12 new SFF books to put on your summer reading list this July
By Lacy Baugher
Shatter the Sky – Rebecca Kim Wells
A fantasy novel that combines LGBTQIA representation, dragons, and a fight against a corrupt emperor? Heck yeah! Sign me up right now.
That’s the basic premise behind Shatter the Sky, a debut from new author Rebecca Kim Wells that its publisher is comparing to fantasy favorites like Margaret Rogerson, Rae Carson and Rachel Hartman. (Insert eyes emoji here.) It follows the story of Maven, a young woman who’s grown up amid the ruins of her conquered mountain nation and dreams of little more than a quiet life of peace with her girlfriend. But when Kaia is abducted by the emperor’s henchmen, Maven decides to steal a dragon, storm the castle and get her girlfriend back.
That’s it. That’s the plot. And I am so here for it. (Okay, that’s not entirely the plot. Apparently, there are also fantasy staples like lost princes and prophecies, along with a brewing rebellion, but the driving force behind all of Maven’s actions is definitely getting her girlfriend back. Like a boss.)
"Raised among the ruins of a conquered mountain nation, Maren dreams only of sharing a quiet life with her girlfriend Kaia—until the day Kaia is abducted by the Aurati, prophetic agents of the emperor, and forced to join their ranks. Desperate to save her, Maren hatches a plan to steal one of the emperor’s coveted dragons and storm the Aurati stronghold. If Maren is to have any hope of succeeding, she must become an apprentice to the Aromatory—the emperor’s mysterious dragon trainer. But Maren is unprepared for the dangerous secrets she uncovers: rumors of a lost prince, a brewing rebellion, and a prophecy that threatens to shatter the empire itself. Not to mention the strange dreams she’s been having about a beast deep underground… With time running out, can Maren survive long enough to rescue Kaia from impending death? Or could it be that Maren is destined for something greater than she could have ever imagined?"
Shatter the Sky is available on July 30.