Happy Tuesday, shipmates! It’s Alex, and I’m coming at you today with a double dose of new releases, because September is just a massive flood of new books, apparently. I had a very busy weekend (trying to get ready to move, RIP me) but thankfully the weather’s been nice at least. It’s finally feeling like autumn, and I’m loving every second of it — because it definitely puts me in the mood to make a cup of tea and settle on the couch with a book. Have a great week, everyone. Stay safe out there, space pirates, I’ll see you on Friday!
Book Riot’s editorial team is writing for casual and power readers alike over at The Deep Dive! During the month of September, all new free subscribers will be entered to win Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler plus 5 mystery books from The Deep Dive. To enter, simply start a free subscription to The Deep Dive. No payment method required!
Let’s make the world a better place, together. Here’s two places to start: Maui Aloha: The People’s Response, which sends support to those affected by the wildfires on Maui, particularly first responders; and Entertainment Community Fund, which supports entertainment workers who are striking for living wages and a future where humans can continue to create art for each other.
Bookish Goods
Hamlet Book Scarf by Cyberoptix
I’m in a Shakespeare kind of mood thanks to Em X. Liu’s book (see below) being a Hamlet retelling. So I like this scarf that’s printed with the title page from the 1604 print of the play. And you can choose from a lot of colors! $48
New Releases
The Death I Gave Him by Em X. Liu
Hayden Lichfield has been working with his father on the Sisyphus Formula, which one day promises to reverse death. But when Hayden’s father is murdered in their lab and the security camera footage is conveniently erased, he already has plenty of motivation to investigate, even before discovering his father’s final message to him: Avenge me…
Godkiller by Hannah Kaner
As beings birthed by human desires and fed by worship, gods are startlingly common…except in the kingdom of Middren, where they are forbidden. And Middren is kept free of their presence by “godkillers” paid to destroy any that manifest. Kissen became a godkiller after her family was killed by a fire god; her latest job has been to find a way to kill a small god of white lies that is bonded to the soul of a child — without killing the child.
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
This is another September week with an abundance of good new releases, so you’re getting a double dose today!
Mammoths at the Gates by Nghi Vo
Wanderer Cleric Chih returns to their home of the Singing Hills Abbey after nearly three years on the road because their mentor, Cleric Thien, has died. However, Thien was not always a simple cleric; they were once the patriarch of the Coh clan, and now their daughters want their body back for burial.
Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
Ever since her younger sister, Sky, died, Sage Flores has been running from her family and their so-called “gifts.” Eight years later, she finally returns to her hometown and takes a job where she can use her ability to communicate with plants to find unusual specimens in the surrounding hills. With magic family drama already beginning, the last thing Sage needs is the boy who broke her heart in high school coming back into her life as a mature, sexy man.
See you, space pirates. If you’d like to know more about my secret plans to dominate the seas and skies, you can catch me over at my personal site.