December typically sees fewer major science fiction releases, and 2025 follows that trend. However, several intriguing titles stand out, including a new illustrated dystopia from Simon Stålenhag, a mysterious Russian novel, and the conclusion of Bethany Jacobs’s acclaimed space opera trilogy. This month also features tie-ins to popular series and collections from established authors. The release schedule is lean, but worth exploring for genre fans.
New Releases: Key Titles
Sunset at Zero Point by Simon Stålenhag: The author of The Electric State (now adapted for Netflix) delivers another visually striking work. This story unfolds in an abandoned Swedish military facility, following two young men exploring a forbidden zone on a secluded island. Expect “giant futuristic machines” set against a “retro-futuristic dystopia.” Stålenhag’s blend of art and narrative remains a strong draw.
Edge of Oblivion by Kirk Weddell: This science-fiction thriller centers on computer scientist Mitch and his quantum AI, Amie. Stationed on a space station protecting the US during global tensions, they face a catastrophic threat when an interstellar probe fractures space-time. The stakes are high: save humanity before Earth is destroyed.
This Brutal Moon by Bethany Jacobs: The final installment in Jacobs’s award-winning Kingdom trilogy (These Burning Stars won the Philip K. Dick Award). This conclusion promises violent conflict and a desperate struggle for freedom in a besieged colony.
The Village at the Edge of Noon by Darya Bobyleva (translated by Ilona Yazhbin Chavasse): This translated Russian novel presents a disturbing premise: residents of a village wake to find all roads leading back to their community. Attempts to leave result in either disappearance or return as altered versions of themselves. The internet and modern technology vanish, while the surrounding forest encroaches. This novel taps into primal fears of isolation and transformation.
Tie-Ins and Collections
Stranger Things: One Way or Another by Caitlin Schneiderhan: A tie-in novel to the hit Netflix series, written by one of the show’s writers. The story picks up two months after the end of season four, with Nancy and Robin investigating a new mystery linked to Vecna and the Upside Down.
Tailored Realities by Brandon Sanderson: A collection of short fiction spanning Sanderson’s Cosmere universe and including a new novella, Moment Zero. The book also features insights into Sanderson’s writing process, making it a valuable read for fans of his work.
Thrillers with Sci-Fi Elements
Spasm by Robin Cook: A sciency thriller involving a bioweapon that threatens global destruction. Doctors Laurie and Jack investigate a surge in Alzheimer’s cases and a suspicious death in rural Essex Falls, uncovering a deadly conspiracy.
Mimik by Sebastian Fitzek: A psychological thriller with a bizarre twist: Hannah Herbst, a facial expression resonance expert, experiences memory loss while tracking down a woman who confessed to murdering her family. The catch? The woman on the video is… Hannah herself.
The December 2025 science fiction landscape is compact but offers intriguing reads across several subgenres, from dystopian art to high-stakes space opera. With fewer releases, these titles stand out as worthwhile additions for genre fans.
