Kait Mae

Fantasy has been a favorite genre of mine since I was a child – thank you to the genre for allowing me several magical worlds to escape into when life got hard. So, it was easy to come up with a list – many debuts on here for those who are looking to discover new favorite authors, by the way.

Every book on this list has a cover that matches a color in the rainbow. And the subjects range from dragons to heists to romance. Ready to dive into a new fantasy world?

Red: ‘Between Dragons and Their Wrath’ by Devin Madson

Everyone’s raving about dragons right now – I’m one of them, by the way – so, I had to add this series to the list. Between Dragons and Their Wrath is the start to a new (currently unfinished) trilogy.

It follows Tesha, a glassblower’s assistant forced into a political marriage; Naili, a laundress with dangerous magical abilities; and Ash, a dragon rider defending the world from monsters in the Shield Mountains. The story follows all three navigating the world as a war looms over them.

Orange: ‘The Phoenix Keeper’ by S.A. MacLean

Tired of series and just want a standalone? Try The Phoenix Keeper. Set in a magical zoo, you’re bound to fall for every animal and character you meet – starting with Aila, the head phoenix keeper with dreams of saving the firebirds.

A nearby zoo’s male phoenix is stolen, and Aila realizes she now has a chance to save the phoenixes. However, she has to work with her former rival and griffin keeper, Luciana. They have differing opinions on how to work together – but that’s what makes it so fun to read.

Yellow: ‘A Game of Thrones’ by George R.R. Martin

I try to put a well-loved book or series per genre on each list, and this list’s choice is Game of Thrones. If you haven’t read it yet, make sure to check the trigger warnings because I’ve been told it is a bit darker and graphic than the TV show – which is surprising, but I’ve warned you.

A Game of Thrones is the first book in A Song of Ice and Fire. It revolves around the Iron Throne of Westeros and the rivalries of noble houses, specifically the Starks, Lannisters, and Baratheons. But what they don’t expect is Daenerys Targaryen coming back for her family’s throne, while Jon Snow in the North faces the White Walkers.

It’s still unfinished – we’re still waiting on the last two. But what I can tell you is that the story differs greatly from the show after a point, so if you are unsure because of that, don’t worry. You’re in for a ride of your life.

More into science-fiction than fantasy? I’ve got a list for that, too.

Green: ‘Swordcrossed’ by Freya Marske

Another standalone for the list: Swordcrossed is a queer fantasy romance set in a queernormative world where diverse relationships are welcomed in society with open arms. The story follows Matti, a wool business heir, and Luca Piere, a con artist Matti hires to teach him to swordfight.

As they train, they start to grow together and their feelings grow with them too. Matti’s business is threatened and Luca’s secrets could jeopardize everything they’ve found together. But maybe it’s all worth it for love.

Blue: ‘Blood of the Root’ by LaDarrion Williams

The first in a series, Blood of the Root, is LaDarrion Williams’ debut novel, though he has experience writing plays and short stories. The book follow Malik Baron, a teen whose mother’s death triggered magical abilities he didn’t know he had ten years ago.

Now at a magical school, Caiman University, he’s immersed in a community that doesn’t force him to hide his magic. He navigates the world as old evils reawaken and Malik is tossed into the middle of it.

Indigo: ‘Spark of Pursuit’ by Annika Snow

I love finding debut fantasy novels, if you couldn’t tell. The first in the Veilfall series, Spark of Pursuit, is Annika Snow’s debut fantasy romance set in a world that pits magic against technology.

Ara is the heir to an anti-magic arms company – but secretly, she has magic. While undercover to retrieve a stolen shipment, she discovers her soulbound and they embrace on a journey to Veilfall where magic and technology collide.

More fantasy, you say? Alright, how about some dragon books?

Violet/Purple: ‘A Cursed Son’ by Day Leitao

Oh my goodness, that cover is stunning! Anyway, let’s get into why you should read this enemies-to-lovers romantasy. The standalone follows Astra, a royal decoy trained to impersonate the Krastel princess.

She is attacked by Marlak, a disgraced prince of the Crystal Court, and discovers him to be the man haunting her dreams. The two versions of him collide and she has to come to terms with her feelings for him changing as she struggles to remain the decoy she was trained to be.