We started the month with a few diverse June releases, and we’re ending it with a YA romantasy anthology! These Kindred Hearts, edited by Shari B. Pennant, features 17 enchanting, diverse short stories by some of our longtime favorite authors and a few new favorites.
As soon as we heard about this diverse anthology, we knew we had to get our hands on it. We just couldn’t get enough of these BIPOC love stories and fantasy tales! Here are some of our favorites from These Kindred Hearts. But really, each story has something for everyone.
Book Overview: These Kindred Hearts
Content warnings: death, death of loved ones, internment camps, some violence, forced captivity, weapons, skulls, warfare
Summary: The daughter of a royal hell dimension deals with an unwanted betrothal to a boy she’s supposed to murder and questions the meaning of fate. An aspiring writer accidentally summons her own book character and struggles to send her new crush back to her fantasy world. An orphaned thief and a “Chosen One” must go on the run from a tyrannical empire. Two friends confess their feelings for each other in the middle of an earth-shattering apocalypse. A mix of cozy, high-stakes, and action-packed fantasy, and everything in between fill these seventeen tales that explore the power and magic of love.
These Kindred Hearts includes stories by Alexene Farol Follmuth, Angela Montoya, Brent Lambert, Chelsea Padilla, Cheryl Isaacs, Jamar J. Perry, Jennifer Helen, Jill Tew, Kalynn Bayron, Kwame Mbalia, Maggie Tokuda-Hall, Nia Davenport, Nikki T. Grant, Shari B. Pennant, Sophie Li, Vanessa Montalban, and Zoraida Córdova.
“The Heartfire Mask” By Kwame Mbalia
Of course, we had to include a romantasy tale from These Kindred Hearts that’s centered around a ball! Kwame Mbalia’s “The Heartfire Mask” tells the story of Miry, a girl on a mission to crash the Prefect’s Ball and expose his secrets. Armed with a magical mask, she wields the power to attract attention from anyone who sees her. Miry works alongside Koren, the boy who roped her into his treasonous plan and held the other half of her mask. It’s a fast-paced tale with a few twists!
“Atrium” By Jill Tew
Our next favorite story from These Kindred Hearts is Jill Tew‘s “Atrium.” We loved how the story gets told in the form of letters from two senders: Lyla and Nico. They’re classmates at the Accademia d’Arcana who begrudgingly partner up for their Incantations project. Lyla soon discovers Nico’s powers: forbidden magic that could get him in a boatload of trouble. But she keeps his secret under the condition that he teaches her how to do the same magic. Their lessons bring these two star-crossed characters closer, and they ultimately uncover the solution to their final assignment (maybe even some romantic feelings, too).
“In The Wood” Kalynn Bayron
Finally, we have Kalynn Bayron’s romantasy story: “In the Wood.” Every year for the past century, the kingdom has made a sacrifice to the god of the wood. Young girls like Kalia, willing and unwilling, must venture into the woods in what’s called the Unmaking. This year, however, that sacrifice is Kalia’s best friend’s (Zade’s) younger sister Zeelie. Kalia sets out into the woods, determined to save Zeelie from her fate. It’s an inspiring and romantic story. And it’s the perfect ending to These Kindred Hearts, if you ask us.
With a variety of settings, situations, and sorcery, These Kindred Hearts by Shari B. Pennant gives us 17 romantasy tales that we couldn’t resist!
These Kindred Hearts, edited by Shari B. Pennant, comes out June 30th! You can order a copy of it here!
What are your thoughts on These Kindred Hearts? Did we love getting a peek into this YA romantasy anthology, edited by Shari B. Pennant? Let us know on Twitter! You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram!
Want to hear some of our audiobook recommendations? Here’s the latest!
Is your TBR not long enough? We’ve got all the recs!
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