Top new fantasy books in May 2022
Last updated:
May 31, 2022
May 2022 featuring new releases by Jasmine Guillory, Brigid Kemmerer, K.F. Breene, Josh Malerman, Ramsey Campbell, Amanda Quick, Raven Kennedy, Shannon Mayer, Alessandra Hazard, Maggie Stiefvater, Dhonielle Clayton and many more.
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By the Book by Jasmine Guillory
A tale as old as time—for a new generation… Isabelle is completely lost. When she first began her career in publishing right out of college, she did not expect to be twenty-five, living at home, still an editorial assistant, and the only Black employee at her publishing house...adult · book · contemporary · fairy-tale · fantasy · fiction · humor · myths · new-adult · poc-author -
Forging Silver into Stars by Brigid Kemmerer
When ancient magic tests a newfound love, a dark fate beckons . . .Magic has been banished in the land of Syhl Shallow for as long as best friends Jax and Callyn can remember... -
Dark Stars: New Tales of Darkest Horror by Josh Malerman, Ramsey Campbell, Stephen Graham Jones, Priya Sharma
'DARK STARS' is a tribute to horror’s longstanding short fiction legacy, featuring 12 terrifying original stories from today's most noteworthy authors, with an introduction by best-selling author Josh Malerman ('Bird Box') and an afterword by Ramsey Campbell... -
When She Dreams by Amanda Quick
Return to 1930s Burning Cove, California, the glamorous seaside playground for Hollywood stars, mobsters, spies, and a host of others who find more than they bargain for in this mysterious town...romance · historical · mystery · fiction · fantasy · paranormal · psychics · small-town · audiobook · crime -
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Glow by Raven Kennedy
Rot may bring death... but gold will come alive.This is book four in The Plated Prisoner series, the adult fantasy romance inspired by the myth of King Midas... -
Realm of Demons by Shannon Mayer
The final (for real this time!) book in the heartpounding, bestselling series. Get ready for the last ride with Zamira, Maks, Lila and Balder as they race to save . . .well I can't say, that would be a spoiler if you haven't ready book eight .adult · book · dragons · epic · fae · fantasy · female-mc · low-fantasy · magical-realism · paranormal -
Dearly Despised by Alessandra Hazard
He wasn’t supposed to want the enemy…His family brutally murdered and his throne stolen, Prince Warrehn has planned his revenge for twenty years.When he returns to reclaim his throne, all he wants is to punish the usurpers: the woman who killed his family, and her son, Samir, who has grown up to be as beautiful and as poisonous as his mother... -
Bravely by Maggie Stiefvater
Merida goes on an all-new, life-changing adventure in this original YA novel set several years after the close of Brave!What if you had one year to save everything you loved?ONE PRINCESS. Merida of DunBroch needs a change. She loves her family—jovial King Fergus, proper Queen Elinor, the mischievous triplets— and her peaceful kingdom. But she’s frustrated by its sluggishness; each day, the same...action-adventure · book · children-books · coming-of-age · fairy-tale · family · fantasy · female-mc · fiction · historical -
The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton
Author Dhonielle Clayton makes her middle-grade debut with a fantasy adventure set in a global magic school in the sky...book · children-books · family · fantasy · female-author · fiction · magic · middle-grade · mystery · poc-mc -
Hide by Kiersten White
The challenge: spend a week hiding in an abandoned amusement park and don't get caught.The prize: enough money to change everything.Even though everyone is desperate to win--to seize their dream futures or escape their haunting pasts--Mack feels sure that she can beat her competitors. All she has to do is hide, and she's an expert at that.It's the reason she's alive, and her family isn't...audiobook · book · dark · fantasy · fiction · gothic · mystery · paranormal · romantic-love · supernatural -
A Game of Retribution by Scarlett St. Clair
Become enchanted by the fantasy world of gods and mortals in bestselling author Scarlett St. Clair's reimagined New Greece. Readers are "hopelessly addicted" to the story of Hades and Persephone told from Hades's point of view.Hades, God of the Dead, does not take sides or bend the rules. He makes no exceptions to these values-not for god or mortal, even his lover, Persephone, Goddess of Spring...adult · ancient-civilization · ancient-greek-roman · book · erotica · fantasy · fiction · gods · gothic · historical -
The Twice-Scorned Lady of Shadow by Annette Marie
I'm learning to embrace who and what I am, but there's one thing I can't face: the night Zak betrayed me. But even with the mysteries of our shared past hanging between us, I can't turn Zak away when he asks for my help.Powerful fae are going missing, and when he tried to investigate, Lallakai vanished too... -
Incarnate by Bianca Scardoni, Bailey Carr
My name is Jemma Blackburn and I'm a Slayer. After being forced to watch my boyfriend take his last breath in order to send Lucifer back to Hell, there was only one thing I could do to cope with my loss: Get as far away from Hollow Hills as I possibly could...action-adventure · angels · book · demons · fantasy · paranormal · romance · supernatural · time-travel · urban -
Crown of Crimson by Karina Halle
The next thrilling instalment in the Underworld Gods series. Perfect for readers who want high steam Hades/Persephone and Beauty and the Beast vibes with a dark Nordic folklore twist.All Hanna Heikkinen wants is to be reunited with her father again. After all, that's why she ventured into the dark and dangerous fantasy world of Tuonela, the Land of the Dead, in order to save his life...fantasy · myths · romance · paranormal · fiction · new-adult · erotica · ancient-greek-roman · urban-fantasy · horror -
Every Cloak Rolled in Blood by James Lee Burke
In his most autobiographical novel to date, James Lee Burke continues the epic Holland family saga with a writer grieving the death of his daughter while battling earthly and supernatural outlaws.Novelist Aaron Holland Broussard is shattered when his daughter Fannie Mae dies suddenly... -
Charm by Tracy Wolff
Unravel the mystery of the missing four months between Grace and Hudson—when she finds herself trapped with the last boy she ever expected, and certainly the most obnoxious one she's ever met. If he doesn't shut up, she just might kill him...if she doesn't end up kissing him first... -
The Girl Who Outgrew the World by Zoje Stage
When precocious eleven-year-old Lilly undergoes an inexplicable and startling growth spurt, her father and doctors decide to take drastic action to curb what they see as a dangerous development. Faced with condescending treatment and cruelty, Lilly escapes and embarks on a journey to discover her true self... -
Love & Heart Braking by Kelly St. Clare
A moneylending kraken, angry echo imp, and emotionally limited witch have it out for me.I swear. What did I ever do to deserve this crap?Life is more twisted than a forest nymph’s vines, and in an ingenious or moronic move, I’m now working for the Twelve. Until this point they’ve seemed happy to kidnap and drain me, so safe to say this risk is bigger than an earth guardian’s... well, you know... -
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No Gods, Only Monsters: A New Novel in the Hellequin Chronicles Universe by Steve McHugh
Diana, the Roman Goddess of the hunt, lives alone on the far edge of the Roman Empire. When an old friend arrives looking for help, Diana finds herself thrust back into her old life, and old problems.With innocent lives caught in the crossfire, Diana realizes that the only way to ensure the safety of her friends and loved ones is to do what she does best: hunt her enemies down...adult · book · fantasy · greek-roman · historical · myths · retellings · supernatural · thriller · urban-fantasy -
The Wizard's Crown by Michael G. Manning
Will’s journey from naïve apprentice to a mature wizard is almost complete and his ever-growing mastery has reached unseen heights. But his power does not exist in a vacuum. His rising star threatens to eclipse the existing powers and a new balance must be found, one that either accepts his primacy or extinguishes his light... -
All the Seas of the World by Guy Gavriel Kay
Returning triumphantly to the brilliantly evoked near-Renaissance world of A Brightness Long Ago and Children of Earth and Sky, international bestselling author Guy Gavriel Kay deploys his signature ‘quarter turn to the fantastic’ to tell a story of vengeance, power, and love.On a dark night along a lonely stretch of coast a small ship sends two people ashore. Their purpose is assassination...action-adventure · adult · alternate-history · book · epic · fantasy · fiction · historical · journey · romantic-love -
The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza by Mac Barnett
New York Times bestselling Mac Barnett and Caldecott Honor award-winning illustrator Shawn Harris turn their massively popular The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza live cartoon into an action-packed and hysterical graphic novel series--perfect for fans of Dav Pilkey, Raina Telgemeier, and Jeff Kinney...action-adventure · children-books · comics · fantasy · fiction · humor · middle-grade · retellings · robots · space -
Tear Down the Throne by Jennifer Estep
Bestselling author Jennifer Estep continues her Gargoyle Queen epic fantasy series where magic reigns, alliances are tested, and a dangerous attraction could tear down a throne. . .Crown princess. Clever spy. Powerful mind magier. Gemma Ripley of Andvari is all those things--and determined to stop an enemy from using magical tearstone weapons to conquer her kingdom... -
The Glamour Witch: Witches of Palmetto Point Book 13 by Wendy Wang
How do you prove you're innocent when someone has stolen your face?Twenty-nine-year-old hairstylist Daphne Ferebee, spends her days using her considerable talents as a glamour witch to make her clients beautiful. Her boyfriend loves her, and their relationship is moving in the right direction. Her quirky family of witches always has her back...or so she thinks... -
Book of Night by Holly Black
#1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black makes her stunning adult debut with Book of Night, a modern dark fantasy of shadowy thieves and secret societies in the vein of Ninth House and The Night CircusIn Charlie Hall’s world, shadows can be altered, for entertainment and cosmetic preferences—but also to increase power and influence...book · crime · dark · dark-fantasy · fantasy · female-author · fiction · ghosts · low-fantasy · magic -
Moonflower by Kacen Callender
National Book Award winner Kacen Callender delivers a captivating novel about a child facing the other-worldly shadows of depression.Moon has been plunged into a swill of uncertainty and confusion. They travel to the spirit realms every night, hoping never to return to the world of the living...book · children-books · family · fantasy · fiction · lgbtq+ · mental-illness · middle-grade · poc-author · poc-mc -
Shadow Lands by Stacey Marie Brown
I no longer walked in the gray...I had fallen into the darkness.With Brexley on the run and Istvan rebuilding his power in the safety of Ivanenko’s territory, those who have escaped the prison are dealing with the bloody aftermath and trying to regain any hold they can on Budapest. But in Markos’s absence, Sonya makes a claim for the throne and takes control of the city... -
Jinx and Tonic by Gina LaManna
Let the Trials begin...The time has finally arrived! The Trials are in full swing and celebratory parties fill The Isle as Candidates go head-to-head to prove themselves worthy of the coveted Ranger title. Drinks, dances, and masquerade balls set the stage for a glamorous series of events until suddenly, it all changes.The most dangerous criminal on the island escapes from prison. Tragedy strikes... -
Spill The Beans by Sarah Mlynowski
The moment Jonah has long anticipated arrives: Abby and Jonah fall into the story of Jack and the Beanstalk! Magical beanstalks and golden eggs may sound appealing, but can the siblings escape from the terrible giant? Plenty of magical hijinks await in this 13th installment of the New York Times bestselling series that redefines "happily ever after...fantasy · children-books · middle-grade · fiction · magic · retellings · action-adventure · audiobook · fairy-tale · family -
The Beginning After The End: Reckoning, Book 9 by TurtleMe
No matter how powerful you become, it’s hard to let go of the fear that grows in you when you’re weak. It grows along with you. Arthur Leywin may have survived the Relictombs, but he immediately finds himself embroiled in something far more complex and dangerous: Alacryan politics... -
War of Dragons by Jessica Cluess
The dragon throne has been claimed, but at what cost? Chaos bleeds across the fractured Empire, and the five royal houses feel the unease of destiny denied. The stunning sequel to House of Dragons, this is Three Dark Crowns meets The Breakfast Club with dragons. The Emperor’s Trial is over. The dragon throne has been claimed—yet there is no peace to be had...action-adventure · book · children-books · dragons · epic · fantasy · fiction · high-fantasy · paranormal · royalty -
Defiance of the Fall 5 by TheFirstDefier, JF Brink
The Tower of Eternity holds unimaginable treasures... for those strong enough to claim them. The clock is ticking, and Earth is on the verge of being swallowed by the Undead Empire. Zac has one final chance to gain the power needed to deal with the threat; the upper levels of the Tower.But even if he survives the challenges of the 81 levels, another trial await him outside...fantasy · litrpg · audiobook · sword-sorcery · cyberpunk · epic · mythical-creatures · first-contact · dungeons-dragons · aliens -
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The Change by Kirsten Miller
Big Little Lies meets The Witches of Eastwick--a gloriously entertaining and knife-sharp feminist revenge fantasy about three women whose midlife crisis brings unexpected new powers--putting them on a collision course with the evil that lurks in their wealthy beach town...adult · audiobook · book · contemporary · fantasy · female-mc · feminism · fiction · friendship · lgbtq+ -
Summer's Edge by Dana Mele
I Know What You Did Last Summer meets The Haunting of Hill House in this atmospheric, eerie teen thriller following an estranged group of friends being haunted by their friend who died last summer.Emily Joiner was once part of an inseparable group—she was a sister, a best friend, a lover, and a rival. Summers without Emily were unthinkable...book · fantasy · fiction · friendship · lesbian-mc · lgbtq+ · mystery · paranormal · romantic-love · season-summer -
Of Claws and Fangs: Stories from the World of Jane Yellowrock and Soulwood by Faith Hunter
New York Times bestselling author Faith Hunter presents a stunning collection of stories from the world of shape-shifting vampire hunter Jane Yellowrock and beyond.Collected together for the first time, this volume contains shorter works featuring heroines Jane Yellowrock and Nell Ingram, as well as a host of other characters from the Jane Yellowrock and Soulwood series...adult · anthologies · fantasy · fiction · paranormal · romantic-love · shapeshifters · space-opera · urban · urban-fantasy -
An Unreliable Magic by Rin Chupeco
The second book in the A Hundred Names for Magic trilogy, an unforgettable alternative history fairy-tale series from the author of The Bone Witch about found family, modern day magic, and finding the place you belong.Tala, Alex, and the rest of their friends are safe for now, but know the Snow Queen is still out there...action-adventure · alternate-history · book · contemporary · fantasy · fiction · lgbtq+ · magic · myths · retellings -
Sky on Fire by Lindsay Buroker
The dragons of eld, once benevolent allies to mankind, have been infested by a magical parasite that makes them cruel and aggressive. They’ve flown through the ancient portal to invade Torvil and plan to kill or enslave all of humanity...fantasy · fiction · steampunk · industrial-era · epic · horror · dark · sword-sorcery · historical · high-fantasy -
Ward's Siren by Stephanie Hudson
I was just a data analyst.I paid my taxes on time.I used to feed a cat that wasn’t my own and bake cookies for the office.I was a good girl... -
Eden's Enforcer by Stephanie Hudson
Well, it seemed as my days as a data analyst were long behind me,It seemed feeding random people’s cats and baking cookies for work colleagues was too.What wasn’t behind me however was getting snatched by the mob or finding myself tied to yet another chair.But this time the mob had made a big mistake.Because this time they were the scariest ones out there.No, but I knew who was...demons · paranormal · romance · urban-fantasy · fantasy · angels · vampires · supernatural · book · adult