11 Miraculous Fantasies Featuring Found Families

Written by Matt Nelson & Likewise Pix | Oct 25, 2024 Step into worlds where destiny weaves unlikely alliances into tapestries of strength, resilience, and heartwarming camaraderie. From bustling streets of magical cities to far-flung galaxies, discover literary gems where unconventional bonds redefine family.

1. Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett

Enter the mesmerizing city of Tevanne, where industrialized magic powers every corner. Sancia Grado, a master thief with unparalleled abilities, finds herself at the center of a bloody power struggle for an artifact that could alter the fabric of reality. This thrilling narrative, hailed by authors like Brandon Sanderson and Tamora Pierce, explores the strength found in unexpected alliances. As Sancia teams up with unlikely allies, they navigate the merciless city to harness the artifact's potential, cultivating a found family in the least expected of places.

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2. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

The Grishaverse never felt richer than it does through the lens of Ketterdam, an international hub of trade, danger, and opportunity. Criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker assembles a diverse crew for a near-impossible heist, with stakes higher than just wealth. Jesper, Inej, Nina, Matthias, and Wylan form a ragtag group of dangerous outcasts, epitomizing found family through their shared mission and intertwined fates. As they navigate the perilous underworld, Kaz must ensure that his team survives not only their enemies but each other.

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3. The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

In the vibrant city of Camorr, myths clash with reality as master thief Locke Lamora takes center stage. Known as the Thorn of Camorr, Locke leads the Gentleman Bastards, a clever band of thieves united by bonds deeper than blood. Amidst baroque palaces and treacherous canals, they face challenges that test their brotherhood against enemies unseen. With wit and cunning as his tools, Locke navigates a web of intrigue, where every con unravels deeper truths about camaraderie and loyalty.

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4. The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

A blaze of brilliance and diversity, The Gilded Wolves unravels an intricate heist set in the exquisite backdrop of Paris's Exposition Universelle. Séverin Montagnet-Alarie leads a squad of misfits, each contributing unique skills to reclaim a stolen birthright. As Séverin, Enrique, Zofia, Hypnos, Tristan, and Laila intertwine their destinies, they also weave a tapestry of friendship and shared sacrifices, offering a powerful testament to the strength of chosen families in questing for change and justice.

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5. Empress of Forever by Max Gladstone

Vivian Liao, a fearless innovator, is propelled into a future where her radical methods are the only hope against a galaxy-spanning tyrant. Lost in time, Viv teams up with a diverse crew of cosmic misfits, embarking on a journey that blends the sweeping grandiosity of Guardians of the Galaxy with feminist undertones. Gladstone crafts a universe defined not just by vast galaxies but the intimate bonds formed between rebels, showing how compassion and camaraderie can light even the darkest paths.

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6. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

TJ Klune transports readers into a heartwarming tale about Linus Baker, a bureaucrat whose encounter with six magical children and their mysterious caretaker, Arthur Parnassus, alters his understanding of what family means. Nestled in an orphanage set apart from a world ever-judging, these children pave the way for Linus to reassess the rigid structures of his life. With tender humor and profound insights, Klune crafts a narrative that celebrates the beauty in diversity and the power of love.

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7. Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire

Layered with mystery and magic, Rosemary and Rue introduces readers to October “Toby” Daye, a changeling torn between her human and fae heritages. As she navigates murder mysteries and faerie politics, Toby encounters allies who shape her journey of self-discovery. The rich tapestry of the fae world intertwines with human emotion, revealing profound truths about identity, belonging, and what it means to be family in the intricate dance of both worlds.

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8. Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Yelena is thrust from the jaws of execution into a world of intrigue as the Commander's food taster in a land fraught with secrets. From the palace dungeons to the corridors of power, her journey reveals hidden dangers and new allies, forming bonds that transcend fear and suspicion. Maria V. Snyder spins a narrative of survival, choice, and unexpected family as Yelena uncovers not only secrets of state but the essence of trust and fellowship.

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9. American Hippo by Sarah Gailey

Prepare to dive into a wild world where hippos and mayhem rule the swamps of a reimagined American South. Sarah Gailey combines humor, heist, and heart with the tale of Winslow Houndstooth and his crew. In American Hippo, alliances are forged and tested against a backdrop of danger and redemption, emphasizing that family is not just about blood, but about shared quests and bold choices that define one's path.

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10. The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle

Journey to a world both poignant and whimsical, where a unicorn sets out to find others of her kind. Alongside Schmendrick the hapless magician and Molly Grue, an unlikely heroine, the unicorn uncovers the depths of her own magic and the genuine bonds of friendship. Peter S. Beagle delivers a timeless tale that enchants readers with its lyrical prose and teachings on loyalty, bravery, and the pursuit of one's place in the world.

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11. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

In a tale where love and fate seem inextricably linked, Blue Sargent's life takes an unforeseen turn with her involvement with the enigmatic Raven Boys. Drawn by the mysterious Gansey's quest, Blue becomes entwined in a circle of friendships that defy the ordinary. Maggie Stiefvater unfolds a universe brimming with omens, secrets, and bonds that determine destinies, showing how unexpected alliances can forge the truest families and change everything believed to be unchangeable.

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From fantastical heists to magical orphanages, these compelling stories remind us that family is often formed in the most unlikely of situations. Through shared adventures and shared hearts, these found families forge bonds that withstand the most formidable trials. Dive into these worlds and discover the power of family beyond the bounds of blood.