Being an avid bookworm, sometimes I feel like I’ve seen it aaaaaall.
Which is obviously a dangerous side-effect of being a notoriously hungry bookworm who must eat books for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and snacks beside, and would probably get through more than 200 a year (which is my current yearly goal) if I didn’t spend so much time building book thrones and ruling from them majestically.
Will that change? Well…no.
REGARDLESS. The fact is, I read a voluminous amount. And it sparks this dangerous side-effect of finding myself hankering for books that don’t exist. I’ve proved this with my list of 10 Classic Retellings I want and 10 Historical Retellings I would traverse the seven seas and eat a sea monster in order to get a chance to read. The fact that all the NYT bestselling authors don’t immediately drop everything and start working on my wishlist definitely peeves me.
Will that stop me making lists? Well…also no.
SO IT’S TIME FOR A FANTASY-THEMED EDITION. Aka the best genre of them all. And we can live in hOPE that publishers and authors will take my blog for the genius it definitely is.
I clearly need to create a wishlist of 10 types of fantasy books I want so I’m linking up with Top Ten Tuesday for their prompt “Ten Things On Our Reading Wishlist.” And I will admit doing these lists is a TERRIBLE EVIL NO GOOD REALLY BAD THING because it always ends up with me having 10 more books I need to write.
I DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THIS, JONES.
BUT I WANT THEM SO BAD AND IF NO ONE ELSE IS WRITING THEM, THEN I WILL, DANGIT.
#TheTrialsOfBeingABookwormANDAWriter
1. BOOKS ABOUT CUTE, LOVEABLE, AND HELPFUL GHOSTS (WHO MIGHT ALSO OCCASIONALLY TRY TO KILL YOU BUT WHATEVER).
The only cute ghost books I’ve found so far are The Raven Cycle and Timekeeper and I CANNOT EVEN EXPRESS HOW MANY MORE I NEED. I need at least 9 per week. I’ve even written three of them myself in pure desperation.
I want books where ghosts are cute and shy and just want to be noticed and will hold the door open for you and make your sandwiches and be your personal air-conditioner in summer. Why can’t we bring back imaginary friends who are possibly also super dangerous? Why can’t chivalry be dead? It sounds like a lovely idea to me.
I have an actual disturbing level of love for ghosts. Don’t mind me.
2. IMMORTALS WHO LOOK LIKE TEENAGERS BUT ARE SICK OF FAKING BEING A TEEN AND NO ONE TAKES THEM SERIOUSLY.
Oh we all joke about the 400 year old vampire, back in highschool again, and go “But whyyyyy would they waste their life like that LOL!”
But seriously, what else are they supposed to do.
I want books about baby-faced immortal vampires, monsters, wizards, and deities who are just so freaking sick of highschool for the 47th time and want to go on adventures, but (A) they keep getting told they’re not old enough to drive, and (B) no one will let them check into a hotel without YOUR MOTHER, DEAR, and (C) they’re so sick of acne like what the heck did they do to deserve this eternally, and (D) they’re trying to destroy the world after a 50-year dark plan of evil but their 14th adopted dad keeps grounding them on weekends.
3. MAGICAL BAKERIES
I’ve come across this like…ooh, once or twice? BOTH TIMES FAILED ME. What I need are magical bakeries where it’s all enchanted like Beauty and the Beast’s kitchen, with flour and sugar everywhere, and people who deliver boxes of cakes that change to whatever flavour you were expecting.
But let’s be real here. I just need magical. bakeries. all. the. time.
BY THE WAY, IF YOU’VE EVER READ/SEEN DEATH NOTE — I WOULD LIKE TO INFORM YOU THAT I AM L WITH HIS CAKE.
4. PRINCESSES IGNORING THE PRINCE AND FALLING IN LOVE WITH THE DRAGON.
There are other epic variations on this too, like the princess is the dragon. Or the prince tries to fight the dragon to get to the princess but the PRINCE falls in love with the dragon. Basically we need more dragon representation in books because everyone deserves to see themselves in a story. AKA me. I am a dragon.
And I won’t lie, I just want to see old tropes overturned. And preferably beaten to death with an egg whisk. Be creative with the murder of old, tired tropes. I don’t mind.
5. EPIC FANTASY LOVE TRIANGLES THAT GO COMPLETELY THE WRONG WAY YOU EXPECT THEM TO.
Like two characters are fighting for another’s hand and then they decided their rivalry is ACTUALLY LOVE and they run off together to fire arrows into the sunset. Hopefully all of them have hair like Merida’s. Because #hairappreciation.
Or — better yet — the three of them realise life would be better WITHOUT EACH OTHER and they stay single and adopt magical chickens and get careers.
It’s almost like I’m NOT a romantic. OH DEAR. I’M CRYING. *
* Not really.
6. DRAGONS IN A MILLION DIFFERENT WAYS, IN ALL TYPES OF BOOKS.
Because look, everyone likes Smaug. I like Smaug! I like the idea of eating people who disturb me when I’m chilling in my cave full of gold. But that is a very narrow way to imagine dragons. * IMAGINE MORE:
- smol pocket sized dragons
- OR JUST BABY DRAGONS BECAUSE THEY’RE SO CUTE
- dragons in modern settings that cook your toast and act as flammable cats
- shape-shifting dragons who aren’t good at shifting and often have scales or wings or horns still
- dragons in fantasy books every time you’d use a horse
- dragons who live for 900 years so are sources of ancient intelligence; forget libraries and psychics — ask the dragon
- dragons who plan complex heists and are con artists because they’re SO ATTRACTED TO SHINY THINGS
Enough of KILLING DRAGONS FOR GOODNESS SAKES. Use them to their beautiful shiny scaly advantage. #RightsForDragons2K17
* FEEL FREE TO START SINGING BELIEVER OR I BET MY LIFE OR THUNDER OR WHATEVER. I’LL WAIT. They’re a good band though. I like.
7. WIZARD IN SEARCH OF IMMORTALITY SO THEY CAN FINALLY GET THROUGH THEIR TBR PILE.
Bonus points if it’s a modern story, but I will take a medieval story too. Especially when a dark king calls on their wizard to strike down a country with an evil spell — and the wizard goes to do as told BUT THEN FINDS A LIBRARY AND GETS SO DISTRACTED.
This is the kind of romance I’d be on board with.
Also I just fail to see how you could be an all-powerful possibly-immortal incredibly-badass wizard and NOT be using your dark powers to read more books. Where are your priorities?????
8. DARK FANTASY
It is a truth universally acknowledged on this blog that Cait is rather fond of dark and stabby tales. I mention it occasionally. * But see the trouble is I rarely actually find them. Books keep frolicking into my life and promising they’re dark, but then they actually are smooshy cupcakes of prettiness. I like fantasy that actually makes me fear for everyone’s lives. Because good books should be traumatic!!
…wait.
Ahem. Moving forward.
I want to read about assassins who actually ASSASS. And evil queens who do more than peg rotten apples are pretty girls. I want princes to actually turn dark side. I want princesses to transform into badass warriors and not just cry into a teacup. I WANT TO BE SCARED WHEN I READ FANTASY. **
* ONLY EVERY 2ND POST, SERIOUSLY, CAIT, JUST CALM DOWN.
** And not just because the book is the size of a small moon, and if I burnt it for firewood, I’d have light until I was 94 years old and telling my grandchildren of that one time when a book blocked out the sun. I’m looking at you Sanderson. Also Jay Kristoff. Also GEORGE RR MARTIN. WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE. FIND THE BACKSPACE KEY.
9. PERSONIFIED AND ANIMATED BUILDINGS OR TREES OR OCEANS OR ANYTHING REALLY, DUDE.
I was forced to write one because they are just so scarce. How rude is that?? Sheesh. Nevertheless, I would like to petition for their to be more personified beings in books. Like animated castles and trees with opinions and what if the West Wind was a person? What if a book only showed you words if it liked you? What if the library was a boy? What if the sun and moon where LITERAL starcrossed lovers?
Enough about people. We’ve seen plenty of them and they keep falling over and making terrible decisions. They’re everywhere. They bleed a lot and contract diseases and it’s most tedious.
Please let’s have books about animated buildings.
10. DIVERSITY…JUST…ALL OF IT IN EPIC FANTASY BOOKS PLEASE AND THANK YOU AND IMMEDIATELY.
I do say this a lot (and I think many of us do!) but I want to pick up an epic fantasy and not see an entirely white, able-bodied, straight cast. I WANT TO SEE DIVERSITY VERY MUCHLY SO. I want asexual princes and Autistic princesses and wizards managing mental health issues. These things didn’t just appear recently. They just have names now.
I also want to see diverse societies. WHERE ARE MY MATRIARCHIES?!?? Why can we imagine goblins and griffins but not a fantasy society built with gender equality?!
I go to fantasy to escape reality’s nonsense. Give me cake and dragons and powerful deaf queens.
arise fantasy lovers. tell me what YOU long to see in fantasy books?!??? do you agree with any on my list?? do you think there are “gaps” in fantasy that need filling? do we need more dragons? (or some other underrepresented creature?) feel free to recommend me any books that might fit my wishlist. OH! and link me to your TTTs so I can stop by!
I’m dead. That’s it. I can’t keep doing this!!??!
Almost all your points = me going “ooh! That gives me an idea!”
One or two, to be fair, I’d already had myself, but COME ON Cait!
My tbw is already as high as my face!
Sincerely,
An overwhelmed writer
YOU’RE WELCOME FOR THE FLOOD OF IDEAS DROWNING YOU. If it makes you feel better, I want to write them all too. 😂 *writes to-do list a mile long*
I agree with so many things from this post! Fantasy is one of my favourite book genres. It doesn’t always have to be dark for me, but I agree with everything else you posted. More diversity please. Dragons are awesome. I’d love to read about the elements you mention. Awesome list!
Dragons are ridiculously underused in books omg. I just need WAY more dragons. Preferably in fantasy books too. *stamps foot* ALL THE DRAGONS.😂
YES TO ALL. I’ve plotted sooooo many things where inanimate things are personified. So I would LOVE to read more of them. And magical bakeries yaaaaas. My favourite part of Fantastic Beasts was when they made the food, not gonna lie.
This post has re-ignited my love of fantasy omgggg.
Emily @ Loony Literate recently posted…Why Short Stories are Great | Begin, End, Begin – the #LoveOzYA Anthology
OH EXCELLENT. I sign up immediately to read them all.😂 I wrote a personified opera house this year and it was legit my favourite thing. Forget humans. I’ve moved forward to animating teaspoons.
(And omg the dinner scene in Fantastic Beasts was the BEST. That strudel!!)
OMG CAIT!!! This post sums pretty much everything I have been looking for in a book especially points 1,5,6 and 10!!
I am ALL IN for diversity and I am really obsessed in a way about mental issues and anything else that falls into the diversity spectrum.
Also ghosts!!! Cmon we need them, they are always around us even if we do not see them nor feel them. I want my personal air-conditioner to be a ghost that turns out to be my best ghost friend!
I want more cute little dragons that turn out to grow big and fight against human stupidity and eat irritating people for many reasons,
(Death note is one of my fav manga/anime and I love L and cakes!)
Totally invlove with you and your blog!!! <3
AHH I’M GLAD YOU LIKE MY LIST. Obviously we both have excellent taste *hi fives* And I absolutely adore ghosts so much omg, I will insta-buy a book if it contains ghosts. (The obsession is healthy I’m sure.) And where are our cute baby dragons anyway? I need a hatchling dragon book where they try to hide it in their shoe but it gets to big and eats the planet. #nice
Death Note is the BEST.😂
Aww, thaNKS LIN. YOU’RE SO NICE. <3
Yes, yes, yes! I love all of these and would be waiting in line for hours to get these!
Now I especially am in desperate need of more cute, shy, polite ghosts <3 (Also a great reminder for me to get it together and FINALLY pick up Timekeeper, sheesh)
Also, I can totally see the immortal teen who is tired of being a teen but keeps being talked down to because he looks so young. Why hasn't this been done yet because it is GENIUS!?
Epic love triangles that turn out completely not what was expected – YAASS! (I guess that's why I'm also super eager to read The Love Interest)
And of course, DRAGONS! <3 One can never have enough dragons.
Lindsey @ Lindsey Reads recently posted…Ten Things On My Reading Wish List {Top Ten Tuesday}
Yes yes Timekeeper is AMAZING and has the most cutest sweetest ghost of ever in it. <3 I need to reread it honestly because GHOST OBSESSION.
And why thank you.😂I do think the immortal teen who is sick of everything would be SO fun to write.😂I'm putting that on my to-do list. And YES omg I've got the Love Interest on my TBR!! I really hope it lives up to expectations!!
FANTASY YESSS. Dark fantasies = HELL YES. Legit every fantasy book I’ve written/have planned has at least SOME form of stabbing. I’m also totally on board with 7. Because I desperately need *some* way to get through my current TBR pile…
Kara recently posted…Some MIDNIGHT QUEEN Music & Persevering with Writing
EXCELLENT. SIGN ME UP FOR ALL YOUR FANTASY BOOKS OF EVER. *coughs awkwardly and pretends is normal* Ahhem. But like seriously, what is the point of fantasy without some wild stabbing.
Okay, for helpful and cute ghosts, how about the Dead Is… series by Marlene Perez. There’s a haunted jukebox that tries to help by playing songs that are clues to the mysteries!
And as for dark fantasy, you need to read Margo Lanagan. She is the queen of grimdark. Tender Morsels would fit nicely in your retelling collection, as it’s Snow White and Rose Red. And Sea Hearts (Brides of Rollrock Island in the US and I think the UK) is a selkie story that doesn’t hesitate to delve into abusive heart of the folklore.
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Ooohhh I’ll look it up! THANKS FOR THE REC!! And I haven’t even heard of Margo Lanagan omg…these all sound just perfect. *dashes for goodreads*
#5! I had put less love triangles on my reading wishlist, but I have to say I’d totally go for your version of a love triangle, haha!
Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra recently posted…My Reading Wishlist – Ten Things I Really Want to See More of in Books
It could be fun right!?? Like tropes can get so old and tired buuuuut if they just get changed up a bit I’m TOTALLY onboard.😂
Oh my god I would read number two SO FAST! That sounds incredible! I wonder the exact same things about the super ancient characters who are still in school. And all of my yes to dark fantasy! I’ve read one or two and I LOVE it! Great list 😀
Tracy @ Cornerfolds recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday #147: A plea for recs, honestly
I’m so glad you liked my list!! Clearly we have EXCELLENT tastes since we want all of these. *cheers*😂
Dragons? Dragons. *nods*
(Also you’re reminded me I want to see more immortal characters but it’s too late to go and edit my TTT post, nooooooooo.)
And matriarchies? Hell to the yeah!
Alexandria recently posted…10 Things I Need More of in Books
MATRIARCHIES FTW. Honestly I’ve only read like a handful of books with true matriarchies in them and it pains my soul. C’mon fantasy writers. This is not too hard to imagine.😂
Cute, lovable, and helpful ghosts?
That’s definitely something to think about (:
#2 about teenagers immortals! Hell yes! Also, I’ve been writing these type of stories for a while no. No immortal teenager of mine spends their days going to school or trying to be “ordinary”, Oh no. And they’re definitely tired of being underestimated.
Magical Bakeries?
You sure do come with the most creative of ideas :’D
How about a bakery that is only the front for a rebellious organization of magic users fighting against those who wish to harm them, all the while innocently working at the bakery?
I can already see that 😉
#4 is also awesome! I’m also writing a sort of twisty and funny fairy tale story. There is already a dragon in it 😛
#5 is… eh… the first one sounds super amazing (like what was done in The Love Interest), but the second one… is no good for a romantic like myself ‘^^ . I would be very angry at the author if it happened. So if you ever do write a story like that… warn me in advance 😉
The most epic love triangle that took an unexpected way I have ever read was, without a doubt, The Infernal Devices. God, my heart.
FANTASTIC post, as ever! :DD
Zoey recently posted…Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh – Book Review
Ohhh you are obviously writing THE BEST KIND OF BOOKS THEN. *throws confetti in your face* And YES I like your bakery idea there too! It is my #1 goal to write a magical bakery book. 😂 Hopefully we can have enchanted cupcakes that reappear or like a cupcake tree. So many options omg.
DRAGONS. YAS.
And YES! I have The Love Interest on my TBR! Hopefully it loves up to expectations. 🎉🎉
How about a story where the dragon is a prince? Not that the girl realizes she’s a prince when they become friends.
Right now Dragons makes me think of the Dragon and the Scholar series by H. L. Burke. Shannon, the scholar, first looked like she might fall for the king, but ended up with the dragon instead. and an evil sorceress almost kills her and some creature tries to steal her memory. But outside of that the books aren’t very dark. Well except for the evil fairy queen. But if it doesn’t scare me, it won’t scare you.
I’d try to do a bit more diversity, but I’m afraid I’d bungle mental illnesses and end up making everything worse than if I stick to people I can relate to. Racial differences is the most I can do. (one character with an anxiety problem doesn’t count, especially when she’s partly a damsel in distress character. Thoguh she did fight off one bad guy quite fiercely and actually tried to convince them not to rescue her then.)
Any variation of the dragon tales is my new FAVOURITE.🎉 And omg she falls for the dragon?! I need to look that one up obviously. 😂
And it’s very very important to do diversity right, so I’d say better no diversity than mis-representing it!
I SO AGREE! Especially with all of them. Yes, I am so specific. Okay, but if I have to narrow it down… I definitely agree we need more dragons and more dark fantasy. And I would totally read a comedy about a poor 1000yo vampire whose life sucks because he’s still a teenager.
Also the love triangle thing. I keep waiting to see one where two guys fight over a girl and fall in love and frolic into the sunset. Because 1) hilarious and 2) diversity and 3) COME ON THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
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YAAAS. I’m so glad you like my list!! And like I really need more dark fantasy.😂 *cackles evilly in the shadows*
Apparently The Love Interest is going to be like that?!? I really hope it lives up to expectations!!
YES to magical bakeries and more dragons! I want to read every one of your ideas for dragons but especially the heist one! Please write them for us, Queen Paper Fury. Please stop tormenting us with your book snippets from the books you have already written and edit them and get them published immediately so we can read them in full!!!
Ahem.
I think you would love Howl’s Moving Castle, it has a few of the elements you’ve mentioned in this post- for example, a personified (cranky) fire and a rogue wizard.
YOUR WISH IS MY COMMAND AND IT SHALL BE DONE.😂 Haha. But no really…I do want to write these. *starts scribbling down ideas madly*
And I do need to read Howl’s Moving Castle!! I actually can’t believe I haven’t already.😂
These remind me of snippet-ideas I’ve seen on Pinterest! Sentient cities; pocket-sized dragons; friendly ghosts (automatic doors are actually polite ghosts… chivalry really is dead. that one?)…
And now I need a magic bakery! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?! It will NOT FIT into my WIP and I CAN’T start another one!! And I want dragons! And a deaf queen!
…MUST NOT. START NEW BOOK. *ducks head and runs from temptation*
I did see the chivalry is dead on on pinterest I think!😂 The others are just things I’ve been hankering for though. :’)
START ANOTHER MAGICAL BAKERY BOOK, JEM. YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO.
NOOO I CAN’T. DON’T TEMPT ME CAIT. *runs away with hands over ears*
All of the yesss! Especially that last one! I’m all for diversity in books and fantasy is sorely lacking. But also more dragons and ghosts please and thank you ^_^ All of these sound awesome!
We need aaaaall the diverse things!! And all the dead and dragonish things. 🎉🎉
So, I want all of these right now!!!! I’m really on board with the bakery and wizard in search of immortality–like, if they weren’t your ideas I’d write it myself!!!!
Also, because I love dragons and my WIP is fantasy, I’m making sure to put them in there…but more like little shoulder size dragons and stuff.
YAS I’M GLAD YOU LIKE THEM!! I need to put them on my to-write list, which is only a mile long as is.😂😂
I will be eternally pleased that you’re doing dragons too though! YAY.
If you love adorable feminish dragons, you should read Dealing with Dragons, where a (female) dragon can be dragon King and a princess runs away to the dragon’s cave and is 100% sick of the useless princes who want her hand. These are great! I would love to see some Southern Hemisphere weather patterns, and more weather magic in general because I think weather magic is super cool. I’d like to read more ‘anti quest’ books, where the magic is just in one place. I’m also interested in fantasies without magic, like Marie Rutkoski. I’m so glad that great fantasy exists.will continue to exist. And yay for this list!
Shanti recently posted…Disscusion: On our online personas, real life, and hurtfulness
Ohh I think I’ve heard of Dealing With Dragons?? *dashes to goodreads to check* That sounds AMAZING though.🎉 And yess to weather magic. 😍 And also so true about non-magical-fantasies…I mean I LOVE magic and am rather addicted to reading about it (especially if it’s an interesting/complex system) but like it’s also really cool when there are societies without it?! It’s just a bit different. I love the Winner’s Curse.😍
Well, now I want all of these things too! I really really love your list. A wizard in search of immortality so they can get through their TBR is definitely my favorite. I think we could all relate so well! More dragons would be amazing. Fantastic list!!
Lori recently posted…Ten Things on My Reading Wishlist
Ahh I’m so glad you like my list, Lori! THANKS.🎉
Yes, give me a vampire who’s about to go on a super cool adventure, only to get told he can’t drive, and then that he can’t stay in a hotel without a parent. Ohmygawshhhh I didn’t realise I wanted a book like that so badly. And he obviously has to be super cute and sweet, whilst also being a moody SOB at the same time. I need this.
Amy;
Little Moon Elephant
I want it really badly too. 😂 It’s definitely going on my next-to-think-about-seriously list!!
*sees photo* ERAGON!!!!! *starts to read post* oh, she’s not talking about it. oh well. HAVE YOU READ IT YET??? PLEASE DO. *starts reading* gets to number 6* YESSSSSS DRAGONSSSSSSSS!!!! read Eragon. it’s got baby dragons, which grow up to be slightly vain, very human dragons who makes funny names for verything, likes to eat stuff, and make other people pick the wool out of her teeth after she eats sheep. #veryniceunlessyou’reEragon and YES about no killing dragons! I’ll see books at the library with dragons on them, so I pick them up and read the back, and it’s like WHAT??? THE DRAGONS DON’T TALK, AND THEY’RE TREATED LIKE BEASTS, AND WHAT IS THIS ABOUT THE MAIN CHARACTER BEING A DRAGON KILLER????? I WILL FEED YOU TO A DRAGON RIGHT NOW. I want more books where the dragons are like humans, with personalitys and feelings, and the main character gets attached to the dragon and vice versa so they can’t STAND being apart. The only book I’ve read where that happens is in the Eragon series, I think in the last one? BUT IT IS SO CUTE OH MY WORD THEY WERE SO HAPPY TO SEE EACH OTHER. I may have died and started crying for my own dragon. So I’m gonna write a book with that kind of dragon/person relationship, even though the dragon actually talks, not just in your head. but she might be able to do that to…..
I love dragons. <3 <3 <3
I used to want a baby elephant, like, I asked for one ALL THE TIME. but then a few years ago I realized that a dragon would be better and now I want that instead. but I haven't found one yet. </3
Most crazily, ~Olive
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Aww, sorry, Olive! Nope I haven’t read Eragon yet. I WILL THOUGH SOON I PROMISE! I found that copy for super cheap at a library sale so I’ll definitely get to it soon!! 😜 I don’t understand why dragons are so often cast as the villains though?! Like they are precious and most perfect and we love them.
Definitely dragons > elephants (although baby elephants are pretty cute)
Always more dragons. *wise nods* I got inspiration from your suggestion about the dragons instead of libraries and psychics. 😛 Because yes, all the dragons and more.
” I flop back onto the grass, staring up a the sky. “Ugh.”
The dragon puffs a curl of smoke over above me and I roll over onto my elbow.
“Really?” I jump to my feet and kick a tuft of grass. ” ‘How do I save the princess?’ ‘Go ask the dragon of course.’ ” I mimic the warlock’s voice and tone almost perfectly, bending and yanking out a piece of grass from a bunch and proceeding to rip it into small shreds.
“And not even the smallest questions of whether I actually /can/ talk to dragons.” I throw the grass viciously, but the dragon puffs again and it all flies right back into my face.
I splutter and collapse onto the ground again, groaning. “I don’t care if you’re nine-hundred-and-whatever-ridiculous-number years old. You’re absolutely no use to me because I can understand dragon tongue.” ”
Jane Maree recently posted…April Camp NaNo // I flail about first drafts
(Ugh typos. That last bit of the snippet is mean to say “Because I can’t understand dragon tongue.”)
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All dragons are good dragons for sure!🎉🎉
You always do the best wishlist posts. 😀 I’m down for dragons everywhere. And personified oceans. And matriarchies. You pretty much said that one perfectly: “Why can we imagine goblins and griffins but not a fantasy society built with gender equality?!”
So true.
For #1, there’s a ghost friend in Saga that is lovable and helpful but also might kill you. She’s not really cute…but she grows on you. =)
Emily Seals recently posted…Why I Hate The Prisoner of Azkaban Film
Eeep, I’m so glad you agree with my list. *hi fives* 🎉 And wouldn’t it be nice to have books where women don’t have to prove themselves….I can keep wishing. *sigh* I so want to read Saga!!
I am on board with all of these, especially if there are magical bakeries and tropes turned upside-down.
While there aren’t any sentient cities, I do have a cantankerous bookshelf in Albion Academy. Might be up your alley.
Elijah David recently posted…Monday Musings: The Thief and The Gunslinger: Mini Reviews
Oooh cantankerous bookshelves sound EXACTLY like my kind of thing. 🎉🎉
I love the idea of magical bakeries, and that wizard story would be awesome. And now I’m off to tell my BFF to hurry up with her dragon story.
Emma recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Reading Wishlist #2
We need all the dragon stories soooo much!! *flails*
Brace yourself Cait, because I’m going to give you some recommendations *drumroll*
– Friendly ghost. Okay so there’s this webtoon called My Ghost Roomie. Basically this girl can see ghost and always troubled by them, when she moved into a house turns out there’s a ghost there. She decided to ignore him but turns out the ghost is so gentleman-ly and nice and adorable and JUST OVERALL CUTE. I haven’t read until the end though… And also I read it in webtoon, but for Indonesia, idk if it’s available in the english one.
– Magical bakeries. You should try this middle-grade series called Bliss by Katheryn Littlewood. I know you don’t read much MG, but it’s full of magic and gooey cake!
– Dragons. Have you read Seraphina? I think it has the trope falling in love with the dragon one. Also try reading this MG book called The Girl Who Drank the Moon, it has adorable tiny dragon like Mushu!
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*takes notes* THANK YOU. THIS IS SO HELPFUL. And yES I’ve read and loved Seraphina but I haven’t heard of the other ones. And you 100% sold with “tiny adorable dragon like Mushu” 😍
#need
Ahhhh……I guess I now have ten more books to write because these are all awesome ideas!!!! And I’ve been craving half of these myself, especially the dragons, the love triangle, and the diversity. And I do have an aroace character in my one story along with a demisexual protagonist, so there’s some asexual rep 🙂
OOH EXCELLENT. I definitely think we need more of that kind of rep in books. 😍
If you’re looking for a good story about a magical bakery, you should definitely check out Far Far Away by Tom McNeal. Though the magic might not necessarily be used for good (hint hint) it’s magic nevertheless! Great list! 🙂
Oh I should! Thanks for that rec!
1. AITHUSA! Your baby dragon gif is Aithusa from Merlin and AHHHHHH FANGIRL MOMENT! Also, do you watch Merlin? Because if not, you should. Merlin and Arthur are both complete sassmasters; I think you’d like it.
2. I will most likely reference your list of dragon-related wishes in future, because everything always needs more dragons. (I actually know a series that has adorable pocket-sized dragons. It’s called the DragonKeeper Chronicles. It’s . . . not at all dark. Actually, as fantasy goes, it sometimes tends towards the fluffier side. But it’s fun all the same.)
3. THE BOOKWORM WIZARD THING. So going to do that sometime. That would be fabulous.
4. Sentient buildings may end up being a thing in the urban fantasy that I’m going to write someday once I work up the courage and acquire an actual plot and characters rather than just amassing an immense Pinterest board full of inspiration. Storms, I may have a whole sentient city. Not animated, necessarily, but sentient in the way that magic forests are sentient.
5. Fabulous post. I don’t agree with all of these (for example, I don’t feel the need for more dark fantasy), but I do agree with a lot of them! And I’m going to save this for future story ideas.
Ohhh is that where it’s from?! I actually thought it was off Eragon.😂 I need to see Merlin! WHY HAVEN’T I YET. (Okay because I’ve heard it’s thoroughly heartbreaking…😂)
Also thanks for the dragon recs! I feel like I HAVE been told about that series before so I need to go find it.😂 And yes and yes to you writing sentient buildings too. DO IT FOR ME. *flails wildly* 😂
Yes, that’s where it’s from. And Merlin is rather heartbreaking, yes, but it’s also very funny at times and sweet and beautiful and just watch it please?
I will! Just as soon as I have a plot!
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I feel like we need more kick butt girl fantasy. These little girls( and also 13 year old who have never grown up)need more than just Merida and Tiana, how about a girl who has dyslexia and is a fairy looking for an adventure. Also I NEED MORE LAND OF STORIES.
Yes! I think we also need girls who kick butt but are feminine still. <3 I love the actual kickass tough girls too but like it's also epic to be cunningly intelligent as well! WE NEED ALL TYPES.
POWERFUL DEAF QUEENS !
hard to write but she’s going in the current book!
(Which has no love story (but maybe some flirting) and is just a big war story. in the heavens/stars.)
*tips hat* thanks m’lady
YOUR BOOK SOUNDS GRAND THEN.
YES to diverse fantasy books. I struggle with fantasy because the characters are often very similar. I want unique and memorable characters who I haven’t seen a thousand times before. Great list!
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Yes yes! I want fantasy that really sticks out, because when you read a lot things start unfortunately sounding the same after a while.
“Because good books should be traumatic” LOL No truer words have ever been spoken. And omg, you are so L from Death Note! I love that manga/anime 🙂 These are all fantastic ideas, so you should write them all 😀 Fabulous post!
Brittany @ Brittany’s Book Rambles
Hahaaha yES I related to L so much precious little PUMPKIN. *gross sobbing* Ahem. Speaking of traumatic books…why must Death Note be so mean to us.
OH MY GOODNESS.
I need some of these. Magical Bakeries. And the wizards. And ALL THE DRAGONS. *begins to wonder if I can combine all the ideas into one amazing book*
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YES. ONE AMAZINGLY GINORMOUS TOME OF MAGICALLY CUPCAKES AND DRAGONS. #NICE
For sweet and fun, helpful ghosts, try “For Elise” by Hayden Wand. Quirky and adorable. Also, some great ghost stuff going on in a couple stories in Five Magic Spindles, specifically “The Ghost of Briardale” by Grace Mullins. There’s a dragon in another story in that collection, “Spindle Cursed” by Michelle Pennington. (And I’m not just saying this because I also authored one of the stories in that collection. You probably wouldn’t like mine cuz #nomagicinvolved, but the others would very likely tickle you!)
My TTT is here.
I have heard of the Five Magic Spindles book! I don’t generally do short stories, but I’ll have to check it out someday. 😉 Thanks for the rec!
I LOVE ALL OF THESE IDEAS NDIEFIUWHFOW
THANK YOU, SAVANNAH.😂
*Squints* Didn’t you write a story that fits the first point on this list? Ahem. My Gothic story has a cute, helpful ghost in…or the protagonist THINKS it does anyway.
AND YES. BOOKS SHOULD BE TRAUMATIC. I read a post once that basically listed every single tragic thing that could cause conflict in a story, and said at the end that these things were not character development. They were trauma, and therefore using them as character development was bad writing. And I was just sat there like, “Why not both?” I’m sorry. Characters do not develop because they drop their homework in a puddle. Characters are forged through PAIN. (Also, stories NEED conflict. Rule of life.)
OF COURSE WE NEED MORE DRAGONS. Honestly, what sort of human would I be if I didn’t believe we needed more dragons?
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MAYBE. *twirls happily* I have written several books that somewhat fit onto books on these lists hehe.😂 I have a need okay. And omg cute ghosts though, they’re my weakness. <3
And I do think trauma changes characters...it effects your life for sure, right?! But I do think you can't just lob heartbreaking events at your character and not make them emotionally react to them. THAT'S where the development comes in I think
MORE DRAGONS. ALL THE DRAGONS. *starts up chant* DRAGONS! DRAGONS! DRAGONS!
So many great ideas! My favorite was the one about personified buildings, now that could be a lot of fun. 😀
I 100% confirm it’s fun to write.😂I have written one but need to do sO MANY MORE BECAUSE AAHHHH!!
Why do you always have so many good ideas??!! *casually gets inspired*
By the way, have you ever seen the movie Kiki’s Delivery Service? I feel like you’d enjoy it since it is full of magic and baked goods and a sassy black cat.
BECAUSE MY BRAIN AND IMAGINATION KNOW NO CHILL APPARENTLY.😂 And no I haven’t seen that movie, but I should look it up!
I… I want to write all of these. Well, I know what I’m doing this summer. Your ideas are so great!
Cait, you mind if I write a book like No. 2? With those characters and plots?
Well I’m glad you like my ideas! But I do think you should come up with your own plots or else it won’t be a story true to you. 🙂
Thanks Cait! I can¡t wait to write this. 🙂 You are a true inspiration.
This is the best list I’ve read all morning. YES YES YES to #5 though! #7 made me laugh though because my husband often tells me I’m not allowed to die until I’ve cleared my bookshelves. 😀 I do love a good, dark fantasy novel though. 🙂
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thanks!
You will DEFINITELY live forever then with all the good books that need reading!!😂😂
I read a book a while back that made me fall in love with magical bakeries: “Bliss”. The first book is so cute! Tho it is middle-grade and I haven’t read it in a while therefore I may be extremely wrong and it could be the worst book in the world. Another solid recommendation from me. You’re welcome, world.
Hahhaha, you’re hilarious.😂I shall look it up! I tend to not do soooo well with MG but like magical bakeries = need.😂
I LONG FOR ALL OF THESE THINGS IMMENSELY OMG. I must go write 10 new books now???? Also, I love ghosts and stabby stabby as well. I just started reading ADSOM aka pls be proud of me. It’s the first adult fantasy I’ve read/am reading 😛 That deaf queen is definitely making a home in my head for herself.
TODAY I FOUND A RETELLING OF A STABBY PETER PAN THAT COMES OUT THIS YEAR OMG.
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YES PLEASE GO WRITE ME 10 BOOKS, THAT’S AN EXCELLENT IDEA, KRIS. GOOD JOB THERE. And afjdksalfd I hope you ADORE A Darker Shade of Magic. 😍😍😍It’s only the incredible best.
(And omg please tell me more about this Peter Pan retelling?!?? I NEED DETAILS. *shrieks from the hilltops*)
#10… *sigh*. The world doesn’t seem to be ready for that, as evidenced by the whole The Black Witch kerfuffle. Apparently, some people don’t understand what a character arc is.
As for #2, I remember a TV show a few years back (I think it was called Moonlight) about a vampire private investigator, and in one episode he was chasing a young vampire who’d pretty much gone nuts because he was trapped as a zitty teenager for all eternity. I mean, what else is going to happen? That would really suck… So, yeah. There are other ways of dealing with immortality besides redoing high school over and over. These immortals need to think outside the box!
You’ll just have to write all these books you want to read! Then everybody else can enjoy them, too.
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I haven’t read The Black Witch (tbh I don’t think I plan to?) but isn’t the protagonist white? I think it’s different when the protagonist is a POC and the author too.
And omg that’s awesome that those kind of stories exist then, like your Moonlight!! I think it’d totally suck to be a teen forever. 😂😂
And YES! I’ll put them all on my to-do list right?!?😂
I agree with the diversity! Who doesn’t love diversity?! I run a book club for my homeschool though, and the first meeting I had to explain diversity to everyone. NO ONE KNEW WHAT IT WAS OR WHAT IT MEANT! It’s a tragedy not everyone knows about diversity. I especially like diversity I’ve never seen before. I also agree with personified inanimate objects., I mean come on, if trees speak Latin I’ll read it (please get that reference:). I don’t know about the dragons. I love dragons, but I have yet to read a book solely about dragons that I have liked. I have tried. I can read books with dragons in them, but if dragons are the main point I find it very hard to be surprised. I do have a bearded dragon named Smaug though! I swear though, if I got him after I read GoT his name would be Drogon. I also wish there was more LGBTQ+ fantasy books. People also need to stop being freaked out about it. I just feel like on social media lately, when they find out a character is gay they freak out. It makes me wonder if there is a lot of deeply hidden homophobia than I thought in the world. Why can’t we all just love that Adam and Ronan are together or Jesper and Wylan and be like, “YES! YES PLEASE!” Then shove them in a room together and just read that! Your “immortals that look like teens”, Hahahahah! That is so true. Sometimes I wish they were immortals that are like in there 20’s or something. It’s hard being a teen and saving the world.
Woah…not knowing what diversity is is such sadness. 😭 Although to be honest, I had to explain it to my parents too not so long ago AGH. But hey at least we’re here to talk about it!!
YAS OF COURSE I GOT THAT REFERENCE, OMG OF COURRRRRRSE.
I actually do hear you on the dragon-book front, because i generally rate dragon books really low because no one seems to do them justice.😭 I really loved Seraphina though, if you’re interested in trying that one? It has music too!
I haven’t seen people freaking out about characters being gay in fantasy novels, but ugh that would be really frustrating to witness. I mean, I’ve seen HAPPY freak-outs that people are really excited to find the representation though! So that’s great! 😀
OOHHH. MAGICAL BAKERIES. I’ve actually read a book about magical bakeries when I was around 11. It was called Bliss Bakery Story: Bliss by Kathryn Littlewood. Maybe try that? It isn’t YA though. *Sobs*.
Oh that sounds fun! I generally don’t do well with things that are TOO fluffy 😂 but I’ll check it out!!
I’m working on a greatly diverse fantasy that has quite a bit of darkness to it 😀 there’s still some gush, but since I’m writing it with my fiancé, he’s added as much darkness as he can ^^
oh that IS GLORIOUS NEWS I HOPE YOU HAVE FUN WITH IT!!
#2 = YAS. How does this not exist already?! I would read the heck out of that. (And basically all the other items on your list, let’s be honest.)
I’m so glad you liked my ideas too!!😂 And why don’t we have these annoyed immortals?! I WANT.
This list was straight up hilarious!
“dragons in modern settings that cook your toast and act as flammable cats” I didn’t even know I needed this, BUT I NEED IT NOW???
And AMEN to actually dark fantasies! They always seem to throw in a romance when THERE DOESN’T NEED TO BE A FREAKING ROMANCE. I am clearly using CAPS lock way too much in this comment, but – I agree with this post.
I’M SO GLAD YOU LIKE MY IDEAS. That makes me so happy haha. And yessss, where are our dark fantasies when we need them. (And there’s NEVER too much all caps on my blog. 😂)
Okay, honestly? All of these sound ridiculously amazing!! I might need to start writing a book because ideas are floating around in my head lately and you just sparked some more 😉
I need more unicorns in books! And centaurs! And Pegasus! Everything remotely resembling a horse basically 😉
I’m so so glad you like them!! 😍😍 And omg YES to centaurs and Pegasus!! I don’t even know why we don’t have more of those either?!
Cait, I must declare my undying love for the way you think/blog. This post was amazing. I agree with the diversity and DARK FANTASY and especially no. 4. I personally would like to see more shape-shifting in fantasy. Also, GRIFFINS, CAIT. GRIFFINS. I want more griffins. AND an anime reference!! And it’s L!!! Go, Cait.
In case you’re interested… https://stonesofrome.wordpress.com/2017/05/09/ten-things-on-my-reading-wishlist
THANK YOU, ALICE. I DECLARE YOU THE ABSOLUTE BEST THING. <3 And omg griffins. How could I forget that we don't have many (any?!?) griffins around.
L IS THE BEST THOUGH.
I love #1 and 2! Also, the personified things. I’ve been thinking up a fantasy world that’s half retellings wherein there’s a living castle that’ll lock doors or make scary shadows if it doesn’t like you or will creak and moan when it’s sad or whiny. I also want a Snow White assassin. I’ve never actually liked the story of Snow White? But I want to make Snow White into a sort of Snow Queen, and instead of killing her for her beauty, her step mother charges her to kill and freeze people so that Snow White is feared and friendless or something rather dark and icy-like. And when dangerous blizzards come, people don’t talk about Jack Frost but about Snow White.
And DRAGONS! Always need more dragons. *nods* A fantasy world with diverse dragons is definitely a necessity. Why has no one thought of this? Or wizards who get distracted by toves of books!! (*cough* Gandalf off researching the ring . . . don’t tell me he read only about the ring and wasn’t tempted to pick up other books.) Cait, you are a genius.
YAS THAT’S WHAT I WANT TOO! My current fantasy has a castle that only shows you into rooms it wants to show you. 😂 But like houses/buildings with mood swings are the BEST and we need 5000 of them right now immediately. And dude, your Snow White twist sounds amazing. Pls hurry up and write that. 😍
I’m almost sure I’ve read stories about friendly cute ghosts. Except I can’t point out a single one! Is it just that I’ve also always felt this would be a super awesome story??? Yes, please write it. It would be great.
I just read a super diverse book, BTW, but alas, ’twas not fantasy. We really do have somewhat of a problem with fantasy in that regard, don’t we? Fantasy and sci-fi are the most stubborn genres when it comes to diversity, it seems. Not even talking hardcore diversity here, merely having WOMEN in the story would be nice sometimes 😀 for starters…
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Yayyy I’m glad you’re fond of ghosts too! I have written 3 ghosts books but I NEED MOOOOOORE. and I really do think fantasy/speculative fiction really needs to work harder on the diversity front. Contemporary does MUCH better. And omg I have started getting more into adult fantasy (because world building is so much better there) but the sheer lack of well-written women is so frustrating. 😭
It truly is. Oh well, guess we just need to give it time? People actually have to write it. And stuff 🙃
As for ghosts, OMG yes! My favorite childhood stories were the one about Scrooge (not even the original classic one, but the Ducktales one :D) and a televised movie about the Canterbury ghost 😀 there can honestly not be enough nice ghost stories! And I don’t mean like horrors. I mean where ghosts are just… nice people. I would read that any day. So if you’re going to write more, please do 🤗 and sign me up to the early readers please 😁 teehee!
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I’m assuming you’ve already read Tamora Pierce’s The Immortals series with the CUTEST BABY DRAGON AVARRR?!! (and plenty of goopy gore)
I haven’t actually read any Tamora Pierce…so I should put that on the to-do list?😂
Great list, I’d love to see fantasy books about all of these things!
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YAS I’M GLAD WE’RE IN AGREEMENT!!
If you’re yearning for a princess who falls in love with a dragon, you MUST read One Good Knight by Mercedes Lackey. Not only does the princess fall in love with a dragon, she falls in love with a BOOKWYRM. Seriously. He’s got a library and everything (supporting my theory that the quickest way to a girl’s heart is throwing books at her). It is the second book in a series, but I think it can be read as a standalone as long as you understand
Tradition (n.) mysterious force that tries to make people live out the tired old fairytales
It’s better than the first book too, to my recollection, and the characters from book numero uno only make glorified cameos.
As for dark fantasy, I love A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz. String together a bunch of fairytales and add back in the buckets of blood that have been taken out over time. The whole book is really best summed up by the first sentence: “Once upon a time, fairy tales were awesome.” The sequel, In a Glass Grimmly, is good too, but I recall the third book taking a meta twist that just did not work (probably why I didn’t buy it).
Ooh I haven’t heard of that one before! I MUST SEARCH IT OUT BECAUSE I HAVE SO MUCH DRAGON NEED IN MY LIFE AHHHHHHHHH. (And yes that is the way to a girl’s heart. That should be on a tee shirt.)
I agree so much with these! As much as I love fantasy, I’m getting a little tired of the same old stuff and if I have to read one more blurb with an awesome premise that ends in “and then there was EPIC ROMANCE” I’m gonna scream. Seriously though, I’m all here for the princess who falls in love with the dragon or, you know, maybe they’re just really good friends? Have you read the Temeraire series by Naomi Novik? It’s all about fighting Napoleon with the help of dragons who act just like cats if cats could talk and fly. And I would LOVE to see more ace/aro rep in fantasy or a chosen one with anxiety.
As for number 2, I’m actually planning a book about a 500-yr-old immortal teenager in Italy who has only been to school once, has never owned a smart phone, and occasionally fights monsters in his spare time. But my writing process is so slow, it probably won’t be finished for like, 50 years. Sorry.
Haha, AGREED.😂 I just want to have some epic fantasy that doesn’t have to drop the plot when the romance comes in.😂 And like just more dragons everywhere, please?!? I haven’t read Temeraire yet! I did read Uprooted and I wasn’t in love buuuuut….dragons. So I have to try it!!
And omg OMG OMG YOUR BOOK IDEA SOUNDS AMAZING PLEASE LET IT BE PUBLISHED SOON AHHHH!!!!
Yes, yes, YEEEEEEEEEES. YOU HAVE CAPTURED MY MIND AND PUT IT IN THIS POST, CAIT. I don’t know if I’m supposed to feel awed or terrified.
First of all, YES TO DIVERSITYYYYYY. We get diversity all the time in contemporaries, but it’s time that we get some in fantasy! It’s really not that hard to incorporate it, though, because nothing is “default” and there’s no “normal” — meaning that ANYTHING can be normal. If that makes sense???
Second, omg I literally LOVE dark. Dark characters, dark plots, dark stories… ANYTHING. We DEFINITELY need more dark fantasies — or I will write it. And it will not go well. XD And eek, your obsession with ghosts makes me want to write a novel with some! I mean, I’m just now realizing how amazing they are (thanks to your oh-so-great wisdom), so I’ll probably be squishing a ghost into a story somewhere. 😉
This post is soooo #relatable. LOVE IT!
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MWAHAHAH MY POWERS KNOW NO BOUNDS. *cackles evilly into the dusk*
And yes yes so much agreement *nods* Contemporary is doing much better with the diversity, but I still long to see more of it in fantasy. Especially well represented disabilities and mental health issues. They’re invisible IRL so I guess that’s why they get overlooked in books too bUT WE NEED THEM SO BAD.
Also 100% YES write about ghosts, May.😂 FOR MEEEEE.
Oh, Cait. This post makes e so happy. I did not know that I needed an immortal being who is tormented by being an eternal teen. I particularly like your scenario where the dark villain creature cannot take over the world due to being grounded. Please write that book and have it published and send it to me because I have needs.
Also, I know you have heard this before but you need to read the Dragonriders of Pern. There are problematic elements but I can acknowledge that (and mentally rewrite those parts) and still love them. There are baby dragons bonding mentally with humans and it is awesome. Start with Dragonsong because it will take you two hours to read and you will know if the writing is for you or not.
I WILL. It’s officially on the to-do list because #need. 😂 And I have heard of the Dragonriders of Pern! I am just a little worried that it’ll be too light for me though?
oH MY GOD I DIDN’T REALISE HOW MUCH I NEEDED IDEA 4 WHERE THE PRINCESS FALLS IN LOVE WITH THE DRAGON INSTEAD! These are such creative ideas Cait and if I was a writer/had the time, I’d defs write you one of these! 😉 lOVELY POST!
I’M SO GLAD YOU LIKE THEM. *flails happily* I had WAY too much fun writing this post haha.
ASEXUAL PRINCES. YES.
Have you ever read any Piers Anthony? That was my first real fantasy obsession… and it kind of raised the bar for me and diverse character types. If a fantasy book is all white normal people and some magical creatures… BORING. Unless those creatures talk. I need more than the people to be doing the talking.
Oooh, no I haven’t heard of that author! *dashes off to google*
Ugh, this reminds me that I need to read more dark fantasy. Or just fantasy in general. I’ve been in a fantasy slump, and I miss it so much!
I would definitely request more dark fantasy. I love dark anything, really, so that’s not really a surprise. I also demand more fae, BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH BOOKS ABOUT FAE. They’re my favorite mythical creature, and I can barely find books about them. I also like assassins. And anti-heroes (especially a GANG OF THEM). And I love magic systems. And boarding schools. And heists. LOTS AND LOTS OF HEISTS. And parallel worlds. There’s probably more I could think of, but then this comment would become WAY TOO LONG. XD
Fantasy is LIFE! But honestly I can barely ever find truly dark fantasy.😂 Oh dear my poor wild heart.😂 And like fae are so so awesome too?! With all the culture of Ireland and stuff too would be lovely. And 5000% YES to anything with antiheroes, preferably if they’re stealing something like in Six of Crows. 😍
The first one sounds like the one I would love to read the most! <3 Cute post!
Ahhh I’m so glad you liked my ideas!!
Okay, now I NEED the salty vampire who is sick of being 17. SO much need. That is the best idea ever. Like cursing about how they can’t get into bars and stuff? Yes. And definitely more diversity! Here’s my issue with the dragon love though: Isn’t it… kind of bestiality? i mean… I don’t think it works, it’s like… the Prince falling in love with his horse? Which…. hard pass. Also, I read a book with a lovable yet murderous ghost and it was kind of awesome. Just saying 😀
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Wouldn’t it be perfect?!? And like they get caught by social services or whatever and end up adopted and having to pretend to be a teen again when they really are so sick of being a teen. 😂😂 I NEED TO WRITE THIS.
OMG these would be wonderful books! The Love Triangle one is so freaking awesome 😛 I would definitely read that! And also getting through TBR pile with dark magic #sorelatable 😀 AN YES TO DIVERSITY EVERYWHERE!!! Can you hear us authors?? DIVERSITY!! And isn’t dark epic fantasy the best genre or ever?? Amazing post Cait 🙂 😀
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We shall climb on a mountain top and shout about our need for diversity together, Uma! *FLAILS*
Cute ghosts? Now you have got a point there. Magical bakeries? That is the best idea. Were you happy to see the strudel shot in Fantastic Beasts movie? I loved it. I wish I had the power to bake with magic
I’m so happy you like my list! And omg YESSSSS the strudel was the best part of Fantastic Beasts.😍
I love this list, Cait! I personally agree with the idea of friendly ghosts. Have you read Saga, the graphic novel? In the comics, there’s a friendly teen ghost who babysits and it’s the most adorable and funny thing. (Granted, I haven’t read the last two issues which were apparently very heartbreaking soo!!)
I also LOVE the idea of magical bakeries…. why hasn’t anyone thought of this? I would love to visit a magical bakery, fictional or otherwise.
And 100% yes to diversity. I think there are more and more diverse fantasies lately, but I definitely want more. I’m excited for the future tbh, hoping and knowing that these books will be written someday. :’)
I haven’t but I really really want to!! I’m still annoyed my library doesn’t have them tbh…I should put in a request.😂 (And oh goodie. Heartbreaking.😂)
I’m pleased there’s more diverse fantasy coming out too!! And by diverse authors is even BETTER. More please. 😍
I love all of these! But, you know, Fairyland has several of these… A through L is a wonderful Wyverary (Wyvern cross Library) & there are so many personifications it’s amazing 💕💕 Great post, as always!
Omg reason #948938 to read Fairyland WHY HAVEN’T I YET I AM ASHAMED OF ME.
Essentially, yes. It’s pretty much my all-time favourite series 😍😍😍 I honestly think you’ll love it 💕
I also have a review if that helps?
Oh I own it!😂 I just need to actually READ IT instead of procrastinating it.😂
Fair enough, I know the feeling (me with V. E. Schwab and 1000 other books) But please do read it!! 💕💕
Hi! I don’t read much fantasy, but I’d LOVE a book about a magical bakery. Especially if it were about cupcakes! 🙂
My TTT
Leslie
YAS WOULDN’T IT BE SO DELICIOUS??! *tries not to think about cupcakes because has sudden need for them*
Yes to all of these, particularly the first two on your list! 🙂
Lauren @ Always Me
Eeep, I’m glad we’re in agreement!!
OKAY YES DIVERSITY! 100% YES DIVERSITY!
But also with the whole romantic diversity thing (as a self-declared not romantic person), while romance is nice and everything, a lot of times I feel like when people try to add romance into a book with an already epic plot, it feels like an afterthought. Although I’m currently getting a brilliant idea for a super badass lesbian warrior duo. IMAGINE THE EPIC BATTLES. ANYWAY YES ALL THE DIVERSITY.
And the whole ghosts thing too. I’m working on a story (which isn’t fantasy, it’s sci-fi, but anyway) in which there is a ghost, but he’s not a cute one. I mean, he is kinda cute and helpful but *spoilers* is actually an evil manipulative ghost who’s helping the bad guy. But he’s cute in the beginning, and he’s really cool because he’s a ghost, but the reason he’s a ghost is because of something else.
AND AS A BAKER MYSELF I NEED A MAGICAL BAKERY. MAYBE IN THE SAME STORY AS THE EPIC FIGHTING COUPLE. I AM GOING TO GO WRITE THIS STORY NOW. GOODBYE GREAT DRAGON OF INSPIRATION.
Agh yes I agree. I sometimes feel like romance is just a requirement because of the stigma that “everyone likes romance” which isn’t truuuuuue. And a lot of the time it doesn’t even flow with high-action stories anyway. LET’S PLEASE HAVE MORE PLATONIC RELATIONSHIPS ANYWAY. And ghosts are just so cute afjdksald I’m so glad you’re using ghosts too!! I have 3 ghost books now and it’s not enough.😂
Hi, Cait! I really enjoy these posts – they are inspiring and they make me giggle inside! Currently I’m reading a book called Pilgrim’s Inn by Elizabeth Goudge. While it’s not fantasy, it does have a house that sort of has a “personality.” All of her books are set in amazing, semi-characterized locations. Just thought I’d let you know – besides, more people need to know about her books so they can devour them!!!
Aww, thanks, KB!! That makes me SO ridiculously happy ahhh!!! And a house with a personality?!? *dashes off to look up this book*
Confession:
Whenever my agent asks me to think of new ideas I totally raid your blog posts and I’m like, “What’s Cait want to see written?” BOOM. One post-apocalyptic diverse Hansel and Gretel magical bakery dragon kingdom dark fantasy book coming up. 😉
I got ya.
(confession #2: Just kidding, I don’t steal your ideas. But these are some of my favorite blog posts.)
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Omg excuse me while I laugh and laugh.😂😂😂 This actually makes my day!!😂
heyyy I love Death Note! I just binge watched it over finals week because I have a good idea of how to run my life!!! And I wrote a whole blog post on it!!! And I thought of you when I saw L with his cake!!!!!!!! 😀 😀 😀 (may be falling into a hole and dying)
I haven’t seen the anime yet but the BOOKS WERE SO GOOD!! *flails* L was like the perfect antihero.😂
Have you heard of Magic Bitter, Magic Sweet by Charlie Holmberg. Kinda sounds like something you might like…(there’s a living cookie boy, lol!) Here’s the synopsis:
Maire is a baker with an extraordinary gift: she can infuse her treats with emotions and abilities, which are then passed on to those who eat them. She doesn’t know why she can do this and remembers nothing of who she is or where she came from.
When marauders raid her town, Maire is captured and sold to the eccentric Allemas, who enslaves her and demands that she produce sinister confections, including a witch’s gingerbread cottage, a living cookie boy, and size-altering cakes.
During her captivity, Maire is visited by Fyel, a ghostly being who is reluctant to reveal his connection to her. The more often they meet, the more her memories return, and she begins to piece together who and what she really is—as well as past mistakes that yield cosmic consequences.
I have!! I did read that one and the cake part was DELICIOUS.
CAIT! I, too, wrote about matriarchies. I want diversity in books, dang it. YES TO DRAGONS! EVERYTHING DRAGONS IS APPROVED.. The quest of baby-faced vampires just sounds awesome.. Are you fed up with fairies, or would you look forward to anything with fairies? I have read too many books about how pretty they are, and I just want to destroy that trope with all I got. *is not a fairy* *fairy dragon?* *idk*
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Yaaaas! I’m glad we have excellent priorities! And honestly every book would just be so much better with dragons and this is a fact.
And yes yes I want faeries! I actually have barely read any faerie books?!? Holly Black is my go-to, but I want moooore. I think faeries being super gorgeous is part of who they are though, because like beauty-on-the-outside-and-poisonous-on-the-inside.
MENTALLY ILL WIZARDS?
gasp.
gasp.
I need it. I hadn’t even thought of it, now i need it so bad. how dare you make me need it. *sighs*
and #dragonlivesmatter I mean such prejudice against dragonkind!
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YAS LET’S JUST KIDNAP AN AUTHOR OR TWO AND HAVE THEM WRITE US THIS RIGHT NOW.
YES, it IS rude for no books to be published about these topics.
And now I have discovered that I have a hankering for ghosts that I never knew I had! I HAVE SO MANY MORE IDEAS NOW like what even, Cait, I have imagination now?
And this list pretty much reminded me of YOUR writing. As I was reading the first item, I was like “But CAIT you’re writing all of these right now!”
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I’M SO GLAD I HAVE INFECTED YOU WITH GLORIOUS AMOUNTS OF NEED FOR THESE BOOKS. And omg.😂 I want to write them into full novels now too…I’ve gotten so ridiculously inspired just writing this post.😂
with the dragon ones, I’m actually using shape-shifting dragons who aren’t good at shifting and often have scales or wings or horns still, so…
EXCELLENT. I AM YOUR NEW FAN.
I would love more friendly ghosts, especially ones that stick around. In ghost stories, they tend to be working on moving on and stuff. While I’m all for resolution of conflict, I would love to have my own personal friendly ghost that acts as a personal air conditioner, as you said, because I dislike the heat so much. ;_;
A diverse cast in fantasy would be amazing, particular a matriarchy. Some books end up that way after the girls have to fight their way past parliament or whatever, but why must they fight to get there? Why can’t we start out there in the first place? What must a wizard with mental health issues be like? Does it affect his or her magic? How does the wizard manage it? I need to know these things!
Oh, personification! How about a library where when you enter it to talk to it, the pages flurry from somewhere and form a human form (or the form of whatever species is making the inquiry)? That would be so neat and it would be a cool visual effect on film. 😀
We ALWAYS need more dragons. I wish Patricia C. Wrede would write more dragon books because Kazul becoming dragon King as a female was amazing and I want more books in that world. It was funny, twisty, and just a good time.
I know right?! And they’re usually vicious and want to destroy people, which is totally relatable, but yet I want more cute/friendly ghosts. I need one to organise my TBR to be honest. That would be nice.
AND YES OMG I WANT MATRIARCHIES SO BAD. The only matriarchy I’ve found is in The Demon King stories, but the girl STILL has to prove herself. I just don’t get it??? Like it’s a fantasy world gosh darnit. Why can’t people imagine worlds were men never believed they were better???????? And it’s fantasy. We deserve to have fantasy where women are empowered from page one.
Cait, I have a feeling you are going to write all of these books one day and they’re all going to be absolutely amazing. <3 I love these ideas – especially the one about the enchanted bakery (yum!). And, of course, dark fantasy is always the best. 😉 Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous post! <3
Aww, ZOE. You make me flail!!😂 I seriously hope I at least get to write a few because #need. And they say if you can’t find the book you want to read, you should write it, eh!??
FEAR NOT, CAIT. I’M GOING TO QUICKLY WRITE A STORY OF A VAMPIRE MATRIACH STUCK IN A PERSONIFIED TOWER DEFENDED BY TONS OF BABY DRAGONS THAT THE MC RIDES OFF INTO THE SUNSET ON.
almost forgot the epilouge- MC adopts a chicken and owns a magical bakery that has a friendly ghost who helps her during rush hours. lol, New York Times Bestsellers List or what?!
EXCELLENT. THIS IS EVERYTHING I’VE EVER WANTED.
I was so inspired by this post that I wrote my own post about things that I want to see in spy books! This is such a creative idea and now I have all these ideas for stories that I want to write. Why are there so many wonderful things to write about and so many books I want to read? I’ve decided I need a time-turner so I can finish off all of my lists. Anyone know where I can buy one?
Aww, I’m glad you enjoyed my post! We need 3989 more hours in the day to write about ALL the things, right?😂
Are you on Goodreads? If yes, we have to connect so I can compare our lists. I like a lot of fantasy and have found books, trilogies, sagas, and chronicles that fit I think almost everything you’ve mentioned here.
I’d also like to suggest the most recent book review over at Tea Time with Melody Q – The Enchanted Forest Chronicles has cool dragons and devious dragons and princesses who work for dragons. The Eragon saga is outstanding. Although, I was really annoyed at the author (this goes to your sequels post) because he told us it would be a trilogy then decided to make it a saga and didn’t say anything about it until the very end of book three. :-S I kept reading thinking it would resolve…it didn’t, Then it took more than 3 years to get the last book!
The Elsker series has an immortal who finally puts of his college facade. It’s a bit more romance than fantasy, but when you’re dating Thor’s son who cares. 😉 And then she discovers her powers too. I need to find book 2 of that series.
Love this post.
Yes! I’m under Cait Paper Fury (there’s a link in my footer of the blog) and yaaaas to giving each other fantasy recs. That would be GREAT. I havne’t heard of The Enchanted Forest so I’ll definitely oook that up. I haven’t actually read Eragon haha. I tried when I was about 13 but lost interest for some reason? I fully intend to pick it up and finish though! I found a copy at a library sale for 10cents (OMGGG) and it’s hardcover (AHHH!) so I’ll definitely read it soon.
If a novel – no matter the genre – is going to engage in a love triangle, I just want it to be 100% different! For reasons. My biggest pet peeve? The girl being all wishy-washy and switching her choice from chapter to chapter. Hashtag BORING!
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True true! If I see a love triangle, I just want it to have things shaken up a bit. 😂 And omg when she honestly can’t decide it just annoys me…like you aren’t in love with either of them, DEAR.
YES TO GHOST AND DRAGONS AND DIVERSITY AND DARK FANTASY!! YAY for someone else who wants to see more ghosts in fantasy! I swear there are not enough fantasy books with ghosts in them. I can count three series that I know of and that’s it. One of them being The Raven Cycle (which I need to finish still 🙈). Have you read Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready? Not exactly a lot of friendly ghosts but it has ghosts and it’s a great fantasy series. One of the secondary/main characters is actually a ghost. Great list, Cait! 😁
OMG YOU MUST FINISH THE RAVEN CYCLE, AKA STARRING NOAH THE BEST GHOST OF THEM ALL. *sobs and hugs him* Also I haven’t read Shade but I shall go look for it immediately because fantasy.😍
Yes and yes! I couldn’t agree more and wanted to add that I want to see young adult without romance. I want to see books with sibling love, with friendship love and non romantic love. I want to see more emphasis placed on families and how they influence decisions. I feel like Aussie YA is pretty much has narratives that include parents and siblings but given the teen age group, we need more. We need to see parents talk about morals, obligations and teens held accountable for their actions too.
Won’t someone think of the children!
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Yessss to all of those.😍 I really REALLY want to see more friendship-focused books .Just bring us all the platonic things yes please and thank you. (Also it’d be nice to have more good parents in books?!? PLEASE.
We definitely need more dragons in stories and I have to admit I clicked on this post because of Eragon in your picture. I love those books so much! Have you ever read Far Far Away by Tom McNeal? A ghost narrates the story and it resembles a modern day Grimm Brothers fairy tale.
I haven’t heard of Far Far Away! I shall look it up because YAS GHOSTS. 😍😍
Cait. The utter lack of diversity in high fantasy especially drives me crazy too. Like…can the fantasy world not be completely white, male, able-bodied, cis, neurotypical, and straight, thank you. And anyone who says ‘that’s not realistic’ should be eaten by a dragon, because a) it is too realistic to have diversity, and b) it’s fantasy. Fantasy. IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE REALISTIC. Sorry, needed to rant.
I loved your idea with personification of everything. And I agree. There should be more of that. Oooh, and the immortals who are tired of looking like teenagers. Like seriously, that makes so much sense. Also, why would anyone ever want to repeat high school once, let alone countless times. I never understood that storyline. Anyone who writes that doesn’t remember what high school was like or they really want to torture their characters. Because high school is torture; too much work and little autonomy but lots of responsibilities. Ugh.
Ugh I do NOT like it when people go on the “well it’s a sexist world because that’s realistic to the times!” trail and then they go adding in goblins and talking swords and like magical trees. WHAT EVEN PEOPLES. DO YOU HEAR YOURSELF. *throws fantasy cliches out the window and howls at them* You are most welcome to rant about fantasy any time with me. 😂 I concur!!
You had me at more dragons and magic bakery’s, YES! We definitely need more of those! Please, Please tell me you have read “The dragon with a chocolate heart” by Stephanie Burgis? It’s a book that was made for you! Its literally about a dragon who is turned into a human girl and makes it her life dream to work in a chocolate house!!
For me though I also like books like “ink heart” and “The other Alice” where characters come out of books and cause havoc in the real world. Its like stories within stories – and I definitely wish there were more of them!
Great post as always Cait!
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YES YES I HAVE!! IT WAS THE CUTEST BOOK EVER.😍 I need more YA books like that though??! Like with dragons with excellent priorities. afjdkslad
Also I loved Inkheart!
Yes we need more princesses or princes to go for the dragon. Dragons are the best. That would be an epic love triangle though….
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Dragons are the besssst. MY ONE TRUE LOVE IS DRAGONS. 😍
Okay, Cait, I am about to give you want you want, in some paltry way.
The Canterville ghost – shy ghost who just wants some wee lil help. (Also Casper the friendly ghost but idk if that’s a book but love.)
Just add magic – a kid’s show but i think you won’t mind because magic cakes….
Also the whole animated building sounds so dreamy and amazing. Kind of reminds me of wizard of oz.
Oooh, I’ll check it out! The only problem is I like never watch TV shows. 🙈🙊
OMG loving this list – especially number two. I don’t read YA fantasy very often – but it seems like every single time I do, there is always a freaking vampire or some such creature masquerading as a teenager and like, I as an adult would have trouble doing that all day – I can not imagine as a 700 year old, that they could do it for very long lol. Plus, could we not with that 700 year old liking the new 17 year old girl in his class. Gives me the creeps every. single. time!
Wouldn’t you get SO annoyed all the time?!? Like even teenagers get sick of teenagers so I need some vampires who are really so dONE with being a teenager and just want to grow a bit taller or whatever.😂
Back again. I keep seeing the not about lack of diversity in high fantasy. Most of the high fantasy I’ve read have groups formed similarly to that found in The Lord of the Rings with many differing races of “people.” That being said, i realize the movie cast all white men for those parts. However, when reading the older fantasy books you find strong women among the quest as well a females of other species. Most don’t give a skin color when describing, so my mind has been known to fill in whatever it wants to complete the description of the character.
If you are looking for an interesting high fantasy with female leads, I suggest the Trillium series, The Dragonlance books and Terry Brooks books also have diverse questing casts. Of course, orcs are always on the evil side.
One of the many reasons I disliked the movie Eragon was complete miscasting of the elven princess.
I guess I tend to read more modern books, and YA more particularly.😜And I’d like more cultures in fantasy too? Like I often find YA epic fantasies don’t have different cultures which can be dull after a while. 😜
THESE ALL NEED TO GET INTO MY TBR RIGHT NOW PLEASE AND THANK YOU.
Another thing I love, because I’m me (that one girl we all know), is fantasy with magical horses involved. GIVE ME ALL THE PONIES
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WELL THANK YOU, BEC.😂 I’m glad you like my random ideas shouting here hahaha. (And dude, YES to the magical horses.)
Oooh, Cait! May I please remind you of Robin Hobb? I know her books are huge, and there are so many books with series after series that follow on, but her books have so many things that you want! Though not necessarily in each and every book.
A royal assassin (not dark exactly, as it’s with poisons and such as well as stabbing)
A princess who becomes queen – who isn’t your average queen.
Dragons. Specifically, bringing dragons back to the world as they haven’t been around for generations. And all that surrounds that.
A kind of “bond” formed between dragons and their “keepers” – basically people who serve them.
Sentient ships.
Pirates.
Magical beings.
A prophet. And his catalyst.
There’s so much more, but I don’t want to spoil things.
There are 16 books. I know that’s a lot. But Hobb really is one of my fave high fantasy authors, and I’m reading what I believe is going to be the final, final book now, and I’m seeing exactly how everything that happened, from the very, very beginning, has led to this book. Pleaaaase read them? I’d so love to know what you think! And you read so quickly! You could probably complete the first trilogy in a week. It’s the Farseer Trilogy, and it starts with Assassin’s Apprentice. I’d really love to talk to you about the books! 🙂
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Yes yes do remind me of Robin Hobb.😂😂 I have her first book on audio so like why haven’t I gotten to it yet?!? IT HAS LIKE A CHECKLIST OF ALL THE THINGS CAIT NEEDS OMGGG.
YESSSS! Oooh, I am so eager to see what you think! I just hope you can be patient with it. Without giving anything away, there are no dragons in the first book. The ships and the pirates come in the second trilogy, in another part of the world. But it’s worth the wait! I promise you! And there’s food, Cait! Lots of food!
I finished the last book today. I am bereft. BEREFT! The whole thing has come to it’s final, final ending, and I’m so upset. I’ve grown up with these characters. I started reading the first trilogy in my teens, and I’m now 30, and it’s ended, and I’ll never see these characters again. AND CAIT, I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO! I’m just so upset. It’s like someone has died. Like I’ve lost friends. I hate this feeling, but I guess that’s a good thing? Sign of good storytelling.
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I totally get how that’d feel!! Definitely like losing a friend. I hope it was a satisfying conclusion though?!
Because of this post I now have a loosely outlined duology that involves a family in which the mother and baby sister are cursed and spend half the time as a dragon and teenaged son has to go off and find the witch bc everyone’s just kinda sick of it and she’s actually in a magical bakery and pretty awesome and was just trying to see if the spell would work and didn’t think that it would, but oopsy daisy it’s been like 17 years and pls just stop already. Except she doesn’t know how. And so boy and the apprentice and the witch are trying to figure out what the heck to do and pls Cait just whyyyyyy I have enough WIPS already….. *sobbing* *violently typing more outlines*
WELL THAT SOUNDS OFFICIALLY AMAZING.😍
AND I’D BE SORRY BUT I’M NOT. *cackles evilly into the darkness*
Love this!
x The Captain
Yay and thank you!
UGH STOP GIVING ME SO MANY BOOK IDEAS CAIT I HAVE ENOUGH
YOU’RE SO WELCOME.😇😈
OH OH I just read an excerpt of this new novel titled Gork, the Teenage Dragon. The story was told from 16 yo dragon’s point of view and it’s so funny. He basically wanted to clarify all these steretotyped kinds of dragon we’ve been bombarded with and OPENLY DISSED SMAUG 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Omg I just got approved for an eARC of that today actually!! I’M SO EXCITED I HOPE IT’S HILARIOUS. 😂 (Although nooo to dissing Smaug!😂)
Hahahaha OH MY GOODNESS THESE NEED TO EXIST!!! I would buy 1, 2 and 5 in a heartbeat. And YAS to more dragon representation please!! And not whiny non-dragons either- proper terrifying dragons like Smaug!! And I love dark stories cos yes they should be traumatic- traumatic because *dragons*!!
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Dragons are absolutely AMAZING beasts and 100% yes to more Smaug worthy ones. 😍
I have a matriarchy for you! Check it out here: https://swoonreads.com/m/the-stock-6/
Read it for free and then please leave your rating/vote.
I would greatly appreciate it.
Michelle 🙂
Oh…sorry, I meant I want books where the matriarchy is empowering, not villainous.
Sorry about that. All the best with your work.
This. Is. Fantastic.
ARGH! It posted before it was supposed to.
BAD COMMENT! *evil eyes*
Anyway, love the list. #9 = brilliance.
Though I do have to say, I like long books and Sanderson’s novels are the bomb. *gasp* 😮
Keep up the fantastic work! 😀
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Haha, I’m glad you liked the post! And Sanderson’s books are definitely bricks. I’m sure he’s trying to write a square cube. 😂
At least for #1, may I suggest Stardust of Yesterday? Its a paranormal romance about a knight who is a ghost.
Oh thanks for the recommendation! I’ll definitely look it up!
If you’re looking for a unique dragon novel and don’t mind checking out an unknown author, try The Shadow Dragon’s Stream. It follows multiple storylines, most of which are dragons and includes an unlikely love story. It shows that not all dragons are evil beasts. Randomly saw this blog and thought it might fit much of your criteria above.
I vote you write a story about a powerful deaf Queen in a fantasy world with a dragon ghost as her librarian.
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Ok, this is obnoxiously late and probably borderline weird (I’m sorry, I was looking for fantasy book recs what can I say) but if you want awesome ghost retellings: EVA IBBOTSON. They are technically children’s books but they aren’t terribly childish and she has so many absolutely incredible ghost-related novels. Any and all of them are good, though I think that *Dial-a-Ghost* (which sounds 200% cornier than it is) is probably the closest to what you’re looking for. That and Neil Gaiman’s *The Graveyard Book* which I haven’t finished yet.
You should definitely try Catherynne M. Valente’s Fairyland books. I think it has a solid half to two thirds of what you mention in this post. Wyvern? Check. Sentient libraries? Check. Half library/half wyverns? Yep, that too. And the West Wind is one of the first characters that we meet.
I actually own the first one and should definitely get onto read it.😂
I loved your list.
Have you read Magic Bitter, Magic Sweet? It has a magical bakery.
Also, L.E. Modesitt’s Recluse series has a matriarchy in The Towers of Sunset and some of the others. There’s eighteen tomes in this set. (Matriarchy, by the way, isn’t gender equality either – it just goes the other way)
I have read Magic Bitter Magic Sweet!! The baking aspect was GRAND. 😀
I am all over the diversity and dragon love and immortals who outgrew their bodies! I really feel Anne Rice’s INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE was the only book I’ve read that dealt specifically with the psychological repercussions of an ancient mind in a child’s body (plus, that book is terrifying, so fits two of your bills).
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