Best Sci-Fi & Fantasy Books Coming Fall 2022

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The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope (August 9, 2022)

During her darkest moments, Clara Johnson relied on her ability to communicate with spirits for help. Now, she’s indebted to the spirit world and eager to be free again. When offered a chance to pay off her debt, Clara doesn’t hesitate, even though her task is daunting: steal a magical ring from the wealthiest woman in the District. Now Clara must gather a crew to help her pull off the heist, all while dangers from the spirit world begin to seep into hers.

Witches by Brenda Lozano (August 16, 2022)

When her cousin Paloma is murdered, Feliciana, an indigenous healer, crosses paths with Zoe, a journalist covering Paloma’s death. Feliciana reveals the realities of her community in San Felipe, describing her struggles against its traditional beliefs, and the difficult choices Paloma had to make as a healer and a trans woman. Zoe, who grew up in Mexico City, shares her own experiences on trying to make a place for herself in a largely masculine culture. The stories of the three women allow Feliciana and Zoe to discover their place in the world and the power of their own voices.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna (August 23, 2022)

Mika Moon has gotten used to hiding her magic and keeping her head down. The last thing she wants is to expose herself as one of the few witches in Britain. The one indulgence she allows herself is an online account where she makes videos “pretending” to be a witch, thinking no one will believe it to be true. But when an invitation arrives begging her to visit the remote Nowhere House and teach three young witches how to control their magic, Mika can’t resist. There she meets a colorful cast of characters, including a handsome librarian who is fiercely protective of the children. And who sees Mika as a threat. As she discovers a sense of belonging, dangers unrelated to magic loom insidiously close, and Mika must decide whether the family she found is worth risking everything for.

The Witch and the Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore (September 20, 2022)

In sixteenth-century Russia, the queen is suffering from a terrible and mysterious illness while Tsar Ivan grows more dangerous and tyrannical everyday. The legendary and reclusive half-goddess, Yaga, is the land’s only hope and must step out of the shadows to protect the people, despite their rumors and whispers of her wickedness. But what Yaga can’t foresee is that Ivan’s actions are not his own—he’s being manipulated by terrible ancient powers. Yaga must now fight to save her country and to discover her purpose as a witch and a woman.

Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young (September 27, 2022)

When all of the trees on Saiorse Island change color overnight, Emery Blackwood knows something is coming. For the first time in fourteen years, August Salt has returned. Emery thought August was the love of her life until he was accused of murdering her best friend, Lily, and her world was turned upside down. Now he’s back to bury his mother’s ashes and must face the people that turned their backs on him the night Lily was discovered in the woods. As August and Emery grapple with the emotional scars they left on one another, secrets and betrayals come to light in Saiorse, threatening to reveal what really happened the night Lily died.

The Genesis of Misery by Neon Yang (September 27, 2022)

Misery Nomaki is an anomaly. A supposed nobody from a mining planet, they have the ability to bend the will of stone—something only “saints” can do. Their power leads them to the center of the Empire, where Misery’s abilities make them the perfect weapon for those hoping to win a terrible war. While they navigate the dangers and politics of the Empire, Misery grows close to rebellious royal Lady Alodia Lightning, and decides to accept their fate as the Ninth Messiah once and for all.

Station Eternity by Mur Lafferty (October 4, 2022)

Mallory Viridian has spent too long entangled in murder cases that only she could solve, making her a frequent suspect and social pariah. So when presented with the opportunity to relocate to a space station, she doesn’t hesitate. But not long after her move, the station begins to allow other human guests on board, and Mallory is thrown back into a homicide case after the first Earth shuttle arrives. As aliens and humans alike begin to die, hysteria and panic overtake the station. Now it’s up to Mallory to discover who’s behind the murders before everyone on board becomes a victim.

Across the Sand by Hugh Howey (October 4, 2022)

Struggling to build a future amid the wastes of an endless desert, siblings Connor, Rob, Palmer and Violet hope for a better life. After losing their older sister and father, two of the land’s greatest sand divers, they must find a way to survive the desert’s depths on their own. Across No Man’s Land, Anya’s world is turned upside down when an atomic bomb destroys her town and kills her friends. Abandoning her plan to marry, have a family, and work in service of the Empire, she follows her father into the desert to avenge her community.

The Storyteller’s Death by Ann Dávila Cardinal (October 4, 2022)

Every summer since Isla Larsen Sanchez’s father passed away, her mother has sent her to Puerto Rico to live with her grandmother and great-aunt. But when Isla turns eighteen and her grandmother passes away, she discovers the woman’s storytelling gift has been passed down to her. Over and over, she witnesses a loop of tales from dead storytellers in her family. When one of these visions depicts an unsolved murder, Isla realizes the only way to stop the loop and save her own life is to uncover the truth.

The Atlas Paradox by Olivie Blake (October 25, 2022)

In this gripping sequel to Olivie Blake’s bestseller The Atlas Six, a group of young magicians with unique supernatural abilities are presented with the chance of a lifetime. There were six at the beginning, but only five became members of the enigmatic and powerful Society of Alexandrians, run by a man determined to change the world forever. Torn between two paths, each magician must choose a side. And with everything that matters on the line, they must choose wisely.

The Cloisters by Katy Hays (November 1, 2022)

In attempt to escape her painful past, Ann Stilwell flees to New York City and accepts a job at The Cloisters, a gothic museum known for its medieval art and its mysterious divination researchers. Ann’s curiosity is piqued when she’s exposed to outlandish theories behind fortune telling, but her interest quickly becomes obsession after she discovers a special set of tarot cards from the 15^th century—cards rumored to predict the future. In a battle for power fueled by ambition, life at The Cloisters becomes more captivating—and more dangerous—than Ann could have imagined.

White Horse by Erika T. Wurth (November 1, 2022)

When urban Indian Kari James is given an old bracelet that belonged to her mother, she accidentally summons the woman’s ghost and an evil entity. While visions of her mother occupy her mind and the creature she unleashed continues to hunt her, Kari must unearth what really happened to her mother all those years ago. Her journey into the past forces her to inspect her relationships and unresolved feelings, because the truth must come out—and running is no longer an option.

Ocean’s Echo by Everina Maxwell (November 1, 2022)

Tennalhin Halkana is a walking disaster but also a valuable asset. Not only can he read minds, but he can also navigate the chaos surrounding the wider universe, a rare ability that makes him useful to the military where he’s placed under the supervision of Lieutenant Surit Yeni. Surit is the son of an infamous traitor general—but he’s also a principled leader and a good soldier. As a neuromodified architect, he can influence the thoughts and actions of others, and is given the order to use his ability to control Tennal. Refusing to follow the illegal order, Surit instead forms a plan to help Tennal escape. When they’re sent on a mission to the neuromodification lab that Surit’s mother destroyed two decades ago, it’s their best chance. But what they discover amongst the rubble is something crucial and incredibly powerful . . . something that can start a war.

Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan (November 15, 2022)

In Daughter of the Moon Goddess, Xingyin valiantly freed her mother from the Celestial Emperor. Now, her peace is threatened once again when a strange magic is discovered on the moon, and the emperor’s tyranny brings disquieting changes to the kingdom. Forced to run, Xingyin and her companions travel to the Immortal Realm, where they form alliances, encounter enemies, and try to forge a new path forward. As perilous danger looms over the realm, Xingyin must find a way to defeat the evil before it destroys everyone and everything she loves.

Tread of Angels by Rebecca Roanhorse (November 15, 2022)

In 1883, the mining town of Goetia is teeming with voyagers from all over who have come to mine a powerful new element called Divinity from its mountains. But to do this, they need the help of the Fallen, progeny of demonkind who live amongst the Virtues. The Virtues were the winners of an ancient war, and now the descendants of each side must learn to harmoniously occupy their precious land. When her sister is accused of murdering a Virtue, Celeste must find a way to defend her without igniting another era of violence and unrest.

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