Let’s keep this brief, so you have more time to jump right into discovering amazing new science fiction and fantasy books! September’s science fiction and fantasy releases are nothing shy of magical, so clear your calendar and get ready to be dazzled!
Below you’ll find a cyberpunk thriller; a receptionist who joins up with a demon hunter; a wolf set on getting revenge on the human race; the conclusion to the beloved Golem and Jinni trilogy; a murder mystery set at a magical school; villagers trying to survive a game of chess played by gods; a secret agent searching underground for a deadly magical weapon; a fairy witch who can’t do her job; and much more.
The Best New Science Fiction and Fantasy Books Out in September 2026
Blacktail by Scott Hawkins (Crown, September 1)
The wait is over! Eleven years since the release of The Library at Mount Char, Scott Hawkins is back with another tremendous, imaginative dark fantasy. It’s about a wolf, Blacktail, who seeks revenge after humans kill his mate. This bloody vengeance novel is full of talking animals, including a cat witch, and is perfect for people who love Richard Adams.
Scion by James Islington (S&S/Saga Press, September 1)
James Islington has taken a break before publishing book three in his bestselling Hierarchy quartet to share a cyberpunk thriller. It’s set in the future where the narrator is a killer who legally does away with people as part of his job. But in a world where money can buy people immortality, it’s getting harder to find work.
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I Hope This Email Finds You in Hell by Mackenzie Reed (Berkley, September 1)
In this paranormal fantasy, the receptionist for a life insurance firm has the hell scared out of her when she learns her hot boss is actually a demon hunter. And when her coworker friend disappears under otherworldly circumstances, she talks him into going on a rescue mission.
Wickhills by Premee Mohamed (Tor Books, September 8)
A secret agent in the magical city of Wickhills has his life turned upside down after the scientist he’s meant to watch gets away from him. Now he’s on the run from his bosses as he searches for the scientist and a dangerous magic weapon underneath the city.
Bodies of Magic by Freya Marske (Tor Books, September 15)
Here’s a new novel from the Hugo-nominated author of the Last Binding series. Five scholars mastering their skills at the Academie of the Grand Duchy of Sieuxerr have five days to solve a murder, after a body turns up on the first day of a five-day exam that will determine their future.
The Gates of Midnight: A Novel of the Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker (Harper, September 15)
The magical conclusion to the bestselling Golem and Jinni series finds Chava the golem and Ahmad the jinni living simple, quiet lives three decades after they first met. But when an old enemy reappears, they must use all their strength and knowledge to defeat him once and for all.
Witch Daughter by Tanaz Bhathena (Grand Central Publishing, September 22)
Tanaz Bhathena tackles the story of Tahmineh, a character from the 10th-century Persian epic of Shahnameh, in her adult debut. Was she really a witch, or just a woman fighting for her family, who was misrepresented and maligned?
The Best New Children’s and YA Science Fiction and Fantasy Books Out in September 2026
Of Sorcery and Science by Mike Chen (Running Press Kids, September 8)
Mike Chen makes his YA debut with this fantasy about a high schooler named Andy who discovers a magical portal. While exploring the new land, he saves their realm—or so he thinks. But then a stranger shows up in his world and says he needs to come back because he actually ruined everything.
Traitors’ Nest by Frances Hardinge (Amulet Books, September 8)
A new Frances Hardinge book is always a reason to celebrate! This one is a YA fantasy where gods in kingdoms use castles like pieces on a chessboard, and the poor citizens in the village below must struggle to survive their deadly games.
Ashes at the Altar by LaDarrion Williams (Labyrinth Road, September 15)
In this exciting conclusion to the Blood at the Root trilogy, HBCU student Malik Baron must confront the most dangerous magic he’s encountered as everything he knows about his family’s past and his loyalties is challenged.
Deerheart by Eoin Colfer, illustrated by P.J. Lynch (Candlewick, September 22)
In this gorgeously illustrated story about three fairy witches, the youngest of the coven, who was raised to kill humans, doesn’t know what to do when she actually meets one.
Isle of Teeth by Tessa Barbosa (Simon & Schuster, September 29)
And finally, Lady Death takes center stage in this dark fantasy about two individuals, one working to find a cure for the monstrous side threatening to overtake them, and the other looking to clear their name. Both will be lost to Lady Death if they fail.
Bonus New Science Fiction and Fantasy Books Out in September 2026
Because I can’t just stop at 13 books: in September, be sure to also watch for Baldur’s Gate 3: Astarion by T. Kingfisher, Harbinger by Geneva Lee, Building 903 by Lois Lowry, The Pumpkin Bride by Fiona Buttercup, The Passing of the Dragon and Other Stories by Ken Liu, The Shapeshifter’s Guide to Gym Class by Kai Cheng Thom, Bright and Broken Things by Ryan Graudin, Fold Catastrophes by Peter Watts, Wicked Endeavors by Kamilah Cole, Buzzard by Inez Ray, and Blightfall by Brandon Sanderson and Janci Patterson.
There are also sooo many excellent sci-fi and fantasy titles out in paperback this month, including Saltcrop by Yume Kitasei, The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman, The Isle in the Silver Sea by Tasha Suri, The Last Gifts of the Universe by Riley August, (S)Kin by Ibi Zoboi, When They Burned the Butterfly by Wen-yi Lee, Candace, the Universe, and Everything by Sherri L. Smith, and We Are Legion (We Are Bob) by Dennis E. Taylor.
And don’t forget the sequels! Amazing continuations of great stories are hitting the shelves, like Escape Me by Tahereh Mafi, The Neverfear by Katherine Rundell, Survivor by Octavia E. Butler, Galinda: A Charmed Childhood by Gregory Maguire, Storm Caller by Nisha J. Tuli, and Styx: The River by Nikita Gill.
For more fun science fiction and fantasy reads, check out these lists of great SFF books with unusual narrators and books that blend sci-fi and historical fiction. Also, be sure to sign up for our SFF newsletter, Swords and Spaceships!
Finally, you can also find a full list of new releases in the magical New Release Index, carefully curated by your favorite Book Riot editors, organized by genre and release date.
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