20 Genre-Defying Fantasy Books You Need to Read
Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars by Kai Cheng Thom
In this first installment, we explore a unique narrative that defies traditional storytelling conventions. ‘Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars’ reimagines the coming-of-age tale as a candid memoir. The story centers around a young trans girl who flees an abusive home environment and finds solace in a vibrant pleasure district where she forms meaningful connections with a community of trans femmes. These individuals become her surrogate family, providing a sense of belonging she never knew before.
However, when one of their own is brutally murdered, our protagonist and her newfound kin join forces to form a vigilante group, driven by a desire to seek justice and reclaim control.
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry
In a bold departure from traditional narrative styles, Barry’s novel employs a first-person plural narrator, adding an extra layer of complexity to its already unconventional storytelling approach. But the true innovation lies in the blend of historical fiction and magical realism that unfolds as the 1989 Danvers High field hockey team navigates their remarkable winning streak and the potential for state championship glory.
As the story unfolds, the connection between Danvers High’s location – once the site of Salem village – and the dark forces that influenced its forebears becomes a crucial key to unlocking the secrets of success.
The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez
She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan
She Who Became the Sun is a thought-provoking novel that blurs the lines between fantasy, literary fiction, and historical fiction. Set against the backdrop of China’s Ming dynasty, the story reimagines the rise of Emperor Zhu with surprising nuance. At its core, the narrative follows a young girl whose life was seemingly predetermined to be unremarkable, with her brother destined for greatness.
However, when he meets an untimely demise, the protagonist is left with a fierce determination to survive and thrive in his place. In a bold move, she assumes his identity, name, and fate, setting off a chain of events that challenges societal norms and traditional expectations.
The Helm of Midnight by Marina J. Lostetter
In a gritty, urban landscape, ‘The Helm of Midnight’ weaves together the dark threads of fantasy, horror, and mystery. The story unfolds with a daring heist: a group of thieves pilfers the infamous mask of Louis Chabron, a notorious serial killer who haunted the city’s streets decades ago. But this is no ordinary artifact – it’s said to hold the malevolent essence of its former owner, imbuing the wearer with an insatiable appetite for bloodshed.
As a result, the city plunges back into darkness as murders begin to reoccur. Enter Krona Hirvath and her team of Regulators, tasked with tracking down this merciless killer before more innocent lives are claimed.
Build Your House Around My Body by Violet Kupersmith
What makes ‘Build Your House Around My Body’ stand out is its genre-bending nature. This captivating story defies categorization, seamlessly blending elements of magical realism, mystery, horror, literary fiction, and historical fiction. The resulting narrative is a rich tapestry that not only explores the complexities of Vietnamese history and folklore but also delves into the interconnected lives of two women whose fates are inexplicably linked despite being separated by decades.
The Library of the Dead by T.L. Huchu
The next urban fantasy book to be explored has a unique blend of horror, mystery, and thriller elements. Set in Edinburgh, ‘The Library of the Dead’ delves into the world of Ropa, a ghost talker who communicates with the city’s deceased for a living. When whispers of a missing child and a mysterious figure bewitching children begin to circulate, Ropa feels compelled to investigate further.
However, she soon discovers that Edinburgh is riddled with dark corners and deadly secrets, which she must confront in order to uncover the truth behind the disappearance and bring the perpetrator to justice.
Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s novels masterfully blend paranormal fantasy with the dark, gritty tone of neo-noir, defying genre conventions in a unique and captivating way. Her latest work, ‘Certain Dark Things’, is a prime example of this innovative storytelling style.
Folklorn by Angela Mi Young Hur
In the realm of Korean myth, a literary family saga unfolds in the form of Folklorn. At its core is the protagonist Elsa Park, a particle physicist seeking refuge from the ghosts of her past. This curse, passed down through generations by her mother’s own words, dictates that the women in her family are doomed to replay the same narrative threads as their ancestors.
When tragedy strikes and the vengeful spirit reappears, Elsa is compelled to return home, where she’ll uncover the dark truths hidden within her mother’s cryptic handwritten tales.
Dwellers by Eliza Victoria
In the realm of dark fantasy, Dwellers stands out for its expert blend of mystery and suspense. While it may not defy genre conventions by incorporating a multitude of styles, the novel’s unique fusion of elements results in a captivating narrative that defies easy categorization. The story revolves around cousins who possess the extraordinary ability to inhabit the bodies and lives of others – a gift they have utilized to assume the identities of brothers Jonah and Louis.
However, when an injury leaves them trapped within the confines of their new hosts’ home, the situation rapidly becomes even more complicated upon the discovery of a deceased individual in the basement. As the plot unfolds, readers are treated to a gripping tale that masterfully weaves together elements of dark fantasy, mystery, and suspense.
The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins
When We Were Birds by Ayanna Lloyd Banwo
At its essence, When We Were Birds is a captivating tale of love and mortality. This enchanting story intertwines literary fiction, crime elements, and a hint of magic. The narrative revolves around Yejide and Darwin, two individuals with complex relationships with death. Yejide has inherited the role of reaper from her family lineage, guiding souls into the afterlife, while Darwin, a grave digger, was taught by his mother to steer clear of all things related to mortality.
Their paths converge at the city’s oldest and most revered cemetery, marking the beginning of their poignant journey.
Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung
Bora Chung’s short story collection, Cursed Bunny, deftly blends fantasy, science fiction, and horror to tackle the harsh realities of modern society. Specifically, the Korean author tackles capitalism and patriarchal systems through 10 surreal and unsettling stories that will linger in your mind long after you’ve finished reading them.
Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark
Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon
In the realm of Rivers Solomon’s Sorrowland, fantasy, science fiction, horror, and mystery converge in a thought-provoking narrative. The story centers around Vern, a young pregnant woman who escapes her only known life within a cult-like compound and flees into the forest. There, she gives birth to twins, but the compound’s grasp on her refuses to loosen, prompting Vern to evolve and adapt in order to safeguard her newfound family.
As Vern delves deeper into the mysteries surrounding her existence, she must gaze both backward into the past and forward into the future, ultimately uncovering hidden truths that will shape her destiny.
The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi
Her Body and Other Parties: Stories by Carmen Maria Machado
In the realm of literary fiction, it’s rare to find a collection that seamlessly blends elements of fantasy, science fiction, comedy, and horror. Yet, Machado achieves this feat in her personal favorite short story collection, which may not immediately spring to mind as fantasy. This unique work tells haunting tales about women and the violence inflicted upon their bodies, weaving together eight strange and unsettling stories that are at once original and thought-provoking.
From doppelgängers and ghostly prom dresses to unwanted houseguests, each story is a masterclass in genre-defying storytelling.
Three Parts Dead by Max Gladstone
In the world of Three Parts Dead, urban fantasy meets steampunk in a gripping murder mystery. The story revolves around Tara, a lawyer with an extraordinary mission: to revive her client, Kos, the god who governs Alt Coulomb. However, Kos’s demise is not just any ordinary death; it’s a murder that threatens to plunge the city into chaos as its technological infrastructure begins to fail. Without Kos, the city’s inhabitants will likely riot in desperation.
As Tara delves deeper into the case, she uncovers a web of complexities that make things increasingly complicated.
Saturnalia by Stephanie Feldman
In our final exploration of genre-defying fantasy, we’ll delve into ‘Saturnalia’, a novel that seamlessly blends elements of dystopian fiction, thrillers, and eco-horror. Set in a world where the Saturnalia carnival has become an integral part of American culture, particularly for protagonist Nina. It’s been three years since she left the elite Saturn Club, but the holiday still holds a painful significance – a constant reminder of the night that transformed her life.
When a former friend and member of the club reaches out with a plea for help, Nina is reluctantly drawn back into their world. As she prepares to attend the year’s most anticipated party, she must confront the demons of her past in order to secure a future. If you’re looking for more boundary-pushing stories, we also recommend exploring sci-fi that defies genre norms or diving into our archives of SFF and fantasy novels that blend genres.