If 2026 has one thing going for it, it’s this: the sci-fi and fantasy lineup is absolutely stacked. From reality-bending time travel to magical worlds hiding just beneath the surface, this year’s releases are ready to transport us anywhere but here. Whether you’re in the mood for high-stakes rebellion, sweeping fantasy romance, or a quiet kind of magic that sneaks up on you, there’s something on this list that will completely take over your TBR. So clear your schedule—because these are the stories you’re about to get lost in.

The Last Contract of Isako by Fonda Lee (5/5)

In a world where magic is bound by contracts, Isako has built her life enforcing the deals others are too afraid to touch. But when her final contract pulls her into a web of power, betrayal, and long-buried secrets, she’s forced to question everything she thought she knew about loyalty and control. As the stakes escalate, Isako must decide what she’s willing to risk—and what she’s ready to walk away from. It’s a sharp, high-stakes fantasy about power, choice, and the cost of keeping your word.

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Broken Dove by Dani Francis (5/12)

In this high-stakes sequel, Wren Darlington is on the run after exposing herself as a double agent and must now fight alongside the rebellion to take down a powerful regime. As war intensifies, she faces shifting loyalties, hidden agendas, and complicated relationships—especially with the man she loves and a former friend who reenters her life. Caught between two sides and two hearts, Wren must decide what she’s willing to risk to win the fight. With trust fragile and danger everywhere, the battle for her world is only just beginning.

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The Franchise by Thomas Elrod (5/12)

The Malicarn is a wildly popular fantasy film franchise filled with dragons, magic, and heroic battles—but its characters don’t realize they’re part of a scripted world. When one actor begins to question the reality of the universe he’s helped create, he uncovers something far more complicated than a simple movie set. As he wrestles with the idea of freeing people who believe their lives are real, he must confront the consequences of disrupting an entire world. What follows is a clever, thought-provoking twist on fantasy and reality.

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The Tapestry of Fate by Shannon Chakraborty (5/12)

In this sweeping fantasy, a young woman with a mysterious connection to fate finds herself drawn into a world of magic, politics, and ancient power. As hidden forces begin to stir, she must navigate dangerous alliances and uncover truths about her own past. With the fate of entire realms at stake, her choices could reshape the future. Richly imagined and full of intrigue, the story weaves together destiny, identity, and the cost of power.

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Seek the Traitor’s Son by Veronica Roth (5/12)

In a world shaped by loyalty and betrayal, a young protagonist is drawn into a dangerous mission tied to a traitor’s legacy. As secrets unravel and alliances shift, they must navigate a web of political tension and hidden truths. With the fate of their people hanging in the balance, every choice carries consequences. It’s a gripping story about identity, trust, and what it means to carry a name tied to treason.

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The Midnight Train by Matt Haig (5/26)

Wilbur is given a rare chance to revisit the defining moments of his life aboard the mysterious Midnight Train, which allows passengers to return to their past. As he relives his happiest memories—especially with the love of his life—he begins to question the choices that led him to where he is now. But changing the past comes with real consequences, and not everything can be fixed without a cost. This time-bending story explores love, regret, and what it truly means to live well.

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Bromantasy by Máire Roche (5/26)

Juniper never meant to sign himself and his best friend Mo up for a dangerous monster-hunting quest—especially since he’s wildly unqualified for it. As they trek through the forest, facing unexpected challenges, Juniper starts to notice his feelings for Mo might be more than just friendship. But when the “monster” turns out to be something very different, their mission shifts into a search for the real villain. What follows is a humorous, heartfelt adventure about friendship, identity, and finding the courage to do what’s right.

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The Secret World of Briar Rose by Cindy Pham (6/2)

A young woman discovers there’s more to her family—and her past—than she ever imagined when she’s pulled into a hidden, magical world. As long-buried secrets begin to surface, she must navigate unfamiliar powers, shifting alliances, and the truth about who she really is. The deeper she goes, the more dangerous the world becomes. Blending fairy-tale inspiration with modern fantasy, it’s a story about identity, destiny, and uncovering what’s been hidden all along.

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Twenty Something Else by Stephanie Mack (6/9)

Sutton Layne seems to have it all—a successful career, a loving family, and a picture-perfect life—but behind the scenes, everything is starting to unravel. When a blast from her past sparks a spiral of “what ifs,” she begins questioning the choices that shaped her life. After an unexpected accident, Sutton is given the chance to revisit her past and explore the paths she didn’t take. As she chases alternate versions of her life, she must decide what truly matters and whether the life she built is the one she really wants.

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Voyagers by Meg Charlton (6/16)

When a mysterious signal from deep space disrupts the world, Alex is forced to confront a long-buried childhood experience that may be connected. Years earlier, he and a girl named Ana vanished under strange circumstances, sparking rumors of alien contact and a media frenzy that ultimately drove them apart. Now reunited as the signal intensifies, they search for answers about what really happened to them. As the truth begins to surface, their journey becomes as much about understanding the past as it is about facing an uncertain future.

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Kingdom of Waves by Melissa de la Cruz (6/16)

A young woman is drawn into a powerful ocean realm where magic, royalty, and danger collide. As she uncovers secrets about her connection to this world, she’s forced to navigate court politics, shifting alliances, and a destiny she never expected. With rising threats both above and below the waves, she must decide who to trust—and what she’s willing to fight for. It’s a sweeping fantasy of power, identity, and the pull of the sea.

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The Moonsingers by Robyn J Pritzker (7/14)

After losing yet another teaching job, Ismay takes a position in a quiet village where she soon discovers her unusual pupils—and many of the locals—are actually fairies living among humans. When her well-meaning attempt to modernize the town threatens their magical world, she must work to undo the chaos she’s caused. As she grows closer to both the villagers and a persistent outsider, Ismay is forced to choose between progress and protecting something truly extraordinary. Along the way, she finally begins to find the sense of belonging she’s always been searching for.

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Time Travel for Beginners by Jaclyn Moriart (8/4)

Three seemingly ordinary people—a bookseller, a scientist, and a mother—find their lives unexpectedly tangled together through the possibility of time travel. As strange events begin to unfold, they’re pulled into a world where past, present, and future blur in unpredictable ways. Each must confront their own choices, regrets, and what they truly want to change. Blending humor and heart, the story explores how even small moments can shape an entire life.

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Daggerbound by T. Kingfisher (8/25)

In a world where danger lurks in every shadow, a woman bound by duty and survival finds herself entangled in a mission far more complicated than she expected. As dark forces close in and unlikely alliances form, she must rely on her wits—and her blade—to stay alive. But the deeper she gets, the more she realizes the truth may be more dangerous than the enemies she faces. With T. Kingfisher’s signature mix of wit and grit, it’s a sharp, character-driven fantasy about survival, trust, and the cost of doing what’s right.

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I Punched an Alien and Now We’re in Couples Therapy by Kimberly Lemming (8/28)

Blair refuses to give up—even after being abducted, stranded on an alien planet, and captured by a stubborn alien king. Things get even more complicated when she learns she’s somehow destined to be his mate. Forced into a bizarre “couples counseling” experiment by alien researchers, the two must work together to survive a series of dangerous challenges. As they clash, bond, and uncover deeper secrets, their chaotic situation turns into an unexpected—and explosive—partnership.

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