Jinian Star-Eye
A promising finale to the Jinian trilogy takes a horrifying turn when its treatment of disability, eugenics, and supposedly soulless children undermines everything that came before. What begins as an imaginative fantasy adventure ends in an ethically disastrous mess.
Dervish Daughter
Jinian's second outing loses some of the charm and cohesion of *Jinian Footseer*, especially thanks to underdeveloped companions and Peter's obnoxious pressure for sex, but once Jinian gets room to act on her own, the book finally catches fire.
Jinian Footseer
A pragmatic young woman sets off through a richly imagined fantasy world, encountering strange creatures, mysterious old gods, and no shortage of adventures—with six wonderful older women offering support along the way. A captivating, meandering journey whose pleasures far outweigh its frustratingly rushed conclusion.
The Duchess of Kneedeep
A runaway duchess flees across an absurd planet where seemingly every man she encounters threatens her with sexual violence or murder. Tepid jokes, shallow characters, and a twist that trivializes her entirely reasonable fears made this supposed comedy impossible to finish.
The Hero and the Crown
Aerin, the ostracized daughter of Damar's king, must forge a place for herself in a world that doubts her worth. An intimate, fiercely feminist coming-of-age fantasy about persistence, compassion, and finding strength without losing yourself—and a book that helped shape who I became.
The Blue Sword
Harry Crewe, a young woman displaced to a remote desert frontier, finds herself drawn into the magical world of the Hillfolk. A languid, traditional chosen-one fantasy whose unremarkable plot is more than redeemed by the quiet strength, dignity, and wonderfully nuanced characterization of its heroine.
Dancer of the Sixth
A military intelligence agent discovers someone has stolen her former identity and must go undercover as herself to investigate. A terrific premise buried beneath bloated prose, tedious exposition, and a mystery that loses its tension almost immediately.
Soul-Singer of Tyrnos
A young Singer follows the gods' guidance across Tyrnos, using the magic of song to heal suffering and expose corruption. A compact, traditional fantasy quest with likable characters, unusual magic, and just enough adventure to scratch that fantasy itch.
Watchstar
A solitary young woman in a telepathic society must protect an outsider while preparing for a dangerous coming-of-age ordeal. A thoughtfully written exploration of consciousness, morality, and cultural contact—though its philosophical interests didn't entirely align with mine.
Two-Bit Heroes
Theodora returns to Ivory, gets engaged to Ran, and finds herself tangled up with a band of outlaws. A slow start and a messy ending can't spoil the delight of spending more time with Doris Egan's wonderfully human characters.
Islands
In a world of immortals, Tia Hamley is the one woman who will grow old and die. A beautifully written, deeply human exploration of mortality, identity, and connection, somewhat undermined by its metaphysical ending.
The Time of the Dark
A medieval historian, a drifter, and a magnificent old wizard find themselves fighting to survive an apocalypse in another world. An unexpectedly thin plot and unconvincingly resilient protagonists disappoint, but Ingold nearly saves the whole thing.
The Gate of Ivory
A pragmatic young woman stranded on a magical planet finds friendship, intrigue, and a wonderfully unconventional family. Clever, funny, deeply human, and an absolute delight from beginning to end.
Sword-Dancer
A chauvinist sword-for-hire and a formidable swordswoman make for a surprisingly funny, feminist adventure—until terrible decisions and a rushed final act derail everything.
Demon Drums
God-killing, magical drums, witches, shapeshifters, and flying dolphins. A fascinating island fantasy with far more ideas than its 240 pages can possibly accommodate.
The Wicked Enchantment
An eleven-year-old girl, three eccentric aunts, a magnificent collection of animals, and a rebellion involving Easter eggs. Delightfully feminist middle-grade fantasy that deserves to be a classic.
Found
A childhood favorite that holds up beautifully, with evocative prose, unexpected friendships, and a surprising amount of emotional depth.
War for the Oaks
It’s good—it’s dazzlingly good—but it’s also quite simple. War for the Oaks is lyrical, methodical, and shines with an exquisite attention to detail.