February brings a diverse wave of science fiction and fantasy books, offering everything from quirky romcom horror to sprawling epic worlds. Whether you crave humor, speculative twists, cozy magic, or intricate worldbuilding, this month has something for every reader. Here is The Phrasemaker’s shortlist of releases worth your time.
Science-fiction releases
For Human Use — Sarah G. Pierce
February 10
For Human Use blends romcom energy with horror sensibilities, which feels like the perfect way to talk about the cruelty of modern dating. The premise alone is an instant hook: what if an app let you match with the dead? It is obscene, funny, and uncomfortable in all the right ways. Pierce uses the absurd to highlight how transactional love has become, turning the book into a speculative treat that deserves a spot on every genre reader’s list.
Pre-order For Human Use on Amazon and explore Pierce’s darkly funny take on modern dating.
After the fall — Edward Ashton
February 24
After the Fall mixes alien invasion lore, buddy comedy, and workplace satire into something unmistakably Ashton. A century after humanity’s collapse, John lives as the bonded “pet” of Martok, a well-meaning but chaotic gray who treats him almost like a person. Almost. When Martok uses John’s bond as collateral for a doomed business scheme in the woods, everything unravels. Feral humans, criminal aliens, dangerous misunderstandings, and something in the forest that is definitely killing people all converge on John’s sixty-day countdown to reclaim his life. It is sharp, funny, bleak, and oddly hopeful, the kind of science fiction that plays with big ideas while never losing sight of the messy, frightened humans at the center.
Operation Bounce House — Matt Dinniman
February 10
Operation Bounce House brings Dinniman’s (Dungeon Crawler Carl) chaotic energy to a science fiction setup where survival is both a game and a punishment. Humanity has scattered across colonized worlds, but back on Earth, bored players use those planets as battlegrounds for their own entertainment. When a new wave of destruction is unleashed, the people on the ground are forced into a desperate, often absurd fight to keep their homes from being wiped out for someone else’s fun. Dinniman leans into satire, carnage, and big speculative ideas, turning the novel into a loud, unrestrained take on how easily real lives get flattened by remote power. Fans of unconventional science fiction will want this on their list.
The Obake Code — Makana Yamamoto
February 17–19 (paperback Feb 17; ebook Feb 19)
The Obake Code is a queer-infused cyberpunk heist that expands the world introduced in Hammajang Luck with fresh energy and stakes. Malia, once the greatest hacker in the quadrant, thought she’d left the underworld behind, but a crooked politician and a dangerous gang pull her back into a job that should be impossible. With a diverse cast of characters and identity firmly woven into the fabric of the world rather than treated as an add-on, this standalone adventure mixes slick tech, complicated alliances, and sharp worldbuilding in a fast-paced speculative package. Fans of character-driven science fiction and stories that place queer experience at the center of the action will want this on their radar. As a cyberpunk fan myself, I know I’ll get it day one.
Pre-order The Obake Code on Amazon and dive into this queer-infused cyberpunk heist.
Fantasy releases
Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter — Heather Fawcett
February 17, 2026
Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter leans fully into cozy fantasy, but with enough mystery and emotional depth to give it weight beyond the charm of its premise. Agnes inherits a rambling old house that turns out to be a sanctuary for magical cats, each carrying secrets, quirks, and small enchantments of their own. As she settles in, she discovers that the shelter has a long history tied to the town’s folklore and to forces she does not yet understand. Fawcett writes with warmth and precision, making this a February release that feels like comfort reading without ever becoming shallow. Perfect for anyone who wants quieter magic anchored in real character work.
Pretenders to the Throne of God — Adrian Tchaikovsky
February 12, 2026
Pretenders to the Throne of God sees Tchaikovsky return to the territory he handles best: crumbling empires, impossible power struggles, and characters caught between duty and catastrophe. Tchaikovsky builds his conflicts with precision, letting political tension sit alongside mythic awe as rival factions maneuver for control. Like other installments, it looks ambitious, sharp, and full of the layered worldbuilding that has made him one of the most reliable names in modern fantasy. A standout release for readers who like their epics with teeth.
Isles of the Emberdark – Brandon Sanderson
February 3, 2026
Isles of the Emberdark opens a new corner of the Cosmere, this time built around island nations, shifting alliances, and a magic system tied to light and shadow. Sanderson uses the isolated setting to create tension between cultures that rarely meet, letting the story move from intimate character moments to broader political stakes. Even though early editions reached backers last year, the wide commercial release lands in February, which means many readers will be stepping into this world for the first time. Expect tight plotting, big reveals, and the sense of scale that has made Sanderson’s universe so addictive.
The Red Winter – Cameron Sullivan
February 24, 2026
The Red Winter draws on European folklore to build a fantasy world where brutal seasons shape both the land and the people trying to survive it. Sullivan follows characters caught between political pressure, ancient superstitions, and the very real monsters stalking the forest edge. The setting feels cold, lived-in, and dangerous, with an atmosphere that leans more toward dark fantasy than epic spectacle. As the threat grows, the story blends mystery with mythic tension, turning the remote countryside into a place where every shadow holds teeth. A promising February release for readers who enjoy fantasy grounded in fear, folklore, and survival.
Reserve The Red Winter on Amazon and step into Sullivan’s dark, folklore-rich fantasy world.
Looking Ahead to 2026 Sci-Fi & Fantasy
February’s releases are just the beginning, 2026 has even more speculative fiction and fantasy books worth watching. Check out our full list of 12 anticipated sci-fi and fantasy books for 2026 here
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this article are Amazon affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend books we genuinely anticipate or enjoy.
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