4 hand-picked fantasy and contemporary fantasy books curated by NextBookAfter.
If Katabasis's savage takedown of colonial theft left you breathless, Black Water Sister weaponizes Malaysian spirits against diaspora erasure with the same intellectual ferocity. Morally compromised heroines, ancestral possession as metaphor, and dialogue that eviscerates cultural hypocrisy—this is fantasy that refuses to comfort you.
If Hamingje's brutal Nordic folklore left you craving myths that unsettle rather than soothe, Pet dismantles utopian surfaces to expose the monsters we refuse to name. Emezi delivers that same lyrical, unsparing prose rooted in cultural truth—Igbo mythology meeting contemporary dread—with a transgender protagonist navigating ethical tangles as raw and unflinching as Westergaard's flawed isolationists. This is folk horror for readers who demand ancestral stories that linger like open wounds.
If Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries captivated you with its curmudgeonly academic heroine unraveling dark faerie lore through footnotes and fieldwork, you'll devour The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches for Mika's pragmatic witchcraft that echoes that intellectual rigor amid whimsical magic. The slow-burn romance built on banter and the found family in an isolated manor mirror the snowbound warmth and character growth that made Emily's story so heartwarmingly real. Perfect for fans seeking thoughtful escapism where curiosity uncovers hidden wonders without the high-stakes chaos.
If The Spellshop stole your heart with its unapologetic coziness, whimsical everyday magic, and a reclusive heroine finding joy in simple spells and small-town vibes, you're in for a treat. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna delivers that same restorative escape, blending gentle witchcraft with a found family of misfits and a honey-sweet romance that mends the soul. Dive into this feel-good fantasy for more optimistic adventures that prioritize comfort over chaos.