The Turning Place
A collection of interconnected YA science fiction stories tracing humanity's future across centuries. Uneven and occasionally underwhelming individually, the stories gradually build toward a surprisingly moving exploration of what it means to be alive. Best suited to younger readers who enjoy thoughtful sci-fi.
Out There
What promises to be a post-apocalyptic adventure turns out to be a rather dull nature-club field trip. Thin characterization, a depressing ending, and some egregious fatphobia make this one hard to recommend. Worst of all? Not a single raccoon.
The Changeling
A tender, bittersweet story of two childhood outsiders whose friendship makes the world a brighter place. Despite its YA audience and lack of fantasy, The Changeling offers adults a surprisingly powerful dose of nostalgia for the friendships that shaped them.
Song of the Pearl
A teenage girl journeys through the afterlife and her past incarnations to understand her suffering. Beautiful prose cannot redeem a YA novel whose central message holds an abused child responsible for her own sexual assault—and ultimately demands that she apologize to her abuser. My most hated ForFemFan read.
The Hero and the Crown
Aerin, the ostracized daughter of Damar's king, must forge a place for herself in a world that doubts her worth. An intimate, fiercely feminist coming-of-age fantasy about persistence, compassion, and finding strength without losing yourself—and a book that helped shape who I became.
The Blue Sword
Harry Crewe, a young woman displaced to a remote desert frontier, finds herself drawn into the magical world of the Hillfolk. A languid, traditional chosen-one fantasy whose unremarkable plot is more than redeemed by the quiet strength, dignity, and wonderfully nuanced characterization of its heroine.
The Seventh Gate
The breathtaking conclusion to Seven Citadels left me sobbing at one in the morning. A remarkable story of complicated friendships, physical beauty, and the painful, wonderful realities of being human.
Children of the Wind
The second Seven Citadels adventure deepens its wonderfully human characters, explores faith and philosophy without preaching, and introduces an argumentative companion and a delightful cat.
Nightpool
A wronged prince, singing dragons, ancient evil, and an entire tribe of impossibly charming talking otters. Delightful animal characters can't quite save an increasingly chaotic plot.
Prince of the Godborn
An unassuming little YA fantasy novel that delivers wonderfully authentic sibling relationships, fascinating theological questions, and characters I'd happily read about going grocery shopping.