Brandon Sanderson and Stranger Things Novel Crowned Best New Science Fiction Release of December 2025

<p>December typically sees a slowdown in new publishing releases, and this year is no exception, with a notable decline in fresh science fiction offerings. Nevertheless, there are still some captivating titles available this month. I'm excited about an upcoming book from artist and author Simon Stålenhag, a new dystopian illustrated work, a mystically-themed Russian novel, and the concluding part of Bethany Jacobs' fantastic space opera series. If you’re interested in a classic, Jacobs previously wrote for the New Scientist Book Club about the influence of the late Ian M. Banks on her world-building. The club is currently exploring Banks’ iconic culture novel, <em>game player</em> – we welcome you to join us.</p>

<p>The creator of <em>electric nation</em> is getting a Netflix adaptation, promising another visually striking tale set in a deserted Swedish military installation. Two young men venture into a restricted area on a remote Swedish island, where a “giant future machine” awaits within a “retro-future dystopia.” What’s particularly exciting is that Stålenhag is both an artist and a writer, known for other notable works like <em>stories from the loop</em> and <em>what came from the flood</em>.</p>

<p><figure class="ArticleImage"><div class="Image__Wrapper"><img class="Image" alt="New scientist. Our website and magazine feature science news and long reads by expert journalists covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment." width="1350" height="899" src="https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093517/sei275907196.jpg" srcset="https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093517/sei275907196.jpg?width=300 300w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093517/sei275907196.jpg?width=400 400w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093517/sei275907196.jpg?width=500 500w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093517/sei275907196.jpg?width=600 600w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093517/sei275907196.jpg?width=700 700w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093517/sei275907196.jpg?width=800 800w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093517/sei275907196.jpg?width=837 837w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093517/sei275907196.jpg?width=900 900w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093517/sei275907196.jpg?width=1003 1003w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093517/sei275907196.jpg?width=1100 1100w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093517/sei275907196.jpg?width=1200 1200w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093517/sei275907196.jpg?width=1300 1300w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093517/sei275907196.jpg?width=1400 1400w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093517/sei275907196.jpg?width=1500 1500w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093517/sei275907196.jpg?width=1600 1600w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093517/sei275907196.jpg?width=1674 1674w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093517/sei275907196.jpg?width=1700 1700w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093517/sei275907196.jpg?width=1800 1800w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093517/sei275907196.jpg?width=1900 1900w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093517/sei275907196.jpg?width=2006 2006w" sizes="(min-width: 1288px) 837px, (min-width: 1024px) calc(57.5vw + 55px), (min-width: 415px) calc(100vw - 40px), calc(70vw + 74px)" loading="lazy" data-image-context="Article" data-image-id="2506419" data-caption="In Edge of Oblivion, the world is on the brink of war" data-credit="Shutterstock / Andrea Danti"/></div><figcaption class="ArticleImageCaption"><div class="ArticleImageCaption__CaptionWrapper"><p class="ArticleImageCaption__Title">In Edge of Oblivion, the world is on the brink of war</p><p class="ArticleImageCaption__Credit">Shutterstock / Andrea Danti</p></div></figcaption></figure></p>

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<p>This science fiction thriller features computer scientist Mitch and his quantum AI, Amy, stationed in space, responsible for the United States' safety as global tensions rise. When an interstellar probe malfunctions, distorting time and space, Mitch and Amy must work together to avert humanity's extinction.</p>

<p>Bethany Jacobs, who received the Philip K. Dick Award for her first novel in the Kingdom trilogy, <em>burning stars</em>, concludes her space opera series with <em>this cruel moon</em>, as conflict erupts and the colonies fight for their freedoms.</p>

<p>The premise of this translated novel intrigues me: the residents of a Russian village wake up to find that the road to the highway has vanished. Any attempt to leave leads them back to the village. Venturing into the forest results in disappearances, or returns as alternate versions of themselves. Modern technology and the internet have vanished, and the forests are becoming increasingly familiar...</p>

<p><figure class="ArticleImage"><div class="Image__Wrapper"><img class="Image" alt="New scientist. Our website and magazine feature science news and long reads by expert journalists covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment." width="1350" height="900" src="https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093353/sei275907216.jpg" srcset="https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093353/sei275907216.jpg?width=300 300w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093353/sei275907216.jpg?width=400 400w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093353/sei275907216.jpg?width=500 500w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093353/sei275907216.jpg?width=600 600w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093353/sei275907216.jpg?width=700 700w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093353/sei275907216.jpg?width=800 800w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093353/sei275907216.jpg?width=837 837w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093353/sei275907216.jpg?width=900 900w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093353/sei275907216.jpg?width=1003 1003w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093353/sei275907216.jpg?width=1100 1100w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093353/sei275907216.jpg?width=1200 1200w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093353/sei275907216.jpg?width=1300 1300w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093353/sei275907216.jpg?width=1400 1400w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093353/sei275907216.jpg?width=1500 1500w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093353/sei275907216.jpg?width=1600 1600w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093353/sei275907216.jpg?width=1674 1674w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093353/sei275907216.jpg?width=1700 1700w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093353/sei275907216.jpg?width=1800 1800w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093353/sei275907216.jpg?width=1900 1900w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01093353/sei275907216.jpg?width=2006 2006w" sizes="(min-width: 1288px) 837px, (min-width: 1024px) calc(57.5vw + 55px), (min-width: 415px) calc(100vw - 40px), calc(70vw + 74px)" loading="lazy" data-image-context="Article" data-image-id="2506418" data-caption="In The Village at the Edge of Noon, if you go into the woods, you vanish..." data-credit="Zeferli/iStockphoto/Getty Images"/></div><figcaption class="ArticleImageCaption"><div class="ArticleImageCaption__CaptionWrapper"><p class="ArticleImageCaption__Title">``Midday Village'' disappears when you enter the forest...</p><p class="ArticleImageCaption__Credit">Zeferli/iStockphoto/Getty Images</p></div></figcaption></figure></p>

<p>I usually don't engage much with TV tie-in novels, but I’m currently obsessed with the latest series of <em>stranger things</em>, especially since one of the writers is involved. The narrative unfolds two months after Season 4, with Nancy and Robin delving into a new mystery while pursuing Vecna. But could their latest escapade connect to the Upside Down in some way?</p>

<p>A new short story collection from the bestselling author Sanderson explores both science fiction and fantasy, including tales from his Cosmere universe and a new novella titled <em>Zero moment</em>. The collection also features insights into Sanderson's writing process.</p>

<p><figure class="ArticleImage"><div class="Image__Wrapper"><img class="Image" alt="New scientist. Our website and magazine feature science news and long reads by expert journalists covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment." width="1350" height="900" src="https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01095523/sei275906622.jpg" srcset="https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01095523/sei275906622.jpg?width=300 300w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01095523/sei275906622.jpg?width=400 400w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01095523/sei275906622.jpg?width=500 500w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01095523/sei275906622.jpg?width=600 600w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01095523/sei275906622.jpg?width=700 700w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01095523/sei275906622.jpg?width=800 800w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01095523/sei275906622.jpg?width=837 837w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01095523/sei275906622.jpg?width=900 900w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01095523/sei275906622.jpg?width=1003 1003w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01095523/sei275906622.jpg?width=1100 1100w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01095523/sei275906622.jpg?width=1200 1200w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01095523/sei275906622.jpg?width=1300 1300w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01095523/sei275906622.jpg?width=1400 1400w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01095523/sei275906622.jpg?width=1500 1500w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01095523/sei275906622.jpg?width=1600 1600w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01095523/sei275906622.jpg?width=1674 1674w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01095523/sei275906622.jpg?width=1700 1700w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01095523/sei275906622.jpg?width=1800 1800w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01095523/sei275906622.jpg?width=1900 1900w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01095523/sei275906622.jpg?width=2006 2006w" sizes="(min-width: 1288px) 837px, (min-width: 1024px) calc(57.5vw + 55px), (min-width: 415px) calc(100vw - 40px), calc(70vw + 74px)" loading="lazy" data-image-context="Article" data-image-id="2506422" data-caption="Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler in Stranger Things: Season 5" data-credit="Netflix 2025"/></div><figcaption class="ArticleImageCaption"><div class="ArticleImageCaption__CaptionWrapper"><p class="ArticleImageCaption__Title">Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler in Stranger Things: Season 5</p><p class="ArticleImageCaption__Credit">Netflix 2025</p></div></figcaption></figure></p>

<h2><a href="https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/robin-cook/spasm/9781035079179"><em>convulsions</em></a> Written by Robin Cook</h2>

<p>This isn’t strictly science fiction but leans into the realm of science thriller, following a mission to prevent a catastrophic biological weapon from annihilating the world. Protagonists Laurie and Jack investigate a series of inexplicable deaths and a rise in Alzheimer's disease in the vicinity of Essex Falls.</p>

<h2><a href="https://sebastianfitzek.com/books/mimik"><em>Mimic</em></a> Written by Sebastian Fitzek</h2>

<p>This psychological thriller unfolds in a bizarre manner (but not in a bad way). We follow Germany’s leading expert on facial resonance, Hannah Herbst. Despite suffering from amnesia, she endeavors to track down a woman who confessed to murdering her family and subsequently escaped from custody. The only clue Hannah has is the woman’s confession video, but the twist? The woman in the video is... Hannah herself. It's a wild ride!</p>

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