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PREMIUM
The Wolfe at the Door
Wolfe (1931–2019) has always been considered one of the most literary of SFF writers; though he hewed closely to genre tropes, he also sent them in directions no one had imagined. This collection picks up where 2009’s The Best of Gene Wolfe left off and will be appreciated most by readers and scholars of the author’s work.
Fans of Pratchett (The Shepherd’s Crown) will love questing through these stories for bits of Ankh-Morpork.
Although all of the stories here have been previously published, this is always a much anticipated collection, and readers of SF/F in short form will be glad to have so many standout stories, some already award-winners, in a single volume.
Full of political intrigue and impressive worldbuilding, Jacobs’s superb debut launches this space opera trilogy.
PREMIUM
Shards of Glass
Recommended for readers who have been caught up in the fantasy mystery trend, anyone looking for a way into Elantra without wading through its vast lore, and those who fell away from the series and are looking for a route back.
PREMIUM
The Star and the Strange Moon
Readers who love timeslip fiction and twisty, puzzling stories will appreciate the latest from Sayers (The Ladies of the Secret Circus).
SFF takes on well-known tales, including “Aladdin,” “Hansel and Gretel,” The Nutcracker, and Slavic folklore.
This prequel to Legends & Lattes is the perfect place for readers to start Baldree’s cozy fantasy series where folks band together for good, and evil is conquered through cleverness and friendship.
Hacker Eddie Dannin is a fantastic successor to Mammay’s (The Misfit Soldier) signature character, Carl Butler, as a blunt instrument who bowls over obstacles in the path of the truth and pushes the story forward at a thrilling clip. Highly recommended.
This prequel is the perfect place for readers to start Baldree’s cozy fantasy series where folks band together for good, and evil is conquered through cleverness and friendship.
This panoramic collection offers something for everyone, with sci-fi and fantasy stories that are both inventive and creative. A solid addition to any SFF collection and a delight for genre fans.
PREMIUM
Damsel
This unique twist on the damsel-in-distress story is sure to delight listeners. A perfect listen for fantasy and adventure lovers alike.
This cinematic production pulls listeners into a character study of grief and religious zeal while making the most of the audio medium.
Listeners will be over the moon with Hugo and Nebula Award winner Willis’s (Crosstalk) latest comedic gem, narrated by a voice actor at the top of her game.
Chang’s stellar performance and Darwin’s captivating story, mixing martial arts, dystopian science fiction, and fantasy, make for a top-notch listen. A thrilling series starter, highly recommended for fans of Pierce Brown’s “Red Rising” books.
PREMIUM
Wild Massive
Though listeners may occasionally need to take a breather from this thrilling roller-coaster ride of a novel, this audio adventure should appeal to fans of John Scalzi’s The Kaiju Preservation Society.
PREMIUM
The Judas Blossom
Romance, friendship, violence, and supernatural powers permeate the tale, making this a great option for fantasy fans and new listeners alike. The real-world historical context of Aryan’s novel adds depth and will have listeners eagerly awaiting the next installment in this planned trilogy.
PREMIUM
Dual Memory
Socially conscious near-future, science fiction for listeners interested in the politics of individuality.
PREMIUM
A Crown of Ivy and Glass
Rose’s skillful pacing and character portraits will draw listeners into Legrand’s first installment in a planned trilogy. A suspenseful fantasy romance for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout.
PREMIUM
The Book That Wouldn’t Burn
While the hefty run time may discourage some listeners, this should be a winner for bibliophiles and fans of intricate worldbuilding and mystery. For those who enjoyed Erin Morgenstern’s The Starless Sea.
PREMIUM
The Nameless Restaurant
Listeners will be hungry for more of this charming series, which caters to fantasy fans and food lovers alike. Great for those who enjoyed Travis Baldree’s Legends & Lattes or Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s “Before the Coffee Gets Cold” series.
PREMIUM
The Deep Sky
Interstellar explosions don’t diminish the inclusive and human tone of this novel, which is perfect for fans of To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers.
PREMIUM
The Carnivale of Curiosities
For listeners who enjoy magic, the supernatural, and explorations of found families. Share with fans of Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus or Constance Sayers’s The Ladies of the Secret Circus.
PREMIUM
Counterweight
A convoluted and intriguing story that asks big questions and delivers big action. For cyberpunk and hard-core science fiction fans.
PREMIUM
The Splinter in the Sky
A standout addition to the growing genre of anticolonialist, political SFF dramas.
PREMIUM
Feed Them Silence
This intriguing novella is perfect for those audiences who love ethical quandaries touched with a bit of science fiction. Though short, the story will stick with listeners long after the end.
PREMIUM
The Thick and the Lean
A satisfying ending makes up for the imbalanced performances in this packed but intriguing narrative.
An action-packed space opera that traverses the galaxy and considers issues of intolerance, homophobia, ableism, and misogyny. Perfect for fans of Ann Leckie and Tamsyn Muir.
PREMIUM
Titanium Noir
A winner for readers of Philip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?? and Richard K. Morgan’s Altered Carbon. Highly recommended for libraries with strong mystery and science fiction fan bases.
PREMIUM
Camp Zero
A fast-paced, timely sci-fi novel for fans of Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven or Sam J. Miller’s Blackfish City.
PREMIUM
A Thousand Recipes for Revenge
Strong women characters and an innovative magic system make for a highly recommended listen.
PREMIUM
Ascension
A fun and fast-paced thriller that climbs high and more or less reaches the summit. Recommended for fans of speculative fiction and cinematic sci-fi-horror.
PREMIUM
The Magician’s Daughter
A surprising, heartwarming, and moving fantasy that should appeal to fans of Diana Wynne Jones, Naomi Novik, and Katherine Arden.
PREMIUM
The Basilisk Throne
Ideal for Game of Thrones fans looking for high-seas swashbuckling intermingled with political backstabbing.
PREMIUM
The Ferryman
Detailed worldbuilding, a failing civilization, and the hope of humanity make for an engrossing listen.
PREMIUM
The Scourge Between Stars
An exciting listen with a dramatic ending that will leave audiences breathlessly awaiting a sequel. Share with those who prefer their science fiction with a tinge of horror.
PREMIUM
The Bone Roots
This Slavic-inspired fantasy from Houston (The Second Bell) will appeal to readers who enjoyed Naomi Novik’s Spinning Silver but want to see older women characters experience love and magic too.
PREMIUM
All the Hidden Paths
The follow-up to A Strange and Stubborn Endurance continues to grow the richly immersive landscape of these fantasy lands, and the character growth matches the pace.
PREMIUM
The Jinn-Bot of Shantiport
Between Moku’s endearing charm and Bador’s expressive eyemojis and heroic ambitions, including winning a bot martial arts tournament, the bots steal the show in Basu’s (The City Inside) fantastic, futuristic take on the “Aladdin” story.
Full of political intrigue and impressive worldbuilding, Jacobs’s superb debut launches this space opera trilogy.
PREMIUM
System Collapse
Recommended for Murderbot’s legion of fans and for readers who love cynical antiheroes of all types.
In this stand-alone novel, Johansen (“Queen of the Tearling” series) writes a beautifully twisted version of The Nutcracker, exploring the nature of revenge and its costs in horror-tinged fantasy. Recommend to fans of V.E. Schwab and Hannah Whitten.
Turnbull continues to use his deft prose to tie themes of hate, social change, and backlash into an enthralling fantasy series in this sequel to the much-lauded No Gods, No Monsters.
PREMIUM
Princess of Dune
This is a worthy new addition to the Dune universe, after The Heir of Caladan, filled with all of the best parts of Dune: the political scheming, the mutant space navigators, and the mystery and menace of the desert.
PREMIUM
After the Forest
Recommended for fans of fantasy romance or fairy tale retellings with historical fiction woven in.
PREMIUM
The Witch’s Lens
A delicious foray into a new series that melds history with the supernatural, from the author of The Raven Song. Smith’s fans, as well as new readers, will delight in the heady mixture of historical fiction, fantasy, and horror.
PREMIUM
An Inheritance of Magic
Readers looking for a new take on urban fantasy, those who enjoy coming-of-age or training stories, and anyone who likes watching the rich fall will be delighted.
PREMIUM
A Power Unbound
The final book of Marske’s “The Last Binding” series, after A Restless Truth, is a satisfying conclusion to a charming, queer historical fantasy trilogy.
PREMIUM
The Quiet Room
Readers who loved the first book in the series, Rabbits, will be caught up in the wild goose chase aspects of this technothriller, but those looking for more straightforward storytelling may be less than thrilled.
PREMIUM
Sword Catcher
A luscious story about fierce loyalty, powerful friendship, illusory love, and a unique brand of heroism.
PREMIUM
Yours for the Taking
Korn’s (Everybody (Else) Is Perfect) timely fiction debut indicts exclusionary corporate feminism.
Recommended for readers who love stories guaranteed to send a frisson of wonder or fear, or both, up their spines.
Guanzon brings a fresh voice and vivid world into the fantasy landscape, and this story will be incredibly popular. Readers will look forward to the next book in this new trilogy.
PREMIUM
Don’t Spit in the Wind
Delightfully sinister and gleefully borrowing from its apocalyptic forbears, this is a fatalistic fever dream.
PREMIUM
The Court of Shadows
Fantasy fans who like their speculative fiction filled with vampyre aristocrats and plenty of twists along the way will enjoy taking a bite out of this series starter.
While those on Earth continue to contemplate whether life exists elsewhere, there are definitely aliens inhabiting library bookshelves. Gather up these riveting space operas and stories of first contact for an out-of-this-world display.
In these fantasy novels, hexologists track down a blackmailer, an auditor of magic investigates a dangerous ritual, and a 15-year-old ghostalker is caught in a locked-castle mystery.
PREMIUM
Saevus Corax Deals with the Dead
This satirical, tongue-in-cheek humorous first book in a trilogy is outlined in first person by the unreliable narration of Corax as he journeys and comments on the various events that happen to him. Readers who like Peter David, A. Lee Martinez, or the Guardians of the Galaxy movies will find this title right up their alley with similar tones, fantastical plots, and over-the-top characters.
Khaw and Kadrey create an excellent grim and gory tale that levels up urban fantasy in this series launch.
Iversen’s debut may appeal to fans of The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow and For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten, but unfortunately, this take on the village witch hunt doesn’t have the same depth of character or engaging conflicts.
PREMIUM
A Stranger in the Citadel
In World Fantasy Award winner Buckell’s (The Trove) latest, Lilith undergoes a journey from innocence to terrible experience. Recommended for readers who enjoy stories that reveal in layers and any who liked the postapocalyptic, flawed reconstruction of knowledge in The Starless Crown by James Rollins.
PREMIUM
All the Dead Shall Weep
Magic meets the American West in the fifth installment of Harris’s delightful “Gunnie Rose” series, after The Serpent in Heaven.
PREMIUM
Traitor of Redwinter
The second “Redwinter Chronicles” book, after Daughter of Redwinter, is filled with action, suspense, and magic. There are no altruistic characters here, making this a nuanced, complex story that will keep readers engaged.
Expertly told through a series of journal entries, emails, texts, and excerpts from Tobin’s novel, Frey’s (The Future Is Yours) book weaves a gripping, suspenseful narrative that flows well, even in this unique format. A blend of thriller and fantasy that’s perfect for fans of TV’s Stranger Things.
A funny, lighthearted read recommended for those who love a retelling with a dash of magic and a witty heroine.
Highly recommended for readers who love fantasies of talking, thinking animals but have had the misfortune to outgrow the “Redwall” series.
PREMIUM
The Never Wars
Pedreira’s (Gunpowder Moon) newest is recommended for lovers of thoughtful military science fiction and space operas that root hard for the underdog.
PREMIUM
The Salvation Gambit
Skrutskie builds upon her success with the “Bloodright Trilogy,” delivering a space-opera thriller that pits humans against each other and against artificial intelligence, with an exciting plot that starts strong and only gets stronger.
Khaw (The Salt Grows Heavy) and Kadrey (King Bullet) create an excellent grim and gory tale that levels up urban fantasy in this series launch.
Guanzon brings a fresh voice and vivid world into the fantasy landscape, and this story will be incredibly popular. Readers will look forward to the next book in this new trilogy.
PREMIUM
The Death I Gave Him
This is a fantastic and innovative retelling. Highly recommended for adventurous readers.
PREMIUM
The Hexologists
This madcap thriller is recommended for readers who can’t resist the rising wave of fantasy mystery series.
PREMIUM
Godkiller
In this debut trilogy launch, already a best seller in the UK, Kaner provides a satisfying payoff, along with twists setting up a sequel with much higher stakes.
This third entry in the series, after Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments, takes Ropa out of her city and drops her into the deep end of the political pond far away from home. Readers won’t be able to resist following this compelling character every step of her fraught way. Highly recommended.
While it is possible to enjoy this book as a stand-alone, recurring emotional threads and connections to Tchaikovsky’s previous novels make this better experienced as part of a series. It’s difficult to imagine a follow-up novel, but listeners will hope for one anyway.
PREMIUM
Facial Justice
Equal parts George Orwell and Lewis Carroll, Hartley’s fanciful futurism reflects its author’s aristocratic anxieties, a witty, entertaining, and oddly affecting science fiction outlier.
The follow-up to Station Eternity is just as complex and engaging as its predecessor. Lafferty’s skill with dialogue and emotional arcs make the story equally character- and action-driven.
PREMIUM
Long Past Dues
Grimsby continues his awkward hero’s journey, complete with reluctant partners and magical mysteries in the second installment of “The Unorthodox Chronicles,” after Dead Man’s Hand. This well-paced urban fantasy is a delightful addition to the subgenre.
PREMIUM
Moonray: Mother’s Skin
While some science-fiction and fantasy fans might be frustrated by Graham’s (Rain Like Hammers) seemingly improvisational plotting and emphasis on worldbuilding over propulsive forward progress, fans of the more experimental fringes of either genre are likely to embrace this fascinatingly surreal, richly imagined cosmic odyssey.
Montellier emerges as a true visionary of the graphic-novel medium and the science-fiction genre in these captivating tales of human beings struggling to retain their dignity under repressive regimes.
PREMIUM
Mariko Between Worlds
Recommended for mature teens and adults, this title captures the rush of youth, where nights out have no repercussions and hangovers are tomorrow’s problem.
O’Keefe’s sequel to The Blighted Stars continues to masterfully play with genetic enhancement and reproducible physiology, corporate power, and alien life. An exciting science-fiction series that will make readers anxious for the final volume.
PREMIUM
The Art of Destiny
The sequel to The Art of Prophecy highlights the drive for personal purpose, no matter what one may believe. Chu’s delightful and immersive story pays tribute to martial arts and magic and is filled with enlightened and humorous dialogue.
Myths and legends unfold in these forthcoming science fiction and fantasy titles, based on Beowulf, an old Chinese tale, and Greek and Nigerian mythology.
PREMIUM
The Phoenix King
This is elegant and intelligent storytelling that starts out as conniving and treacherous intrigue and transforms into an exhilarating adventure without losing that touch of mystery. Perfect for fans of S.A. Chakraborty.
Readers of humorous fantasy; those who enjoy seeing superhero stories folded, twisted, and mutilated; and anyone wishing for a righteous villain lair surrounded by intelligent sharks are sure to love Scalzi’s latest, the SFF highlight from the July issue.
PREMIUM
Shield Maiden
Beowulf and mythology fans, especially young adults, will find this debut novel a fun read.
Parker-Chan’s sequel to She Who Became the Sun is a powerful historical fantasy filled with complex people and high stakes.
PREMIUM
Forged by Blood
Inspired by Nigerian mythology, Okosun begins “The Tainted Blood Duology” with a fast-paced adventure that fans of Rebecca Ross and Tomi Adeyemi will enjoy.
PREMIUM
The Circumference of the World
Readers who fell hard into the metafiction of The Night Ocean by Paul La Farge or the you-are-there gossip of Astounding by Alec Nevala-Lee will likely be as obsessed with this book as the characters are with Lode Stars.
Though all but one of these stories have been previously published, fans will appreciate finding them all in a single volume; readers new to Nix’s (The Sinister Booksellers of Bath) adult work will have a real treat on their hands.
PREMIUM
The Salt-Black Tree
Fans of the first book will find this ending compelling, but it doesn’t stand alone.
PREMIUM
The Witches of Bone Hill
A delightful addition to collections where Anne Rice’s “Lives of the Mayfair Witches” and other witch-centric supernatural series are highly circulated.
PREMIUM
Exadelic
Blending trending topics in emergent AI technologies and occult mysticism make for an intriguing premise, but Evans ultimately struggles to balance exposition and plot.
This collection should please Greek myth fans who want to approach familiar stories from a queer, feminist perspective. Recommended.
PREMIUM
The Queen of Days
Kelly (The Seventh Queen) writes a fantasy heist novel filled with interesting characters, a vivid world, and protagonists trying to find their way through.
Oh has written a stunning dystopian tale that contemplates the future of augmented reality, and who controls it, through a heartrending love story.
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