Book Recs: Standalone Fantasy

After a few days of unintentional downtime (can you tell neither me nor Anna has the slightest clue about self-hosting), we’re back with a rec list of standalone fantasy books. For those times when you don’t want to invest in reading an entire series, but you do want something fantastical.

I’m sure we can all relate.

But anyway. Enough waffling on, because it’s been days since we’ve been able to post. I’m sure you all just want to get straight into it (so to speak).

The Fire’s Stone

Tanya Huff
Goodreads
Rep: bi mc, gay mc

Why Should I Read It?

I mean, you didn’t really expect me not to find some way to slot some 90s fantasy on here, right? Actually, I’m just preparing you all for the rec list I make when I’ve finally read enough 70s-90s fantasy to produce one. But anyway. This is an excellent introduction into that time of the genre. It centres on a found family, on a quest to retrieve a magical talisman and avert the end of the world. As all good books do.

Weak Heart

Ban Gilmartin
Goodreads
Rep: gay mc with anxiety, Filipino gay mc, Black lesbian mc, lesbian mc, nonbinary side character
CWs: magic requiring self harm, gore

Why Should I Read It?

Hands up if you saw this one coming too? I know, I know, I am nothing if not predictable. But c’mon. It’s Weak Heart. What can I say about this book except, please for the love of God, read it. I’m begging you. We’re talking atmospheric horror fantasy, found family, everyone’s gay. You can read the entire thing for free on the author’s website, so what’s stopping you?

The Dark Tide

Alicia Jasinska
Goodreads
Rep: bi mc, sapphic mc
CWs: magic involving self harm, drowning

Why Should I Read It?

I think it would be fair to say that Anna would have kicked me off the blog if I hadn’t included this next one (and probably the one after it). But, no worries there, because I am. If you haven’t already read this book, let me briefly sum up what you’re missing out on: enemies to lovers, sapphics who hunger, and a romance that you won’t be able to stop thinking about. Basically, perfection.

Sweet & Bitter Magic

Adrienne Tooley
Goodreads
Rep: bi mc, lesbian mc

Why Should I Read It?

If you want something a little quieter, a little less expansive than saving the world (but no less wonderful for it), then Sweet & Bitter Magic is for you. This is a book that’s about love: familial and romantic. It’s like a fairytale in that sense, the kind of story you may have grown up reading, that leaves you feeling warm inside. And, if you really need more convincing, both me and Anna reviewed it here.

Thorn

Anna Burke
Goodreads
Rep: sapphic mcs

Why Should I Read It?

Think Beauty and the Beast, but it’s sapphic. This, I feel, should be reason enough alone to read this one, but if it’s not. Okay, let me convince you further. Anna Burke probably writes some of my favourite f/f romances ever, and this one is no different really. If you haven’t read one of her books before, do yourself the biggest favour and correct that oversight. It’ll be honestly lifechanging, I promise.

Down Comes the Night

Allison Saft
Goodreads
Rep: bi mc, lesbian side character
CWs: gore, murder, implied torture, descriptions of surgical procedures

Why Should I Read It?

One of my favourite reads of 2020, Down Comes the Night is a book I binged in one sitting after getting the ARC, staying up til gone 1am to finish, and yes, the sleep deprivation was so worth it. It’s an enemies to lovers romance, but at the same time a mystery, because they’re forced to work together, and honestly that’s one of the best ways you can use that trope for me. It’s a book you love for the characters, really, so read it and let Wren and Hal destroy your life.

The Velocity of Revolution

Marshall Ryan Maresca
Goodreads
Rep: pan mcs, polyamory
CWs: implied torture, police brutality, violence

Why Should I Read It?

Sometimes, you just want a book that’s intense, fast-paced action, that you find yourself sucked into and when you finally put it down, you’ve lost 3 hours to reading it. If so, then The Velocity of Revolution is for you. I don’t quite know how to explain the feelings you get reading this one, the sheer absorption into the story. When I reviewed it, I likened it to the drug, myco, that features in it, and I still think that’s the closest I’ll come to actually describing it.

Heart of Stone

Johannes T. Evans
Goodreads
Rep: autistic gay mc, gay mc with ADHD, trans side character
CWs: period typical homophobia, internalised homophobia

Why Should I Read It?

Really, who doesn’t want a historical romance about a gay vampire who falls in love with his secretary? Of course your answer’s going to be yes, give it to me now. And if it’s not? Well. We’ll just not talk about it. This is the kind of book you curl up with on a cold winter night (although, yes, we’re approaching summer — or I am — but that doesn’t make it any less applicable!), the sort that warms the cockles of your soul. Basically, one you really need to read.

Phoenix Extravagant

Yoon Ha Lee
Goodreads
Rep: Korean-coded characters and setting, nonbinary mc, lesbian and bi side characters, side polyamory

Why Should I Read It?

If you’ve ever noticed how often fantasies feature characters who want to fight, well this book is an antidote of sorts to that. The main character here doesn’t want to fight, they just want to be left alone to paint. But, oops, they end up basically bonding to a mecha dragon, and there goes their peace.

The Faerie Hounds of York

Arden Powell
Goodreads
Rep: gay mc, Romani gay li

Why Should I Read It?

I found this one while looking for books to fill that specific craving of historical fantasy, but it’s gay. So, if you have ever experienced that craving yourself, let me satisfy it here. This novella follows a man cursed by Faerie, who finds himself helped by a stranger to rid himself of it. It’s a gorgeous novella, all mournful and bleakly atmospheric. Don’t go in expecting a happy ending, but do make sure to read it.

What would you rec?

If you like this post, please consider supporting me on ko-fi.