Summery Sci-Fi/Fantasy That Bring the Heat

If you’re nostalgic about those idyllic childhood summers spent reading fantasy books you can’t recall the names of, take a trip down memory lane with Summers at Castle Auburn. It is Sharon Shinn’s YA novel from the early 2000s that deftly balances court intrigue and romance. It follows Coriel Hashing, a bastard daughter sent every summer to live with her royal relatives; she slowly matures and realizes that all is not what it seems, with schemers all around her. Yet all through the nefarious politics, the strength of sisterly bonds and true love shines through, making for a delightful and lovely read.

If the summertime heat makes the sea call to you, head to the beach with a copy of Axie Oh’s dreamy fantasy novel, The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea. Filled with fairytale tropes and imaginative details reminiscent of a Studio Ghibli film, the novel narrates the story of Mina who throws herself into the sea to save her brother, and is spirited away to the Sea God’s underwater realm. It’s a thrilling tale starring gods, demons and other mystical spirits, with a dash of romance to sweeten the deal. 

I might have a soft spot for speculative fiction with strong female reads, and Robin McKinley’s evocative novels are no exception, with The Blue Sword having a distinct summer vibe. This rip-roaring girl-power story unfolds in a sweltering desert and follows Angharad (“Harry” to her friends) who has joined her brother in a remote military outpost and gets kidnapped by the folk of Damar. But Harry makes the best of her situation—mastering their language, training as a warrior and improving her horsemanship—and in time, she might be the key to uniting the Homelanders and Damarians together. 

This Robert Silverberg tale takes place on a sultry midsummer eve. Charlie, situated beneath an oak tree after having made love to his wife, finds himself as the subject of a one-eyed alien’s attention. Now the alien even asks Charlie for a demonstration of human copulation—for strictly scientific research purposes—and transforms into one of his sensual exes. So, if you’re in the mood for a fun and funny sci-fi read, grab a copy of this ebook. 

Now those determined to escape the heat with an engrossing science fantasy trilogy can try The Annals of the Chosen series by Lawrence Watt-Evans. The concluding volume The Summer Palace neatly ties up all the loose ends and introduces some new conflicts into the mix. The new Wizard Lord has seemingly taken down his enemies and neutralized all magic in the realm and it is up to a man called the “Sword” to solve the mystery of the Ninth Talisman (the cliffhanger from the second book) and bring stability to the land once more.

The first half of a scintillating duology, She Who Became the Sun is the debut historical fantasy novel by Shelley Parker Chan. Set in 1435, it’s a queer reimagining of the rise to power of the founder of the Ming Dynasty. From dusty, famine-stricken plains to brutal battles beneath the desert sun, it follows the story of a girl who steals her brother’s name and slowly rises from a lowly peasant to a monk and later to a military commander. Deeply influenced by Chinese history and tackling gender dysphoria and courtly politics, She Who Became the Sun remains a stunning and searing read, followed by a phenomenal sequel, He Who Drowned the World. 

However, if you’re in the mood for a lighter timey-wimey story about love and growing up, you might like Emily Henry’s debut novel The Love That Spilt the World. This magic realist story is about Natalie Cleary (who has Native American heritage)—and her last summer in her Kentucky hometown. Standing at the crossroads of her life, Natalie starts to receive visions from a mysterious apparition called the “Grandmother,” leading her on a poignant journey of self-discovery as well as reconnecting with her roots. And for those who prefer Henry’s rom-com books, there’s also an insta-love romance in here to make you swoon. 

Finally, the scorching summers are also a siren call to humanity to wake up to the threat of climate change and do our bit to hold corporations accountable and conserve the natural environment. And solarpunk is a genre of speculative fiction that is chiefly concerned with building sustainable and hopeful futures, with the cooperation of human communities that live in harmony with nature. This thought-provoking anthology collects stories, art and poetry by a stellar list of contributors, engaging with important environmental questions and imagining solar-powered ecovillages that emphasize a DIY ethos and sustainable tech.