10 science-fiction and fantasy releases you’re bound to fall for this February

Mazes of Power by Juliette Wade

Dubbed as “sociological science fiction,” Juliette Wade’s Mazes of Power is the first book in her The Broken Trust series. The novel puts a new twist on the compete-for-the-throne storyline, offering readers a novel that deals with family politics as much as governmental ones.

Set in a city called Pelismara, the story opens when a fever kills the Eminence, calling for a new Heir to the Throne to rise. Tagaret’s family convinces him to enter the competition, despite the fact that he’s only seventeen, but he sees it as a chance to escape his abusive father and start a new life. Unfortunately, his positive outlook on the situation doesn’t last very long. According to the book’s synopsis:

"“But the struggle for power distorts everything in this highly stratified society, and the fever is still loose among the inbred, susceptible nobles. Tagaret’s sociopathic younger brother, Nekantor, is obsessed with their family’s success. Nekantor is willing to exploit Tagaret, his mother, and her new servant Aloran to defeat their opponents.”"

It sounds like Tagaret will have plenty of obstacles to overcome before he manages to take the throne — if he manages to take it, that is. On the bright side, fans of action and political drama are sure to enjoy facing those obstacles alongside him. Mazes of Power came out on February 4, and it’s a release SFF lovers wont’ want to miss out on.