Ayana Gray is an author of speculative works and lover of all things monsters, mythos, and #MelaninMagic. Originally from Atlanta, she now lives in Little Rock, Arkansas where she reads avidly, follows Formula 1 racing, and worries over her adopted baby black rhino, Apollo.
Graceless Heart (2026) (Spellbound History Quartet, book 1) Isabel Ibañez "In her adult debut, Ibanez delivers a fantasy teeming with political schemes, scandalous romance, and clever twists that make it a true homage to its Renaissance setting. Like flies to a web, readers will find themselves pulled into a world of tangling ambitions, ruthless power grabs, and fate-altering secrets. This one's a must-read for 2025."
I Killed the King (2025) (I Killed the King, book 1) Andrea Hannah and Rebecca Mix "I Killed the King breathes new life into the classic whodunit story, coupling clever schemes and a riveting cast with bold, fantastical flair. Together, Hannah and Mix craft a story that manages to be as compelling as it is intriguing. Readers will delight in King's endless twists and turns, swept up into an impulsive thrill-ride that ends with the satisfaction of a puzzle piece clicking into place."
Our Infinite Fates (2025) Laura Steven "It has been a very long time since I've found a story as sweeping, as heartbreaking, and as utterly gorgeous as Our Infinite Fates. With effortless finesse, Steven weaves a tale that manages to feel epic and vast, but also beautifully, achingly intimate. I was on my toes from this book's beginning, and by its end I knew one thing with certainty: Evelyn and Arden are a pair for the ages."
Compass and Blade (2024) (Compass and Blade Trilogy, book 1) Rachel Greenlaw "Greenlaw's Compass and Blade beautifully blends lyrical prose, a propulsive narrative and dynamic characters into a tale that will be sure to enchant readers from the very first page. Mira is as fierce as she is brave and empathetic, and her story is utterly unputdownable. What a brilliant addition to the young adult fantasy canon."
The Invocations (2024) Krystal Sutherland "Sutherland's Invocations has been one of my favorite reads of the year. This story is exceptionally crafted. Equal parts visceral and haunting, its twists and turns will lure readers in, and its compulsive plot will keep them engrossed until the end."
Faebound (2024) (Faebound, book 1) Saara El-Arifi "Faebound is the book I've been looking for my whole life: full of compulsive twists and turns, framed within a deeply refreshing, innovative, and sweeping world that pulled me in from the first page..."
That Self-Same Metal (2023) (Forge & Fracture Saga, book 1) Brittany N Williams "Full of nimble prose and wit as sharp as the blades on its pages, this book is nothing short of a spectacular debut . . . I know that this is going to be a groundbreaking addition to the fantasy genre."
Divine Rivals (2023) (Letters of Enchantment, book 1) Rebecca Ross "Ross has crafted a tale that hooks its readers with whip-smart intrigue, and holds them fast with dazzling prose, a charming cast, and a world where mystique shimmers just beneath the surface. Hers is a brilliant blend of whimsy and heart."
A Door in the Dark (2023) (Waxways, book 1) Scott Reintgen "Readers craving the electrifying twists and turns of a thriller alongside a healthy dose of magic will find their prayers spectacularly answered in Reintgen's A Door in the Dark. With dexterous prose, an impellent plot, and characters you can't turn away from, this story sinks its claws into you and doesn't let go."
Seven Faceless Saints (2023) (Seven Faceless Saints, book 1) M K Lobb "With an impressive and balanced command of gorgeous prose and compelling pace, Seven Faceless Saints draws its readers into a mystery as intelligent as it is intriguing. I thoroughly enjoyed the richness of Ombrazia, which perfectly complements the fresh, compelling characters Lobb has so artfully woven into this story's every page. Truly, this is an exceptional debut, sure to find many, many fans."
Revelle (2023) Lyssa Mia Smith "From beginning to end, Revelle is a fantastical tale in which a glittering world converges with a dynamic and absolutely enchanting cast of characters. Readers will delight in the prowess and cleverness of Smith's prose."
The Davenports (2023) (Davenports , book 1) Krystal Marquis "With dazzling prose and whip-smart pacing, Krystal Marquis's gorgeous debut spirits readers into a world of polished glamor, but also a world shadowed by painful reckonings. Through trial, defeat, defiance, and triumph, its characters offer heart and perspective. The Davenports is a fresh, utterly enchanting read, and a much-needed addition to the contemporary canon of Black literature."
Song of Silver, Flame Like Night (2022) (Song of the Last Kingdom, book 1) Amélie Wen Zhao "An epic, masterfully rendered tale of reckoning and heritage that draws its readers into a world as rich as it is nuanced, and as intriguing as it is magical."
The Darkening (2022) (Darkening Duology, book 1) Sunya Mara "An enchanting and wildly clever debut, Mara's The Darkening delivers on every promise. From its storm-tossed world, to its lyrical prose, to its propulsive, electrifying plot, readers will find themselves utterly ensnared by this book - it is a true masterclass in young adult fantasy."
The Kindred (2022) Alechia Dow "With a stellar blend of rip-roaring action and electrifying romance, The Kindred will keep your heart pounding from cover to cover. Truly, a starry-eyed tale sure to capture readers from all across the universe."
