Looking to escape into a good book? We round up 16 new fantasy and sci-fi books hitting shelves this month with new releases from Matthew Ward, Seanan McGuire,  Claire North, and many more!

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

Lady Eve’s Last Con by Rebecca Fraimow

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Hearts will race and anti-grav boots will fly in this scifi rom-com perfect for fans of WINTER’S ORBIT and THE RED SCHOLAR’S WAKE.

Saints of Storm and Sorrow by Gabriella Buba

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In this fiercely imaginative Filipino-inspired fantasy debut, a bisexual nun hiding a goddess-given gift is unwillingly transformed into a lightning rod for her people’s struggle against colonization.

The Fire Within Them by Matthew Ward

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The second book in Matthew Ward’s action-packed trilogy, the Soulfire Saga, The Fire Within Them is set in a world ruled by an immortal king, where souls fuel magic and a supernatural mist known as the Veil threatens to engulf the land. Perfect for fans of John Gwynne and Anthony Ryan.

Daughter of Calamity by Rosalie M. Lin

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Genres collide in this dark and atmospheric reimagining of 1930s Shanghai for fans of Nghi Vo and S. A. Chakraborty.

The Afterlife of Mal Caldera by Nadi Reed Perez

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By turns irreverently funny and deeply moving, this debut contemporary fantasy is perfect for fans of They Both Die at the End and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.

The Stardust Grail by Yume Kitasei

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From the acclaimed author of The Deep Sky comes a thrilling anti-colonial space heist to save an alien civilization.

Foul Days by Genoveva Dimova

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The Witcher meets Naomi Novik in this fast-paced fantasy rooted in Slavic folklore, from an assured new voice in genre fiction.

Daughter of the Merciful Deep by Leslye Penelope

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A woman journeys into a submerged world of gods and myth to save her home in this powerful historical fantasy that shines a light on the drowned Black towns of the American South. 

The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent

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From the New York Times bestselling author Carissa Broadbent, comes The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King, the gutting second installment of the Crowns of Nyaxia series, full of heartbreak, redemption, blood intrigue and heart-pounding action.

The Cautious Traveller’s Guide to the Wastelands by Sarah Brooks

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For fans of Piranesi and The Midnight Library, a stunning historical fantasy novel set on a grand express train, about a group of passengers on a dangerous journey across a magical landscape

Tidal Creatures by Seanan McGuire

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New York Times bestselling author Seanan McGuire takes us back to the world of the award-winning Alchemical Journeys series in this action-packed follow-up to Middlegame and Seasonal Fears.

Running Close to the Wind by Alexandra Rowland

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A queer pirate fantasy standalone adventure by Alexandra Rowland, the author of A Taste of Gold and Iron

Mirrored Heavens by Rebecca Roanhorse

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The interwoven destinies of the people of Meridian will finally be determined in this stunning conclusion to New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Roanhorse’s Between Earth and Sky trilogy.

Rakesfall by Vajra Chandrasekera

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Rakesfall is a groundbreaking, standalone science fiction epic about two souls bound together from here until the ends of time, from the author of The Saint of Bright Doors.

The Last Song of Penelope by Claire North

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The third book in award‑winning author Claire North’s Songs of Penelope Trilogy, a “powerful, fresh, and unflinching” (Jennifer Saint) reimagining that breathes life into ancient myth and gives voice to the women who stand defiant in a world ruled by ruthless men.

Fate of the Sun King by Nisha J. Tuli

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The highly anticipated third installment of the steamy Artefacts of Ouranos series journeys deeper into the glittering fae world as Lor puts both her life and her heart on the line in this enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance.

What June fantasy and sci-fi books are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Dive Into These New June Fantasy & Scif-Fi Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover just a few of our picks and let us know if you’ll be checking any of them out!

Guardians of the Dawn: Zhara by S. Jae-Jones
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Sailor Moon meets Cinder in Guardians of Dawn: Zhara, the start of a new, richly imagined fantasy series from S. Jae-Jones, the New York Times bestselling author of Wintersong.

Accidentally in Love by Danielle Jackson
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A delightful rom-com where grumpy-meets-sunshine collides with enemies-to-lovers in this perfect summer novel, written for fans of Kate Stayman-London, Olivia Dade, and Denise Williams.

The Water Outlaws by S.L. Huang
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Inspired by a classic of martial arts literature, S. L. Huang’s The Water Outlaws are bandits of devastating ruthlessness, unseemly femininity, dangerous philosophies, and ungovernable gender who are ready to make history—or tear it apart.

Teach the Torches to Burn: A Romeo & Juliet Remix by Caleb Roehrig
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In the Remixed Classics series, authors from marginalized backgrounds reinterpret classic works through their own cultural lens to subvert the overwhelming cishet, white, and male canon. Queer star-crossed love amid a centuries-old feud takes center stage in this Romeo & Juliet remix that knows sometimes, the best way is to make it gay.

The Trap by Catherine Ryan Howard
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From award-winning, internationally bestselling crime writer Catherine Ryan Howard comes The Trap: an unsettling mystery inspired by a series of still-unsolved disappearances in Ireland in the 90s, wherein one young woman risks everything to catch a faceless killer.

House of Odysseus by Claire North
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This “powerful, fresh, and unflinching” reimagining from the award-winning author of the Penelope trilogy breathes life into ancient myth and gives voice to the women who stand defiant in a world ruled by ruthless men (Jennifer Saint).

Night of the Living Queers: 13 Tales of Terror Delight
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Night of the Living Queers is a YA horror anthology that explores a night when anything is possible, exclusively featuring queer authors of color putting fresh spins on classic horror tropes and tales.

Kiss the Girl by Zoraida Córdova
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A modern tale of unexpectedly falling in love and finding your voice, Kiss the Girl is the highly anticipated third installment in the acclaimed and best-selling Meant to Be collection.

The Blonde Identity by Ally Carter
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The New York Times bestselling YA author of the beloved Gallagher Girls series bursts onto the adult scene with a fast-paced, hilarious road trip rom-com about a woman with amnesia who discovers she’s the identical twin sister of a rogue spy… and must team up with a rugged, grumpy operative to stay alive.

More Perfect by Temi Oh
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A reimagining of the Greek myth of Eurydice and Orpheus, for fans of Becky Chambers and William Gibson by Alex Award–winning author Temi Oh.

Delicate Condition by Danielle Valentine
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The Push meets The Silent Patient in a gripping thriller that follows a woman convinced a sinister figure is going to great lengths to make sure her pregnancy never happens—while the men in her life refuse to believe a word she says.

With Love, from Cold World by Alicia Thompson
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She has a to-do list a mile long and falling for her coworker isn’t on it–yet somehow he’s become her top priority in this romantic comedy from the national bestselling author of Love in the Time of Serial Killers.

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

The post August 2023 Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Love a mythology retelling? You are in the right place! Books inspired by the myths and legends of ancient worlds have grown wildly in popularity, largely thanks to #BookTok. The trend is showing no signs of slowing down in 2023, with a host of exciting new releases.

Whether it’s reimagining age old stories through a modern lens, bringing light to lesser known myths, or giving voice to overlooked and marginalised characters, check out a few of the mythology inspired books arriving on shelves this year!

Atalanta by Jennifer Saint 

Jennifer Saint has hit her stride with retellings of ancient Greek women, with her third book covering one of Greek mythology’s only female heroes. A huntress, raised by bears, Atalanta becomes the only female warrior in the Argonauts. Saint tells the story of the warrior princess and how she claims her place as a hero, in a world dominated by men.

Clytemnestra by Constanza Casati

The story of Agamemnon has been told many times over in the many versions of the Iliad, but the story of his wife has often been consigned to a footnote or afterword. Casati promises to give life to the legendary queen who exacted her revenge on her husband.

Song of Silver Flame Like Night by Amélie Wen Zhao

A highly anticipated release of 2023, which is the first installment in an epic fantasy series, Song of Silver Flame Like Night draws on the Chinese genre of ‘xianxia’ to tell the story of a girl seeking to liberate her kingdom from imperialism. Xianxia are stories which form much of the cultural heritage of China, and literally translates to ‘immortal heroes’.

House of Odysseus by Claire North

A follow up to North’s Ithaca, House of Odysseus explores the lives of the women overlooked in the Odyssey. Penelope flights to maintain the balance of power in her husband’s absence. The return of soldiers from Troy and its violent aftermath has rocked that balance. It is the women of the myths—Penelope, Elektra, and Helen—who must deal with the fallout from the war and North gives voice to their stories.

The Shadow of Perseus by Claire Heywood

Medusa retellings have become particularly popular—Heywood’s newest novel offers another perspective in her story. This retelling of Perseus’ story from the perspectives of the women in his life, his mother, wife, and victim, show a man who isn’t so heroic after all.

Lies We Sing to the Sea by Sarah Underwood 

A debut novel, inspired by the injustice at the end of the Odyssey, where 12 maidens are condemned to death by Odysseus. Now, twelve maidens are condemned to death every year as a tribute to Poseidon for the lives of those original women. When Leto comes to meet her fate, she instead meets Melantho, who tells her she can pave a new destiny, if she kills the prince of Ithaca.

Gwen and Art Are Not In Love by Lex Croucher

Croucher has made a name in historical fiction for regency romances with a modern twist. Their newest book tells the story of King Arthur’s descendant, Arthur who is engaged to Gwendolyn. However, not only do they ardently dislike each other, they soon discover that they are both attracted to their own sex. A queer medieval rom-com loosely inspired by the the legend of Camelot.

These Infinite Threads by Tahereh Mafi

Mafi’s new novel is the sequel to her incredibly popular fantasy This Woven Kingdom. The trilogy draws on Persian mythology and the epic poem Shahnameh, to create a rich and magical fantasy world for an epic romantic adventure.

Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Bracken

Bestselling author of Lore, Alexandra Bracken is back with the first in a series inspired by Arthurian Legend. Tasmin Lark is a crypt robber, competing for the best treasures she can find. However when a powerful ring from Arthurian legend is rumoured to exist, she must team up with her rival to find it and free her brother from his curse.

Arch-Conspirator by Veronica Roth

Much loved YA author Veronica Roth is back with a futuristic, dystopian retelling of Antigone. Earth is a wasteland, with life confined to the last city. The Archive holds genes of the dead—the last hope for humanity. When Antigone’s parent’s are murdered and her uncle ascends to the throne, she is full of rage. Roth reimagines this tragic heroine through the genre of science fiction.

Savage Beasts by Rani Selvarajah

A reimagining of Medea in 18th Century India. Meena, the Nawab’s daughter, finds an escape from her sheltered existence in James Chilcott nephew of the head of the East India Company. The lovers flee Calcutta. But stranded in a foreign country, love turns to hate. Selvarajah’s retelling explores the classical villain through a unique lens.

The post 11 Mythology Inspired Book Releases To Look Forward To In 2023 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Hello second half of 2022 and hello to all the incredible upcoming book releases we can look forward to!

In this round up, we take a look at some of the most exciting titles to be released between the months of July and December with releases from the likes of Sarah Gailey, Ruth Ware, Alexis Hall, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Courtney Summers, and many more, along with delightful debuts from new authors you should keep on your radar!

Read on to discover just a few of our favourite July to December 2022 releases and tell us in the comments if you’re looking forward to any of them! 

JULY

Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen
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A darkly enchanting fantasy debut about a morally gray witch, a cursed prince, and a prophecy that ignites their fate-twisted destinies—perfect for fans of The Cruel Prince and Serpent & Dove.

Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey
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Just Like Home is a darkly gothic thriller from nationally bestselling author Sarah Gailey, perfect for fans of Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House as well as HBO’s true crime masterpiece I’ll Be Gone in the Dark.

The Accidental Pinup by Danielle Jackson
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Rival photographers are forced to collaborate on a body-positive lingerie campaign, but they might have to readjust their focus when sparks fly.

Fellowship Point by Alice Elliott Dark
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The masterful story of a lifelong friendship between two very different women with shared histories and buried secrets, tested in the twilight of their lives, set across the arc of the 20th century.

A Strange and Stubborn Endurance by Foz Meadows
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The It Girl by Ruth Ware
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The #1 New York Times bestselling author of the “claustrophobic spine-tingler” (People) One by One returns with an unputdownable mystery following a woman on the search for answers a decade after her friend’s murder.

Youngblood by Sasha Laurens
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For fans of Vampire Diaries and dark academia, two queer teen bloodsuckers at an elite vampire-only boarding school must go up against all of Vampirdom when they uncover a frightening conspiracy on campus.

Acts of Violet by Margarita Montimore
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From Margarita Montimore, the author of GMA Book Club pick and national bestseller Oona Out of Order, Acts of Violet is a dazzling and twisty new novel about a famous magician who disappears, leaving her sister to figure out what really happened.

The Book of Gothel by Mary McMyne
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Everyone knows the story of Rapunzel in the tower, but do you know the story of the witch who put her there? Told from her own perspective, The Book of Gothel is a lush, historical retelling filled with dark magic, crumbling towers, mysterious woods, and evil princes. This is the truth they never wanted you to know, as only a witch might tell it.

What Souls Are Made Of: A Wuthering Heights Remix by Tasha Suri
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What Souls Are Made Of, British Fantasy Award-winning author Tasha Suri’s masterful new take on Brontë’s Wuthering Heights and fourth book in the Remixed Classics, will leave readers breathless.

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
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From the New York Times bestselling author of Mexican Gothic and Velvet Was the Night comes a dreamy reimagining of The Island of Doctor Moreau set against the backdrop of nineteenth-century Mexico.

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
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New York Times bestselling author Katherine Center’s The Bodyguard is unabashedly romantic, laugh-out-loud funny, and the perfect summer read.

AUGUST

Husband Material by Alexis Hall
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Luc and Oliver met, pretended to fall in love, fell in love for real, dealt with heartbreak and disappointment and family and friends…and somehow figured out a way to make it work. Now it seems like everyone around them is getting married, and Luc’s feeling the social pressure to propose. But it’ll take more than four weddings, a funeral, and a bowl full of special curry to get these two from I don’t know what I’m doing to I do.

These Fleeting Shadows by Kate Alice Marshall
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The Haunting of Hill House meets Knives Out in a bid for an inheritance that will leave Helen Vaughan either rich…or dead.

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace
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New York Times bestselling author Adalyn Grace brings to life a highly romantic, Gothic-infused world of wealth, desire, and betrayal.

The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean
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Sunyi Dean’s The Book Eaters is “a darkly sweet pastry of a book about family, betrayal, and the lengths we go to for the ones we love. A delicious modern fairy tale.”― Christopher Buehlman, Shirley Jackson Award-winning author

Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
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In this powerful novel about the cost of greatness, a legendary athlete attempts a comeback when the world considers her past her prime—from the New York Times bestselling author of Malibu Rising.

Sophie Go’s Lonely Hearts Club by Roselle Lim
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A new heartfelt novel about the power of loneliness and the strength of love that overcomes it by critically acclaimed author Roselle Lim.

Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney
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With a wicked wink to Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, Daisy Darker’s unforgettable twists will leave readers reeling.

The Art of Prophecy by Wesley Chu
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A “superb fantasy saga” (Helene Wecker) of martial arts and magic, about what happens when a prophesied hero is not the chosen one after all—but has to work with a band of unlikely allies to save the kingdom anyway, from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lives of Tao

You’re Invited by Amanda Jayatissa
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What could be worse than your ex-boyfriend marrying your childhood best friend? Getting accused of her murder… From the author of My Sweet Girl comes a dangerously addictive new thriller about a lavish Sri Lankan wedding celebration that not everyone will survive.

The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead
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From the author of the acclaimed In My Dreams I Hold a Knife comes a pitch-black thriller about a woman determined to destroy a powerful cult and avenge the deaths of the women taken in by it, no matter the cost.

Luck and Last Resorts by Sarah Grunder Ruiz
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They have a second chance at love, but there are some rough seas ahead in the new contemporary romance from the acclaimed author of Love, Lists, and Fancy Ships.

The First Binding by R.R. Virdi
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A thrilling new take on Epic Fantasy, inspired by the many culturally divergent stops along a fantastical Silk Road, that follows a storyteller and a singer on the run from their old lives and secrets. 

SEPTEMBER

I’m the Girl by Courtney Summers
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Angelika Frankenstein Makes Her Match by Sally Thorne
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From USA Today bestselling author of The Hating Game Sally Thorne comes something a little unexpected… a historical rom-com that imagines Victor Frankenstein’s sheltered younger sister, and her attempts to create the perfect man.

Ithaca by Claire North
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This is the story of Penelope of Ithaca, famed wife of Odysseus, as it has never been told before. Beyond Ithaca’s shores, the whims of gods dictate the wars of men. But on the isle, it is the choices of the abandoned women—and their goddesses—that will change the course of the world.

The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander
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From New York Times Bestselling author Kwame Alexander comes the first book in a searing, breathtaking trilogy that tells the story of a boy, a village, and the epic odyssey of an African family.

Princess of Souls by Alexandra Christo
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From the author of To Kill a Kingdom comes Princess of Souls, a Rapunzel-inspired YA fantasy romance about a teen witch groomed to steal souls for an immortal king and the reckless, rebellious boy to whom her fate is tied.

Nona the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
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Tamsyn Muir’s New York Times and USA Today bestselling Locked Tomb Series continues with Nona …the Ninth?

The Gathering Dark: An Anthology of Folk Horror
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Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young
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From New York Times bestselling author Adrienne Young comes a deeply atmospheric story about ancestral magic, an unsolved murder, and a second chance at true love.

People Person by Candice Carty-Williams
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From an author with “a flair for storytelling that appears effortlessly authentic” (Time), People Person is a vibrant and charming celebration of discovering family as an adult.

Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong
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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights and Our Violent Ends comes the first book in a captivating new duology following an ill-matched pair of spies posing as a married couple to investigate a series of brutal murders in 1930s Shanghai.

Silver Under Nightfall by Rin Chupeco
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Full of court intrigue, queer romance, and terrifying monsters—this gothic epic fantasy will appeal to fans of Samantha Shannon’s The Priory of the Orange Tree and the adult animated series Castlevania.

Direwood by Catherine Yu
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In this velvet-clad 1990s gothic horror, Aja encounters a charming vampire who wants to lure her into the woods―just like her missing sister.

OCTOBER

Night of the Raven, Dawn of the Dove by Rati Mehrotra
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In Rati Mehrotra’s Night of the Raven, Dawn of the Dove, a young guardswoman struggles with her unwitting role as a major pawn in the deadly games between two kingdoms in a monster-infested alternate medieval India.

Sign Here by Claudia Lux
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A darkly humorous, surprisingly poignant, and utterly gripping debut novel about a guy who works in Hell (literally) and is on the cusp of a big promotion if only he can get one more member of the wealthy Harrison family to sell their soul.

A Cosmic Kind of Love by Samantha Young
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Space is the last thing an event planner and an astronaut need in this charming new romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Samantha Young.

Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle
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From the author of Twice Shy comes a sprightly Christmas novel, a rollicking romp through the absurdity of family holidays and the hope of new love.

Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng
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From the number one bestselling author of Little Fires Everywhere, a deeply suspenseful and heartrending novel about the unbreakable love between a mother and child in a society consumed by fear.

The Storyteller’s Death by Ann Dávila Cardinal
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From International Latino Book Award-winning author Ann Dávila Cardinal comes a gorgeously written family saga about a Puerto Rican teenager who finds herself gifted (or cursed?) with a strange ability.

Dead Man’s Hand by James J. Butcher
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In the tradition of his renowned father, James J. Butcher’s debut novel is a brilliant urban fantasy about a young man who must throw out the magical rule book to solve the murder of his former mentor.

A Scatter of Light by Malinda Lo
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Award-winning author Malinda Lo returns to the Bay Area with another masterful coming-of-queer-age story, this time set against the backdrop of the first major Supreme Court decisions legalizing gay marriage. And almost sixty years after the end of Last Night at the Telegraph Club, Lo’s new novel also offers a glimpse into Lily and Kath’s lives since 1955.

Station Eternity by Mur Lafferty
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Amateur detective Mallory Viridian’s talent for solving murders ruined her life on Earth and drove her to live on an alien space station, but her problems still follow her in this witty, self-aware novel that puts a speculative spin on murder mysteries, from the Hugo-nominated author of Six Wakes.

Jackal by Erin E. Adams
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A young Black girl goes missing in the woods outside her white Rust Belt town. But she’s not the first—and she may not be the last. . . .

Lavender House by Lev A.C. Rosen
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A delicious story from a new voice in suspense, Lev AC Rosen’s Lavender House is Knives Out with a queer historical twist.

Strike the Zither by Joan He
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A dazzling new fantasy from New York Times and Indie bestselling author Joan He, Strike the Zither is a powerful, inventive, and sweeping fantasy that reimagines the Chinese classic tale of the Three Kingdoms.

NOVEMBER

The Ones We Burn by Rebecca Mix
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Love and duty collide in this richly imagined, atmospheric young adult debut about a witch whose dark powers put her at the center of a brewing war between the only family she’s ever known and the enemy who makes her question everything.

She’s Gone by David Bell
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When 17-year-old Hunter Gifford wakes in the hospital on the night of homecoming, he’s shocked to learn he and his girlfriend, Chloe Summers, have been in a terrible car accident. Hunter has no memory of the crash, and his shock turns to horror when he is told Chloe’s blood has been found in the car—but she has disappeared.

Ship Wrecked by Olivia Dade
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After All the Feels and Spoiler Alert, Olivia Dade once again delivers a warm and wonderful romantic comedy about two co-stars who once had an incredible one-night stand—and after years of filming on the same remote island, are finally ready to yield to temptation again…

The Luminaries by Susan Dennard
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From Susan Dennard, the New York Times bestselling author of the Witchlands series, comes a haunting and high-octane contemporary fantasy, about the magic it takes to face your fears in a nightmare-filled forest, and the mettle required to face the secrets hiding in the dark corners of your own family.

White Horse by Erika T. Wurth
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White Horse is a gritty, vibrant debut from Erika T. Wurth about an Indigenous woman who must face her past when she discovers a bracelet haunted by her mother’s spirit.

Kiss Her Once for Me by Alison Cochrun
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The author of the “swoon-worthy debut” (Harper’s Bazaar) The Charm Offensive returns with a festive romantic comedy about a woman who fakes an engagement with her landlord…only to fall for his sister.

Into the Forest: Tales of the Baba Yaga by Lindy Ryan and Christina Henry
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A collection of new and exclusive short stories inspired by the Baba Yaga. Featuring Gwendolyn Kiste, Stephanie M. Wytovich, Mercedes M. Yardley, Monique Snyman, Donna Lynch, Lisa Quigley, and R. J. Joseph, with a foreword by Christina Henry.

Someday, Maybe by Onyi Nwabineli
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A stunning and witty debut novel about a young woman’s emotional journey through unimaginable loss, pulled along by her tight-knit Nigerian family, a posse of new friends, and the love and laughter she shared with her husband. Onyi Nwabineli is a fresh new voice for fans of Yaa Gyasi, Queenie and I May Destroy You.

The Cloisters by Katy Hays
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The Secret History meets Ninth House in this sinister, atmospheric novel following a circle of researchers as they uncover a mysterious deck of tarot cards and shocking secrets in New York’s famed Met Cloisters.

Wait For Me by Sara Shepard
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Dating New York socialite Marcus Coleman, Casey has had trouble recognizing herself lately. But things only get stranger when she begins to hear a voice in her head: one that warns her of danger and leads her to the sleepy town of Avon, where she recognizes people and places she couldn’t possibly know, including a beguiling local boy who seems important to her past—and her present.

Two Wrongs Make a Right by Chloe Liese
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Opposites become allies to fool their matchmaking friends in this swoony reimagining of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy, Much Ado About Nothing.

The Family Game by Catherine Steadman
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A rich, eccentric family. A time-honored tradition. Or a lethal game of survival? One woman is about to find out if she has what it takes to join her husband’s family in this riveting, must-read thriller from the author of Something in the Water, Mr. Nobody, and The Disappearing Act.

DECEMBER

Queen of Myth and Monsters by Scarlett St. Clair
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Queen becomes conqueror in this powerful follow-up to King of Battle and Blood where Queen Isolde de Lara has come into her own as the newly coronated queen of Cordova.  She and her mate, the vampire King Adrian, battle insurrection from the Nine Kingdoms…and a mysterious plague that turns humans to monsters. But hell hath no fury like Isolde’s wrath when she discovers that one of the vassal kings has enslaved her mother’s people.

A Million to One by Adiba Jaigirdar
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Adiba Jaigirdar, author of one of Time‘s Best YA books of all time, gives Titanic an Ocean’s 8 makeover in this nail-biting heist set onboard the infamous ship.

Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales
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A girl enters a reality dating competition to get revenge on her cheating, royal-adjacent ex-boyfriend, and ends up falling for another girl on the show—in fact, the girl he cheated on her with.

The Widowmaker by Hannah Morrissey
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A wealthy family shrouded in scandal; a detective tasked with solving an impossible cold case; and a woman with a dark past collide in Hannah Morrissey’s stunning new Black Harbor mystery, The Widowmaker.

A Dash of Salt and Pepper by Kosoko Jackson
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Sometimes two cooks in the kitchen are better than one in this swoony romantic comedy from the author of I’m So (Not) Over You.

The Last Invitation by Darby Kane
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Darby Kane, the author of the critically acclaimed and #1 International Bestseller Pretty Little Wife, has crafted another gripping and twisty suspense about an invitation to an exclusive club that comes with deadly consequences.

Acting the Part by Z.R. Ellor
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This delightfully tropey teen romance perfect for fans of Ashley Poston and Lyla Lee follows a queer teen actor navigating their gender identity—while pretending to date their co-star.  

All the Dark Places by Terri Parlato
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A savage murder rocks a quiet Massachusetts suburb, revealing the dark secrets at the center of a group of friends and setting two women – one with a traumatic past, the other a Boston police detective – on a hunt for truth in this stylish debut thriller for fans of Megan Miranda and Shari Lapena…

The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton
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For readers of Station Eleven and Where the Crawdads Sing comes a hopeful, sweeping story of survival and resilience spanning one extraordinary woman’s lifetime as she navigates the uncertainty, brutality, and arresting beauty of a rapidly changing world.

The Key to My Heart: A Novel by Lia Louis
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A heartwarming novel about hope after loss as a young widow receives mysterious messages of love from the “must-buy author” (Jodi Picoult) of Eight Perfect Hours.

The Ingenue by Rachel Kapelke-Dale
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My Dark Vanessa meets The Queen’s Gambit in this new novel of suspense about the bonds of family, the limits of talent, the risks of ambition, and the rewards of revenge.

Witcha Gonna Do by Avery Flynn
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An unlucky witch and her know-it-all nemesis must team up in the first of a new, spicy romantic comedy series from USA Today bestselling author Avery Flynn.

What July to December releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Get Your Hands On These Anticipated July To December 2022 Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan
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Mulan meets The Song of Achilles in Shelley Parker-Chan’s She Who Became the Sun, a bold, queer, and lyrical reimagining of the rise of the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty from an amazing new voice in literary fantasy.

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
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In A Psalm for the Wild-Built, Hugo Award-winner Becky Chambers’s delightful new Monk & Robot series gives us hope for the future.

Notes from the Burning Age by Claire North
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Ven was once a holy man, a keeper of ancient archives. It was his duty to interpret archaic texts, sorting useful knowledge from the heretical ideas of the Burning Age—a time of excess and climate disaster. For in Ven’s world, such material must be closely guarded so that the ills that led to that cataclysmic era can never be repeated. But when the revolutionary Brotherhood approaches Ven, pressuring him to translate stolen writings that threaten everything he once held dear, his life will be turned upside down. Torn between friendship and faith, Ven must decide how far he’s willing to go to save this new world—and how much he is willing to lose.

Capture the Crown by Jennifer Estep
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Bestselling author Jennifer Estep returns to her Crown of Shards world with an all-new trilogy and a bold new heroine who protects her kingdom from magic, murder, and mayhem by moonlighting as a spy. 

Assassin’s Orbit by John Appel
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On the eve of the planet Ileri’s historic vote to join the Commonwealth, the assassination of a government minister threatens to shatter everything. Private investigator Noo Okereke and spy Meiko Ogawa join forces with police chief Toiwa to investigate – and discover clues that point disturbingly toward a threat humanity thought they had escaped. A threat that could destroy Ileri and spark an interplanetary war… unless the disparate team can work together to solve the mystery.

The Freedom Race by Lucinda Roy
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The Freedom Race, Lucinda Roy’s explosive first foray into speculative fiction, is a poignant blend of subjugation, resistance, and hope.

Sidewinders by Robert V.S. Redick
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Two brothers flee an army of fanatics across a vast and magical desert in this white-knuckle sequel to Master Assassins from Robert V.S. Redick, author of The Red Wolf Conspiracy.

The Empire’s Ruin by Brian Staveley
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Brian Staveley, author of The Emperor’s Blades, gives readers the first book in a new epic fantasy trilogy based in the world of his popular series the Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne, The Empire’s Ruin.

Breeder by Honni van Rijswijk
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Will Meadows is a seemingly average fifteen-year-old Westie, who lives and works in Zone F, the run-down outermost ring of the Corporation. In the future state of the Corp, a person’s value comes down to productivity: the right actions win units, the wrong ones lose them. If Will is unlucky and goes into unit debt, there’s only one place to go: the Rator. But for Zone F Breeders, things are much worse–they’re born into debt and can only accrue units through reproduction.

The Past Is Red by Catherynne M. Valente
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Catherynne M. Valente, the bestselling and award-winning creator of Space Opera and The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland returns with The Past is Red, the enchanting, dark, funny, angry story of a girl who made two terrible mistakes: she told the truth and she dared to love the world.

Savage Bounty by Matt Wallace
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The sequel to the acclaimed, spellbinding epic fantasy Savage Legion by Hugo Award–winning author Matt Wallace about a utopian city with a dark secret…and the underdogs who will expose it—or die trying.

A Desert Torn Asunder by Bradley P. Beaulieu
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The final book in The Song of the Shattered Sands series closes the epic fantasy saga in a desert setting, filled with rich worldbuilding and pulse-pounding action.

What July fantasy and sci-fi releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post July 2021 Fantasy & Sci-Fi Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Notes from the Burning Age by Claire North is about a utopian society built from the ashes of a burning world. Scholars and archivists of the Temple have long searched and collected artifacts from our present age, preserving the knowledge so it may not fall into the wrong hands. The world has been at peace, keeping these spirits (“kakuy”) at bay. But man is bound to get greedy and want more. There will always be people for whom equality and equity are not enough, people who need praise and power, and that will be the downfall of utopia.

Thoughts on Notes from the Burning Age

This book has a lot to offer. Through the story, the author looks at our present age with a critical lens, often condensing complex ideas into succinct beliefs. Our protagonist is a man named Ven who has seen the kakuy and was there when destruction took place in his hometown. His thirst for knowledge and influence leads him to leave the Temple and start working for an ambitious man who will stop at nothing to gather the knowledge he needs. There are three things that have stuck with me since I finished this book.

On World Building

Notes from The Burning Age is set in a future post-apocalyptic time and there are subtle links to our existing geography. Most of the book takes place around a city called Budapesht, which resembles the spelling of present-world Budapest. The establishment of the Temple and their priests for conserving knowledge points to religious beliefs in the area and I found the commentary around the kakuy not being gods interesting.

Worldbuilding isn’t purely about the place either. The culture of the people has to be depicted well for the world to seem real. There are lots of natural spots and towns, and few larger cities. Technology is not abundant. Political tensions are high as political groups that want access to information are gaining momentum and voice. In the midst of all this, we have Georg who seems like the orchestrator of a number of things that go on in the city. Ven ultimately ends up working as his assistant.

On Strong Characters

I admired Ven as the protagonist. He is knowledgeable and sharp. He has a high intellect and the best way to describe him would be that he has spunk. He knows what he brings to the table with his knowledge of multiple extinct languages, everything he learned when he was at the Temple about the artifacts and archives, and he is willing to bargain for it. He is the perfect example of someone who might repeatedly be called a coward for not taking action but is truly very observant and looking for the right opportunity to make his move.

On the other hand, Georg is a powerful entity in and of himself. He is resourceful, secretive and manipulative. He is a puppet master and most people don’t even know what he is making them do. He is the perfect mafia warlord.

I loved reading about the relationship between Ven and Georg. They are bound together by destiny and even when they separate, they continue to cross paths. For me, a good political thriller has contrasting people and continuous tension. The political landscape and struggles set up in Notes from the Burning Age is fascinating to observe, and the interplay between Ven and Georg is very well written.

On the Burning Age (our present)

We have developed so much in the last few centuries, with advances in medicine and warfare, and it does make sense that knowing how this knowledge may be used, for bad or worse, and having the option to start over, people might not want it to fall in the wrong hands.

One of my observations was that for a utopia to function, there still has to be a hierarchy and structure. Everyone had agreed that the Temple had the power to limit the circulation of material. People cannot just live happily and in harmony without standards and law to abide by. While this does not come off as an imbalance of power to someone who has always lived in that world by those very rules, Georg and the Brotherhood saw it as such and are willing to do anything to get a hold of the information being kept from them.

Reading Experience Summary

Notes from the Burning Age had me intrigued from start to end. It is not an average-length book so it is important to be patient with it. I found the cover simple and beautiful – it had me curious to read the book. The characters were mostly well done and as I mentioned above, the relationship between Ven and Georg was what held the book together for me. The world building was vivid and detailed and since it is a post-apocalyptic scenario, there were times when I found the writing quite atmospheric. The lack of particulars over the course of time over which these events took place added an additional suspenseful element to the story. Sometimes I found the book hard to follow because it is ingrained in ideology, often conflicting sides of it. At the same time, it is a thoughtful read that made me question my reality and how the same can be viewed with multiple lenses and have polar interpretations.

There is no doubt that Claire North is an exceptional writer with a brilliant imagination and eloquent storytelling. If you are looking for a unique fantasy with an espionage driven plot and descriptive writing, pick up this one!

Notes from the Burning Age is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of July 20th 2021.

Content Notes: Depiction of violence, war, torture, floods, death of a loved one and fire.

Will you be picking up Notes from the Burning Age? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

From one of the most imaginative writers of her generation comes an extraordinary vision of the future…

Ven was once a holy man, a keeper of ancient archives. It was his duty to interpret archaic texts, sorting useful knowledge from the heretical ideas of the Burning Age—a time of excess and climate disaster. For in Ven’s world, such material must be closely guarded so that the ills that led to that cataclysmic era can never be repeated.

But when the revolutionary Brotherhood approaches Ven, pressuring him to translate stolen writings that threaten everything he once held dear, his life will be turned upside down. Torn between friendship and faith, Ven must decide how far he’s willing to go to save this new world—and how much he is willing to lose.

The post Review: Notes From The Burning Age by Claire North appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Raven Lane by Amber Cowie
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The truth can bring out the worst in the best of friends. Esme and Benedict Werner have an idyllic life in a tight-knit community until an accident in their cul-de-sac ends in the tragic sudden death of one of their dearest neighbors. After vindicating eyewitness accounts morph into contradictory memories, suspicion, and unaccountable accusations, Benedict is arrested. Esme’s life, too, is changed forever.

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.

The Pursuit of William Abbey by Claire North
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A hauntingly powerful novel about how the choices we make can stay with us forever, by the award-winning author of The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August and 84K.

The Poppy Wife: A Novel of the Great War by Caroline Scott
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In the tradition of Jennifer Robson and Hazel Gaynor, this unforgettable debut novel is a sweeping tale of forbidden love, profound loss, and the startling truth of the broken families left behind in the wake of World War I.

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.

Mistletoe by Alison Littlewood
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Leah Hamilton is looking for a new life following the tragic deaths of her husband and son. She rushes through the purchase of a run-down Yorkshire farmhouse, arriving just as the snow shrouds her new home. It’s soon clear it’s not just the house needing renovation; the land is in bad heart too. And Leah’s mind starts playing tricks on her… Is Leah strong enough to lay the increasingly malevolent ghosts and find a way to move on? Or will her ashes end up scattered over the now-covered fields?

The Worst Kind of Want by Liska Jacobs
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A trip to Italy reignites a woman’s desires to disastrous effect in this dark ode to womanhood, death, and sex

Spy by Danielle Steel
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A young woman is caught up in a dangerous double life on behalf of her country during World War II in Danielle Steel’s thrilling new novel.

Twenty-one Truths About Love by Matthew Dicks
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From the beloved author of Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend comes a wonderful new novel about a struggling man, written entirely in lists.

The Lost Power by Avanti Centrae
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DA VINCI CODE meets TOMB RAIDER in this award-winning thriller that #1 NYT bestselling author James Rollins called, “Full of action and suspense.”

The Revisioners by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton
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The Revisioners explores the depths of women’s relationships—powerful women and marginalized women, healers and survivors. It is a novel about the bonds between a mother and a child, the dangers that upend those bonds. At its core, The Revisioners ponders generational legacies, the endurance of hope, and the undying promise of freedom.

Impossible Causes by Julie Mayhew
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For readers of All the Missing Girls and You Will Know Me, Impossible Causes is a gripping thriller about isolation, power, and the lies that fester when witnesses stay silent.

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

The post November 2019 Fiction Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

From films to TV characters to food, sorting things into Hogwarts Houses has become something of a cultural norm. The notion of giving anything a magical animal identity has permeated the very fabric of society with a person’s House being a somewhat trademark telling of their characteristics and personality. But what about books? Find below a curated list of some of the best books based around those all-important House traits. Maybe dabble in another House’s reading list; after all, if Harry can choose so can you.

Hufflepuff

Geekerella by Ashley Poston
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If retellings are your jam, then this fandom inspired, comic convention novel based on the Cinderella narrative is a decadent treat. This book is bright and sparkly but doesn’t shy away from themes of loneliness and fear. It shines a light on toxic family relationships and shows the importance of equality, friendship and togetherness. There are haters to lovers, a vegan food truck, and lots of nerdy references; a perfect mixture for any Hufflepuff heart.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
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“No mourners, no funerals”, one Dreg says to another. The Dregs are, of course, the rag tag band of misfits featured in this heist duology. While steeped in espionage and betrayal, one theme runs stronger than any other: loyalty. Each of the characters pull from very different backgrounds and it is in these differences that the cast find home with one and other. Even though this series is set in a high fantasy world, the characters are as real as those featured in any contemporary story.

Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
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A young boy travels from America to Iran on a family vacation in this heart-warming novel about identify, heritage, and the loyalty of family. Darius is a bit of an outsider, enjoying watching Star Trek, and selling tea in the local store rather than exploring any real form of social life. When he lands on ancestral soil, he connects with his grandparents and befriends the boy next door, Sohrab, who challenges everything Darius thought about himself.

A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi
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A year after 9/11 and Shirin, a teenage Muslim girl, is trying to navigate an extremely politically unsettled America. From her love of break-dancing to the new boy, Ocean James, this book demonstrates the very worst of humanity in order to celebrate the love and uplifting nature of its best parts.

Ravenclaw

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
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Lazlo Strange sets out on a quest to uncover the mystery surrounding the lost city of Weep. This book captures the intelligence and creativity often ascribed to the Ravenclaw house; Lazlo’s determination to solve the puzzle through intense learning and research is perfect for those self-sufficient Ravenclaw’s.

Scythe by Neal Shusterman
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In a world where humanity has conquered everything – war, hunger, disease – apprentices Citra and Rowan are thrust into the world of the Scythes: a highly respected society of cloaked individuals who are tasked with population control. For the protagonists, navigating this tricky world is all about being inventive, learning the politics, and adapting to the environment.

The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North
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The title of this book screams Ravenclaw. Harry August is a man who cannot die; he lives and dies, and then comes back with all the memories and experiences of his previous lives. On top of the relationships and the jobs, the main thread through this novel is science and the intricacies involved with experimenting and investigating and exploring the scientific wonders of the world.

Sadie by Courtney Summers
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Following the mystery of her sister’s murder, Sadie sets out on a quest to uncover the culprit. The audiobook of this story is wonderfully crafted as it follows Sadie’s own perspective, as well as that of a podcast reporter searching for his own answers. Heart-breaking and harrowing, the clues build up as Sadie heads towards the final showdown.

Gryffindor

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
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Bravery comes in many forms, and this tale about lonely outsider, Eleanor Oliphant, is completely mesmerising and devastatingly heart-wrenching. Through the course of the book, the reader learns more and more about the title character; her arrogance, her judgemental attitude but most of all her absolute unflinching courage to confront her past in order to live a better present.

Circe by Madeline Miller
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This retelling of Circe the witch is all too modern. Ostracised by her peers and exiled by her father, Circe hones her occult powers on a lonely Greek island. Terrorised by sailors, the Goddess has to learn to be brave and fearless in a man’s world, showing that courage and determination come in all different forms.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
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When an altercation between the President’s son, Alex and Prince of England, Henry is exposed in the international press, the teams behind each of the high-profile individuals concoct a fake friendship plan to simmer the tension. Their relationship turns into something deeper and more intimate, and both characters have to decide whether their love is bigger than diplomacy in this novel about bravery and authenticity.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
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Starr Carter witnesses the murder of her unarmed black best friend at the hands of a white police officer. What happens next is a series of events that tackle the conversation of racism and police brutality. This is a novel about finding your voice and using it in the times that matter; the times that will make a change. It is about choice and courage in the face of overwhelming prejudice.

Slytherin

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
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Jude and her sister, Taryn, witness the murder of their parents at the hands of the Fey. Whisked to Faerie, Jude crafts her swordsmanship and aims to be as strong as the faeries that torment her mortality. Cunning and ambitious, Jude is ensnared in court politics and ends up under the gaze of wicked and vicious, Prince Cardan. This book showcases peak Slytherin traits: resourcefulness, determination and the gut-wrenching need to succeed.

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff
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Mia Corvere becomes embroiled in the cutthroat environment of assassin school, The Red Church as she sets out on a quest to avenge her parents’ murders and overthrow the current rulers of Itreya. Filled with danger, gore, and unrelenting action, this novel explores the lengths people will go to see their goal accomplished.

Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
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This vibrant tale of the rise and fall of a successful rock ‘n’ roll band is seamlessly woven together in this engaging oral history. The novel captures each of the characters voices individually and concocts a juicy, turbulent narrative of a band at their height. Spunky Daisy Jones arrives on the scene and invigorates the members of The Six, and what follows is a chaotic ride through the seventies and the ambitious goal of super stardom.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
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This near future science-fiction adventure story is brimming with the energy of the Slytherin house. From ambitious end goals to securing survival in the vicious world of virtual reality (VR), this book follows Wade Watts as he attempts to decipher the puzzle of his hero’s game. Deep inside the OASIS, a VR style world where anything is possible, deceased creator James Halliday has hidden the keys to his kingdom.

So, wear those colours with pride, pick up a book and celebrate the best traits of your house!

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

The post Sorting Books: Hogwarts House Book Recommendations appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover what books are coming out and tell us in the comments below if you will be reading any!

July

The Two Lila Bennetts by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke
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Lila Bennett’s bad choices have finally caught up with her. And one of those decisions has split her life in two. Literally. In one life, she’s taken hostage by someone who appears to be a stranger but knows too much. As she’s trapped in a concrete cell, her kidnapper forces her to face what she’s done or be killed. In an alternate life, she eludes her captor but is hunted by someone who is dismantling her happiness, exposing one secret at a time.

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman
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The author of Other People’s Houses and The Garden of Small Beginnings delivers a quirky and charming novel chronicling the life of confirmed introvert Nina Hill as she does her best to fly under everyone’s radar.

Lady in the Lake by Laura Lippman
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The revered New York Times bestselling author returns with a novel set in 1960s Baltimore that combines modern psychological insights with elements of classic noir, about a middle-aged housewife turned aspiring reporter who pursues the murder of a forgotten young woman.

Dumped, Actually by Nick Spalding
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From the bestselling author of Checking Out and Dry Hardcomes a hilarious story about losing the love of your life, and finding yourself in the aftermath.

The Escape Room by Megan Goldin
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In Megan Goldin’s unforgettable debut, The Escape Room, four young Wall Street rising stars discover the price of ambition when an escape room challenge turns into a lethal game of revenge.

The Arrangement by Robyn Harding
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A Pretty Woman tale turns toxic and deadly in this provocative and riveting thriller of sex, obsession, and murder from Robyn Harding, the “master of domestic suspense” (Kathleen Barber) and the USA TODAY bestselling author of The Party and Her Pretty Face.

August

The Murder List by Hank Phillippi Ryan
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Law student Rachel North will tell you, without hesitation, what she knows to be true. She’s smart, she’s a hard worker, she does the right thing. She’s successfully married to a faithful and devoted husband, a lion of Boston’s defense bar. And her internship with the District Attorney’s office is her ticket to a successful future. Problem is–she’s wrong.  And in this cat and mouse game–the battle for justice becomes a battle for survival.

The Third Mrs. Durst by Ann Aguirre
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Marlena Altizer Durst’s husband controls her every move―what she wears, the food she eats, and the friends she’s allowed to make. If she disobeys, there are…consequences. To outsiders, it seems that she leads a fairy-tale life. Death may be the only exit she’s allowed. Just like his first wife. And his second. Unless she flips the script. Some people just need killing.

The Birthday Girl by Melissa de la Cruz
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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Alex & Eliza comes a return to adult fiction, centered around a mysterious woman’s birthday celebration—and what it reveals about her past.

The Swallows by Lisa Lutz
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A new teacher at a New England prep school ignites a gender war–with deadly consequences–in a provocative novel from the bestselling author of The Passenger and the Spellman Files series.

We Are All Good People Here by Susan Rebecca White
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From the author of A Place at the Table and A Soft Place to Land, a gripping, multigenerational story inspired by true events that follows two best friends through their political awakenings in the turbulent 1960s—and the repercussions of their actions after their daughters encounter the secrets they thought they had buried long ago.

The Perfect Wife by J.P. Delaney
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The perfect life. The perfect love. The perfect lie. From the bestselling author of The Girl Before comes a gripping new psychological thriller. . . .

September

The Institute by Stephen King
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As psychically terrifying as Firestarter, and with the spectacular kid power of It, The Institute is Stephen King’s gut-wrenchingly dramatic story of good vs. evil in a world where the good guys don’t always win.

The World That We Knew by Alice Hoffman
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In Berlin in 1941 during humanity’s darkest hour, three unforgettable young women must act with courage and love to survive, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Dovekeepers and The Marriage of Opposites Alice Hoffman.

The Nanny by Gilly Macmillan
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The New York Times bestselling author of What She Knewconjures a dark and unpredictable tale of family secrets that explores the lengths people will go to hurt one another.

The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates
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In his boldly imagined first novel, Ta-Nehisi Coates, the National Book Award–winning author of Between the World and Me, brings home the most intimate evil of enslavement: the cleaving and separation of families.

Mother Knows Best by Kira Peikoff
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A mother’s worst nightmare, a chance at redemption, and a deadly secret that haunts a family across the generations. Past, present, and future converge in this mesmerizing psychological thriller from critically acclaimed author Kira Peikoff.

The Fragments by Toni Jordan
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From the award-winning, best-selling author of Addition and Nine Days, a superbly crafted and captivating literary mystery about a lost book and a secret love.

October

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
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Set in Depression-era America, a breathtaking story of five extraordinary women and their unforgettable journey through the mountains of Kentucky and beyond, from the author of Me Before You and The Peacock Emporium

Olive, Again (Olive Kitteridge) by Elizabeth Strout
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#1 New York Times bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize winner Elizabeth Strout continues the life of her beloved Olive Kitteridge, a character who has captured the imaginations of millions of readers.

The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller
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A young widow restores a dilapidated mansion with the assistance of a charming, eccentric genius, only to find the house is full of dangerous secrets in this effervescent Gilded Age debut novel

Quantum by Patricia Cornwell
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International bestselling author Patricia Cornwell delivers pulse-pounding thrills in a series featuring a brilliant and unusual new heroine, cutting-edge cybertechnology, and stakes that are astronomically high.

Cilka’s Journey (The Tattooist of Auschwitz #2) by Heather Morris
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From the author of the multi-million copy bestseller, The Tattooist of Auschwitz, comes the new novel based on an incredible true story of love and resilience. 

The House of Brides by Jane Cockram
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Jane Cockram makes her thrilling debut with this page-turning tale of psychological suspense in which a young woman whose life is in tatters flees to the safety of a family estate in England, but instead of comfort finds chilling secrets and lies.

November

Nine Elms by Robert Bryndza
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From the breakthrough international bestselling author of The Girl in the Ice, a breathtaking, page-turning novel about a disgraced female detective’s fight for redemption. And survival…

Twenty-one Truths About Love by Matthew Dicks
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From the beloved author of Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend comes a wonderful new novel about a struggling man, written entirely in lists.

The Revisioners by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton
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The Revisioners explores the depths of women’s relationships—powerful women and marginalized women, healers and survivors. It is a novel about the bonds between a mother and a child, the dangers that upend those bonds. At its core, The Revisioners ponders generational legacies, the endurance of hope, and the undying promise of freedom.

Spy by Danielle Steel
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A young woman is caught up in a dangerous double life on behalf of her country during World War II in Danielle Steel’s thrilling new novel.

The Pursuit of William Abbey by Claire North
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A hauntingly powerful novel about how the choices we make can stay with us forever, by the award-winning author of The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August and 84K.

Raven Lane by Amber Cowie
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The truth can bring out the worst in the best of friends. Esme and Benedict Werner have an idyllic life in a tight-knit community until an accident in their cul-de-sac ends in the tragic sudden death of one of their dearest neighbors. After vindicating eyewitness accounts morph into contradictory memories, suspicion, and unaccountable accusations, Benedict is arrested. Esme’s life, too, is changed forever.

December

Good Girls Lie by J.T. Ellison
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J.T. Ellison’s pulse-pounding new novel examines the tenuous bonds of friendship, the power of lies and the desperate lengths people will go to to protect their secrets.

The Kill Club by Wendy Heard
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Jazz will stop at nothing to save her brother. Their foster mother, Carol, has always been fanatical, but with Jazz grown up and out of the house, Carol takes a dangerous turn that threatens thirteen-year-old Joaquin’s life. Over and over, child services fails to intervene, and Joaquin is running out of time. Then Jazz gets a blocked call from someone offering a solution. They’ve formed an underground network of “helpers,” each agreeing to eliminate the abuser of another.

This Is Happiness by Niall Williams
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A profound and enchanting new novel from Booker Prize-longlisted author Niall Williams about the loves of our lives and the joys of reminiscing.

The Wicked Redhead by Beatriz Williams
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The dazzling narrator of The Wicked City brings her mesmerizing voice and indomitable spirit to another Jazz Age tale of rumrunners, double crosses, and true love, spanning the Eastern seaboard from Florida to Long Island to Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The Sacrament by Olaf Olafsson
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The haunting, vivid story of a nun whose past returns to her in unexpected ways, all while investigating a mysterious death and a series of harrowing abuse claims.

Thin Ice by Paige Shelton
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Beth Rivers is on the run. Known to the world as thriller author Elizabeth Fairchild, she had become the subject of a fanatic’s obsession. After being held in a van for three days by her kidnapper, Levi Brooks, Beth managed to escape, and until he is captured, she’s got to get away. Alaska seems tailormade for her to hideout, that is, until she’s told about a local death that’s a suspected murder. Could the death of Linda Rafferty have anything to do with her horror at the hands of Levi Brooks?

Are you excited for any of these books? Tell us in the comments below!

The post July-December Fiction Book Releases You Need In 2019 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

What if every crime had a value? And as long as you could pay up, you were a free man? In a world abolished of human rights and the rich can get away with murder, literally, we follow Criminal Audit Office employee, Theo Miller. His job is to catalogue every offence and make sure the crime matches the payment, discounts are even offered for circumstances such as if a ‘lowlife’ was the victim or the offender turned himself in. If anyone is unable to pay for their crimes, they are sent to the ‘patty line’ to pretty much becoming a slave for society. Even though the Government are still in power, it is really ‘the Company’ that run the show. Although he has spent years trying to remain anonymous, a figure from his past could jeopardise everything he has tried to hide, when they turn up murdered. Putting a measly $1 value for her life is the final straw and he sets out to end a world he can no longer stay quiet in.

Claire North is an icon when it comes to the fantasy and sci-fi universe! With books such as The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August and The End of The Day winning countless praise and awards, the hype around this book was insane and so the pressure was on!

The world itself she creates is absolutely astonishing and coupled with her writing style, you truly feel as if this could become a reality. Unlike most science fiction, this novel’s premise was a lot closer to real life workings, allowing for you to truly picture yourself within this dark world. Her attention to detail leaves you mesmerised and somewhat haunted from start to finish. When imagining this world, it does give you a feel of a 1984 by George Orwell kind of society.

The book jumps between different time periods, making sure you don’t lose focus on the true story at hand. Although, this can become a little confusing at times and leaves you rereading pages to figure where we are in terms of time. However, this lack of order really made sense with the plot of the novel, making it just as unique as the story itself.

The character Theo progresses so well throughout the novel. At the beginning, he is seen as somewhat a kind soul who just wants to live a normal life, but as we get further through the story, we learn that this not entirely the case. Whilst admitting he will do anything to get his daughter, we start to see more and more what he is willing to do to get what he wants, showing he is just as dark as the world he lives in.

Overall, this book was an insane ride from start to finish. Although I did worry if it would live up to the hype of her other works, Claire North did not disappoint with her new novel. She has really tapped into a section of the science fiction genre I didn’t even know we needed until now. I will warn that this is definitely a heavy read and you may find yourself needing to walk away to take what Claire North has thrown you. However, for anyone looking for an action-packed book, I think you have found your answer!

84K by Claire North can be found on Book Depository, Amazon, and at other good book retailers.

Have you read 84K? Will you be checking it out? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

What if your life were defined by a number?

What if any crime could be committed without punishment, so long as you could afford to pay the fee assigned to that crime?

Theo works in the Criminal Audit Office. He assesses each crime that crosses his desk and makes sure the correct debt to society is paid in full.

But when Theo’s ex-lover Dani is killed, it’s different. This is one death he can’t let become merely an entry on a balance sheet.

Because when the richest in the world are getting away with murder, sometimes the numbers just don’t add up.

The post Review: 84K By Claire North appeared first on The Nerd Daily.