The Gone Machine by Aimee Cozza

TBB2026

Sylvan’s cyborg body is broken, his friend is missing, he’s being haunted, and yet a well-known fashion mogul has offered him the business deal of a lifetime. When Sylvan’s ghost turns out to be a digital passenger in his cybernetics, another apparition appears at his doorstep: a familiar looking robot named Fern. Despite forging powerful allies and working diligently to repay his debt of gratitude, Sylvan can’t shake the persistent reminders of his long-lost housebot, Robbie. The ghost has some of Robbie’s memories, but Fern has Robbie’s body… Is it possible one of them is actually Robbie, or are even bots incapable of outrunning death?

The Thirteenth Hour by Trudie Skies

SPFBO8 SPFBO Finalist SPSFC 2024 TBB2026

When the saints fail, the sinners step up. Cruel gods rule the steam-powered city of Chime, demanding worship and tribute from their mortal subjects. Kayl lost her faith in them long ago, and now seeks to protect vulnerable and downtrodden mortals from their gods’ whims. But when Kayl discovers powers that she didn’t know she had—and destroys a mortal’s soul by accident—she becomes Chime’s most wanted. Quen’s job was to pursue sinners, until the visions started. Haunted by foreboding images of his beloved city’s destruction, Quen hunts soul-sucking creatures made of aether who prey on its citizens—and Kayl is his number one target. To ensure Chime’s future, Kayl and Quen must discover the truth of Kayl’s divine abilities before the gods take matters into their own hands. For a city that bows to cruel gods, it’ll take godless heathens to save it. The Thirteenth Hour is the first book in The Cruel Gods series—a gaslamp fantasy featuring magical portals, gothic cosmic deities, quaint Britishisms, and steampunk vibes. This is an adult book containing strong language and mature themes that some readers may find disturbing. For a full list of content warnings, visit Trudie Skies's website.