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This year’s investigation into the realms and labs of fantasy and science fiction reveals a genre with pure magnetic attraction, while genre blends—from romantasy to SF mystery to SFF horror—redefine what’s possible and rocket toward their day in the sun.
This momentous tour de force overtops existing works on robots by leaps and bounds, approaching the subject with a subtlety that allows readers to focus on the effects robots are sure to have in the future.
Appearances are deceiving in this fast-paced thriller, and the characters are introduced gradually so as not to overwhelm the outstanding series debut.
By day, Michael Nayak is Doctor/Major Nayak at DARPA (the United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency). He talks with LJ about his debut novel, Symbiote, his tenure at the South Pole, his writing inspiration, and the work of DARPA imagining the future.
GMA Book Club pick author Disha Bose offers a coming-of-age story about a woman who moves from Calcutta to Ireland, while Oprah’s Book Club author Wally Lamb returns with a novel about a young father in prison who finds kinship with the prison librarian.
LJ Best Booker Shokoofeh Azar has a new book, Lambda Award winner Marisa Crane returns with a coming-of-age novel, and Scotiabank Giller Prize winner Madeleine Thien offers a story that leaps across centuries; plus five debuts to note.
Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage is the top holds title of the week. LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting to read this buzziest book.
A satisfying and dramatic conclusion to Mosse’s centuries-spanning family saga. The detailed, woman-centric series showcases her talents as a storyteller and is both well-considered and well-written. Devoted Joubert fans will adore the finale, but new readers can also enjoy the novel, which works as a stand-alone.
Short (a.k.a. “Ruby Vaughn Mysteries” author Jess Armstrong) masters the descriptions of the fierce winter lake in an atmospheric suspense novel of murder, gangsters, and desperation.
With its fast-paced intriguing prose, this story filled with complicated family dynamics à la Saltburn or Succession, coupled with the isolation of a Ruth Ware novel or Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, will appeal to mystery/thriller lovers.
Blue Bloods fans will delight as Wade delivers a complicated police drama of the Don Winslow variety, written in the neo-noir style of Robert B. Parker’s Spenser books.
The author of The End of the Road introduces a determined, innovative courier in the vein of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher or James Byrne’s Dez Limerick. Appearances are deceiving in this fast-paced thriller, and the characters are introduced gradually so as not to overwhelm the outstanding series debut.
Pages fly by as secrets rise to the surface, and the engrossing premise keeps readers speculating. This debut builds alluring suspense into an exhilarating twist.
Readers will love Olson’s (The Reunion) trademark blend of romance and pop culture and the unique spin on the traditional third-act conflict, which ultimately leads to a satisfying conclusion.
Told from alternating points of view, with main characters who are autistic and living with a chronic illness, and featuring a large and supportive network of friends and family, this satisfying romance is a celebration of love, family, and inclusivity.
Readers who enjoyed Sally Thorne’s The Hating Game will love this charming enemies-to-lovers story, and it will be adored by anyone who’s passionate about their favorite book fandoms.
Randall (The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic) has created an appealing cozy magical world. This enemies-to-lovers romance has plenty of twists and secrets that build tension alongside the slow-burn of Calliope and Lucien’s relationship. Hand to fans of Sangu Mandanna and Sarah Hawley.
Originally self-published and now traditionally published with bonus content, Bishop’s (“Lost & Found” series) scorching hot, smart, hilarious, and touching novel is highly recommended for all collections.
Naymon’s sparkling, propulsive writing, well-drawn secondary characters, and believable conflicts make this perfect blend of sweet and sexy a must-read debut. Perfect for fans of Jessica Joyce.
With a young naive heroine and big plot twists, Jones (“Ambeth Chronicles” series) writes a drama-filled take on vampires in the modern world that will hold most appeal for readers of YA and new adult romance.
Buchanan’s debut hits all of the right notes, leading up to a sweet and satisfying ending for Ben and Juliana. This twist on the enemies-to-lovers trope that also sensitively explores dating while grieving is perfect for fans of workplace romances.
Mackenzie’s debut is a rewarding, banter-filled enemies-to-lovers rom-com that checks every box with a cozy cast of supporting characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and two main characters readers will care about.
Khabra’s skillful portrayal of her characters’ personal struggles and their growing bond makes for an engaging read that goes beyond the typical sports romance formula. Thanks to its well-paced narrative and ample steamy moments, readers will find themselves engrossed in this hockey-meets-ballet romance.
A fake relationship becomes a real second chance at love in YA author Winters’s adult debut that delivers a thoughtful message amid steamy scenes and tropey plot twists.
A stunning book by Bastone (Ready or Not), who delivers another slow-burn and emotional romance that doesn’t shy away from also exploring life’s hardest moments. Recommended for readers who also enjoy Abby Jimenez.
Noblin (Christmas at Corgi Cove) offers a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance, perfect for fans of small-town charmers and authors such as Sarah Adams.
Highly recommended for readers of sci-fi thrillers, cli-fi, and bioterrorism thrillers, and Tom Clancy fans who enjoy a bit of SF in their political thrillers.
The climactic final volume of the “Halfling Saga,” after A Vicious Game, is filled with high-stakes action, choices, and consequences. Romantasy fans should add this series to their reading list.
Originally self-published and now being released by a traditional publisher, this gripping sequel to Spark of the Everflame finds Diem trying to defeat the Descended out to see her fail. Readers will be clamoring for the next in the series after the cliffhanger ending.
This well-paced novel and satisfying fourth title in Kowal’s series, after The Relentless Moon, brings back familiar characters and continues to balance scientific details with character relationships.
Fans of Ocean’s Eight and Leverage will find this a delightful ode to team heists. The enemies-to-lovers trope, queer characters, and Hawaiian culture and language create a unique backdrop for a familiar plot line.
Fans of Outlander will appreciate Kuroki’s (“Black Diamond” series) treatment of a familiar story, while the Japanese setting, language, and culture sprinkled throughout are a fresh addition to the genre.
This momentous tour de force overtops existing works on robots by leaps and bounds, approaching the subject with a subtlety that allows readers to focus on the effects robots are sure to have in the future; a meditation on and an illustration of human and robot relationships in which it is difficult to distinguish between them.
Ludington’s thrilling debut is a time-travel caper wrapped around a slice of historical fiction, but the heart of this story is Rabbit’s desperation to fix the things and people that he broke even if he has to outrun shadowy criminal time-looters and shady government agencies looking for scapegoats, in the past and in the present.
Eames (The Secret Circus) offers a delightful modern fairy tale in which the heroine is determined to save herself. The atmospheric setting and layered plot will please fantasy readers.
Fracassi (Boys in the Valley) turns from horror to sci-fi in his latest. Recommended for fans of technothrillers and those looking for a different take on time travel.
While the historical facts could be more smoothly woven into the flow of the story, this bibliophilic novel will please fans of the bestselling historical novels that Murray coauthored with Marie Benedict (The Personal Librarian and The First Ladies).
This historical novel may be of interest to readers who enjoy fiction about theater and the United States at midcentury, especially if they prefer slow-moving stories with an emphasis on atmosphere and characterization. A good pick for fans of Patti Callahan Henry and Marie Benedict.
With empathy and insight, Allegri crafts a vividly realized historical novel that not only illuminates one of history’s saddest times but also illustrates the power of compassion and kindness to drive away the dark.
This novel leans heavily on its setting and will appeal to readers who gravitate toward dramatic relationship fiction, a sort of cross between Hanya Yanihariga’s A Little Life and the 1985 Brat Pack movie St. Elmo’s Fire.
This intriguing and engaging blend of real history and fiction includes well-rounded characters. General fiction readers will enjoy this recommended novel, and so will fans of French wine. A good pairing with the recent 2023 biopic Widow Clicquot directed by Thomas Napper.
The harsh reality of animal death, animal cruelty, and elimination of invasive species (i.e., killing one species to save another) depicted here might turn off those who are sensitive to these subjects, but readers who enjoy heavy topics and an intensifying slow-burn will enjoy this highly recommended novel.
Culturally sensitive and impressive storytelling resonates alongside disconcerting points of view of those claiming to help children. Recommended for fans of David Grann’s Killers of the Flower Moon.
This page-turner from bestselling Bohjalian (The Princess of Las Vegas) will not disappoint fans of American Civil War narratives. The vividly drawn characters and historical details make for a compelling read.
Each book in this series can be read as a stand-alone and will keep readers guessing at how beloved fairy tales might play out in the turbulent Texas of the 1880s. For fans of Western romances from authors such as Regina Jennings and Robin Lee Hatcher.
The first in the “Campus Sleuth Mysteries” series isn’t quite up to the quality of Gilbert’s “Blue Ridge Library” or “Hunter and Clewe” mysteries. However, fans of cozies set in the world of academia might enjoy.
The sequel to A Deadly Walk in Devon is an atmospheric mystery with delightful descriptions of the countryside in the Lake District. The story may appeal to fans of closed-house or Golden Age mysteries.
Kearsley (The Vanished Days) does a fantastic job of intertwining and bringing historical aspects to life within this fast-paced story. Highly recommended for romance and historical fiction readers.
Unfolding over the span of one night and set in the UK, this fun and nostalgic romance, rich in high school drama, will resonate with fans of the TV show Sex Education.
A delightful story of friendship, found family, and the knowledge that happiness may merely require a change in perspective. Fans of cozy magical realism, such as The Dallergut Dream Department Store by Miye Lee and Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, will love this.
Readers may get caught in the quirks of character identity and somewhat superficial romance in Codega’s debut, but the detailed worldbuilding and prose will inspire comparisons to Alix E. Harrow.
This English-language debut by an award-winning Korean novelist is great for speculative-fiction lovers fascinated by humanity’s depravity, but perhaps a pass for readers desiring a triumphant apocalyptic thrill ride.
Pueyo’s (A Study in Ugliness & outras histórias) novella is recommended for fans of dark fantasy and readers who wants to give monster romantasy a try.
While some readers may find the lack of familiar characters and events disappointing, and the ending too quick, most will enjoy a fresh retelling that takes some bold liberties with Homer’s text while still keeping the story recognizable to those who know it well.
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking a short, steamy celebrity/sports romance with Swift/Kelce vibes. Recommended for fans of Simone Soltani, Elena Armas, and Libby Hubscher.
Holton’s charm-, joke-. and wit-filled banter is brought to excellent realization through Knowelden’s pitch-perfect and perfectly timed reading. A pure delight.
A slow-burn horror that deftly explores class, race, politics, power, and gender. Recommended for fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Silver Nitrate and Zakiya Dalila Harris’s The Other Black Girl.
Contemporary romance readers and fans of Denise Williams and Kristina Forest will be rooting for these two to get their HEA from the very start. This engagingly narrated debut will make an excellent addition to any audio romance collection.
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking a complex thriller with a deeply unreliable narrator. Recommended for fans of A.J. Finn, Ruth Ware, and Lisa Jewell.
Halle’s latest royal-adjacent romance checks all the boxes, with plenty of steam, sweetness, seriousness, and fun. Fans of the author’s “Nordic Royals” series will be pleased.
This gorgeously narrated, woman-centered reimagining of a spectacularly gifted musician crackles with energy, emotion, and longing. Highly recommended.
This fast-paced thriller incorporating today’s headline news along with compelling family drama proves that the Coble-Acker partnership (What We Hide) will continue to produce hits. Recommend to fans of psychological thrillers such as Lies We Believe by Lisa Harris and Criss Cross by C.C. Warrens.
With witty banter, a crusade for social justice, and a not-so-cookie-cutter romance, this novel has a lot to love. Readers will want to binge the whole unique turn-of-the-century series.
Anticipating the historical fiction of Ivan Doig and Ken Kesey, Macleod vividly immerses the reader in the adolescent angst of one young man, and of a nation.
A clever marriage of the cold unease of Le Carré and the cozy charm of Christie, these highly addictive tales of intrigue will appeal to a wide range of readers; here’s hoping the duo’s other collection, Mr. Calder and Mr. Behrens, gets reprinted soon.
Updating the earnest spiritual fantasy of Charles Williams and C.S. Lewis, Blish conjures a startlingly effective hellscape worthy of Hieronymus Bosch.
Roth’s psychological insight and complex moral vision, deftly captured in David Le Vay’s graceful 1982 translation, are distilled in this pitiable, poetic tragedy, which proceeds with the grim logic and economy of a fairy tale.
Decades ahead of its time, this taboo-defying work of unproblematized queer Black identity is less successful as a novel than as a front-row seat to a momentous era, spent in the vibrant company of a truly original iconoclast.
With a pitch-perfect ear for inner and outer dialogue and a searching wit as hilarious as it is humane, Sheed illuminates the dingiest and most discomfiting corners of that curious home away from home known as the office.
LJ Andrews starts a new series set in a fantasy Viking world, Danielle Jensen returns with the second in a series, and debuts include the first in a Celtic-inspired duology and a cursed, shapeshifting prince.