Science Fiction/Fantasy

Chen Qiufan’s award-winning novel reads like classic science fiction, though first published in China in 2013, with prescient relevance to 2019 America. Combining cyberpunk, biopunk, and mecha, Qiufan’s story (in a thoughtfully done translation by Ken Liu) takes place on the fictional Silicon Isle, where the world’s waste is recycled under hazardous conditions by itinerant workers made second-class by the isle’s native population. Waste Tide takes you along for the ride, throwing in clan warfare, industrial espionage, ancient rituals, an uprising, a love story, and a mystery or three. - Jocelyn

Claire North is as fascinating a subject as her novels. She has three different noms de plume. All of her novels are strange and wonderful, so I can’t wait to get my hands on this one. High-stakes games where the consequences are real? Heck yes! This was originally published as three novellas and it’ll be exciting to see it in its final form. - Ivy

Calling all Game of Thrones fans! Do yourself a favor and read the appropriately titled Upon a Burning Throne. Two princes are in line to rule the vast and abundant Burnt Empire together, but a princess from another kingdom lays claim to their power. Inspired by the Mahabharata, internationally best-selling author Ashok K. Banker delivers a thrilling, be-late-for-work-because-you-can’t-stop-reading (sorry, Bookshop!) start to your next favorite fantasy epic. - Emma

Sarah Gailey offers up a refreshing and exciting twist on the Magic School trope. Osthorne Academy is more Sabrina than Hogwarts, and there’s been a deeply disturbing murder on campus. Ivy Gamble isn’t magic, but she’s determined to ignore that fact and get to the bottom of this whodunit (helped with lots of alcohol). Twisty, gritty, and darkly humorous, you won’t want to miss this! - Kelly

The Bird King is so many things at once. It plays with love, power, religion, freedom and what those words mean to different people at different times. You will be swept away in this gorgeously written historical fantasy. I have been a fan of Wilson’s ever since Alif the Unseen and she doesn’t disappoint here. In fact, she’s only gotten better as an author. - Karena

Eerie in the best way with character relationships so well developed you forget the novel is pared down to just two voices. The Luminous Dead follows Gyre's solo journey through empty caves in deep space, with only the voice of her handler over the coms as back-up. Of course neither Gyre nor her handler are as they initially appear, and are the caves truly empty? Starling plays with universal human fears to ratchet up the tension for thrills and chills. - Clara

With an incredible collection of stories ranging from the fantastic to the macabre, told by established and emerging authors alike, New Suns is a book that you’ll have a hard time putting down. From the first page of the introduction by Lavar Burton to the afterword by the collection’s editor, Nisi Shawl, the reader will find tales of intergalactic tourism, interspecies erotica, and creative retellings of fairy tales. A fun read for all fans of Sci-fi and Fantasy. - Aric

Eolo, a transgender warrior, accompanies his prince, Mawat, to claim his role as Lease of the Raven, leader of their people, only to discover a death, a betrayal, and a mystery. As Eolo searches for the truth, an unseen narrator relays his own ancient history, the two tales combining for an epic of politics and gods, power and revenge, loyalty and friendship, in an engrossing fantasy world and story unlike any being written today. - Jocelyn

I make time every year to reread this and I always find a new reason to love it. The imagery alone is worth it. Descriptions of tents full of magic and wonder, characters who defy reality, and a circus that no one can predict makes this one of my favorite books of all time. "The circus arrives without warning." Consider this your warning. This is the read you were waiting for. - Karena

This is one of my all-time favorite sci-fi novels. Set in a drought-ravaged Southwestern U.S. (primarily Phoenix and Las Vegas), water is scarce, and Arizona, Nevada, and California fight over the meager water that remains. This novel is dark and grittily realistic with complex, well-developed characters, expert worldbuilding, and a gripping plot. I couldn’t put it down. - Stuart