Mythological fiction is a much loved genre as these books allow you entry to worlds full of gods and goddesses and horrific monsters, where heroes with magical powers go on epic, legendary quests to save the world, and where magic lies within your hand’s reach. They are the perfect solution for when you feel like the world is too much to take and you just need to disappear for a while. If you are in the mood for stories rich with mythology, here we have rounded up 10 books that are basically portals to mythic worlds you may or may not have heard of before!
The Storm Runner by J. C. Cervantes
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Complete with a prophecy, a quest to save the world, plenty of monsters, supernaturals, demigods, and negligent godly parents, The Storm Runner is an absolute treat! (Fun fact: the Maya have a goddess of chocolate called IxCacao who makes an appearance in the book!)
The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan
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It’s no news that Rick Riordan is the king of this particular genre as Percy Jackson and the Olympians is the reason most of us learned about Greek mythology after all, so of course this list features his books. The Magnus Chase series is his take on the vast world of Norse mythology; all three of these books are hilarious and keep you hooked from the first page to the last, include a diverse set of characters, and in typical Riordan fashion, they also carry some very important messages and make you think.
Circe by Madeline Miller
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Circe is mesmerising and devastating at once. It’s above all a story of a woman who learns to claim the power wrongly taken from her. Circe is a glorious heroine, and Miller’s captivating storytelling gives her the ballad she deserves.
A Crown of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi
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Technically a companion novel to Chokshi’s The Star-Touched Queen, this can be read as a standalone. Chokshi is a uniquely talented author; her lush, immersive prose and her intricate and vivid worldbuilding transport the reader into the world of her creation right from the beginning. The characters are flawed and lovable, the romance is well developed and convincing. In conclusion, read it!
Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
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Maya mythology merged with a Hades/Persephone-esque love story set in the Jazz Age, need anything more be said?
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia
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Mbalia weaves West African and African-American legends together in a brilliant and wholesome way in his debut novel. Tristan is one of those unique protagonists who wanted nothing to do with valour and yet learned to be a hero the hard way; he is going to stay in your heart for a long time.
The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan
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The Kane Chronicles has diverse characters, Egyptian gods and goddesses, an albino crocodile, a weird cat named Muffin, creatures made of clay who can wreak havoc, a secret magical society, and a baboon who’s a basketball champion and only eats food that ends in -o! Just go ahead and read these books, you know you want to.
The Serpent’s Secret by Sayantani DasGupta
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Steeped in gorgeous Bengali folklores, The Serpent’s Secret consists of an all Indian cast and portrays Bengali culture (and Indian culture in general) remarkably well. DasGupta gives her protagonist a strong voice, making this an empowering book for brown kids and adults around the world.
Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse
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A Native American urban fantasy in a dystopian setting, Trail of Lightning is a delicious crossover of the fantasy fiction and science fiction genres that will compel you to finish the whole book in one sitting.
The Epic Crush of Genie Lo by F. C. Yee
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Yee’s flowy storytelling seamlessly blends Chinese folklore into a contemporary setting in this action packed adventure story. Also, the romance involves well fleshed out characters who truly make a power couple!
