21 magical science fiction and fantasy books to read in summer 2021

Summer 2021 release: Witchshadow – Susan Dennard

The fourth installment in Susan Dennard’s New York Times bestselling Witchlands series continues this summer with the story of the Threadwitch Iseult.

Dennard’s series is as thorough in world-building and rich in lore as ever, and full of the sort of character moments and interactions that only come from spending three previous books and a novella in this universe. And, not for nothing, but Witchshadow seems darker than any of the stories that have come before. (Though one does wonder why it’s not named Threadwitch in keeping with the pattern of the previous books…but I suspect we may not as soon as we find out what exactly “Witchshadow” means.)

Here, although Iseult has finally found Safi, she must flee Cartorra in order to stay alive. Elsewhere Aeduean finds himself under attack from forces he can’t entirely understand. Will the two find their way to one another? Here’s hoping.

The official synopsis describes the story as follows.

"Iseult has found her heartsister Safi at last, but their reunion is brief. For Iseult to stay alive, she must flee Cartorra while Safi remains. And though Iseult has plans to save her friend, they will require her to summon magic more dangerous than anything she has ever faced before. Meanwhile, the Bloodwitch Aeduan is beset by forces he cannot understand. And Vivia—rightful queen of Nubrevna—finds herself without a crown or home. As villains from legend reawaken across the Witchlands, only the mythical Cahr Awen can stop the gathering war. Iseult could embrace this power and heal the land, but first she must choose on which side of the shadows her destiny will lie."

Witchshadow is available on June 22.