Organisms and Folklore: 

Our Bloody Pearl by D.N. Bryn

Ice Massacre by Tiana Warner

In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan

If Lost, Please Return To by A.M. Valenza

The Gardener’s Hand series by Felicia Davin

The Ladies Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Lady Knights:

Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce

First Test by Tamora Pierce

Beka Cooper: Terrier by Tamora Pierce

A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin

More Than Enough by Elizabeth Wambheim

Plant Nerds Unite: 

Briar’s Book (Circle of Magic) by Tamora Pierce

Street Magic (Circle Opens) by Tamora Pierce

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

The Gardener’s Hand series by Felicia Davin

Circe by Madeline Miller

Political Intrigue: 

Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay

The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay

A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin

The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

Heist and Urban Fantasy: 

The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Jade City by Fonda Lee

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

The Fever King by Victoria Lee (warnings for trauma, CSA, other dark content; this is a fantasy dystopia in a way)

Beka Cooper: Terrier by Tamora Pierce

Superheroes & Supervillains:

The Fever King by Victoria Lee

Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee

The Posterchildren by Kitty Burroughs

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Medically-Focused Protagonists: 

Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce

Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce

The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay

The Ladies Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee

The Posterchildren by Kitty Burroughs

Briar’s Book (Circle of Magic) by Tamora Pierce

Free Internet-Only Stories, Series, and Webcomics:

If you want a good fantasy series that’s entirely on the internet and that parodies and subverts common fantasy tropes, I highly recommend the Pretentious Pentad by Limyaael, which starts with Prophecy of Four Royals With One Mistake.

Aerial Magic by walkingnorth on webtoons (witchy stuff, wlw, wholesome fluff)

Sharp Zero by robotsharks on Tapas (superheroes, basically all the lgbt+ rep you could possibly imagine)

Worm, a dark superhero web serial on Wordpress with a lot of content warnings

Of the Wild by Elizabeth Wambheim on Wordpress

Footnotes:

*Appropriate for young children ~ 7-10 years old and up, so older readers might find the writing a bit juvenile, though they might still enjoy it

**A later book in a series, so YMMV on whether or not you want to read the previous ones first

[nymphettebookish]

Hello! I was just wondering if you would check out the book The Chronicles of Arenacea? It's a fantasy novel with a wlw storyline. I would very much appreciate it if you would consider reading and reviewing it. And then, if you enjoy it, perhaps you could recommend it to your followers? It's available as a paperback on Amazon. Or, if you prefer ebook, you can get it on Kindle, Nook, iBook, Kobo or Smashwords. It's the first book I've published so I'm trying to promote it! Thanks!

of course i will totally look into it

[thedruidsforest]

The Chronicles of Arenacea by S.M. Lee is a good book! But it's not available in bookstores. Amazon though! It's fantasy with a wlw storyline!

YES PERFECT AWESOME THANK YOU!