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Hi, {{first_name | friend}}!
Confession: I’ve never read Dune, which is by far my biggest blind spot in the genre. The franchise feels daunting, and Villeneuve's films have been so good that I keep telling myself, "What's the point of reading the books when the movies are universally loved?" Probably the wrong way to look at it, but it got me thinking: What's your biggest blind spot in sci-fi or fantasy? Let me know by replying to this email.
Now, while we all patiently wait for Dune: Part Three this December, keep reading to stay in the know about the best sci-fi and fantasy releases of May.
Yours,
John
Film & Television Content Manager @ Pix
Current 🎥: I Love Boosters
10 Standalone Sci-Fi & Fantasy Novels You Can Read in a Weekend
If, like me, you have commitment issues and the thought of starting a 12-book fantasy series makes you want to lie down, here are 10 standalone novels you can knock out in a single weekend.
The Spotlight
Together with Poisoned Pen Press
A sapphic folk-horror tour de force―perfect for fans of The VVitch and The Salt Grows Heavy!
If you like to stack your TBR with more hauntings than happy endings, we’ve got you. Bram Stoker Award–nominee Johanna van Veen is back with this eerie, irresistible tale about a nun and a peasant who, after fleeing into a war-torn forest with a wish-granting skull, find themselves faced with an impossible choice. Pre-order now to snag the gorgeous deluxe edition!
Next in the Queue-niverse: Upcoming Releases
Two May releases worth your attention: A vibrant movie from one of cinema's boldest voices, and the latest novel from a sci-fi icon.
I Love Boosters
In theaters May 22
A crew of shoplifters declares war on the fashion mogul (Demi Moore) who ripped off their designs, in the most wonderfully weird way possible. Boots Riley's surreal Bay Area fever dream stars Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, and Taylor Paige. Easily the most unhinged thing you'll see in theaters this year.
See the full list:
Radiant Star
Coming May 12
On the planet Ooioiaa, a sacred religious site is about to be erased by the conquering Imperial Radch—and the parting ritual the empire has allowed will rip the city apart. Ann Leckie's standalone follow-up to her award-winning trilogy is the most anticipated sci-fi read of the month.
See the full list:
The Stack
Together with Blackstone Publishing
Pick Your Escape: Sci-Fi vs. Fantasy
Whether you’re craving a chilling AI thriller or a magic-packed quest, Blackstone Publishing has your next can’t-put-it-down read.
Views
by Marc-Uwe Kling
In this gripping AI tech-thriller that’s perfect for Black Mirror fans, a teen's disappearance pushes her mother into tech's darkest corners.
The Whisper Tree
by Holly Searcy
In this high-stakes, Dungeons & Dragons–inspired RPG fantasy, an unlikely adventuring party races to save a dying world.
Trivia Gauntlet: Dune Edition
With Dune: Part Three locked in for December 18, we're putting your knowledge of Arrakis to the test. Three questions, three difficulty tiers.
1. Casual Fan: What is the name of the desert planet at the center of Frank Herbert's Dune?
2. Committed Follower: In David Lynch's 1984 adaptation of Dune, which musician played the villainous Feyd-Rautha?
3. Cosmic-Level Nerd: What is the full name of the Bene Gesserit Reverend Mother who tests Paul Atreides with the gom jabbar at the start of Dune?
Keep scrolling for the reveal.
The Reviews Are In
Love it, loathe it, or ascend into another dimension over it—here's how this month's picks landed with critics:
“easily one of the biggest surprises of this year.”
—SlashFilm
“a movie that completely betrays its source material”
—ScreenRant
“best viewed with at least a few beers on board already.”
—Anime News Network
Incoming Transmissions
🧙 Upcoming Harry Potter series greenlit for Season 2.
🦇 First look at the Batmobile in The Batman: Part 2.
👀 Have you seen the newest clip from The Mandalorian and Grogu?
Trivia Gauntlet: Answers Revealed
1. Arrakis
2. Sting
3. Gaius Helen Mohiam