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, in what I think is the only big release day of December!
(Books are listed in order of pub date, then Adult SFF, Adult Other, YA SFF, YA Other, MG SFF.)
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Horror, Sci Fi
Published on: 3rd December 2024
Goodreads
What do a post-human starship captain, an actress of the macabre, a post-singularity revolutionary, and an exiled shapeshifter have in common? They are stories and poems that would never have been written without the “Deck of Destiny”: the grim yet playful centerpiece of the Negocios Infernales roleplaying game. But the Deck has a second vocation—to inspire artists, via its ghoulish wisdom and bloody sense of humor, to create.
The designers of Negocios Infernales, award-winning writers C. S. E. Cooney and Carlos Hernandez, have created new works based upon the Deck of Destiny, with all its fanged philosophies and macabre musings on display. Every story and poem of Infernal Bargains began by pulling one or more cards from the Deck and resulted in the satirical, sordid, somber, spirited, and very, very sanguine works you will find herein. Taken together, they compose the haunted menagerie that populates these two writers' deepest unconscious fears and desires—and, perhaps, your own.
I am SO EXCITED for a collection that, from the sound of it, is all about Cooney and Hernandez leaving into their extravagant weirdness! Cooney’s one of my all-time favourite authors, and Hernandez is her husband with an excellent track record of his own, and a book that is the two of them together? YES PLEASE!
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Contemporary or Urban Fantasy, Queer Protagonists
Representation: Chinese MC, sapphic Chinese MC
Published on: 3rd December 2024
Goodreads
A glittering, bold, darkly funny novel about two sisters—one in New York, one in Singapore—who are bound by an ancient secret
Sisterhood is difficult for Su and Emerald. Su leads a sheltered, moneyed life as the picture-perfect wife of a conservative politician in Singapore. Emerald is a nihilistic sugar baby in New York, living from whim to whim and using her charms to make ends meet. But they share a once, they were snakes, basking under a full moon in Tang dynasty China.
A thousand years later, their mysterious history is the only thing still binding them together. When Emerald experiences a violent encounter in Central Park and Su boards the next flight to New York, the two reach a tenuous reconciliation for the first time in decades. Su convinces Emerald to move to Singapore so she can keep an eye on her—but she soon begins to worry that Emerald’s irrepressible behavior will out them both, in a sparkling, affluent city where everything runs like clockwork and any deviation from the norm is automatically suspect.
Razor-sharp, hilarious, and raw in emotion, Sister Snake explores chosen family, queerness, passing, and the struggle against conformity. Reimagining the Chinese folktale “The Legend of the White Snake,” this is a novel about being seen for who you are—and, ultimately, how to live free.
I got a head’s up that this is apparently quite a bit heavier than it sounds? But I’m still very interested in an Adult retelling of the White Snake myth!
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Secondary World Fantasy, Queer Protagonists
Representation: MLM MC, secondary nonbinary character, M/M
Published on: 3rd December 2024
Goodreads
From one of the most exciting new voices in fantasy comes the satisfying conclusion to Davinia Evans's wickedly entertaining debut trilogy full of monsters, mayhem, dangerous society ladies, and a dragon who holds the fate of the most famous alchemist of all in her claws.
Siyon Velo has given magic back to the Mundane. But with it, monsters of myth have awoken to cause chaos in Bezim and--of course--everyone's blaming him. Hunted high and low, Siyon struggles against the rising tide of mystery, magic and mayhem threatening the city that's turned its back on him.
In the Flower District, Lady Sable has unleashed chaos. But in the Avenues, Anahid is desperate to keep her slippery secrets just a little longer, until Zagiri can join the froth and frippery of high society. With scandal stalking the sisters and revolution rumbling anew, the best--and the worst--they can do may not be enough to save their city...
The Alchemist must rise, or Bezim will burn.
It’s the finale of the Burnished City trilogy! I’ve adored this series so far and I can’t wait to find out how it wraps up!!!
Genres: Adult, Queer Protagonists, Sci Fi
Representation: Nonbinary MC, MLM MC
Published on: 3rd December 2024
Goodreads
In this new wide-screen space opera, humanity has met its match. An alien race of enormous robotic AI have destroyed most of humanity's outposts. But, on the eve of the Earth's destruction, a musician made one last desperate attempt to reach out and convince one of humanity's enemies to switch sides. Now, earth just might have a chance to survive...
A ragtag band of misfits is all that stands in the way between an army of giant mechas and humanity's total destruction in the second book of this big-hearted, technicolor space opera trilogy by one of the most exciting voices in science fiction, Alex White.
Ultra-glam enby pop star Ardent Violet thought they could catch a break and enjoy some time with their new boyfriend August Kitko after defeating the giant mechas hellbent on humanity's destruction. However, Ardent didn't count on their mecha allies summoning a host of extraterrestrials to defend Earth.
Between the diplomatic entanglements of the newly-arrived alien Coalition, and a mysterious all-powerful AI establishing a base within their solar system, there's no rest for the wicked.
When August makes a discovery that could turn the tide of the war, Ardent Violet finds they are back in the spotlight for an encore!
I was a bit ambivalent about the first book in this series, but I’m hopeful about the sequel! The reveal about the Big Bad was such a jaw-dropper at the end of book one that I now have A WHOLE TON OF QUESTIONS THAT NEED ANSWERING!
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Contemporary or Urban Fantasy, Queer Protagonists
Representation: M/M
Published on: 3rd December 2024
Goodreads
One of Town & Country’s Best Ghost Books That Will Keep You Up All Night • One of Book Riot’s 2024 Books to Add to Your TBR • A Nerd Daily and LGBTQ Reads Most Anticipated Release
In this “unlikely romance for the ages” (Camryn Garrett), a ghostwriter is handed the gig of a lifetime, except there’s a catch: the client, a closeted A-list actor finally ready to come out in his memoir, is an actual ghost—and the sparks flying between the men are becoming a little too real . . .
Adam Gallagher has knocked on thousands of doors. An ex-Mormon and almost-famous memoirist, he is used to sharing his life story with strangers. But this day, this house, is different. For it belongs to none other than Roland Rogers: Hollywood Hunk, and soon to be author. Roland has a story to tell, a decades-old secret to spill, and he’s decided that Adam is just the guy to help him do it.
Except there’s a problem. Roland Rogers is dead. Not in the metaphysical realm—if he focuses, he can summon enough energy to communicate via the kitchen speaker—but certainly in the physical, and he needs Adam to pen his story before his body is found frozen beneath the avalanche of snow that squashed it. That means one month, a hundred thousand words, no breaks.
Ghostwriting is hard enough, let alone when you’re dealing with a real ghost, and so it isn’t long before Roland’s idea of what his book should be clashes with Adam’s vision for what it could be.But the clock is ticking, the ice melting. And as more truths are told, both men soon discover that this experience is less of a coming out, and more of a coming home . . .
The sophomore novel from the beloved author of Patricia Wants to Cuddle, Roland Rogers Isn’t Dead Yet is a witty and electric new rom-com for fans of Ashley Poston and Casey McQuiston.
“Everything I want in a queer romance.” —Marisa Crane, author of I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself
I haven’t yet read Patricia Wants to Cuddle – this author’s previous book, which is high on my tbr! – but this sounds like so much fun? Absolutely ridiculous escapist ghost-romance. OKAY, WHY NOT? Right now, I am absolutely in the mood for this!
Genres: Adult, Horror, Queer Protagonists
Representation: Sapphic MCs
Published on: 3rd December 2024
Goodreads
From the award-winning author of Our Wives Under the Sea, a speculative reimagining of King Lear, centering three sisters navigating queer love and loss in a drowning world
It’s been raining for a long time now, so long that the land has reshaped itself and arcane rituals and religions are creeping back into practice. Sisters Isla, Irene, and Agnes have not spoken in some time when their father dies. An architect as cruel as he was revered, his death offers an opportunity for the sisters to come together in a new way. In the grand glass house they grew up in, their father’s most famous creation, the sisters sort through the secrets and memories he left behind, until their fragile bond is shattered by a revelation in his will.
More estranged than ever, the sisters’ lives spin out of control: Irene’s relationship is straining at the seams; Isla’s ex-wife keeps calling; and cynical Agnes is falling in love for the first time. But something even more sinister might be unfolding, something related to their mother’s long-ago disappearance and the strangers who have always seemed unusually interested in the sisters’ lives. Soon, it becomes clear that the sisters have been chosen for a very particular purpose, one with shattering implications for their family and their imperiled world.
Our Wives Under the Sea is another one I haven’t read which I really need to…but that does not stop me from eying Armfield’s next book! Because I am terrible, obviously. And because Private Rites has potential to be very interesting…
Genres: Fantasy, Contemporary or Urban Fantasy, Queer Protagonists, YA
Representation: M/M
Published on: 3rd December 2024
Goodreads
In this unashamedly queer, supernatural romance, Justin Arnold, author of Wicked Little Things, challenges the institutions that have sidelined queer love to the shadows, and brings it into the light.
Rowan Young knew where his life was heading.The headmaster’s son and golden boy of elite Vermont boarding school Mockingbird Prep, Rowan was set to inherit a legacy passed down through generations of forefathers.Until a strange new student arrives to derail those plans.
Casper Belamy didn’t ask to be a vampire.But now that he is one, all he wants is to travel the world looking for more of his kind.Before he can do that, he must accomplish an impossible task set forth by his adoptive family of vampiric royals: prove he can keep their kind safe and finish high school without being discovered.
If controlling his thirst wasn’t hard enough, he is forced to share a dorm with the headmaster’s son. And despite their instant dislike for one another, Casper can’t ignore the mouth-wateringly delicious scent of Rowan’s blood.
When bitter fights become late night rendez-vous, forbidden romance blossoms in the shadows. Facing a fearful world that would rather they stay hidden, Rowan and Casper contend with an onslaught of troubles: Rowan’s father is breathing down his neck, the safety of Casper’s new-found family is on his shoulders, and a secret society of slayers threatens to destroy everything.
Vampire royals! It has been some time since I read anything with vampire royals, and the blurb of this one has me feeling nostalgic. Anyone else feeling it?
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, High Fantasy, Queer Protagonists
Representation: Queer MCs
Published on: 4th December 2024
Goodreads
Aramis Feres has failed.
Failed his friends on an expedition gone awry.
Failed to keep his marriage intact. Failed his city.
But what promises he couldn’t keep, he swears to rectify. Having unearthed a tome that can raise an army of ghouls, he finds himself surrounded by thieves and cutthroats—all vying for ownership of the book. After it is stolen by the last person he would have ever suspected, he must race to recover it before the ritual is completed by the insidious Doppelgänger Queen.
Witness the stunning inception of the Silver Fox a LGBTQ+, dark, high-fantasy adventure set in a far flung future. Perfect for D&D fans who want humor and horror in their next literary escape.
I’ve heard almost nothing about this, so I only have the blurb to go on – but the blurb does sound potentially promising!
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Secondary World Fantasy, Queer Protagonists
Representation: M/M, matriarchal queernorm setting
Published on: 5th December 2024
Goodreads
Magic, murder and danger in Astreiant.
Rumors are swirling among the boatmen that the Riverdeme, the ancient spirit of the river, once bound by the magic of the city's bridges, is back and hunting handsome young men. The broadsheets are full of dire predictions and Adjunct Point Nicolas Rathe has been handed a case that involves a murdered tea trader, a death that implicates a prominent merchant family in the crime. Philip Eslingen, now a captain in the City Guard, is assigned to assist him in navigating city politics and rivalry between the Points stations, as well as finding the killer. But there are tales from the riverside about extortion and violence and one murder follows another. Philip’s stars are bad for water and the Riverdeme is on the prowl…
FINALLY! Point of Sighs is the last of the Astreiant series to be republished by Queen of Swords press – after this, the next book should be a brand-new novella, hopefully in January! I’ve been enjoying rereading these as QoS re-releases them, though – I’ve especially enjoyed the typos fixed from the earlier editions!
Will you be reading any of these? Did I miss any releases you think I should know about? Let me know!
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