Afrofuturism & Africanfuturism
I committed to finding at least three Afrofuturist (and/or Africanfuturist) romance titles with the full faith that I cannot be the only person who wants to read this combination. Look what I found!
All three are series starters — in for a penny, in for a pound, I always say. Am I the kind of reader who buys the entire series before I’ve begun the first book? Yes. Yes, I am.
Here are three titles I’ve started. So far, they are all 5-star reads!
Noughts and Crosses (Noughts and Crosses, Book 1) by Malorie Blackman, narrated by Syan Blake, Paul Chequer (There is also a BBC Radio Full-Cast Dramatisation starring Rikki Lawton, Zawe Ashton, Adjoa Andoh, Carl Prekopp, Alex Lanipekun, Tracy Wiles, Jude Akuwudike, Nikki Amuka Bird and more, if you’d prefer.)
Sephy is a Cross – a member of the dark-skinned ruling class. Callum is a nought – a ‘colourless’ member of the underclass who were once slaves to the Crosses. The two have been friends since early childhood. But that’s as far as it can go. Until the first steps are taken towards more social equality and a limited number of Noughts are allowed into Cross schools… Against a background of prejudice and distrust, intensely highlighted by violent terrorist activity by Noughts, a romance builds between Sephy and Callum – a romance that is to lead both of them into terrible danger.
Song of Blood & Stone (Earthsinger Chronicles, Book 1) by L. Penelope, narrated by Allyson Johnson
L. Penelope's Song of Blood & Stone is a treacherous, thrilling, epic audiobook fantasy about an outcast drawn into a war between two powerful rulers.
Orphaned and alone, Jasminda lives in a land where cold whispers of invasion and war linger on the wind. Jasminda herself is an outcast in her homeland of Elsira, where her gift of Earthsong is feared. When ruthless soldiers seek refuge in her isolated cabin, they bring with them a captive - an injured spy who threatens to steal her heart.
Jack's mission behind enemy lines to prove that the Mantle between Elsira and Lagrimar is about to fall nearly cost him his life, but he is saved by the healing Song of a mysterious young woman. Now he must do whatever it takes to save Elsira and its people from the True Father, and he needs Jasminda's Earthsong to do it. They escape their vicious captors and together embark on a perilous journey to save Elsira and to uncover the secrets of The Queen Who Sleeps.
Thrust into a hostile society, Jasminda and Jack must rely on one another even as secrets jeopardize their bond. As an ancient evil gains power, Jasminda races to unlock a mystery that promises salvation. The fates of two nations hang in the balance as Jasminda and Jack must choose between love and duty to fulfill their destinies and end the war.
Awaken the Dragon (Legion, Book 1) by A.C. Arthur, narrated by Leon Nixon
He's sworn to protect the very entity she was born to kill...
Next in line for the Drakon throne, Theo Masters is the most powerful half human, half dragon in the world. Royal power is the last thing he wants, however. He lives as a human and runs the Legion Security Company. But his new client - a mysterious, beautiful human from a small African village - and the unknown danger she faces may forever change the quiet life that he's chosen.
Shola N'Gara exists to kill the dark spirit that is attempting to demolish her people. It's her purpose and her destiny. The gorgeous protector who taunts her with his sexy voice and body is not - especially after he shifts into a magnificent black dragon with turquoise eyes.
A rise in demon activity and the brutal murders Theo's agents have been reporting start to add up. Someone is making a play, and it's big enough to change the course of the world as they know it. Now Shola must choose between her destiny and her heart. And Theo must decide if standing by the woman he's fallen in love with is worth facing his father in a battle to the death.
What Afrofuturist romance novels have you read? What Africanfuturist romances can you recommend? More of this, please!
