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PREMIUM
The Splinter in the Sky
Ashing-Giwa’s debut will appeal to fans of A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine and those who enjoy a decisive protagonist who throws herself into the action.
PREMIUM
The Sun and the Void
Written with passion by an debut novelist born and raised in Venezuela; all of the hallmarks of an epic fantasy are here, but the story gets off to a slow start.
PREMIUM
Immortal Longings
Best-selling YA novelist Gong’s (Last Violent Call) adult epic-fantasy debut combines a plot of corrupt politics and rotting empires with the adrenaline rush of combat and intrigue and a romance that is literally for the ages, based on the tempestuous relationship in Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra. Lovers of Sarah J. Maas’s epic romantasy novels and the kickass fighting queens in Jennifer Estep’s “Gargoyle Queen” series won’t be able to turn these pages fast enough.
Terrific action sequences do not detract from the emotional arc that Kel follows as a war survivor. Valdes (Fault Tolerance) delivers with her epic worldbuilding and characterizations in this sharp and poignant novel.
PREMIUM
Gryphon in Light
This book begins a new trilogy within the Valdemar world. Readers who discovered or rediscovered Valdemar in Lackey’s recent Beyond will find enough links to the events of that origin story to see this later Valdemar as a new but still beloved place, as will regular readers of the series.
PREMIUM
The Saint of Bright Doors
Dreamlike and inventive, this unusual novel is a complicated read that ably pairs the mundane with the mystical.
PREMIUM
Contrarian
Recommended for readers of politically focused fantasy and those who enjoy seeing a good man fight the good fight, even if not with sharp-edged weapons.
Soria’s novel will grab readers right from the first page with her strong women characters and unexpected twists on a classic tale, as it alternates between the present and past, slowly revealing the real story and the depth of the characters. Fans of Marissa Meyer, Holly Black, and Rebecca Ross will enjoy this read.
PREMIUM
Cassiel’s Servant
While many parts of the story are familiar, Joscelin’s point of view will revitalize fans of the series and draw new readers to this lush epic fantasy. Libraries should prepare for requests for the original series.
PREMIUM
Counterweight
The first novel to be translated to English from South Korean author Djuna (whose identity remains a mystery), this quick-moving puzzle of an SF story is intriguing and fascinating as it imagines a future where humanity is intertwined with AI.
PREMIUM
The Weaver and the Witch Queen
Gornichec showcases her knowledge of Icelandic folklore and history, while her storytelling reveals the complex and engrossing lives and emotions of her characters.
This novel is a whole lot of fun. Fenra and her gang are both smart and smart-alecky, keeping themselves and readers going on a rising tide of witty banter and out-of-the-frying-pan-into-the-fire action. Highly recommended for those who like a little swash in their buckle and enjoy watching smart people save the day.
Strahan (The Book of Dragons) has compiled a delightful collection of original stories about an iconic fantasy archetype.
PREMIUM
Wildwood Magic
Full of women wielding the magic of the land, often through skills like beekeeping, sewing, or singing, Reece’s latest is an enchanting tale full of magical moments that also confronts the harm that hate and fear can inflict.
PREMIUM
A Second Chance for Yesterday
The first novel by siblings Rachel Hope Cleves (Unspeakable) and Aram Sinnreich (The Essential Guide to Intellectual Property) draws on their work as a historian and a futurist. Combining accessible prose, exciting action, and deeply philosophical issues, this book would be a win for any library catering to science-fiction readers.
A remarkable, uplifting story, as fans of Klune’s other outstanding works might expect. Purchase multiple copies and be prepared for many holds.
PREMIUM
The Stars Undying
An epic space opera perfect for listeners craving interstellar flare and political conflict interwoven with themes of immortality, personhood, and artificial intelligence.
PREMIUM
Nocturne
A lush and romantic story made all the more compelling by Wees’s evocative prose and Johnson’s graceful narration. Recommended for fans of Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus or Constance Sayers’s The Ladies of the Secret Circus.
This fable, rich in history, magic, and feminism, is a treat for fans of H.G. Parry’s The Magician’s Daughter. Recommended for general purchase.
PREMIUM
The Last Catastrophe: Stories
Fans of speculative fiction, The Twilight Zone, and Black Mirror should enjoy. Although listeners can relish this chilling and timely collection one story at a time, some may find that they can’t put this one down.
PREMIUM
Quantum Radio
Riddle’s intricate story and Porter’s masterful performance are a match made in heaven in this unputdownable thriller where science and history collide.
PREMIUM
Dark One: Forgotten
A fresh and fun listen perfect for fans of Courtney Summers’s Sadie. Podcast lovers, true-crime devotees, and Sanderson’s and Wells’s many fans will be enthralled.
PREMIUM
Chasm
Fans of the first book will enjoy this second adventurous fantasy novel with some romance.
PREMIUM
Devil’s Gun
Rambo’s follow-up to You Sexy Thing is another action-filled space opera with delightful characters and tasty dialogue.
PREMIUM
The Jasad Heir
An Egyptian-inspired fantasy with a sprawling narrative that will immerse patient readers in its complex world.
PREMIUM
Eventide, Water City
Recommended for those who love sci-fi thrillers and near-future postapocalyptic wild rides.
PREMIUM
The Judas Blossom
Aryan’s latest (after The Warrior) is perfect for those who enjoy dynamic historical fiction with a touch of magic, like the work of Guy Gavriel Kay.
A beguiling prince vanishes and Sleeping Beauty’s fairy godmother takes center stage in these mixed-up tales.
The SFF highlight from the May issue is a new novella that presents a future where artificial intelligences fight for equal rights and off-planet colonies agitate for independence, as seen through the eyes of the sarcastic, independent AI Scorn. Perfect for “Murderbot” fans.
Bear’s feminist reimagining of Greek myth allows Medusa’s forgotten fellow Gorgon sisters, Stheno and Euryale, to powerfully reclaim their voices and individuality. A must-read for Greek mythology fans seeking new depth in their tales and those who enjoyed Madeline Miller’s Circe or Pat Barker’s The Silence of the Girls.
PREMIUM
The Curse of Saints
Debut author Dramis’s new series has lots of potential, introducing an exciting world precariously balancing good versus evil magic in kingdoms ruled by ordinary humans.
A terrific entry point into this compelling, corrupt, dystopian world, with a story about the forging of unbreakable bonds set against harrowing adventure, heartrending choices, and traumatic consequences.
PREMIUM
A Thousand Recipes for Revenge
Cato’s (The Clockwork Crown) latest is an intriguing story filled with gods, magic, and enough culinary references to please any fan of epicurean magic.
This hard sci-fi thriller is full of cinematic and wild suspense and would be great for fans of Andy Weir, although the tone is far more austere.
PREMIUM
Charming
A delightfully twisted mash-up of fairy tales, filled with amusing dialogue and unusual character variations. Fans of Alix E. Harrow’s “Fractured Fables” series or Kevin Hearne and Delilah S. Dawson’s “The Tales of Pell” series will enjoy this story from Linwood (who wrote Bad Gods under the name Gaie Sebold).
PREMIUM
Prophet
Macdonald (H Is for Hawk) and Blaché’s fiction debut is a low-key sci-fi mystery that blends the genres into a fusion of something new. With a hard-to-pin-down genre, the novel will appeal to a wide variety of readers.
PREMIUM
The Book of Gems
Recommended for fans of moody aesthetic academia or fantasy mystery and anyone who enjoyed The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Older.
PREMIUM
Ebony Gate
The contemporary setting and unusual magical system create an intriguing beginning to this series from Vee and Bebelle, who also write the “Seattle Slayers” series together. Put this book in the hands of fans of Fonda Lee’s “Green Bone Saga.”
PREMIUM
Ethera Grave
The final book of “The Graven” trilogy, after Azura Ghost, digs deep into the multiverse, along with themes of genocide, utopian idealism, and autonomy.
PREMIUM
The Road to Roswell
Recommended for readers of humorous SF, especially those who loved the author’s previous lighthearted books, such as Bellwether and To Say Nothing of the Dog.
PREMIUM
The Legend of Charlie Fish
Rountree’s colorful palette brings together Western and fantasy elements to create a magical tale about the deep bonds forged by circumstance.
PREMIUM
Capture the Sun
Following Eclipse the Moon, the “Starlight’s Shadow” trilogy ends as it began: with strong female protagonists, an engaging science-fiction setting, and a sexy romance.
PREMIUM
Out of the Dawn
For fans of the previous book in this duology or those interested in postapocalyptic stories of women regaining their power. This could work as a stand-alone, as Cast effectively recaps key events from the previous novel.
PREMIUM
Queen Wallis
Recommended for readers of alternate history, especially those who loved the previous book in the series.
PREMIUM
Dark Water Daughter
This new series crosses genres and ages and is one that Long’s fans will love and new readers will embrace.
PREMIUM
Thick as Thieves
The follow-up to Among Thieves is an enjoyable heist fantasy in a rough landscape of magic and morally gray characters.
Highly recommended for anyone who loves to see fables fractured into new and different shapes, similar to Alix E. Harrow’s A Spindle Splintered.
A must-read for Greek mythology fans seeking new depth in their tales and those who enjoyed Madeline Miller’s Circe or Pat Barker’s The Silence of the Girls.
PREMIUM
VenCo
An inessential audio purchase, except where interest in Dimaline’s works is high. Listeners would be better served by Alix E. Harrow’s The Once and Future Witches or India Holton’s The League of Gentlewomen Witches.
Despite some flaws, listeners will be caught up in Chokshi’s haunting, sensual world. An excellent fit for fans of Diane Setterfield’s Once Upon a River or Kate Morton’s The Clockmaker’s Daughter.
Highly recommended for fans of “The Murderbot Diary” series by Martha Wells and SF mysteries in general, particularly John Scalzi’s Lock In.
PREMIUM
The Endless Vessel
Exploring the necessity of human connection with incredible depth, Soule serves up a delightful cocktail of dystopian and science fiction, with elements of historical fiction as a cherry on top. Recommended for, but not limited to, fans of Dan Brown’s “Robert Langdon” series and David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas.
PREMIUM
L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, Vol. 39: The Best New SF & Fantasy of the Year
This collection of winners will satisfy readers of SF, epic and urban fantasy, and the squishy places in between, where speculative fiction is mashed into brave new worlds and mixed-up old ones.
PREMIUM
SubOrbital 7
This is a tight military procedural for fans looking for something like Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan transported to space, with rockets flying, ruthless Russians scheming, and unvarnished trust in the American way.
PREMIUM
Darkly She Goes
In this fantasy tale, Mallié (Arsène Lupine, Gentleman Thief) and Hubert (Beauty) create an ethereal, shadow-strewn world where cruel pasts corrupt the present.
PREMIUM
A Sleight of Shadows
Howard offers another riveting foray into this magical world. Recommend to fans of Naomi Novik’s “Scholomance” series.
Bushnell (The Weirdness) seamlessly blends mystery, urban fantasy, and an exploration of gender identity into the kind of fun and fantastical ride that his readers have come to expect. Recommend to fans of TJ Klune and Kevin Wilson.
PREMIUM
The Infinite Miles
Fergesen’s debut will appeal to fans of Doctor Who who enjoy a little nostalgia paired with a reminder to not dwell too much on the past.
This is powerful storytelling at its finest, and the mind-blowing ending opens the series to so much more potential. Perfect for fans of Patrick Rothfuss and Anthony Ryan.
The duology’s conclusion (following In a Garden Burning Gold) is a raw, emotional journey of a family created and broken by the consequences of their actions.
PREMIUM
The Carnivale of Curiosities
This novel will appeal to those who deeply loved V.E. Schwab’s The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue or Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus, but may be a tough sell for others.
PREMIUM
On Earth as It Is on Television
Jane’s energetic and contemporary debut will appeal to fans of family-focused sci-fi like Mike Chen’s Light Years from Home.
With surprising depth and touching relationships, this debut packs a punch and sets up a fascinating foundation for the rest of the series. Great for fans of Will Wight.
PREMIUM
The Sword Defiant
This novel has the potential to become a fan-favorite among those who appreciate vast and eloquent epic fantasy. Readers will enjoy the unique twists, absorbing intrigue, and endearing characters.
This stand-alone epic fantasy from Tchaikovsky (Children of Memory) is highly recommended for lovers of big sprawling sagas who don’t want to wait years for a climactic conclusion.
While still full of action and intrigue, Blair’s fantastic second book in the gripping “Halfling Saga” gives space for more introspection as Keera searches for answers about her family and her magical abilities and realizes that she’ll need to rely on others to achieve freedom for herself and all of the Halflings.
PREMIUM
Titanium Noir
Harkaway (Gnomon) combines a satisfying mystery with a thought-provoking science-fictional setting and just the right touch of heartbreak to make for a compelling read. Recommended for those who enjoy reading SF/mystery blends such as The Spare Man by Mary Robinette Kowal, Station Eternity by Mur Lafferty, and especially Drunk on All Your Strange New Words by Eddie Robson.
The captivating finale (following Savage Bounty) to a series filled with action and themes of politics and classism features an epic world and showcases hidden power structures, family secrets, and women who believe in a better life for all.
Readers who enjoyed Arkady Martine’s “Teixcalaan” series will see fascinating similarities in this portrait of a rapacious empire as it begins to fall, while any SF reader who loves political skullduggery told through fascinating and empathetic characters will be captivated by Leckie’s latest foray into the Imperial Radch in all its complexity and corruption. Highly recommended.
PREMIUM
Murky World
Corben’s (Shadows on the Grave) surreal imagination and highly detailed, stunningly textured illustration have earned him a place among the most highly acclaimed and influential creators of graphic novels and commercial art of the past five decades. This volume collects material originally serialized across various monthly publications in the years before his death in 2020.
PREMIUM
Arca
Author Jensen (Bylines in Blood) balances an exploration of truth and systemic power with propulsive action and suspense, while illustrator Lonergan’s (Planet Paradise) page design and visual storytelling result in an uncanny sense of scale, movement, and pacing.
PREMIUM
The Book That Wouldn’t Burn
There is a lot to enjoy here, with a fantastic setting, a feisty heroine, and hints of a deeper mystery that calls to mind the depths of Frank Herbert’s Dune and its intertwined cultural and religious issues.
PREMIUM
Dragonfall
Lam’s (Goldilocks) newest trilogy is a powerful nod to pursuing one’s own path, wrapped in an intriguing magical system and dragon scales.
Wagers raises the stakes with exciting action, terrific characters, and an expansive view on life in the universe.
PREMIUM
Hell Bent
Fortgang’s and Axtell’s performances will have listeners eagerly awaiting the next book in Bardugo’s wholly engaging, well-narrated series.
PREMIUM
Karma of the Sun
This beautifully realized audio is an absolute must for fans of postapocalyptic fiction. Recommend to listeners who enjoy science fiction that’s based in fantasy rather than hard science.
Törzs does a fantastic job creating a gripping and suspenseful story that keeps readers on their toes and wanting more. Fans of The Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo and The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern will love this magic- and suspense-filled novel.
PREMIUM
Vern, Custodian of the Universe
Waiters’s impressive debut is a fast-paced science-fiction odyssey that explores morality, ethics, and personal responsibility with humor and loads of charm.
The thought-provoking and mind-bending writing of this collection often offers as many questions as answers, which is part of its appeal. Insatiably curious SF readers will want to check this out.
A must-read modern folktale set in an alternate world where wishes come true, but not always as expected.
PREMIUM
On the Nature of Magic
Fans of the first volume or patient readers who can accept a level of fogginess in their narrative may enjoy this one.
PREMIUM
Hybrid Heart
Give this to fans of manga and anime for an insightful, speculative glimpse into Japanese pop culture.
PREMIUM
The Lost War
Originally self-published by Anderson (Carpet Diem) and now being released by a big publisher, this exciting novel manifests as fierce and fresh epic fantasy with DnD undertones. Perfect for fans of Anthony Ryan.
This gripping, folkloric tale of the Scottish fae will keep readers thoroughly engrossed and transport them to this fairy tale realm. Fans of Rebecca Ross, Heather Fawcett, and Sarah J. Maas will enjoy the latest from Harwood (The Shadow in the Glass).
If you're looking for display inspiration or need to update your collection, check out these short science fiction and fantasy reads. Also included, a downloadable spreadsheet of 50 titles to keep your display stocked.
The collection’s wide range of international authors means it has something to offer everyone. Recommended for libraries with strong SFF collections and readers who enjoy short fiction.
PREMIUM
Saturnalia
Fans of intricate worldbuilding, urban fantasy, and apocalyptic stories will be hooked. An excellent addition to any audio fantasy collection.
PREMIUM
The First Men in the Moon
This charming listen is perfect for libraries looking to add classic sci-fi to their collections.
This is The Love Story of Missy Carmichael with fairies and snow. A sure win for believers in the value of story.
Listeners of the series’ prior audiobook will already be clamoring for this one. Purchase multiple copies, and rest assured that patrons will be delighted.
PREMIUM
A Fractured Infinity
A fast-paced, character-driven queer sci-fi romance that shows how far someone will go to be with the one they love.
PREMIUM
Meru
This book will appeal to science fiction readers who appreciate meticulous worldbuilding and learning about societies that are governed by a set of axioms. This impressive audio is a must-add for any science fiction collection.
An essential buy for modern-fantasy collections. Share with fans of Emily Tesh’s Silver in the Wood or Ellen Klages’s Passing Strange.
PREMIUM
All the Horses of Iceland
With a run time of slightly over two hours, there is little risk and great reward for trying out this audio gem.
PREMIUM
No Gods for Drowning
Piper’s world has a deep backstory to wade through, but the thriller elements, plus the drama of multiple encroaching disasters, keep the novel sailing to a thought-provoking and satisfying conclusion.
PREMIUM
The Union
Although the narrative occasionally feels forced, the story is uplifted by the emotionally affective narration, which brings out the nuances in Vernon’s engaging characters.
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