• Anyone looking for a sapphic, spooky Halloween read
• Anyone who misses Edward Cullen (we know you do)
• Anyone who loves putting pieces together to guess plot twists

Eight years of watching The Vampire Diaries should have prepared me for the plot twists in The Coldest Touch. Alas, they did not, so at least I was in for a fun ride!

Told in dual POV, The Coldest Touch follows Elise and Claire. Elise, who’s grieving the death of her brother, is faced with a horrifying problem—she can see how people die if they touch her. Depraved of any touch, she’s fascinated when Claire touches her and she doesn’t crumble under the visions of someone’s death for the first time in months. Claire, meanwhile, is a vampire who is assigned to recruit Elise, the next Death Oracle, to work for the world’s ruling paranormal group “the Veil”. Though initially reluctant to join forces with a vampire, Elise eventually gives in. Together, the two of them work on unravelling the truth about weird happenings and mysterious murders all while teaching Elise to control her powers so she doesn’t have to see deaths she does not want to know about.

Honestly, this simultaneously made me feel young and old. The only vampire I can think of who’s stuck at seventeen forever is Edward Cullen but Claire definitely gave him a run for his money! It’s just fun to see a new iteration of what being stuck at seventeen looks like, especially in the 2020s. Thus, The Coldest Touch definitely has potential to become a fan favourite for anyone who loves paranormal stories. Beyond the existence of vampires in this story, I really liked the concept of a death oracle and how that’s not only a unique power but how others—read: the patriarchy—would try to take advantage of such a power.

Sterling further poses some captivating questions in this story—faced with immortality, what does each day mean to you? I loved how we got this juxtaposition of Claire who’s been stuck as a vampire and just wants to be done with it all with Elise who is just really unprepared for all of this and doesn’t know who or what to trust. It doesn’t get any easier when it comes to light that a killer is stalking the streets and neither Claire nor Elise can figure out what the killer truly wants. The stakes (hah, excuse the pun) are definitely high and it makes for an entirely atmospheric and creepy read.

This was my first book by Sterling but I was immediately enamoured with the way the author ties everything back together. If you’re looking for loose plot threads or plot holes, you’re not going to find them in The Coldest Touch. Everything that might seem fishy to you or that doesn’t quite make sense in the beginning all ties in to something bigger toward the end and offers quite the entrancing plot twists in the process. There is a lot to discuss in less than four hundred pages—not only is Elise still grieving for her brother and dealing with her parents’ different approach to grief, not to mention an ex-boyfriend and broken friendships, she now also has to deal with the responsibility of being a Death Oracle. Meanwhile Claire is not only overwhelmed with her new assignment, angry at her own existence and kinda sorta feeling some type of way for Elise, but she’s also dealing with the baggage from her past and her increasingly weird feelings toward her place of employment. It’s…a lot. Yet the story never feels “overloaded” and instead, the struggles of Claire and Elise complement each other and work well in balance with the overall murder mystery that is heading readers’ way. It’s a remarkable feat to make all of this work so well in such a short amount of time.

With a sapphic romance, a thrilling murder mystery and a refreshing take on vampires and other myths, The Coldest Touch is the queer, spooky, and well-paced story you need on your shelves this December!

The Coldest Touch is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of December 7th 2021.

Will you be picking up The Coldest Touch? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Elise Beaumont is cursed. With every touch, she experiences exactly how her loved ones will die. And after her brother’s death—a death she predicted but was unable to prevent—Elise is desperate to get rid of her terrible gift, no matter the cost.

Claire Montgomery also has a unique relationship with death, mostly because she’s already dead. Technically, anyway. Claire is a vampire, and she’s been assigned by the Veil to help Elise master her rare Death Oracle powers.

At first, Elise is reluctant to work with a vampire, but when she predicts a teacher’s imminent murder, she’s determined to stop the violent death, even if it means sacrificing her own future to secure Claire’s help.

The trouble is, Claire and Elise aren’t the only paranormals in town—a killer is stalking the streets, and Claire can’t seem to shake the pull she feels toward Elise, a romance that could upend the Veil’s mission. But as Elise and Claire grow closer, Elise begins to wonder—can she really trust someone tasked with securing her loyalty? Someone who could so easily kill her? Someone who might hold the key to unraveling her brother’s mysterious death?

The post #ReadWithPride: The Coldest Touch by Isabel Sterling appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Out of Character by Annabeth Albert
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Red, White & Royal Blue meets Fangirl in this heartwarming romcom where two former friends strike an unlikely bargain that could lead to more than either expected.

Flash Fire by TJ Klune
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In the second installment in this hilarious contemporary fantasy trilogy, Nick has landed himself the superhero boyfriend of his dreams but with new heroes arriving in Nova City it’s up to Nick and his friends to determine who is a friend or a foe.

Rise to the Sun by Leah Johnson
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From the author of You Should See Me in a Crown comes another stunning novel about being brave enough to be true to yourself, and learning to find joy even when times are unimaginably dark. Packed with irresistible romance, Rise to the Sun is a cinematic story about grief, love and the remarkable power of music to heal and connect us all.

What We Devour by Linsey Miller
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Beauty and the Beast meets Wicked Saints in this standalone dark fantasy from the author of Mask of Shadows duology and Belle Révolte.

Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms by Crystal Frasier, illustrated by Val Wise
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Annie, a smart anti-social lesbian involuntarily joins the cheerleader squad to make friends and reconnects with her former friend BeeBee, a trans girl who must keep her parents happy to keep their support of her transition. Sparks fly when the two rekindle their friendship and realize just how much they’ve been missing each other.

Fresh by Margot Wood
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Some students enter their freshman college year knowing exactly what they want to do with their lives. Elliot McHugh is not one of those people. Fresh is all about Elliot’s hilarious yet flawed experiences during freshman year.

The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould
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A YA supernatural thriller about two girls who fall in love when they team up to stop an evil presence terrorizing a smalltown – a story about the things that lurk in the dark, the parts of you that can’t remain hidden and about finding home in places – and people – you didn’t expect.

Anything but Fine by Tobias Madden
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Anything but Fine is about a teenage ballet dancer who breaks his foot and begins to question everything he once took for granted, including his relationship with the dreamy, perfect-in-every-way, and seemingly straight captain of the rowing team.

The Hollow Heart by Marie Rutkoski
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Intrigue, romance and magic abound in this heart-stopping conclusion to Marie Rutkoski’s Forgotten Gods duology.

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun
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n 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.

The City Beautiful by Aden Polydoros
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David Levithan meets Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All in this haunting standalone historical fantasy that follows a young, queer Jewish immigrant who is possessed by the evil spirit of his murdered best friend and is catapulted into a deadly hunt for a serial killer terrorizing Chicago during the World’s Fair of 1893.

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune
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 A Man Called Ove meets The Good Place in this delightful new queer love story from TJ Klune, author of the New York Times and USA Today bestseller The House in the Cerulean Sea. By turns heartwarming and heartbreaking, this absorbing tale of grief and hope is told Klune’s signature warmth, humor and extraordinary empathy.

Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World
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The highly anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed, multiple award-winning novel Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is an achingly romantic, tender tale sure to captivate fans of Adam Silvera and Mary H.K. Choi. 

The Insiders by Mark Oshiro
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Award-winning YA author Mark Oshiro makes their middle grade debut in this queer coming-of-age story about three kids who don’t belong, a room that shouldn’t exist, and the year that will change everything.

City of Shattered Light by Claire Winn
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In this YA sci-fi, an heiress flees her controlling father to prevent her test-subject sister’s mind from being reprogrammed—but must ally with a smuggler to outwit a monstrous AI, gravity-shifting gladiatorial pits, and bloodthirsty criminal matriarchs to save her sister and their city.

Tink and Wendy by Kelly Ann Jacobson
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What happens when Tinker Bell is in love with both Peter Pan and Wendy? In this sparkling re-imagining of Peter Pan, Peter and Wendy’s granddaughter Hope Darling finds the reclusive Tinker Bell squatting at the Darling mansion in order to care for the graves of her two lost friends after a love triangle gone awry. 

Spin Me Right Round by David Valdes
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A sharp, funny YA debut that’s Back to the Future with a twist, as a gay teen travels back in time to save a closeted classmate’s life.

Briar Girls by Rebecca Kim Wells
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Cursed to kill all those she touches, Lena endures an isolated life on the run from her fellow humans. But when an enigmatic stranger offers to help her break the curse in exchange for her aid in waking a princess hidden in an enchanted forest, Lena embarks on a quest to win her freedom, no matter the cost.

Grimrose Girls by Laura Pohl
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The Descendants meets Pretty Little Liars. Four troubled friends, One murdered girl… and a dark fate that may leave them all doomed.

The Reckless Kind by Carly Heath
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A genre-defying debut, this queer historical YA centers a wild and reckless trio who fly in the face of small town tradition—full of compassion, love, and determination to live the lives of their choosing.

If This Gets Out by Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich
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For fans of What If It’s Us: two boys in America’s biggest boy band fall for each other while on their first sold-out European tour, and are forced to keep their relationship a secret.

The Midnight Girls by Alicia Jasinska
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The Wicked Deep meets House of Salt and Sorrows in this new standalone YA fantasy set in a snow-cloaked kingdom where witches are burned, and two enchantresses secretly compete for the heart of a prince, only to discover that they might be falling for each other.

Here’s to Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
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Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera reunite to continue the story of Arthur and Ben, the boys readers first fell for in the New York Times bestselling rom-com What If It’s Us.

The Coldest Touch by Isabel Sterling
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Elise, a mortal girl who feels the death of anyone she touches, and Claire, the vampire assigned to recruit her for the Order, as they team up to stop a paranormal killer and realize they might be falling in love.

What queer books have you picked up in the second half of the year or are looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post You Need These New 2021 Queer Book Releases To End The Year 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
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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
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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
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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…

I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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!

The post 12 Debut Novels Coming Out In May 2019 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

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

Middlegame by Seanan McGuire
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New York Times bestselling and Alex, Nebula, and Hugo-Award-winning author Seanan McGuire introduces readers to a world of amoral alchemy, shadowy organizations, and impossible cities in the standalone fantasy, Middlegame.

DEV1AT3 by Jay Kristoff
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From bestselling author Jay Kristoff comes the second installment in the LIFEL1K3 trilogy–hailed by Marie Lu as “a breathless, action-packed exploration of what humanity really means.”

The Candle and The Flame by Nafiza Azad
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Azad’s debut YA fantasy is set in a city along the Silk Road that is a refuge for those of all faiths, where a young woman is threatened by the war between two clans of powerful djinn.

Dark Shores by Danielle L. Jensen
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High seas adventure, blackmail, and meddling gods meet in Dark Shores, a thrilling first novel in a fast-paced new YA fantasy series by USA Today bestselling author Danielle L. Jensen.

One Word Kill by Mark Lawrence
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Ready Player One meets Stranger Things in this new novel by the bestselling author who George RR Martin describes as “an excellent writer.”

Last Tango in Cyberspace by Steven Kotler
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A unique blend of cutting-edge technology and traditional cyberpunk, Last Tango in Cyberspace explores hot topics like psychology, neuroscience, technology, as well as ecological and animal rights issues. With its electrifying sentences, subtle humor, and an intriguing main character, readers are sure to find something that resonates with them in this groundbreaking cyberpunk science fiction thriller.

The Obsoletes by Simeon Mills
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The Obsoletes is a thought-provoking coming-of-age novel about two human-like teen robots navigating high school, basketball, and potentially life-threatening consequences if their true origins are discovered by the inhabitants of their intolerant 1980s Michigan hometown.

These Witches Don’t Burn by Isabel Sterling
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Isabel Sterling’s delightful, suspenseful debut is equal parts sweet romance and thrilling mystery. With everything she loves on the line, Hannah must confront the murderous villain before her coven–and any chance she has with the new girl–is destroyed.

Westside by W.M. Akers
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A young detective who specializes in “tiny mysteries” finds herself at the center of a massive conspiracy in this beguiling historical fantasy set on Manhattan’s Westside—a peculiar and dangerous neighborhood home to strange magic and stranger residents—that blends the vivid atmosphere of Caleb Carr with the imaginative power of Neil Gaiman.

Girl Gone Viral by Arvin Ahmadi
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The inventive and hauntingly timely story of a seventeen-year-old coder’s catapult to stardom, reminiscent of The Social Network with a Ready Player One twist.

Exhalation: Stores by Ted Chiang
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From an award-winning science fiction writer (whose short story “The Story of Your Life” was the basis for the Academy Award-nominated movie Arrival), the long-awaited new collection of stunningly original, humane, and already celebrated short stories

The Bone Charmer by Breeana Shields
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On the day of Saskia’s kenning―a special bone reading that determines the apprenticeships of all seventeen-year-olds―her worst fear comes true. She receives an assignment to train as a Bone Charmer, a seer, like her mother.

Are there any fantasy or sci-fi books you’re excited to read this month? Tell us in the comments below!

The post May Book Releases: Fantasy + Sci-Fi appeared first on The Nerd Daily.