About Idolfire: Two women embark on an epic journey in this sapphic fantasy with a slow-burn romance inspired by the fall of Rome, from the author of the Frontier and Floating Hotel.

Nothing says ‘Epic’ like a big trek, right? It’s a fantasy tradition that goes right back to Gilgamesh. Not only do they let the characters breathe, they also allow us to view the author’s world at ground level – AKA, the human scale. Here’s five of my all time favorites in no particular order.

Andrzej Sapkowski – Baptism of Fire

Many Witcher fans will cite the third novel as their favorite, despite the fact that nothing happens. In fact, it’s the uneventfulness that makes it great. War and conspiracy ravage the land. Geralt, ever the lone wolf, reluctantly assembles a team to find his missing daughter Ciri, and quickly gets sidetracked. Fans of the games will recognize the meandering (complimentary) tone and excellent character work that makes the Witcher feel less like a story and more like a wonderful place to spend time.

N.K. Jemisin – The Fifth Season

Proceed with caution: The Fifth Season is fairy food. Once you’ve tried it, all other fantasy will seem tasteless by comparison. It’s a bargain worth making, though. Jemisin assembles a fascinating, terrifying world, caught in an endless cycle of disasters, and sets three different women out across it. A mind-altering novel that puts twee sword n’ sorcery contemporaries to shame.

Ursula k. Le Guin – The Farthest Shore

A plague has stricken the land of Earthsea and nobody knows why. Our hero Ged, now Archmage on Roke Island, sets sail to locate the source. Like all the Earthsea novels, The Farthest Shore is a lot more than the straightforward fantasy epic it first appears to be; melancholy, thoughtful and strange. Ged’s journey to the edge of the world leaves him irrevocably changed – you may change yourself in the reading.

Christopher Buehlman – The Blacktongue Thief

‘They don’t make ‘em like this anymore!’ But actually they DO! The Blacktongue Thief is a modern novel with a very classical charm. A motley crew, a perilous quest, a richly imagined world ripe for capering across… Buehlman’s novel is deliciously dark and always, always fun. Plus, we really need more books where the heroes are at risk of being lowered into a large cauldron and turned into stew. That’s just good storytelling.

William Goldman – The Princess Bride

Yes, yes, yes, the movie is great, everybody knows that. But The Princess Bride novel is a curious little wonder that deserves a brighter spotlight. Underneath all the metatextual clownery, deft satire, and commentary on the art of storytelling itself, Goldman still finds time to make you really care about Buttercup and Westley’s adventure. This book is over fifty years old and there’s still nothing else around quite like it.

The post Five of The Best Fantasy Journeys appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Christopher Buehlman’s The Daughters’ War, which is out June 25th 2024.

The goblins have killed all of our horses and most of our men.

They have enslaved our cities, burned our fields, and still they wage war.

Now, our daughters take up arms.

Galva ― Galvicha to her three brothers, two of whom the goblins will kill ― has defied her family’s wishes and joined the army’s untested new unit, the Raven Knights. They march toward a once-beautiful city overrun by the goblin horde, accompanied by scores of giant war corvids. Made with the darkest magics, these fearsome black birds may hold the key to stopping the goblins in their war to make cattle of mankind.

The road to victory is bloody, and goblins are clever and merciless. The Raven Knights can take nothing for granted ― not the bonds of family, nor the wisdom of their leaders, nor their own safety against the dangerous war birds at their side. But some hopes are worth any risk.

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The post Read An Excerpt From ‘The Daughters’ War’ by Christopher Buehlman appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

The Queen of Days released on 24 October 2023 and it’s an epic adventure that weaves together a flawed-but-lovable family of thieves, a battle between fallen gods, and stakes high enough to cause vertigo.

The allure of the trickster is always rooted in the will-they-won’t-they pull of right versus wrong. It’s what makes watching the new Loki series so irresistible. It’s not just the gleefully mischievous mayhem wrought by Asgard’s second son, but also the question of whether he will ever manage to do the right thing. And the secret hope that he will keep skipping gleefully into the shadows. So, if morally grey is your favorite color, read on to find five books that might scratch that trickster itch.

THE BLACKTONGUE THIEF by Christopher Buehlman

Kinch Na Shannack is no one’s idea of a hero. Deeply indebted to the Taker’s Guild that trained him, he makes the ill-fated choice to steal from a lone woman on the road. Except the woman is a knight on an epic journey across monster-infested lands and Kinch is going to help her whether he wants to or not. Delightfully irreverent and brimming with all the banter you could ever hope for, THE BLACKTONGUE THIEF is an instant classic that had me laughing out loud time and again.

GODKILLER by Hannah Kaner

The world of GODKILLER is rife with gods, but that doesn’t make them welcome. Or invincible, thanks to godkillers like Kissen. But when Kissen discovers that Skedi, the God of White Lies, has bonded himself to a young girl named Inara, Kissen finds herself unable to do her job. For a God of White Lies, Skedi’s point of view chapters reveal him to be surprisingly devoted to young Inara, and the mystery of how they became connected will keep you turning pages. In addition to some unique worldbuilding, this fantasy quest story also has some major Witcher vibes thanks to the friendship that grows between Kissen and Inara. This is a highly unique tale and a must-read for those who enjoy books with no easy answers.

ONCE UPON A BROKEN HEART by Stephanie Garber

Calling all YA readers! When broken-hearted Evangeline makes deal with Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, to stop her boyfriend’s wedding, you just know things are going to end badly. Garber fans will recognize Jacks from the CARAVAL series, but by some mysterious authorial alchemy, the often-villainous, always untrustworthy, and occasionally heroic Jacks becomes someone that you want to root for. Just don’t think you can ever guess what he will do next. Or why.

AMONG THIEVES by M.J. Kuhn

This high-stakes fantasy heist novel is positively chock-full of trickster-type characters. Like many a heist novel, this crew is out to make the score of a lifetime. Unlike many, every single member of the crew goes in planning to betray the others. Readers will have their pick of morally grey rascals to root for: from the slightly bumbling Tristan, an assassin with a surprising secret, to the terrifyingly and shark-like Callum. This multi-point of view tale is intricately plotted and makes for a fast-paced page turner that will have you immediately grabbing for book two.

LOKI by Melvin Burgess

What list of books featuring morally questionable characters would be complete without an appearance by the original trickster himself, Loki? Burgess’s debut into the adult space, LOKI has something of an experimental and quasi-autobiographical feel to it. Sharply funny, Loki paints a portrait of Norse mythology that is rife with intensely human-like gods and a Valhalla that doesn’t seem quite so heavenly as we’ve been led to believe. This book is a fantastically weird take well-known source material, with a voice that will leave you laughing. 

Bonus Reading! The Old Kingdom Series, by Garth Nix

Okay, so this one is a deep cut (hence the bonus entry), but can we all just remember how cool Mogget is? First appearing in SABRIEL, and returning many times since, Mogget is introduced as a talking cat begrudgingly bound to serve the line of Abhorsens—necromancers tasked to put down the dead. But Mogget isn’t a docile house pet, he’s more like a fallen god/demon in disguise. And in Mogget, Nix just spells out what we are all thinking: all tricksters are cats at heart. Though Mogget may serve the Abhorsens, and might be wooed with promises of fish, only a fool would test that theory by removing his collar.

The post 5 Books To Read If You Love A Good (Or Not So Good) Trickster appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Kinch Na Shannack is down on his luck—or rather, his luck’s just fine, it’s the damn guild he’s indentured to that’s the problem. As a Prank in the Takers Guild, Kinch’s main worry in life is making sure he steals enough to repay his ‘tuition’ debts. But everything is set to change when his crew picks the wrong mark. When the job goes sideways, Kinch finds himself the companion of the very lethal, but thankfully merciful, warrior knight he just tried to rob.

Filled with magic, humour, and a slow boiling political plot, this entertaining tale explores the themes of war and the greed of men, while outlining Buehlman’s strength as a storyteller. Most importantly, this was a delight to read, armed with killer punchlines that will make you laugh aloud and bittersweet moments that will draw a jagged breath.

The Blacktongue Thief reads as a love letter to epic journey-based fantasy. As Kinch relays his various exploits in first person to the reader, we get a look into the wider world around him. This colourfully described world includes multiple grades of magic, an expansive war-focused history, a mix of cultures and languages, and more. And at the centre of all this is our mismatched travelling band of characters, made up of a thief, a warrior knight, a witch, an old nemesis, and a blind cat. As they begin their quest and set out into the unknown, the reader is teleported into a brilliantly imagined, slightly nonsensical world with a new location every odd chapter.

One of the main strengths of this novel is its characters. Kinch Na Shannack likes to portray himself as, paradoxically, an honest thief. He’s clever, knowing how to get out of tricky situations and when to trust his luck. But reading between the lines, he’s also a product of his upbringing; he’s shifty and doesn’t trust easily, preferring to make limited connections with people instead of long-lasting relationships. But as he is thrust into an ambiguous adventure with the warrior knight, Galva, and the witch, Norrigal, Kinch’s character growth is evident through small, heartfelt moments that pin-point crucial turning points within the story.

And, given time, these characters will definitely grow on you—thought you might not want to get too attached to some of them. . .

There are also some great discussions had throughout the novel; namely on the wastefulness of war, and the greed of men. Buehlman expertly builds upon these main themes, adding in little details piece by piece over the course of the novel and linking it up with his plot. We see the disturbing and widespread impact of war, alongside the depiction of the Guild and their overreaching hand. These main themes, paired with the author’s direct writing style, prompt the reader to draw their own conclusions about the worth of war, and who really profits from it.

It’s also these themes that provide a contrasting element to the book’s seemingly juvenile tone. On multiple occasions, the reader is pulled up short as what started in jest actually reveals a darker side to the narrative. This use of tone in conjunction with theme is what sets The Blacktongue Thief apart from its peers.

Simply put, Buelman’s latest novel is a raucous laugh followed by a punch in the gut—it’s brilliantly wild and full of heart. If you’re looking for an entertaining fantasy tale that slyly delves into deeper topics, try this one.

The Blacktongue Thief is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.

Will you be picking up The Blacktongue Thief? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Kinch Na Shannack owes the Takers Guild a small fortune for his education as a thief, which includes (but is not limited to) lock-picking, knife-fighting, wall-scaling, fall-breaking, lie-weaving, trap-making, plus a few small magics. His debt has driven him to lie in wait by the old forest road, planning to rob the next traveler that crosses his path.

But today, Kinch Na Shannack has picked the wrong mark.

Galva is a knight, a survivor of the brutal goblin wars, and handmaiden of the goddess of death. She is searching for her queen, missing since a distant northern city fell to giants.

Unsuccessful in his robbery and lucky to escape with his life, Kinch now finds his fate entangled with Galva’s. Common enemies and uncommon dangers force thief and knight on an epic journey where goblins hunger for human flesh, krakens hunt in dark waters, and honor is a luxury few can afford.

The post Review: The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Black Water Sister by Zen Cho
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A reluctant medium discovers the ties that bind can unleash a dangerous power in this compelling Malaysian-set contemporary fantasy.

Blade of Secrets by Tricia Levenseller
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In Blade of Secrets, the first book in Tricia Levenseller’s exciting new YA fantasy duology, a teenage blacksmith with social anxiety is forced to go on the run to protect the world from the most powerful magical sword she’s ever made.

The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Set in a world of goblin wars, stag-sized battle ravens, and assassins who kill with deadly tattoos, Christopher Buehlman’s The Blacktongue Thief begins a ‘dazzling’ (Robin Hobb) fantasy adventure unlike any other.

How to Mars by David Ebenbach
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

What happens when your dream mission to Mars is a reality television nightmare? This debut science-fiction romp with heart follows the tradition of Ray Bradbury’s Martian Chronicles, with a dash of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and a hint of The Real World.

The Shadow in the Glass by J.J.A. Harwood
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A deliciously gothic story of wishes and curses – a new dark fairy tale set against a Victorian backdrop full of lace and smoke.

The Kingdoms by Natasha Pulley
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

For fans of The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and David Mitchell, a genre bending, time twisting alternative history that asks whether it’s worth changing the past to save the future, even if it costs you everyone you’ve ever loved.

Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Rivers Solomon’s Sorrowland is a genre-bending work of Gothic fiction. Here, monsters aren’t just individuals, but entire nations. It is a searing, seminal book that marks the arrival of a bold, unignorable voice in American fiction.

The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne
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Set in a brand-new, Norse-inspired world, and packed with myth, magic and bloody vengeance, The Shadow of the Gods begins an epic new fantasy saga from bestselling author John Gwynne.

A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark
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Nebula, Locus, and Alex Award-winner P. Djèlí Clark returns to his popular alternate Cairo universe for his fantasy novel debut, A Master of Djinn.

Firebreak by Nicole Kornher-Stace
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

One young woman faces down an all-powerful corporation in this all-too-near future science fiction debut that reads like a refreshing take on Ready Player One, with a heavy dose of Black Mirror.

Spells Trouble by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Hunter and Mercy Goode are twin witches, direct descendants of the founder of their town of Goodeville. As their ancestors have done before them, it is now time for the twins to learn what it means to be Gatekeepers–the protectors of the Gates to different underworlds, ancient portals between their world and realms where mythology rules and nightmares come to life.

We Are Satellites by Sarah Pinsker
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From award-winning author Sarah Pinsker comes a novel about one family and the technology that divides them.

What May fantasy and sci-fi releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post May 2021 Fantasy & Sci-Fi Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

2021 is absolutely jam-packed with fantasy and science fiction books that readers around the world are going to devour! Between the months of January and June, readers can expect magic, warring kingdoms, witches, magic, post-apocalyptic worlds, and so, so much more!

Read on to discover some of the January to June fantasy and sci-fi books we’re excited for and be sure to let us know in the comments what books you’re looking forward to!

Want more 2021 releases? Check out our lists for Most Anticipated 2021 Books, 2021 Queer Book Releases, 2021 Romance Book Releases, 2021 YA Book Releases, and 2021 Queer SFF Book Releases.

JANUARY

The Mask of Mirrors by M.A. Carrick
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Darkly magical and intricately imagined, The Mask of Mirrors is the unmissable start to the Rook & Rose trilogy, a rich and dazzling fantasy adventure in which a con artist, a vigilante, and a crime lord must unite to save their city.

The Frozen Crown by Greta Kelly
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A princess with a powerful and dangerous secret must find a way to save her country from ruthless invaders in this exciting debut fantasy, the first novel in a thrilling duology packed with heroism, treachery, magic, and war.

Hall of Smoke by H.M. Long
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Epic fantasy featuring warrior priestesses and fickle gods at war, for readers of Brian Staveley’s Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne.

The Stranger Times by C. K. McDonnell
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

There are Dark Forces at work in our world (and in Manchester in particular) and so thank God The Stranger Times is on hand to report them. 

Blood Heir by Ilona Andrews
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From award-winning author, Ilona Andrews, an all-new novel set in the New York Times #1 bestselling Kate Daniels World and featuring Julie Lennart-Olsen, Kate and Curran’s ward.

The Forever Sea by Joshua Phillip Johnson
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The first book in a new environmental epic fantasy series set in a world where ships kept afloat by magical hearthfires sail an endless grass sea.

Brother Red by Adrian Selby
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From one of the most exciting new voices in dark epic fantasy comes an intensely brutal and brilliantly cinematic novel: the story of a soldier torn between loyalty to her family and her quest to preserve a kingdom’s future.

Knight’s Ransom by Jeff Wheeler
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From Jeff Wheeler, the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Kingfountain novels, comes an epic new series of warring kingdoms, deadly family rivalries, and fearless loyalty.

FEBRUARY

Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell
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Ancillary Justice meets Red, White & Royal Blue in Everina Maxwell’s exciting debut.

The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec
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When a banished witch falls in love with the legendary trickster Loki, she risks the wrath of the gods in this moving, subversive debut novel that reimagines Norse mythology.

The Black Coast by Mike Brooks
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Epic world-building at its finest, in an upcoming author’s fantasy debut. The Black Coast is the start of an unmissable series filled with war-dragons, armoured knights, sea-faring raiders, dangerous magic and crowd-pleasing battle scenes.

Fireheart Tiger by Aliette de Bodard
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Award-winning author Aliette de Bodard returns with a powerful romantic fantasy that reads like The Goblin Emperor meets Howl’s Moving Castle in a pre-colonial Vietnamese-esque world. 

Game Changer by Neal Shusterman
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This high-concept novel from the National Book Award-winning and New York Times-bestselling author of the Arc of a Scythe series tackles the most urgent themes of our time, making this a must-buy for readers who are starting to ask big questions about their own role in the universe.

Sun-Daughters, Sea-Daughters by Aimee Ogden
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Sun-Daughters, Sea-Daughters has all the wonder and romance of a classic sci-fi novel, with the timelessness of a beloved fairy tale. 

A History of What Comes Next by Sylvain Neuvel
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Showing that truth is stranger than fiction, Sylvain Neuvel weaves a sci-fi thriller reminiscent of Blake Crouch and Andy Weir, blending a fast moving, darkly satirical look at 1940s rocketry with an exploration of the amorality of progress and the nature of violence in A History of What Comes Next.

This Golden Flame by Emily Victoria
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An #ownvoices debut YA fantasy, This Golden Flame is an epic adventure full of magic, rebellion, and finding where you truly belong.

MARCH

Dead Space by Kali Wallace
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An investigator must solve a brutal murder on a claustrophobic asteroid mine in this tense science fiction thriller from the author of Salvation Day. 

The Councillor by E.J. Beaton
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This Machiavellian fantasy follows a scholar’s quest to choose the next ruler of her kingdom amidst lies, conspiracy, and assassination

Skyward Inn by Aliya Whiteley
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Skyward Inn is Jamaica Inn by way of Ursula Le Guin, bringing the influences, too, of Angela Carter, Michel Faber and Jeff Vandermeer to create a fantastic story of love, belonging, and togetherness. Asking questions of ideas of the individual and the collective, of ownership and historical possession, and of the experience of being human, it is at once timeless and thoroughly of its time.

A Trial of Sorcerers by Elise Kova
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This is the first book in a young adult, epic fantasy that’s a tale of competition, coming of age, distant lands, elemental magic, and romance. It’s perfect for fans of the Legend of Korra, Truthwitch, and A Sorcery of Thorns.

Machinehood by S.B. Divya
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From the Hugo Award nominee S.B. Divya, Zero Dark Thirty meets The Social Network in this science fiction thriller about artificial intelligence, sentience, and labor rights in a near future dominated by the gig economy.

Sweet & Bitter Magic by Adrienne Tooley
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In this charming debut fantasy perfect for fans of Sorcery of Thorns and Girls of Paper and Fire, a witch cursed to never love meets a girl hiding her own dangerous magic, and the two strike a dangerous bargain to save their queendom.

Burning Girls and Other Stories by Veronica Schanoes
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In Burning Girls and Other Stories, Veronica Schanoes crosses borders and genres with stories of fierce women at the margins of society burning their way toward the center. This debut collection introduces readers to a fantasist in the vein of Karen Russell and Kelly Link, with a voice all her own.

We Shall Sing a Song Into the Deep by Andrew Kelly Stewart
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A Canticle for Leibowitz meets The Hunt for Red October in We Shall Sing a Song into the Deep, a lyrical and page-turning coming-of-age exploration of duty, belief, and the post-apocalypse from breakout newcomer Andrew Kelly Stewart.

APRIL

The ​Crown of Gilded Bones by Jennifer L. Armentrout
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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes book three in her Blood and Ash series.

The Helm of Midnight by Marina J. Lostetter
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A legendary serial killer stalks the streets of a fantastical city in The Helm of Midnight, the stunning first novel in a new trilogy from acclaimed author Marina Lostetter.

The Light of the Midnight Stars by Rena Rossner
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An evocative combination of fantasy, history, and Jewish folklore, The Light of the Midnight Stars is fairytale-inspired novel from the author of The Sisters of the Winter Wood.

The Last Watch by J.S. Dewes
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The Expanse meets Game of Thrones in J. S. Dewes’ fast-paced, sf adventure The Last Watch, where a handful of soldiers stand between humanity and annihilation.

The Infinity Courts by Akemi Dawn Bowman
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From award-winning author Akemi Dawn Bowman comes an incisive, action-packed tale that explores big questions about technology, grief, love, and humanity.

The End of Men by Christina Sweeney-Baird
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Set in a world where a virus stalks our male population, The End of Men is an electrifying and unforgettable debut from a remarkable new talent that asks: what would our world truly look like without men?

Fugitive Telemetry (The Murderbot Diaries, #6) by Martha Wells
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The New York Times bestselling security droid with a heart (though it wouldn’t admit it!) is back in Fugitive Telemetry, a new standalone adventure!

Unity by Elly Bangs
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Evoking the grittiness of Mad Max and the idealism of Sense8, this absorbing sci-fi debut is a dynamic vision of the fluidity of identity. With Unity, breakout author Elly Bangs has created a prescient, moving, and unforgettable adventure that expands upon human consciousness and its possibilities.

MAY

Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Hypnotic, propulsive, and utterly transporting, Jennifer Saint’s Ariadne forges a new epic, outside the traditional narratives of heroism and glory that leave no room for women.

Black Water Sister by Zen Cho
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A reluctant medium discovers the ties that bind can unleash a dangerous power in this compelling Malaysian-set contemporary fantasy.

Blade of Secrets by Tricia Levenseller
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In Blade of Secrets, the first book in Tricia Levenseller’s exciting new YA fantasy duology, a teenage blacksmith with social anxiety is forced to go on the run to protect the world from the most powerful magical sword she’s ever made. 

How to Mars by David Ebenbach
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

What happens when your dream mission to Mars is a reality television nightmare? This debut science-fiction romp with heart follows the tradition of Ray Bradbury’s Martian Chronicles, with a dash of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and a hint of The Real World.

Spells Trouble by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Hunter and Mercy Goode are twin witches, direct descendants of the founder of their town of Goodeville. As their ancestors have done before them, it is now time for the twins to learn what it means to be Gatekeepers–the protectors of the Gates to different underworlds, ancient portals between their world and realms where mythology rules and nightmares come to life.

Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Rivers Solomon’s Sorrowland is a genre-bending work of Gothic fiction. Here, monsters aren’t just individuals, but entire nations. It is a searing, seminal book that marks the arrival of a bold, unignorable voice in American fiction

The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Set in a world of goblin wars, stag-sized battle ravens, and assassins who kill with deadly tattoos, Christopher Buehlman’s The Blacktongue Thief begins a ‘dazzling’ (Robin Hobb) fantasy adventure unlike any other. 

The Kingdoms by Natasha Pulley
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

For fans of The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and David Mitchell, a genre bending, time twisting alternative history that asks whether it’s worth changing the past to save the future, even if it costs you everyone you’ve ever loved. 

JUNE

Star Eater by Kerstin Hall
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A phantasmagorical indictment of hereditary power, Star Eatertakes readers deep into a perilous and uncanny world where even the most powerful women are forced to choose what sacrifices they will make, so that they might have any choice at all.

The Tangleroot Palace: Stories by Marjorie Liu
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New York Times bestseller and Hugo, British Fantasy, Romantic Times, and Eisner award-winning author of the graphic novel, Monstress, Marjorie Liu leads you deep into the heart of the tangled woods. In her long-awaited debut story collection, dark, lush, and spellbinding short fiction you will find unexpected detours, dangerous magic, and even more dangerous women.

The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin
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Practical Magic meets Twister in this debut contemporary fantasy standalone about heartbreaking power, the terror of our collapsing atmosphere, and the ways we unknowingly change our fate.

The All-Consuming World by Cassandra Khaw
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Cassandra Khaw’s debut novel is a page-turning exploration of humans and machines that is perfect for readers of Ann Leckie, Ursula Le Guin, and Kameron Hurley.

The Ninth Metal by Benjamin Percy
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From award-winning author Benjamin Percy comes an explosive, breakout speculative thriller in which a powerful new metal arrives on Earth in the wake of a meteor shower, triggering a massive new “gold rush” in the Midwest and turning life as we know it on its head. The first of a cycle of novels set in a shared universe.

The Coward by Stephen Aryan
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Who will take up the mantle and slay the evil in the Frozen North, saving all from death and destruction? Not Kell Kressia, he’s done his part…

Play of Shadows by Sebastien de Castell
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Swordplay, magic, intrigue and friendships stronger than iron: the first volume in the new swashbuckling fantasy series by the bestselling author of The Greatcoats.

Gearbreakers by Zoe Hana Mikuta
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Two girls on opposite sides of a war discover they’re fighting for a common purpose–and falling for each other–in Zoe Hana Mikuta’s high-octane debut Gearbreakers, perfect for fans of Pacific Rim, Pierce Brown’s Red Rising Saga, and Marie Lu’s Legend series.

What 2021 fantasy and sci-fi books are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 48 Fantasy & Sci-Fi Book Releases To Look Out For In 2021 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.