Hey everyone! ✨I’m helli (she/her) and the creator of this Quest!

I’m so excited that you’ve joined the Found Family in Fantasy Quest! 🏡 I really wanted to create a list that celebrates diversity across fantasy subgenres — from cozy fantasy, urban fantasy, epic and high fantasy, to darker, moodier tales. I hope there is something here for everyone, no matter your taste.

I also tried my best to include authors from a variety of backgrounds — gender, ethnicity, country — and diverse characters as well. Representation matters! Of course, I haven’t read everything yet, so this list is just the start. I’m really looking forward to discovering more books by diverse authors with diverse characters through your recommendations.

Another thing I focus on is diversifying the found family itself. Not every found family looks the same — some are wholesome and functional, some are messy or even dysfunctional, just like biological families. Some stories might include romance, but that’s usually a background element, not the main focus. What’s most important is that chosen family and the bonds they form are central, and those bonds don’t always have to be positive or easy.

I already have quite a few books lined up to add over time, but I’d love to hear your recommendations! 🌟 If you’ve read something that fits the “found family” vibe — a group of misfits, outcasts, or strangers who become chosen family — please drop your recs in the comments under this post.

I’ve purposely started with 31 books. This was intentional — I have many more lined up for the future, but I wanted to start with a manageable number so I can thoughtfully consider any recommendations you give. I’ll regularly add new books to the Quest, and I’m excited to see your suggestions!

Let’s make this Quest a space to share and discover magical worlds where home is found, not given, and to celebrate all the amazing, diverse voices in fantasy. I can’t wait to see all your suggestions and discuss these books with you! 🫶🏽

Edit to add: I’m really grateful for everyone’s recommendations — please keep them coming! I want to be clear, though, that while I’m happy to collect all suggestions and put them on a research list, the chances of new books being added in the near future are fairly low.

This quest is meant to stay highly curated, and for now I want it to grow slowly so people have time to work through the existing books and earn the current badges before any new ones (and new badges) are introduced.

I know there are many books that fit the theme, and I’m definitely keeping that in mind. At this stage, I’m mainly looking to add newer releases or truly foundational titles I may have missed initially.

So please don’t feel discouraged from recommending books — I do read, save, and research every single one. I just want to be transparent that I won’t be adding new titles for a while, as I’m waiting for more people to join the quest and earn badges first.

“And maybe it won’t be realized today, maybe not in our lifetime. Maybe it will take generations. We’re all part of a continuum. Does that make it pointless?”

It’s a tough pill to swallow - realising that we’re all just a part of human existence that spans tens of thousands of years. It’s so unfortunate that some people have to endure more than others before the change for the better.

Reminds of the state of the world today and how the future seems bleaker now than it did a decade ago.

Wow the footnotes really make this book. It's used as such a wonderful storytelling tool and helps raise awareness about the reality of treatment for black people and those incarcerated in America. Some of the stuff in this book you'd assume is dystopian fiction otherwise