Shea Ernshaw Archives | The Nerd Daily

The Inevitable Plot Twist

The Nerd Daily — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 17:00:00 +0000

Guest post written by The Beautiful Maddening author Shea Ernshaw
Shea Ernshaw is the #1 New York Times, USA Today, and Indie bestselling author of The Wicked Deep, Winterwood, A Wilderness of Stars, Long Live the Pumpkin Queen, and A History of Wild Places. Her books have been published in over twenty countries, repeatedly chosen as Indie Next Picks, and A History of Wild Places was a Book of the Month selection. Long Live the Pumpkin Queen was named a “Best Book of 2022” by Barns & Noble. She is also the winner of the Oregon Book Award. She lives in a small mountain town in Oregon and is happiest when lost in a good book, lost in the woods, or writing her next novel.

About The Beautiful Maddening (released 3 June 2025): 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.

We’ve all read great fiction where the plot twist knocks the wind out of you—sudden and unexpected. Something you never saw coming. A revelation that forces you to turn back a few pages to see if you missed something. But if the twist is done well—really well—what you’ll often find is that it was inevitable. There was no other possible outcome. The author didn’t break the story, they simply led you to believe one truth while quietly laying down the foundation for another.

Because the best plot twists aren’t just surprising. They’re inevitable in hindsight.

I remember writing my debut novel, The Wicked Deep, and I had a loose grasp of how it would end—the twist I would ultimately reveal. But somewhere around the middle of the book, two of my characters were standing in a mossy, rain-soaked boathouse, and I could sense something was shifting. And then, rather suddenly, one of my characters blurted out the plot twist. And there it was. . . on the page. I closed my laptop and sank back in my chair, confused as to why my hands had typed out these words. Because plot twists are supposed to happen at the end of a story, right? Not in the middle. I didn’t open my laptop again for a full week. I needed time to consider if I had just ruined the whole story by revealing the twist too soon. But when I returned to the manuscript and examined the structure of the story, went back over the outline and the character arcs, I realized that the twist didn’t belong at the end. It belonged right there, in the boathouse. That moment in the story was the turning point, it let the reader in on a secret, it pulled back the veil and showed them the truth. The reveal wasn’t a mistake. It was inevitable. And my characters knew it before I did.

A good plot twist isn’t simply about shocking the reader, it’s about shifting the lens on everything that came before it. It peels back the layers to reveal a second story was unfolding all along, built just beneath the surface. The clues were always there, embedded. A well-crafted twist doesn’t break the story, it deepens it, opens it even wider. Shows you the truth. And ultimately reveals what had always been there.

In this way, plot twists are not unlike life. We all experience moments that blindside us, collisions of fate. But when we look back, we can often trace the shape of that moment moving toward us. The inevitable unfolding.

Whether in fiction or life, the twist was always coming. You just didn’t see it yet.

The post The Inevitable Plot Twist appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

72 Of The Most Anticipated YA Books Of 2025

Elise Dumpleton — Sun, 29 Dec 2024 08:00:00 +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!

We apologise in advance to your TBR and bank account, but there’s so many fantastic upcoming young adult books hitting shelves between January and June 2025! There’s new releases from Brigid Kemmerer, Libba Bray, Neal Shusterman, Allison Saft, Tracy Deonn, Ava Reid, Jennifer Dugan, Dahlia Adler, Elizabeth Lim, Becky Albertalli, and many more, plus incredible debut novels!

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, Fantasy & Sci-Fi and Fiction lists.

JANUARY 2025 YA BOOKS

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.

Bingsu For Two by Sujin Witherspoon

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This outrageously charming and infuriatingly adorable enemies-to-lovers coffee shop romance is perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Better Than the Movies.

Everything Is Poison by Joy McCullough

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This historical novel in prose and verse tells the story of a deadly secret hiding in plain sight and of the women who risk everything to provide care for those with nowhere else to turn, perfect for fans of Blood Water Paint and The Lost Apothecary.

Royal Heirs Academy by Lindsey Duga

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In this story filled with “romantic tension, royal drama, and family secrets” (Kristy Boyce), four teens living in a glamorous boarding school must compete in order to inherit a European kingdom.

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.

Brewed With Love by Shelly Page

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A cozy sapphic romantasy about a teen witch trying to keep her family’s apothecary up and running, with a little help from her ex-best friend—and first crush.

I Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann Liang

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From the bestselling, and award-winning author of If You Could See The Sun comes a new page-turning speculative YA about a girl who wishes she could be as perfect and successful as her cousin… then wakes up the next morning in her cousin’s body.

Ex Marks the Spot by Gloria Chao

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A swoony rivals-to-lovers romance . . . Family secrets that can’t stay buried . . . A globe-spanning treasure hunt with puzzles to solve . . . This latest YA novel by acclaimed writer Gloria Chao takes readers on a soaring adventure through love, loss, and the lively streets of Taiwan.

The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King by Harry Trevaldwyn

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Heartstopper meets Derry Girls in this wonderfully hilarious rom-com about finding your first love when your personality might be too big for the world around you.

The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley

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In this riveting historical thriller inspired by true-life events, Belladonna meets Bridgerton as revenge, romance, and twisted secrets take center stage in Victorian England’s royal court when Sally, a kidnapped African princess and goddaughter to Queen Victoria, plots her way to take down the monarchy that stole her from her homeland.

Build A Girlfriend by Elba Luz

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A teen deep-dives into her dating history to uncover her mistakes, become the perfect girlfriend, and get revenge on the wrong guy so she can ride into the sunset with the right one in this debut rom-com.

Carving Shadows into Gold by Brigid Kemmerer

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Dangerous magic. Fateful choices. Broken promises. The spellbinding series by New York Times bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer continues.

FEBRUARY 2025 YA BOOKS

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.

Wicked Darlings by Jordyn Taylor

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From the author of The Revenge Game comes a twisty YA thriller about the underbelly of Manhattan’s high society, where nothing is off-limits—not even murder.

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.

Needy Little Things by Channelle Desamours

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In this debut speculative YA mystery, a Black teen with premonition-like powers must solve her friend’s disappearance before she finds herself in the same danger, perfect for fans of Ace of Spades.

These Vengeful Wishes by Vanessa Montalban

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A vengeful female spirit with a thirst for justice ignites a teen girl’s rage in this new YA horror, perfect for fans of She Is a Haunting and House of Hollow.

The Wildest Things by Andrea Hannah

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In this sapphic Snow White retelling, if Snow is to save her kingdom from being ravaged by the Blight, she’ll have to kill the Evil Queen’s daughter…if she doesn’t fall in love with her first.

All Better Now by Neal Shusterman

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From New York Times bestselling author Neal Shusterman comes a young adult thriller about a world where happiness is contagious but the risks of catching it may be just as dangerous as the cure.

The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith

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The Cruel Prince meets The Selection in this captivating duology opener brimming with heart-pounding romance, vicious competition, and beautiful, cruel fae, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Witch Haven, Sasha Peyton Smith.

Wings of Starlight by Allison Saft

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Brimming with magic and romance, a young fairy queen must form an unlikely alliance or risk an unspeakable danger destroying all she holds dear in this fantasy adventure from New York Times bestselling author Allison Saft.

Unlock the Dark by Sasa Hawk

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Perfect for fans of Brigid Kemmerer and Lexi Ryan, this debut romantasy stand-alone novel blends an immersive world, unique magic system, and swoon-worthy romance to create an unputdownable read that explores the great and terrible lengths to which love compels us to go.

Unhallowed Halls by Lili Wilkinson

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A teen girl travels to an exclusive boarding school after a deadly incident at her old school, but the wood-paneled halls of Agathion are built over centuries of secrets—including an ancient society which may have ties to demonic magic—in this dark academia fantasy perfect for fans of Curious Tides.

This Ends in Embers by Kamilah Cole

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Perfect for fans of Raybearer and Fourth Wing, this astonishing sequel to the bestselling novel So Let Them Burn doesn’t hold back. After all, there are no easy endings in war—especially when sisters are forced to fight on opposite sides.

MARCH 2025 YA BOOKS

All the Hidden Monsters by Amie Jordan

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With a crew so entertaining and unique―All the Hidden Monsters is funny, serious, scary―and you’ll never guess who did it. There’s a world below our own, but who is killing who in both of them?

Say a Little Prayer by Jenna Voris

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Saved! meets Casey McQuiston in this wry, heartfelt tale of a teen who’s taking her church camp by storm—one deadly sin at a time.

Nightweaver by R.M. Gray

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Filled with elemental magic, forbidden romance, and breathtaking twists, Nightweaver is a propulsive romantasy about an iron-willed heroine avenging her brother and discovering her destiny.

Oathbound by Tracy Deonn

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Tracy Deonn’s #1 New York Times bestselling Legendborn Cycle continues in the sensational third book about a dazzling contemporary fantasy world that blends Southern Black Girl Magic with secret societies and the legend of King Arthur!

When The Bones Sing by Ginny Myers Sain

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From New York Times bestselling author of Dark and Shallow Lies comes a new southern gothic supernatural thriller about a teen girl in a small Ozark town who can hear the bones of the dead.

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.

Hangry Hearts by Jennifer Chen

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Jennifer Chen’s Hangry Hearts is a funny, big-hearted romance about friendship, family, and first love―and being brave enough to have it all.

Lovely Dark and Deep by Elisa A. Bonnin

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From author Elisa A. Bonnin comes Lovely Dark and Deep, a YA dark academia novel exploring magic, loneliness, and the power of found family.

What Wakes the Bells by Elle Tesch

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Inspired by an ominous Prague legend, What Wakes the Bells is a lavish gothic fantasy by debut author Elle Tesch that is perfect for fans of Adalyn Grace, Margaret Rogerson, and V.E. Schwab.

In The Company of Killers by Elora Cook

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Gossip Girl meets The Sopranos in this fast-paced drama about a teenage mafia heiress who would do anything to avenge her family, even join forces with her handsome enemy.

How to Survive a Slasher by Justine Pucella Winans

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You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight meets Scream in this YA slasher that turns classic horror tropes on their heads.

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.

APRIL 2025 YA BOOKS

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.

Run Away With Me by Brian Selznick

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From #1 New York Times bestselling author/illustrator Brian Selznick, a profoundly romantic YA novel about two boys finding each other and falling in love over one summer in Rome.

The Floating World by Axie Oh

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From Axie Oh, the New York Times-bestselling author of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, Final Fantasy meets Shadow and Bone in this lighthearted romantic fantasy reimagining the Korean legend of Celestial Maidens.

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.

Boys with Sharp Teeth by Jenni Howell

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We Were Liars meets The Raven Boys in this mind-bending YA debut about dark revenge, twisted desire, and the sinister secrets lurking behind the walls of an elite boarding school.

Pride or Die by C.L. Montblanc

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In this delightful dark comedy debut, when the members of an LGBTQ+ club find themselves accidentally framed for attempted murder, it’s up to them to clear their names before it’s too late.

The Coven Tendency by Zoe Hana Mikuta

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Zoe Hana Mikuta delivers a bloody and unrelenting fantasy about young witches dangling on the edge of love and obsession, of magic and madness, of life and death (and death and death and death). . .

If We Were a Movie by Zakiya N. Jamal

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Booksmart meets Phantom of the Megaplex in Zakiya N. Jamal’s debut enthralling enemies-to-lovers queer romance, set against the backdrop of a historic Black-owned movie theater, the quirky employees who work there, and the suburbs of Long Island. Perfect for fans of Leah Johnson and Today Tonight Tomorrow.

Nav’s Foolproof Guide to Falling in Love by Jessica Lewis

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Giving the new girl lessons in romance so she can woo your best friend couldn’t possibly go wrong…right? Perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Casey McQuiston, this romantic comedy from Jessica Lewis is packed with heart.

Murder Between Friends by Liz Lawson

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Two years ago, the murder of a neighbor tore three best friends apart–now the killer is going to walk free and the ex-friends are going to have to face the past–and each other–in another twisty thriller from the New York Times bestselling co-author of The Agathas.

Chaos King by Kacen Callender

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The explosive sequel to instant New York Times bestselling YA debut Infinity Alchemist by Kacen Callender.

Lady Knight by Amalie Howard

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The daughter of a duke defies the rules of London high society with the help of the resident rake—who just so happens to be her brother’s best friend—in this fun teen historical romance from the USA Today bestselling author of Queen Bee.

MAY 2025 YA BOOKS

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.

Audre and Bash Are Just Friends by Tia Williams

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Scorching-hot summer. Scorching-hot chemistry. Two teens can’t forget they’re just friends in this sweet, funny, electrifying romance from New York Times bestselling author Tia Williams. Perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Nicola Yoon.

Salvación by Sandra Proudman

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In this Latinx YA fantasy inspired by El Zorro, Lola de La Peña becomes the masked heroine Salvación in order to save her family and town from a man who would destroy it for the magic it contains…if she doesn’t fall in love with one of his men first.

The Lost Queen by Aimee Phan

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A heroine like no other, ancient magic unleashed, a fated epic battle–the first book in an enchanting YA fantasy duology inspired by Vietnamese lore, weaving magic, sisterhood, and self-discovery.

Summer Girls by Jennifer Dugan

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From the author of Some Girls Do comes a YA sapphic romance about two girls from different sides of the tracks.

This Moth Saw Brightness by A. A. Vacharat

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A weird and revelatory debut that vividly captures the dislocation of growing up BIPOC and neurodivergent in a country awash in both conspiracy theories and genuine conspiracies.

Come As You Are by Dahlia Adler

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Dahlia Adler’s Come As You Are is about refusing to accept less than you deserve, and realizing that the best relationships are with people who know exactly who you are.

Cruel is the Light by Sophie Clark

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An epic new fantasy about a demon hunter and a foot soldier thrown together in a centuries-old war. . . and the forbidden love that could change the course of history.

All-Nighter by Cecilia Vinesse

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Booksmart meets Today, Tonight, Tomorrow in this page-turning romp about two archnemeses—the valedictorian and the class slacker—who band together for a whirlwind night after discovering that they need each other to achieve their very different sunrise goals.

Out of Step, into You by Ciera Burch

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Out of Step, into You is a sapphic contemporary romance following childhood friends turned cross-country team rivals who are forced to work together to win the state championship – for fans of She Gets the Girl.

Titan of the Stars by E.K. Johnston

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Alien meets The Titanic in this tense YA science fiction horror series by #1 New York Times bestselling author E.K. Johnston.

Death in the Cards by Mia P. Manansala

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The young adult debut from the award-winning author of Arsenic and Adobo! When a high school tarot reader’s latest client goes missing after a troubling reading, she must apply everything she’s learned from her private investigator mother to solve a case of her own.

JUNE 2025 YA BOOKS

Celestial Banquet by Roselle Lim

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Iron Chef meets The Hunger Games in Roselle Lim’s dazzling YA fantasy debut, following a young noodle chef who competes in a cutthroat cooking competition for the gods.

Heir of Storms by Lauryn Hamilton Murray

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RED QUEEN meets SHADOW AND BONE in this explosive start to a YA romantasy trilogy about dangerous magic, forbidden love, and a cut-throat competition for the throne in an empire where crowns are not inherited — they’re won.

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.

Never Thought I’d End Up Here by Ann Liang

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From the author of the instant New York Times bestseller I Hope This Doesn’t Find You, Never Thought I’d End Up Here is another hilarious and romantic romcom from Ann Liang, this time following a former model determined to get revenge on the boy who ruined her life.

A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim

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A breathtaking romantic fantasy inspired by Beauty and the Beast about a girl who paints the future and a cursed dragon lord, bound by love and deception in a plot to bring down the gods.

Nobody in Particular by Sophie Gonzales

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Young Royals meets The Prince and Me when a disgraced princess falls for a new student at their all-girls boarding school, but the two must hide their forbidden love at all costs.

Kill Creatures by Rory Power

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From the bestselling author of Wilder Girls and queen of twisty narratives, Rory Power, comes her highly anticipated new Young Adult thriller.

A First Time for Everything by K.L. Walther

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From the New York Times bestselling author of The Summer of Broken Rules comes a fun new coming-of-age romance full of dating disasters, powerful firsts, and the importance of family.

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.

A Treachery of Swans by A.B. Poranek

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From the New York Times bestselling author of Where the Dark Stands Still comes an atmospheric fantasy based on Swan Lake, following Odile as her plan to restore magic to her kingdom gets disrupted by a murder—forcing her to beg for help from the young woman whose identity she stole.

Among Ghosts by Rachel Hartman

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Set in the world of New York Times bestseller Seraphina, a boy on the run from a dragon—among other dangers—seeks refuge in a haunted abbey in this wholly original ghost story about what haunts us, and what connects us.

If We Survive This by Racquel Marie

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The Walking Dead meets Yellowjackets in If We Survive This, a tense and emotional young adult horror novel from award-winning author Racquel Marie about a teen girl leading a group of survivors on a perilous journey during the apocalypse.

What YA books are you looking forward to? Any other recommendations? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 72 Of The Most Anticipated YA Books Of 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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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

MARCH 2025 BOOK RELEASES

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

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

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

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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.

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

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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?

The Notorious Virtues by Alwyn Hamilton

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

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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.

Somadina by Akwaeke Emezi

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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

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.

Read An Excerpt From ‘A Wilderness of Stars’ by Shea Ernshaw

Elise Dumpleton — Sat, 26 Nov 2022 09:00:31 +0000

An illness cursing the land forces a teen girl astronomer to venture across the wilderness in search of the stars’ message that will, hopefully, save them all.

Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Shea Ernshaw’s A Wilderness of Stars, which is out November 29th 2022.

If magic lives anywhere, it’s in the stars…

Vega has lived in the valley her whole life—forbidden by her mother to leave the safety of its borders because of the unknown threats waiting for her in the wilds beyond. But after her mother dies, and Vega sees the fabled twin stars in the sky, it’s an omen she can no longer ignore, forcing her to leave the protective boundaries of the valley. But the outside world turns out to be much more terrifying than Vega could have imagined. People are gravely sick—they lose their eyesight and their hearing, just before they lose their lives.

What Vega keeps to herself is that she is the Last Astronomer—a title carried from generation to generation—and she is the only one who carries the knowledge of the stars. Knowledge that could hold the key to the cure. And so when locals spot the tattoo on Vega’s neck in the shape of a constellation—the mark of an astronomer—chaos erupts as the threats her mother warned her about become all too real.

Fearing for her life, Vega is rescued by a girl named Cricket who leads her to Noah, a boy marked by his own mysterious tattoos. On the run from the men who are hunting her, Vega, Cricket, and Noah set out across the plains in search of the cure the stars speak of. But as the lines between friend and protector begin to blur, Vega must decide whether to safeguard the sacred knowledge of the astronomer. Or if she will risk everything to try to save them all.

The saloon is dark, lit by candles burned down to stubs.

I skim the shadowed features of the men seated at the dozen or so tables, some playing cards, some sloshing back the amber drinks in their hands, and I suspect most of them are either traders here for the market or scavengers. And if any of them bear the starburst brand, I can’t tell in the dim candlelight.

The saloon is filled with those unafraid to stay up well after the sun has set, and I tell myself that I’m one of them. That I belong. But the uneasy patter of my heart in my ears reminds me that I’m definitely not.

In the back corner, a man is seated in a chair, playing a banjo— some slow, wandering song about losing his love in a river and chas- ing her for miles and miles, with a broken heart.

I half hope the round woman will take me by the hand and pull me through the smoky room to a seat in the corner, where she’ll explain to me the workings of a saloon, and I can ask her if she knows the Architect, but she saunters off to a series of stairs where she kisses a man full on the lips, and he slides his hands around her broad waist.

I’m on my own, and the beating of my heart in my ears only grows louder.

Most of the seats are taken, except for a few open stools at the bar, built in the center of the room. I feel the eyes pass over me, men lowering their cards to watch me with bloodshot eyes, men with stained teeth who I’m certain can sense that I am not accustomed to places like this. I’m easy prey. I try not to look at them directly, sensing it’s best to keep my gaze forward and jaw stiff as I cross the space between the door and the bar.

Mom used to tell me stories about the towns—about taverns and schoolhouses and dentist offices. But to walk through a smoky, candlelit room, with the savage glint of eyes on you, is a different experience entirely.

I reach the bar and slide onto one of the open stools, my heart now stuck in my throat, my jaw aching from clenching it too tightly. But I keep my eyes level, expression unfaltering, as if I frequent places like this in every town I visit. A girl who’s seen her fair share of gritty saloons and gritty faces and unwelcome stares.

“Little young, aren’t ya?” the man behind the bar asks, voice hoarse and layered in years of smoke, coming to stand in front of me. He squares his gaze on me, his skin pockmarked, muddy-brown hair slicked to one side, with a black mustache trimmed just above his upper lip, while both ears are pierced with silver rings. But no silver signet on either hand.

“No,” I reply flatly. Although I have no idea at what age I’m allowed in here—perhaps seventeen is too young, and the man will swiftly kick me out.

He raises a thin, pale eyebrow—spots of black rimming his eyes, signs of illness—then rests a palm against the top of the bar. “All right then,” he says, chewing over a wad of tobacco. “What do you want?”

I rub my palms together beneath the bar. I have no idea how to answer this.

“We have white liquor and dark. That’s it.” His voice is deep, sensing my hesitation.

I glance down the bar, at the two men nearest me, hands wrapped around glasses filled with an amber-hued alcohol, same as most oth- ers in the saloon. The two men watch me from the corners of their eyes. “Dark,” I say.

The barman tugs his mouth down at the corner. “You have coin?” Crap. I touch my coat and feel the bottle of aspirin still in my pocket. Beneath the edge of the bar, I pull it out and open the lid—keeping it out of sight—then pluck a single pill from inside. I lift my palm, holding the white pill up for the man to see. He leans forward and snatches it from me, turning it in his calloused fingers, before quickly clamping his hand closed—like he, too, doesn’t want anyone else to see. “Where’d you get this?” he asks, eyelids flattened on me. “Found it.”

He leans over the counter. He smells like tobacco smoke and something sharp, bitter, like vinegar. “You have any more?”

I shake my head, eyes unblinking. “Just the one.” He tilts his gaze, cracking his neck. “You sure?”

“I’d know if I had more, wouldn’t I?” I’m surprised at my tone, the unflinching quality of my voice, as if I’ve dealt with men like him before.

He straightens back up, an eyebrow still raised, then moves down the counter, retrieving something from beneath it. When he returns, he sets a whole bottle of dark liquor on the bar in front of me, then pockets the pill I gave him.

Apparently, a single aspirin buys me a whole bottle of alcohol. I wonder if Pa knows this, knows how much a whole pill is worth?

The two men seated down the bar glance over at me, at the full bottle, sizing me up, probably trying to guess what I paid the man to get me the bottle, and if I might have more. If I’m worth robbing. “I’m looking for someone,” I say to the barman before he walks away.

He gives me a curious look, like he’s still trying to figure out who I am and where I came from. And why the hell I’m in here. “Who’s that?” I touch the bottle, tapping a finger against the glass, then lift my eyes. “A man—” My voice breaks off, unsure if this is a good idea, but if anyone knows the men who come and go into this saloon, who hears the far-off stories from traders who have traveled to the ends of this land and come back to the market to tell their tales, it’s this barman. I have to risk it. I have to ask. “An Architect,” I continue.

“Have you heard of him?”

The barman tips forward and spits into a foul-smelling metal canister resting on the bar top. His eyes narrow to that of a bird’s, dark and intent. It makes me uneasy, but I meet his gaze dead-on, refusing to look away.

“Never heard of anyone by that name,” he says, squinting, roll- ing his tongue against the inside of his cheek. But I can’t tell if he’s lying, if this is a game, and he’s waiting to see what I’ll say next.

“You’re sure?”

His chin lowers, watching me, like he might reach across the bar and take me by the throat for even saying the word aloud in his saloon, for daring to speak such a name, but then he swallows and says simply, “Yep.”

We stare at each other a moment more, both of us untrusting, before he turns away and walks back up to the far end of the bar, where he refills the empty glasses in front of the two men who had been eyeing me. Then begins talking to them out of earshot.

Shit, I think.

I need to get out of here.

Excerpted from A WILDERNESS OF STARS by Shea Ernshaw © November 2022 used with permission of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing

The post Read An Excerpt From ‘A Wilderness of Stars’ by Shea Ernshaw appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Get Your Hands On These Anticipated July To December 2021 Book Releases

Elise Dumpleton — Sun, 13 Jun 2021 22:00:15 +0000

With half of 2021 almost behind us, it’s now time to start looking towards the next six months, and more importantly, the new books releasing between July and December 2021! Your to-buy lists are about to become even longer as it’s packed with books you’ll want to have your hands on ASAP from debut authors, as well as releases from some favourites, including Elizabeth Lim, Benjamin Alire Sáenz, Samantha Downing, Anthony Ryan, TJ Klune, and so many more!

Read on to discover a few of our picks and be sure to tell us in the comments if you are looking forward to any of them too, plus stay tuned for our genre specific round-ups!

JULY 2021

The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix
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A fast-paced, thrilling horror novel that follows a group of heroines to die for, from the brilliant New York Times bestselling author of The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires.

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
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Tessa Bailey is back with a Schitt’s Creek-inspired rom-com about a Hollywood “It Girl” who is cut off from her wealthy family and exiled to a small Pacific Northwest beach town… where she butts heads with a surly, sexy local who thinks she doesn’t belong.

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan
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Mulan meets The Song of Achilles in Shelley Parker-Chan’s She Who Became the Sun, a bold, queer, and lyrical reimagining of the rise of the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty from an amazing new voice in literary fantasy.

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim
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A princess in exile, a shapeshifting dragon, six enchanted cranes, and an unspeakable curse… Drawing from fairy tales and East Asian folklore, this original fantasy from the author of Spin the Dawn is perfect for fans of Shadow and Bone.

The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel
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The New York Times bestselling author of the The Book of Lost Names returns with an evocative coming-of-age World War II story about a young woman who uses her knowledge of the wilderness to help Jewish refugees escape the Nazis—until a secret from her past threatens everything.

These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan
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From New York Times best-selling author Lexi Ryan, Cruel Prince meets A Court of Thorns and Roses in this sexy, action-packed fantasy about a girl who is caught between two treacherous faerie courts and their dangerously seductive princes.

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
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In A Psalm for the Wild-Built, Hugo Award-winner Becky Chambers’s delightful new Monk & Robot series gives us hope for the future.

For Your Own Good by Samantha Downing
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USA Today bestselling author Samantha Downing is back with her latest sneaky thriller set at a prestigious private school—complete with interfering parents, overeager students, and one teacher who just wants to teach them all a lesson…

AUGUST 2021

The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould
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Courtney Gould’s thrilling debut The Dead and the Dark is about the things that lurk in dark corners, the parts of you that can’t remain hidden, and about finding home in places―and people―you didn’t expect.

Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms by Crystal Frasier
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A sweet, queer teen romance perfect for fans of Heartstopper and Check, Please!

The Pariah by Anthony Ryan
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The Pariah begins a new epic fantasy series of action, intrigue and magic from Anthony Ryan, a master storyteller who has taken the fantasy world by storm.

Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy
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From the author of the beloved national bestseller Migrations, a #1 IndieNext pick, a gorgeous and pulse-pounding new novel set in the wild Scottish Highlands.

Battle Royal by Lucy Parker
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Beloved author Lucy Parker pens a delicious new romantic comedy that is a battle of whisks and wits.

Velvet Was the Night by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
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From the New York Times bestselling author of Mexican Gothic comes a “delicious, twisted treat for lovers of noir” about a daydreaming secretary, a lonesome enforcer, and the mystery of a missing woman they’re both desperate to find.

How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
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The Hating Game meets I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter in this irresistible romance starring a Mexican American teen who discovers love and profound truths about the universe when she spends her summer on a road trip across the country.

The Desert Prince by Peter V. Brett
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A brand-new epic fantasy adventure set in the beloved world of the Demon Cycle, following a new generation of heroes, from New York Times bestselling author Peter V. Brett

SEPTEMBER 2021

Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson
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From the New York Times bestselling author of Sorcery of Thorns and An Enchantment of Ravens comes a thrilling new YA fantasy about a teen girl with mythic abilities who must defend her world against restless spirits of the dead.

Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney
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Beautiful World, Where Are You is a new novel by Sally Rooney, the bestselling author of Normal People and Conversations With Friends.

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun
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In this witty and heartwarming romantic comedy—reminiscent of Red, White & Royal Blue and One to Watch—an awkward tech wunderkind on a reality dating show goes off-script when sparks fly with his producer.

Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune
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A Man Called Ove meets The Good Place in Under the Whispering Door, a delightful queer love story from TJ Klune, author of the New York Times and USA Today bestseller The House in the Cerulean Sea.

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
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Pacific Rim meets The Handmaid’s Tale in this blend of Chinese history and mecha science fiction for YA readers.

Nice Girls by Catherine Dang
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A pulse-pounding and deviously dark debut, written with the psychological acuity and emotional punch of Luckiest Girl Alive and All the Missing Girls, that explores the hungry, angry, dark side of girlhood and dares to ask what is most dangerous to a woman: showing the world what it wants to see, or who she really is?

Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead
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From the two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys, a gloriously entertaining novel of heists, shakedowns, and rip-offs set in Harlem in the 1960s.

Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff
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From the New York Times bestselling author of the Nevernight Chronicle, Jay Kristoff, comes Empire of the Vampire, the first illustrated volume of an astonishing new dark fantasy saga.

OCTOBER 2021

Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The highly anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed, multiple award-winning novel Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is an achingly romantic, tender tale sure to captivate fans of Adam Silvera and Mary H.K. Choi.

All the Feels by Olivia Dade
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Following Spoiler Alert, Olivia Dade returns with another utterly charming romantic comedy about a devil-may-care actor—who actually cares more than anyone knows—and the no-nonsense woman hired to keep him in line.

A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow
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USA Today bestselling author Alix E. Harrow’s A Spindle Splintered brings her patented charm to a new version of a classic story.

The Mother Next Door by Tara Laskowski
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From award-winning author Tara Laskowski, The Mother Next Door is an atmospheric novel of domestic suspense in which the strive for perfection ends in murder…

Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw
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Cassandra Khaw’s Nothing But Blackened Teeth is a gorgeously creepy haunted house tale, steeped in Japanese folklore and full of devastating twists.

City of Shattered Light by Claire Winn
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As darkness closes in on the city of shattered light, an heiress and an outlaw must decide whether to fend for themselves or fight for each other.

Grave Reservations by Cherie Priest
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A psychic travel agent and a Seattle PD detective solve a murder in this quirky mystery in the vein of Lisa Lutz’s The Spellman Files and Charlaine Harris’s Aurora Teagarden series.

Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper
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Chilling Adventures of Sabrina meets The L Word in this fresh, sizzling rom-com by Lana Harper.

NOVEMBER 2021

Her Name is Knight by Yasmin Angoe
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A smash debut novel from rising star Yasmin Angoe, Her Name Is Knight features an elite assassin heroine on a mission to topple a human trafficking ring and avenge her family.

Noor by Nnedi Okorafor
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From africanfuturist luminary Okorafor comes a new science fiction novel of intense action and thoughtful rumination on biotechnology, destiny, and humanity in a near-future Nigeria.

A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Red White & Royal Blue meets Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell in debut author Freya Marske’s A Marvellous Light, featuring an Edwardian England full of magic, contracts, and conspiracies.

All of Us Villains by Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman
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The blockbuster co-writing debut of Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman, All of Us Villains begins a dark tale of ambition and magick…

You Can Go Your Own Way by Eric Smith
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When a huge snowstorm hits, Adam and Whitney suddenly find themselves trapped inside the arcade. Cut off from their families, their worlds, and their responsibilities, the tension between them seems to melt away, leaving something else in its place. But what happens when the storm stops?

Never Fall for Your Fiancée by Virginia Heath
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The first in a new historical rom-com series, a handsome earl hires a fake fiancée to keep his matchmaking mother at bay, but hilarity ensues when love threatens to complicate everything.

Blue-Skinned Gods by S.J. Sindu
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the award-winning author of Marriage of a Thousand Lies comes a brilliantly written, globe-spanning novel about identity, faith, family, and sexuality.

Everything We Didn’t Say by Nicole Baart
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the author of Little Broken Things, a “race-to-the-finish family drama” (People) following a mother who must confront the dark summer that changed her life forever in order to reclaim the daughter she left behind.

DECEMBER 2021

If This Gets Out by Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich’s “If This Gets Out is an absolute showstopper! Equal parts edgy and adorable, this bright, joyful book has everything I look for in a queer YA romance.” ―Phil Stamper, bestselling author of The Gravity of Us

A History of Wild Places by Shea Ernshaw
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The New York Times bestselling author of The Wicked Deep weaves a richly atmospheric adult debut following three residents of a secluded, seemingly peaceful commune as they investigate the disappearances of two outsiders.

The Midnight Girls by Alicia Jasinska
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Wicked Deep meets House of Salt and Sorrows in this new standalone YA fantasy set in a snow-cloaked kingdom where witches are burned, and two enchantresses secretly compete for the heart of a prince, only to discover that they might be falling for each other.

Absynthe by Brendan Bellecourt
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In his sci-fi debut, Bellecourt explores an alternate roaring 20s where a shell-shocked soldier must uncover latent telepathic abilities to save himself and the people around him.

Safecracker by Ryan Wick
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this wicked debut, safecracker Michael Maven must pull off the most dangerous theft of his long career–or his friends and family will be killed.

Here’s to Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera reunite to continue the story of Arthur and Ben, the boys readers first fell for in the New York Times bestselling rom-com What If It’s Us.

Smile and Look Pretty by Amanda Pellegrino
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A whip-smart, piercing debut novel, Smile and Look Pretty follows four assistants who band together to take on their toxic office environments in the ultimate comeuppance.

I Know Your Secret by Daphne Benedis-Grab
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

One of Us is Lying meets Pretty Little Liars for middle-grade readers.

What 2021 releases are you looking forward to releasing between July and December? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Get Your Hands On These Anticipated July To December 2021 Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

November 2019 Fantasy + Sci-Fi Book Releases

Elise Dumpleton — Sat, 09 Nov 2019 20:00:19 +0000

You’ll definitely find a new book to love amongst these fantasy and science fiction titles that are releasing this November! This month sees Holly Black’s The Folk of the Air trilogy come to an end, the sequel to Duncan M Hamilton’s Dragonslayer, and The Andromeda Evolution, which is the sequel to Michael Crichton’s The Andromeda Strain. Plus there’s also new releases from authors such as Natasha Ngan, Jonathan Maberry, Shea Ernshaw, and more!

The Queen of Nothing (The Folk of the Air #3) by Holly Black
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black, comes the highly anticipated and jaw-dropping finale to The Folk of the Air trilogy.

Fate of the Fallen by Kel Kade
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Everyone loves Mathias. Naturally, when he discovers it’s his destiny to save the world, he dives in head first, pulling his best friend Aaslo along for the ride. However, saving the world isn’t as easy, or exciting, as it sounds in the stories. The going gets rough and folks start to believe their best chance for survival is to surrender to the forces of evil, which isn’t how the prophecy goes. At all. As the list of allies grows thin, and the friends find themselves staring death in the face they must decide how to become the heroes they were destined to be or, failing that, how to survive.

The Deep by Rivers Solomon, Daveed Diggs, William Hutson, and Jonathan Snipes
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The water-breathing descendants of African slave women tossed overboard have built their own underwater society—and must reclaim the memories of their past to shape their future in this brilliantly imaginative novella inspired by the Hugo Award–nominated song “The Deep” from Daveed Diggs’s rap group clipping

The Andromeda Evolution (Andromeda #2) by Daniel H. Wilson and Michael Crichton
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Fifty years after The Andromeda Strain made Michael Crichton a household name—and spawned a new genre, the technothriller—the threat returns, in a gripping sequel that is terrifyingly realistic and resonant.

Girls of Storm and Shadow by Natasha Ngan
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

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

Song of the Crimson Flower by Julie C. Dao
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the acclaimed author of Forest of a Thousand Lanterns comes a fantastical new tale of darkness and love, in which magical bonds are stronger than blood.

Life and Limb by Jennifer Roberson
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A biker and a cowboy must stop the apocalypse in the first book of the Blood and Bone modern western fantasy series.

Her Crown of Fire by Renee April
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In the dull, everyday world, seventeen-year-old Rose Evermore struggles to plan beyond her final year of high school. But when fire suddenly obeys her every command and her dreams predict the future, she becomes hungry for more of this strange power.

Rage by Jonathan Maberry
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Rage is the first title in Jonathan Maberry’s brand new Joe Ledger spin-off series of international weird science thrillers.

Wake, Siren: Ovid Resung by Nina MacLaughlin
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In voices both mythic and modern, Wake, Siren revisits each account of love, loss, rape, revenge, and change. It lays bare the violence that undergirds and lurks in the heart of Ovid’s narratives, stories that helped build and perpetuate the distorted portrayal of women across centuries of art and literature.

Knight of the Silver Circle (Dragonslayer #2) by Duncan M. Hamilton
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the author of the beloved Society of Sword and Wolf of the North trilogies, Duncan M. Hamilton’s Knight of the Silver Circle –the sequel adventure-packed fantasy to Dragonslayer in The Dragonslayer trilogy–is perfect for fans of magical beasts and unexpected heroes.

Winterwood by Shea Ernshaw
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Wicked Deep comes a haunting romance set deep in the magical snow-covered forest, where the appearance of a mysterious boy unearths secrets that awakens the enchanted, but angry, woods.

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

The post November 2019 Fantasy + Sci-Fi Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Q&A: Shea Ernshaw, Author of ‘Winterwood’

Elise Dumpleton — Sun, 03 Nov 2019 20:00:16 +0000

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Wicked Deep comes a haunting romance set deep in the magical snow-covered forest, where the appearance of a mysterious boy unearths secrets that awakens the enchanted, but angry, woods.

We had the pleasure of chatting to author Shea Ernshaw ahead of the release of her new novel, Winterwood. She talks about writing Winterwood and the inspiration behind it, along with her writing process and book recommendations!

You can find Shea on Instagram and Twitter, along with at her website.

Hi Shea! Tell us a little about yourself!

Thank you so much for hosting me!

I’m a YA author living in a small, mountain town in Oregon—a place where I find most of my inspiration for my stories. I love getting lost in dark forests, growing wild things in my garden, and devouring all the vegan cupcakes.

**Your new novel, Winterwood, publishes on November 5^th. If you could only describe your book in five words, what would they be?**

Eerie forests, witches, & lost boys.

Now let’s hear a little more! What can readers expect?

WINTERWOOD is about a boy named Oliver Huntsman who goes missing from the Jackjaw Camp for Wayward Boys, and a girl named Nora Walker who finds him weeks later deep inside the snowy Wicker Woods—a place where only her family (rumored to be witches) dares to go. This story is about our connection to the natural world, to our family lineage, and to ourselves. And there’s kissing in it too.

**Where did the inspiration for Winterwood come from?**

The setting for WINTERWOOD was inspired by a real-life lake in the northern Cascade mountain range of Oregon. Over the years, I’ve heard many stories about the woods surrounding this lake, local folklore about the sinister things that live deep inside this remote wilderness. And I wanted to tell a story built on these local legends.

I think the best fictional tales come from a grain of truth.

Winterwood follows Nora and Oliver. How did these characters come to be?

I began drafting Nora Walker’s character first, and I imagined a girl whose ancestors were so connected to the land, to the forest where they lived, that it was believed they sprouted up from the ground itself. In some ways, Nora’s character is meant to represent the history we all share—a time when our ancestors depended on the land where they lived for survival. For most of us, however, this deep connection to the earth has been lost. But for Nora, she still feels bound to the land and the women who lived in these woods before her. She knows this forest is where she belongs.

Oliver’s character was more of a mystery to me when I first started drafting this book. And initially I imagined Nora and Oliver would only remain friends, but as the story grew and developed, so did their relationship. And without my realizing it, they fell in love somewhere along the way. And now, I can’t imagine the book without this important story thread. Their relationship developed in the sweetest, most unintentional way, and it’s one of my favorite elements of the story.

**How long, from start to final revision, did Winterwood take?**

One hundred million years—give or take a few decades.

But in truth, once I had a solid plot mapped out and after several chats with my brilliant editor, the actual writing took about four to five months. It was a quick turnaround with this book.

**Your debut novel, The Wicked Deep, published last year. What has it been like since you became a published author?**

I always imagined the world of publishing was like a magical castle atop a steep cliff with a high stone wall all around it. For years, I would lob my manuscripts over that wall, hoping someone would think it was good enough to lower the drawbridge and allow me to step inside. But for a long time, they would chuck my manuscript back over the wall at me, shouting “not good enough yet. Keep trying.” So I kept writing, I kept tossing books over the wall, until one day, a few editors read THE WICKED DEEP and exclaimed, “Yep, this is the one!” And when I finally stepped across that drawbridge into the castle, I stood there for a while, stunned, certain they would realize they had made a mistake and usher me back out. Yet somehow, I’m still here, wandering the dark castle hallways, scribbling down story ideas, still unsure if they’ll let me stay.

I’ve spent most of my life dreaming of becoming an author, so to put into words how it feels to have my stories in print, sitting on bookshelves, is nearly impossible. I only wish I could go back and tell my ten-year-old self that persistence is everything. Don’t stop until they lower the drawbridge.

What’s your writing process like?

I am an excessive outliner. I usually start with a rough three act structure which I sketch out on a white board. Then, I like to write the story down, chapter by chapter, in a word document—some chapters are more detailed than others, with a few lines of dialog and description, while others might just be a mood I need to convey in that chapter or a key point of action that needs to happen.

Once I start the actual writing, I track everything in an excel spreadsheet that I call my ‘book map.’ This includes page numbers, where the scene takes place, and the main action/purpose of the scene. I live and die by this Excel spreadsheet, and it’s my lifeline when I start revisions because I can easily make notes within the spreadsheet for what needs to be edited in each scene.

So yeah, I really like to outline!

Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for us?

I love what Moira Fowley-Doyle writes! Her feminist, witchy tales are always raw and captivating and weave in story threads that touch on current social issues. She’s one of my favorites right now.

**Will you be picking up Winterwood? Tell us in the comments below!**

The post Q&A: Shea Ernshaw, Author of ‘Winterwood’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Exciting Fantasy & Sci-Fi Books Out In July-December 2019

Elise Dumpleton — Wed, 03 Jul 2019 20:00:25 +0000

Be warned my fellow avid readers, your wallets and TBR’s are about to be in serious trouble because there are some fantastic fantasy and science fiction books hitting the shelves between July and December!

To kick off the second half of 2019, July sees the release of new novels from Chuck Wendig, Pierce Brown, and David Wellington, along with Margaret Owen’s debut novel, Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Mexican folklore inspired novel, and Duncan M. Hamilton’s Dragonslayer.

Moving on to August, we’ll read tales of gods from Micah Yongo, a cursed kingdom from Amy Harmon, and a future princess from Mara Rutherford. Meanwhile, John Birmingham will whisk you away on a sci-fi adventure, Brian Naslund will give you a dragon slayer, and Keren Landsman will bring the sorcerers.

September holds some exciting debuts from Jillian Boehme, Jennifer Giesbrecht, and Rena Barron, alongside new books from authors such as Annalee Newitz, Joe Abercombie, and Juliet Marillier.

What’s instore for us in October? Well Kelley Armstrong, Rachel Caine, and more team up for an anthology about witches, Tochi Onyebuchi takes us to a futuristic, Black Panther–inspired Nigeria, and A.M. Strickland treats us to a dark fantasy. Divergent author Veronica Roth returns with a series of short stories, A.J. Hackwith introduces us to a librarian of the afterlife’s library, and Nicky Drayden takes us to deep space.

In November, Erin Morgenstern’s The Starless Sea is set in a secret underground world, Nina MacLaughlin retells Ovid’s Metamorphoses so the women can claim their stories, and Shea Ernshaw’s Winterwood is set in a magical snow-covered forest. The authors from Black Spot Books plan to “chill your bones and warm your heart for the Yuletide season” with short stories, E.E. Knight’s novel follows dragonriders, and Kacen Callender brings us a Caribbean-inspired fantasy world.

To end the year, James Islington’s Licanius Trilogy and Sebastien de Castell’s Spellslinger series conclude, while Milla Vane, Jeff VanderMeer, Rachel Atwood, and Charles Soule bring us new books.

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below which books you’re most excited for!

July

The Merciful Crow by Margaret Owen
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

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

Wanderers by Chuck Wendig
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A decadent rock star. A deeply religious radio host. A disgraced scientist. And a teenage girl who may be the world’s last hope. In the tradition of The Stand and Station Eleven comes a gripping saga that weaves an epic tapestry of humanity into an astonishing tale of survival.

Dark Age (Red Rising Saga #5) by Pierce Brown
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of Morning Star returns to the Red Rising universe with the thrilling sequel to Iron Gold.

Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Mayan god of death sends a young woman on a harrowing, life-changing journey in this dark, one-of-a-kind fairy tale inspired by Mexican folklore.

Dragonslayer by Duncan M. Hamilton
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In his magnificent, heroic, adventure fantasy, Dragonslayer, Duncan M. Hamilton debuts the first book in a fast-moving trilogy: a dangerous tale of lost magics, unlikely heroes, and reawakened dragons.

The Last Astronaut by David Wellington
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Mission Commander Sally Jansen is Earth’s last astronaut–and last hope–in this gripping near-future thriller where a mission to make first contact becomes a terrifying struggle for survival in the depths of space.

August

Pale Kings by Micah Yongo
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

When the gods return to claim their world, the Five Realms will fall, in this earth-shaking epic fantasy thriller from the author of Lost Gods

The First Girl Child by Amy Harmon
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the New York Times bestselling author comes a breathtaking fantasy of a cursed kingdom, warring clans, and unexpected salvation.

Crown of Coral and Pearl by Mara Rutherford
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

For generations, the princes of Ilara have married the most beautiful maidens from the ocean village of Varenia. But though every girl longs to be chosen as the next princess, the cost of becoming royalty is higher than any of them could ever imagine…

The Cruel Stars by John Birmingham
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

With a ruthless sect of humanity intent on wiping out their species, five intrepid heroes must think like their enemies in this epic sci-fi adventure for fans of The Expanse and Battlestar Galactica.

Blood of an Exile by Brian Naslund
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

After trying to assassinate a fellow noble, Flawless Bershad was given a death sentence. He’s never lost a fight, the most successful dragon slayer in history. But that is about to change. The man who sentenced Bershad to his fate has just given him an out. Kill a king and walk free forever. He doesn’t care about the fates of kings and kingdoms, until, that is, he discovers he is the only person able to save an innocent child and, possibly, the life of every creature in Terra.

The Heart of the Circle by Keren Landsman
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Sorcerers fight for the right to exist and fall in love, in this extraordinary alternate world fantasy thriller by award-winning Israeli author Keren Landsman.

September

The Monster of Elendhaven by Jennifer Giesbrecht
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Debut author Jennifer Giesbrecht paints a darkly compelling fantasy of revenge in The Monster of Elendhaven, a dark fantasy about murder, a monster, and the magician who loves both.

Stormrise by Jillian Boehme
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A combat warrior will risk everything to awaken the dragons and save her kingdom in Jillian Boehme’s epic YA Fantasy debut, Stormrise, inspired by Twelfth Night and perfect for fans of Tamora Pierce.

The Future of Another Timeline by Annalee Newitz
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A mind-bending and thought-provoking speculative thriller about a group of time-traveling geologists who are trying to prevent a dark future from coming to pass.

Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The lush world building of Children of Blood and Bone meets the sweeping scale of Strange the Dreamer in this captivating epic YA fantasy debut.

A Little Hatred by Joe Abercrombie
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From New York Times bestselling author Joe Abercrombie comes the first book in a new blockbuster fantasy trilogy where the age of the machine dawns, but the age of magic refuses to die.

The Harp of Kings by Juliet Marillier
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A young woman is both a bard–and a warrior–in this thrilling historical fantasy from the author of the Sevenwaters novels.

October

Hex Life: Wicked New Tales of Witchery by Kelley Armstrong, Rachel Caine, and Sherrilyn Kenyon
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Hex Life: Wicked New Tales of Witchery will take the classic tropes of tales of witchcraft and infuse them with fresh, feminist perspective and present-day concerns–even if they’re set in the past. These witches might be monstrous, or they might be heroes, depending on their own definitions. Even the kind hostess with the candy cottage thought of herself as the hero of her own story. After all, a woman’s gotta eat.

War Girls by Tochi Onyebuchi
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

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

Beyond the Black Door by A.M. Strickland
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Beyond the Black Door is a young adult dark fantasy about unlocking the mysteries around and within us―no matter the cost …

The End and Other Beginnings: Stories from the Future by Veronica Roth
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Bestselling Divergent and Carve the Mark author Veronica Roth delivers a stunning collection of novella-length stories set in the future, illustrated with startling black-and-white artwork.

The Library Of The Unwritten by A.J. Hackwith
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In the first book in a brilliant new fantasy series, books that aren’t finished by their authors reside in the Library of the Unwritten in Hell, and it is up to the Librarian to track down any restless characters who emerge from those unfinished stories.

Escaping Exodus by Nicky Drayden
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Compton Crook award–winning author of The Prey of Gods and Temper returns with a dazzling stand-alone novel, set in deep space, in which the fate of humanity rests on the slender shoulders of an idealistic and untested young woman—a blend of science fiction, dark humor, and magical realism that will appeal to fans of Charlie Jane Anders, Jeff VanderMeer, and Nnedi Okorafor.

November

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Night Circus, a timeless love story set in a secret underground world–a place of pirates, painters, lovers, liars, and ships that sail upon a starless sea.

Queen of the Conquered by Kacen Callender
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

An ambitious young woman with the power to control minds seeks vengeance against the royals who murdered her family, in a Caribbean-inspired fantasy world embattled by colonial oppression.

Novice Dragoneer by E E Knight
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In the first book in an exciting and charming new coming-of-age fantasy series from the author of the Age of Fire series, an impoverished girl enters into a military order of dragonriders, but her path won’t be as easy or as straightforward as she expected.

Wake, Siren: Ovid Resung by Nina MacLaughlin
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Winterwood by Shea Ernshaw
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A Midnight Clear by Sam Hooker, Seven Jane, Alcy Leyva, Laura Morrison, Dalena Storm, and Cassondra Windwalker
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Six stories of not-so-merry Yuletide whimsy from the authors of Black Spot Books including a woman so cold she hardens to ice on a winter’s eve. From a murder at the Stanley Hotel to demons of Christmas past, present, and future, and a mad elf and Santa’s Candy Court, the authors of Black Spot Books share their love for winter holidays in this collection of dark winter tales, destined to chill your bones and warm your heart for the Yuletide season.

December

The Light of All That Falls (The Licanius Trilogy #3) by James Islington
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The journey that began in The Shadow of What Was Lost and continued in An Echo of Things to Come now comes to its breathtaking conclusion in The Light of All That Falls, the spectacular final chapter of the Licanius Trilogy by acclaimed epic fantasy author James Islington.

Walk the Wild With Me by Rachel Atwood
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this new historical fantasy, a young man must use the power granted by a goddess to infiltrate the realm of Faery and save a kidnapped victim before the door is sealed once again.

A Heart of Blood and Ashes by Milla Vane
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A generation past, the western realms were embroiled in endless war. Then the Destroyer came. From the blood and ashes he left behind, a tenuous alliance rose between the barbarian riders of Parsathe and the walled kingdoms of the south. That alliance is all that stands against the return of an ancient evil—until the barbarian king and queen are slain in an act of bloody betrayal.

Crownbreaker by Sebastien de Castell
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A failed mage learns that just because he’s not the chosen one it doesn’t mean he can’t be a hero in the sixth and final book of the adventure fantasy series that started with Spellslinger.

Anyone: A Novel by Charles Soule
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Charles Soule brings his signature knowledge—and wariness–of technology to his sophomore novel set in a realistic future about a brilliant female scientist who creates a technology that allows for the transfer of human consciousness between bodies, and the transformations this process wreaks upon the world.

Dead Astronauts by Jeff VanderMeer
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Jeff VanderMeer’s Dead Astronauts presents a City with no name of its own where, in the shadow of the all-powerful Company, lives human and otherwise converge in terrifying and miraculous ways. At stake: the fate of the future, the fate of Earth—all the Earths.

What July to December 2019 fantasy and sci-fi releases are you most excited for? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Exciting Fantasy & Sci-Fi Books Out In July-December 2019 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read Some Spooky Books This Halloween

The Nerd Daily — Thu, 11 Oct 2018 05:00:49 +0000

Written by Tasya

Now that it’s officially fall for half of the world and the weather has turned cold and crisp for half of the world, it means it’s also time to welcome the Halloween season! It’s that time of the year to get spooky, to spend your nights watching and reading horror until Halloween ends, and of course, to put up crazy decorations and wear costumes! To help you spice up your Halloween reads, we are here to suggest a few books and themes that would be perfect for a Halloween binge!

Read A Classic

There are many options you can choose for this prompt, including Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Dracula by Bram Stoker, Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, and Inferno by Dante.

Read A Book About Witches

What’s Halloween without a few witches? The obvious choice for this prompt would be Harry Potter, but if you want something different, you can read Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia, A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, How to Hang A Witch by Adriana Mather, and Truthwitch by Susan Dennard. Or you know, you can always read the book adaptation of Hocus Pocus!

Read A Book About Curses

Any kind of curse will do! You can read Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake, Compulsion by Martina Boone, The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw, and Strange Grace by Tessa Gratton.

Read A Book About Foreign Myth/Folk Stories

For this prompt, you can read The Girl from the Well by Rin Chupeco, American Gods by Neil Gaiman, and obviously Rick Riordan’s books. If you want something new, you can read an East Asian stories anthology, A Thousand Beginnings and Endings.

Read A Book About Grim Reapers/Death

I really love reading death as a personification, as death/grim reapers always have such a unique voice. They can be really had to find as there are rarely books about them, but you can read The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Scythe by Neal Shusterman, A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore, and Death or Ice Cream by Gareth P. Jones

Read A Book With An Unreliable Narrator

Unreliable narrators is defined as a narrator whose credibility has been compromised, either because they are the culprit, didn’t remember what happened, or something else. Some of the books with unreliable narrators are The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin, Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas, The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins, and The Dead House by Dawn Kurtagich.

Read A Book With A Creepy Cover

I think we can agree the Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children series have creepy covers! Other options include Daughters unto Devil by Amy Luckavics, Say Her Name by James Dawson, and The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson.

Happy October! Let us know if you plan on reading any along with the books you will be reading this Halloween in the comments below!

The post Read Some Spooky Books This Halloween appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

March Books Releases: Young Adult

Elise Dumpleton — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 20:00:40 +0000

In case you need to throw some more books on to your 2018 TBR pile, we can assure you this list of March YA releases will definitely be costing your wallet! From the newest addition to Tahereh Mafi’s best-selling Shatter Me series, to the final instalment in the Illuminae series by Australia authors Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman.

Then there’s the incredibly intriguing debut novels from the likes of Tomi Adeyemi, who explores a stunning world of dark magic and danger in her West African-inspired novel; Matt Killeen’s novel sees a Jewish girl-turned-spy must infiltrate an elite Nazi boarding school; and Alexandra Christo writes a tale of sirens, royalty and curses.

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below if you will be reading one (or a few) of these new releases!

Obsidio by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman | Goodreads

Kady, Ezra, Hanna, and Nik narrowly escaped with their lives from the attacks on Heimdall station and now find themselves crammed with 2,000 refugees on the container ship, Mao. With the jump station destroyed and their resources scarce, the only option is to return to Kerenza—but who knows what they’ll find seven months after the invasion? Meanwhile, Kady’s cousin, Asha, survived the initial BeiTech assault and has joined Kerenza’s ragtag underground resistance. When Rhys—an old flame from Asha’s past—reappears on Kerenza, the two find themselves on opposite sides of the conflict. With time running out, a final battle will be waged on land and in space, heroes will fall, and hearts will be broken.

Time Bomb by Joelle Charbonneau | Goodreads

A congressman’s daughter who has to be perfect. A star quarterback with a secret. A guy who’s tired of being ignored. A clarinet player who’s done trying to fit in. An orphaned rebel who wants to teach someone a lesson. A guy who wants people to see him, not his religion. They couldn’t be more different, but before the morning’s over, they’ll all be trapped in a school that’s been rocked by a bombing. When they hear that someone inside is the bomber, they’ll also be looking to one another for answers.

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi | Goodreads

Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zelie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were targeted and killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope. Now, Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.

Restore Me by Tahereh Mafi | Goodreads

Juliette Ferrars thought she’d won. She took over Sector 45, was named the new Supreme Commander, and now has Warner by her side. But she’s still the girl with the ability to kill with a single touch—and now she’s got the whole world in the palm of her hand. When tragedy hits, who will she become? Will she be able to control the power she wields and use it for good?

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo | Goodreads

A young girl in Harlem named Xiomara discovers slam poetry as a way to understand her mother’s religion and her own relationship to the world. She finds herself invited to join her school’s slam poetry club, but she doesn’t know how she could ever attend without her mami finding out, much less speak her words out loud. But still, she can’t stop thinking about performing her poems. Because in the face of a world that may not want to hear her, Xiomara refuses to be silent.

The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw | Goodreads

Where, two centuries ago, three sisters were sentenced to death for witchery. Stones were tied to their ankles and they were drowned in the deep waters surrounding the town. Now, for a brief time each summer, the sisters return, stealing the bodies of three weak-hearted girls so that they may seek their revenge, luring boys into the harbour and pulling them under. Like many locals, seventeen-year-old Penny Talbot has accepted the fate of the town. But this year, on the eve of the sisters’ return, a boy named Bo Carter arrives; unaware of the danger he has just stumbled into.

Orphan Monster Spy by Matt Killeen | Goodreads

After her mother is shot at a checkpoint, fifteen-year-old Sarah–blonde, blue-eyed, and Jewish–finds herself on the run from a government that wants to see every person like her dead. Then Sarah meets a mysterious man with an ambiguous accent, a suspiciously bare apartment, and a lockbox full of weapons. He’s a spy, and he needs Sarah to become one, too, to pull off a mission he can’t attempt on his own: infiltrate a boarding school attended by the daughters of top Nazi brass, befriend the daughter of a key scientist, and steal the blueprints to a bomb that could destroy the cities of Western Europe.

Olivia Twist by Lorie Langdon | Goodreads

Olivia Twist is an innovative reimagining of Charles Dickens’ classic tale Oliver Twist, in which Olivia was forced to live as a boy for her own safety until she was rescued from the streets. Now eighteen, Olivia finds herself at a crossroads: revealed secrets threaten to destroy the “proper” life she has built for her herself, while newfound feelings for an arrogant young man she shouldn’t like could derail her carefully laid plans for the future.

The Price Guide To The Occult by Leslye Walton | Goodreads

Leslye Walton spins a dark, mesmerising tale of a girl stumbling along the path toward self-acceptance and first love, even as the Price Guide’s malevolent author—Nor’s own mother—looms and threatens to strangle any hope for happiness.

In Her Skin by Kim Savage | Goodreads

Sixteen-year-old con artist Jo Chastain is about to take on the biggest heist of her life: impersonating a missing girl. She finds her opportunity in the Lovecrafts, a wealthy family with ties to the unsolved disappearance of Vivienne Weir, who vanished when she was nine. When Jo takes on Vivi’s identity and stages the girl’s miraculous return, the Lovecrafts welcome her back with open arms. But nothing is as it seems in the Lovecraft household—and some secrets refuse to stay buried.

The Beauty That Remains by Ashley Woodfolk | Goodreads

Autumn always knew exactly who she was—a talented artist and a loyal friend. Shay was defined by two things: her bond with her twin sister, Sasha, and her love of music. And Logan always turned to writing love songs when his love life was a little less than perfect. But when tragedy strikes each of them, somehow music is no longer enough. Now Logan can’t stop watching vlogs of his dead ex-boyfriend. Shay is a music blogger struggling to keep it together. And Autumn sends messages that she knows can never be answered. Despite the odds, one band’s music will reunite them and prove that after grief, beauty thrives in the people left behind.

To Kill A Kingdom by Alexandra Christo | Goodreads

Princess Lira is siren royalty and the most lethal of them all. With the hearts of seventeen princes in her collection, she is revered across the sea. Until a twist of fate forces her to kill one of her own. To punish her daughter, the Sea Queen transforms Lira into the one thing they loathe most—a human. Robbed of her song, Lira has until the winter solstice to deliver Prince Elian’s heart to the Sea Queen or remain a human forever. However, he just happens to hunt sirens.

Looking for more books? Check out our list on Goodreads!

Will you be checking out any of these books? Tell us in the comments below!

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