Diversity is a very important factor in both writing books and reading books. Everyone wants to feel represented when reading books.
Reading diverse books is important so that you can learn from different perspectives. I’ve put together a list of 10 books that have Black females as the main character. If you are looking for some Black Girl Magic, then you should check out these books.
You can also read my other post on diversity where I focus on queer representation in fantasy books.
1. Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston
This book follows Amari Peters as she tries to solve the mystery of her missing brother. Everybody says that her brother is gone for good, but Amari doesn’t believe that.
Amari finds a ticking briefcase in her brother‘s closet with a nomination for a secret magic school. Amari decides that this is the best way for finding out what happened to her brother and goes to the magic school. Now all she has to do is pass the tryouts.
It won’t be easy when all of the other competitors have known magic their whole life and don’t exactly like Amari being there. Amari is determined to pass the tryouts so that she can find out what happened to her brother.
This middle grade fantasy is super magical and fun. It is mysterious and will leave you hungry for more.
2. Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray
The nature in this book is amazing and I love the magic system. On top of representing the Black community, this book has good representation of anxiety and OCD. It follows 2 main characters: Ekon and Koffi
Koffi is indentured at a zoo, paying off her debt. When she is threatened by the zoo master she unleashes a power that she never knew she had.
Ekon is destined to be an elite warrior and become a Son of the Six. On the night of his ritual passage, he comes into contact with a beast he’s only ever dreamed about in his nightmares. He is saved by Koffi’s magic but is shunned by the warriors for letting Koffi go. The warriors normally hunt people like Koffi.
In order to redeem himself he has to hunt this creature. Koffi also happens to be on the hunt for it and Ekon and Koffi form a tentative alliance.
This is an adventurous jungle book. It is the first book in a trilogy and the 3rd book was released very recently. I loved reading this book and the second book so I can’t wait to read the 3rd and final book.
3. Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury
As someone who is coming from a family of witches, Voya has been waiting years for her trial. Then she screws it up and fails. Her ancestors are willing to give her a second chance, but this time, her family’s magic is on the line.
Voya now has the task of killing her first love. If she fails, her whole family will lose their magic. The only problem is that Voya has never fallen in love so before she can complete the task she needs to find somebody to fall in love with.
Voya signs up for a special genetic matching program and somehow gets matched with somebody she already knows and happens to hate.
This book is wholesome and magical. I love Voya’s family and would love to eat one of Voya’s home-cooked meals.
4. Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
This is the first book in a four book series. Only 2 books are out currently but I already know this series is my favorite of all time. It is a King Arthur retelling and I love it so much. If you are only going to read one book out of this list, make it this book. You can read my review on Legendborn here.
Briana has just gotten the most unfortunate news that her mother has died in a car accident. Now she has to figure out how to live her life without her. That starts with Bree going to an early college program at UNC – Chapel Hill with her best friend.
On her first night there Bree sees something that isn’t normal: a demon feeding on a human’s energy. A Merlin wipes her memory but it doesn’t work on her. Along with remembering the whole event with the demon, Bree realizes that her memory was tampered in the hospital the night she found out her mother died.
Convinced that her mother’s death was not an accident, Bree is determined to figure out what happened to her mother even if it means joining the Legendborn as an initiate.
This book teaches you what it is like to live as a Black female in a society dominated by white people. It also touches on Black history. The book was given the Coretta Scott King award.
5. The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton
Ella is a conjuror who is attending a magic school in the clouds. She also happens to be the first conjuror to attend this school.
Ella finds that it is not always easy being the first and a lot of her fellow classmates don’t trust her or her magic. She eventually makes connections with a few students and finds friends.
When a prisoner escapes with the help of a conjuror, Ella is the top target of suspicion. To make matters worse, her mentor disappeared. Now Ella has to work to clear her name and find her mentor before it is too late.
6. This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron
Briseis has a gift that allows her to grow plants from seeds to full bloom with a single touch. After her aunt dies and gives the house to Bri’s family in her will, Bri and her family move to New York.
The house is surrounded by plants and Bri’s parents hope that this will help her control her power. Instead they find out that the garden is walled off with deadly plants and secrets. Bri is now determined to uncover the secrets of this mysterious home.
7. Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron
This book takes place 200 years after Cinderella found her prince. It follows a 16 year old girl named Sophia who is required to attend the Annual Ball. This ball is where the men of the kingdom choose their wives based on the girls’ display of finery. The girls who are not chosen are never heard from again.
While at the ball, Sophia flees and meets Constance, the last known descendant of Cinderella and her step sisters. Constance and Sophia form an alliance and vow to bring down the kingdom once and for all.
8. Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
This book is inspired by West Africa. Zélie’s mother is dead, magic is gone, and her people have no hope. The soil of Orïsha used to hum with magic but not since the king got rid of magic.
Now Zélie has to strike back against the monarchy and bring back magic with the help of a rogue princess.
The task will prove to be daunting and challenging as Zélie fights to control her power and feelings for the enemy.
9. The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
Deka is awaiting her blood ceremony where she will finally find out if she belongs in her village. She hopes for red, but instead, her blood runs gold which symbolizes impurity.
Deka is given a choice to fight against the emperor in an army of girls like her. Girls who are near immortal and have rare gifts. As she leaves to fight against the empire, she realizes that life inside the walled city has many surprises and people are not who they seem.
10. A Blade So Black by L.L. McKINNEY
This book is an Alice in Wonderland retelling. It follows Alice who has nightmares in the dark realm known as Wonderland. Even though she is dreaming, it is very real and it almost cost Alice her life at first.
Now she is a warrior trained to fight deadly monsters. In real life, Alice is having a hard time and keeping the nightmares away is becoming very difficult.
When Alice’s mentor is poisoned she has to find the antidote by venturing deeper into Wonderland than she’s ever gone before. She will need to use everything she has learned from both worlds in order to not lose her head.