List
2021 Staff Picks: Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror
Our expert staff members look back at the year and share their favorite titles.
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Remote Control
2021 by Okorafor, NnediGet this itemFolklore meets advanced (possibly alien?) technology in this short but dense novel. I love that this "orphan girl on a lonely journey" has power from the very beginning, so you never have to worry about her bodily safety--only the safety of those around her. Recommended by Jane.
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Project Hail Mary
2021 by Weir, AndyGet this itemThis is even more gripping than The Martian in that it's not just one guy's life at stake--it's the entire planet. A true page turner, but also well written and full of great plot twists and cool science. Recommended by Shelley.
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The Echo Wife
2021 by Gailey, SarahGet this itemThis one hooked me right from the start with its interesting premise (what if your husband cheated on you...with your clone). I found Gailey’s take on the nature versus nurture debate very interesting in this sci-fi spin on the domestic thriller. Recommended by Lynnanne.
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The Chosen and the Beautiful
2021 by Vo, NghiGet this itemI thought this was a clever retelling of The Great Gatsby for the modern reader. It elevated the classic by taking a closer look at the race, gender, and sexuality of the characters. Recommended by Rummanah.
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The Conductors
2021 by Glover, NicoleGet this itemWith a lot of cool magic at the center, taking place in post-Civil War Philadelphia, it is an ideal science fiction read for mystery-loving history buffs. Hetty Rhodes, who uses her unique skills to investigate mysterious incidents, is a very interesting character, and I can’t wait to see where this new series goes next. Recommended by Sharon.
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Under the Whispering Door
2021 by Klune, TJGet this itemI cried through the last 25% of this novel, but it was such a good, cathartic cry. Absolutely beautiful. Recommended by Becca.
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Smithy
2021 by Desiree, AmandaGet this itemIn the 1970s a scientific study went off the rails when a chimpanzee named Wordsmith began reacting to things humans couldn't see. This ingenious take on the epistolary novel builds serious eeriness out of letters, diary entries, Unsolved Mysteries transcripts, Opposing Viewpoints: The Paranormal excerpts, etc. And what haunted house story wouldn't be improved by discussions of primate behavior and the nuances of American Sign Language? Recommended by Andrew.
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The Ruthless Lady's Guide to Wizardry
2021 by Waggoner, C. M.Get this itemUtterly delightful from start to finish. I loved this excellent historical fantasy adventure tale that also manages to have a sweet and hot love story at the center. At turns laugh-out-loud funny and heartwarming, you will find yourself rooting for Delly and her fellow female bodyguards. Recommended by Lynnanne.
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A Marvellous Light
2021 by Marske, FreyaGet this itemThe characters are the highlight of this book (though the magical system gets an honorable mention, as I loved every bit of it). The two leads are layered and complicated, and getting to watch them interact is fantastic. Recommended by Perry.
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Cackle
2021 by Harrison, RachelGet this itemThis book looks like it is just for spooky season, but it is not just a Halloween book. It's definitely more than that. If you love a feminist witch story any time of the year, this one is for you. Recommended by Becca.
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Trashlands
2021 by Stine, AlisonGet this itemI loved this thought-provoking, harrowing, feminist tale that is a natural extension of our current climate crisis. Like the main character Coral and the art she creates out of trash, all the characters find love and small comforts and joy amidst their grueling day-to-day existence. Recommended by Lynnanne.
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Far From the Light of Heaven
2021 by Thompson, TadeGet this itemBritish author Thompson shows there's still some life in the Space Opera subgenre with this (I hope!) series opener. There are great characters--human, AI, alien--and some very timely dunking on zillionaires who regard outer space as their personal playground while refusing to accept responsibility for the messes they left on Earth. Recommended by Andrew.
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A Master of Djinn
2021 by Clark, P. DjèlíGet this itemI thought this was a really fun and inventive mystery set in an alternative steampunk Cairo. I can't wait to read more from this series! Recommended by Rummanah.
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She Who Became the Sun
2021 by Parker-Chan, ShelleyGet this itemFantastically complicated characters and decisions and genders. Yes, this is "Chinese history but more women and also ghosts," but it's also a brutal book about systems of power and cycles of violence and people making really bad choices. Recommended by Perry.
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We Could Be Heroes
2021 by Chen, MikeGet this itemAmnesia! Superheroes! Mad scientists! Normal the cat! I am a big fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, so I am the natural reader for this book. Even if you don't like tights and capes, you will enjoy this novel of friendship and identity. Recommended by Lynnanne.
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The Ministry for the Future
2020 by Robinson, Kim StanleyGet this itemBy mapping out what he considers a "best case" scenario for the next several decades of human history, Robinson avoids lazy nihilism but poses lots of (deliberately?) provocative questions. This is capital-H Hard Sci-Fi, the kind that makes the reader think, whether or not they agree with everything the author has to say. Recommended by Andrew.
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The Dark Archive
2020 by Cogman, GenevieveGet this itemBecause it’s steampunk. Because it is time travel friendly and has alternate worlds. Because it has dragons, Fae, a Victorian private eye, and a superspy librarian. With all my favorite things, the 7th book in the Invisible Library series does not disappoint. Librarian Irene is at her most innovative and competent to foil her opponents and keep universal order. Recommended by Sharon.
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The Blacktongue Thief
2021 by Buehlman, ChristopherGet this itemKinch is our guide on this journey, and his sardonic, world-weary narration is a delight. I loved this fully realized fantasy world, full of adventure, magic, humor, and a touch of romance. Hopefully, Buehlman will write quicker than his other fantasy counterparts and we won't have to wait years until the next book in the series. Recommended by Lynnanne.
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Wild Sign: An Alpha and Omega Novel
2021 by Briggs, PatriciaGet this itemThis might be my favorite Alpha and Omega book yet. The mystery of what happened to the residents of Wild Sign is an engrossing puzzle for our main leads. Briggs expands her already fascinating world with new elements that kept my eyes glued right from the first page. Recommended by Rummanah.
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The Hidden Palace: A Novel of the Golem and the Jinni
2021 by Wecker, HeleneGet this itemThose of us who loved The Golem and the Jinni waited seven long years for Wecker to write a sequel; fortunately, it was worth the wait. Chava the golem (now called Charlotte Levy) and Ahmed the jinni are still navigating the human world of early 20th century New York City. But what happens when each meets a creature like themselves? Recommended by Andrew.
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