Best Science Fiction of 2023

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Fourth Wing
by Rebecca Yarros

21-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, but now, the commanding general (aka her mom) has ordered her to join the candidates to become a dragon-rider. With more candidates than dragons, most would kill Violet to better than chances of success- and the rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter.

Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

In the early 1900s, Emily Wilde, a curmudgeonly dryadology professor, journeys to a small town to study faerie folklore, where she discovers dark fae magic, friendship, and love.

Witch King by Martha Wells

Witch King
by Martha Wells

After being murdered, his consciousness dormant and unaware of the passing of time while confined in an elaborate water trap, Kai wakes to find a lesser mage attempting to harness Kai’s magic to his own advantage. That was never going to go well. But why was Kai imprisoned in the first place? What has changed in the world since his assassination? And why does the Rising World Coalition appear to be growing in influence?

The Terraformers by Annalee Newitz

The Terraformers
by Annalee Newitz

Destry’s life is dedicated to terraforming Sask-E as part of the Environmental Rescue Team. The bright, clean future she’s been building comes under threat when she discovers a city full of people that shouldn’t exist, inside of a volcano.

Starter Villain by John Scalzi

Starter Villian
by John Scalzi

When Charlie’s Uncle Jake leaves him his supervillain business after his death, it’s up to Charlie to win the war his uncle started against a league of supervillains.

Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

Starling House
by Alix E. Harrow

In Eden, Kentucky, Starling House appeared after the disappearance of author E. Starling. Arthur Starling is the last heir, living in the rotting house. Opal and Arthur must make a dire choice: to dig up secrets of the past and confront their own fears or let Eden be taken over by literal nightmares.