It’s been a few weeks since the fall semester started—and I’m singing to myself, why do I do this to me?
As in . . . why did I sign up for fifteen credits?
I think (hope) I’ll love myself for it later. But right now, I’m kicking myself for all the stress-induced frenzy of graduate life. Because of all the coursework, I won’t be reading ten books for fun. I do plan on making the following four a priority.
Four Fantasy Books on My Fall TBR
Babel, or The Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators’ Revolution
by R.F. Kuang
In a world where silver and foreign languages power the magic that serves British imperial expansion, Robin Swift enrolls at Oxford University’s prestigious Royal Institute of Translation, aka. Babel. But as a Chinese boy, his pursuit of knowledge inevitably means betraying his motherland, and he must decide whether institutions can be changed from within—or whether revolution always requires violence. Babel grapples with student revolutions, colonial resistance, and the use of translation as a tool of empire.
A graduate of Oxford, Kuang describes the book as “a love letter and breakup letter” to the university. I’m beginning to confront, as a BIPOC student, the influence of colonialism on academia, so I’m deeply interested in the topics that the book explores.
The Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows #2)
by Leigh Bardugo
Kaz Brekker and his crew of deadly outcasts have just pulled off an impossible heist. Double-crossed and low on resources, they’re back to fighting for their lives. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies will challenge Kaz’s cunning and test the team’s fragile loyalties.
My family’s been trying to find things to do together that doesn’t involve a screen, so we started a book club. We watched most of the Netflix Shadow and Bone show. When I told my family that the show doesn’t do Kaz and co. justice, we decided to read Six of Crows, and now we’re on book 2!
Jade War (The Green Bone Saga #2)
by Fonda Lee
The Kaul family is embroiled in a violent feud for control of the capital city of Kekon and the magical jade that endows Green Bone warriors with supernatural. Beyond the island nation’s borders, foreign governments and criminal kingpins watch with greedy eyes, hoping for a share in the prized resource. Faced with threats on all side, the Kauls must do whatever it takes to ensure their own survival—and that of all the Green Bones of Kekon.
I’m a huge fan of family sagas, and Jade City surpassed my expectations. It immersed me in the setting, deftly explored the characters’ conflicting motivations and expectations, crafted epic fight scenes—and wrecked havoc on my emotions. (What happens at the end of chapter 31….) I can’t wait to see what Fonda Lee has in store with book 2!
Locklands (The Founders Trilogy #3)
by Robert Jackson Bennett
Sancia, Clef, and Berenice have gone up against plenty of long odds in the past. But now they’re facing an entity that uses the magic of scriving to possess and control not just objects, but human minds. Now, as their opponent closes in on its true prize—an ancient doorway that leads to the center of creation—Sancia and her friends must unlock the mystery of scriving’s origins, embark on a desperate mission into the heart of their enemy’s power, and pull off the most daring heist they’ve ever attempted.
Locklands is another book club pick—for one that I started with a couple friends. The series thus far has delivered all that Sanderson’s blurb for book 1 promises—ancient mysteries, innovative magic, and heart-pounding heists—and more. While the books are first and foremost an enjoyable read, it also fosters great discussion. ➤➤➤ See my club’s discussion guide for book 1.
Let’s Chat
Have you read any of these books?
What’s on your Fall TBR?
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