This Year's Best New Fantasy Books Will Fill Your Days With Magic

Matthew Ward launches a new series with "The Darkness Before Them." In the Kingdom of Khalad, the magical mists of the Veil are consuming the land; the people suffer helplessly under the rule of brutal nobles and an immortal king. Among all this, Kat, a thief, seeks to complete one big job to settle a debt that destroyed her family. She has a unique gift: the ability to speak to the spirits all around her and even, in some cases, command them to do her bidding. Soon, she'll be drawn into a battle much bigger for herself as factions war for the future of the kingdom.

Release date: Nov. 7