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.
ELEVEN books this week!
(Books are listed in order of pub date, then Adult SFF, Adult Other, YA SFF, YA Other, MG SFF.)
Genres: Adult, Horror, Queer Protagonists
Representation: Sapphic MC
Published on: 29th October 2024
Goodreads
For readers of Nightbitch and We Ride Upon Sticks, this strange and sexy novel of queer love in a small town is an unsettling reminder that the horrors of modern life are monsters ready to possess us all.
In the valley at the intersection of three towering mountains sits Cadenze, an ugly, remote town with little to its name. It's filled with tourists in the summer and dead the rest of the year, when most of its residents surrender to a sleepier existence. Except, that is, for whatever is lurking in the caves...
Angelina Sicco was born and raised in Cadenze, and for many generations, so was every member of her family. Determined to be content with her lot in life, she walks her mongrel dog, attends her brother's heavy metal concerts, holds court in the local dive bar, and does everything she can to bait hot, queer women to her sleepy, conservative hometown. But on the night of a family party much like every other, Angelina runs into Patrick's ex, the sternly handsome Jagvi, who's back in town for a spell. Perhaps enticed by Jagvi’s arrival, an ancient evil lying dormant in those caves is awakened, and soon Angelina’s small, contained world begins to shatter.
As the monstrous force grows bolder, it infiltrates Angelina’s life. It talks with her dog’s mouth; it guzzles on her memories; it controls Angelina from the inside. Only Jagvi’s touch repels it — the final trigger for a secret, passionate romance. But this monster feasts on all the passion, heartbreak, and mess that makes up a life, and Angelina Sicco’s life has never looked tastier. What will Angelina do to protect her future? And what will it cost her?
This has been all over the rec lists, so you might have heard of it already! I loved Nightbitch, so the comp snagged my attention, and Feast While You Can sounds terrifying in a properly queer way. (Monsters talking THROUGH YOUR DOG?! So much nope!!!) A perfect Halloween read!
You can read an excerpt here!
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Queer Protagonists
Representation: Middle Eastern-coded cast, sapphic MC, genderfluid PoV character, Egyptian-coded PoV character
Published on: 29th October 2024
Goodreads
The much-anticipated third installment of the Age of Bronze series, following Against All Gods and Storming Heaven!
Before iron helmets and steel swords, when dragons roamed the world, was an age of bronze and stone, when the Gods walked the earth, and people lived in terror. In this era a scribe, a warlord, a dancer, a mute insect and a child should have no chance against the might of the bickering gods and their cruel games. But the gods themselves are old, addicted to their own games of power, and now their fates may lie in the hands of mere mortals . . .
The third in this original, visceral epic series weaving together the mythologies of a dozen pantheons of gods and heroes to create something new and magical, this tale of the revolt against the tyranny which began in Against All Gods is a must-read from a master of the fantasy genre.
Praise for Miles Cameron:
'Utterly, utterly brilliant. A masterclass in how to write modern fantasy - world building, characters, plot and pacing, all perfectly blended. Miles Cameron is at the top of his game' John Gwynne, author of The Faithful and the Fallen series'Cold Iron is fantastic. It shimmers like a well-honed sword blade' Anna Smith Spark, author of The Court of Broken Knives
'Promising historical fantasy debut featuring an expansive cast, an engaging plot, and a detailed eye for combat' The Ranting Dragon on The Red Knight
'Literate, intelligent, and well-throughout . . . a pleasingly complex and greatly satisfying novel' SFF World on The Red Knight
The US release! I finished reading this trilogy a few weeks ago (I read the UK edition) and I adored every minute! I do encourage you to reread the earlier books first if you have already; reading them back-to-back made this finale hit much harder!
Genres: Adult, Queer Protagonists, Sci Fi, Science Fantasy
Representation: Queer MCs
Published on: 29th October 2024
Goodreads
Living within the Galactic Federation of the Solar System isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Laurel got sold into strict federation schooling where if she doesn't shape up, they'll scramble her mind until she's no longer herself and build the perfect citizen out of her.
Juniper got fitted with invasive cybernetics to augment the human experience at the tender age of eight and if they act up, the feds can turn them off--effectively killing them.So, the two of them decide to run away together. All they need is to get past Jupiter where the fed's hold isn't as tight. There, Laurel can figure out what she wants in life free from fed control and Juniper can figure out how to stop their cybernetics from ruining their life.
Easy, right?
Not when they find a busted federation ship on the way with a vampire on board who might need their help with a severed head the federation is after, or perhaps, he just wants their blood. One of the two.
Pretty sure I’d run away as well, in Laurel and Juniper’s situation! Adding a vampire to the premise makes it sound like this might be science-fantasy, which we NEVER have enough of, so I’m excited to check this one out!
Genres: Fantasy, YA
Representation: Black MC (?)
Published on: 29th October 2024
Goodreads
Alchemy and ancient spirits come to life in this debut fantasy inspired by African diasporic folklore and the 1920s World Fair, wherein sixteen-year-old Kellan DuCuivre, an orphan from a reviled class, must compete for a coveted apprenticeship among the nation’s elite in order to save her adoptive father from a twisted fate.
Sixteen-year-old Kellan DuCuivre is the descendant of traitors. She never knew her family members or which one of them betrayed the isle of Nanseau. But like all Du orphaned after the war, Kellan is forbidden by law from practicing makecraft, the trade of carving magic into metal that was perfected by the Guild of Engineers and their maker apprentices. No one can know that Kellan has been using makecraft in secret and that, in the wake of a tragic miscarve, she’s been helping her adoptive father, Edgar, run his celebrated makeshop.
But Edgar’s condition is worsening, and his shop is on the brink of ruin. On the eve of the Eighty-Fourth Annual Makers’ Exposition in Nanseau’s sparkling city of Riz, Kellan is thrust into the Guild’s twisted web of political intrigue and ancient secrets when she strikes a dangerous deal with one of its members to save Edgar and his shop. Now Kellan must compete in a rigorous gauntlet against the nation’s elite for a coveted spot as a maker’s apprentice.
But danger lurks at every turn. And as Kellan falls into a budding relationship with the illegitimate son from one of Nanseau’s most revered families, she’s put into the limelight when something sinister begins targeting the Gauntlet’s competitors and wreaking havoc on Riz. Amid a crumbling city and a ticking clock, winning the Gauntlet won’t just be a test of survival—it will mean pulling back the veil of secrets behind the Guild and uncovering the shrouded legacies of Nanseau itself.
I think this might have released in the UK last week, but the US gets it tomorrow! And – African folklore plus alchemy??? HERE FOR IT!
Genres: Fantasy, Contemporary or Urban Fantasy, Horror, Queer Protagonists, YA
Representation: MLM asexual MC, secondary sapphic
Published on: 29th October 2024
Goodreads
Once upon a time, Andrew had cut out his heart and given it to this boy, and he was very sure Thomas had no idea that Andrew would do anything for him.
Protect him. Lie for him. Kill for him.
High school senior Andrew Perrault finds refuge in the twisted fairytales that he writes for the only person who can ground him to reality—Thomas Rye, the boy with perpetually ink-stained hands and hair like autumn leaves. And with his twin sister, Dove, inexplicably keeping him at a cold distance upon their return to Wickwood Academy, Andrew finds himself leaning on his friend even more.
But something strange is going on with Thomas. His abusive parents have mysteriously vanished, and he arrives at school with blood on his sleeve. Thomas won’t say a word about it, and shuts down whenever Andrew tries to ask him questions. Stranger still, Thomas is haunted by something, and he seems to have lost interest in his artwork—whimsically macabre sketches of the monsters from Andrew’s wicked stories.
Desperate to figure out what’s wrong with his friend, Andrew follows Thomas into the off-limits forest one night and catches him fighting a nightmarish monster—Thomas’s drawings have come to life and are killing anyone close to him. To make sure no one else dies, the boys battle the monsters every night. But as their obsession with each other grows stronger, so do the monsters, and Andrew begins to fear that the only way to stop the creatures might be to destroy their creator…
I had the HONOUR of reading this early, and it is every bit as darkly gorgeous as the cover promises! I highlighted so many passages on my ereader. Bonus: the monsters are actually terrifying for once!
Genres: Adult, Fantasy
Published on: 30th October 2024
Goodreads
New Rome perches upon the shores of the Thamis River, and in its soot-stained depths a teeming mass of humanity lives under the iron fist of an Empire that never fell to Vandals or Christianity. In the shadows, assassins congregate and secret societies bloom—the Priory, dedicated to worship of the criminal Dead God, and the Hellions, thieves and murderers whose aim is mere freedom.
Or so they say.
Gemma Dove arrives in New Rome with a small independence and a burning desire: to gain revenge upon those who murdered her parents and drove her beloved aunt to a premature death. The city is a dangerous place, but Gemma has her own secret skills and isn't afraid to use them. She longs to complete her vengeance and return to her safe, beautiful estate across the Channel, but fate has other ideas.
His name for now is Avery Black, but they call him the Rook. The young Hellion has sunk himself in vice and treachery, and he knows there's more to Miss Dove than meets the eye. He also knows she's playing a dangerous game, one which will end in her death—unless he takes a hand in matters. It might even be connected to his own vengeance against the Priory, but that's fast becoming a secondary consideration.
Under soot-stained skies and flickering gaslamps, from the crowd of thieves and gin-soaked tenements to the glittering whirl of Society, plans, treachery, and counter-betrayal are afoot. Gemma and Avery can deal the Priory a stinging defeat, but that ancient organization has its own plans for Miss Dove, and the Rook might be her only defense…
Lilith Saintcrow is criminally underappreciated – especially for her incredible worldbuilding! Once again she seems to have written something utterly unlike anything she’s written before, which is very exciting. As is the idea of a Rome that never fell!
Genres: Fantasy, YA
Representation: Black/African MCs
Published on: 30th October 2024
Goodreads
At 17, Kadsa is weary of traveling with her grandpa in search of their lost mystical home world. She yearns for a normal life—a chance to go to college, have friends, and a stable home. However, a web of lies about her identity leads her to a startling discovery and a quest to save her kidnapped grandfather. In a realm of dark forces and ancient deities, Kadsa must find the courage to prevent the world's annihilation. This adventure is a transformative odyssey, offering insights into resilience, truth-seeking, and the power of youth.
I haven’t been able to find out much about this one, but it’s coming from a small press specializing in ‘bringing authentic African perspectives to the world’, which is certainly something I can get behind!
Genres: Adult, Horror, Queer Protagonists
Representation: M/M
Published on: 31st October 2024
Goodreads
What would tempt you to sin?
A sweet and naïve priest at war with his desires, tormented by nightly dreams of a wicked demon.
A vampire lord forced to do the unthinkable, battling needs he can scarcely control.
Father Ardelian has been summoned to a distant, secluded island to perform an exorcism. What will happen when he begins to suspect his host — the mysterious, nocturnal lord of the manor — of wanting him for another reason entirely? Will the piously celibate priest be able to resist his monstrous host’s diabolically seductive charms?
What Manner of Man is a blasphemous queer horror romance about a priest and a vampire, inspired by Bram Stoker’s Dracula. A tale of forbidden love with themes of devil worship, demonic possession, and human sacrifice — this is the long-awaited completed version of the widely beloved story which rose to fame and fortune in the form of a newsletter!
What Manner of Man has been serialized on the author’s substack for a while now – you can find the (unedited!) story here if you want to check it out before the polished final edition comes out at the end of the month. (When you’ll be able to buy it in all the usual places, but also the author’s itch.io page!)
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Contemporary or Urban Fantasy, Queer Protagonists
Representation: Queer MC, nonbinary MC
Published on: 31st October 2024
Goodreads
Wedged between real estate speculators, startup bros, and gentrified neighborhoods, it’s gotten hard to get by in San Francisco. Queer modern-day witches Iria and Madge have decided to do something about it, summoning back to the world of the living San Francisco’s most celebrated eccentrics, Joshua Norton. In the 19th century he declared himself Emperor of the United States, spreading kindness and compassion for decades in the city that embraced him. Now Iria and Madge need Norton’s tireless charisma to help them save San Francisco from a demon of real estate.
Join Norton and his modern day patrons as they embark on daring adventures across their city's past to face down the monstrous Mammon and his handpicked champion, a criminal mastermind with plans of her own. The race is on to save--or steal--the soul of San Francisco!
I’ve really enjoyed this author’s sci fi, and the reissue of Oblivion seems like the perfect time to dive into some of his fantasy! I’m loving the sound of this and I’ve seen good things from other reviewers!
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Queer Protagonists, Sci Fi
Representation: Queer MCs
Published on: 1st November 2024
Goodreads
“Divergent characters find themselves in startling situations in this debut collection of unconventional sci-fi and fantasy stories... A sparkling sequence of tales that bends and flips familiar ideas and fantastic visions.”
—KIRKUS REVIEWS ⭐ review [1st Edition]Set aside traditional norms and the gender binary in this updated collection of twenty-two stories by Nebula Award finalist Merc Fenn Wolfmoor.
Here you’ll find robots and cyborgs exploring their own forms of personhood; lose yourself in wildly imaginative landscapes and dystopian worlds; follow assassins, sentient shadows, sorrowful ghosts, and all forms of monsters.
SO YOU WANT TO BE A ROBOT (2nd Edition) includes the following stories:
This Is Not A Wardrobe Door
Tomorrow When We See The Sun
The Sorcerer's Unattainable Gardens
The Android's Prehistoric Menagerie
For Want of a Heart
Once I, Rose
Where Monsters Dance
A Survival Guide For When You're Trapped In A Black Hole
Thread
Under Wine-Bright Seas
Of Blessed Servitude
To The Knife-Cold Stars
Finding Home
Winter Bride
To The Monsters, With Love
Batteries For Your Doombot5000 Are Not Included
...Or Be Forever Fallen
Iron Aria
What Becomes Of The Third-Hearted
The Gentleman Of Chaos
Gray Skies, Red Wings, Blue Lips, Black Hearts
How To Become A Robot In 12 Easy Steps“The stories are all crafted with the deft and loving touch of an author who knows firsthand what it is to live in their characters’ skins. Each piece in this unmissable collection shimmers with bright explorations of love, loss, and the quest for hope.”
—PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ⭐ review [1st Edition]
This is a new edition of what is probably my favourite short story collection EVER. Wolfmoor is a must-read author whose spec fic is beyond sublime, and this is the PERFECT introduction to their work if you’re unfamiliar with it! Swoon-worthy prose, incredible imagination, queerness everywhere – “This Is Not A Wardrobe Door”, the first story, will break your heart open in the best way, and leave you open for all the rest. Can’t recommend this book enough!
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Historical Fantasy, Queer Protagonists
Representation: Gay MC, M/M
Published on: 1st November 2024
Goodreads
In this magical tale of self-discovery from New York Times bestselling author Carrie Vaughn, a young widow taps into the power that will change the world—if the man’s world she lives in doesn’t destroy her and her newfound friends first.
In the summer of 1880, the death of Beth Stanley’s husband puts her life’s work in jeopardy. The magic of Arcane Taxonomy dictates that every natural thing in the world, from weather to animals, can be labeled, and doing so grants the practitioner some of that subject’s unique power. But only men are permitted to train in this philosophy. Losing her husband means that Beth loses the name they put on her work—and any influence she might have wielded.
Brandon West and Anton Torrance are campaigning for their expedition to the South Pole, a mission that some believe could make a taxonomist all-powerful by tapping into the earth’s magnetic forces. Their late friend Harry Stanley’s knowledge and connections would have been instrumental, but when they attempt to take custody of his work, they find that it was never his at all.
Tied together by this secret and its implications, Beth, Bran, and Anton must find a way for Beth to use her talent for the good of the world, before she’s discovered by those who would lay claim to her rare potential—and her very freedom.
I’m reading this one at the moment, and I think it’s going to be a hit. Arcane Taxonomy is a cool take on the idea of needing true names for magic, and Vaughn’s prose (unsurprisingly!) is super readable. I’ll review it once I’ve finished, of course!
Will you be reading any of these? Did I miss any releases you think I should know about? Let me know!
I loved Miles Cameron’s Deep Black series, so I’ll be picking up the first of this other. Glad I spotted the series here, thanks!
You’re so welcome! I do think it hits harder after reading at least the Masters & Mages trilogy, though. (Different setting, but…important Stuff!) Either way, hope you enjoy it as much as I did!