A Cozy, Fantasy Inspired Autumn Reading List
Do certain books remind you of specific seasons? Or maybe they just feel appropriate that time of year. There's a lot of books that feel like summer to me--escapism, breaks between school, coming of age, etc. But autumn feeling books can be a bit more elusive, or at least hard to come to mind when you are look for a cozy autumn read. These four books however really evoke the season to me; they're cozy and all have a bit of magic to them as well in entirely different ways. Whether you prefer your fantasy with a bit of time travel or shape-shifting fae, there's a bit of something for every fantasy lover on this list. An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson: This book was recommended to me by a friend a few years ago when I asked for autumnal book suggestions and it does do a wonderful job of evoking this season. Isobel is an artist who paints portraits of the fae. In this version of the fair folk, the fae crave human Craft and are incapable of creating art on their own. In exchange for the work of human artists they trade spells and enchantments (often with a cruel twist) and it is rumored that some artists can be awarded the ultimate gift of becoming fae themselves. Isobel doesn’t aspire to an immortal life, but ends up on the wrong side of fae with one of her portraits. It’s not my favorite version of the fae as I find it a bit contrary to most folklore, but it is a delightful story and there’s a lot of beautiful world building.
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Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness: There’s something quite bewitching about this book. It has a sort of dark academia atmosphere mixed with more fantastical elements that makes me always want to reach for it again as the days grow shorter and darker. The author gives a lot of detail to the story that makes it very immersive as we follow Diana, a scholar of history who stumbles across a bewitched manuscript in Oxford’s Bodleian Library. She is aware of the world of magic, but would prefer to remain in the world of academia—fate has other plans. There’s a bit of romance and mystery (and vampires) all set in the chill of an English autumn. I found the writing very evocative and sweeps you along those canals and cobblestone streets.
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater: The Scorpio Races opens with an ominous line about the first of November; with such a memorable opening it’s no wonder that this book always comes to mind for me when autumn rolls around. Set on a fictitious Celtic island this book follows Puck Connolly as she enters the island’s legendary race with deadly water horses in a mad effort to keep her family together. As someone who has spent a significant amount of time on Irish islands I feel like this book really accurately captured that feeling of being an islander; the unity of the community and otherness from mainlanders, as well as the quirks of life somewhere remote. It’s a lovely little book that I come back to again and again especially this time of year.
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon: I feel like so many books set in Scotland, England, or Ireland give autumnal vibes because of how often the British isles are blanketed with mist and fog—it’s always a bit gloomy with a chill in the air even in the height of spring or summer. Outlander is not only set in Scotland, but actually begins its story in October of 1945 as Claire Randall and her husband travel to Inverness for a second honeymoon. The book immediately sets the mood for something supernatural; locals smear blood on door frames in preparation for Samhain, Claire gets her tea leaves read, and her husband spots of the ghost of an old Celtic warrior. All of these little incidents seem innocuous until Claire touches a standing stone and travels 200 years back in time.
Dance of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson follows Kazi, a former street thief turned queen’s guard on a secret mission to find (and steal) a war criminal who has disappeared and to make him stand trial for his crimes. She believes he’s hiding in Hell’s Mouth a city ruled by the Ballenger family. It’s already a complicated mission but when Kazi accidentally insults the new Patrei of the Ballengers, Jase, things start to spiral out of control and there might be more than one sleeping dragon hiding in Hell’s Mouth.
I really enjoyed this book and the second in the duology is just as good—definitely one of my favorite reads this autumn. This story does follow another series by Mary E. Pearson, but I read this book before that series and it wasn’t necessary to know the previous stories to follow this one. Kazi and Jase are both dynamic and interesting characters torn between their loyalties, responsibilities, and a growing affection for one another—both realize misplaced trust could very well cause deaths or the end of kingdoms. There’s a real weight to all of their interactions and decisions and I enjoyed how thoughtful Kazi is while processing everything. While there are lighthearted moments and humor to the characters, I love how serious they are as well; no matter what else is going on both never forget their responsibilities and it makes for a more complicated and intriguing story.
One of the aspects I enjoyed most of Dance of Thieves is the length of the book which allowed for a fuller, more unpredictable plot. There were many points when I felt the story was about to wrap-up but instead the book continued on and as a result it made me wonder where the “end” would be for certain storylines and characters. There was a chance to follow side storylines and allow real growth and progression that wouldn’t normally happen in a faster-paced book and as a result as a reader even though the book isn’t super fast-paced you’re still given unexpected twists and developments that you don’t see coming. I also loved that this meant the characters got see and experience things with their own eyes, instead of one character "telling" or explaining something to convince the other, the character lived the experience and saw it for themselves, which also meant as the reader we get to experience that development too. The made the development of the relationships was more realistic as well; you can’t build trust in a few days and stories, or throw off old loyalties so easily, so the length of the book really allowed for proper character development. 
Dark Skies is part of a unique series where another book Dark Shores can also be the first book in the series; basically both books take place simultaneously with slightly overlapping characters so you can choose which you start with. I started with Dark Shores and was so invested in that story and those characters I was reluctant to read Dark Skies because I didn’t think I could become as invested in this story—I just wanted to get to the next book to see where the characters in Dark Shores ended up and skip Dark Skies entirely. Boy am I glad that I didn’t do that! Dark Skies is so good! Easily one of my favorite reads so far this year; Danielle L Jensen is quickly climbing into my favorite author list as her storylines are refreshing and her writing is sharp as well--good world building, nice attention to detail without being overwrought, avoids cliche phrases, etc.
Quick synopsis: Dark Skies/Dark Shores takes place in a fictional world which is partly inspired by the Roman Empire. Lydia is the adopted daughter of a Celendor senator and scholar who stumbles into danger and the plots of a powerful man and ends up fleeing to an unfamiliar land. Killian is Marked by the God of War, but when his gifts fail him he finds himself pledging to protect his kingdom’s final hope: the Crown Princess. Lydia and Killian are an unlikely pairing that strike a bargain to help one another and maybe save those they care about as well.
What I really enjoyed about this book is Lydia's progression and growth. She starts the novel as a sheltered and bookish girl who falls into a world she knows nothing about. Rather than her personality and talents changing overnight, Jensen gives her a realistic progression as she learns to adapt to her new surroundings, but isn't a new person overnight. One of my favorite moments in the book is when Lydia tries to learn fighting techniques from a book--such a hilarious and yet realistic attempt from a bookish character. I saw a few reviews that complained she was weak, but Lydia has one of the most realistic character developments I’ve ever read—it’s unrealistic that she’ll be a convincing fighter in a few short days and her attempts to learn how to use a sword and bow are amusing and relatable. I also love the other main character in this book, Killian, and he’s officially my new favorite book crush because he’s so adorably awkward. If you enjoy a solid fantasy story definitely check this series and author out.
I’m not a huge fan of fairytale retellings—at least not of the standard fairytales. Frankly there’s just so many versions of Beauty and the Beast or Cinderella, and those fairytales only represent a tiny percentage of the fairytales in existence. I love re-tellings of lesser known fairytales because those feel fresh and are less familiar. I mean why is no one writing about selkies or Baba Yaga? There are more fairytales than the ones Disney has already adapted...And so many modern re-tellings depend too heavily on the source material and even the reader’s comprehension of the former tale; the usual update is add a bit more sass or trauma or maybe swords...I say this because if I had known To Kill A Kingdom was a retelling of The Little Mermaid I probably wouldn’t have read it…but I’m really glad I didn’t know because this is one retelling that is worth your time! It was so freshly told and original and the writing style was descriptive and evocative that it’s one re-telling that felt like it added to the mythology and didn't require any knowledge of the previous story to appreciate. The style of writing really elevated it from a re-telling into its own unique story that stands on its own merit. Instead of mermaid Ariel we have a siren Lira who murders princes and steals their heart. Instead of Prince Eric we have pirate-prince Elian who is hunting sirens. It’s hard to give this book justice without pulling direct quotes because it is that evocative, lively writing style that does such masterful world-building and suspense. For me that’s what I look for in a story—it’s more than just plot or characters, it’s descriptive writing that makes me feel immersed in another world and To Kill A Kingdom does that so brilliantly I want to seek out everything else 
