I wanted to make a list of science fiction book recs coming out between now and the end of 2025… but given it’s May the 4th, I decided to let Star Wars characters do the work. So, I asked them what sci-fi releases they’re most looking forward to this year (can’t be their own franchise) and this is what they came up with…
Leia Organa would be first in line for The Two Lies of Faven Synth by Megan O’Keefe. Kickass female MCs unravelling a deep space conspiracy? Say less.
Release date: 3 June 2025
Luke would be all in on Moonrising by Claire Barner—creative solutions to save humanity, emotionally satisfying dual romances, and farming on the moon that brings back nostalgic echoes of his Tatooine roots.
Release date: 8 July 2025
Han Solo would definitely pre-order Galaxy Grifter by A. Zaykova. For research. A heist-filled romp and a charming bastard in love with his spaceship? Sign him right up.
Release date: 3 June 2025
Chewbacca can’t wait for the cli-fi thriller The Midnight Project by Christy Climenhage. He has a feeling he’ll relate to the Cephs—although not aliens, these genetically engineered cuties are often misunderstood by humans.
Release date: 20 May 2025
Obi-Wan Kenobi feels drawn to the Terms of Service by Ciel Pierlot with its themes of sacrifice, complicated allegiances, never-ending conflict between two powers and a reluctant hero forced into shady deals to save someone they care about.
Release date: September 2025
Lando Calrissian would be all over the high-stakes One Last Game by T.A. Chan, where warfare is fought on the game board and the disappearance of a star player threatens global peace.
Release date: September 2025
Darth Vader is intrigued by the horror premise of Requiem by John Palisano where a malevolent entity is resurrecting souls of the dead, aboard a moon-sized cemetery in space, and driving its crew into madness.
Release date: 27 May 2025
The Droids are can’t wait to buddy-read Volatile Memory by Seth Haddon with a focus on artificial intelligence, self-awareness and autonomy. R2 would be all about the action. 3PO would worry about the ethics.
Release date: 22 July 2025
To Portalmania by Debbie Urbanski looking forward he is. This collection of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror short stories matches Yoda’s weirdness and existential wisdom.
Release date: 16 July 2025
No one doubts that Jabba the Hutt only reads space smut — the steamier the better. He is excited about the upcoming Galactic Attraction series by Luna Wren. And honestly, good for him.
Release date: 30 May 2025
What do you think? What did we miss?
A. ZAYKOVA 