15 great fantasy and science fiction books from 2020 you may have missed

9. Under the Lesser Moon by Shelly Campbell

"“Dragons once led our people across the wastelands, away from storms, and toward hunting grounds.” That’s what the elders say, but Akrist has squinted at empty skies his whole life. The dragons have abandoned them, and it’s Akrist’s fault. He’s cursed. Like every other firstborn son, he has inherited the sins of his ancestors. In his camp, he’s the only eldest boy left. Something happened to the others. Something terrible. When Akrist befriends Tanar, an eldest boy from another tribe, he discovers the awful truth: they’re being raised as sacrifices to appease the Goddess and win back her dragons. The ritual happens when the dual moons eclipse. Escape is the only option, but Akrist was never taught to hunt or survive the wastelands alone. Time is running out, and he has to do something before the moons touch."

Under the Lesser Moon is Shelly Campbell’s debut novel, a dark work of fantasy that pushes into some really cool areas. While the tale of Akris’ escape is gripping, to my eye one of the most unique things about Campbell’s debut is the world she has created. Under the Lesser Moon takes place in a Stone Age-inspired fantasy world, blending together some of the genre’s better known trappings (like dragons) and works like Jean M. Auel’s Earth’s Children books.

I haven’t heard of many books with a setting in this same ballpark, and that alone would be enough to make Under the Lesser Moon stand out. But it also has an edgy, powerful story to tell, one that is dark, brutal, and haunting by turns.

The sequel, Voice of the Banished, comes out on November 7.