Best African American Fantasy Fiction Books of 2025

Wilson Cook
Last Updated: May 11, 2023

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African American fantasy fiction books are a unique and exciting genre that explores the intersection of African American culture and the fantastical. These books often feature protagonists who are people of color, allowing readers to see themselves represented in literature in a way that is often lacking in mainstream media. From tales of magic and mythology to stories of futuristic worlds and alternate realities, African American fantasy fiction offers readers a rich and diverse array of imaginative storytelling that is sure to captivate and inspire.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

#TOP 1
The Fifth Season (The Broken Earth, 1)
ftb score rating icon9.8
#TOP 2
Sing, Unburied, Sing: A Novel
ftb score rating icon9.7
#TOP 3
The Destroyer of Worlds: A Return to Lovecraft Country
ftb score rating icon9.5

Top 10 African American Fantasy Fiction Books

#TOP 1

The Fifth Season (The Broken Earth, 1)

Jemisin, N. K.
Orbit
Aug 4, 2015
The Fifth Season (The Broken Earth, 1)
ftb score rating icon9.8
FTB Score

The Fifth Season (The Broken Earth, 1) by N. K. Jemisin is an intricate and extraordinary Hugo Award-winning novel that takes readers on a journey through a world facing its last days. The story follows a woman with a secret power who must find her kidnapped daughter while navigating the complexities of a land where the power of the earth is wielded as a weapon. Jemisin's prose is graceful, her setting gritty, and her characters determined to save their world. This is a powerful and epic novel that demands much of its readers but rewards them aplenty. The Fifth Season is a must-read for fans of fantasy and action-adventure books.

#TOP 2

Sing, Unburied, Sing: A Novel

Ward, Jesmyn
Scribner
May 8, 2018
Sing, Unburied, Sing: A Novel
ftb score rating icon9.7
FTB Score

Sing, Unburied, Sing: A Novel is a poignant coming of age story about a family's journey through rural Mississippi. Written by Jesmyn Ward, a two-time National Book Award winner, this novel is a timeless work of fiction that explores themes of hope, struggle, and grief. The story follows Jojo, a thirteen-year-old boy, as he tries to understand what it means to be a man and grapples with the complexities of his family's past and present. Ward's writing is vivid and powerful, and her characters are complex and deeply human. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the complexities of family, race, and identity in America.

#TOP 3

The Destroyer of Worlds: A Return to Lovecraft Country

Ruff, Matt
Feb 21, 2023
The Destroyer of Worlds: A Return to Lovecraft Country
ftb score rating icon9.5
FTB Score

The Destroyer of Worlds: A Return to Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff is a thrilling combination of historical fiction and fantastical horror that explores the meaning of death, the hold of the past on the present, and the power of hope in the face of uncertainty. Ruff delivers another virtuoso blend of horror, action, and humor in this sequel to Lovecraft Country. The book's pacing is on point, and the action set pieces are thrilling, making it immensely entertaining. Fans of the first book will find this a worthy sequel.

#TOP 4

The City We Became: A Novel (The Great Cities, 1)

Jemisin, N. K.
Orbit
Jul 27, 2021
The City We Became: A Novel (The Great Cities, 1)
ftb score rating icon9.4
FTB Score

The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin is a thrilling novel that explores the magic and myths of contemporary New York City. The story follows individuals from different boroughs who discover they have a connection to the city's soul and must work together to protect it. Jemisin's writing is imaginative and bold, weaving together elements of fantasy, action, and adventure. The book is a celebration of diverse cultures and identities, and a call to arms for unity and love. The City We Became is a unique and glorious addition to the fantasy genre that will leave readers wanting more.

The Blood Gift (The Blood Gift Duology, 2)

Davenport, N. E.
Apr 18, 2023
The Blood Gift (The Blood Gift Duology, 2)
ftb score rating icon9.3
FTB Score

The Blood Gift is a thrilling conclusion to N. E. Davenport’s sci-fantasy duology. The story follows Ikenna, an elite warrior, and her rogue group as they try to outrun their enemies and save their friends and foes from oppression. This action-packed book is full of magic, violence, and gods, while also exploring themes of loyalty, love, and belonging. The author masterfully blends science fiction and fantasy tropes in this ambitious and epic conclusion. Overall, The Blood Gift is a unique and exciting read for fans of action-packed fantasy novels.

#TOP 6

The Water Dancer: A Novel

Coates, Ta-Nehisi
One World
Nov 17, 2020
The Water Dancer: A Novel
ftb score rating icon9.1
FTB Score

The Water Dancer: A Novel by Ta-Nehisi Coates is a #1 New York Times bestseller and an Oprah’s Book Club pick. The novel tells the story of Hiram Walker, a young man born into bondage who possesses a mysterious power. After a brush with death, Hiram embarks on a journey to escape slavery and rescue his family. Coates’ writing is powerful and the story is both heartbreaking and inspiring, exploring the violent separation of families and the war fought by enslaved people. The Water Dancer is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and those interested in exploring the impact of slavery in America.

Wild Seed (Patternist, 1)

Butler, Octavia E.
Grand Central Publishing
Mar 17, 2020
Wild Seed (Patternist, 1)
ftb score rating icon9.0
FTB Score

Wild Seed by Octavia E. Butler is an epic Afrofuturistic novel that tells the story of two immortals, Doro and Anyanwu, who chase each other across continents and centuries. Doro, an ancient spirit with boundless powers, breeds supernaturally gifted humans into empires that obey his every desire. Anyanwu, on the other hand, can heal with a bite and transform her own body, mending injuries and reversing aging. Their courtship becomes a power struggle that echoes through generations, changing the destiny of the human race. This book is a must-read for those who love science fiction, fantasy, and African American literature.

#TOP 8

The Rage of Dragons (The Burning, 1)

Winter, Evan
Orbit
Mar 10, 2020
The Rage of Dragons (The Burning, 1)
ftb score rating icon8.8
FTB Score

The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter is a captivating epic fantasy that introduces a world trapped in an endless war and the young man who vows to avenge the death of his loved ones. Tau, the protagonist, is a gift-less young man who longs for a peaceful life. However, his world is turned upside down when his loved ones are brutally murdered. Driven by revenge, Tau sets on an unthinkable path to become the greatest swordsman ever lived. The book is expertly structured, with a keen eye for action and character, and is a must-read for fans of heroic fantasy.

Lovecraft Country: A Novel

Ruff, Matt
Harper Perennial
Feb 14, 2017
Lovecraft Country: A Novel
ftb score rating icon8.7
FTB Score

Lovecraft Country: A Novel is a stunning blend of historical fiction, pulp noir, and Lovecraftian horror and fantasy. The story follows 22-year-old Army veteran Atticus Turner, who embarks on a road trip to New England to find his missing father in 1954 Jim Crow America. The novel is a chimerical blend of magic, power, hope, and freedom that stretches across time, touching diverse members of two black families. Matt Ruff vividly portrays racism as a horror worse than anything conceived by Lovecraft in this provocative, chimerical novel. Overall, Lovecraft Country is a must-read for anyone looking for a unique and thrilling reading experience.

#TOP 10

Black Leopard, Red Wolf (The Dark Star Trilogy)

James, Marlon
Riverhead Books
Feb 4, 2020
Black Leopard, Red Wolf (The Dark Star Trilogy)
ftb score rating icon8.5
FTB Score

Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James is a thrilling African American historical fiction book that explores the story of Tracker, a skilled hunter hired to find a missing child. The journey takes Tracker and his band of unusual characters, including Leopard, a shape-shifting man-animal, across different cities and deep forests, where they face numerous challenges and creatures. James masterfully blends African history, mythology, and fantasy to create a unique and unforgettable adventure. This book is a must-read for fans of epic fantasy and African literature.

Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the most successful fantasy book?

The Lord of the Rings The Lord of the Rings trilogy (counted on the Wikipedia list as one book rather than a series as “it was written by Tolkien as a single book”) comes out at the top of the best-selling single volumes list, with approximately 150 million books sold.

Editor's Notes

During our african american fantasy fiction book research, we found 1,000+ african american fantasy fiction book products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 125,922 customer reviews through our big data system to write the african american fantasy fiction books list. We found that most customers choose african american fantasy fiction books with an average price of $11.59.

Written by

Wilson Cook is a talented writer who has an MFA in creative writing from Williams College and has published more than 50 books acquired by hundreds of thousands of people from various countries by now. He is an inveterate reading lover as he has read a vast amount of books since childhood.