Brandon Sanderson and a Stranger Things novel feature in the best new science fiction books of December 2025

December is traditionally a quieter month for new releases from publishers, and that's certainly true this year, with fewer sci-fi offerings to chew on than usual. However, there are some intriguing titles coming out this month and I'm looking forward to a new book by artist and writer Simon Stålenhag, another illustrated dystopia, as well as a mysterious-sounding Russian novel and the conclusion to Bethany Jacobs' excellent space opera trilogy. And if you're set on older plans, well. Jacobs wrote piece for the New Scientist Book Club about how the late Iain M. Banks inspired her to build her own world. The book club is currently reading Banks' classic novel Culture. Game player – do join us.

Creator Electric Statenow adapted for Netflix, publishes another beautifully illustrated work set in an abandoned Swedish military installation. Two young men set out to explore a restricted area on a secluded Swedish island. We are promised “giant futuristic machines” in a “retro-futuristic dystopia.” Fantastic things: Stålenhag – artist and writer, Tales from the cycle And Things from the flood also among his works.

This sci-fi thriller follows computer scientist Mitch and his quantum artificial intelligence Amy as they board a space station tasked with protecting the United States when the world is on the brink of war. But the explosion of an interstellar probe destroys space-time and sends Amy and Mitch racing to save humanity before the Earth is destroyed.

Bethany Jacobs won the Philip K. Dick Award for the first novel in the Kingdom trilogy. These burning stars. This cruel moon concludes a series of space operas where violence erupts everywhere and the colony faces a fight for its freedom.

I love the sound of this translated novel, in which the inhabitants of a Russian village wake up one day to find that the road to the highway has disappeared. If they try to leave, all roads will lead back to the village. If they go into the forest, they will either disappear or return as a different version of themselves. The Internet and modern technology have disappeared, and the forest is getting closer…

I'm not usually a fan of TV romances, but with the new series… Stranger Things just came out, I'm dreaming of another trip to Hawkins, Indiana, especially if it's written by one of the show's writers. The story takes place two months after the end of season four, and sees Nancy and Robin investigating a new mystery while also following Vecna's trail. But does their latest adventure have anything to do with the Upside Down?

This new collection of short stories from bestselling Sanderson spans science fiction and fantasy and includes stories from his Cosmere universe, as well as a new novella. Moment Zero. It also includes notes from Sanderson about his writing.

Spasm Robin Cook

It's not exactly science fiction, but rather a science thriller about trying to stop a deadly biological weapon designed to destroy the world. Our heroes Laurie and Jack are on his trail after learning of a strange death and rising cases of Alzheimer's disease in the rural idyll of Essex Falls.

imitate Sebastian Fitzek

Another psychological thriller, but it sounds very strange (not necessarily bad). We are in the hands of “Germany's most experienced facial resonance expert” Hannah Herbst, who is suffering from memory loss while trying to track down a woman who escaped from prison after confessing to the murder of her family. Hannah only has the video of the woman's confession to track her down, but the woman in the video is… Hannah herself. I told you this was wild!