And she published the second in the duology this year as well, gifting us with a short wait and another romance- and action-packed adventure. Sue Lynn Tan’s debut, Daughter of the Moon Goddess, took the world by storm earlier this year.

Image: Harper Voyager Heart of the Sun Warrior (The Celestial Kingdom #2) by Sue Lynn Tan As the editors write in their introduction: “Africa isn’t rising - it’s already here.” - Nicole Clark Africa Risen’s editors take care, in their introduction, to mention numerous other publishers and collections of short speculative fiction set in the African diaspora and written by Black authors - including independent presses, zines, and other short-story collections.

The breadth of this anthology harkens back to the seminal Dark Matter: A Century of Speculative Fiction From the African Diaspora. Stories range from whimsical and imaginative to hefty and contemplative, and each is the perfect size to read over a morning commute or before bed (which is how I have been slowly savoring this book). This large volume reimagines fantasy and science fiction with stories about capturing lost memories and minds, those of climate crisis, and interpretations of folklore and myth. Image: Tor Africa Risen edited by Sheree Renée Thomas, Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, and Zelda KnightĪfrica Risen showcases some of the most talented contemporary speculative writers - ranging from established writers to debut authors - whose works are set in Africa and across the African diaspora. The list is in reverse chronological order of release, so the most recently released books will be at the top - with honorable mentions at the end. This list has a range of titles from beloved authors, impressive debuts, and short-story collections, that all share one thing in common: We absolutely loved the time we spent with them. At the same time, much of this year’s best fantasy looked backward, retelling mythologies and critiquing institutions of power. Science fiction gave us visions of the future, from white flight and space exploration to hopeful philosophical ramblings about the nature of being alive to post-pandemic technofuturism. It may come as no surprise that this year ushered in a tidal wave of terrifying gothics and hauntings - books where protagonists were trapped in by the spaces around them. We’ve run through our favorite games, movies, and TV shows of 2022, and now it’s time to talk about our favorite science fiction and fantasy books of the year.Ģ022’s best SFF books feel like an apt reflection of the past few years, as so much has changed.

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