Amazing list! I couldn’t agree more about Zamira Drakasha, who also made Red Seas Under Red Skies my favorite of the three books. You’ll be happy to learn you’ll get much more Quick Ben in future Malazan books, including Memories of Ice. Happy Juneteenth!

This is a fantastic video! Dean Thomas is bloody brilliant. Best Quidditch commentator ever. Thanks too for explaining Juneteenth. I live in NZ, it's not a thing here. I know that it IS a thing, and that its a celebratory one, but never knew what the story behind it was. One of my favourite authors is likely a little out of your preferred reading, she's a mixed race Samoan Indian lady who primarily writes romance/paranormal-romance/urban-paranormal though she's begun branching into contemporary mystery thrillers as well, and she lives right here in New Zealand. Nalini Singh. *Very* few of her characters are traditionally 'white'. In one of her contemporary romance series her characters are all from Pacific Island heritage, and these are BIG men, rugby playing men, who don't conform with traditional notions of 'handsome'. In that particular series, she also has an amputee as one of the main characters. In her paranormal romances her characters come from cultures as diverse as India, Morocco, and Russia with all the differences of body type and colouring imaginable. With every new culture she represents, she brings a family 'tone', a tradition of spices, holidays, endearments, and clothing, without attempting to highlight any of it - those things are simply a part of a character and their personality. The reason I wanted to tell you all of that, is because that level of inclusion - you know, like how people EXIST in the real world - simply deserves to be shared. *EVEN* as a very white woman who just turned 50, I appreciate how necessary these books are, and I LOVE them. I love being able to see a world where racism simply isn't there, and I wish heartily that non-white lead characters weren't still noteworthy even in these genres - the least constrained by reality.

@KindlesandKicks

9 күн бұрын

Derri, I totally agree with your eloquently expressed sentiment. And I always appreciate learning about new, diverse authors and stories that add a more color to the literary world. Nalini Singh sounds absolutely brilliant and I am very much intrigued now.

Your shit is 🔥 Oh, and the list is awesome as well. If I may, I’d add my favorite Black character to your list: Susannah Dean from Dark Tower. She is amazing and unique and all-round kick ass woman. Btw, she is wheelchair bound. Susannah ❤

@KindlesandKicks

10 күн бұрын

Thank you so much Bart! I’m loving learning all these new unexplored Black characters in sci-fi and fantasy. I can see this list changing next year.

@bartsbookspace

10 күн бұрын

@@KindlesandKicks Aweseme. BTW, my original comment was supposed to read "Your shirt is 🔥" sorry.

Have you read Mistborn? Thought I'd see Sazed on the list. Orlando Jones really knocked it out the park, that scene with Anansi on the boat is one of the most powerful pieces of acting I've ever seen. I absolutely knew Dean Thomas would be somewhere in the top 3, ha. Great video as always man. My wife saw your shirt while I was watching the video and wants to get me one because I'm always harassing her with Spongebob lines 😂

@KindlesandKicks

10 күн бұрын

I love Sazed but it never occurred to me, to put him on this list. I also pictured him looking similar to Dhalsim from Street Fighter, who is Indian. But an argument can definitely be made for him being Black. When I do this list again, I will consider him. OMG, you wife is absolutely right! It's actually entire set, with shirt and shorts LOL.

@OnlyTheBestFantasyNovels

10 күн бұрын

@@KindlesandKicks now that you mention it I can definitely see Sazed also matching that profile. I'm going to start re-reading the entire Cosmere very soon, so I guess if Sando ever mentioned anything definitive either way, I'll spot it! LOL, why am I not surprised it's a set 😂

@throughthepages_with_dee

10 күн бұрын

Saze is an amazing character he’s my favourite

Great video, and great way to commemorate this day! I couldn't agree more with you about Quick Ben, and though Deadhouse Gates doesn't feature him, get ready for more of the best mage in Malazan. I just finished Octavia Butler's Parable of the Sower today, and I'd like to add Lauren Olamina from that amazing story to the conversation. Thank you for the video!

@KindlesandKicks

10 күн бұрын

Thank you Philip! Parable of the Sower is the next Octavia Butler read on my TBR. Really can’t wait to read it now!

I somehow knew Quick Ben would be near the top! Thanks for the video - I enjoyed it

@KindlesandKicks

10 күн бұрын

Thank you so much Josh! Can't wait to learn more about him.

Great unique video, Darko. Love me some Quick Ben. And agree to Dana! I'd like to add Tau among other characters from Evan Winter's The Burning series. Missed your content and glad to see ya back at it. 🍻👟

@KindlesandKicks

10 күн бұрын

Thank you Chris! Tau almost made the list. If I had did honorable mentions, he would’ve definitely been on there.

Amazing vid!! Quick Ben let’s gooooooooooooooooooooooooioooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Right with you on loving Red Seas more than Lies, and that pirate Captain is def one of the reasons why that book rocked! Piranesi is a super superstar, and Kip was easily one of the best things about Lightbringer. So lovable. Love the Dean Thomas shout out! Goes to show the importance of diverse rep but especially in kids books so everyone can feel seen. Have you not read Rage of Dragons yet? Tau is straight 🔥🔥🔥

@KindlesandKicks

9 күн бұрын

Tau almost made the list. If I did honorable mentions he would've been there, but I've only read the first book in the series and waiting for Evan Winter to complete the trilogy.

@BooksWithBenghisKahn

9 күн бұрын

@@KindlesandKicks ah you’ll be waiting a while for him to finish cuz it’s 4 books planned! Book 2 Fires of Vengeance was a really cool evolution of the story

Saw the title and thought, “so how close to #1 is Quick Ben?” 😆 Great video, mate. 🙂👌🏻

@KindlesandKicks

10 күн бұрын

😂 that’s my boy! I’m sure I’ll only grow to love him more and more!

@MattonBooks

10 күн бұрын

@@KindlesandKicks I guess Kalam’s conspicuous absence is forgivable, only one per author and all. 😉

I'm surprised there's no Red Rising characters on here. Both Aja and Atalantia are great, terrifying characters. Interesting video, my man.

@KindlesandKicks

9 күн бұрын

This was a hard list to make. I had to sacrifice some people lol, but you are spot on.

I need you to read The Vanished Birds! Nia Imani will (hopefully) make your list in the future.

@KindlesandKicks

10 күн бұрын

I definitely need to check it out now that I know this!

Amazing! Check out the sequel to American Gods. Anansi’s Boys and I would say for more Bulter try the xenogenesis trilogy. Thanks Darko.

@KindlesandKicks

9 күн бұрын

Thanks John! I want to read both of those. Especially the Xenogenesis trilogy which I've heard nothing but great things about.

@Talking_Story

9 күн бұрын

@@KindlesandKicks read it many years ago and was pretty blown away.

Happy (belated) Juneteenth!! Wonderful video to celebrate 🤩 I am ashamed to admit that I hadn't even fully realised that some of these characters were Black (or insinuated to be Black), but I love them all the more for it! Especially Belina is just a hoot, I adore her!! Some of my personal faves would be Sylah from The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi, Sistah Samurai from Sistah Samurai by Tatiana Obey, Tayen from No Heart for a Thief by James Lloyd Dulin and Rasia from Bones to the Wind by Tatiana Obey!

@KindlesandKicks

9 күн бұрын

Thank you Esmay! And so grateful for all the books and characters you listed. My TBR has become so more diverse since posting this video.

@esmayrosalyne

9 күн бұрын

@@KindlesandKicks love to hear that! hope you enjoy the ones you pick up ;)

Thank you for the list. Piranesi's mother was Ghanian. My other favorite characters: Lauren Olamina from the "Earthseed" duology by Octavia E. Butler Vincenza "Vintage" from "The Winnowing Flame by Jen Williams Fatma from "A Master of Djinn" by P. Djeli Clark Xiala from "Between Earth and Sky" by Rebecca Roanhorse Victoire from "Babel" by R. F. Kuang

@KindlesandKicks

10 күн бұрын

Wow! Thank you so much for these new books and characters I need to delve into. Appreciate the clarification on Piranesi as well. Always enjoy getting your recommendations!

Awesome video Dark O!! One of my favorites is definitely Quick Ben, another is Jabari Onai from The Burning Series by Evan Winters . Oh, also Josh Hutchins from Swan Song is a fantastic character and one of my favorite characters in any book I read all year.

@KindlesandKicks

9 күн бұрын

Thanks bro! I wanted to put Tau from the Burning Series on here, but have not read the second book yet. I hope Evan Winters finished the trilogy soon. Swan Song just became a lot more interesting.

Do top 10 Black sf/f books!

@KindlesandKicks

10 күн бұрын

Great idea! I definitely want to eventually. Need to read a few more books/series first.

Super interesting video and I love your shirt! Glad to see you are rocking videos again!

@KindlesandKicks

10 күн бұрын

Thank you Brian! I appreciate that. I need to find my groove again.

Awesome video. I'm always looking for diverse POVs I loooove Binti, Akata too ❤ Karina from A Song of Wraiths and Ruin (west African) ALSO Tristan Strong, YA and so fun. Quick Ben is brilliant but it's a comment to the density of Malazan that I had no idea he was black 😳🤦‍♀️ My favorite is fantasy of the spec-ops variety but adore Top Simms from Joe Ledger. Really appreciate this list and all but Light Bringer I've either read or they're in my queue. 🙌🏼🤓

@KindlesandKicks

9 күн бұрын

Thank you! I need to read some spec-ops. Look forward to your thoughts when you get to Lightbringer!

@ithrahmunchswallow468

9 күн бұрын

@@KindlesandKicks 🙌🏼

Brilliant, Darko! I knew Octavia Butler would be near or at the top of your list. I am planing to read more of her this summer. I know you're not a big N.K. Jemison fan, but she has some great characters of color too. I hope you're doing well, my friend. I always feel better after I watch one of your videos.

@KindlesandKicks

10 күн бұрын

Thank you so much Pat! I really wish I liked Jemisin before, if for no other reason than to enjoy more Black characters in fantasy. I need to give her other books a try, and not write her off just because I didn't like the first book in Broken Earth. I always appreciate your wonderful comments. You've made my day Pat! Thank you again!

@BookChatWithPat8668

10 күн бұрын

@@KindlesandKicks I read her two-part Great Cities series. It took me a while to get into, but I ultimately did like it. Have you read any Victor Lavalle? I’m not exactly sure how to even characterize him-part horror, part supernatural fantasy-but he has some really interesting characters too. I just read him for the first time. How about Percival Everett? He’s not a fantasy writer, but wow! I think he’s one of the most important writers writing now. I’m a little obsessed….So good chatting with you, my friend! 😊

QUICK BEN!!!! He is just the best! Next to TATTERSAIL that is 😂 DANA!!!! 14:32 you didnt let me down here bestie she is the bomb! 15:37 tell me tell me???? Obviously!!! I knew it 16:03 haha how were you not going to say Dean and he handsome! Great list hunny and so cool to give voice you may end up adding a character from invisible man to that list yet I’m reading a book you will love called the Once and Future Witches by Alix E Harrow it’s hocus pocus meets witches of east wick, meets dark Disney fairy tales. Rabin from @onlythebestfantasynovels put me on to it. The character Cleo Quinn is a female of colour who is a journalist and a witch 😃 it’s so so good bestie Love you ❤

@KindlesandKicks

9 күн бұрын

Thank you bestie! Love you more! Alicia knows all the cool books. That sounds awesome!!! I almost included Invisible Man, but wanted to finish the book first. He's definitely going on the list when I update it.

Hi!- great list! If this one hasn’t popped up on your radar, try the “Seasons of Plenty” trilogy from Colin Greenland. The main character is Tabitha Jute; a gender-swapped and race-swapped Han Solo!

@KindlesandKicks

10 күн бұрын

Wow, I’ve never even heard of that before. Thank you so much. Will definitely be adding it to my TBR!

You can pick almost any favorite character from Malazan and put in this list, as most of the characters in the series are black. 😊 Definitely all the Malazans and all the Tiste Andii. Anomander Rake for the win.

@KindlesandKicks

9 күн бұрын

I was thinking the same thing, but I didn't want Malazan to dominate the list haha.

Hey do you take review suggestions? How do ppl reach out or find you on social media?

@KindlesandKicks

2 күн бұрын

Hey Fenix! Thank you for commenting and subscribing. You may reach me at the following: twitter.com/kindlesandkicks KindlesandKicks@yahoo.com Discord: Darko_au_Bellona

@FenixMuneGaming

2 күн бұрын

@@KindlesandKicks much appreciated sir. Thank you.

@FenixMuneGaming

Күн бұрын

@@KindlesandKicks so when you get a moment, i sent you an email.