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2023's Most Anticipated New Fantasy and Science Fiction
As usual, the new year means we're neck-deep in the data about upcoming books here at Goodreads World Headquarters. The upside is that certain things are becoming clear. For instance: This year is shaping up to be a seriously good one for those of us who savor thoughtful and ambitious speculative fiction.
We’ve gathered below the year’s most anticipated SFF books, as determined through an alchemy of Want to Read shelvings, author fanbase, and early buzz. This year we've divvied up the list—separating the F from the SF—though, as always, those lines can get pretty blurry.
Some stuff to watch for: The renaissance of literary SFF continues with some Serious Books by Serious Authors. Salman Rushdie’s Victory City comes to mind, as does Stephen Markley’s highly anticipated eco-epic The Deluge. Also look for Chloe Gong making her adult fantasy debut with Immortal Longings.
Those waiting on their series continuations will be happy to hear about Hell Bent (the Alex Stern series) and Light Bringer (the Red Rising Saga). Standalone books generating significant buzz include VenCo, Camp Zero, and Chain-Gang All-Stars.
Heads up that a few of the books likely to be among the year’s biggest events had yet to release book cover images or hard-and-fast release dates at the time we compiled this list, so they’re not included below. You can keep track of developments by clicking over to the individual listings of books like the new Murderbot installment, Shelley Parker-Chan's He Who Drowned the World, and Brandon Sanderson's mysterioso Kickstarter secret project.
Dig in, have fun, and add any appealing leads to your Want to Read shelf.
Fantasy
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Science Fiction
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Tell us which SFF books you're most looking forward to in 2023, down below in the comments!
Check out more of 2023's most anticipated books:
Check out more of 2023's most anticipated books:
Comments Showing 1-40 of 40 (40 new)
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message 1:
by
Holly
(new)
Jan 03, 2023 07:21PM
Such great lists! Thank you!
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Pierce Brown and Adrian Tchaikovsky, some of the best sci-fi out there
looks like the science fiction section will take up most of my money this year!
There are two-three books I am intrigued! not sure to put it on my TBR list, but definitely will come back to this list again to affirm my interest.
Any of these stand alones? I don't think I have the time or patience for a series.
message 9:
by
Rosenblue(promoting non-biased,honest reviews & a dislike button on GR)
(new)
Are these "stand alone" or trilogies,etc?By the way the covers are very well done.
Ascension is an adult SF standalone, for those looking for one!
It's the year of Sanderson and he doesn't get a mention? ;)
Interesting to see Tchaikovskys Children of Memory, which I already read last year, and not his Lords of Uncreation, which I'm still waiting for.
another year and even less "real" Sci Fi - Real as in Hard Science, 99% of these wouldn't be out of place in Mills & Boon, introspective relationship twaddle territory. This is just chicklit on a spaceship. About as much SciFi as the film 'sliding doors'
Not only that but these days, you can definitely judge a book by its cover - ghastly pastel efforts probably knocked up in 5 minutes flat by some talentless little oik with a vague knowledge of Photoshop
if you don't believe me, look at real life illustrators such as Chriss Foss - 21st Century Foss
Agree about the lack of real Science Fiction and the hideous covers.
Thank You for a Great list to choose from!
I'm so excited for a new book by Fonda Lee! I loved her Green Bone Saga and can't wait to read Untethered Sky.
Siobhan wrote: "It's the year of Sanderson and he doesn't get a mention? ;)"Truly! And with four books coming out!
The Surviving Sky looks interesting, but unfamiliar with the author
ObserverThe Surviving Sky
The Ferryman
The Lives of Puppets
A new Murderbot AND a new fantasy from Martha Wells! Yes!!
What’s happened to all the male lead characters? It seems there are very few in this selection.
An overwhelming percentage of these books are by female authors, with males thrown in if the main character/subject is female. I generally prefer female leads and don't care about the author's gender, but it's stuff like this that make me dismiss Goodreads (and even Audible quite often) when it comes to book recommendations and "Must read lists".Shameful, and unnecessary sexism.
I can't wait for Light Bringer to come out. All of Pierce Brown's books are amazing. I really love the red rising series, so I'm glad it was recommended to me on reddit before I deleted my account.
These all look so good, I'm excited for this year
Lester wrote: "An overwhelming percentage of these books are by female authors, with males thrown in if the main character/subject is female. I generally prefer female leads and don't care about the author's gend..."SortaRandom wrote: "What’s happened to all the male lead characters? It seems there are very few in this selection."
Elentarri wrote: "Agree about the lack of real Science Fiction and the hideous covers."
Laurent wrote: "another year and even less "real" Sci Fi - Real as in Hard Science,
99% of these wouldn't be out of place in Mills & Boon, introspective relationship twaddle territory. This is just chicklit on a ..."
Nuddy wrote: "Too much YA."
For a bunch of "readers" you fellas sure didn't read the introductory paragraphs, huh?
We’ve gathered below the year’s most anticipated SFF books, as determined through an alchemy of Want to Read shelvings, author fanbase, and early buzz.
Says right there that Goodreads didn't overly curate this list, it's based on shelving/author following stats. Your complaints are essentially complaining about what others want to read, which is not really anyone's business except their own.
Anyway, lots of exciting books on this list. Bring on the female POVs and new takes on old genres!
Laurent wrote: "another year and even less "real" Sci Fi - Real as in Hard Science, 99% of these wouldn't be out of place in Mills & Boon, introspective relationship twaddle territory. This is just chicklit on a ..."
What about Michael Whelan's art?
Excited to read the new Justin Cronin book The Ferryman! It's been a long time between drinks.
