15 new Fantasy and Science Fiction books to read in 2021

The Witness for the Dead by Katherine Addison (June 22)

Katherine Addison’s 2014 book The Goblin Emperor was one of those rare standalone fantasy novels that managed to totally blow away reviewers and fans alike and carve a place for itself in a genre typically dominated by epic, multi-book series. It told the tale of a young goblin heir who is called to the throne after his father and three half-brothers are all murdered. It was fantastic and fans have been clamoring for a sequel for years.

Enter The Witness for the Dead, a follow-up to The Goblin Emperor that follows the journey of Thara Celehar, a character from the original book.

"When the young half-goblin emperor Maia sought to learn who had killed his father and half-brothers, he turned to an obscure resident of his Court, a Prelate of Ulis and a Witness for the Dead. Thara Celehar found the truth, though it did him no good to discover it. Now Celehar lives in the city of Amalo, far from the Court though not exactly in exile. He has not escaped from politics, but his position gives him the ability to serve the common people of the city, which is his preference. He lives modestly, but his decency and fundamental honesty will not permit him to live quietly."

The Witness for the Dead comes out on June 22 from Tor Books.