Sometimes there is nothing like a good science fiction or fantasy novel to really sweep you away from the world. These seven recent novels include gothic horror, hopeful SF, fantastical stories and more! As Octavia E. Butler says: "Science fiction frees you to go anyplace and examine anything."
Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott
In the tradition of modern fairy tales like Neil Gaiman's American Gods and Naomi Novik's Spinning Silver comes an immersive fantasy saga, a debut novel about estranged siblings who are reunited after receiving a mysterious inheritance.
A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers
A story of kindness and love from one of the foremost practitioners of hopeful SF. After A Psalm for the Wild-Built comes this tale of hope and acceptance in the second volume of the bestselling Monk and Robot series.
Ordinary Monsters by J. M. Miro
Ordinary Monsters is a towering achievement: a dazzling mountain of wild invention, Dickensian eccentrics, supernatural horrors, and gripping suspense. Be warned... once you step into this penny dreadful to end all penny dreadfuls, you'll never want to leave.
Nona the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
“Nona’s lovely, simple, and occasionally silly voice works especially well in juxtaposition with the dark, dense backdrop of the series so far, creating a riveting contrast. Readers will be on the edges of their seats.” —Publishers Weekly
The Golden Enclaves by Naomi Novik
“Naomi Novik’s Scholomance series, about kids at a preposterously deadly magical school, stands out in a ridiculously crowded field. Its sheer viciousness, its grim humor, and it's complicated interpersonal politics are an immediate draw.”—Polygon
The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean
Set in modern day UK, The Book Eaters is a dark and fantastical story about a family who literally consume books for sustenance and the lengths one woman will go to in order to protect her son.
Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid
A gothic horror retelling of The Juniper Tree, set in another time and place within the world of The Wolf and the Woodsman, where a young witch seeks to discover her identity and escape the domination of her abusive wizard father.