PLUS we have an excerpt from the audiobook to share with you at the end of the interview.

Hi, Tara! Welcome back! How have the past two years been since we last spoke for The City of Dusk?

Thank you for having me again! These past couple years I’ve been working hard on books, of course, but also traveling and meeting up with friends. Oh, and squeezing in video games whenever possible.

Your latest novel, We Shall Be Monsters, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Gothic horror Indian fantasy shenanigans.

What can readers expect?

Basically what’s on the tin. But beyond gothic horror Indian fantasy shenanigans, they can expect a main character who’s scientific and prickly and morally gray, a world inspired by Indian mythology and folklore, and a very good undead dog.

Where did the inspiration for We Shall Be Monsters come from?

I’ve always loved Frankenstein, so when author Dhonielle Clayton told me I should write an Indian take on it, I was immediately onboard. It took several years to develop an actual idea for the story, which involved doing a deep dive into Indian mythology. I discovered that a lot of the stories and themes married perfectly with the Frankenstein vibes I was going for, and now here we are!

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

I really loved writing Kajal, my main character. She’s a girl in STEM, but in a fantasy world, which was an interesting challenge. She’s wracked with grief over her sister but also fiercely determined to bring her back to life, and writing her arc was quite rewarding, especially since she starts as an outcast and the characters around her slowly drag her out of her shell. All the scenes she has with Tav were fun to write due to their dynamic together (grump4grump, anyone?).

What was your process when it came to starting We Shall Be Monsters?

I feel like it took a long time to actually start it! I remember sitting down with a notebook and just writing down potential names for the characters, and mapping out what I thought the world looked like. I already had a vague idea for what the vibes and plot would be, so it was a gradual process of fitting pieces together and building out the world before I actually dove into the first chapter. Since I discover things while I draft, it was good to have the foundations of what I was writing toward.

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

The plot structure for this book is a little different than what some readers are used to, especially in YA, so finding the best way to balance plot and pacing was tricky at first. While the sequel will be more straightforward, book one had a lot of places and worldbuilding to set up, which is always a challenge for an author starting a new series! Thankfully my wonderful editor Caitlin Tutterow had a great eye for how to best incorporate these plot points without compromising the pacing.

What’s next for you?

I’ll be drafting the sequel to We Shall Be Monsters, and as of writing this I’m finishing a draft of the third book in The Dark Gods trilogy, which should hopefully be out next year!

Lastly, what books have you enjoyed so far this year and are there any that you can’t wait to get your hands on?

Recently I read The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo and had a blast with it. Other books that have come out this year that I loved are Kindling by Traci Chee and So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole. I am on my hands and knees waiting for Alecto the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir.

Will you be picking up We Shall Be Monsters? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Tara Sim, Author of ‘We Shall Be Monsters’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

From sapphic romances and a Mulan-inspired fantasy, to thrilling adventures and street racing, there’s some immensely delightful new young adult books hitting shelves this month! 

Read on to discover a few of our picks and let us know in the comments below if you’re looking forward to any!

Past Present Future by Rachel Lynn Solomon

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They fell for each other in just twenty-four hours. Now Rowan and Neil embark on a long-distance relationship during their first year of college in this romantic, dual POV sequel to Today Tonight Tomorrow.

Of Jade and Dragons by Amber Chen

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Mulan meets Iron Widow in this thrilling silkpunk fantasy about a girl who must disguise herself as a boy and enter the famed and dangerous Engineer’s Guild trials to unravel the mystery of her father’s murder.

Wish You Weren’t Here by Erin Baldwin

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This sapphic romance novel has everything you could want in a summer vacation read—swoony interactions, childhood nostalgia, and a slow-burn romance you’ll root for the whole time!

The God and the Gumiho by Sophie Kim

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In this sly and dazzling contemporary fantasy, the most notorious nine-tailed fox in Korea pairs up with a trickster god–turned–detective to track down a wrathful demon . . . before it can destroy the mortal world.

Four Eids and a Funeral by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Adiba Jaigirdar

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Ex-best friends, Tiwa and Said, must work together to save their Islamic Center from demolition, in this romantic story of rekindling and rebuilding by award-winning authors Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé & Adiba Jaigirdar!

Moonstorm by Yoon Ha Lee

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In a society where conformity is valued above all else, a teen girl training to become an Imperial pilot is forced to return to her rebel roots to save her world in this adrenaline-fueled sci-fi adventure—perfect for fans of Iron Widow and Skyward!

The Color of a Lie by Kim Johnson

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In 1955, a Black family passes for white and moves to a “Whites Only” town in the suburbs. Caught between two worlds, a teen boy puts his family at risk as he uncovers racist secrets about his suburb. A new social justice thriller from the acclaimed author of This Is My America!

Crashing into You by Rocky Callen

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In this fiercely moving YA romance novel, Leti Rivera’s love of street racing is put to the test when tragedy strikes her family and threatens to tear her apart from the boy she’s falling for.

We Shall Be Monsters by Tara Sim

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Frankenstein meets Indian mythology in this twisty, darkly atmospheric fantasy where the horror is not the monsters you face but the ones you create.

Love, Off The Record by Samantha Markum

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The Hating Game meets Alex, Approximately in this smart, chemistry-filled teen rom-com about two rival journalism students competing for the same position on their university newspaper.

Furious by Jamie Pacton and Rebecca Podos

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There’s nothing more thrilling than being behind the wheel when the flag drops, a stretch of track ahead and her foot on the gas. Racing is in Jojo’s blood. Or at least . . . it was.

The Calculation of You and Me by Serena Kaylor

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A calculus nerd enlists her surly classmate’s help to win back her ex-boyfriend, but when sparks start to fly, she realizes there’s no algorithm for falling in love.

The Wilderness of Girls by Madeline Claire Franklin

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An unflinching YA debut about a troubled teen who discovers a pack of feral girls in the woods and is swept up in the ensuing mystery: Are the Wild Girls of Happy Valley lost princesses from a faraway land, as they believe, or are they brainwashed victims of a deranged kidnapper?

Looking For Smoke by K.A. Cobell

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In her powerful debut novel, Looking for Smoke, author K. A. Cobell (Blackfeet) weaves loss, betrayal, and complex characters into a thriller that will illuminate, surprise, and engage readers until the final word. 

Heiress Takes All by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka

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The Inheritance Games meets Ocean’s 11 in this thrilling adventure about a teenager determined to pull off the perfect heist in the middle of her father’s wedding.

The Breakup Artists by Adriana Mather

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Adriana Mather, New York Times bestselling author of How to Hang a Witch, brings her signature wit, wild imagination, and all the feels to her new YA novel, The Breakup Artists.

What June YA books are you looking forward to picking up? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 16 Young Adult Books Hitting Bookshelves In June 2024 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher
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From USA Today bestselling author T. Kingfisher, Thornhedge is the tale of a kind-hearted, toad-shaped heroine, a gentle knight, and a mission gone completely sideways.

Medusa’s Sisters by Lauren J. A. Bear
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The story follows the lives of Medusa and her sisters, Stheno and Euryale, through their various adventures and encounters with mortals and Greek Gods. As they struggle against the inherent conflict between sisterhood and individuality, myth and truth, vengeance and peace, Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa’s story will keep readers hooked until the very last page

Bridge by Lauren Beukes
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A grieving daughter’s search for her mother becomes a journey across alternate realities in Bridge, a wildly entertaining, reality-bending new thriller from Lauren Beukes, author of the AppleTV+ smash hit The Shining Girls.

The Midnight Kingdom by Tara Sim
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The second book in Tara Sim’s sweeping dark fantasy series, in which the four heirs to four noble houses—each gifted with a divine power—must defy their gods in a fight for the fate of the world. 

Where Peace Is Lost by Valerie Valdes
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A brand-new space fantasy novel from master world-builder Valerie Valdes! A refugee with a secret, a dangerous foe, and a road trip that could either save a planet or start a war. 

Cassiel’s Servant by Jacqueline Carey
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Returning to the realm of Terre d’Ange which captured an entire generation of fantasy readers, New York Times bestselling author Jacqueline Carey brings us a hero’s journey for a new era.

He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-Chan
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The sequel and series conclusion to She Who Became the Sun, the accomplished, poetic debut of war and destiny, sweeping across an epic alternate China. Mulan meets The Song of Achilles.

Prophet by Sin Blaché and Helen Macdonald
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From the extraordinary minds of award-winning and New York Times–bestselling author of H Is for Hawk Helen Macdonald and first time author Sin Blaché, Prophet is their electric debut, a tantalizing adventure fusing noir, sci-fi and a slow burn queer romance―set in a universe just one perilous step from our own.

Whalefall by Daniel Kraus
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The Martian meets 127 Hours in this “powerfully humane” (Owen King, New York Times bestselling author) and scientifically accurate thriller about a scuba diver who’s been swallowed by an eighty-foot, sixty-ton sperm whale and has only one hour to escape before his oxygen runs out.

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

The Blue, Beautiful World by Karen Lord
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As first contact transforms the Earth, a group of gifted visionaries race to create a new future in this wondrous science fiction novel from the award-winning author of The Best of All Possible Worlds.

Forged by Blood by Ehigbor Okosun
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A brilliant new voice brings a brilliant new novel: debut author Ehigbor Okosun’s first book in an action-packed, poignant duology inspired by Nigerian mythology–full of magic and emotion and set in a highly atmospheric, complex world in which a young woman fights to survive a tyrannical society, having everything stripped away from her, and seeks vengeance for her mother’s murder and the spilled blood of her people.

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

The post August 2023 Fantasy & Sci-Fi Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover just a few of our picks and let us know if you’ll be checking any of them out!

Guardians of the Dawn: Zhara by S. Jae-Jones
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Sailor Moon meets Cinder in Guardians of Dawn: Zhara, the start of a new, richly imagined fantasy series from S. Jae-Jones, the New York Times bestselling author of Wintersong.

Accidentally in Love by Danielle Jackson
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A delightful rom-com where grumpy-meets-sunshine collides with enemies-to-lovers in this perfect summer novel, written for fans of Kate Stayman-London, Olivia Dade, and Denise Williams.

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

Teach the Torches to Burn: A Romeo & Juliet Remix by Caleb Roehrig
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In the Remixed Classics series, authors from marginalized backgrounds reinterpret classic works through their own cultural lens to subvert the overwhelming cishet, white, and male canon. Queer star-crossed love amid a centuries-old feud takes center stage in this Romeo & Juliet remix that knows sometimes, the best way is to make it gay.

The Trap by Catherine Ryan Howard
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From award-winning, internationally bestselling crime writer Catherine Ryan Howard comes The Trap: an unsettling mystery inspired by a series of still-unsolved disappearances in Ireland in the 90s, wherein one young woman risks everything to catch a faceless killer.

House of Odysseus by Claire North
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This “powerful, fresh, and unflinching” reimagining from the award-winning author of the Penelope trilogy breathes life into ancient myth and gives voice to the women who stand defiant in a world ruled by ruthless men (Jennifer Saint).

Night of the Living Queers: 13 Tales of Terror Delight
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Night of the Living Queers is a YA horror anthology that explores a night when anything is possible, exclusively featuring queer authors of color putting fresh spins on classic horror tropes and tales.

Kiss the Girl by Zoraida Córdova
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A modern tale of unexpectedly falling in love and finding your voice, Kiss the Girl is the highly anticipated third installment in the acclaimed and best-selling Meant to Be collection.

The Blonde Identity by Ally Carter
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The New York Times bestselling YA author of the beloved Gallagher Girls series bursts onto the adult scene with a fast-paced, hilarious road trip rom-com about a woman with amnesia who discovers she’s the identical twin sister of a rogue spy… and must team up with a rugged, grumpy operative to stay alive.

More Perfect by Temi Oh
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A reimagining of the Greek myth of Eurydice and Orpheus, for fans of Becky Chambers and William Gibson by Alex Award–winning author Temi Oh.

Delicate Condition by Danielle Valentine
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The Push meets The Silent Patient in a gripping thriller that follows a woman convinced a sinister figure is going to great lengths to make sure her pregnancy never happens—while the men in her life refuse to believe a word she says.

With Love, from Cold World by Alicia Thompson
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She has a to-do list a mile long and falling for her coworker isn’t on it–yet somehow he’s become her top priority in this romantic comedy from the national bestselling author of Love in the Time of Serial Killers.

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

The post August 2023 Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

We had the pleasure of chatting with author Tara Sim about her first adult fantasy novel, The City of Dusk, along with writing, 2022 book recommendations, and more.

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

Hi, and thanks for having me! I’m Tara Sim, fantasy author of the YA series Timekeeper and Scavenge the Stars, as well as the upcoming The City of Dusk, which is my adult debut. I’ve been an avid reader and writer my whole life, but also make time for plenty of other nerdy hobbies, like video games and anime. I have two cats who are very spoiled.

How has the start of 2022 been for you?

You know, as well as could be expected. Obviously I’m excited for the release of The City of Dusk, but I also spent the first few months of the year working very hard on drafting the sequel. I’m hoping for a vacation soon!

When did you first discover your love for writing?

My dad had this story he liked to tell where I dictated poetry to him at six years old (seeing as I couldn’t type then and needed to get the words down somehow). From there I developed a fascination with storytelling, getting lots of inspiration from the books I grew up reading, until I drafted my first novel at fifteen. I loved it so much I knew this was what I wanted to do forever.

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

I actually don’t remember the first book I remember reading, haha. They all kind of blur together! But I do remember that the first fantasy book I read was Alanna: the First Adventure.

The one that made me want to become an author was The Lord of the Rings (with honorable mention to The Wheel of Time), since I became obsessed with it at a young age and wanted badly to make up stuff the way Tolkien did (and, to be honest, to put my characters through the ringer like he did, too).

The book I can’t stop thinking about is a more recent one, a Chinese xianxia novel called Mo Dao Zu Shi (or: The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation), which inspired a live action adaptation called The Untamed.

Your latest novel, The City of Dusk, is out March 22nd 2022! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Dark, sumptuous, goth, queer, skeletons.

What can readers expect?

Honestly, the five things I listed above.

More than that: they can expect a huge, enticing fantasy world full of different magic systems, realms, gods, and noble heirs falling in and out of alliances. There’s a lot of action and complex, morally gray characters. There are women who will step on you and men who are soft and sad.

Did I also mention skeletons?

Where did the inspiration for The City of Dusk come from?

I’m not entirely sure where the initial spark came from, or perhaps it’s that I don’t remember, since I first came up with the idea in college (which was…a while ago). All I had then was a bare bones idea: four noble families descended from the same royal line, all with their eyes on the throne.

But of course, over the years, it grew bit by bit as I added the rest: that they were also descended from gods, that there were four worlds instead of just the one, and they each had their own magic system. There are a ton of influences that went into the book, ranging from stuff like Fullmetal Alchemist to Fire Emblem: Three Houses to even Hereditary. If you look closely in book one, there’s even a fight scene inspired by one from The Witcher.

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

This is beyond a doubt the most ambitious project I’ve ever tackled: Four worlds, seven POVs, and at least four magic systems. Although I definitely had fun with it, it was also incredibly brutal. I had to get the book wrong many, many times before I finally found the right shape, and even then there was a lot to do re: nailing character arcs, plot progression, and worldbuilding.

I’m not entirely sure how I overcame it, as I seem to remember lots of tears and wine, but what helped me the most was having good friends to lean on and talk to and vent with. They helped me at my lowest points with this book, and encouraged me to keep going. I’m convinced the book wouldn’t exist at all without their support.

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

My two personal favorite characters to write are Taesia and Angelica. They encompass a lot of anger in this story, and their personalities always shine through in ways that make me grin. With Taesia it’s more because she’s funny and chaotic, and Angelica is just a mean girl hiding a more awkward girl underneath. Needless to say, the chapter where they have to team up was one of the most fun to write.

The City of Dusk is your first adult fantasy novel. Did you approach writing this work any differently in comparison to your YA releases?

Funnily enough, I grew up wanting to be an adult fantasy author. I’ve written a lot more books than I’ve actually sold/had published, and the majority of them are adult, so while The City of Dusk is my adult debut, it wasn’t the first I wrote.

Since I ended up publishing YA first, I got into a certain mindset with my writing that I had to try and forget while drafting and revising The City of Dusk. My intention from the beginning was to have this be crossover—aka, an adult book with YA crossover appeal. However, with an adult book I got to do a lot more heavy worldbuilding, include darker/more violent elements, and have the characters already know enough about their world to know how they want to change it.

What’s next for you?

Revising book two! Other than that, the start of my next YA series, We Shall Be Monsters—an Indian fantasy inspired by Frankenstein—comes out next year with Penguin.

Lastly, do you have any 2022 book recommendations for our readers?

Absolutely: The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman, A Thousand Steps Into Night by Traci Chee, Wild and Wicked Things by Francesca May, Vows of Empire by Emily Skrutskie…and though I haven’t read it yet (unless anyone has an ARC to give me…?) Nona the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir is one of my most highly anticipated, as well as Babel by R.F. Kuang and The Oleander Sword by Tasha Suri (sequel to The Jasmine Throne).

 Will you be picking up The City of Dusk? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Tara Sim, Author of ‘The City of Dusk’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Sundial by Catriona Ward
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Sundial is a new, twisty psychological horror novel from Catriona Ward, internationally bestselling author of The Last House on Needless Street.

My Darling Husband by Kimberly Belle
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Bestselling author of Dear Wife and The Marriage Lie, Kimberly Belle returns with her most heart-pounding thriller to date, as a masked home invader reveals the cracks in a marriage.

Blood Scion by Deborah Falaye
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The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
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The much-acclaimed viral sensation from Olivie Blake, The Atlas Six—now newly revised and edited with additional content, is a dark academic debut fantasy with an established cult following that reads like The Secret History meets The Umbrella Academy.

The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen
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The Golden Couple is the next electrifying novel from Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, the #1 New York Times bestselling author duo behind You Are Not Alone, An Anonymous Girl, and The Wife Between Us.

Lakelore by Anna Marie McLemore
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In this young adult novel by award-winning author Anna-Marie McLemore, two non-binary teens are pulled into a magical world under a lake – but can they keep their worlds above water intact?

The Bone Orchard by Sara A. Mueller
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Sara A. Mueller’s The Bone Orchard is a fascinating whodunit set in a lush, gothic world of secrets and magic–where a dying emperor charges his favorite concubine with solving his own murder, and preventing the culprit, which undoubtedly is one of his three terrible sons, from taking control of an empire.

A Novel Obsession by Caitlin Barasch
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A wry and bold debut novel, which is at once an irresistible catastrophe waiting to happen and an unflinching exploration of how we narrate the stories of our lives, as an aspiring novelist finds herself stalking—and writing about—her boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend.

The City of Dusk by Tara Sim
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Set in a gorgeous world of bone and shadow magic, of vengeful gods and defiant chosen ones, The City of Dusk is the first in a dark epic fantasy trilogy that follows the four heirs of four noble houses—each gifted with a divine power—as they form a tenuous alliance to keep their kingdom from descending into a realm-shattering war.

The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St James
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A true crime blogger gets more than she bargained for while interviewing the woman acquitted of two cold case slayings in this chilling new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Sun Down Motel.

Wingbearer by Marjorie Liu, illustrated by Teny Issakhanian
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From bestselling author Marjorie Liu and debut illustrator Teny Issakhanian comes the first in an epic new middle grade graphic novel series featuring a young girl who must stop a threat to her magical world – perfect for fans of Amulet.

The Lost Dreamer by Lizz Huerta
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A stunning YA fantasy inspired by ancient Mesoamerica, this gripping debut introduces us to a lineage of seers defiantly resisting the shifting patriarchal state that would see them destroyed―perfect for fans of Tomi Adeyemi and Sabaa Tahir.

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

The post March 2022 Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

After the last two years, readers are thoroughly enjoying jumping into a fantasy or sci-fi novel to escape the world, so 2022 holds many exciting books to look forward to! From new releases from the likes of Seanan McGuire, Tara Sim, John Scalzi, Jennifer Saint, Jonathan Maberry, and more, to those releasing their debut novel, there’s really something for everyone within this round up!

Read on to discover fantasy and sci-fi books releasing between the months of January and June and tell us in the comments below if you’re looking forward to any of them!

JANUARY

Engines of Empire by R. S. Ford
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This epic fantasy tells the tales of clashing Guilds, magic-fueled machines, intrigue and revolution—and the one family that stands between an empire’s salvation or destruction.

How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu
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For fans of Cloud Atlas and Station Eleven––Follow a cast of intricately linked characters over hundreds of years as humanity struggles to rebuild itself in the aftermath of a climate plague

Seven Mercies by Laura Lam and Elizabeth May
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The second book in a feminist space opera duology that follows the team of seven rebels who will free the galaxy from the ruthless Tholosian Empire–or die trying.

The Amber Crown by Jacey Bedford
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In this new epic fantasy, three societal outcasts must work together to fulfill the orders of a dead king’s ghost or risk their nation falling to a tyrant

Where The Drowned Girls Go by Seanan McGuire
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Welcome to the Whitethorn Institute. The first step is always admitting you need help, and you’ve already taken that step by requesting a transfer into our company.

Servant Mage by Kate Elliott
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In Kate Elliott’s Servant Mage, a lowly fire mage finds herself entangled in an empire-spanning conspiracy on her way to discovering her true power.

Obsidian by Sarah J. Daley
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Defying those who think her an abomination, Shade wears her tattoos openly and carries obsidian blades at her hips. For years, she has protected the outcast clans who wander the blighted Wastes, but the land is growing more unstable and her blades are no longer enough.

The Starless Crown by James Rollins
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An alliance embarks on a dangerous journey to uncover the secrets of the distant past and save their world in this captivating, deeply visionary adventure from #1 New York Times bestselling thriller-master James Rollins.

Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
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A captivating debut fantasy inspired by the legend of the Chinese moon goddess, Chang’e , in which a young woman’s quest to free her mother pits her against the most powerful immortal in the realm and sets her on a dangerous path—where choices come with deadly consequences, and she risks losing more than her heart.

Battle of the Linguist Mages by Scotto Moore
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In modern day Los Angeles, a shadowy faction led by the Governor of California develops the arcane art of combat linguistics, planting the seeds of a future totalitarian empire in Scotto Moore’s Battle of the Linguist Mages.

Light Years From Home by Mike Chen
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The perfect combination of action, imagination and heart, Light Years from Home is a touching drama about a challenge as difficult as saving the galaxy: making peace with your family…and yourself.

The Unfamiliar Garden by Benjamin Percy
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FEBRUARY

A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross
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House of Earth and Blood meets The Witch’s Heart in Rebecca Ross’s brilliant first adult fantasy, set on the magical isle of Cadence where two childhood enemies must team up to discover why girls are going missing from their clan.

Last Exit by Max Gladstone
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Fresh from winning the Hugo and Nebula Awards, Max Gladstone weaves elements of American myth—the muscle car, the open road, the white-hatted cowboy—into Last Exit, a deeply emotional tale where his characters must find their own truths if they are to survive.

Clean Air by Sarah Blake
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Suspenseful and startling, but also written with a wry, observant humor, Clean Air is the second novel from poet Sarah Blake, author of the award-winning literary debut Naamah. It will appeal to readers of The Need, The Leftovers, and Fever Dream as it probes motherhood, grief, control, and choice.

Dead Collections by Isaac Fellman
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A whirlwind romance between an eccentric archivist and a grieving widow explores what it means to be at home in your own body in this clever, humorous, and heartfelt novel.

Scorpica: The Five Queendoms by G.R. Macallister
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A centuries-long peace is shattered in a matriarchal society when a decade passes without a single girl being born in this sweeping epic fantasy that’s perfect for fans of Robin Hobb and Circe.

The Paradox Hotel by Rob Hart
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At once a dazzlingly time-twisting murder mystery and a story about grief, memory, and what it means to—literally—come face-to-face with our ghosts, The Paradox Hotel is another unforgettable speculative thrill ride from acclaimed author Rob Hart.

The Justice of Kings by Richard Swan
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From a major new debut author in epic fantasy comes the first book in a trilogy where action, intrigue, and magic collide. The Justice of Kings introduces an unforgettable protagonist destined to become a fantasy icon: Sir Konrad Vonvalt, an Emperor’s Justice, who is a detective, judge, and executioner all in one. But these are dangerous times to be a Justice…. 

Dead Silence by S.A. Barnes
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Titanic meets The Shining in S.A. Barnes’ Dead Silence, a SF horror novel in which a woman and her crew board a decades-lost luxury cruiser and find the wreckage of a nightmare that hasn’t yet ended.

Redwood and Wildfire by Andrea Hairston
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Andrea Hairston’s alternate history adventure, Redwood and Wildfire, is the winner of the Otherwise Award and the Carl Brandon Kindred Award.

Reclaim the Stars: 17 Tales Across Realms & Space
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Reclaim the Stars is a collection of bestselling and acclaimed YA authors that take the Latin American diaspora to places fantastical and out of this world. Authors include Daniel José Older, Yamile Saied Méndez, Anna-Marie McLemore, Mark Oshiro, Romina Garber, David Bowles, Lilliam Rivera, Claribel Ortega, Isabel Ibañez, Sara Faring, Maya Motayne, Nina Moreno, Vita Ayala, J.C. Cervantes, Circe Moskowitz, Linda Nieves Pérez, and Zoraida Córdova. 

Hunt the Stars by Jessie Mihalik
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The critically acclaimed author of Polaris Rising takes readers on an exciting journey with the start of her brand-new series about a female bounty hunter and the man who is her sworn enemy.

Mickey7 by Edward Ashton
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The Martian meets Dark Matter in Edward Ashton’s high concept science fiction thriller, in which Mickey7, an “expendable,” refuses to let his replacement clone Mickey8 take his place.

MARCH

The Bone Orchard by Sara A. Mueller
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Sara A. Mueller’s The Bone Orchard is a fascinating whodunit set in a lush, gothic world of secrets and magic–where a dying emperor charges his favorite concubine with solving his own murder, and preventing the culprit, which undoubtedly is one of his three terrible sons, from taking control of an empire.

The City of Dusk by Tara Sim
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Set in a gorgeous world of bone and shadow magic, of vengeful gods and defiant chosen ones, The City of Dusk is the first in a dark epic fantasy trilogy that follows the four heirs of four noble houses—each gifted with a divine power—as they form a tenuous alliance to keep their kingdom from descending into a realm-shattering war.

The Way Spring Arrives and Other Stories: A Collection of Chinese Science Fiction and Fantasy in Translation
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From an award-winning team of authors, editors, and translators comes a groundbreaking short story collection that explores the expanse of Chinese science fiction and fantasy.

Comeuppance Served Cold by Marion Deeds
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A respected magus and city leader intent on criminalizing Seattle’s most vulnerable magickers hires a young woman as a lady’s companion to curb his rebellious daughter’s outrageous behavior.

A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin
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Judy I. Lin’s sweeping debut A Magic Steeped in Poison, first in a duology, is sure to enchant fans of Adrienne Young and Leigh Bardugo.

The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd
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From the critically acclaimed author of The Book of M, a highly imaginative thriller about a young woman who discovers that a strange map in her deceased father’s belongings holds an incredible, deadly secret—one that will lead her on an extraordinary adventure and to the truth about her family’s dark history. 

The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi
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The Kaiju Preservation Society is John Scalzi’s first standalone adventure since the conclusion of his New York Times bestselling Interdependency trilogy.

Kundo Wakes Up by Saad Hossain
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In this standalone follow-up to the fan favorite The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday Saad Z. Hossain continues to mix futurism with fable, and shows how strange our lives might become.

Until the Last of Me by Sylvain Neuvel
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A darkly satirical thriller, as seen through the eyes of the women who sacrifice all to make progress possible and the men who are determined to stop them.

Edgewood by Kristen Ciccarelli
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Haunting and romantic, Kristen Ciccarelli’s Edgewood is an exciting novel from a bold, unforgettable voice in fantasy.

Wild and Wicked Things by Francesca May
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In the aftermath of World War I, a naive woman is swept into a glittering world filled with dark magic, romance, and murder in this lush and decadent debut.

The War of Two Queens by Jennifer L. Armentrout
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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes book four in her Blood and Ash series.

APRIL

God of Neverland by Gama Ray Martinez
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In this magical re-imagining of J. M. Barrie’s classic tale, Michael Darling—the youngest of the Darling siblings and former Lost Boy, now all grown up—must return to the life he left behind to save Neverland from the brink of collapse and keep humanity safe from magical and mythological threats, as well as answer the ultimate question: Where is Peter Pan?

In a Garden Burning Gold by Rory Power
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Twins imbued with incredible magic and near-immortality will do anything to keep their family safe—even if it tears the siblings apart—in the first book of a mythic epic fantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of Wilder Girls.

The Blood Trials by N.E. Davenport
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Blending fantasy and science fiction, N. E. Davenport’s fast-paced, action-packed debut kicks off a duology of loyalty and rebellion, in which a young Black woman must survive deadly trials in a racist and misogynistic society to become an elite warrior.

Aspects by John M. Ford
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In the years before his unexpected death, John M. Ford wrote a novel of fantasy and magic unlike any other. Politics and abdicated kings, swords and sorcerous machine guns, divination and ancient empires―finally, Aspects is here.

Spear by Nicola Griffith
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The legendary author of Hild returns with an unforgettable hero and a queer Arthurian masterpiece for the modern era. Nicola Griffith’s Spear is a spellbinding vision of the Camelot we’ve longed for, a Camelot that belongs to us all.

Flint and Mirror by John Crowley
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From award-winning author John Crowley comes a novel that masterfully blends history and magic in Flint and Mirror.

Fevered Star by Rebecca Roanhorse
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Return to The Meridian with New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Roanhorse’s sequel to the most critically hailed epic fantasy of 2020 Black Sun—finalist for the Hugo, Nebula, Lambda, and Locus awards.

The Discord of Gods by Jenn Lyons
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The Discord of Gods marks the epic conclusion to Jenn Lyons’s Chorus of Dragons series, closing out the saga that began with The Ruin of Kings, for fans of Brandon Sanderson and Patrick Rothfuss.

The Memory Librarian by Janelle Monáe
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In The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer, singer-songwriter, actor, fashion icon, activist, and worldwide superstar Janelle Monáe brings to the written page the Afrofuturistic world of one of her critically acclaimed albums, exploring how different threads of liberation—queerness, race, gender plurality, and love—become tangled with future possibilities of memory and time in such a totalitarian landscape…and what the costs might be when trying to unravel and weave them into freedoms.

Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher
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With her signature mix of the grim and the delightful, award-winning author T. Kingfisher takes the old bones of fantasy and fairytale and makes them into something entirely new in this enchanting adventure.

Saint Death’s Daughter by C.S.E. Cooney
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Perfect for fans of Gideon the Ninth and The Ten Thousand Doors of January, Saint Death’s Daughter is the first novel in a new trilogy about love, coming-of-age and strangeness.

Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel
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A stunning debut from a powerful new voice, Kaikeyi reimagines the life of the infamous queen from the Indian epic the Ramayana, weaving a tale of fate, family, courage, and heartbreak—of an extraordinary woman determined to leave her mark in a world where gods and men dictate the shape of things to come.

MAY

Elektra by Jennifer Saint
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A spellbinding reimagining of the story of Elektra, one of Greek mythology’s most infamous heroines, from Jennifer Saint, the author of the beloved international bestseller, Ariadne.

The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez
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Two warriors shepherd an ancient god across a broken land to end the tyrannical reign of a royal family in this new epic fantasy from the author of The Vanished Birds.

Kagen the Damned by Jonathan Maberry
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The Witcher meets Game of Thrones in New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Maberry’s brilliant new fantasy series, Kagen the Damned.

Seasonal Fears by Seanan McGuire
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From New York Times bestselling author Seanan McGuire, Seasonal Fears is the extraordinary companion novel to Middlegame.

Under Fortunate Stars by Ren Hutchings
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Under Fortunate Stars is a modern, progressive homage to classic space opera stories, with flawed heroes and time travel.

All the Seas of the World by Guy Gavriel Kay
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Returning triumphantly to the brilliantly evoked near-Renaissance world of A Brightness Long Ago and Children of Earth and Sky, international bestselling author Guy Gavriel Kay deploys his signature ‘quarter turn to the fantastic’ to tell a story of vengeance, power, and love.  

The Ghosts of Rose Hill by R.M. Romero
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With spellbinding verse prose, R.M. Romero channels the spirit of myth into a brilliantly original tale, inspired by her experiences restoring Jewish cemeteries in Eastern Europe.

Siren Queen by Nghi Vo
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Heroic Hearts edited by Jim Butcher & Kerrie Hughes
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An all-star urban fantasy collection featuring short stories from #1 New York Times bestselling authors Jim Butcher, Patricia Briggs, Charlaine Harris, Kelley Armstrong, and more . . .

The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah
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Inspired by stories from One Thousand and One Nights, The Stardust Thief weaves the gripping tale of a legendary smuggler, a cowardly prince, and a dangerous quest across the desert to find a legendary, magical lamp.

Second Spear by Kerstin Hall
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Kerstin Hall’s Second Spear is the thrilling follow-up to the Nommo Award finalist, The Border Keeper.

A Game of Retribution by Scarlett St. Clair
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Become enchanted by the fantasy world of gods and mortals in bestselling author Scarlett St. Clair’s reimagined New Greece. Readers are “hopelessly addicted” to the story of Hades and Persephone told from Hades’s point of view.

JUNE

Rise of the Snake Goddess by Jenny Elder Moke
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Samantha Knox is back for another adventure in this 1920s female-driven mystery-adventure series!

Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid
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From highly acclaimed bestselling author Ava Reid comes a gothic horror retelling of The Juniper Tree, set in another time and place within the world of The Wolf and the Woodsman, where a young witch seeks to discover her identity and escape the domination of her wizard father, perfect for fans of Shirley Jackson and Catherynne M. Valente.

For the Throne by Hannah F. Whitten
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Red’s sister Neve is trapped in a mysterious land of twisted roots, lost gods, and mountains made of bone, and the only clues to her rescue are a magic mirror and a dark prince who wants to bring the whole thing crumbling down. 

In the Shadow of Lightning by Brian McClellan
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From Brian McClellan, author of The Powder Mage, comes In the Shadow of Lightning, a brand-new epic fantasy where magic is a finite resource—and it’s running out.

The Ballad of Perilous Graves by Alex Jennings
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In a fantastical version of New Orleans where music is magic, a battle for the city’s soul brews between two young mages, a vengeful wraith, and one powerful song in this vibrant and imaginative debut. 

A Mirror Mended by Alix E. Harrow
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A Mirror Mended is the next installment in USA Today bestselling author Alix E. Harrow’s Fractured Fables series.

Ordinary Monsters by J.M. Miro
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A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland
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The Goblin Emperor meets “Magnificent Century” in Alexandra Rowland’s A Taste of Gold and Iron, where a queer central romance unfolds in a fantasy world reminiscent of the Ottoman Empire.

Wrath Goddess Sing by Maya Deane
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Drawing on ancient texts and modern archeology to reveal the trans woman’s story hidden underneath the well-known myths of The Iliad, Maya Deane’s Wrath Goddess Sing weaves a compelling, pitilessly beautiful vision of Achilles’ vanished world, perfect for fans of Song of Achilles and the Inheritance trilogy.

Soul Taken by Patricia Briggs
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Mercy Thompson, car mechanic and shapeshifter, must face her greatest fears in this chilling entry in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.

The City Inside by Samit Basu
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The City Inside, a near-future epic by the internationally celebrated Samit Basu, pulls no punches as it comes for your anxieties about society, government, the environment, and our world at large—yet never loses sight of the hopeful potential of the future.

Locklands by Robert Jackson Bennett
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A god wages war—using all of humanity as its pawns—in the unforgettable conclusion to the Founders trilogy.

What 2022 fantasy and sci-fi book releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Fantasy & Sci-Fi Book Releases To Devour In 2022 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

2022 is promising to bring some truly delightful and thematically unheard of queer releases our way and we’re excited to dive right in once it’s January! From a thrilling fairytale retelling that’s pitched as Sleeping Thorns meets Indiana Jones, a 1920s-inspired story in which magic can be consumed like a drink, all the way to countless queer debuts and Casey McQuiston’s highly anticipated YA debut, we’ve compiled all the releases with LGBTQIAP+ representation you won’t want to miss out on in 2022!

Looking for more releases? Check out our Most Anticipated 2022 Releases and our 2022 YA Book Releases lists!

JANUARY

Icebreaker by A.L. Graziadei
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Icebreaker is an irresistible YA debut about two hockey players fighting to be the best—and the romance that catches them by surprise along the way. This is a story about falling in love, finding your team (on and off the ice), and choosing your own path.

The Bone Spindle by Leslie Vedder
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Sleeping Beauty meets Indiana Jones in this thrilling fairytale retelling for fans of Sorcery of Thorns and All the Stars and Teeth. Set in a lush world inspired by beloved fairytales, The Bone Spindle is a fast-paced young adult fantasy full of adventure, romance, found family, and snark.

To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara
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From the author of the classic A Little Life, a bold, brilliant novel spanning three centuries and three different versions of the American experiment, about lovers, family, loss and the elusive promise of utopia.

The Temperature of Me and You by Brian Zepka
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Sixteen-year-old Dylan Highmark thought his winter was going to be full of boring shifts at the Dairy Queen, until he finds himself in love with a boy who’s literally too hot to handle.

Love Somebody by Rachel Roasek
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A sparkling YA debut rom-com about a popular high-school girl, her ex-boyfriend-turned-best-friend, and the girl they both fall for—perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli or Casey McQuiston.

Love and Other Disasters by Anita Kelly
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The first openly nonbinary contestant on America’s favorite cooking show falls for their clumsy competitor in this delicious romantic comedy debut “that is both fantastically fun and crack your heart wide open vulnerable.” (Rosie Danan, author of The Roommate)

FEBRUARY

Ophelia After All by Racquel Marie
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A teen girl navigates friendship drama, the end of high school, and discovering her queerness in Ophelia After All.

Forward March by Skye Quinlan
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What’s worse? Someone using your face for catfishing or realizing you actually do have a crush on the catfished girl? Forward March is a love letter to band geeks and figuring out your identity.

Fire Becomes Her by Rosiee Thor
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In Rosiee Thor’s lavish fantasy novel with a Jazz Age spark, a politically savvy teen must weigh her desire to climb the social ladder against her heart in a world where magic buys votes.

No Filter and Other Lies by Crystal Maldonado
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Twenty one-year-old Max Monroe has it all: beauty, friends, and a glittering life filled with adventure. With tons of followers on Instagram, her picture-perfect existence seems eminently enviable. Except it’s all fake. When one of Max’s posts goes ultra-viral and gets back to the very person she’s been stealing photos from, her entire world – real and fake — comes crashing down around her.

The Alpha’s Son by Penny Jessup
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Max Remus couldn’t care less about finding his mate—unlike the rest of his fate-obsessed pack. Netflix’s Young Royals meets Teen Wolf meets Twilight––the first instalment in a thrilling new series, The Alpha’s Son is a heart-wrenching wolf shifter romance; full of yearning, comedy, and adventure.

Golden Boys by Phil Stamper
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National bestselling author Phil Stamper crafts the perfect summer friendship story, starring four queer boys with big hearts and even bigger dreams. Following four friends who’ve been by each other’s side for most of their lives, the question is whether their summer apart will bring new experiences – or a stop to their seemingly unbreakable bond.

MARCH

This Is Why They Hate Us by Aaron H. Aceves
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This fun, irreverent summer romp is Netflix’s Never Have I Ever meets What If It’s Us about a high school senior determined to get over his unrequited feelings for his best friend by getting under someone else.

All That’s Left in the World by Erik J. Brown
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What If It’s Us meets Life as We Knew It in this postapocalyptic, queer YA adventure romance from debut author Erik J. Brown. Perfect for fans of Adam Silvera and Alex London. When Andrew stumbles upon Jamie’s house, he’s injured, starved, and has nothing left to lose. A deadly pathogen has killed off most of the world’s population, including everyone both boys have ever loved. And if this new world has taught them anything, it’s to be scared of what other desperate people will do . .. so why does it seem so easy for them to trust each other?

One for All by Lillie Lainoff
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An OwnVoices, gender-bent retelling of The Three Musketeers, in which a girl with a chronic illness trains as a Musketeer and uncovers secrets, sisterhood, and self-love.

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

Right Where I Left You by Julian Winters
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Kacen Callender meets Becky Albertalli in a deliciously geeky best friends-to lovers romance from award-winning author Julian Winters! Following two best friends who are about to leave for separate colleges and want to get the most out of the limited time they have left together, a crush threatens to shake up their unbreakable relationship.

Wild and Wicked Things by Francesca May
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In the aftermath of World War I, a naive woman is swept into a glittering world filled with dark magic, romance, and murder in this lush and decadent debut.

So This Is Ever After by F.T. Lukens
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Carry On meets Arthurian legend in this funny, subversive young adult fantasy about what happens after the chosen one wins the kingdom and has to get married to keep it…and to stay alive.

The Circus Infinite by Khan Wong
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Hunted by those who want to study his gravity powers, Jes makes his way to the best place for a mixed-species fugitive to blend in: the pleasure moon where everyone just wants to be lost in the party. It doesn’t take long for him to catch the attention of the crime boss who owns the resort-casino where he lands a circus job, and when the boss gets wind of the bounty on Jes’ head, he makes an offer: do anything and everything asked of him or face vivisection.

A Million Quiet Revolutions by Robin Gow
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A modern love story told in verse, this contemporary YA novel is about two trans boys who write each other letters, inspired by trans soldiers who were in love during the Revolutionary War—perfect for fans of The Poet X, Darius the Great is Not Okay, and Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe.

And they Lived… by Steven Salvatore
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From the author of Can’t Take That Away comes a sex-positive, fairytale-inspired YA novel that celebrates first love and self-acceptance, perfect for fans of What If It’s Us.

The City of Dusk by Tara Sim
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Set in a gorgeous world of bone and shadow magic, of vengeful gods and defiant chosen ones, The City of Dusk is the first in a dark epic fantasy trilogy that follows the four heirs of four noble houses—each gifted with a divine power—as they form a tenuous alliance to keep their kingdom from descending into a realm-shattering war.

Lakelore by Anna-Marie McLemore
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In this young adult novel by award-winning author Anna-Marie McLemore, two non-binary teens are pulled into a magical world under a lake – but can they keep their worlds above water intact?

APRIL

Blaine for the Win by Robbie Couch
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After being dumped so his boyfriend can pursue more “serious” guys, a teen boy decides to prove he can be serious, too, by running for senior class president in this joyful romp from the author of The Sky Blues.

The Drowning Summer by Christine Lynn Herman
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A gorgeously atmospheric contemporary fantasy by the author of The Devouring Gray and The Deck of Omens. Beautifully written and just the right amount witchy, The Drowning Summer is a deliciously eerie story perfect for reading under a full moon.

She Gets the Girl by Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick
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She’s All That meets What If It’s Us in this swoon-worthy hate-to-love YA romantic comedy from #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of Five Feet Apart Rachael Lippincott and debut writer Alyson Derrick.

In the Key of Us by Mariama J. Lockington
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From the author of For Black Girls Like Me, which received five starred reviews and multiple accolades, comes a middle-grade novel about first love, loss, and letting go. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, Andi is grappling with grief following the death of her mother. Zora is exhausted by trying to please her success-oriented parents. Both feel very much alone. Until a summer music camp brings them together.

Nothing Burns as Bright as You by Ashley Woodfolk
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Two girls. One wild and reckless day. Years of a tumultuous history unspooling like thin, fraying string in the hours after they set a fire. It starts with a fire. How will it end? From acclaimed author Ashley Woodfolk comes an impassioned story about queer love, loss, and the complexity of female friendship.

Sofi and the Bone Song by Adrienne Tooley
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In this gorgeous, queer standalone fantasy, a young musician sets out to expose her rival for illegal use of magic only to discover the deception goes deeper than she could have imagined—perfect for fans of An Enchantment of Ravens!

MAY

A Little Bit Country by Brian D. Kennedy
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Dumplin’ meets Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda in this heartfelt and funny LGBTQ+ contemporary romance about two teen boys who fall in love against the backdrop of a fictional Dollywood-esque amusement park. A pitch perfect next read for fans of Phil Stamper, Julie Murphy, and David Levithan.

Out of the Blue by Jason June
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This sophomore novel from Jason June dives into the many definitions of the world home and shows how love can help us find the truest versions of ourselves. Following dual POVs, his romcom asks if romantic love is enough to conquer your way of life and questions everything you’ve grown up believing in.

Milo and Marcos at the End of the World by Kevin Christopher Snipes
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From debut author Kevin Christopher Snipes, Milo and Marcos at the End of the World is a new coming-of-age novel about finding the courage not only to love others but also to love ourselves.

Café con Lychee by Emery Lee
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In this delectable enemies-to-lovers YA rom-com from the author of Meet Cute Diary, the sons of two families with rival shops find themselves working together to compete with the new café that opened in town. A perfect fit for fans of Julian Winters and Casey McQuiston.

I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston
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From the New York Times bestselling author of One Last Stop and Red, White & Royal Blue comes a debut YA romantic comedy about chasing down what you want, only to find what you need…Fierce, funny, and frank, Casey McQuiston’s I Kissed Shara Wheeler is about breaking the rules, getting messy, and finding love in unexpected places.

Flip the Script by Lyla Lee
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The first rule of watching K-dramas: Never fall in love with the second lead. I’ll Be the One author Lyla Lee delivers a simmering, joyous novel that flips the script on K-drama love triangles. When a Korean American actress is asked by producers to fake date her male costar, the last thing she expects is to fall in love with her female romantic competitor on the show.

If You Change Your Mind by Robby Weber
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For fans of Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli, this heartfelt m/m rom-com by bookstagrammer Robby Weber stars a jaded aspiring screenwriter who resists love only to find himself surrounded by suspiciously happy couples, his ex-boyfriend, and an intriguing new boy. In this hilarious debut novel, an aspiring screenwriter learns sometimes love has its own script.

Just Your Local Bisexual Disaster by Andrea Mosqueda
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In this voice-driven young adult debut by Andrea Mosqueda, Maggie Gonzalez needs a date to her sister’s quinceañera – and fast.

The Fae Keeper by H.E. Edgmon
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In the heart-stopping sequel to The Witch King, Wyatt and Emyr attempt to rebuild Asalin despite unexpected new enemies within their kingdom. As Wyatt struggles to learn control of his magic and balance his own needs with the needs of a kingdom, he must finally decide on the future he wants—before he loses the future he and Emyr are building…

The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes
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Told in a captivating voice that is by turns hilarious, vulnerable, and searingly honest, The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School explores the joys and heartaches of living your full truth out loud.

The Many Half-Lived Lives of Sam Sylvester by Maya MacGregor
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In this queer contemporary YA mystery, a nonbinary teen with autism realizes they must not only solve a 30-year-old mystery but also face the demons lurking in their past in order to live a satisfying life.

Melt With You by Jennifer Dugan
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From the author of Hot Dog Girl comes a sweet and salty queer YA rom-com about two girls on a summer road trip in an ice cream truck.

JUNE

Epically Earnest by Molly Horan
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In this delightfully romantic LGBTQ+ comedy-of-errors inspired by Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, a high school senior works up the courage to ask her long-time crush to prom all while deciding if she should look for her bio family.

This Wicked Fate by Kalynn Bayron
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How much would you risk to save the ones you love? Would you tempt even the most dangerous fate? Bestselling author Kalynn Bayron continues the story of Briseis and her family’s deadly magic in the sequel to This Poison Heart with more heartache, more death and more magic.

The Loophole by Naz Kutub
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Your wish is granted! This YA debut is equal parts broken-hearted love story, epic myth retelling, and a world-journey romp to find home. A queer Indian-Muslim boy named Syyed travels the world for a second chance at love after a possibly magical heiress grants him three wishes.

Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White
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A furious, queer debut novel about embracing the monster within and unleashing its power against your oppressors. Perfect for fans of Gideon the Ninth and Annihilation. Sixteen-year-old trans boy Benji is on the run from the cult that raised him—the fundamentalist sect that unleashed Armageddon and decimated the world’s population. Desperately, he searches for a place where the cult can’t get their hands on him, or more importantly, on the bioweapon they infected him with.

Home Field Advantage by Dahlia Adler
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In this sweet and funny new f/f romance from the author of Cool for the Summer, a cheerleader and the school’s newest quarterback are playing to win, but might lose their hearts in the process.

We All Fall Down by Rose Szabo
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The first book in a dark fantasy YA duology by the author of What Big Teeth, about the power and danger of stories and the untold costs of keeping magic alive, perfect for fans of Aiden Thomas and Marie Rutkoski.

Stay tuned for our July to December round up which will be released around mid-2022!

What queer releases are you looking forward to picking up in 2022? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Must-Have 2022 Queer Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Having fled Moray, Amaya, and Cayo, along with their friends, make their way to Baleine to track down the origins of the counterfeit money that is causing Ash Fever and find those responsible. But deep distrust between Amaya and Cayo threatens their work and with the plague growing day by day, the stakes are higher than they’ve ever been. The two must find a way to work with each other to stop their world from being ravaged by plague and greed.

There is a blessing and a curse when it comes to duologies. On one hand, it is easier to stay engaged in the story when we don’t have to wait 3+ years to get to the finale. On the other hand, the second book in the duology can end up overstuffed with story because it is doing the work of what would typically be books 2 and 3 in the average YA trilogy. Ravage the Dark, the second and final book in Tara Sim’s Scavenge the Stars duology, mostly avoids the duology pitfall. Mostly.

Starting with the really good, Tara Sim excels in her worldbuilding here. It’s not hard to imagine the world she writes about and everything in the story helped build up the world in a way that felt deep, yet effortless. While not the most unique world ever seen in a YA story, Sim brings a flair all her own and adds the right amount of intrigue to keep readers hooked.

Another point of excellence in Ravage the Dark is the characters and their development. Amaya and Cayo, in particular, grow in a way that isn’t seen much in YA these days. From the start of the duology, you knew these two broken characters were meant for each other, but in Ravage, much of their growing relationship is fractured from distrust. And while a good amount of the story in Ravage is about fixing that distrust, it never feels like the plot hinges on their budding romance. The romance is there, but it is so backburnered, that it just provides a pleasant warmth to a dark and gritty story.

Sim takes care with her secondary characters as well, bringing Liesl and Remy into the forefront throughout the story. Another interesting character focus is on Boone and Kamon. Unravelling the whole truth of the past and how the Ash Fever came to be sets the tone for Ravage and seeing how both men are entwined in that kept the plot intriguing.

The stumbling bit of Ravage is the pacing. Where Scavenge the Stars had the momentum of Amaya’s deception and revenge, this novel feels pulled in so many directions that it is hard to stay fully invested. The bulk of the story is our crew finding a lead in their search for the true origins of Ash Fever and then having it not pan out. And then they find another lead…and it doesn’t pan out. It never felt like the characters were truly moving forward until about 60% through the story. Then we get the shocking plot twists and revelations that bring us to the culmination of the story. But at times, it can feel like getting there took a while.

Though I don’t want to discount all that happened in the first half of the book. As mentioned earlier, the second book in a duology has to do a lot of heavy lifting, and Sim certainly put a lot of weight into her story. From Liesl’s search for her sister, to Cayo growing past his playboy ways, there is a lot of emotional ground covered in the beginning of this book. But the consequence of that is a slower start and a rushed ending.

And while the ending may feel a bit quick, it certainly closes out the duology in a satisfying way. Ravage the Dark holds a lot within its pages and there is much for the readers to sink their teeth into. Pacing issues aside, Ravage the Dark will give readers a world and characters they can get lost in. And at the end of the day, that’s what makes a book a truly good read.

Ravage the Dark is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.

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

Synopsis | Goodreads

For seven long years, while she was imprisoned on a debtor’s ship, Amaya Chandra had one plan: to survive. But now, survival is not enough. She has people counting on her; counting on her for protection, for leadership, for vengeance. And after escaping Moray by the skin of her teeth, she’s determined to track down the man who betrayed her and her friends.

Cayo Mercado has lost everything: his money, his father, his reputation. Everything except his beloved sister. But he’s well on his way to losing her, too, with no way to afford the treatment for her deadly illness. In a foreign empire also being consumed by ash fever, Cayo has no choice but to join Amaya in uncovering the mystery of the counterfeit currency, the fever, and how his father was involved in their creation. But Cayo still hasn’t forgiven Amaya for her earlier deception, and their complicated feelings for each other are getting harder and harder to ignore.

Through glittering galas, dazzling trickery, and thrilling heists, Cayo and Amaya will learn that the corruption in Moray goes far deeper than they know, and in the end the only people they can trust are each other.

Step into an opulent world filled with risk, romance, and revenge and find out whether two unlikely heroes can save the world and stop corruption.

The post Review: Ravage The Dark by Tara Sim appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

One of the best things that has happened in the bookish world over the past couple of years is the boom in diverse fantasy and I am so here for it! As a huge supporter of #weneeddiversebooks, I’m here to shake you hard, call upon you gently, and shove these books in your face in an attempt to make you read these wonderfully diverse YA fantasy novels!

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
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Set in an alternate 1800s Paris, The Gilded Wolves features a complex magic system and an incredible history! The writing is delectable and readers will be a nervous trainwreck throughout the whirlwind of robberies, heists, and constant danger. Doesn’t that sound fun?

Still unconvinced? Well the book also features a group of disaster children who come together to be an adorable but found family. Bonus point is there is diversity here, there, and everywhere. There is an Indian dancer with a hidden ability, an autistic Jewish prodigy with ambitions of her own, a chaotic bisexual Slytherin, and a Filipino/Spanish bisexual history geek. Can you hear my heart explode with happiness?

Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo
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There are badass females, wonderfully written female friendships, dialogues with 300% sass, and action scenes that will make the reader jump around!

Leigh Bardugo being an absolute queen can write so much diversity into a single book and not have it feel like diversity for the sake of ticking the boxes. The Amazonians themselves are so wonderfully diverse. Then there’s Alia who has a Greek father and an African-American mother, Nim has Indian roots and is bi, and Theo is a nerdy Mediterranean guy who is just so endearing.

As the rule is with any Bardugo book, this book will make you laugh, cry, and all the while root for the lovely band of misfits.

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker
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Mooncakes is a perfect mix of magic, witchcraft, casual diversity, warm fuzzy feels, and adorable art. Books with modern witches are the aesthetic the whole of Tumblr is screaming for. The lovely graphic novel delivers all that and more; the cherry on the top being the beautiful art.

The main character Nova is Chinese-American, queer, and lives with her badass and super sweet grandmothers who are a couple. And they’re a family of witches! They run a bookshop that also sells witchcraft books. There are books that bite, archdemons, spell inventing, cute spirits in the forest, and more!

Tam is Nova’s non-binary Chinese-American crush from her childhood and they’re just super adorable and cute. Also Nova has a hearing disability and wears hearing aids and I loved how the book acknowledges the trouble she has with them.

Witches of Ash and Ruin by E. Latimer
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Here is another book with modern witches, but one that is a lot darker than Mooncakes. An urban fantasy with Celtic mythology, it mainly follows Dayna who suffers from somatic OCD as a result of being outed as bisexual in her conservative Irish town where her father is the Reverend.

Buying potion ingredients after school, discussing schoolwork while brewing potions, wearing good luck charms to school; the modern witch aesthetic speaks to my soul.

The story deals with a lot of different friendships and relationships; both good and bad and it has multiple morally grey characters making the character dynamics all the more interesting. It is a super diverse and witchy book replete with badass females, found families, and a fair share of mythology.

Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova
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Once again we have another witchy novel, this time with brujas, Deadthday celebrations, and magical lands between the dead and the living. Most, if not all, characters are PoC plus we have a bisexual protagonist and a lesbian main character.

There are so many characters in the story and each had their own voice, you could never mistake one for another. The imagery is beautiful and the world building is on point. The world of Labyrinth Lost is so interesting and complex that you’d get sucked in at page one, right off the bat.

It’s a well written wonderfully diverse story with memorable characters who’ll stay with you long after you’ve closed the book. If you love adventures across new realms and enjoy reading about sassy and interesting characters, this book is for you.

Otherbound by Corinne Duyvis
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Fun fact – the author, Corinne Duyvis, is the one who first came up with the term and the hashtag #OwnVoices on Twitter!

This book deserves applause for the beautifully diverse characters the author has created. There is so much racial, sexual, and ethnic diversity in this book, but this is not an “issue” book. This is a book with well-written characters who just happen to be wonderfully diverse.

Amara, the female protagonist is mute (due to having her tongue removed as a child). Nolan, the male protagonist, has a prosthetic leg and suffers from ‘seizures’ when he is sucked into Amara’s world. They are uniquely bound to each other despite living in two different worlds. The plot is about how they deal with this connection while also handling their respective problems in their own worlds.

Unique, diverse, and engaging, it’s a standalone that’s not to be missed.

Shadowshaper by Daniel José Older
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This is an urban fantasy about an artist finding out about her family’s magical history and trying to understand her powers. The best part of the book is undoubtedly the magic using which art can be brought to life.

Sierra Santiago finds the street art around her locality fading and moving, making her dig a little deeper into what happened to her grandfather all those years ago before he became almost comatose. There is Caribbean magic, Spanish customs, and all the diversity that comes with being in a cosmopolitan Brooklyn.

The book is fast-paced; like breakneck fast and the plot jumpstarts from literally the first line. It’s a solid first book introducing us to a diverse cast of characters, a wonderful magic system, and leaves readers asking for more.

Elysium Girls by Kate Pentecost
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A walled city surrounded by the desert of sand and steel, watched by Life and Death. That would be an underrated and simplistic way of describing it. Elysium is the city the two sisters, Life and Death are betting over. They are betting over it’s survival in the harshest conditions trying to tip the scales in their favour by using their wildcard.

Author Kate Pentecost plays with tropes, teases us with the idea of cliche tropes but before we can groan about it, she reinvents the whole trope and gives us something unique. There is Sal, the orphaned main character who is something of an outsider within Elysium. There is Asa, the demon in human form, something of a chosen one, a wildcard who appears pretty much out of nowhere at the Elysium. There is so much chance this could have been “orphan girl meets mysterious stranger boy and goes lovey eyed”. Readers almost expect that to happen but the brilliant story teller that is Pentecost turns it all around and if you want to know exactly what she does; READ. THE. BOOK.

Scavenge The Stars by Tara Sim
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Scavenge The Stars is a genderbent retelling of the Count of Monte Cristo! The protagonist Amaya is Indian and has been sold into servitude on a debtor ship but, when she accidentally rescues a stranger, she becomes entangled in a dark mystery; one that might just help her exact revenge for the way her family was wronged. The other protagonist, our hot mess Cayo is East Asian and as the author mentions in her mood board on Twitter; a chaotic bisexual.

Tara Sim takes a classic story and turns it into something altogether new. Scavenge the Stars may be a story of revenge, but it deals with so much more. If you love diverse characters, flawed protagonists, endearing secondary characters, and a dash of political intrigue, this is the book for you.

Dark and Deepest Red by Anna-Marie McLemore
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A retelling of both the age old fairytale Red Shoes and the very real historical epidemic of 1518’s dancing plague, this is a super unique and utterly enchanting story of prejudice, knowing your roots, and friendships.

The story switches between Strasbourg in 1518 and the current day, exactly five centuries later. In 1518, Lavinia and her little family fall under the suspicion of having caused the dancing plague and in the current day Rosella Oliva is stuck with red shoes that make her dance and won’t come off her feet.

As with all of Anna-Marie McLemore’s books, this too is beautifully diverse in every which way. Rosella and Emil in current day are dealing with their family histories and Romani culture in their own way while Lavinia and Alifair and dealing with being Romani and queer in 1518. The story deals with a lot – racism, oppression, and seclusion of those whom the society deems as “other”, but it also deals with staying true to who you are and standing up against a society that tries to erase you.

Have you read any of these books? Any diverse fantasy reads you would recommend? Tell us in the comments below!

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