And They Were Roommates by Page Powars

Touching, thoughtful, and incredibly fun, And They Were Roommates is a delightful YA light academia romance.

Brewed with Love by Shelly Page 

Sweet, cozy, and mysterious, Brewed with Love is a thrilling YA fantasy with witches, an immersive small-town setting, and a tender romance.

By Any Other Name by Erin Cotter

Blending the history of 1500s London with swoon-worthy romantic tension, By Any Other Name is an unforgettable YA historical fiction novel.

Call Forth a Fox by Markelle Grabo

With faerie curses and a cozy fairytale atmosphere, Call Forth a Fox beautifully retells the Brothers’ Grimm’s “Snow White and Rose Red.”

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Spellbinding and powerful, Cemetery Boys is a simultaneously heart-wrenching and heartwarming YA contemporary fantasy with mythology, ghosts, and brujx set during Día de Los Muertos. 

Coming Out Perfect by Richard Mercado

Uplifting, hopeful, and funny, Coming Out Perfect is a beautiful YA graphic novel of familial expectations, fitting in, queer community, and coming out.

Daughter of the Bone Forest by Jasmine Skye

Set in a queer-normative world with a sentient forest, a magic school, shapeshifting, witches, and romance, Daughter of the Bone Forest is a sweeping YA fantasy.

Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban

Witty, comforting, and swoony, Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend is a Victorian romance with hijinks, matchmaking, and love.

Exquisite Things by Abdi Nazemian 

Empowering, thought-provoking, and romantic, Exquisite Things is a propulsive YA historical fantasy of art, storytelling, immortality, resistance, community, grief, belonging, and, ultimately, hope.

Furious by Jamie Pacton and Rebecca Podos 

Wildly entertaining and achingly beautiful, Furious is a swoon-worthy YA contemporary romance that’s perfect for fans of Fast & Furious.

Gwen & Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher 

Swoony, hilarious, and riveting, Gwen & Art Are Not in Love is a heartwarming medieval romcom filled with found family, love, and witty banter galore.

Hazelthorn by C.G. Drews 

With a bloodthirsty garden, gritty botanical horror, and lingering love story, Hazelthorn is an enrapturing YA gothic.

Just Between Us by Adeline Kon

Romantic, fierce, and heartwarming, Just Between Us is an unputdownable YA graphic novel with figure skating, romance, and stunning imagery.

Moss’d in Space by Rebecca Thorne

Quirky, vibrant, and wonderfully mossy, Moss’d in Space is a creative and hilarious cozy sci-fi novel.

Queen of Faces by Petra Lord

Set in a dystopian society with a dark academia atmosphere, body-swapping, assassins, and magic, Queen of Faces is a sharp and lyrical YA fantasy.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston 

Laugh-out-loud funny with found family and forbidden romance, Red, White & Royal Blue is a cinematic and irresistible contemporary romance.

Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell 

Monstrous and splendidly strange, Someone You Can Build a Nest In is a quirky, vicious, and surprisingly cozy fantasy.

Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy

Brimming with wit, whimsy, romance, and magical creatures, Sorcery and Small Magics is an enchanting cozy fantasy.

Soul of a Gentleman Witch by David Ferraro

Sweeping and threaded with magic, Soul of a Gentleman Witch is an addictive YA cozy fantasy that’s perfect for fans of Howl’s Moving Castle and The Girl Who Drank the Moon.

Tenderly, I am Devoured by Lyndall Clipstone

With a breathtaking romance, lyrical prose, and an eerie atmosphere, Tenderly, I am Devoured is a magical YA fantasy.

The Absinthe Underground by Jamie Pacton 

Brimming with friends-to-lovers yearning, Fae, and a riveting heist, The Absinthe Underground is a captivating YA fantasy perfect for fans of Moulin Rouge! and The Cruel Prince.

The Entanglement of Rival Wizards by Sara Raasch

Funny, vibrant, and magical, The Entanglement of Rival Wizards is an addictive fantasy romcom with academic rivals-to-lovers tension.

The Final Curse of Ophelia Cray by Christine Calella 

With a maritime adventure, a beautiful sibling bond, and a compelling cast, The Final Curse of Ophelia Cray is a gritty, emotional, and exhilarating YA fantasy.

The House of Now and Then by Edward Underhill 

Heartfelt and hopeful, The House of Now and Then is a sweeping summer romance with an undertone of magic set in Cape Cod.

The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland 

With witches, a dark academia atmosphere, demons, and a murder mystery, The Invocations is a gripping and haunting YA thriller.

The Last Best Quest Ever by F.T. Lukens

Magical, adventurous, and hilarious, The Last Best Quest Ever is a delightful YA fantasy romp with found family and fantastical creatures.

The Leaving Room by Amber McBride 

Spellbinding and achingly beautiful, The Leaving Room is a tender YA novel-in-verse brimming with emotion, memories, family recipes, love, and hope.

The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World by J.R. Dawson

Set in modern-day Chicago and threaded with Greek mythology, The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World is a poignant and touching urban fantasy perfect for fans of Hadestown.

The Macabre by Kosoko Jackson

Infused with horror, art, and romance, The Macabre is an adventurous and inventive contemporary fantasy.

The Midnight Girls by Alicia Jasinska

 With adventure, magic, and rivals-to-lovers tension, The Midnight Girls is a cinematic and whimsical YA fantasy.

With Fire in Their Blood by Kat Delacorte

Set in Italy with witches, a love square, and warring mafia clans, With Fire in Their Blood is a romantic and thrilling YA paranormal romance.

The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White 

Vicious, sharp, and brilliantly unsettling, The Spirit Bares Its Teeth is a YA historical fantasy set in London, 1883.

This Must Be the Place by Kelly Quindlen 

Welcoming, emotional, and tender, This Must Be the Place is a captivating YA contemporary novel with found family set in small-town Alabama.

This Raging Sea by De Elizabeth

Sea-soaked, haunting, and lush, This Raging Sea is a YA dark fantasy with romance, eldritch secrets, horror, witches, and time travel.

Time After Time by Mikki Daughtry 

Vivid and romantic, Time After Time is a breathtaking YA romance following two love stories set one hundred years apart.

Vile Lady Villains by Danai Christopoulou 

Sharp, lyrical, and twisty, Vile Lady Villains is a fierce and creative fantasy threaded with Greek mythology and Shakespeare.

We Burned So Bright by T.J. Klune 

Heavy yet full of life, We Burned So Bright is a heart-wrenching but unexpectedly comforting fantasy of humans at the end of the world facing love, loss, and life itself.

What Wakes the Bells by Elle Tesch

Twisty, immersive, and magical, What Wakes the Bells is a gripping YA fantasy with a gothic atmosphere inspired by a Prague legend. 

From heartwarming found families to swoon-worthy romances to laugh-out-loud banter, these stories bring extra queer joy, community, and love to the Pride Month celebration. Happy reading, and Happy Pride Month!

The post 38 LGBTQIA+ Books to Add to Your Pride Month TBR appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Nix is a battle-weary soldier haunted by the demons of her past—lauded by her squad but hiding away from the darkness that consumed those she loves. That is, until Kessandra reappears in her life, embodying the privilege Nix rails against and reminding her of one of the worst days of her life. Kessandra herself is fierce, loyal and unrelenting in her pursuit of the truth. She is willing to go to any lengths to protect her people and has grown up in the nest of vipers that is the crown court. Behind her perfect façade is a deeply hurt woman that cannot trust anyone around her. They are both layered and lovable, where the world has inflicted deep wounds on them and they ultimately are people that will gladly sacrifice themselves for the greater good. You cannot help but fall in love with them both and will them to notice what is staring them right in the face. 

Their dynamic is fantastic with a bloody history between the two of them. They are poles apart in life but once were bonded together in love and loyalty. Thorne injects a dose of humour to this in the initial chapters, setting up a recognisable dynamic that you instantly root for. These exes were torn apart by unspeakable violence and yet are thrown together once more to investigate something that threatens their world. Nix is brilliant to follow along with her snarky nature belying a fiercely loyal heart. She is guarded and driven but would do anything in order to protect those she loves. This unexpected scenario quickly pushes her to her limits and draws her into an investigation that may change everything. 

I loved how visual this book felt with the incredible eye for detail that informs the setting. The claustrophobic nightmare of the ship hides behind a gilded pretence of luxury, literally highlighting the class divide with the different levels. When chaos ensues, it becomes a bloodbath. It feels chilling with certain scenes that have not left my mind since. I loved the way classic horror tropes are used but in such inventive ways. Thorne writes such brilliant action sequences that feel sweaty and close and dynamic. They are transportive and utterly immersive. This is a book full of blood and guts and betrayal. It is horrible with scenes that may turn your stomach at times. Intertwined with this all is a wonderful and subtle mythos that has dictated these characters’ entire lives. There is a grand sense of scale that only truly becomes evident in the later sections of the book and recontextualises everything that has happened before. It is a genuine rug-pull of a reveal in a book that is already packed with brilliant and punchy twists. Thorne does not hold back, moving from unease into full-blown gore up to your elbows. The pacing for this is stellar, slowly pulling you into the maelstrom that is about to hit. Even within the calm, you have a sense of foreboding that is swiftly validated. You switch gears throughout without even realising that it has happened and at the centre of it all, it works so effectively because you care deeply about what happens to the brilliant characters you’ve come to know. That speaks to a masterclass in characterisation. 

This Gilded Abyss is a genre-defying rollercoaster of a book. Thorne effortlessly blends several epic elements to deliver a story that is hard to pull yourself away from. 

This Gilded Abyss is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, Waterstones, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.

Will you be picking up This Gilded Abyss? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis

From USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Thorne comes This Gilded Abyss, a thrilling lesbian fantasy where Arcane meets Titanic

Sergeant Nix Marr is a damn good soldier, but she’s desperate to leave her haunted past in the bioluminescent ocean, buried alongside old friends…and old flames. Unfortunately, even the icy ocean can’t extinguish some fires. When Kessandra, everyone’s favorite princess—and Nix’s loathed ex—requests Nix’s help investigating a massacre in the abyssal city of Fall, Nix refuses. Vehemently.

But Kessandra always gets what she wants.

Consigned as Kessandra’s bodyguard, Nix grudgingly boards a luxurious submersible that offers the only transportation to Fall. It’s frustrating, irritating, how quickly Nix and Kess fall back in sync—much as she tries to fight, Nix can’t deny their spark. But Kessandra wasn’t truthful—surprise, surprise—and Nix quickly realizes their “investigation” isn’t about the massacre, but rather what caused it: an illness that incites its victims into a violent craze.

When another royal is brutally murdered, it becomes apparent the disease has spread—and no one on the submersible is safe. Suddenly, survival hinges on trusting each other, which would be a hell of a lot easier if Kessandra didn’t keep lying. Injured, fighting for their lives, Nix has to decide if she can trust Kessandra again…and what she’ll lose this time.

The post Review: This Gilded Abyss by Rebecca Thorne appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and first chapter from Rebecca Thorne’s This Gilded Abyss, which releases on November 11th 2025.

Sergeant Nix Marr is a damn good soldier, but she’s desperate to leave her haunted past in the bioluminescent ocean, buried alongside old friends…and old flames. Unfortunately, even the icy ocean can’t extinguish some fires. When Kessandra, everyone’s favorite princess—and Nix’s loathed ex—requests Nix’s help investigating a massacre in the abyssal city of Fall, Nix refuses. Vehemently.

But Kessandra always gets what she wants.

Consigned as Kessandra’s bodyguard, Nix grudgingly boards a luxurious submersible that offers the only transportation to Fall. It’s frustrating, irritating, how quickly Nix and Kess fall back in sync—much as she tries to fight, Nix can’t deny their spark. But Kessandra wasn’t truthful—surprise, surprise—and Nix quickly realizes their “investigation” isn’t about the massacre, but rather what caused it: an illness that incites its victims into a violent craze.

When another royal is brutally murdered, it becomes apparent the disease has spread—and no one on the submersible is safe. Suddenly, survival hinges on trusting each other, which would be a hell of a lot easier if Kessandra didn’t keep lying. Injured, fighting for their lives, Nix has to decide if she can trust Kessandra again…and what she’ll lose this time.

Chapter 1

Sergeant Nix Marr knew she was screwed when she stepped into

the locker room amidst murmurs of visiting royalty.

The Valkesh Army’s spirescraper—one of the tall, circular buildings that stretched into the sky like stalagmites—was built in the shadow of the royals’ Grand Palace. But despite their proximity, despite all the honors and gratitude the Valkeshian government proffered its military, the royals continued to enjoy existence elsewhere.

All but one, at least.

And that one happened to be a pain in Nix’s ass.

“—come to watch us train.” Garith, a kid on her squad, had their head buried in their locker. They only wore briefs and a tank top, their olive-toned legs on full display, but their excitement was unaffected by their physical state of dress.

No one had noticed Nix enter, which meant her squad would be working on situational awareness next. She crossed her arms, her camera tucked under one elbow. “Who’s watching us train?” Her voice was sharp, and all twelve soldiers snapped to attention.

It would have been satisfying if cold dread hadn’t tightened her chest.

Garith resurfaced from their locker, clearing their throat. “Uh, S-Sergeant. Didn’t see you there.”

“I noticed,” Nix replied. “Who’s visiting?”

“Subarch Kessandra,” an older ensign, Leon, said. He was close to making sergeant himself—and was arguably the nearest thing Nix had to a friend. He flashed a wry smile and gestured at the camera. “Find anything good this morning?”

She barely heard him. A sudden roaring in her ears drowned him out, and a flash of an unbidden memory: Quian, laughing a little, shoving her shoulder as they lounged in a utilitarian recreation room. “Kessandra is just a person, Nix. I think you should go for it.”

She shouldn’t have listened.

“Sergeant?” Leon asked cautiously. They all had moments like this, brief instances where they’d zone out, where their hearts would pound a bit harder. But normally, Nix had better control. Normally, she could detach, shake off the panic, and handle the here and now.

She drew a trembling breath, scrambling for calm. “Found a cardinal in the snow. Images might be blurry, but a few should turn out.”

The camera in her hand—an Autographic Prime LZ, which cost enough of her salary that most days she felt guilty looking at it—was folded into a compact box, easy enough to tuck away in a locker during drills. A brass clasp at the top ensured the lens stayed compressed until needed. She fiddled with it as she stepped to her locker.

Her squad watched mutely. Once she set the camera on a shelf and peeled off her jacket to prepare for their drills, noise picked back up. Unfortunately, so did the conversation.

“I just can’t believe the Kessandra is coming here. She’s the best royal.” Garith sounded starstruck. They finally tugged on their trousers, hopping on one foot to pull them over their boots.

Nix watched the debacle out of the corner of her eyes. Could have just taken the boots off first, but whatever.

“That’s because Kessandra is the only royal who’d bother to visit.” Beside Garith, Claire patted deodorant under her armpits, her voice heavy with sarcasm. “Everyone else is required to commit their firstborn for the army, but not them. Eighteen subarchs, forty-three tertiarchs, and of course, Our Esteemed Primarch—and she’s the first to join. That automatically makes me like her.”

“You’d better watch your tone about the rest,” Leon said, warning in his voice.

Claire clamped her mouth shut, eyes sweeping to Nix.

“He’s right,” Nix said begrudgingly. She was already wearing her uniform, and tossed her sergeant’s jacket into her locker. As always, she tucked her camera behind it—none of these kids would mess with her stuff, but she didn’t want to open the invitation. Other squads used these lockers too. “Plus, she only served for three years—she’s been discharged for four. Hardly a glowing career.”

She pushed the words through gritted teeth, but couldn’t help the sarcasm.

“That’s because she moved into PR.” Claire gestured at the sepia-toned photograph mounted near the training room’s entrance. It was Kessandra posing with a serviceman’s pistol, offering an encouraging smile to the camera. Underneath, a placard had been mounted with heavy golden bolts: don’t be afraid to draw blood, soldier!

Nix stared at the poster longer than necessary. Kessandra was undeniably attractive, but unease churned in Nix’s gut. She wanted to be the vindictive, anger-bound person who’d kill Kess, given the chance. She curated fantasies of it: a knife to the throat, maybe. Carving out her fancy ichoron eyeball. Or possibly just shoving her off a spirescraper’s balcony and watching her fall, fall, fall.

But they were just fantasies. In truth, the anguish of Kess’s betrayal hurt more than any blade. And the memories of her touch . . . they kept Nix warm most nights.

Garith glanced her way, oblivious to her thoughts. “Come on, Sergeant. You have to admit even those three years were impressive. Five deployments to the front lines—”

Sure, deployments spent in cushy intelligence meetings while the Triolans massacred my friends, Nix thought darkly.

“—before she requested an assignment to the ichoron mines. The only voluntary assignment in the army, and she took it willingly!” Garith stole the jar of deodorant from Claire, patting some under their armpits. Claire gasped indignantly, and they flicked some in her face. The white powder did little to hide the freckles on her ivory skin. She spluttered, coughing, and it dissolved into a scuffle.

Deodorant dusted the floor, obscuring marble-like swirls of rose gold that normally gleamed under the locker room’s incandescent light. None of them could afford ichoron accoutrements themselves, but this close to the Grand Palace, the spirescrapers were practically painted in it. The entire building was absurdly ornate: crafted with towering ceilings and sky ridges and rose-gold windows. Frivolous displays of wealth, considering most of the soldiers here were from the lower shortscrapers—the slums.

Nix heaved a sigh at the mess. They’d have to clean that up later, but for now, there were more important matters. She clapped her hands to regain attention.

“You know what lurks in the ichoron mines?” she asked.

“The Crypt Keeper isn’t real,” Zarl grumbled.

Nix set her jaw. “Why take your chances?”

A few of her squad rolled their eyes—they’d heard that before.

Ichoron was the rarest substance in the world: a viscous liquid extracted from tunnels deep below the ocean floor. When properly refined, it enhanced anything it touched. Plated on buildings and ships, ichoron protected from assaults of nature and man. A single drop inside a bottle of wine could get a heavyset man drunk for days—while a bandage soaked in it could heal him after a nasty battle.

Ichoron was the rose-gold prize of their war with the Triolans. It propelled Valkesh’s entire economy, and they paid for it in blood.

Some people understood that better than others.

Beside Nix, Leon slicked his dark hair with some gel, lips pressed into a thin line.

“Something to say?” Nix demanded.

“I’ve considered that deployment. To the ichoron mines.” He cast a cautious glance her way, anxiously rubbing his arms. His sandy brown skin was marred with scars, same as Nix’s—parting gifts from the Triolans on the front lines.

Nix tensed, slamming her locker shut. It stopped the scuffle between Garith and Claire, earning everyone’s attention.

“What I’m saying isn’t a joke, or some magical haunt to laugh off. Stay away from the mines—all of you.” The words alone summoned more unwanted memories: restrictive dive suits, craggy underwater tunnels, darkness so absolute it felt like a crushing weight. Despite her best efforts, the horrors lingered, a shadow lurking over her shoulder.

Always.

“There are safer ways to find glory, and easier ways to make money. Do you understand?” Nix glared at them each in turn, her squad, her kids, hers to protect. But she hadn’t been able to save Quian. Not from the mines. Not from Kessandra.

It felt like Quian’s ghost lingered in the corner of the locker room. Her memories of him in this space were so vivid: how he used to grunt as he yanked on his boots, how he’d twirl his practice sarrant and accidentally smack people as they dressed. She’d been an ensign too, then.

It felt like so long ago.

Leon frowned. “The mines can’t be that bad. You survived, didn’t you?”

Her squad only knew about her first deployment—the easy one. Not the second, where everything went wrong.

They’d never basked in the grandeur of the Luminosity, the luxurious airtight ship that descended into Valkesh’s unforgiving ocean. They’d never befriended soldiers on the isolated upper decks, spent the three-day journey to Fall forming lifelong bonds. They’d never marched beneath the domed utopian city, where rose-gold ornamentation and rich people gave way to damp, icy tunnels and a military base so far underground they called it “the Crypt.”

They’d never watched those lifelong bonds fall away one by one. Even if they survived in body, only a few survived in spirit. Her squad couldn’t know. Even Leon, her closest friend, had no idea what the mines were really like.

Nix scowled. “Don’t start waving me around as a reason to get yourself killed. The primarch has to promote that deployment. The call of danger, the patriotism of retrieving ichoron, the payments your family earns afterward—it’s a media campaign, one carefully constructed to entice new recruits.” Her eyes cut to the poster again, to Kessandra’s smiling face. “But there’s a reason no one returns to the mines.”

The words hung between them, lethal as a bullet.

“That’s why Kessandra is a hero,” Garith dared to say. “She saved seventeen soldiers from the mine collapse.”

Nix’s chest was tight again. She wrenched her long hair into a ponytail, tied it off almost aggressively. It was deep brown and wavy, braided to her scalp on the right side. A strange hairstyle for the military, where most preferred to keep their hair short. Less to grab in a fight, after all.

Nix wanted them to grab her hair. Get in close.

Meet her blade.

“I heard she pulled soldiers out one by one,” Claire said, dusting the white powder off her shirt. She shot Garith a warning look as they reached for more deodorant.

Zarl, Claire’s sometimes-boyfriend, puffed his chest. “My cousin is stationed in the royal tower. He said the primarch was livid that no one caught the tunnel weakening before the collapse—he ordered it closed immediately.” He cast a glance at Claire, as if that information might impress her.

Nix, meanwhile, barely suppressed a shudder. Rocks shifting, mutely raining around them. Dust blurring the water, limiting already terrible visibility. The shove of a current too powerful to fight. And a dark shape lurking in her periphery, looming over her as she struggled to swim up, get out of the mines—

“Nix?” Leon said quietly.

The conversation had dissolved into chatter about Kessandra, about the mines, and about simpler things like their upcoming leave and what the cafeteria might serve tonight. She hadn’t even noticed them lacing their boots, preparing for drills like normal.

They were acting like Kessandra wasn’t lurking on the edges, poisoning everything.

“I’m fine.” But her tone was distant, pained. Leon was taller than her—most people were—and she tilted her head to meet his gaze. Desperation clawed at her soul. “You aren’t really considering the mines, are you?”

He hesitated. “We can talk about it later.”

Nix swallowed past the sand in her mouth.

Leon tossed her a small bronze lock. It was a luxury not many bothered to spend money on, but he’d bought one last year and shared whenever she didn’t have time to drop off her camera before drills.

Nix caught the lock, but didn’t meet Leon’s gaze. “Line up. Western mat.”

“But Subarch Kessandra is here.” Garith still couldn’t seem to get over that. “Aren’t we putting on a show for her?”

Nix narrowed her eyes. “We’re training so you survive our next skirmish with the Triolans. Unless you want your corpse preserved in the ice at Sveltal Point?”

Garith shivered. “No, Sergeant.”

“Western mats. Move it.”

They hustled out the door to the adjoining training room. Leon only cast her a careful glance before following, leaving Nix alone in the locker room. Silence lingered in their wake, and she lifted the jacket off her camera, running a finger along its square shape.

It was the exact camera Quian always talked about buying. He used an antique of a thing, back when they’d spent their days in the Marr casten—something four times as big that took pictures half as nice. “It’s an heirloom,” he used to say proudly. “The things this camera has seen, Nix. You couldn’t even believe it. But someday, I’ll get something smaller.”

He died, and Nix bought his fucking camera. And every time she used it, she thought of him. After all, photography was his hobby, not hers. She never really cared to wait for a photo to develop, not before . . .

Well. Before.

Mutely, Nix covered the camera with her jacket again, then clamped the bronze lock over the locker’s door.

Her eyes slid to the poster of their beloved subarch, and a surge of anger swallowed her. Because Kess wasn’t visiting them: the army, some random squad. Subarch Kessandra Marie Vendermere Biltean III wouldn’t waste her precious time watching a group of ensigns spar.

No, Kess was visiting Nix.

She’d sworn to leave Nix alone—and she couldn’t even follow through on that promise, could she?

Well. Nix wasn’t some starry-eyed twenty-one-year-old anymore, swept up in the glamor of a romance with a royal. Whatever they’d found together on the Luminosity, cultivated in the darkness of the mines—it died down there.

Nix’s breaths were steady now. Cold determination settled over her shoulders.

This time, Kess would be the one to lose.

The post Read The First Chapter From ‘This Gilded Abyss’ by Rebecca Thorne appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Are you ready to be whisked away with a new fantasy or sci-fi read this year? We’ve rounded up 72 upcoming reads that will be hitting shelves between January and June this year, including new releases from Seanan McGuire, Nnedi Okorafor, Edward Ashton, Samantha Shannon, Natasha Pulley, M.R. Carey, Nghi Vo, Tochi Onyebuchi, V.E. Schwab, Tessa Gratton, and many more, along with some exciting debut releases!

Read on to discover new books hitting shelves in the first half of the year and be sure to check out our other 2025 round-ups too, including our Most Anticipated, Romance, Young Adult, and Fiction lists.

JANUARY 2025 SFF BOOK RELEASES

Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan

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A young ruler must forge a delicate alliance with the untrustworthy yet magnetic God of War to protect her kingdom in this stunning romantic fantasy filled with dangerous secrets, forbidden magic, and passion, from Sue Lynn Tan, bestselling author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess

North Is the Night by Emily Rath

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Two bold young women defy the gods and mortals, living and dead, in this darkly mythical, Finnish folklore-inspired fantasy duology for readers of T. Kingfisher’s Nettle & Bone, Danielle L. Jensen, Thea Guanzon, Jennifer L. Armentrout, and The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec.

Lightfall by Ed Crocker

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A novel of vampires, werewolves and sorcerers, Lightfall is the stunning debut epic fantasy by Ed Crocker, for fans of Jay Kristoff’s Empire of the Vampire and Richard Swan’s The Justice of Kings

Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao

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A woman inherits a pawnshop where you can sell your regrets, and then embarks on a magical journey when a charming young physicist wanders into the shop, in this dreamlike and enchanting fantasy novel.

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

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Get ready to fly or die in the breathtaking follow-up to Fourth Wing and Iron Flame from #1 New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Yarros.

A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson

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In an alternate London in 1923, one girl accidentally breaks the tenuous truce between dragons and humans in this sweeping debut and epic retelling of Bletchley Park steeped in language, class, and forbidden romance. Perfect for teen fans of Fourth Wing and Babel.

Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear by Seanan McGuire

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Giant turtles, impossible ships, and tidal rivers ridden by a Drowned girl in search of a family in the latest in the bestselling Hugo and Nebula Award-Winning Wayward Children series from Seanan McGuire.

The Outcast Mage by Annabel Campbell

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In this glittering debut fantasy, a mage bereft of her powers must find out if she is destined to save the world or destroy it. Perfect for fans of Andrea Stewart, James Islington, and Samantha Shannon.

The In-Between Bookstore by Edward Underhill

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A poignant and enchanting novel about a magical bookstore that transports a trans man through time and brings him face-to-face with his teenage self, offering him the chance of a lifetime to examine his life and identity to find a new beginning.

Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor

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In this exhilarating tale by New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Nnedi Okorafor, a disabled Nigerian American woman pens a wildly successful Sci-Fi novel, but as her fame rises, she loses control of the narrative—a surprisingly cutting, yet heartfelt drama about art and love, identity and connection, and, ultimately, what makes us human. This is a story unlike anything you’ve read before.

Daughter of Chaos by A.S. Webb

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Godkiller and The Priory of The Orange Tree meet Netflix’s Kaos in this epic fantasy series set in ancient Greece.

All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall

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In the tradition of Station Eleven, a literary thriller set partly on the roof of New York’s Museum of Natural History in a flooded future.

FEBRUARY 2025 SFF BOOK RELEASES

Grave Empire by Richard Swan

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From critically acclaimed author Richard Swan, Grave Empire begins the epic tale of an empire on the verge of industrial revolution, where sorcery and arcane practices are outlawed – and where an ancient prophecy threatens the coming end of days.

The Fourth Consort by Edward Ashton

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Part first contact story, part dark comedy, and part bizarre love triangle, The Fourth Consort asks an important question: how far would you go to survive? And more importantly, how many drinks would you need to go there?

A Dragon of Black Glass by James Rollins

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The third and penultimate book in the New York Times bestselling Moonfall series from thriller-master James Rollins, A Dragon of Black Glass is a tale of relentless adventure and the struggle for survival in a harsh world that hangs by a thread.

Upon a Starlit Tide by Kell Woods

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Upon a Starlit Tide is a dark and enchanting historical fantasy combining elements of “The Little Mermaid” and “Cinderella” into a wholly original tale of love, power, and betrayal.

The Dark Mirror by Samantha Shannon

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The highly anticipated fifth novel in the New York Times bestselling Bone Season series-an epic and spellbinding fantasy from the author of The Priory of the Orange Tree.

The Bones Beneath My Skin by TJ Klune

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A spine-tingling standalone novel by bestselling author TJ Klune―a supernatural road-trip thriller featuring an extraordinary young girl and her two unlikely protectors on the run from cultists and the government.

Greenteeth by Molly O’Neill

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From an outstanding new voice in cozy fantasy comes Greenteeth, “a joyful, warm-hearted” (H. G. Parry) tale of fae, folklore, and found family, narrated by a charismatic lake-dwelling monster with a voice unlike any other, perfect for fans of T. Kingfisher.

Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett

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The third installment in the heartwarming and enchanting Emily Wilde series, about a curmudgeonly scholar of folklore and the fae prince she loves

Cursebound by Saara El-Arifi

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They’re no longer prisoners to the fae court, but now two elven sisters are each bound by shackles of the heart—the sequel to the national bestseller Faebound, hailed as “a devastatingly romantic and breathtaking fantasy” (Tasha Suri).

But Not Too Bold by Hache Pueyo

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The Shape of Water meets Mexican Gothic in this sapphic monster romance novella wrapped in gothic fantasy trappings

Ambessa: Chosen of the Wolf by C. L. Clark

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Set in the blockbuster and award-winning universe of League of Legends: Arcane and written by award-winning author C. L. Clark, discover a thrilling epic fantasy novel where Ambessa Medarda truly learns what it means to be a Chosen of the Wolf.

The Witch of Whispervale by R. A. Salvatore

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From the legendary author and creator of Drizzt Do’Urden comes the next installment in the New York Times bestselling DemonWars fantasy series, about the traitorous invasion by the Xoconai of the eastern realms of Corona. However, the heroes of the last war against their demon god may be forgotten, but they are not powerless.

MARCH 2025 SFF BOOK RELEASES

Murder By Memory by Olivia Waite

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Told through Dorothy’s delightfully shrewd POV, this novella is an ode to the cozy mystery taken to the stars with a fresh new sci-fi take. Perfect for fans of the plot-twisty narratives of Dorothy Sayers and Ann Leckie, this well-paced story will leave readers captivated and hungry for the series’s next installment.

Homegrown Magic by Jamie Pacton and Rebecca Podos

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A delightful queer romantic fantasy full of friends-to-lovers chemistry, found family, rival family drama, and cozy garden magic from two acclaimed YA authors making their debut in the adult space.

The Hymn to Dionysus Natasha Pulley

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A timely reimagining of the story of Dionysus-Greek god of ecstasy, revelry, and ruin-and a captivating queer love story for readers of The Song of Achilles and Elektra.

The Bane Witch by Ava Morgyn

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Practical Magic meets Gone Girl in Ava Morgyn’s next dark, spellbinding novel about a woman who is more than a witch―she’s a hunter.

The Serpent Called Mercy by Roanne Lau

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The Witcher meets Squid Game in this Malaysian Chinese-inspired epic fantasy novel where a debt-ridden slumdog joins an illegal monster-fighting arena for some fast coin, but quickly learns the most dangerous beasts are outside the ring

The Third Rule of Time Travel by Philip Fracassi

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In this riveting science fiction novel from acclaimed author Philip Fracassi, a scientist has unlocked the mysteries of time travel. This is not the story you think you know. And the rules are only the beginning.

A Harvest of Hearts by Andrea Eames

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In the beloved tradition of Howl’s Moving Castle and The House in the Cerulean Sea, a whimsical and unforgettable cozy fantasy about adventure, common sense, and the power of love, as a cheeky butcher’s daughter, a befuddlingly handsome sorcerer, and his clever talking cat unlock magical secrets in the dark heart of their kingdom…

Tea You at the Altar by Rebecca Thorne

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The Princess Bride meets Bookshops and Bonedust in the third book of the Tomes & Tea series, where our favorite lesbian pirates must navigate the ultimate maelstrom–their own wedding!

The Anatomy of Magic by J.C. Cervantes

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A young woman learns to embrace all the messy imperfections of life and love with some help from her magical family in this next novel by New York Times bestselling author J.C. Cervantes.

Malinalli by Veronica Chapa

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An imaginative retelling of the triumphs and sorrows of one of the most controversial and misunderstood women in Mexico’s history and mythology, perfect for fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Gods of Jade and Shadow and Zoraida Córdova’s The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina.

Idolfire by Grace Curtis

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A character-driven science-fantasy road trip book with sword fights and a slowburn romance, Idolfire delves into the vastness of history and the terrifying power of organized faith.

Once Was Willem by M. R. Carey

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Presenting an enthrallingly dark medieval fantasy – a fable of twisted folklore, macabre magic and the strangest of found families –  from M. R. Carey, author of the million-copy bestseller, The Girl With All the Gifts.

APRIL 2025 SFF BOOK RELEASES

Where Shadows Meet by Patrice Caldwell

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Set in the aftermath of a war between vampires, humans, and the gods that created them, Patrice Caldwell’s devastatingly romantic fantasy debut, Where Shadows Meet, centers the heart-wrenching pain of loss and the struggle of self-discovery to ask: do we choose our fates, or do our fates choose us?

Don’t Sleep With The Dead by Nghi Vo

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From award-winning author Nghi Vo comes Don’t Sleep with the Dead, a standalone companion novella to The Chosen and the Beautiful, her acclaimed reimagining of The Great Gatsby.

Notes From A Regicide by Isaac Fellman

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Notes from a Regicide is a heartbreaking story of trans self-discovery with a rich relatability and a science-fictional twist from award-winning author Isaac Fellman.

City of All Seasons by Oliver K. Langmead and Aliya Whiteley

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A vibrant and emotional science fantasy about cousins trapped in mirrored worlds – the resplendent and verdant summer city and the ice-carved wastes of the winter city. For fans of Every Heart a Doorway and This is How You Lose the Time War.

A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett

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The eccentric detective Ana Dolabra matches wits with a seemingly omniscient adversary in this brilliant fantasy-mystery from the author of The Tainted Cup.

The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson

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From an electrifying new voice in epic fantasy comes The Raven Scholar, a masterfully woven and playfully inventive tale of imperial intrigue, cutthroat competition, and one scholar’s quest to uncover the truth.

House of Blight by Maxym M. Martineau

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The first novel in an eerie, darkly creative, and romantic new gothic fantasy duology from Maxym M. Martineau, for readers of Sarah J. Maas and Rachel Gillig.

The Gods Time Forgot by Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez

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Irish mythology collides with Gilded Age New York in this sweeping debut enemies-to-lovers historical romantasy, perfect for fans of Outlander and A Fate Inked in Blood.

Gifted & Talented by Olivie Blake

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From the New York Times bestselling author of The Atlas Six comes the story of three siblings who, upon the death of their father, are forced to reckon with their long-festering rivalries, dangerous abilities, and the crushing weight of all their unrealized adolescent potential.

Polybius by Collin Armstrong

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Stranger Things meets The Walking Dead in this chilling novel based on the terrifying urban legend about a video game created by the government for psychological warfare.

Where the Axe Is Buried by Ray Nayler

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A cybernetic novel of political intrigue, Where the Axe is Buried combines the story of a near-impossible revolutionary operation with a blistering indictment of the many forms of authoritarianism that suffocate human freedom.

A Palace Near the Wind by Ai Jiang

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From a rising-star author, winner of the both the Bram Stoker® and Nebula Awards, a richly inventive, brutal and beautiful science-fantasy novella. A story of family, loss, oppression and rebellion that will stay with you long after the final page. For readers of Nghi Vo’s The Empress of Salt and Fortune, Neon Yang’s The Black Tides of Heaven and Kritika H. Rao’s The Surviving Sky.

MAY 2025 SFF BOOK RELEASES

Silver Elite by Dani Francis

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In the first book of a sizzling dystopian romance series, psychic gifts are a death sentence and there are rules to survival: Trust no one. Lie to everyone. And whatever you do, don’t fall for your greatest enemy.

The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Association by Caitlin Rozakis

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Two parents and their recently-bitten-werewolf daughter try to fit into a privileged New England society of magic aristocracy. But deadly terrors await them – ancient prophecies, remorseless magical trials, hidden conspiracies and the PTA bake sale.

The Incandescent by Emily Tesh

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Naomi Novik’s Scholomance series meets Plain Bad Heroines in this sapphic dark academia fantasy by instant national and international bestselling author Emily Tesh, winner of the Hugo and World Fantasy Awards.

The Memory Collectors by Dete Meserve

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Four strangers time travel to the past and find themselves stuck on the day all their lives were changed in this stunning speculative mystery from award-winning film and television producer Dete Meserve, perfect for fans of Before the Coffee Gets Cold, Wrong Place Wrong Time and The Paradox Hotel.

Brighter than Scale, Swifter than Flame by Neon Yang

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With an armored, oath-bound hero reminiscent of The Mandalorian and the Asian-inspired epic fantasy of She Who Became the Sun, Neon Yang’s Brighter than Scale, Swifter than Flame is a stunning queer novella about a dragon hunter finding home with a dragon queen.

Esperance by Adam Oyebanji

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A whip-smart thriller in the vein of Blake Crouch, Andy Weir, and Neal Stephenson, Esperance plumbs the depths of a seemingly impossible crime rooted in racism, intergenerational trauma, and an inhuman concept of justice

A Spell for Change by Nicole Jarvis

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In this sumptuous, atmospheric historical fantasy set in post-World War One Appalachia, three outcasts with misunderstood magical gifts search for their place in the world while battling the dark forces that circle their community.

Anji Kills a King by Evan Leikam

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An unlikely assassin struggles to escape a legendary bounty hunter in this breakneck fantasy debut that will grab you by the throat―perfect for fans of Joe Abercrombie, R.F. Kuang, and Christopher Buehlman.

Written on the Dark by Guy Gavriel Kay

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From the internationally bestselling author of Tigana, All the Seas of the World, and A Brightness Long Ago comes a sweeping new novel of love and war that brilliantly evokes the drama and turbulence of medieval France.

Harmattan Season by Tochi Onyebuchi

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From the visionary author of Riot Baby and Goliath, Harmattan Season is a gripping fantasy noir in the tradition of Chandler, Hammond, and Christie that will have you by the throat―both dryly funny and unforgettably evocative.

A Letter From the Lonesome Shore by Sylvie Cathrall

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Dive into the charming conclusion to the Sunken Archive duology, a heart-warming magical academia fantasy filled with underwater cities, romance of manners and found family, perfect for fans of Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries.

Behooved by M. Stevenson

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A charming slow-burn romantasy featuring a duty-bound noblewoman with a chronic illness, a prince who would rather be in a library than on a throne, and a magical ride through a world of cozy enchantment

JUNE 2025 SFF BOOK RELEASES

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by Victoria E. Schwab

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From V. E. Schwab, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue: a new genre-defying novel about immortality and hunger.

A Far Better Thing by H.G. Parry

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Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell meets A Tale of Two Cities in H. G. Parry’s A Far Better Thing, a heart-rending fantasy of faery revenge set during the French Revolution.

House of Frost and Feathers by Lauren Wiesebron

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A touch of The Bear and the Nightingale, a bit of Juniper & Thorn, and a sense of wonder and adventure makes up this lyrical debut fantasy of a young woman in search of a home, and a home in search of people to make it feel lived in.

The Witch Roads by Kate Elliott

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The Witch Roads is an epic fantasy duology, with brutal palace intrigue, a ravenous fungal ghost-plague, an overland journey with a small group of sometimes bickering characters, mysterious magic, ancient echoes of a long-ago war now intruding on the present, and a central love story, set in a new universe.

The Shipwright and the Shroudweaver by Rafael Torrubia

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Scottish debut Rafael Torrubia fuses the folklore of JRR Tolkien with the fire of NK Jemisin in this sprawling epic fantasy duology set in a Napoleonic world on the brink of collapse after an ancient evil strips its people of their names…

The Lady, the Tiger and the Girl Who Loved Death by Helen Marshall

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A young woman is seduced by the glamour of the circus and drawn into a dangerous world of violence, cruelty and revenge. For readers of Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus and Helen Oyeyemi’s Mr Fox.

Six Wild Crowns by Holly Race

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From a major new voice in epic fantasy, Six Wild Crowns is a breathtaking epic fantasy of dragons, courtly intrigue, sapphic yearning, and the wives of Henry VIII as you’ve never seen them before. 

UnWorld by Jayson Greene

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From the author of Once More We Saw Stars, an electrifying debut novel about AI that calls to mind Never Let Me Go and The Candy House’s tantalizing vision of the future.

The Unmapping by Denise S. Robbins

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With themes of climate change, political unrest, and social justice, The Unmapping is a timely and captivating debut.

Wearing the Lion by John Wiswell

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This second novel from Nebula Award-winning John Wiswell brings a humanizing, redemptive touch to the Hercules story in this mythological fantasy for fans of Jennifer Saint and Elodie Harper.

The Mercy Makers by Tessa Gratton

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A talented heretic must decide between the pursuit of forbidden magic, or the ecstasy of forbidden love—either way, her choice will upend the world, in the start of a sweeping, romantic epic fantasy trilogy by New York Times bestselling author Tessa Gratton.

This Princess Kills Monsters by Ry Herman

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A princess with a mostly useless magical talent takes on horrible monsters, a dozen identical masked heroes, and a talking lion in a quest to save a kingdom—and herself—in this affectionate satire of the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tale The Twelve Huntsmen.

What fantasy and sci-fi book releases are you looking forward to this year? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Fantasy & Sci-Fi Book Releases To Devour In 2025 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea was my first foray into the “cosy fantasy” genre and it made me absolutely love that experience! This adorable story is a comfortable ride in a world of magic, dragons, welcoming neighbours, and power-hungry people in the company of a diverse cast of mostly heartwarming characters.

We are first introduced to Reina, a royal guard to a terrible queen, who after yet another taxing day working at court has had enough and decides to flee. She’s ready to start the life she and her secret girlfriend have only been able to dream about until now. However, fleeing means high treason and a death sentence—no questions asked. Reina will have to be very careful and hide her identity for as long as possible—knowing that she’ll inevitably be found at some point by the queen’s guards, her ex-companions. Kianthe is the Archandor, the most powerful elemental mage in the world, appointed by the source of magic itself. After a solitary life always on the move, being seen only as a means to an end, she met Reina who asks nothing of her but her love and who has finally agreed to run away with her. The responsibilities linked to Kianthe’s status are something she never asked for and wished she could leave behind—even though her powers are pretty cool…and very useful

It’s in a small and cold border town called Tawney that they settle to open their bookstore and tea shop. There they work at creating the space and life they always wanted, and the dream of any bookworm: a wood-walled room filled with books, freshly baked goods, warm cups of tea, plants, and a fireplace. The small-town mentality is focused on neighbours helping each other. Even if some people will take a bit longer to warm up to Reina and Kianthe, the adorable couple will eventually fit right in.

Our two protagonists will face many obstacles—such as bandits, government more-or-less officials, and dragon attacks—but they will face them together, displaying a healthy communication style between them that is honestly a nice change to read about. A couple that talks and supports each other, stays together!

In this story, you can expect some fighting, some cunning, and a fast-paced writing style, but no big fright putting you at the edge of your seat, no feeling of urgency, and no big cliffhanger. This is not the point of this book, but rather to spend a few hours in a warm-hug atmosphere of magic and low(ish)-stake situations with a lovable, strong couple who is spending all the time they can baking and reading near the fireplace, and defending with magic and sword their happy corner of the world against anyone looking to dislodge them.

While the stakes are relatively low (no end-of-the-world events, no deeply troubled chosen one saviour, no hundreds of pages long quest across the world here), some mysteries still have to be unfolded and enemies have to be fought, dragon eggs have to be found to avoid a terrible fight with powerful wild creatures, and the queen’s people might be closing in on Reina quicker than expected. The couple will have to learn to adapt, compromise, and find their balance between responsibilities, death threats and business acumen while navigating their new life together.

In short, Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea is an anxiety-free pill of a book.

Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of July 17th.

Will you be picking up Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

All Reyna and Kianthe want is to open a bookshop that serves tea. Worn wooden floors, plants on every table, firelight drifting between the rafters… all complemented by love and good company. Thing is, Reyna works as one of the Queen’s private guards, and Kianthe is the most powerful mage in existence. Leaving their lives isn’t so easy.

But after an assassin takes Reyna hostage, she decides she’s thoroughly done risking her life for a self-centered queen. Meanwhile, Kianthe has been waiting for a chance to flee responsibility–all the better that her girlfriend is on board. Together, they settle in Tawney, a town that boasts more dragons than people, and open the shop of their dreams.

What follows is a cozy tale of mishaps, mysteries, and a murderous queen throwing the realm’s biggest temper tantrum. In a story brimming with hurt/comfort and quiet fireside conversations, these two women will discover just what they mean to each other… and the world.

The post Review: Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Rebecca will be donating 10% of every paycheck she receives from The Secrets Star Whales to the incredible charity Hungry for Music, who provide instruments to kids who can’t otherwise afford them.

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

Hey!! I’m so thrilled to be here! Well, I work as a flight attendant normally—although I’m currently furloughed thanks to COVID-times. So these days, I spend my time editing one of my books, writing something new, researching real estate, or working at my current day job. My weekends are spent adventuring in the Arizona desert. I also have a dog, an awesome little yorkie who’s the best writing companion ever! I love travel and optimism and the sound of rain on an umbrella.

After the chaos that was 2020, have you set any goals for this year? If so, how are they going so far?

My goal this year is to hike 2 new spots each month! February was a wash, but I’m on track to meet March’s goal. Arizona is too pretty not to explore!

Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!

AH! Those are all different books!!! The first book I remember reading was the Berenstain bears, back when they were spelled with an “Berenstein” instead of “Berenstain.” (Don’t get me started. LOL.)

The book that made me want to become an author was probably Ally Carter’s “I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You,” because her writing style made me realize that books can be light-hearted and fun instead of heavy and intense. I modelled a lot of my writing after her!

The book I can’t stop thinking about is stupid Gideon the Ninth. No spoilers, but what the heck.

When did you first discover your love for writing?

I was eleven, I think? And I remember my older sister sitting down to “write a novel,” and I got jealous at how she was like, so intently focused on our ancient computer. I wanted to try, so I wrote a short story about a boy who went camping with his dad. Then I started a book about a girl who found a dragon egg. Long story short, my sister stopped writing, but I couldn’t quit. Haha!

Your debut novel, The Secrets of Star Whales, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Teacher kidnaps class, adventure ensues!

What can readers expect?

Oh, definitely small town politics, gossiping kids, smoke bombs, pranks, the wonders of music, poor handling of grief, insanely bad decision making, and… yes… whales in space!

Where did the inspiration for The Secrets of Star Whales come from?

I’m not going to lie—I watched School of Rock and legit thought, “How could I tell this story from the kids’ point of view?” And then, to make it more unique, I continued with, “What if, instead of music, he’s chasing whales in space?” And then I just pushed the idea further and further. I definitely spent most of the original draft listening to the School of Rock musical on repeat, and an attentive reader should absolutely notice the similarities.

Can you tell us about any challenges you faced while writing and how you were able to overcome them?

This book was honestly fairly easy to write. I got the idea in August and had a working draft by September. My agent and I edited through March, then subbed it. By July, we had a book contract! The editing process was shockingly smooth, because Mari (my editor) really understood the purpose and heart of the novel. We did multiple editing passes, and each one made the book so much better. But overall, I can’t really complain about this novel. It wasn’t the roughest to write by any means!

If it’s not too spoilery, were there any favourite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

Oh my gosh, YES. I absolutely adore Mr. Hames, their quirky, Doctor Who-like substitute teacher—I think one of my favorite scenes was when Max starts to realize based on conversations around him that Mr. Hames has had like, inquiring one-on-one time with each of the kids. And through those conversations, he’s helped every classmate improve as a person. Until that point, Max assumed Mr. Hames was targeting him specifically, asking the tough questions about the loss of his father, and that moment really makes Max realize he’s not the only one with problems.

What made you want to write a middle grade novel?

I actually always used to write Young Adult, so this was my first true foray into a middle grade book. I’d attempted it earlier with the Fantasy that got me my agent, but it was very poorly done because I didn’t realize how distinctive MG needs to be. I still bounce between MG and YA, but MG has a really soft spot in my heart for how encouraging they are. They can be simple and silly and optimistic, and that’s perfectly acceptable. YA always feels so heavy now, so it’s a nice change of pace!

This is your debut novel! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?

Yes!! Oh my gosh it was long. I started querying at 22 years old, on my tenth novel? Star Whales was my thirteenth. I queried three novels (and amassed over 215 rejection letters) before Kaitlyn Johnson (Belcastro Agency) signed me—and then that book never sold on submission. I’m going to just barely squeak in under my “get published before you’re 30” goal—my 30^th birthday is in June! So basically, publishing took ages. The only thing I can say is that I never once gave up, and neither should you!!

What’s the best and the worst writing advice you have received?

The best advice is to never, ever tie your self-worth to how your novel does in the querying trenches. Waiting for that magical lightning strike is like asking depression and anxiety to move in and ruin your life. Keep yourself busy in the meantime, and find hobbies outside of writing that truly fill your soul!!

The worst advice was probably a query critique I received at my first-ever writers conference. A veteran author there offered to take a look, and I was so bright-eyed that I agreed. She ripped my query to shreds and basically told me I wasn’t ready to publish. She was right, in the end—that book wasn’t the one that got me an agent—but the way she approached that always stuck with me. Don’t ever let ANYONE tell you that your writing isn’t good enough. Just keep trying to improve your craft and don’t get overly attached to one book, and you’ll do just fine.

What’s next for you?

Well, my sister’s wedding is in a few days, and I’m getting a puppy in the middle of April, so those are exciting! 30^th birthday should be a blast, too!! As for writing, I’m working through an incredibly weird YA novel about an ultra-powerful witch that stops all death on Earth, and the other ultra-powerful witch who’s trying to stop him. It’s incredibly odd—I based the writing style off Good Omens, and it has footnotes, omniscient narration, and 3 timelines… one of which is told in reverse. We’ll see how it pans out.

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

READ GIDEON THE NINTH.

And prepare to be horrified. I cannot stop thinking about that stupid book.

Will you be picking up The Secret of Star Whales? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Rebecca Thorne, Author of ‘The Secrets of Star Whales’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.