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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
A high fantasy that’s also cozy, the latest from Beagle (The Way Home; The Last Unicorn) is recommended for fans of Neil Gaiman’s Stardust and Travis Baldree’s Bookshops & Bonedust.
Fans of magical retellings will delight in Jane’s newfound powers in this blend of witchy gothic romance and supernatural cozy mystery. Share with listeners who enjoyed the similar setting and mystery in B.R. Myers’s A Dreadful Splendor.
An alluring exploration of relationships through a fantastical lens that may appeal to those who enjoyed Cassandra Khaw’s The Salt Grows Heavy or Kelly Barnhill’s The Crane Husband.
Check out these starred fantasy debuts about a Trans-Siberian luxury train, an underwater humanity, a department store that sells dreams, and a hotheaded hero with nothing to lose.
Naomi Novik visits favorite and new settings in a collection of short stories, while Chloe Gong, TJ Klune, J.M. Miro, and Ehigbor Okosun have sequels; plus forthcoming series titles.
A thoughtful and compelling story about one robot’s journey through their own version of Dante’s circles of hell, complete with all the other hells they’d rather never have imagined.
This previously self-published title by Woods (What Lurks Between the Fates) is highly recommended for those who delight in anti-heroes, carnal hate sex, and danger around every corner. Perfect for fans of Jennifer Armentrout, Carissa Broadbent, and anyone who loves the trend of romantasy in an academic setting like Rebecca Yarros’s “Empyrean” series.
Recommended for listeners seeking a lush LGBTQIA+ fantasy and those who enjoy excellent worldbuilding with sumptuous descriptions of fashion and food. Political thriller enthusiasts may also enjoy the tricky byzantine plotting.
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking an intense, exhilarating epic fantasy. Not suitable as a stand-alone; the series is slated to be a quintet, so resolution will be deferred. Recommended for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Terry Brooks.
Alderman’s The Power, which was recently made into a popular television series, continues to attract attention; libraries should expect high demand for this twisty and emotionally resonant vision of the future.
With a running time of fewer than four hours, this is perfect for short road trips. Recommend to faerie and folk tale fans who enjoyed Seanan McGuire’s “Wayward Children” series or Kell Woods’s After the Forest.
While some listeners might wish for more robust characterizations, this speculative look at the cost of capitalist feminism intrigues. For fans of Brey Willows’s Chosen.
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking an immersive, engaging sci-fi series with short, fast-paced installments; as a continuation of the Network Effect storyline, this is not ideal as a stand-alone. Recommended for fans of Ann Leckie, Andy Weir, and Iain Banks.
With notes of cosmic horror and fantasy, Rather’s haunting tale inscribes the struggles of people on the margins seeking stability while discovering their talents and self-worth.
Watt’s narration will leave listeners anticipating the next installment of Stephen’s story. Purchase for fans of Jacka’s works and where urban fantasy is popular.
This space romp will have listeners laughing at a robust cast and familiar workplace ridiculousness. Recommend not only for fans of “The Murderbot Diaries” series but for anyone who has dealt with inane corporate regulations.
A great listen for anyone who enjoyed Lev Grossman’s The Magicians or Seanan McGuire’s Every Heart a Doorway and who understands that the worlds next to ours may be filled with darkness.
With this quick but impactful listen, Edgar Award–winning Mosley offers existential musings about humanity’s purpose mixed with piercing commentary about societal ills.
Bentley’s expressive and entertaining narration provides a captivating look into the underground world of Cagmar and its inhabitants. Holmberg’s (Heir of Uncertain Magic) latest is a winner for fans of intricately plotted fantasy in the vein of Trent Jamieson’s The Stone Road.
Mohamed’s haunting novella will check the boxes for fans seeking horror, fantasy, and dystopian worlds. Recommended for fans of Mia V. Moss’s Mai Tais for the Lost and C.L. Polk’s Even Though I Knew the End.
Perhaps the most striking part of Turnbull’s novel is its relevance to the current political climate, making it the perfect choice for listeners who enjoy speculative fiction that bravely tackles real-world issues.
Fans of fairy tales with a grown-up spin and Rothfuss’s other works will enjoy this audiobook that requires a smaller time investment than most fantasy novels.
Kitasei (The Deep Sky) writes an emotional roller coaster of a space quest, highlighting friendship, family, and the ostracism of those believed to be different. The prose is as intimate as the universe is wide.
A surprisingly thoughtful and compelling story from Tchaikovsky (Lords of Uncreation) about one robot’s journey through their own version of Dante’s circles of hell, complete with all the other hells they’d rather never have imagined. Readers who love a good postapocalyptic hell ride, AI-centered adventures, and robot/human companion stories, such as A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers, will appreciate.
Readers will want to savor the delightful letters that make up this cozy fantasy set in academia and an underwater world. Recommend to fans of Malka Older’s “Mossa and Pleiti” series.
There’s never a dull moment in this instantly absorbing debut that offers effortless escapism. Perfect for fans of the “Mistborn” series by Brandon Sanderson.
Manibo (The Sleepless) pens a novel full of twists and turns, with broad appeal. Sci-fi, dystopian, and mystery fans will all find something to enjoy, while the posh setting and elite players give an unexpected air of palace intrigue that could rival Game of Thrones.
The sequel to Fforde’s Shades of Grey continues to flesh out the inflexible society of the Colortocracy and Eddie’s pursuit to discover the truths about his world. The satirical dystopian setting and memorable characters highlight Fforde’s skill with worldbuilding and dialogue.
Metaphysical and philosophical, this novella from Samatar (The White Mosque) combines space adventure with an examination of the carceral state, here set in academia, that will leave readers with much to think about. This will appeal to readers who were fascinated by the stultifying caste systems of Medusa Uploaded by Emily Devenport and Braking Day by Adam Oyebanji and the rot of academe in The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Older.
Roanhorse’s world of the Meridian (last seen in the series entry Fevered Star) is a powerful tale of gods, power, and the way people seek to claim both. The exquisite storytelling doesn’t release readers until the final page is turned.
Every single bit as much fun and adventurous as the author’s debut, this sequel offers a terrific enemies-to-lovers romance, an utterly stunning heel-turn betrayal, and a heartfelt story about blending found families and birth families and never assuming that what one sees is anything like the truth. Featuring a well-developed mercantile empire-type space opera setting, this is highly recommended for fans of the space romances of Valerie Valdes, K.B. Wagers, Rachel Bach, and Cat Rambo.
A partially submerged Nigeria and a world at the edge of apocalypse, being destroyed by climate disasters and corporate greed, are settings for these starred climate fiction novels.
This wildly surprising caper fantasy from Clark will keep readers on the edge of their seats working out who “dunit,” and how and why, as they explore the gritty underbelly of this world of living contracts, dead gods, and legal necromancy, reminiscent of Max Gladstone’s “Craft Sequence” and “Craft Wars” series. This will appeal to all lovers of urban fantasy.
Author Tieri (Multiversity: Harley Quinn Screws Up the DCU) and illustrator Miranda (We Live: Coming of Age) spin a thrilling adventure featuring the world-renowned King of the Monsters.