Fandom Favorites: Science Fiction & Fantasy Must-Reads
On Unbound Worlds—our Penguin Random House Discord server—you’ll find a community dedicated to the literary worlds of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror, but welcome & open to readers of all kinds. Through different chat channels, you can discover new fascinating reads and dive deeper into books you already love by connecting & chatting with other readers and getting updates from the @PRHSquad.
Below, learn more about a few of the books our server members are currently raving about – and join us over on Discord for even more bookish fun!
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Add to BookshelfShades of Grey
by Jasper Fforde
“A totalitarian regime based on color, a forbidden romance, a story about coming-of-age. This book has it all and is one of my all-time favorite Penguin publications. Compelling characters, a unique setting, and a mystery that only deepens over the course of the story. It has everything for every type of reader.” –Robyn
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$18.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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2
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The Other Merlin
by Robyn Schneider
“Want to visit Camelot with POC and LGBTQIA rep? This is a fantastic Arthurian retelling that updates the legends while keeping all the wit, humor, honor, friendship, and excitement of the tales that came before.” –Jacob Gillett
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$12.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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3
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Thrawn (Star Wars)
by Timothy Zahn
“Thrawn is perfect for any science fiction or Star Wars fan but is particularly good for a fan that hasn’t explored much of the Star Wars universe beyond the movies. Thrawn is a fascinating character who is highly skilled in battle, even tempered, and from a different galaxy, yet is a Grand Admiral in the Emperor’s fleet. Based on a character introduced in the ’90s the rebooted Thrawn series is officially a part of the Star Wars canon and Thrawn is officially one of my favorite characters of all time.” –@PRHLindsey
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$19.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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4
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Sparrow Hill Road
by Seanan McGuire
“McGuire draws on familiar ghost stories from American urban legends, daring you to make a deal at crossroads. This is a book meant to be read on a hot summer night with the shadows creeping close around you.” –@displayheartcode
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$16.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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5
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Iron Widow (Book 1)
by Xiran Jay Zhao
“It’s a crazy story about a girl trying to make her way in a male dominated society. There’s also mechs and magic!” –@ShadowKat#1416
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$11.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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6
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Velvet Was the Night
by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
“Steamy. Loud. Sizzling. Fast. This is a hot read that feels familiar but also unlike any noir you’ve ever read before. Silvia’s fresh take on intrigue, murder, & mystery makes this a total knockout of a story. (And how about that COVER!) A perfect read for the dead of summer or to warm up your winter with a little smoke and fire. The ending of this one will totally hit you over the head. (Don’t say I didn’t warn you…)” –@PRHJulianne
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$28.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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7
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The Hunger
by Alma Katsu
“It’s a slow burn horror that you just can’t put down. It slowly eats away at you without you really thinking about it until you go to close the book.” –@Guy noir
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$19.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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8
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Master & Apprentice (Star Wars)
by Claudia Gray
“Fascinating story of one of the last missions Obi-Wan has with Qui-Gon before The Phantom Menace. Claudia Gray mixes witty dialogue and lightsaber action with Qui-Gon’s and Obi-Wan’s relationship. It was great seeing them listen and learn from each other and discuss the choices we make and how we view the world while on a mission to help an old friend.” –@Jacob Gillett
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$29.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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9
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An Ember in the Ashes
by Sabaa Tahir
“Ember in the Ashes has it all! Deep history, battles, magic, romance, and best of all, multiple strong female leads. The story follows a girl named Laia spying for rebels against the reigning empire in exchange for their help in rescuing her captive brother; and a boy named Elias struggling to free himself from being an enforcer of a tyrannical regime. The series is fast-paced, rich, and entertaining through all four books! Highly recommend!” –@PRHLindsey
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$13.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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10
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Star Wars: Light of the Jedi (The High Republic)
by Charles Soule
“I love the High Republic stories! Setting the Star Wars universe so far away from the Skywalker saga allows the stories to feel familiar but to create amazing new characters facing new foes and challenges. This first book introduces some of the main characters, the main villain and sets the stage for phase 1 as the other stories interconnect and expand the universe.” –@Jacob Gillett
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$18.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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11
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Gods of Jade and Shadow
by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
“Moreno-Garcia spins an original fairytale out of Mexican folklore and mythology. Perfect for fans of tender love stories that can defy even death.” –@displayheartcode
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$18.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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12
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Alice
by Christina Henry
“There are few things I love more than taking a beloved childhood story and making it absolutely creepy – and Christina Henry is the absolute creep master. I’ve loved the adventures of Alice since I was little myself, but this story gives an all-new edge to the characters we all know and love (or fear).” –@PRHJulianne
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$19.00Buy from Other Retailers:
