11 exciting new SFF releases that will blow you away in March

The Kingdom of Back – Marie Lu

The latest novel from Marie Lu, author of Wildcard and the Champion series, is a historical fantasy about a musical prodigy and the dangerous lengths she’ll go to in order to make history remember her. Entitled The Kingdom of Back, it follows the story of Nannerl Mozart, sister to Wolfgang and a significant musical talent in her own right. Yet, she  despairs as her brother’s talent begins to eclipse her own, and she nears the age which she’ll be forced to marry and be forced to give up performing, as well as abandon her dreams of composing in her own right.

But when a stranger from a magical land arrives and promises that she can have her heart’s desire, Nannerl makes a dangerous deal. If she’ll help this fairy-like being named Hyancinth recapture his throne in the titular Kingdom of Back, then she will achieve immortality through her music, after all. The story moves between our real world and a fantasy one, as things take a decidedly more sinister and tragic turn. (After all, did you remember Mozart had a sister?)

The official synopsis describes the story as follows.

"Born with a gift for music, Nannerl Mozart has just one wish—to be remembered forever. But even as she delights audiences with her masterful playing, she has little hope she’ll ever become the acclaimed composer she longs to be. She is a young woman in 18th century Europe, and that means composing is forbidden to her. She will perform only until she reaches a marriageable age—her tyrannical father has made that much clear. And as Nannerl’s hope grows dimmer with each passing year, the talents of her beloved younger brother, Wolfgang, only seem to shine brighter. His brilliance begins to eclipse her own, until one day a mysterious stranger from a magical land appears with an irresistible offer. He has the power to make her wish come true—but his help may cost her everything."

The Kingdom of Back is available on March 3.