Best New Science Fiction Books February 2026 with New Novels by Brandon Sanderson and Paul McAuley

Want to travel to Mars, an alternate version of London in 1939 or even the very distant future? If so, then February science fiction with all three flavors is for you on offer from our authors. I’ve been interested in several novels about time travel: in A forest on the edge of time we travel through time to save the world from global warming and in All we have is timea time traveler offers romantic salvation for a lonely immortal woman. I also enjoy reading a new post in one of my favorite genres, mushroom horror, thanks Pedro the Giant. And I’m up for a good debate about whether any of the books featured here are science fiction at all – check out the new offerings from Brandon Sanderson and Francis Spufford and see what you think.

This is pitched by its publisher as time travel climate fiction, and it sounds great. Echo and Hazel are both recruited by a mysterious organization to change history and save the world from climate catastrophe. Echo works in ancient Athens while Hazel travels to become the last human alive, with nothing but technology for company. However, they can meet in their dreams and begin to understand what they must do to save humanity.

Set in the distant universe of Cosmere, I would describe this book as science fantasy. It tells the story of Sixth Twilight, who works as a catcher of supernatural birds known as the Aviary. But he realizes that his people must modernize if they are not to be conquered by interlopers from the stars, “The Ones Above.”

By the author Hammajang Luck is back and tells the story of Malia, the greatest hacker of all time. Ever since she pulled off the Atlas heist, life has been pretty boring for her, but things pick up when she gets into trouble with a dangerous gang on the Kepler space station.

Marc Winters is a wildlife ranger on a small island trying to preserve the natural world in the face of climate change when he discovers that a cult believes the world could be saved by “collective dreams fueled by psychotropic mushrooms.” And he thinks he has vital information for them…

This is a new collection of speculative short stories by five-time Hugo Award winner Michael Swanwick. The stories range from that of a scientist on the run because the work she’s done merging human intelligence with sentient AI is too dangerous, to one where an aging veteran acquires a leopard VR robot.

It features an immortal woman, miserable because everyone she loves has been dead for decades, who meets a time traveler in 1605 London and falls in love. The publisher likens it to the amazing Kaliane Bradley Ministry of Timeso naturally i am in.

None of that by Francis Spuffford

Francis Spufford is an award winning literary author and his publisher presents it as fantasy but it has time travel so it sounds like science fiction to me. Set in an alternate version of London in 1939, ambitious City worker Iris discovers that time can bend and history can change. And Iris isn’t just up against Blitz: she also discovers that a time-traveling fascist is on the loose.

This one is for you romancers and those of you who love a bit of STEM romance from the likes of Ali Hazelwood (highly recommended by me). Hannah Brohm’s first book is about neuroscientist Frances Silberstein, who has to confront her ex at a prestigious conference and ends up having to fake a date with her “insanely attractive” rival, Lewis North. As the publisher says, “for any scientist worth their salt, data falsification is out of the question. But fake dating?” Entertainment!

Sakunja Salazar, a rich and famous interviewer on Earth, decides to travel to Mars. By the time she gets there, she’s become an alcoholic and an ex. Until a magazine editor asks her to make a documentary about an expedition trying to be the first people to witness rain on the Red Planet… I like the sound of it – anything to do with Mars always appeals to me.

Mars is also the backdrop for the story of a black girl, Cleo, and a rich young man, Hunter, who find themselves stranded on the planet and facing a gang of mercenaries who plan to blow everything up. This is a young adult book, aimed at teenagers, so it may not be for you. I’m always into a bit of YA though, so I’ll give it a shot. In my opinion, there isn’t enough science fiction published aimed at teenagers, especially compared to the fiery spray of romance aimed at children.

Pedro the Giant Simón López Trujillo (translated by Robin Myers)

A strange fungal disease kills workers on a eucalyptus farm in arid, degraded Chile. But Pedro survives and his survival attracts the attention of a foreign mycologist and a local priest. The publisher says it will appeal to fans of Jeff Vandermeer – I loved DestructionI will definitely read this.

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