Ordinarily, when I’m putting together a post for this blog, I tailor my recommendations to follow a certain theme.  This can be a good way to get creative energies flowing, but unfortunately, it also means that if I haven’t been able to talk about some of my absolute favorites, just because I haven’t been able to fit them into a theme.  Today, I aim to fix that.  July just so happens to be my birthday month, so as a birthday gift to myself and all of you wonderful readers, I’ve compiled a selection of books for no reason other than because I love them.  Just because of my personal tastes, most of these will fall into the fantasy genre, but there are a couple wildcards!  Let’s get started!

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin

Genly Ai is a human emissary to the planet Winter, home of the Gethenians, an alien species who have no concept of gender and change their sex in order to reproduce.  Mounting political strife throws Genly into the path of the Gethenian Estraven.  Soon, the two realize they will have to overcome their differences and depend on one another in order to survive, and possibly bring Winter into a new era in the process.  All of this is told with the compassionate characterization and beautiful prose that made Ursula K. LeGuin a master of the science fiction genre.  As much as I adore this book, it is worth noting that it was originally published in 1969, and therefore readers should be mindful of encountering some language and content that is considered outdated today.  LeGuin herself later expressed regret that the book’s narration uses “he” to refer to the Gethenian characters rather than singular “they”.  The novel’s themes, however, are timeless.  I think everyone has one or two novels they encountered in college that expanded their ideas of what fiction could do, and this is one of mine.  The story and characters of The Left Hand of Darkness will remain with you long after the final page is turned.  If you haven’t read it yet, I can’t recommend it highly enough, and if you have, it’s a book worth revisiting again and again.

The House of Shattered Wings by Aliette de Bodard

In an alternate Paris left in ruins by a magical Great War, an angel falls.  In desperation, an Immortal named Philippe attempts to harvest some of her essence for its magical properties.  When he is interrupted by Selene, the ruthless head of House Silverspires, both Philippe and the angel – named Isabelle – end up under the House’s control.  But the presence of a new Fallen in the city shifts the balance of power, and new tensions and old grudges build into a conflagration that will change House Silverspires forever.  I’m always a sucker for court intrigue, and it’s especially a pleasure to read when every character is as well-drawn and memorable as the cast of The House of Shattered Wings.  Philippe’s internal conflict was especially interesting.  He hates the House system and everything it stands for – understandably so, given that it was responsible for the imperialist exploitation of his homeland – but he is nevertheless driven by his desire to make amends with Isabelle.  Connoisseurs of well-written villains will also appreciate Asmodeus of House Hawthorn, a memorable love-to-hate antagonist.  If you’re interested in a dark urban fantasy series that has something to say about trauma, history and power amidst intrigue and gothic grandeur, this series-opener is absolutely for you.

Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid

Marlinchen and her two sisters live under the thumb of their father, a vindictive and controlling wizard who hates and fears everything about the changing city around him.  After sneaking out to the ballet with her sisters one night, Marlinchen is charmed by the handsome and troubled dancer Sevastyan.  If she ever wants to see him again, Marlinchen is going to have to learn how to break her father’s rules.  Juniper & Thorn is also a stellar example of dark fantasy, but whereas House of Shattered Wings was a sprawling tapestry of intrigue, this is a taut, moving character drama.  The story goes to some very dark places, but in my opinion, that only makes Marlinchen’s struggle to claim agency and happiness feel all the more genuine.  While prospective readers should certainly mind the content warnings for this one, if you enjoy dark fairytale-inspired fantasies in the vein of Angela Carter, Juniper & Thorn is not to be missed.

The Monster of Elendhaven by Jennifer Giesbrecht

In the moldering, gothic city of Elendhaven, Florian Leickenbloom, an unassuming accountant hiding a trove of dark secrets, encounters an almost-human entity called Johann.  Florian sees in Johann the instrument of a revenge long overdue.  Real affection begins to blossom between them soon enough, but by then, the tragedy they have sown in Elendhaven is already coming home to roost.  Although there are elements of romance here, readers shouldn’t expect a happy ending – Johann and Florian are decidedly villain protagonists, if sympathetic ones.  The twisty, toxic relationship between the two leads has definite shades of Interview with the Vampire, and is certain to appeal to fans of that series.  Johann and Florian’s story unfolds amidst the unforgettable setting of Elendhaven, a grim Victorian-ish cityscape that reminds me a little bit of Bloodborne.  If you love a good tragedy, or if you crave dark fantasy in a small, novella-length package, this book is for you.

Hild by Nicola Griffith

Even I have to branch out from fantasy and sci-fi sometimes.  Hild, the first installment of Nicola Griffith’s Light of the World trilogy, offers the sweeping scope, high stakes, and high drama that genre fiction fans love. However, this story is based on true events.  Hild Yffing, the future St. Hilda of Whitby, comes of age outside the confines of a woman’s role in 7th-century Britain due to her purported prophetic abilities.  But as her fame as advisor to the king grows, she discovers that to be exceptional is also to live a life of danger. Fans of Game of Thrones will appreciate not only the ruthless political machinations to be found here, but also the richly characterized and somewhat morally grey heroine.  Hild might be described as “a little bit Daenerys Targaryen, a little bit Cersei Lannister”.  Fans of The Last Kingdom and Vikings will also find much to love here.  Hild certainly isn’t light reading, but it’s a rare treasure: a book that really feels like a portal into another place and time.