About The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt: A lush, enchanting story of a woman who must use the magic of the fantastical plants that adorn her crumbling estate in Victorian London to thwart the dark plots of the men around her…

Winter, the season that seems to exist just for reading, is coming. And when the weather gets cold, what is it about a book that’s rooted in reality but offers a hint of magic, especially sinister magic? Do we just love a sprinkle of the strange, the ghostly, the otherworldly to keep us warm? 

Maybe we love books with fantastical elements because they tap into something that comforts a natural human instinct: our desire to empower the underdog. In low fantasy books or books that are grounded in real-life but lean into the supernatural or magic, no-win situations can play out in favor of those who have the odds stacked against them. We don’t get to see these wins enough in real life, but in grounded magical literature, we get to see power subverted with the help of ghosts or spells or magical flower gardens. Magic and supernatural forces in books do sometimes serve the already powerful, but they also, equally, serve those who would be otherwise powerless. These magical forces are swords for oppressed and innocent characters—who usually must face mighty opponents. So yes, a little magic gives readers a glimpse into alternate realities and unexpected heroes, within worlds that look undoubtedly like our own.

These five new books are ideal for anyone who longs for the warmth of cheering for the little gal while winter weather knocks at the window, but who also craves a little of the weird to keep their heart rate up. These tales examine what happens when uncanny forces come to the aid of those who need it. But don’t be lulled—these books embrace elements of darkness that push them just to the other side of cozy. They’re richly fantastical, but only in the face of grim realities.

So, curl up this winter and let yourself sink into these stories that are a little bit dark, a little bit magical, and a little bit peculiar.

The Third Wife of Faraday House by B.R. Myers

This gothic tale is ideal for those among us who loved Jane Eyre and Rebecca. Emeline is destined to marry a wealthy and mysterious man, and when she joins him at his seaside residence, she discovers a series of ghostly secrets she must unravel. The immersive setting and mood, which manages to be simultaneously eerie and cozy, keeps us rooting for courageous Emeline.

The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door by H.G. Parry

This book has all kinds of peculiarities you never knew you needed: a secret magical university between Oxford and Cambridge, a faerie curse on the battlefields of WWI, a charming magical aristocratic classmate, and a young woman exposed to systemic (magical) toxicity. This story is as complex as it is whimsical, and maintains a mythic, fairy-tale warmth while forcing us to turn the mirror on the ugliness of our own world.

The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt by Chelsea Iversen

Long winters sometimes require Victorian-era historical fantasy stories with dark twists. Set in a suburb of London, this tale follows a woman who must use her lush, magical garden to escape the sinister plots of the men around her. The unraveling of these plots exposes cruelties and intrigue, gorgeous flowers that respond to emotions, and a heartfelt heroine. Harriet’s story is a satisfyingly peculiar companion for a cold winter afternoon.

In the Lonely Hours by Shannon Morgan

This contemporary gothic story set in remote Scotland follows a woman and her daughter as they inherit a castle with a mysterious history and, well, ghosts. It’s a dark and wistful tale, unspooling the past of a peculiar family and the home they left behind. This book’s haunted histories and somber secrets make it a heartfelt gothic read.

A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher

Cordelia is friendless, mistreated, and lonely. When, one day, her evil sorceress mother calls on a squire who she wants to eventually lure into marriage, Cordelia must soon face her formidable mother to free herself and her mother’s next victims. This is a magical, melancholy story that’s not afraid to get heavy but remains, in the end, heartwarmingly satisfying.

The post Five Deliciously Peculiar Books For Winter appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Hi, B.R! Welcome back! It’s been a few years since we spoke for Rogue Princess, how have you been?

Great! After working as a nurse for thirty-two years I decided to retire so now I write full-time, which is a dream come true. Two years ago, my first adult novel was published. A Dreadful Splendor was an international bestseller and won the Mary Higgins Clark Award, another dream come true!

When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

I’ve always been a bookworm, but I didn’t start writing until about sixteen years ago. At that time Stephenie Meyer’s books were quickly approaching epic popularity—the first movie of the franchise was coming out that year—and my sister (who was also a nurse at the time) thought I could easily write a bestseller that would get me a movie deal and make us both rich enough to retire early. Ha! The joke was on us.

However, her insistence was the seed that jumpstarted me into writing. I found some success on Wattpad and that gave me the confidence to send my manuscript to a local publisher. Butterflies Don’t Lie came out in 2014, and I’ve been creating stories ever since. The Third Wife of Faraday House will be my thirteenth published novel.

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

• The first book you ever remember reading: Georgie by Robert Bright. It’s about a ghost who tries to haunt a new house, but he ends up finding it too scary. And let me say, as a kid one of the best memories from elementary school was when the Scholastic Book order came in.
• The one that made you want to become an author: When I first read The Fingersmith by Sarah Waters. There is a twist in that book that made me gasp out loud and I remember thinking I would love to be able to manipulate a reader like that one day.
• The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Favourite reads stay with me weeks after I’ve finished them and some scenes are permanently etched into my brain and heart, but the book that comes to mind on a regular basis would be Pride and Prejudice. It is amazing how much brilliant commentary on the societal norms versus human desire is in that novel. No words are ever wasted. I’ve reread it at least eleven times and it never disappoints.

Your latest novel, The Third Wife of Faraday House, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Bewitching, Gothic, Mysterious, Ghostly, Gripping

What can readers expect?

An atmospheric gothic mystery with ghostly vibes intertwined with romantic coziness and strong female friendships. I hope readers are entertained and feel like they’ve had an intriguing and satisfying escape.

Where did the inspiration for The Third Wife of Faraday House come from?

After A Dreadful Splendor I knew I wanted to write another gothic mystery, but with more of a maritime theme and one that was set in Atlantic Canada. I pictured low grey clouds over a crumbling manor on a private peninsula, a gloomy household led by a sea captain obsessed with morbidity, a family curse, the lure of a possible hidden treasure, and at its centre a young heroine who was neither prepared nor interested in solving a ghostly mystery but is forced to investigate when she finds herself needing to survive the inhospitable estate.

I grew up in Chester, Nova Scotia which was the perfect backdrop for the ocean side setting. Strongly influenced by my maritime surroundings, the novel’s theme of devious greed, and the destructive forces of superstition was loosely inspired by the dramatic history of the world-famous Oak Island Mystery.

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

Unlike the street wise main character in A Dreadful Splendor, who was comfortable in unexplained spiritual situations, I wanted Emeline to be the opposite, someone who had a very sheltered upbringing, but not necessarily spoiled. And not necessarily loved. She views life through a matter-of-fact lens and has her own agenda, but heavily relies on traits she has always believed were her strongest assets—her beauty and charm. However, when she arrives at Faraday House, she realizes neither of those will be of assistance in the face of the deadly mystery she finds herself embroiled in. How does someone with no confidence or experience deal with the strange events that torture the poor souls of Faraday House? Emeline must quickly figure out what she is capable of to avoid being the next dead bride of Captain Graves. It’s a fish out of water trope that worked well in this context. As a writer, it was satisfying to watch her grow into her true self.

Interestingly, I found her name during a walk in a historic cemetery. I took a picture of the gravestone for no reason other than the fact she had died a young woman. I hadn’t planned on using the name Emeline until I had finished writing the novel.

Did you face any challenges whilst writing The Third Wife of Faraday House?

Oh my, yes! This book underwent MAJOR revisions requiring two complete rewrites. The issue was that the ‘ghost story’ aspect was growing so complicated it was taking the oxygen from Emeline’s plot. My editors and I decided it was best to remove the entire ‘ghost story’ and replace it with one that complimented Emeline’s journey instead of competing with it. The result is a novel that I am so proud of, and I continue to be endlessly grateful for my editors’ insight.

What’s next for you?

Thank you for asking! I think maritime gothic is my brand now. I’m extremely excited about my current project. I can’t share too much at this time, but it is another murder mystery partly set on a merchant ship, and partly in an isolated fishing village in Nova Scotia in 1778. There might be cursed treasure, a haunted ship, a romance (or two), a missing woman, murder, and maybe a grumpy love interest with an eyepatch.

Lastly, what books have you enjoyed so far this year and are there any that you can’t wait to get your hands on?

Some of my favourite reads this year so far:

• The Isle of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak. Her writing is so beautiful and the narration with this novel was particularly magical.
• Before The Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. What a ride! Magical realism with an emotional punch.
• The Treasure Hunters Club by Tom Ryan. I was lucky enough to get an advance copy. This mystery/thriller is the best Murder, She Wrote episode plus The Goonies plus The Only One Left.

In my TBR pile:

I’m really looking forward to reading Missing White Woman by Kellye Garret. It’s the follow up to her Edgar Finalist for Best Novel, Like A Sister, a thriller with a healthy dose of wit and satisfyingly jaw dropping twists.

I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones. His last novel, The Only Good Indians was so satisfying with a perfect balance of suspense and horror.

Will you be picking up The Third Wife of Faraday House? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: B.R. Myers, Author of ‘The Third Wife of Faraday House’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

You can find B.R on Goodreads, Facebook,  Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest, along with at her website.

Hi B.R! Tell us a little about yourself!

I started writing ten years ago and went through two agents before I discovered Wattpad. I found success there and that gave me the confidence to send my manuscript to a local publisher. Butterflies Don’t Lie came out in 2014, and I’ve been writing ever since. Rogue Princess will be my eleventh published novel.

I live in one of the most beautiful places, Halifax Nova Scotia, where I work as a registered nurse. I believe bacon makes everything better. The first album I bought was Off the Wall by Michael Jackson, and my favorite food is an egg salad sandwich made by someone else.

When you started writing Rogue Princess, what character did you start writing first?

The notion of a gender swapped retelling appealed to me and right away I thought of Cinderella. I hadn’t intended to have a sci-fi angle to the story, but I clearly remember the ‘shoe fits’ scene coming to me fully developed, and I was intrigued. 

The characters flowed from that one image; Princess Delia and her overwhelming responsibility to Astor, and Aidan, a silver tongued thief caught up in a destiny neither one of them saw coming.

From the beginning the story was always intended to be told in two voices. I wanted to showcase Princess Delia’s unwavering loyalty to the crown against Aidan’s crass, yet charming wit of a commoner who has little respect for royalty.

Princess Delia has so much weighing on her, how would she wind down after a long day?

She is so intense! No long walks in the moonlit royal gardens for this princess. Delia would prefer to blow off steam by sword fighting while flying a sky glider through Pirate’s Canyon.

Princess Shania was such a delightful character, full of insightful thoughts, but we didn’t get to see what she gets up to when she’s not with Delia. What kind of mischief would be getting into?

Despite her impish tendencies, Shania is a serious romantic, believing anything wonderful is possible, especially if it’s in honor of love. She thrives on indulgence and spends most evenings sneaking sweet cakes from the kitchen. Plus, I imagine she must have been trying to figure out a way to sneak into the visiting princess’ sleeping quarters.

What was your favourite part of the writing process while writing Rogue Princess?

Great question! With any writing project my favorite part is when I finish the first draft. Even though I know there are many revisions and editing still left to do, it’s so satisfying to bring all the threads of the story to completion for the first time.

I have to admit, I was definitely charmed by the space pirates in this story! What are some talents they have that readers might not get to see on the page?

Thank you! It’s hard to resist a man of the sea…or rather sky, in this case. The pirates might seem loutish and rough at first, but they are loyal to a fault. Spending all that time hunting for treasure can make the time grow long requiring impromptu entertainment. Naturally, a few on board have developed skills such as storytelling and singing.

The myth and lore that was in Rogue Princess was so enchanting. Could you tell us how that developed in your story?

The creation legend for Astor was the foundation of the story and therefore had to be beautiful and complex with a lot of depth. Originally the legend was revealed over several scenes as a sort of mystery, but after revisions I rewrote one pivotal moment between Delia and Aidan where the legend was told in its entirety in one scene. This gave the legend more weight and a greater sense of ceremony.

Are there any bits of story or characters that didn’t make it into the final version of Rogue Princess?

I rewrote the ending three times! The original ending featured the young boy, Tomas and a coin Princess Delia had originally given his father after their attempted attack. However, that version required a large passage of time and ended up slowing down the pace of novel. I also ended up deleting an epilogue that was several generations into the future.

When you start writing a new story, what are some comforts that you like to have to make the process flow more smoothly?

I like to map out a brief outline of eight sequences on paper (with lots of sticky notes), then I brainstorm as many attributes/faults I can about the protagonist and antagonist. Once it’s time to get the story on the laptop, I write the end of the chapter first, particularly a nice cliff-hanger or bit of suspense to keep the reader turning the page. I write faster if I know where the characters are supposed to end up. Of course, there’s always the exception when the characters decide to go off script. I also find chewing bubble gum and listening to movie soundtracks helps.

Do you have any reflections of the past 10 years that you will carry into this new decade?

With my writing, I only put energy into projects that give me energy back. And when one writer succeeds, we all succeed.

Finally, what are some of your favorite recent reads?

I just finished and ARC of The Con Code by Shana Silver which I really enjoyed. I’m currently reading the Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde, which reminds me a lot of Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency (which I adored).

Will you be picking up Rogue Princess? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: B.R. Myers, Author of ‘Rogue Princess’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

In Rogue Princess, Princess Delia is in a pickle. In order to save her kingdom, she must choose a husband. However, she secretly dreams of falling in love, and in trying to find a better way to save her kingdom, she runs off…with a stowaway in tow. Aidan on the other hand, was only trying to make it away from the palace with a few trinkets stowed away, all so he can get off the planet. He didn’t count on butting heads with a runaway princess! Sparks will fly between the two as they uncover a plot to overthrow everything Delia has been working toward, and it will be a race against time to stop them. Will they survive long enough to save the planet, and fall in love?

This story started off a little slowly for me, but then built into a fantastic climax and resolution. I loved Delia, she has such a fierce personality that understands she has a duty to her people, but that doesn’t mean she’s going to do her best to find a different way. That same personality trait is what gets her into trouble time after time in this story, and I’m definitely here for it. I also loved her sister Shania. She’s hilarious, and I her commentary on the physical attributes of the princes was a delight to read. She helped liven up Delia when she had more serious moments, and I loved the sisterly bond that they shared.

Of all of the characters, the one I truly loved the most was Aidan. He’s a softy, but he’s full of wit. He’s quick as a whip, and his way of getting out of tricky situations is as fascinating as Delia’s way of getting into them. I loved the interactions that he had with Delia using the mechanical bird. They were both comical, and incredibly sweet. I honestly was not expecting the depth to his character, and when you read this book (because you definitely should), you’ll find out why.

As I mentioned, it started off a little slow for me, but it quickly builds into a story that has you on the edge of your seat. While the story is set in space, there wasn’t a lot travelling to other places. I was a little disappointed in this, mainly because I felt there was a great opportunity to cultivate a larger world. However, the story makes up for it in the lore that makes up Delia’s planet. I loved how the mythos of the world really shaped how the monarchy kept up with certain traditions, like their hair. I can’t say too much without spoiling things, but it makes some of the sacrifices that happen in this book more meaningful.

While there is a bit of insta-love in this story, I do appreciate that there are moments that also build up the romance. The relationship between Delia and Aidan is based on mutual trust and respect, but it’s the sacrifices that they make for each other that truly cemented this for me. There’s also another relationship in the book that I wish we had gotten to see a little more, but only because I would have loved to get to know those characters a little better.

If there’s anything I wish I’d seen a little more, it would be more world building and development of some of the side characters. I wanted to immerse myself in Delia’s world, and while the lore certainly helped, I couldn’t quite picture the world she was living in. I didn’t have that trouble on Aidan’s end though. There were also a couple of side characters I would have loved to get to know a little better. However, I just feel like that means we need another story in this world *wink, wink*.

This story is an 7/10 for me. I loved reading it, but I definitely needed a little more world building and character development. However, it’s a solid read if you love retellings, and fairy tales.

Rogue Princess is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers as of January 21st 2020.

 Will you be picking up Rogue Princess? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

A princess fleeing an arranged marriage teams up with a snarky commoner to foil a rebel plot in B. R. Myers’ Rogue Princess, a gender-swapped sci-fi YA retelling of Cinderella.

Princess Delia knows her duty: She must choose a prince to marry in order to secure an alliance and save her failing planet. Yet she secretly dreams of true love, and feels there must be a better way. Determined to chart her own course, she steals a spaceship to avoid the marriage, only to discover a handsome stowaway.

All Aidan wanted was to “borrow” a few palace trinkets to help him get off the planet. Okay, so maybe escaping on a royal ship wasn’t the smartest plan, but he never expected to be kidnapped by a runaway princess!

Sparks fly as this headstrong princess and clever thief battle wits, but everything changes when they inadvertently uncover a rebel conspiracy that could destroy their planet forever.

The post Review: Rogue Princess by B.R. Myers appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Who’s ready to get their hands on some new YA releases!? We definitely are and we bet you can’t wait too! We love a new year because that means there’s going to be so many new books coming out over the next 12 months from authors we already love as well as authors releasing their very first novel into the wild!

Naturally there’s many books being released, so we’ve narrowed it down to 48 titles that we are really looking forward to being released between the months of January and June!

So, what can we expect from 2020? Well there’s new books from familiar names such as Cassandra Clare, Melissa de la Cruz, Suzanne Collins,  Alwyn Hamilton, and many more! In terms of content, there’s gender-swapped retellings, vampires, assassins, magic, thrillers, dragons, sweet contemporaries, stories of friendship, tales of love and revenge, and much, much more!

Read on to discover just a few of our favourites and tell us in the comments if you are looking forward to any of these releases!

JANUARY

Oasis by Katya de Becerra
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this young adult thriller for fans of Lost and The Twilight Zone, a group of teens are saved when they come across a mysterious oasis. But who will save them from the oasis?

Loveboat, Taipei by Abigail Hing Wen
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Sarah Dessen, and praised as “an intense rush of rebellion and romance” by #1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Garber, this romantic and layered Own Voices debut from Abigail Hing Wen is a dazzling, fun-filled romp.

Dark and Deepest Red by Anna-Marie McLemore
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

With Anna-Marie McLemore’s signature lush prose, Dark and Deepest Red pairs the forbidding magic of a fairy tale with a modern story of passion and betrayal.

Rogue Princess by B.R. Myers
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A princess fleeing an arranged marriage teams up with a snarky commoner to foil a rebel plot in B. R. Myers’ Rogue Princess, a gender-swapped sci-fi YA retelling of Cinderella.

Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibañez
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A lush tapestry of magic, romance, and revolución, drawing inspiration from Bolivian politics and history.

Black Girl Unlimited: The Remarkable Story of a Teenage Wizard by Echo Brown
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Heavily autobiographical and infused with magical realism, Black Girl Unlimited fearlessly explores the intersections of poverty, sexual violence, depression, racism, and sexism―all through the arc of a transcendent coming-of-age story for fans of Renee Watson’s Piecing Me Together and Ibi Zoboi’s American Street.

Blood Countess by Lana Popović
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A historical YA horror novel based on the infamous real-life inspiration for Countess Dracula.

Don’t Read the Comments by Eric Smith
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Slay meets Eliza and Her Monsters in Eric Smith’s Don’t Read the Comments, an #ownvoices story in which two teen gamers find their virtual worlds – and blossoming romance – invaded by the real-world issues of trolling and doxing in the gaming community.

FEBRUARY

The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Tricia Levenseller, author of Daughter of the Pirate King, is back with an epic YA tale of ambition and love in The Shadows Between Us…

The Gravity of Us by Phil Stamper
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Teen boys find love when their parents’ NASA mission uproots their lives in this sweet debut perfect for Adam Silvera fans.

The Queen’s Assassin by Melissa de la Cruz
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Red Queen, this is the first novel in a sweeping YA fantasy-romance duet about a deadly assassin, his mysterious apprentice, and the country they are sworn to protect from #1 NYT bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz.

Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

New York Times bestselling authors Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed have crafted a resonant, funny, and memorable story about the power of love and resistance.

Belle Révolte by Linsey Miller
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the author of the Mask of Shadows duology comes a standalone fantasy where two young women must trade lives, work together to stay alive, and end a war caused by magic and greed.

The Last Confession of Autumn Casterly by Meredith Tate
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

If I Stay meets One of Us is Lying in this gripping contemporary thriller.

Ink in the Blood by Kim Smejkal
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A lush, dark YA fantasy debut that weaves together tattoo magic, faith, and eccentric theater in a world where lies are currency and ink is a weapon, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Kendare Blake.

Foul Is Fair by Hannah Capin
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Foul is Fair is a bloody, thrilling revenge fantasy for the girls who have had enough. Golden boys beware: something wicked this way comes.

MARCH

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.

Bone ​Crier’s Moon by Kathryn Purdie
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Kathryn Purdie comes a high-stakes fantasy duology flush with doomed romance and macabre magic, perfect for fans of Stephanie Garber and Roshani Chokshi.

Anna K.: A Love Story by Jenny Lee
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

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.

Greythorne by Crystal Smith
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Brimming with deliciously mysterious magic, political intrigue, and a passionate heroine who will do anything to save the ones she loves—this highly anticipated sequel to Bloodleaf won’t disappoint.

Harley in the Sky by Akemi Dawn Bowman
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Greatest Showman meets This Is Us by way of Sarah Dessen in this heart-wrenching, hopeful contemporary novel about a multiracial teen who risks it all to follow her dreams by joining the circus, from the critically acclaimed author of Starfish.

Havenfall by Sara Holland
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A safe haven between four realms. The girl sworn to protect it–at any cost. New York Times bestselling author Sara Holland crafts a breathtaking new contemporary fantasy perfect for fans of Melissa Albert and Holly Black.

Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzales
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Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda meets Clueless in this boy-meets-boy spin on Grease.

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

APRIL

Incendiary by Zoraida Córdova
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Jack Kerouac Is Dead to Me by Gae Polisner
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Gae Polisner’s Jack Kerouac is Dead to Me is a story about the fragility of female friendship, of falling in love and wondering if you are ready for more, and of the glimmers of hope we find by taking stock in ourselves.

Time of Our Lives by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
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A reflective, romantic coming-of-age novel that explores life after high school–perfect for fans of Fangirl and Emergency Contact.

The Lucky Ones by Liz Lawson
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For fans of Thirteen Reasons Why, This Is How It Ends, and All the Bright Places, comes a new novel about life after. How do you put yourself back together when it seems like you’ve lost it all?

Clique Bait by Ann Valett
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Pretty Little Liars meets Burn for Burn in this thrilling debut from Wattpad star Ann Valett.

Verona Comics by Jennifer Dugan
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the author of Hot Dog Girl comes a fresh and funny YA contemporary romance about two teens who fall in love in an indie comic book shop.

Late to the Party by Kelly Quindlen
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From author Kelly Quindlen comes a poignant and deeply relatable story about friendship, self-acceptance, what it means to be a Real Teenager. Late to the Party is an ode to late bloomers and wallflowers everywhere.

Loveless by Alice Oseman
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Loveless is a journey of identity, self-acceptance, and finding out how many different types of love there really are. And that no one is really loveless after all.

MAY

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The post 48 YA Book Releases To Look Out For In 2020 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

January sees the release of new books from authors William Gibson, Joanna Kavenna, Charlie N. Holmberg, and Melissa Albert, along also debuts from authors Simon Jimenez and Francesca Flores!

Plus there’s some exciting retellings including a gender-swapped sci-fi YA retelling of Cinderella, a retelling of Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai, and a gender-swapped retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo.

Read on to discover our picks and tell us if you will be picking up any of these fantasy and sci-fi releases!

The God Game by Danny Tobey
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Charlie and his friends enter the G.O.D. Game, a video game run by underground hackers and controlled by a mysterious AI that believes it’s God. Through their phone-screens and high-tech glasses, the teens’ realities blur with a virtual world of runes, gods, mythical creatures, and more. But then the threatening messages start. Worship me. Obey me. Who else is playing this game, and how far will they go to win?

Rogue Princess by B.R. Myers
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A princess fleeing an arranged marriage teams up with a snarky commoner to foil a rebel plot in B. R. Myers’ Rogue Princess, a gender-swapped sci-fi YA retelling of Cinderella.

Agency by William Gibson
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Seven Deadly Shadows by Courtney Alameda and Valynne E. Maetani
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

This thrilling YA retelling of Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai features a girl tasked with saving the world from eternal darkness. Perfect for fans of Six of Crows and Marie Lu.

Diamond City by Francesca Flores
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Fierce and ambitious, Aina Solís as sharp as her blade and as mysterious as the blood magic she protects. After the murder of her parents, Aina takes a job as an assassin to survive and finds a new family in those like her: the unwanted and forgotten.

Zed by Joanna Kavenna
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the winner of the Orange Award for New Writing comes a blistering, satirical novel about life under a global media and tech corporation that knows exactly what we think, what we want, and what we do–before we do.

The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez
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A mysterious child lands in the care of a solitary woman, changing both of their lives forever in this captivating debut of connection across space and time.

Scavenge the Stars by Tara Sim
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Packed with high-stakes adventure, romance, and dueling identities, this gender-swapped retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo is the first novel in an epic YA fantasy duology, perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Sabaa Tahir, and Leigh Bardugo.

The Will and the Wilds by Charlie N. Holmberg
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A spellbinding story of truce and trickery from the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Paper Magician series.

The Night Country (The Hazel Wood #2) by Melissa Albert
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In The Night Country, Alice Proserpine dives back into a menacing, mesmerizing world of dark fairy tales and hidden doors. Follow her and Ellery Finch as they learn The Hazel Wood was just the beginning, and that worlds die not with a whimper, but a bang.

The Heap by Sean Adams
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Blending the dark humor of Patrick deWitt and the jagged social and techno-satire of Black Mirror, an audacious, eerily prescient debut novel that chronicles the rise and fall of a massive high-rise housing complex, and the lives it affected before—and after—its demise.

Strange Exit by Parker Peevyhouse
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Strange Exit is Parker Peevyhouse’s next suspenseful, near-future, stand-alone thriller, perfect for fans of Kass Morgan’s The 100 and Patrick Ness’s More Than This.

Will you be picking up any of these fantasy and sci-fi releases? Tell us in the comments below!

The post January 2020 Fantasy & Sci-Fi Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.