Why am I passionate about this?
I’m a mother of two children and was raised in a noisy family of four. It was my kids who reawakened my instinct to write again and follow through on my projects. Motherhood is such a fundamental part of my life and for most women I know. It’s mundane yet transformative in the sense it brings out your inner lioness in a way you don’t anticipate. When I think about some of my favorite literary characters, they would be unrecognizable if they weren’t mothers. With that in mind, I hope readers find a lovely story for their moms on Mother’s Day.
Diana's book list on sci-fi and fantasy featuring incredible mothers
Why did Diana love this book?
This is a delightful re-telling of the classic fairy tale, The Six Swans, with surprising twists on the stepmother trope that I found fresh and engaging.
While the main character of this NYT best-seller is Princess Shiori, it’s her beautiful and mysterious stepmother, Raikama, who upends the young princess’ life when Raikama discovers Shiori’s secret magic. Raikama is a formidable character working to preserve her own powers and secrets.
The world-building and magical creatures are inspired by East Asian themes that give this book a unique take on an enduring story that I’ve always loved.
1 author picked Six Crimson Cranes as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.
A princess in exile, a shapeshifting dragon, six enchanted cranes, and an unspeakable curse... Drawing from 'The Wild Swans' and East Asian folklore, this breathtakingly original fantasy from the author of Spin the Dawn is perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo or Tomi Adeyemi.
Shiori'anma, the only princess of Kiata, has a secret. Forbidden magic runs through her veins. Normally she conceals it well, but on the morning of her betrothal ceremony, Shiori loses control. At first, her mistake seems like a stroke of luck, forestalling the wedding she never wanted. But it also catches the attention of Raikama, her…