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! (It was originally ten, but Goldnight of Starfall has been pushed back.)
(Books are listed in order of pub date, then Adult SFF, Adult Other, YA SFF, YA Other, MG SFF.)
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Queer Protagonists
Representation: Gay MC
Published on: 11th March 2025
Goodreads
Thara Celehar has lost his ability to speak with the dead. When that title of Witness for the Dead is gone, what defines him?
While his title may be gone, his duties are not. Celehar contends with a municipal cemetery with fifty years of secrets, the damage of a revethavar he’s terrified to remember, and a group of miners who are more than willing to trade Celehar’s life for a chance at what they feel they’re owed.
Celehar does not have to face these impossible tasks alone. Joining him are his mentee Velhiro Tomasaran, still finding her footing with the investigative nature of their job; Iäna Pel-Thenhior, his beloved opera director friend and avid supporter; and the valiant guard captain Hanu Olgarezh.
Amidst the backdrop of a murder and a brewing political uprising, Celehar must seek justice for those who cannot find it themselves under a tense political system. The repercussions of his quest are never as simple they seem, and Celehar’s own life and happiness hang in the balance.
It’s the last Cemeteries of Amalo book!!! If you tell me you’re ready I will know that you lie. (I am not even close to ready!!!)
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Contemporary or Urban Fantasy, Queer Protagonists
Representation: Bisexual MC, M/M
Published on: 11th March 2025
Goodreads
It’s enemies to lovers in this sexy and delightful holiday mash up that pairs the spare prince of Christmas with the crown prince of St. Patrick’s Day!
Someone has been stealing Christmas’s joy, and there’s only one clue to the culprit—a single shamrock.
With Coal busy restructuring Christmas—and their dad now having a full midlife crisis in the Caribbean—Kris volunteers to investigate St. Patrick’s Day. His cover: an ambassador from Christmas to foster goodwill. What could go wrong?
Everything, it seems. Because Prince Lochlann Patrick, Crown Prince of St. Patrick’s Day, happens to be the mysterious student that Kris has been in a small war with at Cambridge. They attempt to play nice for the tabloids, but Kris can’t get through one conversation without wanting to smash Loch’s face in—he’s infuriating, stubborn, loud, obstinate, hot—
Wait—hot?
Kris might be in some trouble. Especially when it turns out that the mystery behind Christmas’s stolen magic isn’t as simple as an outright theft. But why would a Holiday that Christmas has never had contact with, one that’s always been the very basis of carefree, want to steal joy? Can a spare prince even hope to unravel all this, or will Kris lose something way more valuable than his Holiday’s resources—like his heart?
I loved the first book in this series, so of course I’m showing up for the sequel! I need Kris to get his happy ending.
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Queer Protagonists
Representation: Nonbinary MC, queer MC, NB/F
Published on: 11th March 2025
Goodreads
A delightful queer romantic fantasy full of friends-to-lovers chemistry, found family, rival family drama, and cozy garden magic from two acclaimed YA authors making their debut in the adult space.
Yael Clauneck is the only scion of an obscenely wealthy banking family with its fingers in every pie in the realm. They’re on the precipice of a predetermined life when they flee their own graduation party, galloping away in search of…well, they’re not sure, but maybe the chance to feel like life can still be a grand adventure.
Margot Greenwillow—talented plant witch, tea lover, and greenhouse owner—has never felt further from adventure in her life. She’s been desperately trying to keep what remains of her family's magic remedies business afloat. So when her childhood friend and former crush, Yael, rides back into her life, she’s shocked. But perhaps this could be a good thing. After all, Margot could use an assistant in the greenhouses.
Yael has no experience or, honestly, practical skills, but they’re delighted to accept. They can lay low for a while, flirting with Margot while they figure out what to do next. Meanwhile, Margot has plans of her own—but plans are notoriously unreliable things, unlikely to survive a swiftly blooming mutual attraction, not to mention the machinations of parents determined to get their heir back . . . no matter the cost.
I adored this right up until it did used some of the tropes I most hate, but if you don’t mind those particular tropes then you HAVE to pounce on this!
Genres: Adult, Queer Protagonists, Sci Fi
Representation: Bisexual MC
Published on: 11th March 2025
Goodreads
"Wherever Emery Robin goes from here, I'm going to follow." —Veronica Roth, #1 New York Times bestselling author
From one of the most original voices in science fiction comes the spectacular sequel to the epic, interstellar love story that began in The Stars Undying.
Goddess, tell me the story.
Matheus Ceirran, commander of half the known world, is dead. For the past year, his loyal captain Anita has hunted down his assassins—that is, when she can pull herself from the bed of Altagracia Caviro Patramata, queen and oracle of the client planet of Szayet. But when Anita’s quest for revenge takes her across the borders of an enigmatic neighboring empire, she uncovers a dangerous secret that could upend the fragile balance of the galaxy.
Meanwhile, Ceirran’s heir apparent Otávio Julhan grows more and more powerful in the capital that Anita has left behind. Caught between home, Szayet, and a new and greater threat, Anita finds herself at the center of a war that threatens to collapse her world.
The fate of empires dances on the tip of a knife, and history will be written by the victors in this sweeping tale of myth, imperial legacy, and the love affair of a lifetime.Praise for the Empire Without
"Dazzling, transportive, boundless, precise—and dares to ask, what if Mark Antony was the hottest butch girl in space?" —Casey McQuiston
"Gorgeously written, impeccably characterized, and profoundly aware of the way the ghosts of history linger." —Emily Tesh
"A glittering triumph of a book that weaves together history and tragedy into a star-spanning epic." —Everina Maxwell
I really enjoyed the first book of this duology, and I need to know how this sci fi Cleopatra retelling ends!
Genres: Adult, Fantasy
Representation: Brown MC
Published on: 11th March 2025
Goodreads
This fantasy novel is the tale of three women of legendary skill on a quest to save the world’s most powerful wizard, and the innkeeper’s assistant whose heartbreak will bear witness, from the author of the bestselling The Last Unicorn.
On a night like any other, three mysterious women arrive to an inn separately, one with a fox that is more than it seems. Karsh, the innkeeper, has no choice but to let the tangled drama unfold beneath his roof. His stable boy, Rosseth, is so mesmerized by the three cloaked women, a warrior nun, a fabled adventurer, and a girl who was saved from drowning, that he soon uncovers a deep secret that was better off remaining hidden. And then there is Tikat, overwhelmed by tragedy, who continues his journey to the inn, refusing to let death bring an end his love.
Told in alternating points of view, fantasy master Peter S. Beagle has crafted an unforgettable novel of heartbreak and hope.
A new edition of a very strange fantasy! This is stylistically pretty odd, but in the way than I want would-be writers to study it, not in the way that hurts your brain.
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Queer Protagonists
Representation: Sapphic MC
Published on: 11th March 2025
Goodreads
New York Times bestselling author Alix E. Harrow weaves a dystopian fairy tale that follows the town storyteller as she struggles to protect a local demon from the knight hired to kill it.
In this gritty, haunting tale about doing whatever it takes for love, a small-town storyteller resolves to keep the local monster—and her own secrets—safe from a legendary knight.
Nestled deep in the steep hills, valleys, and surrounding woodlands lies Iron Hollow, a rural community beset by demons. Such horrors are common in the outlands, where most folks die young, if they don’t turn into monsters first. But what’s causing these transformations?
No one has the answer, not even the town’s oral historian, seventeen-year-old Shrike. And when a legendary knight is summoned to hunt down the latest beast to haunt their woods, Shrike has more reason than most to be concerned. Because that demon was her wife. And while Shrike is certain that May still recognizes her—that May is still human, somewhere beneath it all—she can’t prove it.
Determined to keep May safe, Shrike stalks the knight and his demon-hunting hawk through the recesses of the forest. But as they creep through toxic creeks and overgrown kudzu, Shrike realizes the knight has a secret of his own. And he’ll do anything to protect it.
This is a short story, but it’s an Alix E. Harrow short story, so. Enough said!
Genres: Fantasy, Contemporary or Urban Fantasy, MG
Representation: British-Indian MC with ADHD
Published on: 11th March 2025
Goodreads
Amari and the Night Brothers meets Nevermoor in this enchanting middle grade fantasy, inspired by Indian mythology and British folklore, about a neurodivergent heroine, a mysterious school, and a world of magical creatures.
Eleven-year-old Vanya Vallen has always felt like she doesn’t fit in. She’s British-Indian in a mostly white town in England, her parents won’t talk about their pasts, and she has ADHD.
Oh, and she talks to books. More importantly, the books talk back.
When her family is attacked by a monster she believed only existed in fairytales, Vanya discovers that her parents have secrets, and that there are a lot more monsters out there. Overnight, she’s whisked off to the enchanted library and school of Auramere, where she joins the ranks of archwitches and archivists.
Life at Auramere is unexpected, exciting and wonderful. But even here, there’s no escaping monsters. The mysterious, powerful Wild Hunt is on the prowl, and Vanya will need all her creativity and courage to unmask its leader and stop them before they destroy the only place she’s ever truly belonged.
From the critically-acclaimed author of the Kiki Kallira series and The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches comes an action-packed and magical middle grade fantasy, perfect for fans of J.K. Rowling and Rick Riordan.
Is that a peryton on the cover?! We never see those! Plus, she talks to books and is going to magic school? Count me in!
Genres: Fantasy, MG
Representation: Chinese MC
Goodreads
The adventure continues in the thrilling book two of the Paper Dragons series! Zhi Ging must face sand spirits, unexpected dragons and hidden secrets to save the fallen Silhouettes.
Return to the underwater realm . . .
Following the infiltration of Hok Woh and possession of her friends, Zhi Ging sets out on a dangerous mission to find Reishi, the Silhouette Scout, whom she believes has been lured into a dangerous trap.
With her adorable now-phoenix Malo by her side, Zhi Ging must fight off dangerous sand spirits, power-hungry enemies and magnificent dragons if she is to save her friends and her new home in the world of the immortals.
But as secrets are uncovered and new enemies emerge, can Zhi Ging figure out who to trust? And, more importantly, how to survive?
I haven’t read the first book in this series yet, but I am VERY EXCITED TO DO SO and wanted to acknowledge the sequel!
Genres: Fantasy, YA
Published on: 13th March 2025
Goodreads
A breathtaking new teen fantasy in which girls are cursed at birth with terrible powers.
‘Provocative and compassionate… compelling’ Patrice Lawrence, author of Orangeboy
The destruction I was destined to cause was unfathomable…
Cursed at birth, 16-year-old Drinn has been hidden away from the world – moved from house to house to ensure that she never finds love. But this year, she has decided to break free.
Fleeing, Drinn finds herself in Oblison, surrounded by others just like her – cursed girls whose lives are dangerous and wild. They vow to liberate themselves once and for all. But rebellion is dangerous, and if Drinn finds love before the curse can be broken, a terrible fate could befall them all…
Smejkal impressed me mightily with her Ink in the Blood duology, and I’m delighted to discover she has a new book! Only out in the UK this week, looks like the US has to wait till later this year…
Will you be reading any of these? Did I miss any releases you think I should know about? Let me know!
Ah! I didn’t know Innkeeper’s Song was re-released! I read it as a late teen, early twenties. It was my first time I’d ever read a book where the POV switched like that. I was halfway through and very confused when I realized I ought to have been paying attention to the chapter titles. Once I knew THAT, I knew how to read it. WHAT A MIND-CHANGER that was! I still talk about it!
Yes! It’s had a few new editions the last few years, actually, including a lovely one in the UK. I read it for the first time a few years ago and felt like I should be taking notes on everything Beagle was doing with it!
VANYA AND THE WILD HUNT is on my radar! I’m not sure if I’ll pick it up – I thought KIKI KALLIRA by the same author was alright, so I’ll probably wait and hear what others thinks before I commit to VANYA.
I haven’t started it yet, but I’m still looking forward to!