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Q&A: Samantha Shannon, Author of ‘Among the Burning Flowers’

Elise Dumpleton — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 17:00:00 +0000

We chat with author Samantha Shannon about Among the Burning Flowers, which leads readers through the gripping and tragic events that pave the way for the opening of the million-copy bestseller The Priory of The Orange Tree.

Hi, Samantha! Welcome back! We spoke earlier this year for the release of The Dark Mirror. How has your 2025 been?

It’s been great so far. It was lovely to finally publish The Dark Mirror, as many Bone Season readers have been waiting for that book since 2021, and the response has been incredible. This is my first time publishing two books in a year, and I’m currently midway into my second big tour, so it has been quite a lot to manage on top of my deadlines – I usually release one book every two years – but I like to keep busy, and I’m having a wonderful time.

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

I don’t recall a specific moment where the love of stories clicked into place – it feels like it’s always been there, at the core of me. My mum used to read to me when I was little, so that may have been where it all began. I was a voracious reader as a child and all the way through my teens, and when I realised you could write books for a living, that was all I wanted to do.

Among the Burning Flowers is a new standalone prequel in The Roots of Chaos Cycle and it’s out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Heartbreaking, intense, sapphic, romantic and sinister. This is definitely one of my darker books.

For those who haven’t picked up The Roots of Chaos Cycle yet, what can they expect?

It’s an epic fantasy set in a world where there are two kinds of magic – the earthly magic of fire (siden) and the celestial magic of starlight (sterren). There’s a delicate balance between the two, and any threat to this balance results in widespread destruction. Each book has a cast of main characters – the storytellers – who must navigate various challenges in their own lives while trying to survive the chaos of a magical imbalance. You can theoretically pick the books up in any order.

And for those who have, what’s to come in Among the Burning Flowers?

Among the Burning Flowers is a shorter instalment of the Roots of Chaos cycle that focuses on a specific event mentioned in Priory, the Fall of Yscalin. At the beginning of Priory, we see that the Kingdom of Yscalin – formerly loyal to the Saint – has inexplicably turned to worshipping his ancient enemy, the Nameless One. It’s assumed that the Yscals did this as a means of surviving an occupation by a cunning and vengeful wyrm named Fýredel, but there was always more to the conversion, which I really wanted to shed light on. The protagonist is Marosa Vetalda, the heir to Yscalin, but you’ll also hear from two other characters who provide different perspectives on the incident. I consider it a tragedy.

Did you always plan to write a prequel?

No, actually – The Priory of the Orange Tree was originally meant to be a standalone, but the more of the world I built, the more I realised it had more stories to tell. I consider Among the Burning Flowers more of a ‘prelude’ than a prequel; it’s a lead-in to Priory that gives some more context and nuance to an incident we only see from the outside in that book. I did end up writing a longer prequel to Priory, which is called A Day of Fallen Night and tackles a different period, the Grief of Ages.

What’s next for you?

My deadline for the sixth Bone Season book is in November. After that, I’ll be starting work on my standalone book about the Ancient Greek goddess of the rainbow, Iris.

Lastly, how’s your reading gone this year? You said you were looking forward to a number of books!

So far, I’ve read nineteen books, four of which I mentioned in our last interview: The Maiden and Her Monster, Fable for the End of the World, The Isle in the Silver Sea and Katabasis. I thoroughly enjoyed all of them and had the privilege of picking Rebecca Kuang’s brains about Katabasis during her London tour stop. The Isle in the Silver Sea by Tasha Suri is the one I read most recently. It’s a sapphic romance about nation building and the power of stories, following a knight named Vina and a witch named Simran, who are doomed to a cycle of death and reincarnation and must keep acting out specific roles in order to keep their island alive. Can they break the cycle and survive to forge their own tale? You’ll have to read it and find out . . .

Will you be picking up Among the Burning Flowers? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Samantha Shannon, Author of ‘Among the Burning Flowers’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

24 Anticipated Books Releasing In September 2025

Elise Dumpleton — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 11:18:26 +0000

If you’re feeling terrified that it’s September already, then one good thing to come out of this month are some terrifyingly brilliant reads hitting bookshelves! From new releases from the likes of Richard Osman, Samantha Shannon, Jennifer Niven, Kosoko Jackson, Tricia Levenseller, and many more with spooky stories, swoonworthy romances, and breathtaking worlds, you are sure to find something amongst these anticipated September book releases!

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

The House of Quiet by Kiersten White

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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Hide comes a dark fantasy about a girl who will risk everything—posing as a maid, confronting powerful enemies, and unraveling deadly secrets—all to save her missing sister from the enigmatic House of Quiet.

It Had to Be Him by Adib Khorram

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Heartstopper meets Eat Pray Love in this swoony, spicy, second-chance romance from USA Today bestselling author Adib Khorram about two former classmates unexpectedly reuniting in Italy.

Make Me a Monster by Kalynn Bayron

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New York Times bestselling author Kalynn Bayron is back with a Frankenstein-tinged horror romance, creating a hauntingly beautiful exploration of body horror, family secrets, grief and loss and love.

The Killer Question by Janice Hallett

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Janice Hallett, “the new queen of crime” (Electric Literature), returns with a fresh, edge-of-your-seat mystery that takes place at a pub’s weekly trivia night, revealed through quiz categories, phone messages, and email correspondence.

Night & Day edited by Ellen Datlow

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A horror anthology edited by the genre’s greatest, Ellen Datlow, with one side featuring stories about what haunts the night while the other side showcases the terrors that can exist in the light of day in this new addition to the Saga Doubles series.

Soul Searching by Lyla Sage

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The #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Rebel Blue Ranch series returns with a brand-new story, featuring a small-town upholsterer in need of a fresh start, a photographer whose life has come to a screeching halt . . . and the supernatural forces that bring them together.

The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman

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The unmissable new mystery in the Thursday Murder Club series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Richard Osman, now streaming on Netflix.

The Second Death of Locke by V.L. Bovalino

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The Second Death of Locke is a devastatingly romantic epic fantasy about the undying bond between a knight and their mage, perfect for fans of Rachel Gillig and Alix E. Harrow.

House of Hearts by Skyla Arndt

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Solving her best friend’s murder means infiltrating a secret society, resisting a forbidden love, and running from a vengeful ghost in this sophomore novel by the author of Together We Rot.

You Are The Detective by Maureen Johnson

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November 1933. London. Seven people receive mysterious letters. Someone knows their terrible secrets. They are summoned to a posh townhouse where one is stabbed right in front of the others, but somehow no one saw a thing. Can you help Scotland Yard solve the mystery?

A Blood as Bright as the Moon by Andrea Morstabilini

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A vampire, desperately torn between worlds, is hunted down by a secret society bent on his destruction, in this timeless and unsettling queer gothic horror, perfect for fans of T. Kingfisher and Silvia Moreno-Garcia.

Among the Burning Flowers by Samantha Shannon

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A story of human resilience in the face of dire circumstances, Among the Burning Flowers leads readers through the gripping and tragic events that pave the way for the opening of the million-copy bestseller The Priory of The Orange Tree.

Lady Like by Mackenzi Lee

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Two women set their sights on marrying the same duke, but instead of becoming enemies, they find themselves falling in love—though not with him.

When We Were Monsters by Jennifer Niven

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A simmering psychological thriller about a dead teacher at an elite boarding school, the students who had every reason to want her gone, and the tangled web of rivalry and romance concealing the truth—from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places.

The Macabre by Kosoko Jackson

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From award-winning and USA Today bestselling author Kosoko Jackson comes his adult speculative debut, a stand-alone novel blending time travel and globe-hopping adventure, art history, and dark fantasy about magical paintings and the lengths people will go to collect them, destroy them…or be destroyed.

You Weren’t Meant to Be Human by Andrew Joseph White

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Alien meets Midsommar in this chilling debut adult novel from award-winning author Andrew Joseph White about identity, survival, and transformation amidst an alien invasion in rural West Virginia.

Hopelessly Teavoted by Audrey Goldberg Ruoff

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After the deaths of his parents, a witch returns to his spooky family manor and joins forces with his former crush when his parents’ spirits warn them of a sinister threat in this witty and lyrically unique rom-com in the vein of The Crescent Moon Tearoom andThe Ex Hex.

Seven Reasons To Murder Your Dinner Guests by KJ Whittle

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Told from the perspectives of each of the seven guests, Seven Reasons to Murder Your Dinner Guests is a spellbinding and mysterious exploration of mortality, begging the question: how would you live your life if you knew your number was up?

Holiday Ever After by Hannah Grace

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Clara Davenport wants to solve Fraser Falls’s biggest problem. According to Jack Kelly, Clara is Fraser Falls’s biggest problem.

What Fury Brings by Tricia Levenseller

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#1 New York Times-bestselling author Tricia Levenseller makes her adult debut in What Fury Brings, a sexy, empowering romantasy featuring a warrior general who must kidnap and train a husband in order to take her rightful place as queen.

Old Money by Kelsey Miller

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On the Fourth of July, a teenager dies at an exclusive country club. Twenty years later, her cousin returns to her hometown, seeking answers behind closed gates in this rich, atmospheric thriller for fans of Lucy Foley, Liz Moore and Ruth Ware.

A Mannequin for Christmas by Timothy Janovsky

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A Christmas romance for Barbie fans who wished Ken and Allan got their own love story.

Saltcrop by Yume Kitasei

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From the acclaimed author of The Stardust Grail comes the epic tale of two sisters who sail across oceans to find their missing third sister―and Earth’s environmental salvation.

The Dead of Summer by Ryan La Sala

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Stephen King meets Holly Jackson by way of We Were Liars in this action-packed story of queer horror from the acclaimed author of The Honeys!

What September books are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 24 Anticipated Books Releasing In September 2025 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Q&A: Samantha Shannon, Author of ‘The Dark Mirror’

Elise Dumpleton — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 08:00:00 +0000

We chat with author Samantha Shannon about The Dark Mirror, which is the highly anticipated fifth novel in the New York Times bestselling Bone Season series.

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

I’m 33 years old and have lived in London for my whole life, except when I was at university. I got my first book deal while I was in my second year at Oxford, where I was studying English Language and Literature, and I’m fortunate enough to have been a full-time author ever since.

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

The first book you ever remember reading: The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
The one that made you want to become an author: Sabriel by Garth Nix
The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler

The Dark Mirror is the fifth installment in your Bone Season series and it’s out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Epic, romantic, action-packed, tense, emotional.

For those who haven’t checked out the series yet, what can they expect?

The Bone Season series is a dystopian fantasy about Paige Mahoney, a young Irish woman living in the Republic of Scion, which hunts clairvoyants – people who can sense and tap into the spirit world. Paige is an especially rare kind of clairvoyant called a dreamwalker, able to leave her body and possess other people. To protect herself, she’s risen through the ranks of the London underworld. When Paige is arrested for murder, she’s taken to the lost city of Oxford, where she discovers the founders of Scion – and they have plans for her unique abilities. The series is inspired by several Greek myths, but especially Hades and Persephone, Pandora and Prometheus, and Orpheus and Eurydice. You can expect big worldbuilding, a lot of action and intrigue, and a slow-burn romance.

**And for those who have, what’s to come in The Dark Mirror?**

The Dark Mirror is the first book in the series to take place beyond the borders of the Republic of Scion, so you’ll get to see how Paige reacts to being in the outside world. It’s the most romantic and ambitious instalment so far. My motto for this series is ‘don’t be afraid to take big risks’ and I’ve stuck to that decision more than ever in this one.

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

Paige goes through a lot of personal growth in this instalment – she resolves to make informed decisions, rather than running on instinct, and starts to learn from the mistakes she made in The Mask Falling. Jaxon Hall, her ex-boss turned bitter rival, has some great moments; he’s a born survivor who can adapt fluidly to any given situation, which is always a joy to write. Some characters who didn’t appear in the last instalment, like Maria and Nick, are also back in a big way. But my favourite aspect of this book was continuing to build the complex relationship between Paige and the deuteragonist, Arcturus Mesarthim, which is both a forbidden romance and a deep friendship.

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

This instalment of the series took several years to finish, partly because of its complexity – there are a lot of factions, characters, and moving parts to balance – but also because I was juggling it with another book, A Day of Fallen Night, which ended up being the longest and most intricate story I’ve ever written. That caused a significant gap in the Bone Season series, and I did feel the pressure of that. But I’m very proud of the finished book, glad that I took the time to refine it, and hopeful that I can get the sixth instalment out in better time.

Any teasers for book six? We’ll also take the title, synopsis, and all the plot points please and thank you!

I don’t have a title yet, but the next book is where some of the big secrets of the series will finally be unveiled, and the seeds I’ve been planting for years will begin to burst into bloom. I’m really excited about it. You’ll also be able to see more of my influence from Ancient Greek mythology.

It’s been 12 years since the first installment was published and marked your debut. Looking back, what are some of the key lessons you’ve learned as an author and about the publishing industry?

The most important lesson I’ve learned is that you need to find your people. I’m lucky to live in a city where there are lots of authors in my genre, all supporting and uplifting each other. Publishing can be an opaque and demoralising industry, and going at it alone can be difficult. I also wish I’d come off Twitter a lot sooner – it drained me, slowly but surely, for a decade.

What’s next for you?

After The Dark Mirror, my next book is Among the Burning Flowers, publishing on 16 September. It’s a short prequel to The Priory of the Orange Tree, following an isolated princess whose country is threatened by fire-breathing dragons. I hope it will provide an accessible entry point to my Roots of Chaos series, particularly for readers who might have felt intimidated by the size of the other instalments.

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

Cleopatra by Saara El-Arifi, Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid, Firstborn of the Sun by Marvellous Michael Anson, Katabasis by R. F. Kuang, Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan, The Isle in the Silver Sea by Tasha Suri, The Lure of Their Graves by Laura R. Samotin, and The Maiden and Her Monster by Maddie Martinez.

Will you be picking up The Dark Mirror? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Samantha Shannon, Author of ‘The Dark Mirror’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Fantasy & Sci-Fi Book Releases To Devour In 2025

Elise Dumpleton — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 18:00:00 +0000

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

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.

Anticipated Book Releases Hitting Shelves In 2025

Elise Dumpleton — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:00:07 +0000

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

2025?! How!? Nevertheless, the upside of a new year is all of the new books that will be hitting shelves! We’ve rounded up some highly anticipated books from a range of genres releasing between the months of January and June 2025.

You can expect new releases from the likes of Taylor Jenkins Reid, Emily Henry, Samantha Shannon, Richard Swan, Kate Alice Marshall, Tessa Bailey, Suzanne Collins, Chuck Wendig, Rachel Lynn Solomon, Christopher Golden, Becky Albertalli, Rebecca Yarros, VE Schwab, Maggie Stiefvater, Fredrik Backman, and so many more, plus many making their 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 2025 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… We apologise in advance to your TBR pile and wallet!

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below if you’ll be picking up any!

JANUARY 2025 BOOK RELEASES

I Think They Love You by Julian Winters

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With his funny, big-hearted adult rom com debut, bestselling, award-winning YA author Julian Winters shows sometimes fake dating your ex can turn into a second chance.

Breath of the Dragon by Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee

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A young warrior dreams of proving his worth in the elite Guardian Tournament, fighting not only for himself but the fate of everything he loves.

Cross My Heart by Megan Collins

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She has his dead wife’s heart; the one she wants is his. The author of The Family Plot brings her signature prose to a twisty novel about a heart transplant patient who becomes romantically obsessed with her donor’s husband.

Liar’s Kingdom by Christine Calella

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An Into the Woods-inspired fairy tale retelling where Cinderella never went to the ball and must lie to get her prince.

A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson

Unromance by Erin Connor

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A recently dumped TV heartthrob enlists a jaded romance novelist to ruin romance for him—one rom-com trope at a time—so he never gets swept off his feet again . . .

The Rival by Emma Lord

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Rivals-to-lovers gets an academic send-up in this charming and irresistible romantic comedy from Emma Lord, New York Times bestselling author of Tweet Cute and Begin Again.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

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A group of young women in a home for unwed mothers in 1970s Florida who find a book to witchcraft—a guide which may just be the key to regaining their power or the source of their worst nightmares.

Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams

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Two feuding second-grade teachers (and neighbors) find themselves teaming up in this new rivals-to-lovers romance set in Rome, Kentucky—from the New York Times bestselling author of The Rule Book and Practice Makes Perfect.

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

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A twisty domestic thriller about an author who travels to a remote Scottish island to write his next book…only to run into a woman who looks exactly like his missing wife.

A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young

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In this captivating atmospheric novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Unmaking of June Farrow, a woman investigates her twin brother’s mysterious death while confronting the ghosts of her own haunted past.

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

FEBRUARY 2025 BOOK RELEASES

Hungerstone by Kat Dunn

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Set against the violent wilderness of the moors and the uncontrolled appetite of the industrial revolution, Hungerstone is a compulsive feminist reworking of Carmilla, the book that inspired Dracula: a captivating story of appetite and desire.

First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison

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A hopeless romantic meets a jaded radio host in this cozy, Sleepless in Seattle–inspired love story from beloved author B.K. Borison.

The Dark Mirror by Samantha Shannon

A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall

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A woman invited to her wealthy fiance’s family retreat realizes they are hiding a terrible secret―and that she’s been there before, by the bestselling author of What Lies in the Woods.

Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister

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An addictive thriller about a new mother’s world upended when her husband commits a terrifying crime. How well does she truly know the man she loves? And what danger does she face if her entire life has been built on a lie?

Grave Empire by Richard Swan

Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey

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A steamy chance encounter between a professional hockey player and the manic pixie dream girl he just can’t seem to forget about takes a turn when the pair realize that their parents are engaged—in an all-new rom-com by #1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey.

The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor

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The New York Times bestselling author of Hotel Magnifique returns with another glittering dark fantasy about a deadly mystery that spans worlds and a teenage girl who must risk everything to uncover the truth.

Wooing The Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis

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In a Gaslamp-lit world where hags and ogres lurk in thick pine forests, three magical queens form an uneasy alliance to protect their lands from invasion…and love turns their world upside down.

The Dollhouse Academy by Margarita Montimore

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With dark academia twists and enormous heart, The Dollhouse Academy is a novel about the complexities of friendship, our desire to be seen and understood, and the true cost of making our dreams a reality.

Under the Same Stars by Libba Bray

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From New York Times-bestselling author Libba Bray comes an evocative and groundbreaking young adult historical mystery that examines truth, rebellion, reconciliation, and what must be sacrificed for a better world.

MARCH 2025 BOOK RELEASES

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

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The phenomenal fifth book in the Hunger Games series. Sunrise on the Reaping revisits the world of Panem twenty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.

Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven

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The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue meets This is How You Lose The Time War in this fantastical love story that defies death as two souls reincarnate through the centuries.

A Gentleman’s Gentleman by TJ Alexander

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From the acclaimed author of Chef’s Kiss, a groundbreaking trans Regency romance that’s both delightfully witty and refreshingly iconoclastic.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano

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From New York Times bestseller and Edgar-Award nominee Elle Cosimano, comes Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave―the hugely anticipated next installment in the fan-favorite Finlay Donovan series.

Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid

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The Last of Us meets The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in this stand-alone dystopian romance about survival, sacrifice, and love that risks everything.

This Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winstead

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From the national bestselling author of In My Dreams I Hold a Knife and Midnight is the Darkest Hour comes a chilling, compulsive story of five amateur sleuths, whose hunt for an elusive killer catapults them into danger as the world watches.

The Haunting of Room 904 by Erika T. Wurth

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From the author of White Horse comes a terrifying and resonant novel about a woman who uses her unique gift to learn the truth about her sister’s death.

The Hymn to Dionysus Natasha Pulley

Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley

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Date night goes off the rails in this hilariously insightful take on midlife and marriage when one unhappy couple find themselves at the heart of a crime in progress, from the USA Today bestselling author of The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise.

They Bloom at Night by Trang Thanh Tran

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The author of the New York Times bestselling horror phenomenon She Is a Haunting is back with a novel about the monsters that swim beneath us . . . and live within us.

All the Other Mothers Hate Me by Sarah Harman

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Hilarious and twisted, propulsive and furious, All the Other Mothers Hate Me is a mix of Catastrophe and Fleabag with a dash of Nancy Drew.

Code Word Romance by Carlie Walker

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One fake prime minister, one ridiculously hot handler, and one Italian summer collide in this thrilling adventure rom-com.

APRIL 2025 BOOK RELEASES

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

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Two writers compete for the chance to tell the larger-than-life story of a woman with more than a couple of plot twists up her sleeve in this dazzling and sweeping new novel from Emily Henry.

Where Shadows Meet by Patrice Caldwell

The Notorious Virtues by Alwyn Hamilton

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Bestselling Rebel of the Sands author Alwyn Hamilton is back with a glittering fantasy thriller about a glamorous media darling, a surprise heiress, and the magical competition of a lifetime.

Their Monstrous Hearts by Yiğit Turhan

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A haunting novel about the boundaries people will cross to keep their dreams alive, perfect for fans of Mexican Gothic and Hereditary.

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

Somadina by Akwaeke Emezi

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From the National Book Award finalist and author of Pet comes a novel set in a magical West African world, about a teen girl who must save her missing twin while learning to navigate her own terrifying new powers.

The Staircase In The Woods by Chuck Wendig

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A group of friends investigates the mystery of a strange staircase in the woods in this mesmerizing horror novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Accidents.

The Folklore of Forever by Sarah Hogle

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From the acclaimed author of Old Flames and New Fortunes comes a steamy enemies-to-lovers romantasy about a paranormal skeptic who is roped into a ghost hunting romp by the charming boy next door . . . who might just show her what real fantasies are made of.

Don’t Sleep With The Dead by Nghi Vo

Senseless by Ronald Malfi

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A page-turning, supernaturally-tinged LA puzzle-box thriller – Zodiac with teeth, from the Bram Stoker Award-nominated and bestselling author of Come with Me. Perfect for fans of Riley Sager and Lauren Beukes.

Rabbit Moon by Jennifer Haigh

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From the New York Times bestselling author of Mercy Street, a tense, propulsive family drama set in Shanghai, where a fractured American family faces its complicated past

Enchantra by Kaylie Smith

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Knives Out meets Throne of the Fallen in this spicy stand-alone romantasy set in the same world as USA Today bestselling author Kaylie Smith’s BookTok sensation Phantasma! The print edition includes custom silver foiling on the cover.

MAY 2025 BOOK RELEASES

The Love Haters by Katherine Center

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Swim lessons, helicopter flights, conga lines, drinking contests, hurricanes, and stolen kisses ―along with chances to tell the truth, to face old fears, and to be truly brave at last.

Silver Elite by Dani Francis

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In the first book of a searing new dystopian trilogy, a young woman must conceal her psychic powers—and her attraction to her handsome, infuriating commanding officer—as she works undercover to take down a brutal government from within.

My Name Is Emilia del Valle by Isabel Allende

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In this spellbinding historical novel from the New York Times bestselling author of A Long Petal of the Sea and The Wind Knows My Name, a young writer journeys to South America to uncover the truth about her father—and herself.

Overgrowth by Mira Grant

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Invasion of the Body Snatchers meets Day of the Triffids in this full-on body horror/alien invasion apocalypse.

The Incandescent by Emily Tesh

What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon

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Falling in love with your husband is anything but convenient in this steamy romance from the New York Times bestselling author of Business or Pleasure.

Come As You Are by Dahlia Adler

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In this opposites attract romance for fans of Begin Again and Better Than the Movies, a fresh start doesn’t have to mean changing yourself.

The Night Birds by Christopher Golden

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The next gripping, atmospheric horror novel from NYT bestselling author Christopher Golden, set in a deteriorated, half-sunken freighter ship off the coast of Galveston, TX.

The Thrashers by Julie Soto

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A twisty thrill-ride of unforgettable drama and suspense that “encapsulates the vulnerability of adolescents playing adult games” (Ali Hazelwood) from USA Today bestselling author Julie Soto, The Thrashers will keep you up at night desperate to read just one more page.

The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig

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From NYT bestselling author Rachel Gillig comes the next big romantasy sensation, a gothic, mist-cloaked tale of a young prophetess who is forced on an impossible quest with the one infuriating knight whose future is beyond her sight. Perfect for fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout and Leigh Bardugo.

The Devils by Joe Abercrombie

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A brand-new epic fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Joe Abercrombie, featuring a notorious band of anti-heroes on a delightfully bloody and raucous journey

The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin by Alison Goodman

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In Regency England, the eccentric Colebrook sisters are amateur detectives who use their wits and invisibility as “old maids” to fight injustice in this delightful and fiercely feminist novel of mystery and adventure from New York Times bestselling author Alison Goodman.

JUNE 2025 BOOK RELEASES

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & The Six comes an epic new novel set against the backdrop of the 1980s space shuttle program and the extraordinary lengths we go to live and love beyond our limits.

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

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From V. E. Schwab, the No. 1 Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue: a new genre-defying, unforgettable novel to sink your teeth into.

The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater

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#1 New York Times bestselling novelist Maggie Stiefvater dazzles in this mesmerizing portrait of an irresistible heroine, an unlikely romance, and a hotel—and a world—in peril.

Amelia, If Only by Becky Albertalli

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The beautiful and heartwarming new romance from Becky Albertalli, best-selling author of Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda.

My Friends by Fredrik Backman

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#1 New York Times bestselling author Fredrik Backman returns with an unforgettably funny, deeply moving tale of four teenagers whose friendship creates a bond so powerful that it changes a complete stranger’s life twenty-five years later.

Park Avenue by Renée Ahdieh

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#1 NYT-bestselling YA author Renee Ahdieh’s adult debut novel, about a young lawyer who gets pulled in to manage a crisis with her firm’s biggest client, a family whose Korean beauty brand is worth a billion dollars, pitched as Crazy Rich Asians meets Succession.

Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston

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A hitmaking songwriter and a bitter musician share a startling and inexplicable connection that they’ll do anything to shake, in the next sparkling, magical book from Ashley Poston.

Realm of Thieves by Karina Halle

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Two thieves vie for dominance in the illegal dragon egg trade, putting both their lives and their hearts on the line in this scorching romantasy from New York Times bestselling author Karina Halle.

He’s to Die For by Erin Dunn

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Brooklyn 99 meets The Charm Offensive in this sparkling romantic murder mystery: it’s murder cute in the first degree when a detective finds himself falling for the lead suspect in a career-making case.

The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark

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A blistering literary suspense novel about a ghostwriter who is hired to write the last book for her estranged father and finds herself investigating the brutal murder of both his siblings in the summer of 1975.

The Beautiful Maddening by Shea Ernshaw

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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Shea Ernshaw comes a haunting romantic contemporary fantasy about a teen navigating her family’s love curse that blooms with their enchanted tulips every year.

The Bachelorette Party by Camilla Sten

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Scream meets The Guest List in this wickedly compelling and compulsively page-turning thriller of friendship and murder from the author of The Lost Village, Camilla Sten.

What books are you looking forward to picking up in the first half of the year? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Anticipated Book Releases Hitting Shelves In 2025 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

The Most Anticipated 2023 Book Releases

Elise Dumpleton — Thu, 29 Dec 2022 09:00:55 +0000

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

2023 is here, so get ready to be amazed by the incredible books heading your way! In this round up, we take a look at an array of highly anticipated books releasing between the months of January and June from authors such as Leigh Bardugo, Holly Black, Jesse Q. Sutanto, Harlan Coben, Emily Henry, Rachel Lynn Solomon, Kalynn Bayron, and many more plus some dazzling debuts.

You’ll be sure to find quite a few exciting new reads within this list and be sure to check out our other January to June 2023 lists, including 2023 Romance, 2023 Young Adult, 2023 Middle Grade, and 2023 Queer Books!

Looking for our July to December picks? Check them out here!

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below what books you are looking forward to!

JANUARY

What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
Kate Alice Marshall’s What Lies in the Woods is a thrilling novel about friendship, secrets, betrayal, and lies – and having the courage to face the past.

Lunar Love by Lauren Kung Jessen
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
This sweet, enemies-to-lovers debut rom-com filled with Chinese astrology will undoubtedly prove to be a perfect match with readers of Helen Hoang, Jasmine Guillory, and Helena Hunting.

How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
New York Times bestselling author Grady Hendrix takes on the haunted house in a thrilling new novel that explores the way your past—and your family—can haunt you like nothing else.

Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
From the New York Times bestselling author of the Brown Sisters trilogy, comes a laugh-out-loud story about a quirky content creator and a clean-cut athlete testing their abilities to survive the great outdoors—and each other.

Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
Wealth. Power. Murder. Magic. The Ivy League is going straight to hell in the sequel to the smash New York Times bestseller Ninth House from #1 bestselling author Leigh Bardugo.

Begin Again by Emma Lord
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
Filled with a friend group that feels like family, an empowering journey of finding your own way, and a Just Kiss Already! romance, Emma Lord’s Begin Again is an unforgettable YA novel of love and starting again.

Exes and O’s by Amy Lea
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A romance novel–obsessed social media influencer revisits her exes on her hunt for true love in this romantic comedy from the author of Set On You.

The Stolen Heir by Holly Black
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Return to the opulent world of Elfhame, filled with intrigue, betrayal, and dangerous desires, with this first book of a captivating new duology from the #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black.

Behind the Scenes by Karelia Stetz-Waters
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Fans of Abby Jimenez and Meryl Wilsner will fall in love with this hilarious and refreshingly authentic novel about second chances, pugs, and finding the perfect muse . . .

Episode Thirteen by Craig DiLouie
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From the macabre mind of a Bram Stoker Award-nominated author, this heart-pounding novel of horror and psychological suspense takes a ghost hunting reality TV crew into a world they could never have imagined.

Promise Boys by Nick Brooks
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The Hate U Give meets One of Us Is Lying in Nick Brooks’s Promise Boys, a trailblazing, blockbuster YA mystery about three teen boys of color who must investigate their principal’s murder to clear their own names―for fans of Jason Reynolds, Angie Thomas, and Karen McManus.

Vampire Weekend by Mike Chen
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About a Boy meets What We Do In The Shadows in the next fun genre-mashup from Mike Chen, featuring a punk-rock vampire learning to connect to the world again when her surly teenaged grand-nephew needs her, and her music, to get him through a tough time.

FEBRUARY

A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon
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Intricate and epic, Samantha Shannon sweeps readers back to the world of A Priory of the Orange Tree, showing us a course of events that shaped it for generations to come.

Secretly Yours by Tessa Bailey
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From #1 New York Times bestselling author and TikTok favorite Tessa Bailey comes a steamy new rom-com about a starchy professor and the bubbly neighbor he clashes with at every turn…

The Shadow of Perseus by Claire Heywood
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Nationally bestselling author of Daughters of Sparta Claire Heywood returns with an imaginative and female-centered reinterpretation of the myth of the great hero Perseus, told through the voices of three women who are sidelined in the traditional version—his mother, Danae; his trophy, Medusa; and his wife, Andromeda—but whose viewpoints reveal a man who is not, in fact, a hero at all.

The House Guest by Hank Phillippi Ryan
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The House Guest is another diabolical cat-and-mouse thriller from USA Today bestselling author Hank Phillippi Ryan―but which character is the cat, and which character is the mouse?

The Magician’s Daughter by H.G. Parry
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In the early 1900s, a young woman is caught between two worlds in H. G. Parry’s spellbinding tale of miracles, magic, and the adventure of a lifetime.

Nightbirds by Kate J. Armstrong
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In a dazzling new fantasy world full of whispered secrets and political intrigue, the magic of women is outlawed but four girls with unusual powers have the chance to change it all.

Delicious Monsters by Liselle Sambury
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The Haunting of Hill House meets Sadie in this evocative and mind-bending psychological thriller following two teen girls navigating the treacherous past of a mysterious mansion ten years apart.

I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai
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In the riveting new novel from the author of the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award finalist The Great Believers, a woman must reckon with her past when new details surface about a tragedy at her elite New England boarding school.

Best Served Hot by Amanda Elliot
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Two restaurant critics learn their opposing tastes might make for a five-star relationship in the next foodie romantic comedy from the author of Sadie on a Plate.

Seven Faceless Saints by M. K. Lobb
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Discover what’s lurking in the shadows in this dark fantasy debut with a murder-mystery twist, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Kerri Maniscalco.

The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi
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A sumptuous, gothic-infused story about a marriage that is unraveled by dark secrets, a friendship cursed to end in tragedy, and the danger of believing in fairy tales—the breathtaking adult debut from New York Times bestselling author Roshani Chokshi.

Not Your Ex’s Hexes by April Asher
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In April Asher’s next Supernatural Singles novel, Not Your Ex’s Hexes, a one-night-stand between a willful witch and a broody half-demon conjures an adventure that wouldn’t be complete without several magical mishaps.

MARCH

The Foxglove King by Hannah F. Whitten
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In this lush, romantic epic fantasy series from a New York Times bestselling author, a young woman’s secret power to raise the dead plunges her into the dangerous and glamorous world of the Sainted King’s royal court.

Hamra and the Jungle of Memories by Hanna Alkaf
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For fans of Ikegna and A Tale Dark and Grimm comes a story of a brave heroine, a beguiling villain, fantastical worlds, magical adventures, and a journey that will remind you that hope, friendship, and love endures all.

The Love Wager by Lynn Painter
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Two people make a wager on who can find love first, not realizing what they should be betting on is each other, in this new romantic comedy by Lynn Painter, New York Times bestselling author of Mr. Wrong Number.

Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati
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For fans of Madeline Miller’s Circe, a stunning debut following Clytemnestra, the most notorious villainess of the ancient world and the events that forged her into the legendary queen.

Chaos & Flame by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland
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From New York Times bestselling author Justina Ireland and Tessa Gratton comes the first book in a ferocious YA fantasy duology featuring ancient magic, warring factions, and a romance between the two people in the world with the most cause to hate one another.

Jane & Edward: A Modern Reimagining of Jane Eyre by Melodie Edwards
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This powerful reimagining of Jane Eyre, set in a modern-day law firm, is full of romance and hope as it follows the echoing heartbeats of the classic story.

Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto
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A lonely shopkeeper takes it upon herself to solve a murder in the most peculiar way in this captivating mystery by Jesse Q. Sutanto, bestselling author of Dial A for Aunties.

The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by S.A. Chakraborty
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Shannon Chakraborty, the bestselling author of The City of Brass, spins a new trilogy of magic and mayhem on the high seas in this tale of pirates and sorcerers, forbidden artifacts and ancient mysteries, in one woman’s determined quest to seize a final chance at glory—and write her own legend.

The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise by Colleen Oakley
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A “wildly surprising, entertaining” (Jodi Picoult) novel featuring a college dropout and an eighty-four-year-old woman on the run from the law, full of tremendous heart, wit, and wisdom from the USA Today bestselling author of The Invisible Husband of Frick Island.

My Dear Henry: A Jekyll & Hyde Remix by Kalynn Bayron
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A teen boy tries to discover the reason behind his best friend’s disappearance―and the arrival of a mysterious and magnetic stranger―in misty Victorian London, in Kalynn Bayron’s My Dear Henry, a gothic YA remix of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, sixth in the Remixed Classics series.

I Will Find You by Harlan Coben
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An innocent father serving life for the murder of his own son receives evidence that his child may still be alive, and must break out of prison to find out the truth in #1 New York Times bestselling author Harlan Coben’s latest breathtaking thriller.

A House With Good Bones by T. Kingfisher
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A haunting Southern Gothic from an award-winning master of suspense, A House With Good Bones explores the dark, twisted roots lurking just beneath the veneer of a perfect home and family.

APRIL

Blood Debts by Terry J. Benton-Walker
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Terry J. Benton-Walker’s contemporary fantasy debut, Blood Debts, is “an extravaganza from start to finish” (Chloe Gong) with powerful magical families, intergenerational curses, and deadly drama in New Orleans.

In the Lives of Puppets by T.J. Klune
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New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune invites you deep into the heart of a peculiar forest and on the extraordinary journey of a family assembled from spare parts.

Happy Place by Emily Henry
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A couple who broke up months ago pretend to still be together for their annual weeklong vacation with their best friends in this glittering and wise new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Emily Henry.

The Only Survivors by Megan Miranda
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From the New York Times bestselling author of All the Missing Girls and “master of suspense, Megan Miranda”, a thrilling mystery about a group of former classmates who reunite to mark the tenth anniversary of a tragic accident—only to have one of the survivors disappear, casting fear and suspicion on the original tragedy.

Silver In The Bone by Alexandra Bracken
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#1 New York Times bestselling author Alexandra Bracken cements her status as one of the top fantasy authors writing today in this stunning series opener inspired by Arthurian legend and fueled by love, revenge, and pure adrenaline!

The Golden Doves by Martha Hall Kelly
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Two former female spies, bound together by their past, risk everything to hunt down an infamous Nazi doctor in the aftermath of World War II—an extraordinary novel inspired by true events from the New York Times bestselling author of Lilac Girls.

Ana María and the Fox by Liana De la Rosa
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A forbidden love between a Mexican heiress and a shrewd British politician makes for a tantalizing Victorian season.

The Thick and the Lean by Chana Porter
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In Lambda Award finalist Chana Porter’s highly anticipated new novel, an aspiring chef, a cyberthief, and a kitchen maid each break free of a society that wants to constrain them.

Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat by Sonya Lalli
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An impulsive decision to join an Alaskan cruise getaway brings the chance for an onboard romance in this new enemies-to-lovers romance from the author of A Holly Jolly Diwali.

Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh
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A thrillingly told queer space opera about the wreckage of war, the family you find, and who you must become when every choice is stripped from you, Some Desperate Glory is Astounding Award Winner and Crawford Award Finalist Emily Tesh’s highly anticipated debut novel.

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez
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A novel of terrible first impressions, hilarious second chances, and the joy in finding your perfect match from “a true talent” (Emily Henry, #1 New York Times bestselling author).

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
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A comedy writer thinks she’s sworn off love, until a dreamy pop star flips the script on all her assumptions—a hilarious, observant, and deeply tender novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Eligible, Rodham, and Prep.

MAY

The Water Outlaws by S.L. Huang
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Inspired by a classic of martial arts literature, S. L. Huang’s The Water Outlaws are bandits of devastating ruthlessness, unseemly femininity, dangerous philosophies, and ungovernable gender who are ready to make history―or tear it apart.

The Daydreams by Laura Hankin
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A deliciously entertaining novel about the stars of a popular teen show from the early 2000s—and the reunion special, thirteen years after their scandalous flameout, that will either be their last chance at redemption, or destroy them all for good.

The Ferryman by Justin Cronin
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From the New York Times bestselling author of The Passage comes a riveting standalone novel about a group of survivors on a hidden island utopia—where the truth isn’t what it seems.

Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams
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A small-town sweetheart and an emotionally unavailable bad boy try to find some common ground in this chemistry-filled romance from the author of The Cheat Sheet and When in Rome.

The Isles of the Gods by Amie Kaufman
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Magic, romance, and slumbering gods clash in the start of a riveting fantasy series that spans gangsters’ dens, forgotten temples, and the high seas from the New York Times bestselling author of the Aurora Cycle and the Illuminae Files.

Killing Me by Michelle Gagnon
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Utterly original and wildly entertaining, with a protagonist whose life is a total mess, Killing Me is the laugh-out-loud funny thriller that we never knew we needed.

The Celebrants by Steven Rowley
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A Big Chill for our times, celebrating decades-long friendships and promises—especially to ourselves—by the bestselling and celebrated author of The Guncle.

Of Light and Shadow by Tanaz Bhathena
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Of Light and Shadow is a novel about magic, mayhem, love, and betrayal―the story of a bandit and a prince who change each other in unexpected ways.

The Girls of Summer by Katie Bishop
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Joining a post #MeToo discourse, The Girls of Summer grapples with themes of power, sex, and consent, as it explores the complicated nature of memory and trauma––and what it takes to reframe, and reclaim, your own story.

Venom & Vow by Anna-Marie McLemore and Elliott McLemore
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Two enemy kingdoms are forced to work together to break a curse in this lush YA fantasy, featuring a transgender prince and a bigender dama/assassin in the lead roles.

Dragonfall by Laura Lam
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Long-banished dragons, revered as gods, return to the mortal realm in the first in this magical new epic fantasy trilogy from a bestselling author

The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren
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Sparks fly when a romance novelist and a documentary filmmaker join forces to craft the perfect Hollywood love story and take both of their careers to the next level—but only if they can keep the chemistry between them from taking the whole thing off script—from the New York Times bestselling authors of The Soulmate Equation and The Unhoneymooners.

JUNE

Garden of the Cursed by Katy Rose Pool
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In this romantic, edge-of-your-seat YA fantasy/mystery, cursebreaker Marlow Briggs reluctantly pretends to be in love with a powerful noble to gain entry into an illustrious―and deadly―society that holds clues to her mother’s disappearance. Perfect for fans of Veronica Mars, These Violent Delights, and Chain of Iron.

The Only One Left by Riley Sager
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Bestselling author Riley Sager returns with a Gothic chiller about a young caregiver assigned to work for a woman accused of a Lizzie Borden-like massacre decades earlier.

Girls and Their Horses by Eliza Jane Brazier
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Set in the glamorous, competitive world of showjumping, a novel about the girls who ride, their cutthroat mothers, and a suspicious death at a horse show…from the author of Good Rich People

Unfortunately Yours by Tessa Bailey
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#1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey returns with the hilarious follow-up to Secretly Yours, in which a down-on-her-luck Napa heiress suggests a mutually beneficial marriage of convenience to a man she can’t stand… only to discover there’s a fine line between love and hate.

Maddalena and the Dark by Julia Fine
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For fans of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and Mexican Gothic, a novel set in 18th-century Venice at a prestigious music school, about two girls drawn together by a dangerous wager

Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon
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A ghostwriter and a struggling actor help each other on the page and in the bedroom in this steamy romantic comedy from the New York Times bestselling author of The Ex Talk.

What Remains by Wendy Walker
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Detective Elise Sutton is drawn to cold cases. Each crime is a puzzle to solve, pulled from the past. Steeped in guilt, and on a leave of absence from work, she’s numb, even to her husband and daughters, until she connects with Wade Austin, the tall man whose life she saved. But Elise soon realizes that he isn’t who he says he is.

Where Echoes Die by Courtney Gould
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Two sisters travel to an isolated Arizona town to investigate its connection to their mother’s death, but uncover more than they bargained for in this supernatural thriller from the author of The Dead and the Dark.

The Drowning Woman by Robyn Harding
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The bestselling author of The Party returns with a deliciously twisted story of friendship, retribution, and betrayal about a homeless woman fleeing a dangerous past—and the wealthy society wife she saves from drowning, who pulls her into a dark web of secrets and lies.

You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron
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At Camp Mirror Lake, terror is the name of the game . . . but can you survive the night? This heart-pounding slasher by New York Times bestselling author Kalynn Bayron is perfect for fans of Fear Street.

The First Bright Thing by J.R. Dawson
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If you knew how dark tomorrow would be, what would you do with today? The First Bright Thing is a spellbinding debut for fans of The Night Circus and The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue.

Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
In a world where the children of the gods inherit their powers, a descendant of the Greek Fates must solve a series of impossible murders to save her sisters, her soulmate, and her city.

What 2023 book releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post The Most Anticipated 2023 Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Review: The Mask Falling by Samantha Shannon

The Nerd Daily — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 15:00:00 +0000

Article contributed by Jena Brown

In the fourth instalment of The Bone Season series, The Mask Falling throws us back in the turbulent world of Scion.

Paige Mahoney has once again eluded death. Ripped from captivity, she’s smuggled to a safe house in the Scion Citadel of Paris. There, she finds herself struggling to recover from the injuries inflicted by her captors. Except war with Scion won’t wait. Taken in by the mysterious Domino Program, Paige learns there’s a price for her continued safety. But the Underqueen has plans of her own.

From the catacombs underground to the mirrored halls of Versailles, Paige tries to convince the Parisian underworld to join her cause. With the syndicates of France and England united, they could finally turn the tides of rebellion into war. As Scion broadens their reach along the European continent, Paige fights to overcome the increasing trauma the rebellion has wrought on her body and mind. While her bond with Arcturus Mesarthim grows stronger, their enemies strive to tear them apart. Because if the rebellion began with them. It can end with them too.

After a two year wait, fans of this series will no doubt dive face first into these pages. When we last saw Paige, she was wreaking havoc on Rephaim plans to tighten Scion control over voyants. Now, we’re thrust into the immediate aftereffects of that chaos. Paige is no longer Underqueen, or not directly anyway. She’s on the run with Arcturus, a relationship that becomes more complicated the more it grows. Her benefactors expect her to follow orders without question, something she’s never been great at. And she’s suffering from wounds, both physical and psychological. But if there’s one thing we know about Paige Mahoney, it’s that she has zero intentions of letting any of that stand in her way.

On one level this story is about Paige. We get everything through her eyes, her perspective. And yet these books are more than just Paige’s story. It’s about voyants and their struggle to survive in a world that hates them simply for existing. They’re used by the Rephaim and murdered by humans. It isn’t about how one girl’s experiences are changed or shaped by that, but how each of them reacts within that terrible dichotomy. This is further highlighted within the scope of a multi-fronted war. Each syndicate, each voyant, each human, each Rephaim, each country––they all face choices within that war. As each book progresses, these choices get more complicated. The allies of today may have been the enemies of yesterday and could still be the enemies of tomorrow. This isn’t a story, or a world for that matter, that exists in a good versus evil reality. Instead, it embodies our far more complicated world, painted in a dazzling array of greys.

Mental health is also a huge theme in this story, which makes it a quieter, more internal book. That doesn’t mean the plot is somehow less tense, or the book isn’t a fast-paced sprint from beginning to end. In fact, it’s the opposite. It’s been a span of four books, but for Paige it’s only been a year. A year filled with betrayal, torment, loss, and unfathomable change. Paige, along with the other characters, can no longer deny the heavy burdens war brings. She struggles with PTSD and Shannon handles this depiction with careful nuance and incredible depth. There’s a heartbreaking authenticity, made more real through the vulnerability and strength Paige shows. She’s always been driven to keep moving forward. Staying focused and active has been her primary coping strategy, allowing her to deal with setbacks while giving her an outlet to release doubts or regrets. Being forced to slow down and adapt is hard for Paige. But it’s also necessary and keeps her from feeling less like a superhero voyant and more like a girl fighting to not just survive, but live.

And Paige isn’t the only one. Each character has been scarred by the ravages of war, and each one experiences it differently. Shannon makes sure that each character is allowed their own identity within their struggle. It’s personal, but relatable. Some push it down, some rage forward, some shove everyone away. We get surety and doubt, recklessness and righteousness. She gives us bravery through a stunning assortment of actions, sometimes by facing their fears head on and other times by knowing their limits. But it’s never minimised or stigmatised or relegated to the shadows of their interactions. It’s talked about and recognised which then lets the reader understand and sympathise with both the struggles they face and the growth it offers. The decisions characters make aren’t done for the sake of plot, but with the nuance of individuality influenced by their experiences. And the consequences born from their reactions do the same.

Even more refreshing is the complicated introduction to forgiveness and atonement. These characters are always more than they appear and just when we’re convinced we know someone’s motivations or intentions, Shannon rips the rug from beneath our feet, forcing us to question everything we thought we knew. Can mistakes made in the past ever be repaired? Shannon doesn’t offer us answers, but she asks the question for both Paige and the reader to wrestle with as the series continues. It’s this level of detail, both in making sure details from previous books are remembered while setting the stage for events yet to come, that makes this series so dynamic. Shannon has an exquisite eye for detail, weaving the threads of multiple themes into an overarching plot that never loses its momentum or heart. In fact, what keeps Paige from ever feeling one dimensional or from each plot hitting the same note over and over again is the complicated realism woven into every detail.

The Mask Falling is an escalation of the first three books and gives us more of everything. More backstory, more depth, more perspective. It’s an intense read, filled with the grim realities of war. We see the span of humanity from cruelty to generosity and everything in between. Secrets are uncovered only for more mysteries to be revealed. Actions can never be taken at face value and nothing is ever surface deep. With each new novel Shannon continues to prove that she is a formidable voice in the fantasy genre. Her writing style is intimate but the gritty realism that both her worlds and characters embody are filled with razor sharp teeth. This book bites and refuses to let go. Filled with an amazing range of introspection, this quiet tension hurtles the reader through constantly evolving problems with higher and higher stakes towards an ending that’s as explosive as it is devastating. It’s addictive. Propulsive. And will leave readers bereft while desperately wanting more.

The Mask Falling is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.

**Will you be picking up The Mask Falling? Tell us in the comments below!**

Synopsis | Goodreads

Dreamwalker Paige Mahoney has eluded death again. Snatched from the jaws of captivity and consigned to a safe house in the Scion Citadel of Paris, she finds herself caught between those factions that seek Scion’s downfall and those who would kill to protect the Rephaim’s puppet empire.

The mysterious Domino Program has plans for Paige, but she has ambitions of her own in this new citadel. With Arcturus Mesarthim-her former enemy-at her side, she embarks on an adventure that will lead her from the catacombs of Paris to the glittering hallways of Versailles. Her risks promise high reward: the Parisian underworld could yield the means to escalate her rebellion to outright war.

As Scion widens its bounds and the free world trembles in its shadow, Paige must fight her own memories after her ordeal at the hands of Scion. Meanwhile, she strives to understand her bond with Arcturus, which grows stronger by the day. But there are those who know the revolution began with them-and could end with them…

The post Review: The Mask Falling by Samantha Shannon appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

January 2021 Fantasy & Sci-Fi Book Releases

Elise Dumpleton — Sat, 09 Jan 2021 17:00:45 +0000

Magic, warring kingdoms, magical ships, and so much more can all be found amongst January 2021’s fantasy and sci-fi book releases! This month sees the release of new novels from authors Mike Chen, Samantha Shannon, and Stina Leicht, as well as debuts from such as A.K. Wilder and J. Elle.

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

Persephone Station by Stina Leicht
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

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

Crown of Bones by A.K. Wilder
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

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

Knight’s Ransom by Jeff Wheeler
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

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

The Charmed Wife by Olga Grushin
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

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

The Ruthless Lady’s Guide to Wizardry by C.M. Waggoner
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Sparks fly in this enchanting fantasy novel from the author of Unnatural Magic when a down-and-out fire witch and a young gentlewoman join forces against a deadly conspiracy.

We Could Be Heroes by Mike Chen
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

An extraordinary and emotional adventure about unlikely friends and the power of choosing who you want to be.

Hall of Smoke by H.M. Long
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Epic fantasy featuring warrior priestesses and fickle gods at war, for readers of Brian Staveley’s Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne.

The Forever Sea by Joshua Phillip Johnson
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

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

The Stranger Times by C. K. McDonnell
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

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

Brother Red by Adrian Selby
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

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

The Mask Falling (The Bone Season #4) by Samantha Shannon
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Bone Season and The Priory of the Orange Tree, the stunning fourth novel set in the world of Scion.

Wings of Ebony by J. Elle
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

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

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

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

Books For People Still Missing ‘Game of Thrones’

Christina Ladd — Thu, 17 Sep 2020 04:00:03 +0000

2020 may be a year for the books, but with quarantines sprawling into months, violence and unrest everywhere, and the climate threatening to burn everything not sunk to a crisp, it really begs the question of whose books? What sadistic idiot wrote this, and can we please get back to an actual narrative instead of a domino line of disasters? I’m certainly wishing for the sense and structure of a plot to follow, and I’m finding myself missing Game of Thrones more and more. Even at its worst, GoT brought us together and gave us people to root for. But with the HBO series over and The Winds of Winter indefinitely delayed, I’m finding solace in other big epics. They definitely eat up the time spent self-isolating, but more than that, they give me hope that there are still heroes out there, and ways forward. Here are 10 enormous epics that might help you cope, whether by giving you a long escape, or just by reminding you to be a badass in a mask.

The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan
This is the obvious place to start, since the Wheel of Time series is kicking off soon as Amazon’s answer to HBO’s success with epic fantasy. A group of friends in a small town get launched into the wider world of magic, politics, and the ancient battle between good and evil when sorceress Moiraine arrives looking for the prophesied Dragon Reborn. Sprawling across a whopping 13 books, it can feel bloated and draggy at times, but also thrilling, intense, and brilliant. Jordan sadly passed away before he could complete the series, so the last books are written by Brandon Sanderson, who appears on this list in his own right as well.

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Yes, it’s a single volume, but it’s a 900+ page single volume that spans continents, centuries, and a wide cast of characters. It has action, magic, politics, religion, battles, and dragon-riding, too. It takes inspiration from another English source: the legend of St. George and the Dragon, rather than the War of the Roses. But this isn’t the princess-rescuing tale you think you know; it’s a wild, complex, and sweetly sapphic epic.

A Chorus of Dragons by Jenn Lyons
If the intense politics and character-driven drama were your favourite parts of GoT, fear not, for the Chorus of Dragons series may be even more twisted and intense. The magic is also bigger, there are more dragons, and the march of the undead to do battle with the living happens every few years, not every few millennia. It’s like GoT on PCP.

Oh, and if you’re worried that this series will end up with a perpetually delayed finale just like G. R. R. Martin’s or Patrick Rothfuss’s, I wouldn’t fret too much. Lyons is an absolute powerhouse, and she’s released three of the five (massive) volumes in two years. Would someone please give this woman her own miniseries?

The Shadow by Lila Bowen aka Delilah Dawson
If all the crazy monsters, cults, magic, and sweeping vistas are what you like best about GoT, then try The Shadow series. It’s set in an alternate version of the American West, so you won’t have any of English or Tolkenian tropes. Instead there’s Rhett, a pansexual, biracial transman chosen by destiny to hunt monsters. Only, he’s a monster too, a shapeshifter who will have to learn to hold his own among human cowpokes and rangers as well as alchemists, dragons, Chupacabra, and—my personal favourite nightmare—something called the Cannibal Owl. Rhett’s found family is just as loyal (and just as persnickety) as the Starks, too.

The Broken Earth by N. K. Jemisin
As massive in skill as in scale, these books each won a Hugo for their brilliance. Shifting POV and delving far into the past to try to save the future, these books ask questions about systems of power and delve into the lives of those who have immense power—and immense lack thereof, too. If GoT leaves you wondering what’s happening to all the people who aren’t kings and khaleesis, or find the relentless endurance of its characters compelling, try this trilogy.

The Belgariad and The Malloreon by David and Leigh Eddings
GRRM is what happens to Tolkien in a grittier, less noble world. The Belgariad is what happens if Tolkien had a sense of humour. All the tropes like thief, sorcerer, barbarian, chosen one, etc. are represented and given wry twists, but it’s not really satire or Pratchett-esque absurdity. It’s serious fantasy without quite so much doom and gloom. These books are also classic 80s and 90s works, so parts might feel a little dated, but the bones are strong.

The Books of Pellinor by Allison Croggon
This is like LOTR if all the singing were the main point of everything. Bards are the magic-users in this world, and they use their power to bring healing, justice, and prosperity to the land. But darkness is now rising and evil is creeping into even the ranks of the Bards. If you want to see how people draw together to fight a much larger threat even while dealing with smaller, more immediate crises, these books will scratch that itch.

The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson
Sanderson doesn’t really write anything but epics, so honestly you could choose even a standalone novel of his, like Warbreaker or Elantris. It’s most fitting, though, to highlight his epic-to-incorporate-all-epics, which is a planned ten volumes, each of which are massive and complex. Sanderson is incredibly consistent, so know that you’ll get lots of great action and meticulous plotting that results in some great twists. He’s very chaste, though, so don’t expect anything at the level of twincest.

The Great Book of Amber by Roger Zelazny
Although four of Zelazny’s books equal one of Martin’s, I’d still say this hefty tome is worthy of inclusion on a list of epics. Corwin is one of nine brothers and seven sisters vying for the throne of Amber, the ultimate kingdom of which our world and all others are merely shadows. Playing with the concept of Platonic ideals, Corwin and his siblings can warp reality to bring it closer to the “ideal” realm. If you like the family drama and the swordfighting, here are the books for you. Also, there are a bunch of, ah, sibling relationships. Lannicest fans, I don’t really understand you but there you go.

The Dragaeran Books by Steven Brust
These books ask—and answer—the question of what happens if the hero of an epic is a thief and assassin rather than a noble chosen one. Vlad Taltos, minor mafioso, thief, for-hire killer and occasional witch, has a sword and a dragon.

He also has bills to pay, people to kill, and enemies to avoid. Good thing he also has some powerful friends. These books are perfect for anyone whose favourite character is Arya/A Girl, or who appreciates Littlefinger’s schemes. Vlad does become a reluctant do-gooder in later books despite his best efforts, drawn into not just the machinations of the gods and god-like sorcerers, but also the work of political organisers and social justice reformers that really put these books ahead of their time in some ways.

This list is by no means exhaustive, and is only meant to get you started. What other epics would you recommend? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Books For People Still Missing ‘Game of Thrones’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

LGBTQ+ Alphabet Recommendations: L for Lesbian Fiction

Mimi Koehler — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 18:00:40 +0000

By Simone Richter and Mimi Koehler

Welcome to the most beautiful month of the year, Pride Month! Usually, this month is packed with parades, events and festivals, but due to all of us #stay(ing)athome, Pride will have to find a way to take place online even more than the years before. But we are not The Nerd Daily for nothing, after all; we specialise in making the online world as welcoming, engaging, and inclusive as possible!

Let’s make this month as colourful as we can! To help you kick off, we present you: The LGBTQ+ Literary Alphabet. We will take each letter (and as many of the letters from the ‘+’ category as we can) and will recommend you some fantastically diverse books that are simply perfect for a good pride month read.

And we’ll start right here! Our letter today is: L as in Lesbian. We’ve divided our bookish recommendations into genres, so that every single one of you bookworms can find a book that fits your tastes and reading habits! From adult and YA, all the way to middle-grade fiction, we’ve got you covered!

Happy reading!

Adult Fiction

Carol by Patricia Highsmith | Goodreads

Patricia Highsmith’s story of romantic obsession may be one of the most important, but still largely unrecognized, novels of the twentieth century. First published in 1952 and touted as “the novel of a love that society forbids,” the book soon became a cult classic.

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters | Goodreads

With dreams of paying back the kindness of her adopted family, Sue agrees to a plan. Once in, however, Sue begins to pity her helpless mark and care for Maud Lilly in unexpected ways, but no one and nothing is as it seems in this Dickensian novel of thrills and reversals.

The Wicked Cometh by Laura Carlin | Goodreads

Even in the darkest of times, you cannot bury the truth . . . A debut historical novel that will appeal to fans of Sarah Waters and The Silent Companions.

Disobedience by Naomi Alderman | Goodreads

Steeped in Jewish philosophy and teachings, Disobedience is a perceptive and thoughtful exploration of the laws and practices that have governed Judaism for centuries, and continue to hold sway today. Throughout the novel, Alderman retells stories from the Torah — Judaism’s fundamental source — and the interplay between these tales and the struggles of the novel’s unique characters wields enormous power and wisdom, and will surely move readers to tears.

Young Adult Fiction

The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth | Goodreads

The Miseducation of Cameron Post is a stunning and unforgettable literary debut about discovering who you are and finding the courage to live life according to your own rules.

Juliet Takes A Breath by Gabby Rivera | Goodreads

A gutsy, queer YA coming-of-age story perfect for fans of The Poet X, Roxanne Gay and Feminists Don’t Wear Pink.

Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel by Sara Farizan | Goodreads

Leila has made it most of the way through Armstead Academy without having a crush on anyone, which is a relief. As an Iranian-American, she’s different enough; if word got out that Leila liked girls, life would be twice as hard. But when beautiful new girl Saskia shows up, Leila starts to take risks she never thought she would. As she carefully confides in trusted friends about Saskia’s confusing signals, Leila begins to figure out that all her classmates are more complicated than they first appear to be, and some are keeping surprising secrets of their own.

The Falling in Love Montage by Ciara Smyth | Goodreads

Two girls embark on a summer of montage-worthy dates (with a few strings attached) in this hilarious and heartfelt lesbian rom-com that’s perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Jenny Han.

Fantasy & Sci-Fi

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon | Goodreads

From the internationally bestselling author of The Bone Season, a trailblazing, epic high fantasy about a world on the brink of war with dragons – and the women who must lead the fight to save it.

This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone | Goodreads

Co-written by two award-winning writers, THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE THE TIME WAR is an epic love story spanning time and space.

The Deathless Girls by Kiran Millwood Hargrave | Goodreads

Gothic, intoxicating, feminist and romantic – this is the breathtakingly imagined untold story of the brides of Dracula, by bestselling author Kiran Millwood Hargrave in her much-anticipated YA debut.

Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron | Goodreads

This fresh take on a classic story will make readers question the tales they’ve been told, and root for girls to break down the constructs of the world around them.

Classics & Poetry

The Color Purple by Alice Walker | Goodreads

A powerful cultural touchstone of modern American literature, The Color Purple depicts the lives of African American women in early twentieth-century rural Georgia. Deeply compassionate and beautifully imagined, Alice Walker’s epic carries readers on a spirit-affirming journey towards redemption and love.

Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu | Goodreads

A classic Victorian vampire novella, which influenced Bram Stoker’s later treatment of the vampire mythos in Dracula. Secret fans of the fantastic YouTube adaptation of this novella may find themselves drawn in even further by the original novella that started it all.

Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown | Goodreads

Bawdy and moving, the ultimate word-of-mouth bestseller, Rubyfruit Jungle is about growing up a lesbian in America–and living happily ever after.

Middle-Grade Fiction

In The Role of Brie Hutchens by Nicole Melleby | Goodreads

An own-voices LGBTQ novel from the acclaimed author of Hurricane Season, about eighth-grader Brie, who learns how to be true to herself and to her relationships with family, friends, and faith.

The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James by Ashley Herring Blake | Goodreads

Twelve-year-old Sunny St. James navigates heart surgery, reconnections with a lost mother, first kisses, and emerging feelings for another girl.

Kenzie Kickstarts a Team by Kit Rosewater | Goodreads

A highly illustrated middle-grade series that celebrates new friendships, first crushes, and getting out of your comfort zone

Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake | Goodreads

In the wake of a destructive tornado, one girl develops feelings for another in this stunning, tender novel about emerging identity, perfect for fans of The Thing About Jellyfish.

Will you be picking up any of these books? Tell us in the comments below!

The post LGBTQ+ Alphabet Recommendations: L for Lesbian Fiction appeared first on The Nerd Daily.