Well, readers, let’s wrap it up so we can get you back to reading as quickly as possible. If you choose to accept it, your mission is to enjoy this list of exciting new science fiction and fantasy novels coming in July 2026. Whether you like magic, mayhem, aliens, monsters, romance, or all of the above, there’s something for everyone!
There are teenage ghost hunters attempting to right a robbery gone wrong; A researcher is staying in a cozy magical inn to learn about a dangerous mountain; A young brother who must venture into the lands of the Fae to bring his little sister back; a magical bookstore where people can step back in time through the books on the shelves; A family fantasy about a three-headed dragon and a human was found at an academy; the possible return (or perhaps certain destruction) of King Arthur; A young woman with magical hair who is on the run from her kingdom’s enemies; And many more.
The best new science fiction and fantasy books to be published in July 2026
Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance By Chiara Bullen (Del Rey, July 7)
Fans of cozy fantasy will find a lot to like in this debut film. It is about Ainsworth, an ambitious researcher who travels to an inn located at the foot of Mount Vengeance. He is there to interview the intrepid explorers before they descend the mountain, which is said to be full of adventure and danger. But he discovers that for some reason, no one at the inn has actually attempted the climb, and Ainsworth is determined to find out why.
habits of the sea By Shea Earnshaw (Atria Books, July 7)
As a young girl, Ellie Mills encountered a floating island in the ocean that magically disappeared the next day, leaving her questioning whether she had imagined the whole thing. But twenty years later, the island reappears, and Ellie discovers that its only inhabitant has not aged since their last meeting. Is what Ellie is seeing really happening, and what does it mean? (Now sing it with me: Is this real life? Is it just fantasy?)
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Memory Bookshop By Song Yu-jeong, translated by Shanna Tan (William Morrow Paperbacks, July 7)
Magical establishments have been a hot topic in novels for the past few years, but nothing beats a magical bookstore, amirite? In this Korean bestseller, the Memory Bookshop appears for those who need it most, its shelves filled with books of their own memories. Patrons can go back three chapters of their lives to correct past mistakes…but they must spend time in their future as payment.
Dominion By Jean Kwok (GP Putnam Sons, July 14)
Literary sensation Jean Kwok begins her first trilogy with this Chinese-inspired romance! Ribbon Dancer Ruby Morningtail is an azure refugee in the Silver Tiger’s Dominion who has no memories and a magical talent she must keep hidden. But when she wounds a war tiger, she is forced into the Bonding, a test between tigers and riders, led by the fearsome wizard Blake Exfire.
not with a bang By Tammy Oh (S&S/Saga Press, July 14)
It is a first-contact family drama about the Minton family, which faces many crises. The father has become a doomsday planner; A daughter, Briar, is obsessed with a UFO cult and her missing classmate; And the other daughter, Chantelle, is having terrible nightmares. And this is all before the aliens arrive on Chantelle’s wedding day and cause chaos and destruction!
The dragon has some complaints By John Wiswell (DAW, July 14)
In this extraordinary new imagination from the author of someone you can nestle into, A three-headed dragon named Garrodigh, with three different personalities, must find a way to get them to peacefully co-exist in order to survive. That means playing tame at a dragon academy, where his attempts to stay out of hiding turn into family and happiness with student rider Rania.
The witch under the dreaming wood By H.G. Parry (Redhook, July 21)
In this fantasy alternate history novel set during World War II, people all over the world begin dreaming about King Arthur. As word spread about these dreams, people began to believe that it was a sign that the king would return and save them. Except for Ellen Ambrose, a librarian in North Wales. She dreams of the Lady of the Lake and is worried that her dreams portend destruction, not rescue.
port of hungry ghosts By Eliza Chan (Orbit, July 28)
Qianling is the eldest daughter of the Au family and as such, the responsibility of dealing with the demons in Hong Kong falls on her shoulders. So when her grandmother is kidnapped by a beast during the Hungry Ghosts Festival, Kiamling must put her training to work and find out what’s behind the kidnapping and how to get her back.
a tangled spell by Andrea Ames (Erevon Books, July 28)
In this exciting fantasy about magical hair, Netta has spent her entire life locked in a tower while her mother works on the ultimate magic book. Netta’s only companions in the tower are the telepathic raven and her hair, who stay with her while she embroiders. But when her tower is attacked, her mother and her work disappear, and Netta is left to wander (almost) alone in an unfamiliar world as enemies seek out the magical hairy world.
The Best New Children’s and YA Science Fiction and Fantasy Books Out in July 2026
chime lovers By Ross Montgomery (Candlewick, July 7)
This story of brothers and sisters and fairies is adding its name to the list of fun changing adventures. When Yanni’s little sister is taken away by an evil fairy, he must delve into the tangled world of the Fae to get her back. Helping Yanni navigate this dangerous world is her cousin, Amy, and the changeling who replaced her sister.
maroon witches airrail By Sumaiya Beck (Holiday House, July 14)
Mision Dessalines is a hidden magical place where witches actually exist. Twelve-year-old Airrel Bookman is about to face trials to become a witch, just like her family and her best friend. But then threats from the outside world arise for Miss Dessalines, and Airrel must rely on a non-magical outsider to solve his troubles and regain his magical status.
we were never here by Sophia Hannan (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, July 28)
And last, but not least, this haunted YA fantasy! When four popular teen ghost hunters (and occult art thieves) move to a new location, their summer doesn’t go so well. One of them dies, and Georgia is worried that she may be responsible, even though she doesn’t remember what happened. Now the man who hired them to steal a painting—and helped them stay out of jail—demands they go back and finish the job. But on the first night something followed them home and this time it was resolved to keep them out of the house, no matter what.
Bonus New Science Fiction and Fantasy Books in July 2026
Because I couldn’t stop at just 12 books: In July, be sure to also check out Fox Holler’s Fairwich By Ellen Polly Goff, The Moonsingers By Robin J. Pritzker, wife of sorrow By John Tierney, He Who Fights Monsters, Book 1: Outworlder by Travis Deverell, and we just have time By Amy Tordoff.
This month’s paperbacks also include a bunch of excellent science-fiction and fantasy titles his body is long by Robert de la Chevotière, unbounded sky by fonda lee, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches: Deluxe Edition By Sangu Mandana, you weren’t meant to be human by Andrew Joseph White, and Graciela in the abyss By Meg Medina, Anna Balbuso, Elena Balbuso.
Don’t forget the sequel! Amazing continuations of great stories are hitting shelves, like our deadly few (our dark few) by alexis patton, Null Unit (Volatile Memory Duology) by Seth Hayden, and RoyalSlinger (The Slinger Series) By Gracie Kim.
If you want to learn about more sci-fi and fantasy books, check out Cool Fantasy Books for Kids, 8 of the Best New Casual Fantasy Romance Books, and my 5 most anticipated fantasy books of the summer. Also, be sure to sign up for our SFF newsletter, Swords & 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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