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Fans of Carmen Maria Machado will find in this debut novelist a new author to follow every bit as voraciously.
PREMIUM
The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King
Broadbent (The Serpent and the Wings of Night) ratchets up the action, treachery, and romance in the second installment of the “Crowns of Nyaxia” series. Perfect for fans of Rebecca Yarros’s romantasy or those who enjoyed K.A. Tucker’s “Fate & Flame” series.
PREMIUM
The Spellshop
Durst’s (The Bone Maker) cottagecore romantasy takes place on an island of fantastical creatures and people, with romances among found family and friends and illicit spellcasting adding a dash of suspense to the mix. An excellent match for fans looking to take a break from epic fantasy for some feel-good humor and happiness.
This sometimes unsettling yet consistently delightful fairy tale feels like a marriage of the clever schemes of Trip Galey’s A Market of Dreams and Destiny and the metaphors of Kelly Barnhill’s The Crane Husband.
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Rumor Has It
The third outing for this alien crew is filled with action, high emotions, and hijinks.
PREMIUM
She Who Knows: Firespitter
Readers who fell hard for Okorafor’s award-winning Who Fears Death (recently optioned by HBO, with George R.R. Martin at the helm) will be thrilled to read this novel that dives deeply into the backstory of one of the fundamental but mysterious characters in that tale. Those who enjoyed Shadow Speaker will find a story with a similar form but featuring a much-deadlier young woman who defies the rules that are intended to reduce and confine her gifts and her spirit.
Nail-biting suspense makes for an engaging and compulsively readable intro to yet another ambitious series from this writing team.
Readers will find this an absolutely immersive pleasure to read. Shaffer delivers an unforgettable and nostalgic experience, especially for fans of “The Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis or fairy-tale retellings.
Though the unlikable protagonist may discourage some readers, Buchanan’s novel echoes with alluring nostalgia that’s sure to ensnare others to the very end.
PREMIUM
The Crimson Crown
Walter’s (Misrule) adoration of the villains in fairy tales once again comes to life in a queer backstory for the witch queen from “Snow White.” Her prose compels readers’ empathy as she builds the richly complex story of a young woman looking to save the one she loves most.
Readers looking for a wild romp of a sci-fi caper story, complete with long games, big plans, wild heists, and epically flirtatious banter, are going to fall in love with Ada Lamarr every bit as much as Agent Rian White does in this first of a projected trilogy from Revis (Museum of Magic). Perfect for fans of Valerie Valdes and Constance Fay.
PREMIUM
Swordcrossed
Marske’s (A Power Unbound) latest may seem low-stakes, but the romantic tropes are delightful, the worldbuilding is vivid, and the cast of characters all lend a hand in creating a cozy fantasy with heat and heart.
Fans of Carmen Maria Machado will find in this debut novelist a new author to follow every bit as voraciously.
There’s plenty to savor in this first book in the “Tides of Magic” trilogy for fans of Patrick O’Brian’s “Aubrey/Maturin” novels, readers seeking a new fantasy to fill the void left by the end of Naomi Novik’s “Temeraire” series, lovers of Our Flag Means Death, those looking for a less-cozy take on Rebecca Thorne’s Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea, and anyone who’d like to rehash the Napoleonic Wars with a compelling narrative, great characters, swashbuckling derring-do, and epic, heartbreaking betrayals.
PREMIUM
A Song of Ash and Moonlight
The characters could be further developed, but Legrand has created a lush and atmospheric world in which magic and peril are all around, immersing readers at every turn. Fans of Sarah J. Maas might enjoy this series.
PREMIUM
Between Dragons and Their Wrath
Madson’s (We Dream of Gods) skillful prose weaves a story of political intrigue, personal connections, and dragons. Readers will want to know where the protagonists’ destinies lead them after this first in a projected trilogy.
PREMIUM
The Dissonance
A great pick for fans of Stephen King’s It, only with a more fantastical and angsty edge.
PREMIUM
Blood of the Old Kings
Readers will crave further works from Kim after reading his English-language debut, the first in a trilogy. While waiting for the next installment, suggest Robert Jackson Bennett’s The Tainted Cup, Shannon Chakraborty’s The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi, and Naomi Novik’s A Deadly Education for a similar experience.
Hur’s thought-provoking novel will appeal to readers who love gripping metaphysical science fiction, such as Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Children of Memory or Robert J. Sawyer’s Calculating God.
This sometimes unsettling yet consistently delightful fairy tale feels like a marriage of the clever schemes of Trip Galey’s A Market of Dreams and Destiny and the metaphors of Kelly Barnhill’s The Crane Husband.
PREMIUM
Glass Houses
Ashby (ReV) has created an eerily familiar future world and characters who are both sympathetic and horrific. Give to fans of Patricia Highsmith and Naomi Alderman.
PREMIUM
A Song To Drown Rivers
YA author Liang’s (I Hope This Doesn’t Find You) adult debut will appeal to those who enjoy retellings blending history and myth.
PREMIUM
This World Is Not Yours
Readers will find themselves thrilled and chilled by this planet-based monster tale from Ashing-Giwa (The Splinter in the Sky) that will appeal to readers who like sci-fi horror, such as Ghost Station by S.A. Barnes and the creepiest parts of Cassandra Khaw’s eldritch worldbuilding.
Marked by Harkness’s deft evocations and appreciation of learning, this is a book to treasure. The portentous ending, rife with new story threads and threats, will leave readers hoping that she doesn’t wait another six years to continue the series.
A must-listen for fans of folklore and fantasy with an Eastern European bent. Tense and captivating.
PREMIUM
Mothtown
Mournful meets ominous in this genre-bender, perfect for fans of gothic surrealism or the New Weird and narrated with compelling intimacy.★
PREMIUM
The Book of Doors
A complex, deftly plotted novel full of brutal violence and great joy, the bonds of friendship, and unique magic. Highly recommended.
A collection of entertaining, thought-provoking speculative fiction that will send listeners searching for Talabi’s other works.
PREMIUM
After World
An unconventional postapocalyptic story recommended for fans of Brandon Ying Kit Boey’s Karma of the Sun and Nick Fuller Googins’s The Great Transition.
The combination of a riveting story and excellent audio narration makes this a must-have for most libraries.
A genius collection of enticing tales, sure to create more fans for both the author and the narrator.
This novel is made for fans of character-driven ecofiction like Lee Mandelo’s Feed Them Silence and Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower.
PREMIUM
Lady Macbeth
Reid (Juniper & Thorn) takes some interesting liberties with this renowned Shakespeare character, and centering her retelling on a woman’s point of view will draw interest. The novel’s fantastical elements, like the witches, are exciting, and the multilingual prose is historically compelling.
PREMIUM
Those Beyond the Wall
This thrilling sequel exploring justice and change would enhance any audio sci-fi collection.
PREMIUM
River Mumma
A fast-paced tale that draws from Jamaican folklore and Canadian pop culture. Recommended for listeners seeking a layered story that interweaves past, present, and future.
PREMIUM
Remedial Magic
Although this audio requires an attentive ear, unanswered questions and a shocking cliffhanger may entice romantasy fans to seek out the sequel.
PREMIUM
Consort of Fire
Solid fantasy worldbuilding alternates with a steamy, polyamorous romance plot.
PREMIUM
The Book of Love
An immersive tale of death, love, and magic, perfect for fans of twisty, mysterious fantasy. Recommended for those who enjoyed Diane Setterfield’s Once Upon a River.
PREMIUM
The Tainted Cup
Though the performance isn’t as subtle as the clues, this lengthy audiobook entertains.
The perfect listen for fans of tragicomedy, the movie Barbie, and those seeking their next techno-dystopian universe. A must-listen.
PREMIUM
Mourning Glory
With its captivating blend of family dynamics and supernatural peril, listeners are in for a thrilling ride. Turpin’s skillful narration elevates the storytelling, ensuring an enthralling experience from beginning to end.
PREMIUM
Faebound
Recommend to fans of YA crossover romantic fantasy, including those searching for inclusive books by people of color.
PREMIUM
Fathomfolk
Listeners interested in folklore and fantasy will be absorbed by Chan’s strong debut and her enchanting city of Tiankawi.
PREMIUM
Three Kinds of Lucky
Listeners ready for the next wave of urban fantasy will enjoy this series starter.
PREMIUM
The Frame-Up
An extraordinary premise with an average delivery. Recommended for existing Bond fans or die-hard fantasy crime lovers.
PREMIUM
Moon of the Turning Leaves
A riveting survival story set in a bleak future. Suggest to fans of Eric Barnes and James Kunstler Howard.
PREMIUM
Past Crimes
This critique of social media culture and the widespread obsession with true crime is recommended for fans of sci-fi/thriller hybrids. Share with readers of Blake Crouch, Nick Harkaway, and Daniel Burke.
Chelsea Iversen writes a historical fantasy featuring a magical garden in London, while Alex White continues their queer space opera trilogy about a band of musicians trying to save humanity from an army of giant space robots; plus a list of forthcoming series titles.
PREMIUM
Black Shield Maiden
This debut from singer/songwriter/activist Smith and screenwriter Hendel is recommended for readers of alternate and fantasy history in which women seize power and hold it in spite of the forces arrayed against them.
Highly recommended for readers of fantasy mysteries, fans of Elsa Hart’s Jade Dragon Mountain, and anyone who enjoys stories of unreliable narrators where magic is hidden in plain sight. Choo’s (The Night Tiger) latest is magical, lyrical, and utterly compelling.
Readers of SF mysteries inflected with sapphic romance and political or corporate shenanigans may enjoy these two titles.
Multiple series starters, set in magical realms and faerie kingdoms, join the second in "The Lost Bride Trilogy" from Nora Roberts.
PREMIUM
L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, Vol. 40: The Best New SF & Fantasy of the Year
The latest entry in this annual series has something for every SF and fantasy reader, from the blackness of space to the power of magic and all of the places and planes in between.
PREMIUM
The Witchstone
Neff’s rollicking fantasy novel is a hilarious delight, filled with fun twists and turns and a demon to root for.
PREMIUM
Yoke of Stars
Lemberg once again (after Geometries of Belonging) draws readers into their storyverse, playing with names, identities, and language itself. Alternating points of view show how separate paths can come together in more ways than one, highlighting the deeper connection of people, no matter their background.
PREMIUM
Haunt Sweet Home
Pinsker’s (Lost Places) evocative prose turns an amusing reality-show backdrop into a haunting story of hiding from (and discovering) oneself.
PREMIUM
Blackheart Man
Much like the Blackheart Man of legend, readers will be swallowed whole by this novel and reemerge completely changed.
Fans of Penelope’s The Monsters We Defy will be thrilled, while readers of The Deep by Rivers Solomon, In the Shadow of the Fall by Tobi Ogundiran, and The Ballad of Perilous Graves by Alex Jennings will find another novel that sings of hope and magic.
PREMIUM
Navola
For readers who enjoy fantasy full of political and family intrigue, such as A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, and for those who like coming-of-age stories focusing on a young man’s battles, such as The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.
PREMIUM
The Sky on Fire
Lyons’s (The Discord of Gods) latest will add to the dragon frenzy while also appealing to readers who enjoy heist stories and action-packed fantasy. Comparisons to Anne McCaffrey’s “Dragonriders of Pern” series are spot on.
PREMIUM
Navigational Entanglements
Readers of SF mysteries inflected with sapphic romance and political or corporate shenanigans, such as Lady Eve’s Last Con by Rebecca Fraimow and Station Eternity by Mur Lafferty, will become entangled in the latest from de Bodard (Fireheart Tiger).
The collaboration by Buckell (A Stranger in the Citadel) and debuter Klecha is tons of fun and full of geeky references and in-jokes. Will be catnip to readers who love this combination of military SF, alternate history, and fantasy.
PREMIUM
Lady Eve’s Last Con
Readers who have fallen hard for the recent run of SF caper mysteries, such as The Spare Man by Mary Robinette Kowal, Floating Hotel by Grace Curtis, and You Sexy Thing by Cat Rambo, will find similar thrills in this debut.
PREMIUM
These Deathless Shores
A gritty, immersive Peter Pan retelling with a Malaysian-inspired setting that flips the narrative on its head. Readers will enjoy the familiar tale in Low’s resonant prose.
YA author Kim’s (Last of the Talons) adult debut is an action-filled contemporary fantasy based in Korean mythology, featuring morally gray characters and a little heat.
PREMIUM
Unexploded Remnants
An ambitious debut that delivers high-stakes action sequences and intriguing characters.
This compelling mix of horror, found family, and intricate mythology will appeal to those who loved Winter Tide by Ruthanna Emrys and The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin.
YA author Kim’s adult debut is an action-filled contemporary fantasy based in Korean mythology, featuring morally gray characters and a little heat.
David Wellington has a follow-up to Paradise-1, and Julie Leong debuts with a cozy fantasy featuring a fortune teller and her found family. Carissa Broadbent and Tasha Suri headline new series titles.
PREMIUM
The Other Valley
Beautifully imagined speculative fiction. This stirring portrait of one woman’s determination to survive and right the wrongs of the past will resonate with fans of Caroline Hardaker’s Mothtown.
Adopting yet subtly subverting the prevalent imperialist biases of their day, these popular tales offer a diverting glimpse of the cultural ferment and ambivalence of late colonial Bengal.
Richly detailed worldbuilding and inspiration from the Persephone myth all lend to a layered, immersive storyline in Sangoyomi’s debut.
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo is the top holds title of the week. LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting to read this buzziest book.
PREMIUM
Dreadful
Silly but earnest, this cozy fantasy will appeal to fans of TJ Klune and Travis Baldree.
In Chandrasekera’s newest, the characters’ journey through fantastical worlds across millennia is reminiscent of This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone. Recommended for fans of ambitious speculative fiction that tackles systems of oppression in fresh ways.
Dragon, witches, and myths abound this month, and there's even a Pride and Prejudice retelling set in space.
Ranging from cozy to dangerous these romances set in fantasy worlds offer magical artifacts, swordsmen, pirates, and life-and-death choices.
Highly recommended for readers who can’t resist a story featuring brave knights, stalwart queens, and magic.
Saintcrow’s attention to detail and fantastical worldbuilding, inspired by Norse Viking legends and places, merits her series’ comparison to classic epic fantasies like J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” and Robert Jordan’s “Wheel of Time.”
PREMIUM
In Our Stars
Campbell asks powerful questions about the way social structures collapse and how the loudest voices take advantage, all in a pulse-pounding adventure about saving the world and staying one step ahead of the forces that would destroy it.
Readers who were caught up in the political shenanigans, hopeless battles, and pyrrhic victories of Brian McClellan’s In the Shadow of Lightning or Daniel Abraham’s Age of Ash will be enthralled, while those who like their grimdark fantasy to trip over into horror will find similarities between the characters of Galva and Alex Easton from T. Kingfisher’s What Feasts at Night.
PREMIUM
The Spice Gate
This is a sweeping, smart, and heartfelt tale that is perfect for readers who enjoy action-packed epic fantasy about family, survival, and the steadfast strength of the oppressed.
PREMIUM
Running Close to the Wind
Rowland (A Taste of Iron and Gold) dials up the humor, innuendo, and laugh-out-loud escapades in this pirate novel. Fans of the show Our Flag Means Death should definitely take a look.
PREMIUM
In the Shadow of the Fall
In Ogundiran’s (Jackal, Jackal) West African–based epic fantasy, the first in a duology, Ashâke learns the truths of her world and becomes a linchpin in the coming conflict between gods and godslayers. A sure hit for fans of Suyi Davies Okungbowa, Moses Ose Utomi, and N.K. Jemisin.
PREMIUM
We Speak Through the Mountain
Readers of hopepunk that asks difficult questions will find plenty to think about in Mohamed’s follow-up to The Annual Migration of Clouds.
This prequel to Her Majesty’s Royal Coven leans into the real history of Anne Boleyn and creates a delightful origin story for the series.
In Chandrasekera’s (The Saint of Bright Doors) newest, the characters’ journey through fantastical worlds across millennia is reminiscent of This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone. Recommended for fans of ambitious speculative fiction that tackles systems of oppression in fresh ways.
PREMIUM
Moonbound
The depth of ideas in Sloan’s excellent new book will entice readers who enjoyed James S.A. Corey’s “Expanse” series.
This fascinating debut nestles in the intersection between T. Kingfisher’s whimsicality and Premee Mohamed’s far-too-local old gods.
PREMIUM
Blood Jade
The follow-up to Ebony Gate continues to build a delightful world of family magic, Japanese culture and diaspora, and strong ties of loyalty and friendship.
Bannen brings readers back to Tanria (after The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy) in another charming romantasy full of humor and adventure.
PREMIUM
Treacle Walker
Garner’s latest evokes Pullman’s “His Dark Materials” trilogy with the joining of philosophy and childhood perspectives.
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