Fantasy and science fiction books transport us beyond the ordinary. Beyond the usual. Far into the beyond. These are the stories that expand our imaginations, ask us to question reality, explore strange new worlds, and dive into the magic of the unknown. 

2025 brings a spectacular array of new releases, with bestselling favourite authors returning alongside dazzling debuts. These are books that bend genres, challenge expectations, and sweep readers into extraordinary realms. Whether you prefer your fiction dark and haunting, lush and magical, or sharp with satire, our hand-picked selections will keep you spellbound all year.

The Serpent Called Mercy - SciFi / Fantasy Pick, April 2025

A searing debut blending myth, magic, and moral ambiguity. The Serpent Called Mercy by Roanne Lau explores power, justice, and the costs of compassion through a richly imagined world of gods and mortals. LoveReading's Liz Robinson called it "a thrilling and rewarding action-packed fantasy novel that showcases the importance of friendships as conquessors fight to the death in a bloodsport arena."

Spellbound - SciFi / Fantasy Pick, May 2025

Romance, revenge, and magic intertwine in Spellbound, a lush fantasy brimming with atmosphere and intrigue. Georgia Leighton crafts a world of hidden danger and irresistible temptation, where secrets simmer and sorcery comes at a price. An intoxicating story for fans of dark academia and gothic fantasy. Liz Robinson shared: "Singing an enchanting tale that highlights the lives of the women within, as darkness, perseverance, and hope make themselves known in this retelling of Sleeping Beauty."

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil - SciFi / Fantasy Pick, June 2025

V.E. Schwab, one of the most imaginative voices in fantasy today, returns with Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, a haunting tale that promises to break hearts as well as boundaries. With her signature lyricism, Schwab weaves a story of memory, loss, and what it means to be human. Expect dark beauty, aching tenderness, and unforgettable magic. As Liz Robinson commented: "Sharp and pointed, passionate and bloody, feel the bite of three very different female vampires over the centuries...it's a bold, angry scream of a novel."

Human Rites - SciFi / Fantasy Pick, July 2025

Bold, biting, and fiercely imaginative, Juno Dawson’s Human Rites is speculative fiction at its most provocative. Exploring questions of identity, freedom, and justice, Dawson blends gripping storytelling with urgent social themes. A thought-provoking read that pulses with energy and insight. LoveReading MD Deborah Maclaren shared: "If Her Majesty’s Royal Coven cast the first spell, Human Rites delivers the full cosmic explosion. A blistering, brilliant finale that’s fierce with feminist fire, fuelled by friendship, and funny as hell."

Bittershore - SciFi / Fantasy Pick, August 2025

Immersive, atmospheric, and deeply compelling, Bittershore conjures a world where survival hinges on power, loyalty, and dangerous secrets. V.V. James is a master of weaving political intrigue with human drama, and this gripping fantasy will sweep you into tides of treachery and temptation. Deborah Maclaren described it as "Witch-tastic: A powerful, unflinching magical thriller that will stay with you long after you turn the final page"

The Naked Light - SciFi / Fantasy Pick, September 2025

Bridget Collins, bestselling author of The Binding, returns with a luminous new novel. The Naked Light is a spellbinding exploration of truth, vulnerability, and the transformative power of storytelling itself. LoveReading's Charlotte Walker commented: "A village reeling from war, an ancient chalk talisman left neglected and an unconventional connection between an artist and a spinster blend together in an eerie, compelling tale."

From the darkly enchanting to the dazzlingly bold, these books prove that fantasy and sci-fi in 2025 are as imaginative and boundary-breaking as ever. Whether you want to be swept into epic battles, tangled in webs of sorcery, or confronted with thought-provoking visions of the future, our monthly picks promise unforgettable journeys into the fantastic. Keep checking back as the year progresses to see which new book is added each month.

If you're looking for more recommendations, check out our Science Fiction or Fantasy categories.