Science Fiction/Fantasy

LaValle has written a modern-day fairytale that entrances as it draws you into the unique rhythms of a young family in New York. Apollo, a "book man" who hunts for the big find in boxes of used books, is our window into the old, uncanny forces hovering beneath the surface of the new millennium. This horror fantasy packs a big punch! One of my favorite books! - Clara

Reminiscent of the French Revolution with a thread of magic (sorry not sorry), Torn is a fantastic tale of a woman who can stitch charms into her creations and is caught in the middle of her brother and his dreams for revolution and her own connections to the nobles who buy her services. I went in expecting a light fantasy and ended up in something that was complex and inspired conversation about how romance, politics, friendship, and loyalty can make us question who we are. - Karena

This reimagined take on the doomed Donner Party blends supernatural horrors with historical facts to create a fun and chilling tale. It was more than just brutal weather and an impossible route that terrorized the Party—something hungry, lurking in the shadows, was picking off members in gruesome and frightening ways. This tightly-wound plot is easy to devour, if you can stomach the fear. - Kelly

This is what we’d get if Douglas Adams started writing in the ’80s instead of the ’70s. And was really into glam rock. And maybe had been jilted by David Bowie. And was, maybe, still a little in love with David Bowie. Decibel Jones and the Absolute Zeroes, washed-up glitter punk multiracial Brit extravaganza missing their last Zero, are to sing, fight, and f--make friends to save humanity. A glorious, Looney Tunes-driven ride through planets and punk rock emotions, and what’s worth saving. - Jocelyn

This collection of short stories is by turns whimsical, bizarre, and deeply moving. I have been absolutely salivating for Barnhill’s first offering for adult readers, and it was well worth the wait; I was blown away and enthralled by these stories. I can’t promise that they will all (or even most) end happily, but if you enjoy beautiful writing and thought provoking supernatural weirdness, this is the book for you. - Jax

A spectacular return to the gritty, offline cyberpunk world of Bruce Sterling, William Gibson, and Neal Stephenson, this time with a floating city, and a nanobonded orca and polar bear. Beam fighters, scalers, crime syndicate bosses, noodle shop vendors and a defiantly gender neutral skate courier create a rich cast of characters that I’d love to meet again. - Dave 

In a far dystopic future that includes desert villages and a city seething with corruption, the main character, Onyesonwu (“Who Fears Death”) fights on in spite of persecution and hardship. The author builds a beautifully nuanced world filled with real people of diverse perspectives who must face the same dangers—both outside and within—to survive. - Jocelyn

I dream of fantasy books like this one. The clarity of Novik’s world-building and the vividness of her protagonist, Agnieszka, set the stage for a vivacious and satisfying fairy tale. Uprooted satisfies the same part of my heart that Tamora Pierce and Ellen Kushner did in my childhood. For fantasy fans, I cannot recommend it enough. - Clara

Meet Gerault of Rivia—the Witcher—a member of an elite but dying fraternity who fight monsters. Gerault navigates morality, kindness, monsters, and humanity in a world that borrows a lot from fairy tales but stays  close to home in terms of people. This collection of connected short stories delighted me with its characters and creativity. - Jocelyn

When a giant squid washes ashore in London and then disappears after being brought to the Natural History Museum, all hell breaks loose. Cults, old gods, gatekeepers, secret police, and the undead. It’s all here. And with a mystery of mysterious proportions to tear it all apart. This book is a grand ‘ole time. - Ian