Must-Have Monday is a feature highlighting which of the coming week’s new releases I’m excited for. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all books being published that week; only those I’m interested in out of those I’m aware of! The focus is diverse SFF, but other genres sneak in occasionally too.
NINE books this week!
(Books are listed in order of pub date, then Adult SFF, Adult Other, YA SFF, YA Other, MG SFF.)
Genres: Adult, Fantasy
Published on: 1st July 2024
Goodreads
When Rozakajin, road-weary bandit and army deserter, spots a hapless blond young man in a country inn with an intriguing treasure map, he thinks he’s scouted an easy and lucrative victim. Attaching himself to odd traveler Penric seems simple enough, but when Roz’s old enemies catch up from behind, his plans take a turn for the much worse. When Pen’s claim that I never travel alone proves true in ways Roz never imagined, his world becomes more frightening still—but also much wider than he’d ever dared to dream.
Ohhhhhhhh, another fool foolish enough to fool with Penric and Desdemona! This will be FUN. If you’re not following the Penric and Desdemona series, then you are missing out; Bujold has always been an amazingly addictive author, and the mostly bite-sized (there is one novel) stories following Penric, a sorcerer, and Desdemona, the demon who shares his body, are both brilliant and immensely entertaining. This is the same setting as Curse of Chalion, if you’ve heard of that (if you haven’t, go find it and enjoy!) I love how creatively Penric and Desdemona use their magic to get things done, and how wry and thoughtful and joyful this series is. Bouncing on my toes for this one!!!
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Queer Protagonists
Representation: Trans MC
Published on: 1st July 2024
Goodreads
An orphan with a terrible secret, transgender Runo ekes out a living with his found-family in the remote city of Askeria by scavenging magic detritus fallen through the Fray for his brutal scav-boss.
Life has always been a struggle for city strays, but as the High Priestess begins condemning those with unsanctioned magic to death, Runo knows the only way he and his crew will survive is if they leave Askeria for good. But escape doesn’t come cheap. Runo's crew thinks their troubles are over when their scavenging leads them to an angel, intact and—unfortunately—very much alive with their own agenda.
While trying to evade his scav-boss, save his girlfriend from succumbing to the magical flesh-eating disease known as the Rust, and worse, Runo’s past catches up with him even as he and his crew uncover a shocking truth that will not only rewrite the history of Askeria, but change the future of humanity forever.
Rooyen is always coming up with unique worlds and magic, so I’m curious about their latest novella. Might be a little too bleak for me, but it has my attention!
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Queer Protagonists
Representation: Sapphic MC, secondary M/M
Published on: 2nd July 2024
Goodreads
The Witch’s Heart meets The Priory of the Orange Tree in this debut novel about a woman who can bring people back from the dead, and the princess—and only heir to the throne—that she must protect, no matter the cost.
The first time Hellevir visited Death, she was ten years old…
Since she was a little girl, Hellevir has been able to raise the dead. Every creature can be saved for a price, a price demanded by the shrouded figure who rules the afterlife, who takes a little more from Hellevir with each soul she resurrects.
Such a gift can rarely remain a secret. When Princess Sullivain, sole heir to the kingdom’s throne, is assassinated, the Queen summons Hellevir to demand she bring her granddaughter back to life. But once is not enough; the killers might strike again. The Princess’s death would cause a civil war, so the Queen commands that Hellevir remain by her side.
But Sullivain is no easy woman to be bound to, even as Hellevir begins to fall in love with her. With the threat of war looming, Hellevir must trade more and more of herself to keep the Princess alive.
But Death will always take what he is owed.
I got to read this when it was released in the UK, and I absolutely loved it. Ignore the terrible cover and the comps; this is not romantasy, but a beautifully written political/religious fantasy, where different faiths are struggling with each other and there is much backstabbing amongst the nobility. Gordon’s prose is gorgeous, delicate and elegant, and I’m a big fan of the worldbuilding. (Although I still don’t understand why Hellevir can hear/speak to some animals/birds and not others…)
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Queer Protagonists
Representation: Bisexual MC (one pov character among many)
Published on: 2nd July 2024
Goodreads
In an unparalleled blend of apocalyptic science fiction and epic fantasy akin to masterpieces like Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere, N. K. Jemisin’s Broken Earth trilogy, and David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas, debut author Benjamin Liar presents the first gripping installment of The Wanderlands trilogy. The vast machine-like expanse of the Wanderlands, crafted by long-lost gods, is teetering on the brink of eternal darkness. Amidst this decaying behemoth, a diverse group of heroes, driven by prophetic dreams, embark on a perilous journey. Their mission? To mend their crumbling world—or witness its irrevocable end.
Benjamin Liar masterfully weaves intricate tales across time and space. With unique world-building, this tale plunges readers into a mechanical planet-sized realm abandoned by its divine creators. It’s a tale of second chances and redemption, for these heroes have once tried—and failed—to salvage their home. Now, they’re presented with another shot at salvation or doom.
What sets The Failures apart is not just its genre-defying narrative but also its ingenious fusion of humor, charm, and profound depth. Liar’s debut, though dark and twisted, sparkles with witty prose, keeping readers riveted and eager for more. As you traverse The Wanderlands, you’ll uncover a multitude of interlinked stories, an intricate puzzle that begs to be pieced together. This is not just a book—it’s a captivating experience.
Benjamin Liar—writer, musician, filmmaker, and game designer—ventures into the literary world with The Failures as his first published novel. With accolades in music and short filmmaking, and a recent foray into virtual reality game design, Liar proves to be a multifaceted talent. Though his pseudonym might hint at deceit, one thing is certain: his storytelling prowess is undeniably genuine. Dive into this compelling epic, and lose yourself in the vastness of The Wanderlands.
This is an impossible book to describe, so I will only say that it is phenomenal; intricate, vast, like nothing else I’ve ever seen, and I’m already pining for the sequel!
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Contemporary or Urban Fantasy
Published on: 2nd July 2024
Goodreads
From New York Times bestselling author Joanne Harris comes a richly imagined and captivating novel of two colliding worlds.
Deep in the heart of London, a photographer walks the streets and captures whatever catches his an old man drinking coffee; a beautiful woman sipping champagne in St. Pancras station; a cloud of moths, disturbed, taking flight across the sky.
But with each photo, he captures something unseen by the eye, and as each negative develops—revealing a person he hadn’t met, a danger he hadn’t noticed, and a world he hadn’t seen—he is drawn further into a hidden war. One which he has been drawn into many times before . . . and every time, had his memories of the truth, and of the woman he loves, stolen from him.
As Tom pieces fragments of the truth together, he realizes he must weave through the war and fight his own both for the woman he loves, and for himself.
I’ve been waiting for Moonlight Market ever since Harris described it as Romeo & Juliet with fairies! Honestly, it could be about almost anything and I’d want to read it – Harris’ prose + fantasy is a winning combo for me!
Genres: Adult, Fantasy
Representation: Brown MCs
Published on: 2nd July 2024
Goodreads
Rihasi Gerogevet of Saraicana has a problem.
She knows just who can help her solve it: Lord Aras Eren Samaura, the king’s most powerful scepter-holder. But Lord Aras is in Gaur, a long journey from Saraicana, and getting there safely isn’t going to be easy. Especially as a lot of people are determined to make sure she doesn’t get there at all.
Kior Voeret has a secret.
The absolute last person he wants to face is Lord Aras Eren Samaura. But he can’t let a naïve, inexperienced young man get himself killed on the road. That’s all right: Kior doesn’t have to commit to going all the way to the scepter-holder’s doorstep. He can escort the young man to the border of Gaur, then walk away long before he gets close enough for Lord Aras to notice anything unfortunate.
It’ll be fine.
Really.
Rihasi begins a new arc in Neumeier’s Tuyo universe, featuring (I believe) completely new characters. So I’m not sure what to expect, but Neumeier’s writing is wonderful and I have been MAJORLY loving the Tuyo books, and see no reason why I won’t love this one too!
You’re missing out if you skip the earlier books, but I THINK you should be able to read this one even if you haven’t read the others. I think.
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Contemporary or Urban Fantasy, Queer Protagonists
Representation: Bi/pansexual MC, major nonbinary character, assorted queer background characters
Published on: 2nd July 2024
Goodreads
'A riveting tragedy of blood and desire. A masterwork of urban fantasy - and the coolest thing you'll read this year' -SAMANTHA SHANNON on Blackheart Knights
'A brilliant, bloody wild ride' - JAY KRISTOFF on Blackheart Knights
A half-drowned stranger turns up at the door of Garad Gaheris, retired King's Champion, with a hell of a story to tell. The ex-knight may have uncovered a conspiracy involving the very highest echelons of London's elite.Current King's Champion Si Wyll, a master illusionist, still reeling from the betrayal of his lover and the death of his mentor, is poised to become the most dangerous man in London. Then a figure from his past surfaces, determined to blackmail him into a plot to change the balance of power for good.
And the city's godchildren, those born with illegal magical abilities, have had enough of being put down - but who must die to ensure their ascension?
The sequel to the INCREDIBLE Blackheart Knights (read my review here) is finally out in the US this week! This is an epic duology that I couldn’t get enough of, and where Knights was clearly a (wildly original) King Arthur retelling (with knights on motorbikes and televised duels), Blackheart Ghosts instead dives deeper into the AMAZING urban fantasy setting Eve created for this series, digging into its underbelly and exploring all its seedy corners. Flawless!
Genres: Adult, Fantasy
Published on: 2nd July 2024
Goodreads
From the author of The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy comes a heartwarming fantasy with a best friends-to-lovers rom com twist--When Harry Met Sally, but with dragons!—set in the delightful demigod and donut-filled world of Tanria.
The entire town of Eternity was shocked when widowed, middle-aged Twyla Banneker partnered up with her neighbor and best friend, Frank Ellis, to join the Tanrian Marshals. Eight years later, Twyla and Frank are still patrolling the dangerous land of Tanria, the former prison of the Old Gods.
Twyla might look like a small town mom who brings cheesy potatoes to funerals and whips up a batch of cookies for the school bake sale, but her rewarding career in law enforcement has been a welcome change from the domestic grind of mom life, despite the misgivings of her grown children.
Fortunately (or unfortunately) a recent decrease in on-the-job peril has made Twyla and Frank's job a lot safer ... and a lot less exciting. So when they discover the body of one of their fellow marshals covered in liquid glitter--and Frank finds himself the inadvertent foster dad to a baby dragon--they are more than happy to be back on the beat.
Soon, the friends wind up ensnared in a nefarious plot that goes far deeper than any lucrative Tanrian mineshaft. But as the danger closes in and Twyla and Frank's investigation becomes more complicated, so does their easy friendship. And Twyla starts to realize that her true soul mate might just be the person who has lived next door all along...
I never quite finished The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy, the first book set in this world, but it was cute and sweet and it’s still on my try-again-later tbr. Now we’re getting a new standalone in the same setting, and it sounds just as cute and sweet. Plus, a baby dragon! Who can resist a baby dragon???
Genres: Adult
Representation: West African cast and setting
Published on: 2nd July 2024
Goodreads
Set in a wonderfully reimagined 15th century West Africa, Masquerade is a dazzling, lyrical tale exploring the true cost of one woman’s fight for freedom and self-discovery, and the lengths she’ll go to secure her future.
Òdòdó’s hometown of Timbuktu has been conquered by the the warrior king of Yorùbáland. Already shunned as social pariahs, living conditions for Òdòdó and the other women in her blacksmith guild grow even worse under Yorùbá rule.
Then Òdòdó is abducted. She is whisked across the Sahara to the capital city of Ṣàngótẹ̀, where she is shocked to discover that her kidnapper is none other than the vagrant who had visited her guild just days prior. But now that he is swathed in riches rather than rags, Òdòdó realizes he is not a vagrant at all; he is the warrior king, and he has chosen her to be his wife.
In a sudden change of fortune, Òdòdó soars to the very heights of society. But after a lifetime of subjugation, the power that saturates this world of battle and political savvy becomes too enticing to resist. As tensions with rival states grow, revealing elaborate schemes and enemies hidden in plain sight, Òdòdó must defy the cruel king she has been forced to wed by re-forging the shaky loyalties of the court in her favor, or risk losing everything—including her life.
Loosely based on the myth of Persephone, O.O. Sangoyomi’s Masquerade takes you on a journey of epic power struggles and political intrigue that turn an entire region on its head.
From early reviews it looks like this one is historical fiction with no fantasy elements, sigh – but it still sounds amazing, and is still going on my tbr!
Will you be reading any of these? Did I miss any releases you think I should know about? Let me know!
I keep hearing excellent things about “The Failures”! I’m looking forward to reading it!
It’s SO GREAT, I can’t wait to see everyone else react to it now that it’s out!