I am a big fan of science fiction books, and usually my TBR is stacked. Every time I think I’ve caught up on my sci-fi TBR, another few books drop… At least for the month of July 2025, and sadly so, there are not that many big sci-fi releases.
I’ve done my research, and I was only able to find a few books that I was personally excited about. Whether it’s mind-bending tech, messy space politics, or that one character who’s 80% logic and 20% sarcasm, there’s something about sci-fi that just clicks for me. If you’re the kind of reader who gets a little too excited about alien linguistics or sentient ships with emotional baggage, you’re in good company.
These are the upcoming releases I’m most excited about, and honestly, I’ve already made peace with the fact that my sleep is going to suffer.
5. One Yellow Eye by Leigh Radford
Releases: July 15th, 2025
From debut author Leigh Radford, One Yellow Eye is a zombie novel that offers a unique and fresh take on the genre.
A virus has taken over London, and the novel starts a few months after the outbreak. Life is slowly starting to return to a semi-normal state after the government contained the outbreak. Streets are cleared and the infected have been exterminated, or so it is believed…
Kesta Shelley, a brilliant British scientist, was a hospital employee turned researcher. She always preferred the company of microbes to personal relationships, but all of this changed when she met Tim, her now husband.
Tim was one of the last people to be infected in London. However, Kesta is hiding a terrible secret: she is keeping her undead husband alive in her apartment!
Kesta is using hospital resources, desperately trying to find a cure for her beloved. The problem is that Tim’s condition keeps deteriorating, and his violent outbursts are getting more frequent.
Kesta learns of a secret government lab that is working on a cure, and she hopes to be recruited.
She becomes consumed with saving Tim and alienates herself from friends and society. The narrative delves into themes of love, grief, desperation, loss, and the lengths one would go to save a loved one.
Why I am excited about it: The novel seems to take a fresh perspective on the zombie genre by exploring the scientific aspects as well as the aftermath of the outbreak. It provides a realistic cause of the virus as well. The book also draws parallels between the recent global pandemic events, as well as the compelling love story between Kesta and Tim is something I believe people will enjoy and resonate with.
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4. Infinite Archive by Mur Lafferty
Releases: July 1st, 2025
This one I am really excited about! To be honest, I’ve only read the first one (Station Eternity), and I am so hooked that I’ve already started the second one (Chaos Terminal), pre-ordered Infinite Archive.
Infinite Archive by Mur Lafferty is the third book of The Midsolar Murders series. We continue the story in the same space station where we started, called Station Eternity. Life has been pretty quiet for Mallory Viridian, an amateur sleuth, who always ends up around a murder mystery somehow…
The arrival of a giant data ship called The Alexandria, which contains the entire internet from Earth, sets the story in motion.
A killer strikes when The Alexandria docks! Mallory finds her book agent dead and has to work against time to solve the murder.
The mystery incorporates elements of an unknown alien race that influences the story, as well as Queen Tina, a supposed friend of Mallory, who keeps bringing trouble. The story explores Mallory’s efforts to solve the murder while dealing with unique non-human characters and the complexities of her life on the station.
Why I am excited about it: The Midsolar Murders is such a fun series that I cannot get enough of it. I am glad to hear that Mallory is back and that Mur Lafferty, an award-winning author of the Hugo and John W. Campbell awards, is continuing the series. It’s a cozy sci-fi murder mystery novel that introduces the concept of living ships and the return of Queen Tina. What is there not to be excited about?
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Subscribe to our weekly newsletter3. Volatile Memory by Seth Haddon
Releases: July 22nd, 2025
This is the first book of what is supposed to be a duology, which is already exciting.
The story is set in a far, gritty, and dystopian future. There is a rigid class system, plagued by corruption. It’s a capitalist world suffocated by regulations… Does not sound fun at all!
Willa is a scavenger seeking a big payday, following a signal to a nearby planet. Instead of a ticket out, she finds a corpse wearing an AI mask called Hawk. Hawk was discarded by her ex-husband and wants answers.
Armed with military-grade tech and Wylla’s animal instincts, they embark on an interstellar manhunt. It is an action-packed and emotional story of vengeance and connection.
Why I am excited about it: It is an action-packed murder mystery revenge story. By the early reviews, it does not end in a cliffhanger (thank you, Seth, for that!), but the story is not yet finished. It offers an interesting take on sci-fi with concepts like animal-shaped masks that grant abilities to characters and the sapphic relationship of the two main characters.
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2. Sky on Fire by E.K. Johnston
Releases: July 22nd, 2025
Sky on Fire is set in the same universe of Aetherbound, so if you are familiar with New York Times bestselling author E.K. Johnston’s other books, such as the novel named Aetherbound, you will meet some old friends and some new ones.
Sky on Fire is an Arthurian myth set in the world of Aetherbound. The story follows Morgan, a science prodigy at the university of mage-scientists. Unfortunately, Morgan has no magical abilities, which only drives her determination.
Morgan is researching something that has the potential to devastate aetherworkers and shake up the Empire, but of course, she struggles to find funding for her project. That is, until a group of rebels finds her.
The rebel group hopes that she will be able to help them and recruit her, only to find that Morgan has even more secrets than they expected.
Why I am excited about it: It is an action-packed and humorous novel that is easy to get into. Detailed world-building will help you completely get immersed in the novel, as well as unique concepts and worlds. I am all for it!
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1. A Theory of Dreaming by Ava Reid
Releases: July 29th, 2025
This one is a bit of a guilty pleasure, as it is a bit more of a fantasy novel with some sci-fi elements. Written by the New York Times bestselling author Ava Reid, it is the second and final book in the A Study in Drowning duology.
The story is set in the world of A Study in Drowning, which primarily takes place at a literature college.
We follow the main character, Effy, picking up immediately after the events of the first book. Effy and her love interest, Preston, return to the university to deal with their new challenges. While Effy focuses on her studies amidst intense scrutiny and prejudice, Preston gets involved with Professor Gosse and his secret project.
Preston grapples with his increasingly vivid dreams that blur the lines of reality. The story is a blend of myth, academia, and dreams.
Why I am excited about it: This is one of those on the maybe list if I have time to finish the story. I read the first one, and since this is a continuation of the first book, I really just want to know how it ends… I did like the writing style of Ava Reid and the worldbuilding she does, so I am excited to see how the story progresses.
So, if your July plans include staying cool, dodging reality, and getting lost in far-off futures or weird alternate presents, you’ve got plenty to look forward to. These upcoming sci-fi releases have my full attention, and probably all of my weekends. If you end up picking any of them up, let me know. Misery may love company, but so does obsessive book joy.
