18 fantasy and science fiction books to read in November 2023
By Daniel Roman
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros (The Empyrean #2) — November 7
Rebecca Yarros’ romantic fantasy novel Fourth Wing was one of 2023’s breakout hits; it spent a solid 25 weeks on The New York Times Best Sellers List, and for 13 of those it held the number one spot. There were a solid few months wgere everyone and their mother was talking about this book, which follows a young woman who goes to a war college where she enters a competition to become a dragon rider. It’s even being developed as a television show by Amazon.
Yarros isn’t sleeping on the sequel, which is already here only a few short months later. Iron Flame picks up the story of Violet Sorrengail as she moves beyond her initiation into Basgiath War College. What dangers await?
Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War College—Violet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy, and the unlucky.
Now the real training begins, and Violet’s already wondering how she’ll get through. It’s not just that it’s grueling and maliciously brutal, or even that it’s designed to stretch the riders’ capacity for pain beyond endurance. It’s the new vice commandant, who’s made it his personal mission to teach Violet exactly how powerless she is–unless she betrays the man she loves.
Although Violet’s body might be weaker and frailer than everyone else’s, she still has her wits—and a will of iron. And leadership is forgetting the most important lesson Basgiath has taught her: Dragon riders make their own rules.
But a determination to survive won’t be enough this year.
Because Violet knows the real secret hidden for centuries at Basgiath War College—and nothing, not even dragon fire, may be enough to save them in the end.
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THE DARKNESS BEFORE THEM by Matthew Ward (The Soulfire Saga #1) — November 7
The Darkness Before Them is the start of a new fantasy trilogy from Matthew Ward. Ward is best known for his Legacy Trilogy, which began with Legacy of Ash and featured epic warfare, intrigue and revolution. In The Darkness Before Them, Ward tells the story of a thief with the preternatural gift to speak to spirits, which sounds pretty handy considering that many spirits have been forced into guarding treasures for a kingdom teeming with corruption.
These are dark times for the Kingdom of Khalad. As the magical mists of the Veil devour the land, the populace struggles beneath the rule of ruthless noble houses and their uncaring immortal king.
Kat doesn’t care about any of that. A talented thief, she’s pursuing one big score that will settle the debt that destroyed her family. No easy feat in a realm where indentured spirits hold vigil over every vault and treasure room. However, Kat has a unique gift: she can speak to those spirits, and even command them. She’ll need every advantage she can get.
Kat’s not a hero. She just wants to be free. To have her old life back. But as rebellion rekindles and the war for Khalad’s future begins, everyone – Kat included – will have to pick a side.