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2024 Staff Picks: Fantasy

By Skokie Staff Advisory Services

Our expert staff members look back at the year and share their favorite titles.

  • The Bright Sword: A Novel of King Arthur

    2024 by Grossman, Lev

    "If you would build Camelot again, you must first learn why it fell." Lev Grossman's style--where irreverence or awe could break out at any time--proves well-suited to an epic reimagining of the Arthurian legend(s). The slow accumulation of tales turns out to be a foundation for the very surprising direction for the story in its home stretch. Suggested by Andrew.

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  • Masquerade

    2024 by Sangoyomi, O. O.

    I loved this Persephone inspired West African story of a woman's quest to forge her own path after being abducted from her home and forced to survive in a world of political rivalry. The world-building is lush and the plot is well executed. Suggested by Suzanne.

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  • Lady Macbeth

    2024 by Reid, Ava

    In this reimagining of the tragic play, Lady Macbeth is a witch who can cast a spell on any man with merely a glance. Ava Reid's lush and captivating writing stays true to the central themes of power and gender politics while creating complex characters. Lady Macbeth is not just manipulative, but a survivor in a brutal patriarchal world. We could not put this book down. Recommended by Rummanah and Suzanne.

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  • The Spellshop

    2024 by Durst, Sarah Beth

    I loved this book because it was the equivalent of a hot cup of tea and a cozy blanket on a cool, rainy day. It felt hopeful and light and had a beautifully crafted world that was delightful to immerse ourselves in. Suggested by Amber I. and Suzanne.

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  • The Palace of Eros

    2024 by De Robertis, Caro

    I loved this queer retelling of the myth of Psyche and Eros. It beautifully embraced and explored the ideas of gender identity while they fall in love, despite Psyche not being able to see Eros or know of Eros' divinity. The prose was beautiful and left me feeling light, despite some heavier topics. Suggested by Suzanne.

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  • A Song to Drown Rivers

    2024 by Liang, Ann

    Anna Liang has written an incredibly lush historical fantasy novel that retells the myth of Xishi, one of the famous Four Beauties of Ancient China. Driven by her own personal vendetta against the Wu Kingdom, Xishi is recruited by Fanli, the Yue King's brilliant and enigmatic advisor to become a spy as a concubine for the Wu Kingdom. Renowned for her beauty, loyalty and sacrifice, Xishi has become a legend, and this story has done her justice. Suggested by Rummanah.

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  • A Sorceress Comes to Call

    2024 by Kingfisher, T.

    This book is an engaging reimagining of the Brothers Grimm's The Goose Girl. We love how T. Kingfisher leans into the dark with this fairy tale, but also provides levity with her trademark wit and humor. Suggested by Amber H. and Rummanah.

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  • Nicked

    2024 by Anderson, M. T.

    When a young monk named Nicephorus has a dream about St. Nicholas, his superiors arrive at the convenient interpretation that the saint wants his remains--and their reputed healing powers--moved from their resting place in present-day Turkey to a new basilica in Italy. I was really impressed by how cleverly the author maps the format of a “heist” thriller onto a stranger-than-fiction story about 11th Century relic thieves. Suggested by Andrew.

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  • The Crescent Moon Tearoom

    2024 by Sivinski, Stacy

    This cozy fantasy story follows three sister witches living in 1800's Chicago as they navigate a nearly impossible task, a curse, and their beloved tearoom. I loved this book because it was a feel-good read that touched on topics of sisterhood and destiny. Suggested by Aubree.

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  • The Warm Hands of Ghosts

    2024 by Arden, Katherine

    People do whatever it takes to cope with the trauma of global conflict, pandemic, and rapid technological development. Some turn to fringe beliefs, others seek oblivion, and some focus on the work of moving forward. It's true for our times, and it was true during World War I, when this haunting novel is set. There's a supernatural menace that could be interpreted literally or metaphorically, and I'm still not sure which way I think it is. Ultimately it's a riveting story about grief and scars and whether love is enough to defeat demons of all kinds. Suggested by Jane.

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  • A Letter to the Luminous Deep

    2024 by Cathrall, Sylvie

    I really loved this epistolary tale of mystery and romance as two people set out to discover what happened to their siblings. It's heartfelt and I can't wait to read the follow up. Suggested by Suzanne.

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  • The Dead Cat Tail Assassins

    2024 by Clark, P. Djèlí

    This novella is a nonstop thrill ride featuring assassins, magic, unique and intricate world-building, and characters full of snark. This would be a great pick for readers who are looking for an entry point into fantasy and reluctant readers. It totally delivered on the "Kill Bill" and "John Wick" vibes. We loved it! Suggested by Rummanah and Suzanne.

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  • Sun of Blood and Ruin

    2024 by Lares, Mariely

    An action-packed swashbuckling, gender-flipped Zorro story set in an alternative 16th century Mexico that beautifully interweaves history, magic, mythology, and romance into a book that I found hard to put down. Suggested by Rummanah.

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  • Lucy Undying: A Dracula Novel

    2024 by White, Kiersten

    I enjoyed the twining of different time periods, therapy sessions, and diary excerpts as this book explores love, loss, and the complexity of familial bonds. Suggested by Suzanne.

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  • The Familiar

    2024 by Bardugo, Leigh

    I would follow Leigh Bardugo into the bowels of Hell. That is how much I trust her ability to weave a story that enchants with magical sparks, tantalizes with drops of romance, and makes us all marvel at how achingly human and relatable any situation can be--from the terror of the Spanish Inquisition to a fantastical faceoff with seers, alchemists, and perhaps even real-life witchcraft. I relished how Leigh took her time to explore the lush period of the Spanish Golden Age and highlight the voices of the small, the forgotten, but perhaps the most powerful. Suggested by Grace.

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  • How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying

    2024 by Wexler, Django

    I loved the strong female protagonist and the unconventional look of good versus evil in this hilarious fantasy about a woman who experiences the same time loop over and over again until she gets it "right" by choosing to become the Dark Lord. Suggested by Suzanne.

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  • Someone You Can Build a Nest In

    2024 by Wiswell, John

    I loved this book featuring a queer, neurodivergent shapeshifter. It explores love, familial abuse, and healing from trauma with kindness and humor. Definitely one of my favorite reads of the year. Suggested by Suzanne.

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  • When Among Crows

    2024 by Roth, Veronica

    We loved this book because it contains magic and Polish and Slavic folklore all within present-day Chicago. The story follows Dymitr, a man on a mysterious quest, as he navigates the city's underground and faces monsters along the way. We loved the characters in this book as well as the unique and fast-paced plot. Suggested by Aubree and Suzanne.

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  • To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods

    2024 by Chang, Molly X.

    I loved the use of magic and a female protagonist to look at the complexity of fighting colonialism while trying to operate within a colonial system and who and how we determine what is good and righteous. Suggested by Suzanne.

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  • The Witchstone

    2024 by Neff, Henry H.

    I loved the humor and tension in this book, not to mention the slacker demon, who I found myself rooting for. Suggested by Suzanne.

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  • Voyage of the Damned

    2024 by White, Frances

    I loved this book for its main character, who embraces his otherness with humor and kindness, while developing into a braver version of the self he has accepted. The queer representation and secondary love story were beautiful and the plot complex, making it difficult to put down. Suggested by Suzanne.

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  • The Book of Love

    2024 by Link, Kelly

    I loved this magical coming of age story for both the beautiful visual effects the author strikes with words, and the look at the power of all kinds of love. Suggested by Suzanne.

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  • When the Moon Hatched

    2024 by Parker, Sarah A.

    Raeve is a powerful assassin who has never known freedom. While hunting her next target, a rival bounty hunter crosses her path and turns her world upside down. Meanwhile, someone from her past is slowly catching up to her–and he is willing to do what it takes to secure her freedom. I loved this book because there are dragons, fae, a unique magic system, a love story, and tons of secrets! Suggested by Aubree.

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