10 new fantasy and sci-fi books to read in January 2023
By Daniel Roman
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It’s a new year, and that means new books! 2022 was a great year for fantasy and science fiction novels, and 2023 looks like it’s going to be just as fantastic. We’ll be rounding up new fantasy and sci-fi releases each month so you can always be in the know about what books are on the way.
This list contains 10 exciting new fantasy and sci-fi books coming out in January. From rebellions set in fantasy worlds to near-future surveillance states to whimsical fairy tales, the breadth of stories coming our way this month is broad enough to sate many a reader’s taste. One’s TBR pile can never be towering precariously enough, as they say.
But before we begin, a note about this list: While this is only a sampling of some of the titles from the month that we’re excited about, one thing we’re not able to include are any titles being released from imprints of Harper Collins due to the ongoing strike of their editorial, marketing, design, and other staff across a number of departments. Until some kind of resolution has been reached, WinterIsComing stands in solidarity with the HCP Union and will unfortunately not be including any Harper Collins titles in these round-ups. We sincerely hope the situation is resolved soon.
With that disclaimer out of the way, let’s talk books!
THE SAPPHIRE ALTAR by David Dalglish (January 10)
The second novel in veteran fantasy author David Dalglish’s Vagrant Gods trilogy, The Sapphire Altar follows the further struggles of deposed prince Cyrus Lythan and his band of co-conspirators as they seek to push the Everlorn Empire out of their beloved island of Thanet. The first novel in the series, The Bladed Faith, was an enjoyable fantasy romp with great characters, and The Sapphire Altar promises to expand on what made that first installment so good while dishing out even more fantasy action, deific clashes, and found family feels.
Cyrus wants out. Trained to be an assassin in order to oust the invading Empire from his kingdom, Cyrus is now worried the price of his vengeance is too high. His old master has been keeping too many secrets to be trusted. And the mask he wears to hide his true identity and become the legendary “Vagrant” has started whispering to him in the dark. But the fight isn’t over and the Empire has sent its full force to bear upon Cyrus’s floundering revolution. He’ll have to decide once and for all whether to become the thing he fears or lose the country he loves.