{
  "id": 17591,
  "title": "The best new science-fiction novels of August 2026",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/01/the-best-new-science-fiction-novels-of-august-2026",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-01T09:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Scientist",
    "slug": "new-scientist",
    "url": "https://www.newscientist.com/article/2582625-the-best-new-science-fiction-novels-of-august-2026/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "August 2026 sees a few notable science-fiction novels hitting the shelves. Richard Swan's \"The Infinite State\" presents a fascist, galaxy-spanning empire where a wealthy woman, Katherine Fuller, is offered the chance to buy a world and create a better society. The empire, however, questions her ability to establish a democracy.\n\nTranslating to Korean from Kim Bo-young’s work, \"A Plagued Sea,\" involves a bodyguard named Mu-young and her niece traveling to an isolated Korean seaside village following a massive earthquake. This event triggers an ancient plague, transforming those who contract it into monstrous sea creatures. The village is subsequently isolated, leaving Mu-young trapped as she faces certain doom.\n\nM. John Harrison's \"The End of Everything,\" though published earlier this year, has been longlisted for the prestigious Booker prize, indicating a high level of acclaim for the author's work. The novel is a rare example of science-fiction making it to such a significant literary list.",
  "summary": "Fascist empires and deadly sea monsters are on offer in the science fiction out this month, says Alison Flood",
  "key_points": [
    "\"The Infinite State\" explores fascist empire and Katherine Fuller's world purchase dilemma.",
    "\"The End of Everything\" longlisted for Booker prize, notable science-fiction recognition."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}