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August 2024 is set to be a fantastic month for sci-fi and fantasy fans with this impressive array of exciting new releases.
While I haven’t managed to read every standout book this year, I’m here to keep you up to date with the best of what’s new.
In this article, I’ve put together a list of the 23 best sci-fi and fantasy books to read this August.
This list is packed with fresh and intriguing reads that cover everything from futuristic tech to magical adventures.
I’ve made sure to include a mix of standalone novels and series, so you can find something perfect no matter how much time you have to read.
And don’t worry if you’re looking for something to binge—several of these books are the beginning of a series that will keep you hooked for the long haul.
1. The Gray Prophecy By Maria A. Eden.
Publication date: August 29th.
From the blurb:
Cori, who once prophesied that witches using dark magic would lose their power on an upcoming winter solstice, has spent a decade hiding from those who want to kill her.
Now living in Farley, Maine, she wants to stay low until the prophecy’s deadline, but an encounter with Adrian Huxley, a local Water Elemental witch, complicates things as she struggles to control her magic.
When someone from her past reappears, Cori starts to question why she was really sent into hiding and whether her loved ones are truly loyal.
I already feel so bad for Cori because it already looks like whatever move she makes will cause her harm and the odds are surely stacked against her.
This upcoming fantasy book already feels like so much fun and I think anyone who loves character-focused stories will be immediately immersed in it.
2. Mistress of Lies by K. M. Enright.
Publication date: August 13th.
From the blurb:
Shan LeClaire, a skilled blood magic practitioner, takes control of her family’s legacy by assassinating her father to protect her brother and seek revenge.
Samuel Hutchinson, a reluctant participant in the magical world, gets involved in the investigation of a magical serial killer and finds himself entangled with Shan and the vampire king’s court.
As they work together, Samuel must survive Shan’s dangerous schemes and decide if he can sacrifice his soul for the greater good.
It’s clear from the get go that Samuel and Shan will stand against each other in every way that matters and I’m so sat for the drama.
And, bonus points because Shan sounds like a babe I can get behind and I’m so pumped for this release.
3. Time’s Agent by Brenda Peynado.
Publication date: August 13th.
From the blurb:
Forty years after failing in their groundbreaking research, disgraced archeologist Raquel and her biologist wife Marlena are estranged.
Their daughter’s consciousness is now in a robotic dog and Raquel’s only connection to Marlena is a pocket universe she wears as a pendant.
When a new pocket universe surfaces, Raquel sees it as a final opportunity to redeem herself, restore her relationships, and confront the meaning of saving something—or someone—from the clutches of time.
Time travel books are all the rage at the moment – as they’ve been for the last decade and half – and this unique spin which is set to be released in August is everything.
You’ll want to check this out if you’re keen on seeing reluctant partners trudge their way through an unwanted partnership while trying to make the most of things.
4. The Enchanted Lies Of Céleste Artois By Ryan Graudin.
Publication date: August 27th.
From the blurb:
Set in early 1900s Paris, a city of hidden magic and enchanted salons, this lyrical fantasy follows Céleste Artois, a con artist and forger who is running out of time due to a mysterious illness.
Her life changes when she meets Rafe, who introduces her to an enchanted salon and the secret world of magical Paris.
Rafe offers her a chance to extend her life in exchange for her talents, but making deals with devils comes with unforeseen dangers.
In time, Céleste will learn that true magic is just as powerful as it is perilous and wielding it demands a level of responsibility she may not have necessarily attained.
I am so, so eager to dive into this upcoming YA fantasy book and, based off the blurb alone, the characters are as flawed as they are endearing.
I’ve always had a soft spot for these heist-styled books, especially one that features an omnibus cast and I’m looking forward to what adventure it will take me on.
5. Medici Heist By Caitlin Schneiderhan.
Publication date: August 6th.
From the blurb:
It’s Florence, 1517 and seventeen-year-old con-woman Rosa Cellini is planning the greatest robbery of the Renaissance against the Medici family and their extortionate Pope, Leo X.
To execute her daring heist, she assembles a team including Sarra the tinkerer, Khalid the fighter, Giacomo the master of disguise, and reluctantly recruits the famed artist Michelangelo.
Soon, old secrets and tensions rise and the heist evolves into a mission to save Florence from destruction in what promises to be a swashbuckling adventure full of action, snark, and high-stakes drama.
As mentioned earlier, heist-styled books will always have my heart and with what we’ve been told, I’ve eager to know what goes down.
I would literally never have predicted Michelangelo being a part of their team and this…what’s the word…crossover might make this August 2024 upcoming fantasy book a new favorite.
6. The Dead Cat Tail Assassins by P. Djèlí Clark.
Publication date: August 6th.
From the blurb:
In P. Djèlí Clark’s new fantasy, The Dead Cat Tail Assassins are a guild of resurrected, memory-wiped killers operating in the ancient city of Tal Abisi.
Eveen the Eviscerator, skilled and professional, follows three strict rules: the contract must be just, she can only kill those contracted, and she must complete her mission or face dire consequences.
During the Festival of the Clockwork King, Eveen’s latest job forces her to confront a past she should have forgotten and a vow she must uphold.
Fast-paced? Check. Fantastic female lead? Double check. A plot that’s literally to die for? You got it. This upcoming fantasy books felt like it was made for me.
It’s been a hot minute since I read the blurb of a book and actively spent time drumming up possible scenes, but that’s what has been happening since I found out about this book.
The Dead Cat Tail Assassins is easily one of my most anticipated fantasy books coming out in August 2024 on this list and I just know it’s going to be good.
7. Practical Rules For Cursed Witches By Kayla Cottingham.
Publication date: August 27th.
From the blurb:
Delilah Bea, a teen witch in this sapphic fantasy adventure, must complete her magical training by breaking a powerful family’s curse.
Her task becomes complicated when she’s assigned to break the Pelumbra family curse instead, which involves saving Kieran and his twin Briar from a deadly magical fate.
Delilah is now dealing with her own curse of never finding true love, but when she gets closer to Briar, the Pelumbra family and her own afflictions stand in her way.
Our FL in this August 2024 upcoming fantasy book clearly has her work cut out for her and with time running out, she must find a way to protect her love and avoid danger.
One of my literary weaknesses is a character who has all the odds stacked against them and I simply know for a fact that I’m going to love reading Delilah’s story.
Also See: Top 12 Short Fantasy Novels (Less Than 350 Pages) You Can Read In One Day
8. Potions And Proposals By Kate Callaghan.
Publication date: August 24th.
From the blurb:
Set in the mystical town of Foxford, translator Lucinda Hawthorne and her rival Benedict Matherson are both contenders for the role of High Priestess.
Faced with the choice of a binding ritual or a vote that could cost them everything, they reluctantly agree to the spell, but this goes wrong and their fate gets intertwined.
You guys, the fiery chemistry and romance between these two rivals already feels scorching and I am seated for whatever they bring to the table.
It’s been a while since I read a supremely good love to hate fantasy book and I am so ready to see Lucinda and Benedict decide if they want to stay together or part ways.
9. Netherford Hall by Natania Barron.
Publication date: August 13th.
From the blurb:
After a fire destroys her home, Gentlewitch Edith Rookwood and her diminished family move to Netherford Hall in Kent.
Shortly after, the inheritance of the now-struggling family is challenged by an American relative.
And, somehow, Edith’s situation becomes even more complicated because er tenant, the charming and chaotic Poppy Brightwell, becomes a constant in her thoughts.
There are so many, many reasons to be excited about this work, but I’m particularly interested in seeing what becomes of Edith’s family.
You see, I really enjoy reading fish-out-of-water books with leads who have to deal with a unique situation they’d never anticipated and this is just one of them.
10. Strange Folk by Alli Dyer.
Publication date: August 6th.
From the blurb:
Lee returns to her magical family in Craw Valley, Appalachia, with her children after leaving her old life behind.
She has plans to avoid her family’s magical ways, but when a man is found dead in the woods near her grandmother Belva’s home, she suspects dark forces at play.
The more Lee investigates, the more she discovers many strange occurrences and family secrets that compel her to confront her past, rediscover her own power, and protect her family and the town she left behind.
Lee might be trying her best to avoid getting entangled with her family’s ties to magic, but she puts this on the back burner when she realises she must protect the very people she wants to avoid.
Guys, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: reluctant leads make for the best character arcs and I am so, so, so excited for this debut work.
11. The Sorcerer And The Necromancer by Susan Ann Walker.
Publication date: August 5th.
From the blurb:
In The Sorcerer and the Necromancer, Daric is a young swordsman from a family of wizards who finds out that he has a dangerous hidden power: the ability to drain magical energy from others.
When he starts training to control his newfound abilities, a necromancer begins animating the dead to commit thefts, and seers predict a devastating firestorm.
Now, Daric must use his powers to stop the necromancer and prevent disaster, or risk causing the very destruction he seeks to avoid.
The novel is part of the Tales from the City of Magic series but can be read as a standalone when it comes out in August.
12. This Ravenous Fate by Hayley Dennings.
Publication date: August 6th.
From the blurb:
In 1926 New York, the population count of reapers – vampires with a terrifying affliction – is rising, and the Saint family’s reaper-hunting enterprise controls the city.
Elise Saint, the eighteen-year-old heir, returns from Paris to find herself targeted by Harlem reapers.
Meanwhile, Layla Quinn, a young reaper turned five years ago and betrayed by Elise, is haunted by her past and framed for a series of brutal killings.
The Saint patriarch offers Layla a deal: work with Elise to investigate the murders linked to rumors of a reaper cure.
Now, the both must somehow survive in the underworld and confront a past they had kept hidden while dodging a looming threat to both reapers and humans.
A sapphic fantasy book could replace an apple as far as I’m concerned, and this one in particular sounds like a dream.
They apparently hate each other because of their jaded past and the experiences after, but working together might just thaw their hearts.
13. Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan.
Publication date: August 27th.
From the blurb:
Sarah Rees Brennan’s debut epic fantasy follows Rae who seizes a magical chance to enter the world of her favorite book series after her life falls apart.
She wakes up in a castle on the brink of war and discovers she is not the heroine but the villainess in the story.
Embracing this new role, Rae assembles a team of villains to alter their fate, even though increasing body counts and the Emperor’s growing rage.
If you’ve ever wanted an adult fantasy book that revisits the concept of villainy, this new fantasy book coming out in August 2024 should be on your reading list.
Based on the information provided, it’s just the right blend of adventure, dark humor, and an intriguing plot that will make you feel warm all over.
14. Lady Macbeth By Ava Reid.
Publication date: August 6th.
From the blurb:
In Ava Reid’s reimagining of Lady Macbeth, the Lady is aware of her notorious reputation and the strategic game she must play within her husband’s hostile court.
She knows her marriage to the Scottish brute will be fraught with challenges and requires her cunning and hidden witchcraft.
But, she doesn’t know her husband’s occult secrets, the prophecies that shield him, and the true extent of her own dangerous magic, which threatens to disrupt the world’s order.
Lady Macbeth has gone down in history as one of the most disregarded and misunderstood Shakespearean characters and this bold reimagination breathes life into her story.
Ava Reid is one of the best contemporary authors at the moment and her backlog speaks for itself, so I’m confident this is going to be every bit as marvelous as it sounds.
You May Also Like: 20 Best Romantic Steampunk Novels To Add To Your TBR In 2024
15. Asunder by Kerstin Hall.
Publication date: August 20th.
From the blurb:
Karys Eska, a deathspeaker bound to a fearsome eldritch entity named Sabaster, uses her gift to communicate with the dead and investigate suspicious deaths in her city.
When a job goes wrong and ties her to a dying man with dangerous secrets, she accidentally binds him to her shadow, which is a risk to both their lives.
To survive, Karys and Ferain must trust each other as they venture into a decaying empire, facing arcane horrors and their own troubled pasts.
Karys sounds like a fearsome ball-buster I would absolutely trust with my life and I really can’t wait to see what she gets up to in this August 2024 upcoming fantasy book.
Since it’s pretty much a life or death affair, the stakes are super high and something tells me it’s going to be an absolutely wide ride.
16. Blackheart Man by Nalo Hopkinson.
Publication date: August 20th.
From the blurb:
On the magical island of Chynchin, scholar Veycosi’s plans to study the Alamat Book of Light are disrupted by a fleet of Ymisen galleons demanding a trade agreement.
As Veycosi is thrust into a difficult situation, he faces even greater dangers when children begin to disappear and an ancient, demon-led army, once frozen in tar by island witches, starts to awaken.
Struggling with both external threats and personal issues in his polyamorous relationships, Veycosi must somehow survive these escalating problems or risk causing more chaos.
Like many of the other characters in the upcoming fantasy books in this post, Veycosi has his work cut out for him in more ways than one.
I’m most thrilled by the thawed demon-led army that’s coming for his head and my bet is that he’ll eventually figure it all out.
17. The Mercy of Gods by James S. A. Corey.
Publication date: August 6th.
From the blurb:
The origins of the humans inhabiting Anjiin are a mystery, and their history is about to end as Carryx, a powerful empire known for its conquests has invades and captured its brightest minds including Dafyd Alkhor.
Initially an assistant to a renowned scientist, Dafyd finds himself in a deadly competition against other captured species, with extinction as the penalty for failure.
As he and his companions try to survive this perilous game, they must learn to understand and manipulate the Carryx.
Facing both a doomed human rebellion and deadly enemies, Dafyd’s journey will make him a key player in humanity’s fate—both its saviour and its betrayer.
As I said earlier, I love, love, love an unlikely hero and this August 2024 science fiction book sounds like all types of fun.
18. The Heir Of Venus By Laura Shepperson.
Publication date: August 6th.
From the blurb:
Lavinia finds herself caught between two powerful figures: Turnus, her childhood sweetheart who has waged war over her, and Aeneas, a legendary figure with grand ambitions and a secretive past.
As Turnus threatens everything she holds dear, Lavinia questions Aeneas’s true nature and motives.
And when a stranger arrives with revelations about Aeneas’s past, Lavinia must take control of her future and the fate of her people.
The love triangle in this Greek mythology book already feels to-die-for, but the best selling point has to be what looks to be amazing character development for Lavinia.
Clearly, she’ll need to learn a lot about herself and the people around her so that she’s properly positioned to protect her people and I’m here for it.
19. The Girl With No Reflection By Keshe Chow.
Publication date: August 6th.
From the blurb:
In this lush fantasy debut, Princess Ying Yue, chosen to marry the crown prince, is confined to her room and troubled by the mysterious disappearances of past royal brides.
Her world shifts when she discovers a gateway to a mirror realm, where she meets the kind and compassionate Mirror Prince.
As Ying falls for him, she finds a dark history linking the two worlds and realizes she has a crucial role to play in their future.
The fate of both realms may hinge on her actions, but it might already be too late for her.
First off, this book has Asian rep, which is really all you need to know to get excited, especially if you’re looking to make your reading list much more diversified.
And, secondly, there’s something about addictive about books where one unassuming character becomes a chosen one and I can’t wait to see how she pulls this off.
Finally, and most importantly, this is a debut work and if you know me, I go gaga about promoting debut authors, so make sure you check this out.
20. The Phoenix Keeper By S.A. MacLean.
Publication date: August 13th.
From the blurb:
As head phoenix keeper at a prestigious zoo for magical creatures, Aila’s dream of conserving firebirds is threatened by her zoo’s non-functional breeding program and a recent phoenix heist at a neighboring zoo.
To save the species, she must prove her facility’s worth while managing carnivorous water horses, thunderhawks, and dragons.
The situation is then made even more difficult by her rivalry with Luciana, the hotshot griffin keeper who believes the phoenix should be a performer, not just an exhibit.
With the future of the phoenix species and her job on the line, Aila must solve her professional challenges and personal rivalries, and, somehow, remember that he’s not alone in her quest.
Already, Aila is being set up as this hyper-independent female lead who has big, big, big career goals and I like her a lot.
Just incase you don’t know, I’m an absolutely fiend for books where we have two big rivals who clearly need to kiss and make up and I simply can’t wait to get my hands on this masterpiece.
21. The Wind That Sweeps The Stars By Greg Keyes.
Publication date: August 20th.
From the blurb:
In this high fantasy that’s scheduled to come out in August 2024, assassin Yash of Zeltah infiltrates the fortress city of Honaq under the guise of a political pawn.
Her true mission is to destroy the empire from within by eliminating the nine tower masters, their magical beasts, and the immortal emperor himself—all within a single day.
Her homeland’s survival depends on her success in this covert and deadly task that might claim her and everything she holds dear if she fails.
There are stakes and then there are STAKES – You guys, this book already has me so tense and I’ve only read the blurb.
Suffice it to say, I’ll be waiting for the release date with bated breath and rooting for Yash from the very beginning.
22. The Last Witch In Edinburgh By Marielle Thompson.
Publication date: August 20th.
From the blurb:
Set in an alternate 1824 Edinburgh, where fear of witchcraft and patriarchy reign, Nellie Duncan finds refuge and purpose with the Rae Women’s Apothecary, a haven for witches led by the fiery Jean Rae.
As Nellie learns witchcraft and slowly opens up her heart to a romance with Jean, she discovers a threat from the Cailleach’s ancient enemy determined to destroy their power.
After a devastating loss, Nellie hides for two centuries, only to return with newfound courage and resolve to fight against oppression and reclaim her magical strength.
The only thing remotely better than a witchy fantasy book is a witchy fantasy book with a female lead who’s bent on taking revenge and can you tell I’m so excited?
Nellie has it out for all the people that slighted her and I feel a little sad for them – What’s that saying about not walking pass a witch who has been scorned?
Anyhoo, I absolutely cannot wait to read this wonderful fantasy books that’s coming out in August 2024 and I hope you’re just as excited as I am.
23. Truly Madly Magically by Hazel Beck.
Publication date: August 27th.
From the blurb:
Ellowyn Good, a half-witch cursed to always tell the truth by her mother, feels like an outsider in her coven.
When a powerful, malevolent coven targets her, she must join forces with her new coven—including her former love, Zander—to survive.
As they face the Joywood coven’s attempts for domination, Ellowyn must confront her past mistakes and rebuild trust with Zander to prevent a devastating future.
A second chance witchy paranormal fantasy book wasn’t in the bingo cards, but I’ll take whatever I’m given and Ellowyn × Zander sound like a couple I could get behind.
We’ve been told that she left her old coven and while the exact reasons aren’t given, I can tell it’s in part because she has been perennially shunned and I really can’t wait to see her come into her own.
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I’d love to hear what you think about this month’s picks!
Which of these new releases are you most excited to read? Are there any upcoming sci-fi or fantasy books you’re looking forward to that didn’t make the list?
Drop your thoughts and recommendations in the comments below.
And don’t forget to check out our related posts for more great book recommendations and updates on the latest releases. Happy reading!
