10 must-read SFF book releases to help you escape from reality this May

Aurora Burning – Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

The second installment in Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff’s Aurora Cycle series, Aurora Burning continues the story of an unlikely gang of losers and misfit heroes that began in Aurora Rising. Only this time they’re on the run – from what feels like the entire galaxy.

Having been framed for murder at the end of the first book, the remaining members of Squad 312 all now have a bounty on their head. They also have a shared goal: To not die, of course, and then to help their stowaway Aurora Jie-Lin O’Malley harness her supernatural abilities as a Trigger. She may be the only person that can stop an evil race known as the Rahaam from destroying the galaxy.

But that’s not the only problem this group of space fugitives must face, as they spend most of the novel attempting to outfit, outrun and, frankly, outlast, multiple groups of people  and strange creatures determined to hunt them down. Including the long-lost sister of one of their own.

The official synopsis has more details.

"First, the bad news: an ancient evil–you know, your standard consume-all-life-in-the-galaxy deal–is about to be unleashed. The good news? Squad 312 is standing by to save the day. They’ve just got to take care of a few small distractions first. Like the clan of gremps who’d like to rearrange their favorite faces. And the cadre of illegit GIA agents with creepy flowers where their eyes used to be, who’ll stop at nothing to get their hands on Auri. Then there’s Kal’s long-lost sister, who’s not exactly happy to see her baby brother, and has a Syldrathi army at her back. With half the known galaxy on their tails, Squad 312 has never felt so wanted. When they learn the Hadfield has been found, it’s time to come out of hiding. Two centuries ago, the colony ship vanished, leaving Auri as its sole survivor. Now, its black box might be what saves them. But time is short, and if Auri can’t learn to master her powers as a Trigger, the squad and all their admirers are going to be deader than the Great Ultrasaur of Abraaxis IV. Shocking revelations, bank heists, mysterious gifts, inappropriately tight bodysuits, and an epic firefight will determine the fate of the Aurora Legion’s most unforgettable heroes–and maybe the rest of the galaxy as well."

Aurora Burning is available on May 5.