A Tempest of Tea was a beguiling, beautifully written and brutal read. It was a smoking gun of a book —powerful, incendiary and finishes with one hell of a bang. This sequel lives up to the heady expectations set by its predecessor, delivering even more twists, turns and treacherous deeds. If you haven’t started, I would strongly recommend stopping this review, picking up A Tempest of Tea and devouring it immediately before coming back.

This duology is fiercely angry, which is well-earned and feels like it is a timely reflection of the world around us. At the same time, it is also a cautionary tale about the thin line between justice and vengeance, no matter how righteous, and how anger can be an all-consuming force that can destroy you. This is encapsulated by Arthie’s journey, which may be one of my favourite character arcs I have read recently.

She burns so bright on the page and makes sure you will never forget her. Her genius, bravery and scheming is impressive, but so is the way she will do anything for those she loves. That sense of recklessness comes from a place of losing everything and then building a wall against letting anyone else, only to have people gradually break that down. The exterior she presents to survive is to protect that vulnerable, scared child who had her world ripped from her in bloodshed and violence. Around her is the found family forged in the fire of the chaos and blood spilt in book one. This is one of my favourite tropes and Faizal uses it excellently with a lovable build-up that is now fractured as we start the new story. Their dynamics have changed massively and you are invested in knowing where these might end up. Overall, the characterisation is a definite strong point of this duology. This is a ragtag bunch of rogues that you end up finding space in your heart for. I loved getting snippets of their perspectives and how this aligned with the wider picture of the plot slotting together. It feels like a rich tapestry and Faizal has a wonderful eye for detail that I relished.

In A Steeping of Blood, we reunite with our gang and a few new faces, but the events of the previous book have changed everything. Allegiances have shifted and lives have been transformed irrevocably. Faizal ensures that the actions of the first book have keenly felt consequences in the follow-up. That explosive ending cannot be ignored and the way the ripple effects are felt until the very last chapter is exquisite. It feels like such a cohesive story with twists and turns that are the type that make you throw a book. They are well-earned in the story itself with plenty to discover upon a second read. These twists are shocking but they also feel somewhat inevitable in the story eventually.

The blood and violence underscore that anger and give it a wider context. Colonialism has such long-reaching consequences that still reverberate today, especially when weaponised in certain political contexts. That sense of ostracism and displacement from a community has affected all of our central characters in different ways and ties them together, outcasts drawn together by a goal that becomes ever more important as the pages keep turning. It is a heist book and has all the charisma and style you would expect, but there are real-life monsters it is confronting through the daring deeds. The monstrousness of humanity is on full display, especially following the revelations of the previous book. Also, we get to explore even more of this vast and expansive world. This levels up from the first book with gorgeously imagined settings and new locations to get caught up in. Without spoiling anything, Faizal carries over that emotional destruction from the first book with a final act that sears itself into your brain and tears out your heart.

A Steeping of Blood is an exceptional evolution and an explosive ending to a fascinating duology that cements Faizal as a must-read author in this space.

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

Will you be picking up A Steeping of Blood? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis

The epic conclusion to the #1 bestselling A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal; the gritty fantasy duology about an orphan girl and her crew who get tangled in a heist with vampires, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows.

She’s had her tea, now she’s out for blood.

White Roaring is sharpening its fangs after the deadly night that left the city in shambles. The press are dead, the public calls for justice, vampires are in danger, and amid the turmoil, the Ram announces a celebration.

Still reeling from the bloodshed, Arthie Casimir has no time to mourn the death of anyone, let alone her own. She has no time for love, either, but it had saved her life. As Arthie navigates new emotions and new allies, she must reassemble her scrambled crew and scrape what little they have left to fight one last time – and she will need to face the ghosts of her past to do it.

In Ceylan.

After the jaw-dropping ending of #1 bestselling A Tempest of Tea, Arthie and her crew still have plenty of hearts to break and crimson-red secrets to uncover. Hafsah Faizal crafts a deliciously twisty and seductive sequel that will leave readers breathless until the very last page.

The post Review: A Steeping of Blood by Hafsah Faizal appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

About This Monster of Mine (released 1 April 2025): A dazzling Ancient Rome-inspired romantasy debut, This Monster of Mine is a bloodbath of manipulation, deception, and forbidden love.

Morally-grey has become fantasy’s favourite colour, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Once relegated to painting antiheroes and villains, the past decade has seen a resurgence of protagonists and broody love interests all swathed in the same murky shade. Perhaps it’s the nuance in these characters or their subtle flirtation with darkness that entrances us, or perhaps we’re living our best life through them. So, whether your preference is a darker shade of heroism or full-on villainy, here’s a curated list of book and tv show character recommendations based on your favourite shade of grey.

Heavy fog blinding the skyscrapers on an overcast day = Nasir from Hafsah Faizal’s Sands of Arawiya duology

Hafsah Faizal’s exquisite debut plants a conflicted assassin and a huntress disguising her identity in the middle of a kingdom encircled by a deadly forest. Nasir is known far and wide as the Prince of Death, but he takes no pleasure in the title. The reality is that he’s the hitman for his father, the Sultan, and has had to do away with everyone his father wants gone. This isn’t a role Nasir plays willingly and one that he wishes he could escape. That chance comes when he’s sent on a mission to bring back a long-lost artifact and kill off an infamous archer known as the Hunter. Little does he know that said Hunter is the girl he’s starting to have feelings for.

Despite all the death Nasir’s dealt out, he’s an assassin with a conscience and a deeply empathetic man who fears the consequences of his father discovering that he has a heart—not to himself but to those he cares for. Faizal’s duology paints the portrait of a man struggling with what he has done and who he wants to be. He’s grey, but he never wanted the colour.

Light glinting off steel = Inej from Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows duology

Slight, reserved, and brilliant, Inej Ghafa is often considered the beating heart of The Six of Crows. She may carry fourteen knives on her person, but holds deep moral convictions about how she uses them, despite working as a spy for Kaz’s gang, the Crows. Inej’s friendship is hard won but deeply felt, and she’s violently protective of the other Crows, especially her leader and her love interest, Kaz. 

Nicknamed, the Wraith, Inej is familiar with the scent of death and has doled it out often. Yet, her motivations are always fair, and Bardugo brilliantly conveys that she only operates outside the law, because the law itself is not willing to correct injustice. She’s impossible not to love.

Seething and roiling storm clouds with snaps of lightning = Galadriel from The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power

To call Galadriel a hothead in her younger years would be the understatement of the millennia. Long before she was the regal elven queen of LOTR fame, she was 3,400 years old and a military commander with an enemy to grind to dust—Morgoth, the orcs who formed his army, and his righthand man, Sauron (who’s going to be relevant pretty soon). And Galadriel does this so well that her elven compatriots start having difficulty distinguishing her from the evil they’re fighting.

She has a kill count higher than the population of a small country, and the fact that she’s eradicating an entire species in the name of fighting evil doesn’t entirely hit her until later on—a deliciously nuanced incorporation by the showrunners. Galadriel is vengeful, prideful, and determined to prove that she’s right to her fellow elves, but she’s also deeply compassionate, kind, and fair. All of which makes her a fascinating character, lovingly brought to life by Morfydd Clark.

Ash spewing from a volcanic eruption = Connor Rogan from Ilona Andrew’s Hidden Legacy Series

There are men, and there is Connor Rogan. Nevada Baylor, private investigator, learns that the day she takes on a run-of-the-mill assignment for a House—egomaniacal, magical dynasties with their own armies, global corporations, and deeply entrenched corruption—and runs afoul of the man who’ll change her life. Connor Rogan aka Mad Rogan earned his nickname as a military vet, and compounds it every day by keeping powerful Houses in check. As a Prime—a rare magic user with an ungodly quantity of magic—and the head of a House himself, he has it all, wealth, power, and looks. And he decides he wants Nevada.

What follows is no billionaire-seeking-to-wear-down-a-woman, but rather a game of intellect and strength between two equally matched individuals who give as good as they get. Connor is ruthless, driven, has decimated entire cities with sheer power, and is a mass murderer who thinks nothing of dropping a building on those in his way. But he’s also one of the most deeply-devoted men ever written and would drop a building on himself for Nevada in a heartbeat. Impossible not to stan.

A Chartreux cat sitting on top of your keyboard = Lanfear from The Wheel of Time

Lanfear is the very definition of “black cat energy.” Competent, power-hungry, and consistently inconsistent in her loyalties, she’s one of the thirteen Forsaken—a group of magic-users who had dedicated themselves to darkness and got themselves imprisoned for it. When released back into the world, Lanfear takes immense joy in destabilizing it and seeking out her former lover’s reincarnation thousands of years since, because she never did get over him dumping her.

Lanfear will gladly kill everything in sight between her and her goals (having the world at her feet), but she’s also hilariously petulant, gorgeous, has an incredible wardrobe, and is an occasional ally to the good guys when it suits her. She’s pretty hard to dislike. Trusting her is a terrible idea, but you can bet that she’ll make even falling off a cliff a rollicking good time.

Hornfels cliffs on a warm summer evening = The Stranger from The Acolyte

Hornfels rock is a unique sight. Smooth and fine-grained yet extremely durable, with natural striations of grey and white throughout. So is the Stranger, who could be the finest Sith Star Wars has ever seen. In addition to having a delicious penchant for wearing a mask and a voice modulator and being a ruthless killing machine, the Stranger has a hero’s quest of his own and subscribes to a philosophy that doesn’t seem too off-base.

Convinced that “the Jedi justify their galactic dominance in the name of peace,” the Stranger seeks to train a powerful acolyte of his own, who can take on the Jedi’s quasi-colonial empire and disrupt their forcible training of children to suppress emotion in the name of learning control. Is he a mass murderer who has killed innocents and corrupt Jedi alike? Absolutely. But it’s hard to dislike him when the Jedi keep proving him right by focusing more on the threat he poses rather than the evil within their ranks. And look at his arms? Who wouldn’t follow those anywhere?

Veins of galena running through granite = Kadra from This Monster of Mine

Part lead and part silver, galena is a mesmerizing mineral not unlike Drenevan bu Kadra, the enigmatic Tetrarch at the heart of my debut, This Monster of Mine. One of the four judges ruling the country and a monstrously powerful magic-user to boot, Kadra is renowned for his commitment to justice and eradicating corruption—the brutal way with beheadings and burnings. Naturally, when a rash of deaths plague the capital, Kadra becomes suspect #1. And no one is more convinced that he did it than the new prosecutor assigned to work with him: Sarai. Four years after being pushed off a tower and left for dead, Sarai is back with a new face, a new identity, and deep determination to hunt down the man responsible for her near-death. When Kadra’s voice matches the bits she remembers of her assailant’s, she’s determined to see him ruined. But nothing is truly as it seems in the capital, and Kadra may be the biggest surprise of all.

I’m quite biased about this one, but Kadra’s a lovely dark gray. Few hard lines in the way of morality? Check. A kill count in the thousands? Absolutely. Ice-cold and in control? Almost always. If you’re curious, you know where to find him!

The depths of the Fold = the Darkling from Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone trilogy

No good list of morally grey men is complete without the Darkling. Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone trilogy and Six of Crows duology hosts some of recent fiction’s most memorable characters, but none as beloved as the Darkling. General Kirigan is a Shadow Summoner and a reminder of a problem that plagues the country: the Fold—a swath of impenetrable darkness that splits the land in half and within which monstrous creatures reside.

Being descended from the man who created the Fold, the Darkling despairs of putting things to rights until he meets Alina Starkov, Shadow and Bone’s heroine, a rare Sun Summoner and who seems the answer to his every dream. But few of those dreams are benign and the Darkling keeps dangerous secrets as Alina rapidly finds out. Played to perfection by Ben Barnes in the Netflix adaptation, the Darkling is a complex, unforgettable experience, megalomania and all.

The bowels of a silver mine = Sauron fromThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

I could go on about hot Sauron for the next two eons, but suffice it to say that the Dark Lord is seriously smoking. Fans of The Lord of the Rings books will know that Sauron was never actually a giant eye atop a tower as depicted in the movies but rather a stunning demigod who fell from grace, and warped his body into a monstrous form during his quest for power (Sauron means “the Abhorred”). The show took that portion of the lore quite seriously.

Sauron’s as power-hungry as most of the people on this list, but for a different reason. This demigod loves order. His entire plan for world domination revolves around healing the world of chaos and misery. By taking away everyone’s free will of course, but no more war and no one has to pay for clean water. It’s quite a compelling argument at times. Sauron isn’t without some humanity, as demonstrated in the show’s depiction of the fact that he felt something for Galadriel. But his narcissism, devaluing of anyone he deems as beneath him, ruthless manipulation of everything and everyone around him, and remorseless constant murder make experiencing him like entering the depths of a silver mine. Sure, it glitters, but it’s primarily just darkness.

The ocean floor = Empire from the Foundation TV show based on the books by Isaac Asimov

If “the bar is the floor” was a person, that person would be Brother Day. Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series posits what would happen if one man, Cleon, sought to keep his rule infinite by cloning himself over and over. The result is a ruling trio of Cleon clones, also known as Empire—Brother Dawn (teenage Cleon aka emperor-in-training), Brother Day (the currently reigning Cleon), and Brother Dusk (retiree-age Cleon who serves as an advisor to Brother Day).

Of these, Brother Day, played to the hilt by the impeccable Lee Pace, is utterly magnetic. Alternatingly narcissistic, vicious, and maniacal but deeply insecure and occasionally fearful, Day is a brilliant depiction of a man who truly has it all and will do anything for more. Unlike Sauron, he has his Empire, but it’ll never be enough. The man simply is cancerous craving, and it’s still impossible to take your eyes off him. It’s no wonder he’s been called “Intergalactic Emperor Daddy.”

And that’s a wrap on this morally grey list! If you’re also a fan of every shade, then there’s loads to binge and read here. And if you’re interested in Kadra, you can also pick up a copy of my book THIS MONSTER OF MINE, available everywhere now!

The post 10 Character Recs Based On Your Favourite Shade of Morally Grey appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Just the concept alone of a tearoom converting into an illegal bloodhouse is fantastic—let alone before you add in a heist, incredible characters, twists aplenty, and an exploration of the deeply destructive power of colonisation and its repercussions.

The characterisation here is off the charts. Arthie Casimir is one of my favourite characters of all time – stealing my heart while she rules from her seat of power and plans an extraordinary heist. She is ruthless and cunning, which are qualities that Faizal celebrates but also makes clear that these are tools needed in her arsenal to survive in a world that has forced her to change in this way. Her narrative voice is stylish and often infused with a ting of dark humour, though you always get that sense of anger and resentment running just beneath the surface. Every character in this book is layered, complex and three-dimensional, Faizal dedicates time to allow each of them to develop and unveil some secrets they are holding close to their chest. In mere lines of text, you are completely rooting for them though.

The sheer quality of the writing in this book is extraordinary. Certain quotes keep ruminating in my brain and sizzle with their brilliance. All at once, Faizal’s writing is exquisite, immersive, subtle and stunning. You feel utterly caught up in this vividly described and emotionally rich world of corruption, colonial power and cutthroat heists. There is a predominant focus on the corrosive influence of colonial power and how it obliterates people, cultures and ways of living – wanting to subsume them into following the ideals of one nation by force. The devastation of this is keenly felt in a myriad of ways and I loved how Faizal explored the repercussions of colonisation. In particular, the resulting anger and generational trauma from living under this oppression is keenly apparent. It is everywhere and controls everything. Colonial power contains cataclysmic violence and feeds into every aspect of suffering in the narrative. I also enjoyed the way Faizal explored issues of the class system and how that influences everything. In short, I adored every second of reading this.

Faizal’s world-building is also excellent. It feels expansive and lived in, with a detailed tapestry of history and mythology behind it. The inclusion of vampires is superb and executed in such spectacular and surprising ways. There is so much here that blew me away completely. In addition to this, the city of White Roaring feels like its own character. The atmosphere is so thick—you can practically inhale the smoke. It is just intoxicating in every sense.

Also, I want to highlight the pacing, atmosphere and tension. Every page is filled to the brim with suspense, building and building this unrelenting time bomb that you are just waiting to go off. It is a fast paced and exhilarating read, but still allows pauses for those moments of character development without sacrificing the mounting tension you can feel vibrating throughout. Without giving too much away, Faizal has crafted an ending that is beyond explosive. It is jaw-dropping and makes you demand more immediately. You can look back through and see the breadcrumb trail that has lead to this.

A Tempest of Tea is a smoking gun of a book—powerful, incendiary and finishes with one hell of a bang.

A Tempest of Tea is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of February 20th 2024.

Will you be picking up A Tempest of Tea? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

From Hafsah Faizal, New York Times bestselling author of We Hunt the Flame, comes the first book in a hotly-anticipated new fantasy duology about an orphan girl and her crew who get tangled in a heist with vampires, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows.

On the streets of White Roaring, Arthie Casimir is a criminal mastermind and collector of secrets. Her prestigious tearoom transforms into an illegal bloodhouse by dark, catering to the vampires feared by society. But when her establishment is threatened, Arthie is forced to strike an unlikely deal with an alluring adversary to save it—and she can’t do the job alone.

Calling upon a band of misfits, Arthie formulates a plan to infiltrate the dark and glittering vampire society known as the Athereum. But not every member of her crew is on her side, and as the truth behind the heist unfolds, Arthie finds herself in the midst of a conspiracy that will threaten the world as she knows it. Dark, action-packed, and swoonworthy, this is Hafsah Faizal better than ever.

The post Review: A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

From magic, fairytales, romance, and thrillers, to monsters, rebels, pirates, and friends, there’s certainly something for everyone to look forward to amongst the young adult books releasing between January and June 2024! From new releases from the likes of Emma Lord, Brigid Kemmerer, Kacen Callender, Morgan Matson, Tomi Adeyemi, Kalynn Bayron, Rachel Lynn Solomon, and many more, to those making their dazzling debut, you will be spoilt for choice!

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 and our Swoonworthy Romance lists!

JANUARY 2024 BOOK RELEASES

Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix by Gabe Cole Novoa

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A trans boy searches for a future―and a romance―in which he can live and love openly as himself in this heartrending young-adult reimagining of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, part of the Remixed Classics series.

The Getaway List by Emma Lord

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Inescapably romantic and brimming with New York Times bestselling author Emma Lord’s signature cheer, The Getaway List is an uplifting and romantic read that will settle into your heart and never leave.

If I Promise You Wings by A.K. Small

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Hold Still meets You’ve Reached Sam in this lyrical novel about one young woman’s journey through the Paris fashion scene as she chases promises, overcomes grief, and falls in love.

Just Happy to Be Here by Naomi Kanakia

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In this YA standalone perfect for fans of Tobly McSmith and Meredith Russo, the first out trans girl at an all-girls school must choose between keeping her head down or blazing a trail.

That’s Not My Name by Megan Lally

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From a gripping new voice comes a YA thriller with amnesia, stalking, abduction and twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat, perfect for fans of Natalie D. Richards and Vincent Ralph.​

A Drop of Venom by Sajni Patel

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Circe goes YA in this unapologetically feminist retelling of the Medusa myth steeped in Indian mythology, a YA epic fantasy addition to the Rick Riordan Presents imprint.

The Atlas of Us by Kristin Dwyer

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Following her critically-acclaimed debut novel, Some Mistakes Were Made, Kristin Dwyer is back with The Atlas of Us, a novel about deep grief, found family, and a raw love story that will have readers crying and laughing in equal measure.

Shut Up, This Is Serious by Carolina Ixta

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An unforgettable YA debut about two Latina teens growing up in East Oakland as they discover that the world is brimming with messy complexities, perfect for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo and Erika L. Sánchez.

Arya Khanna’s Bollywood Moment by Arushi Avachat

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Save the Date meets Never Have I Ever in this sparkling debut rom-com about a high school senior whose life suddenly gets a Bollywood spin when her sister gets engaged.

Somewhere in the Deep by Tanvi Berwah

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From the author of Monsters Born and Made comes an action-packed South Asian inspired fantasy that will have your heart racing at every turn. 

Out of Our League: 16 Stories of Girls in Sports

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A compelling YA anthology from editors Dahlia Adler and Jennifer Iacopelli about the trials and triumphs of girls in sports with stories from Carrie S. Allen, Sara Farizan, Juliana Goodman, Maggie Hall, Leah Henderson, Sarah Henning, Naomi Kanakia, Miranda Kenneally, Yamile Saied Méndez, Cam Montgomery, Marieke Nijkamp, Amparo Ortiz, Aminah Mae Safi, and Kayla Whaley.

Destroy the Day by Brigid Kemmerer

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In the thrilling conclusion to the Defy the Night series, New York Times bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer crafts heartrending twists and devastating turns that will keep readers breathless to the very end.

FEBRUARY 2024 BOOK RELEASES

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.

My Big, Fat Desi Wedding

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These genre-bending stories focus on the magic (and tension) of the biggest family gathering. Both award-winning and debut authors share stories of broken hearts, rekindled flames, unlikely romances, and one particular auntie who loves to meddle with stories from Prerna Pickett, Syed Masood, Tashie Bhuiyan, Aamna Qureshi, Payal Doshi, Sarah Mughal, Noreen Mughees, and Anahita Karthi.

This Day Changes Everything by Edward Underhill

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Dash & Lily meets Ferris Bueller’s Day Off in Edward Underhill’s new whirlwind rom-com about two queer teens who spend one life-changing day together in New York City.

Daughter of the Bone Forest by Jasmine Skye

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Two girls reluctantly bound by fate must weather a dangerous courtship as a prophesied war grows ever closer in Jasmine Skye’s high-stakes, queernormative dark fantasy debut, Daughter of the Bone Forest.

A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal

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From the New York Times–bestselling author of We Hunt the Flame comes the first book in a hotly-anticipated fantasy duology teeming with romance and revenge, led by an orphan girl willing to do whatever it takes to save her self-made kingdom.

The Bad Ones by Melissa Albert

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NYT bestselling author Melissa Albert returns with THE BAD ONES, a supernatural horror novel about four mysterious disappearances in a town haunted by a sinister magical history

Kindling by Traci Chee

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From bestselling and award-winning author Traci Chee comes a standalone fantasy set against a war-ravaged world where kindling warfare—the use of elite, magic-wielding teenage soldiers—has been outlawed. In this rich and evocative novel, seven kindlings search for purpose and identity as they prepare for one final battle. For fans of the classic films Seven Samurai and The Magnificent Seven.

I Hope This Doesn’t Find You by Ann Liang

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Unforgettable, snarky, and romantic, I Hope This Doesn’t Find You is Never Have I Ever meets To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before if Lara Jean wrote hate emails instead of love letters.

Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli

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Enemies-to-lovers doesn’t get more high stakes than a witch and a witch hunter falling in love in bestselling author Kristen Ciccarelli’s latest romantic fantasy

If Only I Had Told Her by Laura Nowlin

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An intensely emotional and gripping companion novel to Laura Nowlin’s USA Today and New York Times Bestselling novel If He Had Been With Me about the love that both breaks and heals us. Perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover and Jenny Han.

With a Little Luck by Marissa Meyer

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After being magically gifted with incredible luck, a boy discovers this gift just may be a curse when it comes to love, in this sweet romantic comedy by #1 New York Times-bestselling author Marissa Meyer.

Where the Dark Stands Still by A.B. Poranek

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A girl with dangerous magic makes a risky bargain with a demon to be free of her monstrous power in this young adult fantasy perfect for fans of An Enchantment of Ravens and House of Salt and Sorrows.

MARCH 2024 BOOK RELEASES

The Last Bloodcarver by Vanessa Le

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The tantalising romance of These Violent Delights meets the mechanical wonders of Cinder in The Last Bloodcarver , the first in a two-book debut – with a riveting medical magic system and lush Vietnam-inspired fantasy world.

Bad Like Us by Gabriella Lepore

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Two friend groups collide when someone turns up dead over spring break in this heart-thumping YA thriller for fans of One of Us Is Lying and We Were Liars

The Summer She Went Missing by Chelsea Ichaso

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From the author of Dead Girls Can’t Tell Secrets and They’re Watching You, a compelling new thriller!

Icarus by K. Ancrum

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Perfect for fans of Adam Silvera and Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, this suspenseful queer YA romance from critically acclaimed author K. Ancrum reimagines the tale of Icarus as a star-crossed love story between a young art thief and the son of the man he’s been stealing from—think Portrait of a Thief for YA readers.

Promchanted by Morgan Matson

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Modern-day teens wander into Disney’s Sleeping Beauty in this enemies-to-lovers rom-com from New York Times bestselling author Morgan Matson.

One Last Breath by Ginny Myers Sain

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The New York Times bestselling author of Dark & Shallow Lies delivers another chilling supernatural thriller filled with murder, romance, and a decades long mystery that haunts a small Florida town.

Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

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In Where Sleeping Girls Lie ― a YA contemporary mystery by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, the New York Times-bestselling author of Ace of Spades ― a girl new to boarding school discovers dark secrets and coverups after her roommate disappears.

We Are Mayhem by Beck Rourke-Mooney

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Filled with messy, complicated characters, We Are Mayhem is a debut YA novel about finding your strength, embracing your weird, and being who you truly are – no matter what.

Ariel Crashes A Train by Olivia A. Cole

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Exploring the harsh reality of OCD and violent intrusive thoughts in stunning, lyrical writing, this novel-in-verse conjures a haunting yet hopeful portrait of a girl on the edge. From the author of Dear Medusa, which New York Times bestselling author Samira Ahmed called “a fierce and brightly burning feminist roar.”

The No-Girlfriend Rule by Christen Randall

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Julie Murphy meets Casey McQuiston in this unforgettable queer romance about a teen girl whose foray into fantasy tabletop roleplaying brings her new confidence, true friends, and a shot at real, swoon-worthy love.

The Hedgewitch of Foxhall by Anna Bright

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In this gorgeous stand-alone fantasy romance perfect for fans of Margaret Rogerson and Allison Saft, a rebellious witch undertakes a last-ditch quest to restore magic to medieval Wales—as two princes vie for her heart.

The Poisons We Drink by Bethany Baptiste

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The Poisons We Drink is a potent YA debut about a world where love potions are weaponized against hate and prejudice, sisterhood is unbreakable, and self-love is life and death.

APRIL 2024 BOOK RELEASES

Something Kindred by Ciera Burch

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Magical realism meets Southern Gothic in this commanding young adult debut from Ciera Burch about true love, the meaning of home, and the choices that haunt us.

We’re Never Getting Home by Tracy Badua

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HBO’s Insecure meets Dazed and Confused in this messy, tender YA novel about a friendship breakup, set against the backdrop of a chaotic night at a music festival, from rising talent Tracy Badua.

The Final Curse of Ophelia Cray by Christine Calella

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The Final Curse of Ophelia Cray follows the asexual daughter of a notorious pirate queen and her anxious half-sister braving the sea and its pirates to find themselves

Fate Be Changed: A Twisted Tale by Farrah Rochon

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What if the witch gave Merida a different spell? This New York Times best-selling series twists Disney Pixar’s Brave into a fast-paced story in which Merida is sent back in time.

The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson

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From the author of the multimillion-copy bestselling A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series and Five Survive comes a new true-crime fueled mystery thriller about a girl determined to uncover the shocking truth about her mother’s disappearance while filming a documentary on the unsolved case.

Not Like Other Girls by Meredith Adamo

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Not Like Other Girls is a stunning debut that takes a hard look at how we treat young women and their trauma, through the lens of a missing girl and a girl trying to find herself again.

Otherworldly by F.T. Lukens

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A skeptic and a supernatural being make a crossroads deal to achieve their own ends only to get more than they bargained for in this lively young adult romantic adventure from the New York Times bestselling author of Spell Bound and So This Is Ever After.

The Misdirection of Fault Lines by Anna Gracia

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Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants goes to the French Open in an emotionally honest and openhearted novel for fans of Yamile Saied Méndez and Mary HK Choi.

To A Darker Shore by Leanne Schwartz

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A da Vinci-esque teen girl inventor on a Dante-esque journey through hell to save her best friend.

Draw Down the Moon by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

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New York Times bestsellers P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast return with a new duology set in a dark and magickal world filled with incredible danger and irresistible romance.

Finally Fitz by Marisa Kanter

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A bisexual teen girl tries to make her ex jealous by faking an Instagram romance that leads to surprisingly real feelings in this hijinks-filled rom-com perfect for fans of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and She Gets the Girl.

Song of the Six Realms by Judy I. Lin

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Judy I. Lin, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Magic Steeped in Poison, weaves a dreamy gothic romance worthy of the heavens in Song of the Six Realms.

MAY 2024 BOOK RELEASES

The Worst Perfect Moment by Shivaun Plozza

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Equal parts tender and edgy, this inventive queer romance imagines what it might feel like to come of age in the afterlife.

A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur

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June Hur, bestselling author of The Red Palace, crafts a devastating and pulse-pounding tale that will feel all-too-relevant in today’s world, based on a true story from Korean history.

Blood at the Root by LaDarrion Williams

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A teenager on the run from his past finds the family he never knew existed and the community he never knew he needed at an HBCU for the young, Black, and magical. Enroll in this fresh fantasy debut with the emotional power of Legendborn and the redefined ancestral magic of Lovecraft Country.

The Ballad of Darcy and Russell by Morgan Matson

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From New York Times bestselling author Morgan Matson comes a sweeping romantic novel about love, fate…and that one night that can change everything.

The Only Light Left Burning by Erik J. Brown

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What If It’s Us meets They Both Die at the End in this sequel to the beloved postapocalyptic queer YA adventure romance All That’s Left in the World by USA Today bestselling author Erik J. Brown.

The Girl in Question by Tess Sharpe

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Four teens. Three henchmen. Two thousand acres of remote forest. One very bad man. And a whole lot of new secrets to unearth. The unmissable, thrilling follow-up to THE GIRLS I’VE BEEN (soon to be a Netflix film).

I Wish You Would by Eva Des Lauriers

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To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before meets You’ve Reached Sam in this love story in which explosive secrets threaten to tear everyone apart, including best friends (or maybe more?), Natalia and Ethan.

Bite Me, Royce Taslim by Lauren Ho

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Acclaimed author of Last Tang Standing and Lucie Yi is Not a Romantic in her YA debut: a sharp yet sweet rivals-to-romance romp through Kuala Lumpur—perfect for fans of Emiko Jean, Abigail Hing Wen, and Kat Cho.

The Lamplighter by Crystal J. Bell

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In a quaint 19th century whaling village, a young woman seeks to expose the dark truth behind the village’s eerie disappearances at the risk of the lives of everyone she loves . . . assuming anyone will listen to a female in the first place.

In the Shallows by Tanya Byrne

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From the acclaimed author of Afterlove comes a beautiful sapphic second-chance love story drenched with longing, loss and mystery.

Keepers of the Stones and Stars by Michael Barakiva

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Keepers of the Stones and Stars is a witty young adult contemporary fantasy about a group of five teens chosen by magical gems to save the world.

Have You Seen This Girl by Nita Tyndall

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Fans of Courtney Summers and Tess Sharpe will devour this standalone YA thriller following a nonbinary teen investigating a series of copycat murders targeting girls in their small town—murders based on their serial killer dad’s MO.

JUNE 2024 BOOK RELEASES

Children of Anguish and Anarchy by Tomi Adeyemi

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Tomi Adeyemi’s #1 New York Times -bestselling Legacy of Orïsha series comes to an earth-shaking conclusion.

Twelfth Knight by Alexene Farol Follmuth

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From the New York Times bestselling author of The Atlas Six (under the penname Olivie Blake) comes Twelfth Knight, a YA romantic comedy and coming of age story about taking up space in the world and learning what it means to let others in.

Past Present Future by Rachel Lynn Solomon

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They fell for each other in just twenty-four hours. Now Rowan and Neil embark on a long-distance relationship during their first year of college in this romantic, dual POV sequel to Today Tonight Tomorrow.

Of Jade and Dragons by Amber Chen

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Mulan meets Iron Widow in this thrilling silkpunk fantasy about a girl who must disguise herself as a boy and enter the famed and dangerous Engineer’s Guild trials to unravel the mystery of her father’s murder.

Wish You Weren’t Here by Erin Baldwin

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Pitched as The Hating Game for teens, the story follows childhood rivals Juliette and Priya, who are forced to be summer camp cabinmates, and must decide what they want more: to kill each other, or to kiss.

Sleep Like Death by Kalynn Bayron

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New York Times bestselling author and TikTok sensation Kalynn Bayron returns to fairytales with a lush, thrilling and original YA Snow White retelling that brings a new and exciting voice to this familiar tale. Perfect for fans of Cinderella Is Dead.

Heiress Takes All by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka

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The Inheritance Games meets Ocean’s 11 in this thrilling YA adventure about a vengeful daughter determined to pull off the perfect heist in the midst of her father’s wedding.

We Mostly Come Out At Night: 15 Queer Tales of Monsters, Angels & Other Creatures

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An empowering cross-genre YA anthology that explores what it means to be a monster, exclusively highlighting trans and queer authors who offer new tales and perspectives on classic monster stories and tropes. Contributors include editor Rob Costello, Kalynn Bayron, David Bowles, Shae Carys, Rob Costello, H.E. Edgmon, Michael Thomas Ford, Val Howlett, Brittany Johnson, Naomi Kanakia, Claire Kann, Jonathan Lenore Kastin, Sarah Maxfield, Sam J. Miller, Alexandra Villasante, and Merc Fenn Wolfmoor.

Moonstorm by Yoon Ha Lee

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In a society where conformity is valued above all else, a teen girl training to become an Imperial pilot is forced to return to her rebel roots to save her world in this adrenaline-fueled sci-fi adventure—perfect for fans of Iron Widow and Skyward!

There Is a Door in This Darkness by Kristin Cashore

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A magic-tinged contemporary YA about grief and hope from the acclaimed New York Times bestselling author of the Graceling Realm novels.

The Wren in the Holly Library by K.A. Linde

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A Darker Shade of Magic meets Six of Crows, in this alternate day New York where monsters live among humankind, from USA Today bestselling author K.A. Linde.

Storm: Dawn of a Goddess by Tiffany D. Jackson

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Before she was the super hero Storm of Marvel’s X-Men, she was Ororo of Cairo—a teenaged thief on the streets of Egypt, until her growing powers catch the eye of a villain who steals people’s souls.

What YA books are you looking forward to picking up in 2024? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Here’s 72 Of The Most Anticipated YA Books Of 2024 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

This has such a phenomenal premise—a Dark Academia fantasy murder mystery anthology set in a school of magic? Sign me up immediately! I just fell in love with the idea of an interlocking fantasy and murder mystery anthology, making such a unique collection of stories. The way this collection is set out is also really interesting, placing characters against the clock to discover the truth of what happened.

The Galileo Academy is a magical campus that has recently changed its focus to be more inclusive and reflective of its contemporary reality. Septimus Dropwork, a professor and embodiment of many forms of hatred, did not welcome this and when he turns up dead, there are plenty of suspects to follow. That interplay of inclusion, diversity and the respective discussions around it (often nonsensical and bigoted) mixed with the murder mystery thread is endlessly fascinating.

It is also really important to highlight the sheer amount of diversity in this collection. As always, seeing more of this and more normalised representation is incredible. Diversity should be the standard, rather than the exception. Just seeing so much BIPOC, disability, queer, and mental health representation brings light to my heart. The running thread throughout these stories is facing and sometimes overcoming adversity with the hatred and bigotry faced being truly sickening. You get a sense of a rotten heart at the centre of this institution, which is only exposed more as the collection continues.

We get all of these differing voices, all of whom have at least a glimmer of what happened or a seed of a potential motivation. It is also really interesting how the expansive setting of a school celebrating many forms of magic allowed for each writer to put their own stamp on a magic system and sprawling setting. In addition to this, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to spend time with all of these incredible characters, particularly as they started to interweave. They all really burst off the page and were three-dimensional. The way the authors managed to condense these complex, interesting and sometimes challenging character arcs and twists into such a short form is nothing but commendable.

While all the stories were brilliant, some did shine a little more for me. In particular, 2: A.M.: Wren Willemson by Marieke Nijkamp; 5:00 A.M.: Taya Winter by Darcie Little Badger; 9:00 A.M: Irene Seaver by Kayla Whaley; 5:00 P.M.: Jamie Ellison by Victoria Lee; and 8:00 P.M.: Lupita Augratricis by Natasha Díaz all snuck into my heart and really remained in my head after finishing the book. However, every section had such distinctive character voices and covered a lot of material in a very short space. These are stories that cover a lot of ground, giving you time with their respective protagonist, while also moving the machinations of the over-arching plot along. In that sense, every story is an awe-inspiring piece of art and an intriguing piece of the puzzle. There was no story that did not totally captivate me. I sped through this collection, wanting to race the clock like the characters. The pacing and tension was very high and I just needed to know who and whydunnit.

Spell-binding in every way, The Grimoire of Grave Fates is an anthology like no other!

The Grimoire of Grave Fates is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of June 6th.

Will you be picking up The Grimoire of Grave Fates? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Crack open your spell book and enter the world of the illustrious Galileo Academy for the Extraordinary. There’s been a murder on campus, and it’s up to the students of Galileo to solve it. Follow 18 authors and 18 students as they puzzle out the clues and find the guilty party.

Professor of Magical History Septimius Dropwort has just been murdered, and now everyone at the Galileo Academy for the Extraordinary is a suspect.

A prestigious school for young magicians, the Galileo Academy has recently undergone a comprehensive overhaul, reinventing itself as a roaming academy in which students of all cultures and identities are celebrated. In this new Galileo, every pupil is welcome—but there are some who aren’t so happy with the recent changes. That includes everyone’s least favorite professor, Septimius Dropwort, a stodgy old man known for his harsh rules and harsher punishments. But when the professor’s body is discovered on school grounds with a mysterious note clenched in his lifeless hand, the Academy’s students must solve the murder themselves, because everyone’s a suspect.

Told from more than a dozen alternating and diverse perspectives, The Grimoire of Grave Fates follows Galileo’s best and brightest young magicians as they race to discover the truth behind Dropwort’s mysterious death. Each one of them is confident that only they have the skills needed to unravel the web of secrets hidden within Galileo’s halls. But they’re about to discover that even for straight-A students, magic doesn’t always play by the rules. . . .

Contributors include: Cam Montgomery, Darcie Little Badger, Hafsah Faizal, Jessica Lewis, Julian Winters, Karuna Riazi, Kat Cho, Kayla Whaley, Kwame Mbalia, L. L. McKinney, Marieke Nijkamp, Mason Deaver, Natasha Díaz, Preeti Chhibber, Randy Ribay, Tehlor Kay Mejia, Victoria Lee, and Yamile Saied Méndez.

The post Review: The Grimoire of Grave Fates by Hanna Alkaf and Margaret Owen appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

1. Undead Ghoul Meet-Cute by Kendare Blake: Frankenstein-esque “enemies to lovers” romance involving a lonely ghoul and a severed head.
2. A Thousand More by Chloe Gong: An immortal tries to reconnect with his mate after they are both reincarnated.
3. Who Will Save Me by Julian Winters: A guardian angel struggles to perform his duty whilst falling in love.
4. In the Eyes of Angels by Alexis Henderson: A romance blossoms after a recovering addict rescues a fallen angel.
5. My Demon Prince Charming by Sandhya Menon: In the hopes of securing a date to a party, a girl uses a love spell and accidentally summons a demon.
6. Katrine and Rowan’s Exit Interview by Sarah Gailey: Told in script, a shipwrecked couple is forced to give an interview before they are allowed to leave a cursed island.
7. Bride-Heart by Marie Rutkoski: To help provide for her family, an 18-year-old marries a mysterious stranger and, upon learning his secret, enlists the help of a goat farmer.
8. If You Give an Asura a Cookie by Akshaya Ramon: An asura (human by day and demon by night) hopes to discover the identity of the fellow asura she meets with annually whilst in demon form.
9. Kiss the Boy by Adib Khorram: A merman finds himself unexpectedly mated to the human boy who saved his life.
10. Piano Sonata No. 13 by Kalynn Bayron: A piano prodigy finds herself inexplicably drawn to a cursed piece of music and the killer demon that the music summons.
11. Once Upon a Time in Charleston by Melissa de la Cruz: A vampire questions the mating bond that was imposed upon her after she meets a handsome traveller.
12. Pierce My Soul by Kat Cho: A girl runs into a past love whilst hunting a vampire.
13. Banes and Blessings by Hafsah Faizal: A boy attempts to stop a siren-like creature’s killing spree.
14. Bloody, Lovely by Casey McQuiston: A teen gains the courage to come out as trans after bonding with the “bloody Mary” stuck in her bathroom mirror.
15. La Bruja y la Sirena by Anna-Marie McLemore: A sea witch and a mermaid seek revenge on an abusive and entitled human.

A multitude of themes and topics are discussed in this short story anthology, such as fate versus free will, love and heartbreak, revenge, desire to escape, companionship, identity, loneliness and isolation, life and death, and family. Eternally Yours may be best suited for teens and young adults who enjoy reading paranormal and fantasy romance, but may entice older readers who enjoy some paranormal, as well as those who enjoy reading short story anthologies like My True Love Gave to Me or Summer Days and Summer Nights by Stephanie Perkins et al. In my opinion, the ideal time to real this anthology would be in the autumn or around Halloween since all the stories include paranormal or spooky elements!

Since I’m not a fan of horror, I appreciated that, whilst being paranormal and spooky, none of the short stories were scary or overly gory. It was great that more than half of the short stories in this anthology included an LGBTQ+ couple. Additionally, the stories were quick reads (only around 30 pages each) and standalones (so you can skip any stories that aren’t of interest), but can sometimes be challenging to read as one doesn’t have time to connect with the characters and get invested in their storyline.

Lastly, my favourite short stories included in this anthology were A Thousand More by Chloe Gong, If You Give an Asura a Cookie by Akshaya Ramon, and Bloody, Lovely by Casey McQuiston. Furthermore, all the romance elements included in A Thousand More was delightful,  the mystery aspects in If You Give an Asura a Cookie intriguing, and quite the unique concept and heartwarming twist in Bloody, Lovely.

Overall, this paranormal romance anthology is a quick YA read that’s perfect for the upcoming autumn and Halloween season!

Eternally Yours is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.

Will you be picking up Eternally Yours? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Vampires and merpeople, angels and demons—the paranormal is full of unusual beings. The stories in this anthology imagine worlds where the only thing more powerful than the supernatural, is love.

Contributors include: Kalynn Bayron (Cinderella Is Dead); Kendare Blake (Three Dark Crowns); Kat Cho (Wicked Fox); Melissa de la Cruz (Blue Bloods); Sarah Gailey (When We Were Magic); Hafsah Faizal(We Hunt the Flame); Chloe Gong (These Violent Delights); Alexis Henderson (The Year of the Witching); Adib Khorram (Darius the Great Is Not Okay); Anna-Marie McLemore (When the Moon Was Ours, The Mirror Season); Casey McQuiston (Red, White, and Royal Blue; One Last Stop); Sandhya Menon (When Dimple Met Rishi); Akshaya Raman (The Ivory Key); Marie Rutkoski (The Winner’s Curse); Julian Winters (Running With Lions; Right Where I Left You)

The post Review: Eternally Yours, edited by Patrice Caldwell appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

While there have been many debut novels released this year, we round up some of the most buzzed about 2019 debuts!

Descendant of the Crane by Joan He
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this shimmering Chinese-inspired fantasy, debut author Joan He introduces a determined and vulnerable young heroine struggling to do right in a world brimming with deception.

Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A stunning debut for author Evie Dunmore and her Oxford Rebels, in which a fiercely independent vicar’s daughter takes on a powerful duke in a love story that threatens to upend the British social order.

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In the early 1900s, a young woman searches for her place in the world after finding a mysterious book in this captivating and lyrical debut.

We Hunt The Flame by Hafsah Faizal
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Set in a richly detailed world inspired by ancient Arabia, We Hunt the Flame is a gripping debut of discovery, conquering fear, and taking identity into your own hands.

Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Set in a world of powerful women, dark magic, and off-the-charts romance, book one of this stunning fantasy duology will leave readers burning for more.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A shocking psychological thriller of a woman’s act of violence against her husband—and of the therapist obsessed with uncovering her motive…

Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Bridget Jones’s Diary meets Americanah in this disarmingly honest, boldly political, and truly inclusive novel that will speak to anyone who has gone looking for love and found something very different in its place.

The Perfect Son by Lauren North
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A disturbing and shocking debut novel of psychological suspense about a recently widowed mother, her young son, and the lengths she’ll go to in order to keep him safe.

The Storm Crow by Kalyn Josephson
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Eragon meets And I Darken in this thrilling new fantasy debut that follows a fallen princess as she ignites a rebellion to bring back the magical elemental crows that were taken from her people.

A Cosmology of Monsters by Shaun Hamill
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A tender and terrifying literary horror novel–the author’s debut–that tells the story of a family (creators of a haunted house attraction called the Wandering Dark) and the hereditary monsters–both metaphorical and all-too-real–that haunt them.

Fireborne by Rosaria Munda
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Seraphina meets Red Rising in a debut young adult fantasy that’s full of rivalry, romance… and dragons.

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Tamsyn Muir’s Gideon the Ninth unveils a solar system of swordplay, cut-throat politics, and lesbian necromancers. Her characters leap off the page, as skilfully animated as necromantic skeletons. The result is a heart-pounding epic science fantasy.

Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Four Queens. A divided nation. A ruthless pickpocket. A noble messenger. And the murders that unite them. An enthralling fast-paced murder mystery where competing agendas collide with deadly consequences.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A big-hearted romantic comedy in which First Son Alex falls in love with Prince Henry of Wales after an incident of international proportions forces them to pretend to be best friends…

There Will Come A Darkness by Katy Rose Pool
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows meets Kristin Cashore’s Graceling, with a dash of Winter is Coming, in this showstopping debut YA fantasy!

Shadow Frost by Coco Ma
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From young author Coco Ma comes a dazzling new tale of adventure, power, and betrayal, weaving together a stunning world of magic with a killer cast in an explosive, unforgettable debut.

Here and Now and Then by Mike Chen
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A uniquely emotional genre-bending debut, Here and Now and Then captures the perfect balance of heart, playfulness, and imagination, offering an intimate glimpse into the crevices of a father’s heart, and its capacity to stretch across both space and time to protect the people that mean the most.

The Good Luck Girls by Charlotte Nicole Davis
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Westworld meets The Handmaid’s Tale in this stunning fantasy adventure from debut author Charlotte Nicole Davis.

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

As one by one her beautiful sisters mysteriously die on their isolated island estate, Annaleigh must unravel the curse that haunts her family. Be careful who you dance with. . . .

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

One pet crow fights to save humanity from an apocalypse in this uniquely hilarious debut from a genre-bending literary author.

Do you have any new favourite authors from 2019? Tell us in the comments below!

The post The Best Debut Novels of 2019 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Just in case you:

1. Still haven’t found your favourite read this year,
2. Eager to find something fresh, presumably your new favourite author, or
3. Just need an excuse to add more books to your #TBR

Well then, in today’s post, I’ll help you to fulfil all of those! Here are 12 debut releases that you need to check out this month!

Again, but Better by Christine Riccio
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Shane has been doing college all wrong. Her life has been dorm, dining hall, class, repeat. She needs a change — there’s nothing like moving to a new country to really mix things up. Shane signs up for a semester abroad in London. She’s going to right all her college mistakes: make friends, pursue boys, and find adventure! Easier said than done.

Don’t Date Rosa Santos by Nina Moreno
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Rosa Santos is cursed by the sea-at least, that’s what they say. Dating her is bad news, especially if you’re a boy with a boat. But Rosa feels more caught than cursed. Caught between cultures and choices. Can Rosa break a curse and find her place beyond the horizon?

Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A big-hearted romantic comedy in which First Son Alex falls in love with Prince Henry of Wales after an incident of international proportions forces them to pretend to be best friends…

I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

When Ben De Backer comes out to their parents as nonbinary, they’re thrown out of their house and forced to move in with their estranged older sister, Hannah, and her husband, Thomas. But Ben’s attempts to survive the last half of senior year unnoticed are thwarted when Nathan Allan. As Ben and Nathan’s friendship grows, their feelings for each other begin to change, and it might just be a chance to start a happier new life.

All Our Broken Pieces by L.D. Crichton
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Lennon Davis doesn’t believe in much, but she does believe in the security of the number five. If she flicks the bedroom light switch five times, maybe her new L.A. school won’t suck. Kyler Benton witnesses this pattern of lights from the safety of his treehouse in the yard next door. But Kyler finds that descriptions of blonde hair, sad eyes, and tapping fingers are beginning to fill the pages of his notebooks. Lennon, the lonely girl next door his father has warned him about, infiltrates his mind.

How It Feels to Float by Helena Fox
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Biz knows how to float. She has her people, her posse, her mom and the twins. She has Grace. And she has her dad. So Biz doesn’t tell anyone anything. Not about her dark, runaway thoughts, not about kissing Grace or noticing Jasper, the new boy. But after what happens on the beach–first in the ocean, and then in the sand–the tethers that hold Biz steady come undone.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The case is closed. Five years ago, schoolgirl Andie Bell was murdered by Sal Singh. The police know he did it. Everyone in town knows he did it. But Pippa Fitz-Amobi isn’t so sure. When she chooses the case as the topic for her final year project, she starts to uncover secrets that someone in town desperately wants to stay hidden.

Next Girl to Die (The Calderwood Cases #1) by Dea Poirier
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

It’s been fifteen years since Claire Calderwood’s sister, Rachel, was brutally murdered in their small hometown in Maine. Still haunted by Rachel’s cold case, Claire returns home, hoping to solve the crime. When the killer strikes once again, Claire knows he’s not done. Now he’s set his sights on Claire.

Nocturna by Maya Motayne
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Set in a Latinx-inspired world, a face-changing thief, Finn Voy and a risk-taking prince, Alfie, must team up to defeat a powerful evil they accidentally unleashed. But when Finn and Alfie’s fates collide, they accidentally unlock a terrible, ancient power—which, if not contained, will devour the world.

These Witches Don’t Burn by Isabel Sterling
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Hannah’s a witch, but not the kind you’re thinking of. She’s the real deal, an Elemental with the power to control fire, earth, water, and air. But her magic is a secret she has to keep to herself. But then a terrifying blood ritual interrupts the end-of-school-year bonfire. Evidence of dark magic begins to appear all over Salem.

The Candle and the Flame by Nafiza Azad
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Fatima lives in the city of Noor, a thriving stop along the Silk Road. However, the city bears scars of its recent past, when the chaotic tribe of Shayateen djinn slaughtered its entire population — except for Fatima and two other humans. Now ruled by a new maharajah, Noor is protected from the Shayateen by the Ifrit, djinn of order and reason, and by their commander, Zulfikar. But when one of the most potent of the Ifrit dies, Fatima is drawn into the intrigues of the maharajah and his sister, the affairs of Zulfikar and the djinn, and the dangers of a magical battlefield.

We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Zafira is the Hunter, disguising herself as a man when she braves the cursed forest of the Arz to feed her people. Nasir is the Prince of Death, assassinating those foolish enough to defy his autocratic father, the king. If Zafira was exposed as a girl, all of her achievements would be rejected; if Nasir displayed his compassion, his father would punish him in the most brutal of ways. Both are legends in the kingdom of Arawiya—but neither wants to be.

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

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Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff pair up once more for their new sci-fi novel Aurora Rising, while YouTuber Christine Riccio makes her debut with a YA contemporary, Again, But Better. If it’s romance you’re after, be sure to check out Helen Hoang’s The Bride Test or Casey McQuiston’s Red, White & Royal Blue. Feel like getting lost in another world? Then you should explore Cate Glass’s An Illusion of Thieves or Hafsah Faizal’s We Hunt The Flame. Or perhaps if you need a good thrill, then Wendy Walker’s The Night Before or Thomas Harris’s Cari Mora might do the trick!

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below if you will be reading any!

Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The year is 2380, and the graduating cadets of Aurora Academy are being assigned their first missions. Star pupil Tyler Jones is ready to recruit the squad of his dreams, but his own boneheaded heroism sees him stuck with the dregs nobody else in the academy would touch…

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
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A big-hearted romantic comedy in which First Son Alex falls in love with Prince Henry of Wales after an incident of international proportions forces them to pretend to be best friends…

We Hunt The Flame by Hafsah Faizal
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Set in a richly detailed world inspired by ancient Arabia, We Hunt the Flame is a gripping debut of discovery, conquering fear, and taking identity into your own hands.

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the critically acclaimed author of The Kiss Quotient comes a romantic novel about love that crosses international borders and all boundaries of the heart…

Again, But Better by Christine Riccio
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Shane has been doing college all wrong. Her life has been dorm, dining hall, class, repeat. She needs a change — there’s nothing like moving to a new country to really mix things up. Shane signs up for a semester abroad in London. She’s going to right all her college mistakes: make friends, pursue boys, and find adventure! Easier said than done.

The Night Before by Wendy Walker
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Told in dual timelines—the night before and the day after—The Night Before is a riveting thriller about family loyalty, obsession, and what happens when the desire for love spins out of control.

Stepsister by Jennifer Donnelly
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Evoking the darker, older versions of the Cinderella story, bestselling author Jennifer Donnelly shows us that ugly is in the eye of the beholder, and uses her trademark wit and wisdom to send an overlooked character on a journey toward empowerment, redemption, and a new definition of beauty.

Cari Mora by Thomas Harris
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From the creator of Hannibal Lecter and The Silence of the Lambs comes a story of evil, greed, and the consequences of dark obsession. Monsters lurk in the crevices between male desire and female survival. No other writer in the last century has conjured those monsters with more terrifying brilliance than Thomas Harris. Cari Mora, his sixth novel, is the long-awaited return of an American master.

An Illusion of Thieves by Cate Glass
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A ragtag crew with forbidden magic must pull off an elaborate heist and stop a civil war in An Illusion of Thieves, a fantasy adventure from Cate Glass.

The Guest Book by Sarah Blake
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

An unforgettable love story, a novel about past mistakes and betrayals that ripple throughout generations, The Guest Book examines not just a privileged American family, but a privileged America. It is a literary triumph.

A Brightness Long Ago by Guy Gavriel Kay
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

International bestselling author Guy Gavriel Kay’s latest work is set in a world evoking early Renaissance Italy and offers an extraordinary cast of characters whose lives come together through destiny, love, and ambition.

The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

One of Madeline Cullen’s happiest childhood memories is of working with her Aunt Maddie in the quaint and cozy Printed Letter Bookshop. But by the time Madeline inherits the shop nearly twenty years later, family troubles and her own bitter losses have hardened Madeline’s heart toward her once-treasured aunt—and the now struggling bookshop left in her care.

Are there any books coming out this month that you’re excited to read? Tell us in the comments below!

The post May Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

We Hunt the Flame is a story set in an ancient Arabian style world called Arawiya. In this world, Zafira is a young woman disguising herself as a man known as the Hunter, going into the dark and cursed forest of the Arz to feed the people of her village. Should she be discovered as a woman, she’d be stripped of her accomplishments simply because of her gender. Meanwhile, Nasir is known as the Prince of Death, the loyal assassin of the king, killing anyone who would stand up to or oppose the word of his oppressive and tyrannical father. He’s long since learned to quell his compassion, or risk incurring his father’s wrath. As war and the forest of the Arz begin to creep upon the kingdom, Zafira is sent on a quest to retrieve an artifact that can restore magic to the kingdom, while Nasir has been sent to retrieve the artifact and kill the Hunter. However, an ancient evil has begun to stir, and the artifact may be more dangerous than either of them could have imagined.

Some of the first thoughts I had about this book were about the world building. It is done in such a compelling way, giving you enough detail relevant to the story, but not dumping a bunch of information at the reader that would make it feel a little disjointed. I loved that I didn’t just get an overall image of what the world might look like, but that readers get to experience many different settings of Arawiya. The opulence of the palace. The chattering markets, and quietness of Zafira’s home. The settings were so lush. I felt like I could step right in and know where I was. Even the forest of Arz seemed to be a little comforting, despite its cursedness. The descriptions felt like the jumped right off of the page, and I became immersed in them.

The characters were easy to love, and I felt that they had an amazing depth to them. I loved that Zafira and Nasir were not perfect, and that they grew throughout the story. There is no doubt that their character development is well done, our characters undergoing some major changes throughout the novel. Their battles with their respective darkness made them more relatable to me, Zafira’s struggle defining herself outside of her identity as the Hunter was quite important, especially in terms of her culture and the way she was raised. We’re not just seeing a fight between good and evil, but the internal struggles and choices that drive their actions. The antagonist is also complicated, and you’ll want to love them too, despite their malicious intent.

There’s definitely romance in this story, building alongside the storyline in such a gorgeous way. It builds in a fervent, all-consuming type of romance…as intense as the story and characters themselves. I loved it. This isn’t to say that there is not the propensity to be soft in this story, because there is also a tenderness to We Hunt the Flame that comes out in compelling ways. The familial dynamics are also something that I loved to see. Not just those of the main characters, but all of them. Each dynamic had meaning, and power in what became of the character, how they chose to respond to their situations. I also saw how the importance of our loved ones can shape, nurture, or corrupt what the characters became.

10/10 is what I would rate We Hunt the Flame. I felt wholly consumed by this novel of passion and darkness. There was so much to love in this harsh but lush world full of wonderful and monstrous things that we might want to go bump in the night. And those characters. I’ll not forget them for quite some time. I can’t wait to get my hands on a finished copy!

We Hunt The Flame is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers as of May 14th 2019.

Will you be reading We Hunt The Flame? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

People lived because she killed.
People died because he lived.

Zafira is the Hunter, disguising herself as a man when she braves the cursed forest of the Arz to feed her people. Nasir is the Prince of Death, assassinating those foolish enough to defy his autocratic father, the king. If Zafira was exposed as a girl, all of her achievements would be rejected; if Nasir displayed his compassion, his father would punish him in the most brutal of ways.

Both are legends in the kingdom of Arawiya—but neither wants to be.

War is brewing, and the Arz sweeps closer with each passing day, engulfing the land in shadow. When Zafira embarks on a quest to uncover a lost artifact that can restore magic to her suffering world and stop the Arz, Nasir is sent by the king on a similar mission: retrieve the artifact and kill the Hunter. But an ancient evil stirs as their journey unfolds—and the prize they seek may pose a threat greater than either can imagine.

Set in a richly detailed world inspired by ancient Arabia, We Hunt the Flame is a gripping debut of discovery, conquering fear, and taking identity into your own hands.

The post Review: We Hunt The Flame by Hafsah Faizal appeared first on The Nerd Daily.