I’ve really missed doing Friday Favorites, and since no one was currently hosting it, Cait @ Functionally Fictional decided to jump into the gap. Each week, she provides a prompt, and I get to talk about my favorite books that fit the topic. Feel free to join in – the more the merrier!

This week’s topic is books with magic, which is super easy for me since I love to read fantasy books. Some of my favorite books featuring magic include:

1. This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron. Featuring plant magic and a badass cast of Black and queer characters, this book completely stole my entire heart.
2. The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah. This book takes place in an Arabian-inspired setting featuring djinn and elements of 1001 nights, so how could I not love it?
3. Nettle and Bone by T. Kingfisher. This is hands down one of the funniest fantasy reads I’ve read in my life, mingling humor with witches and magic along with heavier themes, and it’s irresistible.
4. Malice by Heather Walter. Flipping the fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty on it’s head and telling the story from the POV of the witch, offering insight into her backstory with a queer spin, I couldn’t help but empathize with the supposed villain.
5. Witch Please by Ann Aguirre. In this paranormal romance, I fell in love with the characters, the story, and the romance itself. Plus, who could resist a shy, bi love interest and a witchy MC?
6. Siren Queen by Nghi Vo. This story gives Hollywood a sinister spin by including magic as part of the allure behind the film industry, as one queer woman fights against it to achieve her goals and the woman she wants.
7. Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. This fresh and innovative story makes use of Mexican folklore and magic as a woman works to save her own life while tied to the god of death.
8. Tear Down the Throne by Jennifer Estep. In an offshoot of the Crown of Shards series, Gemma combines magical powers with spy work to uncover a plot against the throne and save the world as she knows it.
9. Jade City by Fonda Lee. This amazing series combines magic and martial arts in a Godfather-esque tale of clans in an Asian-inspired world fighting for independence. It’s addictively good.
10. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. Who can resist a good old story of witches and vampires fighting for dominance as they race to discover the story of their origins, and it doesn’t hurt that a star-crossed romance is at the heart of the book.

What are your favorite books featuring magic?