BIPOC sci-fi/fantasy recommendations

Dragon Pearl

By: Yoon Ha Lee
Narrated by: Kim Mai Guest
Length: 10 hours 18 minutes

“Adventure, Shape shifting, forbidden space travel, mythical magic, and a girl willing to cross the galaxy in search of her missing brother - putting her own safety second. Excellent book! So much fun and I learned a lot about Korean Mythology! I listened to this on Libro.FM and it was fantastically produced! Read more

The Girl Who Drank the Moon

By: Kelly Barnhill
Narrated by: Christina Moore
Length: 9 hours 31 minutes

A young girl raised by a witch, a swamp monster, and a Perfectly Tiny Dragon must unlock the dangerous magic buried deep inside her in this epic coming-of-age fairy tale from the highly acclaimed author of The Witch's Boy. Every year, the people of the Protectorate leave a baby as an offering to the witch who lives in the forest. They hope this... Read more

The Last Cuentista

By: Donna Barba Higuera
Narrated by: Frankie Corzo
Length: 8 hours 33 minutes

“It’s 2061. Because of their scientific expertise, Petra’s parents have been chosen to accompany a trio of spaceships to colonize a new planet, leaving behind their home—and Petra’s beloved abuelita—in New Mexico just before a comet hits Earth. But even before their ship lifts off, things aren’t going according to plan. Amid the worrying events... Read more

Pet

By: Akwaeke Emezi
Narrated by: Christopher Myers
Length: 5 hours 32 minutes

National Book Award Finalist

Stonewall Book Award Winner

"[A] beautiful, genre-expanding debut...Pet is a nesting doll of creative possibilities." (The New York Times)

The award-winning, genre-defying novel by the New York Times best-selling author of The Death of Vivek Oji that explores themes of identity and justice and asks: How do you share the... Read more

The Poppy War

A Novel

The Poppy War

By: R. F. Kuang
Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller
Length: 19 hours 27 minutes

“The first in a brilliant trilogy, The Poppy War is easily one of the best books I have ever read. Kuang illuminates the brutal realities of war via a fantasy world which resembles China during the twentieth century. Her characters are morally gray with a host of complex motivations and world views -- and that makes them all the more compelling.... Read more

Light From Uncommon Stars

By: Ryka Aoki
Narrated by: Cindy Kay
Length: 13 hours 13 minutes

“Narrated by Cindy Kay who lends her melodic voice to bolster the story and gives characters respectful, authentic accents. I love this story! Read more

The Empress of Salt and Fortune

Singing Hills Cycle: Book #1

By: Nghi Vo
Narrated by: Cindy Kay
Length: 2 hours 25 minutes

With the heart of an Atwood tale and the visuals of a classic Asian period drama, Nghi Vo's The Empress of Salt and Fortune is a tightly and lushly written narrative about empire, storytelling, and the anger of women.

A young royal from the far north, is sent south for a political marriage in an empire reminiscent of imperial China. Her... Read more

The Gilded Ones

The Gilded Ones: Book #1

By: Namina Forna
Narrated by: Shayna Small
Length: 12 hours 46 minutes

“This is a bold and powerful book about the bonds of sisterhood and finding your strength. This story is as rich and vivid as the cover is (which is AMAZING)—a tantalizing fantasy with a splash of mystery, fierce, magical warriors, dangerous monsters, and a war-ravaged empire. Absolutely fantastic! Read more

Iron Widow

Iron Widow: Book #1

By: Xiran Jay Zhao
Narrated by: Rong Fu
Length: 12 hours 13 minutes

“Iron Widow is addictive, non-stop, and insane! I LOVE this book so much! Take control of your life. Take control of your body. Make the patriarchy pay through blood and vengeance! This alt-reality world mixes Chinese culture and Pacific Rim, with addictive action, complex characters, and an unstoppable fury. Zetian wants revenge and will bring... Read more

A Song of Wraiths and Ruin

By: Roseanne A. Brown
Narrated by: Jordan Cobb & A.J Beckles
Length: 12 hours 3 minutes

“Escape into a time of heroes with Achilles' heels, women in armor, villains who might not be, murderous gardens, feisty gods, and little girls with terrible power. Enter, and gasp in awe at the rich, ancient culture, like no other in fiction, at the ricochet speed of shattering trust, the twisting of allegiances and the fracturing facets of an... Read more

Escaping Exodus

A Novel

By: Nicky Drayden
Narrated by: Cherise Boothe & Adenrele Ojo
Length: 10 hours 7 minutes

"Don't be alarmed - that dizzy pleasurable sensation you're experiencing is just your brain slowly exploding from all the wild magnificent worldbuilding in Nicky Drayden's Escaping Exodus. I loved these characters and this story, and so will you." - Sam J. Miller, Nebula-Award-winning author of The Art of Starving and Blackfish City
The Compton... Read more

How Beautiful We Were

A Novel

By: Imbolo Mbue
Narrated by: Prentice Onayemi, Janina Edwards, Dion Graham, JD Jackson, Allyson Johnson & Lisa Renee Pitts
Length: 14 hours 7 minutes

A fearless young woman from a small African village starts a revolution against an American oil company in this sweeping, inspiring novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Behold the Dreamers.

ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New York Times, People• ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review,The... Read more

A Snake Falls to Earth

By: Darcie Little Badger
Narrated by: Shaun Taylor-Corbett & Kinsale Hueston
Length: 10 hours 35 minutes

“This book truly transported me to another world. I was swept away by world building and so charmed by each of the characters. Nina and Oli both having their own talents and struggles with translation was such a wonderful way to tie these characters together until they met. A Snake Falls to Earth was a breath of fresh air, wholly original, and a... Read more

Black Sun

Between Earth and Sky: Book #1

By: Rebecca Roanhorse
Narrated by: Cara Gee, Nicole Lewis, Kaipo Schwab & Shaun Taylor-Corbett
Length: 12 hours 46 minutes

“A slow burn and long build up leads to a big pay off and leaves you wanting for more! I enjoyed this as an audiobook for the pronunciation of words and names as well as the multicast narration. It is perfect for those who love their fantasy based on mythology, enjoy Hero’s Journey and Chosen One story arcs, and like political intrigue and... Read more

The City of Brass

A Novel

By: S. A. Chakraborty
Narrated by: Soneela Nankani
Length: 20 hours 1 minute

“S.A. Chakraborty introduces a fantasy set in the Middle East that thrusts us into the magical world of Daevabad. The City of Brass follows, in parallel, Nahri, a con artist and naturally gifted healer, and Ali, prince of Daevabad and fiercely trained soldier. Nahri and Ali find themselves learning new lessons on how to survive changing... Read more