Reading list: Sci Fi/Fantasy Written by Women

Created by: Familiar Diversions

SFF by women tends not to be as visible as SFF by men. Also, when female authors are included in SFF book lists, it's usually the same authors over and over. I created this list to make it easier for people to find and try out more SFF by women. Most authors are listed only once, although there are a few exceptions, usually because I couldn't decide which of their books was the best one to include.

I've started to annotate the list, including things like subgenre, whether the book chosen is part of a series, and aspects of note. I'm still feeling my way around what information to include, and how to list it. Also, in many cases I'm writing annotations for things I haven't read. If you have any suggestions, feel free to comment.

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Books: 311

Arrows of the Queen

by Mercedes Lackey

Note: One possible starting point in the epic fantasy series Lackey is best known for. This particular book features a fantasy school setting and fantasy animal companions (horses), although there are other books that include gryphons, birds of prey as animal companions, and a variety of magical and psychic abilities.

Dragonflight

by Anne McCaffrey

Note: The first book in McCaffrey's Pern series, which features telepathic dragons that bond with their riders. The series occasionally reads like fantasy but is actually science fiction.

In the Garden of Iden

by Kage Baker

Note: The first book in the Company universe. Historical time travel science fiction.

To Say Nothing of the Dog

by Connie Willis

Note: Comedy of manners time travel science fiction.

The Cloud Roads

by Martha Wells

Note: First in the Books of the Raksura. Stars a shapeshifting character and is set in a world with no humans.

A College of Magics

by Caroline Stevermer

Note:

Witch World

by Andre Norton

Note:

Cordelia's Honor

by Lois McMaster Bujold

Note:

Lilith's Brood: Dawn / Adulthood Rites / Imago

by Octavia E. Butler

Note:

10.

Daughter of the Blood

by Anne Bishop

Note: The first book in a dark fantasy trilogy that later morphed into a larger series. In this world, characters have jewels of varying degrees of darkness, which determine their magical abilities and rank. Be warned, although there are lighter, more humorous moments, this series does include rape and child abuse.

11.

The Blue Sword

by Robin McKinley

Note: Strong heroine, magnificent warhorses, a fantasy desert culture with a hint of magic, and a bit of romance at the end.

12.

Dragonsbane

by Barbara Hambly

Note:

13.

The Deed of Paksenarrion Book 1: Sheepfarmer's Dau... - Elizabeth Moon

The Deed of Paksenarrion Book 1: Sheepfarmer's Daughter

by Elizabeth Moon

Note:

14.

Black Unicorn

by Tanith Lee, Heather Cooper

Note:

15.

The Baker's Boy

by J.V. Jones

Note:

16.

Foreigner

by C.J. Cherryh

Note:

17.

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms

by N.K. Jemisin

Note:

18.

Ancillary Justice

by Ann Leckie

Note: The protagonist is an AI who used to be a military starship with thousands of human bodies she could inhabit. Twenty years prior to the book's beginning, something happened that reduced her to living in a single human body.

19.

Beggars in Spain

by Nancy Kress

Note:

20.

Sister Light, Sister Dark

by Jane Yolen

Note:

21.

Swordspoint

by Ellen Kushner

Note:

22.

War for the Oaks

by Emma Bull

Note:

23.

Howl's Moving Castle (Howl's Moving Castle, #1)

by Diana Wynne Jones

Note:

24.

A Thousand Words for Stranger

by Julie E. Czerneda

Note:

25.

Kushiel's Dart

by Jacqueline Carey

Note:

26.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

by J.K. Rowling

Note: A magical school story about a boy who suddenly learns that a hidden magical world exists and that he's a wizard.

27.

Ash: A Secret History

by Mary Gentle

Note:

28.

The Silver Metal Lover

by Tanith Lee

Note:

29.

Wraeththu

by Storm Constantine

Note:

30.

The Fox Woman

by Kij Johnson

Note:

31.

Medalon

by Jennifer Fallon

Note:

32.

His Majesty's Dragon

by Naomi Novik

Note: I've heard this described as a cross between Anne McCaffrey (dragons that bond with specific people upon hatching) and Patrick O'Brian (Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars). It fits.

33.

The Pride of Chanur

by C.J. Cherryh

Note: The first book in Cherryh's Chanur series. Cherryh's writing is very distinct - she uses "very tight limited third person." This book features both first contact and "humans as aliens."

34.

A Wizard of Earthsea

by Ursula K. Le Guin

Note:

35.

Assassin's Apprentice

by Robin Hobb

Note:

36.

The Left Hand of Darkness

by Ursula K. Le Guin

Note:

37.

Many Colored Land

by Julian May

Note:

38.

The Gate to Women's Country

by Sheri S. Tepper

Note:

39.

The Handmaid's Tale

by Margaret Atwood

Note:

40.

Daggerspell

by Katharine Kerr

Note:

41.

The Rowan

by Anne McCaffrey

Note: The main character is a lonely and powerful telepath.

42.

Turning Point

by Lisanne Norman

Note:

43.

Alanna: The First Adventure

by Tamora Pierce

Note:

44.

Ascension: A Tangled Axon Novel

by Jacqueline Koyanagi

Note:

45.

Zoo City

by Lauren Beukes

Note:

46.

The Snow Queen

by Joan D. Vinge

Note:

47.

Pigs Don't Fly

by Mary Brown

Note:

48.

The Slave and The Free: Books 1 and 2 of 'The Hold... - Suzy McKee Charnas

The Slave and The Free: Books 1 and 2 of 'The Holdfast Chronicles': 'Walk to the End of the World' and 'Motherlines'

by Suzy McKee Charnas

Note:

49.

Exile

by Betsy Dornbusch

Note:

50.

Miserere: An Autumn Tale

by Teresa Frohock

Note:

51.

The Dark Victorian: Risen Volume One

by Elizabeth Watasin

Note: F/F steampunk fantasy in which the main characters are hunting down someone who is raising the dead and getting people killed. The first in a series.

52.

Oathtaker

by Patricia Reding

Note:

53.

Almost Adept

by Olga Godim

Note:

54.

DarkShip Thieves

by Sarah A. Hoyt

Note:

55.

The Drowning City

by Amanda Downum

Note:

56.

Black Sun Rising

by C.S. Friedman

Note:

57.

Inda

by Sherwood Smith

Note:

58.

King's Dragon

by Kate Elliott

Note:

59.

Sing the Four Quarters

by Tanya Huff

Note:

60.

The Alchemist of Souls

by Anne Lyle

Note:

61.

Living With Ghosts

by Kari Sperring

Note:

62.

Luck in the Shadows

by Lynn Flewelling

Note:

63.

The Bone Doll's Twin

by Lynn Flewelling

Note:

64.

A Wrinkle in Time

by Madeleine L'Engle

Note:

65.

Hunter's Oath

by Michelle West

Note:

66.

The Curse of the Mistwraith

by Janny Wurts

Note:

67.

The Innocent Mage

by Karen Miller

Note:

68.

Transformation (Rai Kirah)

by Carol Berg

Note:

69.

An Exchange of Hostages

by Susan R. Matthews, Gregory Bridges

Note:

70.

Fortune's Pawn

by Rachel Bach

Note:

71.

A Confederation of Valor

by Tanya Huff

Note:

72.

A Soldier's Duty (Theirs Not to Reason Why)

by Jean Johnson

Note:

73.

Trading in Danger

by Elizabeth Moon

Note:

74.

The Healer's War

by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough

Note:

75.

Mainline

by Deborah Christian

Note:

76.

The Outback Stars

by Sandra McDonald

Note:

77.

Dreamsnake

by Vonda N. McIntyre

Note:

78.

The Curse of Chalion

by Lois McMaster Bujold

Note:

79.

Nine Goblins

by T. Kingfisher

Note:

80.

Tooth and Claw

by Jo Walton

Note:

81.

The Sixth Discipline (Haven #1)

by Carmen Webster Buxton

Note:

82.

Happy Snak

by Nicole Kimberling

Note: Sci-fi from the perspective of a human snack bar owner. Has a "first contact" feel, with lots of alien cultural details.

83.

Games of Command

by Linnea Sinclair

Note:

84.

Hurricane Moon

by Alexis Glynn Latner

Note:

85.

A Brother's Price

by Wen Spencer

Note:

86.

Braided World

by Kay Kenyon

Note:

87.

Dust

by Elizabeth Bear

Note:

88.

The Accidental Sorcerer

by K.E. Mills

Note:

89.

Synners

by Pat Cadigan, Neil Gaiman

Note:

90.

Rangers at Roadsend

by Jane Fletcher

Note:

91.

The Pyramid Waltz

by Barbara Ann Wright

Note:

92.

Waking in Dreamland

by Jody Lynn Nye

Note:

93.

Dealing with Dragons

by Patricia C. Wrede

Note:

94.

Hellspark

by Janet Kagan

Note:

95.

The Dark is Rising

by Susan Cooper, Susan Cooper

Note:

96.

Grimspace

by Ann Aguirre

Note:

97.

Dragon Prince

by Melanie Rawn

Note:

98.

Jaran

by Kate Elliott

Note:

99.

Lion of Senet

by Jennifer Fallon

Note:

100.

Archangel

by Sharon Shinn

Note:

101.

The Ill-Made Mute

by Cecilia Dart-Thornton

Note:

102.

Myrren's Gift

by Fiona McIntosh

Note:

103.

Aurian

by Maggie Furey

Note:

104.

Flesh and Spirit

by Carol Berg

Note:

105.

Riddle-Master: The Complete Trilogy

by Patricia A. McKillip

Note:

106.

The Last of the Renshai (Renshai Trilogy)

by Mickey Zucker Reichert

Note:

107.

Green Rider

by Kristen Britain

Note:

108.

The Spirit Thief

by Rachel Aaron

Note:

109.

The Book of Earth

by Marjorie B. Kellogg

Note:

110.

Convergence

by Sharon Green

Note:

111.

Ship of Magic

by Robin Hobb

Note:

112.

Daughter of the Forest

by Juliet Marillier

Note:

113.

The Wayfarer Redemption

by Sara Douglass

Note:

114.

Rhapsody: Child of Blood

by Elizabeth Haydon

Note:

115.

The Thief's Gamble

by Juliet E. McKenna

Note:

116.

Song in the Silence

by Elizabeth Kerner

Note:

117.

Fire in the Mist

by Holly Lisle

Note:

118.

The Glass Dragon

by Irene Radford

Note:

119.

Kingmaker's Sword

by Ann Marston

Note:

120.

Reign of Shadows

by Deborah Chester

Note:

121.

The Initiate

by Louise Cooper

Note:

122.

Daughter of Prophecy

by Anne Kelleher Bush, Thomas Canty

Note:

123.

Mindscape

by Andrea Hairston

Note:

124.

Brown Girl in the Ring

by Nalo Hopkinson

Note:

125.

Who Fears Death

by Nnedi Okorafor

Note:

126.

Shikasta

by Doris Lessing

Note:

127.

Frankenstein

by Mary Shelley, Maurice Hindle

Note:

128.

Midnight Robber

by Nalo Hopkinson

Note:

129.

The Female Man

by Joanna Russ

Note:

130.

Up the Walls of the World

by James Tiptree Jr.

Note:

131.

This Star Shall Abide

by Sylvia Engdahl

Note:

132.

The Sparrow

by Mary Doria Russell

Note:

133.

Spin State

by Chris Moriarty

Note:

134.

The Crystal Gryphon

by Andre Norton

Note:

135.

City of Pearl

by Karen Traviss

Note:

136.

Beholder's Eye

by Julie E. Czerneda

Note:

137.

Silently and Very Fast

by Catherynne M. Valente

Note: This could be called literary sci-fi. Features artificial intelligence.

Can be read for free here: http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/valente_10_11/

138.

The Alchemy of Stone

by Ekaterina Sedia

Note:

139.

Keeping It Real

by Justina Robson

Note:

140.

Mathemagics

by Margaret Ball

Note:

141.

Becoming Alien

by Rebecca Ore

Note:

142.

Cinderblock

by Janine Ellen Young

Note:

143.

Glimmering

by Elizabeth Hand

Note:

144.

Glass Houses

by Laura J. Mixon

Note:

145.

The Nature of Smoke

by Anne L. Harris

Note:

146.

Slow River

by Nicola Griffith

Note:

147.

Arachne

by Lisa Mason

Note:

148.

God's War

by Kameron Hurley

Note:

149.

Tea from an Empty Cup

by Pat Cadigan

Note:

150.

Crashcourse

by Wilhelmina Baird

Note:

151.

Queen City Jazz

by Kathleen Ann Goonan

Note:

152.

Memento Mori

by Shariann Lewitt

Note:

153.

Trouble and Her Friends

by Melissa Scott

Note:

154.

Starbridge

by A.C. Crispin

Note:

155.

Ring of Swords

by Eleanor Arnason

Note:

156.

Fool's War

by Sarah Zettel

Note:

157.

White Queen

by Gwyneth Jones

Note:

158.

The Steerswoman

by Rosemary Kirstein

Note:

159.

Ingathering: The Complete People Stories of Zenna ... - Elizabeth Rhys Finney, Priscilla Olson, Zenna Henderson

Ingathering: The Complete People Stories of Zenna Henderson

by Elizabeth Rhys Finney, Priscilla Olson, Zenna Henderson

Note:

160.

Native Tongue

by Suzette Haden Elgin

Note:

161.

Through Wolf's Eyes

by Jane Lindskold

Note:

162.

Brother to Dragons, Companion to Owls

by Jane Lindskold

Note:

163.

The Mount

by Carol Emshwiller

Note:

164.

Dreaming in Smoke

by Tricia Sullivan

Note:

165.

China Mountain Zhang

by Maureen F. McHugh

Note:

166.

The Best of All Possible Worlds: A Novel

by Karen Lord

Note:

167.

Star Rider

by Doris Piserchia

Note: I haven't read any of Piserchia's works, but Wikipedia indicates that she'd be good for those looking for feminist science fiction. Also, at least one reader has said that Spaceling, Earthchild, and Star Rider feature female protagonists who may not be neurotypical.

168.

Virtual Girl

by Amy Thomson

Note:

169.

Warchild

by Karin Lowachee

Note:

170.

Where Late The Sweet Birds Sang: A Novel

by Kate Wilhelm

Note:

171.

Sarah Canary

by Karen Joy Fowler

Note:

172.

The Queen of the Tearling

by Erika Johansen

Note:

173.

The God Stalker Chronicles

by P.C. Hodgell

Note:

174.

The Paper Magician

by Charlie N. Holmberg

Note:

175.

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship o... - Ana Juan, Catherynne M. Valente

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making

by Ana Juan, Catherynne M. Valente

Note:

176.

A Highly Unlikely Scenario, or a Neetsa Pizza Empl... - Rachel Cantor

A Highly Unlikely Scenario, or a Neetsa Pizza Employee's Guide to Saving the World: A Novel

by Rachel Cantor

Note:

177.

A Natural History of Dragons: A Memoir by Lady Tre... - Marie Brennan

A Natural History of Dragons: A Memoir by Lady Trent

by Marie Brennan

Note:

178.

Deadroads

by Robin Riopelle

Note:

179.

Nylon Angel

by Marianne de Pierres

Note:

180.

The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August

by Claire North

Note:

181.

Autodrome

by Kim Lakin-Smith

Note:

182.

Ecko Rising

by Danie Ware

Note:

183.

The Red: First Light

by Linda Nagata

Note:

184.

Rosemary and Rue

by Seanan McGuire

Note:

185.

Feed

by Mira Grant

Note:

186.

The Myriad

by R.M. Meluch

Note:

187.

Peacekeeper

by Laura E. Reeve

Note:

188.

Code of Conduct

by Kristine Smith

Note:

189.

Bitter Angels

by C.L. Anderson, Sarah Zettel

Note:

190.

Bone Dance

by Emma Bull

Note:

191.

Archangel Protocol

by Lyda Morehouse

Note:

192.

Looking for the Mahdi

by N. Lee Wood

Note:

193.

Technogenesis

by Syne Mitchell

Note:

194.

Someone to Watch Over Me

by Tricia Sullivan

Note:

195.

A Point of Honor

by Dorothy J. Heydt

Note:

196.

Snake Agent

by Liz Williams

Note:

197.

The Magicians' Guild

by Trudi Canavan

Note:

198.

Sorcery Rising

by Jude Fisher

Note:

199.

In Legend Born

by Laura Resnick

Note:

200.

Wild Magic

by Tamora Pierce

Note:

201.

Blood's Pride

by Evie Manieri

Note:

202.

The Sleeping God

by Violette Malan

Note:

203.

The Last Stormlord

by Glenda Larke

Note:

204.

Bloodring

by Faith Hunter

Note:

205.

Dragonclaw

by Kate Forsyth

Note:

206.

The Summoner

by Gail Z. Martin

Note:

207.

Sword-Dancer

by Jennifer Roberson

Note:

208.

Melusine

by Sarah Monette

Note:

209.

Poison Study

by Maria V. Snyder

Note:

210.

Watchtower

by Elizabeth A. Lynn

Note:

211.

The Last Dragonlord

by Joanne Bertin, James Frankel

Note:

212.

Geist

by Philippa Ballantine

Note:

213.

Wolfwalker

by Tara K. Harper

Note:

214.

The House of the Scorpion

by Nancy Farmer

Note:

215.

Eon: Dragoneye Reborn

by Alison Goodman

Note:

216.

The Jaguar Princess

by Clare Bell

Note:

217.

Fall of a Kingdom

by Hilari Bell

Note:

218.

Red Moon and Black Mountain

by Joy Chant

Note:

219.

The Gate Of Ivory

by Doris Egan

Note:

220.

Paper Mage

by Leah Cutter

Note:

221.

Half World

by Hiromi Goto

Note:

222.

Teot's War

by Heather Gladney

Note:

223.

The Web of Wizardry

by Juanita Coulson

Note:

224.

Fire Dancer

by Ann Maxwell

Note: First sold as sci-fi, later marketed as sci-fi romance.

225.

The Reliquary Ring

by Cherith Baldry

Note:

226.

The Chronicles of The Deryni: Deryni Rising, Deryn... - Katherine Kurtz

The Chronicles of The Deryni: Deryni Rising, Deryni Checkmate and High Deryni

by Katherine Kurtz

Note:

227.

The Color of Distance

by Amy Thomson

Note:

228.

Memory of Water

by Emmi Itäranta

Note:

229.

Archetype

by M.D. Waters

Note:

230.

The Creative Fire

by Brenda Cooper

Note:

231.

The Hollow Kingdom

by Clare B. Dunkle

Note:

232.

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

by Susanna Clarke

Note:

233.

Fluency

by Jennifer Foehner Wells

Note:

234.

Daughter of the Bright Moon

by Lynn Abbey

Note:

235.

Queen of Roses

by Elizabeth McCoy

Note: Sci-fi that's part comedy of manners, part suspense. It takes place aboard a space-faring cruise ship and stars an artificial intelligence who isn't used to dealing with "biologicals."

236.

Mindtouch

by M.C.A. Hogarth

Note: A school story (in this case, university) featuring a close friendship between a humanoid being who is highly sensitive to the thoughts and emotions of others and a centauroid being. A good introduction to Hogarth's Pelted Universe, although the "slice-of-life" feel of this particular book may not be for everyone.

237.

The Horsegirl

by Constance Ash

Note:

238.

How Like a God

by Brenda W. Clough

Note:

239.

Eggheads

by Emily Devenport

Note:

240.

The Prince of Ill Luck

by Susan Dexter

Note:

241.

So You Want to Be a Wizard

by Diane Duane

Note:

242.

Goblin Moon

by Teresa Edgerton

Note:

243.

House Of Zeor

by Jacqueline Lichtenberg

Note:

244.

Fire Logic

by Laurie J. Marks

Note:

245.

Taylor's Ark

by Jody Lynn Nye

Note:

246.

The Darkangel Trilogy

by Meredith Ann Pierce

Note:

247.

New Moon

by Midori Snyder

Note:

248.

Second Star

by Dana Stabenow

Note:

249.

Black on Black

by K.D. Wentworth

Note:

250.

The Bloodbound

by Erin Lindsey

Note:

251.

Darkwalker

by E.L. Tettensor

Note:

252.

Heartwood

by Freya Robertson

Note:

253.

Dreamlander

by K.M. Weiland

Note:

254.

The Summer Prince

by Alaya Dawn Johnson

Note:

255.

Ash

by Malinda Lo

Note:

256.

A Stranger in Olondria

by Sofia Samatar

Note:

257.

The Stars Change

by Mary Anne Mohanraj

Note:

258.

Ink

by Sabrina Vourvoulias

Note:

259.

Orleans

by Sherri L. Smith

Note:

260.

Salt Fish Girl: A Novel

by Larissa Lai

Note:

261.

The Lost Girl

by Sangu Mandanna

Note:

262.

The Sand Wars, Volume One: Solar Kill, Lasertown B... - Charles Ingrid

The Sand Wars, Volume One: Solar Kill, Lasertown Blues and Celestial Hit List

by Charles Ingrid

Note:

263.

The Thief

by Megan Whalen Turner

Note:

264.

Finnikin of the Rock

by Melina Marchetta

Note:

265.

Seraphina

by Rachel Hartman

Note:

266.

The Golem and the Djinni

by Helene Wecker

Note:

267.

The Children of Men

by P.D. James

Note:

268.

He, She and It

by Marge Piercy

Note:

269.

The Revolving Boy - Gertrude Friedberg

The Revolving Boy

by Gertrude Friedberg

Note:

270.

Echo 8

by Sharon Lynn Fisher

Note:

271.

Soulless

by Gail Carriger, Gail Carriger

Note: Usually referred to as steampunk, although I think "gaslight fantasy" might be more appropriate. The first book in a Victorian-ish set fantasy series that features werewolves, vampires, and more. The heroine has the ability to nullify the powers of supernatural beings.

272.

Blood Oranges

by Kathleen Tierney, Caitlín R. Kiernan

Note:

273.

VIcious

by V.E. Schwab

Note:

274.

Mechanique: A Tale of the Circus Tresaulti

by Kiri Moth, Genevieve Valentine

Note:

275.

Sea of Shadow

by Fuyumi Ono, 小野不由美, Akihiro Yamada, 山田章博, Elye J. Alexander, Alexander O. Smith

Note: The first book in Ono's Twelve Kingdoms series, originally written in Japanese and translated into English by Tokyopop. It's highly recommend that you read the paperback editions, if possible, as these contain fewer editing errors. In the case of the fourth book, the hardcover is missing 8 whole pages. Despite Tokyopop's shoddy work, this is a fascinating series set in a world divided into Twelve Kingdoms. Each kingdom is governed by an immortal ruler and his or her kirin - the longer the ruler lasts, the more prosperous the kingdom. In the first book, a modern Japanese girl is torn from our world and deposited in the Twelve Kingdoms with no idea how anything works or what she's supposed to do.

276.

Radiant: A Novel

by Karina Sumner-Smith

Note:

277.

Primary Inversion

by Catherine Asaro

Note:

278.

The Invisible Library

by Genevieve Cogman

Note:

279.

Starborn: The Worldmaker trilogy: Book One

by Lucy Hounsom

Note:

280.

An Ember in the Ashes

by Sabaa Tahir

Note:

281.

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet

by Becky Chambers

Note:

282.

Smiler's Fair (The Hollow Gods) by Levene, Rebecca... - Rebecca Levene

Smiler's Fair (The Hollow Gods) by Levene, Rebecca (2014) Hardcover

by Rebecca Levene

Note: Epic fantasy, mentioned here: http://www.tor.com/blogs/2015/04/breakout-female-voices-of-the-british-fantasy-scene

283.

The House of Shattered Wings

by Aliette de Bodard

Note:

284.

The Fire Children

by Lauren M. Roy

Note:

285.

The City

by Stella Gemmell

Note:

286.

Stolen Songbird (Malediction Trilogy 1) by Jensen,... - Danielle L. Jensen

Stolen Songbird (Malediction Trilogy 1) by Jensen, Danielle (2014) Paperback

by Danielle L. Jensen

Note:

287.

The Buried Life

by Carrie Patel

Note:

288.

Marked

by Sue Tingey

Note:

289.

The Goblin Emperor

by Katherine Addison

Note: Character-focused fantasy starring a character who is half-elf and half-goblin. After spending most of his life as an exile, he suddenly becomes Emperor after his father and all his father's heirs die in an airship accident.

290.

Song of the Summer King

by Jess E. Owen

Note:

291.

The Death House

by Sarah Pinborough

Note:

292.

The Copper Promise

by Jen Williams

Note:

293.

The Story of Owen

by E.K. Johnston

Note: Alternate history with dragons and dragon slayers.

294.

A Door Into Ocean

by Joan Slonczewski

Note: 1986 Campbell Award winner. A planet covered entirely by water, inhabited by a race of exclusively female genetic engineers.

295.

The Fire Sermon

by Francesca Haig

Note: Post-apocalyptic world in which every birth results in twins, a perfect "Alpha" and an "Omega" who is deformed or disabled in some way. Mentioned here: http://www.tor.com/blogs/2015/04/breakout-female-voices-of-the-british-fantasy-scene

296.

Wind Follower

by Carole McDonnell

Note: Found on this list of books by women of color: http://theseptembreissue.tumblr.com/post/56878353635/paninyas-this-list-has-been-brewing-for-a-few

I think this may qualify as Christian fantasy. Reviews say it explores race and tribal relations.

297.

Dragon Sword and Wind Child

by Noriko Ogiwara, Cathy Hirano

Note: This is an English translation of a work originally published in Japanese.

298.

Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit

by Nahoko Uehashi, Cathy Hirano

Note: This is an English translation of a work originally published in Japanese.

This takes place in a historical-ish setting. A female warrior becomes a young prince's bodyguard after he is declared to be the cause of a local drought.

299.

Silver Phoenix

by Cindy Pon

Note: A YA novel set in a fantasy historical China.

300.

vN

by Madeline Ashby

Note: Stars a "self-replicating humanoid robot."

301.

Debris

by Jo Anderton

Note: Set in a future where technology is indistinguishable from magic.

302.

Stardoc

by S.L. Viehl

Note: Space opera and Medical science fiction.

303.

Lightless

by C.A. Higgins

Note: A mystery/suspense story set on a spaceship. Three crew members capture two men who secretly boarded their ship and must figure out what their goals are.

304.

Time Shifters

by Shanna Lauffey

Note:

305.

The Mabinogion Tetralogy

by Evangeline Walton

Note:

306.

The Copper Crown

by Patricia Kennealy

Note:

307.

Six of Swords

by Carole Nelson Douglas

Note:

308.

Tea with the Black Dragon

by R.A. MacAvoy

Note:

309.

The Witchstone

by Victoria Graham

Note:

310.

Get on Board Little Children

by Victoria Randall

Note: A dystopian thriller set in a world where you need a license to have children.

311.

Daughter of Mystery

by Heather Rose Jones

Note: F/F alternate history set in a world where religion and magic blend together.

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Comments

Comments:

8 years ago

I highly recommend Time Shifters by Shanna Lauffey. Time travel. First of a 10 book series, but each book finishes neatly. No cliffhangers.

For the Love of Books! 8 years ago

This is an amazing list. Thank you.

The better to see you, my dear 8 years ago

So many more books I want to read! I'm equal parts exultant and anxious, lol. Thanks for compiling this

Linda Hilton 7 years ago

The list isn't alphabetized, so I may have missed these:
Evangeline Walton?
Patricia Kinnealy Morrison?
Carol Nelson Douglas?
R. A. MacAvoy?
Victoria Graham, aka Victoria Randall? As far as I know, she only wrote one book under Victoria Graham -- The Witchstone -- which certainly qualifies. As Victoria Randall, it looks like she may have one or two SFF titles.

Familiar Diversions 7 years ago

Okay, I've added all the authors suggested by Lora and Linda.

I wish it were possible to have the list sort alphabetically by author, but sadly the only option available is "in the order the list creator added them." I somehow doubt that BL staff plan on adding an alphabetizing feature to their reading lists - I think the era of BL updates is pretty much over.

Linda Hilton 7 years ago

I think you're correct on the idea of BL updates. So sad.

Traditional Fantasy 7 years ago

Wow. My tbr just exploded!

The better to see you, my dear 7 years ago

Lol! Happened the same to me.

7 years ago

Alwyn Hamilton should be on this list. Rebel of the Sands and its sequels are some of the best Fantasy I've read in a long time!

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Reading list: Sci Fi/Fantasy Written by Women

Created by: Familiar Diversions

Books: 311