12 new SFF books to help beat back the January blues

The King’s Questioner – Nikki Katz

From the author of The Midnight Dance comes The King’s Questioner, a new dark fantasy about a young man who can view a person’s memories through touch. Kalen spends his days as the questioner to the king, interrogating the crown’s prisoners and sifting out their secrets.

But when Kalen is forced to use his abilities to save the king’s son, he discovers a terrifying secret in the process, one which could change the fate of the kingdom he serves and which puts his own life in danger. To save everyone, he must embark on a dangerous quest with his former best friend – who also happens to be the same prince whose head he was just digging around in – and attempt to bring home the girl he saw in his vision.

Who happens to be a princess. So, you know, no pressure.

The official synopsis has a few more details.

"Kalen has been cursed with a gift: he’s a mental picklock, able to access a person’s memories and secrets by touch. His skills make him the perfect questioner to the king, and he spends his days interrogating prisoners of the crown. But when Kalen’s estranged childhood friend, Prince Cirrus, falls into a sudden coma, the king begs Kalen to intervene. By accessing Cirrus’ mind, Kalen saves his life—and uncovers a terrifying secret. The prince has a sister, banished long ago, and she is the key to the destruction or survival of the kingdom. With the help of Cirrus and a silver-haired thief named Luna, Kalen must find the princess and bring her home. Or risk death at the hands of his king."

The King’s Questioner is available on January 14.