Recs if you like Daughter of the Empire...

I've noticed most fantasy lists are saturated with YA and romantasy books, but some of us crave adult high-stakes adventures. If you enjoy epic stakes, deep characters, and majestic world-building (without the distraction of romance) this list is for you. For series, I've only added the first book. 📖

A list of First books in Fantasy series (or standalones) published in 1980s-2000s written by female authors. Many of these authors are/were prolific writers so most additions are limited to their debut book or most popular series. Go read more by these authors!

Suggestions are always welcome! Co-authored books in any genre (i.e. books that were written by at least two authors, either listed under one pen name or credited individually).

If we are going to do Qwordy's the Hardest Reading Challenge You'll Ever Do 3.0 - we should probably get some Pagebound badges along the way! I'm specifically going to be adding books from Quests and readalongs that go past the July start date and match at least one of these title prompts: Periodic Table, Familial Terms, Rainbow of Words (also Joseph's coat), Numerical Titles, Titular Counting 5+, Pun in the Title, and First & Last Name in the Title. Recommendations welcome!

Series starting points for getting into some of the most prolific women authors in sci-fi and fantasy from the 70s-00s.

secret plots, political moves, and pursuits of power all within imperial, royal, or noble courts.

If you tell me it's political fantasy, I don't need to hear more, thank you

(I might add a few historical fiction as well if it's heavily political -in my opinion, or if it's recommended as such)

30 of the best epic high fantasy books with the highest stakes, featuring richly detailed worlds, intricate magic systems, and immersive storytelling.

Fantasy and sci-fi books where much of the plot is driven by politics

Fantasy books with FMC full of rage/unhinged/willing to burn the world to get what they want/suffering such injustice that YOU're the one full of rage reading it --- read or recommended

Fantasy romance books from before the coining of Romantasy.

A list for people who don't want to be left waiting for the next book release.

• Includes: First books in completed series, standalones, interconnected standalones*

• Subgenres: Fantasy-first books with a romance subplot - some of these romances are very slow burn or don't appear till later in the series

A collection of older, sometimes lesser-known, fantasy (or science fantasy) books written by incredible women and published primarily between the 1980s and early 2000s (with nods to a few older ones). In a time when female fantasy authors were few and far between, these authors carved out their own space in the genre. These stories might not be mainstream hits today, but they are full of brilliant magic, deep characters, and/or worlds that helped shape the genre. (First in Series / standalones only for now - open to suggestions!)

books i’m hoping to read for my first r/fantasy bingo

the foundation of the woman written fantasy,

Fantasy Trilogies to Start Your Fantasy Journey