New Books : 21 July 2020

New books this week are by Ben Bova, Nicholas Bowling, Lindsay Ellis, Alexis Henderson, S.A. Hunt, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Josh Malerman, L.E. Modesitt, Jr., Isabelle Steiger, Ryan Van Loan, Ann & Jeff VanderMeer, Matt Wallace, Heather Webber, and Django Wexler.

---

* Bova, Ben : Uranus
(Tor 978-1-250-29654-2, $27.99, 384pp, hardcover, July 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 21 Jul 2020
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9781250296559
• The Outer Planets #1

Hard SF novel, first in a new trilogy, about habitats in orbit of Uranus and a scientist’s plan to probe for life in its oceans.
• Macmillan’s site has this description with an excerpt.

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

– – –

* Bowling, Nicholas : Alpha Omega
(Titan Books 978-1789093810, $14.95, 416pp, trade paperback, July 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 21 Jul 2020
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: B07VK1JKKC

SF novel about strange events at the NutriStart Skills Academy where one student has disappeared into the world’s largest VR role-playing game called Alpha Omega.
• Titan’s site has this description.
• Amazon’s “Look Inside” function provides previews.

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

– – –

* Ellis, Lindsay : Axiom’s End
(St. Martin’s 978-1-250-25673-7, $27.99, 384pp, hardcover, July 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 21 Jul 2020
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9781250256744
• Audiobook ISBN [link to Amazon]: 9781250753021
• Noumena #1

Alternate history SF novel, the author’s first novel and first of a series, set in 2007, about the discovery of an extraterrestrial presence on Earth.
• Macmillan’s site has this description with an excerpt.
• The Publishers Weekly review concludes, “Lovers of character-focused sci-fi will find plenty to enjoy in this gripping alternate history.”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

– – –

* Henderson, Alexis : The Year of the Witching
(Ace 978-0-593-09960-5, $26, 368pp, hardcover, July 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 21 Jul 2020
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9780593099629
• Audiobook ISBN [link to Amazon]: 9780593213704

Fantasy novel, the author’s first novel, about a young woman in a Puritanical society who discoveres truths about her dead mother and about the Church.
• Penguin Random House’s site has this description with an excerpt.
• Publishers Weekly gives it a starred review: “Henderson offers a powerful portrait of patriarchal, racial, and religious abuses in Bethel society, conjuring a sense of creeping dread and maintaining the pacing throughout. This riveting work announces Henderson as an exciting new voice in dark fantasy.”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

– – –

* Hunt, S. A. : I Come with Knives
(Tor 978-1-250-30646-3, $30.99, 400pp, trade paperback, July 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 21 Jul 2020
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9781250306449
• Malus Domestica #2

Fantasy/horror novel, second in a series following Burn the Dark (Jan. 2020), about a punk YouTuber on a mission to bring down witches.
• Macmillan’s site has this description with an excerpt.

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

– – –

* Johnson, Alaya Dawn : Trouble the Saints
(Tor 978-1-250-17534-2, $26.99, 352pp, hardcover, July 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 21 Jul 2020
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9781250175335
• Audiobook ISBN [link to Amazon]: 9781250755278

Historical fantasy novel, set during World War II, about three supernaturally gifted people in New York City.
• Macmillan’s site has this description with an excerpt.
• The Publishers Weekly review concludes, “With a sweeping but overstuffed plot, dynamic characters, and style to spare, this alternate history demands the reader’s full attention. Fans of challenging, diverse fantasy will enjoy this literary firecracker.”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

– – –

* Malerman, Josh : Malorie
(Del Rey 978-0-593-15685-8, $28, 320pp, hardcover, July 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 21 Jul 2020
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9780593156865
• Audiobook ISBN [link to Amazon]: 9780593162989

Post-apocalyptic horror novel, sequel to the author’s first novel Bird Box (2014), in which people wear blindfolds to shield themselves from creatures who would drive them mad.
• Penguin Random House’s site has this description with an excerpt.
• Publishers Weekly gives it a starred review: “Malerman masterfully evokes apocalyptic horrors via understatement and suggestion while facilitating suspension of disbelief through nuanced characterization and thoughtful worldbuilding. This is a bang-up sequel.”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

– – –

* Modesitt, L. E., Jr. : Quantum Shadows
(Tor 978-1-250-22920-5, $27.99, 304pp, hardcover, July 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 21 Jul 2020
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9781250229212
• Audiobook ISBN [link to Amazon]: 9781250756305

Singleton SF novel about a world called Heaven, where colonies representing humanity’s ten major religions are threatened by a force that could bring about another Fall.
• Macmillan’s site has this description with an excerpt.
• The Publishers Weekly review concludes, “Modesitt displays his formidable talent for worldbuilding, incorporating a multitude of belief systems into the fabric of Heaven’s society. The heavy doses of philosophy make this cross-genre novel a slow but enriching reading experience; fans of thought-provoking speculative fiction will be hooked.”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

– – –

* Steiger, Isabelle : The Rightful Queen
(St. Martin’s 978-1250088505, $29.99, 544pp, hardcover, July 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 21 Jul 2020
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9781250088512
• Audiobook ISBN [link to Amazon]: 9781250225436
• Paths of Lantistyne #2

Fantasy novel, second in a series following The Empire’s Ghost (2017), about struggles to rebuild a fallen empire.
• Macmillan’s site has this description with an excerpt.
• The Publishers Weekly review concludes, “Fans who miss the political intrigue of Game of Thrones or the complex worldbuilding of Mercedes Lackey will find plenty here to hold them over.”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

– – –

* Van Loan, Ryan : The Sin in the Steel
(Tor 978-1-250-22258-9, $27.99, 432pp, hardcover, July 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 21 Jul 2020
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9781250222572
• The Fall of the Gods #1

Fantasy novel, the author’s first novel and first in a series, about two young private detectives investigating the disruption of trade ships being targeted by a pirate queen.
• Macmillan’s site has this description with an excerpt.
• The Publishers Weekly review concludes, “Though Buc’s own motivations remain hidden for much of the tale, the memorable foes and edge-of-your-seat entertainment more than make up for this minor frustration. This is unadulterated fun.”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

– – –

* VanderMeer, Ann, & Jeff VanderMeer, eds. : The Big Book of Modern Fantasy
(Vintage 978-0-525-56386-0, $25, 896pp, trade paperback, July 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 21 Jul 2020
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9780525563877

Anthology of 91 stories published since World War II, a follow-up to previous anthology The Big Book of Classic Fantasy (2019).
• Penguin Random House’s site has this description.
• Amazon’s “Look Inside” function provides previews.
• The Publishers Weekly review concludes, “Though the anthology’s size and scope will intimidate casual readers, anyone with a scholarly interest in the evolution of the genre will find this a treasure trove.”
• Paul Di Filippo’s review for Locus Online will be posted shortly.

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

– – –

* Wallace, Matt : Savage Legion
(Saga 978-1-5344-3920-7, $27.99, 512pp, hardcover, July 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 21 Jul 2020
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9781534439221
• Audiobook ISBN [link to Amazon]: 9781797103501
• Savage Rebellion #1

Fantasy novel, first in a series, about a utopian city that uses expendable people off the streets as “savages” against the city’s enemies.
• Simon & Schuster’s site has this description.
• Amazon’s “Look Inside” function provides previews.
• Publishers Weekly gives it a starred review: “Cunning plotting and brisk action elevate this impressive tale of swords and super-science…”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

– – –

* Webber, Heather : South of the Buttonwood Tree
(Forge 978-1250198563, $25.99, 336pp, hardcover, July 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 21 Jul 2020
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9781250198570
• Audiobook ISBN [link to Amazon]: 9781250755360

Fantasy novel set in a small Alabama town about the discovery in the woods of a newborn baby.
• Macmillan’s site has this description with an excerpt.

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

– – –

* Wexler, Django : Ashes of the Sun
(Orbit 978-0-316-51954-0, $16.99, 592pp, trade paperback, July 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 21 Jul 2020
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9780316519465
• Audiobook ISBN [link to Amazon]: 9781549175305
• Burningblade & Silvereye #1

Fantasy novel, first of a trilogy, about a brother and sister on opposite sides of a looming civil war.
• Hachette’s site has this description.
• The Publishers Weekly review concludes, “Familial tension, magic, and politics combine to kick this series off to a powerful start.”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

– – –

---

These listings are based on publisher schedules and availability on Amazon (rather than on confirmation of physical publication via purchase, review copies, or sightings in bookstores). Titles are listed only once they are published (with rare exception). We do not list galleys or advance reading copies. Page counts are based on publisher or Amazon listings, and typically only approximate the bibliographic page counts of finished books. * = first edition + = first US edition Date with publisher info is official publication month. ‘Nominal Publication Date’ is the day of publication, typically as indicated by Amazon.com.

---

While you are here, please take a moment to support Locus with a one-time or recurring donation. We rely on reader donations to keep the magazine and site going, and would like to keep the site paywall free, but WE NEED YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT to continue quality coverage of the science fiction and fantasy field.