Looking to be transported to a different realm?  These epic fantasy debuts are just the ticket.  Whether they’re the author’s first book or the first book in a series, these debuts will take you away to a whole new world.  Check out some of the titles we have on display:

“The Poppy War” by R.F. Kuang was given the Reddit Fantasy Award for Best Debut 2018 and called ‘The best fantasy debut of 2018’ by Wired.  It is a brilliantly imaginative epic fantasy debut, inspired by the bloody history of China’s twentieth century and filled with treachery and magic.  When Rin aced the Keju – the test to find the most talented students in the Empire – it was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn’t believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating; to Rin’s guardians, who had hoped to get rich by marrying her off; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free from a life of servitude. That she got into Sinegard – the most elite military school in Nikan – was even more surprising.  Fighting the prejudice of rival classmates, Rin discovers that she possesses a lethal, unearthly power – an aptitude for the nearly mythical art of shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of psychoactive substances and a seemingly insane teacher, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive – and that mastering these powers could mean more than just surviving school.  This is the first book in a fantasy trilogy written by the author of last year’s highly publicized “Yellowface.”

In “The Sun and the Void” by Gabriela Romero Lacruz, Reina arrives at Aguila Manor, her heart stolen from her chest, on the verge of death–until her estranged grandmother, a dark sorceress in the Don’s employ, intervenes. Indebted to a woman she never knew and smitten with the upper-caste daughter of the house, Celeste, Reina will do anything to earn–and keep–the family’s favor. Even the bidding of the ancient god who speaks to her from the Manor’s foundations. To save the woman she loves, Reina will have to defy the gods themselves, and become something she never could have imagined.  This book would also make an excellent pic to read for Pride month.

One of my personal favorite fantasy debuts is “Legends and Lattes” by Travis Baldree.  Worn out after decades of packing steel and raising hell, Viv the orc barbarian cashes out of the warrior’s life with one final score. A forgotten legend, a fabled artifact, and an unreasonable amount of hope lead her to the streets of Thune, where she plans to open the first coffee shop the city has ever seen. However, her dreams of a fresh start pulling shots instead of swinging swords are hardly a sure bet. Old frenemies and Thune’s shady underbelly may just upset her plans. To finally build something that will last, Viv will need some new partners and a different kind of resolve.  This book falls into the “cozy fantasy” subgenre that some readers might enjoy as a first foray into the fantasy genre.

You’ll find these titles and more in our “Epic Fantasy Debuts” display in our display area.   For additional title suggestions, see the lists below: