Science Fiction/Fantasy

This gripping fantasy novel focuses on Nahri, a young conwoman in 18th-century Cairo who accidentally summons a djinn warrior, and is then swept into an epic adventure to discover the truth of her heritage in Daevabad, the djinn capital city. The book features gorgeous prose, fantastic characters, and a riveting plot, with superb worldbuilding inspired by Islamic mythology. - Stuart

This book is pure, joyous fun. England’s new Sorcerer Royal is cursed and the fate of English magic is held in the hands of the capricious fairy court. Add in the strong-willed sorceress Prunella Gentleman, a coup afoot in the Thaumaturgical society, and some powerful Malaysian witches and you get this charming, romantic fantasy. - Clara

Every ten years, the Dragan––a mysterious and powerful wizard––takes a teenaged girl from a local village as payment for his protection. Agnieszka is certain he won’t choose her, until he does, but she gives the Dragan more than he bargained for. Novik’s narrative drew me right in with its strong female characters, richly detailed world, and trope-defying plot. - Jade

Vivid writing transports the reader to the magic that is New Orleans, a city grievously wounded by Katrina and struggling to recover its soul. Jude Dubuisson, street magician and damaged demigod, is tasked with solving the mystery of who murdered the Fortune god. The book captures the essence of New Orleans in a satisfying gumbo of gods, culture and folklore. - Trey

Looking for a new fantasy series? Hawke's is a breath of fresh air. Told from the POV of a brother and sister, respectively, who are in the business of poison, I could hardly keep up with the many twists and turns of suspense and action. The character growth was well thought out and the world-building is complex, yet not overwhelming. - Karena

Oh, Naomi Novik, is there anything you can’t do? This beautifully written blend of Jewish and Russian folklore, fantasy, and faerie tale will absolutely enchant and delight you. Though not a sequel to Uprooted, it has that same unique take on classic faerie stories that Novik is so very good at spinning. Identity and the nature of what makes a villain are thoughtfully explored, as well as how family and tradition shape you in unexpected ways. I have all the love for this book! - Jax

Grab your bike and hop on for a fantastical ride through the magical countryside. Polk’s choosing of the setting to be World War I was a refreshing take from current urban and medieval fantasy settings. And the story plays out more as a historical drama than an enchanting adventure, also a welcome turn. If you like your magic mixed with history, give this one a read. - Ian

This is a riveting novel that, while at times a slow burn, builds relentlessly to a brutal, heartbreaking climax. Roanhorse has created a captivating world built from Navajo culture and mythology, and her novel shines with a superb story and gorgeously rendered (and heartbreakingly real) characters. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a captivating, innovative, post-apocalyptic science-fiction/fantasy novel. - Stuart

Temper is a tale both harrowing and humorous about the adventures of twin brothers who battle their demons, literally and figuratively, in a culture where a person’s worth is determined by the virtues and vices assigned to them as a child. A craving for blood along with lechery, deceit, and vanity run rampant through a vividly imagined world in this dark fantasy that is riddled with mysteries and secrets at every surprising turn. - Trey

The re-release of this book is a wonderful thing, we are lucky to have it back in the collective unconscious. If The Little Mermaid 2 met Margaret Atwood’s Alias Grace it might look something like this. But this is better, because it’s real. It’s a story of unrequited love, and madness, and war, and mermaids, and all the ways a small town can shape a big life. It’s a story of the ocean, and its unwavering loyalty to itself. And it’s a story of family, of the ways we mark and are marked by our kin. I will be recommending this book to the people I love for a very long time. - Wren