I know people who say, ‘I don’t read fantasy,’ meaning that they seek depth in their reading, and fantasy is not the genre that can provide them with such. I haven’t been an ardent fan of J. R. R. Tolkien or George R.R. Martin or, to be honest, any other prominent authors who have created the worlds in their books that mesmerised millions of readers.
But, after stumbling once in a while upon a book with either a fantastical or dystopian or, in some way, imaginary setting and liking it, I started reading more books that don’t reflect the reality in a straightforward way. And I discovered that some of them delve deeper into the things that interest me in my reading – human nature, relationships, historical controversies and musings about possible future scenarios for us humans – than any ‘slice-of-life’ stories.
So, here are some of the gems I’ve discovered among cross-genre (fantasy, dystopian, alternative history and more) books by fabulous authors.
“River Faces North” by Anne M. Smith-Nochasak
“But we could hope. Because that is what you do when you see the world has ended and you are still alive.” The world Flo had known all her life has ended. Just like, one might think, Flo’s active life. No matter the positivity regarding the age that had been flourishing in that old world of hers, seventy-eight was considered the sunset of a person’s existence. But the world has ended, and in the new one, Flo has found herself to be more vigorous and inventive than she used to be in her youth. She must be this way, for she doesn’t have a choice.
In this new world, almost all of the things that could be enjoyed perished. You can’t have a cup of coffee in the morning. You can’t take a delicious drag of a cigarette. You can’t treat your kids to a birthday cake. You wear old tattered clothes.
But above all that, your life doesn’t belong to you. In the year 2036, the oppressive cult – the Elect – rules over the land, which used to be the embodiment of human rights, democracy, and prosperity.
Dark, uncompromising, and shocking, but at the same time saturated with hope, “River Faces North” by Anne M. Smith-Nochasak is an incredible story with the main character that will remain in my heart forever.
Read my full review of “River Faces North” by Anne M. Smith-Nochasak here.
“Spelldrifts” by A-M Mawhiney
Readers are invited to a world they don’t want to leave. Magic and technological progress coexist here in perfect synergy. Everyone is free to choose their path in life. Everyone can contribute to the greater good and satiate their creative ambitions. And still, without a counterweight, it’s impossible to maintain the balance.
People always say they’d like to live in a perfect world. The world where everyone is appreciated for their individual merits and abilities and where everyone can feel safe. But in reality, not everyone is ready to contribute to the building of such a world.
“We are entering a time of mystery and conflict. It is impossible to know the outcome. We must be united.” Will people from the Land of Hope protect their lifestyle, or will those who want the old ways to return succeed?
A captivating blend of fantasy and sci-fi, this book has cast a spell on me from the first pages.
Read my full review of “Spelldrifts” by A-M Mawhiney here.
“A Drowned Kingdom” by P.L. Stuart
An epic fantasy story that will transport you into the lands that have never been, but in which being real you will believe after the first chapters.
P.L. Stuart draws his new world masterfully, by not skipping the details while knitting in battle and actions scenes into his plot. The characters are not like one’s next-door neighbours; they are driven by their background, faith, and traditions, and the nature of all these elements the reader gets a chance to learn, when each chapter adds new details about the reality P.L. Stuart has created on the pages of his book.
The protagonist, Prince Othrun, is a complicated character; I could not decide, while I was reading, whether I like him or not, and, for me, such characters are the most interesting, and they stay in your thoughts long after you’d turned the last page.
Read my full review of “A Drowned Kingdom” by P.L. Stuart here.
“The White Water” by Ellen Khodakivska
Would you go to a place that is rumoured to test your intentions? The place where you cannot hide who you really are? A mysterious lake amidst a mysterious forest that doesn’t tolerate dishonesty.
Six friends can’t resist. For reasons vastly different, they decide to go to the depths of Australian rainforests and see the magical place with their own eyes. Not every one of them believes there is any magic in it. Even so, they all are equally enthusiastic about their trip. They have no idea what is waiting for them.
This book makes the readers think about universal concepts, such as the struggle of finding one’s place in life, be it literally a place where one chooses to live or a profession. It poses questions which I found exciting to try to answer. Is it possible to build a society where everyone would be content and unwilling to hurt others? What is the right way to react to aggression? Do people change in their core and is it possible to help them – or make them – change? Timeless questions – and probably none of them has only one right answer.
Read my full review of “The White Water” by Ellen Khodakivska here.
Eve's Book Diary 
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