5 Books Since Wyrd and Wonder

It’s May which means it’s time once again for Wyrd and Wonder. It’s the annual geek-out of like-minded adventurers as we celebrate the fantastic on our blogs and social media feeds through May.

An idea from the hosts of Wyrd and Wonder, since it’s their 5th anniversary, was to share 5 great fantasy titles you’ve read since last years event.

Here’s my five, list in no particular order.

5 Great Fantasies

1. The Gilded Ones – Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs. Strong females lead this story about gender warfare and blood magic. This book had a way of grabbing your attention and then not letting go. Read my review.
2. The Library of Legends – China, 1937. When Japanese bombs begin falling on the city of Nanking, nineteen-year-old Hu Lian and her classmates at Minghua University are ordered to flee. A magical realism book set during the second Sino-Chinese war. This was the BEST book I read in 2021. Read my review.
3. The Serpent’s Secret – On the morning of her twelfth birthday, Kiranmala is just a regular sixth grader living in Parsippany, New Jersey… until her parents mysteriously vanish and a drooling rakkhosh demon slams through her kitchen. A great middle grade book with setting from Bengali mythology. Read my review.
4. Dividing Eden – Twins Carys and Andreus were never destined to rule Eden. With their older brother next in line to inherit the throne, the future of the kingdom was secure. Loved this story about twins who are forced to compete for the throne. I was so excited by this book I couldn’t keep the spoilers from my review.
5. Raybearer – Nothing is more important than loyalty. But what if you’ve sworn to protect the one you were born to destroy? I have not written a review for this one yet because it totally gutted me. A story about found family, magic and choosing your own destiny, even when the odds are stacked against you literally from conception.

I’m excited to be participating in Wyrd and Wonder again this year! Do you read fantasy books? What were some of your favorites from this last year?