Ashby, Madeline. Glass Houses. Tor. Aug. 2024. 272p. ISBN 9780765382924. $27.99. SF

Futurist and novelist Ashby (ReV) writes a near-future sci-fi thriller. A start-up team and their billionaire CEO crash onto a tropical island, where they find a mysteriously deserted, AI-run mansion—with no connection to the outside world. Then people begin to disappear one by one. With a 100K-copy first printing.

Corey, James A. The Mercy of Gods. Orbit. (The Captive’s War, Bk. 1). Aug. 2024. 432p. ISBN 9780316525572. $30. SF

Corey (pen name of Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck) follows the Hugo Award–winning and best-selling “Expanse” books with a new space opera series. Captured by the Carryx, humans are brought into a war and competition with other captive species as they fight for their survival. With a 150K-copy first printing.

Feist, Raymond E. A Darkness Returns. Harper Voyager. (Dragonwar Saga, Bk. 1). Aug. 2024. 480p. ISBN 9780062315847. $32. FANTASY

Best-selling Feist launches a new epic fantasy series that joins the worlds from his “Firemane Saga” and “Riftwar” novels. The last scion of the Firemane dynasty has been transported to Midkemia to explore his magical abilities, which he’ll need to save his war-torn world of Garn. With a 100K-copy first printing.

Graudin, Ryan. The Enchanted Lies of Céleste Artois. Redhook: Orbit. Aug. 2024. 480p. ISBN 9780316418690. $30. FANTASY

YA author Graudin (Invictus) makes her adult debut with this historical fantasy. In the early 1900s, ailing con artist Céleste Artois learns about the existence of hidden magical pockets of Paris. Then she’s offered a deal to extend her life in exchange for her talents, but this newly discovered world of magic proves to be powerful—and deadly.

Hess, Al. Key Lime Sky. Angry Robot. Aug. 2024. 400p. ISBN 9781915998125. pap. $18.99. SF

Hess (author of the LJ Best Book World Running Down) writes about pie aficionado Denver Bryant, who sees a UFO explode over his small town and then notices the residents’ subsequent strange behavior, but the only one who believes him is handsome bartender Ezra. When people start disappearing, they try to leave town—but the town won’t let them.

Hopkinson, Nalo. Blackheart Man. S. & S./Saga. Aug. 2024. 384p. ISBN 9781668005101. $28.99. FANTASY

Award-winning Hopkinson (Skin Folk: Stories) pens a tale about a magical island called Chynchin, where Veycosi trains as a griot with hopes of becoming a scholar. His plans are derailed, though, when an ancient invading army that was frozen into statues by island witches comes to life, led by the demon Blackheart Man.

Kingfisher, T. A Sorceress Comes To Call. Tor. Aug. 2024. 336p. ISBN 9781250244079. $27.99. FANTASY

Best-selling and Hugo Award–winning Kingfisher (Thornhedge; LJ Best Book What Moves the Dead) retells the story of “the Goose Girl.” A suspicious death sends Cordelia and her wicked sorcerer mother fleeing to the home of a wealthy man. His sister Hester must face down the witch if she wants to save her brother and Cordelia. With a 150K-copy first printing.

MacLean, S.A. The Phoenix Keeper. Orbit. Aug. 2024. 400p. ISBN 9780316573092. pap. $19.99. FANTASY

MacLean debuts with a cozy queer romantasy set in a zoo of magical creatures, from dragons and unicorns to kelpies and krakens. Aila is head phoenix keeper at the zoo, where she’s trying to save the endangered firebirds from extinction, but she’ll need some help from her gorgeous archrival, the hotshot griffin keeper Luciana.

Maehrer, Hannah Nicole. Apprentice to the Villain. Entangled: Red Tower. (Assistant to the Villain, Bk. 2). Aug. 2024. 352p. ISBN 9781649377173. pap. $19.99. FANTASY

Maehrer offers the follow-up to the best seller Assistant to the Villain, which was an Amazon and B&N best book and a Goodreads Choice Award Romantasy finalist. The story ponders the question: What happens when the assistant develops into something more? With a 300K-copy first printing.

Okorafor, Nnedi. She Who Knows: Firespitter. DAW. (She Who Knows, Bk. 1). Aug. 2024. 176p. ISBN 9780756418953. $25. SF

Multi-award-winning Okorafor begins a new trilogy with a novella that combines sci-fi and fantasy with West African culture, taking place before the events of Who Fears Death. Thirteen-year-old Najeeba, who becomes the mother of Onyesonwu, receives the Call. She joins them on the journey to mine salt, and her presence changes everything.

Virdi, R.R. The Doors of Midnight. Tor. (Tales of Tremaine, Bk. 2). Aug. 2024. 832p. ISBN 9781250796189. $34.99. FANTASY

In Virdi’s sequel to the epic fantasy The First Binding, Ari the Binder is an immortal hiding as a legendary storyteller and spreader of myth while awaiting judgment for the murder of a prince. But what is the truth in the stories he is telling? With a 75K-copy first printing.

Walter, Heather. The Crimson Crown. Del Rey: Ballantine. Aug. 2024. 544p. ISBN 9780593598368. $29.99. FANTASY

Following her “Sleeping Beauty” retelling in the “Malice” duology, Walter offers a queer, witchy version of “Snow White” from the wicked queen’s perspective. To prove herself to her coven, a young witch embarks on a quest that leads her to the White Palace, where she encounters the charismatic king and the witch who broke her heart.

Forthcoming Series Title

Sagara, Michelle. Cast in Atonement. MIRA: Harlequin. (Chronicles of Elantra, Bk. 18). Aug. 2024. 448p. ISBN 9780778369721. pap. $18.99. FANTASY