When November hits, it can feel like the year is basically already over, but that’s not the case where new book releases are concerned. The last two months of the year can certainly be a bit slow in publishing. However, there are still quite a few big fantasy, sci-fi, romantasy, and mystery series with new book releases still to come in 2026.
Some major new installments have already hit shelves ahead of the holidays, including A Court of Splintered Harmony and A Parade of Horribles. But while those are no doubt going to be some of the bestsellers of 2026, the new book releases for hit series aren’t over just yet. November and December 2026 will deliver massively anticipated new sequels and fresh installments in long-running series that you won’t want to miss.
Perhaps most notably, Brandon Sanderson is bringing us back to the Cosmere before the year ends. And romantasy fans will have plenty of new series installments to fill the time until A Court of Forgotten Melody hits in January. So while there’s plenty of time to catch up on big books that have already hit the shelves this year, 2026 isn’t quite done dropping big titles just yet.
Major Fantasy Sequels Releasing Before the End of 2026
It’s always good news for fantasy fans when a new Brandon Sanderson book is on the horizon. But that’s not all the exciting new fantasy follow-ups we can expect in November and December of this year. Holly Black is giving fans something new, and a beloved LitRPG will get a new installment as well.
- A Conspiracy of Charming Monsters by Holly Black (Releasing November 3 / Purchase here): Author Holly Black returns to the world of Elfhame with a collection of illustrated short stories. Bringing together six faerie tales, this book includes two brand-new stories from the author, alongside illustrated versions of previously released classics.
- Immortal Games by Pirateaba (Releasing November 10 / Purchase here): The next installment in the hit The Wandering Inn series arrives in paperback on November 10th. In Immortal Games, readers will experience book two, part two of the hit LitRPG recommended by Matt Dinniman himself.
- He Who Fights with Monsters, Book 3: Hero by Travis Deverell (Releasing November 17 / Purchase here): The iconic fantasy LitRPG that began as a web series is making its way into print for the first time, and book 3 arrives this month. He Who Fights With Monsters, Book 3 continues Jason’s story as an interdimensional kung-fu wizard, with new enemies, lessons, and challenges to face.
- The Fires of December by Brandon Sanderson (Releasing December 8 / Purchase here): Though technically a standalone novel, Brandon Sanderson’s The Fires of December is part of the broader Cosmere universe. As such, it’s both a great fantasy read for newcomers and a continuation of the beloved franchise fans already love.
Major Sci-Fi Sequels Releasing Before the End of 2026
Science fiction enthusiasts can look forward to some pretty big releases in November and December. We’ve got a new way to experience the classic that is Dune, plus big sequels to massive sci-fi hits from the last few years. With dystopian takes on AI and a thrilling new release from Chloe Gong, 2026 is ending on a high note for sci-fi.
- Dune Messiah: The Graphic Novel Book 1 by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson (Releasing November 3 / Purchase here): The theatrical release of Dune: Part 3 isn’t the only big event for Dune fans in the last months of 2026. The franchise is getting a new book release in the form of a graphic novel adaptation of Dune Messiah, the second book in Frank Herbert’s original series.
- Infinite Wisdom by Thomas R. Weaver (Releasing November 10 / Purchase here): Thomas R. Weaver’s Artificial Wisdom became a massive BookTok hit, catching attention for its compelling exploration of a climate-ravaged future that pits AI and humans against one another. Now, the series continues with the highly anticipated sequel, Infinite Wisdom.
- Deadlock by Chloe Gong (Releasing November 17 / Purchase here): The highly anticipated next installment in the StrangeLoom trilogy hits shelves this November. The plot thickens in Deadlock, the second installment in the best-selling sci-fi series that began with 2025’s Cold Wire.
Major Romantasy Sequels Releasing Before the End of 2026
We may have to wait until January 2027 for a new ACOTAR, but romantasy fans are going to be plenty busy through the end of 2026. Several thrilling duologies come to a conclusion this month, and quite a few major series are getting new installments, too. So don’t worry about filling the time until A Court of Forgotten Melody, because the new book release calendar has you covered.
- The Last Dragon Queen by Sylvia Mercedes (Releasing November 10 / Purchase here): Romantasy sensation Sylvia Mercedes returns to round out her Dragon Queen duology this November. Following the epic setup in book one, The Last Dragon Queen will deliver the final, world-changing battle fans have been waiting for.
- The Wrath Gods Reap by Abigail Owen (Releasing November 17 / Purchase here): The epic Crucible trilogy that began with The Games Gods Play finally gets its conclusion in November. The Wrath Gods Reap delivers one last series of impossible choices as the slow-burn romance saga races towards its end.
- Vine of Hearts by Julie Soto (Releasing December 1 / Purchase here): The long-awaited sequel to Rose in Chains will arrive before the year ends, delivering the second installment in Soto’s planned trilogy. The dark, enemies-to-lovers series continues in Vine of Hearts this December, with the still-untitled book 3 expected to arrive in 2027.
- God of Thieves by Katie Shepherd (Releasing December 8 / Purchase here): The Night-Singers duology began with the bestselling fated-mates romantasy hit The Younger Gods earlier this year. Now, readers can experience the story’s epic conclusion as the second and final installment arrives this December.
- Warrior of the Shards by Sarah Hawley (Releasing December 8 / Purchase here): Sarah Hawley fans will finally get to experience the final book in her Shards of Magic series this December. Warrior of the Shards will bring the events that began with Servant of Earth to a close at last, wrapping up this adult romantasy trilogy.
- Chosen Son by Adrienne Young (Releasing December 15 / Purchase here): Bestselling fantasy author Adrienne Young returns this December with the second and final installment in her Fallen City duology. Chosen Son is the follow-up to her 2025 Romantasy hit Fallen City, and yes, it’s coming with a sprayed-edge special edition for your bookshelves.
- The Divine by Harper L. Woods (Releasing December 29 / Purchase here): The Coven of Bones series is sneaking its newest release in at the very end of 2026, with a late December release date. The Divine is Book 4 in the dark romantasy series, and readers will be able to ring in the new year with this latest installment.
Major Mystery & Thriller Sequels Releasing Before the End of 2026
Mystery and thriller authors are among the most prolific out there, and it shows. There are plenty of twisty new installments in major thriller and mystery series headed our way as we round out 2026, including a new Jack Ryan novel and a new Stephanie Plum book in the mix.
- Split Second: Thirty-Two Switcheroo by Janet Evanovich (Releasing November 10 / Purchase here): Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum returns for another adventure in Split Second: Thirty-Two Switcheroo this November. This is Book 32 in the long-running series, and it finds Plum reckoning with a mysterious new enemy.
- All the Little Secrets by May Cobb (Releasing November 17 / Purchase here): At long last, the follow-up to Cobb’s hit thriller All the Little Houses is headed to bookstores. All the Little Secrets brings us back to Longview for another round of drama, mystery, and intrigue.
- Tom Clancy: The Coldest War by M.P. Woodward (Releasing November 24 / Purchase here): Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan series continues in the hands of author M.P. Woodward in this latest installment. Once again, President Jack Ryan finds himself facing a massive threat that just might throw the nation into a war, or worse.
