August is here! Already? This year is flying away. But at least we’re getting great books on our shelves, regardless of Earth spinning faster every other day. One very hyped title is releasing this month: R.F. Kuang’s academia adventure to hell and I’m quite nervous about reading it. I’m especially happy there are three South Asian authors in this list, writing weird speculative stories and a romantasy. Everything from robots cooking noodles to fire-breathing lizards and fire-wielding nuns, from dragon shifters to horror-esque stories, August looks marvellous.
Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz, August 5
Four gay robots opening a noodle joint sounds so perfectly cozy, even though the shop is opening in a post-war San Francisco. I came across this near-future novella through a review on Locus and their praise for the execution, “convincing us of the possibility of a feel-good island surviving in a dystopian sea” drew my attention. I truly believe we need more hopepunk in this age and sci-fi focusing on found family in a flawed world is always needed. Add in hand-pulled noodles and I’m ready!
Acts of God by Kanan Gill, August 12
I was surprised when I first stumbled upon the announcement of this sci-fi because I remember Kanan Gill for his comedy—a wonderful memory of my teen years with my friends. But when I saw this story is humorous, I was simply excited. A private detective investigating existential cataclysms around the world is unaware these are caused by a godlike scientist in a utopian future. Who can say no to a madcap futuristic romp that questions the meaning of existence in the middle of chaos?
Lady Dragon by A.M. Strickland, August 26
I read Beyond the Black Door by the author during my early blogging days and the asexual representation had me so impressed, I always recommend it. In this new dark fantasy by Strickland, a reluctant human princess and a dragon contender for queenship must navigate their growing feelings while their clashing nations prepare for war. Dragons are evergreen in this genre but we definitely need more dragon shifters, and this YA sapphic romantasy also has a demisexual lesbian.
Katabasis by R.F. Kuang, August 26
Kuang is one of my favourite authors and my enthusiasm for anything she comes up with is always at its peak. The last book I read by her was Yellowface and it was excellent. Even though I haven’t read Babel yet, I wouldn’t doubt loving the research-ingrained philosophical or think pieces-like narration that I’ve heard it carries. So Katabasis is bound to be good too: two graduate students must put aside their rivalry and journey to Hell to save their professor’s soul.
Her Soul for a Crown by Alysha Rameera, August 12
SFF by South Asian authors will always draw my attention, especially when it’s inspired by the subcontinent’s mythology. This epic, slow-burn romantic fantasy is based on Sri Lankan mythology, following a fierce orphaned young woman with an affinity for poisons and revenge who would do anything to end the reign of heartless rajas—even sell her soul to the most dangerous cursed god of all.
This Vicious Hunger by Francesca May, August 23
I’m a sucker—pun intended—for messy characters, especially against dark backdrops and bonus points if their complexity is unravelled with nuance. So when I heard of this suspenseful historical speculative fiction that provides a new twist on how vampires are created, I knew something perfect for the weather and the hunger is here. A recently widowed woman becomes a student of botany under a bewitching professor who leads her into a world of beauty, poison and obsession
Ghost Fish by Stuart Pennebaker, August 5
Coming-of-age novels that explore the ups and downs of early adulthood are something I intentionally look for nowadays. Bonus points if it’s a speculative story tied up with too many emotions as a heroine who moves to e big city amidst grief and loneliness. A young woman haunted by her sister’s death starts to believe that he beloved sibling has returned to her in the form of a ghost fish.
Roar of the Lambs by Jamison Shea, August 26
I haven’t read I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast is Me duology but anyone would agree, the title is unforgettable. And now, having come across Roar of the Lambs, I find myself drawn to both the title and the cover. This dreamy speculative thriller has a lying psychic and a juvenile delinquent plagued with visions caused by the latter’s cousin. Now both must work together to avoid this violent future in a Gothic house while uncovering the secrets of a box that offers nightmares.
Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon by Mizuki Tsujimura, August 26
A suspenseful magical realism novel about a mysterious teenage “Go-Between” who arranges meetings between the living and the dead. I know how cozy fantasy is on the rise and everyone loves the warmth it offers, but I especially seek ‘gentle’ fantasy—something that takes through a difficult, particularly sentimental, journey but with gentleness. What better than a story where the living and the dead are given one last chance for closure.
House of Dusk by Deva Fagan, August 26
Sapphic love and fire-wielding nuns can certainly can’t be ignored. In a world of trilogies and thirteen instalments, we need more standalone epic fantasy. Building on the Persephone myth and revolving around Chthonic gods, this romantic epic fantasy features a fire-wielding nun with a dark past and a young spy caught between her mission and a growing attraction to an enemy princess. C.L. Clark (The Unbroken) calls it “great fun” and sometimes that’s all you want from your fantasy.
Mad Sisters of Esi by Tashan Mehta, August 5
I can’t miss the growing interest in ‘weird’ speculative literature and stories that take readers into a surreal dream. This is a meta ode to the power of storytelling as a story about stories, and architecturally, it includes everything from interstitial passages to diary entries. Myung and her sister Laleh are the sole inhabitants of the whale of babel—until Myung flees, beginning an adventure that will spin her through dreams, memories, and myths.
The Bone Raiders by Jackson Ford, August 12
Author newsletters are often a little boring with mere monthly updates or simple reminders of their books. But I love when newsletters are actually showing the writer behind it all, and Ford’s newsletter is one such. So there’s no doubt I’m extra excited for this action-packed epic fantasy where a wild band known as the Bone Raiders harness the power of gigantic, fire-breathing lizards to defend their homeland.
The Society of Unknowable Objects by Gareth Brown, August 12
Anything that reminds me of Blake Crouch’s work, especially because Dark Matter was the book that brought me back into reading years ago, is bound to be on my list. Particularly when fantasy books are more about small magic in the large expanse of our world. Add in secrets, and some more secrets, and I’m sold. A trio of seemingly everyday people are members of a secret society tasked with finding and protecting hidden magical objects—ordinary items with extraordinary properties.
Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher, August 19
I’m yet to enter the T. Kingfisher fan club but I’m pretty positive it’s going to happen soon: I have Swordheart on my TBR for this month! Anyway, I’ve always found myself intrigued by every work of hers I come across. This one is a dark reimagining of Snow White steeped in poison, intrigue, and treason of the most magical kind. A healer must navigate the mysteries of the mirror world while its dark queen rises, aided by a taciturn bodyguard and a narcissistic cat.
There are also a few sequels releasing this month that have me interested in their predecessors. Starstrike by Yoon Ha Lee takes readers back to the world where gravity is dependent on the conformity of an empire. I remember coming across Moonstorm because it was said to be perfect for fans of Iron Widow and because I am one, I found myself interested in this story of an imperial mecha-robot pilot. Another sequel is Teo’s Durumi by Elaine U. Cho which is diving back into a cinematic space opera series of diverse characters and warm romances, with a disgraced space pilot at the centre of it all. The first book, Ocean’s Godori, ends on a cliffhanger and I’m particularly a fan of such endings so this action-packed sci-fantasy is worth checking out.
The Night Ends with Fire by K.X. Song inspired by the lend of Mulan was certainly a debut I repeatedly came across on socials last year but couldn’t pick up. But now that the sequel is out soon, The Dragon Wakes with Thunder, I find myself gravitating to this fantasy inspired by Chinese mythology—considering how I often love Asian SFF books, not a surprise if you browse through the reviews on my blog.
More instalments are releasing in the SFF cloud, like The Damned King by Justin Lee Anderson, third in a series of epic fantasy adventure said to be rich in action and the warmth of a found family. With a sequel to Sun of Blood and Ruin by Mariely Lares, the Zorro reimagining weaved with Mesoamerican mythology and sixteenth-century Mexican history is coming to an end. Dawn of Fate and Fire is concluding this historical fantasy filled with magic, intrigue, treachery, and romance.
Another series that is coming to an end is a contemporary fantasy whose first book I loved reading: Only a Monster by Vanessa Len. Now, with the third instalment, Once a Villain releasing this month, the thrilling romantic fantasy battling against time is concluding. Other sequels include Lord of Ruin by K.M. Enright, the dark fantasy romance of vampiric blood magic and cutthroat politics; Born of an Iron Storm by Anthony Ryan, second in an epic fantasy trilogy inspired by Norse mythology; The Curse of Gods by Kate Dramis is the third in an adult romantasy series about a woman’s journey to discovering the truth about the dark magic locked deep within her.
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