Specs of the Month: March 2025

Welcome to Specs of the Month, a monthly newsletter showcasing upcoming releases of speculative fiction books and films. This month’s newsletter is going to be a little light on content because I’m scrambling to write it, but future Specs of the Month will be better. This month we have a five book reviews and four new releases, plus there’s a couple books coming out this month that I think are notable, plus a submission call by Graveside Press.

Upcoming Reviews

The Moon the Sun Forgot

The review for the first book of March has already dropped.

Set on Jupiter’s moon Europa, The Moon the Sun Forgot is a science fiction thriller about a detective from Earth hunting down a fugitive with the help of a ship captain and her AI. Filled with suspense, romance and high stakes, The Moon the Sun Forgot is a high octane, funny and well-formed sci-fi novel that tackles themes of love, revenge and the cost of holding onto things too tightly. It releases of March 4th from Mythic Road Press so head over there to see purchase options.

Blood and Empire

Releasing March 11th.

Blood and Empire is the first book of The Gateway Saga by James Maxwell. Bethany wants to be a diviner, powerful magicians that can navigate mysterious gateways that are used as transportation throughout the Eternal Empire, but is not in a position to do so until she meets a cleric willing to help. With the empire facing a possible invasion, Bethany faces a world of intrigue and danger as she pursues her dream.

The review for Blood and Empire will release on March 10th.

Bazaar

Releasing March 24th.

Bazaar is a technothriller by Miles Joyner. When the son of a former ambassador is assassinated, it is linked to an assassination market on the dark web. Fearing for his safety, Cheidu Attah hires an elite protection team but they realise they might have bit off more than they can chew as it seems the killer that is after Attah will stop at nothing to finish him off.

The review for Bazaar will be released on March 19th.

Every Dark Cloud

Releases March 25th.

Every Dark Cloud by Marisca Pichette is a post-climate novella set in a bioluminescent apocalypse and following Mallory, whose worldview is tested.

The review will release on March 22nd.

Dogs of War

This one’s not a new release. Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Dogs of War was released in 2017 and follows a dog-based bioform named Rex as he struggles with his identity as a weapon. I’m reviewing this because I was given an ARC for Bee Speaker the third in this series that is releasing later this year. So in preparation I’m reading this and Bear Head.

The review will release March 27th. 

Other Notable Releases

There’s only one book release this month that has really caught my attention.

Days of Shattered Faith

Book 3 of the Tyrant Philosophers. I’m a fan of Adrian Tchaikovsky and this is an interesting series of novels that I haven’t been able to get to just yet. I started City of Last Chances last year but life got in the way and I was never able to finish it, despite really enjoying it. I’ll probably give it another go eventually.

Films

There are two notable film releases this month that I’m looking forward to.

Mickey 17

Starring Robert Pattinson and directed by Bong Joon-ho, Mickey 17 is a science fiction film about a guy who killed and brought back to life a lot. I like Robert Pattinson as an actor, so I’m looking forward to seeing this. I don’t know if I’ll get to the cinemas for it, but I’ll watch it eventually. It releases here on March 6th. 

Electric State

Staring Chris Pratt and Milly Bobby Brown and directed by the Russo Brothers. It’s based on a graphic novel that I’ve never read but the trailers look interesting. I’m not sure what to think of it though. Maybe it’ll be a trainwreck like a lot of Netflix films are, but the Russo Brothers have a good track record so I’m hoping it’s good.

Submission Calls

Graveside Press have called for submissions for their new Witch themed anthology.

Requirements:2000-6000 wordsMust be about some form of witchcraftCharacters involved in adult activities must be over 18No non-con, r*pe or SA.

If this sounds like you, head on over there. They have other upcoming anthologies you might be interested in too.

Other News

Shrek Controversy

This week, the trailer for Shrek 5 released to much controversy. It’s safe to say that people are unhappy with the new animation style. Some have even called for an organised backlash akin to the Sonic controversy. I personally don’t think that’s going to happen though. While the new style is more reminiscent of more recent Dreamworks animations and is certainly different to previous installments, I don’t think it’s that bad. It’s definitely not bad enough to be frothing at the mouth over. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the first two Shreks, but it’s not that serious folks.

So that’s March all scheduled out. April will have some more content, I promise. I came up with this little idea yesterday and really wanted to get it out before we were too far into March. For April I’ll be able to have a lot more planning. Happy reading.