42 Must-Read Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Books Coming in January 2026

Happy New Year for book lovers! January 2026 brings a host of exciting new sci-fi, fantasy, and horror releases. Fans of authors like Charles Stross, Jim Butcher, Seanan McGuire, and Alastair Reynolds have plenty to add to their reading lists.

January 6 Releases:

• The Bloody Brick Road: A Wizard of Oz Retelling by Maude Royer – A horror-filled take on Dorothy’s dystopian journey.
• A God of Countless Guises by Bradley P. Beaulieu – Contestants fight for godhood in a brutal game of ascension.
• A Monsoon Rising by Thea Guanzon – Enemies-to-lovers romance and magical adventures in a Southeast Asian-inspired world.
• The Shop on Hidden Lane by Jayne Ann Krentz – Romantic suspense with psychic dangers and a paranormal conspiracy.
• The Starseekers by Nicole Glover – Historical fantasy where the mid-20th century space race meets magic and murder.
• Through Gates of Garnet and Gold by Seanan McGuire – A fan-favorite Wayward Children character returns in this action-packed installment.

January 13 Releases:

• The Book of Blood and Roses by Annie Summerlee – A sapphic paranormal romance with a vampire roommate twist.
• Detour by Jeff Rake & Rob Hart – Space shuttle crew returns to a different Earth in this mind-bending thriller.
• The East Wind by Alexandria Warwick – Standalone fantasy romance blending myth, love, and survival.
• Fire Sword and Sea by Vanessa Riley – Historical adventure based on the life of pirate Jacquotte Delehaye.
• Graceless Heart by Isabel Ibañez – Enemies-to-lovers story full of magic and intrigue in Florence.
• Ice by Jacek Dukaj – A Trans-Siberian odyssey confronting something utterly alien.
• Into the Midnight Wood by Alexandra McCollum – Queer romance with an enchanted wood adventure.
• The Luminous Fairies and Mothra by Shin’ichiro Nakamura, Takehiko Fukunaga, Yoshie Hotta – The original story behind Mothra, now in English.
• The Magic of Untamed Hearts by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland – Ghost reconnects with the living in a lush romance.
• The Midnight Carousel by Fiza Saeed McLynn – Darkly glittering story of grief, revenge, and love.
• A Vow in Vengeance by Jaclyn Rodriguez – Magic-filled romantasy debut.
• The Younger Gods by Katie Shepard – Former priestess faces gods preparing for war.

January 20 Releases:

• A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. James – Siblings return home at the call of a missing brother’s ghost.
• The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto Yambao – Ghibli-inspired fantasy about finding life’s purpose.
• The Friend of the Family by Dean Koontz – Girl discovers her mysterious purpose amid carnival chaos.
• George Falls Through Time by Ryan Collett – Man transported to 1300s experiences medieval brutalities.
• The Poet Empress by Shen Tao – Woman must survive court dangers to save family and nation.
• To Leave a Warrior Behind by Jon Tattrie – Biography and tribute to fantasy writer Charles R. Saunders.
• Twelve Months by Jim Butcher – Harry Dresden faces new challenges in Chicago.
• The Twice-Wanted Witch by Katie Hallahan – Witch faces overwork, demons, and a challenging mother.
• Sauúti Terrors edited by Eugen Bacon, Stephen Embleton, Cheryl S. Ntumy – Dark sci-fi collection in the Sauútiverse.
• The Sea Child by Linda Wilgus – Smugglers entangle a young widow in adventure and romance.

January 27 Releases:

• Ballad of the Bone Road by A.C. Wise – Fae roads, ghosts, and mystery in Port Astor.
• Enchanting the Fae Queen by Stephanie Burgis – Sexy, irreverent fantasy adventure.
• Halcyon Years by Alastair Reynolds – Sci-fi murder mystery aboard a starship.
• Hearthspace by Stephen Baxter – Humanity explores distant planets and uncovers a terrible secret.
• Monster in the Moonlight by Annelise Ryan – Rural crime with a mythical twist.
• On Sundays She Picked Flowers by Yah Yah Scholfield – Southern Gothic horror with ghosts and hidden truths.
• Passage to Tokyo by Poppy Kuroki – Historical fantasy set in 1920s Tokyo.
• The Regicide Report by Charles Stross – Occult assassin and living god in thrilling finale.
• Silver & Blood by Jessie Mihalik – Mage’s deadly mission entwined with romance.
• Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead by K.J. Parker – Church assassins face dangerous princess and council.
• This House Will Feed by Maria Tureaud – Gothic horror set during Ireland’s Great Famine.
• To Ride a Rising Storm by Moniquill Blackgoose – Indigenous woman and dragon fight for independence.
• We Who Have No Gods by Liza Anderson – Witch hunting, secrets, and rivalries in a magical world.
• The Wolf and the Crown of Blood by Elizabeth May – Princess and war-weary god form a pact of blood and sacrifice.

January is packed with magical adventures, thrilling horror, and epic sci-fi journeys. Whether you love fantasy, romance, or dark horror, there’s something for every reader this month.