New Books Releasing WE 17.05.26

 

New Books Publishing:
12 May 2026




All Hail Chaos

by Sarah Rees Brennan

Publication Date12 May 2026

SubjectsAdventure Fantasy, Comic Fantasy, Fantasy Romance
Series Time of Iron

Proceeded ByLong Live Evil

Description:

THE EMPEROR IS HERE. AND SHE MADE HIM WORSE.

Rae is a fantasy reader who’s been transported to her favorite fictional world of swords and sorcery, castles and monsters. Playing the villainess, she thought she could change the narrative, but this version of the plot is far more deadly than the one she knew.

Her friends are on the run: the Cobra shelters in an eerie manor haunted by dark secrets, while Emer and Lia stoke a revolution in the gutters. Undead armies roam the kingdom, raiders camp at the city gates, and the all-powerful Emperor – Rae’s favorite character ever, now possibly the greatest monster in the land – wants her to be his evil queen. 

Romantic in fiction, complicated in reality. What’s a villainess to do? Time for wicked bargains and fake engagements, in a fantasy where the most dangerous thing you can do is believe in someone.

Published By: Hachette

The Tapestry of Fate

by Shannon Chakraborty

Publication Date12 May 2026

SubjectsEpic Historical Fantasy, Adventure Fantasy, Nautical fiction

Proceeded ByThe Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi 

Description:

Amina al-Sirafi as her quest to track down magical artifacts brings her to the island lair of a sorceress whose woven enchantments are impossible to flee.

Amina al-Sirafi thinks she’s struck gold. Tasked with hunting down arcane artifacts for the council of immortal peris, she can savor the occasional rollicking adventure on the high seas with her cherished criminal companions while still returning home to raise her beloved daughter, Marjana. But when Raksh, the spirit of discord with whom she is reluctantly wed, provokes the council’s wrath, Amina is charged with a seemingly impossible quest: steal a spindle capable of rewriting fate from a mysterious sorceress on an island no one can escape.

Forced to leave Marjana—who is increasingly frustrated at being peddled what are clearly lies about her mother’s life and her own past—Amina finds her mission almost immediately thrown into peril. But deadly storms, an erratic poison mistress, and old enemies are the least of her worries. For the peris’ story is unraveling, hinting at a far deadlier game whose rules Amina must swiftly puzzle out. A game that sets her against an adversary more cunning and powerful than she has ever faced.

A game that not everyone on her crew wants her to win.

Published By: Harper Collins


A Parade of Horribles

by Matt Dinniman

Publication Date12 May 2026

SubjectsAdventure Fantasy, LitRPG Fiction, Action Sci-Fi

Proceeded ByThis Inevitable Ruin

Description:

As chaos and mass panic spread outside the dungeon in the wake of Faction Wars, Carl and Donut find themselves on the tenth floor, where they’re forced to compete in a surprisingly normal set of tasks. Well, normal for the dungeon.

Races. Get from point A to point B, and don’t come in last. After each race, they pick an upgrade for their vehicle, and the track gets more challenging. It all seems a little too normal, a little too simple.

Ignore those strange glitches that are occurring with increasing frequency. Don’t listen to those whispers about what’s happening on the mysterious eleventh floor, something the system AI calls A Parade of Horribles. Nobody, not even the showrunners, knows what that means. Just that the AI has ominously dubbed it “a coming-out party for the ages.”

Everything is fine, Crawler. I repeat, everything is fine.

Carl hates that it’s business as usual. The rules of this floor have taken away his agency. That just will not do.

So Carl is planning a party of his own. It’s a plan so dangerous, so insane, he can’t even consult his friends lest the AI put a stop to it. Because if it goes wrong, it’s not just the end of Carl and Donut. No. The stakes are higher than they’ve ever been.

Published By: Penguin Randomhouse

Broken Dove

by Dani Francis

Publication Date12 May 2026

SubjectsDystopian Fiction, Paranormal Romance, Science Fiction
Series Silver Elite

Proceeded BySilver Elite

Description:

LINES WILL BE CROSSED.

After blowing her cover as a double agent within Silver Elite and fleeing the Prime-controlled capital, Wren Darlington is finally safe behind allied lines. As her lover and former commander Cross Redden works to disrupt the Primes from inside their ranks, Wren turns her focus toward assisting the Uprising in overthrowing their rule once and for all.

LOYALTIES WILL BE TESTED.

Though she’s back among her own people, trust is hard-won and hidden agendas abound on the Mod base. And beyond those walls, Wren can’t help but worry that Cross is keeping secrets of his own . . . secrets that could jeopardize everything. Complicating matters even further is her shocking reunion with hotshot fighter pilot and undercover operative Grayson Blake. Once her closest friend in Silver Elite, Gray seems to understand Wren on a level she never thought possible.

AND THE FIGHT FOR THE CONTINENT IS ONLY JUST BEGINNING. 

With the war between Mods and Primes growing more brutal by the day, and with her own role in the conflict becoming more essential than ever, Wren must confront some gut-wrenching questions. Who is she fighting for . . . and who is she willing to lose? 

Published By: Penguin Randomhouse


The Franchise

by Thomas Elrod

Publication Date12 May 2026

SubjectsFantasy Fiction, Action Sci-Fi

Description:

A land filled with magic and dragons and wizards and warriors.

Thousands of people live and work within its borders, fearful of their enemies and loyal to their king.

The classic fantasy world of The Malicarn has been brought to life on the big screen in a series of phenomenally successful blockbuster movies, almost entirely populated by characters in total belief that their sham fantasy lives are real.

A fan-favorite actor finds himself doubting the studio's work, but this franchise has an almost unstoppable momentum, and bringing freedom to a population that already believes itself to be free won’t be as easy as he thinks. 

Published By: Tor

Heaven's River

by Dennis E. Taylor

Publication Date12 May 2026

SubjectsScience Fiction, Space Exploration
Series Bobiverse

Proceeded ByAll These Worlds

Description:

The Bobiverse is on the brink of chaos as civil war brews, and the fate of one of their own hangs in the balance.

More than a century ago, Bender embarked on a daring mission to the stars and vanished without a trace. Despite relentless efforts to track him down, his disappearance remains an unsolved mystery. Now, Bob is rallying his allies to uncover the truth of what happened to Bender, no matter the risks. But this isn’t just a search for one lost Bob; it’s a mission that could redefine the future of the Bobiverse altogether.

Generations of replication have fractured the once-unified Bobs into a dizzying array of personalities, with some so far removed they might as well be strangers. While a few support Bob’s quest, others see an opportunity to push their own agendas. And as tensions rise, internal conflicts threaten to spill over, putting Bob’s mission and the stability of the Bobiverse in jeopardy.

Undeterred, Bob follows the elusive trail left behind by Bender, only to uncover an enigma beyond anyone’s wildest imagination. What they find out there could either be their salvation or the greatest danger they’ve ever faced. 

Published By: Simon & Schuster

Seek the Traitor's Son

by Veronica Roth

Publication Date12 May 2026

SubjectsAdventure Fantasy,  Romantic Dystopian, Science Fiction
Series: The Burning Empire

Description:

Elegy Ahn did not ask for destiny to find her.

She is happy with her life as a soldier, defending her small country from the Talusar, a powerful nation who worships a deadly Fever. A fever that blesses half of its victims with mysterious gifts.

But then she’s summoned to hear a prophecy–her, and the most ruthless of Talusar generals, Rava Vidar. Brought face to face, they learn that one of them will lead their people to victory over the other…but they don’t know which. And at the center of both of their fates: a man. A man that, Elegy is told, she will fall in love with.

In just one day, Elegy’s old life–her job, her purpose, and her future–is over. She and Rava are destined to collide, with the fate of their nations hanging in the balance. And when they do, only one will be left standing.

Elegy intends to make sure it’s her. 

Published By: Tor


Radiant Star

by Ann Leckie

Publication Date12 May 2026

SubjectsScience Fiction
Series Imperial Radch

Description:

The Temporal Location of the Radiant Star has always been a source of both conflict and hope for the people of Ooioiaa. However, the imperial Radch see it only as an inconvenience, an antiquated religious site soon to be absorbed into their own, superior culture. But local politics is complicated, and the Radch have made a final concession: One last man will be allowed to join the mummified bodies in the temporal location to become a “living saint”.

But this decision will ripple out to affect every part of the city. Amidst a slowly worsening food shortage, riots, and a communication blackout from the rest of the Radch Empire, a religious savant will entertain visions of his own sainthood, a socialite will discover hir comfortable life upended, and a young man sold into servitude will find unlikely escape. 

Published By: Orbit

The Bone Door

by Frances White

Publication Date12 May 2026

SubjectsDark Fantasy, Horror, Found Family, Folklore

Description:

How far will you go to open The Bone Door?

When Hop awakens in an ancient labyrinth, he has no memory of his life, or how he got here. He does not recognise the mysterious girl trapped with him. And he certainly cannot identify the shadowy figure stalking him, whispering terrible things...

But there is one thing he is certain of: He must escape.

The only way out of the labyrinth is through The Bone Door. But it lies behind a series of locked doors hidden across an array of strange realms. To open the way, Hop must complete impossible tasks before his time runs out.

As Hop travels deeper into the maze, he discovers that he and his companions may be more connected to the place and its horrors than he could ever imagine.

Unless Hop is able to unravel the true mystery of the labyrinth, and his own role within it, the Bone Door and any hope of escape will be lost forever. 

Published By: Harper Collins


The Lost Book of Lancelot

by John Glynn

Publication Date12 May 2026

SubjectsDark Fantasy, Horror, Found Family, Folklore

Description:

Hidden away on the Isle of Women, a nameless orphan grows up among a powerful sisterhood, but always at a distance. He hears whispers of a prophecy that may shed light on his destiny—and his true identity: Lancelot. Determined to master the skills of knighthood, he begins training in tandem with the handsome Galehaut. As the two become inseparable, they guide one another toward their truest selves. But no matter how tightly they cling to one another, each has a role to play in the wizard Merlin's grand prophecies.  

When Lancelot is forced to follow Merlin to Camelot, he fights to protect his heart while seeking the fabled grail alongside King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table. But when Roman legionaries encroach on their kingdom, their quest takes on new urgency, as does Lancelot's explosive secret—the truth of what he left behind on the Isle of Women. 

Published By: Grand Central


The Fourth Option

by Jack Carr & M.P. Woodward

Publication Date12 May 2026

SubjectsEspionage Thrillers, Suspense Fiction, Political Mystery
Series The Fourth Option

Description:

Disillusioned by the government and institutions he dedicated his life to serving, former Navy SEAL and CIA ground branch operative Chris Walker is about to end his life when he receives a call that saves it. The wife of a teammate he lost in Afghanistan has now lost her son to the opioid crisis and needs Walker’s help. Thrust into a conspiracy that goes deeper than he ever imagined, Walker must go up against the system and the very Constitution he once swore an oath to support and defend in order to find justice for his friend’s widow.

With ambitious FBI agent Jarrett Stanton on his tail, Walker—accompanied by his loyal Belgian Malinois K—9 and using his off—the—grid VW pop—up camper filled with a hidden cache of weapons—takes justice into his own hands, exposing corruption and issuing a long—forgotten brand of lethal outlaw justice. 

Published By: Simon & Schuster


First and Forever

by Lynn Painter

Publication Date12 May 2026

SubjectsRomantic Comedy, Sports Romance

Description:

Duffy Distefano loves three things: her dad, the family cat, and Minneapolis Coyote football. So after she gets booed out of a game and becomes the internet’s villain following an awful encounter with the team’s beloved mascot, she is disgruntled, to put it mildly. Eager to clear the air, Duffy agrees to an interview on a hit morning show. She doesn’t expect a co-guest to join her—especially not the Coyotes’ star tight end.

When MVP Connor Cunningham gets tasked with damage control to help his team out of a PR nightmare, he finds himself in a highly amusing verbal sparring match with a recently wronged fan on live TV. The interview instantly goes viral, and the public is obsessed with them. Despite his distaste for PR stunts, a strong push from the Coyotes’ PR team to ride the wave results in Connor asking Duffy out. But he quickly discovers being with Duffy is much easier than he anticipated, and somehow it doesn’t feel fake to him. This secret can only blow up, but all he knows is that if he messes things up with Duffy, it’ll be the greatest fumble of his life. 

Published By: Penguin Randomhouse


Thanks For Watching

by Kate Cavanaugh

Publication Date12 May 2026

SubjectsPsychological Suspense, Crime Thriller

Description:

Michelle Monroe’s fifteen minutes are almost up.

After ten years online, she is a master at her trade: scamming her fans. But her once-bright internet stardom is blinking into oblivion. The brand deals are drying up, the views are plummeting, and even her haters no longer care enough to snark.

When she spots an ornate, scarlet envelope sitting outside her high-rise condo, she realizes her luck is about to change. It’s an invite to an exclusive brand trip for the new energy drink company, Excelsior. The answer is easy: Yes. Even if she has to tolerate hours with the peers that surpassed her.

The worst she expects is a blow-out fight or two (filmed, of course, from multiple angles). But no one anticipates joining a different kind of Mile-High Club: witnessing the death of their frenemy at 30,000 feet. Still, the most tragic news of all is that there’s no internet on the island, no turndown service, and only each other and their shared grudges for entertainment.

As the backstabbing turns literal, and more influencers die in awful, strange ways, the dwindling group can no longer deny the obvious: someone gathered them there to die. 

Published By: Inimitable Books


Make Me Better

by Sarah Gailey

Publication Date12 May 2026

SubjectsPsychological Suspense, Horror, Thriller

Description:

An exclusive invitation.

A remote island infamous for its miraculous ecology.

A once-in-a-lifetime chance to fix everything that's broken.

But sometimes growth requires sacrifice....

WELCOME TO KINDRED COVE.

Celia is so tired of being alone. All she wants is to have a family—to belong to someone. That's why she's going to Kindred Cove for the annual Salt Festival held by the secluded community that lives there. They promise that healing is possible. They promise that transformation is inevitable. There is no grief at Kindred Cove, because there is no suffering. Nothing is ever lost.

Celia knows that, at that mysterious island surrounded by that impossible, ever-growing reef -- she will find herself.

She’s ready to be healed. She’s ready to be transformed.

She's ready to believe. 

Published By: Tor

The Anniversary

by Alex Finlay

Publication Date12 May 2026

SubjectsPsychological Thrillers, Suspense Fiction

Description:

Every May 1st, a serial killer stalks a small town. Every year he comes for them . . .

On May 1, 1992, Jules Delaney and Quinn Riley hardly know each other.

Jules is high school queen bee in a small Midwestern town when she survives a brutal attack by the elusive May Day Killer—a predator who strikes every May 1st and then vanishes without a trace. Quinn, a boy from the wrong side of the tracks, is arrested the same night after trying to break up a fight and nearly killing someone.

By morning, their lives are forever connected.

A year later, Jules is haunted by trauma and guilt, tormented by one question: Why was she spared? Quinn is newly released from juvenile detention and returns home to devastating news—the unsolved murder of his mother.

Over the next decade, their lives are revisited on a single day each year: May 1st.

As the years pass, secrets surface, lies unravel, and the paths of Jules and Quinn draw closer together. Two mysteries edge toward the truth—what really happened the night Jules was attacked, and who murdered Quinn’s mother? All the while, the May Day Killer is still out there.

And the clock is racing toward another anniversary. 

Published By: Macmillan


2084

by Elliot Ackerman & James Stavridis USN

Publication Date12 May 2026

SubjectsPolitical Thrillers, Military Fiction
Series Future War

Description:

A gripping drama and chilling prophecy about the possible path to war for a planet devastated by climate change

By the year 2084, the world is divided into the equatorial countries that bear the brunt of the climate crisis—led by Nigeria, Brazil, and Indonesia—and wealthier countries like China and the US, beset by their own problems after a series of civil wars. Tensions between the two sets of countries have reached a breaking point, until finally the so-called Reparationist nations of the equator decide that only military force can bring them justice.

A fascinating and disturbingly plausible extrapolation from current realities, 2084, like other classics of the genre such as Kim Stanley Robinson’s The Ministry for the Future and Neal Stephenson’s Termination Shock, deploys a global cast of characters, all protecting their interests as the fate of human civilization hangs in the balance. Individuals often seem small in the face of the forces that drive global change, but in the end human agency proves surprisingly decisive. Big doors can swing on small hinges. We have it within ourselves to write a different destiny, if only we can imagine it. 

Published By: Penguin Randomhouse


The May House

by Jillian Cantor

Publication Date12 May 2026

SubjectsFiction, Siblings, Family

Description:

No matter what’s going on in the May sisters’ lives, the one thing they can rely upon is seeing each other for one week each year, while staying at their grandmother’s beachside home in gorgeous Coronado. As adults, Julia, Emily, and Nora aren’t particularly close, spread out across the country and busy with careers, relationships, and the minutia of life, but their promise to Grandma Vera keeps them anchored together, if only for one week every May.

One year Julia, the oldest and most dependable sister, doesn’t show. And suddenly Nora and Emily start to question how much they truly know about their sister’s life. Told in alternating points of view, spanning from their time together with Grandma Vera as kids into their adult lives, The May House explores how a decades—long family secret has unknowingly shaped each sister and, ultimately, how it brings them closer together. 

Published By: Simon & Schuster


Take Me to Your Leader: 

Perspectives on Your First Alien Encounter

by Neil deGrasse Tyson

Publication Date12 May 2026

SubjectsAstrophysics, Space Science, Philosophy of Science

Description:

“Ever since childhood,” writes Neil deGrasse Tyson, “I’ve wanted to be abducted by Aliens.”

Take Me to Your Leader is the culmination of a lifetime of fascination, speculation, and the amassing of scientific data about the possibility of Aliens visiting Earth. Drawing on a wealth of depictions from history, literature, pop culture, and film, Tyson applies the universal laws of physics to make the case for what Aliens might look like, act like, how they might travel through the universe to reach us, and what they might think of us upon arrival. Should such an event occur, Tyson further offers useful etiquette tips for your first close encounter.

If you’ve ever wondered why there are so many UFO sightings, or whether Aliens might already be among us, Tyson offers an informed perspective that is both factual and fun. Take Me to Your Leader is a tantalizing exploration of what would be the most mind-blowing experience of your life—the book for anyone who has ever wondered: Are we alone? 

Published By: Simon & Schuster







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