10 must-read SFF releases to make October your best reading month yet

Phoenix Extravagant by Yoon Ha Lee

Award-winning author Yoon Ha Lee is returning this month with a story about magical paints and automaton soldiers — and if that doesn’t sound like the most original SFF story you’ve heard about in a while, I don’t know what will. Phoenix Extravagant 

The novel follows Gyen Jebi, who doesn’t want to fight or be wrapped up in politics. When they find themselves jobless and in need of money, however, that all changes — because Jebi is called upon by the Ministry of Armor to paint the magical sigils that power the Razanei government’s automaton soldiers. Naturally, once Jebi is immersed in this world, there’s no going backward:

"“But when Jebi discovers the depths of the Razanei government’s horrifying crimes — and the awful source of the magical pigments they use — they find they can no longer stay out of politics.”"

This realization leads Jebi to steal from the Razanei government — and not just anything either. They take the government’s automaton dragon, which readers can only assume means we’ll be getting some pretty epic fights in Phoenix Extravagant. This sounds like an action-packed SFF story shrouded in politics, and the unique premise certainly makes the journey sound worthwhile.

Phoenix Extravagant will be available in ebook, print, and audiobook formats on October 20.

What SFF books do you plan on picking up this October? Share your recommendations in the comments below!