Fantasy Books Tackling Mental Health Issues Released In 2021

A list of fantasy books released this year that all include an exploration of mental health issues within their stories and characters.

City of Reckoning (Nerasia: Saga I, Book 1) - Brianna da Silva

Via briannadasilva.blog

Described by the author as a "dark, violent, and generally intense book", City of Reckoning by Brianna da Silva (released 21st September '21) is a multi-POV adult fantasy novel featuring "winged people, wolf companions, and epic journeys".

The author has sought to explore aspects of mental health within this novel through the traumatic experiences her characters experience and must subsequently process. This is one worth checking out for those who appreciate a realistic exploration of such aspects within the characters they read.

The synopsis follows (but you can also access the first chapter for free via the author's website):

"Kindy Sharro is used to hiding. As a Nocturan, her bat wings, claws, and night vision place her under constant threat of hunters, who cruelly slaughter her kind for sport.

But everything changes the day of the invasion. The Dorish Empire drafts the Nocturans it once persecuted to help defend against a godlike foe. Kindy enters the war, but she has an ulterior motive: Use the war to destroy her arch enemy, Charris Pouden, before he gains enough power to destroy her first.

Meanwhile, Lasía Mae’olo, an elite wolf-accompanied warrior, plots rebellion against the Dorish Empire. When she is drafted to fight for her enemies, she must find a way to subvert the war for her own purposes.

But suspicion and distrust haunts her every move. This war has many sides—and she’s not sure which side she’s on anymore.

The bonds of friendship will be tested. Alliances will be questioned. In a story of political intrigue, ethics of war, and young love, one question must be answered: Which side will you join?"

Foretold (The Scryers Book 1) - Violet Lumani

Via violetlumani.com

In her debut YA fantasy novel released in July '21, Violet Lumani explores OCD and anxiety within her main character Cassandra. In interview, she has described the book as "a story about the agony of always stressing over the future" and states that elements of Cassandra's struggles were inspired by her own experiences.

The synopsis from the author's website is as follows:

"Cassandra sees death and destruction all around her. In vivid detail.

It’s the price of living with her OCD and extreme anxiety: in every single situation, Cass imagines the worst possible fate for everyone in her life. Her dad in a pool of blood after a break-in. Her beloved older neighbor, homeless. A splinter in her own finger turned gangrene.

But this time, it’s not her imagination. The boy next door, Colin, is destined to die. Cass has foretold real death before; she knows it’s a true vision.

Desperate to save Colin’s life, Cass immerses herself in a secret organization of soothsayers that promises to teach her how to change the future she foresees. But as she descends into their hidden world of divinatory magic and predictive technology, she discovers there’s always a price to pay for unraveling fate’s strands. And she has to decide just how high a price she’s willing to pay."

The Gilded Ones - Namina Forna

Via naminaforna.com

Set in a patriarchal society, The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna includes rape, enslavement, misogyny and xenophobia. The author doesn't shy away from exploring the traumatic impact of these on her characters, and described in an interview how main character Deka was "painful to write" because she has to "suffer the repercussions" of the trauma she goes through.

This book is available now, with sequel The Merciless Ones set for release in March 2022. The synopsis from Goodreads is as follows:

"Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs.

But on the day of the ceremony, her blood runs gold, the color of impurity--and Deka knows she will face a consequence worse than death.

Then a mysterious woman comes to her with a choice: stay in the village and submit to her fate, or leave to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her. They are called alaki--near-immortals with rare gifts. And they are the only ones who can stop the empire's greatest threat.

Knowing the dangers that lie ahead yet yearning for acceptance, Deka decides to leave the only life she's ever known. But as she journeys to the capital to train for the biggest battle of her life, she will discover that the great walled city holds many surprises. Nothing and no one are quite what they seem to be--not even Deka herself."

The Unbroken (Magic of the Lost Trilogy, Book 1) - C. L. Clark

Via wordpress.com

With themes of colonialism, racial inequality, violence, attempted rape and threats of torture, C. L. Clark's debut fantasy novel The Unbroken explores generational and personal trauma within its characters, how they process their experiences and the decisions they make.

This book is available for purchase now and you can access the first three chapters for free via the author's website--the synopsis is as follows:

"Every Empire Demands Revolution.

Touraine is a soldier. Stolen as a child and raised to kill and die for the empire, her only loyalty is to her fellow conscripts. But now, her company has been sent back to her homeland to stop a rebellion, and the ties of blood may be stronger than she thought.

Luca needs a turncoat. Someone desperate enough to tiptoe the bayonet’s edge between treason and orders. Someone who can sway the rebels toward peace, while Luca focuses on what really matters: getting her uncle off her throne.

Through assassinations and massacres, in bedrooms and war rooms, Touraine and Luca will haggle over the price of a nation. But some things aren’t for sale."