Our Most Anticipated Releases for SFF
By: Krystal Lang
It’s almost that time of year when the seasons change, the days get shorter and the nights colder, making it the perfect time to cozy up with a good read. It’s also the time of year when some of the most atmospheric and dark fantasy and science fiction books are released, so here are some of the titles we’re looking forward to.
Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross
Matilda is both the youngest goddess of her family and the messenger of the gods. Caught between two sides of an ongoing conflict, she delivers a message to a mortal lord. While it's the first time she’s seeing him, he’s seen her many times and has pleaded for her help . . . in his dreams. With high stakes and political intrigue on the celestial level, set before and in the same world as her Letters of Enchantment duology, Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross is available September 2nd.
The Maiden and Her Monster by Maddie Martinez
Malka knows all too well about the monster in the cursed forest, and warns the Ozmini Church when they come to collect their tithes. When a clergy girl goes missing in the forest and Malka’s mother is accused of harming her, she strikes a bargain with their priest: If she can prove the monster’s existence, she can save her mother. An atmospheric reimagining of the Jewish myth of golem, The Maiden and Her Monster is available September 9th.
Among the Burning Flowers by Samantha Shannon
Set in the same world as her Roots of Chaos series, this book takes place at the inception of the danger we later see in Priory of the Orange Tree. It’s been centuries since the dragons appeared and almost annihilated humankind. A princess, her betrothed, and a dragon hunter do what’s necessary to usher in a better world in Among the Burning Flowers, out on September 16th.
All That We See or Seem by Ken Liu
Julia Z is a former “orphan hacker” who finds herself caught in a virtual reality mystery where she must use her cybersecurity and hacking expertise to rescue a dream artist and uncover the truth. The lines are blurred between identity, technology and the power of shared dreams in All That We See or Seem, out October 14th.
An Ocean Apart by Jill Tew
Fresh water is scarce, and the actions of the elite, The Cruisers, are to blame for the reality Eden and her community face in the flooded marshes of old Miami. They sail on massive ships to avoid the consequences of the environmental disaster they’ve created on land. Eden jumps at the opportunity to infiltrate a dating competition a Cruiser family is hosting to steal their money for the marshes, but she doesn’t find what she expected. A new dystopian romance, An Ocean Apart, is available October 14th.
Red City by Marie Lu
Alchemy is the way to perfection, to making someone more perfect. This hidden path of transformation is wielded by two rival crime syndicates that provide their products to the elite. Ari is a prodigy alchemist, and Sam, an apprentice, comes from nothing. The alchemists face off in this dark contemporary fantasy filled with magical warfare. Red City is out October 14th.
Cry, Voidbringer by Elaine Ho
Set in a world where the power of the gods bleeds through humanity, generation after generation, the power is waning, and less godchildren are being born. A high fantasy debut with high stakes and found family, this is a journey about the lengths that some will go to for freedom and power. From Michael LaBorn’s imprint Left Unread Books with Bindery Books, Cry, Voidbringer is available October 14th.
To Bargain with Mortals by R. A. Basu
Poppy is caught between two worlds. As the brown-skinned adopted daughter of the Viceroy, she is rejected by both her peers and her people. She discovers her fiancé has nefarious intentions and flees into the clutches of the Jackal, a ruthless criminal. This debut high fantasy follows a colonized country on the brink of revolution, from Emma Skies’s imprint Skies Reads with Bindery Books, To Bargain with Mortals is out October 14th.
Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife by Deston J. Munden
Rottgor, an undead orc, has had enough of his life of servitude. Barely keeping it together, literally and figuratively, (physically by dark magic), he decides it's time for a change of pace. He opens a restaurant so the city made up of the living and undead can share food and community, and considers that maybe he’d also like to be a father. From MegsTeaRoom’s imprint Cozy Quill with Bindery Books, Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife is available October 14th.
Girl Dinner by Olivie Blake
Nina Kaur knows that the first step into the life of her dreams is to be accepted into The House, the most exclusive sorority on campus. Dr. Sloane Hartley, recently released from the clutches of postpartum, is excited about the opportunity to be the academic liaison for The House and the chance to get her groove back. As they both learn about The House’s culture and rituals, they must choose if the chance at perfection and to be part of the elite is worth the bloody costs. Girl Dinner is out October 21st.
Our Vicious Descent by Hayley Dennings
In 1927 Harlem, the Saint family empire is threatened by illegitimate blood houses and a new dangerous reaper-venom drug. Meanwhile, a new threat targeting both reapers and humans must be uncovered and dealt with. The conclusion to the Ravenous Fates duology, Elise and Layla must uncover the truth in Our Vicious Descent, out October 21st.
The Isle in the Silver Sea by Tasha Suri
Enemies, yet two sides of the same coin of lore, Simran is a witch of the woods and Vina is a knight of the Queen’s court. Their duties would have them hate each other, yet they can’t help but be drawn to one another. A new sapphic romantasy that spans centuries and is inspired by medieval folklore, The Isle in the Silver Sea is out October 21st.
The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow
Across space and time, a historian finds himself pulled to the object of his research and desires, a reluctant lady knight. The foundation of his country is built on her actions and values, but what he finds when he meets her is beneath expectations. Is history wrong, or does his presence there change everything? An extended version inspired by her short story, The Six Deaths of the Saint, The Everlasting is available on October 28th.
Our Vicious Oaths by N.E. Davenport
Princess Kadeesha couldn’t care less about fae politics. She’d love nothing more than to venture off with her cadre of fae warriors and handle business in ways that are less than diplomatic, but she is forced to settle down and marry the High King. Malachi has lost everything and it is up to him to avenge his family and fight for the freedom of his people. He decides to make a move when he sees a princess set to wed his mortal enemy. Enemies of a common threat turn to lovers in Our Vicious Oaths, available October 28th.
Coldwire by Chloe Gong
The first book in a new dystopian series where humanity leaves a deteriorating world for virtual reality. Those who can afford to escape rising seas and epidemics live in “upcountry” while the lower class is left behind in “downcountry.” The “upcountry,” however, isn’t without its flaws, with an ongoing cold war between two nations. Eirale and Lia, soldiers on opposing sides, uncover a larger conspiracy. While virtual, there are still high stakes in Coldwire, available on November 4th.
Son of the Morning by Akwaeke Emezi
Galilee was raised by the Kincaids, a clan of strong Black women deep off the grid. She’s always known she was different, they all are, but for her, there’s a secret about her very existence. Finally off on her own, after a sheltered life, she meets Lucifer. The moment the fallen angel touches Galilee, he knows she isn’t all human either. Secrets are uncovered in this spicy paranormal romance, Son of the Morning, out November 4th.
The Strength of the Few by James Islington
The highly anticipated sequel to The Will of the Many, the fantasy book from 2023 whose ending had our jaws on the floor, follows Vis’ journey through the world of the Hierarchy. It’s really hard to give a synopsis without getting into spoiler territory, so learn for yourself when the high stakes, political intrigue, and insane revelations in The Strength of the Few is available on November 11th.
And Now We Wait!
So many good books, so little time. Writing about these releases has resparked my excitement! I’m so looking forward to escaping into these stories come fall. If these were already on your radar, you’re already ahead of the class, if not, add these to your TBR list so you don’t forget and miss out. Happy reading!
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