10 Fantasy and Romantasy Books To Help Readers 'Grapple With Complex Social Issues' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Amazon

Amazon

With so much going on in the world today that can make us feel discouraged or hopeless, many of us turn to books to find an escape from reality. Nowhere is that more true than in the fantasy genre. Losing ourselves in magic, dragons, prophecies and epic adventures can be a much-needed respite when the real world is more than we can bear.

But fantasy can offer so much more than escapism. Since the genre’s earliest days, fantasy authors have used their stories to grapple with complex societal issues in thought-provoking ways.

When we watch our favorite fantasy protagonists bravely challenge self-serving rulers, unjust laws and widespread inequality, it can inspire us to raise our metaphorical swords and do the same in the “real world.” By seeing characters overcome their oppression and get their Happily Ever After, it gives us hope that we, too, can survive dark times and fight our way back to the light.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

I had the same goal when writing my fantasy romance novel,Spark of the Everflame, the first book in the New York Times bestselling series,The Kindred’s Curse Saga. Our heroine, Diem Bellator, finds herself caught in a civil war between the magic-wielding demigods who make up the privileged ruling class and the poor, oppressed mortals fighting for their liberation after centuries of colonization.

Though I hope readers find an entertaining break from their lives in the mysteries, royal intrigue, banter, found family and steamy slow burn with a dangerous scarred prince, I also want Diem’s compassion to inspire readers to return to their lives with a more inclusive mindset and a more courageous heart.

In honor of the hardcover release of book two,Glow of the Everflame, on Tuesday, December 3, I’ve compiled a list of ten more fantasy books with relatable political struggles that can keep our spirits high in the years to come.

01of 10

Buy Now

02of 10

Kindling follows a group of female and non-binary child soldiers, once valued for their deadly magic, now struggling to find their purpose in a post-war world. This standalone Seven Samurai retelling beautifully handles grief, PTSD and the heartbreaking effects of war on everyone it touches. Though not everyone gets a happy ending, the enduring friendship of the characters and their story of resilience will leave you thinking about this book for weeks.

03of 10

04of 10

05of 10

06of 10

With our world grappling with the ethical questions that come with new technologies, this sapphic love story raises a poignant question — what does it mean to be human? The unlikely bond that grows between Ayla, a human servant who lost everything in the human-AI war, and Crier, an android-like creation designed to be the cruel ruler’s flawless heir, also dives deeply into the consequences of oppression, privilege and cultural appropriation.

07of 10

08of 10

Dragon lovers, this one’s for you. After finding and bonding with a young dragon, a rarity in her poor, indigenous village, Anequs enters a colonizer-run dragoneering academy where the stakes are high: if she does not assimilate to Anglish standards, her dragon will be killed. I love the way Anequs refuses to give up the culture and values of her upbringing, using them to challenge the unjust status quo and find success on her terms.

09of 10

Every woman in her feminine rage era will either want to be — or bewith— Dayanara, a sharp-tongued diva who has no problem taking what she wants (and striking down the men who get in her way). This spicy why-choose romantasy features witches, vampires, wolf shifters and a Latinx, non-heteronormative world where every character is morally grey, including and especially our feisty protagonist.

10of 10

source: people.com