Definitely 'The Poppy War' by R.F. Kuang. While it has elements of historical and military fiction, it also has a strong science - fiction - like magic system. It's a brutal and captivating story set in a fictional world inspired by Chinese history. It shows the consequences of war and power - hungry individuals in a very engaging way.
I highly recommend 'The Vanishing Half'. It has a really engaging plot about race and identity. The characters are well - developed and the story keeps you hooked from start to finish.
I'd recommend 'Flight Behavior' by Barbara Kingsolver. It deals with themes like climate change and the impact on a rural community. It has really engaging characters that draw you into the story.
I highly recommend 'The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle' by Stuart Turton. It's a mystery - thriller with a unique time - loop concept that keeps you on your toes. 'A Column of Fire' by Ken Follett is also great. It's a historical fiction that continues the Kingsbridge series and is full of political intrigue and complex characters. And 'The Alice Network' by Kate Quinn, which is set during World War I and II and tells the story of female spies.
I highly recommend 'The Underground Railroad'. It's not only a great work of historical fiction but also a powerful exploration of race in America. The way Colson Whitehead uses the concept of the railroad is both imaginative and thought - provoking.
I'd highly recommend 'Sing, Unburied, Sing' by Jesmyn Ward. It's a story that delves deep into family, race, and the South. The characters are complex and the writing is beautiful, painting a vivid picture of a family's journey.
I would say 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr. This book is set during World War II and follows the parallel lives of a blind French girl and a German boy. It's beautifully written and really captures the essence of that historical period. Also, 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak is excellent. It's narrated by Death and tells about a girl in Nazi Germany who steals books. Then there's 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens, which is set during the French Revolution.
One of the great science fiction books from 2018 could be 'Annihilation' by Jeff VanderMeer. It has a really unique and mysterious plot that takes readers on a strange journey into an area known as Area X. The descriptions are vivid and it makes you question a lot about the world and the unknown.
Some highly recommended young adult historical fiction books are 'The Giver' by Lois Lowry. It's set in a dystopian future but has roots in our understanding of history and how society could be shaped. 'Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry' by Mildred D. Taylor is set in the American South during the Great Depression and segregation. It shows the life of a black family and their struggles. 'The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963' by Christopher Paul Curtis is about a family's journey to Birmingham during the civil rights movement.
One highly recommended London - set fictional book is 'Howards End' by E.M. Forster. It examines class differences in London society. 'The Invisible Man' by H.G. Wells also has a connection to London as the story unfolds in the city. And 'The London Train' by Tessa Hadley is a more contemporary look at the lives of people in London, their relationships and their daily experiences.
Then there's 'Washington Black' by Esi Edugyan. This novel takes the reader on a journey from the Caribbean to the Arctic in the 19th century. It's a story about a young boy's escape from slavery and his adventures, exploring themes of race, freedom, and identity.