Whether or not you are on the lookout for leisure in your commute to work or one thing to learn in your downtime, there are a selection of recent books that ought to be in your radar in the course of the August 19 launch week. With summer season nonetheless in swing, there is no scarcity of beach reads available on shelves. Nonetheless, this week’s largest choices aren’t mild and fluffy.
Actually, the highest 5 books to take a look at lean into the horror and fantasy genres, with one of many biggest horror releases of 2025 hitting cabinets on August 19. There’s additionally an excellent new story from an award-winning writer you may acknowledge. Evidently, a visit to the bookstore or library is warranted this week.
5
The Possession of Alba Díaz
By Isabel Cañas
Isabel Cañas is understood for The Hacienda and Vampires of El Norte, and her latest guide is poised to turn out to be one other horror hit. The Possession of Alba Díaz debuted on August 19, and it is already receiving constructive critiques. The novel boasts a 4.23 common Goodreads score, and Publisher’s Weekly praised its narrative and strategy to its hard-hitting themes.
The Possession of Alba Díaz is ready in 1765, opening as a plague makes its method via the Mexican metropolis of Zacatecas. Privileged and rich sufficient to take action, Alba and her household relocate, searching for security at a mine owned by Alba’s fiancé, Carlos. Sadly, that does little to save lots of them, as Alba faces different issues upon arriving there, hallucinations and violent impulses amongst them.
Alba is not the one one involved about what’s occurring to her, both. Carlos’ cousin Elías takes discover of her — and thus, picks up on the sinister modifications she undergoes on the mine. In accordance with the guide’s synopsis, these could be attributed to a demon, simply because the title of Cañas’ novel suggests.
Horror novels about demonic possession are all the time gripping, and Alba’s story feels like the right one for readers on the lookout for thrills. Based mostly on her previous books, it is a horror story to maintain in your radar, particularly heading into the spooky season. After all, it’s going to be simply as chilling to dig into throughout launch week.
4
The Finish Of The World As We Know It
By Varied Authors, Edited By Christopher Golden & Brian Keene
The Finish of the World as We Know It marks a surprising Stephen King first, because the anthology is the primary occasion of different authors increasing straight on one in all his earlier works. The Finish of the World as We Know It returns readers to the world of The Stand, exploring new views throughout and after King’s 1978 post-apocalyptic story.
Edited by Christopher Golden and Brian Keene, The Finish of the World as We Know It options tales by many recognizable horror and thriller writers, together with C. Robert Cargill, Gabino Iglesias, S.A. Cosby, Caroline Kepnes, and extra. The gathering additionally options an introduction written by King, which may supply new insights about The Stand.
Unsurprisingly, The Finish of the World as We Know It is getting reward on the heels of its launch, with AP News calling it “a high-quality coda.” Its Goodreads critiques echo that, with the anthology receiving fairly a couple of five-star rankings from earlier readers.
Fans of King’s books, and particularly The Stand, will not need to miss this August 19 launch, which can undoubtedly be one in all 2025’s largest horror titles. There’s nothing like returning to a fictional world you already love, and The Finish of the World As We Know It permits readers to just do that.
3
Hemlock & Silver
By T. Kingfisher
T. Kingfisher excels on the subject of dark fantasy books, and Hemlock & Silver is poised to be a success this August. Launched on the nineteenth, Hemlock & Silver reimagines Snow White — and it sounds each bit as moody and atmospheric as you’d count on. The quilt and premise alone are causes to choose up this new launch, however they’re removed from the one ones.
Hemlock & Silver is centered on a healer named Anja, who recurrently ingests poison — a apply to hunt out cures for illnesses that appear like misplaced causes. Anja is known as upon by the king to save lots of his dying daughter, Snow, a activity that proves way more daunting than both of them anticipated.
And when Anja discovers a magic mirror that doubles as a portal to a different world, she realizes that one thing extra sinister could also be occurring to Snow. Hemlock & Silver guarantees loads of magic and suspense, together with court docket intrigue and a captivating solid of supporting characters (together with a “narcissistic cat“).
Hemlock & Silver hasn’t been out lengthy, however the novel already boasts a formidable 4.31 common Goodreads score, a transparent indication of its constructive reception. Grimdark Magazine even means that Kingfisher “outdid herself” with this guide, which isn’t any simple feat contemplating the writer’s backlist.
2
Voidwalker
By S.A. MacLean
The Phoenix Keeper writer S.A. MacLean returned with Voidwalker on August 19, the primary installment in her new Beasts of the Void collection. The fantasy romance is poised to brush readers off their toes earlier than summer season is thru, and it is an excellent alternative for this week’s TBR. It is described as “spicy romantasy meets the Cosmere,” and does it get higher than that?
Voidwalker is centered on a smuggler named Fionamara and an immortal monster named Antal, whose species is chargeable for the worry and wrestle Fi’s folks face. Fi’s smuggling permits her village to keep away from making blood sacrifices to Antal’s sort, however it additionally finds her caught up in a harmful mission in Voidwalker.
Fi is recruited for a heist that pulls her and her folks right into a a lot larger conspiracy towards their flesh-eating and immortal oppressors — a sticky scenario that ultimately sees her path converging with Antal’s. The 2 enter right into a harmful settlement that would result in riot.
Voidwalker sounds prefer it perfectly balances its fantasy and romance elements, providing readers a steamy monster romance alongside a story wrought with political intrigue. The guide’s early Goodreads critiques (it has a 4.23 common score) add to its promise, suggesting it is one with the potential to brighten up your week.
1
Classes In Magic And Catastrophe
By Charlie Jane Anders
Award-winning writer Charlie Jane Anders is understood for titles like All of the Birds within the Sky and The Metropolis within the Center of the Evening, and her latest launch is poised to be one other success. Printed on August 19, Classes in Magic and Catastrophe revolves round magic and familial bonds, and it guarantees a considerate and queer story readers will not need to miss.
Classes in Magic and Catastrophe follows Jamie, a younger witch with quite a lot of potential and energy, as she teaches her grieving mom use magic. Serena is grappling with the demise of her spouse, however she’s additionally holding onto secrets and techniques. And her daughter should uncover these if she needs to assist her mom and herself.
Within the midst of this generational story is the thriller of a centuries-old magic guide Jamie is in possession of. Straddling the road between fantasy story and drama, Classes in Magic and Catastrophe has many shifting elements, and it will be fascinating to see how they arrive collectively in the long run.
Classes in Magic and Catastrophe has nice early critiques on Goodreads, a lot of which spotlight the novel’s poignant reflections and distinctive strategy to its mother-daughter connection. Locus Online‘s evaluation even suggests the guide is Anders’ strongest but. That is additional incentive to choose it up, particularly if you happen to’re within the temper for one thing a bit deeper this week.
Supply: Goodreads, Publisher’s Weekly, AP News, Grimdark Magazine, Locus Online
