Brilliant British female fantasy authors everyone should read
Female fantasy authors that belong on every bookshelf.
There's no shortage of women writing fantasy at the moment, but the scene can sometimes feel dominated by American writers, from the brilliant V.E. Schwab to the romantasy phenomenons Sarah J Maas, Carissa Broadbent and Rebecca Yarros. There are, however, lots of brilliant female fantasy authors here in the UK too. Read on for a few suggestions.
Genevieve Cogman
Creator of the Invisible Library series, a rollicking adventure featuring parallel worlds, magical creatures and trans-dimensional librarian spies, Cogman's latest trilogy takes the French Revolution's Scarlet Pimpernel and adds a little more bite. . .
Lucy Jane Wood
Rewitched
by Lucy Jane Wood
Such was the excitement around YouTube star Lucy Jane Wood's cosy fantasy debut, it flew to number one on the Amazon book chart on pre-orders alone. Balancing work at her beloved Lunar Books and concealing her witchcraft from the non-witches around her has left Belle burnt out. But when her thirtieth birthday brings a summons from her coven, and a trial that tests her worthiness as a witch, Belle risks losing her magic forever. With the month of October to fix things, and signs that dark forces may be working against her, Belle will need all the help she can get – from the women in her life, from an unlikely mentor figure, and even an (infuriating) watchman who’s sworn to protect her . . .
Frances Hardinge
Frances Hardinge's books for children and YA readers are also beloved by adults, with writing that combines historical settings with fantasy, mystery and the macabre.
The Forest of a Thousand Eyes
by Frances Hardinge
Feather's world, known by those who live on it as 'the Wall', is crumbling, slowly losing way to a relentless Forest. Accompanied by her loyal ferret, Sleek, she faces the Forest's threats and encounters others living on the Wall whose stories and experiences open her mind to new horizons. Frances Hardinge's latest novel is a compelling story filled with adventure, emotional intensity and the rawness of nature.
Lucy Holland
Inspired by tales from folklore, Lucy Holland's novels will take you back to the legends and beauty of ancient Britain.
Sistersong
by Lucy Holland
Based on the traditional folk ballad of 'The Two Sisters', this is a tale of betrayal, love and death set among a dead king's warring family, this powerful novel tells the stories of three women, who all secretly long for what they can't have. As they search for love, healing and adventure, Riva, Keyne, and Sinne will shape the future of a nation for centuries to come.
Song of the Huntress
by Lucy Holland
A dark, feminist fantasy. Threatened by the prospect of the Romans defeating her lover and the land she loves so much, Herla makes a deadly pact with the Otherworld King, who transforms her into the Lord of the Hunt. Over the next centuries she rides, stealing souls, until she meets a woman who will change her forever. Song of the Huntress is an impeccably researched and beautifully written story of history, fantasy and folklore.
A K Larkwood
The Unspoken Name
by A. K. Larkwood
Csorwe was raised by a magical death cult. Her destiny? To be sacrificed to their god on her fourteenth birthday. But when a sorcerer, who wants her as his assistant, offers her an escape she jumps at the chance. Csorwe spends her life helping her master track down an artefact that could change their world and others. But the death cult is seeking this artefact too. Can she defeat it once and for all?
The story continues in sequel The Thousand Eyes.
Deborah Hewitt
Deborah Hewitt's duology follows Alice, who's been haunted by visions of birds since she was a child. When a shadowy faction wants to use her rare gift to hunt the magically gifted, she is forced to go on the run with the mysterious Crowley to an incredible alternate London. But can she trust her new friend?
Sangu Mandanna
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
by Sangu Mandanna
Mika Moon, a witch adept at hiding her magic, keeping her head down, and avoiding other witches receives an unexpected missive: an invitation to teach three young charges at the mysterious Nowhere House. Surprising herself, she leaps at the opportunity. Coming to care for her new found family, and the prickly but dapper librarian Jamie, Mika comes to realise she finally belongs somewhere. But trouble lies ahead. An uplifting tale filled with warmth and fuzzy feelings, Mika’s story is all about the eternal outsider finding their place in the world, and what they’ll do to keep a hold of it.