All-new Chain Breaker, Atalanta, Kill Your Darlings and The Sword Defiant – these are the most anticipated new fantasy books in May 2023
Dark powers, immortal enemies and quests of a lifetime. From epic dark fantasies to strange urban myths and mind-bending new realisations, these are some of the most anticipated new fantasy books in May 2023.
Complete with titles, release dates, authors, synopsis and links to pre-order and buy your favourite new fantasy and urban fantasy releases right now…
17 Awesome New Fantasy Books in May 2023
The Salt Grows Heavy
Cassandra Khaw, 2 May 2023
A standalone novella, Cassandra Khaw’s all-new The Salt Grows Heavy is a retelling of The Little Mermaid where the merpeople are toothy and vicious – enough so to lay ruins to the prince’s kingdom. Our mermaid is on the run with a plague doctor (oh my) when they stumble upon a village of ageless, bloodthirsty children controlled by supposed saints – time for a mermaid to do what she does best in Cassandra Khaw’s The Salt Grows Heavy.
Genres Horror, Fantasy, Novella, Adult, Mermaids, LGBTQ, Dark
Author Cassandra Khaw Home born Malaysia; lives Montreal, Canada
Publisher Tor Publishing Group | Buy it
The Sword Defiant
Gareth Hanrahan, 2 May 2023
The first book in Gareth Hanrahan’s new Lands of the Firstborn series sees the one-time hero Sir Aelfric called to battle once again. But this time, his nine companions are scattered. Adventurers no longer, many have become rulers in their own right – and time has twisted even the greatest towards darkness. They have become monsters. And if there’s one thing Aelfric does very well, it’s slaying monsters. And so it begins in Gareth Hanrahan’s The Sword Defiant.
Genres Fantasy, High Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery, Dark Fantasy, Dragons
Author: Gareth Hanrahan Home Ireland, UK
Publisher Orbit | Buy it
Dragonfall
LR Lam, 2 May 2023
The first book in LR Lam’s all-new Dragon Scales Trilogy, Dragonfall reintroduces dragons to the mortal realm when a thief acquires a magical object that could make all their dreams come true. Problem is it requires a specific dragon to work fully, and that particular dragon is the last male, foretold to be the saviour of his kind – whose already begun to plot the poor thief and all of humanity’s demise in Dragonfall.
Genres Science Fiction, Fantasy, Dragons, LGBTQ, Romance, Adult, High Fantasy, Magic
Author LR Lam Home born California US; lives Scotland
Publisher Astra Publishing House | Buy it
Mo Dao Zu Shi (Vol. 5): Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation
Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù, 2 May 2023
The grand finale of Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù’s lifetime-spanning danmei fantasy (a “boy-love” story, literally of a love affair between two male characters, but written for a heterosexual female audience) Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation 5 sees Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji head for their final showdown. Decades-long schemes are finally unveiled, and terrible secrets revealed as this rain-battered night at Guanyin Temple promises to determine the fate of all cultivation and, decide the future of a love story two lifetimes in the making in Mo Dao Zu Shi (Vol. 5).
Genres Fantasy, Wuxia, Danmei, Chinese Mythology, LGBTQ, Adult
Author Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù Publisher Seven Seas
Buy it | Special Edition
In an Orchard Grown from Ash
Rory Power, 2 May 2023
Book 2 in Rory Power’s The Wind-up Garden series, In an Orchard Grown from Ash sees the Argyros sisters wrenched apart and all but broken. Rhea struggles to get a handle on her dark new necromancy in the frozen northern wastes, while Chrysanthi travels far and wide in search of their lost brother Nitsos. Alone and further apart than ever, each must find the strength within if they are to free their captured family and restore the kingdom before it is too late in Rory Power’s In an Orchard Grown from Ash.
Genres Fantasy, Adult, High Fantasy, Young Adult, Science Fiction Fantasy
Author Rory Power Home Massachusetts, US
Publisher Del Rey | Buy it
Spring’s Arcana
Lilith Saintcrow, 2 May 2023
The first book in Lilith Saintcrow’s all-new Dead God’s Heart urban fantasy series, Spring’s Arcana sees Nat Drozdova strike a deal with a hungry winter goddess to spare her dying mother’s life. But it might all be a trap as Nat crashes across the American continent in search of the object the goddess requires for the feat. Because suddenly, there are gods everywhere, and they’re baying for Nat’s blood. And they seem to know something she doesn’t – her mother’s is no normal illness, and she is no normal human. The race for the truth (and salvation) is on in Lilith Saintcrow’s Spring’s Arcana.
Genres Urban Fantasy, Adult, Paranormal, Gods
Author Lilith Saintcrow Home Vancouver, Washington, US
Publisher Tor Books | Buy it
Heart Stings
Jennifer Estep, 9 May 2023
A companion novel to Jennifer Estep’s Elemental Assassin series, Heart Stings takes place after the events of Last Strand with Gin Blanco, but this time is a novella told from the viewpoint of Lorelei Parker, an elemental Ice and metal magic-wielder who has come under threat of a ruthless crime boss. To make matters worse, a temperamental vampire shows up to stir the pot (and her emotions a bit) in Jennifer Estep’s Heart Stings (which also includes the Gin Blanco novella Winter’s Web).
Genres Urban Fantasy
Author Jennifer Estep Home Southern USA
Publisher Jennifer Estep | Buy it
Atalanta
Jennifer Saint, 9 May 2023
A standalone new novel, Jennifer Saint’s Atalanta is a retelling of the ancient Greek legend of Princess Atalanta – the only female Argonaut. Left for dead as a baby, Atalanta is raised by bears. Wild and fierce, goddess Artemis promises her the world but for one caveat: Atalanta may never marry. Joining the Argonauts, she stands head and shoulders above the men. But can such a wild spirit truly forge her own path in a world ruled by Gods and fate? We find out in Jennifer Saint’s Atalanta.
Genres Mythology, Fantasy, Greek Mythology, Historical Fiction, Retelling, Adult
Author Jennifer Saint Home Yorkshire, UK
Publisher Flatiron Books | Buy it
The Book That Wouldn’t Burn
Mark Lawrence, 11 May 2023
The first in Mark Lawrence’s all-new The Library trilogy, The Book That Wouldn’t Burn introduces us to a web of people and places interconnected through time and space. Particularly, a boy stuck in an endless library and a fated girl from a provincial town. Two nobodies whose story might yet echo through the ages in Mark Lawrence’s The Book That Wouldn’t Burn.
Genres Fantasy, Adult, Science Fiction Fantasy, High Fantasy, Epic Fantasy
Author Mark Lawrence, Home: Bristol, UK
Publisher Ace, HarperCollins UK | Buy it
Fidelitas: Trust Realized
Michael Anderle & Auburn Tempest, 11 May 2023
Book 4 in co-authors Michael Anderle and Auburn Tempest’s Chronicles of an Urban Elemental series, Fidelitas: Trust Realized sees the Quebec Quint (aka Jules and the orphans of the lost Fae Realm) drawn deeper into mysteries in Montreal, where something seems to be in the St Lawrence River. Bodies are turning up. People are getting hurt. And a whole bunch of missing persons have been filed. Time for Jules and her sisters to investigate in Fidelitas: Trust Realized.
Genres Fantasy, Urban Fantasy
Authors Michael Anderle & Auburn Tempest Home Texas US & Ontario, Canada
Publisher LMBPN Publishing | Buy it
Season of Skulls
Charles Stross, 16 May 2023
The third book in Charles Stross’s New Management trilogy set in the Lovecraftian world of Laundry Files, Season of Skulls sees Eve Starkey having triumphed over her evil boss and now standing to take control of the company – even though it’ll take years to sort out the paperwork. When suddenly she receives communication from Britain’s Prime Minister (an eldritch god who’d almost single-handedly rooted out crime and is somehow responsible for people all over developing supernatural abilities). And it’s an offer she just can’t refuse… in Charles Stross’s Season of Skulls.
Genres Fantasy, Horror, Urban Fantasy, Science Fiction
Author Charles Stross Home Edinburgh, Scotland
Publisher Tor | Buy it
A Corrupt Alliance
DK Holmberg, 16 May 2023
The 11th book in DK Holmberg’s The Chain Breaker epic high fantasy series, A Corrupt Alliance sees Gavin the Chain Breaker (trained to be the ultimate assassin) face a brand-new challenge: He has lost all his fighting powers and must find a new way to thwart the centuries-old plan that threatens all. But, can an assassin, trained from birth to do nothing but kill employ the thinking power (for that is what it’ll take) necessary to stop the scholarly scheme? We find out in DK Holmberg’s A Corrupt Alliance.
Genres Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Mystery, Adventure, High Fantasy, Adult, Thriller
Author DK Holmberg Home Minnesota, US
Publisher ASH Publishing | Buy it
Called
Vanessa Nelson, 20 May 2023
Book 2 in Vanessa Nelson’s The Grey Gates urban fantasy series, Called sees Max determined to keep her head down and just continue her work as a marshall. But her past comes calling. The Order seems to want her back. And, as if she can’t help herself, she keeps finding herself in parts of the city where only the desperate (or great heroes) would go. Because some things don’t wait for your approval, they simply choose you, in Vanessa Nelson’s Called.
Genres Urban Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal, Magic
Author Vanessa Nelson Home Scotland
Publisher Self | Buy it
The Will of the Many
James Islington, 23 May 2023
The first book in James Islington’s new The Hierarchy trilogy, The Will of the Many introduces us to a spy infiltrating the ruling empire (seemingly based on Rome). Their mission: To rise through the academy ranks, all the while secretly searching for an ancient weapon that could overthrow world power. The problem: If anyone finds out who our spy really is, it would mean instant death in James Islington’s The Will of the Many.
Genres Fantasy, Adult, High Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy, Mystery
Author James Islington, Home Victoria, Australia
Publisher Gallery/Saga Press | Buy it
Kill Your Darlings
LE Harper, 24 May 2023
An exciting new standalone novel, LE Harper’s Kill Your Darlings thrusts manically depressed Fantasy author Kyla, whose books always end in horrible tragedy for her characters, from the real world into her latest novel. Suddenly surrounded by the characters she’d created, and now needing to interact with them on a human level, she knows what’s coming… And that it will spell her own end too. That’s why she trades her pen for the sword. And, despite debilitating mental illness, stands next to her doomed darlings to fight. For if she fails, they all die – and she alongside them in LE Harper’s Kill Your Darlings.
Genres Fantasy, Mental Health, LGBTQ
Author LE Harper Home New York, US
Publisher Shivnath Productions | Buy it
Trials of the Innermost
Jonathan Fuller & Kristina Kelly, 26 May 2023
An all-new and imaginative stand-alone novel, Kristina Kelly and Jonathan Fuller’s Trials of the Innermost takes us to a tidally locked planet, whose three distinct zones (permanent day, night and twilight) have bred diverse cultures that avoid war by sending their brightest to partake in a shared task: the Trials of the Innermost. Beginning their first task, a secret is revealed that could bring all three nations together or tear them apart. But there’s little time to ponder the repercussions, as a new shared enemy appears, an alien force threatening to destroy not only the band of young Truthseekers but consume the entire planet. Working together is now the only hope in Jonathan Fuller and Kristina Kelly’s Trials of the Innermost.
Genres Fantasy, LGBTQ, Adult
Authors Jonathan Fuller & Kristina Kelly Home Texas & Indiana, US
Publisher Hansen House | Buy it
Witch King
Martha Wells, 30 May 2023
Martha Wells’ new standalone novel Witch King follows powerful magical entity, Kai, who wakes up goodness knows how long after he was assassinated and trapped in a magical death spell. Shocked to discover how much the world has changed, and that the world order has shifted towards old enemies, Kai must try to find allies in this “new” world if he’s to get to grips with what happened, figure out who had killed him and have any effect on the changing world order in Martha Wells’ Witch King.
Genres Fantasy, Adult, Paranormal, Magic, High Fantasy, Witches, Science Fiction Fantasy
Author Martha Wells Home Texas, US
Publisher Tor Publishing Group | Buy it
Note: I try my best to get every bit of info I can, and will keep updating this page all the time. If you know of a book, author, show, channel or event that should be on this list, let me know at elvorne@scifixfantasy.com and I’ll make it happen.
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