The best speculative fiction forces us to confront those uncomfortable thoughts we’d rather not admit to. Cebo Campbell’s debut novel, set in the aftermath of, essentially, a mass extinction of white people, does just that. The story shifts perspective between Charlie, a formerly wrongly incarcerated man, and Sidney, the daughter he never met, as they navigate their way to the South, where some white people are rumored to have survived. Along the way they must navigate their at-odds feelings about what this new world means for them, and what kind of relationship they can possibly foster. Narrators Leon Nixon and Erin Ruth Walker bring such authenticity, sensitivity, and passion to their performances—as does the incredible Janina Edwards. Deeply unnerving, thought-provoking, healing, and compulsively plotted—novels like these are why we listen to this genre. —Sam D.

It’s time for one part of the truly epic series to come to a close. We’ve had 269 published hours with Kaladan, Jasnah, Dalinar, Adolin, and Shallan over the course of 14 years and five novels. While I’m a little teary-eyed saying goodbye to these beloved characters, I’ll just say this: I can only imagine what Sanderson has in store for us next. —Melissa B.

As a superfan of Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore and Sourdough, I was counting the days to the release of Robin Sloan's newest book, Moonbound. It's described as part of the "Penumbra-verse," but fans of Sloan's earlier works should be prepared for a totally different listening experience, both in tone (we've got a unique mashup of first and third person) and scope (we are now 11,000 years into the future!). And yet there is something familiar here, plus some amazing Easter eggs. What is most definitely consistent is the wildly inventive creativity and whimsy on display. You will meet a multicellular AI, talking beavers with advanced debate skills, salamander wizards, and sentient swords. In all its complexity, Moonbound feels like Sloan's ultimate labor of love, and it may actually be the connective tissue of his very imagination. Prepare to be amazed. And to dive deeper, listen in to my interview with Robin Sloan. —Emily C.

Touted as a magical, gay murder mystery cruise, Frances White’s debut is a genre-bending triumph. The 12 heirs to the 12 provinces of Concordia set sail together to celebrate their long-held peace before they each take power, but mayhem ensues when one-by-one these heirs start to get murdered. Our hero, Dee of the Fish Province, becomes the de facto detective as he tries to figure out who among them is the killer. This rich narrative is elevated even further by an unforgettable, nuanced performance from debut narrator Nathan Foad, who gives each heir a regionally specific accent tied to their province. There’s murder, yes, but also queer joy, romance, and enough humor to ... drown a fish. For more on this listen, check out my interview with Frances White. —Katie O.

Do I need to say more than "cat in space" to sell you on this listen? Well, aside from that delightful detail, Riley August's debut novel—in which siblings Scout and Keiran, along with their cat, Pumpkin, search the stars for some sort of clue about what wiped out all civilization but their own—is at turns harrowing, cozy, and heartrending. Subtle sound effects enhance this spacefaring adventure, and the narrators understood the assignment: Robyn Holdaway (Sex Education) as the leading voice imbues Scout with the kind of bravado that masks a soft, vulnerable interior. Come for the uncannily performed meows, stay for the high-stakes race for the truth, listen again because you just don't want to say goodbye to these characters. —SD