Must-Have Monday #248
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.
THIRTEEN books this week!
(Books are listed in order of pub date, then Adult SFF, Adult Other, YA SFF, YA Other, MG SFF.)
Mad Sisters of Esi by Tashan Mehta Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Queer Protagonists
Representation: Desi cast, F/F
Published on: 5th August 2025
Goodreads
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Myung and Laleh are keepers of the whale of babel. They roam within its cosmic chambers, speak folktales of themselves, and pray to an enigmatic figure they know only as 'Great Wisa'. To Laleh, this is everything. For Myung, it is not enough.
When Myung flees the whale, she stumbles into a new universe where shapeshifting islands and ancient maps hold sway. There, she sets off on an adventure that is both tragic and transformative, for her and Laleh. For at the heart of her quest lies a mystery that has confounded scholars for generations: the truth about the mad sisters of Esi.
Fables, dreams and myths come together in this masterful work of fantasy by acclaimed author Tashan Mehta, sweeping across three landscapes, and featuring a museum of collective memory and a festival of madness. At its core, it asks: In the devastating chaos of this world, where all is in flux and the truth ever-changing, what will you choose to hold on to?
This incredibly gorgeous, beautifully strange fantasy is such an ORIGINAL read, not like anything you’ve ever come across before. (Countless galaxies inside a whale! A shapeshifting island! A museum anyone can teleport to by touching their ear!) It feels soft even when it’s being sharp; it drips like honey. This was one of my Best of 2023 books when it was first released in India, and I’m so delighted it’s made its way to the UK and US!
You can read an excerpt here!
Teo's Durumi (The Alliance, #2) by Elaine U. Cho Genres: Adult, Queer Protagonists, Sci Fi
Representation: Gay Desi MC, major Korean characters, secondary nonbinary character, M/M
Published on: 5th August 2025
Goodreads
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The dazzling sequel to Ocean’s Godori dives back into Elaine U. Cho’s cinematic space opera series, taking Ocean and her crew deep into the cloisters of the Moon and the conflicts of the heart.
Teo Anand, former ne’er-do-well second son of the Anand Tech empire and current solar fugitive, has just crash-landed on the Moon after escaping the latest attempt on his life. But if anyone can help exonerate him, it’s his best friend, bold Korean space pilot Ocean Yoon.
Falsely accused of murdering his family, Teo is running out of both time and options. But loyalties are uncertain in their group of steadfast comrades and tentative new allies, and it’s difficult to know who to trust in the tangled web that awaits them in Artemis, a city on the Moon rich in Korean history and haunted by ghosts from Teo’s and Ocean’s pasts. Further complicating matters are Haven—the pensive medic whose beliefs challenge Ocean’s—and the dashing Phoenix—a space raider who’s come blazing into Teo’s life in more ways than one.
All the while Corvus, the real culprit behind the slaying of the Anands, is sowing a path of destruction that threatens to swallow the solar whole. The crew will wrestle with clashing ideals, flying bullets, and undeniable feelings, as they race toward a stunning final stand.
Teo’s Durumi brings Cho’s space opera duology to an exhilarating close, one that contends with questions of identity and acceptance; grief and redemption; and loyalty and sacrifice, as Teo, Ocean, and the people they love will decide once and for all how to forge their paths into the future.
The first book in this duology, Ocean’s Gidori, enchanted me with its retro vibes, Korean snacks, found-family, and bright, electric prose – and left me WILD for the sequel!!! If you need any more convincing, check out this review of Ocean at reactormag – it’s what got me to pick it up! – or this excerpt (again, of Ocean’s Gidori, not Teo’s Durumi!)
Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz Genres: Adult, Sci Fi
Published on: 5th August 2025
Goodreads
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From sci-fi visionary and acclaimed author Annalee Newitz comes Automatic Noodle, a cozy near-future novella about a crew of abandoned food service bots opening their very own restaurant.
While San Francisco rebuilds from the chaos of war, a group of food service bots in an abandoned ghost kitchen take over their own delivery app account. They rebrand as a neighborhood lunch spot and start producing some of the tastiest hand-pulled noodles in the city. But there’s just one problem. Someone―or something―is review bombing the restaurant’s feedback page with fake “bad service” reports. Can the bots find the culprit before their ratings plummet and destroy everything they created?
Newitz has consistently given us fantastic, thought-provoking sci fi, and is now treating us to robot noodles! HERE FOR IT!
You can read an excerpt here!
Black Flame by Gretchen Felker-Martin Genres: Adult, Horror, Queer Protagonists
Representation: Jewish lesbian MC
Published on: 5th August 2025
Goodreads
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Manhunt author Gretchen Felker-Martin is back with Black Flame, a historical horror about one woman's deadly obsession with a haunted film, perfect for fans of Midsommar and Night Film.
Ellen, a deeply closeted lesbian spends all her time in solitude, restoring films at a failing archive in New York City.
When a group of German academics present her with a print of an infamous exploitation film believed to have been destroyed during the Holocaust, Ellen finds herself forced to confront her own repressed sexuality. And the more she works on the restoration, the more obsessed she becomes over its depictions of occult practices and queer debauchery.
She’s soon convinced that the acts portrayed in the film are not fiction, but reality. And they’re happening to her…
Felker-Martin’s name is its own trigger warning at this point, and I mean that as the highest of compliments! I have no idea whether I’ll make it through Black Flame or wimp out partway through, but I’m looking forward to finding out!
This Is My Body by Lindsay King-Miller Genres: Adult, Horror, Queer Protagonists
Representation: Queer MC
Published on: 5th August 2025
Goodreads
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A gripping, emotional, and darkly funny queer horror novel about family trauma and possession, for fans of Rachel Harrison and Catriona Ward.
Single gay mom Brigid always thought that cutting ties with her extremist Catholic family was the best thing she could have done for her daughter, Dylan—and for herself. But when Dylan starts having terrifying fits of unnatural violence, Brigid can’t shake her memories of a girl from her childhood who behaved the same way . . . until Brigid’s uncle, Father Angus, performed an exorcism.
Convinced that her daughter is suffering from demonic possession, Brigid does the thing she told herself she’d never she goes home. Father Angus is the worst person she knows, but he’s also the only person who can help her daughter.
But as Brigid starts to uncover secrets about Father Angus, that long-ago exorcism, and her family’s past, she realizes that she and Dylan have never been in more danger.
This Is My Body is a piercing journey into religious trauma and childhood shame, building towards a heart-pounding twisty climax that will spin your head all the way around.
The conflict of turning your back on an abusive faith – but then it’s the only thing that could save your kid? DELICIOUS.
You can read an excerpt here!
The Faceless Thing We Adore by Hester Steel Steel Genres: Adult, Horror, Queer Protagonists
Representation: Sapphic MC
Published on: 5th August 2025
Goodreads
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Eat, Pray, Love goes full Lovecraft in this queer, feel-good cosmic horror that reflects on gaslighting and emotional abuse.
Lemon, poppy seed, sun-warmed sand. These visions convince Aoife to quit her job, leave her manipulative boyfriend, and escape to the isolated shores of the Farmstead commune. There, among its charismatic and hedonistic residents, Aoife finds everything she’s been a community that adores her, the freedom to indulge, and the promise to be a part of something miraculous.
But darkness underpins her airy new way of life. A disappearing cave looms above an ocean no one dares step foot in, mysterious crying fills the night hours, and a rot is spreading across the island. But perhaps most concerning is the commune’s reverence for their leader, Jonah—a love tinged with fear that Aoife knows all too well.
When Aoife’s boring old life comes crashing into her bold new one, loyalties are tested, unleashing a spiral of unspeakable violence that threatens to fracture reality itself. At the helm, Aoife finds herself desperately trying to protect everyone and everything she’s grown to love. Awkward, clumsy Aoife, who was always told she was weak, will soon realize the depths of her strength—and the pleasures of her rage.
On the one hand, I love this premise; on the other hand, the main character earns herself a place on my straight-up-stupid shelf with her actions in the excerpt (which you can read on the book’s Big River page, with the read a sample function). I might wait to see what some of my favourite reviewers think of this before I try it for myself.
A Practical Guide to Evil I by David Verburg, ErraticErrata Genres: Adult, Fantasy
Published on: 5th August 2025
Goodreads
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The Empire stands triumphant.
For twenty years the Dread Empress has ruled over the lands that were once the Kingdom of Callow, but behind the scenes of this golden age threats to the empire are rising.
The nobles of the Wasteland weave their plots behind pleasant smiles while rebellion stirs beyond Peren Woods, for dreams of crowns were buried in shallow graves. The greatest danger of all lies to the west, where the First Prince of Procer restored order at last: her people sundered, she ponders if a crusade might not be the way to secure her reign.
Yet none of this matters, for in the heart of the conquered lands the most dangerous man alive sat across an orphan girl and offered her a knife.
Her name is Catherine Foundling, and she has a plan.
If you’re as chronically online as I am, you’ve probably heard of A Practical Guide to Evil at some point; it’s a massively popular web-novel, which I guess is now getting an ebook edition! (I’m shocked at how badly my usual sources failed me; I only found out about this the week before release!) There’s also going to be an audiobook, released at the same time. No idea if the text went through any polishing prior to this release, but it might be time for me to FINALLY sit down and give it a go!
Crocosmia by Miranda Mellis Genres: Adult, Sci Fi, Speculative Fiction
Published on: 5th August 2025
Goodreads
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A philosophical fable, Crocosmia centers on Maya as she recollects the “great turning”—a moment of radical social and ecological change effected in part by the art of her mother, Jane. As Maya recalls her upbringing—from a commune run by anarchist nuns to a time of rural isolation before her mother’s disappearance—Mellis’s prose gorgeously conjures a life defined by revolutionary thought and action and the interplay and tension between family life and political commitment. At once a fantasy, a handbook to political thought, and a work of eco-fiction, this lush novel meditates on how, in a world on the precipice, dreams of communal care can bloom.
I’ve not been able to get a clear idea of whether this is ‘just’ speculative, or whether there might actually be some sci fi elements, but I’m very curious. It might turn out be a bit too lit ficcy for me, but I’d like to try it!
A Dragon Rider's Guide to Retirement by Julia Huni, Lia Huni Genres: Adult, Fantasy
Published on: 5th August 2025
Goodreads
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They survived the war. Now they just have to survive retirement.
When dragon rider William Ordell is grounded by a battlefield injury, he trades conflict for peace and purchases an abandoned lighthouse on the island of Safe Haven. But quiet doesn’t suit a man used to action. After a series of mysterious fires, William finds himself launching the island’s first fire brigade—with help from the local sea dragons.
Calantha Stormbringer has left war behind, along with the last sparks of her fading magic. She retreats to Safe Haven to rebuild her late aunt’s dusty bookshop—and maybe herself. Restoring the shop will require patience, intelligence, and gold. Calantha figures two out of three isn’t bad.
What neither of them wants? To run into each other. Again.
Old grudges, magical dragons, and one cozy, nosy village—what could possibly go right?
A Dragon Rider’s Guide to Retirement is a cozy, low-stakes fantasy filled with magic, mischief, and a slow-burn romance that won't steam your glasses. Perfect for fans of Legends & Lattes, Cursed Cocktails, and J. Penner’s Adenashire series.
This sounds ADORABLE and I want it! It’s that simple.
The Outspoken and the Incendiary: Interviews With Radical Speculative Fiction Writers by Terry Bisson Genres: Adult, Nonfiction
Published on: 5th August 2025
Goodreads
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In-Depth, intense, insightful.
For more than a decade, radical science fiction author and activist journalist Terry Bisson interviewed some of the most provocative and outspoken authors of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Anarchism, sexuality, creativity, and the future of humanity itself—no topic was taboo. Bisson's prankster spirit also shone through as he quizzed his subjects about what cars they drove, played free association games, and created an atmosphere of two old friends having intimate late-night chats. Collected from PM Press's award-winning Outspoken Authors Series for the first time, The Outspoken and the Incendiary showcases insightful and long-form explorations into the lives and minds of some of today’s most politically charged fiction writers.
“PM's Outspoken Authors Series looks almost like a science fiction Who’s Who or Hall of Fame, except that I included myself. Because I could.” —Terry Bisson
Words and Thoughts By: Eleanor Arnason, Terry Bisson, Michael Blumlein, John Crowley, Samuel R. Delany, Cory Doctorow, Meg Elison, Karen Joy Fowler, Eileen Gunn, Elizabeth Hand, Cara Hoffman, Nalo Hopkinson, James Patrick Kelly, John Kessel, Paul Krassner, Joe R. Lansdale, Jonathan Lethem, Ursula K. Le Guin, Ken Macleod, Nick Mamatas, Michael Moorcock, Paul Park, Gary Phillips, Marge Piercy, Rachel Pollack, Rudy Rucker, Kim Stanley Robinson, Carter Scholz, Nisi Shawl, John Shirley, Vandana Singh, and Norman Spinrad, with additional new contributions by Nalo Hopkinson, Jonathan Lethem, Nisi Shawl, Peter Coyote, and Rudy Rucker.
I imagine this will make for extremely interesting reading, and I’m looking forward to it!
Our Vicious Descent by Hayley Dennings Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fantasy, Queer Protagonists, YA
Representation: Black sapphic MCs
Published on: 21st October 2025
Goodreads
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In this stunning conclusion to the bestselling Ravenous Fate duology, Elise Saint and Layla Quinn must discover the truths behind an alluring poison and the monstrous new presence ravaging New York City
In 1927, shocking upheavals have rocked Harlem's most powerful factions and left Elise Saint estranged from the reaper she loves, Layla Quinn. The Saint family empire is in decline, gangster-run blood houses peddle debauchery, and a dangerous reaper-venom drug has become all the rage with wealthy thrill-seekers. Elise is desperate to find her beloved little sister, Josi, who has gone missing in the chaos. Meanwhile, Layla contends with shifting alliances in the New York underworld, including Karine, an ancient reaper, and the gangster Nicoletta—both with scores to settle.
And then a terrifying new threat a beast making swift, murderous rampages through the city, keeping to darkness while hunting reapers and humans alike. Layla and Elise are joined in purpose when they suspect the monster's origins are related to a far deeper mystery that involves Josi, Karine, and a disquieting new future for reapers. Soon, they will risk everything to unearth these secrets, where the shadowy boundaries between the dead and the living are even more treacherous than they imagined.
The sequel to This Ravenous Fate! Which I have heard great things (and seen beautiful fanart) of! I think this series is a duology, so Our Vicious Descent should be the final book.
Mistress of Bones by Maria Z. Medina Genres: Fantasy, YA
Published on: 5th August 2025
Goodreads
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An epic and romantic debut adventure fantasy, where a necromancer trying to resurrect her sister gets embroiled in bigger, world-ending plans instead
It's been thousands of years since the gods lifted the continents into the air so humanity could thrive, chaining the lands down with their bones and turning them into Anchor.
Azul del Arroyo doesn't care about gods or Anchor; she cares about being responsible for her sister's death and getting her bones from the capital so she can bring her back to life. Again. But in her way stands the Emissary of the Lord Death, who will do anything in his power to stop her, because a necromancer like her shouldn’t exist—no matter how alluring.
As Azul and the Emissary's cat-and-mouse game leads them to the dangerous Court of Cienpuentes, their fate becomes entwined with a count who begrudgingly works for a child king, a faceless witch who transforms Anchor into dreams she can peddle, and a long-lost half-brother with a secret of his own. It's a time of enlightenment, of rapiers and scientific prowess, in a country where Anchor ceased to be something worth revering a long time ago, and people have forgotten the gods' sacrifice.
But the gods haven’t. Because the gods want their bones back, and they're not opposed to becoming players in their own game.
Swashbuckling, grand, and tragically romantic, Mistress of Bones is a can't-miss debut about love, about loss, and, of course, about death.
I’m a bit sceptical of this one – I don’t love the romance vibes – but the premise is FANTASTIC (flying continents chained with god-bones?! a necromancer scheming to bring back her sister?! AGAIN?! What do you mean, AGAIN?!) and I keep hearing great things from early readers (including that it’s multi-pov, which hopefully means the romance is a smaller part of the story than implied). So I’ll be giving it a try!
You can read an excerpt here!
The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera Genres: Magical Realism, YA
Representation: Maori cast
Published on: 5th August 2025
Goodreads
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Published for the first time on the Penguin Classics U.S. list, the bestselling modern classic Māori coming-of-age novel that inspired a multiple-award-winning film starring Academy Award–nominated actress Keisha Castle-Hughes
Eight-year-old Kahu craves her great-grandfather’s love and attention. But he is focused on his duties as chief of a Māori tribe in Whangara, on the east coast of New Zealand—a tribe that claims descent from the legendary “whale rider.” In every generation since the whale rider, a male has inherited the title of chief. But now there is no male heir—there’s only Kahu. She should be the next in line for the title, but her great-grandfather is blinded by tradition and sees no use for a girl. Kahu will not be ignored. And in her struggle, she has a unique the whale rider himself, from whom she has inherited the ability to communicate with whales. Once that sacred gift is revealed, Kahu may be able to reestablish her people’s ancestral connections, earn her great-grandfather’s attention, and lead her tribe to a bold new future.
This is a new edition of a classic I remember hearing about when I was little, but never got to read. Looking forward to checking it out finally! (And is that not a STUNNING cover???)
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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