Recs if you like The Riddle-Master of Hed (Riddle-Master, #1)...

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!

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

Non-exhaustive list of foundational reading for the fantasy genre; either foundational texts or classics that influenced the development of the genre and its conventions. Also some key modern texts + criticism.

Note: Only the first book in a series are added. The goal is to try it, not dedicate oneself to it. Marion Zimmer Bradley has been added with caution--buy from a small business if not able to check out at the library.

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!)

Your favourite female fantasy writer's... favourite female fantasy writer. Works of SFF by female writers which proved critically lauded or influential to subsequent writers.

classic, sprawling second-world epic fantasy books that feature traditional tropes, large ensemble casts and heavy political maneuvering.

Before romantasy took over our bookshelves, there were wizards, warriors, cursed kingdoms, and enough questionable decisions to fill a thousand-page epic. I’m going back to the roots of fantasy, exploring the authors and stories that helped shape the genre we know today. From ancient magic and sword-and-sorcery adventures to sprawling epic fantasies, I’m here for all of it. Dragons are encouraged. Morally questionable wizards are practically required.

Epic medieval fantasy worlds you can get lost in (but you probably wouldn't, because there is a map)!

genre books (sff, horror, thriller) with one of a kind characters who stick with you after the book is over.