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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
The explosive sequel to instant New York Times bestselling YA debut Infinity Alchemist by Kacen Callender.

Lady Knight by Amalie Howard

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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.

About This Dark Paradise: In this YA fantasy debut perfect for fans of Hotel Magnifique and These Violent Delights, a girl visits the enchanted island of her dreams only to discover that its magic is horribly cursed.

As an author, a frequently asked question I get is why I chose to write the book I did. And although I can give a more eloquent answer to that when needed, my answer boiled down to its most simplistic form is just: “I like creepy things, and I like girls.” I wanted to write a book for my teen self—a girl who’d loved fantasy as a kid but had moved onto an obsession with horror and who was into other girls but didn’t know yet that that is what those feelings were. So This Dark Paradise is a book that starts as a fantasy following con artist, Lucia, who poses as a tour guide to gain access to an exclusive enchanted island in order to steal its magic, but it quickly slips into horror when on the first day of her tour, she comes across a gruesome corpse and realizes there are sinister secrets at play on the seeming paradise. And on the romance side, Lucia knows she likes boys (her ex boyfriend, Antony, is from the island and is still around complicating her life and making her question her decision to end their relationship), but over the course of the story also discovers her attraction to girls in the form of her island host’s mysterious and alluring daughter, Calista.

When I started This Dark Paradise in 2017, there weren’t many YA books out there for a baby sapphic who loved horror. Luckily, since then, the category has exploded, and there’s now a fantastic variety of options. So if you are also into girls who like girls and horror and want to line up some spooky reads this Halloween, here’s a starter sampling of some of the excellent choices out there (in no particular order).

Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand

If you’ve got a soft spot for creepy islands with horrific secrets, Sawkill Girls delivers. The island of Sawkill Rock’s idyllic rural vibes hide an ancient evil that has been stealing young women away for decades, and this is the story of the three girls, Marion, Zoey and Val, who come together to defeat it. It’s got explorations of grief and of trauma, but ultimately, it’s a celebration of girls and their strength and the transformative power of female friendships and sapphic relationships. The relationship between Marion and Val is complex, compelling, and key. As a bonus on top of the sapphic rep, not only are the friendships between Marion, Val and Zoey also well developed, Zoey is also queer, bringing in exploration of her asexuality.

She is a Haunting by Trang Thanh Tran

Lovers of a classic haunted house story shouldn’t miss She is a Haunting. Cleverly using the horror to explore its powerful themes of the impact of colonialism, the story follows Jade, a Vietnamese American girl reluctantly spending the summer with her father in Vietnam at the old French colonial home he’s fixing up to be a B&B. Of course, soon enough, the eerie happenings begin, and Jade determines to prove there’s something truly wrong with the house before her family becomes its next victims. In the midst of the haunting, though, there’s sapphic feels to be found as closeted bisexual Jade is drawn to both the edgy “bad girl” niece of her father’s business partner and a gorgeous ghost bride.

The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould 

Readers who want more ghosts (and, really, who doesn’t?) this time with ghost hunters need to check out The Dead and the Dark. Delivering themes of grief, loneliness and unresolved trauma that pair perfectly with ghosts, this story is about Logan, the daughter of two gay ghost hunting reality show stars whose return to their hometown finds them blamed for a teen boy’s mysterious disappearance. To clear their names, Logan teams up with Ashely, the ex of the boy who’s gone missing who can see his ghost, to discover the truth of what’s happened. Logan is a lesbian, and although their relationship starts off with a lot of understandable animosity, there’s a slow burn romance that ultimately blossoms between them.

Off With Their Heads by Zoe Hana Mikuta 

The rest of the books on this list take place in our world or a slightly altered version of it, but if you’re seeking more horror in a fantasy world, Off With Their Heads should be at the top of your list. An Alice in Wonderland retelling with Korean-inspired worldbuilding that truly captures the dark, weird atmosphere of the original, it delivers its horror in spades—I found this one of the most disturbing on my list here in the very best of ways. This is the story of two girls, Icca and Caro, who are framed for a horrifying tragedy and must battle monsters in the terrifying forest of Wonderland to save themselves. Here there’s an lovers-to-enemies arc rather than a romance—Icca and Caro are ex girlfriends who now hate each other, but there’s still plenty of twisted sapphic passion to be found in their obsessive hate.

This Ravenous Fate by Hayley Dennings

No horror list would be complete without a vampire book, and for that spot, 2024 has gifted lovers of lesbian vampires with This Ravenous Fate. Set in 1920s Harlem and including themes of race and class, it follows vampire Layla and vampire hunter Elise who must team up to investigate a series of mysterious murders, but of course, Layla and Elise just so happen to have some complicated history. From their relationship, we get a fun childhood-friends-to-enemies-to-lovers arc providing all of the tension and angst and yearning that could be hoped for.

Found your next read on this list? Great! But this list is by no means exhaustive, so I hope either way you’ll use these suggestions as a jumping off point to explore the incredible choices for sapphic horror that we’re fortunate enough to have out there in the world today.

The post Spooky Sapphic Reads: Five YA Horror Books Featuring Girls Into Girls appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
The author of Kiss Her Once for Me returns with a new queer rom-com following once childhood best friends forced together to drive their former teacher across the country.

To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods by Molly X. Chang

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
In this magical epic fantasy, a young woman cursed with the power of death must decide if saving her family is worth betraying her country—the first installation of a gripping new series.

Funny Story by Emily Henry

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
A shimmering, joyful new novel about a pair of opposites with the wrong thing in common, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Emily Henry.

Kill Her Twice by Stacey Lee

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Downstairs Girl comes a YA murder mystery noir set in 1930s Los Angeles’s Chinatown.

The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
From the New York Times bestselling author of Ninth House, Hell Bent, and creator of the Grishaverse series comes a highly anticipated historical fantasy set during the Spanish Golden Age.

The Gathering by CJ Tudor

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
A detective investigating a grisly crime in rural Alaska finds herself caught up in the dark secrets and superstitions of a small town in this riveting novel from the acclaimed author of The Chalk Man.

Happy Medium by Sarah Adler

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
A clever con woman must convince a skeptical, sexy farmer of his property’s resident real-life ghost if she’s to save them all from a fate worse than death, in this delightful new novel from the author of Mrs. Nash’s Ashes.

Table for Two: Fictions by Amor Towles

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
From the bestselling author of The Lincoln Highway, A Gentleman in Moscow, and Rules of Civility, a richly detailed and sharply drawn collection of stories set in New York and Los Angeles.

The Rule Book by Sarah Adams

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
College exes break all the rules when they reunite years later in this enemies to lovers, second-chance romance, the highly anticipated companion novel to the TikTok sensation The Cheat Sheet—from the New York Times bestselling author of Practice Makes Perfect.

The Redemption of Morgan Bright by Chris Panatier

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
From the subversive voice behind The Phlebotomist comes a story that combines the uncanny atmosphere of Don’t Worry Darling with the narrative twists of The Last House on Needless Street.

Knife by Salman Rushdie

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
From internationally renowned writer and Booker Prize winner Salman Rushdie, a searing, deeply personal account of enduring—and surviving—an attempt on his life thirty years after the fatwa that was ordered against him

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
A thrilling page-turner of sisterhood, secrets, love, and murder by New York Times bestselling author Sally Hepworth.

The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
From the author of the multimillion bestselling A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series and Five Survive comes a new true-crime fueled mystery thriller about a girl determined to uncover the shocking truth about her missing mother while filming a documentary on the unsolved case.

Dragon Rider by Taran Matharu

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Discover a rich world of magic, warriors, and dragons, in which a fearless orphan and an ambitious handmaiden flee from the empire that would imprison them, with a dream to return to their homelands and a determination that’s unbreakable…

Off With Their Heads by Zoe Hana Mikuta

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Fans of Chloe Gong and Judy I. Lin will devour this Korean-inspired Alice in Wonderland retelling about two very wicked girls, forever bonded by blood and betrayal . . .

The Vacancy in Room 10 by Seraphina Nova Glass

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
The Paris Apartment meets The Wrong Family, this thrilling tale of crime, passion and murder is set in a run-down apartment complex packed with shady characters willing to go to deadly lengths to keep their darkest secrets from the stranger in their midst.

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

The post Book Releases To Check Out In April 2024 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Hi, Zoe! Thanks for joining us again! We last spoke 12 months ago. How have things been since then?

Thank you so much for having me again! I’ve been pretty good! I spent the last few months doing a study abroad in Europe, and now I’m heading toward my last year of undergrad at University of Washington this coming fall. Otherwise I’ve just been writing a bunch and trying to read more.

Godslayers is the sequel to your debut Gearbreakers, which is out June 28^th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

More giant robots. Masquerade ball.

What can readers expect from Godslayers?

They can expect a pretty heavy corruption arc, as well as gray-area protagonists and antagonists alike. And, like in Gearbreakers, of course more giant mecha fights (perhaps underwater?).

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

I always heard a lot about people getting stuck with writing their second book, because when you’re no longer debut there’s this instinct to on-up yourself, I guess? It’s like your first book set certain expectations in other people and yourself, and I definitely got how that can bring on the stress. One of the challenges I faced is actually looking back on Gearbreakers and kind of ‘coping’ with it being out there—especially when I feel my writing style had changed so intensely for the better. I definitely feel I’m going tout with Godslayers with something to prove in that regard.

Were there any favourite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring further in this sequel?

I really enjoyed getting more into Jenny’s character in Godslayers. I feel like the readers will see a different side of her, and how she kind of echoes Eris. I went more into her and Eris’s history and relationship growing up, as well as the Eris being in Jenny’s crew before she took charge of her own. In the prologue, I was thrilled that I got to writ Jenny’s perspective in the third person – I think it’ll help to draw people in right away since she seems to be a reader favorite (mine too).

Did you find there were any lessons you learned from writing your debut?

I’d like to think I learned how to give myself more space when writing, as in giving myself more room for errors and a totally messy first draft. I feel like I grew up such a perfectionist and I’m trying to work that out of myself all the time now, since writing is all about the entire process rather than trying to get it exactly right the first time around.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Read-slash-consume the general media of the genre you’re writing! This trick helps me set a ‘tone’ in my daily life that I think truly does help me to write more when I finally sit down to draft. And believe in the concept of a first draft, or even a zero draft.

What’s next for you?

I’m working on fantasy horror! There’s my third book, Rabbit & Sickle, in the works. It’s a very dark Alice in Wonderland retelling meets Attack on Titan, where feral Saints run rampant in Wonderland Forest and humanity has put their cities behind walls to protect themselves. But when Rabbit and Alice get sent out into the Forest after being tangled up in a mass murder, they emerge different beings, and much less in love with each other than they were when they went in.

Otherwise, I’m just finishing up school this year, majoring in Creative Writing and minoring in History of Religion!

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

Hell Followed with Us by Andrew Joseph White

The post Q&A: Zoe Hana Mikuta, Author of ‘Godslayers’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

We chat with debut author Zoe Hana Mikuta about Gearbreakers, writing, book recommendations, and so much more!

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

Hi! I’m Zoe Hana Mikuta and I’m the YA sci-fi debut author of Gearbreakers, which comes out on June 29th. I’m currently a junior at the University of Washington in Seattle, studying English with a minor in history of religion. I grew up in Boulder, Colorado where I learned Muay Thai kickboxing and basically lived at the Boulder Bookstore. I’m also neo pagan, a half-Korean tea fanatic, and apart of UW’s club for queer girls and nonbinary students.

How is your 2021 going in comparison to that other year?

It’s going really well! I moved back to Seattle in early January 2021 (when the pandemic started back in March  my mom called me like, ‘Uh, come home, right now’) and now I’m living in my first-ever apartment and feeling out what it means to be an adult – which I’m finding basically means I can do whatever I want, which is both a good thing (independance!) and a bad thing (binge watching TV constantly!). I took school off because it was Zoom-uni, so I’ve gotten tons of writing done so far this year, I think because I am in a more solitary space. However I do remember that before classes went online last spring, I was going out almost everything single night, and have literally no idea how I did it. My favorite thing now is being in bed by ten.

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!

Because of Winn Dixie (3rd-ish grade), the Percy Jackson series (5th grade), The Ones We’re Meant to Find (2-ish weeks ago and I can’t get that twist out of my head).

When did you first discover your love for writing?

Very early on – I’d say in elementary school? It’s just the art I always gravitated toward, the one that also felt the most comforting while being the most fun. I think it’s the world-creation of it that really always excites me, like how when I was little me and my friends would play pretend in the woods behind my neighborhood – your run-of-the-mill fairy kingdoms and forest creatures setups – and I would run home and write it down and build on it. I feel like writing is one of the more expansive art forms in that way, that it’s as big as you want to it to be.

Your debut novel, Gearbreakers, is out June 29^th 2021! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Cyberpunk, cutthroat, sapphic, soft, hopeful

What can readers expect?

200 ft mecha deities vs. teeny humans fight scenes, bad-mouthed kids with tattoos, and a lot of tenderness between them.

What inspired you to write Gearbreakers?

Pacific Rim is my favorite movie of all time, dramatic acting and plot holes aside. I knew I needed to do something with mechas, but I wanted them a little more evil and a lot scarier.

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

I think one of my worst habits as a writer is acting like if I make the first draft as perfect as possible, it’ll cut down the need for editing later and thereby shorten the whole process. I need to remember that it’s always going to be a long process and it’s always going to be edits later – I need greater patience, with myself, basically, instead of getting frustrated when a scene’s not working like how I wanted to and getting more stressed because I’m stuck on it. Overcoming it is something mental that I had to work on, to kind of just let things go, move past, and trust that I’ll be able to smooth it out later – definitely something to practice at. I think it’s the kind of ideology that bleeds into other parts of my life and not just writing, so bonus points!

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

My favorite scenes to writer were the quieter ones – as much as I do like my fight scenes – where the crew of found family renegade kids are just being kids, goofing off and irritating one another, so it feels like, for a brief moment, the world isn’t as dire as it is. I think it’s really important to have those scenes like that because it reminds them what they have to fight for. Or maybe I’m just mean and it’s showing what they have to lose.

What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?

I started writing Gearbreakers when I was seventeen, the same age as my characters, and signed with an agent the first week before I started my freshman year at UW. My parents completely thought I was getting scammed. I just remember going to my uni’s gorgeous library with my coffee after class, doing my papers and then switching over to edit – I felt like a true academic, the aesthetics of which are very important to me. A week before my nineteenth birthday I got a call from my agent saying we had an offer on Gearbreakers, and just totally losing it on my dorm room bed while my roommate slept undisturbed. I was late for class, and then later because I got myself breakfast to celebrate. It’s truly very odd to think about how there’s other people in the industry who are doing things for my story, while I just went around to class or, now, just sit in my room on my laptop. I think for some part it hasn’t completely hit me yet, but I’m sure launch day that’ll change!

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

The best writing advice I’ve received is to write for myself. It’s clear in an author’s prose whether or not they had fun writing the piece or if they were just pushing through it, and on the author’s side, it massively helps when I have active excitement about an idea. I would say the worst writing advice I’ve received is to outline. This is just for me, specifically, since I never know what’s going to happen until I actually start drafting – don’t want to spoil the ending for myself! Writing processes are so individualistic so I needed to solidify that I could do it my own way even if it seems messy to another person.

What’s next for you?

The sequel to Gearbreakers comes out next year, but after that I’m expanding my genres! I have a really bloody Alice in Wonderland retelling meets Attack on Titan meets Gideon the Ninth YA fantasy horror project in the works (read: lovers-to-enemies sapphics and feral saints in Wonderland!). I just want to try out as many genres as possible.

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

As previously mentioned, The Ones We’re Meant to Find by Joan He, Counting Down with You by Tashie Bhiuyan if you want something softer, and Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia if you want that good chill down your spine.

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

The post Q&A: Zoe Hana Mikuta, Author of ‘Gearbreakers’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

To save a fae kingdom, a trans witch must face his traumatic past and the royal fiancé he left behind. This debut YA fantasy will leave you spellbound.

The Sea is Salt and So Am I by Cassandra Hartt
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

I’ll Give You the Sun meets Normal People in Cassandra Hartt’s The Sea Is Salt and So Am I, a stunning YA contemporary debut that asks if the secrets we keep and the people we love can change who we are.

Eat Your Heart Out by Kelly deVos
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Shaun of the Dead meets Dumplin’ in this bitingly funny YA thriller about a kickass group of teens battling a ravenous group of zombies.

The Lucky List by Rachael Lippincott
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the #1 New York Times bestselling co-author of Five Feet Apart comes a gripping new romance, perfect for fans of The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. 

Sisters of the Snake by Sasha Nanua and Sarena Nanua
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Deadly magic, hidden temples, and dark prophecies: Sisters of the Snake is an action-packed, immersive fantasy that will thrill fans of The Crown’s Game and The Tiger at Midnight. 

Gearbreakers by Zoe Hana Mikuta
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Two girls on opposite sides of a war discover they’re fighting for a common purpose–and falling for each other–in Zoe Hana Mikuta’s high-octane debut Gearbreakers, perfect for fans of Pacific Rim, Pierce Brown’s Red Rising Saga, and Marie Lu’s Legend series.

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Gossip Girl meets Get Out in Ace of Spades, a YA contemporary thriller by debut author Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé about two students, Devon & Chiamaka, and their struggles against an anonymous bully. 

The Ghosts We Keep by Mason Deaver
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Perfect for fans of Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli, this book will rip your heart out before showing you how to heal from tragedy and celebrate life in the process.

Simone Breaks All the Rules by Debbie Rigaud
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Late bloomers unite! This fresh and funny #ownvoices novel from rising star Debbie Rigaud is perfect for fans of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and Booksmart.

Jay’s Gay Agenda by Jason June
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From debut novelist Jason June comes a moving and hilarious sex-positive story about the complexities of first loves, first hookups, and first heartbreaks—and how to stay true to yourself while embracing what you never saw coming.

Trouble Girls by Julia Lynn Rubin
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A queer YA #MeToo reimagining of Thelma & Louise with the aesthetic of Riverdale, for fans of Mindy McGinnis, Courtney Summers, and Rory Power.

This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Darkness blooms in bestselling author Kalynn Bayron’s new contemporary fantasy about a girl with a unique and deadly power.

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

The post June 2021 YA Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Despite 2020 being a wild rollercoaster ride, it brought us good things as well. And by good things, I mean queer science fiction and fantasy books! Throughout 2020, we saw glorious queer rep in SFF books, both in YA and Adult. Now the year is over after blessing us with great queer SFF books, but 2021 also has tons of surprises for us. Here are 15 queer SFF books to look out for in 2021!

 Want even more 2021 releases? Check out our list of Most Anticipated releases, Fantasy and Sci-Fi releases, Young Adult releases, Romance releases, and Queer releases.

In the Ravenous Dark by A.M. Strickland
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Not only does this book look absolutely stunning, the synopsis is also enough to stop you in your tracks. Here’s the first line of the synopsis: A pansexual bloodmage reluctantly teams up with an undead spirit to start a rebellion among the living and the dead. Sprinkle in dark magic, more queer representation, and a polyamorous relationship, and you get In the Ravenous Dark!

Victories Greater Than Death by Charlie Jane Anders
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

If you like a) LGBTQ+ heroes who get to save the world and b) the enemies-to-friends-to-lovers trope, then this YA debut is for you! Victories Greater Than Death is a thrilling adventure set against an intergalactic war, from internationally bestselling author Charlie Jane Anders.

Gearbreakers by Zoe Hana Mikuta
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Okay, here’s the vision: mechas, cyberpunk weaponry, sapphics, enemies-to-lovers, and sword fights. Gearbreakers already sounds fantastic! In this queer SFF book, two girls on opposite sides of a war discover they’re fighting for a common purpose, all the while growing closer and falling for each other.

Persephone Station by Stina Leicht
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Get ready for a queer space opera with high-stakes adventure from Hugo award–nominated author Stina Leicht. Persephone Station features a cast that is mostly made up of women of colour, heists, a touch of Northern Irish Crime, and a feminist take on The Mandalorian.

Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

TJ Klune is back with another fantasy creation told with his signature warmth and humour! Under the Whispering Door is about a ghost who refuses to cross over and the ferryman he falls in love with. And if this has the same vibes as The House in the Cerulean Sea does, we all better get our tissues ready. 

The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Witch King sounds downright delightful with its trans witch main character, royal faes, impending gay marriage, and a fae kingdom in need of saving. In this debut YA fantasy, Wyatt Croft needs to face his traumatic past and the royal fiancé he left behind, and decide between his people or his freedom.

Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Winter’s Orbit is described as a mashup between Ancillary Justice and Red, White & Royal Blue and, yes, it sounds exciting! Expect romantic space opera, interplanetary wars, arranged marriage for political advantages, and more from this debut.

A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

After crafting two novellas for his popular alternate Cairo universe, Nebula, Locus, and Alex Award-winner P. Djèlí Clark is now making his fantasy novel debut with A Master of Djinn. It features a steampunk alternate version of Cairo, Egypt, supernatural forces, strong female cast, queer romance, and a murder to solve.

Girls at the Edge of the World by Laura Brooke Robson
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

With dangers of an epic apocryphal flood, teen girl romance, and a “healthy mix of bad puns and classic lit references”, this romantic fantasy debut is something to look forward to! Girls at the Edge of the World features an aerial silk performer hell-bent on survival and another who thirsts for revenge.

A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A Dark and Hollow Star sounds captivating all throughout. With four different queer point of views, a sapphic romance, court intrigue, faes, a magical underworld in Toronto, a serial killer, and a brewing war, this thrilling fantasy novel is mashup of The Cruel Prince and City of Bones.

The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Two boys lost in space in a sentient spaceship. Doesn’t that already sound riveting? The Darkness Outside Us is a queer science fiction novel about two teen boys from warring countries who needs to embark on a rescue mission to save an astronaut, and also face their spaceship who might be their enemy.

The Unbroken by C.L. Clark
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A political fantasy like no other in a queernorm world, The Unbroken sounds like a fantastic debut novel from author C.L. Clark. This North-Africa inspired fantasy debut features rebellion, espionage, assassinations, and a sapphic romance between a soldier and a princess.

Fragile Remedy by Maria Ingrande Mora 
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In the dystopian world featured in Fragile Remedy, Nate is a cure for the elite from the fatal lung rot ravaging the population, but also has a genetic failsafe himself. Now, has to choose between working for a shadowy terrorist organization that has the means to keep him alive, or stay (and die) with the boy he loves.

These Feathered Flames by Alexandra Overy
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

These Feathered Flames is a queer #ownvoices retelling of the Russian folktale “The Firebird”. You can expect sapphic romance, enemies-to-lovers trope, court intrigue, and a sisterhood reminiscent of Game of Thrones’ Sansa and Arya Stark.

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

Here’s a wonderful vision for A Marvellous Light: Edwardian England, conspiracies, murder mystery, hidden magical society, and queer romance! This book features a civil service liaison to a hidden magical society who discovers what’s been operating beneath the unextraordinary reality he’s always known.

I’m already reeling from this round of queer SFF books, and I know there are more of these coming out in 2021!

What 2021 queer SFF books are you excited for? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 15 Queer SFF Books To Look Out For In 2021 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

2021 is absolutely jam-packed with fantasy and science fiction books that readers around the world are going to devour! Between the months of January and June, readers can expect magic, warring kingdoms, witches, magic, post-apocalyptic worlds, and so, so much more!

Read on to discover some of the January to June fantasy and sci-fi books we’re excited for and be sure to let us know in the comments what books you’re looking forward to!

Want more 2021 releases? Check out our lists for Most Anticipated 2021 Books, 2021 Queer Book Releases, 2021 Romance Book Releases, 2021 YA Book Releases, and 2021 Queer SFF Book Releases.

JANUARY

The Mask of Mirrors by M.A. Carrick
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Darkly magical and intricately imagined, The Mask of Mirrors is the unmissable start to the Rook & Rose trilogy, a rich and dazzling fantasy adventure in which a con artist, a vigilante, and a crime lord must unite to save their city.

The Frozen Crown by Greta Kelly
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A princess with a powerful and dangerous secret must find a way to save her country from ruthless invaders in this exciting debut fantasy, the first novel in a thrilling duology packed with heroism, treachery, magic, and war.

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

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

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

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

Blood Heir by Ilona Andrews
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From award-winning author, Ilona Andrews, an all-new novel set in the New York Times #1 bestselling Kate Daniels World and featuring Julie Lennart-Olsen, Kate and Curran’s ward.

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

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

Brother Red by Adrian Selby
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

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

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

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

FEBRUARY

Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Ancillary Justice meets Red, White & Royal Blue in Everina Maxwell’s exciting debut.

The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

When a banished witch falls in love with the legendary trickster Loki, she risks the wrath of the gods in this moving, subversive debut novel that reimagines Norse mythology.

The Black Coast by Mike Brooks
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Epic world-building at its finest, in an upcoming author’s fantasy debut. The Black Coast is the start of an unmissable series filled with war-dragons, armoured knights, sea-faring raiders, dangerous magic and crowd-pleasing battle scenes.

Fireheart Tiger by Aliette de Bodard
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Award-winning author Aliette de Bodard returns with a powerful romantic fantasy that reads like The Goblin Emperor meets Howl’s Moving Castle in a pre-colonial Vietnamese-esque world. 

Game Changer by Neal Shusterman
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

This high-concept novel from the National Book Award-winning and New York Times-bestselling author of the Arc of a Scythe series tackles the most urgent themes of our time, making this a must-buy for readers who are starting to ask big questions about their own role in the universe.

Sun-Daughters, Sea-Daughters by Aimee Ogden
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Sun-Daughters, Sea-Daughters has all the wonder and romance of a classic sci-fi novel, with the timelessness of a beloved fairy tale. 

A History of What Comes Next by Sylvain Neuvel
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Showing that truth is stranger than fiction, Sylvain Neuvel weaves a sci-fi thriller reminiscent of Blake Crouch and Andy Weir, blending a fast moving, darkly satirical look at 1940s rocketry with an exploration of the amorality of progress and the nature of violence in A History of What Comes Next.

This Golden Flame by Emily Victoria
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

An #ownvoices debut YA fantasy, This Golden Flame is an epic adventure full of magic, rebellion, and finding where you truly belong.

MARCH

Dead Space by Kali Wallace
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

An investigator must solve a brutal murder on a claustrophobic asteroid mine in this tense science fiction thriller from the author of Salvation Day. 

The Councillor by E.J. Beaton
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

This Machiavellian fantasy follows a scholar’s quest to choose the next ruler of her kingdom amidst lies, conspiracy, and assassination

Skyward Inn by Aliya Whiteley
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Skyward Inn is Jamaica Inn by way of Ursula Le Guin, bringing the influences, too, of Angela Carter, Michel Faber and Jeff Vandermeer to create a fantastic story of love, belonging, and togetherness. Asking questions of ideas of the individual and the collective, of ownership and historical possession, and of the experience of being human, it is at once timeless and thoroughly of its time.

A Trial of Sorcerers by Elise Kova
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

This is the first book in a young adult, epic fantasy that’s a tale of competition, coming of age, distant lands, elemental magic, and romance. It’s perfect for fans of the Legend of Korra, Truthwitch, and A Sorcery of Thorns.

Machinehood by S.B. Divya
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the Hugo Award nominee S.B. Divya, Zero Dark Thirty meets The Social Network in this science fiction thriller about artificial intelligence, sentience, and labor rights in a near future dominated by the gig economy.

Sweet & Bitter Magic by Adrienne Tooley
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this charming debut fantasy perfect for fans of Sorcery of Thorns and Girls of Paper and Fire, a witch cursed to never love meets a girl hiding her own dangerous magic, and the two strike a dangerous bargain to save their queendom.

Burning Girls and Other Stories by Veronica Schanoes
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In Burning Girls and Other Stories, Veronica Schanoes crosses borders and genres with stories of fierce women at the margins of society burning their way toward the center. This debut collection introduces readers to a fantasist in the vein of Karen Russell and Kelly Link, with a voice all her own.

We Shall Sing a Song Into the Deep by Andrew Kelly Stewart
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A Canticle for Leibowitz meets The Hunt for Red October in We Shall Sing a Song into the Deep, a lyrical and page-turning coming-of-age exploration of duty, belief, and the post-apocalypse from breakout newcomer Andrew Kelly Stewart.

APRIL

The ​Crown of Gilded Bones by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes book three in her Blood and Ash series.

The Helm of Midnight by Marina J. Lostetter
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A legendary serial killer stalks the streets of a fantastical city in The Helm of Midnight, the stunning first novel in a new trilogy from acclaimed author Marina Lostetter.

The Light of the Midnight Stars by Rena Rossner
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

An evocative combination of fantasy, history, and Jewish folklore, The Light of the Midnight Stars is fairytale-inspired novel from the author of The Sisters of the Winter Wood.

The Last Watch by J.S. Dewes
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Expanse meets Game of Thrones in J. S. Dewes’ fast-paced, sf adventure The Last Watch, where a handful of soldiers stand between humanity and annihilation.

The Infinity Courts by Akemi Dawn Bowman
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From award-winning author Akemi Dawn Bowman comes an incisive, action-packed tale that explores big questions about technology, grief, love, and humanity.

The End of Men by Christina Sweeney-Baird
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Set in a world where a virus stalks our male population, The End of Men is an electrifying and unforgettable debut from a remarkable new talent that asks: what would our world truly look like without men?

Fugitive Telemetry (The Murderbot Diaries, #6) by Martha Wells
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The New York Times bestselling security droid with a heart (though it wouldn’t admit it!) is back in Fugitive Telemetry, a new standalone adventure!

Unity by Elly Bangs
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Evoking the grittiness of Mad Max and the idealism of Sense8, this absorbing sci-fi debut is a dynamic vision of the fluidity of identity. With Unity, breakout author Elly Bangs has created a prescient, moving, and unforgettable adventure that expands upon human consciousness and its possibilities.

MAY

Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Hypnotic, propulsive, and utterly transporting, Jennifer Saint’s Ariadne forges a new epic, outside the traditional narratives of heroism and glory that leave no room for women.

Black Water Sister by Zen Cho
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A reluctant medium discovers the ties that bind can unleash a dangerous power in this compelling Malaysian-set contemporary fantasy.

Blade of Secrets by Tricia Levenseller
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In Blade of Secrets, the first book in Tricia Levenseller’s exciting new YA fantasy duology, a teenage blacksmith with social anxiety is forced to go on the run to protect the world from the most powerful magical sword she’s ever made. 

How to Mars by David Ebenbach
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

What happens when your dream mission to Mars is a reality television nightmare? This debut science-fiction romp with heart follows the tradition of Ray Bradbury’s Martian Chronicles, with a dash of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and a hint of The Real World.

Spells Trouble by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Hunter and Mercy Goode are twin witches, direct descendants of the founder of their town of Goodeville. As their ancestors have done before them, it is now time for the twins to learn what it means to be Gatekeepers–the protectors of the Gates to different underworlds, ancient portals between their world and realms where mythology rules and nightmares come to life.

Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Rivers Solomon’s Sorrowland is a genre-bending work of Gothic fiction. Here, monsters aren’t just individuals, but entire nations. It is a searing, seminal book that marks the arrival of a bold, unignorable voice in American fiction

The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Set in a world of goblin wars, stag-sized battle ravens, and assassins who kill with deadly tattoos, Christopher Buehlman’s The Blacktongue Thief begins a ‘dazzling’ (Robin Hobb) fantasy adventure unlike any other. 

The Kingdoms by Natasha Pulley
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

For fans of The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and David Mitchell, a genre bending, time twisting alternative history that asks whether it’s worth changing the past to save the future, even if it costs you everyone you’ve ever loved. 

JUNE

Star Eater by Kerstin Hall
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A phantasmagorical indictment of hereditary power, Star Eatertakes readers deep into a perilous and uncanny world where even the most powerful women are forced to choose what sacrifices they will make, so that they might have any choice at all.

The Tangleroot Palace: Stories by Marjorie Liu
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

New York Times bestseller and Hugo, British Fantasy, Romantic Times, and Eisner award-winning author of the graphic novel, Monstress, Marjorie Liu leads you deep into the heart of the tangled woods. In her long-awaited debut story collection, dark, lush, and spellbinding short fiction you will find unexpected detours, dangerous magic, and even more dangerous women.

The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Practical Magic meets Twister in this debut contemporary fantasy standalone about heartbreaking power, the terror of our collapsing atmosphere, and the ways we unknowingly change our fate.

The All-Consuming World by Cassandra Khaw
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Cassandra Khaw’s debut novel is a page-turning exploration of humans and machines that is perfect for readers of Ann Leckie, Ursula Le Guin, and Kameron Hurley.

The Ninth Metal by Benjamin Percy
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From award-winning author Benjamin Percy comes an explosive, breakout speculative thriller in which a powerful new metal arrives on Earth in the wake of a meteor shower, triggering a massive new “gold rush” in the Midwest and turning life as we know it on its head. The first of a cycle of novels set in a shared universe.

The Coward by Stephen Aryan
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Who will take up the mantle and slay the evil in the Frozen North, saving all from death and destruction? Not Kell Kressia, he’s done his part…

Play of Shadows by Sebastien de Castell
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Swordplay, magic, intrigue and friendships stronger than iron: the first volume in the new swashbuckling fantasy series by the bestselling author of The Greatcoats.

Gearbreakers by Zoe Hana Mikuta
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Two girls on opposite sides of a war discover they’re fighting for a common purpose–and falling for each other–in Zoe Hana Mikuta’s high-octane debut Gearbreakers, perfect for fans of Pacific Rim, Pierce Brown’s Red Rising Saga, and Marie Lu’s Legend series.

What 2021 fantasy and sci-fi books are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 48 Fantasy & Sci-Fi Book Releases To Look Out For In 2021 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.