Because we spend a lot of time reading indie work, we often don’t get to some of the interesting looking mass market stuff as quickly as we’d like. No regrets, of course, because some of the indie stuff is amazing and we get to read what so many people overlook! However, this is our chance to look back on the mass market stuff that published last year, and see what we missed out on.
Click on the covers to go to their Goodreads page. Hover over the covers to read their synopsis.
2017’s Science Fiction and Horror Books We Missed
Sea of Rust by C. Robert Cargill
I’m the first to admit that I don’t like ‘soft’ science fiction, and everything about this looks like soft sci-fi, but something about it makes it look like it would be a beautiful read. A lot of that, of course, probably has to do with the cover. I’m not ashamed to admit I think this cover is one of the more captivating ones I’ve seen in a long time. I’d love to have a poster-sized version just to hang on my wall.
Dark Exodus (Demonist #2) by Thomas E. Sniegoski
Every few months, I think about the first book in this series. Thomas E. Sniegoski did an amazing job with Demonist, and I can’t wait to see where he goes with Dark Exodus. Honestly, I was so busy and out of it during the month that I wasn’t even aware it had been published until I was putting together this list!
Final Girls by Mira Grant
I won’t say that I go crazy over everything Mira Grant writes, because a couple of her books have fallen flat for me. However, most of the time, she knocks it out of the park. The idea for this book is beyond awesome, and I’ve been eager to get my hands on it as soon as I possibly can!
Under a Watchful Eye by Adam Nevill
I have to admit, this one just recently came on my radar, but I’ve seen nothing but good reviews of it. Adam Nevill is a talented author, and I’m pretty sure this one is going to blow me away. I just have to remember to get it from the library next time I’m there!
Last Day on Mars by Kevin Emerson
How have I not got to this book yet? Seriously?! I’m pretty sure it was on my “books I want to read” list last year, and I never got around to it. I don’t know why because every time I read the book synopsis, the bookworm part of me starts salivating!
This popped up in our This is Horror back in January of last year but fell off my radar. It’s popped back on and I plan on looking it up as soon as possible. It sounds like it has a lot of good stuff – mercenaries, monsters and a description guaranteed to catch my eye…Lovecraftian.
Four writers in a haunted house for a publicity stunt? Yes, please! I don’t know how this one slipped past me but I plan to rectify that immediately.
This one is a bit of an in-between. The Five Nights at Freddy’s is technically an indie franchise (or at least started as such) but the books are put out by Scholastic. I liked the first book and I’m rather curious to see how they could have expanded to a sequel.
I have been falling behind in reading the newer anthologies put out. This looks to be an interesting mix of established horror authors and rising new talent.
Since I am of an age to most likely have seen most of these I am also very interested to see the ones that I haven’t. I also like books critiquing the genre in the various medias it pops up in.
Lilyn G is the founder of Sci-Fi & Scary, and leader of the Coolthulhu Crew. She does book and film reviews for both genres the site focuses on. Her tastes run towards creature features, hard science fiction, and lots and lots of action. She also has a soft spot for middle-grade fiction that rears its head frequently.
Though no longer involved with Ladies of Horror Fiction due to other responsibilities and a too-full plate, she was one of the original 4 co-founders.
Feel free to chat her up on Twitter as long as you aren’t hitting her up to review your book.
I’ve heard maybe one or two of these 😀 I guess I’d have to say it’s All Systems Red for me that everyone seems to have read, but I haven’t. But the good thing is that I already have it 😀 only a matter of time now… 😀
I jave Sea Of Rust and Kill Creek waiting to be read yet. Final Girls was pretty good. And a few of these are on my wish list too.
I actually just picked up Sea of Rust as I caught the kindle version on sale for only 2.99. I’m eager to get to it!
I loved Dark Exodus and unlike Barb I did DNF Little Heaven…lol. I couldn’t make myself do it she was much better than me but she complained about it all year…hehehe. 🙂 I have Kill Creek but didn’t get to it and I want to get Five Nights At Freddy’s!
Good for you for being able to walk away from it, lol! Kill Creek was Gracie’s choice, not mine, but it did look interesting!
I have Kill Creek on my list (you’ve reminded me I must read it) but I must check the rest of them.
I look forward to your reviews.
I’ve read Dark Exodus (LOVED IT) and Little Heaven (a book which haunted me all year because I barely made it through it and if it had not been a buddy read, I would have DNF’ed it). Hope you have better luck with it. I want to get to Sea of Rust as well and also Kill Creek. I fell in love with Thomas Sniegoski after reading The Demonists and eventually want to read more of his stuff.
My partner tried to read Little Heaven I believe and I don’t think he finished it.
Sniegoski’ s The Demonists (my phone just tried to autocorrect that to feminists lol!) Was excellent but outside of Dark Exodus his other stuff doesn’t look that appealing.