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 stuff sneaks in occasionally too.
THIRTEEN 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
Representation: Yoruba-inspired cast and setting
Published on: 30th June 2025
Goodreads
A Yoruba-Inspired Romantasy of Elemental Trials, Twin Hatchlings, and Betrayal’s Price
Trial of Flame - Book Two of Ashiri’s Covenant
In a kingdom of dragons and betrayal, trust can burn faster than flame.
When the Grootslang’s roar splits the night, Eshe Adenike must embrace the inferno within. Bound to the Talaka’s covenant, she faces the Trial of Flame—a crucible where every flicker of magic costs a memory. At Ashiri Academy, Yoruba proverbs crackle through every spell, and twin hatchlings stir, their scales echoing the future’s treachery.
Beside her, Tobi wields stormlight and secrets. Their bond is a volatile spark, too dangerous to name, too hot to deny. As elemental gauntlets rise and betrayal erupts, every choice threatens to forge them—or break them.
When betrayal erupts, what remains of trust?
When twin destinies clash, whose oath will stand unbroken?
And when memory burns away, who will remember love’s last spark?Perfect for fans of Children of Blood and Bone and Fourth Wing; Trial of Flame - the second book in the Ashiri’s Covenant series blazes with Yoruba magic, serpentine trials, and a romance that scorches the soul.
Will Eshe’s fire light the way—or consume everything she holds dear?
Okay look, I think we’ve established that romantasy and I don’t get on. But Yoruba romantasy? I’m willing to give that a try! This is part two in a series I’ve not heard of before; this book is only 81 pages in paperback. So more like a novella, I guess?
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Contemporary or Urban Fantasy, Queer Protagonists
Representation: M/M
Published on: 30th June 2025
Goodreads
Colin Levesque is at loose ends. He's finished university, but has no career; he adores romance novels, but he's crap at relationships; and his prickliness is a detriment at the café where he's making ends meet. He also has a crush on his regular Dav, a homo draconis who comes in every morning to read his newspaper, sip his double-strong coffee, and stare longingly at Colin in return.
So it figures that the day Colin gets up the courage to do something about the sexual tension simmering between them, he also learns that Dav has an embarrassing habit of hiccupping fire when he's nervous. Which, in this case, destroys the fancy custom-made bean roaster. When Dav volunteers to take over the coffee roasting with his fire-breath, being squished together in the hot, cramped kitchen leads to even hotter kisses.
Everything's finally happening for Colin—until people start claiming the dragon-roasted coffee has cured their genetic ailments. As their budding relationship struggles under the scrutiny of scientists and media, the hype around the coffee leads the lovers to be inducted into a centuries-old conspiracy: dragon-roasted food has always healed humans. And the most powerful draconic nobles have been withholding this symbiotic advantage to keep themselves on top. Colin and Dav are determined to expose the truth, but if they're not careful, their objections could goad power-mad monarchs into destroying everything they hold dear.
Including each other.
I’m about 2/3s of the way through my early copy of this, and I love it so much! TALK ABOUT SURPRISES: this has gone in so many directions I never saw coming! (I did expect to be surprised, because it’s Frey, but!!!)
Nine-Tenths is out for Kindles today; paperback and other ebook retailers will be available in September.
You can read the first five chapters here!
Genres: Adult, Sci Fi
Representation: Trans MC
Published on: 30th June 2025
Goodreads
A shootout at a streetside bazaar. A pursuit through darkened city streets. A courier brutally murdered by his pursuers. Blown apart and left to rot in the gutter. All of that makes for an average day in the bowels of the megatropolis of New York City— at the bottom of the Barrel.
But for Raide, that day was anything but average. That courier was a friend— probably Raide's best friend— and he left a life-changing contract behind. The job and its promised rewards force Raide to face impossible odds, all while eluding relentless corporate security agents and outrunning a horrifying plague that's sweeping the city.
When faced with such a situation, there are really only two options...
Lie down and die or run like hell.
I listed this in last week’s post, because I didn’t realise the 30th was part of THIS week! But whatever, I’m happy to feature it twice!
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Queer Protagonists
Representation: M/M
Published on: 30th June 2025
Goodreads
Gaze too long into the magic, and it starts to see you back.
Vicente is an up-and-coming ambassador and the first magic-user trained by the Crown—unfortunately making him a pawn in the power struggle between the queen and the other magic wielders. Desperate for freedom, he agrees to mediate a land dispute in an isolated town.
He assembles a trusted team, but the queen forces them to bring along Iver: a dangerous mercenary, intent on pushing Vicente to his breaking point. Loyalties are strained from the outset, and in a town that seethes with old grudges, one misstep could ignite something irreversible. Even with the odds stacked against them, Vicente still believes they can make it work.
But Vicente has a secret: his magic gives him a surge of euphoria, and he’s becoming addicted to it. When a string of brutal murders unsettles the town, Vicente must navigate his deteriorating self-control while working with his crew to keep the peace. However, Iver has a mission of his own—one that, if successful, will destroy everything Vicente is fighting for.
That is, if Vicente doesn’t destroy himself first.
Addictive magic??? All right, I’m listening!
Genres: Adult, Sci Fi, Science Fantasy, Historical Fantasy
Representation: Hispanic MC
Published on: 30th June 2025
Goodreads
Elanor Landrie’s breakout novel is an imaginative, emotional, and rebellious saga that seamlessly blends genres and entwines worlds.
This epic tale weaves together tragedy, hope, adventure, romance, and deep thought. It’s perfect for lovers of adult sci-fi, gritty fantasy, historical fiction, and philosophical fiction.
In the autumn of 1513, ten-year-old Micaela is dragged from her home and forced to witness a ritual heretic burning. Just as her tormentor intended, it is an event that will haunt her forever.
To protect her from further harm, her guardian spirits her away from Toledo to the distant, green shores of Cantabria. But even ten years and a new life cannot erase the horrors of her past.
When the shadow of an otherworldly, shape-shifting woman appears across her kitchen floor, Micaela realizes the past she fled is not done with her—and the secrets she carries may be more dangerous than she ever imagined.
I’ve been assured that this is sci fi more than fantasy, which is interesting – historical sci fi is relatively rare. The author (who is autistic) has talked about the anti-fundamentalist themes in the story, too, and I can always get behind those!
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Sci Fi
Published on: 1st July 2025
Goodreads
Sixteen new stories from some of today’s most renowned authors. All inspired by the master storyteller Tanith Lee.
Drowning cities and unicorns. Burning deserts and forgotten gods. Golems, elf warriors, and inner-Earthers. Alien lifeforms and museum workers. Ancient plagues and the future of humanity. The familiar and the fantastical. Each story in this anthology is both unique and compelling: from fairy-tale retellings to romance-tinged high fantasy, from nihilistic horror to gripping science fiction. Immersive, wide-ranging, and sublime, Storyteller features worlds and characters that are sure to travel with you long after the last page has been read.
Mike Allen, C.S.E. Cooney, Maya Deane, Andy Duncan, Rocío Rincón Fernández , Theodora Goss, CL Hellisen, Getty Hesse, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Starlene Justice, Amelia Mangan, Michael Yuya Montroy, Marisca Pichette, Nisi Shawl, KT Wagner, Martha Wells
Foreword by John Kaiine. Afterword by Ann VanderMeer.
It still wrecks me every time I remember that Tanith Lee is gone, so I suspect I’ll shed some tears while reading this. But talk about an incredible author line-up!!!
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Contemporary or Urban Fantasy
Representation: Black MC
Published on: 1st July 2025
Goodreads
Brigitte Fitzpatrick Laveau is about 99% sure she's cursed.
As Senior Pilgrim of Detroit, she's supposed to be keeping humanity--and magic folks--safe from each other. Instead, she's babysitting fallen gods, dodging djinn trying to con her, and finding homes for orphaned seers. Why is it her job to keep Detroit running smoothly? Oh, It's the family business.
So now--because she's a good daughter, thank you very much--she has accepted her fate to become the next Divine Arbiter. With more magic come more problems. Problems like sirens being murdered across Detroit, problems that feel a little too personal and a whole lot bloodier than she bargained for.
It's going to take more than a shot of luck in her latte to bring them justice.
Continually looking for urban fantasy with great worldbuilding, and I’m hopeful about this one!
Genres: Adult, Fantasy
Representation: Indian/Desi cast
Published on: 1st July 2025
Goodreads
Feed your mind, body, heart, and soul with these reinvented food legends blessed by Annapurna, Indian Goddess of Nourishment.
In this delicious collection, the stories explore food as ploy, bargain, symbolic communication, origin, profession, and bone of contention. Rediscover surprisingly relatable characters from history and legend. Stand by Parvati Bai, wife of the village headman, who must save her village from bandits. Witness the teasing friendship between Emperor Akbar and his problem-solving courtier, Birbal. Experience the anger and anguish of Goddess Parvati, who must put aside her quarrel with Lord Shiva to save a dying Earth. Follow the perilous journeys of Sambusak, an adventurer, and Arman, a refugee, from ancient Persia to India, over land and sea. Some of these stories leap into the present, connecting with twenty-first-century characters.
Expertly blending ancient and modern, mystic and mundane, East and West, these delectable tales will banish negativity, to entertain and inspire in equal measure.
I love foodie stories, so a collection of food myths sounds like a wonderful time!
Genres: Adult, Fantasy
Representation: Native American cast
Published on: 1st July 2025
Goodreads
This deluxe hardback anthology brings together incredible tales from Native American folklore, presented in a beautiful volume with gold gilded page edges.
This fascinating volume collects together myths and legends from across the North American continent, ranging from the Tlingit of Alaska to the Sioux and Cherokee of the Great Plains to the Seneca of the Atlantic coast. With stories on the creation of the world, the adventures of Gods and heroes, the nature of the cosmos, and tricksters like Coyote and Raven, these tales are sure to entertain and amaze.
Tales include:
• How the World Was Made (Cherokee)
• Origin of the Winds (Inuit)
• Why the Aspen Leaves are Never Still (Blackfoot)
• How the Seasons Came to be (Ojibwa)
• War with the Sky People (Thompson River)
• The Northern Lights (Wabanski)In these classic retellings previously compiled by Professor of History Katharine Berry Judson, these stories will immerse readers in the many and varied cultures of the Native Americans, each with their own languages, folklore and traditions.
ABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Gilded Classics series presents luxury gift editions of classics works, printed on opulent ivory paper, featuring hardcover Wibalin binding, foil-embossed cover designs, beautifully designed end-papers and gilded page edges. These make perfect collectibles for lovers of classic literature.
I don’t know very much about any Native American mythologies, just bits and pieces here and there, so the stories in this collection will be very new to me!
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Historical Fantasy
Representation: Zoroastrian Persian MC
Goodreads
The Lady of Ruby was a beautiful dream from which Sir Gawain never wanted to wake.
King Arthur's famous nephew, Sir Gawain of Orkney, Knight of the Round Table, is known by many names: Hawk of May, Dawnbreaker, Maiden's Knight. With great acclaim comes even greater expectation. When a challenge from Persian knight Sir Gromer Somer Joure draws Gawain east of the Mediterranean Sea, a new confrontation arises from Gromer's outspoken sister. The Knight of Maidens' reputation could be his undoing.
Zoroastrian widow Osti Mahtab, granddaughter of Iran's revolutionary Mobed Mazdak, detests violence. And the men who make names for themselves through it. While long resigned to her devout life within the Old City's walls, she would sooner die than admit her little brother's challenger to the inner sanctum uncontested. Yet by forestalling this game of blows betwixt paladins, has Mahtab inadvertently entered the fray herself?
In this retelling of The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle, Persian mythology clashes and mingles with Arthurian to create a new and exciting tale of romance, self-discovery, and fantasy. The Moonlit Knight marks the first installment of the Elegy of An Empire epic that promises to entice old and new fans of the legends for years to come.
I know so little about Arthurian stuff that I’ve certainly not heard of The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle before – but I’m intrigued! No idea how fantastical this is going to be, though, or if it’ll be closer to historical fiction.
Genres: Fantasy, Contemporary or Urban Fantasy, Queer Protagonists, YA
Representation: Chinese-American sapphic MC, Vietnamese-American sapphic MC, F/F
Published on: 1st July 2025
Goodreads
A geeky overachiever determined to save the world through science and a troublemaking chosen one lashing out against her destiny meet and fall in love in a magical coffeeshop as their two very different universes begin to collide in Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe, C.B. Lee's fun, sapphic, cozy fantasy YA romance.
When Brenda’s internet goes out right before an important scholarship deadline, she stumbles right into Kat’s family’s coffeeshop. Brenda is swept away by cool, confident Kat, who actually cares about Brenda’s 19-step plan to save the world through science. Meanwhile, Kat can’t stop thinking about Brenda, who is smart, passionate, and doesn’t seem to care that Kat is the prophesized Chosen One.
The only problem? Kat and Brenda are from different universes. Like need-to-find-a-portal-to-go-on-a-second-date different universes.
As their universes collide and things spiral out of control, can a girl who is determined to save the world find love with a girl determined to outrun her destiny?
The author of the extremely beloved Sidekick Squad series is bringing us a cute sapphic fantasy! This sounds delightful and I am here for it!
Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fantasy, Queer Protagonists, YA
Representation: Bi/pansexual MC
Published on: 1st July 2025
Goodreads
Perfect for fans of Saltburn, For the Wolf, and House of Hollow, Tenderly, I Am Devoured is a moody, monstrously Gothic romantasy in which a young woman must bind herself to a dangerous chthonic demon with the help of the son of a rival family to save her family's legacy—and herself—from ruin.
Expelled from her prestigious boarding school following a violent incident, eighteen-year-old Lacrimosa Arriscane returns home in disgrace to discover her family on the point of financial ruin. Desperate to save them, she accepts a marriage of convenience… to Therion, the chthonic god worshipped by Lark’s isolated coastal hometown.
But when her betrothal goes horribly wrong, Lark begins to vanish from the mortal realm. Her only hope is to seek help from Alastair the brilliant, arrogant boy who was her first heartbreak, and his alluring older sister, Camille. As the trio delve into the folklore of gods, Lark falls under the spell of the Felimath siblings.
Ensnared by a fervent romance, they perform a bacchanalia with hopes the hedonistic ritual will repair the connection between Lark and her bridegroom. Instead, they draw the ire of something much darker, which seeks to destroy Therion—and Lark as well.
I have been promised decadent, lush prose and ‘beautiful horror’, and I’m very eager to find out what the latter means! Also, apparently our main character falls in love with both Felimath siblings? Really hope that’s resolved well…
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Contemporary or Urban Fantasy, Queer Protagonists
Representation: F/F
Published on: 3rd July 2025
Goodreads
In one of their first-ever documented adventures, bounty hunters Rhema—a grumpy, axe-wielding fighter—and Benny—her chipper, easily excitable dragon—save a bratty princess from a trickster fae prince.
But when they attempt to return her home, not only is Rhema growing an inconvenient attachment to the spitfire royal, but the princess is also being chased down by droves of sexy, dumb, and very violent fae men who claim she's their mate. In order for Rhema and Benny to make it to the Butter and Barmaids Festival on time, they have no choice but to seek out Rhema's hot bounty hunter rival, an expert of the fae realm, to help them uncover the mystery of where all these chiseled-jawed men are coming from—and stop them before the princess falls for their illustrious charm.
This sounds like SUCH fun and I am so looking forward to it! More books taking the piss out of paranormal romance/romantasy tropes, please!
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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