I hesitated over publishing this post because I don’t think reading books by black authors, or any POC authors, should be a trend. Being a POC isn’t a genre, and I believe in promoting diverse books year round. But I realize that some people may be like me and not know where to start looking for books to read. (It took hours of research for me to compile a list of science fiction and fantasy books by black authors. In the process, I learned about many books that I never knew existed.)
As a bookish community, we can support black authors by buying, reading, and sharing about their works. We can also post reviews on our social media platforms, Goodreads, and retail sites. Visibility is crucial for word to spread about a book. We often buy books because people recommended them to us, or we see multiple bloggers share about the book. Many things need to change in the publishing industry (for one, look at the Twitter hashtag #PublishingPaidMe). One way we can tell publishers that we value the work of black authors is by purchasing and sharing about their books.
The following list of books that I’ve compiled is meant to be a starting place. A lot more change needs to happen in our nation (CW @ The Quiet Pond has compiled a list of ways you can support #BlackLivesMatter). Reading can’t replace going out and taking action in the community, but it can be a place to build empathy. I believe in the power of stories to examine the human condition and teach us about people who look different, people with different experiences, people who come from different backgrounds. And it can be a starting place for conversations to happen. Because we won’t understand, we can’t empathize, until we first listen to the stories of people who have suffered from our broken system.
To start, I’m sharing a list of 12 fantasy books by black authors. In the following weeks, I will share a list of science fiction works by black authors and YA science fiction/fantasy books by black authors.
And I pledge to read these books.
12 Fantasy Books by Black Authors
The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle
Charles Thomas Tester knows what magic a suit can cast, the invisibility a guitar case can provide, and the curse written on his skin that attracts the eye of wealthy white folks and their cops. But when Tom delivers an occult tome to a reclusive sorceress in the heart of Queens, he opens a door to a deeper realm of magic, and earns the attention of things best left sleeping. A storm that might swallow the world is building in Brooklyn. Will Tom live to see it break?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Victor LaValle is the author of four novels, two novellas, a short story collection, and a comic book. He has been the recipient of numerous awards including the World Fantasy Award, British World Fantasy Award, and the key to Southeast Queens. He was raised in Queens, New York. He now lives in Washington Heights with his wife and kids. He teaches at Columbia University. You can find him on his website and Twitter.
Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James
The Dark Star Trilogy #1
When the mercenary Tracker is hired to track down a mysterious boy who disappeared three years earlier, he breaks his rule of working solo to team up with a hodgepodge band full of unusual characters with secrets of their own, including a shape-shifting man-animal known as Leopard. Their search will take them through a “mythical Africa populated by vampires and witches and unreliable narrators.” In what he calls his “African Game of Thrones,” Marlon James has drawn form African history and mythology, and his own rich imagination, in this tale that explores the fundamentals of truths, the limits of power, the excesses of ambition, and our need to understand them all.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Marlon James is a Jamaican-born writer. He has published four novels: John Crow’s Devil (2005), The Book of Night Women (2009) and A Brief History of Seven Killings (2014), and Black Leopard, Red Wolf (2019). James divides his time between Minnesota and New York. You can find him on his website, Twitter, and Instagram.
Dark Matter: A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora, edited by Sheree Thomas
This volume introduces black science fiction, fantasy, and speculative fiction writers to the generations of readers who have not had the chance to explore the scope and diversity among African-American writers. Dark Matter was honored with the 2005 and the 2001 World Fantasy Award and named a New York Times Notable Book of the Year.
ABOUT THE EDITOR
Sheree Thomas is an American writer, book editor, and publisher. She has contributed to national publications including the Washington Post “Book World”, Black Issues Book Review, QBR, and Hip Mama. Her fiction and poetry have appeared in Ishmael Reed’s Konch, Drumvoices Revue, Obsidian III, African Voices, storySouth, and other literary journals, and she has received Honorable Mention in the Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror, 16th and 17th annual collections. A native of Memphis, she lives in New York City. You can find her on Twitter.
David Mogo, Godhunter by Suyi Davies Okungbowa
A demigod and freelance Godhunter, David Mogo, captures a high god for a renowned wizard, who proceeds to conjure a legion of Taboos—feral godling-child hybrids—to seize Lagos for himself. To fix his mistake and keep Lagos standing, David teams up with his foster wizard, the high god’s twin sister and a speech-impaired Muslim teenage girl to defeat the wizard.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Suyi Davies Okungbowa is a Nigerian author of the forthcoming The Nameless Republic fantasy trilogy (Orbit, 2021) and the highly-anticipated godpunk novel, David Mogo, Godhunter (Abaddon, 2019). His shorter works have appeared internationally in multiple periodicals and anthologies. He lives between Lagos, Nigeria and Tucson, Arizona where he teaches writing at the University of Arizona while completing his MFA in fiction. You can find him at his website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Fledgling by Octavia E. Butler
An apparently young, amnesiac girl’s alarmingly inhuman needs and abilities lead her to a startling conclusion: She is in fact a genetically modified, 53-year-old vampire. Forced to discover what she can about her stolen former life, she must simultaneously learn who wants to destroy her and those she cares for and how she can save herself. [Note: This book has both fantasy and science fiction elements.]
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Octavia Estelle Butler was an American science fiction writer. She won both Hugo and Nebula awards. In 1995, she became the first science fiction writer to receive the MacArthur Foundation “Genius” Grant.
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin
Inheritance #1
Yeine Darr is an outcast from the barbarian north. But when her mother dies under mysterious circumstances, she is summoned to the majestic city of Sky. There, to her shock, Yeine is named an heiress to the king. But the throne of the Hundred Thousand Kingdoms is not easily won, and Yeine is thrust into a vicious power struggle.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
N(ora). K. Jemisin is a New York Times-bestselling author of speculative fiction short stories and novels, who lives and writes in Brooklyn, NY. In 2018, she became the first author to win three Best Novel Hugos in a row for her Broken Earth trilogy. She has also won a Nebula Award, two Locus Awards, and a number of other honors.
Imaro by Charles R. Saunders
Charles Saunders brings to the traditional heroic fantasy tale a broad knowledge of, and passion for, the history and myths of Africa. Set in a pre-colonial, alternate Africa, Imaro is the rousing adventure about a young man’s continuing struggle to gain acceptance amongst his people, break the cycle of alienation and violence that plagues his life, and find a home.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Charles R. Saunders was born in 1946 in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania and emigrated to Canada in 1970. He has published science fiction and screenplays, two of which have become feature films. Saunders has also written a radio play, as well as other non-fiction works. He currently works as a journalist in Halifax, Nova Scotia and is the author of two recent works of historical non-fiction: Share and Care: The Story of the Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children and Black and Bluenose: The Contemporary History of a Community. You can find him on his website.
Lost Gods by Micah Yongo
Lost Gods #1
After he is framed for the murder of his closest friend, Neythan, a young assassin, finds himself hunted by his brotherhood. His pursuit of his betrayer will lead him across the five realms, reveal the breaches that lie beneath the world, and the hidden truths of his oath.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Micah Yongo is a Manchester-based writer with an interest in books (obviously), movies, the arts, boxsets, all things sci-fi, superheroes; random nerdy bits of pop psychology, anthropology or philosophy; and of course his beloved home city of Manchester, England. He is a Brave New Words finalist. British Fantasy Award shortlistee, and author of Lost Gods and Pale Kings.
The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter
The Burning #1
In a society that has been fighting an unwinnable fight for almost two hundred years, young gift-less Tau is destined to fight and die in the endless war. He plans to escape—until those closest to him are brutally murdered. Fixated on revenge, Tau sets out to become the greatest swordsman to ever live and kill the three who betrayed him.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Evan Winter was born in England to South American parents and raised in Africa near the historical territory of his Xhosa ancestors. He grew up reading fantasy, loving fantasy, and believing that it’s our stories that make us who we are. He was, among other things, a director and cinematographer before realizing that the words in his head would never write themselves. So, he started writing them. You can find him on his website and Twitter.
A Stranger in Olondria by Sofia Samatar
When Jevick becomes haunted by the ghost of an illiterate young girl, he seeks the aid of Olondrian priests and quickly becomes a pawn in the struggle between the empire’s two most powerful cults. Yet even as the country shimmers on the cusp of war, he must face his ghost and learn her story before he has any chance of becoming free by setting her free.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sofia Samatar is the author of the novels A Stranger in Olondria and The Winged Histories, the short story collection, Tender, and Monster Portraits, a collaboration with her brother, the artist Del Samatar. Her work has won several awards, including the World Fantasy Award. She teaches African literature, Arabic literature, and speculative fiction at James Madison University. You can find her on her website.
Tales of Nevèrÿon by Samuel R. Delaney
In his four-volume series Return to Nevèrÿon, Samuel R. Delany appropriates the conceits of sword-and-sorcery fantasy to chronicle a long-ago land on civilization’s brink, perhaps in Asia or Africa, or even on the Mediterranean. Taken slave in childhood, Gorgik gains his freedom, leads a slave revolt, and becomes a minister of state, finally abolishing slavery. Ironically, however, he is sexually aroused by the iron slave collars of servitude. Does this contaminate his mission—or intensify it?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Samuel Ray Delany was born and raised in Harlem. He has written multiple science fiction and fantasy tales, a book-length autobiographical essay, several collections of critical essays, and a popular creative writing textbook, About Writing. Delany retired from teaching at the end of 2015. He lives in Philadelphia with his partner. You can find him on his website and on Facebook.
The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Young Hiram Walker was born into bondage. When his mother was sold away, Hiram was robbed of all memory of her—but was gifted with a mysterious power that later saves his life. After his brush with death, Hiram plots to escape from the only home he’s ever known. So begins his journey from the coffin of the deep South to the dangerously utopic movements in the North, his enlistment in the underground war between slavers and the enslaved, and his resolve to rescue the family he left behind.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ta-Nehisi Coates is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Between the World and Me, a finalist for the National Book Award. A MacArthur “Genius Grant” fellow, Coates has received the National Magazine Award, the Hillman Prize for Opinion and Analysis Journalism, and the George Polk Award for his Atlantic cover story “The Case for Reparations.” He lives in New York with his wife and son. You can find him on his website and on Instagram.
Let’s Chat
Have you read, or plan to read, any of these books?
What are some books by black authors that you’ve enjoyed or plan to read?
Zezee @ Zezee with Books says
The Ballad of Black Tom was pretty interesting but a good read, and so too Black Leopard, Red Wolf. The latter took a while to get into and is pretty dark, but the story is well written and told.
Crystal (Kester) says
That’s great to hear, Zezee! I look forward to checking them out.
Davida Chazan says
I don’t read fantasy at all, but I’ve seen some of these books reviewed on blogs.
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction says
Thanks so much for sharing these! I agree that supporting black authors is one small way that we can help make sure that their stories are told.
Susan (Bloggin' 'bout Books) says
I don’t read much fantasy, so I haven’t heard of most of these books. Sci-fi is more to my liking, so I’ll be sure to check out next week’s list.
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Crystal (Kester) says
I hope you find some new sci-fi books to love!
Deanna @ A Novel Glimpse says
This a great list! Thanks for sharing all of these authors with us!
Danyelle Book Blogger says
I agree! Great List!!
Here is my TTT!
https://dmhoisington.wordpress.com/2020/06/09/top-ten-tuesday-5/
Sammie @ The Bookwyrm's Den says
I so agree with your initial thought about reading from black authors should just be a thing, like reading from any author, rather than separated out … but also, I know a lot of people who just … don’t? So I love posts like this that show people where to start, in case they want to make sure to add diversity to their TBRs. 🙂 I know that I personally don’t actually pay attention to the author sometimes (let alone their race) and there are several books on this list that I didn’t even realize were by black authors. xD
Like Victor LaValle? Had no idea. That book’s on my TBR, but I wouldn’t have known until you pointed it out haha. Didn’t realize about The Rage of Dragons, either, which is *obviously* on my TBR because dragons. Duh. I’ve read David Mogo, though, and it’s such a unique perspective, since it’s set in Nigeria, and I love that it features the Orisha as actual characters, rather than nameless/faceless gods (because in reality, they’ve got a long, rich lore that’s just perfect for fantasy stories).
Crystal (Kester) says
I’ve also been bad in the past about looking into authors unless I recognize the name from past books I’ve read. Since I got the Ultimate BB plugin, I’ve started reading author bios when I add them to my posts. (I need to be more consistent though!) But I also know people who don’t go out of their way to diversify their reading list. I hope this list helps people find new books to love!
The Rage of Dragons is one of my favorite books I’ve read this year. I highly recommend it!
Lydia says
You did an awesome job with this list. Bravo.
My TTT .