Bookish News: September/October 2018 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Releases to Get Excited About

 
 

A new month, a new upcoming releases post! And as usual, there are some amazing-sounding books coming out that I’m excited for. A lot of sequels, actually, which seems to be a common thing for me in the fall months, for some reason. BUT, even if you haven’t read the previous books in all of these series, it’s never too late to start 😉 And there are some new series and standalones on my list too! Also, I didn’t notice until I put the list together, but I love how much diversity is here! This list of books includes characters who are Asian, Black, bi, pan, trans, and chronically ill. So without further ado, let’s get to the books!


Detox in Letters by Cheryl Low // Sep 18

Detox in Letters by Cheryl LowBlurb:

Welcome to the Realm, where magic is your drug, your poison, and your only hope.

An illness is spreading through the city, marking the sick in mysterious letters scrawled across their skin. What is first thought to be madness reveals itself to be an awakening as residents rediscover themselves, their pasts, and their long-forgotten magic… things the Queen wants to remain buried. Things she will sacrifice her own children to suppress.

Mercy has never been a staple of the Realm. Treachery, blood, and magic steeps the city as the rebel leader, Red, seeks to topple the Tower, Princess Fay eyes her mother’s throne, and Prince Vaun must decide whether to submit to his mother’s terrible demand.

My Thoughts:

THIS BOOK, YOU GUYS. I have already had the absolute pleasure of reading this amazing book, and it is a sequel, so I urge everyone to go and grab a copy of the first book and start this series! The world is so unique, the characters are complex, everyone is pansexual, and this book was even better, in my opinion, than the first!

Goodreads | Amazon | Publisher

 

Strange Grace by Tessa Gratton // Sep 18

Strange Grace by Tessa GrattonBlurb:

Once, a witch made a pact with a devil. The legend says they loved each other, but can the story be trusted at all? Find out in this lush, atmospheric fantasy novel that entwines love, lies, and sacrifice.

Long ago, a village made a bargain with the devil: to ensure their prosperity, when the Slaughter Moon rises, the village must sacrifice a young man into the depths of the Devil’s Forest.

Only this year, the Slaughter Moon has risen early.

Bound by duty, secrets, and the love they share for one another, Mairwen, a spirited witch; Rhun, the expected saint; and Arthur, a restless outcast, will each have a role to play as the devil demands a body to fill the bargain. But the devil these friends find is not the one they expect, and the lies they uncover will turn their town—and their hearts—inside out.

My Thoughts:

I read an ARC of this one, and though it wasn’t quite what I was expecting, I’ve seen a ton of amazing reviews for it! It was definitely mysterious and had some really cool nature-y, forest magic.

Goodreads | Amazon | Publisher

 

The Dark Descent of Elizabeth by Kiersten White // Sep 25

The Dark Descent of Elizabeth by Kiersten WhiteBlurb:

Elizabeth Lavenza hasn’t had a proper meal in weeks. Her thin arms are covered with bruises from her “caregiver,” and she is on the verge of being thrown into the streets . . . until she is brought to the home of Victor Frankenstein, an unsmiling, solitary boy who has everything–except a friend.

Victor is her escape from misery. Elizabeth does everything she can to make herself indispensable–and it works. She is taken in by the Frankenstein family and rewarded with a warm bed, delicious food, and dresses of the finest silk. Soon she and Victor are inseparable.

But her new life comes at a price. As the years pass, Elizabeth’s survival depends on managing Victor’s dangerous temper and entertaining his every whim, no matter how depraved. Behind her blue eyes and sweet smile lies the calculating heart of a girl determined to stay alive no matter the cost . . . as the world she knows is consumed by darkness.

My Thoughts:

I love Frankenstein retellings, and although I don’t think this one has a big sci-fi element, it still sounds dark and intriguing!

Goodreads | Amazon | Publisher

 

Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa // Oct 2

Shadow of the Fox by Julie KagawaBlurb:

One thousand years ago, the great Kami Dragon was summoned to grant a single terrible wish—and the land of Iwagoto was plunged into an age of darkness and chaos.

Now, for whoever holds the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers, a new wish will be granted. A new age is about to dawn.

Raised by monks in the isolated Silent Winds temple, Yumeko has trained all her life to hide her yokai nature. Half kitsune, half human, her skill with illusion is matched only by her penchant for mischief. Until the day her home is burned to the ground, her adoptive family is brutally slain and she is forced to flee for her life with the temple’s greatest treasure—one part of the ancient scroll.

There are many who would claim the dragon’s wish for their own. Kage Tatsumi, a mysterious samurai of the Shadow Clan, is one such hunter, under orders to retrieve the scroll…at any cost. Fate brings Kage and Yumeko together. With a promise to lead him to the scroll, an uneasy alliance is formed, offering Yumeko her best hope for survival. But he seeks what she has hidden away, and her deception could ultimately tear them both apart.

With an army of demons at her heels and the unlikeliest of allies at her side, Yumeko’s secrets are more than a matter of life or death. They are the key to the fate of the world itself.

My Thoughts:

Kitsune! I’ve yet to read about those, so I’m excited. The story also just sounds great!

Goodreads | Amazon | Publisher

 

Saga Vol. 9 by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples // Oct 2

Blurb:

The multiple Eisner Award-winning series returns with a spacefaring adventure about fake news and genuine terror. Get ready for the most shocking, most impactful SAGA storyline yet.

Collects SAGA #49-54

My Thoughts:

It’s Saga Vol. 9, need I say more? Of course I’m looking forward to it! Especially since I felt things finally picked back up in the last volume after Volumes 6 and 7 kind of dragged a bit for me.

Goodreads | Amazon | Publisher

 

Time’s Children by D. B. Jackson // Oct 2

Time's Children by D. B. JacksonBlurb:

A time traveler trapped in a violent past must protect the orphaned child of a murdered sovereign and find a way home, in this astonishing epic fantasy novel.

Fifteen year-old Tobias Doljan, a Walker trained to travel through time, is called to serve at the court of Daerjen. The sovereign, Mearlan IV, wants him to Walk back fourteen years, to prevent a devastating war which will destroy all of Islevale. Even though the journey will double Tobias’ age, he agrees. But he arrives to discover Mearlan has already been assassinated, and his court destroyed. The only survivor is the infant princess, Sofya. Still a boy inside his newly adult body, Tobias must find a way to protect the princess from assassins, and build himself a future… in the past.

My Thoughts:

I don’t read a lot of time travel books, but a 15-year-old in the body of a 29-year-old, trying to protect a baby in the past, it just sounds too interesting to pass up! It’s also the first in a series.

Goodreads | Amazon | Publisher

 

Treason of Hawks by Lila Bowen // Oct 16

Treason of Hawks by Lila BowenBlurb:

The climactic conclusion to the award-winning fantasy series New York Times bestselling author Kevin Hearne calls “thrilling, delightfully written, and important.”

Rhett Walker is looking for peace, the memories of all he’s lost haunting his dreams.

But with the lawless Rangers on his heels and monster attacks surging, Rhett is surrounded on all sides. When his friends and allies are suddenly ambushed, Rhett must answer the Shadow’s call and ride into one last, fateful battle.

My Thoughts:

I have not yet read the first three books in this series, but I really want to! I love fantasy westerns. And this is the final one, so that means I can binge-read them all once I do get my hands on them!

Goodreads | Amazon | Publisher

 

Everyone Dies in the Garden of Syn by Michael Seidelman // Oct 23

Everyone Dies in the Garden of Syn by Michael SeidelmanBlurb:

When Synthia (Syn) Wade discovered a secret world where illness and death did not exist, for the first time in her life she didn’t have to worry about her cystic fibrosis. However, a dark truth and a dangerous foe were waiting in the shadows.

Syn must now return to the Garden to save a loved one held captive by a madman and the odds are against her. The secret world is overrun by the terrifying Creepers. Her one-time allies have turned their backs on her. And worst of all, the healing powers of the Garden are no more. This time Synthia fears fighting alone, without respite from her life-threatening illness.

The last time Syn visited The Garden, death was held at bay.

Now Everyone Dies in the Garden of Syn.

My Thoughts:

Sci-fi/fantasy with a chronically ill MC! That alone is exciting. I also really enjoyed the mysterious and twisty first book, so I’m looking forward to continuing the series.

Goodreads | Amazon | Author Website

 
 
 
 

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What September/October 2018 book releases are you looking forward to?

 
 
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  1. Greg

    I like posts like this- I can never find enough new books lol. Shadow of the Fox has possibilities because kitsune. And Saga- wow Vol 9? Will this be the month I finally give Saga a try again? I don’t know, but maybe soon…

    Treason of Hawks, because yeah fantasy western always gets my attention if nothing else. I feel like I want to read more of those!

    1. Kristen Burns

      As though we need longer TBRs, haha. I’m very excited to read about kitsune! I don’t even know how many volumes you tried? I hope it grows on you if you keep reading, but maybe it’s just not for you.

      Yes, more fantasy westerns!

    1. Kristen Burns

      Oh no! Well, you can always catch up in the months after 🙂 I’ve been putting that one off because of my mood reading, but hopefully I’ll get to it soon!

  2. Lola

    September and October are so full with releases, I hardly know where to start. The next few months are full with review copied release dates for me and I hope to get a few ones read besides that as well. Great list you compiled here. The nature/ forest magic in Strange Grace sounds good. I am not a fan of time travel books, but that time travel book you listed here does sound like it has an unique premise.

    1. Kristen Burns

      They are! There are even more that I think are coming out, but I couldn’t add them since they’re not on GR yet. Thanks 🙂 The forest magic was cool! I just couldn’t resist the unique premise on that time travel one.

  3. ShootingStarsMag

    Nice mix here! I really want to read THE DARK DESCENT OF ELIZABETH BY KIERSTEN WHITE. I’m also hoping to FINALLY read Vicious by V.E. Schwab, since the sequel comes out this month.

    -Lauren

  4. Brittany

    Have you heard that the Saga writers are going on a hiatus until at least 2019 😥😥😥I am sooo sad to hear that but I am super excited for Vol 9!!!

  5. Kathy @ Pages Below the Vaulted Sky

    I’ve never heard of Cheryl Low’s series before but it sounds amazing??? I’ll definitely try the first book! And I picked up Time’s Children too. I love scifi/fantasy mashups and I’ve been on a bit of a time travel kick lately, so why not? 😀

    1. Kristen Burns

      It IS amazing! I’m looking forward to your thoughts! I actually am not a big time travel fan, but Time’s Children sounded too interesting to pass up!

  6. Tanya @ Girl Plus Books

    It’s probably the least sci-fi on the list but I’m intrigued by The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein. I’m familiar with Kierstin White and I’m interested to see where she takes the story.

  7. Tessa

    I love how you always manage to find books that I have never heard of, but, thanks to you, I am totally interested in! I have seen The Garden of Syn series popping around, but I never knew that there was a chronically ill MC. Now I have to look into it.

    I have not heard of Strange Grace either, but it seems like the perfect witchy book for the upcoming Halloween season. I am not really into horror, so sometimes I find it hard to participate in Halloween blog posts, however, Strange Grace might fix that.

    1. Kristen Burns

      Thanks! Yeah, the MC has cystic fibrosis.

      Oh, Strange Grace be a great book for that! It’s a little eerie maybe, but not scary. And I say that as someone who is also not into horror 🙂

  8. Dani Eide

    What a great list of books! The next two months have a plethora of great fantasy. I love the kitsune and Detox in Letters sounds intriguing. Love Saga and can’t wait for vol 9. Thanks Kirsten! ❤️

  9. Olivia-Savannah Roach

    WOW YOU ARE SO RIGHT?! I didn’t think about it before but literally all the sequels come out either in autumn, or in January right at the beginning of the year for some reason DD: It’s cool to see those patterns. I love the sound of the Elizabeth Frankenstein one, maybe because I love the original classic so much 😉 Ah, another Saga book. I wish I could find a copy of book 1 because I want to read it so badly!!

    1. Kristen Burns

      Right? It’s totally a thing lol. I like the original Frankenstein too, and it sounds really interesting to get a different perspective of Victor. Do you have a library card, and if so, do they use Hoopla for online borrowing? Idk if the Hoopla selection is the same for every country, but that’s how I read Saga.

  10. Di @ Book Reviews by Di

    You’ve reminded me that I have to start my ARC of Shadow of the FOx ASAP. Eep! I still haven’t managed to get there. I’m interested in the new Annette Marie and obviously I can’t wait for the final Throne of Glass book to come out in October!

    1. Kristen Burns

      Don’t worry, I haven’t read it either because of mood reading issues. I’m just struggling to get into high fantasy and slow-paced stories right now, and I feel like this will be both those things. I was gonna include the Annette Marie one but it wasn’t on Amazon yet. Hope you like the final Throne of Glass!

  11. Becky @ A Fool's Ingenuity

    Detox in Letters sounds so cool from the summary and it’s a sequel? Well, now I feel like I’ve missed out on something. I love the cover for Strange Grace, I know you’ve reviewed that because it’s one of the posts I have open to comment on so I cannot wait to see your thoughts on it to see if it’s just a pretty cover or not. I always get excited about new Julie Kagawa books and always find she does something which bothers me in the book to put me off reading so hopefully that won’t happen with this one because it is pretty awesome to see kitsune in a book. I’ve not read all of Lila Bowen’s books in that series either, how is there another one out? I need to catch up! Especially as the first was so original and cool so now I may have to reread the first book and binge the series too.

    1. Kristen Burns

      Detox in Letters is amazing! You have missed out. You must go read the first book right now. 🙂 This is my first Kagawa book, so I guess we’ll see how I like her writing! You’re at least doing better than I am with Lila Bowen’s series since I haven’t read any of the books yet lol.