Add December’s New Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Books to Your Reading List

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December is traditionally a slender month for new book releases—but there are still plenty of titles to please any reader, including Alex Segura‘s follow-up to Secret Identity, his 2022 neo-noir hit set in the cutthroat world of comic-book creators.

December 3

Alter Ego by Alex Segura

In this standalone sequel to the author’s 2022 comic-book tale Secret Identity, “a comics legend is given the chance to revive a beloved but forgotten character. But at what price?” (December 3)

Glow of the Everflame by Penn Cole

The Kindred’s Curse Saga romantic fantasy series continues “with Diem Bellator facing a coming war, dangerous enemies around every corner, and a battle for her heart.” (December 3)

How We Know Our Time Travelers: Stories by Anita Felicelli

“A dark, intellectual, and surreal collection inspired by the uncertainty of time that explores themes of technology, climate change, reality, love and loss.” (December 3)

Lake of Souls: The Collected Short Fiction by Ann Leckie

This complete collection of short fiction by the Hugo, Nebula, and Arthur C. Clarke award-winning author also includes a new novelette, Lake of Souls. (December 3)

The Last One by Rachel Howzell Hall

“Thrown into a desolate land of sickness and unnatural beasts, Kai wakes in the woods with no idea who she is or how she got there. All she knows is that if she cannot reach the Sea of Devour, even this hellscape will get worse. But when she sees the village blacksmith fight invaders with unspeakable skill, she decides to accept his offer of help.” (December 3)

The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt by Chelsea Iversen

“A lush, enchanting story of a woman who must use the magic of the fantastical plants that adorn her crumbling estate in Victorian London to thwart the dark plots of the men around her.” (December 3)

Private Rites by Julia Armfield

“A speculative reimagining of King Lear, centering three sisters navigating queer love and loss in a drowning world.” (December 3)

Quicksilver by Callie Hart

“The global phenomenon by Callie Hart–a highly addicting enemies-to-lovers Romantasy with razor-sharp banter, heart-stopping action, and blistering hot romance–now has an embossed cover, silver foiling, and an updated interior design.” (December 3)

The Serpent Called Mercy by Roanne Lau

“The Witcher meets Squid Game in this Malaysian Chinese-inspired epic fantasy novel where a debt-ridden slumdog joins an illegal monster-fighting arena for some fast coin, but quickly learns the most dangerous beasts are outside the ring.” (December 3)

The Shutouts by Gabrielle Korn

“A brilliant queer dystopian novel from the author of Yours for the Taking, following a cast of characters on the margins of a strange and exclusive new society.” (December 3)

Sister Snake by Amanda Lee Koe

“A glittering, bold, darkly funny novel about two sisters—one in New York, one in Singapore—who are bound by an ancient secret … Reimagining the Chinese folktale “The Legend of the White Snake,” this is a novel about being seen for who you are—and, ultimately, how to live free.” (December 3)

Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson

“A woman discovers that not all monsters are her enemy—the opposite, in fact—in this new paranormal romance.” (December 3)

The Way by Cary Groner

“A postapocalyptic road trip and a quest for redemption … It raises age-old questions about life, death, and how to live, while reflecting our own world in unsettling, uncanny, and even hopeful ways. (December 3)

December 6

Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson

The first arc of the Stormlight Archive epic fantasy series concludes as “the fate of the entire Cosmere hangs in the balance.” (December 6)

December 10

A Monsoon Rising by Thea Guanzon

In this sequel to The Hurricane Wars, “prepare for more enemies-to-lovers romance, magical adventures, and political schemes in this Southeast Asian-inspired world.” (December 10)

The Year’s Best African Speculative Fiction by Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki and Chinaza Eziaghighala

The latest entry in the annual anthology series features stories that blend “speculative elements with profound human experiences and cultural narratives.” It’s further described as “a celebration of African storytelling, creativity, and the endless possibilities within the realm of speculative fiction.” (December 10)

December 24

A Sky of Emerald Stars by A.K. Mulford

The second entry in the “Golden Court romantasy shifter trilogy” follows “wolf-shifter Calla’s journey and explores a new love story and adventure.” (December 24)

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

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