In a world of knights and kings and lords, Ransom Barton is training to become a knight. What he soon discovers is that he holds a secret and dangerous power, one that saves him time and again on the battlefield. But it also earns him fear from his friends. When his unbeatable strength becomes legendary, he is hired by the queen to keep her son safe, but soon becomes embroiled in the world of the Argentines in Knight’s Ransom, the first instalment in The First Argentines series!

We got to chat with Jeff Wheeler about his new series, Medieval history, and some exciting news involving his Kingfountain series! 

Hi Jeff! Thank you for taking the time to answer questions for The Nerd Daily. Tell us a little about yourself and your writing journey!

My writing career has been an overnight success story, twenty years in the making. That’s true for many of us. I had a full-time job at Intel (so I’m a geek at heart) but my passion was always writing stories. To learn more about the craft and what I was missing, I founded an e-zine called Deep Magic with some friends and got to interview my favorite authors. After attending a writing seminar from Terry Brooks, I learned about the million words principle. It takes a lot of practice to master any skill. It was the novel I wrote after my first million words that ended up landing me with my publisher, 47North.

Can you tell us a little bit about Knight’s Ransom and what readers can expect from it?

I was a medieval history major in college and one of the things I loved about that focus was the tangled politics that happened in dynasties. My writing is more family-friendly than say, Game of Thrones, but there’s just as much intrigue and unpredictability in Knight’s Ransom. It is set in the world of Kingfountain, by most popular series, but it’s more an origin story and you don’t need to have read any of those books to understand it. I wanted to make it accessible to new readers as well as delight my long-time fans who have waited for years to come back to this setting. The magic in the this world revolves around the Fountain and people who are blessed with certain abilities from it. And, of course, there’s a love story in here too.

What first inspired you to write The First Argentines series?

After writing 8 books in the Kingfountain world, plus another 5 with the tie-in through the Harbinger Series, I knew I wanted to tell more of the story of how things came to be the way they were in The Queen’s Poisoner, which talks about the ending of the Argentine dynasty. What about the people who started it? Since that’s based on real history, I had some ideas. But then I came across a book that opened my eyes to the possibility. I won’t reveal what that book was or who the historical person was—I won’t reveal that until the end of the fourth and final book of this series—but let’s just say my editor, who shares my passion for knights and all things medieval, figured it out in book 1 and it’s made the story even more interesting for her knowing that many of Ransom’s adventures may sem like a fantasy novel but they’re grounded in moments that were real.

How does the series fit in relation to your Kingfountain series?

The debut novel, The Queen’s Poisoner, introduced the world of Kingfountain and its magic. But the events in Knight’s Ransom takes place about three hundred years earlier. From our point of reference in 2021, imagine the 1700s. It was a different world back then. The setting will be familiar—there are places like the palace of Kingfountain and the Sanctuary of Our Lady that sits astride a massive waterfall. But in this series, I’m going to take readers into places they’ve never been before. The Occitanian palace in the heart of the city of Pree. The island kingdom of Legault, which has a medieval Ireland essence to it, which was so fun to explore, including its own magic and beliefs which contract the Fountain. And, of course, there will be poisoners. The cast of characters is entirely new and I think my readers will fall in love with them, especially Ransom and Claire de Murrow.

Do you have a favorite scene/chapter that you wrote in Knight’s Ransom?

That’s so hard to answer! But one of my favorite scenes happens when Ransom joins another group of knights to escort an important noble to their destination in secret. They get ambushed by other knights who are determined to abduct that person and hold them for ransom. It was a great fight scene to right, it was based on a real event, and what happened to Ransom was really part of the forging of his identity and his beliefs. Things do not end up the way he expects, especially since he thinks he’s on the side of the “good guys”. But it’s true to life where we get curve balls thrown at us and have to learn resilience amidst excruciating hardships. I started writing this book back when the pandemic started. We’re still going through such a hardship right now and it brings out the best and the worst in us.

While reading Knight’s Ransom, I grew to love so many of the characters. What inspired the character of Marshall, a.k.a. Ransom?

No spoilers from me, but I can’t wait to reveal this at the end of the fourth book. And even though Ransom was based on a real person, someone I’ve come to admire so much after researching his history, I take so many liberties as an author to craft the story I want to tell. For example, back in the Middle Ages it wasn’t uncommon at all for someone to marry another half their own age. People didn’t live very long back then and marriage was about alliances and power, not love. Instead of having a twenty year gap between Ransom and Claire, I made them similar ages which suited the kind of story I wanted to write. That’s the best thing about being a fantasy author. I can steal what I like from real history and twist it any way I want to.

While I personally loved Knight’s Ransom, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding Medieval fantasy, some saying that it’s overdone. What are your thoughts on this?

One of pieces of advice I got from Terry Brooks, the author of the Shannara series and someone who has had a profound influence on my career, comes by way of an analogy. As an author, we’re preparing a delicious sandwich and we bring the best ingredients we can. But we only bring half of the ingredients. The reader brings the other half of the ingredients. When both match well, the sandwich is delicious. I think any criticism about medieval fantasy or any type of fantasy is really just an expression that they’re looking to try a new sandwich. But not everyone is and some people bring the right ingredients to enjoy that kind of story. It’s ok. I’ve never wanted to write urban fantasy myself, but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy a story written in that style. And while someone might be tired of swords and knights, it doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy a story about a Fountain-blessed knight who has a gift for killing people.

One of the things I loved about Knight’s Ransom was the organic feel to the knights in your world. How much research did you do on knights and nobility? Was there anything you found particularly fascinating?

I always spend time during the research phase watching movies, documentaries, reading books, and even traveling to get a feeling for the era and culture I’m trying to write about. I watched several movies (A Knight’s Tale with Heath Ledger for the joisting, Ivanhoe for the costumes and old-fashioned acting, just to name a few) but there was a Germany documentary about knights that was really well done, especially because it included scientists that showed the effects of weapons against various types of armor. That was fascinating to me. I learned that they usually called on “barbers” to heal injuries after battles. And that, even back then, they discovered that moldy bread on a wound could help prevent it from being infected. I didn’t know they had their own version of penicillin back then and so I incorporated these ideas into the novel. I also had an opportunity to teach some writing classes at a military base in Germany and got to visit some real medieval castles and cathedrals while I was there. I also have my own medieval sword—a real sharp one—and used it to cut up pumpkins after Halloween in 2019 to feed to my neighbor’s cows. And that’s a scene which has ended up in this series as well. What I love so much about writing is being able to get into the mindset of my characters and try to describe how things would really feel.

How exciting that the rights to your Kingfountain series have been snapped up! How are things travelling with pre-production? And what are you most looking forward to seeing come to life on-screen?

I have really enjoyed this part very much and have enjoyed working with a new studio to prepare Kingfountain for television. I’m very involved and we’re hoping to be able to announce a network partner in the near future. I’ve been mentored by two award winning screenwriter and director and have met (by Zoom anyway) many people who might be attached to the project. I have high hopes that our team will be able to pull off the vision of making a family-friendly TV show. It’s really important to me that everyone will be able to gather around a TV and watch this together, just as I did as a kid with Battlestar Galactica, Buck Rogers, and Star Trek. My family is doing that right now with Avatar:The Last Airbender. We look forward to those times of shared experience. I want to discover that kids are dragging their grandparents to the TV to watch an episode about young Owen Kiskaddon being hostage to King Severn Argentine. I’m probably looking forward the most to seeing who gets choosing in casting to play the roles, especially the poisoner Ankarette. I’ve said in my author’s notes that I want Richard Armitage to play Severn. Fingers crossed that we can make it happen!

Are there any books you’re currently reading you would like to recommend?

I recently finished Charlie N. Holmberg’s book Spellbreaker. She’s a friend of mine and I love her work and it’s one of the best books she’s written. I can’t wait for the sequel to come out. Right now I’m reading Dragon’s Reach by indie author J.A. Andrews and really enjoying it. I’m also looking forward to Terry Brooks’ new collection of short stories called Small Magic which comes out soon. I’ve always loved the short story market, which is why I still publish the quarterly e-zine Deep Magic. I love giving new authors the chance to get their first publishing credit.

And lastly, what hints can you give us about the sequel?

The sequel, Warrior’s Ransom, definitely raises the stakes from book one. You’ll see Claire again, of course, as she plays an integral part of the story and a huge motivation factor for Ransom. The family drama that began to break the Argentines apart in book 1 will become even more complicated in book 2. Ransom’s loyalty to that family will be tested in ways he isn’t expecting. And there’s a scene, near the end of the book, about a face off between Ransom and one of the king’s sons. Oh my…it’s a doozy with such huge consequences! That book comes out May 18 and its sequel, Lady’s Ransom, comes out September 7. Three books in one year—it’s not a long wait. The final book will come out in early 2022.

Will you be picking up Knight’s Ransom? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Jeff Wheeler, Author of ‘Knight’s Ransom’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

I could probably end up talking all day about this book. There were so, so many feels involved in the reading process! This book made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me somewhat confused, and it made me want to throw it across the room and hug it at the same time.

Knight’s Ransom isn’t really written like other books. While the main character is Marshall Barton, also known as Ransom, the storytelling style was very much like that of classics in that it was a bit omniscient and more withdrawn from the character’s inner thoughts and feelings. It kept me from immediately connecting with the characters and I found that somewhat disappointing, as I love being deep inside a character’s head. However, this also gave the book a very Medieval feel, which was perfect, as it centers around knights, castles, scandals, tournaments, and, of course, a little bit romance. It took me a little bit to get used to it, but after a while I was hooked.

Ransom is quite the interesting character. While he might not be considered dynamic to some, as he had a very high moral code, his serious nature and dedication to the knight’s code balance him out. He reminded me almost of Lancelot from the BBC show, Merlin. Ransom goes from a somewhat petulant child to a very mature adult. His character arc felt very organic and was much appreciated. I mean, there were many things he did that were a bit foolish and had me shaking my head but still, he grew on me.  I came to care very much for him. He goes through many a foul situation, which led me to be very indignant. There were a lot of characters that stuck out to me in that way. Claire de Murrow, Sir William, Lord Kinghorn. All of them were such fascinating and dynamic characters whom I enjoyed. Claire, though, will always be my favourite, besides Ransom of course, because of her spunky nature and somewhat shamelessly dramatic personality. And she made me laugh.

There were also characters I very much loathed, like the petulant Sir James. James came across as a very jealous and whiny boy who never learned to grow up. And for some reason just really didn’t like Ransom. If there was one character that made me angry, it was him. There was also Noemie and the assassin, though for the sake of not spoiling the plot, I won’t say anymore, even though there are many choice words I would use to describe James. He got on my nerves that much.

Wheeler’s very large cast of characters sometimes made it hard to differentiate who was who, but eventually I got the hang of it, even though there were two characters with the same name. Thankfully, Wheeler was very clever in his descriptions and character development to keep the two from being mistaken for the other.

The plot of Knight’s Ransom was the most surprising one I’ve read in a long time. It twisted and turned and sometimes even circled back in a way that left me guessing just what would happen next. There were many subtle plot points dropped into the narrative that resolved in an explosion of secrets and intrigue. And then ending! I can’t say what exactly happened, but it left me frustrated, happy, sad, angry and needing more all at the same time. Jeff Wheeler did an amazing job at ending this book with a punch.

I’m giving Knight’s Ransom a solid 9/10 for being a book full of surprise, heartbreak, intrigue and knightliness, and for being a great start to what feels like a solid series!

Knight’s Ransom is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.

Will you be picking up Knight’s Ransom? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown. A brutal war of succession has plunged the court of Kingfountain into a power struggle between a charitable king who took the crown unlawfully and his ambitious rival, Devon Argentine. The balance of power between the two men hinges on the fate of a young boy ensnared in this courtly intrigue. A boy befittingly nicknamed Ransom.

When the Argentine family finally rules, Ransom must make his own way in the world. Opportunities open and shut before him as he journeys along the path to knighthood, blind to a shadowy conspiracy of jealousy and revenge. Securing his place will not be easy, nor will winning the affection of Lady Claire de Murrow, a fiery young heiress from an unpredictably mad kingdom.

Ransom interrupts an abduction plot targeting the Queen of Ceredigion and earns a position in service to her son, the firstborn of the new Argentine dynasty. But conflict and treachery threaten the family, and Ransom must also come to understand and hone his burgeoning powers—abilities that involve more than his mastery with a blade and that make him as much a target as his lord.

The post Review: Knight’s Ransom by Jeff Wheeler appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below if you will be picking up any of these releases!

Persephone Station by Stina Leicht
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Hugo award-nominated author Stina Leicht has created a take on space opera for fans of The Mandalorian and Cowboy Bebop in this high-stakes adventure.

Crown of Bones by A.K. Wilder
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For fans of epic fantasies and sweeping adventures, this ensemble cast will immerse you in a world of unique magic, breathtaking action and unforgettable characters.

Knight’s Ransom by Jeff Wheeler
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From Jeff Wheeler, the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Kingfountain novels, comes an epic new series of warring kingdoms, deadly family rivalries, and fearless loyalty.

The Charmed Wife by Olga Grushin
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From the award-winning author comes a sophisticated literary fairy tale for the twenty-first century, in which Cinderella, thirteen years after her marriage, is on the brink of leaving her supposedly perfect life behind.

The Ruthless Lady’s Guide to Wizardry by C.M. Waggoner
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Sparks fly in this enchanting fantasy novel from the author of Unnatural Magic when a down-and-out fire witch and a young gentlewoman join forces against a deadly conspiracy.

We Could Be Heroes by Mike Chen
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An extraordinary and emotional adventure about unlikely friends and the power of choosing who you want to be.

Hall of Smoke by H.M. Long
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Epic fantasy featuring warrior priestesses and fickle gods at war, for readers of Brian Staveley’s Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne.

The Forever Sea by Joshua Phillip Johnson
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The first book in a new environmental epic fantasy series set in a world where ships kept afloat by magical hearthfires sail an endless grass sea.

The Stranger Times by C. K. McDonnell
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There are Dark Forces at work in our world (and in Manchester in particular) and so thank God The Stranger Times is on hand to report them. 

Brother Red by Adrian Selby
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From one of the most exciting new voices in dark epic fantasy comes an intensely brutal and brilliantly cinematic novel: the story of a soldier torn between loyalty to her family and her quest to preserve a kingdom’s future.

The Mask Falling (The Bone Season #4) by Samantha Shannon
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From the New York Times bestselling author of The Bone Season and The Priory of the Orange Tree, the stunning fourth novel set in the world of Scion.

Wings of Ebony by J. Elle
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In this riveting, keenly emotional debut fantasy, a Black teen from Houston has her world upended when she learns about her godly ancestry–and with evil sinking its claws into humans and gods alike, she’ll have to unearth the magic of her true identity to save both her worlds. 

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

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

2021 is absolutely jam-packed with fantasy and science fiction books that readers around the world are going to devour! Between the months of January and June, readers can expect magic, warring kingdoms, witches, magic, post-apocalyptic worlds, and so, so much more!

Read on to discover some of the January to June fantasy and sci-fi books we’re excited for and be sure to let us know in the comments what books you’re looking forward to!

Want more 2021 releases? Check out our lists for Most Anticipated 2021 Books, 2021 Queer Book Releases, 2021 Romance Book Releases, 2021 YA Book Releases, and 2021 Queer SFF Book Releases.

JANUARY

The Mask of Mirrors by M.A. Carrick
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Darkly magical and intricately imagined, The Mask of Mirrors is the unmissable start to the Rook & Rose trilogy, a rich and dazzling fantasy adventure in which a con artist, a vigilante, and a crime lord must unite to save their city.

The Frozen Crown by Greta Kelly
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A princess with a powerful and dangerous secret must find a way to save her country from ruthless invaders in this exciting debut fantasy, the first novel in a thrilling duology packed with heroism, treachery, magic, and war.

Hall of Smoke by H.M. Long
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Epic fantasy featuring warrior priestesses and fickle gods at war, for readers of Brian Staveley’s Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne.

The Stranger Times by C. K. McDonnell
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There are Dark Forces at work in our world (and in Manchester in particular) and so thank God The Stranger Times is on hand to report them. 

Blood Heir by Ilona Andrews
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From award-winning author, Ilona Andrews, an all-new novel set in the New York Times #1 bestselling Kate Daniels World and featuring Julie Lennart-Olsen, Kate and Curran’s ward.

The Forever Sea by Joshua Phillip Johnson
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The first book in a new environmental epic fantasy series set in a world where ships kept afloat by magical hearthfires sail an endless grass sea.

Brother Red by Adrian Selby
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From one of the most exciting new voices in dark epic fantasy comes an intensely brutal and brilliantly cinematic novel: the story of a soldier torn between loyalty to her family and her quest to preserve a kingdom’s future.

Knight’s Ransom by Jeff Wheeler
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From Jeff Wheeler, the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Kingfountain novels, comes an epic new series of warring kingdoms, deadly family rivalries, and fearless loyalty.

FEBRUARY

Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell
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Ancillary Justice meets Red, White & Royal Blue in Everina Maxwell’s exciting debut.

The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec
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When a banished witch falls in love with the legendary trickster Loki, she risks the wrath of the gods in this moving, subversive debut novel that reimagines Norse mythology.

The Black Coast by Mike Brooks
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Epic world-building at its finest, in an upcoming author’s fantasy debut. The Black Coast is the start of an unmissable series filled with war-dragons, armoured knights, sea-faring raiders, dangerous magic and crowd-pleasing battle scenes.

Fireheart Tiger by Aliette de Bodard
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Award-winning author Aliette de Bodard returns with a powerful romantic fantasy that reads like The Goblin Emperor meets Howl’s Moving Castle in a pre-colonial Vietnamese-esque world. 

Game Changer by Neal Shusterman
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This high-concept novel from the National Book Award-winning and New York Times-bestselling author of the Arc of a Scythe series tackles the most urgent themes of our time, making this a must-buy for readers who are starting to ask big questions about their own role in the universe.

Sun-Daughters, Sea-Daughters by Aimee Ogden
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Sun-Daughters, Sea-Daughters has all the wonder and romance of a classic sci-fi novel, with the timelessness of a beloved fairy tale. 

A History of What Comes Next by Sylvain Neuvel
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Showing that truth is stranger than fiction, Sylvain Neuvel weaves a sci-fi thriller reminiscent of Blake Crouch and Andy Weir, blending a fast moving, darkly satirical look at 1940s rocketry with an exploration of the amorality of progress and the nature of violence in A History of What Comes Next.

This Golden Flame by Emily Victoria
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An #ownvoices debut YA fantasy, This Golden Flame is an epic adventure full of magic, rebellion, and finding where you truly belong.

MARCH

Dead Space by Kali Wallace
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An investigator must solve a brutal murder on a claustrophobic asteroid mine in this tense science fiction thriller from the author of Salvation Day. 

The Councillor by E.J. Beaton
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This Machiavellian fantasy follows a scholar’s quest to choose the next ruler of her kingdom amidst lies, conspiracy, and assassination

Skyward Inn by Aliya Whiteley
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Skyward Inn is Jamaica Inn by way of Ursula Le Guin, bringing the influences, too, of Angela Carter, Michel Faber and Jeff Vandermeer to create a fantastic story of love, belonging, and togetherness. Asking questions of ideas of the individual and the collective, of ownership and historical possession, and of the experience of being human, it is at once timeless and thoroughly of its time.

A Trial of Sorcerers by Elise Kova
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This is the first book in a young adult, epic fantasy that’s a tale of competition, coming of age, distant lands, elemental magic, and romance. It’s perfect for fans of the Legend of Korra, Truthwitch, and A Sorcery of Thorns.

Machinehood by S.B. Divya
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From the Hugo Award nominee S.B. Divya, Zero Dark Thirty meets The Social Network in this science fiction thriller about artificial intelligence, sentience, and labor rights in a near future dominated by the gig economy.

Sweet & Bitter Magic by Adrienne Tooley
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In this charming debut fantasy perfect for fans of Sorcery of Thorns and Girls of Paper and Fire, a witch cursed to never love meets a girl hiding her own dangerous magic, and the two strike a dangerous bargain to save their queendom.

Burning Girls and Other Stories by Veronica Schanoes
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In Burning Girls and Other Stories, Veronica Schanoes crosses borders and genres with stories of fierce women at the margins of society burning their way toward the center. This debut collection introduces readers to a fantasist in the vein of Karen Russell and Kelly Link, with a voice all her own.

We Shall Sing a Song Into the Deep by Andrew Kelly Stewart
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A Canticle for Leibowitz meets The Hunt for Red October in We Shall Sing a Song into the Deep, a lyrical and page-turning coming-of-age exploration of duty, belief, and the post-apocalypse from breakout newcomer Andrew Kelly Stewart.

APRIL

The ​Crown of Gilded Bones by Jennifer L. Armentrout
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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes book three in her Blood and Ash series.

The Helm of Midnight by Marina J. Lostetter
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A legendary serial killer stalks the streets of a fantastical city in The Helm of Midnight, the stunning first novel in a new trilogy from acclaimed author Marina Lostetter.

The Light of the Midnight Stars by Rena Rossner
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An evocative combination of fantasy, history, and Jewish folklore, The Light of the Midnight Stars is fairytale-inspired novel from the author of The Sisters of the Winter Wood.

The Last Watch by J.S. Dewes
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The Expanse meets Game of Thrones in J. S. Dewes’ fast-paced, sf adventure The Last Watch, where a handful of soldiers stand between humanity and annihilation.

The Infinity Courts by Akemi Dawn Bowman
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From award-winning author Akemi Dawn Bowman comes an incisive, action-packed tale that explores big questions about technology, grief, love, and humanity.

The End of Men by Christina Sweeney-Baird
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Set in a world where a virus stalks our male population, The End of Men is an electrifying and unforgettable debut from a remarkable new talent that asks: what would our world truly look like without men?

Fugitive Telemetry (The Murderbot Diaries, #6) by Martha Wells
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The New York Times bestselling security droid with a heart (though it wouldn’t admit it!) is back in Fugitive Telemetry, a new standalone adventure!

Unity by Elly Bangs
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Evoking the grittiness of Mad Max and the idealism of Sense8, this absorbing sci-fi debut is a dynamic vision of the fluidity of identity. With Unity, breakout author Elly Bangs has created a prescient, moving, and unforgettable adventure that expands upon human consciousness and its possibilities.

MAY

Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
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Hypnotic, propulsive, and utterly transporting, Jennifer Saint’s Ariadne forges a new epic, outside the traditional narratives of heroism and glory that leave no room for women.

Black Water Sister by Zen Cho
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A reluctant medium discovers the ties that bind can unleash a dangerous power in this compelling Malaysian-set contemporary fantasy.

Blade of Secrets by Tricia Levenseller
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In Blade of Secrets, the first book in Tricia Levenseller’s exciting new YA fantasy duology, a teenage blacksmith with social anxiety is forced to go on the run to protect the world from the most powerful magical sword she’s ever made. 

How to Mars by David Ebenbach
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What happens when your dream mission to Mars is a reality television nightmare? This debut science-fiction romp with heart follows the tradition of Ray Bradbury’s Martian Chronicles, with a dash of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and a hint of The Real World.

Spells Trouble by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
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Hunter and Mercy Goode are twin witches, direct descendants of the founder of their town of Goodeville. As their ancestors have done before them, it is now time for the twins to learn what it means to be Gatekeepers–the protectors of the Gates to different underworlds, ancient portals between their world and realms where mythology rules and nightmares come to life.

Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon
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Rivers Solomon’s Sorrowland is a genre-bending work of Gothic fiction. Here, monsters aren’t just individuals, but entire nations. It is a searing, seminal book that marks the arrival of a bold, unignorable voice in American fiction

The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman
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Set in a world of goblin wars, stag-sized battle ravens, and assassins who kill with deadly tattoos, Christopher Buehlman’s The Blacktongue Thief begins a ‘dazzling’ (Robin Hobb) fantasy adventure unlike any other. 

The Kingdoms by Natasha Pulley
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For fans of The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and David Mitchell, a genre bending, time twisting alternative history that asks whether it’s worth changing the past to save the future, even if it costs you everyone you’ve ever loved. 

JUNE

Star Eater by Kerstin Hall
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A phantasmagorical indictment of hereditary power, Star Eatertakes readers deep into a perilous and uncanny world where even the most powerful women are forced to choose what sacrifices they will make, so that they might have any choice at all.

The Tangleroot Palace: Stories by Marjorie Liu
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New York Times bestseller and Hugo, British Fantasy, Romantic Times, and Eisner award-winning author of the graphic novel, Monstress, Marjorie Liu leads you deep into the heart of the tangled woods. In her long-awaited debut story collection, dark, lush, and spellbinding short fiction you will find unexpected detours, dangerous magic, and even more dangerous women.

The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin
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Practical Magic meets Twister in this debut contemporary fantasy standalone about heartbreaking power, the terror of our collapsing atmosphere, and the ways we unknowingly change our fate.

The All-Consuming World by Cassandra Khaw
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Cassandra Khaw’s debut novel is a page-turning exploration of humans and machines that is perfect for readers of Ann Leckie, Ursula Le Guin, and Kameron Hurley.

The Ninth Metal by Benjamin Percy
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From award-winning author Benjamin Percy comes an explosive, breakout speculative thriller in which a powerful new metal arrives on Earth in the wake of a meteor shower, triggering a massive new “gold rush” in the Midwest and turning life as we know it on its head. The first of a cycle of novels set in a shared universe.

The Coward by Stephen Aryan
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Who will take up the mantle and slay the evil in the Frozen North, saving all from death and destruction? Not Kell Kressia, he’s done his part…

Play of Shadows by Sebastien de Castell
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Swordplay, magic, intrigue and friendships stronger than iron: the first volume in the new swashbuckling fantasy series by the bestselling author of The Greatcoats.

Gearbreakers by Zoe Hana Mikuta
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Two girls on opposite sides of a war discover they’re fighting for a common purpose–and falling for each other–in Zoe Hana Mikuta’s high-octane debut Gearbreakers, perfect for fans of Pacific Rim, Pierce Brown’s Red Rising Saga, and Marie Lu’s Legend series.

What 2021 fantasy and sci-fi books are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 48 Fantasy & Sci-Fi Book Releases To Look Out For In 2021 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Dragons! Drakes! Serpents! Who doesn’t love them? They can be scaly, horned, furry, winged, and come in a plethora of colours. Whether they are fighting for the greater good or the greater evil, no one can argue against the fact that there are many different elements to dragons. They’re a popular fixture in fantasy books and have greatly grown in popularity following shows like Game of Thrones. Dragons have historically been side characters, but throughout the years have also transitioned to being main characters in many books. If you love books with dragons, check out this list of nine 2020 releases with dragons!

Highfire by Eoin Colfer
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From the New York Times bestselling author of the Artemis Fowl series comes a hilarious and high-octane adult novel about a vodka-drinking, Flashdance-loving dragon who lives an isolated life in the bayous of Louisiana—and the raucous adventures that ensue when he crosses paths with a fifteen-year-old troublemaker on the run from a crooked sheriff.

In the days of yore, he flew the skies and scorched angry mobs—now he hides from swamp tour boats and rises only with the greatest reluctance from his Laz-Z-Boy recliner. Laying low in the bayou, this once-magnificent fire breather has been reduced to lighting Marlboros with nose sparks, swilling Absolut in a Flashdance T-shirt, and binging Netflix in a fishing shack. For centuries, he struck fear in hearts far and wide as Wyvern, Lord Highfire of the Highfire Eyrie—now he goes by Vern. However…he has survived, unlike the rest. He is the last of his kind, the last dragon. Still, no amount of vodka can drown the loneliness in his molten core. Vern’s glory days are long gone. Or are they?

A canny Cajun swamp rat, young Everett “Squib” Moreau does what he can to survive, trying not to break the heart of his saintly single mother. He’s finally decided to work for a shady smuggler—but on his first night, he witnesses his boss murdered by a crooked constable.

Regence Hooke is not just a dirty cop, he’s a despicable human being—who happens to want Squib’s momma in the worst way. When Hooke goes after his hidden witness with a grenade launcher, Squib finds himself airlifted from certain death by…a dragon?

The swamp can make strange bedfellows, and rather than be fried alive so the dragon can keep his secret, Squib strikes a deal with the scaly apex predator. He can act as his go-between (aka familiar)—fetch his vodka, keep him company, etc.—in exchange for protection from Hooke. Soon the three of them are careening headlong toward a combustible confrontation. There’s about to be a fiery reckoning, in which either dragons finally go extinct—or Vern’s glory days are back.

A triumphant return to the genre-bending fantasy that Eoin Colfer is so well known for, Highfire is an effortlessly clever and relentlessly funny tour-de-force of comedy and action. 

Black Leviathan by Bernd Perplies
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Beware! A shadow will cover you, larger than that cast by any other dragon of this world. Black as the lightless chasm from whence it was born at the beginning of time.

In the coastal city Skargakar, residents make a living from hunting dragons and use them for everything from clothing to food, while airborne ships hunt them in the white expanse of a cloud sea, the Cloudmere.

Lian does his part carving the kyrillian crystals that power the ships through the Cloudmere, but when he makes an enemy of a dangerous man, Lian ships out on the next vessel available as a drachenjager, or dragon hunter.

He chooses the wrong ship. A fanatic captain, hunts more than just any dragon. His goal is the Firstborn Gargantuan—and Adaron is prepared to sacrifice everything for revenge.

Rebelwing by Andrea Tang
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Business is booming for Prudence Wu.

A black-market-media smuggler and scholarship student at the prestigious New Columbia Preparatory Academy, Pru is lucky to live in the Barricade Coalition where she is free to study, read, watch, and listen to whatever she wants. But between essays and exams, she chooses to spend her breaks sweet-talking border patrol with her best friend, Anabel, in order to sell banned media to the less fortunate citizens of the United Continental Confederacy, Inc.

When a drop-off goes awry, Pru narrowly escapes UCC enforcers to find that her rescuer is, of all things, a sentient cybernetic dragon. On the one hand, Pru is lucky not to be in prison, or worse. On the other, the dragon seems to have imprinted on her permanently, which means she has no choice but to be its pilot.

Drawn into a revolution she has no real interest in leading, Pru, Anabel, and friends Alex and Cat become key players in a brewing conflict with the UCC as the corporate government develops advanced weaponry more terrifying and grotesque than Pru could have ever imagined.

The Killing Fog by Jeff Wheeler
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The Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Kingfountain series conjures an epic, adventurous world of ancient myth and magic as a young woman’s battle with infinite evil begins.

Survivor of a combat school, the orphaned Bingmei belongs to a band of mercenaries employed by a local ruler. Now the nobleman, and collector of rare artifacts, has entrusted Bingmei and the skilled team with a treacherous assignment: brave the wilderness’s dangers to retrieve the treasures of a lost palace buried in a glacier valley. But upsetting its tombs has a price.

Echion, emperor of the Grave Kingdom, ruler of darkness, Dragon of Night, has long been entombed. Now Bingmei has unwittingly awakened him and is answerable to a legendary prophecy. Destroying the dark lord before he reclaims the kingdoms of the living is her inherited mission. Killing Bingmei before she fulfills it is Echion’s.

Thrust unprepared into the role of savior, urged on by a renegade prince, and possessing a magic that is her destiny, Bingmei knows what she must do. But what must she risk to honor her ancestors? Bingmei’s fateful choice is one that neither her friends nor her enemies can foretell, as Echion’s dark war for control unfolds.

Night of the Dragon by Julie Kagawa (Shadow of the Fox Book 3)
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Master storyteller Julie Kagawa concludes the enthralling journey into the heart of the fantastical Empire of Iwagoto in the third book of the Shadow of the Fox trilogy. As darkness rises and chaos reigns, a fierce kitsune and her shadowy protector will face down the greatest evil of all. A captivating fantasy for fans of Sabaa Tahir, Sarah J. Maas and Marie Lu.

Kitsune shapeshifter Yumeko has given up the final piece of the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers in order to save everyone she loves from imminent death. Now she and her ragtag band of companions must journey to the wild sea cliffs of Iwagoto in a desperate last-chance effort to stop the Master of Demons from calling upon the Great Kami dragon and making the wish that will plunge the empire into destruction and darkness.

Shadow clan assassin Kage Tatsumi has regained control of his body and agreed to a true deal with the devil—the demon inside him, Hakaimono. They will share his body and work with Yumeko and their companions to stop a madman and separate Hakaimono from Tatsumi and the cursed sword that had trapped the demon for nearly a millennium.

But even with their combined skills and powers, this most unlikely team of heroes knows the forces of evil may be impossible to overcome. And there is another player in the battle for the scroll, a player who has been watching, waiting for the right moment to pull strings that no one even realized existed…until now.

Crave by Tracy Wolff
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My whole world changed when I stepped inside the academy. Nothing is right about this place or the other students in it. Here I am, a mere mortal among gods…or monsters. I still can’t decide which of these warring factions I belong to, if I belong at all. I only know the one thing that unites them is their hatred of me.

Then there’s Jaxon Vega. A vampire with deadly secrets who hasn’t felt anything for a hundred years. But there’s something about him that calls to me, something broken in him that somehow fits with what’s broken in me.

Which could spell death for us all.

Because Jaxon walled himself off for a reason. And now someone wants to wake a sleeping monster, and I’m wondering if I was brought here intentionally—as the bait. 

Don’t Call the Wolf by Aleksandra Ross
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A forest, besieged. A queen, unyielding. Fans of Leigh Bardugo and Holly Black will devour this deliciously dark Eastern European–inspired YA fantasy debut.

When the Golden Dragon descended on the forest of Kamiena, a horde of monsters followed in its wake.

Ren, the forest’s young queen, is slowly losing her battle against them. Until she rescues Lukasz—the last survivor of a heroic regiment of dragon slayers—and they strike a deal. She will help him find his brother, who vanished into her forest… if Lukasz promises to slay the Dragon.

But promises are all too easily broken.

House of Dragons by Jessica Cluess
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Five royal houses will hear the call to compete in the Trial for the dragon throne. A liar, a soldier, a servant, a thief, and a murderer will answer it. Who will win? Think THREE DARK CROWNS meets THE BREAKFAST CLUB with DRAGONS.

When the Emperor dies, the five royal houses of Etrusia attend the Call, where one of their own will be selected to compete for the throne. It is always the oldest child, the one who has been preparing for years to compete in the Trial. But this year is different. This year, these five outcasts will answer the call….

THE LIAR: Emilia must hide her dark magic or be put to death.
THE SOLDIER: Lucian is a warrior who has sworn to never lift a sword again.
THE SERVANT: Vespir is a dragon trainer whose skills alone will keep her in the game.
THE THIEF: Ajax knows that nothing is free–he must take what he wants.
THE MURDERER: Hyperia was born to rule and will stop at nothing to take her throne.

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
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(Not 100% sure if this is a dragon book, but based on the cover and the synopsis I am guessing it is)

Perfect for fans of The Last Magician and Descendant of the Crane, this heart-stopping debut is an imaginative Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai, with rival gangs and a monster in the depths of the Huangpu River.

The year is 1926, and Shanghai hums to the tune of debauchery.

A blood feud between two gangs runs the streets red, leaving the city helpless in the grip of chaos. At the heart of it all is eighteen-year-old Juliette Cai, a former flapper who has returned to assume her role as the proud heir of the Scarlet Gang—a network of criminals far above the law. Their only rivals in power are the White Flowers, who have fought the Scarlets for generations. And behind every move is their heir, Roma Montagov, Juliette’s first love…and first betrayal.

But when gangsters on both sides show signs of instability culminating in clawing their own throats out, the people start to whisper. Of a contagion, a madness. Of a monster in the shadows. As the deaths stack up, Juliette and Roma must set their guns—and grudges—aside and work together, for if they can’t stop this mayhem, then there will be no city left for either to rule.

Are there any other 2020 dragon books you know of? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Here There be Dragons: 2020 Books Featuring Dragons appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Providence by Max Barry
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From the ingenious author of Jennifer Government and Lexicon: a brilliant work of science fiction that tells the intimate tale of four people facing their most desperate hour–alone, together, at the edge of the universe.

The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin
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Five New Yorkers must come together in order to defend their city in the first book of a stunning new series by Hugo award-winning and NYT bestselling author N. K. Jemisin.

Anthropocene Rag by Alex Irvine
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Anthropocene Rag is “a rare distillation of nanotech, apocalypse, and mythic Americana into a heady psychedelic brew.”—Nebula and World Fantasy award-winning author Jeffrey Ford

Witches of Ash and Ruin by E. Latimer
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Modern witchcraft blends with ancient Celtic mythology in an epic clash of witches and gods, perfect for fans of V.E. Schwab’s Shades of Magic trilogy and A Discovery of Witches.

The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo
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With the heart of an Atwood tale and the visuals of a classic Asian period drama The Empress of Salt and Fortune is a tightly and lushly written narrative about empire, storytelling, and the anger of women.

Cries from the Lost Island by Kathleen O’Neal Gear
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This standalone fantasy brings an ancient Egyptian mystery to life against a modern background, in a tale expertly crafted by a seasoned anthropologist.

The Companions by Katie M. Flynn
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Station Eleven meets Never Let Me Go in this debut novel set in an unsettling near future where the dead can be uploaded to machines and kept in service by the living.

Bone ​Crier’s Moon by Kathryn Purdie
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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Kathryn Purdie comes a high-stakes fantasy duology flush with doomed romance and macabre magic, perfect for fans of Stephanie Garber and Roshani Chokshi.

The Killing Fog by Jeff Wheeler
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The Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Kingfountain series conjures an epic, adventurous world of ancient myth and magic as a young woman’s battle with infinite evil begins.

A Phoenix First Must Burn by Patrice Caldwell
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Sixteen tales by bestselling and award-winning authors that explore the Black experience through fantasy, science fiction, and magic. Authors include Elizabeth Acevedo, Amerie, Dhonielle Clayton, Jalissa Corrie, Somaiya Daud, Charlotte Davis, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Justina Ireland, Danny Lore, L.L. McKinney, Danielle Paige, Rebecca Roanhorse, Karen Strong, Ashley Woodfolk, and Ibi Zoboi.

The Last Human by Zack Jordan
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The last human in the universe must battle unfathomable alien intelligences—and confront the truth about humanity—in this ambitious, galaxy-spanning debut

Hearts of Oak by Eddie Robson
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Hearts of Oak is a delightful science fiction adventure from Eddie Robson, the creator of the acclaimed Welcome to Our Village, Please Invade Carefully.

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

The post March 2020 Book Releases: Fantasy + Sci-Fi appeared first on The Nerd Daily.