The 2022 Anticipated Releases are rolling out. There’s a lot of great Adult and YA fantasy, some rom-coms, and Fantasy Romances coming out this year. A witchy book from Sangu Mandanna. A YA fantasy inspired by the 1920s from Allison Saft. Gay gothic fantasy from Tara Sim. Holly Black is doing the sexy adult fantasy thing for Tor Books. All the YA authors are turning to adult.
I just have a biggest evil grin on my face.
If you’re anything like me, you’re very into this upcoming year. It’s gay goths or go home.
Enjoy. Remember to pre-order if you’re hoping for that release date to stick.
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
Genre: Adult Fantasy
Release date: January 11 from Harper Voyager
A captivating debut fantasy inspired by the legend of Chang’e, the Chinese moon goddess, in which a young woman’s quest to free her mother pits her against the most powerful immortal in the realm.
Anatomy: a love story by Dana Schwartz
Genre: YA Gothic
Release date: January 18 from Wednesday Books
A gothic tale full of mystery and romance about a willful female surgeon, a resurrection man who sells bodies for a living, and the buried secrets they must uncover together.
Hunt the Stars by Jessie Mihalik
Genre: Adult Sci-Fi Romance
Release date: February 1 from Harper Voyager
The critically acclaimed author of Polaris Rising takes readers on an exciting journey with the start of her brand-new series about a female bounty hunter and the man who is her sworn enemy.
A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross
Genre: Adult Fantasy
Release date: February 15 from Harper Voyager
House of Earth and Blood meets The Witch’s Heart in Rebecca Ross’s brilliant first adult fantasy, set on the magical isle of Cadence where two childhood enemies must team up to discover why girls are going missing from their clan.
The Thousand Eyes by A.K. Larkwood
Genre: Adult Fantasy
Release date: February 15 from Tor Books
The sequel to A. K. Larkwood’s stunning debut fantasy, The Unspoken Name, The Thousand Eyes continues The Serpent Gates series–perfect for fans of Jenn Lyons, Joe Abercrombie, and Ursula K. Le Guin.
The Great Witch of Brittany by Louisa Morgan
Genre: Adult Fantasy
Release date: February 15 from Redhook
Return to the world of A Secret History of Witches with the bewitching tale of Ursule Orchiere and her discovery of magical abilities that will not only change the course of her life but every generation that comes after her.
Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin
Genre: Adult Horror
Release date: February 22 from Tor Nightfire
The Last Man meets The Girl With All the Gifts in Gretchen Felker-Martin’s Manhunt, an explosive post-apocalyptic novel that follows trans women and men on a grotesque journey of survival.
Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Release date: March 1 from Avon
King crab fisherman Fox Thornton has a reputation as a sexy, carefree flirt. Everyone knows he’s a guaranteed good time–in bed and out–and that’s exactly how he prefers it. Until he meets Hannah Bellinger. She’s immune to his charm and looks, but she seems to enjoy his… personality? And wants to be friends? Bizarre. But he likes her too much to risk a fling, so platonic pals it is.
The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
Genre: Adult Fantasy
Release date: March 1 from Tor Books
The Alexandrian Society, caretakers of lost knowledge from the greatest civilizations of antiquity, are the foremost secret society of magical academicians in the world. Those who earn a place among the Alexandrians will secure a life of wealth, power, and prestige beyond their wildest dreams, and each decade, only the six most uniquely talented magicians are selected to be considered for initiation.
A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft
Genre: YA Fantasy
Release date: March 8 from Wednesday Books
“An utterly transportive read, unfolding into a world of crumbling manors and ancient forests. Allison Saft crafts a deliberate, intricate romance that will have you as unmoored as the characters.” – Chloe Gong, New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights
A romantic YA fantasy perfect for fans of Erin A. Craig and Margaret Rogerson, about two people who find themselves competing for glory – and each other’s hearts – in a magical fox hunt.
The Bone Orchard by Sara A. Mueller
Genre: Adult Fantasy
Release date: March 22 from Tor Books
Sara A. Mueller’s The Bone Orchard is a fascinating whodunit set in a lush, gothic world of secrets and magic–where a dying emperor charges his favorite concubine with solving his own murder, and preventing the culprit, which undoubtedly is one of his three terrible sons, from taking control of an empire.
Wild and Wicked Things by Francesca May
Genre: Adult Fantasy
Release date: March 29 from Redhook
In the aftermath of World War I, a woman gets swept into a glittering world filled with illicit magic, blood debts, and murder in this lush and decadent debut novel.
The City of Dusk by Tara Sim
Genre: Adult Fantasy
Release date: March 22 from Orbit Books
Set in a world of bone and shadow magic, of vengeful gods and defiant chosen ones, The City of Dusk is the first in a dark epic fantasy trilogy that follows the four heirs of four noble houses—each gifted with a divine power—as they form a tenuous alliance to keep their kingdom from descending into a realm-shattering war.
The Blood Trials by N.E. Davenport
Genre: Adult Fantasy/Science Fiction
Release date: April 5 from Harper Voyager
Blending fantasy and science fiction, N. E. Davenport’s fast-paced, action-packed debut kicks off a duology of loyalty and rebellion, in which a young Black woman must survive deadly trials in a racist and misogynistic society to become an elite warrior.
Gods of Neverland by Gama Ray Martinez
Release date: April 12 from Harper Voyager
Genre: Adult Fantasy
In this debut, Gama Ray Martinez reimagines Peter Pan through the youngest Darling sibling, Michael and former Lost Boy.
Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel
Release date: April 26 from Redhook
Genre: Adult Fantasy
In the vein of Madeline Miller’s Circe comes a bold and sweeping debut that reimagines the life of Kaikeyi, the vilified queen of the Indian epic the Ramayana.
“I was born on the full moon under an auspicious constellation, the holiest of positions—much good it did me.”
Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher
Release date: April 26 from Tor Books
Genre: Adult Fantasy
With her signature mix of the grim and the delightful, award-winning author T. Kingfisher takes the old bones of fantasy and fairytale and makes them into something entirely new in this enchanting adventure.
A Dance of Smoke and Steel by Milla Vane
Release date: April 26 from Berkley
Genre: Adult Fantasy Romance
As Anumith the Destroyer’s army draws nearer to the western realms, an alliance is forming to stand against him. The heir to the throne of Krimathe embarks upon a quest for the goddess Vela—a quest that the goddess has promised will give her strength enough to defeat the Destroyer.
Book of Night by Holly Black
Release date: May 3 from Tor Books
Genre: Adult Fantasy
Author of the Folk of the Air, Holly Black, makes her adult debut with Book of Night, a modern dark fantasy of shadowy thieves and secret societies in the vein of Ninth House and The Night Circus.
The League of Gentlewomen Witches by India Holton
Release date: March 15 from Berkley
Genre: Adult Romance/Alternate History
Miss Charlotte Pettifer belongs to a secret league of women, known as witches. These witches, instead, use their witchcraft to tidy, correct, and manipulate in the proper sense. In this companion to The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels, where magic exists in an alternate history of Victorian England, an Irish pirate falls for a proper witch.
Siren Queen by Nghi Vo
Release date: May 10 from Tordotcom
Genre: Adult Fantasy
In this 1920s inspired Sapphic fantasy, Nghi Vo paints a world of monsters and beauty. Luli Wei is beautiful, talented, and desperate to be a star. Coming of age in pre-Code Hollywood, Lili enters the movie business full of monters. Real monsters.
The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah
Genre: Adult Fantasy from Orbit Books,
Release date: May 17 from Orbit Books
Inspired by stories from One Thousand and One Nights, The Stardust Thief follows a smuggler, a cowardly prince, and a dangerous quest across the desert to find a magical lamp.
Juniper and Thorn by Ava Reid
Genre: Adult Gothic Horror/Fantasy
Release date: June 7 from Harper Voyager
From the author of The Wolf and the Woodsman, Ava Reid’s second novel spins a gothic horror retelling of The Juniper Tree. Set in the same world, a young witch seeks to discover her identity and escape the domination of her wizard father, perfect for fans of Shirley Jackson and Catherynne M. Valente.
Wrath Goddess Sing by Maya Deane
Release date: June 7 from William Morrow
Adult Speculative
Inspired by ancient texts and modern archeology, Maya Deane reignites trans women’s place hidden in the myths of The Illiad, for fans of Song of Achilles and the Inheritance trilogy.
Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Juno Dawson
Release date: June 14 from Penguin Books
Speculative
Her Majesty’s Royal Coven tells the story of Her Majesty’s Royal Coven, established by Queen Elizabeth I as a covert government department based in Manchester. However, when the genocide of all witches is foreseen by the agency’s oracles, consensus on how to tackle the prophecy threatens to tear apart a group of lifelong friends.
The Ballad of Perilous Graves by Alex Jennings
Release date: June 21 from Redhook
Genre: Adult Fantasy
In a fantastical version of New Orleans where music is magic, a battle for the city’s soul brews between two young mages, a vengeful wraith, and one powerful song in this vibrant and imaginative debut.
A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland
Release date: June 21 by Tor Books
Genre: Adult Fantasy
When a shy prince finds himself at odds with a powerful ambassador in an altercation, it results in his humiliation. With the help of his newly appointed bodyguard, they uncover a conspiracy which could be the downfall of the kingdom.
This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede
Release date: June 28 from Wednesday Books
Genre: YA Fantasy
In this romantic fantasy debut, Emily Thiede spells a thrilling romance inspired by the Amalfi coast. A girl with a gift from the gods has the ability to kill every suitor she touches. This is the deadly girl meets grumpy bodyguard love interest of your dreams.
Silk Fire by Zabé Ellor
Genre: Adult Fantasy
Release date: July 5 from Solaris
Set in a matriarchal city, a bisexual male courtesan’s quest for vengeance draws him into an ancient struggle.
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston
Release date: July 5 from Berkley
Genre: Adult Magical Rom-Com
Ghost meets The Bold Type in this adult debut about a disillusioned millennial ghostwriter who, quite literally, has some ghosts of her own, from national bestselling author Ashley Poston.
The Book of Gothel by Mary McMyne
Release date: July 26 from Redhook
Genre: Adult Fantasy
A Gothic debut with witchy, romantic vibes set against a historically inspired fairy tale. A manuscript buried in a Black Forest cellar reveals the truth behind the Rapunzel folktale. Told by the villain of the story.
Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen
Genre: YA Fantasy
Release date: July 26 from Delacorte Press
A dark fantasy debut about a morally gray witch, a cursed prince, and a prophecy that ignites their fate-twisted destinies—perfect for fans of The Cruel Prince.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Genre: Adult Contemporary Fantasy
Release date: Summer from Berkley
In Sangu Mandanna’s adult debut, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, a witch is summoned to the mysterious Nowhere House, a society of witches and a grumpy librarian. Pitched as The House in the Cerulean Sea meets Practical Magic.
The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope
Release date: August 9 from Redhook
Genre: Adult Fantasy
A woman able to communicate with spirits must assemble a ragtag crew to pull off a daring heist to save her community in this timely and dazzling historical fantasy that weaves together African American folk magic, history, and romance.
The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean
Release date: August 9 from Tor Books
Genre: Adult Contemporary Fantasy
Sunyi Dean’s The Book Eaters is a contemporary fantasy debut of motherhood, sacrifice, and hope; of queer identity and learning to accept who you are; of gilded lies and the danger of believing the narratives others create for you.
The First Binding by R.R. Virdi
Release date: August 16 from Tor Books
Genre: Adult Fantasy
In this epic fantasy debut, Ari kills a god, steals magic, and lives with the curse. The First Binding follows an immortal storyteller.
Babel: An Arcane History by R.F. Kuang
Genre: Adult Horror/Dark Academia
Release date: August 23 from Harper Voyager
Inspired by The Secret History and Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, R.F. Kuang revolutionizes and lays fire to her take on Dark Academia.
A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal
Release date: October 1 from Farrar, Straus & Giroux
Genre: YA Fantasy
Pitched as King Arthur meets Peaky Blinders with vampires. The Tempest of Tea follows a gang of outcasts in a deadly heist led by Arthie Casimir to save her tearoom—which fronts an illegal blood house, where local vampires can purchase fresh blood.
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
Release date: October 18 from Redhook
Genre: Adult Fantsy
Elspeth Spindle needs more than luck to stay safe in the eerie, mist-locked kingdom of Blunder—she needs a monster. She calls him the Nightmare, an ancient, mercurial spirit trapped in her head. He protects her. He keeps her secrets.
The Genesis of Memory by Neon Yang
Genre: Adult Science Fiction from Tor Books
Pitched as Joan of Arc in space with a giant robot twist. When a young person hears the voice of an angel, they are destined to become a warrior for their people in a holy war.
The Surviving Sky by Kritika H. Rao
Genre: Adult Fantasy from DAW
In this debut set on a jungle planet, The Surviving Sky is inspired by Hindu mythology and follows two married protagonists.
The Sun and The Void by Gabriela Romero Lacruz
Genre: Adult Fantasy from Orbit Books
Full of twisted family politics, dark magic, and fantastical beings, The Sun and The Void takes readers into a Sapphic lush world inspired by the history and mythology of 1800s South America.
Sooo many great books, such good taste! I have eye on quite a few of these but The Bone Orchard is new to me.
2022 is gonna be such a great year for SFF!
I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT ALL OF IT.
Oooh what a delight to see The Sun and the Void listed here~! Thank you!
Looking forward to reading it!