I saw this tag on Shelves of Starlight, and apparently it was made by Bree Hill. ( I cannot find the original post.)
What is your Fantasy Origin? (The First Fantasy you Read)
I honestly don’t know what the first books were (most picture books come under fantasy in my opinion – talking pigs?), but formative books for me were reading Janice Hardy’s THE HEALING WARS series and David Edding’s THE BELGARIAD series. Those are probably the books that cemented my love for fantasy.
If you could be the hero/heroine in a fantasy novel, who would be the author and what’s the trope you’d insist be in the story?
Oh gosh, most of my favourite authors put their characters through a lot, so someone who writes more gentle fantasy so I can not go be injured or emotionally scarred? Olivia Atwater’s HALF A SOUL springs to mind for that, so maybe her? Delightful regency times without too much peril sounds good (and I’d geek out over the history, which I’d love!)
Trope wise, a masked ball please. Mostly because I just want to dress up in historically accurate dress and swan about in it. I’d try my hand at the dancing, but I can’t guarantee I’d be any good.
What is a fantasy series you’ve read this year, that you want more people to read?
Annaliese Avery’s Celestial Mechanics series, comprising so far of THE NIGHTSILVER PROMISE and THE DOOMFIRE PROMISE! I love these books so much (and am so sad that there’s a delay for the third book in order to let American publishing catch up to the UK releases.)
I love this UKMG series, which is set in an alternative Victorian-esque steampunk world. There are dragons out to destroy everything and floating boroughs of London and destiny is ruled by the mechanical clockwork of the stars.
What is your favourite fantasy subgenre?
Ooo, this is a toss up between historical (which engages with events not just uses it as a backdrop) and political. My favourite books sit in the overlap, where it’s a book that follows real historical events but with magic. Two great examples are A DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF MAGICIANS, by H. G. Parry, and THE EMBROIDERED BOOK, by Kate Heartfield.
What subgenre have you not read much from?
Fantasy Romance. And also paranormal and contemporary/urban. I just don’t really enjoy them. There are a few fantasy romances that I love, but most just don’t hit it for me as someone uninterested in romance.
Who is one of your auto buy fantasy authors?
Melinda Salisbury. I love her books. HOLD BACK THE TIDE and STATE OF SORROW are my favourites.
How do you typically find fantasy recommendations? (Goodreads, YouTube, Podcasts, Instagram)
Usually recommendations on twitter/instagrams from people I follow (and trust that their taste is similar to mine). Also publisher blogger round up emails.
What is an upcoming fantasy release you’re excited for?
A FIRE ENDLESS by Rebecca Ross, the sequel to A RIVER ENCHANTED. I loved this Scottish-inspired fantasy. It was lyrical and quiet and magical, and the sequel is out in December – and I am so excited (and also impatient for a cover!)
What is one misconception about fantasy you would like to lay to rest?
That it’s dragons and swords and shallow. Fantasy is a way to explore real world issues in another setting.
If someone had never read a fantasy book before and asked you to recommend the first three books that came to mind as places to start, what would these recommendations be?
Oh, ah, eek. I don’t know. I always ask them for things they like first and go from there. Hmm, OK, from each of the age ranges I read:
- Middle Grade: A PINCH OF MAGIC, by Michelle Harrison
- Young Adult: TWIN CROWNS, by Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber
- Adult: EMPIRE OF SAND, by Tasha Suri
What is the most recent fantasy retelling content creator you came across the you’d like to shout out?
I confess I don’t quite understand this question. Author with a retelling? But content creator suggests blogger (etc) so I am just going to go “I don’t know” because the two phrases seem at odds. So???
Sifa Elizabeth Reads 
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