Black history Month reading recs, but make it Epic Fantasy... ?

 As  I mentioned in January, I am always actively trying to diversify my reading, so when content creators- who do not normally promote anything diverse started to trot out their "What I'm reading for Black History Month"  I had a moment of eye rolling...and then I got over it. 

  Books about the Black experience  are important.  I feel like they are essential to understanding my American experience.  One that most influenced me was Isabel Wilkerson's  The Warmth of Other Suns. I also found that The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander was excellent  and Homeward  by Angela Jackson-Brown gave a great perspective on the Civil rights movement in the 1960's. 

    I recommend these books all the time; recently a friend of mine told me he was looking for books outside of the history/experience type genre, and that while he has read books like the 1619 project, and the autobiography of Malcom X, and James Baldwin, he is now reading a lot of epic fantasy.  He shops mostly at the large book retailer big box store and said he didn't really see black authors in that fantasy section.  So... of course... I had to let him know that there are black authors writing in all genres, not just the genre of the black experience.  I presented him with a copy of Rage of Dragons which he is reading and seems to be enjoying!

  And then, I decided perhaps more people would like to know about some black authors that write fantasy.  This will obviously be books I've enjoyed- and not a comprehensive list.  I've tried to promote authors I don't see quite as often...let me know who your favorites are!!! 

 FANTASY: 

Evan Winter is a Canadian author who has written a wonderful epic fantasy series. He originally self published but the series has since been acquired by Hachette - Orbit.  This is an African inspired fantasy world full of dragons (yes dragons!), magic, political conniving, generational drama and more.  With short chapters and an absorbing story, this series is hard to put down once you've absorbed the beginning set up. 

Tracy Deonn's Legendborn series has been a smash hit.  This book is marketed as YA, but I see many many adults enjoying it so much. Marketed as a fresh take on Arthurian legend, this book is packed with action, adventure, a little bit of romance, tied in with a modern collegiate experience. Hitting as an instant NYT Best seller, I can't say this is not a well known series, but, I feel it deserves the recognition. 

TL Huchu is the author of  The Edinburgh Nights series featuring Ropa Moyo a precocious go-getter living in Scotland, and learning - the hard way- all about Scottish magic. 

These books are set a bit in the future in Scotland and feature a melding of Scottish and African Magic. Also created for a YA audience, they still appeal to adults. 

For me Huchu is an author to watch.  He's inventive, and sometimes bizarre, but overall, I've enjoyed this series 

Roseanne Brown has a fantasy duology inspired by West African Folklore - A Song of Wraiths and Ruin .  Royalty and a refugee come into conflict in an action packed adventure filled with magic, PG romance, deception and intrigue. Definitely recommend! 

David Anthony Durham has The Acacia trilogy- High Stakes fantasy where characters rush to avenge a death and restore an empire to it's former peaceful glory. 

 This really has it all, a character centered story in a world that's being reshaped by conflict. 

NK Jemisin is a giant in Fantasy and Scient fiction. 

The Dreamblood  duology seems to be overshadowed by some of her other works, but it shouldn't be overlooked. We start in an ancient city-state  where Peace is the law, and it is kept by priests who will heal, calm and also eliminate those who are considered corrupt. As those story opens, dreamer are being murdered and our main character must find the source, protect the people, and restore balance. 

Indie  Author  Deston Munden brings us a duology complete with dragons (yes), pirates (yes!!!), dragon pirates?  yes!!!!

Complete with found family  and wild adventure this duology would be comfortable in any fantasy lover's collection. 

Marlon James is well known, and his Dark Star Trilogy has been awarded several accolades.  
  I had a pretty hard time getting into Black Leopard, Red Wolf, but once I got beyond the beginning which had me a bit alarmed for "the boy" this is a super engaging fantasy full of all the adventure, heroes and villains a person could want.  And the second book- totally flips the narrative around and gives the reader such a fresh perspective, surprising and entirely engaging. 

Antoine Bandele is a author of fantasy for both children and adults. I was of course captivated by The Sky Pirate chronicles.  Based on the cover, I initially though this to be YA but it indeed for adult readers!  I loved the Sky pirates and especially enjoyed a strong female pirate character! 

 So, in the realm of fantasy, there are tons of diverse writers creating amazing tales to take us away from present  times, inspire us to new heights, and give us those experiences that we probably shouldn't enjoy in real life. I'm SURE I missed tons and tons of authors, (maybe even you!)   let me know your favorites so I can add them to my never-ending TBR! 

What's on your reading list for February?