17 fantasy and science fiction books to read in March 2024
By Daniel Roman
THE SUNLIT MAN by Brandon Sanderson (Secret Project #4) — March 5
It wouldn't feel like a complete new month of books without a new Brandon Sanderson novel, and lo! March will indeed give us something (kind of) new from Sanderson.
The Sunlit Man was the fourth of Sanderson's Secret Projects, which were originally published last year as part of the Year of Sanderson event funded by his record-breaking Kickstarter. Now that the Kickstarter version of this book has gotten out to all the backers, Tor Books is releasing its own hardcover version so that it's accessible to Cosmere fans far and wide.
Yes, this book is a part of the Cosmere, Sanderson's interconnected fantasy universe where series like Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive take place. The Sunlit Man is a standalone fantasy book which explores a previously unseen corner of the Cosmere. And if you know Sanderson, you know that means it will probably have plenty of easter eggs that connect it with his other works.
Running. Putting distance between himself and the relentless Night Brigade has been Nomad’s strategy for years. Staying one or two steps ahead of his pursuers by skipping through the Cosmere from one world to the next.
But now, his powers too depleted to escape, Nomad finds himself trapped on Canticle, a planet that will kill anyone who doesn’t keep moving. Fleeing the fires of a sunrise that melts the very stones, he is instantly caught up in the struggle between a heartless tyrant and the brave rebels who defy him.
Failure means a quick death, incinerated by the sun… or a lifetime as a mindless slave. Tormented by the consequences of his past, Nomad must fight not only for his survival―but also for his very soul.
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
THAT TIME I GOT DRUNK AND SAVED A HUMAN by Kimberly Lemming (Mead Mishaps #3) — March 5
2024 is fast shaping up to be the year of romantasy. One of the series leading that charge is Kimberly Lemming's Mead Mishaps, which were originally self-published but are getting a new run from Orbit this year. The titles and cover art say it all: these are cozy, funny fantasy novels that will probably give you warm fuzzies and belly laughs in equal measure.
The first two books, That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon and That Time I got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf, came out in January and February respectively. This month, the third Mead Mishaps book, That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Human, can join them on your bookshelf!
When a spirited young woman with a penchant for adventure finds herself locked away in a dragon’s tower, she realizes that fate has a peculiar sense of humor when it comes to her romantic prospects, in this laugh-out-loud fantasy rom-com.
All children are told fairytales. Some are epic adventures with high stakes and exciting twists, while others are tales of pitiful princesses trapped in boring towers pining for their Prince Charmings to come and rescue them. Growing up, Cherry always hated those stories. Why didn’t the princesses just get up and rescue themselves? Little did she know that her own fate would take an ironically similar turn. Because now, here she is. Stuck. In a tower. Turns out, when a dragon holds you hostage, he doesn’t just let you get up and leave.
Who knew?
And just when Cherry thinks she sees hope on the horizon, that hope is smashed to bits by—you guessed it—another damn dragon.