Hi Gwenda, welcome back! How have the past two years been since we last spoke?

What is time? They’ve been mainly good, if chaotic at times (who among us?), and busy. I can’t complain, though that doesn’t always stop me.

Your latest novel, The Frame-Up, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Cheating by truncating a title, but: Think Dorian Gray meets Oceans 11.

What can readers expect?

A big art heist that takes place in a version of our world that also contains a secret magic underbelly. The heroine, Dani Poissant, has been alone for ten years when the book starts, having been ostracized by her mother’s former crew after sending her mom to prison. Now a mysterious man from the past hires her to steal a painting from an impenetrable collection, and offers to reunite her with her mother if she can do it. To have any hope of pulling off the job, she has to reunite with the people from her past, including her former best friend and her first love. Expect colorful characters, fun twists, real emotions, and a very good dog.

Where did the inspiration for The Frame-Up come from?

I love heist stories and I love taking on a challenge. Anyone who has studied or written a heist of any kind knows how hard it is. I had the bones of an idea about art thieves and the character of Dani in mind, so I immersed myself in heist stories of all kinds to figure out what I liked best in them.

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

I think this book and world has some of my favorite moments and fictional people I’ve created in it. I really love writing ensemble dynamics, so Dani and her found family, and Dani interacting with other families, were all delicious. Of the smaller characters, the Curator sauntered onto the page and always surprised me. And I loved writing Dani’s border collie, Sunflower, who is a very well-behaved riff on my own border collie, Sally.

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

Oh, always. Every book brings its own obstacles and this was no different. Heist books are tricky, period, and I wanted to make this particular heist work both within the rules of our world and within the rules of the magic world in the book. So that dual layer was challenging, and I hope I pulled it off.

With it being the month of love, what are some of your top romance movies?

I’m an old(er) movie girl at heart, and since we’re talking heists, let’s do some of those: To Catch a Thief, The Thomas Crown Affair, Out of Sight, and How to Steal a Million. Also, for counter-programming featuring sheer female camaraderie and competence, I have to throw in a plug for Oceans 8, which I feel is unfairly maligned.

You’ve had books published for just over a decade. What are some of the key lessons you’ve learned when it comes to writing and the publishing world since your debut?

Hang onto the love of telling stories and of connecting with readers and the writing and publishing community. We’re all in this together. At the end of the day, all you can do is write the best book possible and hope it finds the readers you wrote it for.

What’s next for you?

I’m currently working on two books for next year, a time travel romantic fantasy and the first in a trilogy of historical fantasies… Plus, some secret things!

Lastly, are there any 2024 book releases that you’re looking forward to?

So many! This month also features Olivia Dade’s At First Spite, which I inhaled, and Kelly Link’s The Book of Love, which is genius from a genius. I aslo can’t wait for Leigh Bardugo’s The Familiar and Elle Cosimano’s latest Finlay Donovan novel, Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice.

Will you be picking up The Frame-Up? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Gwenda Bond, Author of ‘The Frame-Up’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Ready to devour a new read this month? February is stacked with fantastic and exciting new releases, so we’ve rounded up just a few to keep an eye out for! This month sees new books from the likes of Kristin Hannah, Ali Hazelwood, Tommy Orange, Kacen Callender, and so many more!

Read on to discover just a few of our picks!

The Women by Kristin Hannah

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From master storyteller Kristin Hannah comes the story of a turbulent, transformative era in America: the 1960s. The Women is that rarest of novels—at once an intimate portrait of a woman coming of age in a dangerous time and an epic tale of a nation divided by war and broken by politics, of a generation both fueled by dreams and lost on the battlefield.

Tender Beasts by Liselle Sambury

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After her private school is rocked by a gruesome murder, a teen tries to find the real killer and clear her brother’s name in this psychological thriller perfect for fans of The Taking of Jake Livingston and Ace of Spades.

A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen

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A shield maiden blessed by the gods battles to unite a nation under a power-hungry king—while also fighting her growing desire for his fiery son—in this Norse-inspired fantasy romance from the bestselling author of The Bridge Kingdom series.

The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden

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During the Great War, a combat nurse searches for her brother, believed dead in the trenches despite eerie signs that suggest otherwise, in this hauntingly beautiful historical novel with a speculative twist from the New York Times bestselling author of The Bear and the Nightingale.

Bride by Ali Hazelwood

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A dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha Werewolf becomes a love deep enough to sink your teeth into in this new paranormal romance from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Love, Theoretically and The Love Hypothesis.

My Throat An Open Grave by Tori Bovalino

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Labyrinth meets folk horror in this darkly romantic tale of a girl who wishes her baby brother away to the Lord of the Wood.

The Frame-Up by Gwenda Bond

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A magically gifted con artist must gather her estranged mother’s old crew for a once-in-a-lifetime heist, from the New York Times bestselling author of Stranger Things: Suspicious Minds.

Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey

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#1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey launches a super sexy sports romance duology with a rom-com about a bad boy professional athlete who falls for his biggest fan…

Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange

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Extending his constellation of narratives into the past and future, Tommy Orange traces the legacies of the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864 and the Carlisle Indian Industrial School through three generations of a family in a story that is by turns shattering and wondrous.

Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan

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Revolution is brewing in the semi-submerged city of Tiankawi, between humans and the fathomfolk who live in its waters. This gloriously imaginative debut fantasy, inspired by East Asian mythology and ocean folk tales, is a novel of magic, rebellion and change.

Infinity Alchemist by Kacen Callender

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Infinity Alchemist is a spellbinding fantasy novel about a quest that leads three young alchemists toward dangerous truth, legendary love, and extraordinary power.

Redsight by Meredith Mooring

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An imaginative new space opera for fans of Gideon the Ninth filled with sapphic romance, space pirates, a blind witch and powerful priestesses.

An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson

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Sumptuous and addictive, An Education in Malice is a dark academia tale of blood, secrets and insatiable hungers from S.T. Gibson, author of the cult hit A Dowry of Blood. 

The Liars Society by Alyson Gerber

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The Inheritance Games and One of Us is Lying for middle grade — beloved author Alyson Gerber’s new series is an unforgettable mystery featuring a secret society, a mysterious island, and dangerous family secrets.

The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown

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A debut novel full of magic, adventure, and romance, The Book of Doors opens up a thrilling world of contemporary fantasy for readers of The Midnight Library, The Invisible Life of Addie Larue, The Night Circus, and any modern story that mixes the wonder of the unknown with just a tinge of darkness.

How You Get the Girl by Anita Kelly

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Chemistry sizzles in this workplace rom-com set in the world of high school basketball as the author of Love & Other Disasters delivers a sapphic romance full of humor and heart.

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

The post Book Releases To Check Out In February 2024 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

If you’re ready to escape 2024 for a little while, then look no further than these upcoming January to June 2024 fantasy and science fiction book releases! With releases from the likes of Sarah J. Maas, Mike Chen, ST. Gibson, Micaiah Johnson, Hannah Kaner, Taran Matharu, P. Djèlí Clark, Hannah Whitten, Veronica Roth, and many more, along with some very exciting debut novels!

Read on to discover some wonderful new reads within this list and be sure to check out our other 2024 round-ups too, including our Most Anticipated, our Swoonworthy Romance, and Anticipated YA lists!

JANUARY 2024 BOOK RELEASES

Sons of Darkness by Gourav Mohanty

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An epic reimagining of the Mahabharata and a blend of House of the Dragon meets Succession.

House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas

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In this sexy, breathtaking sequel to the #1 bestsellers House of Earth and Blood and House of Sky and Breath, Sarah J. Maas’s Crescent City series reaches new heights as Bryce and Hunt’s world is brought to the brink of collapse-with its future resting on their shoulders.

The Tusks of Extinction by Ray Nayler

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Told through the eyes of a murdered scientist whose consciousness has been implanted in a resurrected wooly mammoth and this story speaks to the folly of forcing nature down an unnatural path.

Mislaid In Parts Half-Known by Seanan McGuire

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Portals and danger, and a girl who can find both in the next book in the Hugo and Nebula Award–Winning Wayward Children series from Seanan McGuire.

Unbound by Christy Healy

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For fans of Hannah Whitten and Rebecca Ross, Unbound is a gender-bent reimagining of the classic tale of a monstrous beast and the beauty determined to tame it, set against the lush backdrop of Irish mythology and folklore.

The City of Stardust by Georgia Summers

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Slip into a lush world of magic, stardust, and monsters in this spellbinding contemporary fantasy from debut author Georgia Summers.

The Principle of Moments by Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson

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A love letter to Black readers of science-fantasy, The Principle of Moments is a symphonic, centuries-spanning adventure – unmissable for fans of the spacefaring found family of Becky Chambers, the alternate London of V. E. Schwab, and the virtuosic climate-craft of N. K. Jemisin.

Faebound by Saara El-Arifi

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Two elven sisters become imprisoned in the intoxicating world of the fae, where danger and love lie in wait. Faebound is the first book in an enchanting new trilogy from the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Final Strife.

A Quantum Love Story by Mike Chen

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It’s an average Thursday for Carter Cho… until the particle accelerator explodes and sends him back in time. Carter continuously relives the week never making it to Friday. Lonely and in need of help, he manages to pull Mariana into the time loop, and together they must find a way to finally reach the end of the week.

Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett

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When mysterious faeries from other realms appear at her university, curmudgeonly professor Emily Wilde must uncover their secrets before it’s too late, in this heartwarming, enchanting second installment of the Emily Wilde series.

The Atlas Complex by Olivie Blake

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The Atlas Complex marks the much-anticipated, heart-shattering conclusion in Olivie Blake’s trilogy that began with the New York Times bestselling phenomenon, The Atlas Six.

Exordia by Seth Dickinson

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Michael Crichton meets Marvel’s Venom in award-winning author Seth Dickinson’s science fiction debut

FEBRUARY 2024 BOOK RELEASES

Redsight by Meredith Mooring

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An imaginative new space opera for fans of Gideon the Ninth filled with sapphic romance, space pirates, a blind witch and powerful priestesses.

A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
A shield maiden blessed by the gods battles to unite a nation under a power-hungry king—while also fighting her growing desire for his fiery son—in this Norse-inspired fantasy romance from the bestselling author of The Bridge Kingdom series.

Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Revolution is brewing in the semi-submerged city of Tiankawi, between humans and the fathomfolk who live in its waters. This gloriously imaginative debut fantasy, inspired by East Asian mythology and ocean folk tales, is a novel of magic, rebellion and change.

The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett

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A Holmes and Watson–style detective duo take the stage in this fantasy with a mystery twist, from the Edgar-winning, multiple Hugo-nominated Robert Jackson Bennett.

The Frame-Up by Gwenda Bond

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A magically gifted con artist must gather her estranged mother’s old crew for a once-in-a-lifetime heist, from the New York Times bestselling author of Stranger Things: Suspicious Minds.

The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
A debut novel full of magic, adventure, and romance, The Book of Doors opens up a thrilling world of contemporary fantasy for readers of The Midnight Library, The Invisible Life of Addie Larue, The Night Circus, and any modern story that mixes the wonder of the unknown with just a tinge of darkness.

Medea by Eilish Quin

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Discover the full story of the sorceress Medea, one of the most reviled and maligned women of Greek antiquity, in this propulsive and evocative debut in the tradition of Circe, Elektra, and Stone Blind.

Exit Black by Joe Pitkin

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Die Hard meets The Martian–with a dash of Knives Out–in this action-packed sci-fi thriller.

An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson

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Sumptuous and addictive, An Education in Malice is a dark academia tale of blood, secrets and insatiable hungers from S.T. Gibson, author of the cult hit A Dowry of Blood. 

The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo

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Epic in scope and full of singular, unforgettable characters, The Fox Wife is a stunning novel about old loves and second chances, the depths of maternal love, and ancient folktales that may very well be true.

The Trials of Empire by Richard Swan

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The third novel in Richard Swan’s acclaimed epic fantasy trilogy triumphantly concludes the tale of Sir Konrad Vonvalt, an Emperor’s Justice – a detective, judge and executioner all in one. 

The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard

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For fans of David Mitchell, Ruth Ozeki, and Kazuo Ishiguro, an elegant and exhilarating literary speculative novel about an isolated town neighbored by its own past and future, and a young girl who spots two elderly visitors from across the border: the grieving parents of the boy she loves.

MARCH 2024 BOOK RELEASES

Three Kinds of Lucky by Kim Harrison

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Luck is its own kind of magic, in this first book in an electrifying new contemporary fantasy series from the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Hollows novels.

A Touch of Chaos by Scarlett St. Clair

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The gods are at war in the highly-anticipated final installment of the Hades and Persephone story, from bestselling author Scarlett St. Clair

Those Beyond the Wall by Micaiah Johnson

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Faced with a coming apocalypse, a woman must reckon with her past to solve a series of sudden and inexplicable deaths in a searing sci-fi thriller from the Compton Crook Award–winning author of The Space Between Worlds.

Sunbringer by Hannah Kaner

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Return to the world of Godkiller in this thrilling sequel to the #1 internationally bestselling fantasy debut, where Kissen and her companions must navigate lands of gods and demons to unravel a dark truth at the heart of their world.

A Feather So Black by Lyra Selene

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Set in a world of perilous magic and moonlit forests, this seductive romantic fantasy tells the story of a defiant changeling, her cursed sister, and the dangerous fae lord she must defeat to save her family.

The Mars House by Natasha Pulley

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A compulsively readable queer sci-fi novel about a marriage of convenience between a Mars politician and an Earth refugee.

The Emperor and the Endless Palace by Justinian Huang

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An unpredictable roller coaster of a debut novel, The Emperor and the Endless Palace is a genre-bending romantasy that challenges everything we think we know about true love.

The Woods All Black by Lee Mandelo

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The Woods All Black is equal parts historical horror, trans romance, and blood-soaked revenge, all set in 1920s Appalachia,

Floating Hotel by Grace Curtis

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This cozy debut science fiction novel tells a story of misfits, rebels, found family—and a mystery that spans the stars.

Jumpnauts by Hao Jingfang

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From the Hugo Award­–winning author of Folding Beijing comes a gripping science fiction thriller in which three unlikely allies attempt a desperate mission of first contact with a mysterious alien race before more militaristic minds can take matters into their own hands.

Baby X by Kira Peikoff

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When any biological matter can be used to create life, stolen celebrity DNA sells to the highest bidder–or the craziest stalker–in this propulsive thriller. With a vivid imagining of the future, Gattaca meets Black Mirror in Kira Peikoff’s Baby X.

Cascade Failure by L.M. Sagas

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L. M. Sagas’s debut, Cascade Failure, is a high-octane, sci-fi adventure blending J. S. Dewes’s Divide series with Firefly. It features a fierce, messy, chaotic space family, vibrant worlds, and an exploration of the many ways to be―and not to be―human.

APRIL 2024 BOOK RELEASES

Dragon Rider by Taran Matharu

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Discover a rich world of magic, warriors, and dragons, in which a fearless orphan and an ambitious handmaiden flee from the empire that would imprison them, with a dream to return to their homelands and a determination that’s unbreakable…

A Sweet Sting of Salt by Rose Sutherland

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Once a young woman uncovers a dark secret about her neighbor and his mysterious new wife, she’ll have to fight to keep herself—and the woman she loves—safe in this stunning queer reimagining of the classic folktale “The Selkie Wife.”

A View from the Stars by Cixin Liu

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A View From The Stars features a range of short works from the past three decades of New York Times bestselling author Cixin Liu’s prolific career, putting his nonfiction essays and short stories side-by-side for the first time.

The Dead Cat Tail Assassins by P. Djèlí Clark

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Nebula and Alex Award winner P. Djèlí Clark introduces a brand-new world and a fantastical city full of gods and assassins.

Wicked Problems by Max Gladstone

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Gods and lawyers battle for the soul of the world in the action-packed second volume of Max Gladstone’s Craft Wars, an epic fantasy like no other.

Play of Shadows by Sebastien de Castell

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Swordplay, magic, intrigue and friendships stronger than iron: the first book in a new swashbuckling fantasy series by the bestselling author of The Greatcoats.

Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell

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Discover this creepy, charming monster-slaying fantasy romance, which is Beauty and the Beast meets The Shape of Water by the Nebula-award winning author of Open House on Haunted Hill.

The Monstrous Misses Mai by Van Hoang

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A determined young woman in 1950s Los Angeles walks a darker city than she ever imagined in a spellbinding novel about the power to make dreams come true―whatever the sacrifice.

The Redemption of Morgan Bright by Chris Panatier

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From the subversive voice behind The Phlebotomist comes a story that combines the uncanny atmosphere of Don’t Worry Darling with the narrative twists of The Last House on Needless Street.

Ghost Station by S.A. Barnes

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A crew must try to survive on an ancient, abandoned planet in the latest space horror novel from S.A. Barnes, acclaimed author of Dead Silence.

The Practice, the Horizon, and the Chain by Sofia Samatar

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Celebrated author Sofia Samatar presents a mystical, revolutionary space adventure for the exhausted dreamer in this brilliant science fiction novella tackling the carceral state and violence embedded in the ivory tower while embodying the legacy of Ursula K. Le Guin.

The Hemlock Queen by Hannah F. Whitten

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In the second installment of New York Times bestselling author Hannah Whitten’s lush romantic epic fantasy series, the glittering and dangerous world of the Sainted King’s royal court is upended when Prince Bastian seizes control and a mysterious dark force begins to take over.

MAY 2024 BOOK RELEASES

The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields

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The Honey Witch of Innisfree can never find true love. That is her curse to bear. But when a young woman who doesn’t believe in magic arrives on her island, sparks fly in this deliciously sweet debut novel of magic, hope, and love overcoming all.

The Fireborne Blade by Charlotte Bond

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Maddileh’s tale contains a rich history of dragons, ill-fated knights, scheming squires, and sapphic love, with deceptions and double-crosses that will keep you guessing right up to its dramatic conclusion. Ultimately, The Fireborne Blade is about the roles we refuse to accept, and of the place we make for ourselves in the world.

Road to Ruin by Hana Lee

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An electrifying, gritty fantasy from debut author Hana Lee that takes a royal messenger on a high-speed chase across a climate-ravaged wasteland, featuring motorcycles, monsters, and magic.

The Deer and the Dragon by Piper C.J.

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Fantasy author Marlow has been haunted by what she believes is a figure of her imagination: a mysterious and alluring man she calls Caliban. But when Caliban disappears, her quest to find him throws her into the very world of gods, demons, and monsters her books have been based on for years.

Kavithri by Aman J. Bedi

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A vibrant, action-packed and empowering South Asian fantasy epic. An underdog story like no other – Kavithri will remind you of fantasy heroes like Arya Stark, Fang Runin or Gideon the Ninth.

Evocation by S.T. Gibson

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Evocation kicks off the Summoner’s Circle series, and follows David, a psychic medium and hotshot lawyer, who must team up with his sorcerer ex-boyfriend and the ex’s witch wife to break a family curse. Forced proximity, magic lessons, and polyamory ensure, all against the moody backdrop of Boston. 

When Among Crows by Veronica Roth

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Step into a city where monsters feast on human emotions, knights split their souls to make their weapons, and witches always take more than they give.

Goddess of the River by Vaishnavi Patel

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A powerful reimagining of the story of Ganga, goddess of the river, and her doomed mortal son, from Vaishnavi Patel, author of the instant New York Times bestseller Kaikeyi.

How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler

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Groundhog Day meets Guardians of the Galaxy in Django Wexler’s laugh-out-loud fantasy tale about a young woman who, tired of defending humanity from the Dark Lord, decides to become the Dark Lord herself.

Lost Ark Dreaming by Suyi Davies Okungbowa

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The brutally engineered class divisions of Snowpiercer meets Rivers Solomon’s The Deep in this high-octane post-climate disaster novella written by Nommo Award-winning author Suyi Davies Okungbowa

Escape Velocity by Victor Manibo

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A twisty new near-future genre-bending thriller: Knives Out in space with a Parasite twist. A decades-old murder looms over the glamorous clientele of a high-end space hotel . . . while an unforeseen threat percolates in the service corridors. The guests are about to experience the hospitality they deserve.

A House Like an Accordion by Audrey Burges

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A woman searches for her missing father in order to reconcile the many strange and fantastical secrets of her past before she loses herself completely in this deeply profound and magical novel by Audrey Burges.

JUNE 2024 BOOK RELEASES

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.

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.

The Stars Too Fondly by Emily Hamilton

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In her breathtaking debut—part space odyssey, part sapphic rom-com—Emily Hamilton weaves a suspenseful, charming, and irresistibly joyous tale of fierce friendship, improbable love, and wonder as vast as the universe itself.

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.

Lady Eve’s Last Con by Rebecca Fraimow

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Hearts will race and anti-grav boots will fly in this sapphic sci-fi rom-com, perfect for fans of Winter’s Orbit and The Red Scholar’s Wake, Lady Eve’s Last Con.

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.

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.

Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky

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Murderbot meets Redshirts in a delightfully humorous tale of robotic murder from the Hugo-nominated author of Elder Race and Children of Time.

Running Close to the Wind by Alexandra Rowland

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From the author of A Taste of Gold and Iron – Our Flag Means Death meets Six of Crows as a merry band of misfits attempts to get away with treason on the high seas.

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 Knife and the Serpent by Tim Pratt

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From Hugo Award winning author Tim Pratt comes a new, high-concept space opera, exploring technology, family and the price we pay to follow our destiny, perfect for fans of Peter F. Hamilton and Adrian Tchaikovsky.

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.

What SFF books are you looking forward to releasing in 2024? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Devour These Anticipated 2024 Fantasy & Sci-Fi Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

We chat with author Gwenda Bond about her latest rom-com release, along with sequels, writing, book recommendations, and more!

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

Hi there! I’ve written many books, including the Lois Lane and Cirque American YA trilogies, and the first official Stranger Things novel, Suspicious Minds. I’m married to another author, and we live in a hundred-plus-year-old house in Lexington, Kentucky, where we have three adorable dogs and two queenly cats, and you’ll see them all over my social media. My new book is my first fantasy rom-com, kicking off a duology, and I’m super excited about it.

As the year draws to a close, how has 2021 been for you?

Please, don’t let it close yet! I still have a book draft to finish. I kid. Like everyone, these past couple years has been a roller coaster, but I honestly feel very grateful. We’re lucky to live in a place we love, with our amusing herd, and have also built a whole writing community here. It has helped make the pandemic feel much less isolating.

When did you first discover your love for writing?

I was that obnoxious kid who declared I was going to be a writer before I could even write. Seriously. I would make loops on paper and force my parents to look at it and see if I’d made words when they got home from work. Then, I advanced in the holy terror department in elementary school, where my kindergarten teacher called me out for making up a story to go along with a picture book, pretending to read it, and said, “You can’t read.” To which I countered, “Maybe you can’t read.” And she sent me to see my dad, the principal. Even though I lived in the middle of nowhere, my parents were always reading, and there were always books around.

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

Ah! I’m terrible at these kinds of questions! But I’ll give it a shot: Peter Rabbit, books and stories and how they made me feel like I was in the presence of real magic (still do), and We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler.

Your new novel, Not Your Average Hot Guy, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

I’ll do it in three-ish. An apocalyptic rom-com.

What can readers expect?

They can expect a bookish recent college grad working at her mother’s escape room business, who is kidnapped when a cult shows up to steal a real grimoire the family has accidentally put in one of the rooms, and then ends up having to prevent the apocalypse after it is used to summon one very hot prince of Hell named Luke Morningstar. With kissing.

Where did the inspiration for Not Your Average Hot Guy come from?

I convinced a group of authors at a conference in Tennessee to go do an escape room beside our hotel with me in 2017. This book is the result of that one whim!

Can you tell us a bit about the challenges you faced while writing and how you were able to overcome them?

I’m far from the first person to observe that writing comedy is hard. And it is! But it has to seem organic and easy and it’s also very personal. So there’s a vulnerability there. Showing our senses of humor–especially some nerdy humor–is revealing. I just knew I had to go there or the book wouldn’t work.

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

I think Porsoth is most everyone who has read the book’s favorite demon tutor. I’m no exception.

The sequel, The Date from Hell, is currently set to release April 5^th 2022. Can you give us a little teaser?

Ooh, yes. You can expect Callie and Luke trying to take their relationship to the next level (will they succeed), an unexpected challenge from Lucifer, and a quest for the holy grail, along with the return of characters from book one and some new ones. The world of the story gets bigger.

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

Great question. “Write what you know” is the worst, when I was a beginner trying to write fantasy stories. I prefer Ursula Le Guin’s formulation, which I’ll paraphrase as, write what you can imagine in detail.

What’s next for you?

We’ve already talked about The Date from Hell. I’m currently working on an Audible Original novella series called The Youngbloods, co-written with my dear friends Kami Garcia and Sam Humphries, which will likely be out sometime next year; think Succession but with demons. And I’m also hard at work on my next rom-com, Mr. & Mrs. Witch, think Mr. & Mrs. Smith meets Bewitched.

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

Do I! From my writing group alone this fall there’s Lee Mandelo’s debut Summer Sons and Alix E. Harrow’s A Spindle Splintered. I’m also very much looking forward to digging into Rachel Hawkins as Erin Sterling’s The Ex Hex and Ann Aguirre’s Witch Please once I’m finished with my own witchy book.

Twitter: @gwenda Website: GwendaBond.com Instagram: @GwendaBond

Will you be picking up Not Your Average Hot Guy? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Gwenda Bond, Author of ‘Not Your Average Hot Guy’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

JULY

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. 

Too Good to be Real by Melonie Johnson
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To save her job as a writer for a popular website, Julia plans to prove there’s a dozen reasons why life isn’t like a romantic comedy, only to discover the one reason it is…

How Sweet It Is by Dylan Newton
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Event planner Kate Sweet is famous for creating the perfect happily-ever-after moment for her clients’ dream weddings. So how is it that her best friend has roped her into planning a bestselling horror writer’s book launch extravaganza? But the second Kate meets—or rather, accidentally maims—the drop-dead-hot Drake Matthews, her well-ordered life quickly transforms into an absolute nightmare.

While We Were Dating by Jasmine Guillory
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Two people realize that it’s no longer an act when they veer off-script in this sizzling romantic comedy featuring Ben Stephens, Theo’s brother from The Wedding Party, and a famous actress as they struggle to keep things purely professional while working together.

AUGUST

The Royals Next Door by Karina Halle
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An ordinary summer goes royally awry when a prince and princess move next door, bringing their handsome bodyguard with them.

If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy
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If the shoe doesn’t fit, maybe it’s time to design your own. Best-selling author Julie Murphy’s reimaging of a beloved fairy tale is an enchanting story of self-love and believing in the happy ending each and every one of us deserves.

Battle Royal by Lucy Parker
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Beloved author Lucy Parker pens a delicious new romantic comedy that is a battle of whisks and wits. Perfect for fans of baking shows and royal love – with Parker’s signature romance kryptonite sprinkled on top!

The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang
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A woman struggling with burnout learns to embrace the unexpected—and the man she enlists to help her—in this heartfelt new romance by USA Today bestselling author Helen Hoang.

SEPTEMBER

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
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When a fake relationship between scientists meets the irresistible force of attraction, it throws one woman’s carefully calculated theories on love into chaos.

When Sparks Fly by Helena Hunting
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Helena Hunting makes sparks fly with the best-friends-to-lovers trope! When an unexpected car accident renders event planner Avery immobile, her best friend offers to become her caretaker, and the lines between the two friends start to blur.

A Lot Like Adiós by Alexis Daria
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The national bestselling author of You Had Me at Hola returns with a seductive second-chance romance about a commitment-phobic Latina and her childhood best friend who has finally returned home.

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun
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In this witty and heartwarming romantic comedy—reminiscent of Red, White & Royal Blue and One to Watch—an awkward tech wunderkind on a reality dating show goes off-script when sparks fly with his producer.

OCTOBER

All the Feels by Olivia Dade
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Following Spoiler Alert, Olivia Dade returns with another utterly charming romantic comedy about a devil-may-care actor—who actually cares more than anyone knows—and the no-nonsense woman hired to keep him in line.

Not Your Average Hot Guy by Gwenda Bond
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From New York Times bestselling author Gwenda Bond, Not Your Average Hot Guy is a hilarious romantic comedy about two people falling in love, while the fate of the world rests on their shoulders.

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling
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New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hawkins, writing as Erin Sterling, casts a spell with a spine-tingling romance full of wishes, witches, and hexes gone wrong.

The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox  
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A feel-good, holiday-themed romantic comedy about identical twins who switch lives in the days leading up to Christmas–perfect for fans of Christina Lauren’s In a Holidaze and Josie Silver’s One Day in December.

NOVEMBER

A Certain Appeal by Vanessa King
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A sparkling contemporary retelling of Pride and Prejudice set in the tantalizing world of New York City burlesque, perfect for fans of The Kiss Quotient and The Roommate.

I Hate You More by Lucy Gilmore
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The Hating Game meets Best in Show in this delightfully quirky romcom by beloved author Lucy Gilmore. A former pageant queen, Ruby Taylor, trades in her high heels and joins the dog show circuit, only to fall in love with one of the judges on the panel.

The Donut Trap by Julie Tieu
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Julie Tieu sparkles in this debut romantic comedy, which is charmingly reminiscent of the TV show Kim’s Convenience and Frankly in Love by David Yoon, about a young woman who feels caught in the life her parents have made for her until she falls in love and finds a way out of the donut trap.

Never Fall for Your Fiancée by Virginia Heath
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The first in a new historical rom-com series, a handsome earl hires a fake fiancée to keep his matchmaking mother at bay, but hilarity ensues when love threatens to complicate everything.

DECEMBER

Read Between the Lines by Rachel Lacey
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From award-winning author Rachel Lacey comes a playful romance about a Manhattan bookstore owner and a reclusive author who love to hate—and hate to love—each other.

The Love Con by Seressia Glass
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He’s cosplaying as her boyfriend but their feelings for each other are real in this romantic comedy from Seressia Glass.

Fools In Love: Fresh Twists on Romantic Tales
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Join fifteen bestselling, award-winning, and up-and-coming authors as they reimagine some of the most popular tropes in the romance genre.

Hidden Treasures by Michelle Adams
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A reunited couple search for a valuable treasure, a precious jewelry box, stolen from the Nazis and hidden away since World War II, in this powerfully emotional and romantic novel of rekindled love – perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Josie Silver and Jill Santopolo.

What romance books are you looking forward to picking up between July and December? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Enjoy These Swoonworthy July to December 2021 Romance Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

If you’re the typical Stranger Things fan and already binged season 3, but needing to fill the demogorgon-sized hole until the next season, OverDrive has your solution! They have an excellent collection of books for fans who can’t get enough of the supernatural, ’80s-themed series. Readers can access all books for free through their local library via the Libby App!

What’s the Libby App you ask? You can borrow thousands of ebooks and audiobooks from local libraries, instantly, for free, using just the device in your hand!

Read on to discover some books that you Stranger Things nerds will love!

Notes from the Upside Down by Guy Adams
OverDrive | Goodreads

Entertaining, informative, and perfect for fans of eighties pop culture, Notes from the Upside Down is the Big Mac of unofficial guides to Stranger Things—super-sized and special sauce included.

Suspicious Minds by Gwenda Bond
OverDrive | Goodreads

If you think you know the truth behind Eleven’s mother, prepare to have your mind turned Upside Down in the first official Stranger Things novel.

Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero
OverDrive | Goodreads

A mad scientist’s concoction of H. P. Lovecraft, teen detectives, and a love of Americana, Edgar Cantero’s Meddling Kids is a story filled with rich horror, thrilling twists, outright hilarity, and surprising poignancy.

The Boys of Summer by Richard Cox
OverDrive | Goodreads

Both a haunting coming-of-age story set in North Texas against the backdrop of a deadly tornado, and a character-driven, deeply-affecting supernatural thriller.

My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix
OverDrive | Goodreads

An unholy hybrid of Beaches and The Exorcist that blends teen angst, adolescent drama, unspeakable horrors, and a mix of ’80s pop songs into a pulse-pounding supernatural thriller.

Daughter of the Burning City by Amanda Foody
OverDrive | Goodreads

A darkly irresistible new fantasy set in the infamous Gomorrah Festival, a travelling carnival of debauchery that caters to the strangest of dreams and desires.

The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay
OverDrive | Goodreads

The Bram Stoker Award-winning author of A Head Full of Ghosts adds an inventive twist to the home invasion horror story in a heart-palpitating novel of psychological suspense that recalls Stephen King’s Misery, Ruth Ware’s In a Dark, Dark Wood, and Jack Ketchum’s cult hit The Girl Next Door.

Chills by Mary SanGiovanni
OverDrive | Goodreads

True Detective meets H.P. Lovecraft in this chilling novel of murder, mystery, and slow-mounting dread from acclaimed author Mary SanGiovanni….

The Door to December by Dean Koontz
OverDrive | Goodreads

The #1 New York Times bestselling author delivers a truly suspenseful novel of a mother who must save her daughter from a threat she can hardly understand. What happened to nine-year-old Melanie during the six years she was subjected to terrifying experiments? And what is the unstoppable power that she can unleash from behind the “Door to December”?

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
OverDrive | Goodreads

Few novels have endured in the heart and memory as has Ray Bradbury’s unparalleled literary masterpiece Something Wicked This Way Comes. Scary and suspenseful, it is a timeless classic in the American canon.

The Good House by Tananarive Due
OverDrive | Goodreads

A thrilling exploration of secrets, lies, and divine inspiration, The Good House will haunt readers long after its chilling conclusion.

House of Furies by Madeleine Roux
OverDrive | Goodreads

Featuring stunning interior illustrations from artist Iris Compiet, plus photo-collages that bring the story to chilling life, House of Furies invites readers to a world where the line between monsters and men is ghostly thin.

The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste
OverDrive | Goodreads

A spine-tingling tale rooted in Caribbean folklore that will have readers holding their breath as they fly through its pages.

The End of the World Running Club by Adrian J. Walker
OverDrive | Goodreads

This powerful post-apocalyptic thriller pits reluctant father Edgar Hill in a race against time to get back to his wife and children. When the sky begins to fall and he finds himself alone, his best hope is to run – or risk losing what he loves forever.

The Girl With All the Gifts by M.R. Carey
OverDrive | Goodreads

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

The post 15 Books To Read If You Love ‘Stranger Things’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

The first comic books were published back in the early 1930’s and the first real hero that has stuck with us until this very day was Superman from DC. Since then numerous universes have been written and the list of heroes and characters continue to grow for both DC and Marvel. Despite only being on fictional, the idea of American comic books came to life when people needed a distraction from the world. During the Second World War, the first Captain America comic was published as the people wished for a hero, wished for someone who could defeat Hitler.

The most popular creator and a name that every comic book and superhero movie-goer will know is Stan Lee. He created the X-Men, who were a group of people who are excluded from society because they are different. He said, “I wanted them to be diverse. The whole underlying principle of the X-Men was to try to be an anti-bigotry story to show there’s good in every person.”

Comic books were supposed to be a distraction, but they were also there to give hope to people and now today, newer generations can also get in touch with the beloved superheroes through movie or television adaptations.

But neither Marvel or DC have stopped there! In cooperation with internationally known authors, they have started a new group of YA series about our most beloved and known superheroes, which have received new identities and they’re even more diverse than ever.

DC ICONS

DC picked four heroes for their “Icons” YA series. The first book in the series was published late 2017, which focuses on Wonder Woman. Wonder Woman: Warbringer was written by Leigh Bardugo, who is best known for her Grisha trilogy and Six of Crows duology. The book tells the story of the Amazonian princess Diana who discovers her true power and the world beyond her home called Themyscira. In the book, there’s also a character by the name of Alia who learns she is a Warbringer—a direct descendant of the infamous Helen of Troy, fated to bring about an age of bloodshed and misery. Tested beyond the bounds of their abilities, Diana and Alia must find a way to unleash hidden strengths and forge an unlikely alliance.

Following Wonder Woman is Batman: Nightwalker, which was published early 2018. Written by Marie Lu, author of the Legend trilogy, the book tells the story of a young Bruce Wayne who has yet to find his place in the cruel world and finds himself doing community service at Arkham Asylum after a run-in with the police. In Arkham, Bruce meets Madeleine, a brilliant girl with ties to the Nightwalkers, who are currently terrorising the city, and she is a mystery Bruce must unravel except he’ll walk the dark line between trust and betrayal as the Nightwalkers circle closer.

Written by best-selling author of A Court of Thorns and Roses, Sarah J Maas tells us about Catwoman in Catwoman: Soulstealer. Set to be published in August 2018, Selina returns to Gotham City as the mysterious and wealthy Holly Vanderhees. She quickly discovers that with Batman off on a vital mission, Batwing is left to hold back the tide of notorious criminals. Gotham City is ripe for the taking. Her story will also see us meet other well-known DC characters like Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, and of course, cross paths with Batman.

The fourth and what is supposed to be the last book in the Icon series is Superman. Written by Matt de la Pena, we currently don’t know anything about the book except for it coming to bookstores in January 2019.

While the Icons series is well-known, Gwenda Bond’s trilogy about Lois Lane is a little less common, but also a great series to read, plus who wouldn’t like to know more about the love of Clark Kent’s life?

MARVEL YA

While most MCU fans patiently wait for a standalone movie of Natasha Romanov, Marvel Press asked author Margaret Stohl (Beautiful Creatures) to write a story about the fearless spy called Black Widow. Black Widow: Forever Red was published in 2013 and due to its success, Black Widow: was also released.

In 2016, Eoin Colfer (Artemis Fowl) published Iron Man: The Gauntlet about the genius, billionaire, playboy, and philanthropist, or also know as Tony Stark. In the book, which features some fantastic illustrations, Tony Stark who wants to prove not only to the world, but mostly to himself, that he truly can be a hero.

After the rights for Spider-Man returned to Marvel from Sony, fans also received news about more Spider-Man stories. In Jason Reynolds 2017 novel, there’s a new Spidey protecting the people by the name of Miles Morales.

Shannon and Dean Hale co-wrote the first book about Squirrel Girl titled The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: Squirrel Meets World in 2017, which was followed by the release of 2 Fuzzy, 2 Furious earlier this year. Unlike the others, Squirrel Girl is perfect for younger audiences to read! There’s also Rogue Touch by Christine Woodward, which follows Rogue’s life before she was a member of the X-Men, and The She-Hulk Diaries by Marta Acosta, which focuses on her not-so easy social life.

But Marvel has some more great stories to tell! Captain Marvel will not only starring in her first standalone movie in 2019, but Shannon and Dean Hale are currently working on a YA book about Carol Danvers as well, which is set to be released in 2020.

Mackenzi Lee, author of The Gentleman’s Guide To Vice and Virtue, announced on Twitter in December 2017 that she is currently working on a story about a queer Loki! She’ll also be writing another two books that will feature different “morally grey anti-heroes from Marvel”, and they’ll also be historical!

It seems that Marvel and DC continue be intriguing fans within all types of mediums, whether it be television, movies or books, so there will be plenty of heroes and villains for you to love over the next few years!

Which Marvel or DC book are you most excited for? Or perhaps which one did you enjoy the most? Tell us in the comments below!

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