12 must-read sci-fi and fantasy releases to escape with this March

Despite the fact that it feels like we only just made it out of last March, the month is back upon us once again, marking for most of us the beginning of coronavirus pandemic-related lockdowns, closures, and big changes that are still impacting our lives today. It’s hard to believe that nearly a year has passed since then, but many of us – including yours truly – have increasingly found comfort and relief in a good book.

Though the publishing industry also experienced its fair share of upheaval – many anticipated debuts and popular sequels found their release dates pushed back as a result of the pandemic – it’s still managed to bring us some great things to read over the past year, with more to come in the months ahead. And as we look down the barrel of another COVID March, that is a comforting thought.

In the world of science fiction and fantasy, March 2021 will bring us several exciting sequels – including highly-anticipated new book releases from Cassandra Clare, Amelie Wen Zhao, and Leigh Bardugo – and tempting debut offerings (Don’t sleep on Adrienne Tooley’s Sweet  & Bitter Magic or Allison Saft’s Down Comes the Night is what I’m saying.)

Here are 12 of our picks for must-read science fiction and fantasy book releases hitting shelves this month. Let us know what you add to your March to-read lists!