Recently arrived fantasy fiction
Old Favourites
The Narrow Road Between Desires by Patrick Rothfuss
Are we disappointed this isn't the book we've been waiting for? Yes. Are we going to read another Kingkiller book anyway? Also yes. Touted as Kingkiller 2.6, this novella fleshes out an even shorter story called The Lightning Tree with more scenes and lovely illustrations by Nate Taylor. Following Bast, the charming Puck like fae friend of Kvothe over a single day, Narrow Road showcases all of Rothfuss' significant literary prowess and will appeal to fans of the series and those who have never read it. It may tide us over for another few days.
The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden
We all loved Arden's Winternight trilogy, which was inspired by Russian folklore which is rich in magic and myth.
In the Warm Hands of Ghosts, Arden blends historical fiction with elements of the supernatural, setting the narrative during the brutal realities of World War I. Laura, a discharged combat nurse, grapples with the aftermath of war injuries and the uncertainty of her brother Freddie's fate on the battlefields. Eerie signs hint he might still be alive, propelling Laura on a desperate search. Meanwhile, Freddie, very much alive but trapped in a collapsed pillbox with an enemy German soldier, Hans Winter, with whom he is determined to survive. As Laura searches frantically, and Freddie fights for his life, their paths converge, revealing a truth about the war that transcends the physical world.
Get cosy
Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree
Baldree could be considered an old favourite too because 2023's Legends and Lattesmade everyone sit up and take notice of the cosy fantasy subgenre. There is a library staff dash for the holds button whenever a new Baldree arrives.
Bookshops & Bonedust is actually a prequal to Legends & Lattes, taking us back to the younger days of Viv, our favourite orc, back when she was a marauder, not a barista. Injured in a fight against the undead, Viv sulkily retreats to the coastal village of Murk to recuperate, where she makes friends with a beleaguered bookshop owner, a cute baker and an animated skeleton named Satchel. There's a little darkness and adventure here to be sure, but there's also a summer love interest, lots of mouthwatering baking, books and the same cute charm of the first.
Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher
Marra, as the youngest of three princesses is actually quite happy to be relegated to convent life instead of marrying princes like her oldest sisters. She certainly doesn't want to suffer the same fate of her sister Damia, suspiciously dead after just a few months in her husband's house. Marra's small life revolves around helping the midwife nun, mucking out the stables and fine tuning her embroidery skills, but when her sister Kania, who has replaced the dead Damia in her husband's bed pleas for help, Marra must leave her cloistered life for a rescue mission that can surely only end badly.
Along the way she acquires the support of a dust-wife and her chicken familiar, her own fairy godmother, a dog made of bones and a sad, lost knight. Together this rag tag troupe must kill the prince and rescue Kania from the clutches of a deadly curse.
Nettle & Bone is a perfectly balanced fantasy, with elements of feminism and fairy tales, a touch of horror, plenty of humour and utterly addictive characters. I hope Kingfisher returns to this world, it has such potential for more.
Myth, legend and beasties
The Children of Gods and Fighting Men by Shauna Lawless
Viking Dublin is in chaos after their king dies. His young widow, Gormflaith, has big plans for her son and herself. But Ireland is a dangerous place, and kings don't last long. Gormflaith has a secret: she's immortal and has fire magic! But there are other immortals who hunt her kind. Fódla, a gifted healer from a hidden clan, is sent to spy on Brian Boru, a powerful man who wants to rule all of Ireland. Fódla wants to stop the coming war, but with Ireland on the edge and the hidden Fomorians rising, peace won't be easy.
For countless generations, the Hundred Isles have waged war on the bones of legendary dragons. Even after the dragons vanished into myth, the battles raged on. Now, rumours are flooding the waves, the first dragon in centuries has been sighted. A spark ignites in the hearts of both sides - whoever captures this mythical creature claims not just victory, but the very fate of the war. A brilliantly crafted high seas tale of honour, war and adventure.
Ren Yu, a competitive swimmer, finds solace in the pool but struggles with the pressures of adolescence and her demanding family. Drawn to a new girl, Lee, Ren's obsession escalates as she grapples with the pain of growing up female and the allure of a dark transformation. Blending elements of body horror and coming-of-age, Chlorine explores themes of identity, transformation, and the desire to escape the constraints of reality and will appeal to readers of Julia Armfield and Mona Awad, the darker side of the genre.
Magic mansions hold secrets tight
The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi
A scholar, captivated by a beautiful heiress, swears to respect her shrouded past. Yet, a looming family summons lures them to her eerie childhood mansion, the House of Dreams. Secrets whisper from its walls, each one a thread unraveling their fairytale romance. This gothic tapestry, rich with myth and folklore, explores love's deception, shattering truths, and the perils of hidden lives. Fans of Mexican Gothic and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue will be enthralled by this darkly romantic journey.
Accidental Magic by Iris Beaglehole
Rosemary Thorn and her daughter, Athena, face more than just teenage angst after Granny Thorn's mysterious demise. Whispers of inheritance battles draw Rosemary back to the crumbling Thorn Manor, a house harboring more than peeling paint and dusty memories. As magic stirs, mother and daughter find themselves embroiled in a whirlwind of adventure, and murder. Can they clear Rosemary's name, solve the tangled web of secrets, and survive the perils swirling around them? Myrtlewood beckons, promising a delightful brew of cozy charm and thrilling mystery. This first book in the series is a delightful blend of found family, cosy magic and a murder mystery bya Kiwi author!
Books and librarians are magic
The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown
A mysterious book gifted to bookseller Cassie unlocks portals and unleashes a world of magic. Soon, Cassie and her friend Izzy are hunted by those seeking the book's power. Their only hope lies with Drummond Fox, a man with a hidden library of magic and a dark past. Together, they face a nameless evil in a thrilling tale of friendship, power, and the consequences of unleashing the unknown. Fans of The Midnight Library and A Discovery of Witches will enjoy this bookish time travelling romance.
