May 2023 Fantasy Book Releases

Falling Stars by Julie Rodgers

Coming out on May 1, Falling Stars is an indie-published standalone urban fantasy.

Nine-year-old Tommy Lucas is convinced he’s a vampire with leukemia. He sets out to find a cure, and along the way, he befriends a mysterious local artist who may be the only one who can help him.

Drifter’s Realm by AnneMarie Mazotti Gouveia

Coming out on May 3, Drifter’s Realm is a magical middle-grade fantasy.

In a mystical world, three siblings with ancient backpack powers must travel through dangerous terrain to fight against an evil force that threatens their way of life. The outcome of this battle will determine the future of their world.

The Thorn Remains by JJA Hardwood

The Thorn Remains is a historical fantasy that is coming out in paperback on May 2nd.

In 1919, Moira Jean was left behind in a Scottish village after her lover died in World War I. When the Fae takes her friends, she must make a bargain with the Lord of the Fae to save them. But the price may be more than she can bear.

A Portrait in Shadow by Nicole Jarvis

A Portrait in Shadow is a historical fantasy that is hitting shelves on May 2nd.

This suspenseful and atmospheric novel explores the power of art and the dangers of obsession. It is a story about love, loss, and the power of the human spirit.

The Enchanted Hacienda by JC Cervantes

The Enchanted Hacienda is a family-focused magical realism book that will come out on May 16th.

A young woman returns to her family’s enchanted hacienda in Mexico, where she discovers her unique magic and finds love.

The Fury of Kings by RS Moule

Check out The Fury of Kings, the first in an epic fantasy series, on May 17th.

The Fury of Kings is a gripping fantasy adventure about a young man traveling across a dangerous land to save his kingdom from an evil sorcerer. Along the way, he meets a group of unlikely allies who help him on his quest.

Stormless by Nick Stitle

Another self-published release, Stormless, comes out on May 17th.

Three heroes walk the threads of fate together, weaving an epic tale of magic, war, love, and loss. Empires will shatter, and Tempests will be Unbound, but destiny will prevail as these heroes face their fated ends.

On The Nature of Magic by Marian Womack

On the Nature of Magic will be released on May 23, 2023.

Helena Walton-Cisneros, a renowned detective, sets up an agency and takes on two strange cases in Paris. As Helena and her colleague Eliza investigate, they uncover strange happenings. They must embrace that the natural world is darker and more mysterious than they ever thought possible to find the answers.

The Battle Drum by Saara El-Arifi

The sequel to The Final Strife, The Battle Drum, is on May 23, 2023.

In the sequel to The Final Strife, Anoor, Sylah, and Hassa continue their quest to uncover the truth about the Wardens’ Empire. But as they get closer to the truth, they find themselves in danger. The drumbeat of war is getting louder, and the fate of the empire hangs in the balance.

The Mother by BL Blanchard

The Mother is the second book in the Good Lands series and will be on shelves on May 23rd.

In present-day Britain, where the British Empire never existed, wives and mothers strive for deliverance in a novel about oppression, autonomy, and family secrets.

The Blighted Stars Megan E O’Keefe

The Blighted Stars by Megan E O’Keefe, releasing on May 23rd, is a thrilling space opera that follows the crew of the privateer ship, the Capricious, as they attempt to uncover a conspiracy that threatens the galaxy. With their captain missing and their craft on the brink of collapse, the crew must navigate dangerous alliances and confront their demons to save the universe from destruction.

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

The Wishing Game is a standalone whimsical novel you can read on May 30, 2023.

This is a whimsical and suspenseful novel about the power of imagination and the importance of following your dreams. It’s a story that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading it.

Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Torz

You can read Ink Blood Sister Scribe on May 30th.

In this spellbinding debut novel, two estranged half-sisters tasked with guarding their family’s library of magical books must work together to unravel a deadly secret at the heart of their collection—a tale of familial loyalty and betrayal and the pursuit of magic and power.

Where the Lightning Goes by Jackary Salem

Re-releasing on May 30th is Where the Lightning Goes.

After a powerful wizard tears Elle’s soul apart and steals her memories, she’s locked in a house to rot. Her only remaining memory is of falling from the sky, though even that raises more questions than it answers. Upon her escape, she falls into a vicious and beautiful world.

The One and Only Ruby by Katherine Applegate

The third in this middle-grade series, The One and Only Ruby, comes out on May 1st.

Ruby, the elephant, is finally free from the circus and living in a wildlife sanctuary. She tells Ivan and Bob stories of her life in Africa, including her time with her herd and her first encounter with humans.

Atalanta by Jennifer Saint

Greek myth retelling Atlananta comes out on May 9, 2023.

Atalanta is a young woman who is raised by bears in the forest. She is a skilled huntress and athlete who dreams of joining the Argonauts on their quest for the Golden Fleece. But when she joins the crew, she faces prejudice and challenges from the men around her.

Yellowface by RF Kuang

This is a list of May 2023 fantasy book releases, but fantasy author RF Kuang’s first thriller, Yellowface, comes out on May 16, 2023.

June Hayward is jealous of her friend Athena Liu’s writing success. When Athena dies, June steals her unfinished novel and passes it off as her own. But June’s success is short-lived, as she soon faces the consequences of her actions.

The Will of the Many by James Islington

The Will of the Many comes out on May 23rd.

Vis Telimus is a young fugitive sent to the Catenan Academy to find answers and uncover secrets that may tear the Republic apart. But he must be careful because the Hierarchy will kill him if they discover who he truly is.

The Malevolent Seven by Sebastien de Castell

One of the most anticipated May 2023 fantasy book releases, The Malevolent Seven, hits shelves on the 16th.

Cade Ombra, a former mercenary war mage, is now on the run after discovering the truth about his employers. He is joined by his friend, a homicidal Thunder Mage, to recruit a team of “bad people” to help on a suicide mission against the seven deadliest mages on the continent.

Dragonfall by LR Lam

The first in a new series, Dragonfall, comes out on May 2nd.

Long ago, humans betrayed dragons and banished them to a dying world. Now, a thief and a dragon must work together to save both their worlds, but their growing bond could shatter them both.

Magic Has No Borders

This fantastical story anthology, Magic Has No Borders, comes out on May 23rd.

From chudails and peris to jinn and goddesses, this lush collection of South Asian folklore, legends, and epics reimagines stories of old for a modern audience.

Of Light and Shadow

Coming out on May 23rd is the new fantasy romance Of Light and Shadow.

Roshan, a bandit leader, and Navin, a prince, must work together to overthrow the corrupt provincial governor and bring justice to Roshan’s people. But their growing attraction to each other threatens to complicate their plans.

Court of the Undying Seasons by AM Strickland

You can catch this 2023 fantasy release, Court of the Undying Seasons, on May 16th.

Fin, a human, volunteers to take the place of her secret love in a vampire-run school. She is determined to find a way to kill the vampires and avenge her mother’s death, but she soon finds herself caught up in a dangerous mystery.

Painted Devils by Margret Owens

Check out Painted Devils, the sequel to Little Thieves, on May 16, 2023.

Vanja Schmidt, a thief, created a fake god to scam her way out of trouble. Now her lie is growing out of control, and she must find a way to save her lover, a prefect, from being sacrificed.

Isles of the Gods by Amie Kaufman

Check out The Isles of the Gods on May 2, 2023.

A young woman and a handsome stranger embark on a dangerous mission to cross the Crescent Sea and awaken two gods. Their journey will lead to acts of treason, terror, and romance.

A Crown of Ivy and Glass by Claire Legrand

Check out the following May 2023 fantasy book release, A Crown of Ivy and Glass, on the 9th.

Lady Gemma Ashbourne is an Anointed with no magic, a lonely outcast in her powerful family. She strikes a bargain with Talan d’Astier, the last of a disgraced family, to destroy their enemies and find her place in the world. But as they grow closer, Gemma discovers she may have more power than she ever imagined.

Seeds of War by Joao F Silva

Check out Seeds of War on May 1, 2023.

In a world of dangerous monsters and devastating smoke magic, three unlikely allies must band together to protect their families and town from an impending war.

March’s End by Daniel Polansky

You can read March’s End on May 9, 2023.

The Harrows are a family that protects a fantastical world called the March from perils. But the family is fractured and must reconcile to save the March and themselves.

The Sword Defiant by Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan

Pick up Sword Defiant on May second.

Aelfric and his nine companions saved the world once before, but now they must do it again, even if it means fighting against their former friends.

To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose

You can read To Shape a Dragon’s Breath on May 9, 2023.

Anequs, a young Indigenous woman, finds and bonds with a dragon. She is forced to attend an Anglish dragon school, where she faces challenges and finds allies. She is determined to change the world and may just be the one to do it.

Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea by Rita Chang-Eppig

Check out this adventure fantasy, Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea, on May 30, 2023.

Shek Yeung is a Chinese pirate queen who must fight to save her fleet from the Chinese Emperor and European forces. She is ruthless and courageous but must also balance her leadership with motherhood.

Trials of the Innermost by Johnathan Fuller

The new sci-fi, Trials of the Innermost, is available to read on May 26, 2023.

In a world divided into three realms, a group of Truthseekers must overcome their differences and work together to stop an alien force from consuming their world.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Check out Fourth Wing, the first book in an epic fantasy series, on May 2, 2023.

Violet Sorrengail, a small and frail woman, is ordered by her mother to join the Basgiath War College to become a dragon rider. Despite the odds stacked against her, she must use her wits and courage to survive and graduate.

The Book That Wouldn’t Burn by Mark Lawrence

New from Mark Lawrence, read The Book That Wouldn’t Burn on May 11, 2023.

A boy and a girl from different worlds are destined to meet and change each other’s lives forever. Their stories are intertwined with truth, lies, and hearts, and they must face the consequences of their choices.

Witch King by Martha Wells

You can read Witch King on May 30, 2023.

Kai, a powerful mage, is betrayed and imprisoned. He escapes and must find out who betrayed him and why the world has changed so much in his absence.