With actual news headlines looking more and more dystopian, there’s no better time to take a literary journey to an imaginary galaxy, parallel universe, or fantastic realm. February may be the shortest month, but it’s stuffed with books that are perfect for the job.




The Official Art of Big Trouble in Little China by Tara Bennett and Paul Terry

A celebration of the iconic cult film, with behind-the-scenes photos, storyboards, poster art, and more, including a foreword by director John Carpenter. Check out an excerpt here! (Feb. 1)


All Our Wrong Todays by Elan Mastai

A man who lives in a version of 2016 as envisioned by the 1960s, complete with flying cars and moving sidewalks, accidentally time-warps into the parallel universe that’s our version of 2016. He finds it a horrific dystopia at first, but soon realizes some things about this alternate reality are actually pretty great. (Feb. 7)



Black Feathers: Dark Avian Tales: An Anthology edited by Ellen Datlow

Seanan McGuire, Joyce Carol Oates, and other authors contribute creepy stories about birds to this anthology, edited by Hugo and Bram Stoker Award winner Ellen Datlow. (Feb. 7)



Idle Ingredients: A Sin du Jour Affair by Matt Wallace

The demonic caterers of Wallace’s Sin du Jour Affair series return to battle their latest foe: a motivational speaker who manages to incapacitate all the male members of the crew. (Feb. 7)



Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman

The award-winning author (American Gods, Coraline, Neverwhere, Sandman) offers his interpretations of the classic Norse myths, weaving a novelistic tale about the adventures of Thor, Loki, Odin, and others. (Feb. 7)



A Perfect Machine by Brett Savory

A “Runner” spends his days fleeing from “Hunters” who are trying to gun him down as part of a secret war, but his ultimate destiny is far more unusual than anyone suspects. (Feb. 7)



The Stars Are Legion by Kameron Hurley

The acclaimed author of God’s War and The Mirror Empire returns with a standalone space opera about a woman who awakes with no memory amid a war between world-ships traveling the darkest regions of the universe. In this desperate setting, she realizes she may hold the key to salvation. (Feb. 7)



With Blood Upon the Sand by Bradley P. Beaulieu

This sequel to the author’s best-selling Twelve Kings in Sharakhai continues the story of Çeda, an elite warrior struggling against the pull of ancient forces and present-day dangers alike. (Feb. 7)



Gilded Cage by Vic James

This debut novel is set in an alternate modern-day England that’s ruled by aristocrats whose wealth is matched only by their magical powers. But a brother and sister—mere commoners, toiling in separate but equally oppressive circumstances—are poised to topple the status quo. (Feb. 14)



In Calabria by Peter S. Beagle

The author of The Last Unicorn has penned a new tale focusing on his trademark subject. It’s a fable about an Italian farmer whose sleepy life is turned upside down when a certain magical creature appears on his land. (Feb. 14)



Miranda and Caliban by Jacqueline Carey

A retelling of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, with a focus on (and a new take on) the title characters. (Feb. 14)



Portal of a Thousand Words by Dave Duncan

The acclaimed fantasy author (The Seventh Sword) explores an alternative, sword-and-sorcery version of 19th century China, a place where magic thrives and a mystical portal opens and unleashes chaos. (Feb. 14)



Ubo by Steve Rasnick Tem

A man is spirited away to a violent, hidden world called Ubo, where malevolent roaches force him to play a different evil historic figure from human history every day. (Feb. 14)



Humans, Bow Down by James Patterson and Emily Raymond

In the prolific author’s latest, humans have battled their robot overlords—with devastating results. Can one of the few remaining, a feisty young woman named Six, lead a rebellion to save humanity from complete extinction? (Feb. 20)



Cold Counsel by Chris Sharp

An epic fantasy in which the world’s last clan of trolls is nearly wiped out by gruesome wars with goblins and elves. The troll chief’s son is saved by a reclusive witch, who schools him in the fine art of revenge until it’s time for payback. (Feb. 21)



A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab

The final book in Schwab’s Shades of Magic fantasy trilogy decides the fate of the heroes and their foes in the magical Maresh Empire. (Feb. 21)



Star Wars: Aftermath: Empire’s End by Chuck Wendig

The trilogy that kicked off with Star Wars: Aftermath concludes, further illuminating the years and events that transpired between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens. Read an excerpt here. (Feb. 21)



Agents of Dreamland by Caitlín R. Kiernan

A Lovecraftian horror novella about mysterious government agents, doomsday cults, and messages from space, set in the Southwestern desert. (Feb. 28)



Infernal Parade by Clive Barker

The latest novella from the veteran dark fantasy author is a series of interrelated narratives, starting with the tale of a criminal who’s just barely cheated death—along with other human characters both alive and undead, as well as fantastical creatures. (Feb. 28)



Revenger by Alastair Reynolds

In a time when much of the galaxy has been reduced to rubble, crews of space pirates travel between abandoned planets, stripping and scavenging whatever they can. It’s a competitive existence—particularly when the “buried treasure” turns out to be ancient alien artifacts and weapons. (Feb. 28)



The Voices of Martyrs by Maurice Broaddus

The acclaimed author’s latest is a collection of tales that blend scifi, fantasy, and African folklore. (Feb. 28)



The Wrong Dead Guy by Richard Kadrey

The author follows up The Everything Box with another supernatural caper about thief-turned-government-agent Coop, reluctant star employee of the Department of Peculiar Science. The source of chaos this time is an ancient mummy that has somehow escaped its sarcophagus. (Feb. 28)