Must-Have Monday #244
Must-Have Monday is a feature highlighting which of the coming week’s new releases I’m excited for. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all books being published that week; only those I’m interested in out of those I’m aware of! The focus is diverse SFF, but other stuff sneaks in occasionally too.
ELEVEN books this week!
(Books are listed in order of pub date, then Adult SFF, Adult Other, YA SFF, YA Other, MG SFF.)
Infernal Hearts by Danny Haliwell Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Contemporary or Urban Fantasy, Queer Protagonists
Representation: M/M
Published on: 7th July 2025
Goodreads
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“I want to offer you a deal…”
Jason Blackwell thought he had finally escaped his father’s world of magical medicine. All he wants is a normal life as a practicing veterinarian. No supernaturals. No unpredictable magic. Just a small town, regular animals, and walking away from his family secrets…and lies.
Until he’s woken in the night by Levi—an incubus attired in a fancy suit with a Southern drawl, too much charm, and an annoying tendency to always get his way. Jason is his only chance to find his missing brother.
And they have only two weeks to find him…or the demon dies. And finding Levi’s brother might just be the key to figuring out his own father’s disappearance.
Pulled back into the life he thought he had left behind forever, Jason now returns to the shadows and secrets of the supernatural world. Only this time, there’s no hiding from the truth about himself—and his family’s troubled legacy—or from the magnetic demon who pulls at his heart.
But when you make a bargain with an incubus, there is always a price to be paid. The only question is whether Jason and Levi will live long enough to regret it…
Infernal Hearts is a supernatural enemies-to-lovers romance about a magic practitioner and a misbehaving incubus who discover that every deal has a dark side.
Magical medicine!!! That’s it, I’m sold!
Curandera: A Novel by Irenosen Okojie Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Magical Realism
Representation: West African MCs, Haitian MC, Peruvian MC, MC with Inuit ancestry
Published on: 8th July 2025
Goodreads
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Set between 17th Century Cape Verde, and contemporary London, Curandera is a kaleidoscopic story of rebirth and redemption, and a mythic tale of metamorphic recalibrations across time
In the Gethsemane, Cape Verde, the appearance of a mysterious new arrival, Zulmira, coincides with a series of strange events. Zulmira is a shamanic disciple of Oni, an omnipotent, loving yet vengeful deity. In contemporary London, botanist Therese lives with Haitian musician Azacca, Peruvian drifter Emilien, and daring Finn. Four kindred spirits, bound together by their shared descent from Oni, they travel to another realm to complete a secret, sacred task for her. But a disruptive object returns with them from the other a bleeding ribcage, flowering with intoxicating fruit.
As Zulmira grows close to fisherman Domingos, his wife, Marguerite, and their daughter, Sueli, the increasingly disturbing occurrences in Gethsemane disrupt forms, time and place. In London, Therese and her group, growing ever more powerful on the otherworldly fruit, discover the disturbing costs of their service to Oni. As the stage is set for the collision of two dimensions, the workings of shamanism intersect with the powerful forces of friendship, love and jealousy.
This sounds enchanting, I’ve been looking forward to it since I stumbled across it!
Moon Rising by Claire Barner Genres: Adult, Queer Protagonists, Sci Fi
Representation: MLM Middle Eastern MC, M/M, Middle Eastern love interest (separate romance)
Published on: 8th July 2025
Goodreads
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A debut near future romance, where Sea of Tranquility meets Winter's Orbit, told against the backdrop of the Moon's first lunar colony, with a multicultural and LGBTQ+ cast, about a cynical agronomist and charming Emirati businessman who fall in love, and battle eco-terrorists.
In 2073, controversial agronomist Dr. Alex Cole has dedicated her life to mutagenetic food, the only solution to feeding a world torn apart by climate change. When fierce opposition from radical environmentalists wipes out her lab funding, a surprising lifeline appears in the form of Mansoor Al Kaabi, a charismatic Emirati businessman who needs a sustainable food supply for his guests on the Moon’s first hotel.
Alex moves to the Moon colony with Mansoor, and they immediately dive into the challenging work. As she smuggles in illegal chickens, fights a vexing tomato fungus, and dreams of olive groves on the Moon, Alex is surprised to find herself falling in love not just with the lunar colony, but with Mansoor, whose vision for the future of the Moon extends far beyond luxury hotels.
Back on Earth, eccentric genius Victor Beard and Mansoor’s younger brother Rashid fight to push the Homestead Act through Congress. Without the support of the US government, they’ll never be able to achieve their goal to relocate humanity to the Moon and secure a second chance for life on Earth.
When eco-terrorists threaten the lunar colony, Alex, Mansoor, Victor, and Rashid must choose what they’re willing to die for–and what they’re really living for. Is it their grandiose visions of saving the planet–or is it each other?
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh I’m so excited for this!!! Smuggling chickens onto moonbases! YES PLEASE!
Ascension (The Summoner’s Circle, #2) by S.T. Gibson Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Contemporary or Urban Fantasy, Queer Protagonists
Representation: Bisexual MC, Black spouse, gay boyfriend, F/M/M polyamory
Published on: 8th July 2025
Goodreads
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From bestselling author of Evocation comes it's hotly anticipated and spellbinding sequel, where Rhys steps into his new role as High Priest. A perfect read for lovers of urban fantasy.
Now the High Priest of Boston's famed and secret Society, Rhys McGowan has a lot on his shoulders. With the help of his adoring witch wife, Moira, and his newly rekindled relationship with psychic boyfriend, David, Rhys is destined to become the most powerful High Priest ever.
However, Rhys's insatiable ambition may be his undoing...
The second book in the bestselling Summoner's Circle series sees beloved characters return for an all new dark and enthralling adventure.
Really enjoyed the first book in this series, and I’ve only gotten more excited for the sequels after all the tidbits Gibson’s let sIip in her newsletter over the year since!
The Courtesan's Eye (The Winter Lily, #1) by Kate Hyers, J.C. Smith Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Queer Protagonists
Representation: Bisexual MC
Published on: 8th July 2025
Goodreads
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Cordè is a courtesan-spy who trades in sex and secrets. But when a prestigious assignment ends in a shocking death, she must navigate her city's shadowy underbelly to find the killer.
Aelus is a warrior priest, devout in his faith, plagued by his own complicated lineage. His efforts to prove himself, however, are shattered when a routine ceremony goes horribly awry. Given one last chance at redemption, he's sent to unravel the conspiracy threatening his Order—a mission that puts him in Cordè's employ.
Aelus's uptight personality and austere lifestyle clash with Cordè's free-spirited world of parties and indulgence, creating friction that breeds suspicion. But they must put their animosity aside when they discover a bigger threat lurking beneath the streets—one that's stolen the power of the gods themselves. As the bodies pile up, they'll be forced to choose: trust each other, or let the city burn.
I definitely see why this is getting comped to Kushiel’s Dart – the main characters sound very like Phedre and Joscelin! But presumably this’ll go in a very different direction… I’m intrigued because several readers who don’t usually enjoy romantasy had a great time with this. Fingers crossed!
Muted, Vol. 1 (Muted, #1) by Miranda Mundt Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Contemporary or Urban Fantasy, Queer Protagonists
Representation: Polyamorous sapphic MC, F/F/F
Published on: 8th July 2025
Goodreads
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A summoning ritual gone awry kicks off a lush, witchy graphic novel series with joyful streaks of found family and polyamorous sapphic romance—in this first volume of the hit Webtoon coming-of-age story, now with bonus content.
It has been thirteen years since the mysterious fire at the Severin family manor that killed Camille’s mother and twin sister, and the last thing Camille wants to do is return to her old home deep in the swamps of Louisiana. But she doesn’t have a choice. Deeply ingrained family tradition and Matriarch Athalie—Camille’s coldhearted aunt and head of the Severin household—demand it.
When the time comes for Camille to perform the demon-summoning blood ritual that every prospective matriarch in her family must complete, she is fearful of making a mistake. No matter how hard she tries to be a witch worthy of the Severin name, nothing is ever good enough for her aunt. Camille has practiced and practiced, but instead of the beat of demonic wings or the snap of talons, her blood calls forth evergreen vines and leaves. Terrified, she flees into the swamps.
But her failed ritual gives her something precious: time away from Aunt Athalie. Time to spend with her beloved familiar Toben and kindly cousin Silvia. And—unbeknownst to her—time to fall in love, discover the truth of her magic, reunite with long lost family, work through her grief, and solve the mystery of who killed her mother and sister.
Complete with an exclusive bonus chapter, this first volume includes episodes 1-27 of the greatly successful Webtoon webcomic Muted.
I really struggle to read graphic novels, but I’ve heard such wonderful things about this one! Clearly I need to at least give it a go!
The Lavender Blade: An Exorcist's Chronicle by E.L. Deards Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Queer Protagonists
Representation: M/M
Published on: 8th July 2025
Goodreads
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For readers who loved New York Times bestseller Gideon the Ninth, Deards delivers a queer speculative fiction novel about what happens when a con artist exorcist becomes possessed for real.
A pair of con artist demon exorcists scam the nation's wealthiest . . . until one of them is possessed for real
Colton and Lucian make a living conning the desperate with fake exorcisms—Lucian is the charm, Colton the trick, and together, they’ve turned deception into survival. Their work is dangerous, their romance even riskier, but they’ve always found a way to stay ahead.
Until Lucian is truly possessed.
A powerful demon takes hold, twisting his body into something unnatural, horrific, wrong—and no priest, no con, no desperate lie can fix it. With time running out and Lucian slipping further away, Colton has no choice but to learn real magic, break every rule, and attempt the impossible.
Because if he fails, Lucian won’t just be lost. He’ll be something else entirely.
The reviews for this have been really mixed, so I have no idea anymore what the reading experience with this one is going to be!
Stone and Sky (Rivers of London, #10) by Ben Aaronovitch Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Contemporary or Urban Fantasy
Representation: Biracial Black MC
Published on: 8th July 2025
Goodreads
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THE BRAND NEW NOVEL IN THE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLING RIVERS OF LONDON SERIES
'This isn't London. The rules are different up here, and so are the allegiances.'
Detective Sergeant Peter Grant takes a much-needed holiday up in Scotland. And he'll need one when this is over...
If more's the merrier, then it's ecstatic as his partner Beverley, their young twins, his mum, dad, his dad's band and their dodgy manager all tag along. Even his boss, DCI Thomas Nightingale, takes in the coastal airs as he trains Peter's cousin Abigail in the arcane arts.
And they'll need them too, because Scotland's Granite City has more than its fair share of history and mystery, myth ... and murder.
When a body is found in a bus stop, fresh from the sea, the case smells fishy from the off.
Something may be stirring beyond the bay - but there's something far stranger in the sky...
Love love LOVE this series, so thrilled to get a new instalment! This was actually out in the UK last week and I missed it, but still: EEE!
Terror at the Gates (Blood of Lilith, #1) by Scarlett St. Clair Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Contemporary or Urban Fantasy
Published on: 8th July 2025
Goodreads
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The first in an all-new fantasy series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Scarlett St. Clair. In this biting, feminist retelling of Lilith's story, Lilith will rise from the ashes of her former life to destroy the ancient power that stole everything she loves.
She is the beginning and the end.
She is peace and chaos.
She is terror knocking at the gates.
Estranged from her powerful family, Lilith Leviathan finds refuge in Nineveh, a district in the city of Eden devoted to sin. There, she uses her magic to steal for a living, attracting the attention of the five governing families as well as the church, which expects women to remain pious and silent. When Lilith comes into possession of a beautiful blade, she thinks all her worries are over…until her usual buyer dies while inspecting it.
Frantic, Lilith turns to the only man who can help Zahariev, head of the Zareth family and ruler of Nineveh. His currency is information, and his power is extortion, though he's always had a soft spot for Lilith. But when the dagger appears, he isn't sure he can protect her from what's to come.
Together, they embark on a mission to discover the true power running their world. As their lives intertwine, Lilith realizes Zahariev is more than just a friend, but their devotion to each other is a threat—to the truth, to the church, and to those who want to tear it all down.
This is probably not going to be my thing (especially because I’ve seen it described as noir…) but I want to try it out, just because Lilith is one of my favourite mythological/folkloric figures!
Heal the Beasts: A Jaunt Through the Curious History of the Veterinary Arts by Philipp Schott Genres: Adult, Nonfiction
Published on: 8th July 2025
Goodreads
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This history of veterinary medicine provides an abundance of bizarre, funny, surprising, and heartwarming anecdotes. Heal the Beasts chronicles human efforts to treat animal illnesses from 14,000 BCE to today.
How and why did humans begin to treat sick and injured animals? And how did those practices, and the associated attitudes, evolve from prehistory to the present day?
To answer these questions, Dr. Schott shares stories of 22 different animal healers and veterinarians from across eras and continents, examining the always fascinating, often unexpected, and sometimes hilarious veterinary methods employed by these people and their colleagues. But at the heart of the tale lies the evolution of the human-animal bond, which has been more cyclical than linear. In many ways, we are returning to the outlook of our distant ancestors after a centuries-long detour through a more utilitarian approach.
James Herriot will be familiar to many people, but most of the other featured vets will be new. They range from Palakapya, who treated fighting elephants in India almost 3,000 years ago, to Dr. Louis Camuti, who had the first feline house call practice anywhere, tending to the cats of celebrities in mid-twentieth century Manhattan. Along the way, we see every kind of person trying to heal every kind of creature, from dogs, cows, horses, and cats to canaries, gorillas, and even dragons.
Whether you have a passion for animals, the history of the medical sciences, or just quirky history, this light-hearted exploration of the empathetic relationship between man and beast will entertain and delight.
I don’t feature nonfic very often, but I’m a huge animal person (I live with two cats, two dogs, and a leopard gecko!) and I find myself very interested in a look at historical vets!
The Reaper by Jackson P. Brown Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Contemporary or Urban Fantasy
Representation: Black MC
Published on: 10th July 2025
Goodreads
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Del Rey's big debut of 2025, THE REAPER is a pacey, sexy ride through the underground fantasy world of London
Amy is an empath, able to sense the auras of the supernatural creatures that stalk London at night. But sorely lacking in knowledge, she spends night after night searching for answers.
Gerald is a Reaper - a weapon for hire - on the verge of his Awakening. Of coming into his power and becoming the man his family need him to be. The man they demand he be.
When Amy stumbles onto Gerald one night, she notices his strange aura, unlike anything she has seen before. And so, against her better judgement she helps him. In thanks he makes her an offer she can't refuse: become his partner and he will introduce her to a world she has only ever felt the shallow surface of: the secret underground city.
And their first mission together: find the girl who murdered her parents.
Always delighted to see an urban fantasy set in London rather than the US! I actually really like the aura thing? Definitely gonna try it out!
Will you be reading any of these? Did I miss any releases you think I should know about? Let me know!
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