Science Fiction/Fantasy

John Scalzi writes incredibly fun and propulsive science fiction and Head On, the sequel to 2014’s Lock In, is another fast, exciting read. This novel again follows FBI detective Chris Shane as he investigates the death of a Haden’s Syndrome– afflicted athlete, and more murders and corporate intrigue—as well as plenty of humor—follow. If you’re looking for a fun science fiction police procedural, Head On is a great choice. - Stuart

A secondhand book dealer finds a small volume of poetry in a bargain bin with a love letter between two British soldiers in World War II enclosed within it. So begins a search for the past and a story of love and war. Moments in time are but stanzas, breaths of connection and emotion and memory in a longer epic whose whole we can’t see all at once. All a glimpse of a beautiful mystery I hope Ian McDonald will soon explore further. - Jocelyn

The charming love story within an epic fantasy world intrigued and beguiled me. Two star-crossed lovers are tasked with affecting the fate of the world, while magic and forbidden knowledge dog their every step. I appreciated especially that the prejudice Jasminda suffers is not only because of her inherent power as a magic user but also related to the color of her skin. Lovely romance with some sharp edges, this is a great. transporting summer read. - Jax

I am always on the lookout for fantasy novels that aren’t based in medieval Europe, so when I discovered this story with its Chinese influence, I was immediately intrigued. It is a vividly told narrative about a young girl who, despite being an orphan without connections, lands a place in a military academy and vows to make a name for herself. In the process of going through the difficulties that follow, she learns more about herself and the country she calls home. - Karena

There are two sides to every story, and this unique take on Cinderella offers an empathetic version of Agnes, the evil stepmother who looms so large in the fairy tale. Agnes recounts her own life of hardship and misfortune long before meeting Ella, and shows how their destructive relationship is rooted in more than just spite. Lushly written and so much more than a simple retelling, this will surely delight fans of Wicked and Uprooted. - Kelly

Margriet literally goes to hell and back for her daughter. When the world is beset with chimeras and revenants, dead soldiers returned to wreak havoc on their bereaved loved ones, the only thing that makes sense to Margriet is regaining that which her dead husband stole from her. Set in 14th-century Bruges, this book, steeped as it is in excellent world building and with lots of historical references, is unlike anything I’ve read. I couldn’t put it down. - Ivy

Escape into the Unseen World of real magic. We enter the Unseen World in New York City at the time of the Turning, a magical competition that determines which House will lead the magical world. But we quickly see that the Unseen World has its fair share of problems: magic is being depleted and a serial killer is on the loose. Our badass female protagonist has seen the darkest parts of this world and is determined to reform it for the betterment of all magicians. Kat Howard weaves a fun and magical page-turner about strong women saving the world. - Nicole

We know more about the depths of space than we do the oceans, yet we tease the waves with a worrisome carelessness and make fairy tales of the predators within the waters. Victoria Stewart knows all too well what the ocean is capable of, having devoted her research to finding out what exactly it was there that took her sister 7 years ago. But when faced with a chance at answers, she finds she may have gotten in over her head. I adore it when horror plays with my heartstrings and Into The Drowning Deep toys with and satisfies me in all the best ways a book can. - Rachel

I firmly believe Louisa Hall to be the most creative and boundary-pushing fiction writer of the 21st century. This speculative novel explores artificial intelligence through the vast canon of recorded words that computers feed on. Hall makes meaning out of an overload of data. Alan Turing, chat transcripts, a puritan diary, and unsent letters all contribute to this incredible story. - Clara

Myfanwy Thomas wakes up with no memories, but with her pockets full of letters explaining that she is an agent of the Checquy, a Supernatural Secret Service. Someone in the Checquy is trying to kill her and dismantle the agency, and Myfanwy must discover the traitor before time runs out. An exciting, often laugh-out-loud book full of monsters, mayhem, and slime! - Sara