S. A. Chakraborty is a speculative fiction writer from New York City. Her debut, The City of Brass, is the first book in an epic fantasy trilogy set in the 18th century Middle East. When not buried in books about Mughal portraiture and Omani history, S. A. enjoys hiking, knitting, and cooking unnecessarily complicated meals for her family.
The Ashfire King (2025) (Sandsea Trilogy, book 2) Chelsea Abdullah "A thrilling adventure about found families, ancient magic and stories that linger."
The Lotus Empire (2024) (Burning Kingdoms, book 3) Tasha Suri "A fiercely and unapilogetically feminist tale of revolution set against a gorgeous, unique, magical world."
Fledgling (2024) (Keeper's Records of Revolution, book 1) S K Ali "In turns both profound and heart racing, S. K. Ali's vision of a world on the brink of revolution or submission to artificial political intelligence sounds eerily plausible."
The Gods Below (2024) (Hollow Covenant, book 1) Andrea Stewart "Stewart's worlds are some of the most exceptionally inventive in modern fantasy. A must read!"
Notorious Sorcerer (2022) (Burnished City, book 1) Davinia Evans "From the razor-sharp social climbing to the glimmering alchemist's library to the hidden realms beneath it all, I loved getting lost in this dazzling debut."
The Hacienda (2022) Isabel Cañas "A haunting gorgeous tale of doomed love, vengeful spirits, and tortured faith that I could not put down."
Kaikeyi (2022) Vaishnavi Patel "A thought-provoking, nuanced new look at one of humanity's most foundational stories."
Servant Mage (2022) Kate Elliott "[This] is an absolute gem of a story, a peek into a fascinating, fully realized world that manages to explore issues of power, consent, class and destiny before turning over some of fantasy's tropes completely on their head. I loved it."
The Ivory Key (2022) (Ivory Key Duology, book 1) Akshaya Raman "A rollicking adventure of royal family drama, treasure hunts, and hidden histories. I loved it."
Beasts of Prey (2021) (Beasts of Prey, book 1) Ayana Gray "A delight. I rarely fall in love with characters as quickly as I did with Koffi and Ekon. Gray masterfully balances the wonder and uncertainty of youth with a deftly, fully imagined world that I was dying to learn more about."
Son of the Storm (2021) (Nameless Republic , book 1) Suyi Davies Okungbowa "A mesmerising coming of age tale set against a thrilling, fantastical adventure that introduces and beguiling new world . . . and then rips apart everything you think you know."
A Master of Djinn (2021) (Dead Djinn Universe, book 1) P Djèlí Clark "A clever, wickedly fun steampunk mystery with an excellent balance of humor and heart."
Malice (2021) (Malice Duology, book 1) Heather Walter "A truly original and clever retelling of a classic that had me racing to the end—you’ll never look at ‘Sleeping Beauty’ the same way again."
She Who Became the Sun (2021) (Radiant Emperor, book 1) Shelley Parker-Chan "Evocative and heartrending, Parker-Chan's debut is a poetic masterpiece about war, love, and identity.... It stabbed me through the heart then salted and set fire to the wound."
The Mask of Mirrors (2021) (Rook & Rose, book 1) M A Carrick "Utterly captivating. Carrick spins an exciting web of mystery, magic, and political treachery in a richly drawn and innovative world."
Star Daughter (2020) Shveta Thakrar "A gorgeously written tale of magic and family, of finding and fighting for your place, Star Daughter has a heart that shines as brilliantly as its celestial court."
The Year of the Witching (2020) (Bethel, book 1) Alexis Henderson "A thrillingly brisk and bracing tale of magic and power, I loved this book. It takes the best tropes of horror and witchcraft and gives them a refreshingly feminist twist."
Girl, Serpent, Thorn (2020) Melissa Bashardoust "Gorgeously written and quietly powerful, Bashardoust’s latest is an enthralling tale of family, monsters, and the things we do for love."
Hunted by the Sky (2020) (Wrath of Ambar, book 1) Tanaz Bhathena "A thrilling start to an exciting new series set in a fresh, magical new world... I couldn't put it down!"
The Unspoken Name (2020) (Serpent Gates, book 1) A K Larkwood "A fun, fresh new take on the traditional fantasy quest and an adventure I couldn't put down!"
The Perfect Assassin (2019) (Chronicles of Ghadid, book 1) K A Doore "With a mix of heart and adventure, and set in a wonderfully inventive new world, K.A. Doore's debut shines."
For the Killing of Kings (2018) (Ring-Sworn Trilogy, book 1) Howard Andrew Jones "A fantastic adventure! Wit and mystery abound in this fast-paced epic across a stunning new world."
The Bloodprint (2017) (Khorasan Archives, book 1) Ausma Zehanat Khan "Sweeping its readers up for a fantastical journey across a broken yet beautiful Silk Road, The Bloodprint is extraordinary. The book is wonderfully written; its poetic prose and mix of history, faith, and adventure reminiscent of a post-apocalyptic Odyssey… this time with a pair of women warriors at the helm."
The Rage of Dragons (2017) (Burning , book 1) Evan Winter "The Rage of Dragons takes the best parts of epic fantasy and sets them in a refreshing and inventive new world, a gripping tale that makes clear the true cost of war and colonialism with one of the most enthralling hero's journeys I've read."
