Written by Erin Fehres
There is absolutely no denying that 2018 has been a fantastic book year thus far. Whether you read Romance, YA, or Adult Fantasy, there are a ton of great new releases to satiate even the most insatiable bookworm. What has really made 2018 a great book year though is the number of debut authors coming out of the woodwork. The best thing about these debut authors? Their novels aren’t reading like the works of first time authors.
Read on to discover some of our favourites and tell us in the comments if you agree!
Alexandra Christo – To Kill A Kingdom
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
Who doesn’t love a dark retelling of The Little Mermaid? To Kill A Kingdom was dark, fast-paced, and exceeded all expectations. With a heart stealing siren as one main character, and a siren killing prince as the other, it was bound to be an interesting adventure. Christo’s writing flowed smoothly and made the book a quick and enjoyable read.
Tomi Adeyemi – Children of Blood and Bone
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
A tale of revenge, lost magic, and forbidden love, Children of Blood and Bone is an enchanting YA Fantasy that has left readers begging for more. At over five-hundred pages, it’s definitely an investment of time, but a worthwhile one. It also happens to have one of the most gorgeous covers of the year with a stunning book spine.
Helen Hoang – The Kiss Quotient
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
The cover of this book may be a little bit deceiving, I certainly didn’t expect for The Kiss Quotient to be such a steamy read. When Stella decides that she needs relationship practice, she hires a male escort, Michael to teach her the ins and outs of dating. Stella and Michael’s chemistry jumped off the page and their romantic development felt so genuine. Hoang is releasing another book with an autistic main character next year and we can’t wait to read it.
Laura Sebastian – Ash Princess
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
Years after her parents were murdered, her kingdom is stolen from under her, and her people are enslaved. Now, Theo decides it’s time to fight back. There is nothing quite like a strong female lead, and Ash Princess certainly has one. Theo is tough as nails and sharp as a tack. The sequel comes out next year, and after the way this one ended, readers are clamouring for it.
KD Elizabeth – Miss InstaPrincess
Goodreads | Amazon
Those of you familiar with the Bookstagram community and the variety of Etsy shops featured on it, may know KD Elizabeth as the owner of the shop Bookified. She’s been enchanting bookworms with letters from their favourite book boyfriends, and decided to put her talent into writing a novel. Miss InstaPrincess is a laugh out loud hilarious romance with a clever premise and fantastic chemistry. This debut indie is the perfect light summer romance.
Jasmine Guillory – The Wedding Date
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
Fake date: one of the most entertaining tropes in the romance industry. When done right, it can be a ton of fun to read about. Fortunately for readers, Guillory did a fantastic job with this beloved trope. When Drew needs a last-minute date to his ex-girlfriend’s wedding, he does the unthinkable and invites a total stranger. Alexa and Drew’s relationship seems doomed from the start, but their journey is full of laughs and yes, quite a few steamy moments as well.
Adrienne Young – Sky in the Deep
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
Sky in the Deep has an incredible message, one that readers can really connect with, particularly in this day and age. It is a wonderfully deep novel about hate and the negative impacts it can have on a culture. With Vikings, betrayal and a strong family presence, it is a powerful read and a stunning debut for Young.
Emily X. R. Pan – The Astonishing Color of After
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
When Leigh travels to Taiwan to meet her maternal grandparents for the first time, she learns more about herself than she expected to. With a gorgeous cover and an exceptional message, The Astonishing Color of After is a debut novel that readers can really connect with. It’s a story about love, family ties, and overcoming grief that is genuinely touching.
Annie Sullivan – A Touch of Gold
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
A Touch of Gold is a gender-swapped King Midas retelling. Yes, that’s right a King Midas retelling. Need I really say more? Annie Sullivan really chose a fantastic story for her breakout debut, one that is well written and creative. The world she builds in this novel is immersive and rich, easily sucking readers in to the narrative.
Somaiya Daud – Mirage
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
With its stunning cover and captivating synopsis, Mirage has quickly become one of the most anticipated releases of 2018. The main character, Amani is kidnapped and taken to the palace to be her body double. The novel is filled with intrigue, court politics and the constant threat of death. Definitely one to add to your TBR!
Love the authors featured!!!