New Science Fiction Releases Scheduled for October 2026

**October 6**

* **A Wall Is Also a Road** by Annalee Newitz (Tor Books): Gardenpath, a graduate student and a slime mold from an ancient civilization, discovers a planet filled with unexpected life while researching a remote area of the galaxy. Encountering Murtis, an alien who works in a brothel, Gardenpath begins to question the value of their academic pursuits as they explore a world beyond their expectations.

* **Rome to the Stars (Pax Astra #1)** by S.M. Stirling and Melissa Olthoff (Baen Books): Time travelers have altered the course of history, allowing a Roman Empire to conquer beyond Earth. When a Roman colony is invaded by the Gra’ak, Emperor Marcus Verus Augustus Caesar sends Commander Aquila Amphion to reclaim it, driven by duty and personal stakes.

* **The Names of the New World** by Kawai Strong Washburn (Farrar, Straus and Giroux): After a superstorm devastates Minneapolis, three individuals, Naomi, Amaré, and Raheem, form a bond that leads them to confront the energy companies responsible for the climate disaster, changing their lives and ambitions.

**October 13**

* **As You Wake, Break the Shell** by Becky Chambers (Harper Voyager): On the resource-limited planet of Fortune, botanist Signy and pilot Cora navigate personal and professional challenges. Their relationship develops as Cora's piloting risks both their careers and safety.

* **Laplace’s Witch (Laplace’s Witch #1)** by Keigo Higashino, translated by Stephen Paul (Avocado House): Geochemist Shusuke Aoe investigates deaths from hydrogen sulfide poisoning in Japan and encounters a mysterious girl linked to both cases.

* **Ghosts of the Void (The NecroTek Series #3)** by Jonathan Maberry (Blackstone Publishing): Survivors of a space station fight off cosmic threats as they attempt to recreate a legendary God Machine that could return them home.

* **As We Fall Through Time** by Claire North (Orbit): Time traveler Cal attempts to save his lover from a destined death during the French Revolution and encounters a woman, Fadimatu, who faces her own dark fate in 2018.

**October 20**

* **Lost on Paradise** by Alan Dean Foster (Blackstone Publishing): Jonos and Liina escape their grim life on Earth and find their dream world, Paradise, but tragedy soon forces them to confront harsh realities.

* **Paradise Burns** by Pol Guasch, translated by Mara Faye Lethem (FSG Originals): Two young adults, Rita and Líton, form a deep bond in a dystopian world plagued by environmental collapse as they navigate love and loss.

* **Project Nemesis (Nemesis Saga #1)** by Jeremy Robinson (AETHON: Vault—indie conversion): Jon Hudson, an investigator for the DHS, faces off against a creature named Nemesis following a deadly incident linked to paranormal threats.

* **Stellar Smoke** by Tanaïs (Dutton): Musician Qamar returns to her childhood island ashram to reconnect with her estranged mother and confront the unexpected legacy left behind.

**October 27**

* **Nether Vortex (Nether #2)** by Kevin J. Anderson (Blackstone Publishing): Karla Arkourian wakes to find an ancient enemy threatening humanity while a crew fights an interstellar war.

* **Code and Codex** by Yoon Ha Lee (Saga Press): In a universe where certain languages are forbidden, Valentina is forced to navigate dangerous political intrigue in the Censorate.

* **Dead Batteries** by Kate Maupin (Crown): After a virus wipes out most of humanity, May struggles to protect her autistic son while navigating a new survival community.

* **Our Infinite and Inevitable Ends** by A.D. Sui (ECW Press): Dr. Cassandra Barlowe, working on climate change solutions, becomes embroiled in a conspiracy after her ex-lover is murdered.

* **The Fist of Memory** by Wole Talabi (DAW): As a non-communicative alien spaceship appears, Nigerian assassin Tope must survive the fallout and navigate her destiny in a world forever changed.