You know them. The quiet books that don’t get a lot of hype but are brilliant and deserving of attention. Let’s check out a few favorites across genres.
Fantasy: The Brilliant Death by Amy Rose Capetta
In an Italian-esque fantasy world, the heads of the famous mafia families are simultaneously poisoned by the new ruling power. Except one doesn’t die. His daughter teams up with a genderfluid witch to bring down the capital, and in the process learns more about herself than she had imagined. / Goodreads
Historical: Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee
This poignant historical novel takes place during the San Francisco earthquake of 1906, from the perspective of the daughter of Chinese immigrants. When her family is destroyed by the quake, her only hope for survival is teaming up with the petulant rich kids of a girls’ school. / Goodreads
Historical Fantasy: Iron Cast by Destiny Soria
In the glittering world of the 1920s, two best friends have powers related to their blood. Powers that some people will do anything to control–or stop. / Goodreads
Science Fiction: The Fever King by Victoria Lee
Want a good queer superhero story? Look no further. In a dystopian future where a fever has ravaged America, some people get special powers. Including Noam, who finds himself being pressed into service as a government soldier. But the people he works for may be the real enemy. / Goodreads
Contemporary Romance: Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmemer
Two rivals accidentally fall in love after exchanging anonymous letters. One is struggling with grief, the other with identity. Together, they might just find healing. / Goodreads
Science Fiction: A Spark of White Fire by Sangu Mandanna
This sci-fi retelling of an Indian epic features a talking spaceship, a girl exiled from her home, and two warring nations that she’s caught between. / Goodreads
Contemporary Fantasy: Witches of Ash and Ruin by E. Latimer
In Ireland, a bunch of queer witches are being murdered by an unknown serial killer. Two rival covens must team up to stop the killer before it’s too late for all of them. / Goodreads
What quiet books do you think deserve more hype?
C.J. Listro 