Fantasy is one of those rare genres that allow for a full-fledged escape away from the mundane workings of our world and into realms where magic, time travel, and vampiric love affairs are the law of the land. If you’re looking to cozy up with a thrilling fantasy and forget your troubles this winter, keep an eye on these five upcoming fantasy titles from newly published and veteran authors alike.
- Tread of Angels by Rebecca Roanhorse (November 15, 2022)
It’s the year 1883, and the mining town of Goetia is booming as voyagers from around the world come to mine a powerful new element called Divinity from the mountains of Colorado. But in order to do this, they need the help of the Fallen, the ostracized progeny of demonkind who lives amongst the Virtues. The Virtues were the winners of an ancient war, and now the descendants of both sides must learn to live in harmony on their precious land. When her sister is accused of murdering a Virtue, our protagonist Celeste must find a way to defend her without igniting another era of violence in this mythologized Western tale that’s sure to tantalize readers.
- A Thousand Heartbeats by Kiera Cass (November 29, 2022)
In this enemies-to-lovers romance, Princess Annika lives a comfortable life until her once-loving father, the king, forces her into a loveless marriage for political gain. Meanwhile, a man named Lennox has devoted his life to fighting for the Dahrainian army in order to help them reclaim their stolen throne. For him, the battlefield is home, and the idea of love is a mere distraction. But when love unexpectedly finds both him and Princess Annika, they are fatefully bound by its call. Their opposing sides say they can’t possibly be together–but the “irresistible thrum” of a thousand heartbeats can’t keep them apart.
- Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan (November 15, 2022)
After fighting for her mother’s freedom from the Celestial Emperor, the epic journey of Xingyin continues in this “stunning” sequel to Daughter of the Moon Goddess. Xingying enjoys a period of tranquility at her home but soon finds that peace threatened by the discovery of unsettling changes in the Celestial Kingdom as the emperor grows in power. In this skillfully-written love letter to Chinese mythology, Xingying must fight and sacrifice her way through enemies across the earth and skies as she risks her life to keep her realm safe.
- Even Though I Knew The End by C.L. Polk (November 8, 2022)
Noir meets the supernatural in this intriguing story of magic, romance, and murder. An exiled augur who sold her soul to save her brother’s life is offered one last job before serving an eternal sentence in Hell. When she declines, her client sweetens the pot with a payment she can’t refuse–the chance to secure a future and grow old with the woman she loves. The job? To dive into the affairs of Chicago’s monsters and track down the White City Vampire, Chicago’s most notorious serial killer–in just three days. If she fails, only heartbreak and Hell await.
- The Poison Season by Maria Rutherford (December 8, 2022)
Leelo has only ever known life on Endla, having coexisted with the bloodthirsty Forest and respecting the poisonous lake that protects her island from dangerous outsiders for as long as she can remember. Though Leelo cares for her community, she struggles to accept that her younger brother will be exiled by his next birthday unless he gains the magic of an enchanted song so important to Endla. Things truly take a turn when Leelo saves a young outsider from drowning in the lake, resulting in a life-changing decision that forces Leelo to betray her family, best friend, and the island. But in spite of the devastating consequences for her and the outsider, Jaren, they find themselves growing closer and realizing that not all danger comes from beyond the lake. In order to survive in this evocative and magical tale, Leelo must be willing to question the very fabric of her society, and most of all, herself.
