13 fantasy and science fiction books to read in July 2023

THE SUN AND THE VOID by Gabriela Romero Lacruz (The Warring Gods #1) — July 25

Gabriela Romera Lacruz’s debut novel The Sun and the Void is a fantasy inspired by the history and folklore of colonial South America. Publisher’s Weekly has called this book a “spell-binding sapphic epic fantasy,” so in addition to the forbidden magic and lore, we also get a heavy dose of romance, intrigue, and family drama. It’s the first installment in Romero Lacruz’s The Warring Gods trilogy.

The Sun and the Void also happens to have a variety of jaw-droppingly beautiful print editions, so it’ll look great on the bookshelf!

Reina is desperate.

Stuck on the edges of society, Reina’s only hope lies in an invitation from a grandmother she’s never met. But the journey to her is dangerous, and prayer can’t always avert disaster.

Attacked by creatures that stalk the mountains, Reina is on the verge of death until her grandmother, a dark sorceress, intervenes. Now dependent on the Doña’s magic for her life, Reina will do anything to earn—and keep—her favor. Even the bidding of an ancient god who whispers to her at night.

Eva Kesaré is unwanted.

Illegitimate and of mixed heritage, Eva is her family’s shame. She tries to be the perfect daughter, but Eva is hiding a secret: Magic calls to her.

Eva knows she should fight the temptation. Magic is the sign of the dark god, and using it is punishable by death. Yet it’s hard to ignore power when it has always been denied you. Eva is walking a dangerous path. And in the end, she’ll become something she never imagined.

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THICK AS THIEVES by M.J. Kuhn (Thieves Duology #2) — July 25

We end with thieves, which is never the wrong choice. Author M.J. Kuhn’s Among Thieves introduced readers to the kingdoms of Thamorr and to Ryia Cautella, an assassin known as the Butcher of Carrowwick. That novel saw Ryia team up with a mismatched group of thieves and other unsavory types for a highly dangerous mission. Follow-up Thick as Thieves will explore whether Ryia can get the band back together to deal with the consequences of their last big job.

Kuhn’s Thieves books have undertones reminiscent of Scott Lynch’s The Lies of Locke Lamora, so if you’ve been missing spending time in a fantasy criminal underworld, it’s a great fit. Plus, Thick as Thieves is the second and concluding book in Kuhn’s Thieves Duology, which means you can now devour the entire story.

Ryia Cautella, a.k.a. the Butcher of Carrowwick, and her motley crew have succeeded in the ultimate heist…with the most dire possible consequences. A terrifyingly powerful tool has fallen into the hands of Callum Clem, the criminal leader of the Saints, who was already one of the most dangerous men alive. With the newfound ability to force magic-wielding Adepts to his will, he is unstoppable.

With their group scattered throughout the five kingdoms of Thamorr—and not all on the same side of the fight—things seem hopeless. But can Ryia get the gang back together for one last job? Or will chess-worthy power plays and shifting loyalties change Thamorr as they know it?

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And thus concludes this month’s round-up of new fantasy and science fiction book releases! What books will you be reading in July? Let us know in the comments!

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