Find the best fantasy & sci-fi book releases for December 2021 below.
Can you believe it’s almost December already?
I’m still in denial that this year is almost over, honestly.
Anyway, check out the different titles with genres in the overview, and click on the titles you’re interested in to jump to that book for more information.
The book I’ve read this month is The Rebels of Vanaheim (Adult Dark Epic Fantasy/Sci-Fi).
Sci-Fi YA
- The Last She by H.J. Nelson: YA Dystopian Sci-Fi Romance
- True Teryn (The Last Lumenian Book 2) by S.G. Blaise: YA Space Adventure Sci-Fi
- Requiem For A Genocide by Michael Drakich: YA Military Action Sci-Fi
Sci-Fi Adult
- The Rebels of Vanaheim: A Marvel Legends of Asgard Novel (Marvel Aconyte Novels) by Richard Lee Byers: Adult Dark Epic Fantasy/Sci-Fi
- Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell: Adult Sci-Fi Romance
- Pandora’s Razor by Ray Strong: Adult Action Adventure Hard Sci-Fi
- Absynthe by Brendan Bellecourt: Adult Alternate History Sci-Fi
Fantasy YA
- The Excalibur Curse (Camelot Rising #3) by Kiersten White: YA Fantasy Mythology, Retellings
- The Midnight Girls by Alicia Jasinska: YA Fantasy Romance, LGBTQ
- The Righteous (The Beautiful #3) by Renée Ahdieh: YA Historical Fantasy Romance
Fantasy Adult
- A History of Wild Places by Shea Ernshaw: Adult Dark Fantasy Thriller
- It Happened One Midnight by Saranna DeWylde: Adult Contemporary Fantasy Romance
- The Veiled Throne (The Dandelion Dynasty #3) by Ken Liu: Adult Epic Fantasy
- Song of Dragons (Dragon Tails #2) by Aja James: Adult Paranormal Fantasy Romance
- Spidertouch by Alex Thomson: Adult Military Action Fantasy
- Ancient Canada by Clinton Festa: Adult Alternate History Fantasy
What I Read: Book Releases December 2021
The Rebels of Vanaheim: A Marvel Legends of Asgard Novel (Marvel Aconyte Novels) by Richard Lee Byers
Genre: Adult Dark Epic Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Pubdate: 21st of December
Publisher: Aconyte
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Now, Heimdall is one of my favorite Marvel characters, so I was already a tad biased when I started reading this book.
But I loved learning more about Heimdall’s character; where he grew up, his relationship with his parents—and, of course, how he fought off all the zombies.
Heimdall and his friend, Valkyrie Ushi, set out to Vanaheim to visit their families—Heimdall being excited to see his parents, while Ushi is much more reluctant to reconnect. However, they soon find themselves in the middle of an infestation of draugr—the living dead. In addition, Heimdall can feel the anti-Asgardian sentiment, along with a growing rebellion. To preserve the peace of the Realm Eternal, Heimdall and Ushi need to investigate both the infestation and the conspiracy, even if it pits them against their own kin.
It’s a fast-paced story, with some incredible worldbuilding and amazing characterization. I especially loved the dynamic between Heimdall and Ushi.
Was the story extremely surprising?
No, not really.
It generally read as a solid epic fantasy, and the twist that were there weren’t too hard to see coming.
This didn’t matter to me, though. I still think that the execution of the story was great. It hit all the marks for me.
So, if you love great action-sequences, fights with the undead, incredible characters, great worldbuilding, and a mystery to solve: Rebels of Vanaheim is the book for you.
[And now for some additional stuff because it’s Marvel.]
#Marvel #MarvelEnt #Aconytebooks #review
About Marvel Entertainment Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media. For more information visit marvel.com. © 2020 MARVEL
Fantasy & Sci-Fi Book Releases December 2021
Requiem For A Genocide by Michael Drakich
Genre: YA Military Action Sci-Fi
Pubdate: 1st of December
Publisher: Traanu Enterprises
JAK037 is the last warbot, programmed to kill the enemies of Dalrea. Since he’s the last model, he is just Jak. When word comes of a treaty with their nemesis, Carthia, Jak hopes the war will finally end. However, the treaty is used so a new front can be opened against settlers from another world.
Humans.
Jak hopes to end the war and save his people with the help of a seven-year-old girl named Hannah. However, it’s not just humans who try to stop him from succeeding: it’s also the Carthians, Dalreans, the robotic laws, and his own failing body.
A History of Wild Places by Shea Ernshaw
Genre: Adult Dark Fantasy Thriller
Pubdate: 7th of December
Publisher: Atria Books
Travis Wren has an unusual talent for locating missing people—he only requires a single object to find the person who has vanished. However, when he takes the case of Maggie St. James, a well-known author of macabre children’s books, he’s led to a place believed to be a legend.
Pastoral is a reclusive community founded in the ’70’s by like-minded people searching for a simpler way of life. The commune shouldn’t exist anymore. Soon after Travis finds it, he disappears.
Years later, Theo, a member of Pastoral, discovers Travis’s abandoned truck. Unraveling the mystery reveals the secrets that Theo, his wife Calla, and her sister Bee have kept from one another. Secrets that prove that their perfect, isolated world isn’t as safe as they believed.
The Excalibur Curse (Camelot Rising #3) by Kiersten White
Genre: YA Fantasy Mythology, Retellings
Pubdate: 7th of December
Publisher: Listening Library
While journeying north toward the Dark Queen, Guinevere falls into the hands of her enemies. Lancelot is trapped on the other side of the magical barrier they created to protect Camelot, and Arthur was led away from his kingdom, chasing after false promises. The greatest danger, however, isn’t what lies ahead but what’s buried inside of her.
Guinevere joins forces with the sorceress Morgana and her son Mordred, vowing to unravel the truth of her past with or without Merlin’s help. When she makes an agonizing discovery about who she is and how she came to be, she’s faced with an impossible choice: fix a terrible crime, or help prevent war.
She’s determined to make things right, even if it means destroying herself.
The Last She by H.J. Nelson
Genre: YA Dystopian Sci-Fi Romance
Pubdate: 7th of December
Publisher: Wattpad books
A plague has swept away humanity, and Ara is the only female who survived. She’s haunted by the ghosts of her former life—her mother and sister.
Kaden and his crew live by a code: stay alert, stay alive. When they catch Ara stealing from them, they are furious and confused. She’s the first girl they’ve seen in three years. Kaden knows taking her captive is wrong, but he tells himself he does it to protect her.
However, Ara is determined to follow through on her father’s mission: go back to the beginning. End the plague. And Kaden becomes mesmerized by Ara’s will and beauty. He’ll do anything to help her—even if it tears their worlds apart.
The Veiled Throne (The Dandelion Dynasty #3) by Ken Liu
Genre: Adult Epic Fantasy
Pubdate: 7th of December
Publisher: Gallery / Saga Press
Princess Théra entrusted the throne to her younger brother in order to journey to Ukyu-Gondé to war with the Lyucu. However, beset by adversity, Théra and her most trusted companions attempt to overcome every challenge.
In Dara, the Lyucu leadership and the surviving Dandelion Court bristle with rivalries. In addition, parents and children, teachers and students, Empress and Pékyu, all nurture the seeds of plans that will take years.
Everywhere, the spirit of innovation dances like seeds on the wind, and the commoners, the forgotten, begin to engineer new solutions for a new age.
The Righteous (The Beautiful #3) by Renée Ahdieh
Genre: YA Historical Fantasy Romance
Pubdate: 7th of December
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
When Pippa’s best friend Celine disappears under mysterious circumstances, Pippa resolves to find her. Even if that takes her into the dangerous world of the fae. And even if she might find more than she bargained for in the charismatic Arjun Desai.
Absynthe by Brendan Bellecourt
Genre: Adult Alternate History Sci-Fi
Pubdate: 7th of December
Publisher: Daw Books
Liam Mulcahey, a shell-shocked veteran, remembers little of the Great War. Ten years later, he gets caught in a brutal attack on a Chicago speakeasy, and he’s saved by Grace, an alluring heiress with the ability to cast illusions.
While the attack appears to have been committed by the Uprising, Grace believes it was Leland De Pere—Liam’s former commander and the current President of the United States.
Meeting Grace unearths long-buried memories. Liam’s former squad was given a serum to allow telepathic communication. And with Grace’s help, Liam begins to regain his abilities. But when De Pere finds out, he orders his militia to eliminate Liam at any cost.
True Teryn (The Last Lumenian Book 2) by S.G. Blaise
Genre: YA Space Adventure Sci-Fi
Pubdate: 7th of December
Publisher: Lilac Grove Entertainment
Lilla needs to recruit the biggest army in the Seven Galaxies. However, the Teryn emperor will not comply unless Lilla earns the blessing of the Teryn Guardian Goddess Laoise.
To gain her blessing, Lilla needs to bring her the mysterious Heart Amulet. The only way for Lilla to complete this mission is to uncover the biggest secret of all Teryns. Will she be able to find out what it means to be a True Teryn?
Ancient Canada by Clinton Festa
Genre: Adult Alternate History Fantasy
Pubdate: 14th of December
Publisher: CamCat Books
Two sisters embark on an epic journey throughout the mythological world of Ancient Canada after being exiled from their native home.
They use Lavender’s unique ability to see life and death to survive in an alternate Arctic Circle. Lavender and Marigold encounter various characters and creatures on their journey, all telling their own story. They learn about the life of a stone giant, a tremendous bird-warrior, a fugitive bog man, a spoiled prince, and the assassins sent to hunt down Lavender and Marigold.
Spidertouch by Alex Thomson
Genre: Adult Military Action Fantasy
Pubdate: 14th of December
Publisher: Angry Robot
Razvan was trained as a translator for the hated Keda, the mute enslavers of his city, Val Kedic. Through learning fingerspeak—the Keda’s touch language—Razvan was able to avoid being sent to work in the dangerous mines of the city.
Now a man, Razvan has etched out a quiet life for himself as an interpreter for the Keda court. He doesn’t enjoy it, but he keeps his head down to protect his son, held hostage in the Keda’s mines. The city is currently under siege by a new army who are perhaps even crueler than their current enslavers.
At the same time, a rebellion reaches out to Razvan with a plan to defeat the Keda once and for all. Which side will Razvan fight on, who can he trust, and what deserves to be saved?
Pandora's Razor by Ray Strong
Genre: Adult Action Adventure Hard Sci-Fi
Pubdate: 17th of December
Publisher: Impulse Fiction
In 2188 Meriel Hope blew up the conspiracy and toppled a corrupt galactic regime to ave her family. And now they want to kill her. Again.
After surviving a decade-long crusade to silence her, Meriel had built a quiet life with John and stepdaughters. But riots erupt in Haven’s overcrowded refugee camps, and coyotes dump immigrants in the desert. All criminals who prey on the innocent to claim her home-world. And when Meriel gets in their way, they come for her family and friends. The time for hiding is over.
And so, Meriel, John, and her crew fight their way across the galaxy. To protect the ones she loves, Meriel must face the horrors she’s been hiding from, and the monster who created them.
Song of Dragons (Dragon Tails #2) by Aja James
Genre: Adult Paranormal Fantasy Romance
Pubdate: 24th of December
Publisher: Self-Published
Erebu and Sorin fought through countless lifetimes to find one another again. They even conquered death.
But Ere’s rebirth requires a price: he must answer the Celestial Summons and complete each task the Jade Emperor sets before him.
Luckily, he doesn’t have to do this alone. Sorin will be right there with him. However, his Fate—and that of all dragon Kind and the Universal Balance—depends on the successful execution of each quest.
Now, he needs to find and retrieve the Song of Destiny, in an unknown location but in a different time. He doesn’t have many clues, but knows he’ll encounter harpies, a centaur, a giant Chinese Tibetan Mastiff and other mythical monsters along the way. And besides Sorin, he needs to take a very high-maintenance she-dragon with them.
And he needs to hurry. The end of the world may be just around the corner.
The Midnight Girls by Alicia Jasinska
Genre: YA Fantasy Romance, LGBTQ
Pubdate: 28th of December
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
It’s Karnawal season in the Kingdom of Lechija, with the church bells ringing from now until midnight to signal the end to Devil’s Tuesday and the day is filled with wintry balls, glittery disguises, and cavalcades of nightly torch-lit “kuligi” sleigh-parties.
Unbeknownst to the merrymakers, two monsters join the fun in the guise of two innocent girls. Zosia and Marynka, while being polar opposites, seem destined to have a friendship stronger than even magic. This is put to the test when they realize they both have their eyes set on Lechija’s pure-hearted prince. This pure heart contains immeasurable power, and neither girl is willing to sacrifice their ambitions for the other.
The festivities spiral into a wild contest with both girls vying to keep the hapless prince out of the other’s wicked grasp. However, this isn’t a remote village where stray magic might go unnoticed, and if Zosia and Marynka’s disguises continue to slip, their rivalry might just cost them not just their friendship but their lives.
It Happened One Midnight by Saranna DeWylde
Genre: Adult Contemporary Fantasy Romance
Pubdate: 28th of December
Publisher: Zebra
Novelist Juniper Blossom has romance down to a science in her bestselling books. And she’s not going to settle for just any man—she needs to find the guy whose idea of forever matches her own. Her grandmothers feel differently, though. If she doesn’t find a man soon, they’re going to do it for her. So Juniper goes on a trip home to Ever After by pretending that her sexy, smart, sweet best friend Tomas is her fiancé. He doesn’t believe in love, but that doesn’t matter if it’s all pretend, right?
Divorce attorney Tomas Rivera is proud of Juniper’s success, though he doesn’t buy the books’ premise. He’s seen in his career that true love is the real fairy tale. But he lets Juniper convince him to a fake engagement. But when he’s playing the part, suddenly feelings start to surface—especially when a kiss for show turns up the heat between them.
Is happily ever after possible for two people who aren’t on the same page when it comes to love?
Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell
Genre: Adult Sci-Fi Romance, LGBTQ
Pubdate: 28th of December
Publisher: Tor Books
The Iskat Empire has long dominated the system through treaties and political alliances. However, several planets, including Thea, have begun to chafe under Iskat’s rule. When tragedy befalls Imperial Prince Taam, his widower Jainan is rushed into an arranged marriage with Taam’s cousin, the disreputable Kiem.
But when it’s discovered that Prince Taam’s death may not have been an accident, and Jainan himself is a suspect, the pair must overcome their misgivings and learn to trust one another as they navigate the perils of the Iskat court. Both trying to solve a murder and prevent an interplanetary war. While dealing with their growing feelings for each other.
Those were the Book Releases of December 2021
I hope you found some nice additions to your reading list among these best fantasy & sci-fi book releases of December 2021!
Which ones are you most excited about?
Let me know in the comments!
