65 Must-Read Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Horror Books Releasing in April

65 Must-Read Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Horror Books Releasing in April

April brings an exciting array of new titles from renowned authors including Chuck Wendig, Nnedi Okorafor, and Timothy Zahn. Get ready for thrilling space operas, spine-chilling hauntings, wildly imaginative magic, and complex technological dilemmas. This extensive list of new book releases is packed with genres that cater to every taste—dive in and explore!

Upcoming Book Releases for April 2025

April 1: New Beginnings in Fiction

Books for April 1

The Beauty of the End by Lauren Stienstra

In this thought-provoking speculative fiction, two sisters navigate moral complexities surrounding reproductive ethics and society’s responsibilities amid impending extinction. (April 1)

Direct Descendent by Tanya Huff

A charming queer love story featuring a small-town baker and a witty private investigator encounters ancient evil intertwined with eldritch horror. (April 1)

A Drop of Corruption: An Ana and Din Mystery by Robert Jackson Bennett

A quirky detective and her loyal assistant face an impossible case involving a wall-walking murderer targeting their magically fueled Empire. (April 1)

The Ephemera Collector by Stacy Nathaniel Jackson

A passionate curator fights to save her beloved library and a groundbreaking archive in this epic debut within the Afrofuturist realm. (April 1)

Faithbreaker by Hannah Kaner

The conclusion of The Fallen Gods trilogy sees mighty gods and heroes clash as the fate of Middren hangs in the balance. (April 1)

Freakslaw by Jane Flett

In this horror debut, a traveling carnival of mischief-makers arrives in a small Scottish town to enact their favorite pastime: revenge. (April 1)

Gifted & Talented by Olivie Blake

After their father’s death, three siblings confront long-buried rivalries, untapped powers, and unrealized potential with dangerous consequences. (April 1)

Holy Terrors by Margaret Owen

In the climactic end of the Little Thieves series, bloody conspiracy and old foes threaten everything Vanja loves. (April 1)

The Icarus Coda by Timothy Zahn

As former operatives Roarke and Selene flee their pursuers, danger looms from the Commonwealth, Patth, and ancient forces. (April 1)

Iceborn by Michael Livingston

In the sequel to Seaborn, three women of the sea devise daring plans to thwart the impending war instigated by the Windborn. (April 1)

Reluctant Witch by Melissa Marr

Newlyweds must unite to defend their magical realm from an encroaching threat while confronting a tampered past. (April 1)

Rhino: The Rise of a Warrior by Nicholas Sansbury Smith

Set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, a blood-soaked warrior fights against an empire that enslaves his people. (April 1)

Sour Cherry by Natalia Theodoridou

A modern retelling of the Bluebeard myth explores themes of masculinity and empowerment in a feminist folktale. (April 1)

When We Were Real by Daryl Gregory

Join two friends on a chaotic bus tour as they navigate love, family secrets, and the blurred lines of their simulated existence. (April 1)

Where the Axe Is Buried by Ray Nayler

A gripping near-future narrative examines an impossible revolutionary act against the backdrop of rampant authoritarianism. (April 1)

April 8: Expanding Literary Horizons

Books for April 8

Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas

This dark romantasy features a young woman whose chance for immortality is revealed when her Spartan lineage comes to light. (April 8)

The Book That Held Her Heart by Mark Lawrence

In the final installment of the Library Trilogy, two connected souls must overcome hurdles of time and distance to reunite. (April 8)

The Butcher’s Masquerade by Matt Dinniman

The next chapter of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series returns as Carl and Princess Donut refuse to become prey. (April 8)

The Cat Who Saved the Library by Sosuke Natsukawa

The sequel to The Cat Who Saved Books brings hope and warmth through the power of books in a touching Japanese tale. (April 8)

Cold Eternity by S.A. Barnes

This space horror narrative explores the depths of humanity’s desperation and the consequences of seeking eternal life. (April 8)

The Cut by C.J. Dotson

A chilling supernatural horror novel unfolds as a woman on the run confronts evils beyond her past. (April 8)

Dark Rising by Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson

The latest installment in the Shepherds Series, good battles evil as SEAL team members fight for humanity’s survival. (April 8)

Don’t Sleep With the Dead by Nghi Vo

A standalone novella companion to The Chosen and the Beautiful exploring an unexpected reunion in the context of looming war. (April 8)

Firebird by Juliette Cross

A scorching dark romantasy where House of the Dragon meets From Blood and Ash in an epic narrative of fire and fury. (April 8)

The Folklore of Forever by Sarah Hogle

A steamy enemies-to-lovers romantasy unfolds when a skeptic unravels the magical world around her through the charming boy next door. (April 8)

The Geographer’s Map to Romance by India Holton

This swoon-worthy historical-fantasy rom-com depicts a geography professor’s twist of fate while on a daring mission with her estranged husband. (April 8)

House of Blight by Maxym M. Martineau

Introducing a darkly creative gothic fantasy duology, this immersive tale promises eerie enchantments and enthralling rituals. (April 8)

In the Company of Wolves by Steve Lang

This action-packed trilogy blurs the lines between reality and myth, transporting readers to battles fought by fierce warriors. (April 8)

Last Chance to Save the World by Beth Revis

The conclusion to the Chaotic Orbits trilogy propels Ada and Rian into a high-stakes mission to secure Earth’s survival. (April 8)

The Only Song Worth Singing by Randee Dawn

As three Irish musicians embark on their first American tour, they attract the attention of three fairy figures traditionally tied to Irish lore. (April 8)

Scales by Christopher Hinz

An electrifying thriller delves into the consequences of species re-engineering gone awry. (April 8)

Their Monstrous Hearts by Yiğit Turhan

Inherits her grandmother’s haunted villa, unraveling secrets of her mysterious death in a creeping atmosphere of gothic horror. (April 8)

Tonight, I Bleed by Katharine J. Adams

In this sequel to Tonight, I Burn, a witch navigates magical rebellion and romantic entanglements that threaten to redefine her destiny. (April 8)

The Wind Weaver by Julie Johnson

In this enchanting romantasy, a young woman’s journey to revive an ancient prophecy may spell salvation or doom for her realm. (April 8)

April 15: The Adventure Continues

Books for April 15

Another Fine Mess by Lindy Ryan

Reunite with the Evans women from Bless Your Heart as they confront new undead threats in their small Texas town. (April 15)

The Ashfire King by Chelsea Abdullah

The second book in the Sandsea Trilogy explores the struggles of a merchant and a prince trapped in the realm of jinn. (April 15)

Dark Diamond by Neal Asher

Commence a new space-opera trilogy as a captain finds himself repeatedly brought back to life by an enigmatic device. (April 15)

Forged for Destiny by Andrew Knighton

Embark on a journey with Raul as he claims his heritage as the last surviving heir of King Balbainus. (April 15)

The Gentleman and His Vowsmith by Rebecca Ide

A young lord and unlikely allies navigate a conspiracy filled with magic and murder in this queer historical fantasy. (April 15)

The Guilt Pill by Saumya Dave

Follow a new mother’s journey as she confronts the pressures of perfection through an experimental confidence-boosting drug. (April 15)

Hellions by Julia Elliott

This electrifying short story collection blends folklore with Southern Gothic horror for a truly surreal experience. (April 15)

The Lie That Binds Them by Matthew Ward

This heart-pounding conclusion to the Soulfire Saga follows a thief seeking vengeance against an immortal king and the war that ensues. (April 15)

Notes From a Regicide by Isaac Fellman

A poignant journey of trans self-discovery interwoven with rich relatability and a twist of science fiction. (April 15)

A Palace Near the Wind: Natural Engines by Ai Jiang

This science-fantasy novella tells a powerful story of family, oppression, and rebellion that resonates deeply. (April 15)

The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson

In this epic fantasy, an emperor’s High Scholar races against time to locate a killer and safeguard the throne. (April 15)

Senseless by Ronald Malfi

This supernatural thriller interweaves three narratives in a web of deceit, distrust, and undeniable horror set in Los Angeles. (April 15)

April 22: Literary Journeys Continue

Books for April 22

Advocate by Daniel M. Ford

In the latest Warden series installment, Aelis uncovers dark magic and hidden truths in her quest to clear her mentor’s name. (April 22)

Down in the Sea of Angels by Khan Wong

This dystopian fantasy involves three characters who are psychically linked through time, combating enslavement and environmental collapse. (April 22)

Eat the Ones You Love by Sarah Maria Griffin

A story intertwining desire and decay, navigating the world of retail amid an impending apocalypse. (April 22)

Eleven Percent by Maren Uthaug

This thought-provoking narrative flips the script of societal dynamics, envisioning a world reshaped by women’s empowerment. (April 22)

When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy

A horror narrative where a struggling actress saves a runaway child, only to face terrifying consequences linked to the boy’s powers. (April 22)

April 29: Final Week of April Book Releases

Books for April 29

The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner

A nautical archaeologist’s journey to the Amalfi Coast for ancient shipwrecks leads to the awakening of long-dormant magic. (April 29)

Awakened by A.E. Osworth

A coven of trans witches confronts a rogue AI within a magical coming-of-middle-age story rich with themes of love and loss. (April 29)

Broken Souls and Bones by LJ Andrews

The characters unite to restore a fractured kingdom or risk its complete destruction in this gripping romantasy. (April 29)

City of All Seasons by Oliver K. Langmead and Aliya Whiteley

A poignant tale of cousins trapped between mirrored worlds, one lush and verdant, the other cold and barren. (April 29)

The Edge of Yesterday by Rita Woods

This compelling narrative features a dancer who time-travels to 1925, challenging the physical realities of her life. (April 29)

Enigma by RuNyx

A gripping dark academia tale interweaving forbidden love with suspense. (April 29)

The Floating World by Axie Oh

A romantic fantasy reimagining Korean legends, merging the beloved elements of Final Fantasy and Shadow and Bone. (April 29)

The Ghost Woods by C.J. Cooke

In 1965, a young woman sent to give birth at Lichen Hall uncovers deep, dark secrets about the location. (April 29)

The Murder Machine by Heather Graham

An FBI agent grapples with the mystery of a smart home implicated in a murder. (April 29)

One Way Witch by Nnedi Okorafor

This sequel in the She Who Knows trilogy builds upon the rich world introduced in Who Fears Death. (April 29)

Polybius by Collin Armstrong

A chilling narrative inspired by the urban legend of a government-created video game for psychological warfare. (April 29)

The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig

Five friends discover a mysterious staircase in the woods that leads to dark secrets as one of them vanishes. (April 29)

The Traitor of Sherwood Forest by Amy S. Kaufman

This gripping reimagining of Robin Hood’s lore invites readers to experience the intrigue and peril from a new perspective. (April 29)

Whisper in the Wind by Luke Arnold

In the fourth Fetch Phillips installment, uncover a Sunder City rife with corruption and social tensions. (April 29)

Frequently Asked Questions About April 2025 Book Releases

What are some notable book releases in April 2025?

April 2025 sees highly anticipated titles like One Way Witch by Nnedi Okorafor and The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig alongside sequels to beloved series and exciting debuts.

Where can I find the best new releases for April 2025?

You can explore these fresh titles on major book retail platforms like Amazon and check local bookstores for availability and events.

What genres will dominate the April 2025 book releases?

This month features a mix of genres including fantasy, horror, science fiction, and romantic fantasy, catering to diverse reading preferences.

Are there any standalone novels releasing in April 2025?

Yes, several exciting standalone novels are launching, including The Guilt Pill by Saumya Dave and Don’t Sleep With the Dead by Nghi Vo, perfect for readers looking for self-contained stories.

How do I stay updated on new book releases?

Follow your favorite authors on social media, subscribe to book newsletters, or visit literary websites to stay updated on upcoming releases and book reviews.

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