Dungeons, folk horror, time travel, enemies-to-lovers, demons, questionable gods, alt-realities, ghosts, aliens, at least one killer clown, and more await in this month’s giant list of new books coming your way in August.
August 4
Adversary to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
“As a dangerous prophecy threatens the kingdom’s magic, Evie Sage finds herself caught between destiny, villainy, and an increasingly complicated relationship with her notorious boss.” (August 4)
Assassin at Allgate by Tristis Ward
“When the alien aristocrat she was built to assassinate turns up murdered instead, what’s an android assassin supposed to do? For Desire—a half-scale, hyper-advanced android with an attitude—it’s simple: ditch her undercover brothel job, hack her way off the space station, and hunt down the real killer.” (August 4)
The Castle and the Cloister by Laura Weymouth
“The start of a compelling epic political fantasy duology. Two centuries ago, the kingdom of Honoria’s goddesses were silenced in blood. Now, as the realm’s fragile peace falters, the whims of a king may reignite the engines of war.” (August 4)
Devour Me by Emily Rath
“A dark paranormal romance of a wraith, a witch, and a human bound by fate.” (August 4)
Dragonlance: War Wizard by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
“The first volume of a new epic trilogy set in the world of Krynn, written by the creators of Dragonlance.” (August 4)
Eyes of Kings by Chloe Gong
“The action-packed finale to the bestselling Flesh & False Gods trilogy—inspired by Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra—brings readers the ultimate showdown for power among gods and men.” (August 4)
The Infinite State by Richard Swan
“A thrilling tale of survival and an eviscerating examination of totalitarianism. The Infinite State begins at a flashpoint in the lives of a widowed party member, a disgraced investigator, and a hypersled pilot—entangled in a plot to escape the suffocating authority of a fascist state.” (August 4)
The Iron Hex by Victoria Walsh
A witch who’s been keeping her forbidden magic a secret and can’t remember her past is pulled into a high-stakes quest to save a missing princess. (August 4)
The Lion and the Deathless Dark by Carissa Broadbent
“A brand new novel in the Crowns of Nyaxia series and the first book in the Bloodborn Duet,” following a vampire hunter who forms an unexpected bond with the vampire prince she’s forced to team up with. (August 4)
Queen of Shadow by P.C. Cast
“A passionate historical fantasy of Celtic mythology, divine warriors, and star-crossed love.” (August 4)
1637: The Pilgrim’s Passage by Eric Flint and Griffin Barber
The alt-history Ring of Fire series continues with this Middle East-set tale of “conflict and intrigue.” (August 4)
Steelborn by Taylor J. LaRue
“Introducing an epic, slow burn enemies-to-lovers romantasy novel about a heroine forged in steel and rage and the cursed immortal who might turn out to be as much her salvation as she is his.” (August 4)
Sunsplitter by S.A. Maclean
“The epic conclusion to S. A. Maclean’s spicy monster romance duology in which a cross-dimensional smuggler and her immortal partner must defend their home from dangerous beasts.” (August 4)
Time Travel for Beginners by Jaclyn Moriarty
“On a bustling road in Sydney, Australia, lies a nondescript storefront known simply as the Time Travel Agency. Inside, you’ll be welcomed by the smell of fresh-brewed coffee, a selection of baked goods…and the question, Where in time do you wish to go?” (August 4)
To Dance With Death by Brittney Arena
“In the epic conclusion to the fantasy romance duology that began with A Dance of Lies, Vasalie must journey to the realms of the dead to restore the memories of her beloved king and stop a mounting war.” (August 4)
A Trade of Blood by Robert Jackson Bennett
“Detective Ana Dolabra must prove a condemned man’s innocence and confront a terrifying magical technology in this fantasy-mystery.” (August 4)
Whyteface by A. Igoni Barrett
“A pointed satire about a Nigerian on vacation in Europe, into the heart of whiteness.” (August 4)
The Wild Beneath by Kelly Anderson
“A fierce, haunting story of one woman caught between her first love and a mysterious stranger who upends everything—and the two worlds that won’t let her go.” (August 4)
August 11
Critical Role: The Mighty Nein—Stories Untold with a foreword by Taliesin Jaffe
“In these nine stories, the legend of the mighty adventuring party grows with tales from some of the most memorable characters who fought with—and against—the Mighty Nein!” (August 11)
A Dance of Burning Blades by M. H. Ayinde
“War rages on in the second heart-pounding novel in M. H. Ayinde’s relentless epic fantasy series, the Invoker Trilogy, a sweeping epic of revenge and rebellion set in a richly drawn world of warring clans and ancestor magic.” (August 11)
Devil Inside by Clay McLeod Chapman
“A man who’s back from the dead meets a woman who’s from somewhere even worse in Clay McLeod Chapman’s new horrormance about love, possession, and just a little murder.” (August 11)
Dreamland by Olivie Blake
“A tantalizing story of power, seduction, and the omens you’ll ignore when everything you’ve dreamed of feels just within reach.” (August 11)
The Dungeon Book by Gareth Hanrahan
“A young girl is left to die in a wizard’s dungeon but finds a new home with the monsters around her in this humorous and heartfelt standalone epic fantasy.” (August 11)
Earthbound by Saara El-Arifi
“Yeeran and Lettle’s world has been shaken by a revelation from the Fates that changes everything: the obeah are not what they seem. Return to the intoxicating realm of the fae one last time in the final installment of the bestselling Faebound trilogy.” (August 11)
The Hill in the Dark Grove by Liam Higginson
“In this gripping debut, steeped in Welsh folklore, a husband and wife living in the beautiful but isolated mountains of Snowdonia stumble upon a buried Neolithic ruin—awakening a mysterious, ancient presence with its own dark designs.” (August 11)
Hollow Twilight by Kieran Starovsky
“Delve into the unsettling world of Hollow Twilight, a Ready Player One meets Stranger Things LitRPG where there’s no XP to collect and no loot to scavenge, but one wrong move could be the difference between life and death.” (August 11)
In What World by Bridget Morrissey
“Two high school rivals begrudgingly reunite as adults to investigate the disappearance of their beloved former teacher, only to wind up traveling through a series of alternate realities together.” (August 11)
The Inevitable Undoing of Zahara Douglass by Leslye Penelope
“For four years, Zahara Douglass has been haunted by the mystery of her sister’s disappearance—not where she went, but whether she ever existed at all.” (August 11)
The Once and Future Me by Melissa Pace
“Dark Matter meets Girl, Interrupted in this gripping psychological thriller about a young woman teetering on the edge of reality.” (August 11)
The Peace Child by D.J. Molles
“A snark-fueled, high-octane alien invasion thriller where humanity’s last hope might just be the most dangerous babysitting job in the galaxy.” (August 11)
A Plagued Sea by Kim Bo-Young, translated by Sophie Bowman
“Visionary Korean author Kim Bo-Young unleashes a Lovecraftian nightmare of infection, transformation, and abomination.” (August 11)
Preaching to the Choir by Adrian Tchaikovsky
“Knives Out meets Ready or Not when a family gathering in an English mansion devolves into horror in a chilling novella.” (August 11)
Reliquary by Hannah Whitten
“A young woman is lured to her late fiancé’s remote island estate—only to uncover eerie family secrets, a haunting past, and a monstrous hunger stirring beneath the sea in this deliciously atmospheric horror debut.” (August 11)
Saint Delilah by Isabelle Spotts
“Delilah is dead. But her story is far from over. In this feminist supernatural suspense novel, she will find her peace—and give hell to the man who killed her.” (August 11)
She Haunts Me Still by De Elizabeth
“When an ancient, bloodthirsty evil calls to collect on a bargain that dates back to the New England vampire panic, Mallory, Ezra, and Saskia will have to untangle the tragic ways in which their histories are linked—and face the devastating consequences of their own star-crossed love story.” (August 11)
Stay Buried by Jennifer McMahon
“A queer folk horror in which a woman must confront decades of secrecy and superstition to learn the truth about her mother’s death.” (August 11)
Them by W.H. Chizmar
“A post-apocalyptic/survival horror novel written in the bestselling traditions of Stephen King’s The Mist and Josh Malerman’s Bird Box.” (August 11)
These Vile Hearts by Melody Robinette
“A delightfully wicked, fizzy debut romantasy—an enemies-to-lovers tale about a desperate mortal woman and a cursed fae prince.” (August 11)
Winterborne by J.D. Netto
“Treacherous politics, deadly secrets, ancient magic, and forbidden romance: the battle for ultimate power has begun in the first book of this epic fantasy.” (August 11)
The Witch Queen by Heather Walter
“Snow White’s wicked queen rises to her destiny in the second book of a queer, witchy duology.” (August 11)
World’s Okayest Oracle (Reluctantly) Seeks Demon by Olivia Dade
“An oracle who can see the future teams up with the far-too-hot demon from her past to avert catastrophe in this steamy paranormal romance.” (August 11)
August 18
Back for Blood: Never Whistle at Night Part II edited by Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.
“The bestselling Indigenous dark fiction anthology returns with a new selection of even more daring and sinister stories. From monsters to mutilation, Never Whistle at Night is back for revenge.” (August 18)
The Blue Moon Café & 24-Hour Occult Emporium by Lexie Sharabianlou
“A magical witness protection program, a town in need of saving, and a sorceress-in-training… oh, and the human woman she’s not supposed to fall for. The Blue Moon Café has a little bit of everything (except, you know, decent coffee).” (August 18)
The Book of Bots by James Patrick Kelly
“Hugo and Nebula award-winning writer James Patrick Kelly has spent the last 30 years thinking about robots. In the 12 stories of The Book of Bots they take many forms.” (August 18)
The Calamities by Chuck Wendig
“The heir to one of the world’s most influential families reckons with the demonic secret of their power in this contemporary dark fantasy that melds occult magic with shocking family drama.” (August 18)
The Divine Gardener’s Handbook: Or What to Do if Your Girlfriend Accidentally Turns Off the Sun by Eli Snow
“A sapphic dystopian fantasy of botanical sabotage, a questionable god named Saul, and a woman falling for the person most likely to ruin her life.” (August 18)
Ghosts of Chanterlands by Catherine Cavendish
“A fantastic, edge-of-your-seat ghost story.” (August 18)
Guardians of Dawn: Suhwa by S. Jae-Jones
“The stunning conclusion to the richly imagined Guardians of Dawn fantasy series.” (August 18)
The Halls of the Dead by S.M. Hallow
“A queer, gothic horror romance set in a necromancy-tinged London.” (August 18)
Homeward for a Spell by Jamie Pacton and Rebecca Podos
“In this cozy queer romantic fantasy, two members of a motley crew of adventurers must confront monsters, hostile landscapes—and their growing attraction to each other. (August 18)
I Punched an Alien and Now We’re in Couples Therapy by Kimberly Lemming
“A zany and sexy romance about a woman who finds herself stranded on a far-off planet and mated to the warlord alien king.” (August 18)
Immortal Rose by Alexandra Bracken
“Set in a sumptuous world ruled by magical perfume, this achingly romantic, slow-burn love story will shatter your heart and leave you breathless.” (August 18)
The Jewel and the Comet by Tim Pratt
“A quirky new space opera featuring charming characters and sarcastic spaceships.” (August 18)
Less the Horror Than the Grace by Robert Owens Scott
“A modern retelling of the Medusa myth set in a snake-handling church in Tennessee in the summer of 1920 as they vote to ratify women’s suffrage for the entire United States.” (August 18)
Lights! Camera! Frendo! by Adam Cesare
“It’s the fourth installment of Adam Cesare’s Bram Stoker Award-winning series, and this time Frendo goes Hollywood—with all the blood, guts, and mayhem you’d expect from the series that spawned the blockbuster motion picture.” (August 18)
Marla by Jonathan Janz
“A slow-burn, full-throttle horror novel about the families we inherit, the guilt we carry, and the terrible gravity of a gaze you can’t forget. Turn the page—if you dare.” (August 18)
The Poison Daughter by Sheila Masterson
“The must-have, true enemies-to-lovers standalone romantasy about a woman whose lips are deadly poison… until she meets the one man who can survive her kiss.” (August 18)
The Queen’s Bodyguard by Lauren Blackwood
“In this sizzling modern fantasy romance, a magic-less queen intertwines her fate with a fierce Warrior, but their undeniable chemistry ignites a passionate struggle, growing hotter as their fiery personalities clash.” (August 18)
The Salt King by Natasha Pulley
“An apocalyptic novel about belief, religion, and the power of myth that blends the gripping, end-of-the-world storytelling of The Passage with biting wit and epic queer romance.” (August 18)
Season of the Serpent by Suyi Davies Okungbowa
“Award-winning author Suyi Davies Okungbowa returns in the final installment of the Nameless Republic trilogy with a tale of villains, allies, and a world on the brink of destruction.” (August 18)
The Shadows That Listen by Louisa Carmody
“Angels and daemons are at war, and humanity is caught in the middle. The shadows lengthen, and they listen. Who will survive the night? From debut author Louisa Carmody comes an unputdownable dystopian romantasy with slow-burn romance and shocking twists.” (August 18)
Sinister by Veronica Lancet
“Dark academia and gothic romance meet in this haunting stand-alone filled with centuries-old secrets, dangerous alliances, and obsessive love that stands the test of time.” (August 18)
The Sleeping Sisters by Jennifer Givhan
“A threatened mother and a relentless detective collide when a series of murders awaken something long buried in the New Mexican desert in this mesmerizing novel of literary horror.” (August 18)
Slow Burn by Amal Singh
“When Rishi Tripathi, a failed actor, falls through a mirror in an inverted Mumbai, he invites fame like he has never seen before. In this inverted city, he’s a superstar and a critically acclaimed darling. But he soon realizes that success bears a heavy cost.” (August 18)
Tapeworm by A.P. Thayer
“From Dusk Till Dawn meets The Thing in this debut horror novel, where a group of friends must confront questions of identity, aging, and desire during a vampire infestation in an isolated Californian desert.” (August 18)
Testament of Leaves by Carolyn Ives Gilman
“In the isolated thickets of a faraway planet, a linguist lies dead. Inscrutinator Shameesh Kulkarni must find out why. But only two beings are interested in helping Shameesh solve the murder: a digital replica of the victim herself and the inquisitive octopod who befriended her.” (August 18)
These Walls Remember by Del Sandeen
“When two estranged sisters inherit a home possessed by the horrors of its dark past, they must work together to survive in this viscerally chilling Southern gothic novel.” (August 18)
Time to Play by Erin Ampersand
“The start of a rollicking, unputdownable LitRPG series in which everyone on Earth is forced to take part in a worldwide survival competition—everyone, including Meghan Moretti and her three lovably chaotic kids.” (August 18)
The Two of Us at the End of the World by C.A. Fletcher
“Four unforgettable characters try not only to survive but also to preserve the very thing that makes life worth saving in the first place in this deeply moving story of resilience and hope.” (August 18)
August 25
The Art of Charming a Changeling by Sylvie Cathrall
“A cozy slice-of-life romantic fantasy set in a Regency-inspired world where humans and fairies compete for artistic supremacy.” (August 25)
Brona by Terry Brooks and Delilah S. Dawson
“Return to the world of Shannara with the sequel to Galaphile and discover how the seeds of the greatest evil that the Four Lands has ever known inadvertently grew out of Galaphile’s dream for peace.” (August 25)
The Carousel of Forgotten Places by S. Hati
“A romantic, time-travelling fantasy filled with humor and a charming cast of found family, the perfect read for those craving a whimsical, cozy romantasy.” (August 25)
Daggerbound by T. Kingfisher
“T. Kingfisher returns to the charming fantasy world of Swordheart in this delightful and unexpected new romantic adventure.” (August 25)
The Dark in Her Veins by M.K. Lobb
“A noir romantic fantasy set in a world in which sin is a fatal disease, and the rich hire the poor to carry out their basest instincts—until the forbidden romance between a sinner and a mysterious figure threatens to destroy everything.” (August 25)
Demons and Diplomacy by Megan Frampton
“A tantalizing pact between an ordinary woman and the silver-tongued son of the Devil is all that stands between Britain and all hell breaking loose.” (August 25)
The Devil Knows Her Name by C.N. Vair
“A hundred years ago, a witch sold her soul to save her life—but now she must stop the devil from collecting his due in this gripping and nuanced debut horror novel.” (August 25)
Dreamers of the Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki, translated by Jordan Taylor
“From the bestselling author of the Japanese sensation The Full Moon Coffee Shop, this charming and heartfelt standalone novel brings more lost souls to the enchanted café—where they might find some help from the cats who run it.” (August 25)
Ghost Cities by Siang Lu
“A dazzlingly inventive novel, spanning ancient and modern China, that interweaves stories of romance and showbiz.” (August 25)
Heir of Prophecy by Analeigh Sbrana
“She’s a woman bound by fate, torn between two prophecies. He’s the prince of the underworld, fated to either claim her or end her life. Defying destiny is one thing … the heart, another.” (August 25)
Love Me Like a Rock Song by Shelly Jay Shore
When a singer-songwriter gets left at the altar, she takes a road trip before recording her new album—and picks up an intriguingly mysterious passenger who’s actually a golem getting their first-ever taste of freedom. (August 25)
MAYA: Seed Takes Root by Anand Gandhi and Zain Memon
“Blending science fiction, fantasy, and philosophy, MAYA: Seed Takes Root is a new mythology for the 21st century—not of gods and monsters, but of us.” You can read or listen to the first chapter here. (August 25)
The Night Pool by Lauren Lee Smith
“A blood-soaked, page-turning horror set in the Gold Rush West, where three women must battle monsters both human and inhuman to survive.” (August 25)
Portrait of a Witch Undone by K.S. Shay
“An atmospheric, eerie debut for readers of Starling House and A Discovery of Witches, Isabella Stewart Gardner art heist aficionados, witchy girls, burnt-out former gifted kids, New England history buffs, the coven curious, ride-or-die friends, folklore fanatics, and anyone who’s ever wanted to wander through the looking glass.” (August 25)
Summer Coven by Kat Hillis and Rosiee Thor
“Everyone’s favorite vampire odd couple is back for another bloody good time in this new supernatural mystery from the authors of Dead & Breakfast.” (August 25)
Tales of a Treacherous Fate by Jennifer Delaney
The Tales trilogy, a magical retelling of Jane Eyre, concludes. “With trust fractured and our heroes separated across the burning face of Elysior, full-scale war looms closer. With Alma trapped in the clutches of the Countess, Kat, Emrys, and Gideon must find a way to play the next game the Countess wishes to play in order to rescue her.” (August 25)
A Taste of Magic by Tricia O’Malley
“Scotland’s most magical small town is back as another MacGregor witch takes the spotlight in this follow-up to the national bestseller Love’s a Witch.” (August 25)
They Say a Girl Died Here by Sarah Pinborough
“A thrilling, genre-bending mystery about two murdered girls, a town with dark secrets, and a race to break a deadly cycle.” (August 25)
The Tongue I Dream In by Sheree Renée Thomas
“This book of poems, stories, and essays draws together examples illustrating a mind immersed in Black legends and white myths and in the growing realization of our place in the world and time and in the irresistible pull of the future.” (August 25)
Upon the Forge of Battle by Anthony Ryan
“The epic conclusion to Anthony Ryan’s Age of Wrath trilogy—a gripping fantasy saga of bloody retribution, deadly intrigue, and soaring heroism.” (August 25)
The Whitechapel Full Moon Society by Elizabeth DeLozier
“Tantalizing and pulsing, Elizabeth DeLozier’s sophomore novel gives an exciting alternative look into the infamous Jack the Ripper story with a major, supernatural twist.” (August 25)
Wolftamer by Maggie Rapier
“Saoirse and Faolan’s quest for freedom turns into a battle for the fate of their entire world in this aching and lush conclusion to the Magpie and the Wolf duology.” (August 25)
Zyon by Katharine Kerr
“Over a hundred years ago, the inhabitants of the planet Zyon exiled a disruptive group of religious fanatics to its sister planet, Ninva. The exiles and their descendants have never stopped brooding on revenge. After a brutal invasion, they finally get their opportunity for bloody vengeance.” (August 25)
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