Daniel Abraham, The Tyrant’s Law
(Orbit May 2013)

A tyrant’s quest for peace leads to ever greater was in this third book in the acclaimed fantasy series, The Dagger and the Coin. ‘‘This smart, absorbing, fascinating military fantasy, exciting and genuinely suspenseful, will keep readers on their toes.’’ [Publishers Weekly]

 




K. L. Armstrong & M. A. Marr, Loki’s Wolves
(Little, Brown May 2013)

Norse myth and the end of the world invade Blackwell, South Dakota in this middle-grade fantasy, the first in a series about kids descended from the Norse gods, by slightly pseudonymous authors Kelley Armstrong & Melissa Marr.

 




Catherine Asaro, ed., Nebula Awards Showcase 2013
(Pyr May 2013)

The 47th volume in the indispensible series gathering the Nebula Award-winning stories, a novel excerpt, a selection of nominated stories, Rhysling Award-winning poems, and more. Authors include Ken Liu, Connie Willis, and Geoff Ryman.

 




Christopher Barzak, Before and Afterlives
(Lethe Press Mar 2013)

The first full-length collection from this haunting author examines the human condition – in both living and dead forms – through 17 stories, including one. ‘‘A fine introduction to the short fiction of an author who, in a fairly short career, has established himself as one of the most distinctive voices and lyrically effective prose stylists in recent fantasy.’’ [Gary K. Wolfe]

 




Holly Black, Doll Bones
(Simon & Schuster May 2013)

Twelve-year-old Zach wants to stop playing with dolls, but his female friends talk him into one last quest. ‘‘Seems destined to become a classic exploration of the conflict inherent in putting away one’s toys in order to grow up… universal but specific, poignant but also creepy.’’ [Gwenda Bond]

 




James S. A. Corey, Abaddon’s Gate
(Orbit Jun 2013)

This third volume concludes the Expanse series by pseudonymous collaborators Daniel Abraham & Ty Franck. When an alien artifact constructs a vast gate in the orbit of Uranus that leads to some unknown portion of space, the forces of the solar system converge to explore and exploit the mystery… and settle some personal scores. ‘‘Police-procedural-noir-meets-space-opera-meets-ancient-alien-threat, through military-SF-meets-political-thriller (with a topping of space opera sauce and an alien-mystery cherry on top).’’ [Russell Letson]

 




Neil Gaiman, The Ocean at the End of the Lane
(HarperCollins/Morrow Jun 2013)

This highly anticipated new novel from one of the genre’s most beloved writers examines the childhood events of the protagonist, known only as ‘‘the artist,’’ as he returns to his family home for a funeral, only to discover mysteries and magic in his past. ‘‘While it’s one of the oddest portraits of the artist you’ll see for quite some time, it’s also one of the most powerful and compelling, as deeply felt and deeply honest as anything Gaiman has written.’’ [Gary K. Wolfe]

 




Stephen King, Joyland
(Titan/Hard Case Crime Jun 2013)

The second Hard Case novel from King does indeed involve a mystery, but also a coming-of-age story set in a carnival with a haunted funhouse – vintage King territory.’’It’s a well-crafted tale of mystery that also hints at greater mysteries of life.’’ [Stefan Dziemianowicz]

 




Mur Lafferty, The Shambling Guide to New York City
(Orbit Jun 2013)

This debut novel by the well-known podcaster is a delightful and affectionate take on urban fantasy, as out-of-work writer and editor Zoe Norris takes on a dangerous new job at a publisher that specializes in hip travel guides for ‘‘the coterie’’ – a secret society of vampires, zombies, death goddesses, demons, fey, and stranger things.

 




Brandon Sanderson, The Rithmatist
(Tor Teen May 2013)

A young man dreams of becoming a Rithmatist in this young-adult alternate-history fantasy novel set in an America where magic using Rithmatists do battle using chalk drawings brought to life. ‘‘Rithmatism is a unique discipline that seems to combine mathematics, spell-casting, and childish playground scrawls… Part rational, part crazy as a nursery rhyme, The Rithmatist should appeal most to thoroughly open minds.’’ [Faren Miller]

 




John Scalzi, The Human Division
(Tor May 2013)

The latest book set in the Old Man’s War space adventure series was originally serialized in 13 e-book installments from January to April 2013. This hardcover gathers the original run, plus two bonus pieces: a reprint of prequel ‘‘After the Coup’’ and new story ‘‘Hafte Sorvalh Eats a Churro and Speaks to the Youth of Today’’. ‘‘The Human Division was definitely an experiment worth running. There are some truly great moments here…. Who knows what method Scalzi will try next?’’ [Adrienne Martini]

 




Michael Marshall Smith, The Gist
(Subterranean Press May 2013)

This elegantly simple volume presents an intriguing experiment: Smith wrote a story, had it translated into French by Benoit Domis, then re-translated into English by Nicholas Royle. Did the gist of the story survive? Readers can decide for themselves from the three versions of the story presented here.

 




Jonathan Strahan, ed., Fearsome Journeys
(Solaris Jun 2013)

Strahan’s latest anthology features 12 all-new fantasy stories by an impressive roster of authors including Scott Lynch, Saladin Ahmed, K.J. Parker, Ellen Klages, and Ysabeau S. Wilce. ‘‘Wonderfully satisfying… centering on the classic sword-and-sorcery sub-genre. From that point, the authors have a field day with the tropes and conventions.’’ [Karen Burnham]

 




Rick Yancey, The 5th Wave
(Putnam May 2013)

In this dystopian thriller, the fifth wave of aliens – who look just like humans – have arrived, silently invading the earth and scattering the survivors even further. A teenage girl struggles to figure out who she can trust while she searches for her lost brother throughout this terrifying landscape.