Intrigued? Read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from The Gods Will Sing Our Song by Autumn Krause, which releases on September 1st 2026.

A divine favor can change everything.

1942. War rumbles across the world, gods stir in the wind, and two star-crossed souls are set on a path that will change them forever.

Seventeen-year-old Ren Hamada is defined by his troubled past, while Violet Aratani only worries about keeping her straight-A grades. They have little in common beyond the old magic that thrums in their family relics—until the US government forces them out of their homes simply because they’re Japanese American. In a barbed-wire world where everything seems upside down, the magnetic pull between them is the only thing that makes sense.

But there’s more than just desert dust swirling in the air. A god walks among them, his mortal form tethered to the camp, and only Violet and Ren can free him—an act that would earn them an immeasurable reward. Yet with tensions rising and their lives on the line, is even a divine favor enough to save them?

EXCERPT

Chapter One
Ren
April 1942

The story was that Papa left for Japan when I was four. The reasons changed all the time. He left to help a family member. He left to bring over some stuff. He left for a job. Soon, he’ll be back. No one ever said who the family member was, what stuff, or which job.

It’s because the story was a lie.

Well, a half lie. The first part is true.

He left.

But he won’t be back soon. Sometimes, though, my stupid brain believes he will. I can’t remember the guy’s face, yet I’m always waiting on him. When you hear something long enough, it gets inside you. Mama told me the stories about Papa leaving the same way she told me every other factual thing growing up, so maybe that’s why I assumed they were true. Your name is Ren, after Papa. Emi is older, so you need to listen to her. Papa is in Osaka. Or maybe Tokyo now. Or Hiroshima. He misses us and he will come back, so be good and don’t get on my last nerve.

I’ll be hauling crates of waxy oranges and pinky-­red strawberries off the Santa Ana delivery trucks before school and think, When Papa gets back, we’ll—­ or I’ll be home after class, thumbing through our bills, and think, We just have to hang on until Papa—­

Then I’ll remember Mama bent over the dining room table, a bottle of Chinese rice wine half empty by her hand, dull words tumbling from her mouth. “Of course he’s never coming back, baka.” I’ll see the image of crusty lipstick smeared around Mama’s lips like blood, marking the back of her wrist where she must have dragged her hand across her mouth. I feel it. Not pain but panic.

I’ve been trying my hardest to unlearn the story. I keep failing and having to remember the truth and experience it again, like a cartoon character stuck in a spin-­dryer. It’s stupid. Tiring. Never-­ending.

It’s happening now, as I walk home to shower off the sweat from work and get ready for school, the clash of insecticide and fresh citrus hanging in my nose. All the guys at work gathered around one of those colorful Uncle Sam posters that have popped up everywhere—­this one showing him in a workman’s shirt and cap beneath the words DEFEND AMERICAN FREEDOM, IT’S EVERYONE’S JOB—­and talked about signing up and kicking Hitler and Hirohito’s collective ass. At first, I hung back. Japanese Americans can’t even enlist since Hirohito bombed Pearl Harbor three months ago. But as I started walking home, my mind wandered into some dumb fantasy where I don’t head off to Santa Fe when I turn eighteen like I’ve planned and instead I join up. I think about Papa seeing me in a uniform and being proud.

The daydream pops like bubble gum when the figurine hanging around my neck on a cord zings my skin.

The thing is old as hell. It’s not much more than a bit of wood in the shape of a sacred fox. It’s my only scrap from Papa, and that’s pretty much what it is: a splinter, a big nothing from the guy who didn’t stick around to tell me what it is or how to use it. I don’t even remember him giving it to me. The only memories I have are clinging to his legs at Obon like a grain of sticky rice to a pair of chopsticks, skipping rocks with him at Westlake Park, and hearing him and Mama fighting—­though I’m not even certain whether it was him or one of her other guys.

When I touch the fox, something inside it pulses. It’s like a heartbeat. Or the ticktock of a clock or the rhythmic purr of a cat. It’s quiet, old magic. It doesn’t belong here. Los Angeles is a place of bushes studded with jasmine stars and people who don’t own heavy coats and grandmotherly palm trees nodding over us. Magic, in this city of oranges and opportunity, is like that big black dot you see after looking at the sun. It’s the aftereffect of something brilliant, a negative image that’s dwindled over time.

It talks to me. The fox. It’s sort of like that Jiminy Cricket guy from Pinocchio, only without any words. Last time I sensed it, it urged me to tell Mrs. Bell that her dress was pretty. She had spent the entire semester telling me to stop slacking off, but at that compliment, she extended the due date on my math homework. It didn’t matter, of course. Mama was in one of her reigns of terror; in between hiding our rent money so she wouldn’t spend it all on booze and ducking around the water glasses she launched at my head because she couldn’t find said money, I didn’t finish it.

You’d think having a magical pendant might turn your world around, but it doesn’t do jack beyond small favors. Sometimes it doesn’t even do those. When I was ten, Mama stumbled home with her beau of that month, some prick who was more beer belly than anything else. They reeked like they’d bathed in liquor, and they were already hoarse from shouting. Porcelain exploded against the wall as the man started smashing our plates. I held the fox, begging it to tell me what to do. The damn thing was silent. I couldn’t even feel its beat.

So I let it go.

I ended up running into the living room, pushing the man against the wall. He was so drunk that he collapsed like the centers of Mama’s perpetually undercooked cakes. Only thing the fox gave me that night was a red mark on my palm from clutching it and begging it for help.

Excerpted from The Gods Will Sing Our Song by Autumn Krause Copyright © 2026 by Autumn Krause. Excerpted by permission of Delacorte Press. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

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Stephanie Garber is best known for her immersive storytelling, whimsical writing, and vibrant characters. The Caraval and Once Upon a Broken Heart series solidified Garber as a legendary young adult author, and with the release of A Curse for True Love nearing, it’s going to be difficult to say goodbye to the Caraval universe.

If you’re struggling to find books that give off the same magical feel of Garber’s novels, look no further than these recommendations.

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace

Belladonna is the start of a gothic romantic fantasy trilogy told through the perspective of Signa Farrow. Orphaned since birth and thought to be cursed, Signa moves from relative to relative without a true home. That is until she receives a letter from the Hawthorne family inviting her to stay at the grim Thorn Grove manor. All is well until Signa discovers the dark secrets that lie within the walls of Thorn Grove and that the only person who can help her bring those secrets to light is Death.

Before the Devil Knows You’re Here by Autumn Krause (October 3)

Romance. Curses. Death. Poisoned apples. With a premise like that, it’s almost as if the Prince of Hearts wrote it himself. Catalina has been told the story of the Man of Sap since she was a child. When her father is killed and her brother is taken, Catalina embarks on a journey in the woods to find the truth behind the legend and rescue her brother. Along the way, she encounters a stranger who offers his assistance, but as Catalina soon realises, not everything is as it seems.

Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle (October 3)

If your favourite part of the Caraval series is the Fates, you’ll love the mythology surrounding the Tides of Fate and the fictional story, the Song of the Drowned Gods in Curious Tides. This dark academia debut centers on Emory Ainsleif, a Healer whose best friend was one of the eight students lost to the Dovermore Coves. Emory is convinced that there is more to the drownings than meets the eye, and she is determined to figure it out, even if that means putting herself in danger. With strong female bonds, lyrical writing, myths, and a love triangle, Stephanie Garber fans should keep an eye out for this upcoming release.

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

Divine Rivals is all the rage on social media, and for good reason. This fantasy romance duology opener follows journalist Iris Winnow as she navigates loss and hardship amid a war between gods. With her brother on the frontlines, her mother battling addiction, her position at the Oath Gazette hanging by a thread, and her rival, Roman Kitt, constantly challenging her, Iris finds solace in her grandmother’s magical typewriter. Iris believes her letters are being sent to her brother, and little does she know they are being received by Roman.

Heartless by Marissa Meyer

A reimagining of Alice in Wonderland, Heartless tells the story of Catherine Pinkerton, a girl who dreams of opening her own bakery. In a society run by royalty, Catherine’s goals are frowned upon. Catherine is set to marry the King, but things don’t go as planned as she falls in love with the court joker, Jest. The novel takes a dark turn as Catherine’s decisions shape her into the infamous Queen of Hearts.

Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

With its beautiful writing and electrifying romance, Sorcery of Thorns captures the same sense of whimsy and wonder you would expect in a Stephanie Garber novel. Magic, grimoires, and adventure drive a spellbinding tale where aspiring librarian Elisabeth Scrivener must team up with sorcerer Nathaniel and his demon servant Silas to stop an ancient evil destroying the Great Libraries.

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

The post Six Books You’ll Love If You’re A Fan of Stephanie Garber appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

It’s August and can you believe that we’re already more than halfway through 2019?! Today, we will share a selection of debut releases that you don’t want to miss this month! And if you’re ready to find your next favourite book (and author too!), be sure to keep reading this post as we’ve selected a few of our most anticipated!

100 Days of Sunlight by Abbie Emmons
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A contemporary story from debut author Abbie Emmons, featuring Tessa Dickinson, a blogger/poet who just recently become blind because of a car crash and Weston Ludovico, a confident and optimistic amputee who wants to help Tessa to keep blogging by becoming her typewriter. Through many ups and downs, and after Life knocked both of them down with different challenges during different times, we got to witness how the two started as barely a stranger, and become each other’s biggest support system.

As Many Nows As I Can Get by Shana Youngdahl
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In one impulsive moment the summer before they leave for college, overachievers Scarlett and David plunge into an irresistible swirl of romance, particle physics, and questionable decisions. This is the story of a grounded girl who’s pulled into a lightning-strike romance with an electric-charged boy, and the enormity of the aftermath.

Color Me In by Natasha Diaz
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Inspired by her personal experiences, Color Me In is a coming-of-age novel about the meaning of friendship, the joyful beginnings of romance, and the racism and religious intolerance that can both strain a family to the breaking point and strengthen its bonds. Biracial 16-year-old Nevaeh Levitz had to move to her mom’s family home in Harlem and she labeled as a white who’s too privileged to relate to the injustices they face on a daily basis as African Americans. Can she face this challenge when it comes from her own family?

Ziggy, Stardust and Me by James Brandon
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

When homosexuality is still considered as a mental illness in 1973, aside from alcoholic father, sympathetic neighbor, and his friend, Carla, 16-year-old Jonathan Collins is completely alone. To cope with his loneliness, he escaped to an alternate universe, his own imagination. In this place, he had his hero David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust and dead relatives, including his mother. Until suddenly, Web, a fearless, fearsome and, most importantly, not ashamed of being gay, stumbled into his life. And maybe, Web is a kind of escape Jonathan has never known.

Carnegie Hill by Jonathan Vatner
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A belated-coming-of-age novel about sustaining a marriage—and knowing when to walk away. It chronicles the lives of wealthy New Yorkers and the staff who serve them, as they suffer together and rebound, struggle to free themselves from family entanglements, deceive each other out of love and weakness, and fumble their way to honesty.

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

Hollow Kingdom is a humorous, big-hearted, and boundlessly beautiful romp through the apocalypse and the world that comes after, where even a cowardly crow can become a hero. When one day, S.T., a domesticated crow,  saw his owner’s eyeball falls out of his head, he feels like something isn’t quite right. Forced to leave his old life, S.T. now ventures out into a wild and frightening new world with his trusty steed Dennis, and discovered that humanity is about to extinct, and he seems to be the only one who can save it.

I’m Not Dying with You Tonight by Gilly Segal and Kimberly Jones
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When the opposite Lena and Campbell went into the Friday-night football game,  they didn’t expect to descend into sudden mass chaos. Chaos born from violence and hate. Chaos that unexpectedly throws them together. They aren’t friends. They hardly understand the other’s point of view. But none of that matters when the city is up in flames, and they only have each other to rely on if they’re going to survive the night.

They Could Have Named Her Anything by Stephanie Jimenez
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Racism, class, and betrayal collide in this poignant debut novel about restoring the broken bonds of family and friendship. They Could Have Named Her Anything explores the heartfelt expectation of what it means to live up to the name you’ve been given and the more rewarding discovery of what really matters.

A Dress for the Wicked by Autumn Krause
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

When 18-year-old Emmaline Watkins heard about the design competition held by the most admired fashion house in the city, she knew this is her opportunity to get closer to her dream. As the first “country girl” to compete, Emmy knows she’ll encounter extra hurdles on her way to the top. But as she navigates the twisted world of high fashion she starts to wonder: will she be able to tailor herself to fit into this dark, corrupted race? And at what cost?

Beasts of the Frozen Sun by Jill Criswell
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

As a descendant of Aillira and god-gifted in her own right, Lira has the power to read people’s souls, to see someone’s true essence with only a touch of her hand. Until one day, a golden-haired warrior washes up on the shores of her homeland — Reyker — and after reading his soul, she realizes Reyker is different than his brethren who attack the coasts of Glasnith. As Lira and Reyker form a bond forbidden by both their clans, the wrath of the Dragon falls upon them and all over their city, and Lira finds herself facing the same tragic fate as her ancestor. The battle for Lira’s life, for Reyker’s soul, and for their peoples’ freedom has only just begun.

Crown of Coral and Pearl by Mara Rutherford
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Every girl in Ilara is dreaming to become the next princess of a kingdom that’s ruled their village for as long as anyone can remember. When a childhood accident left Nor with a permanent scar, it became clear that her identical twin sister, Zadie, would likely be chosen to marry the Crown Prince—while Nor remained behind, unable to ever set foot on land.  But when Zadie is gravely injured, Nor is sent to Ilara in her place. To Nor’s dismay, her future husband, Prince Ceren, is as forbidding and cold as his home—a castle carved into a mountain and devoid of sunlight. And as she grows closer to Ceren’s brother, the charming Prince Talin, Nor uncovers startling truths about a failing royal bloodline, a murdered queen… and a plot to destroy the home she was once so eager to leave.

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

Twelve sisters lived in a manor by the sea, but when accidents came to them one by one until only four of them left, Annaleigh, one of the girls that survived, Annaleigh became increasingly suspicious that the deaths were no accidents. Her sisters have been sneaking out every night to attend glittering balls, dancing until dawn in silk gowns and shimmering slippers, and Annaleigh isn’t sure whether  to join or stop them. When Annaleigh’s involvement with a mysterious stranger who has secrets of his own intensifies, it’s a race to unravel the darkness that has fallen over her family—before it claims her next.

Will you be picking up any of these debut books? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 12 Debut Novels To Pick Up In August 2019 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below if you’re looking forward to any of them!

All the Bad Apples by Moïra Fowley-Doyle
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Unflinching and gorgeously written, this feminist novel is important, timely, and a compulsive read. From the highly acclaimed author of the beloved The Accident Season comes an epic breakout novel examining the very topical and controversial issue of women’s sexual and reproductive rights, which has never been higher on the public’s radar.

Sea Witch Rising (Sea Witch #2) by Sarah Henning
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

“The Little Mermaid” takes a twisted turn in this thrilling sequel to villainess origin story Sea Witch, as the forces of land and sea clash in an epic battle for freedom, redemption, and true love.

A Dress for the Wicked by Autumn Krause
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The high-stakes fashion scene of a reimagined nineteenth century Europe takes center stage in this YA debut perfect for fans of The Belles and The Luxe.

Color Me In by Natasha Diaz
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Debut YA author Natasha Díaz pulls from her personal experience to inform this powerful coming-of-age novel about the meaning of friendship, the joyful beginnings of romance, and the racism and religious intolerance that can both strain a family to the breaking point and strengthen its bonds.

Ever Alice by H.J. Ramsay
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Alice’s stories of Wonderland did more than raise a few eyebrows—it landed her in an asylum. Now at 15 years of age, she’s willing to do anything to leave, which includes agreeing to an experimental procedure.

Let’s Call It a Doomsday by Katie Henry
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An engrossing and thoughtful contemporary tale that tackles faith, friendship, family, anxiety, and the potential apocalypse from Katie Henry, the acclaimed author of Heretics Anonymous.

Here There Are Monsters by Amelinda Bérubé
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Blair Witch Project meets Imaginary Girls in this story of codependent sisterhood, the struggle to claim one’s own space, and the power of secrets

100 Days of Sunlight by Abbie Emmons
Goodreads | Amazon

When 16-year-old poetry blogger Tessa Dickinson is involved in a car accident and loses her eyesight for 100 days, she feels like her whole world has been turned upside-down.

Bright Star by Erin Swan
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Erin Swan’s YA fantasy debut, Bright Star, is an action-packed adventure tale of rebellion, romance, and finding one’s voice in the heart of a storm.

As Many Nows as I Can Get by Shana Youngdahl
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Told in non-linear, vivid first-person chapters, As Many Nows As I Can Get is the story of a grounded girl who’s pulled into a lightning-strike romance with an electric-charged boy, and the enormity of the aftermath.

Hello Girls by Brittany Cavallaro and Emily Henry
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Thelma and Louise gets remade in this powerful, darkly funny teen novel from acclaimed authors Brittany Cavallaro and Emily Henry. Two teenage girls who have had enough of the controlling men in their lives take their rage on the road to make a new life for themselves.

A Song for the Road by Rayne Lacko
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

When a tornado destroys his Tulsa home, fifteen-year-old Carter Danforth is trapped in the pawnshop where his daddy hawked his custom, left-handed Martin guitar six years earlier―and then took off, leaving Carter with nothing but a hankering to pluck strings and enough heartache to sing the blues. Injured by the storm, Carter’s mother is laid up in the hospital. She wants Carter to fly out to Reno and stay with her sister. Too bad Carter already spent her hidden cash stash to buy his dad’s guitar. Rather than tell her the truth, he embarks on an epic road trip in search of his father in Santa Monica. But Carter isn’t a runaway. He reckons he’s a “running to.”

Are you looking forward to any of these YA releases? Tell us in the comments below!

The post August 2019 Book Releases: YA appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

It’s all about to change for Autumn Krause! Her debut novel, A Dress For The Wicked, is an upcoming YA historical that is set to release on August 6th 2019! We had the opportunity to chat Autumn about her novel, how it came to be all the way from inspiration to publication, and even book recommendations! Be sure to add A Dress For The Wicked to your Goodreads!

Hi Autumn! Tell us a little about yourself!

I’m a California girl all the way! If I’m ever in a landlocked state, I get nervous—I’m like, “there is no access to the waterway…how will I escape if war breaks out?” Basically I subsist on In-N-Out, sunshine, and the high I get from seeing a celebrity once every ten years.

Currently, I write novels and features for home tour magazines and other publications and take care of my little fairy baby who is almost two. It’s quite the balance—half the time it’s looming deadlines, the other half its singing Moana to my enthralled audience of one. You’ll most often find me wearing a black lace dress and boots.

Your debut novel, A Dress For The Wicked, is set to release on August 6^th. Can you tell us a little more about it?

Yes! It’s set in a fictional country that’s most like Victorian England. So think Dickensian, only without the orphans. The country is known for its fashion and people come from all over to be styled at the Fashion House. Every few years, there’s a competition and the winner gets an apprenticeship at the Fashion House. Emmy, the main character, dreams of becoming a designer. She gets the chance to compete but finds herself completely unprepared for the Fashion House’s dark world of intrigue, politics, and backstabbing.

Where did your inspiration for A Dress For The Wicked come from?

While I was getting my master’s degree, I got a job as a bridal stylist in a Beverly Hills bridal salon. I’d worked in bridal before but I’d never experienced anything like it. The gowns were pure luxury and while some of the brides were nice, others were demanding and outrageous. I always wanted to write a story about a girl working in fashion but that’s where the story really came alive.

How long have you been working on this novel?

I wrote the first chapter my senior year of college and then wrote the rest incrementally throughout my master’s program and finished it about a month or so after graduating. So, if you’re doing the math, it took a long time!

Were there any aspects that you found challenging to write, such as a character or scene?

I always knew the premise and the ending but then I had no idea how to get from one to the other. I felt lost in a wasteland of storyline, characters, and scenes with the finale glowing far off in the distance. I had to cobble them all together to get there and, in the process, really learned with it takes to write a novel. Spoiler alert: it’s as easy as it might seem!

What was the road to becoming a published author like?

It was hard! Not only is there a lot of rejection built into the process, but there’s a lot of waiting, whether it’s for a response from an editor or notes from your agent. I am impatient and I like to control things (haha, probably the least two attributes suited for this industry). So I’ve grown a lot and learned a lot and, eventually, everything worked out just right.

What’s your writing process?

I work from home and care for my daughter full-time so novel writing happens in between those two things. When it does happen, it’s furious and intense because I must make the most of the time so when I sit down to write, there’s like a siren in my head and a drill sergeant shouting GO, GO GO!!!! My favourite place to work is a coffee shop. Bring on all the hot coffee and white noise!

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Only you can write your novel so don’t give up. If you do, we’ll never get to read it and that would be very sad indeed.

What’s next for you?

I have lots of exciting things coming up! Nothing I can talk about publicly yet but if you follow my Instagram, @autumnsarahstory, you’ll be the first to know (and you’ll see lots of posts about the following: writing, motherhood, marriage, fashion, books, existential crises…my Instagram is basically a front row seat to the musings of my mind). You can also find me at autumnkrause.com.

Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for us?

Of course! THE LIBRARY OF LOST THINGS by Laura Taylor Namey and THE QUIET YOU CARRY by Nikki Barthelmess. And also because these books changed my life: BROTHERS KARAMAZOV, JANE EYRE, and LES MISERABLES.

Will you be checking out Autumn’s A Dress For The Wicked? Have you already? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Autumn Krause, Author of ‘A Dress For The Wicked’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover the authors who will be releasing their debut novels and tell us in the comments below what you’re looking forward to!

JULY

Wilder Girls by Rory Power
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A feminist Lord of the Flies about three best friends living in quarantine at their island boarding school, and the lengths they go to uncover the truth of their confinement when one disappears. This fresh, new debut is a mind-bending novel unlike anything you’ve read before.

The Other Mrs. Miller by Allison Dickson
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this unputdownable domestic suspense debut, a lonely suburban housewife finds her life entangled with the family that moves in across the street at the same time that she becomes convinced someone is watching her–perfect for fans of The Couple Next Door and The Last Mrs. Parrish.

Spin The Dawn by Elizabeth Lim
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Project Runway meets Mulan in this sweeping YA fantasy about a young girl who poses as a boy to compete for the role of imperial tailor and embarks on an impossible journey to sew three magic dresses, from the sun, the moon, and the stars.

Tell Me Everything by Cambria Brockman
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A murder at an elite New England college tears apart a group of friends – and one of them is playing a dangerous game – in this electrifying debut in the tradition of In a Dark, Dark Wood and The Couple Next Door.

The Last Book Party by Karen Dukess
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A page-turning, coming-of-age story, written with a lyrical sense of place and a profound appreciation for the sustaining power of books, The Last Book Party shows what happens when youth and experience collide and what it takes to find your own voice.

The Expectations by Alexander Tilney
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In the tradition of Prep and Old School, a sharp and evocative portrait of insiders–and outsiders–at an elite boarding school who must face a reality very different from the one they imagined.

AUGUST

Beasts of the Frozen Sun by Jill Criswell
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Every child of Glasnith learns the last words of Aillira, the god-gifted mortal whose doomed love affair sparked a war of gods and men, and Lira of clan Stone knows the story better than most. As a descendant of Aillira and god-gifted in her own right, she has the power to read people’s souls, to see someone’s true essence with only a touch of her hand.

Nottingham by Nathan Makaryk
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Both a gripping historical epic and fascinating deconstruction of the Robin Hood legend, Nathan Makaryk’s Nottingham mixes history and myth into a complex study of power–one that twists and turns far beyond the traditional tale of Sherwood Forest’s iconic thief.

A Dress for the Wicked by Autumn Krause
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The high-stakes fashion scene of a reimagined nineteenth century Europe takes center stage in this YA debut perfect for fans of The Belles and The Luxe.

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.

Campusland by Scott Johnston
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A tumultuous and often hilarious first novel about one year of insanity at the Ivy-like Devon University, a blissful bubble of elite students and the adults at their mercy.

Color Me In by Natasha Diaz
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Debut YA author Natasha Díaz pulls from her personal experience to inform this powerful coming-of-age novel about the meaning of friendship, the joyful beginnings of romance, and the racism and religious intolerance that can both strain a family to the breaking point and strengthen its bonds.

SEPTEMBER

Frankly in Love by David Yoon
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this moving novel, debut author David Yoon takes on the question of who am I? with a result that is humorous, heartfelt, and ultimately unforgettable.

Cold Storage by David Koepp
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

For readers of Andy Weir and Noah Hawley comes an astonishing debut by the screenwriter of Jurassic Park: a wild and terrifying adventure about three strangers who must work together to contain a highly contagious, deadly organism

Tinfoil Butterfly by Rachel Eve Moulton
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Shining meets About a Boy in this electrifying debut about a troubled young woman and a lonely boy facing their demons in the frozen Black Hills.

The Tenth Girl by Sara Faring
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Simmering in Patagonian myth, The Tenth Girl is a gothic psychological thriller with a haunting twist.

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.

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.

OCTOBER

A River of Royal Blood by Amanda Joy
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

An enthralling debut perfect for fans of Children of Blood and Bone set in a North African-inspired fantasy world where two sisters must fight to the death to win the crown.

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.

Gravemaidens by Kelly Coon
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The start of a fierce fantasy duology about three maidens who are chosen for their land’s greatest honor…and one girl determined to save her sister from the grave. 

How Fires End by Marco Rafala
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A dark secret born out of World War II lies at the heart of a Sicilian American family in this emotional and sweeping saga of guilt, revenge, and, ultimately, redemption.

Shadow Frost by Coco Ma
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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.

Tarnished Are the Stars by Rosiee Thor
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The Lunar Chronicles meets Rook in this queer #OwnVoices science-fantasy novel, perfect for fans of Marissa Meyer and Sharon Cameron.

NOVEMBER

Her Crown of Fire by Renee April
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In the dull, everyday world, seventeen-year-old Rose Evermore struggles to plan beyond her final year of high school. But when fire suddenly obeys her every command and her dreams predict the future, she becomes hungry for more of this strange power.

A Thousand Fires by Shannon Price
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Shannon Price’s A Thousand Fires is a breakout contemporary debut―think The Outsiders meets The Iliad―that’s perfect for fans of Courtney Summers and Veronica Roth.

On Swift Horses by Shannon Pufahl
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A lonely newlywed and her wayward brother-in-law follow divergent and dangerous paths through the postwar American West.

Songs from the Deep by Kelly Powell
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A girl searches for a killer on an island where deadly sirens lurk just beneath the waves in this gripping, atmospheric debut novel.

When The Stars Lead To You by Ronni Davis
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Nicola Yoon meets Jenny Han in a heated first-love romance about two teens who are torn apart one summer by prejudice and mental illness, and find each other once again.

My Sister Is Missing by Julia Barrett
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Stephanie Henderson gazes at her newborn daughter and wonders if husband Adam will notice the lack of resemblance. But when her lover demands a paternity test, Stephanie tells Adam a string of lies—lies that lead the two men to a dramatic confrontation.

DECEMBER

Dangerous Alliance by Jennieke Cohen
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The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue meets Jane Austen in this witty, winking historical romance with a dash of mystery!

Would Like To Meet by Rachel Winters
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A cynical assistant at a screenwriting agency must reenact the meet-cute scenes from classic romantic comedy movies in order to help her #1 client get his scriptwriting mojo back–but can a real-life meet-cute be in store for someone who doesn’t believe in happily ever after?

All That’s Bright and Gone by Eliza Nellums
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Fans of Jodi Picoult and Fredrik Backman will fall for this tenderhearted debut mystery following a young girl on a quest to save her family.

The Network by L.C. Shaw
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A pulse-pounding, page-turning thriller involving corruption, secrets, and lies at the very deepest levels of government and media.

The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson
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Melissa Ferguson’s hilarious and warmhearted debut reminds us that love can come in very small packages—and that sometimes our best-laid plans aren’t nearly as rewarding and fun as the surprises that come our way.

Holly Banks Full of Angst by Julie Valerie
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A laugh-out-loud debut novel for anyone who’s tried to live the perfect life—and learned the hard way there’s no such thing.

Will you be reading any of these debuts? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 36 Authors Making Their Debut Between July & December 2019 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.