Fantasy books you can read instead of Harry Potter
JK Rowling is a bigot who uses her platform to hurt transfolks and other marginalized groups (plus she literally just quoted Mein Kampf on the bird site). If you're still supporting her in 2025, don't bother talking to me.






No Shadow Daddies Allowed
Fantasy romance and romantasy with at least one MMC who doesn't fit the Shadow Daddy archetype in one way or another.
I'm talking genuinely kind and caring heroes, nerdy or academic interests, or a body type that isn't tall and jacked. (No climbing these men like trees here!) Only men who are sad wet cats, sweet cinnamon rolls, or pathetic losers allowed ๐
Inspired by buttercheese69's forum post on the topic.






Master Fantasy and Romantasy List
I'm sure some of these are already on your TBR, so might as well add some more! Let me know if I am missing any of your favorites!






Teenage Millennial Memories Unlocked ๐๏ธ
Allow me to set the scene:
Itโs 2 AM on a school night but you only have 100 pages left. You will power through. Forget the math test you have first period. This is your priority. And you must know how the book ends.
I donโt know what sort of millennial catnip these 2000s YA authors put in these books, but let me tell you, my โbaby millennialโ self was addicted.
Pagebound Millennials: what YA were you reading?






The World Is Hell But They Aren't
This is a list for those of you that love dark fantasy (dying gods, monsters in the woods, that kind of thing), but you also have a soft side for softies. These books still have that grim atmosphere, but they also have characters who are green flags. Someone who asks permission, protects without smothering, or just does the right thing when no one else will.






fantasy books with yearning
we love a man who yearns in this house






Friendtasy
Books where there is a strong female friendship in a Fantasy book.
Credit to @leong.john.silvers for the name






Girl Boss? More Like System-Buster #8M2026
Fiction and nonfiction that question patriarchy, critique power, and imagine new futures for anyone tired of individualistic feminism. From ghosts to economics, magic to memoirs, these books challenge everything, and make you think, feel, and maybe even rage a little.






booktube throwback
the staples of the book community on youtube in the early to mid 2010s.






var-eye-ety is the spice of life
books with characters with different colored eyes (heterochromia in most but not all cases) suggestions welcome!!






peeta "if it weren't for the baby" mellark
When a power couple overthrows a tyrannical or broken government together.
Bonus points if they don't agree on the right way to do it but through falling in love with each other they learn to appreciate the other person's experiences and it helps them build something even better for their people when they combine ideas sobs
Open to recs !!






YA Class of 2014
A roundup of YA books that were popular back in the days of us baby millennials. For anyone feeling nostalgic for the 2010โs. Draw a little mustache on your finger because youโre so quirky and get reading like you already finished your homework for the night!