Maurice Broaddus

Maurice Broaddus is an American speculative fiction author known for blending elements of urban fantasy, horror, and Afrofuturism in his work. His writing frequently explores themes of faith, community, and social justice. The Buffalo Soldier (2010) and Knights of Breton Court trilogy established his early career, with the latter reimagining Arthurian legends in contemporary Indianapolis. His novella Buffalo Soldier earned acclaim for its alternate history narrative set in a steampunk American Civil War era. Broaddus's middle grade novels, including The Usual Suspects and Unfadeable, have garnered recognition for their authentic portrayal of young urban protagonists. His short fiction has appeared in numerous anthologies and magazines including Lightspeed, Weird Tales, and Uncanny Magazine. Beyond writing, Broaddus works as a community organizer and teacher in Indianapolis, where he runs writing programs and mentors emerging authors. He holds a B.S. in Biology from Purdue University and has taught at the Indiana Writers Center.

Readers appreciate Broaddus's authentic voice and his ability to blend social commentary with engaging storytelling. Many reviews highlight how his urban fantasy works feel grounded in real community experiences while incorporating supernatural elements. What readers liked: - Strong character development, especially in middle-grade works - Detailed world-building that reflects real urban environments - Integration of social issues without being preachy - Fresh takes on familiar fantasy tropes What readers disliked: - Some find pacing slow in earlier works - Knights of Breton Court series received feedback about uneven plot progression - Occasional criticism about complex narratives being hard to follow Ratings across platforms: - Goodreads: The Usual Suspects - 4.1/5 (500+ ratings) - Amazon: Unfadeable - 4.7/5 (100+ ratings) - Buffalo Soldier - 3.9/5 (Goodreads, 200+ ratings) "His characters feel like real kids from real neighborhoods" - Common review sentiment for his middle-grade books. "Brings fresh perspective to urban fantasy" - Frequent comment on adult works.

The Usual Suspects - A middle school student with behavioral issues must clear his name when electronics start disappearing from his school.

Pimp My Airship - An alternate history steampunk novel set in Indianapolis follows a poet who becomes entangled in political revolution.

Buffalo Soldier - In a post-collapse America, a former spy protects a young boy who may hold the key to saving civilization.

King Maker - A modern retelling of Arthurian legend set in Indianapolis's inner city with drug dealers and gang members.

King's Justice - The second book in the Knights of Breton Court series continues the urban fantasy adaptation of Arthurian mythology.

King's War - The conclusion of the Knights of Breton Court trilogy brings the urban Arthurian conflict to its climax.

Voices of the Martyrs - A collection combining African folklore with science fiction and fantasy elements.

Unfadeable - A teenage girl fights against gentrification in her Indianapolis neighborhood while running her own community garden.

Brotherhood of the Blade - A fantasy story following an order of warriors who protect their realm from supernatural threats.

N.K. Jemisin writes speculative fiction that blends urban fantasy with social commentary. Her works deal with power structures and systemic inequalities through the lens of magic and mythology.

Daniel José Older creates urban fantasy narratives centered on multicultural characters in city settings. His books incorporate themes of community and heritage while mixing supernatural elements with street-level storytelling.

Nnedi Okorafor crafts stories that merge African culture with science fiction and fantasy elements. Her work explores colonialism, tradition, and identity through genre-bending narratives.

P. Djèlí Clark writes alternate history and fantasy with settings based on non-Western cultures and mythologies. His stories examine power dynamics and social issues while incorporating steampunk and supernatural elements.

Victor LaValle produces horror-tinged fantasy that takes place in contemporary urban settings. His works address race, mental health, and family relationships within supernatural frameworks.