July Hype Post!
And July just keeps up the great streak 2021 has been in terms of book releases. One of my favourite reads of the year so far, She Who Became the Sun will finally be released (see my review here). But it’s not the only book that I can’t wait to get my hands on.
Half Sick of Shadows by Laura Sebastian will be published by Ace on the 6th of July. This is her adult debut after a YA trilogy, and a feminist reimagining of the story of the Lady of Shalott. So obviously I can’t wait to read it – feminist retelling, Arthuriana and influenced by mythology are my jam. From the blurb: “Everyone knows the legend. Of Arthur, destined to be a king. Of the beautiful Guinevere, who will betray him with his most loyal knight, Lancelot. Of the bitter sorceress, Morgana, who will turn against them all. But Elaine alone carries the burden of knowing what is to come–for Elaine of Shalott is cursed to see the future.” It sounds delicious and wonderful and I need it. If you’re just as tempted, you can order a copy from Bookshop here (affiliate link).
I’ve been getting into horror more recently, and so I’m very excited about The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix, out on the 13th by Titan. The final girl is a huge horror/splatter trope, but what happens to those girls who have survived the slaughter? Six of them formed a self-help therapy group – which has been going for a very long time. But now it’s coming to an end – one, maybe all of the final girls might not survive the day. It sounds like such good fun and I can’t wait to escape into this good old fashioned slasher thriller. You can order a copy from Bookshop here (affiliate link).
After those big adult tomes, another book I’m very excited about is The Ghoul Next Door – a MG graphic novel by Cullen Bunn and Cat Farris. This is the story of a boy who is haunted, a friendship with a ghost and much mystery and creep. It sounds absolutely charming and wonderful – I love graphic novels these days and a middle grade ghost story is really my kind of thing. And if the cover is any indication, the art is really cool too. Order a copy from Bookshop here (affiliate link).
This wouldn’t be a me-list if I didn’t include some awesome YA fantasy as well. I’m very excited about It Ends In Fire by Andrew Shvarts, out on the 6th. This is a dark-ish story about a girl going undercover at a wizard school, determined to use her gained knowledge to destroy them all. The cover is stunning – which might have been why I was interested in the book to start with. But it also fits hardmode revenge seeking plot for the r/fantasy bingo, which might just be the excuse I need to order myself a copy. It sounds delightfully fun. Order a copy via Bookshop here (affiliate link).