Hey there, fantasy fans. Christopher Acosta here. Late Summer has heated up with some fantastic new releases that promise to transport us to magical realms, epic battles, and mystical adventures. Whether you’re into exploring ancient secrets, following heroic quests, or diving into enchanted worlds, this month’s lineup has something for everyone. Let’s dive into the highlights of this late summer’s must-reads.
The Secrets of Silver Clouds: A Booktok Urban Fantasy Magic Adventure (The Silver Clouds Series Book 1) by Silent Silver
Imagine if urban fantasy and action adventure had a wild night out in London, stumbled into a comic book shop, and emerged with a hangover and superpowers. Nine months later, The Secrets of Silver Clouds was born, an illegitimate love child, raised on a steady diet of manga and British wit.
Welcome to a London where the veil between worlds is tissue-thin, and magic crackles beneath the surface of everyday life. Ashai Bennet, armed with her celestial pendant Thyia, navigates a treacherous landscape of demons, Duskkin (cyber vampires who blend blood magic with cutting-edge tech), and shadowy government agencies. When an ancient spirit threatens to tear reality asunder, she joins forces with the morally grey Goaden Reeves and the Demon’s Legion, a gang/ band that uses magic powers to enhance their performances.
As they race against time to uncover the truth behind Ashai’s mysterious past and the legendary Silver Cloud Grimoire, a celestial tragedy sets the stage for an epic tale of power, sacrifice, and love. When a fallen star shatters the fabric of the universe, Fate intervenes, creating powerful artefacts known as Holy Items. Bestowed upon chosen individuals and guarded by ethereal beings, these relics become the centre of a struggle that will determine the fate of all creation.
London isn’t all tea and crumpets. Forged in the crucible of adversity, this tale was born from the author’s journey through homelessness and hardship. Like Ashai navigating the perilous streets of a magical London, the author crafted this story amidst the harsh realities of life on the margins. Each word penned was an act of defiance against circumstance, a tribute to the power of imagination to transcend the bleakest of situations. After over ten years, the result is a raw, gritty, and profoundly human story that pulses with the heartbeat of survival and the transformative power of creativity.
The Secrets of Silver Clouds isn’t just a fantasy—it’s the author’s beacon of hope, a holy grail imbued with the power of storytelling to illuminate even the darkest corners of life.
What makes this book unique?
Full-color art inserts that bring the story to life, including stunning depictions of Holy Items and the floating nightclub, The Sanctuary in The Sky.
Illustrated fantasy adventure that appeals to both teens and adults, blending manga-inspired action with deep, morally complex storytelling.
Book Tok viral sensation, trending on new fantasy Book Tok recommendations, with glowing reviews and a dedicated fan base.
First in a series that promises to expand this richly crafted world of magic, technology, and inter-dimensional intrigue.
The Dollmakers by Lynn Buchanan
In this dark and enchanting stand-alone fantasy from debut author Lynn Buchanan, discover a world centered around destructive, all-consuming monsters; the magical dolls designed to fight this force; and the artisans tasked with creating demon-slaying dolls. A touch cozy fantasy and a touch horror, The Dollmakers is perfect for fans of Studio Ghibli films, the works of TJ Klune and Travis Baldree, and readers of Juniper & Thorn and The Goblin Emperor.
In the country called One, dollmakers are vital members of the community. An artisan’s doll is the height of society’s accomplishments, while a guard’s doll is the only thing standing between the people of One and the Shod: vicious, cobbled monstrosities that will tear apart any structure—living or dead, inanimate or otherwise—to add to their horde.
Apprentice Shean of Pearl is a brilliant dollmaker. With her clever dolls, she intends to outsmart and destroy the Shod, once and for all—a destiny she’s worked her whole life toward accomplishing. But when the time comes for her dolls to be licensed, she’s told her work is too beautiful and delicate to fight. A statement that wounds and infuriates her; the Shod killed everyone she loved. How could her fate be anything but fighting them?
To help her see a new path for herself, Shean’s mentor sends her on a journey to the remote village called Web, urging her to glean some wisdom from Ikiisa, a reclusive and well-respected guard dollmaker. But Shean has another plan: if she can convince the village of Web of her talents, the Licensor Guild will have to reconsider and grant her a guard’s license. And what better way to convince them than challenging Ikiisa and instating herself as the official dollmaker of Web? Once she’s done that, proving her dolls’ worth in the fight against the Shod will be simple. As simple, that is, as calling the Shod to Web.
The Silence Factory: A Novel by Bridget Collins
From the acclaimed author of the #1 international bestseller The Binding—a captivating story of gothic suspense about a powerful family, the magical and dangerous silk their fortune is built upon, and the exploitative history they are desperately trying to hide.
1820: Sophia Ashmore-Percy reluctantly accompanies her husband James to a remote Greek island, where he searches for rare biological specimens. Once there, however, she sets on her own voyage of discovery—stumbling across the very creature he is looking for, making an unexpected connection with a local woman, and ultimately reconsidering her marriage, life, and own desires.
Decades later, audiologist Henry Latimer is sent to the home of industrialist Sir Edward Ashmore-Percy and tasked with curing the man’s young daughter, Philomel, of her deafness. But Henry, eager to escape a troubled past, quickly becomes obsessed with the fascinating nature of Sir Edward’s business: spinning silk with a rare and magical breed of spiders. The extraordinary silk shields sound, offering respite from bustling streets and noisy neighbors. The result is instant tranquility, as wearers experience a soothing calmness. Yet, those within earshot of the outward-facing silk are subjected to eerie murmurs that amplify with proximity. Bystanders suffer the consequences of this unnerving phenomenon, manifesting in physical and mental afflictions ranging from headaches and drowsiness to severe cases of madness.
As Henry becomes entangled in the allure of the silk and Sir Edward’s charm, he glimpses a more sinister family history. The closer he ventures into the inner circle of Carthmute House, the more he unravels the horrifying underbelly of the silk business.
With Bridget Collins’s signature, stunning prose, The Silence Factory is an equally enthralling and unsettling gothic story about complicity, desire, and corruption.
Closing Thoughts
There you have it, a trio of exciting new fantasy books to add to your reading list this August. Each one offers a unique escape into worlds filled with magic, adventure, and unforgettable characters. Happy reading and may your reading times be filled with fantastic journeys.
