It’s official. Summer is over and the days will be getting shorter and cooler. Perfect conditions to read, so have a look at this month’s The Short List of 8 fantasy and science fiction books releasing this month.

The Short List

*Disclaimer – I am aware that the “summer’s over” proclamation is scientifically incorrect until September 22, but I am a teacher and summer ends TODAY for me.

This month’s The Short List includes a healthy mix of sci-fi and fantasy with a dash of horror, a video a game adaptation, and not one (as is normally the case) but two different collections of short fiction. I just couldn’t decide. Let’s go.

In Numina by Assaph Mehr – September 1

Mehr’s second book set in the fantasy world of Egretia, which is based on elements from our Ancient Rome. In Numina again features Felix the Fox, a cross between hard-boiled detective and traditional magician. In this installment, Felix is hired to separate fact from superstition when a wealthy landlord finds tenants leaving his buildings in droves, telling tales of horrific events and the old gods returning to the land.

Order your copy of In Numina from Amazon now

Flight or Fight edited by Stephen King and Bev Vincent – September 4

Did you know Stephen King, the master of all that is scary, has a fear of flying? Me neither. Well, the king of horror wanted to share his fear with you with this collection of 17 terrifying stories involving air or space travel. With new tales from himself and Joe Hill, Flight or Fright also has a collection of classic flying horror stories from authors Richard Matheson, Ray Bradbury, Roald Dahl, Dan Simmons, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Order Flight or Fright from Amazon today

Halo: Silent Storm by Troy Denning – September 4

Master Chief leads a desperate mission…well, duh. This full-length novel set in the Halo video game world is military sci-fi at its best. The Covenant, a theocratic military alliance of alien races has set its sights on destroying humankind. The Spartans, a clandestine group of super soldiers from the United Nations Space Command, must launch a counter attack that will buy the UNSC the time it needs to figure out how to counter the Covenant’s advanced technology. Add some rebels and a sleeper agent and you have some high suspense and a great read.

Order your copy of Halo: Silent Storm today

Timeless: A Drizzt Novel by R.A. Salvatore – September 4

Salvatore is arguably one of the most prolific fantasy writers of this generation. He returns to his “Forgotten Realms” universe with one of his most beloved characters, the dark elf Drizzt Do’Urden. In this first book of new series, Drizzt finds himself with an unlikely travel partner, his father, Zaknafein, a weapons master. These two, who agree on little, must put aside their differences as the fight to keep the world safe from the demons unleashed by the Spider Queen.

Order Timeless: A Drizzt Novel from Amazon now

Worlds Seen in Passing: Ten Years of Tor.com Short Fiction edited by Irene Gallo – September 4

The second collection of short works offered in this month’s The Short List. See, you are a part of history here. That’s never been done before. This collection of speculative fiction from Tor.com’s full ten years of online publishing, accumulates works by some of the greatest authors of our time including: N.K. Jemisin (who just three-peated for Best Novel at the Hugos), Charlie Jane Anders (Co-founder of io9), Jeff VanderMeer (who’s get himself a Nebula Award), and Kameron Hurley (who has a couple Hugos sitting on her mantle). A quick count of the table of contents puts the total number of stories in this edition at 40 stories. Whoa.

Order Worlds Seen in Passing from Amazon right now

The Late Great Wizard by Sara Hanover – September 11

Tessa Andrews is summoned one night by an old college professor that she delivers meals to. She hurries over to find his house in flames and a handsome young guy emerging from the fire, claiming to be the professor and pleading for her help. An ages old evil has returned and he, a Phoenix wizard (get it?) needs her help to get his magic back and to combat this danger.

Order your copy of The Late Great Wizard from Amazon

This is Grumpy’s Best Bet for the Month. Sounds like a fun ride.

How To Invent Everything: A Survival Manual for the Stranded Time Traveler by Ryan North – September 18

I probably can’t do a better job describing this unique book than the Amazon description, so here it is ―

“What would you do if a time machine hurled you thousands of years into the past…and then broke?

With this book as your guide, you’ll survive―and thrive―in any period in Earth’s history. Bestselling author and time-travel enthusiast Ryan North shows you how to invent all the modern conveniences we take for granted―from first principles. This illustrated manual contains all the science, engineering, art, philosophy, facts, and figures required for even the most clueless time traveler to build a civilization from the ground up. Deeply researched, irreverent, and significantly more fun than being eaten by a saber-toothed tiger, How to Invent Everything will make you smarter, more competent, and completely prepared to become the most important and influential person ever. You’re about to make history…better.”

Order How to Invent Everything from Amazon now. How do you know you wouldn’t invent Amazon if the time travel thing happened?

Rock Manning Goes for Broke by Charlie Jane Anders – September 30

Rock Manning and his partner Sally Hamster are comedic film makers at a time when America has fallen into turmoil. The economy has collapsed, drug use is on the rise, and we are at war with an imaginary enemy overseas. People turn to the short, slapstick films of Manning and Hamster to escape. The fascist militia that is on the rise even wants Rock to star in propaganda films supporting their cause. As the country burns, Rock and Sally’s films become the escape that everyone needs as these two comedians are at ground zero for the soul of America.

Order Rock Manning Goes for Broke from Amazon today

If these aren’t enough for you, here’s the entire list of scifi and fantasy new releases. This list is huge and it is updated hourly. Check it out.

Check out these recent book articles on The Geekiverse

The Grumpy Geek, Pete Herr is the author of “10 Things We Should Teach You In High School and Usually Don’t”. He is the oldest geek in the Geekiverse by a factor of two. Follow Pete Herr on Facebook, Twitter,and Instagram .

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