Hey bookworm friends! As mentioned in my Bookish Goals for 2025, one of the challenges I’m participating in is the SFF Title Challenge. Charlotte from Bewitching Books, Ravenous Reads posted a great possibility pile for these prompts and I’m joining and making my own. I’ll be doing my best to not repeat titles to have a wider pool of options (sometimes that’s tough š¬). I also decided not to include too many sequels, unless it’s one I already physically have on my shelves or I struggle with a prompt. The host of this challenge, A Dance With Books, also made two posts with even more suggestions so be sure to check those out too (Part 1 & Part 2)! Without further ado, here are some possible choices for the SFF Title Challenge!
Link-ups
The 2025 SFF Title Challenge is hosted by:
Annemieke at A Dance with Books
For each prompt, I’m using a black heart (š¤) to denote which is my most likely choice.
VOYAGE:
| Voyage of the Damned by Frances White š¤ | Mystery Fantasy | It was on my anticipated release list in 2024 but I haven’t read it yet. |
| The Voyage of The Jerle Shannara Trilogy by Terry Brooks | Classic Epic Fantasy | Omnibus contains: Ilse Witch, Antrax, and Morgawr. |
| Le Voyage de Shuna by Hayao Miyazaki | Fantasy, Manga | Thinking outside the box: this is the French edition of Shuna’s Journey. |
| Voyage of the Frostheart by Jamie Littler | MG Fantasy | Alternate name: Frostheart. |
| The Voyage to Magical North by Claire Fayers | MG Fantasy | Book #1 of The Accidental Pirates series. |
WICKED:
| Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury | Classic Fantasy, Horror | Has been on my autumnal reading radar for years. |
| The Wicked + The Divine, Vol. 1: The Faust Act by Kieron Gillen & Jamie McKelvie š¤ | Fantasy, Graphic Novel | ‘Wicked’ is in the series name. |
| Wicked Fox by Kat Cho | YA Fantasy Romance | Book #1 of the Gumiho series. |
| This Wicked Fate by Kalynn Bayron | YA Fantasy, Myth Retelling | I have the first book from this series on my shelves. |
| Our Wicked Histories by Amy Goldsmith | YA Horror Fantasy | Standalone. |
KING(DOM):
| Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton š¤ | Fantasy, Sci-Fi | I have this book on my shelves. |
| The King of Elflandās Daughter by Lord Dunsany | Classic Fantasy | Originally published in 1924. |
| The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima | YA Fantasy | Book #1 of the Seven Realms series. |
| Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller | YA Fantasy Romance | Book #1 of the series of the same name. |
| The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu | YA Historical Fantasy | Standalone. |
QUEST:
| Helen & Troy’s Epic Road Quest by A. Lee Martinez | Fantasy Adventure, Humour | I’ve read two other A. Lee Martinez books. |
| Wakfu Manga Vol 1: The Quest For The Eliatrope Dofus by Tot | Fantasy, Manga | I’m obsessed with the Wakfu TV show! |
| Young Hag and the Witches’ Quest by Isabel Greenberg š¤ | YA Fantasy, Graphic Novel | I saw this at my library the other day, so can easily pick this up. |
| Cucumber Quest: The Doughnut Kingdom by Gigi D.G. | MG Fantasy, Graphic Novel | ‘Quest’ is in the series name, volume 1 could also work for King(dom). |
| Throne of Eldraine: The Wildered Quest by Kate Elliott | Fantasy Adventure | The last MTG book I read was a disappointment. |
STORY/STORIES:
| Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley š¤ | Fantasy Romance, Fairytale Retelling | I’ve been wanting to try McKinley. |
| The Story of King Arthur and His Knights by Howard Pyle | Classic Fantasy, Arthurian Myths | I love Arthurian retellings. |
| A People’s History of the Vampire Uprising by Raymond A. Villareal | Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Horror | HiSTORY counts right? š |
| The Savior’s Book CafĆ© Story in Another World, Vol. 1 by Reiko Sakurada, Oumiya, Kyouka Izumi | Fantasy Romance, Manga | I’ve heard this is a cozy manga. |
| Stone Blind: Medusa’s Story by Natalie Haynes | Myth Retelling, Fantasy | ‘Story’ is in the subtitle. |
MONSTER(S):
| Monstress Vol. 6: The Vow by Marjorie M. Liu & Sana Takeda š¤ | Fantasy Graphic Novel | I’m being flexible with the prompt here but I need to continue this series. |
| The Magnificent Monsters of Cedar Street by Lauren Oliver | MG Historical Fantasy | Have you seen this adorable cover? |
| A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness | MG Fantasy Horror | I’ve heard great things about this book and it includes illustrations. |
| The Monsters of Rookhaven by PƔdraig Kenny | MG Fantasy Horror | The first book in a duology. |
| Muscles & Monsters by Ashley Bennett | Fantasy Romance Novella | A spicy monster romance. |
FOREST:
| Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier | Historical Fantasy Romance | I probably need to finish another Marillier series first. |
| In The Forests of Serre by Patricia A. McKillip | High Fantasy, Romance | Standalone. |
| Forestborn by Elayne Audrey Becker | YA Fantasy Romance | First book in a duology. |
| Aria of the Beech Forest Vol. 1 by Yugiri Aika | Fantasy Manga | Cottagecore slice of life about witches? Sounds adorable. |
| Donāt Let the Forest In by C. G. Drews š¤ | YA Fantasy Horror | I mentioned this in my Autumn playlist. |
SPACE:
| Space Boy, Vol. 1 by Stephen McCranie š¤ | YA Sci-Fi, Graphic Novel | ‘Space’ is in the series name. |
| Space Brooms! by A. G. Rodgriguez | Sci-Fi | Expected Release Date Mar 25, 2025. |
| Pride & Prejudice in Space by Alexis Lampley | Sci-Fi Romance | This reimagined classic is a Standalone. |
| Space Dumplins by Craig Thompson | MG Sci-Fi, Graphic Novel | I found this while looking for more ‘Space’ titles and it looks so cute. |
| Cowboy Feng’s Space Bar and Grille by Steven Brust | Sci-Fi, Humour | This is giving me some Firefly vibes with Time Travel. |
HUNTING/HUNTERS:
| The Hunterās Moon by O. R. Melling š¤ | YA Fantasy from the 90s | This has been on my TBR for far too long. |
| The Iron Hunt by Marjorie Liu | Urban Fantasy | The series is called Hunter Kiss. |
| Hunter by Mercedes Lackey | YA Fantasy | The series is also called Hunter. |
| The Hunters by David Wragg | Western Fantasy Sci-Fi | I have not heard many people talk about this one but it looks cool. |
| The Wizard Hunters by Martha Wells | Fantasy, Sci-Fi | Ile-Rien #3, The Fall of Ile-Rien #1 |
EMPIRE:
| Daughter of the Empire by Raymond E. Feist & Janny Wurts | Sci-Fi Fantasy | Co-written by two authors I want to try. |
| Empire In Black and Gold by Adrian Tchaikovsky | Epic Fantasy | Book #1 of Shadows of the Apt series. |
| Empire of Silence by Christopher Ruocchio š¤ | Sci-Fi, Space Opera | Book #1 of The Sun Eater series. |
| A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine | Sci-Fi | Book #1 of the Teixcalaan series. |
| Empire of Exiles by Erin M. Evans | Epic Fantasy, Mystery | Book #1 of Books of the Usurper series. |
SORCERY:
| Sorcery & Cecelia: or the Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer | YA Historical Fantasy | Book #1 of the Cecelia and Kate series. |
| Rat Queens Vol. 1: Sass & Sorcery by Kurtis J. Wiebe, Roc Upchurch and, Ed Brisson | Fantasy, Graphic Novel | Just the first volume has ‘Sorcery’ in it. |
| A School For Sorcery by E. Rose Sabin | YA Fantasy | The series is also called A School for Sorcery. |
| Sorcery And Spells by Ciara Graves š¤ | Fantasy, Cozy Mystery | I have the e-book. |
| Chilling Adventures in Sorcery by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa | Fantasy Horror, Graphic Novel | Anthology of Archie Comics presented by Sabrina The Teenage Witch |
SEA:
| Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper | MG Fantasy from the 60s | I added this to my list because it’s an Arthurian retelling. |
| The Mermaid, The Witch, and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall | YA Fantasy | First book in a duology. |
| The Bright and Breaking Sea by Chloe Neill | Historical Fantasy Romance | I recently added this to my tbr because the cover is by Rovina Cai. |
| Seaborn by Michael Livingston š¤ | Fantasy Sci-Fi, Steampunk | Book #1 of The Seaborn Cycle series. |
| Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen | YA Fantasy | Book #1 of the Of Mermaids and Orisa series. |
BLACK:
| Black Unicorn by Tanith Lee | YA Fantasy from the 90s | I keep hearing great things about this author. |
| The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle | Historical Fantasy Horror | Standalone novella. |
| Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse | Historical Fantasy | Book #1 of the Between Earth and Sky series |
| The Black Godās Drums by P. DjĆØlĆ Clark | Sci-Fi Fantasy | So many titles by this author are on my TBR. |
| Sisters of the Vast Black by Lina Rather š¤ | Sci-Fi | Based on a friend’s review I’m convinced I’m going to love it. |
THORN:
| Alphabet of Thorn by Patricia A. McKillip | YA Fantasy | There are also tons of books by this author on my TBR. |
| Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence | Grimdark Fantasy | On my TBR because it’s a seminal Grimdark title. |
| Between Two Thorns by Emma Newman š¤ | Urban Fantasy | I have this one on my shelves. |
| The Thorns Remain by J. J. A. Harwood | Historical Fantasy Romance | Standalone. |
| By Ash, Oak, and Thorn by Melissa Harrison | MG Fantasy | First book of a Duology. |
KEEPER:
| The Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb | Epic Fantasy | I need to read more from Hobb. |
| Keepers of Time by M. N. Kinch | Fantasy Romance | Self-published, start of a series. |
| The Peacekeeper by B. L. Blanchard | Sci-Fi Mystery | Set in a never-colonized North America. |
| The Keeper’s Six by Kate Elliott š¤š¤ | Fantasy Sci-Fi Novella | I’ve been wanting to read this one for a long time. |
| The Beast Keepers by Julie Fudge Smith | Cozy Fantasy | An Indie book about a sanctuary for mythological creatures. |
SIEGE:
| The Soft Fall by Marissa Byfield | Dystopian Fantasy | The series is called ‘Lunar Siege’. This is the hardest prompt so I’m letting this slide. |
| Time Siege by Wesley Chu | Dystopian Sci-Fi | The second book of a duology; it works if you want to read both. |
| The Siege of Burning Grass by Premee Mohamed | Dystopian Fantasy Sci-Fi | Standalone. |
| A Kingdom Besieged by Raymond E. Feist | Epic Fantasy | Book # 1 of The Chaoswar Saga. |
| Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City by K. J. Parker š¤ | Historical Fantasy | Book #1 of the Siege series |
Let’s chat in the comments!
Have you read any of these books? Are you participating in this or any other reading challenges this year?
I must read a lot of books with “black” in the title, since I’ve read three of your choicesš I hope you enjoy Hollow Kingdom, it’s a favorite of mine.
I found ‘Black’ was one of the easiest prompts for my TBR indeed so I think there’s just tons of options! Are any of them ones you think I need to read? Ohh awesome, Thank you It really sounds up my street! š¤š½
Yay I’ve been looking forward to this post š„° I’m impressed with how many new options that you managed to find too, well done ā¤ļø
As we both have the same likely option for Voyage we could always buddy read it sometime if you want. I’m going to have to look up the last title properly too simply for the series name š
I’ve got most of your Wicked options on my TBR too and we have the same one on our shelves. I did try to read it the other year and put it down as it was irritating me actually. Although I’m hoping it’ll go better whenever I try again. And it is something that won’t necessarily borrow you.
I’ve heard good things about Hollow Kingdom and it certainly sounds unique. I’m going to have to look up the Elfland book too. And I’ve wanted to read that Demon King series for years.
I really enjoyed Kingdom Of Back š„°
I’ve wanted to try Robin McKinley for ages too. I’m pretty sure Rookhaven really intrigued me when I first heard of it too (then I forgot all about it š)
Daughter Of The Forest is another I really want to read sometime. And I’m sure Patricia A McKilip is one of the authors who’s on my TBR more than once too.
I feel like all of your Empire options (besides possibly one but the authors name is definitely familiar so I’m sure I have something by them at least) are on my TBR too. The Enchanted Chocolate Pot is a title that really leaves you longing to know more š
Ooh Black Sun is fantastic. I need to reread and finish the series but that first book at least was superb. I also enjoyed a different book by J. J. Ā A. Harwood & have been curious about that Newman series for years.
I 100% agree that Siege was the hardest prompt. Who knew what a struggle that word would be?
Wonderful list. There are a few I’ll have to look up (and probably end up adding to my TBR) now and many others that we have in common.
Good luck with the challenge š„°
Thanks ever so much, Charlotte š„° It took me so long to make but it was worth it so I’m glad you liked it š
Oh yes, I’d be so down for a Buddy read of Voyage of the Damned! Let me know when you are thinking of reading it so I can see how long my library wait list will be? That way I can plan in advance. Oh yes, ‘The Accidental Pirates’ I have so many questions and it sounds so fun. That’s one that I found while looking for options, not from my TBR.
Oh that’s funny we have the same ‘Wicked’ one waiting for us to read, I hope your second try of it goes better!
The Elfland one is a classic fantasy one that’s been on my radar for years! & I never heard of the Cinda Williams Chima one when it came out only years afterwards but it sounds great!
Oh good to know š Kingdom of Back is on my TBR because of Elliot Brooks.š
Ah that’s great, I hope you get to try Robin McKinley too, her books were brought to my attention by some instagram friends. Oh lol, that’s funny I only just discovered Rookhaven.
I feel like there were a few authors on here that I mentioned more than once maybe I should take that as a sign lol.
Also “Empire” turned out to be a lot easier than I expected, instead the hard part was narrowing it down to which to pickš
I agree, I definitely want to know more about this chocolate pot and now I want chocolate š«!
SO glad to hear it, I’ve heard nothing but excellent things about Black Sun! & Funny story about that Newman series: I accidentally panic bought the second book of the series during a bookstore closing sale without realizing it and I later had to hunt down the first one online so that it’s not a waste…and that was years agoš¤£
I 100% expected to find a huge selection of fantasy books under ‘Siege’ but no such luck šÆ
As always, happy to help eachother grow our tbrs to unwieldy heights š Good luck to you too and always down for a buddy read when you’re ready! š
I loved it š„° I’m saving it for future reference too. I’ve just looked up a lot of the titles I was unfamiliar with and added them to my TBR, but I’m going to check out some of the graphic novel ones if/when I manage to get into the format. Besides the Sabrina one. That I added as I loved both versions of the show š
I’m sure others will find it helpful too š„° and I can imagine. I need to finish my two other TBR challenge posts thinking about it š I put them on hold when I got stuck then forgot about them.
I’ll have to get it out of the library too (I think š¤ I’m now wondering if I got the ebook recently but I don’t think I did) anyway whens good for you? I’m probably best waiting until late April or so as I have a buddy read of Priory Of The Orange Tree that month and I know it’s a big book so I don’t really want to start getting library books out before then (there’s others I’m planning to order in too) plus it’ll give us a chance to get the Wicked Lovely one done first.
Ah well if you read it I hope you enjoy it. Definitely sounds interesting š
I blame the cover š it was too pretty to resist. Thank you.
I’d never heard of it before but it sounds like something I’d love so it’s one of the (many) I’ve added to my TBR. I’m pretty sure I have three series by Cinda Williams Chiman on my TBR. They all sound so good, although I own none of them š
Oh I hadn’t heard of her before. I googled the name and I’m guessing you mean the author? Did she recommend it or something?
Ooh I’m guessing they enjoyed them then? I probably first added her to my TBR when I was looking up various retellings. I have a fantasy series by her on my TBR now too though.
Lol that’s a good point. If you do get to any of them I hope you enjoy their books.
Ooh lol š well at least that’s a fun problem to have. I had a few words like that when I did it too.
I hope you get some š
Omg that’s so relatable actually š part of the reason my physical TBR is so crazy is from doing things like that. I got a ton of ex library books ridiculously cheap when they were temporary closing and I also got lots from a shop that used to sell a lot of Urban fantasy on 3 for Ā£5. Both of those sources led to me also buying sequels without realising it š so I guess we have that in common too š
I guess a lot probably feature them but don’t mention them in the title š¤
Well you’ve certainly done that with this post. When I was looking some of the authors up other titles by them kept catching my eye too š
Thank you š„° it might be easier to discuss in Instagram messages but same here. If you ever fancy one for anything on any of my list posts let me know.
That is so sweet š„°Oh wow, I’m glad you added the Sabrina-related book to your TBR, I loved both versions of the show too!! š
Oh my, that seems like a lot but hopefully you can get them done, it sounds like fun too & good luck š
Ah okay that makes sense so I’m fine waiting til April for our buddy read too then š Wicked Lovely, I can be ready to read it almost any time since I already own it and it won’t be hard to get although I have a few buddy reads in March so that’s probably too busy to add in more. lol
Oh wow that’s a lot of Chima series haha but also I feel like I have several too, there’s a newer one about Vikings I’m also eyeing!
Ah sorry, Elliot Brooks is a Booktuber and she is also an author, and she LOVED the Kingdom of Back and recommended it a lot so yeah haha.
And oh my gosh yeah they really loved Robin McKinley books a lot! & That makes sense since she does have a lot of retellings! š
Thanks š And I agree it was not really a problem just a fun challenge š!
Ahaha that is SO funny, it’s funny how cheap books are so exciting that we forget to check for little details like that š¤£š¤£! And the immediacy of ‘it’s closing’ really adds to the drama lol.
Yeah, that’s a good point!! Maybe that’s why I expected more.
Aw you have no idea how happy that made me, thanks for saying that š¤haha & yes much easier to chat on IG about that (plus i’ll likely answer back faster). Thank you!! š
Ooh yay I’m glad to hear it š„° I really want to rewatch both one day. The original for nostalgia and the new one because I brought the linked books and think rewatching the show first may be fun/wise.
Thank you. I forgot all about them again tbh š I’ll have to look at them again sometime and decide whether it’s worth finishing them š
Ooh what are you buddy reading? I can do anytime too tbh as I also own the series š
Ooh yes that’s one of the ones I’m intrigued by as well. It sounds so good š the other is called something like Flamecaster I believe but I’m not 100% sure.
Ah right. I’ve never really used BookTube. It’s nice to know she loved it so much though.
That’s wonderful to hear š„°š„° hopefully we both will too.
That’s very true on both counts š I got mine over a decade ago too so looking up series on my phone wasn’t exactly an option at the time š still one of them is a series I’m excited to get to.
I truly did add loads to my TBR whilst reading this š and yeah definitely easier & quicker over on there. Sorry for the super late replies on here too ā¤ļø
Oh that’s a great idea, having a Sabrina re-watch marathon! Ohh yes that might be smart indeed š
Ahaha that’s alright! If you keep putting them aside that may be a sign not to spend time on them?
The buddy read I have going at the moment is for the Leviathan series by Scott Westerfeld, we want to finish the series in preparation for when the adaptation comes out. & since I never finished it as a kid! We’re on the 3rd & last book now! š® Okay good to know I’ll let you know when I’m done this one and see if you’re in the mood to start? š
Ah okay I dont believe I’ve heard of the Flamecaster one!
Fair enough, I watch a lot of it coz thats what I mostly watch at the moment.
Yes exactly, the way we used to shop for books vs how we do so now shows you how much the times have changed!
And no worries, there is no deadline for replying so never stress about that my friend.
I found ‘Siege’ to be the hardest prompt too! There’s others I’m struggling with, but I at least have vague ideas. I’m stealing your ideas for that one, but I reckon it’ll be the last one I get to.
I’m glad it’s not just me, I spent way too much time searching for Siege books lol so feel free to steal any you like so I feel like it was time well spent šš!!
Daughter of the Empire is one I’d recommend, but while you don’t need to have read the Riftwar Saga before this series, I think you will enjoy it more if you have. Or at least if you’ve read Magician (or “Magician: Apprentice” and “Magician: Master” if you are in the US). There are few places where the Empire series crosses path with Riftwar, and most of it is in book two, but I found that having read the story of the land that was invaded added extra layers to my enjoyment of reading the books set in the world of the invaders.
Ah, interesting that’s super good to know thanks, Nic š Raymond E. Feist is thoroughly unexplored territory for me so it helps to have this context. I can definitely see the reasoning behind that! š
Good luck with the challenge, it looks like fun! š„° I really need to read Wicked Fox, I’ve had this one on my Kindle for so long now. I’m also eager to read Don’t Let the Forest In, as I’ve heard such good things š
Thank You :D!! Oh you’ve had Wicked Fox for a long time? haha maybe it’s time for it soon lol. And yes, Don’t Let The Forest In sounds amazing!