Science Fiction/Fantasy

Come for the necromantic-urban-space-lawyer-priests, stay for the twisty plots and hard-core women. This is the 3rd/5th book in the sequence (don't ask), but also completely readable as a standalone. The world building is endlessly cool. Soul is the universal currency that feeds coins, idol-gods, and the stock market, but how much of your soul can you give away? - Clara

This novel is classic Ann Leckie. Her characters are understated and clever, her worldbuilding is rich, unique, and intimately detailed, and the mystery at the novel’s heart is slow to bloom but ultimately very satisfying. This is one hell of a fantasy world, and one I hope she continues to explore. If you like Leckie’s writing, you’ll love this novel. - Stuart

Prismatic light forms the basis of magic and government in this twisty conspiracy saga. Weeks absolutely raises the bar for the genre with the depth and uniqueness of the Lightbringer magic system and world building. He is a master of character and the diverse protagonists expand the story with nuance and heart. Great for fans of Rothfuss, Sanderson, or Abercrombie. - Clara

This book is a wicked good time. As someone who grew up on 70s/80s rock, the idea of reimagining monster fighting mercenaries as touring rock bands makes my heart pitter patter. Saga being the retired “we’ve seen it all, smoked it all, fought it all” on a comeback tour/rescue mission is ingenious and hilarious. Read this if you love adventure, laughs, and amazing band names. - Karena

Though Annihilation is a short piece, it was very easily one of the weirdest reading experiences I've ever had, and I loved it. Vandermeer doesn't fall into the sinkholes of tropes and predictable plot lines. I had no idea where the story would go and could barely put the book down to sleep. This is a perfect book to shake you out of a literary rut. - J

The City of Brass sequel is here! This novel again follows Nahri, Dara, and Ali, and introduces a terrifying new opponent—Nahri's own mother, who is determined to retake the Daevabad throne at any cost. Like its predecessor, this novel features a dynamic cast, captivating plot, rich political intrigue, and immersive worldbuilding. It’s the best kind of sequel. - Stuart

If you’ve ever driven Highway 5 late at night, you know there is something ethereal about the long stretch of road when it is blanketed with stars. Joseph Fink evokes the same feeling in his newest novel, Alice Isn’t Dead. After the supposed death of her wife, Keisha—certain Alice is still alive—abandons her life to become a trucker and search for the missing Alice, and runs afoul of a sinister and horrifying organization. Strange and glorious, this book will leave you changed. - Ivy

Don’t miss our event with Joseph Fink on November 15th.

A fun, fast-paced action thriller featuring a snarky math superhero who has some serious character flaws. Cas Russell is good at math, so good that she intuitively performs vector calculus at lightning speed, allowing her to dodge both incoming fists and bullets. She’s a mercenary “retrieval expert” with ambiguous morals, available for hire in Los Angeles, and her latest job is proving to be much more challenging and dangerous than she anticipated. - Trey

Given Robinson’s pedigree, there was little doubt I would like this book. If you enjoy intrigue and action in the low gravity of our closest neighbor, Red Moon will draw you in. Despite the lightness of the setting, it pulls its weight. Similar to last year’s Artemis. - Ian

A delightful sampling of Yolen’s work, including thoughts from the writer herself on how to fracture your own tales. I love the way Yolen picks the stories apart to find the meat, the heart of the thing, and then weaves something extraordinary around that. Perfect for folk and faerie tale enthusiasts or anyone wanting to look at things a bit differently. - Jax