Science Fiction/Fantasy

Noor is a thought-provoking tale set in near-future Nigeria. Breakthrough wind-harvesting technology has created a society both prosperous and dystopian. AO was born with a broken body but has persevered with biotech modifications. After she is attacked for being less than human, she flees into the desert and meets up with DNA, a herdsman also on the run. The detailed world-building is unique and the story is full of twists, turns, and surprises. African futurist Nnedi Okorafor has written another gem! —Trey

A (probably) murdered queen, a rebellious academic, and a dissatisfied prince are at the heart of this complex and richly told fantasy. Karegg has been ruled for years by a despotic king and rebellion licks at the heels of the kingdom. When Anza finds the missing queen’s journal, she uses her words to fan the flames of disquiet. I love fantasy fomented with rebellion and the parallels between Karegg and the US are hard to miss. Endlessly engaging. —Ivy

Jennifer Marie Brissett writes with her own voice into some of the greatest perennial and modern traditions of speculative fiction, drawing upon Afro-futurism, dystopia, space opera, and cyber punk to build a dazzling world fighting against oppression and the sins of the past. Destroyer of Light is an epic adventure to determine the fate of humanity on an alien world. Brissett’s indelible characters, their revelations, and turning points, will hook through to the last echo of action and fated drama. —Jocelyn

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