Science Fiction/Fantasy

Shards of Earth has the politics, usurping madness, power grabs, cultists—all the things you want in a space opera. You follow Idris, a war hero, make a discovery that sets the anticipation and fear for the rest of the book. It’s intellectually challenging, but the payoff is fulfilling and philosophical. I crossed into dark places reading this. I wondered if people deserve the chance to save their world from destruction! —Morgan

Stephen Graham Jones never misses. My Heart is a Chainsaw is for those of us who have a life-long love for horror, putting us behind the wheel with protagonist Jade and her knowledge of all things chainsaw and jumpscare when blood splatter metaphorically (and physically) hits the fan. If you loved Mongrels or The Only Good Indians, please do yourself a favor and read this book! —MJ

Grievers depicts an unyielding virus, H-8, which attacks only the Black citizens of Detroit, and sends its hosts into a catatonic state of mourning. Dune is our sharp-witted and brooding protagonist, who is determined to find answers after her mother becomes patient zero. It’s no surprise that adrienne maree brown is a dedicated student of Octavia Butler—this novel reads with the same level of intensity, grief, and hope found in Parable of the Sower. —Holly

Moreno-Garcia transplants the tropes and trappings of the classic European gothic romance to 1950s Mexico, creating a vivid novel that comments on the genre while standing on its own as a modern fable. Mysterious, lovely, creepily chilling—but driven by the determination of its indomitable heroine to carry through to the last page. Every person I've recommended this to has likewise devoured it, and immediately called me up to discuss it. - Jocelyn

Torn between following their passion for painting by working for the Razanei government and upholding their duty to their sister and the rebellion, Gyen Jebi becomes embroiled in the political and magical power of their art. As an artist myself, I found Gyen Jebi's passion and angst all too relatable! This fantastical steampunk world is wholly original with a slew of great characters. - Eli

Lauren has "hyperempathy syndrome," rendering her incapable of witnessing pain. This is complicated by the fact that her world is nothing but pain: the novel is set against a dystopian backdrop in which water is reserved for the rich and suffering is rampant. To cope with her reality, Lauren is creating a new religion, wherein God is Change. - Holly

This debut space opera makes me remember why I love the genre. Interstellar politics, murder, espionage, and the ethics of empire and technology collide in a fascinating world where memory and heritage are suspect in the face of longing for a culture and place not your own. Martine’s characters pull you into a compelling narrative that’s both philosophical and thrilling. - Jocelyn

Anna works for a temp agency as a “hench”—a low-paid sidekick for super-villains. After she gets badly injured by an indestructible superhero named Supercollider, she vows to take revenge, and soon becomes The Auditor, a super-villain whose power is vengeful thinking. This is great for comic book fans and anyone who likes funny science fiction. - Jason

Mongrels follows a family of outlaw werewolves as journey across the American South (think Kathryn Bigelow’s film Near Dark, but with werewolves). Like much of Jones’s work, Mongrels strikes a delicate balance between disturbing and hilarious, making this absolutely unforgettable. Be cautious, though, because you will never look at French fries or pantyhose the same again. - Travis

This is an intricate, unique, action-packed military sci-fi with a touch of space opera. Space battles line up next to political intrigue, while characters both living and dead wrestle with conscience and ideals. Yoon Ha Lee has created something that is familiar but at the same time unlike anything else I’ve ever read, which lingers long after the last page. - Jocelyn