I love a good Black romance book. The kind that makes you melt a little and side-eye your own life like… okay but where is my magical man?

And fantasy has always been my favorite genre. Give me powers, chosen ones, ancient prophecies, all of it. I want drama. I want tension. I want magic in the air.

But over time I started noticing something. The books that really stuck with me were the ones where Black women were at the center of the magic and still allowed to be loved inside it. Not pushed to the sidelines. Not written as “strong” in a way that secretly means emotionally exhausted and alone. Just fully in the story. Fully desired. Fully chosen.

I don’t even think I had language for that at first. I just knew those were the books I couldn’t shut up about.

So I put together a list on the blog of 6 romantasy books by Black authors where Black women are central, magical, desired, and complicated in ways that feel real. Some are darker. Some are softer. A couple of them took over my entire personality for a solid week. A few are still on my TBR because I’m a chaotic mood reader and refuse to be managed.

If you want the full breakdown, it’s here:

Romantasy by Black Authors: Stories Where Black Women Are Magical and Loved

But I’m curious. When was the first time you read fantasy and actually felt seen? And if you haven’t yet, what kind of magical Black heroine are you still waiting for?