15 fantasy and science fiction books to read in October 2023
By Daniel Roman
THE HURRICANE WARS by Thea Guanzon — October 3
Our next book is a fantasy romance called The Hurricane Wars, the debut novel from Thea Guanzon. It’s set in a Southeast-Asia inspired fantasy world that’s racked by storms and follows two enemies with opposing magical abilities who are pulled together by the whims of fate and war. This book is being marketed as a great fit for readers who enjoyed The Fourth Wing or A Court of Thorns and Roses, so if those books are up your alley you may have just found your next fantasy obsession.
All Talasyn has ever known is the Hurricane Wars. Growing up an orphan in a nation under siege by the ruthless Night Emperor, she found her family among the soldiers who fight for freedom. But she is hiding a deadly secret: light magic courses through her veins, a blazing power believed to have been wiped out years ago that can cut through the Night Empire’s shadows.
Prince Alaric, the emperor’s only son and heir, has been tasked with obliterating any threats to the Night Empire’s rule with the strength of his armies and mighty shadow magic. He discovers the greatest threat yet in Talasyn: a girl burning brightly on the battlefield with the magic that killed his grandfather, turned his father into a monster, and ignited the Hurricane Wars. He tries to kill her, but in a clash of light and dark, their powers merge and create a force the likes of which has never been seen.
This war can only end with them. But an even greater danger is coming, and the strange magic they can create together could be the only way to overcome it. Talasyn and Alaric must decide… are they fated to join hands, or destroy each other?
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SHIELD MAIDEN by Sharon Emmerichs — October 3
Sticking with debuts, next on the list is Shield Maiden by Sharon Emmerichs. This is a reimagining of Beowulf from the perspective of Beowulf’s niece Fryda. With that sort of rich story to pull from, it’ll probably appeal to readers who enjoyed Madeline Miller’s Circe or Vashnavi Patel’s Kaikeyi.
All her life, Fryda has longed to be a shield maiden, an honor reserved for Geatland’s mightiest warriors. When a childhood accident leaves her tragically injured and unfit for the battlefield, her dreams are dashed—or so she thinks. But a strange, unfathomable power is awakening within her, a power that will soon be put to the test.
For when foreign lords and chieftains descend upon Fryda’s home to celebrate her uncle King Beowulf’s fifty-year reign, she realizes not all their guests come with good intentions. Treachery is afoot, and Fryda must gather her courage to fight for her people…as a queen should—as a shield maiden would—and as only Fryda can.
But as Fryda’s power grows stronger, something ancient hears its call. For buried deep in her gilded lair, a dragon awakens…and Fryda must prove herself once and for all.