Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme that currently resides at The Artsy Reader Girl and features bloggers sharing lists on various book topics. For this latest Top Ten Tuesday participants need to list their top anticipated releases for the second half of 2026. I am planning to do two versions of this list, one that will exclusively look at upcoming thrillers, crime fiction, historical fiction, and more, and this one that will focus on upcoming fantasy and science fiction books.
2026 has so far been an amazing year for books (something I will cover in next week’s Top Ten Tuesday), with some impressive novels coming out and blowing me away. However, the year is far from over and there are so many epic-sounding novels set for release in the second half of 2026. To fill out this list I have scoured my list of anticipated upcoming releases and tried to work out which of the books coming out between the start of July and the end of December I am most looking forward to. I already have a couple of these books, but I think it’s worth including them here, especially as I still need to make time to read them.
I had initially intended to only do a single list featuring all the genres, however, I ended up with way too many awesome upcoming novels on my radar. So, to fairly feature them all, and to save myself from some hard decisions, I decided to split this post into two separate lists, starting with this one on fantasy and science fiction. I still had to cut out several impressive upcoming releases, but I was a lot happier with how these lists turned out, especially as I was able to feature so many epic upcoming reads that I am going to have the most fun reading. Due to how much potential that I think the entries on this list have, several have previously appeared in my weekly Waiting on Wednesday articles, as well as on my recent Winter TBR list. So let us get to my selections and find out which upcoming novels are my most anticipated fantasy and science fiction releases for the second half of 2026.
Honourable Mentions:
The Infinite State by Richard Swan – 4 August 2026
An intriguing science fiction read from a rising Australian author known for his compelling fantasy books.
The Deep and the Drowned by Ian Green – 6 August 2026
An epic fantasy novel with an outstanding cover that also sounds like an extremely awesome read.
Scion by James Islington – 1 September 2026
A cool science fiction thriller from the very impressive James Islington. This will be an interesting departure from some of Islington’s recent, massive fantasy novels, and I’m keen to explore this Australian author’s alternate work.
Absolon Creed by R. S. Ford – 10 November 2026
An interesting sounding dark fantasy novel, which sees a feared knight investigate a murder within a city besieged by eldritch forces.
Top Ten Tuesday:
A Trade of Blood by Robert Jackson Bennett – 11 August 2026
Let’s start this list off on a high note with the new book from Robert Jackson Bennett, A Trade of Blood. Following on from Bennett’s exceptional novels The Tainted Cup (one of my favourite books of 2024) and A Drop of Corruption (one of my favourite books of 2025), A Trade of Blood will return the reader to a chaotic land constantly under attack from giant sea monsters to follow an unusual investigative duo of a troubled detective and her practical assistant. This time attempting to stop a civil war by proving a clearly guilty party did not actually commit a murder, A Trade of Blood sound very intriguing and I am very curious about where it’s narrative will go. Based on how exceptional the first two books in this series were, I already know that A Trade of Blood is going to be one of the top books of 2026.
The Dungeon Book by Gareth Hanrahan – 11 August 2026
The next book on this list is one of the more entertaining entries, with The Dungeon Book by Gareth Hanrahan. Set to follow a surprisingly innocent protagonist raised in a fantasy dungeon by various classic monsters and beasts, The Dungeon Book has a very amusing plot behind it, especially when our hero encounters true evil entering the dungeon, other humans. I love the sound of this amazing upcoming novel, and The Dungeon Book seems like something that I can have a lot of fun with.
Upon the Forge of Battle by Anthony Ryan – 25 August 2026
After consistently having an incredible time with Anthony Ryan’s various fantasy novels over the last few years, there is no way that I will be missing out on Upon the Forge of Battle in 2026. The third and final book in Ryan’s Age of Wrath series, Upon the Forge of Battle will conclude the outstanding, Viking-themed story already featured in A Tide of Black Steel and Born of an Iron Storm. I am excited to see how all the big character arcs in this series come together, and I have no doubt Upon the Forge of Battle is going to be an epic final entry in a very strong series.
Settle Down by Jeremy Robinson – 25 August 2026
After already impressing me with the twisted and compelling 30Seven (review to follow very soon) Jeremy Robinson will provide even more entertaining science fiction hijinks in 2026 with his next novel, Settle Down. Another science fiction hybrid, Settle Down will feature a unique combination of genres when a group of plane-crash survivors find out that the rest of the world has been invaded by aliens while they’ve been marooned on an isolated island. This is honestly one of the more entertaining plot ideas I’ve seen in 2026, and I’m sure Robinson is going to turn Settle Down into a particularly clever and powerful novel.
The Wolves of War by John Gwynne – 8 September 2026
Even more Viking-inspired adventure is in store for fantasy fans in the second half of 2026, with the new book from the acclaimed John Gwynne, The Wolves of War. The first book in The Wolfheart Chronicles, The Wolves of War will see an unlikely protagonist attempt to master her powers to save everyone she loves from a looming war. I am really looking forward to reading this book, especially after loving every second of Gwynne’s previous Bloodsworn Saga, and it seems like The Wolves of War is going to be a particularly powerful and personal novel from this author. An exciting and cool book for the second half of 2026.
Star Wars: Edge of the Abyss by Rebecca Roanhorse – 15 September 2026
Star Wars fans have a lot to look forward to in the second half of 2026, with the next book in the Reign of the Empire series, Edge of the Abyss. Following on from The Mask of Fear, this second Reign of the Empire novel will be written by Rebecca Roanhorse and will chart the early days of the Rebel Alliance. Following several key extended universe characters, Edge of the Abyss will feature a great mixture of space politics, personal storylines and compelling insights into one of the best periods of Star Wars lore. I am quite excited to see how Roanhorse will continue this series, and I can’t wait to get my next dose of Star Wars nerdom.
The Only Way Out is Up by Django Wexler – 29 September 2026
Another delightful book that I’m excited for later this year is the exciting science fiction novel, The Only Way Out is Up by Django Wexler. Set to follow a small-time scrap salvager and his pet robot as they enters a legendary robot fighting tournament, The Only Way Out is Up sounds like a ton of awesome fun, and I am very keen to read it, especially after loving some of Wexler’s previous works.
The Thrice-Bound Fool by Christopher Buehlman – 13 October 2026
One of the most anticipated fantasy novels coming out in the second half of 2026 is The Thrice-Bound Fool by Christopher Buehlman. The long-awaited sequel to Buehlman’s beloved The Blacktongue Thief, The Thrice-Bound Fool will see the protagonists from the first book embark on a continent spanning quest as they attempt to survive a deadly guild of killers coming after them. I am excited for this book after finally reading The Blacktongue Thief earlier this year, and I’m also hoping to read the prequel novel, The Daughter’s War before The Thrice-Bound Fool comes out in October.
Ghosts of the Void by Jonathan Maberry – 13 October 2026
One of my favourite authors, Jonathan Maberry, brings one of his series to a close later this year with Ghosts of the Void. The third and final book in the NecroTek trilogy, Ghosts of the Void will follow on from NecroTek and Cold War and will follow a stranded group of humans as they attempt to fight a galactic war against cosmic horrors. I’ve had a brilliant time with this shocking series, and I’m sure that Maberry has some excellent dark twists in store to finish it off.
Monsters of Ohio by John Scalzi – 3 November 2026
The final book on this list is the next entertaining release from the wonderful John Scalzi, Monsters of Ohio. A very compelling sounding standalone novel, Monsters of Ohio will take readers on an unusual journey when strange, world-changing events start in a small town in Ohio. Scalzi always provides some clever and thought-provoking reads, and I’m sure that Monsters of Ohio is going to be a fantastic novel for the end of 2026.
That is the end of this list. I am extremely happy with how my latest Top Ten Tuesday article turned out, and this list contains an intriguing collection of upcoming fantasy and science fiction books that should prove to be incredible reads. I think that every one of the books I mentioned above has some amazing potential, and most, if not all, will probably end up with a full five-star rating from me. Make sure to also check out my next list where I dive into upcoming thrillers, crime fiction, historical fiction and more. Let me also know if any of the above interest you and let me know what your most anticipated releases for the next six months are in the comments below.