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

Hi! I’m a Korean-American author who’s hugely inspired by anything nerdy I gravitated to as a kid and young adult. So that would include K-Drama, Ghibli, other Animes, K-Pop, angsty teen dramas, and more recently web comics!

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

This is going to sound so nerdy, but when I was a kid. My older sister and I would write sequels to all of my favorite picture books (I’d illustrate and she’d write them since I didn’t know how to spell at the time).

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

• The first book you ever remember reading: I “read” The Baby Unicorn picture book when I was very young, which impressed my parents until they realized I had just memorized the entire book and knew when to flip the pages. But the first book I remember reading on my own was Amelia Bedelia.
• The one that made you want to become an author: I wanted to be an author when I was in middle school, so I think the books I was reading then, which happens to be a mix of The Thoroughbred series and Nora Roberts novels (I was a precocious child).
• The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Can I cheat? My favorite full trilogy is the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy, I’ve been recommending it to everyone I know since it came out. But another book I reread constantly is The Time Traveler’s Wife, I call it my “book hangover” cure, because whenever I have an emotional hangover from reading another book I read this one.

Your latest novel, Gods & Comics, is out April 21^st! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Hijinks, Healing, Connections, Self Love

What can readers expect?

They can expect a true hybrid mix of my fantasies and romcoms. It’s not as world-build-y as my fantasies, but it still has that fantastical element with the gods coming back to life. But it also focuses on some very real teenage problems that I experienced myself growing up (like anxiety, proving yourself, insecurities, and dealing with grief). It took me a long time to figure out what the balance would be between the two, but I hope I found a good in-between space. Also, it probably wouldn’t be one of my books without some romantic angst.

Where did the inspiration for Gods & Comics come from?

It came from a few sources, but the main would probably be the K-Drama W: Two Worlds. It’s about a girl who gets sucked into her father’s super famous manhwa. She ends up changing aspects of the story and eventually making the characters themselves self-aware. I loved the aspect of characters coming to life. And the scenes where the author is confronted by his creations were the ones that sparked this idea. What if a girl wrote a story (and to add on, let’s make her post it anonymously so that no one even knows she wrote it)) and somehow those characters come to life and start confronting her. This was also mixed by my love of Korean mythology and tales of the old gods. I always love the question: where did the old gods go? So, I decided to give an answer of my own. That they disappeared because people stopped believing in them. And they come back because people start “believing” in them again, this time through the power of fandom. Which brings me to my third inspiration: fandoms. I am a part of a few very powerful fandoms (shout out to my fellow ARMY and STAYs). And fans have a very close relationship with the stories we love. So, wouldn’t the love of a fan be a powerful thing? Could it bring a god back to life? That’s my little twist on the idea of belief and faith in Gods & Comics.

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

I really loved writing Zoe, Grace’s best friend, and Yuhwa, the daughter of the water god. They ended up stealing my heart every time they were on the page. And I loved how they were bold and brave and kicked some serious butt. I enjoyed writing the first time Zoe meets Yuhwa; they flirt hard and Grace worries, the way a protective best friend might when their mortal bff flirts with an immortal goddess.

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

It took me years to draft this book. A huge reason was that it sat somewhere between fantasy and contemporary. And it was hard to figure out how I wanted to balance the two. Grace is dealing with anxiety and grief, but she was also having a fantastical adventure and romance. So, it was important to figure out a good middle-space for the two things to co-exist without overpowering the other. I ended up just focusing on whatever aspects would help enhance Grace’s relationships with others, and whatever contributed to helping Grace realize that she didn’t have to handle everything alone.

What’s next for you?

I am so excited that I recently got to announce my next fantasy romance duology, House of Forgotten Souls (out in 2027) and its sequel! This is a fantasy set in Koreatown where a family runs a bathhouse that helps spirits wash away their regrets so they can float down the river that leads to the underworld. But something is disappearing the spirits of the city, and when a ghost who’s not really dead appears, they must figure out what could be so powerful that it can harm the spirits. It’s got shamans, past lives, ghosts, and Korean reapers. And it was super fun to write something with exciting magical worldbuilding again!

Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up this year?

I’m excited to read That Which Feeds Us by Keala Kendall, Behind Five Willows by June Hur, The River She Became by Emily Varga, and Death Card by Jasmine Smith.

Will you be picking up Gods & Comics? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Kat Cho, Author of ‘Gods & Comics’ 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.

The YA genre is not holding back when it comes to 2022’s upcoming book releases! Between the months of January and June, readers are going to be delighted as to what they can get their hands on with books from favourite authors, to those making their debut!

From stories of love, magic, and mystery, to retellings, anthologies, and sequels, you will surely find several new reads to add to your TBR and we apologies in advance for adding to it!

Looking for more releases? Check out our Most Anticipated 2022 Releases and our Must-Have 2022 Queer Releases.

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below which ones you’re looking forward to!

JANUARY

When You Get the Chance by Emma Lord
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A bighearted novel about falling in love, making a mess, and learning to let go, When You Get the Chance is the next effervescent novel from Emma Lord, New York Times bestselling author of the Reese Witherspoon YA Book Club pick You Have a Match.

Hopepunk by Preston Norton
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A heartfelt and funny new novel about forgiveness and redemption, and about how hope is the ultimate act of rebellion, perfect for fans of John Green and Becky Albertalli.

The Red Palace by June Hur
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June Hur, critically acclaimed author of The Silence of Bones and The Forest of Stolen Girls, returns with The Red Palace—a third evocative, atmospheric historical mystery perfect for fans of Courtney Summers and Kerri Maniscalco.

Into The Midnight Void by Mara Fitzgerald
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Fans of Holly Black and Kendare Blake will obsess over the conclusion to this deliciously dark YA fantasy duology!

Serendipity, edited by Marissa Meyer
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From stories of first love, unrequited love, love that surprises, love that’s been there all along, 10 of the brightest and award-winning authors writing YA have taken on some of your favourite romantic tropes, embracing them and turning them on their heads. Readers will fall for this collection of stories that celebrate love at its most humorous, inclusive, heart-expanding, and serendipitous. Contributors include Elise Bryant, Elizabeth Eulberg, Leah Johnson, Anna-Marie McLemore, Marissa Meyer, Sandhya Menon, Julie Murphy, Caleb Roehrig, Sarah Winifred Searle, and Abigail Hing Wen.

Waking Romeo by Kathryn Barker
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Kathryn Barker’s Waking Romeo is a spectacularly genre-bending retelling of Romeo & Juliet asking the big questions about true love, fate, and time travel

Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves by Meg Long
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Meg Long’s Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves is a captivating debut about survival, found family, and the bond between a girl and a wolf that delivers a fresh twist on classic survival stories and frontier myths.

Salaam, with Love by Sara Sharaf Beg
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This heartfelt and humorous YA contemporary follows Dua, who spends the month of Ramadan making unexpected discoveries about family, faith, and first love.

Ain’t Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds
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Prepare yourself for something unlike anything: A smash-up of art and text for teens that viscerally captures what it is to be Black. In America. Right Now. Written by #1 New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Jason Reynolds.

The Kindred by Alechia Dow
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To save a galactic kingdom from revolution, Kindred mind-pairings were created to ensure each and every person would be seen and heard, no matter how rich or poor…

Medusa by Jessie Burton
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A dazzling, feminist retelling of Greek myth from the internationally bestselling author of The Miniaturist, stunningly illustrated by Olivia Lomenech Gill.

Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz
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A gothic tale full of mystery and romance about a willful female surgeon, a resurrection man who sells bodies for a living, and the buried secrets they must uncover together.

FEBRUARY

And We Rise by Erica Martin
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A powerful, impactful, eye-opening journey that explores through the Civil Rights Movement in 1950s-1960s America in spare and evocative verse, with historical photos interspersed throughout.

Lulu and Milagro’s Search for Clarity by Angela Velez
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Booksmart meets Never Have I Ever in this Latinx road trip adventure—a big-hearted, voice-driven YA about two sisters who couldn’t be more different, but become begrudging partners on their school’s cross-country college trip—from debut author Angela Velez.

Bright Ruined Things by Samantha Cohoe
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Extasia by Claire Legrand
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From New York Times bestselling author Claire LeGrand comes a new, bone-chilling YA horror novel about a girl who joins a coven to root out a vicious evil that’s stalking her village. Perfect for fans of The Handmaid’s Tale and The Grace Year.

All the Right Reasons by Bethany Mangle
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The Bachelor meets Gilmore Girls in this laugh-out-loud young adult romance about a girl who joins her mother on a reality dating show for single parents—only to fall for a contestant’s son.

League of Liars by Astrid Scholte
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In this fantasy thriller, four teens charged with murder and the illegal use of magic band together to devise the ultimate jailbreak. Perfect for fans of Six of Crows and How to Get Away with Murder.

You Truly Assumed by Laila Sabreen
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In this compelling and thought-provoking debut novel, after a terrorist attack rocks the country and anti-Islamic sentiment stirs, three Black Muslim girls create a space where they can shatter assumptions and share truths.

Castles in Their Bones by Laura Sebastian
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A spellbinding story of three princesses and the destiny they were born for: seduction, conquest, and the crown. Immerse yourself in the first book in a new fantasy trilogy from the author of the New York Times bestselling Ash Princess series.

Full Flight by Ashley Schumacher
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A heartbreaking novel about finding your first love and what happens when it’s over too soon. Ashley Schumacher’s Full Flight is about how first love shapes us—even after it’s gone. 

Sunny G’s Series of Rash Decisions by Navdeep Singh Dhillon
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For fans of Sandhya Menon and Adam Silvera, a prom-night romantic-comedy romp about a Sikh teen’s search for love and identity

Only a Monster by Vanessa Len
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The sweeping romance of Passenger meets the dark fantasy edge of This Savage Song in this stunning contemporary fantasy debut from Vanessa Len, where the line between monster and hero is razor thin.

These Deadly Games by Diana Urban
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Author of All Your Twisted Secrets, Diana Urban’s explosive sophomore novel, These Deadly Games, will keep you riveted until the final twist is revealed.

MARCH

The One True Me and You by Remi K. England
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A big-hearted, joyful romance and a love letter to all things geek, Remi K. England’s The One True Me and You is a *witness me* celebration of standing up for, and being, yourself.

Debating Darcy by Sayantani DasGupta
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This Pride & Prejudice retelling brings New York Times bestselling Sayantani DasGupta’s trademark wit and insight to her bright and funny YA debut!

A Thousand Steps into Night by Traci Chee
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From New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award finalist, Traci Chee, comes a Japanese-influenced fantasy brimming with demons, adventure, and plans gone awry.

This Golden State by Marit Weisenberg
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Marit Weisenberg’s This Golden State follows a family on the run, a restless teenage daughter hungry for the truth, and the simple DNA test that threatens their carefully crafted world

Kiss & Tell by Adib Khorram
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A smart, sexy YA novel about a boy band star, his first breakup, his first rebound, and what it means to be queer in the public eye, from award-winning author Adib Khorram.

Travelers Along the Way: A Robin Hood Remix by Aminah Mae Safi
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A ragtag band of misfits gets swept up in Holy Land politics in Travelers Along the Way by Aminah Mae Safi, a thrilling YA remix of the classic legend of Robin Hood.

Message Not Found by Dante Medema
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An emotionally complex portrayal of secrets, loss, and grief from Dante Medema, Indies Introduce author of the Indie Next Pick title The Truth Project. 

A Forgery of Roses by Jessica S. Olson
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From the author of Sing Me Forgotten comes a lush new fantasy novel with an art-based magic system, romance, and murder…

Love, Decoded by Jennifer Yen
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For fans of Jenny Han and Jane Austen, a rom-com that’s equal parts hilarious and heartfelt about the unexpected consequences of one teen’s quest to help her friends find love, from the author of A Taste for Love.

Cinder & Glass by Melissa de la Cruz
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Blockbuster author Melissa de la Cruz’s YA retelling of Cinderella, set in 17th Century Versailles.

The Book of Living Secrets by Madeleine Roux
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Perfect for fans of The Hazel Wood, this genre-bending page-turner from New York Times bestselling author Madeleine Roux follows two girls who transport themselves into the world of their favorite book only to encounter the sinister alternate reality that awaits them. 

A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft
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A romantic YA fantasy perfect for fans of Erin A. Craig and Margaret Rogerson, about two people who find themselves competing for glory – and each other’s hearts – in a magical fox hunt.

APRIL

Year on Fire by Julie Buxbaum
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What secrets will people keep—or reveal—to protect those they love? This novel, set against the frightening backdrop of an encroaching fire season, sparks reflection about friendship, the allure of romantic love, and loyalty to family.

This Rebel Heart by Katherine Locke
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The Fountains of Silence meets Spinning Silver in this rollicking tale set amid the 1956 Hungarian revolution in post-WWII Communist Budapest from Sydney Taylor Honor winner Katherine Locke.

Queen of the Tiles by Hanna Alkaf
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They Wish They Were Us meets The Queen’s Gambit in the world of competitive Scrabble when a teen girl is forced to investigate the mysterious death of her best friend a year after the fact when her Instagram comes back to life with cryptic posts and messages.

K-Pop Revolution by Stephan Lee
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She thought that debuting in a K-Pop band was the finish line, but it was only the beginning. Because now it’s not only her company judging her—it’s the entire world. If K-Pop Confidential was about finding your voice, K-pop Revolution is about finding the courage to stand by your beliefs, even when powerful forces are trying to shame and silence you.

My Dearest Darkest by Kayla Cottingham
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Wilder Girls meets The Craft in this Sapphic horror debut that asks: what price would you be willing to pay to achieve your deepest desires?

Some Mistakes Were Made by Kristin Dwyer
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Sarah Dessen meets Adam Silvera in the debut YA romance everyone is talking about!

Very Bad People by Kit Frick
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In this dark academia young adult thriller for fans of The Female of the Species and People Like Us, a teen girl’s search for answers about her mother’s mysterious death leads to a powerful secret society at her new boarding school—and a dangerous game of revenge that will leave her forever changed.

My Sister’s Big Fat Indian Wedding by Sajni Patel
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A fresh, witty rom-com romp set against the backdrop of a high-profile music competition and a riotous Indian wedding.

Flirting With Fate by J.C. Cervantes
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Jane the Virgin meets The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants in New York Times bestselling author J.C. Cervantes’s charming, romantic YA debut.

This May End Badly by Samantha Markum
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When a high stakes boarding school prank war leads to a fake dating scheme, two teens must decide if they are ready to take the ultimate risk — falling in love.

The Genesis Wars by Akemi Dawn Bowman
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Black Mirror meets Marie Lu’s Warcross in Nami’s continuing adventures as she fights to free her friends in this high-stakes sequel to The Infinity Courts by award-winning author Akemi Dawn Bowman.

All the Best Liars by Amelia Kahaney
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Amelia Kahaney’s All the Best Liars is a dark, modern psychological thriller and coming-of-age story about obsession, manipulation, and the intensity of those first friendships that take hold of you and never let go

MAY

See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon
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From the author of Today Tonight Tomorrow comes a magical romance in the vein of Groundhog Day about a girl forced to relive her disastrous first day of college—only to discover that her nemesis is stuck in the time loop with her.

Together We Burn by Isabel Ibañez
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An ancient city plagued by dragons. A flamenco dancer determined to save her ancestral home. A dragon hunter refusing to teach her his ways. They don’t want each other, but they need each other, and without him her world will burn.

Not Good for Maidens by Tori Bovalino
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Salem’s Lot meets The Darkest Part of the Forest in this horror-fantasy retelling of Christina Rossetti’s “Goblin Market.”

A Show for Two by Tashie Bhuiyan
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New from the author of Counting Down with You comes a sparkling YA romance about an aspiring screenwriter who falls for the indie film star who goes undercover at her school.

The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson
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Who killed Brooke Donovan? It’s the biggest mystery of the summer, and everyone in Castle Cove thinks it’s the wrong guy. Fans of One of Us Is Lying and Riverdale can’t miss this page-turning who-done-it that’s sure to be the next must read Young Adult thriller!

The Summer of Bitter and Sweet by Jen Ferguson
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In this complex and emotionally resonant novel about a Métis girl living on the Canadian prairies, debut author Jen Ferguson serves up a powerful story about rage, secrets, and all the spectrums that make up a person—and the sweetness that can still live alongside the bitterest truth.

Destination Unknown by Bill Konigsberg
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From Stonewall Award winner Bill Konigsberg, a remarkable, funny, sexy, heartbreaking story of two teen boys finding each other in New York City at the height of the AIDS epidemic.

Murder for the Modern Girl by Kendall Kulper
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Gatsby-era glamour, a swoon-worthy love story, and an indomitable heroine dazzle in this romp that captures the extravagance of the Roaring Twenties and the dangers of vigilante justice.

Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle
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Hitch meets The Sun Is Also a Star in this witty and romantic teen novel about a self-professed teen love doctor with a popular radio segment who believes he can get a girl who hates all things romance to fall in love with him in only three dates.

Once Upon a K-Prom by Kat Cho
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What would you do if the world’s biggest K-pop star asked you to prom? Perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Sandhya Menon, this hilarious and heartfelt novel brings the glamour and drama of the K-pop world straight to high school.

All Signs Point to Yes, edited by G. Haron Davis, Cam Montgomery, and Adrianne White
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A YA anthology of love stories for each of the star signs that will showcase multicultural characters and celebrate the myriad facets of love, from meet-cutes to the lesser-explored love expressed by aromantic people, featuring 13 bestselling and award-winning multicultural authors.

A Cruel and Fated Light by Ashley Shuttleworth
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Half-fae Arlo becomes entangled in the courtly intrigue at the Seelie Summer palace as danger for ironborns mounts in this gripping sequel to A Dark and Hollow Star that’s The Cruel Prince meets City of Bones.

JUNE

Our Crooked Hearts by Melissa Albert
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Secrets. Lies. Super-bad choices. Witchcraft. This is Our Crooked Hearts, a darkly gripping contemporary fantasy from Melissa Albert, the New York Times bestselling author of The Hazel Wood

The Song That Moves the Sun by Anna Bright
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This sweeping YA fantasy romance full of star-crossed love, complex female friendship, and astrological magic is perfect for fans of Laini Taylor, Alexandra Bracken, and V.E. Schwab. From the acclaimed author of The Beholder.

This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede
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Emily Thiede’s exciting fantasy debut, This Vicious Grace, will keep readers turning the pages until the devastating conclusion and leave them primed for more!

Blade Breaker by Victoria Aveyard
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In the sequel to Victoria Aveyard’s instant #1 New York Times bestselling Realm Breaker, a divided world must rally, an unstoppable enemy must be defeated, and the fate of the world rests on a blade’s edge.

This Place Is Still Beautiful by XiXi Tian
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A sweeping debut novel about first love, complicated family dynamics, and the pernicious legacy of racism. Perfect for fans of Tahereh Mafi, Jandy Nelson, and Emily X.R. Pan, with crossover appeal for readers of Brit Bennett’s The Vanishing Half and Celeste Ng’s Everything I Never Told You.

Valiant Ladies by Melissa Grey
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Two teen vigilantes set off on an action-packed investigation to expose corruption and deliver justice in Valiant Ladies, Melissa Grey’s YA historical fiction novel inspired by real seventeenth century Latinx teenagers known as the Valiant Ladies of Potosí.

Rise of the Vicious Princess by C.J. Redwine
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The first in a YA political fantasy duology about a fierce princess determined to bring lasting peace to her kingdom regardless of the cost to her heart —from C.J. Redwine, the author of the Defiance series and the New York Times bestselling Ravenspire series. Perfect for fans of These Violent Delights, And I Darken, and Ash Princess.

Stealing Infinity by Alyson Noel
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The Dream Runners by Shveta Thakrar
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Go Hunt Me by Kelly deVos
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For Dracula lovers and fans of Diana Urban’s All Your Twisted Secrets, this spine-tingling thriller follows seven horror buffs as their dream trip to a remote Romanian castle turns into a nightmare when they begin to be killed one by one.

Game of Strength and Storm by Rachel Menard
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Game of Strength and Storm is a YA gender-bent Hercules retelling. Teenagers of Olympia Gen and Castor race to be the first to complete six nearly impossible challenges to obtain their greatest desire. Only one will win. The other walks away with nothing—if she walks away at all.

Bad Things Happen Here by Rebecca Barrow
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I Killed Zoe Spanos meets The Cheerleaders in this haunting mystery about an island town with a history of unsolved deaths—and a girl desperate to uncover the mystery behind it all.

What 2022 YA book releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 72 Upcoming YA Book Releases To Add To Your TBR appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

After the events of Wicked Fox, Somin is ready to help her friends pick up the pieces of their broken lives and heal. But Jihoon is still grieving the loss of his grandmother, and Miyoung is distant as she grieves over her mother’s death and learns to live without her fox bead. The only one who seems ready to move forward is their not-so-favourite dokkaebi, Junu. Somin and Junu didn’t exactly hit it off when they first met. Somin thought he was an arrogant self-serving, conman. Junu was, at first, amused by her hostility toward him until he found himself inexplicably drawn to her. Somin couldn’t deny the heat of their attraction.

But as the two try to figure out what could be between them, they discover their troubles aren t over after all. The loss of Miyoung’s fox bead has caused a tear between the world of the living and the world of the dead, and ghosts are suddenly flooding the streets of Seoul. The only way to repair the breach is to find the missing fox bead or for Miyoung to pay with her life. With few options remaining, Junu has an idea but it might require the ultimate sacrifice. In usual fashion, Somin may have a thing or two to say about that.

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The post Excerpt: Vicious Spirits by Kat Cho appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below if you have read any of them!

The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White
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From New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White comes a new fantasy series reimagining the Arthurian legend, set in the magical world of Camelot.

Wicked Fox by Kat Cho
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Eighteen-year-old Gu Miyoung has a secret–she’s a gumiho, a nine-tailed fox who must devour the energy of men in order to survive.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
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In a lush, contemporary fantasy retelling of Beauty and the Beast, Brigid Kemmerer gives readers another compulsively readable romance perfect for fans of Marissa Meyer.

War Girls by Tochi Onyebuchi
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Two sisters are torn apart by war and must fight their way back to each other in a futuristic, Black Panther–inspired Nigeria.

Color Outside the Lines by Sangu Mandanna
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This modern, groundbreaking YA anthology explores the complexity and beauty of interracial and LGBTQ+ relationships where differences are front and center from authors Anna-Marie McLemore, Elsie Chapman, Karuna Riazi, Lydia Kang, L.L. McKinney, Lauren Gibaldi, Tara Sim, Caroline Tung Richmond, Kelly Zekas, Tarun Shanker, Samira Ahmed, Adam Silvera, Eric Smith, Lori M. Lee, and Michelle Ruiz Keil.

Girls With Sharp Sticks by Suzanne Young
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Westworld meets The Handmaid’s Tale in this start to a thrilling, subversive near future series from New York Times bestselling author Suzanne Young about a girls-only private high school that is far more than it appears to be.

Across A Broken Shore by Amy Trueblood
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The last thing eighteen-year-old Wilhelmina “Willa” MacCarthy wants is to be a nun. It’s 1936, and as the only daughter amongst four sons, her Irish–Catholic family is counting on her to take her vows—but Willa’s found another calling. Each day she sneaks away to help Doctor Katherine Winston in her medical clinic in San Francisco’s Richmond District.

Spin The Dawn by Elizabeth Lim
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Project Runway meets Mulan in this sweeping YA fantasy about a young girl who poses as a boy to compete for the role of imperial tailor and embarks on an impossible journey to sew three magic dresses, from the sun, the moon, and the stars.

Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett
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In a community that isn’t always understanding, an HIV-positive teen must navigate fear, disclosure, and radical self-acceptance when she falls in love–and lust–for the first time. Powerful and uplifting, Full Disclosure will speak to fans of Angie Thomas and Nicola Yoon.

Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
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From the New York Times bestselling author of An Enchantment of Ravens comes an imaginative fantasy about an apprentice at a magical library who must battle a powerful sorcerer to save her kingdom.

Gravemaidens by Kelly Coon
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The start of a fierce fantasy duology about three maidens who are chosen for their land’s greatest honour…and one girl determined to save her sister from the grave.

We Are Lost and Found by Helene Dunbar
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A poignant, heartbreaking, and uplifting story in the tradition of The Perks of Being a Wallflower about three friends coming of age in the early 1980s as they struggle to forge their own paths in the face of fear of the unknown.

Frankly in Love by David Yoon
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In this moving novel, debut author David Yoon takes on the question of who am I? with a result that is humorous, heartfelt, and ultimately unforgettable.

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.

The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys
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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Salt to the Sea and Between Shades of Gray comes a gripping, unforgettable portrait of love, silence, and secrets amidst a Spanish dictatorship.

The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh
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New York Times bestselling author Renée Ahdieh returns with a sumptuous, sultry and romantic new series set in 19th century New Orleans where vampires hide in plain sight.

Girls of Storm and Shadow by Natasha Ngan
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In this mesmerising sequel to the New York Times bestselling Girls of Paper and Fire, Lei and Wren have escaped their oppressive lives in the Hidden Palace, but soon learn that freedom comes with a terrible cost.

Swipe Right for Murder by Derek Milman
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An epic case of mistaken identity puts a teen looking for a hookup on the run from both the FBI and a murderous cult in this compulsively readable thriller.

Wilder Girls by Rory Power
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A feminist Lord of the Flies about three best friends living in quarantine at their island boarding school, and the lengths they go to uncover the truth of their confinement when one disappears. This fresh, new debut is a mind-bending novel unlike anything you’ve read before.

The Merciful Crow by Margaret Owen
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Debut author Margaret Owen crafts a powerful saga of vengeance, survival, and sacrifice–perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Kendare Blake–in The Merciful Crow.

Do you have any other 2019 YA favourites? Tell us in the comments below!

The post The Best YA Books of 2019 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

It’s hard to know where to start with this enchanting, beautiful book as Wicked Fox will completely sweep you off your feet.

Wicked Fox is a YA urban fantasy that takes place in Seoul, South Korea! Korea is a background we see in so few YA books and it really gave a unique aspect to this book. The Korea depicted in the book was realistic and crackling with energy; it won’t take you long to find myself utterly lost in the streets of Seoul with Jihoon and Miyoung.

As the synopsis suggests, this book explores the myth of the Gumiho: The Nine-Tailed Fox. If you always adore it when myths and legends are incorporated into books, this one will be no exception! As well as our Gumiho, we see Shamans, Goblins (both good and bad), and all sorts of magic from Korean mythology. On top of this, Wicked Fox brings in aspects and tropes of Korea’s much loved K-Dramas, to create a thrilling and mystical experience within the  book!

The characters in this book were absolutely awesome as not only were Jihoon and Miyoung amazing, but you will adore all the secondary characters, especially Somin and Jihoon’s Halmeoni. Their vibrant personalities and realistic relationships really lit this story up. The dialogue between all the characters was witty and genuine, something you’ll enjoy greatly.

Jihoon and Miyoung were the perfect balance for each other. Jihoon was friendly and loyal, while Miyoung was fierce and withdrawn, but they both grew over the course of the book with amazing character arcs. They both work past their past traumas and harsh backgrounds and find the light amid the chaos of their lives.

The plot was well paced and enticing with the first third of the book introducing the characters perfectly while the rest of the book went on to be full of action, adventure, and drama making for an absolute page-turner. You’ll barely be able to put it down!

Kat Cho’s writing was lyrical and sweet, and it’s remarkable that it’s her debut book! It’s classy, stunning, and never got boring. This debut was an absolute revelation that I’m so happy to have had the pleasure of reading. If you love immersive fantasies, beautiful romances, and ancient legends, this is the book for you. It’s a book that really can’t be recommended it enough.

Wicked Fox is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.

Will you be reading Wicked Fox? Have you already? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

A fresh and addictive fantasy-romance set in modern-day Seoul.

Eighteen-year-old Gu Miyoung has a secret–she’s a gumiho, a nine-tailed fox who must devour the energy of men in order to survive. Because so few believe in the old tales anymore, and with so many evil men no one will miss, the modern city of Seoul is the perfect place to hide and hunt.

But after feeding one full moon, Miyoung crosses paths with Jihoon, a human boy, being attacked by a goblin deep in the forest. Against her better judgment, she violates the rules of survival to rescue the boy, losing her fox bead–her gumiho soul–in the process.

Jihoon knows Miyoung is more than just a beautiful girl–he saw her nine tails the night she saved his life. His grandmother used to tell him stories of the gumiho, of their power and the danger they pose to humans. He’s drawn to her anyway.

With murderous forces lurking in the background, Miyoung and Jihoon develop a tenuous friendship that blossoms into something more. But when a young shaman tries to reunite Miyoung with her bead, the consequences are disastrous . . . forcing Miyoung to choose between her immortal life and Jihoon’s.

The post Review: Wicked Fox by Kat Cho appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

We can’t believe we’re almost halfway through 2019 already! This month we are treated with a lot of summer reads new releases, so we will be sharing this month’s debut releases that you need to check out immediately!

I Wanna Be Where You Are by Kristina Forest
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A dazzling debut from Kristina Forest about a ballerina’s dream, roadside hijinks, heart-stirring romance, and a few broken rules.

Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune by Roselle Lim
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Set in the vibrant neighborhood of San Francisco’s Chinatown, the story follows Natalie Tan and her journey when she finally returns home after her mother’s death and a surprising inherited restaurant from her grandmother. A story about family grief, community’s power and a side of romance.

Technically, You Started It by Lana Wood Johnson
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When there are two guys named Martin, and one of them texted Haley, she thinks she’s talking to the one she doesn’t hate. The chemistry quickly sparks over the text messages, but here’s the problem… Haley doesn’t know who Martin is. And Martin doesn’t know that Haley doesn’t know.

The Paper & Hearts Society by Lucy Powrie
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A brand new series from Booktuber Lucy Powrie – about what happens when you give up on trying to fit in and let your weird out! It’s time to join The Paper & Hearts Society…

Rules We’re Meant to Break by Natalie Williamson
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Honest and full of heart, this clever contemporary romance debut deftly combines utterly relatable family drama with all the sweetness and uncertainty that comes with falling in love.

The Art of Breaking Things by Laura Sibson
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In this contemporary debut by Laura Sibson, one girl embraces the power of her voice: rules are meant to be broken and she won’t stay silent.

The Grief Keeper by Alexandra Villasante
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The Grief Keeper is a tender tale that explores the heartbreak and consequences of when both love and human beings are branded illegal.

The Virtue of Sin by Shannon Schuren
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The Virtue of Sin is a compelling debut novel by Shannon Schuren about speaking out, standing up, and breaking free.

All of Us with Wings by Michelle Ruiz Keil
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Michelle Ruiz Keil’s YA fantasy debut about love, found family, and healing is an ode to post-punk San Francisco through the eyes of a Mexican-American girl.

In West Mills by De’Shawn Charles Winslow
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Set in an African American community in rural North Carolina from 1941 to 1987, In West Mills is a magnificent, big-hearted small-town story about family, friendship, storytelling, and the redemptive power of love.

The Beholder by Anna Bright
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A story following Selah, the only daughter of the leader of Potomac, and her journey to find the perfect partner that will help secure the future of her people, but the stakes of her voyage may be higher than any happy ending.

Wicked Fox by Kat Cho
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A debut YA contemporary fantasy from Kat Cho set in modern-day Seoul, following eighteen-year-old Miyoung, a nine-tailed fox, commonly known as a gumiho, who must devour the energy of men in order to survive.

Are there any other debut novels you’re looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Debut Authors You Need To Check Out In June 2019 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.