Recently arrived fantasy fiction
This collection of thirteen short stories showcases Novik's versatility across fantasy, fairy tale, myth, history and science fiction as she returns to her beloved series like Temeraire and Scholomance. These sit alongside standalone tales that reimagine myths (like the Minotaur), historical figures (Mark Antony, Sherlock Holmes), and classic literature (Pride & Prejudice). Two stories are entirely new, including a glimpse into the post-Golden Enclaves Scholomance and a preview of her upcoming series.
Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne
Reyna, a royal guard, and Kianthe, a powerful mage, dream of a tea-serving bookshop with worn floors, plants, and firelight, filled with love and company. Their current lives make this dream impossible, but after Reyna is taken hostage, she quits her dangerous job, and Kianthe, eager to escape responsibility, joins her. They settle in dragon-filled Tawney and open their dream shop. This cute queer cosy fantasy will appeal to fans of Travis Baldree and Sarah Beth Durst.
In a retelling on Hans Christian Andersens' The Nightingale, Oriane is a woman with a unique and magical ability: every morning, she transforms into a skylark and her song calls forth the sun. Having lived a secluded life, her longing for freedom leads her to the royal palace where she discovered by the King. But, determined to control her power he keeps her like a goddess, but also a prisoner. Oriane finds herself caught in political and religious battles and yearns for her simple past. However, amidst the palace intrigue, she discovers she might not be as alone as she thought, hinting at the existence of another like her.
Love them or loath them, the dragons and riders of the Basgiath War College are back for their third outing and the stakes are higher than ever. Violet and her fellow cadets, on both sides of the political divide face even greater challenges as the war against the venin escalates. Navarre is under threat, and the fragile alliances within Basgiath are tested. Violet must continue to master her bond with Tairn, hone her growing powers, and navigate complex political intrigue while facing devastating losses and impossible choices. Keep reading for more intrigue, more politics and more spice.
The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door by H.G Parry
1920s England, commoner Clover Hill gains access to the secret magical academy of Camford, determined to cure her brother cursed in a WWI faerie attack. Befriending privileged magical students, including the charismatic Alden, she delves into forbidden fae magic. A summer of experimentation leads to the opening of a faerie door, unleashing dangerous consequences years later. Fantastic new fantasy from an established New Zealand author.
Semiramis, an orphaned woman of remarkable strength and ambition navigates a ruthless world of political maneuvering and warfare to rise as the sole female ruler of the vast Assyrian Empire. The story delves into her complex relationships, her strategic brilliance, and the sacrifices she makes in her relentless pursuit of power and survival in a society resistant to a woman on the throne. It's a tale of love, betrayal, and the enduring legacy of a powerful queen.
Moonsoul by Nathaniel Luscombe
Burned out from her job of reading memories in the sand, August, August, a half-human, half-Spyren living on the desert moon of Argysi quits to rediscover herself. She finds a new job in the hanging gardens of the Spire, makes new friends, and begins to connect with her home in a different way. A cosy fantasy/scifi that explores themes of burnout, self-discovery, the importance of connection, and finding one's place in the world with gentle prose and relatable characters.
The Wood at Midwinter by Susanna Clarke
Set in the world of Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, Clarke weaves together allegory, legend and fairytale in this gorgeously illustrated story of an unusual young woman who walks in the woods with her animals. A gorgeous and meditative read.
