New Adult SFF Book Recommendations
Hi friends! I hope this new week has been kind to you so far. My new adult fantasy book recommendations post has been doing super well, so I thought I would do a follow-up. Science Fiction/Fantasy is one of my most beloved genres, so I thought for this post I would do some new adult SFF Book Recommendations.
New Adult Fantasy Book Recommendations!
As I’ve said before, New Adult is an age range between YA and adult. It mostly covers 18-25-year-olds, and it’s been gaining some more attention these past few days. It’s already a well-established age range in romance, but not so much in fantasy. Being in this age range myself, I desperately want books with YA pacing and plot lines, but with older characters.
So here are some recommendations of books that I believe should be New Adult.
New Adult SFF Book Recommendations
Seven Devils by Laura Lam and Elizabeth May
Goodreads Description:
When Eris faked her death, she thought she had left her old life as the heir to the galaxy’s most ruthless empire behind. But her recruitment by the Novantaen Resistance, an organization opposed to the empire’s voracious expansion, throws her right back into the fray.
Eris has been assigned a new mission: to infiltrate a spaceship ferrying deadly cargo and return the intelligence gathered to the Resistance. But her partner for the mission, mechanic and hotshot pilot Cloelia, bears an old grudge against Eris, making an already difficult infiltration even more complicated.
When they find the ship, they discover more than they bargained for: three fugitives with firsthand knowledge of the corrupt empire’s inner workings. Together, these women possess the knowledge and capabilities to bring the empire to its knees. But the clock is ticking: the new heir to the empire plans to disrupt a peace summit with the only remaining alien empire, ensuring the empire’s continued expansion. If they can find a way to stop him, they will save the galaxy. If they can’t, millions may die.
First of all, how gorgeous is the cover? Second, this space opera is the perfect read for anyone who loves sci-fi or wants to get into sci-fi. The cast includes queer and BIPOC characters, and most of them are over 18. I can’t wait to read to the sequel and see where the story goes. The stakes are high and there are some brutal scenes, so be sure to check the trigger warnings.
Blood Heir by Amélie Wen Zhao
Goodreads Description:
In the Cyrilian Empire, Affinites are reviled. Their varied gifts to control the world around them are deemed unnatural–even dangerous. And Anastacya Mikhailov, the crown princess, is one of the most terrifying Affinites.
Ana’s ability to control blood has long been kept secret, but when her father, the emperor, is murdered, she is the only suspect. Now, to save her own life, Ana must find her father’s killer. But the Cyrilia beyond the palace walls is one where corruption rules and a greater conspiracy is at work–one that threatens the very balance of Ana’s world.
There is only one person corrupt enough to help Ana get to the conspiracy’s core: Ramson Quicktongue. Ramson is a cunning crime lord with sinister plans–though he might have met his match in Ana. Because in this story, the princess might be the most dangerous player of all.
Blood Heir is an Anastasia retelling, and honestly, that is all you need to know. This book is classed as Adult in the UK, but YA in the US, so I figured it falls nicely in the middle. It’s been on my TBR for ages so I hope to get to it soon.
The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson
Goodreads Description: The multiverse business is booming, but there’s just one catch: no one can visit a world where their counterpart is still alive.
Enter Cara. Of the 382 realities that have been unlocked, Cara is dead in all but eight
But on this earth, she survived. Born in the wastelands where if a basic lack of resources didn’t kill you, violence would, Cara is happy to reap the benefits of a job and a safe place in the city to call home.
But when one of her eight remaining doppelgangers dies under mysterious circumstances, Cara is plunged into a new world with an old secret. What she discovers will connect her past and future in ways she never could have imagined – and reveal her own role in a plot that endangers not just her world, but the entire multiverse.
We read this book for our March Read Better Book Club pick and it was amazing. It has multiverse travel and a Mad Max-esque world. What more could you possibly want? The characters are also a bit older than your typical YA standard. I highly recommend this book.
Join the Read Better Book Club here!
New Adult SFF Book Recommendations
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
Goodreads Description:
Brought up by unfriendly, ossifying nuns, ancient retainers, and countless skeletons, Gideon is ready to abandon a life of servitude and an afterlife as a reanimated corpse. She packs up her sword, her shoes, and her dirty magazines, and prepares to launch her daring escape. But her childhood nemesis won’t set her free without a service.
Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House and bone witch extraordinaire, has been summoned into action. The Emperor has invited the heirs to each of his loyal Houses to a deadly trial of wits and skill. If Harrowhark succeeds she will become an immortal, all-powerful servant of the Resurrection, but no necromancer can ascend without their cavalier. Without Gideon’s sword, Harrow will fail, and the Ninth House will die.
Of course, some things are better left dead.
This wouldn’t be a recommendation post without me screaming about Gideon the Ninth. Lesbian necromancers in space! What more do you need? But anyhow. This book blends necromancy and space travel together. Somehow it just works. Tamsyn Muir is a genius and I will not stop sobbing about the ending. Read this book!
Of Wicked Blood by Olivia Wildenstein and Katie Hayoz
Goodreads Description
: I was raised on tales of magic, in a small town reputed to be the birthplace of French witchcraft. Did I believe all the stories I heard? Absolutely not. I mean, if magic existed, Maman wouldn’t have died, and Papa wouldn’t be stuck in a wheelchair, right?
Wrong.
The night Slate Ardoin waltzes into my life, wearing a ring he stole from my mother’s grave, I call him a monster. But then I meet real ones, and Slate, well . . . he becomes something else to me. Something frustrating to live with but impossible to live without. Something I will fight for, no matter the cost.
I read this book after accidentally downloading the full audiobook off Netgalley and it was a wild ride. If you like magic, dark academia, and brooding bad boys, this is for you. It was such a refreshing read and I cannot wait for the sequel.
There you have it! My New Adult SFF Book Recommendations!
💬 Have you read any NA books recently?
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Great selection of books. The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson sounds interesting.
I do love these covers. I am not one to read sci-fi but The Space Between World really appeals to me.
Great recommendations and they each look fab. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the recommendations.
I haven’t read any of these (yet) but love that new adult is becoming more of a thing across all genres.
Thanks for compiling a NA list! I’ve also seen this age range on the rise. I feel Leigh Bardugo’s Ninth House fits well here even though its considered Bardugo’s adult novel. Blood Heir is also on my TBR! I need to read that so I can read the sequel.
Okay, this is such an exciting post! I’m always looking for new SFF recommendations and Seven Devils is co-written by Elizabeth May? I freaking LOVE her working and definitely need to add this to my TBR now. Thank you so much for sharing such an awesome list!
Thank you for the breakdown and also for the age range for New Adult.