This month, the reading world is getting a new release from a beloved author. Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor is an exploration of art, love, identity and what happens when an author loses control of the narrative. If you’ve loved Okorafor’s spellbinding blend of fantasy, richly drawn characters, and worlds that teem with magic and technology, you’re in for a treat. These novels pulse with the same bold storytelling and imaginative depth, offering tales that refuse to conform and instead explode with creativity and heart.

Akata Witch

Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor

Dive into the vibrant and mystical world of Akata Witch, where Sunny, an albino Nigerian-American girl, discovers her extraordinary magical heritage as a Leopard Person. Alongside her quirky, fiercely loyal friends, she forms the youngest-ever coven to face a dark and dangerous foe. With Nigerian mythology woven into a modern coming-of-age tale, this story brims with heart, action, and magic that transforms flaws into strengths.

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Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

Octavia Butler’s prophetic masterpiece, Parable of the Sower, feels eerily relevant as it chronicles a dystopian future riddled with climate disasters and societal collapse. At its heart is Lauren Olamina, a visionary protagonist whose hyperempathy pushes her to dream of a better world despite devastating personal loss. With profound themes of survival, faith, and hope, Butler crafts a gritty, harrowing tale of resilience. This groundbreaking story challenges readers to consider the power of community and adaptability in the face of chaos.

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The Deep by Rivers Solomon

The Deep dives into an unforgettable underwater world inhabited by the descendants of pregnant African slaves thrown overboard. Yetu, burdened with preserving their collective memories, struggles to reconcile her duty to her people with her need for freedom. This haunting tale explores identity and healing in a way that lingers long after the final page. A soul-stirring read for anyone who loved The Fifth Season or The Ocean at the End of the Lane.

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Raybearer

Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko

Raybearer enchants with a world where loyalty and power collide, as Tarisai seeks to forge her own destiny against the wishes of a controlling mother. The bond she craves as part of the Crown Prince’s Council of Eleven is at odds with her mission to betray them. Full of lush world-building and complex characters, this story is as heartfelt as it is riveting. Jordan Ifueko crafts a narrative that celebrates agency, family, and resilience.

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Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

Set in a pre-Columbian-inspired fantasy world, the story follows Serapio, a mysterious man bound by fate, and Xiala, a captain with secrets of her own. Roanhorse crafts a sweeping epic where celestial prophecies and political intrigue collide.With its rich mythology, morally complex characters, and edge-of-your-seat pacing, this novel is an unforgettable journey. It’s a masterclass in world-building and narrative tension that will have readers spellbound.

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Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James

Myth and history collide in Black Leopard, Red Wolf, a visceral epic that redefines fantasy. Tracker, a mercenary with a gift for finding the lost, joins a band of eccentric, morally ambiguous characters on a mission to locate a missing boy. As the lines between loyalty and betrayal blur, the story delves into deep questions about truth, power, and identity. Marlon James’s dark, lushly imagined world is one you won’t soon forget.

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A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark

Step into an alternate Cairo brimming with magic, intrigue, and steampunk charm in A Master of Djinn. Fatma el-Sha’arawi, a sharp-witted agent with impeccable style, is tasked with solving a mass murder tied to a figure from magical history. This vividly imagined whodunit combines action, humor, and sharp social commentary in equal measure. With its richly atmospheric setting and unforgettable protagonist, this book is a treasure.

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Beasts of Prey

Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray

Beasts of Prey takes readers on a dangerous journey into the Greater Jungle, where Koffi and Ekon must face their fears—and each other—to hunt a legendary beast. Gray’s world pulses with wild magic, terrifying monsters, and complex motivations as these two unlikely allies grapple with trust and survival. This story is a fast-paced exploration of ambition, secrets, and the ties that bind. With cinematic action and lush descriptions, it’s impossible to put down.

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The Adventures of Amina Al Siraf

The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty

After a notorious career as one of the Indian Ocean’s most infamous pirates, Amina al-Sirafi has retired to a quiet life of motherhood and piety. But when the mother of a former crewman offers her an irresistible fortune to rescue a kidnapped girl, Amina embarks on one last adventure. What begins as a straightforward mission unravels into a perilous journey involving dark secrets, ancient powers, and a threat to her very soul.

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The Final Strife by Saara El- Arifi

Sylah once dreamed of sparking a revolution to free the empire from the tyranny of the red-blooded ruling class, but that dream died with her family. Anoor, raised in the shadow of her mother’s harsh rule, longs to prove she’s more than a disappointment. Hassa, invisible to the upper classes, harbors secrets that could reignite the fight for freedom. As the empire’s brutal trials to select its next leaders begin, these three women are drawn together in a storm of ambition, rebellion, and betrayal. Their choices could reshape the empire—or destroy them all.

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