A great pick would be 'Raybearer'. It has a beautiful story about a girl who has to go on a journey to become part of a council that rules the world. The world - building and the relationships between the characters are really well - done in this 2020 fantasy fiction book.
I really liked 'Black Sun' that came out in 2020. It has a richly developed world with different cultures and magic systems. The characters are diverse and complex, making the story very interesting.
Definitely 'Jade City'. It's set in a world where jade gives people special powers. The story focuses on a crime family and their struggle for power in a world full of political and magical rivalries. It was one of the great fantasy fiction books in 2020.
Beginners should check out 'Howl's Moving Castle' by Diana Wynne Jones. It has a really interesting premise with a moving castle and a young girl who gets caught up in a magical adventure. The story is full of charm and humor. 'The Wizard of Oz' by L. Frank Baum is also a great starting point. It's a well - known and beloved fantasy with a simple but engaging story of a girl's journey in a magical land. And 'Stardust' by Neil Gaiman is a beautiful fantasy story with a touch of romance and adventure.
One cannot miss 'His Dark Materials' by Philip Pullman. It has a complex and thought - provoking world where people have daemons and there are multiple parallel universes. 'The Earthsea Cycle' by Ursula K. Le Guin is also essential. It focuses on the wizard Ged and his growth and adventures in the world of Earthsea, with themes of balance, power, and self - knowledge.
A must - read is 'Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe' by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. It's a beautifully written story about two boys and their journey of self - discovery. Another is 'The House in the Cerulean Sea' by T.J. Klune. It has a heartwarming story with LGBT representation. And 'Black Wings Beating' by Alex London is also great, with its unique world and LGBT characters.
Well, 'Dune' by Frank Herbert is a classic. It's got a richly imagined universe and complex characters.
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien is a classic must-read. It's got an epic world, memorable characters, and a rich story.
I'd recommend 'The Lord of the Rings' series. It's a classic with rich world-building and unforgettable characters.
Well, 'His Dark Materials' by Philip Pullman is a great must - read fantasy. It has a unique take on parallel universes and complex themes. 'Gormenghast' by Mervyn Peake is also quite interesting. The grotesque and gothic setting and the strange characters are what make it special. And 'American Gods' by Neil Gaiman, which blends different mythologies in a modern - day setting.
One of the must - read 2020 fiction books is 'The Only Good Indians' by Stephen Graham Jones. It's a horror story that also delves into Native American culture and the impact of past traumas. 'Uncanny Valley' by Anna Wiener is also very interesting. It's a memoir - like fiction that gives an inside look into the tech industry.
One more is 'The Nickel Boys' by Colson Whitehead. It's based on a real - life reform school in Florida and the dark secrets it held. It's a powerful story about race, abuse, and the search for justice.
I really liked 'Babel' by R.F. Kuang in 2022. It's a dark academia novel that delves into themes of colonialism, language, and power. The story is set in a fictional version of Oxford University and follows a young Chinese boy named Robin Swift. It's a complex and engaging read.