Part of the reason we love genre fiction is familiarity, but even the biggest fantasy die-hards will admit that sometimes familiarity starts to get same-y.  Never fear: I’ve compiled a list of fantasy novels that do something truly unique with the genre’s toolbox.  These recommendations, all available at Mead, may get you out of a reading slump if you need it, and remind you why you fell in love with fantasy.  And if you happen to be new to the genre, any of these books would be a great place to start.

The Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra Chandrasekera

Fetter lost his shadow in childhood, as part of his mother’s ambition for him to fulfill a prophecy that he would one day assassinate his father.  As a young man in the city of Luriat, Fetter tries to process his past by attending a therapy group for former Chosen Ones.  He discovers his affinity for the mysterious Bright Doors that mark the cityscape, as well as the role he might have to play in a rebellion against his father.  The Saint of Bright Doors is a much needed re-imagining of some of fantasy’s most enduring tropes, and Fetter’s emotional journey over the course of the book is something truly unforgettable.  As you read it, you’ll find yourself asking questions not only about the stories we tell one another, but also about the aspects of our real world that they reflect.

A Stranger in Olondria by Sofia Samatar

When tragedy strikes his family, young Jevick is given the opportunity of a lifetime.  He must travel to Olondria, a city famous for its books – an especially enticing proposition for Jevick, who grew up in a country where books are rare.  On his way to Olondria, Jevick is tasked with telling the story of a dying young girl, and once he reaches the city, he becomes embroiled in a conspiracy with vast ramifications.  A Stranger in Olondria is a gorgeously written book.  The setting feels lived-in, like a place that you could actually visit if you stumbled upon a portal to another world.  It’s also always refreshing to encounter a story in the fantasy genre that shifts the focus from larger-than-life heroes to more or less ordinary people.  Fans of Ursula K. LeGuin and G. Willow Wilson will especially enjoy their own literary journey to Olondria.

Siren Queen by Nghi Vo

Luli Wei has risked everything to fulfill her dream of becoming an actress.  As she navigates a film industry rife not only with misogyny and racism, but with treacherous magic and supernaturally binding pacts, the odds are stacked against her.  After she faces down one of the most feared studio heads, Luli finally has a chance to come into her own – by playing the monster.  This book has everything a good coming of age story needs, and a setting that’s like nothing I’ve ever read.  “What if the studio system of Hollywood’s Golden Age ran on faerie court logic” was an instantly fascinating premise. Vo’s dreamlike prose is absolutely gorgeous, communicating not just a different era, but a believably and sometimes frighteningly magical world.  If she ever chooses to return to this setting with a sequel, I’ll definitely be first in line to read it.

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

Piranesi resides in a strange and beautiful house, filled with a pantheon of statues and an ever-changing sea.  Although Piranesi has no memory of who he used to be or the life he used to live, he is content with the beauty of the house.  But slowly, the pursuit of knowledge by his sole companion, the Other, will make the secrets of his past inescapable.  Piranesi is a truly exceptional book in so many ways.  Clarke’s exquisite prose renders the house not only one of the most unique settings in recent fantasy, but one of the most memorable as well.  The characterization is also masterful.  This is one of those fantasy novels that makes you want to be a better person, just as effectively as The Last Unicorn, The Earthsea Cycle, and The Lord of the Rings.   Piranesi is a treasure of a book, and one I recommend to fantasy aficionados and beginners alike.