We had the pleasure of chatting with Astrid Scholte about her latest YA book release, League of Liars, along with writing, 2022 book recommendations, and more.

Hi, Astrid! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

I’m a young adult author based in Melbourne, Australia with a love for all things fantastical. My debut novel, Four Dead Queens, came out in 2019 and was an international bestseller. My second book, The Vanishing Deep was released in 2020 and my latest novel is League of Liars. When I’m not writing, I’m working in film and TV production and daydreaming about my next Disneyland visit.

How has the first two months of 2022 been for you?

Very busy! I’ve been in the midst of promo for League of Liars with lots of interviews, posts and planning for events. The months in the lead up to a book’s release are always the most exciting, and nerve-racking!

When did you first discover your love for writing?

I’ve loved telling stories ever since I learned how to read and write and have wanted to be a published author for as long as I can remember. When I was fourteen, I decided I wanted to be published by eighteen, which seemed like an achievable goal at the time. But it wasn’t until my early twenties that I finished my first manuscript and starting my journey to getting published.

Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!

The first book I remember reading is Possum Magic by Mem Fox, I can’t remember which book made me want to be an author as I’ve wanted to be one for so long!, and Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials made me fall in love with fantasy as a teenager.

Your new novel, League of Liars, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Magic, murder, mystery and mayhem!

What can readers expect?

Readers can expect a reluctant hero, courtroom drama, enemies to allies, dangerous illegal magic, a rag tag crew, morally grey characters, twists and turns, and the ultimate heist.

Where did the inspiration for League of Liars come from?

I was brainstorming ideas for my third book and I wondered what kind of cases the Inspector from Four Dead Queens would work on next. This led me to thinking about Four Dead Queen’s villain (no spoilers!) and what kind of prison they would be held in. I also love true crime documentaries, such as The Staircase and Making a Murderer, and I thought it would be fun to combine “true crime” in a fantasy world with magic. And that was how League of Liars was born!

Were there any favourite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

I really enjoyed writing Jey’s point of view. He’s witty and charming (at least he thinks so!) and often acts as the comic relief of the group. Writing scenes with Jey were always so much fun as I never knew what he would say next!

What’s the best and the worst writing advice you have received?

The worst advice would be that you need to write every day – you don’t!

The best advice I’ve received is to write the book you want to read.

What’s next for you?

I have a few secret projects in the works, which I can’t talk about yet, but hopefully I can announce more soon!

Lastly, do you have any 2022 book recommendations for our readers?

I really enjoyed Beyond the End of the World, the sequel to Other Side of the Sky by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner. It’s a beautiful blend of fantasy and science fiction.

Will you be picking up League of Liars? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Astrid Scholte, Author of ‘League of Liars’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
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From the New York Times bestselling author of The Guest List comes a new locked room mystery, set in a Paris apartment building in which every resident has something to hide… 

Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake
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A clever and steamy queer romantic comedy about taking chances and accepting love—with all its complications—by debut author Ashley Herring Blake.

This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi
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Clashing empires, forbidden romance, and a long-forgotten queen destined to save her people—bestselling author Tahereh Mafi’s first in an epic, romantic trilogy inspired by Persian mythology.

Tripping Arcadia by Kit Mayquist
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From debut author Kit Mayquist, a propulsive and atmospheric modern Gothic with all the splendor of The Great Gatsby . . . and all the secrets, lies, and darkness that opulence can hide.

House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas
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In this sexy, action-packed sequel to the #1 bestseller House of Earth and Blood, Sarah J. Maas weaves a captivating story of a world about to explode―and the people who will do anything to save it.

Lulu and Milagro’s Search for Clarity by Angela Velez
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Booksmart meets Never Have I Ever in this Latinx road trip adventure—a big-hearted, voice-driven YA about two sisters who couldn’t be more different, but become begrudging partners on their school’s cross-country college trip—from debut author Angela Velez.

Fake by Erica Katz
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From the author of The Boys’ Club, a gripping novel set in the high-stakes world of art forgery that moves across the globe, from the trendy art galleries of Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood to the high-flying international art fairs of Hong Kong.

The Justice of Kings by Richard Swan
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From a major new debut author in epic fantasy comes the first book in a trilogy where action, intrigue, and magic collide. The Justice of Kings introduces an unforgettable protagonist destined to become a fantasy icon: Sir Konrad Vonvalt, an Emperor’s Justice, who is a detective, judge, and executioner all in one. But these are dangerous times to be a Justice…. 

Lease On Love by Falon Ballard
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Beach Read meets The Flatshare in this warmly funny and delightfully sharp debut rom-com about a down-on-her-luck young woman who turns an innocent mix-up between a dating app and a roommate app into a new chance at love.

Witchlings by Claribel A. Ortega
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Witchlings follows a 12-year-old witch who is sorted into a coven of unwanted spare witches with her bully and the new witch in town; they must now band together to defeat the fearsome Nightbeast or risk being turned into a trio of toads. This magical adventure about earning your full powers is perfect for fans of Amari and the Night Brothers.

The Christie Affair by Nina de Gramont
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Nina de Gramont’s The Christie Affair is a beguiling novel of star-crossed lovers, heartbreak, revenge, and murder—and a brilliant re-imagination of one of the most talked-about unsolved mysteries of the twentieth century.

League of Liars by Astrid Scholte
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In this fantasy thriller, four teens charged with murder and the illegal use of magic band together to devise the ultimate jailbreak. Perfect for fans of Six of Crows and How to Get Away with Murder.

What February 2022 releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post February 2022 Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

The YA genre is not holding back when it comes to 2022’s upcoming book releases! Between the months of January and June, readers are going to be delighted as to what they can get their hands on with books from favourite authors, to those making their debut!

From stories of love, magic, and mystery, to retellings, anthologies, and sequels, you will surely find several new reads to add to your TBR and we apologies in advance for adding to it!

Looking for more releases? Check out our Most Anticipated 2022 Releases and our Must-Have 2022 Queer Releases.

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below which ones you’re looking forward to!

JANUARY

When You Get the Chance by Emma Lord
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A bighearted novel about falling in love, making a mess, and learning to let go, When You Get the Chance is the next effervescent novel from Emma Lord, New York Times bestselling author of the Reese Witherspoon YA Book Club pick You Have a Match.

Hopepunk by Preston Norton
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A heartfelt and funny new novel about forgiveness and redemption, and about how hope is the ultimate act of rebellion, perfect for fans of John Green and Becky Albertalli.

The Red Palace by June Hur
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June Hur, critically acclaimed author of The Silence of Bones and The Forest of Stolen Girls, returns with The Red Palace—a third evocative, atmospheric historical mystery perfect for fans of Courtney Summers and Kerri Maniscalco.

Into The Midnight Void by Mara Fitzgerald
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Fans of Holly Black and Kendare Blake will obsess over the conclusion to this deliciously dark YA fantasy duology!

Serendipity, edited by Marissa Meyer
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From stories of first love, unrequited love, love that surprises, love that’s been there all along, 10 of the brightest and award-winning authors writing YA have taken on some of your favourite romantic tropes, embracing them and turning them on their heads. Readers will fall for this collection of stories that celebrate love at its most humorous, inclusive, heart-expanding, and serendipitous. Contributors include Elise Bryant, Elizabeth Eulberg, Leah Johnson, Anna-Marie McLemore, Marissa Meyer, Sandhya Menon, Julie Murphy, Caleb Roehrig, Sarah Winifred Searle, and Abigail Hing Wen.

Waking Romeo by Kathryn Barker
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Kathryn Barker’s Waking Romeo is a spectacularly genre-bending retelling of Romeo & Juliet asking the big questions about true love, fate, and time travel

Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves by Meg Long
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Meg Long’s Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves is a captivating debut about survival, found family, and the bond between a girl and a wolf that delivers a fresh twist on classic survival stories and frontier myths.

Salaam, with Love by Sara Sharaf Beg
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This heartfelt and humorous YA contemporary follows Dua, who spends the month of Ramadan making unexpected discoveries about family, faith, and first love.

Ain’t Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds
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Prepare yourself for something unlike anything: A smash-up of art and text for teens that viscerally captures what it is to be Black. In America. Right Now. Written by #1 New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Jason Reynolds.

The Kindred by Alechia Dow
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To save a galactic kingdom from revolution, Kindred mind-pairings were created to ensure each and every person would be seen and heard, no matter how rich or poor…

Medusa by Jessie Burton
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A dazzling, feminist retelling of Greek myth from the internationally bestselling author of The Miniaturist, stunningly illustrated by Olivia Lomenech Gill.

Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz
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A gothic tale full of mystery and romance about a willful female surgeon, a resurrection man who sells bodies for a living, and the buried secrets they must uncover together.

FEBRUARY

And We Rise by Erica Martin
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A powerful, impactful, eye-opening journey that explores through the Civil Rights Movement in 1950s-1960s America in spare and evocative verse, with historical photos interspersed throughout.

Lulu and Milagro’s Search for Clarity by Angela Velez
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Booksmart meets Never Have I Ever in this Latinx road trip adventure—a big-hearted, voice-driven YA about two sisters who couldn’t be more different, but become begrudging partners on their school’s cross-country college trip—from debut author Angela Velez.

Bright Ruined Things by Samantha Cohoe
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Extasia by Claire Legrand
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From New York Times bestselling author Claire LeGrand comes a new, bone-chilling YA horror novel about a girl who joins a coven to root out a vicious evil that’s stalking her village. Perfect for fans of The Handmaid’s Tale and The Grace Year.

All the Right Reasons by Bethany Mangle
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The Bachelor meets Gilmore Girls in this laugh-out-loud young adult romance about a girl who joins her mother on a reality dating show for single parents—only to fall for a contestant’s son.

League of Liars by Astrid Scholte
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In this fantasy thriller, four teens charged with murder and the illegal use of magic band together to devise the ultimate jailbreak. Perfect for fans of Six of Crows and How to Get Away with Murder.

You Truly Assumed by Laila Sabreen
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In this compelling and thought-provoking debut novel, after a terrorist attack rocks the country and anti-Islamic sentiment stirs, three Black Muslim girls create a space where they can shatter assumptions and share truths.

Castles in Their Bones by Laura Sebastian
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A spellbinding story of three princesses and the destiny they were born for: seduction, conquest, and the crown. Immerse yourself in the first book in a new fantasy trilogy from the author of the New York Times bestselling Ash Princess series.

Full Flight by Ashley Schumacher
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A heartbreaking novel about finding your first love and what happens when it’s over too soon. Ashley Schumacher’s Full Flight is about how first love shapes us—even after it’s gone. 

Sunny G’s Series of Rash Decisions by Navdeep Singh Dhillon
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For fans of Sandhya Menon and Adam Silvera, a prom-night romantic-comedy romp about a Sikh teen’s search for love and identity

Only a Monster by Vanessa Len
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The sweeping romance of Passenger meets the dark fantasy edge of This Savage Song in this stunning contemporary fantasy debut from Vanessa Len, where the line between monster and hero is razor thin.

These Deadly Games by Diana Urban
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Author of All Your Twisted Secrets, Diana Urban’s explosive sophomore novel, These Deadly Games, will keep you riveted until the final twist is revealed.

MARCH

The One True Me and You by Remi K. England
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A big-hearted, joyful romance and a love letter to all things geek, Remi K. England’s The One True Me and You is a *witness me* celebration of standing up for, and being, yourself.

Debating Darcy by Sayantani DasGupta
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This Pride & Prejudice retelling brings New York Times bestselling Sayantani DasGupta’s trademark wit and insight to her bright and funny YA debut!

A Thousand Steps into Night by Traci Chee
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From New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award finalist, Traci Chee, comes a Japanese-influenced fantasy brimming with demons, adventure, and plans gone awry.

This Golden State by Marit Weisenberg
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Marit Weisenberg’s This Golden State follows a family on the run, a restless teenage daughter hungry for the truth, and the simple DNA test that threatens their carefully crafted world

Kiss & Tell by Adib Khorram
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A smart, sexy YA novel about a boy band star, his first breakup, his first rebound, and what it means to be queer in the public eye, from award-winning author Adib Khorram.

Travelers Along the Way: A Robin Hood Remix by Aminah Mae Safi
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A ragtag band of misfits gets swept up in Holy Land politics in Travelers Along the Way by Aminah Mae Safi, a thrilling YA remix of the classic legend of Robin Hood.

Message Not Found by Dante Medema
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An emotionally complex portrayal of secrets, loss, and grief from Dante Medema, Indies Introduce author of the Indie Next Pick title The Truth Project. 

A Forgery of Roses by Jessica S. Olson
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From the author of Sing Me Forgotten comes a lush new fantasy novel with an art-based magic system, romance, and murder…

Love, Decoded by Jennifer Yen
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For fans of Jenny Han and Jane Austen, a rom-com that’s equal parts hilarious and heartfelt about the unexpected consequences of one teen’s quest to help her friends find love, from the author of A Taste for Love.

Cinder & Glass by Melissa de la Cruz
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Blockbuster author Melissa de la Cruz’s YA retelling of Cinderella, set in 17th Century Versailles.

The Book of Living Secrets by Madeleine Roux
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Perfect for fans of The Hazel Wood, this genre-bending page-turner from New York Times bestselling author Madeleine Roux follows two girls who transport themselves into the world of their favorite book only to encounter the sinister alternate reality that awaits them. 

A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft
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A romantic YA fantasy perfect for fans of Erin A. Craig and Margaret Rogerson, about two people who find themselves competing for glory – and each other’s hearts – in a magical fox hunt.

APRIL

Year on Fire by Julie Buxbaum
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What secrets will people keep—or reveal—to protect those they love? This novel, set against the frightening backdrop of an encroaching fire season, sparks reflection about friendship, the allure of romantic love, and loyalty to family.

This Rebel Heart by Katherine Locke
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The Fountains of Silence meets Spinning Silver in this rollicking tale set amid the 1956 Hungarian revolution in post-WWII Communist Budapest from Sydney Taylor Honor winner Katherine Locke.

Queen of the Tiles by Hanna Alkaf
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They Wish They Were Us meets The Queen’s Gambit in the world of competitive Scrabble when a teen girl is forced to investigate the mysterious death of her best friend a year after the fact when her Instagram comes back to life with cryptic posts and messages.

K-Pop Revolution by Stephan Lee
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She thought that debuting in a K-Pop band was the finish line, but it was only the beginning. Because now it’s not only her company judging her—it’s the entire world. If K-Pop Confidential was about finding your voice, K-pop Revolution is about finding the courage to stand by your beliefs, even when powerful forces are trying to shame and silence you.

My Dearest Darkest by Kayla Cottingham
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Wilder Girls meets The Craft in this Sapphic horror debut that asks: what price would you be willing to pay to achieve your deepest desires?

Some Mistakes Were Made by Kristin Dwyer
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Sarah Dessen meets Adam Silvera in the debut YA romance everyone is talking about!

Very Bad People by Kit Frick
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In this dark academia young adult thriller for fans of The Female of the Species and People Like Us, a teen girl’s search for answers about her mother’s mysterious death leads to a powerful secret society at her new boarding school—and a dangerous game of revenge that will leave her forever changed.

My Sister’s Big Fat Indian Wedding by Sajni Patel
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A fresh, witty rom-com romp set against the backdrop of a high-profile music competition and a riotous Indian wedding.

Flirting With Fate by J.C. Cervantes
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Jane the Virgin meets The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants in New York Times bestselling author J.C. Cervantes’s charming, romantic YA debut.

This May End Badly by Samantha Markum
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When a high stakes boarding school prank war leads to a fake dating scheme, two teens must decide if they are ready to take the ultimate risk — falling in love.

The Genesis Wars by Akemi Dawn Bowman
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Black Mirror meets Marie Lu’s Warcross in Nami’s continuing adventures as she fights to free her friends in this high-stakes sequel to The Infinity Courts by award-winning author Akemi Dawn Bowman.

All the Best Liars by Amelia Kahaney
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Amelia Kahaney’s All the Best Liars is a dark, modern psychological thriller and coming-of-age story about obsession, manipulation, and the intensity of those first friendships that take hold of you and never let go

MAY

See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon
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From the author of Today Tonight Tomorrow comes a magical romance in the vein of Groundhog Day about a girl forced to relive her disastrous first day of college—only to discover that her nemesis is stuck in the time loop with her.

Together We Burn by Isabel Ibañez
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An ancient city plagued by dragons. A flamenco dancer determined to save her ancestral home. A dragon hunter refusing to teach her his ways. They don’t want each other, but they need each other, and without him her world will burn.

Not Good for Maidens by Tori Bovalino
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Salem’s Lot meets The Darkest Part of the Forest in this horror-fantasy retelling of Christina Rossetti’s “Goblin Market.”

A Show for Two by Tashie Bhuiyan
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New from the author of Counting Down with You comes a sparkling YA romance about an aspiring screenwriter who falls for the indie film star who goes undercover at her school.

The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson
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Who killed Brooke Donovan? It’s the biggest mystery of the summer, and everyone in Castle Cove thinks it’s the wrong guy. Fans of One of Us Is Lying and Riverdale can’t miss this page-turning who-done-it that’s sure to be the next must read Young Adult thriller!

The Summer of Bitter and Sweet by Jen Ferguson
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In this complex and emotionally resonant novel about a Métis girl living on the Canadian prairies, debut author Jen Ferguson serves up a powerful story about rage, secrets, and all the spectrums that make up a person—and the sweetness that can still live alongside the bitterest truth.

Destination Unknown by Bill Konigsberg
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From Stonewall Award winner Bill Konigsberg, a remarkable, funny, sexy, heartbreaking story of two teen boys finding each other in New York City at the height of the AIDS epidemic.

Murder for the Modern Girl by Kendall Kulper
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Gatsby-era glamour, a swoon-worthy love story, and an indomitable heroine dazzle in this romp that captures the extravagance of the Roaring Twenties and the dangers of vigilante justice.

Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle
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Hitch meets The Sun Is Also a Star in this witty and romantic teen novel about a self-professed teen love doctor with a popular radio segment who believes he can get a girl who hates all things romance to fall in love with him in only three dates.

Once Upon a K-Prom by Kat Cho
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What would you do if the world’s biggest K-pop star asked you to prom? Perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Sandhya Menon, this hilarious and heartfelt novel brings the glamour and drama of the K-pop world straight to high school.

All Signs Point to Yes, edited by G. Haron Davis, Cam Montgomery, and Adrianne White
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A YA anthology of love stories for each of the star signs that will showcase multicultural characters and celebrate the myriad facets of love, from meet-cutes to the lesser-explored love expressed by aromantic people, featuring 13 bestselling and award-winning multicultural authors.

A Cruel and Fated Light by Ashley Shuttleworth
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Half-fae Arlo becomes entangled in the courtly intrigue at the Seelie Summer palace as danger for ironborns mounts in this gripping sequel to A Dark and Hollow Star that’s The Cruel Prince meets City of Bones.

JUNE

Our Crooked Hearts by Melissa Albert
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Secrets. Lies. Super-bad choices. Witchcraft. This is Our Crooked Hearts, a darkly gripping contemporary fantasy from Melissa Albert, the New York Times bestselling author of The Hazel Wood

The Song That Moves the Sun by Anna Bright
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This sweeping YA fantasy romance full of star-crossed love, complex female friendship, and astrological magic is perfect for fans of Laini Taylor, Alexandra Bracken, and V.E. Schwab. From the acclaimed author of The Beholder.

This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede
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Emily Thiede’s exciting fantasy debut, This Vicious Grace, will keep readers turning the pages until the devastating conclusion and leave them primed for more!

Blade Breaker by Victoria Aveyard
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In the sequel to Victoria Aveyard’s instant #1 New York Times bestselling Realm Breaker, a divided world must rally, an unstoppable enemy must be defeated, and the fate of the world rests on a blade’s edge.

This Place Is Still Beautiful by XiXi Tian
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A sweeping debut novel about first love, complicated family dynamics, and the pernicious legacy of racism. Perfect for fans of Tahereh Mafi, Jandy Nelson, and Emily X.R. Pan, with crossover appeal for readers of Brit Bennett’s The Vanishing Half and Celeste Ng’s Everything I Never Told You.

Valiant Ladies by Melissa Grey
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Two teen vigilantes set off on an action-packed investigation to expose corruption and deliver justice in Valiant Ladies, Melissa Grey’s YA historical fiction novel inspired by real seventeenth century Latinx teenagers known as the Valiant Ladies of Potosí.

Rise of the Vicious Princess by C.J. Redwine
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The first in a YA political fantasy duology about a fierce princess determined to bring lasting peace to her kingdom regardless of the cost to her heart —from C.J. Redwine, the author of the Defiance series and the New York Times bestselling Ravenspire series. Perfect for fans of These Violent Delights, And I Darken, and Ash Princess.

Stealing Infinity by Alyson Noel
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The Dream Runners by Shveta Thakrar
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Go Hunt Me by Kelly deVos
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For Dracula lovers and fans of Diana Urban’s All Your Twisted Secrets, this spine-tingling thriller follows seven horror buffs as their dream trip to a remote Romanian castle turns into a nightmare when they begin to be killed one by one.

Game of Strength and Storm by Rachel Menard
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Game of Strength and Storm is a YA gender-bent Hercules retelling. Teenagers of Olympia Gen and Castor race to be the first to complete six nearly impossible challenges to obtain their greatest desire. Only one will win. The other walks away with nothing—if she walks away at all.

Bad Things Happen Here by Rebecca Barrow
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I Killed Zoe Spanos meets The Cheerleaders in this haunting mystery about an island town with a history of unsolved deaths—and a girl desperate to uncover the mystery behind it all.

What 2022 YA book releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 72 Upcoming YA Book Releases To Add To Your TBR appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Contemporary

Need a bit of a light-hearted swoon, a deeper real-world-issue read, or a bit of both? These books will do the trick!

Night Swimming by Steph Bowe
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Night Swimming is a coming-of-age contemporary LGBT+ novel and it is such an adorable read, celebrates diversity, and also features a goat! It features a F/F romance and people of colour.

The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling by Wai Chim
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Not only does the cover of this book feature food, you’ll be certain to devour the book entirely! Covering the topics of depression and mental illness (and the stigma surrounding it), it also focuses on the life of Anna, a Chinese-Australian high school student battling through her mum’s mental health problems as well as dating someone who isn’t also Chinese, which was expected of her.

It Sounded Better in My Head by Nina Kenwood
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This gorgeously written novel focuses on Natalie, who has just finished high school and finds that her parents are getting divorced. This one focuses on body image and acne, but also features an adorable romance as well. Whilst this is a quick read, it’s real and relatable for every introverted person out there.

Laurinda by Alice Pung
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Another diverse coming-of-age story, which focuses on a girl whose parents migrated from Vietnam by boat. Lucy starts at a prestigious girls-only school and it sounds like the Plastics (from Mean Girls, yes) are in charge. If you’re looking for a reflective and slightly satiric read, here’s my pick!

Thriller, Mystery, and Crime

Prefer a bit of suspense in your life? Need to channel your inner Hercule Poirot? Want to sharpen your Cluedo skills? Say no more, here’s a few books to fill that bookish spot!

Small Spaces by Sarah Epstein
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Focusing on Tash both in the past and present tense, this mystery will have you absolutely gripped! After a traumatic event that makes Tash question her every move, her imaginary friend returns many years after disappearing, which happens shortly after a girl’s kidnapping. You’ll be on the edge of your seat to find out what happened!

Found by Fleur Ferris
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Something for those who like action, this one is full of it! From the setting of a rural farm in Australia, to the guns and knives, this one is sure to be one you stay up way past your bedtime reading!

My Sister Rosa by Justine Larbalestier
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Does psychopathic siblings tickle your fancy? Well say no more! I found this one not only highly creepy, but also twisty, especially given that the psychopath (undiagnosed) is a 10-year-old girl, Rosa. It is also diverse with characters of colour and LGBT+ characters.

Catching Teller Crow by Ambelin and Ezekiel Kwaymullina
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Aboriginal story-telling mixed with a murder mystery, while also being poetic? I’m here for this! This book is a quick read, but packs a punch and a half, and is OwnVoices novel.

Science Fiction

Have a need for space elves? Or killer computers? Or how about books that feel like they’re set in a world that could be ours? Say no more, here’s some Aussie suggestions to check out!

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
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Definitely one of the most well-known YA sci-fi books out there (alongside the other two books in the Illuminae series), this one is 100% an interesting read. With an AI called AIDAN on a ship in the middle of space, while being written in a way that includes sassy messages and government records, what more could you want?!

Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Yet another stunning space fiction by this dynamic duo, the list wouldn’t be complete with them! Featuring a group of misfits (sounds like The Breakfast Club, right?!) that are forced together as a team to go on a mission together, this one is heaps of fun!

Mindcull by K. H. Canobi
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Focusing on virtual reality and spying, this gripping novel is scarily like real life. With a badass main character, Eila, and a strong villain, this one is sure to become one of your favourite technology-gone-wrong stories pretty quickly!

Hive by A.J. Betts
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A cult-like world and bees? You wouldn’t have thought the two would work together in a book until now! Hayley’s world is only a small selection of hexagonal rooms, and she tends to the bees. Then a drop of water comes… what could go wrong from there?!

Fantasy

Need a break from space, or the real world for a bit? How about you dive into these stunning fantasy books by amazing Australian authors?

Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A genre-bending fantasy mixed with mystery that is a page-turner! The novel follows a thief and her ex-boss trying to uncover who killed the four queens of Quadara.

Sabriel by Garth Nix
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A wall? Magic? Fantasy? This book has it all! It also features the dead and undead, and is a total throwback to the ‘90s, you’ll be sure to be addicted to the fast-paced writing in no time!

Valentine by Jodi McAlister
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Kids born on the same day in a paranormal world, nothing could go wrong, right? Will Pearl’s crush on Finn grow? Well, you’d have to read on to find out in this epic book! (And then you can devour Ironheart and Misrule too!)

Ida by Alison Evans
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Want parallel universes? Want to read more about shadowy doppelgangers? Need a great LGBT+ fantasy? Say no more! Ida is a great Australian YA fantasy that you’ll be sure to like.

Short Stories

Need a variety of genres in a single book? Want little tastes of authors’ works before delving into their novels? Time-poor and need a short read here or there? These suggestions are you!

Begin End Begin
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

One of the first #loveOzYA short story anthologies, this one contains short stories from some very well-known Australian YA authors! There’s a mix of sci-fi, fantasy, realism, contemporary, and more, while being written by the likes of Amie Kaufman, Michael Pryor, and Lili Wilkinson.

Kindred: 12 Queer #loveOzYA stories
Goodreads | Book Depository

Looking for some queer #ownvoices short stories? Well this should satisfy that need! With such diverse and challenging stories, there’ll be something in there for everyone, encapsulating the essence of the title, Kindred!

Underdog
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Ever wanted to know about up-and-coming or previously never published authors in the Australian YA landscape? Say no more as Underdog is here to quench that thirst! Featuring different themes and genres, this one will give you a feel of Australian youth!

Meet Me at the Intersection
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Another #ownvoices anthology, this one features perspectives of authors of colour, living with disability, who are First Nations, or queer+. Made of mostly memoir-type writing, this one gives you insights from voices that are oft unheard of, and you’ll surely be refreshed!

Hopefully some of these #loveOzYA books are new to you, and give you a taste of Australia’s very diverse and fresh voices. Who knows, maybe one of these will become one of your new favourites!

Do you have any recommendations? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 20 Must-Read YA Books Written By Australian Authors appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

#1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas launches her brand-new CRESCENT CITY series with House of Earth and Blood: the story of half-Fae and half-human Bryce Quinlan as she seeks revenge in a contemporary fantasy world of magic, danger, and searing romance.

The Vanishing Deep by Astrid Scholte
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Bestselling author Astrid Scholte, returns with a thrilling adventure in which the dead can be revived…for a price.

Docile by K.M. Szpara
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Docile is a science fiction parable about love and sex, wealth and debt, abuse and power, a challenging tour de force that at turns seduces and startles.

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Exploring the psychological dynamics of the relationship between a precocious yet naïve teenage girl and her magnetic and manipulative teacher, a brilliant, all-consuming read that marks the explosive debut of an extraordinary new writer.

Anna K.: A Love Story by Jenny Lee
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Dazzlingly opulent and emotionally riveting, Anna K.: A Love Story is a brilliant reimagining of Leo Tolstoy’s timeless love story, Anna Karenina―but above all, it is a novel about the dizzying, glorious, heart-stopping experience of first love and first heartbreak.

The Honey-Don’t List by Christina Lauren
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the New York Times bestselling author behind The Unhoneymooners comes a delightfully charming love story about what happens when two assistants tasked with keeping a rocky relationship from explosion start to feel sparks of their own.

When We Were Magic by Sarah Gailey
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A sly, witchy dark comedy about six teens whose magic goes wildly awry from Magic for Liars author Sarah Gailey, who Chuck Wendig calls an “author to watch.”

Precious You by Helen Monks Takhar
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

An obsessive power struggle between an editor and her millennial intern turns dangerous in this debut psychological thriller–for readers of Luckiest Girl Alive and You.

You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The #1 Bestselling authors of The Wife Between Us and An Anonymous Girl deliver a thriller about a circle of friends with deadly intentions–where trust is their weapon and revenge is their trigger….

Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Chain of Gold is the first novel in a new trilogy that stars the Shadowhunters of Edwardian London.

Undercover Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Inspired by the romantic suspense novel they’re reading, the book club assist Liv in setting up a sting operation to take down the chef. But they’re just as eager to help Mack figure out the way to Liv’s heart… even while she’s determined to squelch the sparks between them before she gets burned.

The Boy from the Woods by Harlan Coben
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In the shocking new thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Run Away, a man whose past is shrouded in mystery must find a missing teenage girl before her disappearance brings about disastrous consequences for her community . . . and the world.

What March book releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post March 2020 Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Astrid Scholte is an Australian bestselling YA author and her debut novel, Four Dead Queens, released in 2019 with huge success. You could say that Astrid has grown up telling stories as before becoming an author, Scholte worked in film, animation, and television as an artist and manager! I had the pleasure of chatting with Astrid about her latest novel, The Vanishing Deep, along with her writing process, and what she is working on next!

Hi Astrid, Thanks for taking the time to chat today about your latest novel, The Vanishing Deep. Let’s start with the standard interview questions. Could you tell us a little about yourself?

Thanks so much for having me! I’m a YA author based in Melbourne, Australia who loves books with a speculative twist. I aim to write the stories that play like movies in my head and also enjoy capturing my characters on canvas. I grew up on Disney animated movies so princesses and palaces are part of my storytelling DNA. I have the two cutest cats you’ll ever meet and spend my free time making clay Baby Yodas.

Could you tell us a little about The Vanishing Deep and the inspiration behind it?

The Vanishing Deep is a standalone YA thriller set in a world that’s 99% water and where the dead can be revived for 24 hours. I first came up with the idea while watching The Real Housewives of NYC. One of the housewives wished she could have just one more day with her late husband. Fun fact: the original working title was One More Day. I wrote the idea in my journal back in 2015, before I’d written Four Dead Queens. It wasn’t until the start of 2017 that I started actually writing.

You have created a fascinating world in The Vanishing Deep. Where did the inspiration for your water world come from?

Thank you! Because the story is about life, death and survival, I wanted to reflect that in the world itself. So I created a world that is essentially deceased. In The Vanishing Deep, the Great Waves destroyed an advanced civilisation 500 years ago. Although this is not our world, I wanted to draw comparisons to Earth and the environmental disasters we’ve been facing due to climate change. I also wanted to create a world that was unique and something I hadn’t before. Funnily enough, I’m terrified of the ocean, which made it an interesting world for me to explore as a writer. It was easy to draw upon my fear of the ocean for certain scenes!

This is your second novel. Were there any differences to your writing process this time around?

Usually, I start writing with a concept or what if question. For The Vanishing Deep, it was ‘what would you do if you only had 24 more hours with your loved one.’ This was a similar process to Four Dead Queens where I started with the concept of multiple queens ruling a nation and them being murdered one-by-one. The only real difference in the writing process was that Four Dead Queens didn’t change structurally from the initial drafts, whereas, I completely restructured The Vanishing Deep in the second draft and rewrote the last ¼. The process was much more revision intensive!

Did you write The Vanishing Deep knowing how it would end or was it a journey for you while writing as well?

Oh, definitely a journey! I never know how my books will end as I don’t plan or outline before I start writing. I had an idea of how the book would end about halfway through, but it changed—twice!

Did you face any challenges while writing? If so, how did you overcome them?

It’s always a challenge to make fictional technology believable. Of course, it’s not possible to revive the dead for 24 hours, so how do you make that seem plausible when there’s no magic involved? It took several revisions to get it right, and there are even changes in the final printed version to the ARCs. I just kept on brainstorming different solutions until I hit upon the one that fit the world I’d built.

I have seen some of your character artwork. It is stunning! Do you draw all of your characters to help the writing process or is it more for fun?

Thank you! It’s more for fun than to aid the writing process. I’ll come up with a picture in my mind of what the characters look like when I’m writing and then once the book is complete, I’ll paint them.

If they made The Vanishing Deep into a movie or television series, do you have anyone in mind for any of the characters?

Oh yes! I can’t help but envision my books as movies/TV shows as that’s a part of how I write. If I can’t visualize the scene in my head then I can’t write it. I imagine Courtney Eaton as Tempest Alerin, Hailee Steinfeld as Elysea Alerin, Jacob Elordi as Lor, James Rolleston as Raylan Bassan and Cate Blanchett as Nessandra.

Can you tell us what is next for you? Are you working on anything you can tell us about?

I’m currently working on another YA fantasy genre mashup that I’m in love with! It combines all the things I love to read and watch and has been so fun to write. I hope I can reveal more about it soon!

What are you currently reading? Do you have any recommendations?

I’m currently reading King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo. I love all her books and it’s been sitting on my bedside table for far too long!

Lastly, I have a few rapid fire questions! What is your:

Hogwarts House? Ravenclaw
Favourite Disney movie? Tangled (although I love so many!)
Favourite villain? The T-Rex from Jurassic Park.
Trope? Hate to love
Coffee order? Skinny, decaf mocha with peppermint syrup.

BIO: Raised on a diet of Spielberg, Lucas and Disney, Astrid Scholte knew she wanted to be surrounded by all things fantastical from a young age. She’s spent the last ten years working in film, animation and television as both an artist and manager. Career highlights include working on James Cameron’s Avatar, Steven Spielberg’s The Adventures of Tintin and George Miller’s Happy Feet Two. She’s a visual writer and aims to capture the vivid stories that play like movies in her head. When she’s not writing, she’s painting her favorite fictional characters and obliging her furry overlords, Lilo and Mickey. Four Dead Queens is her debut novel. Astrid can be found on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, along with at her website.

Will you be picking up The Vanishing Deep? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Astrid Scholte, Author of ‘The Vanishing Deep appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

“Twenty-four hours with your loved one didn’t make it any easier to say goodbye, no matter what Palindromena promised. There was no closure. There never would be.”

What would you do if you could spend 24 hours with a lost loved one? The Vanishing Deep by bestselling author, Astrid Scholte, asks that question and then takes the reader on a whirlwind adventure as we explore the possibilities. A standalone novel, it is the story of Tempest Alerin. Tempest, or Tempe, is a seventeen-year-old girl living alone on a reef known as the Equinox. She spends her days diving the ocean dwelling wrecks of the old world looking for items to sell in an attempt to save enough money to allow her one last chance to speak to her sister Elysea who tragically died two years ago. On the island of Palindromena, there is a research facility that, for a hefty price, will grant you the chance to revive your loved one for 24 hours to allow you to say your final goodbyes. Tempe, however, has something else in mind. She isn’t looking for a family reunion, she wants answers that only Elysea can give her.

The Vanishing Deep is set in a scarily prophetic world where society as we know it has been destroyed and consumed by the Great Waves. This has created a dystopian water world where the remaining population lives on islands or strongly regulated reefs. The population on the reefs are monitored closely as life is now a temperamental balancing act. They have to deal with weight limits, overpopulation, and the related health issues of living with so much salt in the air. Tempe and her sister Elysea grew up on Equinox reef with their parents until their tragic death in a boating accident. With no adult care, the girls were forced to dive the sunken wrecks of the old world in an attempt to find a source of income. After her sister’s death, Tempe is left alone to dive the seas in an attempt to survive, but also to search for the answers she desperately needs as Tempe’s sister died with a terrible secret and she needs to know the answer.

The old world wrecks are the remnants of our current world as we know it and while Scholte doesn’t explain exactly how the Great Waves came to be, there is an overwhelming hint throughout the plot about the importance of sustainability and the need to care for our environment. The worldbuilding in this story is deep and effortless and the detailed description of the ocean, the wrecks and general life transports the reader into this water world. This is an ocean book like none other before it.

After Tempe finds a lucrative treasure, she finally has enough notes to buy her sisters temporary revival. The research facility on the nearby island of Palindromena is one of marvel and mystery. This is a facility with the technology to revive your loved one for 24 hours for a high cost, three thousand notes to be exact. The Vanishing Deep is told from dual point of views, which follows Tempe but are also introduced to Lor, a hermitted “employee” of Palindromena. Lor is an unlikely main character and is drawn into the action somewhat by accident. Lor doesn’t believe in the value of the revival process the facility provides and he knows this because he has experienced it first hand. Filled with grief for the death of his friend and his memory of the revival process, Lor knows how devastating the experience can be. When Tempe arrives on Palindromena ready to interrogate her sister, their paths cross and the adventure begins.

The two main characters are wonderfully crafted and compliment each other. Tempe is confident, fierce, and stubborn. She shares her feelings freely and is passionate about her beliefs. Lor on the other hand is the complete opposite. Shy, quiet, and hiding many secrets, Lor is the yin to Tempe’s yang. The addition of the secondary characters Elysea, Tempe’s sister, and Raylan, Lor’s only friend is used to balance the extreme personality traits of the main characters.

This adventure takes the characters on a fast-paced chase running against the clock. The 24 hour countdown is a thrilling plot point that keeps the story moving and the characters on their toes. Through this race against the clock, we learn some very important things about the characters: their passions, loves, compassion, and moral compass. Each chapter begins with a countdown clock and this makes the book a race for the reader as well. This book is a total page turner. In true Astrid Scholte fashion, this book is also filled with perfectly timed, multi-layered plot twists that are as gut wrenching as they are clever. The only downside of having a countdown clock built into a story’s plot is that there is the pressure that events must end. The Vanishing Deep races to its conclusion and then ends somewhat abruptly and unexpectedly with a moderately happy ending.

The Vanishing Deep is an emotional rollercoaster dealing with death, sacrifice, and love. The theme of love is multifaceted and explored in so many different ways. Scholte’s writing style is beautiful and the story flows easily, taking the reader along for the ride rather than being simply an observer. The environmental theme resonates subtly throughout and the entire premise has left me wondering if I had the opportunity to speak to a lost loved one, would I take it?

The Vanishing Deep is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers as of March 3rd 2020.

Will you be picking up The Vanishing Deep? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Bestselling author Astrid Scholte, returns with a thrilling adventure in which the dead can be revived…for a price.

Seventeen-year-old Tempe was born into a world of water. When the Great Waves destroyed her planet, its people had to learn to survive living on the water, but the ruins of the cities below still called. Tempe dives daily, scavenging the ruins of a bygone era, searching for anything of value to trade for Notes. It isn’t food or clothing that she wants to buy, but her dead sister’s life. For a price, the research facility on the island of Palindromena will revive the dearly departed for twenty-four hours before returning them to death. It isn’t a heartfelt reunion that Tempe is after; she wants answers. Elysea died keeping a terrible secret, one that has ignited an unquenchable fury in Tempe: Her beloved sister was responsible for the death of their parents. Tempe wants to know why.

But once revived, Elysea has other plans. She doesn’t want to spend her last day in a cold room accounting for a crime she insists she didn’t commit. Elysea wants her freedom and one final glimpse at the life that was stolen from her. She persuades Tempe to break her out of the facility, and they embark on a dangerous journey to discover the truth about their parents’ death and mend their broken bond. But they’re pursued every step of the way by two Palindromena employees desperate to find them before Elysea’s time is up–and before the secret behind the revival process and the true cost of restored life is revealed.

The post Review: The Vanishing Deep by Astrid Scholte appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

While there have been many debut novels released this year, we round up some of the most buzzed about 2019 debuts!

Descendant of the Crane by Joan He
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this shimmering Chinese-inspired fantasy, debut author Joan He introduces a determined and vulnerable young heroine struggling to do right in a world brimming with deception.

Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A stunning debut for author Evie Dunmore and her Oxford Rebels, in which a fiercely independent vicar’s daughter takes on a powerful duke in a love story that threatens to upend the British social order.

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In the early 1900s, a young woman searches for her place in the world after finding a mysterious book in this captivating and lyrical debut.

We Hunt The Flame by Hafsah Faizal
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Set in a richly detailed world inspired by ancient Arabia, We Hunt the Flame is a gripping debut of discovery, conquering fear, and taking identity into your own hands.

Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Set in a world of powerful women, dark magic, and off-the-charts romance, book one of this stunning fantasy duology will leave readers burning for more.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A shocking psychological thriller of a woman’s act of violence against her husband—and of the therapist obsessed with uncovering her motive…

Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Bridget Jones’s Diary meets Americanah in this disarmingly honest, boldly political, and truly inclusive novel that will speak to anyone who has gone looking for love and found something very different in its place.

The Perfect Son by Lauren North
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A disturbing and shocking debut novel of psychological suspense about a recently widowed mother, her young son, and the lengths she’ll go to in order to keep him safe.

The Storm Crow by Kalyn Josephson
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Eragon meets And I Darken in this thrilling new fantasy debut that follows a fallen princess as she ignites a rebellion to bring back the magical elemental crows that were taken from her people.

A Cosmology of Monsters by Shaun Hamill
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A tender and terrifying literary horror novel–the author’s debut–that tells the story of a family (creators of a haunted house attraction called the Wandering Dark) and the hereditary monsters–both metaphorical and all-too-real–that haunt them.

Fireborne by Rosaria Munda
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Seraphina meets Red Rising in a debut young adult fantasy that’s full of rivalry, romance… and dragons.

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Tamsyn Muir’s Gideon the Ninth unveils a solar system of swordplay, cut-throat politics, and lesbian necromancers. Her characters leap off the page, as skilfully animated as necromantic skeletons. The result is a heart-pounding epic science fantasy.

Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Four Queens. A divided nation. A ruthless pickpocket. A noble messenger. And the murders that unite them. An enthralling fast-paced murder mystery where competing agendas collide with deadly consequences.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A big-hearted romantic comedy in which First Son Alex falls in love with Prince Henry of Wales after an incident of international proportions forces them to pretend to be best friends…

There Will Come A Darkness by Katy Rose Pool
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows meets Kristin Cashore’s Graceling, with a dash of Winter is Coming, in this showstopping debut YA fantasy!

Shadow Frost by Coco Ma
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From young author Coco Ma comes a dazzling new tale of adventure, power, and betrayal, weaving together a stunning world of magic with a killer cast in an explosive, unforgettable debut.

Here and Now and Then by Mike Chen
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A uniquely emotional genre-bending debut, Here and Now and Then captures the perfect balance of heart, playfulness, and imagination, offering an intimate glimpse into the crevices of a father’s heart, and its capacity to stretch across both space and time to protect the people that mean the most.

The Good Luck Girls by Charlotte Nicole Davis
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Westworld meets The Handmaid’s Tale in this stunning fantasy adventure from debut author Charlotte Nicole Davis.

House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

As one by one her beautiful sisters mysteriously die on their isolated island estate, Annaleigh must unravel the curse that haunts her family. Be careful who you dance with. . . .

Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

One pet crow fights to save humanity from an apocalypse in this uniquely hilarious debut from a genre-bending literary author.

Do you have any new favourite authors from 2019? Tell us in the comments below!

The post The Best Debut Novels of 2019 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover our picks and tell us if you will be reading any of them in the comments below!

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the internationally bestselling author of The Bone Season, an enthralling epic fantasy about a world on the brink of war with dragons–and the women who must lead the fight to save it.

On The Come Up by Angie Thomas
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

On the Come Up is Angie Thomas’s homage to hip-hop, the art that sparked her passion for storytelling and continues to inspire her to this day. It is the story of fighting for your dreams, even as the odds are stacked against you; of the struggle to become who you are and not who everyone expects you to be; and of the desperate realities of poor and working-class black families.

The Moroccan Girl by Charles Cumming
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this gripping contemporary thriller, reminiscent of the classic Casablanca, a successful spy novelist is drawn into a real-life espionage plot when he’s ordered to find a mysterious fugitive on the alluring but deadly streets of Morocco.

The Warrior Maiden by Melanie Dickerson
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From New York Times bestselling author Melanie Dickerson comes a fresh reimagining of the classic tale takes us to fifteenth-century Lithuania where both love and war challenge the strongest of hearts.

Bowlaway by Elizabeth McCracken
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A sweeping and enchanting new novel from the widely beloved, award-winning author Elizabeth McCracken about three generations of an unconventional New England family who own and operate a candlepin bowling alley

The Antidote by Shelley Sackier
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Magic is not allowed, under any circumstances — even if it could save someone’s life. Fee knows this, so she keeps her magic a secret. Except her best friend, Xavi, is deathly ill. He’s also the crown prince. Saving him is important, not only for her, but for the entire kingdom. Fee’s desperation to save her friend means she can barely contain the magic inside her. And after the tiniest of slips, Fee is thrust into a dark and secretive world that is as alluring as it is dangerous.

The Huntress by Kate Quinn
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A fascinating historical novel about a battle-haunted English journalist and a Russian female bomber pilot who join forces to track the Huntress, a Nazi war criminal gone to ground in America.

The Familiars by Stacey Halls
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Set against the Pendle Witch Trials of 1612, this rich and compelling novel draws its characters from historical figures as it explores the lives and rights of seventeenth-century women, ultimately raising the question: Is witch-hunting really just women-hunting?

Enchantée by Gita Trelease
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A compellingly beautiful tale of magic, intrigue and deception, set against the backdrop of eighteenth-century Paris on the cusp of revolution.

The Lost Night by Andrea Bartz
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

What really happened the night Edie died? Years later, her best friend Lindsay will learn how unprepared she is for the truth. In 2009, Edie had New York’s social world in her thrall, but when Edie’s body was found near a suicide note at the end of a long, drunken night, no one could believe it. A decade later, Lindsay has come a long way, but when a chance reunion leads Lindsay to discover an unsettling video from that hazy night, she starts to wonder if Edie was actually murdered—and, worse, if she herself was involved.

Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Four Queens. A divided nation. A ruthless pickpocket. A noble messenger. And the murders that unite them. An enthralling fast-paced murder mystery where competing agendas collide with deadly consequences, Four Dead Queens heralds the arrival of an exciting new YA talent.

The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls by Anissa Gray
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Mothers meets An American Marriage in this dazzling debut novel about mothers and daughters, identity and family, and how the relationships that sustain you can also be the ones that consume you.

Which February book release are you most excited to read? Tell us in the comments below!

The post February Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.