13 fantasy and science fiction books to read in August 2023
By Daniel Roman
LORD OF A SHATTERED LAND by Howard Andrew Jones (The Chronicles of Hanuvar #1) — August 1
Howard Andrew Jones is the creator of the Ring-Sworn series, The Desert of Souls Arabic-inspired historical series, and four novels set in the Pathfinder universe. This month he kicks off his latest series, The Chronicles of Hanuvar, which is an epic fantasy that follows a fallen general as he tries to fight back against an overwhelming empire and save the remnants of his people from slavery and death.
The Dervan Empire has at last triumphed over Volanus, putting the great city to the torch, its treasures looted, temples defiled, and fields sown with salt. What little remains of Volanus is scattered across the empire, its wealth plundered and its survivors sold into slavery. It is an absolute victory for the Dervans in every way but one.
Hanuvar, last and greatest general of Volanus, still lives. He now travels the length of the Dervan Empire that conquered his homeland, driven by a singular purpose—to find what remains of his people who were carried into slavery across the empire, and free them from subjugation by any means necessary.
Against the might of a vast empire, he had only an aging sword arm, a lifetime of hard-won wisdom, and the greatest military mind in the world, set upon a single goal. No matter what the empire musters against him, no matter what man or monster stands in his way, from the empire’s festering capital to its furthest outposts, Hanuvar would find his people, every last one of them.
And he would set them free.
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THE BOOK OF WITCHES edited by Jonathan Strahan — August 1
Next up is The Book of Witches, a short story anthology edited by Jonathan Strahan. I typically reserve these lists for novels and novellas, but when an anthology is as stacked as The Book of Witches, I’d be doing you a disservice not to mention it.
Containing 29 brand new stories from a ton of top-tier fantasy and science fiction authors, The Book of Witches brings us fresh takes on spellcasters that draw from folklore and fantasy. Themed anthologies can be a fun way to get some variety in your reading diet, since each story can be consumed in a single sitting and each author brings their own perspectives to the table. With a list of contributing authors as impressive as the one outlined in the back-of-book description below, this one’s pretty much a no-brainer for fantasy fans.
Witches! Whether you know them from Shakespeare or from Wicked, there is no staple more beloved in folklore, fairy tale, or fantasy than these magical beings. Witches are everywhere, and at the heart of stories that resonate with many people around the world. This dazzling, otherworldly collection gathers new stories of witches from all walks of life, ensuring a Halloween readers will never forget. Whether they be maiden, mother, crone, or other; funny, fierce, light and airy, or dark and disturbing; witches are a vital part of some of the greatest stories we have, and new ones start here!
Bringing together twenty-nine stories and poems from some of the greatest science fiction and fantasy writers working today, including three tales from a BIPOC-only open submission period, The Book of Witches features Linda Addison, C.L. Clark, P Djeli Clark, Indrapramit Das, Amal El Mohtar, Andrea Hairston, Millie Ho, Saad Hossain, Kathleen Jennings, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Cassandra Khaw, Fonda Lee, Darcie Little Badger, Ken Liu, Usman T. Malik, Maureen F. McHugh, Premee Mohamed, Garth Nix, Tobi Ogundiran, Tochi Onyebuchi, Miyuki Jane Pinckard, Kelly Robson, Angela Slatter, Andrea Stewart, Emily Teng, Sheree Renée Thomas, Tade Thompson, and E. Lily Yu—and contains illustrations from three-time Hugo award-nominated artist Alyssa Winans throughout. This extraordinary anthology vividly breathes life into one of the most captivating and feared magical sorceresses and will become a treasured keepsake for fans of fantasy, science fiction, and fairy tales everywhere.