Ah February 29th, the absolute possible last day to do a post about Black History Month, thanks to the leap year. Considering this has never been done before on the Quill To Live, we’re really pulling out all the stops. But really, reading these authors shouldn’t be relegated to a single month every year. So instead of a post about what we have read this month, or plan to read, we thought it would be best to share a list of science fiction and fantasy writers, both African and of the Diaspora, that we’ve come to love on the site. Their contributions to the genre are countless, and deserve any attention they get, and more. We’ll provide some links to reviews we’ve done and at the end, Alex, will make a commitment to explore works by authors I have yet to read, as well as some works by listed authors I have already read.
So don’t make this a deadline for yourself. See it as a hallway of doors to open through the rest of the year and beyond. There is so much to discover.
N. K. Jemisin – The Broken Earth Series – This one is an easy win for everyone involved. Fifth Season is an absolute masterpiece that has left an indelible mark on the genre and is one of the few books I wish I could re-read from a blank slate. Jemisin is a talented writer able to craft a frightening world filled with incredible characters. The perspective shifts are phenomenal, and if you haven’t read this one yet, give yourself a treat. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it’s an incomparable experience.
Rivers Solomon – The Deep – Solomon has quite a few noted works, and unfortunately, I’ve only read this tale. It’s full of personality, introducing readers to a future world born of our own crimes, but beautiful as it is haunting. It’s a world built by the descendants of women thrown overboard during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. Pain and empathy are the main themes that drive the story, but fear not there is hope in the darkness of the vast ocean.
Other Works: An Unkindness of Ghosts, Sorrowland
Tade Thompson – Wormwood – I’ve read and adored a lot of Tade Thompson’s work, and eagerly await news concerning any new projects he’s involved in. But when it comes to really seeing him work, you can’t go wrong with Wormwood. A giant alien fungal presence has taken root in Nigeria, causing the birth of people with psychic-like abilities. It’s a dark and twisting exploration of colonialism that expands on tropes found within the noir genre. It’s fast-paced and covered in an atmosphere thicker than the cigarette smoke of a 1930s bar. It has a few great twists and turns, and the character writing is top-notch.
Nnedi Okorafor – Binti – Admittedly, I have only read this particular series, and the site has only reviewed 2 of the 3 books, but it is a series that has stuck with me for years. The series begins with a devastating cultural misunderstanding between humans and an alien species that leads to deaths of children. Okorafor explores the horrifying interactions, but also goes to great lengths to explore reconciliation and the lingering trauma’s that affect the main character, along with the relationship between species.
Other Works: Who Fears Death
Marlon James – The Dark Star Trilogy – James’ work within the fantasy space is hard to ignore, and if you’re able to stomach the violence, it should not be missed. While we never had a formal review for Black Leopard, Red Wolf, it is nothing short of astounding. The follow-up— Moon Witch, Spider King—is even better, building on the world and characters in a way that offers new insight, and creates connective tissue between his various themes. It’s a brutal world filled with a vibrancy that is hard to capture within a single sentence. These books are long, but they are worth every ounce of effort.
Other Works: The Book of Night Women, A Brief History of Seven Killings (Note: these are not explicitly fantasy works)
Micaiah Johnson – The Space Between Worlds – This book was one of my favorite Dark Horse picks in the history of QTL’s Dark Horses. Johnson brings new perspective to the multiverse, sprinkling it with grit and character. It’s a tightly focused narrative that explores both its characters and theme with equal attention. That’s not to mention Johnson’s brilliant writing which adds an edge to her main character’s perspective.
Other Works: Those Beyond the Wall
Ness Brown – The Scourge Between Stars – This novella was a great debut from Brown, building upon the tried and true pacing of Alien while adding their own flair and themes to the story. It’s a short, but haunting portrayal of a ship on its last legs dealing with a new threat it could not have foreseen. The writing is tense, and the world is rich despite the book’s length. If you want a little more horror with your science fiction.
Tochi Onyebuchi – Goliath – If you’re looking for something shorter and packs a punch, you can pick up Onyebuchi’s novella, Riot Baby. But if you want to sink your teeth into a story that really takes its time with the themes it’s playing with, Goliath is the book for you. Onyebuchi’s exploration of gentrification, community, and what really makes a place your home is a towering achievement. What happens when all the rich people who left Earth for space come back to the planet to live in homes reclaimed for destroyed neighborhoods built by the people they left behind?
Cadwell Turnbull – The Lesson – We never reviewed this one, and every time I bring it up, I feel a sharp pain in my side, so I try to promote it wherever I can. Turnbull’s debut is an intricate and thoughtful exploration of colonization as an alien ship descends on the Virgin Islands. It’s a brutal, yet reserved story about the islanders’ relationship with the research team sent by the aliens and the friction that occurs. As the title suggests, there is much to learn from the encounters, and the lessons are myriad.
Octavia Butler – Earthseed – This duology composed of Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents is a magnetic look into the future, from the 90s. It follows the slow collapse of the United States in the 2020s as a young woman begins a new scientific religion to combat the flourishing tide of fascism within the United States. Though its prescience is hard to ignore, Butler’s writing steals the show giving the atmosphere of the novels an undeniable presence. If you’re in the mood for the search for hope and life within an apocalyptic setting that is different from your standard individualistic zombie shoot-em-up, Earthseed is where you should plant your feet.
C.T. Rwizi – Scarlet Odyssey – Need an African-inspired blend of the science fiction and fantasy genres? Look no further than Rwizi’s Scarlet Odyssey trilogy. It’s a series about journeys, the evolution of characters and ideals, and the friends we make along the way. The books are populated by well-drawn and human characters, and packed to the brim with a vibrant world that only seems to grow as the books proceed. If you need something that is epic in scope, but still packs the emotion that comes with good characters and themes, Rwizi has you covered.
Other Works: House of Gold
P. Djeli Clark – Dead Djinn Universe – Set in 1912 in a re-imagined Cairo that is brimming with both life and magic. Clark offers some incredible historical fantasy with settings and cultures we don’t see enough of in the current fantasy landscape. Clark has a vivid mind’s eye and it translates powerfully to his prose. His settings feel brimming with life and his characters bursting with love. Not only that, but Clark is incredible at pulling all sorts of ideas from the genre and blending them together in new and fascinating ways. Clark is truly one of the best up-and-coming authors today.
Other Works: Ring Shout,The Dead Cat Tail Assassins
Suyi Davies Okungbowa – Son of the Storm – This debut was a favorite of Andrew’s 2021 dark horse picks, and while it had some issues, it showed confidence as the story continued on. Featuring a strong main protagonist, and an epic fantasy world inspired by a vision of an alternative Africa, this is only the beginning of a larger epic planned by Okungbowa.
Other Works: David Mogo Godhunter, Lost Ark Dreaming
Wole Talabi – Shigidi and The Brass Head of Obalufon – Have you ever wondered if the Gods got tired of carrying out their roles within the grind of the corporate mindset? Well Talabi has you covered in this heist tale about a god and a succubus trying to navigate making their own way in this corporate hellscape. The story is told in a non-linear fashion, giving Talabi the space to reveal the inner machinations of the world and the effects on his characters in a compelling way.
Other Works: Incomplete Solutions, Convergence Problems
Africa Risen – A collection of short stories that all fall within the purview of this list. It’s wonderful, and just packed to the brim with stories that are exciting, lush, horrifying and inspiring. If you need something that can be broken up and ingested at your own pace, Africa Risen is a great place to start.
