March New Releases

Upcoming science fiction and fantasy books by diverse authors coming out in March.

March is fantasy heavy with a sprinkling of science fiction. Preorder these books to help the authors reach the bestsellers list!

The Weavers of Alamaxa by Hadeer Elsbai

The Weavers of Alamaxa by Hadeer Elsbai is the second book in the The Alamaxa Duology. Set in a secondary world inspired by Egyptian myth and history, two weavers, women who control elemental magic, with very different pasts and prospects struggle against a patriarchal society that will stop at nothing to deny women equality. Together they wield their forbidden magic to fend off the fundamentalist Ziranis who would see them destroyed.

This series looks like a great read for people who want to see strong female characters fighting oppression, finding sisterhood, and protecting the people they love. I've yet to read the first in the series, but it's on my endless TBR.

Jumpnauts by Hao Jingfang

In a future world divided into two factions, an intelligent alien race reaches out to humanity raising tensions between the two sides. Three scientists form an alliance to secure first contact before more aggressive and hostile action from their rival nation has disastrous effects.

Hao Jingfang's Jumpnaunts looks like an introspective and suspenseful science fiction that will likely delve into interpersonal relationships and mull over long pondered questions about humanity and our endless pursuit of knowledge. The premise alone reminds me of Arrival, which I love, but I can only speculate. I like a good explorative science fiction that delves into ideas as much as plot.

The Emperor and the Endless Palace by Justinian Huang

I already pre-ordered a signed copy of this book, that's how excited I am about The Emperor and the Endless Palace by Justinian Huang. It promises to be a queer romantasy with intertwining timelines and I'm so down.

Two men are reborn across three timelines where their fates interweave and their love is tested by society. I'm going to quote from the website, because that's just easier.

"In the year 4 BCE, an ambitious courtier is called upon to seduce the young emperor—but quickly discovers they are both ruled by blood, sex and intrigue.

In 1740, a lonely innkeeper agrees to help a mysterious visitor procure a rare medicine, only to unleash an otherworldly terror instead.

And in present-day Los Angeles, a college student meets a beautiful stranger and cannot shake the feeling they’ve met before."

Can they finally make it happen? Do they get a happily ever after? I can't wait to find out.

The Angel of Indian Lake by Stephen Graham Jones

The final installment of the Indian Lake Trilogy is upon us! I'm super excited about this book. I was not a horror fan until I read the first book in the installment, My Heart is a Chainsaw and I was converted. Jade Daniels is half-Indian and an outcast in the little town of Proofrock. Avoiding an abusive father and derelict mother, she creates a world in homage to slasher films and books, convincing herself she's a spectator in one such slasher film when the perfect final girl arrives on the scene, the daughter of a wealthy family building on a site that's long been the source of many ghost stories. No one believes her warning that a slasher has come to town until its too late.

I could go on forever about these books, but get the trilogy and follow Jade as she takes on slashers, the supernatural, and a town that refuses to give her safe harbor but is the only home she knows. There is considerable gore in the books. I listened on audio and had to skip by fifteen second increments at times because I was trying to eat and entrails isn't exactly appetizing.

Aftermarket Afterlife by Seanan McGuire

Aftermarket Afterlife is the thirteenth in Seanan McGuire's InCryptid series, this doesn't count the many short stories written in the same universe. I've not read anything from this collection, but it's an urban fantasy series centered around the Price family who has, for generations, protected the unseen creatures of the world and protected humanity from ghosts, beasts, and ghouls. This particular book focuses on the Price family's ghostly babysitter, Mary Dunlavy, who's job to keep the Price family safe is in peril when they are attacked by outside forces.

The series looks like a really fun urban fantasy romp. I've read her novellas in the Wayward Children series and they were fantastic, so this is going on my list as well.

The Siege of Burning Grass by Premee Mohamed

With two empires at war, the founder of a pacifist resistance, Alefret, is imprisoned and tortured by his Varkal government. He's offered freedom in exchange for inciting violence within the anti-war movement in the enemy Med'ariz empire. Will Asefret compromise his morals to end the war and bring peace to the two empires?

Mohamed has numerous books and novels, and I'm sad to say I haven't read any of her work. The Siege of Burning Grass feels like an exploration of morality and sacrifice when faced with only bad choices. Since I'm in the middle of a number of long books, I put a hold at my local library on her novella The Butcher of the Forest and the audio version of the novella And What Can We Offer You Tonight. Both look intriguing and I need a good novella about now.

The Truth of the Aleke by Moses Ose Utomi

Speaking of novellas, I have two more to add to the list. The Truth of the Aleke is the second novella in the Forever Desert series, but since it takes place 500 after the first novella, The Lies of the Ajungo, I assume it can be read as a stand alone.

When the Cult of Tutu commits a massacre in the City of Truth, Osi is sent to destroy the cult, return the stolen God's Eyes, and uncover the truth about the cult's leader.

Moses Ose Utomi is a Nigerian American, and his bio states that he takes inspiration from West African culture and mythology. I've recently read and loved West African inspired fiction such as Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon by Wole Talabi and Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor, so I'm especially excited for these novellas.

My TBR is forever growing and this month is no different. If you have any you want to add to the list, shoot me an email at raeryanwrites@gmail.com

/rea ryan/

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