Julia’s Favourite Self-Published SFF Books: A Giant List (Part 5) – Historical / Progression / LitRPG
Julia Kitvaria Sarene
So grab your history books in one hand and your skill tree in the other, and let’s dive into my favourites from both sides of the timeline.
historical fantasy
Ain’t No Witch: The Wanderings of Mamma Lucy by John Linwood Grant – Review
In short, Ain’t No Witch is a beautifully crafted collection that combines folklore, social history, and a touch of the supernatural. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy to explore fantasy…
The Chosen One Con by Trudie Skies – Cover Reveal
This is the first book in their upcoming Lost in the Aether duology, and if you’re into morally grey characters, industrial fantasy, or reality-TV-style magical competitions (with deadly consequences), this…
The Wicked Bargain by Gabe Cole Novoa
A window into a world where queerness, magic, and adventure intersect in the most beautiful ways. If you're looking for a book that thoughtfully represents gender, magic, and love, The…
A Charm of Magpies by K. J. Charles – Series Review
If you enjoy clever dialogue, dark humour, strong character dynamics, and a good dose of magical intrigue, you might find yourself unexpectedly swept up in this series
Even Though I Knew the End by C.L. Polk – Review
It is a great mix of murder mystery, historical sapphic romance, fantasy / mythology blend and family issues.
The Witch and the Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore
L. A. Young
The Witch and the Tsar—the debut novel by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore—is a book with a title that draws you towards it without knowing what the story is about. There is…
Scales and Sensibility by Stephanie Burgis – SPFBO #8 Finals Review
Jennie Ivins
*Disclaimer* Everyone is different and likes and dislikes different things. Reading is no exception. One person’s all-time favorite might seem too bland or too high stakes for another. That being…
Miss Percy’s Pocket Guide to the Care and Feeding of British Dragons by Quenby Olson – SPFBO #8 Finals Review
*Disclaimer* Everyone is different and likes and dislikes different things. Reading is no exception. One person’s all-time favorite might seem too bland or too high stakes for another. That being…
Ahab’s Return, Or the Last Voyage by Jeffrey Ford
Richard Marpole
*Content Warning for novel: racism, child murder, drugs.* A new(ish) entry into the grand tradition of reimagining or sequelising classic novels, Ahab’s Return explores what might have happened if Ahab…
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
Fans and readers of epic fantasy are familiar with the trope of one or more protagonists embarking on a quest to save the world, the empire, the country, etc. Historical…
The Unbroken by C. L. Clark
In recent years, the fantasy genre has become more expansive with new narratives written by diverse and multicultural authors. Some of these narratives led to the emergence of new subgenres…