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Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab is the top holds title of the week. LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting to read this buzziest book.
Highly recommended; few writers can explore themes like colonization and cultural understanding with such heart and humor.
A must-read for fans of Naomi Novik, Olivie Blake, and Lev Grossman’s scholastic fantasies, with explorations of purpose, grief, and relationships that open the novel to a more universal audience.
With an incredibly unique magic system, interesting plotline, enemies-to-lovers romance, time-weaving, and an ending that will have readers begging for the next book in the series, Steven’s (Our Infinite Fates, writing as Laura Steven) adult debut is a must read for all fantasy romance readers.
Rodriguez makes an excellent debut with this captivating enemies-to-lovers romantasy full of tarot-based magic.
PREMIUM
By the Horns
Dixon writes a steamy whodunit with fleshed-out characters in a broadening fantasy world.
Full of fascinating myth and magic, heart-pounding action, and a tender and sexy romance, Rapier’s superb debut offers a delightful pirate romantasy, first in a duology.
PREMIUM
The Magician of Tiger Castle
Sachar writes an engaging story from a magician’s perspective that feels adjacent to a fairy tale.
Romantasy fans will fall as hard for this series as the heroes do for each other and will be just as agonized when this middle book ends on a hellish cliffhanger.
Jackson’s (A Dash of Salt and Pepper) new novel would fit beautifully on a display with Daniel O’Malley’s “Checquy Files” and S.A. Hunt’s “Malus Domestica” series.
This tale of thriving after abuse and finding renewed hope in love leaves readers with a brutal, yet achingly romantic story.
PREMIUM
A Resistance of Witches
Ryan debuts with this alt-Britain historical fantasy that is an enjoyable read.
PREMIUM
The Last Soul Among Wolves
Caruso successfully balances emotion and action throughout the novel, and the unique magical world, slow-burn sapphic romance, and intriguing characters will delight readers.
PREMIUM
Sycorax
This origin story for a long-villainized character will appeal to fans of other feminist retellings such as Madeline Miller’s Circe.
Betrayal and hidden agendas abound in Kova’s (A Dawn with the Wolf Knight) latest, keeping fans of do-or-die magical competitions turning the pages. Perfect for those who like Jennifer L. Armentrout and Rachel Gillig.
This is a feel-good hopepunk story that will appeal to readers of both robot and AI-centered science fiction and is highly recommended for those who loved novels such as Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Service Model and Aimee Ogden’s Emergent Properties, as well as hopepunk stories such as Naomi Kritzer’s “The Year Without Sunshine.”
A must-read for fans of Naomi Novik, Olivie Blake, and Lev Grossman’s scholastic fantasies, with explorations of purpose, grief, and relationships that open the novel to a more universal audience.
PREMIUM
A Tale of Mirth and Magic
Readers can expect a quick, whirlwind romance with well-paced, steamy scenes between Elikki and Barra in this cozy fantasy debut. Hand to those who enjoy found family, forced proximity, and a hero who falls first.
PREMIUM
Teo’s Durumi
A solid choice for fans of Firefly or other spacefaring adventures with a strong romance component.
While loosely connected to 2024’s The Book of Doors, Brown’s latest stands alone as its own story filled with fascinating characters and an atmospheric setting.
PREMIUM
The Formidable Miss Cassidy
This wonderfully quirky start of a series from Boey (The Messiah Virus) is Mary Poppins meets Supernatural and blends Victorian-era motifs with Asian mythology.
PREMIUM
The Memory Hunters
Tsai’s (Bitter Medicine) latest will appeal to readers who like their fantasy with a touch of SF and vice versa.
PREMIUM
Hemlock and Silver
Featuring a unique “Snow White” retelling with amusing dialogue, relatable and likable characters, and a strangely magical mirror world, Kingfisher’s (A Sorceress Comes To Call) latest is another engaging read.
PREMIUM
Human Rites
A satisfying ending to this trilogy, tying up loose ends with strong actions and emotional arcs.
Highly recommended for readers who enjoy a good time-travel story that explores all the paradoxes and anyone who loves Nghi Vo’s “Singing Hills Cycle.”
PREMIUM
The Damned King
Set against a kingdom teetering on the edge of ruin, Anderson’s novel races toward an explosive and unexpected ending that will leave readers stunned.
PREMIUM
The After Hours
Reminiscent of Audrey Niffenegger’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, Andersen’s debut time-traveling romp is recommended for those seeking a fantasy-lite narrative that packs an intriguing punch.
PREMIUM
An Instruction in Shadow
Watt continues to entertain with his performances, bringing listeners into Stephen’s world. As this is not a stand-alone novel, purchase where the first title of this urban fantasy series was popular.
PREMIUM
How To Steal a Galaxy
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking lively science fiction with Robin Hood flair. Recommended for fans of Constance Fay and Jack Campbell.
Tying up loose ends quickens the pace of Fawcett’s third Emily Wilde book (after Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands) but still offers the comforting message that solid field research backed by a good library and a bit of love always leads to victory.
PREMIUM
Water Moon
Kay’s performance of Yambao’s cozy yet thought-provoking fantasy invites listeners through the looking glass. While the journey is hard, valuable lessons wait patiently to be learned.
PREMIUM
A Conventional Boy
Strengthened by Emery’s nonchalant approach, Stross’s latest “Laundry Files” book (after Season of Skulls) blends weird horror and science fiction into a delightfully campy story that’s sure to please fans of Jodi Taylor’s “The Chronicles of Saint Mary’s” series or Ben Aaronovitch’s “Rivers of London” novels.
PREMIUM
Nether Station
Recommended for listeners seeking action-packed sci-fi that’s light on gore but full of adventure and suspense.
PREMIUM
What We Sacrifice for Magic
DeWerd’s coming-of-age story brims with charm as it underlines the value of sisterhood and the importance of allowing oneself to ask for help.
PREMIUM
Rewitched
A charming listen with a slow-burn romance, quirky and flawed characters, a little magic, and a cozy bookstore. Wood’s promising debut will have listeners eager for more.
Readers of Rebecca Thorne and Sarah Beth Durst will be charmed, and those new to indie author Penner will delight in this companionable reading experience, filled with laughter and solace.
PREMIUM
Pearl City
The final book of “The Phoenix Hoard” trilogy (after Blood Jade) reveals secrets, sacrifices, and the strength of actual and found families. Fans of action-filled fantasy will enjoy Vee and Bebelle’s series.
Recommended for fans of pulp fantasy, including series such as Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman’s time-tested “Dragonlance” and R.A. Salvatore’s “Legend of Drizzt.”
Rodrigo’s distinctive debut is an atmospheric historical fantasy with a strong heroine in a transporting Caribbean setting.
PREMIUM
Bee Speaker
Tchaikovsky is a sci-fi maestro known for a specific medieval-meets-futuristic mesh, combined with a sense of humor similar to Martha Wells and a message about the importance of caring for one’s neighbors, no matter their specific flavor of sentience.
Anders’s latest is a breathtaking work of magic, grief, and love. The vulnerable depiction of relationships and challenges within queer and trans communities is heart-wrenching but still reflects hope and optimism throughout.
PREMIUM
Kitemaster
Providing a cozier fantasy experience that’s both familiar and distinct, Hines’s latest is recommended for fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender and Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone.
PREMIUM
Wearing the Lion
Wiswell (Someone You Can Build a Nest In) offers a unique and delightful retelling of the mythology of Heracles, balancing both tragedy and emotional character arcs with humorous dialogue and interactions.
The first in the “Dearly Beloathed” duology is a wickedly humorous, slow-burn love story between two protagonists who epitomize the opposites-attract trope. It’s sure to delight readers of debut novelist Knightley’s popular fanfic and garner her a new audience.
Anders’s (The City in the Middle of the Night) latest is a breathtaking work of magic, grief, and love. The vulnerable depiction of relationships and challenges within queer and trans communities is heart-wrenching but still reflects hope and optimism throughout.
An unputdownable novel of family bonds and ordinary people fighting corporate greed, sure to appeal to fans of Carrie Vaughn’s Bannerless and Cory Doctorow’s Walkaway.
PREMIUM
Infinite Archive
Mallory’s third SF mystery outing (after Chaos Terminal) takes on murder and the future of the internet. The fast pace still leaves room for continuing character subplots and snappy dialogue.
Truelove’s (Crying Wolf) wild combination of pulp horror and classic sci-fi takes the best of both and makes something incredible out of “The Captain’s Log” chapter from Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Readers who enjoy SF horror, such as Cold Eternity by S.A. Barnes and The Scourge Between Stars by Ness Brown, will find this a delightfully creepy treat.
Filled with all Mandanna does so well, including lushly whimsical descriptions, engaging and charming dialogue, and gentle and sparkling romance, the book also has a melancholy edge.
PREMIUM
If Wishes Were Retail
Habershaw’s (The Far Far Better Thing) story begins as a bit of a fantasy farce and turns into something heartwarming and cozy.
PREMIUM
The Palace of Illusions
Miller’s (The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill) atmospheric writing creates a richly detailed historical fantasy that lets readers see The Nutcracker in a unique way.
McEwan’s follow-up to the “Glacian” trilogy is another unique romantasy that seamlessly blends genres while weaving interesting political and emotional elements, like class warfare and betrayal, into the story. It will resonate with readers who have enjoyed McEwan’s previous series and books such as Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games and Rebecca Ross’s Divine Rivals.
Highly recommended for readers searching for new myths and difficult truths and anyone who loves the combination of legend and fantasy similarly embodied in the works of Nnedi Okorafor and Tobi Ogundiran.
PREMIUM
The Mercy Makers
The novel’s intriguing plot twists will appeal to fans of Game of Thrones who crave that same epic, sprawling sense of story, betrayal, sex, and politics, but Gratton more closely examines the effects of imperialism. It’s a smart idea that could use a more refined execution.
PREMIUM
Volatile Memory
In Haddon’s (Reclaimed) latest, Murderbot meets Firefly in a Thelma & Louise–style, high-tech, thrill-a-minute hunt for freedom, justice, and revenge. In the novel’s world run by corporate hegemonies, the only way to freedom is to be the efficient worker-drone the companies require.
PREMIUM
The Improvisers
An exciting and energetic novel, melding magic, mystery, and even a touch of enemies-to-lovers romance. Glover’s fans and new listeners alike will be pleased.
PREMIUM
The West Wind
Listeners will get lost in Warwick’s finely described world. A fantasy centered on growth and sacrifice, recommended for those who enjoyed Katherine Arden’s The Bear and the Nightingale.
PREMIUM
Before We Forget Kindness
A feel-good, reflective novel offering a comforting take on grief, separation, and regret.
PREMIUM
The Deathless One
Hamm’s (Whispers of the Deep) first entry in a new romantasy trilogy offers an occasionally grim, romantic slow burn.
A grim, authentic exploration of death for those who appreciate mythology-infused fantasy, such as Samantha Sotto Yambao’s Water Moon or Joanne M. Harris’s Orfeia.
PREMIUM
The Two Lies of Faven Sythe
O’Keefe’s (The Bound Worlds) new space opera will appeal to readers who enjoy sci-fi that focuses on the protagonists’ growth and self-discovery.
PREMIUM
Engines of War
Brimming with conflict, rebellion, and the fusion of magic and machines, this immersive epic brings a richly detailed world to life. Great for fans of Miles Cameron and John Gwynne.
Lambert, pen name of Jeffe Kennedy (Reluctant Wizard), weaves a heart-wrenching tale of guilt and longing, with two star-crossed lovers finding much-needed absolution in each other, only to be forced apart once again. This captivating romantasy is a resounding delight and will leave readers dreaming of a sequel.
PREMIUM
The Enchanted Greenhouse
An entertaining cozy fantasy that stands alone but is connected to Durst’s 2024 novel The Spellshop. The detail-rich setting and fun characters will have readers dreaming of enchanting flowers and honey cake.
PREMIUM
The Glass Garden
Readers who love the space horror of S.A. Barnes or the planet-bound SF horror of Kemi Ashing-Giwa’s This World Is Not Yours will be instantly captured by Lévai’s (The Night Library of Sternendach) creepy lost-colony story with its chilling mystery.
PREMIUM
The Unmapping
For readers ready to blur the lines between science and magic, such as in Matt Haig’s fiction, and those interested in exploring the emotional impact of disaster.
Mare (coauthor of Big Name Fan) successfully blends speculative fiction with sapphic romance in this well-written multiverse love story.
As in previous years, this 41st collection in the series successfully showcases future voices representing the vast spectrum of the speculative fiction genre, from strange new worlds to grim and eldritch old ones, from the past to the future and oscillating in between.
PREMIUM
Bad Witches
Akumiah’s witchy fantasy debut introduces an intricate and intriguing world. Engaging characters and a cliffhanger ending will have listeners eager for more.
PREMIUM
The God and the Gwisin
This sequel to The God and the Gumiho brings a semblance of K-drama to the page with amusing side characters, good pacing, and mythological romance.
This is an utterly charming and absolutely delightful slow-burn romantasy, featuring a bumbling beta hero, a strong heroine, and an enemies-to-lovers romance that is sweet with heat. Romantasy readers will love this one.
PREMIUM
Realm of Thieves
Halle’s (The Royals Upstairs) first in a new action-packed, sexy thrill ride is perfect for fans of Rebecca Yarros and Jennifer L. Armentrout.
PREMIUM
Death on the Caldera
This debut novel takes Agatha Christie’s classic Murder on the Orient Express, sets it in a gas-lamp fantasy world of magic versus alchemical chemistry, and layers on desperate secrets and literal earthshaking lies into a breakneck fantasy/mystery thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
PREMIUM
In the Veins of the Drowning
Cassidy’s outstanding debut offers a slow-burning tender romance in a grim world that escalates to a bonfire before a cliffhanger ending.
Readers who loved the first book, and anyone who adores an antihero with a heart of gold and a brain filled with terrible one-liners is going to swoon over Dark Lord Davi’s surprising but well-earned happy ending.
PREMIUM
The Knight and the Moth
Gillig (Two Twisted Crowns) excels at creating an eerie world, rife with creepy legends and macabre creatures, sure to please any fan of gothic fantasy; it’s a perfect setting for the love-to-hate-you romance between Six and Myndacious. Excellent for fans of Deborah Harkness, Sarah A. Parker, or Leigh Bardugo.
Darkshire (Once Upon a Tome: The Misadventures of a Rare Bookseller) makes his fiction debut with this humorous fantasy novel that every library needs.
PREMIUM
The Nightshade God
The final volume of “The Nightshade Crown” trilogy (after The Hemlock Queen) is another opulent and romantic dark fantasy. With its fast pace, delicious love triangle, and high stakes, readers will devour this book.
Safrey (Against All Obstacles) offers a delightful feminist take on the continuing lives of protagonists after the traditional fairy tale has ended. Sharp characters and a twisting plot create an empowering and enchanting tale inspired by iconic princesses.
PREMIUM
Heir of Light
Fans of Sagara’s long-running “Chronicles of Elantra” epic fantasy series, especially those who began Robin’s journey in Shards of Glass, will be thrilled to see him through to the climactic finish of the “Academia Chronicles” duology. Robin’s quick and intensive introduction to the halls of power gives new readers a starting point for entry, while fans will enjoy experiencing it all again, including the old friends and new enemies that make this series such a rich and intricately woven fantasy tapestry.
Rousing seafaring adventure, combined with contemplative musings on life wrapped around a compelling romance make this a fascinating tale that is difficult to put down; the combination of dire ecological challenges and imaginative future discovery combine in this very engrossing read from Weed (A Field Guide to Murder & Fly Fishing).
In the third heartfelt entry of the delightful “Hart and Mercy” series (following The Undermining of Twyla and Frank), Bannen brings readers back to Eternity a decade after the events in the last installment to dive deeper into the mythology surrounding the old and new gods. Hand this romance/fantasy to readers who enjoy unconventional main characters, opposites-attract romances, and novels that explore complicated family relationships.
The latest entry in Bear’s “White Space” series (following Machine) showcases her smart and introspective command of space opera. Well-developed characters highlight not only the big ideas of artificial intelligence, xenophobia, and data preservation but family dynamics and scientific rivalries.
PREMIUM
Written on the Dark
In addition to being a profound meditation on history, identity, and the human condition, this novel stands as a testament to Kay’s unparalleled storytelling.
In Older’s latest series entry, the further exploration of the colony’s academic scene will delight readers of dark academia, and the mystery will enthrall those looking for more sci-fi/mystery blends, while Mossa and Pleiti’s relationship is a delight for sapphic romance readers.
Elliott’s (The Keeper’s Six) fantastic first in a new duology is filled with rich worldbuilding, political intrigue, and themes of class and family secrets. Readers will anxiously await the second book in the series, which arrives later this year.
PREMIUM
A Far Better Thing
With intricate character work and a seamless blend of history, literature, and imagination, this novel crafts a tale as vivid and textured as the classic that inspired it.
This is an utterly charming and absolutely delightful slow-burn romantasy, featuring a bumbling beta hero (much like in Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis), a strong heroine, and an enemies-to-lovers romance that is sweet with heat. Romantasy readers will love this one.
This utterly engrossing novel melds the fascinatingly unexpected alien environments of Sue Burke’s Semiosis or Wendy Wagner’s An Oath of Dogs seamlessly with the joy for science embedded in Andy Weir’s The Martian.
PREMIUM
The Nightward
The action is intense, and the critique of power dynamics is sharp, but it’s the emotional weight of the characters’ struggles that leaves a lasting impression. Fans of myth-infused fantasy and character-driven epics will find this an unforgettable listening experience.
Fans of Jungeun Yun’s Marigold Mind Laundry and Park Seolyeon’s A Magical Girl Retires must check this novel out.
PREMIUM
Circular Motion
A grimly compelling view of the future that imagines technological improvements in a fresh way; recommended for fans of stories about dystopian futures.
PREMIUM
Last Chance To Save the World
Those who love SF romantic mystery romps such as the space romances from Constance Fay and Valerie Valdes will be happy to go along for Revis’s ride.
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins is the top holds title of the week. LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting to read this buzziest book.
PREMIUM
The Crimson Crown
Walters’s (Misrule) slow-burn fantasy introduces a lush world and offers a captivating portrait of a young witch destined for villainy. Share with fans of fairy-tale retellings and those who enjoyed Marianne Gordon’s The Gilded Crown.
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