Recently arrived fantasy fiction
The night ends with fire - K.X Song
Protagonist Hai Meilin escapes an abusive family life and an unwanted marriage by disguising herself as a man and enlisting in the army. Her ambition and martial skill earn her recognition, but her journey is complicated by a budding romance with a prince and a perilous connection to a manipulative sea dragon spirit. This Mulan-inspired retelling, set amidst a war between the Three Kingdoms is a high-stakes, action-packed story exploring the heavy cost of ambition and forging one's own destiny in a patriarchal world.
This Appalachian folk horror and queer fantasy novel follows Bennie Mattox, a woman investigating the mysterious deaths of mineworkers on Kire Mountain, and Motheater, a powerful, amnesiac witch Bennie rescues from a polluted creek. Through dual timelines, we learn of Motheater's past as the witch Esther, who was betrayed and buried alive in the mountain for over a century. Their bond strengthens as they fight against an exploitative mining company and the vengeful mountain itself. A unique and authentic blend of Appalachian folklore with a moody, atmospheric narrative.
The hurricane wars - Thea Guanzon
An epic romantasy debut set in a world ravaged by the conflict between the Lightweavers and the oppressive force of the shadow-wielding Night Empire. Talasyn, a fierce soldier with rare light magic, clashes with Prince Alaric, the Night Empire's heir. They are sworn enemies, but a greater threat forces them into a reluctant alliance, igniting a dangerous enemies-to-lovers romance and an exploration of their combined magic. Inspired by Filipino culture, The Hurricane Wars is rich in world building and has a focus on the political and moral complexities of a war-torn world
The starving saints - Caitlin Starling
Aymar Castle has been under siege for six months, the inhabitants on the brink of starvation. When a group of "saints" and their leader, the Constant Lady, mysteriously arrive they offering endless feasts and salvation. But this apparent miracle quickly devolves into a bacchanalian nightmare of madness and cannibalism and three women trapped in the castle—a disillusioned war hero, a paranoid nun-turned-sorceress, and a servant seeking vengeance— must navigate the horrors unfolding within the castle walls. Complex, morally ambiguous characters and the sapphic relationships that develop between them, add layers of desire and betrayal to the already tense plot.
A magical girl retires - Park Seolyeon
A witty, satirical subversion of the magical girl genre, using the fantasy genre to provide a piercing critique of modern millennial anxieties, the job market, and South Korean social issues like misogyny and debt. When a depressed, debt-ridden 29-year-old woman on the brink of suicide discovers she is a powerful "Magical Girl of Time" she finds out the job is less Sailor Moon and more bureaucratic, involving job fairs, trade unions, and her magical "wand" being a credit card. Her ultimate mission is to fight humanity's true supervillain: climate change and predatory capitalism. A surprisingly grounded and poignant anthem for a generation feeling overwhelmed by global crises.
The raven scholar - Antonia Hodgson
This intricate fantasy novel blends a murder mystery with a royal competition for the throne of the Empire of Orrun. Every 24 years, seven champions—each representing one of the land's revered Guardians—compete to become the next emperor. When the Raven contender is murdered, the Emperor charges his brilliant, socially awkward High Scholar, Neema Kraa, to solve the crime and unexpectedly forces her to take the dead contender's place in the deadly trials. Neema must unravel a web of palace intrigue, dark secrets, and ancient prophecy while fighting for her life. For fans of Robert Jackson Bennett and Samantha Shannon.
Upon a starlit tide - Kell Woods
In 1758 Saint-Malo, Brittany, Lucinde "Luce" Leon is the adopted daughter of a wealthy shipowner, who yearns for a life at sea. When she rescues a man from a shipwreck, Luce is plunged into a world of fae magic, courtly intrigue, and dark family secrets. The novel weaves together elements of "The Little Mermaid" and "Cinderella" to tell a story of self-discovery, betrayal, and burgeoning magical power, as Luce's true identity comes to light.
Among the burning flowers - Samantha Shannon
A prequel novella to Shannon's "Roots of Chaos" series, set two years before The Priory of the Orange Tree, Among the Burning Flowers chronicles the tragic Fall of Yscalin, a kingdom that succumbs to the dreaded wyrm Fýredel and shifts its allegiance to the ancient enemy, the Nameless One. The story is primarily told through Marosa Vetalda, the captive heir of Yscalin, as she navigates political oppression and the sudden draconic terror, making devastating choices to protect her people. A must for fans of Shannon's epic series.
