11 Afrofuturism Books That Blend Science Fiction, Technology, and Black Culture

Though most of her works were published before the term Afrofuturism was officially coined, Octavia E. Butler is often credited for being an original and influential figure in the genre. Critics note that her work is often multiethnic and multispecies, which is outside of the true Afrofuturism definition, but there's no doubt her award-winning writing was an influence for generations to come.

One of Butler's most well-known pieces, Kindred ($15), follows a modern Black woman who is kidnapped from her California home and brought to the antebellum South to save the white son of a plantation owner. Repeatedly brought back, the stay grows longer each time and she is unsure when it might end.

Pulling from past and present-day artistic works, Afrofuturism: The World of Black Sci-Fi and Fantasy Culture ($14) by Ytasha L. Womack entertains and enlightens readers on Afrofuturists' goal to empower individuals while breaking down racial, ethnic, and social limitations.

The start of an award-winning trilogy, Rosewater ($14) by Tade Thompson is set in a Nigerian town on the edge of an alien biodome and follows a government agent who must face his dark past to help the community.

Binti ($16) by Nnedi Okorafor is an award-winning start of a trilogy following the first of the Himba people to be accepted to Oomza University. To go will mean leaving her family to be with those who don't respect her customs, but she is willing to try.

Set in an alternate New Orleans during the American Civil War, The Black God's Drums ($11) by P. Djèlí Clark follows Creeper's quest to earn a spot on a smuggler airship.

Winner of the 2016 Hugo Award for best novel, The Fifth Season ($15) by N.K. Jemisin starts the Broken Earth trilogy. When the world is coming to an end, a mother must face the death of her son while finding her kidnapped daughter.

Time named Tomi Adeyemi one of its 100 most influential people of 2020 after the release of her debut novel, Children of Blood and Bone ($17), an instant New York Times bestseller. A West African-inspired fantasy, the book fuses magic and danger as Zélie has one chance to strike back against the monarchy.

Award-winning author N.K. Jemisin's 2020 novel, The City We Became ($26), blends culture, identity, magic, and myths in current-day New York City.

Tochi Onyebuchi's first novel for adults, Riot Baby ($18), is a global dystopian narrative about the Black American experience. It follows siblings Ella and Kev as they must decide how to use their powers.

Referred to as "the Nigerian Harry Potter," Akata Witch ($16) by Nnedi Okorafor is about a 12-year-old with magical power finding her place among other students.

With many awards and accolades, An Unkindness of Ghosts ($37) by Rivers Solomon was one of the best books of 2017. Born into slavery, Aster is trying to escape from the segregated spaceship she lives on, which has brought the last of humanity to the Promised Land for generations.