Kate Golden Archives | The Nerd Daily https://thenerddaily.com/tag/kate-golden/ All Things Nerdy Mon, 28 Sep 2026 10:45:14 +0000 en-AU hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.4 https://i0.wp.com/thenerddaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/cropped-Nerd-Daily-Logo-Favicon.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Kate Golden Archives | The Nerd Daily https://thenerddaily.com/tag/kate-golden/ 32 32 122026701 Read An Excerpt From ‘Cursed City’ by Kate Golden https://thenerddaily.com/cursed-city-by-kate-golden-excerpt/ https://thenerddaily.com/cursed-city-by-kate-golden-excerpt/#respond Mon, 28 Sep 2026 22:00:00 +0000 https://thenerddaily.com/?p=65822 Welcome back to Harker Academy for Deviant Defense, where the line between hunter and hunted has never been thinner. Intrigued? Read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Cursed City by Kate Golden, which releases on September 29th 2026. Viv Abbot will do whatever it takes to rescue Reid Graveheart, the reformed Brood demon she loves—even if it means teaming up with his violent, unpredictable older brother, Deacon. Her uneasy truce with him offers Viv something Reid never could: […]

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]]> Welcome back to Harker Academy for Deviant Defense, where the line between hunter and hunted has never been thinner.

Intrigued? Read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Cursed City by Kate Golden, which releases on September 29th 2026.

Viv Abbot will do whatever it takes to rescue Reid Graveheart, the reformed Brood demon she loves—even if it means teaming up with his violent, unpredictable older brother, Deacon. Her uneasy truce with him offers Viv something Reid never could: the chance to embrace her darkness.

As the search for Reid intensifies, Viv and her friends must maintain appearances on Harker grounds while wading into Astera’s seedy underbelly with none other than the White Stag as their guide. But when a bounty on Viv’s head puts those she cares about most in danger, Viv will be forced to go to lengths she never dreamed in order to protect them.

With enemies closing in from all sides and a ticking clock on her life, Viv must save the Half City from destruction while surviving a betrayal that strikes at the heart of everything she’s fighting for. Because in a world where monsters wear familiar faces and temptation cuts deeper than any blade, making it through her second semester at Harker will take more than skill—it will take everything Viv has left to give. Who can she really trust in a city that thrives on lies?

EXCERPT

The sun is setting over Astera, and I am dying.

“It’s about your brother . . .” My voice is garbled by all the blood pooling in my mouth. Deacon—all hulking, demonic, six foot six inches of him—drags me through grime and snow to hurl me in-side his club. I land hard and my body shrieks in pain. Another bout of hacking results in a gory splatter of red on Fever Dream’s polished concrete floors.

Baz follows Deacon inside, as silent and looming as a shadow, his dark hair hanging mournfully in front of his face. He looks wary of me—violet eyes flitting back and forth between my crum-pled, shivering body and his menacing boss. A baby‑faced bar-tender leans over the bar with interest, fangs jutting from his mouth at the sight of my blood. An elegant, bronze‑skinned acro-bat peers up from her stretches on the raised dais where the DJ equipment stands.

“Speak,” Deacon commands. His pale eyes fixate on the sizzled flesh of my back—the place where I carry the deadliest spell known to man.

“The Brood . . .” My lungs crackle with each word. “When Reid—”

“What’s all that noise?” When I turn toward the voice I find Ward, the handsome werewolf bartender I met a week ago, coming out from a swinging door behind the bar. He’s holding a dishrag and a bottle of gin. His earthy green eyes widen at the sight of me. “Snow White?”

Deacon ignores him. “What happened to my brother, Vivienne?”

At that Ward straightens, leaves the bottle and rag on the bar top, and stalks over to Deacon’s side.

“He’s at the docks,” I wheeze. “Finn, the High Thane’s son, has him. Please, they’re going to—” I cough again. Dim lights and Grecian columns and the lofted ceiling swirl around me. “They’re going to kill him.”

A curse rips from Deacon, the sound rumbling through the club like an earthquake. Despite my best efforts, I cower at the fury rippling off his broad shoulders and stern jaw. “Heal her,” he com-mands. I’m not sure who he’s talking to, because my sight has faded into bursts and splotches. When I can no longer hold myself up, I slump to the floor.

Before consciousness slips away from me, I’m lifted by ice‑cold hands. From the weak hum beneath my skin, I know it’s a deviant, but I’m too depleted to squirm away.

“Don’t let any Brood in tonight,” Deacon growls. “Not until we return. And nobody breathes a word of this outside these walls, yeah?” Quiet murmurs of agreement. “And for the love of Christ,” Deacon barks to whoever is holding me. Baz, I’d guess, from the vampiric chill of his skin. “Don’t let her bleed all over the lounge.”

With that, two sets of feet file outside before the massive front doors swing closed with a hideous thud.

“Will they save him?” I don’t care what happens to me. But Reid, but Reid—

I don’t hear Baz’s response. Only the rushing of my desperate heartbeat, the shimmering twinkle of the syrabraxa below my skin, and the gentle thump of club music. Something warm and wet brushes my lips, and an endless void swallows me whole.

Excerpted from Cursed City by Kate Golden Copyright © 2026 by Kate Golden. Excerpted by permission of Ace. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

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]]> https://thenerddaily.com/cursed-city-by-kate-golden-excerpt/feed/ 0 65822 Q&A: Kate Golden, Author of ‘Half City’ https://thenerddaily.com/kate-golden-half-city-author-interview/ https://thenerddaily.com/kate-golden-half-city-author-interview/#respond Thu, 19 Feb 2026 22:00:00 +0000 https://thenerddaily.com/?p=61649 We chat with author Kate Golden about Half City, which follows a  lone demon hunter who is recruited by a reformed demon to enroll at a private school for hunters like herself. There she must reckon with secrets from her deceased father’s past, her mixed feelings for a man she’s been taught to hate, and a series of mysterious attacks that threatens the lives of every student at Harker Academy.  Hi, Kate! Welcome back! We last spoke for the release of […]

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]]> We chat with author Kate Golden about Half City, which follows a  lone demon hunter who is recruited by a reformed demon to enroll at a private school for hunters like herself. There she must reckon with secrets from her deceased father’s past, her mixed feelings for a man she’s been taught to hate, and a series of mysterious attacks that threatens the lives of every student at Harker Academy. 

Hi, Kate! Welcome back! We last spoke for the release of A Dawn of Onyx. How have you been and what have you been up to?

I’ve been great, just working away on this new trilogy that I am so thrilled about and enjoying the transition from high fantasy to urban fantasy!

Your latest novel, Half City, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Buffy attends Basgiath in NYC.

What can readers expect?

An action packed urban fantasy in a reimagined New York with a strong paranormal, enemies to lovers romance (a demon slayer and a reformed demon) all set in a dark academia college.

Where did the inspiration for Half City come from?

I was wrapping up my Sacred Stones trilogy (of which A Dawn of Onyx is the first book) and itching to write a fantasy book that was a bit more contemporary. At the same time, I was binging Buffy the Vampire Slayer and feeling so inspired by the way the show used Buffy’s “monster of the week” to tackle real coming of age struggles with such grace and humor. The idea was born from there!

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

I loved delving into Viv’s psyche. She’s a very dark and twisty FMC—she has a lot of self-loathing and self-doubt. She’s the black sheep of her family and she’s been through some pretty traumatizing things, hunting demons by herself for so many years. It was so cathartic to write her experience coming in to her own and finding her people. And the enemies to lovers romance, of course. That’s always deliciously fun.

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

It’s always hard to start a new series. There’s so much world building to do and groundwork to lay and puzzle pieces to plant in service of the rest of the trilogy. When I get overwhelmed I try to tell myself that I just have to take it one step at a time. And that less is more!

Can you give us a little teaser for what’s to come in the Harker Academy series?

Well, this first book is going to follow Viv’s attending of this elite college for demon hunters. Of course, when she gets there, something isn’t quite right with the school, and she’ll have to work with this demon instructor and her new group of friends to get to the bottom of it. The second book will explore the consequences of what Viv discovers in book one, and ratchet up the tension in her already complicated love life. And the third… I can’t give anything away about that one yet, but expect plenty of creatures, spice, and rising stakes barrelling toward a big finale!

What’s next for you?

Well Half City comes out on 2/17, the second book, Cursed City, eight months later on 10/13 and the third and final book not too long after that. So I’m pretty entrenched in the Harker world at the moment. After this trilogy I guess I’ll have to watch another fantastic 90’s TV show to inspire something new!

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

I can’t wait to read B.K. Borison’s AND NOW BACK TO YOU, as well as finally start the Red Rising series!! I have heard incredible things.

Will you be picking up Half City? Tell us in the comments below!

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]]> https://thenerddaily.com/kate-golden-half-city-author-interview/feed/ 0 61649 Fantasy & Sci-Fi Book Releases To Devour In 2026 https://thenerddaily.com/fantasy-sci-fi-books-january-to-june-2026/ https://thenerddaily.com/fantasy-sci-fi-books-january-to-june-2026/#respond Mon, 05 Jan 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://thenerddaily.com/?p=60886 The Nerd Daily may obtain commissions for qualifying purchases from the links included in this article and are invested back into The Nerd Daily, but it’s so important to remember to shop local and indie! Get ready to be whisked away with a new fantasy or sci-fi read because we’ve rounded up 72 upcoming reads that will be hitting shelves between January and June this year! From epic fantasy and speculative fiction, to space adventures and fantasy with more than […]

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]]> The Nerd Daily may obtain commissions for qualifying purchases from the links included in this article and are invested back into The Nerd Daily, but it’s so important to remember to shop local and indie!

Get ready to be whisked away with a new fantasy or sci-fi read because we’ve rounded up 72 upcoming reads that will be hitting shelves between January and June this year! From epic fantasy and speculative fiction, to space adventures and fantasy with more than a dash of romance, there’s something for every type SFF reader out there!

This year sees new releases from the likes of Jim Butcher, Isabel Ibañez, Kate Golden, Ava Reid, TJ Klune, Mike Chen, James S.A. Corey, Veronica Roth, RJ Barker, Shannon Chakraborty, Martha Wells, Sunyi Dean, Brandon Sanderson, and many more, plus some extremely exciting debuts!

You’ll be sure to find quite a few exciting new reads within this list and be sure to check out our other 2026 round-ups too, including our Most Anticipated, Romance, and Young Adult lists!

JANUARY 2026 FANTASY & SCI-FI BOOKS

The Starseekers by Nicole Glover

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Indiana Jones meets Hidden Figures in this brand-new stand-alone historical fantasy set in the world of The Conductors, in which the space race of the mid-20th century will be determined by magic…if not murder.

Twelve Months by Jim Butcher

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Harry Dresden, Chicago’s only professional wizard, has always managed to save the day—but, in this powerful entry in the #1 New York Times bestselling Dresden Files, can he save himself?

Way of the Walker by Salinee Goldenberg

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Return to the Thai-inspired world of Suyoram in this vicious follow up to 2024’s The Last Phi Hunter, exploring mythology, colonialism, and feminine rage. A perfect read for fans of Iron Widow and The Sword of Kaigen.

City of Others by Jared Poon

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Dive into a world where magic lies hidden just below the surface in this charming urban fantasy full of workplace found family, queer romance, and supernatural creatures straight out of Southeast Asian lore, from debut author Jared Poon. 

Graceless Heart by Isabel Ibañez

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
#1 New York Times bestselling author Isabel Ibañez makes her adult debut with a gorgeous, historical, and romantic fantasy perfect for fans of One Dark Window and Ever After. A lush tale full of enemies-to-lovers tension, whimsical magic, villain romance, and slow-burn desire, set in an enchanted, perilous Florence where forbidden power could ignite a war.

Enchanting The Fae Queen by Stephanie Burgis

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Stephanie Burgis delivers another irreverent, sparkling, and sexy installment in the Queens of Villainy series, where a seductive fae queen meets her unexpected match in the enemy empire’s valiant general.

We Who Have No Gods by Liza Anderson

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
In a world of witches, a human woman must hunt or be hunted in this explosive gothic dark academia fantasy filled with war-bent rivals, guarded secrets, and simmering chemistry.

Godstorm by Solitaire Townsend

Publisher | Amazon | Waterstones | Goodreads
Fast-paced and highly original, Godstorm transports the reader to a vivid, alternative Roman Empire, which has evolved into an oil-worshiping global superpower fueled by petrol, domination and greed.

Detour by Jeff Rake and Rob Hart

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A space shuttle flight crew discovers that the Earth they’ve returned to is not the home they left behind in the first book of this emotional, mind-bending thriller series from the creator of the hit Netflix show Manifest and the bestselling author of The Warehouse.

Ballad of the Bone Road by A.C. Wise

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
In the glittering city of Port Astor, where fae roads criss-cross human highways and ghosts whisper to the living, nothing is ever as it seems. This utterly original dark fantasy tale of faith and fanaticism, doomed love and desperate bargains is perfect for fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Ava Reid.

The Twice-Wanted Witch by Katie Hallahan

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Six months after slaying an Archdemon, McKenna Ellerbeck is overworked and sidelined by the Council. When her friend faces trial and her ex goes missing amid demon plots and secrets, McKenna must uncover the truth and choose between power and justice.

The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto Yambao

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
When you lose your way in life, the Elsewhere Express just might find you. Step on board the train that may take you to your life’s purpose in this wistful, Ghibli-esque fantasy from the bestselling author of Water Moon.

FEBRUARY 2026 FANTASY & SCI-FI BOOKS

The Fox Hunt by Caitlin Breeze

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Dive into the dark underbelly of England’s most ancient university, where behind closed doors a circle of privileged students enter into a dark pagan ritual–one that holds tantalizing power and comes at a terrible price.​

Strange Animals by Jarod K. Anderson

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
An ordinary man discovers a hidden world of supernatural creatures—and an unexpected home—in this enchanting contemporary fantasy debut.

Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A man must fight for his planet against impossible odds when gamers from Earth attempt to remotely annihilate it in this epic, fast-paced novel from the New York Times bestselling author of the smash-hit Dungeon Crawler Carl.

A Day of Breath by Darby Cox

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A dark and imaginative coming of age adventure filled with demons and religious conspiracy, A Day of Breath is a perfect read for fans of Naomi Novik and N.K. Jemisin.

The Gods Must Burn by T.R. Moore

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A disgraced war hero is transformed into the Wolf God, protector of the Forest God, and must earn her trust in this healing dark fantasy for fans of The Wolf and the Woodsman and Princess Mononoke.

The Red Winter by Cameron Sullivan

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Debut author Cameron Sullivan tears the heart out of history with this darkly entertaining retelling of the hunt for the Beast of Gévaudan. Lifting the veil on the hidden world behind our own, it reimagines the story of Europe, from Imperial Rome to Saint Jehanne d’Arc, the madness of Gilles de Rais and the first flickers of the French Revolution.

Half City by Kate Golden

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
When a lone demon hunter is recruited by a reformed demon to enroll at a private school for hunters like herself, she will reckon with secrets from her deceased father’s past, her mixed feelings for a man she’s been taught to hate, and a series of mysterious attacks that threatens the lives of every student at Harker Academy.

The Apple and the Pearl by Rym Kechacha

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A richly atmospheric fantasy set across one day, as a ballet troupe of lost souls perform an ancient dance for the faerie realms, knowing they could be snatched away by their audience of faerie princes, imps and sprites at any moment.

Nightshade and Oak by Molly O’Neill

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
An Iron Age goddess must grapple with becoming human in this delightful historical fantasy of myth and magic from the author of the instant hit Greenteeth.

The Vanishing Bookstore by Helen Phifer

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Readers will lose themselves in the mesmerising magic of this absorbing and utterly unputdownable page-turner, perfect for fans of Weyward, The Lost Apothecary and Practical Magic.

The Legend of the Nine-Tailed Fox by Katrina Kwan

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the author of The Last Dragon of the East comes a sweeping fantasy adventure with a dash of romance between a nine-tailed fox and the demon-hunter who captures her, banished to the underworld together and forced to form a reluctant alliance in order to escape the circles of Hell.

The Misheard World by Aliya Whiteley

Amazon | Goodreads
An interrogation of a famed spy by a military agent reveals deeper secrets about the beginnings of the war—and about the world itself—in the latest groundbreaking novel from the Arthur C. Clarke Award-nominated Aliya Whiteley.

MARCH 2026 FANTASY & SCI-FI BOOKS

The First Step by Tao Wong

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
In a spectacular world of immortals, spirit beasts, and mystical martial arts, the young farmer Wu Ying’s life will be changed forever when he is unexpectedly invited to join an elite school of cultivation.

The Ascension of Souls by Bronte-Marie Wesson

Publisher | Amazon | Goodreads
The first in the Broken Cycle trilogy, The Ascension of Souls is an epic fantasy with intricate worldbuilding, complex characters, political schemes and a unique magic system.

Innamorata by Ava Reid

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A visionary and atmospheric gothic fantasy about necromancy, vengeance, and soul-consuming love, the first in a duology from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Study in Drowning and Lady Macbeth.

Voidverse by Damien Ober

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Dune meets Wool in this high-octane quest through the void, where two eternal forces are about to collide in an epic showdown.

The Fountain by Casey Scieszka

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Blending the spectacular with the everyday in a tale filled with humor and warmth, The Fountain explores what gives life meaning and how our understandings of our histories shape—and cage—us.

The Fox and the Devil by Kiersten White

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
An obsession with a beautiful serial killer entangles a vampire hunter’s daughter in an immortal sapphic romance in this enthralling gothic fantasy from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Lucy Undying.

Magic and Mischief at the Wayside Hotel by Elizabeth Everett

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
When a magical hotel appears smack-dab in the middle of the most unmagical of worlds, the last thing the residents expect is to fall in love.

The Book of Fallen Leaves by A.S. Tamaki

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Shogun meets Game of Thrones in the blockbuster epic fantasy event of the year.  A. S. Tamaki weaves a powerful tale of ambition, vengeance and sacrifice in this masterful fantasy retelling of an ancient Samurai saga, packed with memorable characters, stunning worldbuilding and epic adventure.

Aicha by Soraya Bouazzaoui

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads|
Aicha is the story of Morocco’s warrior goddess, her strange magic, fierce rebellion, and devastating romance. Soraya Bouazzaoui weaves an epic tale of female rage and hidden myths, perfect for fans of The City of Brass and The Stardust Thief.

No Man’s Land by Richard K. Morgan

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A compelling standalone dark fantasy set in a gritty post-WWI Britain that has been overrun by the fae, from the award-winning author of Altered Carbon.

Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A breathtaking reimagining of Cinderella, as told through the eyes of its iconic “evil” stepmother, revealing a propulsive love story about the lengths a mother will go to for her children.

The Library of Amorlin by Kalyn Josephson

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A brilliant con artist and a secretive librarian collide in New York Times bestselling author Kalyn Josephson’s enchanting adult fantasy debut packed with twists, tricks, slowburn romantic tension, and magical creatures — perfect for fans of S.A. MacLean, Mai Corland, and K.A. Linde.

APRIL 2026 FANTASY & SCI-FI BOOKS

The Subtle Art of Folding Space by John Chu

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The Subtle Art of Folding Space, is the exhilarating debut science fiction novel from Nebula and Hugo Award-winning author John Chu channels unhinged physics, generational trauma, and the comfort of really good dim sum. This isn’t your usual jaunt through quantum physics.

An Arcane Study of Stars by Sydney J. Shields

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From Sydney J. Shields, the breakout author of The Honey Witch, comes An Arcane Study of Stars, a historical dark academia fantasy filled with ancient secret societies, a swoon-worthy rivals-to-lovers romance, and dangerous deals made after dark. Perfect for fans of The Atlas Six and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.

The Lighthouse at the End of the World by Philip A. Suggars

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Enter a London like no other in this fast-paced, captivating fantasy novel filled with warring gods, alternate realities and a working class kid caught in the middle of it all, perfect for fans of V.E. Schwab and Genevieve Cogman.

We Burned So Bright by T.J. Klune

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A heart-wrenching standalone novel by #1 New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune, We Burned So Bright follows an elder gay couple on an end-of-the-world road-trip.

The Tricky Business of Faerie Bargains by Reena McCarty

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A former changeling must return to the land of the Fae to right a bargain that’s gone terribly wrong in this delightful cozy fantasy debut packed full of charm, adventure, romance and heart.

Stay for a Spell by Amy Coombe

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A cursed princess must discover what her heart truly longs for in this charmingly cozy romantic fantasy for everyone who’s ever lost – or found – themselves in a bookshop.

Witch Queen Rising by Savannah Stephens

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A reclusive witch who fled the burden of her bloodline rises to be the greatest among them in this lush and haunting fantasy debut.

The Language of Liars by S. L. Huang

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Training to infiltrate the Star Eaters, Ro believes empathy will transform him rather than make him an imposter. Ignoring his elders’ warnings, he fails to realise that understanding an alien species may come at a devastating cost.

The Photonic Effect by Mike Chen

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A starship captain and her crew face conspiracies and betrayals as they clash with various factions of a galactic civil war in a thrilling space adventure by New York Times bestselling author Mike Chen.

The Faith of Beasts by James S.A. Corey

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
James S. A. Corey’s Expanse series has sold more than 12 million copies worldwide and has been translated into more than 23 languages, establishing itself as a modern masterwork of science fiction. Now, the Hugo-award winning author returns with the second volume in their New York Times bestselling and critically acclaimed space opera trilogy, The Captive’s War. 

The Radiant Dark by Alexandra Oliva

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Arrival meets Wild Dark Shore in this captivating novel that follows a family over fifty years—a bold and compassionate exploration of the universe around us and what it truly means to be human.

What We Are Seeking by Cameron Reed

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From Cameron Reed, the acclaimed author of The Fortunate Fall, comes a soaring novel of queer hope and transformation, perfect for readers of Ann Leckie and Amal El-Mohtar.

MAY 2026 FANTASY & SCI-FI BOOKS

The Last Contract of Isako by Fonda Lee

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A battle-worn corporate samurai undertakes one last mission on a merciless planet where death is always a mere breath away, in this standalone dystopian epic from the author of the modern fantasy classic Jade City. 

The Franchise by Thomas Elrod

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Game of Thrones meets The Truman Show in this epic tale of a Hollywood-owned fantasy world where nothing is quite as it seems to the people who live and die at the studio’s whim.

Seek the Traitor’s Son by Veronica Roth

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
An epic, romantic dystopian fantasy begins in Seek the Traitor’s Son, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth.

Mortedant’s Peril by RJ Barker

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
In a city of ancient automata, strange spirits, and sleeping gods, a cleric of death finds his own life on the line in this vividly imagined fantasy murder mystery from the acclaimed author of The Bone Ships and Age of Assassins.

Absence by Andrew Dana Hudson

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
In this gripping, moving, and genre-blending speculative debut, the world is unraveling from an epidemic of human vanishing. Two rookie agents from the Bureau of Depopulation Affairs are dispatched to small-town Kansas to investigate a woman who claims to have returned from Spontaneous Human Absence, offering answers that could change everything.

Palaces of the Crow by Ray Nayler

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
In Ray Nayler’s speculative novel of the recent past, four young teens caught between Nazis and the Red Army survive winter in the woods with the help of a flock of highly intelligent crows with a magnificent secret of their own to protect.

Magician by Tracy Lynne Oliver

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A dark magic debut novel featuring the Boy who becomes the Magician and the villainous Mother whose sadism might end it all—for fans of Our Share of Night and The Changeling.

A Curse of Beasts and Magic by Jeaniene Frost

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
New York Times bestselling author of The Night Huntress series Jeaniene Frost returns with a brand-new series! It’s Beauty and the Beast meets The Witcher, except Beauty IS the Beast, and he’s the Warden keeping mythical beings in check in our world and beyond.

The Tapestry of Fate by Shannon Chakraborty

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
New York Times bestselling author Shannon Chakraborty sets sail into the second adventure of pirate Amina al-Sirafi as her quest to track down magical artifacts brings her to the island lair of a sorceress whose woven enchantments are impossible to flee.

Platform Decay by Martha Wells

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Everyone’s favorite lethal SecUnit is back in the next installment of Martha Wells’ bestselling and award-winning Murderbot Diaries series.

The Girl with a Thousand Faces by Sunyi Dean

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the USA Today bestselling author of The Book Eaters comes The Girl with a Thousand Faces, a stunning Gothic tale set in a historical Hong Kong that meshes ancient myths and local legends into a haunting story of ghosts, grief, and women who will not forgive.

Death’s Daughter by S.A. Barnes

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Perfect for fans of Ninth House, Nightshade, and Neon Gods, Death’s Daughter is a dark, spicy and deliciously autumnal contemporary romantic fantasy in a dark academia setting, in which the only daughter of Death is named his successor, making her both a powerful ally and a massive target, all while she tries to make it through her final year at college . . .

JUNE 2026 FANTASY & SCI-FI BOOKS

Heaven’s Graveyard by Grace Curtis

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the Sunday Times-bestselling author of Floating Hotel and Idolfire comes a science fantasy tale of history and myth, magic and mystery, perfect for fans of Shelley Parker-Chan and A. K. Larkwood.

The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
With her country’s future and her own life at stake, an orphaned duchess must journey into a world of myth and there discover a power that may be her salvation—or her demise—in this enchanting new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of the Winternight Trilogy and The Warm Hands of Ghosts.

Songs of the Dead by Brandon Sanderson and Peter Orullian

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A London rocker is faced with a life-or-death choice when he realizes that a powerful society of magic wielders are the only ones keeping London safe in this deft contemporary fantasy cowritten by #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson with author and musician Peter Orullian.

Sublimation by Isabel J. Kim

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Doppelgängers, corporate intrigue, heartbreak, betrayal, and the harsh permanence of the border: Sublimation is a thrilling and provocative debut for fans of Severance that asks what you’d sacrifice for a different life from award-winning author Isabel J. Kim.

The Winged Game by Sophie Kim

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Fantasy meets sports romance in this sizzling slow-burn novel in which the disgraced star of a brutal magical sport must team up with the rival who destroyed her career, from the #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of The God and the Gumiho.

The Reimagining of Thornwood House by Jaleigh Johnson

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A witch and her young ward discover a magical, walking house and learn the true meaning of home in this cozy, enchanting novel from New York Times bestselling author Jaleigh Johnson.

A Dance of Burning Blades by M. H. Ayinde

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
War rages on in the second heart-pounding novel in M. H. Ayinde’s relentless epic fantasy series The Invoker Trilogy, a sweeping epic of revenge and rebellion set in a richly drawn world of warring clans and ancestor magic.

The Jellyfish Problem by Tessa Yang

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A marine biologist makes the discovery of a lifetime when called to rescue the inhabitants of a small Maine island being menaced by a giant, glowing jellyfish in this richly imagined, wholly original debut.

Obstetrix by Naomi Kritzer

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the Hugo award-winning author Naomi Kritzer comes a tense portrait of a future we desperately hope to escape.

The Traveler by Joseph Eckert

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The Traveler is the story of a reluctant time-traveler and his son, and the bond between them that even millennia cannot break. An adventure full of heartbreak, hope, and futures beyond imagination.

The Sixth Nik by Daniel Kraus

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A startling hybrid of the Alien franchise and Ender’s Game, The Sixth Nik is the first sci-fi novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Whalefall and Angel Down.

Field Guide for the Formerly Villainous by Autumn K England

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
STARDEW VALLEY meets STUDIO GHIBLI in a charming cozy fantasy about healing, redemption, and the subtle magic of simple living. Perfect for fans of Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea and The Spellshop. Welcome home, weary traveler.

What new fantasy and sci-fi book releases are you looking forward to picking up this year? Any from this list? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Fantasy & Sci-Fi Book Releases To Devour In 2026 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

]]> https://thenerddaily.com/fantasy-sci-fi-books-january-to-june-2026/feed/ 0 60886 Anticipated Book Releases Hitting Shelves In 2026 https://thenerddaily.com/2026-anticipated-book-releases/ https://thenerddaily.com/2026-anticipated-book-releases/#respond Sun, 28 Dec 2025 09:22:20 +0000 https://thenerddaily.com/?p=60698 The Nerd Daily may obtain commissions for qualifying purchases from the links included in this article and are invested back into The Nerd Daily, but it’s so important to remember to shop local and indie! 2026, here we go! With the new year just around the corner, it’s time to start focusing on something that really matters… NEW! BOOK! RELEASES!  We’ve rounded up some highly anticipated  books from a range of genres releasing between the months of January and June […]

The post Anticipated Book Releases Hitting Shelves In 2026 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

]]> The Nerd Daily may obtain commissions for qualifying purchases from the links included in this article and are invested back into The Nerd Daily, but it’s so important to remember to shop local and indie!

2026, here we go! With the new year just around the corner, it’s time to start focusing on something that really matters… NEW! BOOK! RELEASES!  We’ve rounded up some highly anticipated  books from a range of genres releasing between the months of January and June 2026.

So far the year promises new releases from Jennifer Niven, Jennette McCurdy, Jim Butcher, Heather Fawcett, Kerri Maniscalco, Edward Ashton, T. Kingfisher, Richard K. Morgan, Rainbow Rowell, TJ Klune, Katherine Center, Julie Murphy, Katherine Arden, Melissa Albert, and many more, plus some dazzling debuts!

You’ll find quite a few exciting new reads within this list and be sure to check out our other January to June 2026 lists, which we’ll be releasing over the next month! This article will also get updated with those links so you can easily find them, including our Anticipated Romance Reads, Anticipated Fantasy and Sci-Fi Books and Anticipated YA Reads… We apologise in advance to your TBR pile and wallet!

JANUARY 2026 BOOK RELEASES

Meet the Newmans by Jennifer Niven

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Funny, big-hearted, and deeply moving, Meet the Newmans is a rich family story about the dual lives we lead. Because even when our lives aren’t televised weekly, we all have a behind-the-scenes.

The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Perfect for fans of Daisy Jones and the Six and In Five Years—a beautiful, powerful, and transportive new novel about a music executive desperately trying to bring a rock band back from the brink, from bestselling author Ashley Winstead.

The Poet Empress by Shen Tao

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Debut author Shen Tao introduces readers to the lush, deadly world of The Poet Empress, a sweeping, epic and intimate fantasy perfect for fans of The Serpent & the Wings of Night, The Song of Achilles and She Who Became the Sun.

Half His Age by Jennette McCurdy

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of I’m Glad My Mom Died comes a sad, funny, thrilling novel about sex, consumerism, class, desire, loneliness, the internet, rage, intimacy, power, and the (oftentimes misguided) lengths we’ll go to in order to get what we want.

My Husband’s Wife by Alice Feeney

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
My Husband’s Wife is a tangled web of deception, obsession, and mystery that will keep you guessing until the last page. Prepare yourself for the ultimate mind-bending marriage thriller and step inside Spyglass – if you dare – to experience a story where nothing is as it seems.

If All the Stars Go Dark by S. G. Prince

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
An out-of-this-world queer space opera (aka: sci-fi with magic) complete with a murder mystery, a prison break, and heist during which time the fate of the universe may or may not hang in the balance – and made even more exciting by the swoon worthy will-they-won’t-they romance.

Twelve Months by Jim Butcher

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Harry Dresden, Chicago’s only professional wizard, has always managed to save the day—but, in this powerful entry in the #1 New York Times bestselling Dresden Files, can he save himself?

Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of First Lie Wins, a tense, feverish thriller about two women’s lives that are forever intertwined when a murder threatens to expose them both.

Last First Kiss by Julian Winters

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Sparks fly in this second chance m/m rom com when an unlucky-in-love event planner realizes the man-of-honor at the high profile wedding he’s planning is the same man who broke his heart.

A War of Wyverns by S. F. Williamson

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Rebellion happens in the shadows. In the sequel to the New York Times bestseller A Language of Dragons, language is the greatest weapon in a war between humans and dragons—and one translator has the power to change the world. 

Vigil by George Saunders

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
An electric novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling, Booker Prize–winning author of Lincoln in the Bardo, taking place at the bedside of an oil company CEO in the twilight hours of his life as he is ferried from this world into the next.

Is This a Cry for Help? by Emily R. Austin

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A luminous new novel following a librarian who comes back to work after a mental breakdown only to confront book-banning crusaders in an empowering story of grief, love, and the power of libraries.

FEBRUARY 2026 BOOK RELEASES

Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A woman who runs a cat rescue in 1920s Montreal turns to a grouchy but charming wizard to help save the shelter in this heartwarming cozy fantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of the Emily Wilde series.

The Girls Before by Kate Alice Marshall

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the bestselling author of What Lies in the Woods, No One Can Know, and A Killing Cold, a new novel about a search & rescue expert, a kidnapped woman, and the lost girls who haunt them both.

Cleopatra by Saara El-Arifi

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Cleopatra tells her own story in this evocative and sensuous historical epic from the bestselling and award-winning author of Faebound and The Final Strife.

The Astral Library by Kate Quinn

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From New York Times bestselling author Kate Quinn comes a gorgeously written fantastical adventure which poses the question: Have you ever wished you could live inside a book? Welcome to the Astral Library, where books are not just objects, but doors to new worlds, new lives, and new futures.

Game, Set, Match by Jennifer Iacopelli

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
She’s a tennis superstar on the rise. He’s the bad boy champ who broke her heart. When they meet on the court, their competition is hot—but their chemistry is even hotter.

Throne of Nightmares by Kerri Maniscalco

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
In this action-packed standalone fantasy romance from New York Times bestselling sensation Kerri Maniscalco, a book of dangerous magic draws two readers into a perilous quest to find it—and their own happy ending.

It’s Not Her by Mary Kubica

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Two families at a secluded lake resort are at the center of a chilling crime in this twisty thriller from the bestselling author of Local Woman Missing.

Stolen Midnights by Katherine Quinn

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
This magical new YA romantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of To Kill a Shadow will steal your heart. Set in Andalay, a world where the ruling Fates bestow gifts among the favored, a thief must join forces with the palace darling after he unwittingly steals a necklace with the power to change everything.

After The Fall by Edward Ashton

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Part alien invasion story, part buddy comedy, and part workplace satire, After The Fall by Edward Ashton, author of Mickey7 (inspiration for the film Mickey 17), asks an important question: would humans really make great pets?

Red Star Rebels by Amie Kaufman

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the New York Times bestselling co-author of Illuminae and Aurora Rising comes a high-stakes, high-chemistry, sci-fi romp about a stowaway girl and the richest boy in the galaxy, racing the clock to outwit a gang of mercenaries.

How To Kill A Guy In Ten Dates by Shailee Thompson

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A humorous, swoony, and downright terrifying slasher rom-com in which a cinephile gets caught in the middle of a murder spree at a speed-dating event and must use her encyclopedic knowledge of the romance and horror genres to make it as a real-life Final Girl.

Half City by Kate Golden

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Crescent City meets Buffy, the Vampire Slayer in the first installment of a pulse-pounding dark academia fantasy series from USA Today bestselling author Kate Golden.

MARCH 2026 BOOK RELEASES

The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Say You’ll Remember Me comes a beautiful, compelling novel that revels in laughter, friendship, and the messy choices life can throw our way.

Bloom by Robbie Couch

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the New York Times bestselling author of If I See You Again Tomorrow comes a delightful and heartwarming novel about family, love, grief, and one precocious houseplant, that reminds us of the beauty of living a life in full Bloom.

Strangers In The Villa by Robyn Harding

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the international bestselling author of The Drowning Woman, a psychological thriller about a couple rocked by infidelity who moves to a villa in Spain’s Costa Brava to rebuild their relationship, only to welcome a pair of visitors who have no intention of leaving.  

Wolf Worm by T. Kingfisher

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Something darker than the devil stalks the North Carolina woods in Wolf Worm, a new gothic masterpiece from New York Times bestselling author T. Kingfisher

The Ascension of Souls by Bronte-Marie Wesson

Publisher | Amazon | Goodreads
The first in the Broken Cycle trilogy, The Ascension of Souls is an epic fantasy with intricate worldbuilding, complex characters, political schemes and a unique magic system.

A Spell For Saints and Sinners by Emily Carpenter

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Like a gender-flipped You but dripping with Southern Gothic atmosphere, a young psychic on the verge of losing everything becomes obsessed with a wealthy, beautiful heiress in this clever, darkly atmospheric novel of psychological suspense set amid the lush, moss-draped beauty of Savannah.

Thirty Love by Tom Vellner

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Things heat up on and off the court for two tennis rivals in this steamy debut gay sports rom-com, perfect for fans of TJ Alexander and Casey McQuiston.

Wretch by Eric LaRocca

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From rising horror star and award-winning author of Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke comes a nightmarish, haunting, tech-Gothic thrill ride about sorrow, memory, and the unabashed complexity of love as a transgressive act.

No Man’s Land by Richard K. Morgan

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A compelling standalone dark fantasy set in a gritty post-WWI Britain that has been overrun by the fae, from the award-winning author of Altered Carbon.

One Word, Six Letters by Adib Khorram

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Two teen boys grapple with identity and accountability and set off a ripple effect within their community after a school assembly is disrupted by a shouted slur.

Vow of Eternal Night by Lily Crozier

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A gothic romantasy Beauty and the Beast retelling about a vampire prince and the captive bride who will do anything to break his curse – for fans of Naomi Novik, Heather Fawcett and Howl’s Moving Castle.

The Fourth Wife by Linda Hamilton

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas meets “Sister Wives” in a deliciously chilling, darkly romantic, historical gothic horror with a feminist slant, as a young Mormon woman is haunted by a malevolent presence in the decrepit Salt Lake City mansion she shares with her new husband and his other wives…

APRIL 2026 BOOK RELEASES

The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Fans of Agatha Christie’s locked-room mysteries and modern tales like Knives Out will fall for The Ending Writes Itself, which masterfully blends classic mystery elements with genre-bending tropes. Crafted with razor-sharp wit and a meta twist, this satirical take on the publishing world ensures readers will hang on every word, right up to its breathtaking finale.

Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
#1 New York Times bestselling author Rainbow Rowell returns with a breathtakingly honest novel about a woman who lost everything — and isn’t sure she wants it back.

Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
In this lyrical, wildly inventive horror novel interwoven with Japanese mythology, two people living centuries apart discover a door between their worlds.

The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Marissa Meyer and rising star Tamara Moss comes a twisty thrill-ride, filled with sabotage, betrayal, and puzzles to die for.

American Fantasy by Emma Straub

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From New York Times bestselling author of This Time Tomorrow, an irresistible story about what happens when your teenage fantasy comes true after you’re already an adult.

We Burned So Bright by T.J. Klune

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A heart-wrenching standalone novel by #1 New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune, We Burned So Bright follows an elder gay couple on an end-of-the-world road-trip.

Last Night in Brooklyn by Xochitl Gonzalez

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
New York Times bestselling author Xochitl Gonzalez delivers a captivating story about a young woman whose life becomes ensnared in her glamorous neighbor’s secret past, laying bare the mounting tensions at play in a rapidly gentrifying, early 2000’s Fort Greene, Brooklyn.

The Subtle Art of Folding Space by John Chu

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The Subtle Art of Folding Space, is the exhilarating debut science fiction novel from Nebula and Hugo Award-winning author John Chu channels unhinged physics, generational trauma, and the comfort of really good dim sum. This isn’t your usual jaunt through quantum physics.

Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Told with Sally Hepworth’s twists, humor, charm, and heart, MAD MABEL is novel that weaves past and present together–through the power of justice and redemption, and all the way to its stunning conclusion.

Odessa by Gabrielle Sher

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
In a powerfully imagined Russia at the height of the pogroms, a grief-stricken family turns to ancient magic to bring their daughter back from the grave.

Deathly Fates by Tesia Tsai

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A sweeping debut inspired by the Chinese folk practice of necromancy, Deathly Fates is perfect for fans of Descendant of the Crane, The Bone Shard Daughter, and A Magic Steeped in Poison.

How to Fake It in Society by KJ Charles

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Bridgerton meets The Goldfinch in How to Fake It in Society, a stunning queer romance by rising genre star KJ Charles.

MAY 2026 BOOK RELEASES

The Shippers by Katherine Center

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
No one does summer romance quite like Katherine Center. THE SHIPPERS will take readers on the cruise of a lifetime in a story awash with romantic longing, top-notch banter, long-held secrets . . . and true love rediscovered.

The Anniversary by Alex Finlay

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Twisty, high-concept, and emotionally charged, this novel is an utterly compelling story of the hunt for a serial killer. But it’s also a heartfelt―and heartrending―novel about fate, innocence lost, and two souls who find that sometimes being broken is the only way for the light to get in. The Anniversary reaffirms Finlay as one of the leading thriller writers today.

Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Best friends have one week in paradise to fix their friendship or fall apart in this heart-stopping, utterly romantic new novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Every Summer After and One Golden Summer.

The Midnight Train by Matt Haig

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
When your life flashes before your eyes, where would you stop? A magical, time-travelling love story, from the world of The Midnight Library.

Student Union by Julie Murphy

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From #1 New York Times–bestselling author Julie Murphy comes a sexy rom com about a college marriage of convenience that goes way beyond chemistry 101…The first in a trilogy of romance novels that follows a group of girls as they navigate love, friendship, and new adulthood, this is perfect for fans of Elle Kennedy and Hannah Grace.

Young World by Soman Chainani

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the New York Times bestselling author of the School for Good and Evil series comes a renegade thriller, about a teenager elected President of the United States, sparking a global revolution of young leaders—until one of them is murdered and he’s the prime suspect.

The Last Contract of Isako by Fonda Lee

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A battle-worn corporate samurai undertakes one last mission on a merciless planet where death is always a mere breath away, in this standalone dystopian epic from the author of the modern fantasy classic Jade City. 

The Library After Dark by Ande Pliego

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A bookseller must escape the infamously haunted library that holds her darkest secrets, but with a murderer in her tour group, escaping alive is not as simple as it seems, in this twisty locked-room thriller from bestselling author of You Are Fatally Invited.

Bone of My Bone by Johanna van Veen

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Bram Stoker Award–nominee and USA Today bestseller Johanna van Veen unveils a sapphic folk-horror tour de force―perfect for fans of The VVitch and The Salt Grows Heavy. A skull’s grin is eternal…

The Dorians by Nick Cutter

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
On a remote island in the Canadian wilderness, five elderly volunteers from different walks of life are given a tantalizing offer: to stall their biological clocks or even reverse them, restoring their lost youth. 

We Dance Upon Demons by Vaishnavi Patel

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the New York Times bestselling author of Kaikeyi, a galvanizing stand-alone contemporary fantasy following a burnt-out reproductive health care worker as she fights back against escalating attacks on her clinic and the malevolent forces in hot pursuit of her newly acquired power.

The House of Now and Then by Edward Underhill

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the author of The In-Between Bookstore, the sweet, unforgettable story of a trans man in his thirties who books a Cape Cod cottage for one lonely summer—only to have its magic bring him visitors from the past and romance where he least expects it, perfect for fans of TJ Klune and Ashley Poston.

JUNE 2026 BOOK RELEASES

The Someday Garden by Ashley Poston

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The new head gardener at the enchanting Lilymoor House stumbles upon a secret garden . . . with a mysterious man trapped inside, in the next magical novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Sounds Like Love and The Seven Year Slip.

The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
With her country’s future and her own life at stake, an orphaned duchess must journey into a world of myth and there discover a power that may be her salvation—or her demise—in this enchanting historical fantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of The Bear and the Nightingale.

The Heirs by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the award-winning New York Times and Indie bestselling author of Ace of Spades comes a mystery about five teen geniuses, their billionaire father, and the aftermath of his murder―perfect for fans of One of Us is Lying, Holly Jackson, and How to Get Away with Murder!

Whistler by Ann Patchett

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The acclaimed, prize-winning #1 New York Times bestselling writer returns with a moving, luminous novel that reminds us of the sweetness and impermanence of life and the power of connection to defy time.

This Immortal Heart by Jennifer Saint

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The epic, captivating tale of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, who must reconcile her mind and heart when she is drawn against all odds to Ares, the god of war, from the internationally bestselling author of Ariadne and Hera.

Shadow Reaper by Lynette Noni

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A young reaper hunter must conspire with her enemy to uproot the ancient evil that threatens her world in this heart-pounding romantic fantasy from the bestselling author of The Prison Healer.

The Children by Melissa Albert

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The haunting new novel from New York Times bestselling author Melissa Albert, in which the estranged adult children of a legendary author, written into their dead mother’s beloved fantasy series, must contend with the vine-like creep of legacy, memory, and magic

You Won’t Forget Me by Mazey Eddings

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Cubby Clark is spiralling—her band is broken, her ex is famous, and inspiration is gone. As tabloids spin a love triangle and a summer tour amplifies tensions, Cubby and her best friend Darcy must confront buried feelings or risk losing each other and the music they love.

Dearly Departed by Chip Pons

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A Hades-inspired gay rom-com, in which the former god of the Underworld turned grumpy funeral director must find a loophole in the Immortal Retirement Act that banished him to Earth, until the florist next door who sees life in full bloom begins to unravel all his carefully laid plans.

The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the author of The Bright Years, the story of April and Leo, a couple on the brink of collapse. When their house goes up in flames, family secrets and thorny histories emerge as they are forced to decide what is worth salvaging.

There’s Only One Sin in Hollywood by Rasheed Newson

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A cinematic, razor-sharp novel following a backlot fixer’s daring investigation into the suspicious death of a closeted Black actor within the glamorous world of Hollywood, from the bestselling author of My Government Means to Kill Me.

Songs of the Dead by Brandon Sanderson and Peter Orullian

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A London rocker is faced with a life-or-death choice when he realizes that a powerful society of magic wielders are the only ones keeping London safe in this deft contemporary fantasy cowritten by #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson with author and musician Peter Orullian.

What new book releases are you looking forward to picking up this year? Tell us in the comments below! And be sure to check back later in the year for our August to December picks!

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]]> https://thenerddaily.com/2026-anticipated-book-releases/feed/ 0 60698 Review: A Reign of Rose by Kate Golden https://thenerddaily.com/review-a-reign-of-rose-by-kate-golden/ https://thenerddaily.com/review-a-reign-of-rose-by-kate-golden/#respond Tue, 16 Jul 2024 22:00:00 +0000 https://thenerddaily.com/?p=51250 The final installment of Kate Golden’s Sacred Stones trilogy is an incredibly wild ride from start to finish and readers will love to get to the end, but will be sad to finish the book. After reading this book in one sitting, it’s quite enjoyable the thrill of what would come next, which was a bit of a change from the previous two books. I think part of the reason is the fact that the characters we’ve grown to know […]

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]]> The final installment of Kate Golden’s Sacred Stones trilogy is an incredibly wild ride from start to finish and readers will love to get to the end, but will be sad to finish the book. After reading this book in one sitting, it’s quite enjoyable the thrill of what would come next, which was a bit of a change from the previous two books. I think part of the reason is the fact that the characters we’ve grown to know and love displayed some true growth in this book, and there are some bits of story that are revealed and seem to be hinting at Golden not being finished in the Sacred Stones world.

I’m going to do my best to avoid spoilers, but there are a couple that are inevitable due to events in the previous book. I would recommend scrolling away if you’re wanting to avoid them. A Reign of Rose finds the king of the Onyx Kingdom a broken man. Kane would do anything for Arwen’s safe return, but it seems like she might be past saving. Nevertheless, he must find a way to fulfil the prophecy and kill his father, even if it means his own death. For Arwen, the battle has already begun, and there is nothing she’s willing to sacrifice to save the realm from destruction.

Of the three books, Reign of Rose was my favourite. Although the book is fast paced like the others, it makes sense for the general atmosphere of the characters and the story itself. I’m going to do my best not to spoil any major plot points, but I appreciate the amount of growth displayed among the characters. We got to have more of Kane’s perspective, and in my secret little heart, I also wish we could have gotten into the head of a couple more characters too. However, getting to see just how much Kane is affected by what’s happened to Arwen and the consequences of that are just perfect.

Spice-wise, there was a little more to this book than the previous two that I think will absolutely delight romance readers. I did enjoy Kane and Arwen’s banter, too. Mari and Griffin are the couple to watch though. Golden keeps bringing them up…so I wonder what’s happening there?

There were times in this book that I felt like the reader might be a little stretched thin for the things that they had to remember, so if someone is picking this up upon release, I would definitely recommend a re-read. I started this just after finishing A Promise of Peridot, and I still had a bit of trouble.

While I tend to lean toward stories that feature heavier worldbuilding, the way that Golden wrote her story to develop both the romantic and fantasy aspects of the story. There’s just enough to tantalise the reader, but not so much that it’s overwhelming either. I genuinely think that this would be an excellent start for a reader that’s wanting to delve into romantasy, or even take a break from some of the heavier fantasy stories out there.

There are a few reveals in this book that have lead me to believe that the story won’t end with this trilogy, and I am so excited for what might come next. Is it a bit trope-heavy? Yes, but I definitely think it’s a worthy read. I would add it to any romance and fantasy reader’s shelf. This book served as a bit of a palate cleanser, since I have some pretty hefty books up next for review.

A Reign of Rose is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of October 8th 2024.

Will you be picking up A Reign of Rose? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

From Kate Golden, author of viral phenomenon A Dawn of Onyx, comes the seductive, action-packed conclusion to her sweeping Sacred Stones trilogy.

They must save the world—but can they also save each other?

Kane Ravenwood, King of Onyx Kingdom, would go to the ends of the continent for Arwen Valondale, but what if she’s beyond even that? Broken in ways he never imagined he could be, Kane must find a way to fulfill the prophecy and kill his father, Fae King Lazarus. And after what he’s endured, he’s willing to save Evendell by whatever means necessary—even if that spells his own death.

Little does Kane know, he’s not the only one fighting for revenge. Arwen is no longer afraid to fight—no sacrifice is too great, no enemy too daunting. Now, nothing will stop her from destroying Lazarus and his allies, because she knows if she fails, both realms will be doomed forever.

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]]> https://thenerddaily.com/review-a-reign-of-rose-by-kate-golden/feed/ 0 51250 Review: A Promise of Peridot by Kate Golden https://thenerddaily.com/review-a-promise-of-peridot-by-kate-golden/ https://thenerddaily.com/review-a-promise-of-peridot-by-kate-golden/#respond Sat, 18 May 2024 12:00:00 +0000 https://thenerddaily.com/?p=49786 I cannot emphasise just how much I LOVE romance. It’s one of my favourite genres to read, and such a wonderful escape from my day-to-day life. Cosy romance, historical, romantasy, steamy, erotica, you name it, I will likely read it in a heartbeat. After reading A Dawn of Onyx, of course I had to pick up A Promise of Peridot. The first book left me on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t wait to devour more. The sequel […]

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]]> I cannot emphasise just how much I LOVE romance. It’s one of my favourite genres to read, and such a wonderful escape from my day-to-day life. Cosy romance, historical, romantasy, steamy, erotica, you name it, I will likely read it in a heartbeat.

After reading A Dawn of Onyx, of course I had to pick up A Promise of Peridot. The first book left me on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t wait to devour more. The sequel did not disappoint and built up an incredible momentum for what is to come. If you’re looking for a satisfying sequel to a romantasy series, you might want to add this one to your list. As a bonus, it looks like you might not be waiting too much longer for the last book in this trilogy too…just saying.

As I am reviewing a sequel, as much as I will try, there might be book one spoilers in my review. Please scroll away to my review of Dawn of Onyx instead, if you’re wanting to get familiar with my thoughts for that book.

Now, our beloved Arwen has been through hell and back. Still in shock about the revelations surrounding her and her newfound powers, she directs all of her pain, rage, and anguish at the one who betrayed her. However, her betrayer’s presence is unavoidable as they travel together to find the Blade of the Sun, which is not only tied to the fate of the realm, but Arwen’s fate too. Arwen will face new enemies, creatures, and magic beyond what she had ever imagined, but she’ll need a spine of steel to face the Fae king Lazarus, or she will lose everything and everyone she loves.

This book, much like Dawn of Onyx, is fast-paced, but felt a little less plot driven. There are new settings, new characters, quests, and lots of internal fighting going on. However, at times I found myself trying to remember that the whole point of the story is only happening because of reasons stated in book one. The momentum of the story never drops, and keeps building into the next chapter, which definitely kept me reading until the very end. I was delighted by the relationship building in this book between Kane and Arwen’s sister, as well as some character development from both main and side characters alike. Especially Mari. There’s a lot about her that I’m dying to know, especially after the revelation in book two that felt like it’s hinting at something much larger to come.

Romance-wise, the slow burn finally stoked into something a lot bigger, which I think readers will absolutely adore. There’s sarcastically smug banter, and lots of teasing. Kane and Arwen have some things to work through though, the first of which is communication! There’s also a bit of a love triangle that’s at play as well, which in other books I would devour in a heartbeat, it wasn’t as satisfying in this one. Surprisingly, the romance I was most interested in was between two side characters, and while some readers already know who I’m talking about, I’ll let you wonder about it. I was more excited for their romance than Kane and Arwen’s at times, I cannot wait to see what happens in book three!

Although this story is more character driven than anything, there were some new places that came up in the book that I am hoping that readers might get to see more of, but there was an Indiana Jones-esque quality to one of them that I think readers are going to absolutely love, and was one of my favourite settings of the story. It’s also one of the more intense parts of the book too, so keep that in mind.

There was one thing I didn’t care for while I was reading this book. Arwen’s emotional maturity left something to be desired, and I found it very difficult to connect with her in this book. It gave petulant child throwing a tantrum rather than emotional growth (this is my opinion). I felt like I was reading a very young teenager rather than an adult for a good portion of the book. This came across in some of the language used by Arwen as well, like using squished instead of a word like crushed in regard to being crushed by a boulder. It did mess with my reading experience a bit, but ultimately did not bring it down.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable experience for me, and I am so happy that I have a copy of it sitting on my shelves. I’m rating it an 8/10. The book does end on a massive cliffhanger, which I will bet is going to tick off quite a few people, but the wait is going to be worth it. I cannot wait for Reign of Roses to see what’s going to happen next. Add it to your TBR if you love romantasy.

A Promise of Peridot is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.

Will you be picking up A Promise of Peridot? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

A prophecy of death. A weapon of hope. A sacrifice of love.

Arwen Valondale is sailing for the mysterious Kingdom of Citrine after the battle of Siren’s Bay. Reeling from shocking revelations and her newfound powers, Arwen directs all of her pain and rage toward the man who betrayed her: King Kane Ravenwood.

Kane’s presence is unavoidable as he travels with Arwen and her friends to seek the Blade of the Sun, a legendary weapon inextricably tied to her fate and the future of the realm. Even an uneasy truce proves difficult as Arwen fights against her unresolved feelings for Kane, who is willing to become darkness itself to protect her.

As Arwen faces creatures, foes, and magic beyond her wildest imaginings, she must discover the secrets of her past to defeat the monstrous Fae king Lazarus. But finding the light within might mean the death of her and everyone she loves.

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]]> https://thenerddaily.com/review-a-promise-of-peridot-by-kate-golden/feed/ 0 49786 Review: A Dawn of Onyx by Kate Golden https://thenerddaily.com/review-a-dawn-of-onyx-by-kate-golden/ https://thenerddaily.com/review-a-dawn-of-onyx-by-kate-golden/#respond Mon, 27 Nov 2023 03:00:00 +0000 https://thenerddaily.com/?p=47056 Arwen Valondale has been taken prisoner in an effort to save her brother’s life from ending at the hands of the Onyx King. She’s taken prisoner in his kingdom, but plotting her escape certainly won’t be easy. She’s surrounded by woods that hide sinister deeds and her only hope might be a fellow prisoner. However, this mysterious man seems to take great pleasure in playing on Arwen’s deepest fears. Trust is not something she will be able to afford if […]

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]]> Arwen Valondale has been taken prisoner in an effort to save her brother’s life from ending at the hands of the Onyx King. She’s taken prisoner in his kingdom, but plotting her escape certainly won’t be easy. She’s surrounded by woods that hide sinister deeds and her only hope might be a fellow prisoner. However, this mysterious man seems to take great pleasure in playing on Arwen’s deepest fears. Trust is not something she will be able to afford if she is to make it out of the Onyx Kingdom in one piece, especially as she realises that she holds a spark of power that could change everything.

At the start of this book, there were really strong Beauty and the Beast vibes, but A Dawn of Onyx becomes its own dark and seductive enemies to lovers story that is rife with tension. Arwen has a fire to her that not many heroines have, and is determined to forge ahead with or without a partner by her side. I will admit that this book has quite a few tropes that may be hit or miss for some readers, but they were a hit for me as this entire book was devoured during a plane ride. This is the type of book you read when you’re wanting to stay within the same realm of romantasy books you’ve loved, but aren’t ready to try something new.

My initial thoughts as I started to read this book were curiosity. Kate Golden managed to build a beautifully dangerous world where Arwen is constantly in some danger or another. She’s easy to connect with and I enjoyed seeing her character development throughout the book. She doesn’t always make the best calls in terms of judgment, but she does have a good heart. She’s tenacious and determined and somewhat impulsive, especially when it comes to her family. Combined with a gift for healing, it ends up spelling trouble more often than not. She ends up making a friend along the way in Mari, who I absolutely enjoyed reading about. They leaned into the poor decisions together, so there is that. Then there is Arwen’s relationship development with the love interest, which certainly have readers at the edge of their seat.

Slowburn is the name of the game in this book, which tends to be one of my least favourite tropes in romance…but only because I am one impatient reader! However, A Dawn of Onyx managed to develop an incredible romantic simmer in this book that will leave you wishing there were more pages. There’s also quite a bit of learning between the two love interests that I feel were necessary. Both Arwen and Kane have to learn to trust, but also, allow one another to be taken care of. The banter between them doesn’t feel forced and I relished every scene the two shared, even when there was conflict, which of course there is! They are enemies after all, and everyone is keeping secrets. However, another plus is that there is a secondary romantic plot happening in tandem with our main characters and I am here for it!

What I loved most of all about this book was that it kept me guessing. Each time I thought that I had the plot nailed down, a twist would arise that would remind me that not everything is as it seemed. The ending of the book is a bit of a cliffhanger, so of course I am dying to read the next installment of the book. While the world building is simple, there is so much that is waiting to be explored and developed by Golden. I am so excited to see what is going to come next for Arwen, Kane, and the rest of what have become a cast of beloved characters to me. I encourage you to add it to your TBR, especially if you’re a fan of fae, romantasy, and slowburn romance.

A Dawn of Onyx is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.

Will you be picking up A Dawn of Onyx? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Captured by a king of darkness. Forced to find the light within.

Arwen Valondale never expected to be the brave one, offering her life to save her brother’s. Now she’s been taken prisoner by the most dangerous kingdom on the continent, and made to use her rare magical abilities to heal the soldiers of the vicious Onyx King.

Arwen knows better than to face the ancient, wicked woods that surround the castle on her own, which means working with a fellow prisoner might be her only path to freedom. Unfortunately, he’s as infuriating as he is cunning—and seems to take twisted pleasure in playing on Arwen’s deepest fears.

But here in Onyx Kingdom, trust is a luxury she can’t afford.

To make it out of enemy territory, she’ll have to navigate back-stabbing royals, dark magic, and dangerous beasts. But untold power lies inside Arwen, dormant and waiting for a spark. If she can harness it, she just might be able to escape with her life—and hopefully, her heart.

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]]> https://thenerddaily.com/review-a-dawn-of-onyx-by-kate-golden/feed/ 0 47056 Q&A: Kate Golden, Author of ‘A Dawn of Onyx’ https://thenerddaily.com/kate-golden-author-interview/ https://thenerddaily.com/kate-golden-author-interview/#respond Sat, 21 Oct 2023 00:59:25 +0000 https://thenerddaily.com/?p=46642 We chat with debut author Kate Golden about A Dawn of Onyx, which is the beginning of an addictive, trope-tastic romantasy series! Hi, Kate! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself? Hi! Thank you for having me. Sure—I’m from California, I’m obsessed with my dog, baking recipes that are too advanced for me, puzzles, and whatever book is currently on my nightstand. I love will they/won’t they TV shows, moody playlists and bed with excessive pillows. When did you […]

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]]> We chat with debut author Kate Golden about A Dawn of Onyx, which is the beginning of an addictive, trope-tastic romantasy series!

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

Hi! Thank you for having me.

Sure—I’m from California, I’m obsessed with my dog, baking recipes that are too advanced for me, puzzles, and whatever book is currently on my nightstand. I love will they/won’t they TV shows, moody playlists and bed with excessive pillows.

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

I had always loved stories. Growing up I’d play a lot of imaginary games, read constantly, and even tea-stain maps of made up, far off lands (if you don’t know what this means, you probably had a lot more friends in middle school than I did.) I took that love of storytelling and worldbuilding and pursued a career in film and television, but didn’t realize how much I loved writing the stories myself until I wrote A Dawn of Onyx a year ago!

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

  • The first book you ever remember reading: I think it was The Magic Treehouse Series!
  • The one that made you want to become an author: I never would have written A Dawn of Onyx had it not been for A Court of Thorns and Roses.
  • The one that you can’t stop thinking about: I never stop thinking about Outlander. Never.

Your debut novel, A Dawn of Onyx, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Fantasy captive romance, spicy page-turner

What can readers expect?

A Dawn of Onyx is a New Adult enemies to lovers fantasy romance novel in the vein of A Court of Thorns and Roses, the Plated Prisoner series, or Kingdom of the Wicked. It’s definitely a bit spicy, but the first book is focused more on the toe-curling slow burn, while the rest of the trilogy will kick that spice up a notch (or three.)

The book follows a young woman who offers herself up to a wicked king in order to save her family. She’s stolen away from the only world she’s ever known, and finds herself locked in the king’s gothic keep as his castle healer. While imprisoned, she finds an unexpected ally in a fellow prisoner, but not everything about the stranger is exactly as it seems…

As far as what readers can expect, I’d say if they have ever googled “fantasy romance, enemies to lovers, with both spice and plot,” this might be the book for them. It’s for fans of Fourth Wing or Serpents & The Wings of Night who are currently suffering from terrible book-hangovers, or fans of the following tropes: heroines coming into their powers, caretaker scenes, morally grey men, found family, forced proximity, and our favorite, “Who did this to you?”

Where did the inspiration for A Dawn of Onyx come from?

It’s a funny story— I had always loved fantasy, and romance too, but never together. I’d read Game of Thrones and then The Hating Game and back and forth and so on… Then I discovered A Court of Thorns and Roses and fell into a whole new world of “Romantasy.” I was on vacation with my now-husband about a year later, and had brought a handful of Romantasy books, all of which I just could not get into. After I whined about it over dinner for way too long, he encouraged me to try to write one for myself. Though I’d never written anything before, I told myself nobody would read it but me, so I didn’t feel any pressure. The first draft was atrocious, I’m sure, but by then I had already fallen in love with writing.

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

I absolultey loved writing Arwen & Kane’s banter and flirting. Those two are just so obsessed with each other, it was like the dialogue wrote itself. I loved writing Arwen and Mari’s friendship, and describing the entire Onyx kingdom. I wanted to live in that world forever!

This is your debut novel! Can you tell us what your publishing journey was like?

I had initially chosen to self-publish the book because I have another full time job, and thought it might be easier and less time consuming than finding an agent and an editor. I was absolutely, categorically wrong about that. Self-publishing was an enormous amount of work! Once the book came out in December of 2022, I was lucky enough to have a few traditional publishing houses reach out to me, and I realized I needed a literary agent. Taylor and Sam at Root helped me find my dream editor in Kristine Swartz at Berkley, and she made the writing of the next two books in series so, so much easier (and the stories that much stronger!)

What’s next for you?

Well, I’ve finished book two, A Promise of Peridot, which comes out on April 9th 2024, and now I’m writing book 3, which will be released fall of 2024.

Book two has some new kingdoms, each with their own unique landscape and culture, which were so much fun to explore. Of course lots and lots of tension, some necessary groveling, jealousy, pining—all the good stuff. Book three has even more spice, and more danger… The best way to put it would be a raising of the stakes across the board to end the trilogy.

After that… I’m not sure yet! I have a handful of spin offs that I’d like to begin thinking about more concretely. And a new contemporary fantasy series that’s just beginning to solidify in my mind, too.

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

Yes! If you like Romantasy I think you’d love A Discovery of Witches. It doesn’t get recommended nearly enough. Contemporary romance I always say The Hating Game, People We Meet on Vacation and The Roommate. More in the literary fiction space (but still romantic) I like to suggest The Time Traveler’s Wife. I just loved that book. Ok I’m going to stop there before I write an essay’s worth of suggestions!

Will you be picking up A Dawn of Onyx? Tell us in the comments below!

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