Elizabeth Lim Archives | The Nerd Daily https://thenerddaily.com/tag/elizabeth-lim/ All Things Nerdy Sun, 26 Jul 2026 10:04:32 +0000 en-AU hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.4 https://i0.wp.com/thenerddaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/cropped-Nerd-Daily-Logo-Favicon.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Elizabeth Lim Archives | The Nerd Daily https://thenerddaily.com/tag/elizabeth-lim/ 32 32 122026701 Q&A: Elizabeth Lim, Author of ‘Fishbone Cinderella’ https://thenerddaily.com/elizabeth-lim-fishbone-cinderella-author-interview/ https://thenerddaily.com/elizabeth-lim-fishbone-cinderella-author-interview/#respond Mon, 27 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://thenerddaily.com/?p=64520 We chat with author Elizabeth Lim about Fishbone Cinderella, which follows a mother and daughter who must break their family’s curse through trials of war and immigration, love, loss, and redemption in this riveting multi-generational saga with a shimmer of magic. Hi, Elizabeth! Welcome back! How have you been since we last spoke for the release of Her Radiant Curse? I’ve been keeping busy, thank you! Lots of writing and spending time with my kids (my oldest has started picking up […]

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]]> We chat with author Elizabeth Lim about Fishbone Cinderella, which follows a mother and daughter who must break their family’s curse through trials of war and immigration, love, loss, and redemption in this riveting multi-generational saga with a shimmer of magic.

Hi, Elizabeth! Welcome back! How have you been since we last spoke for the release of Her Radiant Curse?

I’ve been keeping busy, thank you! Lots of writing and spending time with my kids (my oldest has started picking up my books to read which is a whole new kind of awesome/anxious) and I’ve also been getting back a little into music.

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

  • The first book you ever remember reading: Good Night Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
  • The one that made you want to become an author: Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
  • The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier

Your latest novel, Fishbone Cinderella, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Generational curse hurts mother (and) daughter – for a sentence

Or — fairytale, women, heartache, immigration, love

What can readers expect?

Fishbone Cinderella is a multigenerational family saga about a girl who discovers she can turn invisible when the Japanese invade her village during World War II; then, forty years later, in 1980s San Francisco, her daughter has to find a way to stop her from vanishing completely. It’s a story about mothers and daughters, and a family that suffers a generational curse that divides them through war and trials of immigration, and love and loss—with a shimmer of magic.

Where did the inspiration for Fishbone Cinderella come from?

The inspiration for Fishbone Cinderella came from the stories my grandmother told me about her life: from escaping the Japanese during WWII to moving to Hong Kong and having to live with her father’s second wife, to meeting my grandfather and moving to America and working in the restaurant business.

The book was also inspired by the Chinese version of Cinderella, often called Yeh Shen or Ye Xian, in which there are magical fishbones instead of a fairy godmother, golden slippers instead of glass slippers, and a far more ambiguous happily ever after.

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

I have a soft spot for writing about food and romance, so I adored writing all Yut Ying’s cooking scenes and about the bakery she opens in California. I also loved writing the romance for Marigold in the second half of the book. What was also meaningful for me was getting to infuse the book with Cantonese food and culture—things like salted egg and congee, soymilk and wind-cured duck, and superstitions like avoiding fours and not sleeping with wet hair. They’re tiny bits of my heritage that I’m proud to have included in this book, and makes it feel even more personal.

Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?

I found it very challenging to write a dual timeline book (my first, published!) and I spent a long time mapping out the structure for both Yut Ying and Marigold’s chapters and how their timelines would converge. Another challenge was self-doubt. Most of my previous books have been straight fantasies, and though I knew I wanted to write something different, I wasn’t sure whether I was ready to pull it off. But I’m very proud of how Fishbone Cinderella turned out, and grateful that the hard work paid off.

With Fishbone Cinderella spanning multiple decades, can you share some insight into your research and plotting process?

A lot of my research was based on the stories that my grandmother told me about her life, and of course I expanded upon that with my own studies. One of my favorite anecdotes from the research process involved the soymilk arc – I always planned on one of the characters in Fishbone Cinderella being the young heir to a soymilk tycoon, but what I didn’t know was that the mass consumption and production of soymilk in Hong Kong dated back to World War II. I learned that soymilk was vital to combatting malnutrition and food shortages during the Japanese occupation, since it was made from soyabeans rather than from milking live animals, and some of this history found its way into the character’s backstory.

This is your adult debut! Can you tell us about any changes to your writing?

Most of my YA books tend to be coming-of-age stories revolving around characters who are either in the teens or early 20s. While writing Fishbone Cinderella, you get to spend forty years with the main character Yut Ying, who is introduced as a six-year-old girl. You see her grow up, experience her first love and loss, get married, and have children—and I think as she matures, my writing and story within the book also matures.  But it isn’t only her life cycle that’s explored – I also touch upon her mother’s and her daughter’s, which makes for a deeper reflection of the relationships between these women, and how it changes over the years.

What’s next for you?

I’m back to YA fantasy next, for a project I’ve been thinking about for a long time. Then I’m drafting a secret adult project that I’m very excited to get some words on.

Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up? Any you’ve read so far this year that you’ve enjoyed?

I have a lot on my list! Since I have some fantasies that I plan on writing, I usually stray away from that genre for my reading. I’m excited to read Kin by Tayari Jones, and When Sleeping Women Wake by Emma Pei Yin.

Will you be picking up Fishbone Cinderella? Tell us in the comments below!

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]]> https://thenerddaily.com/elizabeth-lim-fishbone-cinderella-author-interview/feed/ 0 64520 Review: A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim https://thenerddaily.com/review-a-forgery-of-fate-by-elizabeth-lim/ https://thenerddaily.com/review-a-forgery-of-fate-by-elizabeth-lim/#respond Tue, 29 Jul 2025 22:00:00 +0000 https://thenerddaily.com/?p=58222 Any time I pick up one of Elizabeth Lim’s books, I am transported to immersive worlds that are whimsical and treacherous. Where making deals with the wrong person could end up with your life entwined with another’s. Worlds where deception and illusion can sometimes be more honest than the truth. You can tell that each character has been crafted with care, and creates such an incredible experience for the reader. I own each one of her books as well as […]

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]]> Any time I pick up one of Elizabeth Lim’s books, I am transported to immersive worlds that are whimsical and treacherous. Where making deals with the wrong person could end up with your life entwined with another’s. Worlds where deception and illusion can sometimes be more honest than the truth. You can tell that each character has been crafted with care, and creates such an incredible experience for the reader. I own each one of her books as well as special edition copies, so I’m obviously not biased when I tell you that I think you need to add this book to your TBR, like, yesterday. Not only is the book already out, but if this is your first venture into her books, you have so many you can pick up and read as well.

When I first read the synopsis for A Forgery of Fate, I came across one of Lim’s posts calling it Howl’s Moving Castle but with dragons. Anyone who knows me well, and honestly, even strangers at this point…know how much I LOVE that film. Any time I get Howl’s Moving Castle vibes from anything, I have to have a copy of it on my shelves.

This story is about a young woman who’s forced to become a con artist after her father is lost at sea. In order to pay off her mother’s gambling debts before she and her sisters are sold off, she enters a marriage contract with a mysterious dragon lord. In order to save her family though, she must join him in a plan to overthrow the Dragon King. The only problem is that their failure could upend the lives of both immortals and mortals alike.

Lim is an incredible writer and had me hooked from the first chapter, capturing both the beauty of family and the treacherous time that befalls Truyan and her sisters. This story is imbued with colour, tantalising descriptions of food that make your mouth water, and a vivid setting. Truyan is a survivor, and since her father’s disappearance, has fought to make ends meet. Truyan’s relationship with her mother is beautiful and we often portray fictional mothers in a villainous light where they are hated and abusive, but in this book, her mother is painted in shades of gray. Two things can be true at the same time, like her poor life choices and the love she has for her daughters. The same can be true for most of Lim’s characters, there are no one-dimensional characters with only one personality trait. Everyone that is introduced feels unique and has a specific role to play in this book.

Her love interest Elang is enigmatic and secretive, but secretly a simp. I enjoyed the blossoming of the romance between Truyan and Elang, simply because it carried an element of Beauty and the Beast. I can’t get into too much because of spoilers, but their growing relationship and the development of it propelled me to continue reading this book. The ending was everything I had hoped for and more. On top of that, there was a call back to a character that has featured in her other books, and I loved seeing that little nugget come across my page.

Now, there was something that needled me about the ending of the book. There was a plot point that felt a bit unresolved to me, and maybe it’s just me, but going back and reading it a few times, I still had some confusion about something that happens within the story. This doesn’t detract enough for readers to be completely thrown, but it might make you double back to see if you can figure it out.

Definitely pick this up for your shelves, and there are a few special editions around if you’re interested in having a unique copy for yourself.

A Forgery of Fate is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.

Will you be picking up A Forgery of Fate? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A breathtaking romantic fantasy inspired by Beauty and the Beast about a girl who paints the future and a cursed dragon lord, bound by love and deception in a plot to bring down the gods.

Truyan Saigas didn’t choose to become a con artist, but after her father is lost at sea, it’s up to her to support her mother and two younger sisters. A gifted art forger, Tru has the unique ability to paint the future, but even such magic is not enough to put her family back together again, or stave off the gangsters demanding payment in blood for her mother’s gambling debts.

Left with few options, Tru agrees to a marriage contract with a mysterious dragon lord. He offers a fresh start for her mother and sisters and elusive answers about her father’s disappearance, but in exchange, she must join him in his desolate undersea palace. And she must assist him in a plot to infiltrate the tyrannical Dragon King’s inner circle, painting a future so treasonous, it could upend both the mortal and immortal realms. . . .

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]]> https://thenerddaily.com/review-a-forgery-of-fate-by-elizabeth-lim/feed/ 0 58222 Read An Excerpt From ‘A Forgery of Fate’ by Elizabeth Lim https://thenerddaily.com/a-forgery-of-fate-by-elizabeth-lim-excerpt/ https://thenerddaily.com/a-forgery-of-fate-by-elizabeth-lim-excerpt/#respond Wed, 28 May 2025 03:00:00 +0000 https://thenerddaily.com/?p=57075 A breathtaking romantic fantasy inspired by Beauty and the Beast about a girl who paints the future and a cursed dragon lord, bound by love and deception in a plot to bring down the gods. Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Elizabeth Lim’s A Forgery of Fate, which releases on June 3rd 2025. Truyan Saigas didn’t choose to become a con artist, but after her father is lost at sea, it’s up to her to support her […]

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]]> https://thenerddaily.com/a-forgery-of-fate-by-elizabeth-lim-excerpt/feed/ 0 57075 72 Of The Most Anticipated YA Books Of 2025 https://thenerddaily.com/young-adult-2025-book-releases/ https://thenerddaily.com/young-adult-2025-book-releases/#respond Sun, 29 Dec 2024 08:00:00 +0000 https://thenerddaily.com/?p=54480 The Nerd Daily may obtain commissions for qualifying purchases from the links included in this article, but it’s so important to remember to shop local and indie! We apologise in advance to your TBR and bank account, but there’s so many fantastic upcoming young adult books hitting shelves between January and June 2025! There’s new releases from Brigid Kemmerer, Libba Bray, Neal Shusterman, Allison Saft, Tracy Deonn, Ava Reid, Jennifer Dugan, Dahlia Adler, Elizabeth Lim, Becky Albertalli, and many more, plus […]

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]]> The Nerd Daily may obtain commissions for qualifying purchases from the links included in this article, but it’s so important to remember to shop local and indie!

We apologise in advance to your TBR and bank account, but there’s so many fantastic upcoming young adult books hitting shelves between January and June 2025! There’s new releases from Brigid Kemmerer, Libba Bray, Neal Shusterman, Allison Saft, Tracy Deonn, Ava Reid, Jennifer Dugan, Dahlia Adler, Elizabeth Lim, Becky Albertalli, and many more, plus incredible debut novels!

Read on to discover new books hitting shelves in the first half of the year and be sure to check out our other 2025 round-ups too, including our Most Anticipated, Romance, Fantasy & Sci-Fi and Fiction lists.

JANUARY 2025 YA BOOKS

Breath of the Dragon by Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee

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A young warrior dreams of proving his worth in the elite Guardian Tournament, fighting not only for himself but the fate of everything he loves.

Bingsu For Two by Sujin Witherspoon

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This outrageously charming and infuriatingly adorable enemies-to-lovers coffee shop romance is perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Better Than the Movies.

Everything Is Poison by Joy McCullough

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This historical novel in prose and verse tells the story of a deadly secret hiding in plain sight and of the women who risk everything to provide care for those with nowhere else to turn, perfect for fans of Blood Water Paint and The Lost Apothecary.

Royal Heirs Academy by Lindsey Duga

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In this story filled with “romantic tension, royal drama, and family secrets” (Kristy Boyce), four teens living in a glamorous boarding school must compete in order to inherit a European kingdom.

Liar’s Kingdom by Christine Calella

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An Into the Woods-inspired fairy tale retelling where Cinderella never went to the ball and must lie to get her prince.

Brewed With Love by Shelly Page

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A cozy sapphic romantasy about a teen witch trying to keep her family’s apothecary up and running, with a little help from her ex-best friend—and first crush.

I Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann Liang

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From the bestselling, and award-winning author of If You Could See The Sun comes a new page-turning speculative YA about a girl who wishes she could be as perfect and successful as her cousin… then wakes up the next morning in her cousin’s body.

Ex Marks the Spot by Gloria Chao

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A swoony rivals-to-lovers romance . . . Family secrets that can’t stay buried . . . A globe-spanning treasure hunt with puzzles to solve . . . This latest YA novel by acclaimed writer Gloria Chao takes readers on a soaring adventure through love, loss, and the lively streets of Taiwan.

The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King by Harry Trevaldwyn

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Heartstopper meets Derry Girls in this wonderfully hilarious rom-com about finding your first love when your personality might be too big for the world around you.

The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley

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In this riveting historical thriller inspired by true-life events, Belladonna meets Bridgerton as revenge, romance, and twisted secrets take center stage in Victorian England’s royal court when Sally, a kidnapped African princess and goddaughter to Queen Victoria, plots her way to take down the monarchy that stole her from her homeland.

Build A Girlfriend by Elba Luz

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A teen deep-dives into her dating history to uncover her mistakes, become the perfect girlfriend, and get revenge on the wrong guy so she can ride into the sunset with the right one in this debut rom-com.

Carving Shadows into Gold by Brigid Kemmerer

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Dangerous magic. Fateful choices. Broken promises. The spellbinding series by New York Times bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer continues.

FEBRUARY 2025 YA BOOKS

The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor

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The New York Times bestselling author of Hotel Magnifique returns with another glittering dark fantasy about a deadly mystery that spans worlds and a teenage girl who must risk everything to uncover the truth.

Wicked Darlings by Jordyn Taylor

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From the author of The Revenge Game comes a twisty YA thriller about the underbelly of Manhattan’s high society, where nothing is off-limits—not even murder.

Under the Same Stars by Libba Bray

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From New York Times-bestselling author Libba Bray comes an evocative and groundbreaking young adult historical mystery that examines truth, rebellion, reconciliation, and what must be sacrificed for a better world.

Needy Little Things by Channelle Desamours

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In this debut speculative YA mystery, a Black teen with premonition-like powers must solve her friend’s disappearance before she finds herself in the same danger, perfect for fans of Ace of Spades.

These Vengeful Wishes by Vanessa Montalban

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A vengeful female spirit with a thirst for justice ignites a teen girl’s rage in this new YA horror, perfect for fans of She Is a Haunting and House of Hollow.

The Wildest Things by Andrea Hannah

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In this sapphic Snow White retelling, if Snow is to save her kingdom from being ravaged by the Blight, she’ll have to kill the Evil Queen’s daughter…if she doesn’t fall in love with her first.

All Better Now by Neal Shusterman

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From New York Times bestselling author Neal Shusterman comes a young adult thriller about a world where happiness is contagious but the risks of catching it may be just as dangerous as the cure.

The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith

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The Cruel Prince meets The Selection in this captivating duology opener brimming with heart-pounding romance, vicious competition, and beautiful, cruel fae, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Witch Haven, Sasha Peyton Smith.

Wings of Starlight by Allison Saft

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Brimming with magic and romance, a young fairy queen must form an unlikely alliance or risk an unspeakable danger destroying all she holds dear in this fantasy adventure from New York Times bestselling author Allison Saft.

Unlock the Dark by Sasa Hawk

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Perfect for fans of Brigid Kemmerer and Lexi Ryan, this debut romantasy stand-alone novel blends an immersive world, unique magic system, and swoon-worthy romance to create an unputdownable read that explores the great and terrible lengths to which love compels us to go.

Unhallowed Halls by Lili Wilkinson

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A teen girl travels to an exclusive boarding school after a deadly incident at her old school, but the wood-paneled halls of Agathion are built over centuries of secrets—including an ancient society which may have ties to demonic magic—in this dark academia fantasy perfect for fans of Curious Tides.

This Ends in Embers by Kamilah Cole

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Perfect for fans of Raybearer and Fourth Wing, this astonishing sequel to the bestselling novel So Let Them Burn doesn’t hold back. After all, there are no easy endings in war—especially when sisters are forced to fight on opposite sides.

MARCH 2025 YA BOOKS

All the Hidden Monsters by Amie Jordan

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With a crew so entertaining and unique―All the Hidden Monsters is funny, serious, scary―and you’ll never guess who did it. There’s a world below our own, but who is killing who in both of them?

Say a Little Prayer by Jenna Voris

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Saved! meets Casey McQuiston in this wry, heartfelt tale of a teen who’s taking her church camp by storm—one deadly sin at a time.

Nightweaver by R.M. Gray

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Filled with elemental magic, forbidden romance, and breathtaking twists, Nightweaver is a propulsive romantasy about an iron-willed heroine avenging her brother and discovering her destiny.

Oathbound by Tracy Deonn

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Tracy Deonn’s #1 New York Times bestselling Legendborn Cycle continues in the sensational third book about a dazzling contemporary fantasy world that blends Southern Black Girl Magic with secret societies and the legend of King Arthur!

When The Bones Sing by Ginny Myers Sain

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From New York Times bestselling author of Dark and Shallow Lies comes a new southern gothic supernatural thriller about a teen girl in a small Ozark town who can hear the bones of the dead.

Fable For The End of the World by Ava Reid

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The Last of Us meets The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in this stand-alone dystopian romance about survival, sacrifice, and love that risks everything.

Hangry Hearts by Jennifer Chen

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Jennifer Chen’s Hangry Hearts is a funny, big-hearted romance about friendship, family, and first love―and being brave enough to have it all.

Lovely Dark and Deep by Elisa A. Bonnin

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From author Elisa A. Bonnin comes Lovely Dark and Deep, a YA dark academia novel exploring magic, loneliness, and the power of found family.

What Wakes the Bells by Elle Tesch

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Inspired by an ominous Prague legend, What Wakes the Bells is a lavish gothic fantasy by debut author Elle Tesch that is perfect for fans of Adalyn Grace, Margaret Rogerson, and V.E. Schwab.

In The Company of Killers by Elora Cook

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Gossip Girl meets The Sopranos in this fast-paced drama about a teenage mafia heiress who would do anything to avenge her family, even join forces with her handsome enemy.

How to Survive a Slasher by Justine Pucella Winans

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You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight meets Scream in this YA slasher that turns classic horror tropes on their heads.

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

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The phenomenal fifth book in the Hunger Games series. Sunrise on the Reaping revisits the world of Panem twenty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.

APRIL 2025 YA BOOKS

The Notorious Virtues by Alwyn Hamilton

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Bestselling Rebel of the Sands author Alwyn Hamilton is back with a glittering fantasy thriller about a glamorous media darling, a surprise heiress, and the magical competition of a lifetime.

Run Away With Me by Brian Selznick

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From #1 New York Times bestselling author/illustrator Brian Selznick, a profoundly romantic YA novel about two boys finding each other and falling in love over one summer in Rome.

The Floating World by Axie Oh

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From Axie Oh, the New York Times-bestselling author of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, Final Fantasy meets Shadow and Bone in this lighthearted romantic fantasy reimagining the Korean legend of Celestial Maidens.

Somadina by Akwaeke Emezi

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From the National Book Award finalist and author of Pet comes a novel set in a magical West African world, about a teen girl who must save her missing twin while learning to navigate her own terrifying new powers.

Boys with Sharp Teeth by Jenni Howell

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We Were Liars meets The Raven Boys in this mind-bending YA debut about dark revenge, twisted desire, and the sinister secrets lurking behind the walls of an elite boarding school.

Pride or Die by C.L. Montblanc

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In this delightful dark comedy debut, when the members of an LGBTQ+ club find themselves accidentally framed for attempted murder, it’s up to them to clear their names before it’s too late.

The Coven Tendency by Zoe Hana Mikuta

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Zoe Hana Mikuta delivers a bloody and unrelenting fantasy about young witches dangling on the edge of love and obsession, of magic and madness, of life and death (and death and death and death). . .

If We Were a Movie by Zakiya N. Jamal

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Booksmart meets Phantom of the Megaplex in Zakiya N. Jamal’s debut enthralling enemies-to-lovers queer romance, set against the backdrop of a historic Black-owned movie theater, the quirky employees who work there, and the suburbs of Long Island. Perfect for fans of Leah Johnson and Today Tonight Tomorrow.

Nav’s Foolproof Guide to Falling in Love by Jessica Lewis

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Giving the new girl lessons in romance so she can woo your best friend couldn’t possibly go wrong…right? Perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Casey McQuiston, this romantic comedy from Jessica Lewis is packed with heart.

Murder Between Friends by Liz Lawson

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Two years ago, the murder of a neighbor tore three best friends apart–now the killer is going to walk free and the ex-friends are going to have to face the past–and each other–in another twisty thriller from the New York Times bestselling co-author of The Agathas.

Chaos King by Kacen Callender

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The explosive sequel to instant New York Times bestselling YA debut Infinity Alchemist by Kacen Callender.

Lady Knight by Amalie Howard

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The daughter of a duke defies the rules of London high society with the help of the resident rake—who just so happens to be her brother’s best friend—in this fun teen historical romance from the USA Today bestselling author of Queen Bee.

MAY 2025 YA BOOKS

The Thrashers by Julie Soto

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A twisty thrill-ride of unforgettable drama and suspense that “encapsulates the vulnerability of adolescents playing adult games” (Ali Hazelwood) from USA Today bestselling author Julie Soto, The Thrashers will keep you up at night desperate to read just one more page.

Audre and Bash Are Just Friends by Tia Williams

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Scorching-hot summer. Scorching-hot chemistry. Two teens can’t forget they’re just friends in this sweet, funny, electrifying romance from New York Times bestselling author Tia Williams. Perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Nicola Yoon.

Salvación by Sandra Proudman

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In this Latinx YA fantasy inspired by El Zorro, Lola de La Peña becomes the masked heroine Salvación in order to save her family and town from a man who would destroy it for the magic it contains…if she doesn’t fall in love with one of his men first.

The Lost Queen by Aimee Phan

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A heroine like no other, ancient magic unleashed, a fated epic battle–the first book in an enchanting YA fantasy duology inspired by Vietnamese lore, weaving magic, sisterhood, and self-discovery.

Summer Girls by Jennifer Dugan

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From the author of Some Girls Do comes a YA sapphic romance about two girls from different sides of the tracks.

This Moth Saw Brightness by A. A. Vacharat

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A weird and revelatory debut that vividly captures the dislocation of growing up BIPOC and neurodivergent in a country awash in both conspiracy theories and genuine conspiracies.

Come As You Are by Dahlia Adler

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Dahlia Adler’s Come As You Are is about refusing to accept less than you deserve, and realizing that the best relationships are with people who know exactly who you are.

Cruel is the Light by Sophie Clark

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An epic new fantasy about a demon hunter and a foot soldier thrown together in a centuries-old war. . . and the forbidden love that could change the course of history.

All-Nighter by Cecilia Vinesse

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Booksmart meets Today, Tonight, Tomorrow in this page-turning romp about two archnemeses—the valedictorian and the class slacker—who band together for a whirlwind night after discovering that they need each other to achieve their very different sunrise goals.  

Out of Step, into You by Ciera Burch

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Out of Step, into You is a sapphic contemporary romance following childhood friends turned cross-country team rivals who are forced to work together to win the state championship – for fans of She Gets the Girl.

Titan of the Stars by E.K. Johnston

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Alien meets The Titanic in this tense YA science fiction horror series by #1 New York Times bestselling author E.K. Johnston.

Death in the Cards by Mia P. Manansala

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The young adult debut from the award-winning author of Arsenic and Adobo! When a high school tarot reader’s latest client goes missing after a troubling reading, she must apply everything she’s learned from her private investigator mother to solve a case of her own.

JUNE 2025 YA BOOKS

Celestial Banquet by Roselle Lim

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Iron Chef meets The Hunger Games in Roselle Lim’s dazzling YA fantasy debut, following a young noodle chef who competes in a cutthroat cooking competition for the gods.

Heir of Storms by Lauryn Hamilton Murray

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RED QUEEN meets SHADOW AND BONE in this explosive start to a YA romantasy trilogy about dangerous magic, forbidden love, and a cut-throat competition for the throne in an empire where crowns are not inherited — they’re won.

The Beautiful Maddening by Shea Ernshaw

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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Shea Ernshaw comes a haunting romantic contemporary fantasy about a teen navigating her family’s love curse that blooms with their enchanted tulips every year.

Never Thought I’d End Up Here by Ann Liang

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From the author of the instant New York Times bestseller I Hope This Doesn’t Find You, Never Thought I’d End Up Here is another hilarious and romantic romcom from Ann Liang, this time following a former model determined to get revenge on the boy who ruined her life.

A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim

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A breathtaking romantic fantasy inspired by Beauty and the Beast about a girl who paints the future and a cursed dragon lord, bound by love and deception in a plot to bring down the gods.

Nobody in Particular by Sophie Gonzales

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Young Royals meets The Prince and Me when a disgraced princess falls for a new student at their all-girls boarding school, but the two must hide their forbidden love at all costs.

Kill Creatures by Rory Power

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From the bestselling author of Wilder Girls and queen of twisty narratives, Rory Power, comes her highly anticipated new Young Adult thriller.

A First Time for Everything by K.L. Walther

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From the New York Times bestselling author of The Summer of Broken Rules comes a fun new coming-of-age romance full of dating disasters, powerful firsts, and the importance of family.

Amelia, If Only by Becky Albertalli

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The beautiful and heartwarming new romance from Becky Albertalli, best-selling author of Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda.

A Treachery of Swans by A.B. Poranek

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From the New York Times bestselling author of Where the Dark Stands Still comes an atmospheric fantasy based on Swan Lake, following Odile as her plan to restore magic to her kingdom gets disrupted by a murder—forcing her to beg for help from the young woman whose identity she stole.

Among Ghosts by Rachel Hartman

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Set in the world of New York Times bestseller Seraphina, a boy on the run from a dragon—among other dangers—seeks refuge in a haunted abbey in this wholly original ghost story about what haunts us, and what connects us.

If We Survive This by Racquel Marie

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The Walking Dead meets Yellowjackets in If We Survive This, a tense and emotional young adult horror novel from award-winning author Racquel Marie about a teen girl leading a group of survivors on a perilous journey during the apocalypse.

What YA books are you looking forward to? Any other recommendations? Tell us in the comments below!

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]]> https://thenerddaily.com/young-adult-2025-book-releases/feed/ 0 54480 Not Like Other Dragons: Five Books That Do Dragons A Little Bit Differently https://thenerddaily.com/keshe-chow-author-guest-post/ https://thenerddaily.com/keshe-chow-author-guest-post/#respond Mon, 05 Aug 2024 03:00:00 +0000 https://thenerddaily.com/?p=51615 Guest post by The Girl With No Reflection author Keshe ChowKeshe Chow is a Malaysian-born Chinese-Australian writer of novels, short fiction, and poetry. She won the 2020 Perito Prize, the 2021 Rachel Funari Prize for Fiction, the 2021 Yarra Literature Prize, and the 2022 Victorian Premier’s Prize for an Unpublished Manuscript. The Girl With No Reflection is her debut novel. Dragons have been everywhere in the bookish world recently, from Rebecca Yarros’ Empyrean series to Sarah A. Parker’s When the […]

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]]> Guest post by The Girl With No Reflection author Keshe Chow
Keshe Chow is a Malaysian-born Chinese-Australian writer of novels, short fiction, and poetry. She won the 2020 Perito Prize, the 2021 Rachel Funari Prize for Fiction, the 2021 Yarra Literature Prize, and the 2022 Victorian Premier’s Prize for an Unpublished Manuscript. The Girl With No Reflection is her debut novel.

Dragons have been everywhere in the bookish world recently, from Rebecca Yarros’ Empyrean series to Sarah A. Parker’s When the Moon Hatched, and even Taran Matharu’s Dragon Rider. Even in the wider world dragons are dominating: HBO’s House of the Dragon series is currently commandeering the small screen.

But when we think of dragons, what do we picture? Probably the enormous fire-breathing, winged creatures of olde: Smaug-type monsters that horde treasure in caves; Targaryen dragons that incinerate whole armies with just one flame-licked breath; huge creatures unfurling their leathery wings like those in Fourth Wing. The thing is, though, dragon lore goes way beyond these archetypes. The Girl With No Reflection, my upcoming debut YA fantasy novel, features Chinese dragons which are quite different—and a lot less familiar to mainstream audiences—than Western dragons.

How are they different? Well, for one, Chinese dragons typically don’t have wings. Instead, they are serpentine creatures with horns, manes and claws, and their ability to fly is magical rather than mechanically powered. And, instead of breathing fire, Chinese dragons tend to control the elements, especially water and wind. In traditional Chinese folklore, dragons impact the weather. It was a commonly-held belief that a displeased dragon god could bring about phenomena such as droughts, tidal waves, or floods.

Unlike in Western mythology, Eastern dragons are also depicted less as monstrous beasts, and more as god-like beings that represent prosperity and good fortune. While they can be mercurial, they are also wise and benevolent, living peacefully alongside humans and even helping us.

Throughout history, dragons were a symbol of Imperial power, and were closely linked to Chinese royalty. Since dragons were thought to represent ‘Yang’ (male energy), emperors were associated with dragons, and throughout many periods of Chinese history only royalty—and sometimes officials—were permitted to wear clothing decorated with dragon motifs. In Chinese culture, dragons are celebrated during events such as Chinese New Year and the Dragon Boat festival.

In the Chinese Zodiac, 2024 is the Year of the Dragon, so it’s the perfect time to read books about dragons! If you want to know more about books that do dragons a little differently, then read on…

The Last Dragon of the East by Katrina Kwan (adult fantasy)

25-year-old Sai lives a quiet life running his family’s teahouse and caring for his ailing mother. When he’s given dragon scales—a cure for his mother’s illness—he is thrust into a search for the world’s last dragon, which has long been thought of as extinct. If he succeeds in finding the creature, he might just save his own life, as well as that of his mother’s.

Inspired by Chinese myths of ancient dragon gods and the red threads of fate, Katrina Kwan’s dazzling fantasy debut is a propulsive adventure perfect for fans of Sue Lynn Tan and Hannah Whitten.

The Girl With No Reflection by Keshe Chow (young adult fantasy)

In my own upcoming debut, The Girl With No Reflection, a princess is pulled into a dark mirror world populated by reflections cursed to mimic us. Although they look identical to us, the reflections are actually sentient beings with their own thoughts, motivations, and agendas. And there are other creatures hidden beyond the mirrors, too—creatures that can curse and kill.

Ying must close the mirror barrier before the reflections swarm from the mirrors to attack, slaughter, and replace us. The problem? She’s fallen in love… and he’s from the wrong side of the mirrors.

Inspired by several Chinese myths including the Moon Goddess and the Archer; the Carp and the Dragon Gate; as well as dragons, phoenixes, and other lesser known creatures, The Girl With No Reflection is full of the magical, the monstrous, and the macabre.

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim (young adult fantasy)

On the morning of her betrothal ceremony, Princess Shiori’anma—who harbors forbidden magic—is rescued from drowning in a lake by a shapeshifter dragon. However, the princess’s actions capture the attention of her stepmother, Raikama, who banishes Shiori and turns her brothers into cranes.

Shiori must embark on an epic adventure alongside a magical paper bird, the boy she was betrothed to marry, and the dragon who once saved her life, if she has any hope of saving the kingdom and restoring her six cursed brothers.

Whimsical and romantic, Six Crimson Cranes weaves together elements of The Wild Swans, Cinderella, the legend of Chang’e, and the Tale of the Bamboo Cutter.

Song of Silver, Flame Like Night by Amélie Wen Zhao (young adult fantasy)

Lan spends her nights as a songgirl in Haak’gong, a city colonized by Elantian conquerers. She has a hidden secret, though—a strange mark inexplicably burned into her arm by her mother just before she died.

When Zen, a practitioner—one of the fabled magicians of the Last Kingdom—encounters Lan, he recognizes the mark as a sign of deep and powerful magic. Together, they must journey to discover the key to saving both their kingdom and themselves.

Song of Silver, Flame Like Night takes inspiration from Xianxia and ancient Chinese folklore. The dragons come into it late in the piece, drawing parallels with the Four Guardians of Chinese mythology: the dragon, the tiger, the tortoise, and the bird.

Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan (adult fantasy)

Xingyin lives an isolated life on the moon, along with her mother, Chang’e. But little does she know, her mother was exiled for stealing the Celestial Emperor’s elixir of immortality. Chang’e has managed to keep Xingyin hidden—until now. When Xingyin’s existence is discovered she must go on the run, leaving her mother behind.

In order to save her mother, Xingyin must come face-to-face with the Celestial Emperor, battling armies and immortals and getting help from unlikely places—including dragons.

Inspired by the legend of Chang’e, the Chinese moon goddess, Daughter of the Moon Goddess begins an enchanting, romantic duology which weaves ancient Chinese mythology into a sweeping adventure of immortals and magic.

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]]> https://thenerddaily.com/keshe-chow-author-guest-post/feed/ 0 51615 Q&A: Elizabeth Lim, Author of ‘Her Radiant Curse’ https://thenerddaily.com/elizabeth-lim-her-radiant-curse-interview/ https://thenerddaily.com/elizabeth-lim-her-radiant-curse-interview/#respond Tue, 29 Aug 2023 12:00:51 +0000 https://thenerddaily.com/?p=45854 Post written by contributor Zoe CW We chat with New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Lim about her latest release Her Radiant Curse, which is a tale of two sisters—one as beautiful as the other is monstrous—who must fight to save each other when a betrothal contest gone wrong unleashes an evil that could sever their bond forever. Hi, Elizabeth! Welcome back! How have you been since we last spoke in 2021? I’ve been great, thank you! Added another baby […]

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]]> Post written by contributor Zoe CW
We chat with New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Lim about her latest release Her Radiant Curse, which is a tale of two sisters—one as beautiful as the other is monstrous—who must fight to save each other when a betrothal contest gone wrong unleashes an evil that could sever their bond forever.

Hi, Elizabeth! Welcome back! How have you been since we last spoke in 2021?

I’ve been great, thank you! Added another baby to my family, as well as a couple of books!

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

I’ve loved writing from an early age, but I never thought I was good enough at it to become an author. It was more of a hobby for me – I wrote a lot of fanfiction growing up, and posted a few stories online. I didn’t seriously consider trying to get published until after I graduated from college.

Your next novel, Her Radiant Curse, is out now! If you could describe it in five words, what would they be?

Beauty & Beast as sisters.

You’re known for writing beautiful fantasy tales, but if you were to dabble in another genre, what would you pick?

I’d love to try historical fiction one day.

Do you have to do much research for your books, or are these stories ones you’ve grown up with?

I definitely do research for my books, but I try to write the first draft of each story before doing any, so that I can rely on my memory of the stories I grew up with and keep the core of my story close to the heart.

In all of your books, who is your favourite character, and why?

Channi, because there’s so many layers to her personality and she goes through the greatest character change. She’s so tough and brutal and capable, yet underneath it all, she has this desperate desire to be part of a family and be loved for who she is. I just want to hug her!

In the acknowledgements for Her Radiant Curse, you mention that you started writing it before Six Crimson Cranes, what made you switch focus?

Once I discovered that Her Radiant Curse was really a prequel story, I decided that it’d be more prudent to write Six Crimson Cranes first—it’d be an easier sell to my publisher. It was very tough to put the story aside, but I’m glad I did!

Can you tell us if you have anything upcoming in the works?

I’m working on another book in the universe. This one’s also got Beauty and the Beast vibes, but with dragons.

Do you have any advice for any budding writers out there?

Read as much as you can, but listen too. A good ear can improve one’s writing immeasurably. Give yourself goals, not a timeline. Don’t let rejections get you down. Persistence is key.

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

I’m very excited for What the River Knows by Isabel Ibanez and Darker by Four by June Tan!

Will you be picking up Her Radiant Curse? Tell us in the comments below!

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]]> https://thenerddaily.com/elizabeth-lim-her-radiant-curse-interview/feed/ 0 45854 Review: Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim https://thenerddaily.com/review-her-radiant-curse-by-elizabeth-lim/ https://thenerddaily.com/review-her-radiant-curse-by-elizabeth-lim/#respond Fri, 11 Aug 2023 03:00:22 +0000 https://thenerddaily.com/?p=45124 Post written by contributor Zoe CW Elizabeth Lim has an extraordinary capability of transporting readers to luscious and sometimes brutal worlds, and Her Radiant Curse is no exception. Similar to her other two series, The Blood of Stars, and Six Crimson Cranes, Her Radiant Curse is a unique tale with various elements of Asian folklore, high fantasy, and adventure. The unique interpretation of demons and dragons, as well as some other creatures in the story specifically, is a breath of […]

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]]> Post written by contributor Zoe CW
Elizabeth Lim has an extraordinary capability of transporting readers to luscious and sometimes brutal worlds, and Her Radiant Curse is no exception. Similar to her other two series, The Blood of Stars, and Six Crimson Cranes, Her Radiant Curse is a unique tale with various elements of Asian folklore, high fantasy, and adventure. The unique interpretation of demons and dragons, as well as some other creatures in the story specifically, is a breath of fresh air to the fantasy genre.

The book begins by providing a rich backstory to Channi and her sister Vanna, while simultaneously showing the divide between legend and fact in their world. Born with an internal light and goodness, Vanna is the yin to Channi’s cursed yang. Their independent journeys centre around them constantly fighting for each other while learning how to fight for themselves.

As the story progresses, Lim weaves a diverse world with varied landscapes richly detailed with their own cultures. While the pace of the book was fast to keep the story progressing, I found I wanted to stay just a little longer in these different locations to explore them a little more. Each setting had its own unique personality with different wildlife and customs which were only just touched on before moving the characters along.

The way Lim built Channi and Vanna’s characters was at times predictable, but overall smooth and comprehensive. The way she wrote their relationship provided great backstory, along with the story and character development. You can’t help but love them both and for the duration of the book, you’ll find yourself rooting for them to succeed and find their happiness while being heartbroken whenever they experience setbacks.

Most of the side characters also had a surprising amount of depth; the exception being Channi and Vanna’s father and step-mother, who seemed really two-dimensional to fill the hole of a secondary adversary.
A personal favourite was Ukar the snake, who is also Channi’s best friend—his snide comments and unwavering support made him immediately endearing. His sass and disdain when it came to certain love interests was amusing while simultaneously not what you want to read if you’re a romantic at heart.

While nowhere near a romance novel, Lim explores young love from a couple of angles including a burgeoning romance that is forbidden, and the tried-and-true enemies to lovers trope. Whilst somewhat predictable, you can’t help wanting it to happen all the same.

As a prequel to Six Crimson Cranes, you may feel like it’s necessary to read those prior to enjoying Her Radiant Curse, but that’s not the case (although you might get some more references). In fact, I hadn’t read Six Crimson Cranes before reading this, and I think I enjoyed it more, as I didn’t know exactly where the characters were going to end up.

It might be worth mentioning though, like with her other books, the worldbuilding isn’t as obvious and laid out as some other fantasy novels. The beginning sets the scene for most of the mechanics of the world, as it progresses, some new details emerge, leading you to sometimes alter your perception of how things work. This can be at times frustrating for some, as it leads to wanting a little more detail about how the world works. Luckily you can continue to experience the world and find out more in Six Crimson Cranes.

That being said, it was a really enjoyable, easy to read, YA fantasy novel. It was interesting, compelling, and written in a way that didn’t underestimate the reader. Her Radiant Curse is a masterclass of heartbreak and longing, exploring sisterly love, and complicated family dynamics.

Her Radiant Curse from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of August 29th.

Will you be picking up Her Radiant Curse? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

From the New York Times bestselling author of SIX CRIMSON CRANES comes a tale of two sisters—one as beautiful as the other is monstrous—who must fight to save each other when a betrothal contest gone wrong unleashes an evil that could sever their bond forever.

One sister must fall for the other to rise.

Channi was not born a monster. But when her own father offers her in sacrifice to the Demon Witch, she is forever changed. Cursed with a serpent’s face, Channi is the exact opposite of her beautiful sister, Vanna—the only person in the village who looks at Channi and doesn’t see a monster. The only person she loves and trusts.

Now seventeen, Vanna is to be married off in a vulgar contest that will enrich the coffers of the village leaders. Only Channi, who’s had to rely on her strength and cunning all these years, can defend her sister against the cruelest of the suitors. But in doing so, she becomes the target of his wrath—launching a grisly battle royale, a quest over land and sea, a romance between sworn enemies, and a choice that will strain Channi’s heart to its breaking point.

Weaving together elements of The Selection and Ember in the Ashes with classic tales like Beauty and the Beast, Helen of Troy, and Asian folklore, Elizabeth Lim is at the absolute top of her game in this thrilling yet heart-wrenching fantasy that explores the dark side of beauty and the deepest bonds of sisterhood.

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]]> https://thenerddaily.com/review-her-radiant-curse-by-elizabeth-lim/feed/ 0 45124 August 2023 YA Book Releases https://thenerddaily.com/august-2023-ya-book-releases/ https://thenerddaily.com/august-2023-ya-book-releases/#respond Wed, 09 Aug 2023 05:10:29 +0000 https://thenerddaily.com/?p=45353 Ready for a new YA read? Well August has plenty new young adult book releases waiting for you, including new releases from Elizabeth Lim, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, and Adi Alsaid, along with debuts from Skyla Ardnt and Vanessa Montalban. Read on to discover just a few of our YA picks and let us know in the comments if you will be reading any of them! Together We Rot by Skyla ArndtGoodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble A teen girl […]

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]]> Ready for a new YA read? Well August has plenty new young adult book releases waiting for you, including new releases from Elizabeth Lim, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, and Adi Alsaid, along with debuts from Skyla Ardnt and Vanessa Montalban.

Read on to discover just a few of our YA picks and let us know in the comments if you will be reading any of them!

Together We Rot by Skyla Arndt
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A teen girl looking for the truth about her missing mother forms a reluctant alliance with her former best friend…in exchange for hiding him from his cult-leading family.

Actually Super by Adi Alsaid
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A globetrotting novel that takes a determined teen from Japan to Australia and to Argentina and Mexico on a quest to prove that humanity is more good than bad from the author of Let’s Get Lost and Before Takeoff.

Damned if You Do by Alex Brown
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Queer Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Filipino folklore in this horror comedy about a high school stage manager who accidentally sells her soul to a demon.

Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

From the New York Times bestselling author of SIX CRIMSON CRANES comes a tale of two sisters—one as beautiful as the other is monstrous—who must fight to save each other when a betrothal contest gone wrong unleashes an evil that could sever their bond forever.

Pride and Prejudice and Pittsburgh by Rachael Lippincott
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From the New York Times bestselling coauthor of Five Feet Apart and She Gets the Girl comes a fresh and inventive sapphic romantic comedy that’s What If It’s Us meets Bridgerton.

Face the Night by Lani Forbes
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On a harsh frontier where good and evil contend for people’s minds, a young woman must fight for her true identity in this scintillating YA fantasy from the author of the award-winning Age of the Seventh Sun trilogy.

Unnecessary Drama by Nina Kenwood
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From the award-winning author of It Sounded Better in My Head comes a deliciously entertaining enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy about two high school nemeses who end up sharing a house together their first year of college

Forgive Me Not by Jennifer Baker
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In this searing indictment of the juvenile justice system, one incarcerated teen weighs what she is willing to endure for forgiveness.

A Tall Dark Trouble by Vanessa Montalban
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Perfect for fans of Shea Ernshaw, Nina Moreno, and Elizabeth Acevedo, Vanessa Montalban’s YA debut is a dazzling Latine twist on Practical Magic that follows a family of Cuban American brujas entangled in love, magic, and murder.

Who Could Love You, Astor Price? by Amy Jane Lehan
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Set in a small Australian town and promising moments of heartache and hope, Who Could Love You, Astor Price? is the debut novel from Amy Jane Lehan.

I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast is Me by Jamison Shea
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From debut author Jamison Shea comes I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me, a slow-burn horror that lifts a veil on the institutions that profit on exclusion and the toll of giving everything to a world that will never love you back.

Tilly in Technicolor by Mazey Eddings
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Tilly in Technicolor is Mazey Eddings’s sparkling YA debut about two neurodivergent teens who form a connection over the course of a summer.

My Father, The Panda Killer by Jamie Jo Hoang
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A poignant coming-of-age story told in two alternating voices: a California teenager railing against the Vietnamese culture, juxtaposed with her father as an eleven-year-old boat person on a harrowing and traumatic refugee journey from Vietnam to the United States.

Rook by William Ritter
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This standalone adventure set in the world of the  New York Times  bestselling Jackaby series brims with humor, heart, and—of course—a hefty dose of supernatural mayhem.

The Boy You Always Wanted by Michelle Quach
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From Not Here to Be Liked author Michelle Quach comes a smartly funny, heartfelt story told in dual POV about a young woman roping in her childhood crush to act as an honorary male heir to fulfill her grandfather’s dying wish. A story about first love, familial duties, and finding yourself—perfect for fans of Emiko Jean and Loan Le.

The Brothers Hawthorne by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
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Four brothers. Two missions. One explosive read. Jennifer Lynn Barnes returns to the world of her #1 bestselling Inheritance Games trilogy, and the stakes have never been higher.  

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

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]]> https://thenerddaily.com/august-2023-ya-book-releases/feed/ 0 45353 Q&A: Elizabeth Lim, Author of ‘Six Crimson Cranes’ https://thenerddaily.com/elizabeth-lim-six-crimson-cranes-interview/ https://thenerddaily.com/elizabeth-lim-six-crimson-cranes-interview/#respond Mon, 05 Jul 2021 18:00:27 +0000 https://thenerddaily.com/?p=35686 If you are itching to pick up a new fantasy read, then may I recommend Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim? She’s a phenomenal storyteller, and this particular story is a lush and beautiful retelling that features a young woman who loses her voice, and has to find a way to save herself and six brothers who have been turned into cranes by her evil stepmother! Along with a dragon, and a scorned betrothed, you will not be able to […]

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]]> If you are itching to pick up a new fantasy read, then may I recommend Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim? She’s a phenomenal storyteller, and this particular story is a lush and beautiful retelling that features a young woman who loses her voice, and has to find a way to save herself and six brothers who have been turned into cranes by her evil stepmother! Along with a dragon, and a scorned betrothed, you will not be able to put this story down. I’m so excited to share my interview with the amazing Elizabeth Lim!

Hi, Elizabeth! Can you tell us a bit about yourself and about Six Crimson Cranes?

Yes, of course! I’m Elizabeth Lim, author of The Blood of Stars duology and two tales in the Disney Twisted Tales series. My newest book, Six Crimson Cranes releases this July, and it’s my favorite book that I’ve written so far. It’s a reimagining of the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale The Wild Swans mixed in with Chinese and Japanese folklore, and is about a princess whose brothers are cursed into cranes. To break their curse, she must place her trust in a flying paper bird, a shapeshifting dragon, and the boy she was supposed to marry.

If you were to be cursed by an evil stepmother, what might you be cursed with?

Oh gosh, what a good question. Hmm…I think being cursed to not be recognizable to anyone you know would be extremely rough, and it’s similar to what happens to Shiori. Also to not be able to hear music or play music would be devastating for me since I was a serious musician for so many years!  

What characters did you find yourself gravitating toward while drafting the story?

I loved writing Kiki and Seryu. I have a fondness for writing banter and sassy dialogue, so those two were especially fun for me to develop.

If Shiori were trapped on a desert island, what three things would she bring with her?

Shiori might be a dreamer, but she’s also pretty practical. She’d bring a cooking pot, a knife (double use for defense and for cooking!), and a sturdy lantern.

Food seems to play a big role in this story, is there a dish or food that you particularly loved writing about?

Strangely enough, I actually really enjoyed writing about the fish soup that Shiori makes. It’s a simple dish, with no real set recipe, but it’s something that my grandmother made for me nearly every day when I was a kid that writing about it brought back a lot of fond memories. The cakes, of course, make my mouth water whenever I read about them. The monkeycakes that Shiori makes are inspired by the colorful kuih (steamed cakes) that my grandma in Malaysia used to buy for me. They usually have a rice base, but they’re often flavored with taro, pandan, peanuts, and/or coconut. They’re hard to find in the States, but if you get a chance to try them, you absolutely should. They’re delicious!!

Was there any sort of research involved when you started writing this book?

Since Six Crimson Cranes is set in the same universe as Spin the Dawn, I referred to the research I conducted for my previous duology as well as my studies from university (I minored in East Asian Studies). Given that both series are fantasies, I didn’t research too heavily and relied a lot on my imagination!

What is absolutely essential to you when you’re working on a new writing project?

Having a main character that leaps off the page, an outline that fleshes out the beginning, middle, and end of the story, and a deadline (hah!).

Who designed your amazing pre-order goodies?!

They’re beautiful, aren’t they? I owe them to Mona Finden, who designed the character cards, Catarina Book Designs, for the quote bookmark, and Margaret Morales, who painted the rabbit on the moon sticker as well as the art print of Shiori and Seryu.

If you could have Six Crimson Cranes adapted, what format would you choose and why?

Easy question! I would pick an animated film. I love animation (even wrote my dissertation on music in cartoons way back when) so it would be a dream to see Six Crimson Cranes adapted this way. But I’d also be ecstatic to see it as a graphic novel.

Can you give us any hints as to what is to come in the next book?

There will be more dragons…and the return of a main character from The Blood of Stars duology!

Will you be picking up Six Crimson Cranes? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Elizabeth Lim, Author of ‘Six Crimson Cranes’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

]]> https://thenerddaily.com/elizabeth-lim-six-crimson-cranes-interview/feed/ 0 35686 July 2021 Book Releases https://thenerddaily.com/july-2021-book-releases/ https://thenerddaily.com/july-2021-book-releases/#respond Wed, 30 Jun 2021 18:00:49 +0000 https://thenerddaily.com/?p=35798 Well, it’s finally here! We’ve officially hit the halfway mark for 2021 and it has certainly flown by! Thankfully though, there’s so many great books packed into the last six months of the year and July is kicking it off with some truly exciting books! This month sees new releases from the likes of Elizabeth Lim, Karin Slaughter, Jasmine Guillory, Max Barry, and so many more! Read on to discover our picks and tell us if you’re looking forward to […]

The post July 2021 Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

]]> Well, it’s finally here! We’ve officially hit the halfway mark for 2021 and it has certainly flown by! Thankfully though, there’s so many great books packed into the last six months of the year and July is kicking it off with some truly exciting books!

This month sees new releases from the likes of Elizabeth Lim, Karin Slaughter, Jasmine Guillory, Max Barry, and so many more!

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

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A princess in exile, a shapeshifting dragon, six enchanted cranes, and an unspeakable curse… Drawing from fairy tales and East Asian folklore, this original fantasy from the author of Spin the Dawn is perfect for fans of Shadow and Bone.

The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A fast-paced, thrilling horror novel that follows a group of heroines to die for, from the brilliant New York Times bestselling author of The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires.

The Good Lie by A.R. Torre
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Six teens murdered. A suspect behind bars. A desperate father. In a case this shadowy, the truth is easy to hide.

Song of the Forever Rains by E.J. Mellow
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the award-winning author of the Dreamland series comes a new dark romantic fantasy about a young woman finding hope in her powers of destruction.

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Tessa Bailey is back with a Schitt’s Creek-inspired rom-com about a Hollywood “It Girl” who is cut off from her wealthy family and exiled to a small Pacific Northwest beach town… where she butts heads with a surly, sexy local who thinks she doesn’t belong. 

These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From New York Times best-selling author Lexi Ryan, Cruel Prince meets A Court of Thorns and Roses in this sexy, action-packed fantasy about a girl who is caught between two treacherous faerie courts and their dangerously seductive princes.

False Witness by Karin Slaughter
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the New York Times bestselling author of Pieces of Her and The Silent Wife, an electrifying standalone thriller.

While We Were Dating by Jasmine Guillory
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Two people realize that it’s no longer an act when they veer off-script in this sizzling romantic comedy by New York Times bestselling author Jasmine Guillory.

XOXO by Axie Oh
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Jenny’s never had much time for boys, K-pop, or really anything besides her dream of being a professional cellist. But when she finds herself falling for a K-pop idol, she has to decide whether their love is worth the risk. A modern forbidden romance wrapped in the glamorous and exclusive world of K-pop, XOXO is perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Maurene Goo.

For Your Own Good by Samantha Downing
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

USA Today bestselling author Samantha Downing is back with her latest sneaky thriller set at a prestigious private school—complete with interfering parents, overeager students, and one teacher who just wants to teach them all a lesson…

The 22 Murders of Madison May by Max Barry
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the critically acclaimed author of Jennifer Government and Lexicon comes mind-bending speculative psychological suspense about a serial killer pursuing his victim across time and space, and the woman who is determined to stop him, even if it upends her own reality.

Rise to the Sun by Leah Johnson
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Packed with irresistible romance and irrepressible heart, bestselling author Leah Johnson delivers a stunning and cinematic story about grief, love, and the remarkable power of music to heal and connect us all.

What July 2021 releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

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