Anticipated Mysteries and History-Altered Thrillers Scheduled for 2025 Publication
Upcoming Science Fiction and Speculative Thrillers Offer a World of Possibilities
In the realm of genre fiction, hope springs eternal as groundbreaking authors delve into immersive narratives brimming with potential. This analysis covers some of the most anticipated releases in the fields of fantasy noir, science fiction heists, and alternative historical perspectives.
Makana Yamamoto - 'Hammagang Luck' (Harper Voyager, January 14)
Embark on an interstellar adventure with a twist as Hawaiians venture into space to execute a heist planned by a charismatic femme fatale, their former partner-in-crime. Former outlaw Edie, determined to abide by the law following eight years in prison, faces a crisis when loved ones require more funds than a conventional job can provide. Angel, the enigmatic femme fatale, entices Edie with a lucrative heist to rob the richest man in the galaxy, potentially executing the toughest heist in galactic history.
Margarita Montimore - 'The Dollhouse Academy' (Flatiron, February 11)
Delve into a speculative thrill ride with deep implications for the future of art in Margarita Montimore's latest novel, 'The Dollhouse Academy'. This narrative follows two young, raw talents on the cusp of exploitation, as they embark on their training at an elite academy designed to shape tomorrow's stars. Readers are encouraged to discover the novel's speculative elements on their own, but rest assured that a satisfying conclusion awaits.
Nick Newman - 'The Garden' (Putnam, February 18)
If Emily Bronte had penned a post-apocalyptic tale, it might resemble Nick Newman's 'The Garden'. Two aging sisters, barricaded within a high wall and seemingly forgotten by an increasingly disintegrated world, are faced with a conundrum when a young boy appears at their secluded sanctuary. The sisters must decide whether to accept the mysterious boy into their fold or venture out of their garden, potentially leading to a series of dark events. This dark fable is sure to leave readers haunted yet impressed by Newman's balance between archetype and engaging storyline.
Cory O'Brien - 'Two Truths and a Lie' (Pantheon, March 4)
Cory O'Brien's debut novel, 'Two Truths and a Lie', showcases a marked sophistication in plotting and a world-weary tone, already suggestive of a classic in the making. The futuristic ode to Chinatown and The Long Goodbye is set in a mostly inundated Los Angeles, inhabited by a diverse range of scrappy denizens, con artists, and AI war veterans. The story follows a former drone operator-turned-fact checker who becomes entangled in a labyrinthine plot involving memory erasure, manipulative rich people, hidden secrets, and more unexpected twists than a mid-century candy wrapper. The conclusion is both logical, devastating, and necessary.
Silvia Park - 'Luminous' (Simon and Schuster, March 11)
Prepare for a deeply human exploration of artificial life amidst a united Korea in the near future, as portrayed by Silvia Park in 'Luminous'. The estranged children of a robotics pioneer are drawn together by the search for a rare robot unit, potentially leading them to their missing, artificial brother, and ultimately leading to dramatic revelations.
Alex Gonzalez - 'rekt' (Erewhon, March 25)
Alex Gonzalez presents a gripping, dark exploration of grief, trauma, and violence in 'rekt'. After the tragic loss of his girlfriend, Sammy plunges into the depths of the dark web, seeking solace through consumption of disturbing content. When he finds himself on a site displaying not just his girlfriend's death but every possible way her life could have ended, he struggles with the moral implications of his actions and the disgusting creativity behind such a vile platform. Readers are left pondering the sinister figures behind the site—and whether they want to stop them or join them.
Robert Jackson Bennett - 'A Drop of Corruption' (Del Rey, April 1)
Fans of Robert Jackson Bennett will be eager to immerse themselves in the immersive world-building, intricate mysteries, and compelling characters once again on display in 'A Drop of Corruption'. This second mystery featuring Ana Dolabra and Dinios Kol, investigators for a vast empire brimming with cruel masters and enigmatic magicks, is sure to spark lively discussions among readers.
Jane Flett - 'Freakslaw' (Zando, April 1)
Get ready for a gripping, grotesque, and celebratory tale set in a carnival with malicious intentions, poised to unleash chaos in a small town with a troubled past. 'Freakslaw' pays tribute to classics like Tod Browning's Freaks, Kathryn Dunn's Geek Love, and Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes, and is likely to be one of the most popular books of the year—and perhaps even one of the defining novels of the century.
Adam Oyebanji - 'Esperance' (DAW, May 20)
Prepare to be captivated by Adam Oyebanji's latest offering, a gripping blend of science fiction, murder mystery, and Afrofuturism. In an intricate plot, a seemingly impossible crime involving drowned bodies found far from the ocean is investigated by a woman with unusual talents and advanced technologies. As the narrative unfolds, readers will find themselves immersed in a world of secrets, injustice, and suspense.
Caitlin Starling - 'The Starving Saints' (Harper Voyager, May 20)
Test your courage with 'The Starving Saints', Caitlin Starling's latest story set in a castle under siege and on the brink of starvation. When mysterious strangers arrive, offering help and sustenance, the castle's defenders must make a difficult choice—and pay a heavy price for their decisions.
Tochi Onyebuchi - 'Harmattan Season' (Tor, May 27)
Expand your horizons with Tochi Onyebuchi's captivating 'Harmattan Season', a work showcasing the author's innovative world-building talents and sharp wit. Set in a West African city filled with traditional magic and French occupiers, this novel follows a disheveled detective on a mission to unravel a series of murders that have confounded the occupying forces and worried the local population.
Vaishnavi Patel - 'Ten Incarnations of Rebellion' (Ballantine, June 3)
Experience an alternate history of Indian independence like never before in 'Ten Incarnations of Rebellion' by Vaishnavi Patel. As the movements of the 1930s and 1940s are brutally suppressed, it falls to the next generation of the 1960s to pick up the mantle of revolution and secure independence from their colonial masters. This narrative explores ten key incidents in the life of Vishnu, adding cultural depth to an already compelling tale.
Markus Redmond - 'Blood Slaves' (Dafina, July 29)
Uncover a hidden history in 'Blood Slaves', Markus Redmond's captivating reimagining of the 19th century. Here, an ancient vampire, enslaved on a plantation, becomes the catalyst for a widespread slave rebellion and a reckoning with injustice. Throughout the narrative, it becomes abundantly clear that the true monsters in this world are not the vampires, who require blood to survive, but rather the slave-owners, who thrive on human suffering for personal gain. This novel is poised to be one of the most satisfying of the year—and perhaps the decade.
Melissa Pace - 'The Once and Future Me' (Henry Holt, August 19)
This exhilarating novel is not to be missed! 'The Once and Future Me' combines elements reminiscent of a Marvel movie with a thrilling, mind-bending narrative. The story follows an amnesiac heroine struggling to escape a mental institution and uncover her true identity, with unexpected twists and revelations around every corner.
Books like 'Hammagang Luck' by Makana Yamamoto and 'The Dollhouse Academy' by Margarita Montimore offer a delightful mix of entertainment and imagination, blending science fiction elements with gripping narratives. In 'Hammagang Luck,' readers follow a group of Hawaiians as they execute an interstellar heist, while 'The Dollhouse Academy' delves into the world of art and talent training in a speculative setting.
