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fantasycafe.bsky.social
Fantasy Cafe, aka Fantasy Book Cafe
@fantasycafe.bsky.social
1.7K followers 490 following 490 posts
Kristen (she/her) writes about SFF books at Fantasy Cafe, host of Women in SF&F Month in April. Vermont/Upper Valley. Likes: Myths, wordsmithery, complex characters, dark stories, Baldur's Gate 3, cats, birds.

https://www.fantasybookcafe.com
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fantasycafe.bsky.social
I only just became aware that Katherine Arden has a new novel coming out next year: THE UNICORN HUNTERS. Excited for a new historical fantasy by her since I loved the Winternight trilogy!

#Books #BookSky 📚💙 #Fantasy #SpecFic 📚🪐
Cover of THE UNICORN HUNTERS: A NOVEL by Katherine Arden, New York Times bestselling author of THE BEAR AND THE NIGHTINGALE. It shows the side of a woman in a long dress standing amidst some pillars facing some plants and a unicorn leaping toward her on the right side of the cover.
November 2, 2025 at 7:31 PM
fantasycafe.bsky.social
Finished Baldur's Gate playthrough #7 last night. This time it was a (mostly) 2-player run with my shadow sorcerer/hexblade warlock and my husband's swashbuckler/divination wizard. This character was a bit more heroic than the last few I've played.
Female elf in a sleeveless black dress holding a large golden goblet. She's light bluish gray with long, straight purple-black hair. Headshot of a pale male vampire with glowing yellow eyes and long, wavy, pale hair
October 14, 2025 at 7:25 PM
fantasycafe.bsky.social
Review of THE DREAM HOTEL by Laila Lalami, a standalone literary science fiction novel that is chillingly plausible but also frustrating since its exploration of ideas, characterization, and plot were all underbaked.

www.fantasybookcafe.com/2025/09/revi...

#Books #BookSky 📚💙 #SciFi #SpecFic 📚🪐
Cover of National Bestseller THE DREAM HOTEL: A NOVEL by Laila Lalami, Pulitzer Prize Finalist. It shows a tall orange rectangular corridor descending into dark shadow with a small figure and its shadow in the lower right corner. The rest of the cover is medium-dark periwinkle with white text, and there is a circle containing the text "Read with Jenna" and the associated TODAY show book club logo.
September 12, 2025 at 8:44 PM
fantasycafe.bsky.social
"Which can you imagine more clearly: Middle Earth or ancient Mesopotamia? Which feels more real?"

HOUSE OF DUSK author @devafagan.bsky.social on some books/resources that inspired her in "Real History for Fantasy Worlds."

www.fantasybookcafe.com/2025/09/gues...

#Books #BookSky 📚💙 #Fantasy 📚🪐
Cover of HOUSE OF DUSK by Deva Fagan, showing a woman in glowing yellow and red-orange with flames in both her extended hands. Her head is held high and she looks fiercely determined. Text at the top: Fear not the flame.
September 2, 2025 at 10:51 PM
fantasycafe.bsky.social
Guest post by @devafagan.bsky.social on some of the books and resources that were inspirations for her new epic fantasy novel HOUSE OF DUSK, "Real History for Fantasy Worlds."

www.fantasybookcafe.com/2025/09/gues...

#Books #BookSky 📚💙 #Fantasy #SpecFic 📚🪐
Cover of HOUSE OF DUSK by Deva Fagan showing a woman in glowing yellow and red-orange with flames in both her extended hands. Her head is held high and she looks fiercely determined. Text at the top: Fear not the flame.
September 2, 2025 at 3:53 PM
fantasycafe.bsky.social
‪6:30-7:00 PM ET TODAY: I'll be doing another virtual fantasy and science fiction book recommendation event with the Ashland Public Library in Massachusetts! Register here to join us:

ashlandmass.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/vir...

#Books #BookSky 📚💙 #Fantasy #SciFi 📚🪐
Graphic for the upcoming book recommendation event, showing a path surrounded by trees with the woman reading a book graphic from my website. It says: Virtual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Recs with Kristen of Fantasy Cafe Thursday, August 21 @ 6:30-7pm ET Please Register: https://tinyurl.com/apl-fantasy-cafe
August 21, 2025 at 4:46 PM
fantasycafe.bsky.social
The Leaning Pile of Books featuring TO RIDE A RISING STORM by Moniquill Blackgoose, the sequel to TO SHAPE A DRAGON'S BREATH. The latter, a novel with alternate history and dragons, was one of my favorites of 2023.

www.fantasybookcafe.com/2025/08/the-...

#Books #BookSky 📚💙 #Fantasy #SpecFic 📚🪐
Cover of TO RIDE A RISING STORM by Moniquill Blackgoose, the Second Book of Nampeshiweisit, showing a circle in the center with a top-down view of two dragon silhouettes on opposite sides of the circle. One dragon is dark aquamarine and the other is white, and the circle also includes two light blue flowers with bright yellow leaves. The rest of the cover is midnight blue with the outlines of trees in the darkest shade at the bottom of the image.
August 17, 2025 at 7:50 PM
fantasycafe.bsky.social
I'll be doing another virtual fantasy and science fiction book recommendation event with the Ashland Public Library in Massachusetts next week! Register here for the session on August 21 at 6:30-7:00 PM ET:

ashlandmass.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/vir...

#Books #BookSky 📚💙 #Fantasy #SciFi 📚🪐
Graphic for the upcoming book recommendation event, showing a path surrounded by trees with the woman reading a book graphic from my website. It says: Virtual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Recs with Kristen of Fantasy Cafe Thursday, August 21 at 6:30-7pm ET Please register: https://tinyurl.com/apl-fantasy-cafe
August 14, 2025 at 11:54 PM
fantasycafe.bsky.social
One week from today, I'll be doing another virtual fantasy and science fiction book recommendation event with the Ashland Public Library in Massachusetts! Register here for the session on August 21 at 6:30-7:00 PM ET:

ashlandmass.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/vir...
Graphic for the upcoming book recommendation event, showing a path surrounded by trees with the woman reading a book graphic from my website. It says: Virtual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Recs with Kristen of Fantasy Cafe Thursday, August 21 at 6:30-7pm ET Please register: https://tinyurl.com/apl-fantasy-cafe
August 14, 2025 at 7:17 PM
fantasycafe.bsky.social
Started THE GRYPHON KING by Sara Omer last night and loved the dedication: "For everyone who wishes they could pet the man-eating monsters in their favorite fantasy books." (Yes, this would be me.)

#Books #BookSky 📚💙 #Fantasy #SciFi #SpecFic 📚🪐
Cover of THE GRYPHON KING by Sara Omer, The Chaos Constellation Book One, showing the tile and author in large text in a 16-sided shape with a red and gold border. There are two black gryphon figures above this and two black figures on horseback below. The rest of the background is the same red as the border. Text at the top of the cover: "A twisty feat of politics and fantastical beasts." - Shannon Chakraborty
July 24, 2025 at 4:51 PM
fantasycafe.bsky.social
So glad to see the sequel to TO SHAPE A DRAGON'S BREATH by Moniquill Blackgoose has a release date: TO RIDE A RISING STORM is coming out in January 2026! (Thanks to @renay.bsky.social and her newsletter for the tip!)

#Books #BookSky 📚💙 #Fantasy #SpecFic 📚🪐
Cover of TO RIDE A RISING STORM by Moniquill Blackgoose, the Second Book of Nampeshiweisit, showing a circle in the center with a top-down view of two dragon silhouettes on opposite sides of the circle. One dragon is dark aquamarine and the other is white, and the circle also includes two light blue flowers with bright yellow leaves. The rest of the cover is midnight blue with the outlines of trees in the darkest shade at the bottom of the image.
July 1, 2025 at 6:12 PM
fantasycafe.bsky.social
Favorite 2025 releases so far:

THE RAVEN SCHOLAR by Antonia Hodgson
DEATH OF THE AUTHOR by Nnedi Okorafor

Favorite pre-2025 books (that were not rereads):

THE REFORMATORY by Tananarive Due
KUSHIEL'S CHOSEN by Jacqueline Carey

#Books #BookSky 📚💙 #Fantasy #SciFi #SpecFic 📚🪐
Cover of THE RAVEN SCHOLAR by Antonia Hodgson, showing a large detailed white sketch of a raven over a dark purple background. It is magnificent. Additional cover text: "Vast and intricate." - Alix E. Harrow "Immersive and enthralling." - Tasha Suri Cover of DEATH OF THE AUTHOR: A NOVEL by New York Times bestselling author Nnedi Okorafor, showing the profile of a woman's head and shoulders in black over an orange and aquamarine Ankara fabric pattern. Text at the top: The future of storytelling is here. Text above the title: "This one has it all." - George R. R. Martin Cover of THE REFORMATORY: A NOVEL by Los Angeles Times Book Prize Winner Tananarive Due, showing trees above a small white building. The ground and plants below are all black and the sky is pink and orange, and there is a yellow circle that says "The New York Times Book Review 100 Notable Books 2023." Additional Cover Text: "Book of the decade." - Stephen Graham Jones "Due hit it out of the park." - Stephen King Cover of KUSHIEL'S CHOSEN by New York Times bestselling author Jacqueline Carey, showing the back of a woman in a low-cut scarlet dress showing a rose tattoo on her back. She is wearing matching gloves that go above the elbow and a black kerchief on her head. Text at the top: Some treason requires an audience...
June 30, 2025 at 7:31 PM
fantasycafe.bsky.social
Started first patch 8 run of BG3 as shadow sorcerer/hexblade warlock (in a multiplayer run with husband, who is playing as Alucard).
Female pale blue-gray elf in armor in a crouched spellcasting/action pose next to a floating sword and levitating pale man with pale hair. Image showing a pale blue-gray female elf with dark purple-black hair. She is wearing black armor and the hilt of a sword is visible over her shoulder.
June 22, 2025 at 6:04 PM
fantasycafe.bsky.social
A tough choice presented by book mail today... Start Kate Elliott's THE WITCH ROADS or M. H. Ayinde's A SONG OF LEGENDS LOST next? They both sound amazing.

#Books #BookSky 📚💙 #Fantasy #SpecFic 📚🪐
Cover of THE WITCH ROADS by Kate Elliott, showing two small figures on a path lined with large statues of armored figures with swords, the closest of which have animal heads. The path leads to a fortress with three turrets. Text at the top: "An absolute gem of a story." - S. A. Chakraborty on THE SERVANT MAGE Cover of A SONG OF LEGENDS LOST by M. H. Ayinde, showing a figure standing with a large, orange-red figure wielding two swords behind them. Text toward the upper left: "Stunning... Ayinde is a master storyteller." - Andrea Stewart Text toward the upper right: "The exhilarating must-read fantasy debut of the year." - Tasha Suri
June 9, 2025 at 6:00 PM
fantasycafe.bsky.social
Current read: DEATH OF THE AUTHOR by Nnedi Okorafor. I went to a talk with the author a couple months ago and got a copy signed afterward. It's really interesting so far! It's both the life of the author and the SF story she wrote, RUSTED ROBOTS.

#Books #BookSky 📚💙 #SciFi #SpecFic 📚🪐
Cover of DEATH OF THE AUTHOR: A NOVEL by New York Times bestselling author Nnedi Okorafor, showing the profile of a woman's head and shoulders in black over an orange and aquamarine Ankara fabric pattern. Text at the top: The future of storytelling is here. Quote above the title: "This one has it all." - George R. R. Martin
May 29, 2025 at 6:58 PM
fantasycafe.bsky.social
I know it's a bit weird to say this here, but THE DREAM HOTEL by Laila Lalami is making me want to go off the grid forever. (It's also really good so far.)
Cover of THE DREAM HOTEL: A NOVEL by Pulitzer Prize Finalist Laila Lalami, showing an orange box with a figure and shadow standing in front of what appears to be a dark shadowed hallway. The rest of the background is periwinkle colored with the text "National Bestseller" at the top and a circle that says "Read with Jenna."
May 16, 2025 at 2:25 AM
fantasycafe.bsky.social
Later this week, I'll be sharing some fantasy and science fiction book recommendations with the Ashland Public Library on Zoom from 6:30 to 7:00 PM EDT on Thursday, May 15! Register to join here:

ashlandmass.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/vir...

#Books #BookSky 📚💙 #Fantasy #SciFi #SpecFic 📚🪐
Event graphic showing a path through trees and the girl sitting in a cafe reading a book from my website. The text on the graphic says: Virtual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Recs with Kristen of Fantasy Cafe Thursday, May 15 @ 6:30-7pm ET Quarterly on the 3rd Thursday Please Register: https://tinyurl.com/apl-fantasy-cafe
May 12, 2025 at 7:54 PM
fantasycafe.bsky.social
"Nothing extraordinary is ever done out of reason or logic, but because it’s the only way for your soul to breathe."

THE GIRL WHO FELL BENEATH THE SEA by Axie Oh was even more wonderful than I'd remembered. It's a lovely, hopeful story mostly set in the Spirit Realm.

#Books #BookSky 📚💙 #Fantasy 📚🪐
Cover of THE GIRL WHO FELL BENEATH THE SEA by New York Times-bestselling author Axie Oh, showing a girl with dark hair in a braid wearing pink and blue. The blue of her skirt turns into the sea and the cover also shows a Red String of Fate, a bird, a paper boat, and a boy with dark hair above the girl. Text at the top: "Clever, creative, and exquisitely written." - Stephanie Garber, New York Times-bestselling author of Caraval
May 10, 2025 at 5:30 PM
fantasycafe.bsky.social
It's the last day to enter to win a copy of THE ADVENTURES OF MARY DARLING by Pat Murphy, a book the Library Journal described as "a dangerous and delightful adventure that turns the bigotry and misogyny of Victorian England on its head."

www.fantasybookcafe.com/2025/04/wome...
Cover of THE ADVENTURES OF MARY DARLING by Pat Murphy, showing a figure in a blue dress and hat with one hand atop a sword pointing downward with a man in red using a magnifying glass to examine a small, flying fairy slightly behind her to the left.
May 5, 2025 at 5:52 PM
fantasycafe.bsky.social
I'll be sharing some fantasy and science fiction book recommendations with the Ashland Public Library on Zoom from 6:30 to 7:00 PM EDT on Thursday, May 15! You can register to join here:

ashlandmass.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/vir...

#Books #BookSky 📚💙 #Fantasy #SciFi #SpecFic 📚🪐
Event graphic showing a path through trees and the girl sitting in a cafe reading a book from my website. The text on the graphic says: Virtual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Recs with Kristen of Fantasy Cafe Thursday, May 15 @ 6:30-7pm ET Quarterly on the 3rd Thursday Please Register: https://tinyurl.com/apl-fantasy-cafe
May 5, 2025 at 4:32 PM
fantasycafe.bsky.social
Tomorrow is the last day to enter to win a copy of the 30th anniversary edition of THE BOOK OF ATRIX WOLFE (a giveaway that accompanied THE ESSENTIAL PATRICIA A. MCKILLIP cover reveal)!

www.fantasybookcafe.com/2025/04/wome...

#Books #BookSky 📚💙 #Fantasy 📚🪐
Cover of the 30th anniversary edition of THE BOOK OF ATRIX WOLFE by Patricia A. McKillip, showing all-white curling plants connecting all-white images including a cauldron, a castle, deer, a book, and an owl with an antlered figure atop a horse in the center. Text at the top: "Patricia McKillip is the real thing and always has been." - Ellen Kushner, author of Swordspoint Cover of THE ESSENTIAL PATRICIA A. MCKILLIP, showing a dark-haired woman leaning against floral cushions with the front of a dark brown horse in the background. Text in the upper middle left: "I have read everything Patricia McKillip has written. You should too." - Garth Nix, author of Sabriel and The Keys to the Kingdom
May 1, 2025 at 6:29 PM
fantasycafe.bsky.social
THE MEMORY HUNTERS author @itsamia.bsky.social discussed creating new settings without real-world prejudices and using access to information to divide people in her science fantasy novel in "Conflict and Discrimination in Secondary Worlds."

www.fantasybookcafe.com/2025/04/wome...
Photo of Mia Tsai Cover of THE MEMORY HUNTERS by Mia Tsai, showing a thick forked branch covered in bright red fungi and some green leaves against a scarlet background. Text at the top: "A haunting dystopia that will infect your blood with its hyphae and fruit inside your heart." - Yume Kitasei
April 30, 2025 at 6:50 PM
fantasycafe.bsky.social
“How do you know whether an idea is a short story or a novel?”

THE CRIMSON ROAD author @angelaslatter.bsky.social shared her approach to writing stories of differing lengths in "The Long and the Short of It."

www.fantasybookcafe.com/2025/04/wome...
Photo of A. G. Slatter Cover of THE CRIMSON ROAD by A. G. Slatter, showing an ornate black horse-drawn carriage (minus the horse) surrounded by glowing hanging lights on the left and right borders. An open book is in the bottom center. Text at the top: "Where blood is currency and magic is a weapon..." Text below the carriage: "Angela plays by her own rules." - Hilarie Burton-Morgan
April 30, 2025 at 6:41 PM
fantasycafe.bsky.social
THE ADVENTURES OF MARY DARLING author @pat-murphy.bsky.social revealed how she managed to keep working on her Peter Pan/Sherlock Holmes retelling for more than 20 years in "The Power of Community."

www.fantasybookcafe.com/2025/04/wome...
Photo of Pat Murphy Cover of THE ADVENTURES OF MARY DARLING by Pat Murphy, showing a figure in a blue dress and hat holding a sword pointing downward with a man in red using a magnifying glass to examine a small fairy a bit behind her to the left.
April 30, 2025 at 6:36 PM
fantasycafe.bsky.social
THAT DEVIL, AMBITION author @linseymiller.bsky.social wrote about some books with characters who are kind but show it through actions most would probably not consider to be morally good in "A Descent into Kindness."

www.fantasybookcafe.com/2025/04/wome...
Photo of Linsey Miller Cover of THAT DEVIL, AMBITION by Linsey Miller, showing a dark purple snake atop a medium purple desk with books, glasses, roses, and a jar on its side with red liquid spilling out of it. A face is peeking through an opening between books in a bookshelf in the back. Text at the top: "This teacher's pet has teeth."
April 30, 2025 at 6:32 PM