Happy Tuesday everyone! So I finally decided to join in on this weekly meme because I absolutely loved today’s topic.
This idea was originally created by The Broke and the Bookish in 2010 and moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
Settings I’d Like To See More Of:
♛ 1. Ancient Egypt ♛
Can you imagine a rich, lush fantasy set in ancient Egypt? Or even just a modern fantasy revolving around Egyptian mythology! There’s seriously so much to be done with this setting. There’s Bastet, Anubis, Ra, and so many more characters to write about. The only books I know of that involve Egyptian mythology are The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan.
♛ 2. Roaring 20’s ♛
I’m all for more books set in the 1920’s no matter what genre. But what I’d love more than anything is to have more fantasies. There’s just something magical about the flapper dresses, the speakeasies, and the bootleggers. I can’t resist. The Diviners series by Libba Bray is a perfect example of how great this setting is.
♛ 3. The Ocean/On a Ship ♛
I’m a sucker for anything involving pirates, mermaids, or what have you. To Kill a Kingdom and Daughter of the Pirate King are great examples of this. It would be great to have more fantasies or even historical fictions set in the ocean or on a ship.
♛ 4. Stables ♛
I’m a horse owner and lover, so I’d just really like to see a contemporary or romance set at a horse farm or something. Imagine enemies to lovers about competitors in a jumping competition! Ugh I need it.
♛ 5. Alternate Realities ♛
Of course I had to use Stranger Things art as an example for this one. But seriously, there’s so much that could be done with an alternate reality setting in the sci-fi genre.
♛ 6. Modern Fantasy Society ♛
Okay I know you’re thinking “but urban fantasies are a thing”, so just hear me out. I’m talking about truly modern fantasy worlds. Where Sirens work at hospitals and sing to patients to help relieve their pain and relax them. Witches who sell charms, like a middle-finger ring that will bring bad luck to anyone that you flip off. Taxi services that have the options to ride Gryphons if you’re in a big rush. There’s just so much wasted potential here.
♛ 7. The Dark Ages ♛
Sure we have plenty of stories set in worlds similar to the Renaissance Era, but not too many set in The Dark Ages. Just imagine a really dark fantasy following a witch living in this time period. The plague is spreading and everyone is weary of travelers. It would be so dangerous and dark and I just really want it.
I was totally inspired for this by the movie Season of the Witch.
♛ 8. 1980’s ♛
Y’all, I just had to include this here. This was truly an iconic era. The bright neon outfits and makeup. The big hair. The music! While Ready Player One was definitely a huge flop for me, I feel like I could get into a contemporary set in this time period.
♛ 9. Time Travelling Settings ♛
With all the movies and TV shows that I’ve watched about time travel, you’d think that I would have also read at least a few books centering around this as well, but nope. I never have. I’d like to see this in more YA fantasies for sure!
♛ 10. The Circus ♛
This has already been done perfectly in The Night Circus and Daughter of the Burning City but this is definitely a setting that will never get old for me. I’d love anything new revolving around a circus.
And those are the 10 settings that I’d like to see more of! Did you do a post for this theme? If so, feel free to link it in the comments so I can check it out! And if you know of any books that fall into these categories, please recommend them to me!
Sail.xx
So for circus settings I heard recently about Pantomime and I really loved Caraval. I also LOVE the roaring 20’s especially if it’s about bootlegging and if it’s also fantasy or paranormal I am basically trash for it. The Beholder was a fun read that took place on the ship for parts of the book, you should check that out too!
I love Caraval as well! But I just looked up Pantomime and added it to my TBR. Thanks for the rec 😊
Right? The 20s are just such a fascinating time period.
I completely forgot about The Beholder 🤦🏻♀️ but it’s on my TBR so I need to get to it soon!
I am always full of book recommendations!! I love the 20’s! I have always been fascinated with gangsters, so I think that’s where it really comes from. Plus the jazz age is just so cool! I hope you enjoy The Beholder!
Good to know 😉 and same here! I’ve visited old gangster clubs on vacations before lol. Thank you!
I love your answers Sailor! I totally agree with all of these 😍Ancient Egypt, Alternate Realities, Dark Ages — I’m there for it!
My TTT post
Thanks, I’m glad you like them!! I’ll be sure to check out your post too 😊
I absolutely loved this blog post! You made me want to read all the things, specially modern fantasy society settings and books set in the 20’s!! Now I need you to write a book about sirens being doctors bc I’m not going to stop thinking about it
Also, have you read Of fire and stars? One of the main characters really likes horses and the main couple bond because of it!
Thank you so much Diana! 💙 If you haven’t read The Diviners yet, you definitely should. It’s so dark and spooky but the 20’s setting is amazing.
Hmm I don’t know if that’s ever going to happen, but I do have some ideas for that story 😏
No, I didn’t know that so I haven’t read it. Honestly I’d heard that the plot was pretty lackluster so that’s why I never gave it a try lol.
I’ve heard so much praise for the diviners! I promise I will read someday in my life
I WILL READ IT ASAP IF YOU EVER WRITE IT
Yeah, the book is definitely more character driven but maybe if someday you don’t have anything to read, you should give it a try!
Yess you need to read them!
Thanks for the support but I doubt that that’s actually gonna happen lol.
Ooh okay, good to know!
Love this list! All of these would be cool- but especially books set on the ocean, roaring 20s, dark ages, modern fantasy societies, alternative realities and the circus!
Thank you!! Maybe next year we’ll get some of those settings in new releases! I hope so anyways
I LOVE when books are set in the 1920s – I feel like there’s so much to explore there! And I definitely want to see more of that type of modern fantasy society that you described 😄
Same here! I know there’s a few romances set in the 20s but the only fantasy I know of is The Diviners and it’s amazing!
Right? Hopefully we’ll get one someday 😊