Ya’ll asked, here is part one of the answer!
The #cleanbookrevolution took me by storm and while I’ve been sharing book recs on TikTok for the last year, here is a list of books that I’ve read, recommend and file under my personal list of #cleanbookrevolution approved.
If there is anything that felt slightly off to me in the content of the books, or was worth mentioning, or an age range that might be too young, I made sure to include that in the mini review with each one.
I hope this post series is a blessing and a resource to those that need it! Please share this with family and friends who are looking for clean books or have kids that need reading fodder! I have a massive series of posts planned and this is by no means the only post so follow along if you are looking for more recommendations!
To check out the links for these books, simply click on the book!
If you are looking for more recommendations and thorough content reviews, check out my friends
Lindsey from @booksforchristiangirls who reviews books on content on her website, Books for Christian Girls
and
Author Brittany Wang who has created a “no spice” list of fantasy books!
What genre are you most excited for next?
Share this post to spread the word on these amazing writers and books!
✨Note: not all these books are marketed or are Christian, but I am comfortable with content to recommend them.
Historical fantasy at it’s finest! Fascinating premise and a unique time-period to explore!
“Thomas Fawkes is turning to stone, and the only cure to the Stone Plague is to join his father’s plot to assassinate the king of England.
I adored this book! Beautiful world-building, characters that are full of heart and emotions that are as deep as the sea! Full of life-giving exposition, and hidden/biblical parallels to spiritual warfare and relationship with the Holy Spirit if you keep your eyes peeled.
Content: Wounds, some that approached a slightly more gory side, but were handled tastefully. Mentions of prostitution/trafficking, again, tastefully handled, curses, gifts, powers etc. One more adult level comment about a “foray beneath a blanket with a man”. Recommend for an older YA or adult audience.
Another twist on history and an exploration of “what if?” I have read this book twice. Recommend for older teens as it is a little heavy on the violence for a young crowd or those that can be sensitive. An absolute page-turner. I couldn’t put it down… twice.
Contains magic and spell-casting and covers heavier subject matter which should be obvious if you know anything about the history of the Romanoff family.
This sweet and fascinating book tells the story of Claire on her wild search for her brother and her introduction to Peter Pan, Hook and the Lost Boys. The story is a delightful, heart-felt, and emotionally raw look at sibling relationships and staying forever young.
Recommend for YA and up! Mature young readers may enjoy this as well!
This amazing twist on Alice in Wonderland will have you turning pages late into the night! With all the easter eggs you could possibly ask for and an exciting premise and world-building, hold onto your mad-hats!
One of my favorite non-magical fantasies of all time. The first book is better than any of the others in the series and is a fun romp with all of the right notes and sudden plot twists that leave you with your mouth hanging open.
Recommend for middle-grade up. Content: mention of ‘the devils’ as a form of swearing or a substitute for fate. “the devils take you” etc.
Highly recommend this entire series! Beautiful biblical truths woven in amongst a highly suspenseful tale of an assassin for an evil ruler and his discovery of Christ and how it changed a kingdom forever.
Content: Heavier on the violence side of things, especially towards the end of the series. But nothing worse than historical or marvel level violence.
Highly recommend this entire series! Beautiful biblical truths woven in amongst a highly suspenseful tale of an assassin for an evil ruler and his discovery of Christ and how it changed a kingdom forever.
Content: Heavier on the violence side of things, especially towards the end of the series. But nothing worse than historical or marvel level violence.
I absolutely adored this retelling of Rumpelstiltskin! I
Recommend for YA and up! I took this one on a vacation and devoured the entire thing! I loved the premise and found it fresh and interesting!
I also love the flip of Rumpelstiltskin’s character and really enjoyed it!
This book was so intriguing with all of the super fun magical elements, mixed with intense politics and creatures like mermaids, magical animals and more!
Sweet and subtle romance!
I had the pleasure of beta reading this book years ago when it first came out and it still lives in my brain rent free. Anytime I see anything baked, it reminds me of Burndee and his escapades. This Cinderella retelling is retold from the perspective of the fairy Godfather sent to help her and he obviously isn’t in the mood to be bothered. LOL! Highly recommend as it’s a delightful, fairytale romp!
This book accompanied me on a summer trip and I read it on the beach and remember giggling and laughing over the exploits. With a star-crossed lovers trope and a delightful look at the underground world, if you enjoy magical creatures, humor, and love that can’t be, then you will enjoy this retelling of The Steadfast Tin Soldier!
This series is one of the most unique and epic that I have ever read! Cannot recommend the series enough! Wester fantasy retelling of Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table? Who would have thought this would make it to my favorites list. Totally bingeable and a series that I actually want to re-read, Emily Hayse has a way of world-building without the overwhelming exposition and the characters and world she created is beautiful! Great for guys and girls!
This book will live in my brain forever and I will take relish in reading it to my kids one day. This story is one that I wished had more attention. I found it wildly inspiring and have read it at least six times. The story has all of the medieval non-magical fantasy vibes you could ever want and the characters make me cry every dang time. I would pass this book out like candy if I could.
IF you love European culture, this rich landscape of Scottish heritage is a non-magical fantasy that reads like alternative history. It’s beautiful and beautiful in scale about a lost Scottish princess and the clans that rise to stand with her against the evil queen who has taken the throne.
Some heavier violence, but otherwise clean!
Vivid is a fantasy I probably would have never picked up on my own but ended up loving! The world building was AMAZING and not hard to follow at all (my struggle with intense fantasy) the slight Tomorrowland vibes added to the interesting premise and the plot twist had me reeling!
The romance is a little stronger in this one, but completely clean!
If you are looking for a fantasy book to give to your kids, specifically that your boys would be interested, I highly recommend Wolf Soldier! Teaching character qualities as it explores this fantasy world and the youngsters find themselves on a dangerous quest, this will definitely keep their interest! There is even an interactive adventure game that accompanies the book!
If sweet, clean romance is your thing, definitely check this one out! Three novellas are found in this collection and they were absolutely enjoyable and emotional! Highly recommend!
Books are linked to Amazon webpages for convenience!
