Feature Image Credit: @scorpiobookdreams 

When fantasy and magical realism come together, you get a story that is truly out of this world. Take a moment to escape from reality and indulge in a mystical wonderland where anything is possible. If you’re looking to get lost in some new reading material, you’re in luck. We’ve rounded up ten titles that we just can’t wait to read this fall.

A Clash of Steel: A Treasure Island Remix by C.B. Lee (Sept 7, 2021)

Xiang was raised by her mother, a strong woman that never seemed to have much time for her daughter. Even though her father was lost at sea before she was even born, she keeps him close by wearing a gold pendant that serves as a reminder. Out of nowhere, a puzzling girl named Ahn takes the pendant, revealing it has magical powers. It holds information about the Dragon Fleet, and how to locate the head of the dragon, which houses a buried treasure. As these two set sail, they learn quickly that navigating the choppy waters isn’t so easy, and they are about to find out the hard way.

A Dark and Starless Forest by Sarah Hollowell (Sept 14, 2021)

Along with her eight brothers and sisters, Derry lives in a secluded lake house set apart from the rest of the world. Frank, the man who took them in after they were left by their families, says it’s for their own safety. But after Derry’s sister disappears into the frightful forest, she starts to question everything. When another sibling ends up missing, along with Frank acting strange, Derry realizes that she must take matters into her own hands. When she realizes that she has magical powers, and the mystical forest only magnifies it, she must find a way to tap into her darkness to see the light.

Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray (Sept 28, 2021)

Obligated to help pay off her family’s debts, sixteen-year-old Koffi spends her days working at the menacing Night Zoo in the dilapidated city of Lkossa. Magic is prohibited here, so Koffi must keep her secret powers under wraps. However, when the evil zookeeper threatens to take down Koffi’s loved ones, she taps into capabilities that she didn’t even know she had. When she is asked to use her skills to fight off a violent beast that has invaded the city, she knows she must try but can’t do it alone. As she forms an alliance with Ekon, they will soon find out if they are the hunters or the prey.

When Night Breaks by Janella Angeles (Oct 5, 2021)

In this world of magic mirrors, you never know just what the reflection might reveal. After falling through a mirror, Kallia is the one left broken into pieces, mourning what she left behind along with the love of her life. The only person who can help is Jack the magician, but he is a sinister character who is not to be trusted. With no other choice, Kallia navigates this strange world with Jack by her side, hoping to find the answers. But when the truth is revealed, it means the destruction of a kingdom and an ending that leaves some shattered.

Jade Fire Gold by June CL Tan (Oct 12, 2021)

With everything they know at risk of being destroyed as the empire is on the verge of war, Ahn and Altan have some serious choices to make. Ahn feels all alone, with no friends and family to turn to. Altan is a misplaced heir, with all hopes of a bright future diminished during childhood. Then these two lost souls meet, and everything shifts. Ahn begins to tap into her magical powers while Altan can envision a way to reclaim the throne with Ahn’s help. As these two begin to form an alliance and plan their next move, they find themselves unprepared for the plot twist that begins to unravel.

The Keeper of Night by Kylie Lee Baker (Oct 12, 2021)

All Ren knows is death. As a soul collector, she’s been cleaning out the streets of London for years. She’s half Japanese Shinigami, half British Reaper, and expected to comply with the unrealistic demands of the Reapers above her. One day when she shows too much of her Shinigami side, she is forced to flee the country and heads to Japan in hopes of starting over. As she arrives at her hew home as the Goddess of Death, she inherits the dangerous task of driving out three dangerous demons. Determined to prove herself, Ren takes on the challenge, even if that means risking her own life in the process.

Bright Ruined Things by Samantha Cohoe (Oct 26, 2021)

Mae has lived her whole life on the island controlled by the wealthy Prosper family, who have a monopoly on all of the magic. Mae dreams of one day creating her own magic to prove that she is also a mystic being. When everyone comes together to celebrate the anniversary of Lord Prosper’s invention of aether, a potion that has revolutionized the fuel industry, Mae starts to notice sprits mysteriously dying. The only one to turn to is Ivo, the reclusive heir to the Prosper fortune. As she searches for answers, she is surprised to uncover hidden secrets that reveal more about Mae than anything else.

A Marvelous Light by Freya Marske (Nov 2, 2021)

Robin Blyth was just trying to get through the days, living an ordinary life. So when his name mistakenly appears as the civil service liaison for an undercover magical society, he doesn’t make any effort to correct it. As he starts to dabble in magic, he not only sees the beauty in it but also the dangers. In addition, he’s also faced with his nemesis in the magical bureaucracy, Edwin Courcey, who does not approve of Robin whatsoever. But when it is revealed that every magician in the British Iles is suddenly facing imminent danger, they must find a way to come together to save them, as well as themselves.

All of Us Villains by Amanda Foody (Nov 9, 2021)

As The Blood Moon rises and The Blood Veil falls, the ominous tournament commences. In the secluded city of Ilvernath, seven families compete to the death for a chance at gaining control over the most sought-after resource in the world. This wellspring of high magick was thought to be long gone, but a newly discovered book revealed information that substance was still up for grabs. As these groups prepare to fight for the rights to the magick, they must also come to grips knowing that most of them will not make it out alive.

Our Violent Ends by Chloe Gong (Nov 16, 2021)

It’s 1927 and Shanghai is in an upheaval. Juliette is doing her best just to stay in control, but she knows that with just one misstep, her cousin will replace her as heir to the Scarlett Gang. To protect the boy she loves from the Scarlets, she must convince the all-powerful Roma that she’s guilty of a crime that she did not commit. But when they are invaded by sinister monsters, Juliette must form a truce with Roma to save the city. As gangsters and monsters threaten to take over, Juliette finds herself relying on her heart just as much as her magical abilities to defend the place she calls home.