Blood Over Bright Haven by ML Wang (Del Rey, £18.99)
This powerful and engaging novel by a formerly self-published author (The Sword of Kaigen) bears comparison to groundbreaking works by Ursula K Le Guin: it features a fascinating magical system and explores social and moral issues affecting the real world. After years of hard work, Sciona achieves her goal, becoming the first woman admitted as a highmage at the University of Magics and Industry, but she’s shunned and mocked by her male colleagues. Instead of a qualified lab assistant, she must make do with Tommy the janitor, a refugee from the barren lands beyond the city walls. But as the two outsiders learn to work together, they discover a dark secret at the heart of the magic powering the city, and must make a dangerous, life-changing decision. For me, the best fantasy novel of the year.
Jackal by Erin E Adams (Dead Ink, £10.99)
In this outstanding horror debut from a Haitian American author, Liz has reluctantly returned to her home town for her best friend’s wedding. During the celebration, the couple’s small daughter disappears into the woods. Searching for her, Liz remembers the awful event that has left her with a terror of this place: Keisha, the only other Black student at her school, disappeared, her mutilated body later found with the heart missing. Her death was ruled an accident, the injuries caused postmortem by animals. But many other Black girls have met the same fate, before and after Keisha’s death; entrenched racism has allowed a predator to get away with terrible crimes for decades. Liz faces up to the evil in a thrilling, addictive tale that adds elements of the supernatural to very real human horrors.
