{"id":1911,"date":"2021-11-26T11:07:51","date_gmt":"2021-11-26T11:07:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/libridraconis.com\/?p=1911"},"modified":"2021-11-26T11:07:51","modified_gmt":"2021-11-26T11:07:51","slug":"the-2022-megapost","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/libridraconis.com\/index.php\/2021\/11\/26\/the-2022-megapost\/","title":{"rendered":"The 2022 Megapost"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There are so many brilliant books out in 2022 – it was tough to choose what to include, and this list is in no way comprehensive. There are bound to be a ton of books that we missed despite our best efforts (I especially have been working on this almost daily for close to two months – and if you know of a book that really should be on here, do give us a shout and we’ll consider adding it!) – and do remember that we’ll continue to post monthly hype posts into next year too. For easy access, you can see those books that are available on Bookshop in a handy list here<\/a> (also contains some earlier volumes in series that are mentioned in this post to tide you over while waiting). And now, enjoy the UTTER DESTRUCTION OF YOUR TBR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>The Bone Spindle<\/a><\/em> by Leslie Vedder, out on January 11th, is pitched as Sleeping Beauty meets Indiana Jones, and damn, that’s a tempting pitch. From the blurb: “Filore, a treasure hunter with a knack for riddles, is busy running from her own deadly curse, when she pricks her finger on a spindle. Bound to the sleeping prince Briar Rose with the spindle’s magic – and chosen as the only person who can wake him – Fi is stuck with the prince’s ghost until she can break his ancient curse and save his kingdom. She’s going to need a partner. A warrior huntswoman with an axe to grind (literally), Shane couldn’t care less about curses and ancient texts. But instead of riches, the two girls find trouble.” Sounds like a great sapphic YA fantasy. And not long to wait – pre-order your copy from Bookshop here<\/a> (affiliate link).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>In 2021, H.M. Long debuted with Hall of Smoke<\/a>,<\/em> a Viking inspired fantasy which I thought was a really great debut and did some very interesting things around gods and their roles in the lives of mortals. With Eangi Hessa, Long created a wonderfully flawed leading character, and I can’t wait to read more of her adventures in the sequel. Temple of No God<\/a> <\/em>is out on January 18th and follows Hessa as she has to keep up the tentative peace she brokered at the end of the first book and face new threats. These are great books for anyone who likes historical fantasy, Grimdark, and Vikings. Pre-order a copy via Bookshop here<\/a> (affiliate link)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Edgewood<\/a><\/em> by Kristen Ciccarelli promises to be a wonderful, lyrical story reminiscent of fairy tales. Out on January 18th, this is the story of Emeline, who has always been pursued by the mysterious forest of Edgewood. And now her grandfather has gone missing, almost without a trace. So she finally gives in to the call of the forest and finds herself dealing with the fabled Wood King. Not only does the blurb sound enchanting, the cover is absolutely stunning too. Yes, I want Emeline’s dress, complete with live flowers. Pre-order Edgewood <\/em>from Book Depository here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong> My favourite books to write about here are ones that I know I have already acquired for myself. Daughter of the Moon Goddess<\/a> <\/em>by Sue Lynn Tan is one of those – while it’s not out until January 20th, I have already managed to sneak an eARC and to read and review it! Check out my review over at Grimdark Magazine here<\/a>. This debut fantasy is inspired by the legend of the Chinese Moon Goddess, Chang’e and is the first in a duology. It’s lyrical, magical and exactly the kind of thing that I will fall in love with. Xingyin grew up hidden away on the moon, but as her magical powers begin to bloom she is forced to flee and is plunged into perilous adventures. Pre-order a copy via Bookshop here<\/a> (affiliate link).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Gabriela Houston’s The Second Bell<\/a> <\/em>was one of my favourite debuts of 2021. Atmospheric, haunting and a compelling story about a mother and her child in a fantastical world inspired by Eastern European mythology. So I’m very excited for her first children’s book, which is coming out on February 3rd. The Wind Child<\/em> tells the story of Mara, the granddaughter of Stribog, the god of winter winds, who is determined to get her beloved father back from Navia, the Slavic afterlife. There’s just one problem: no one has ever returned from Navia. Together with her best friend Torniv, a bear-shifter, she sets out on an epic adventure. I read this last week, and it is as brilliant as it sounds – review will be up soon but rest assured that it comes with the highest of recommendations. Pre-order your own copy from Bookshop here<\/a> (affiliate link).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>I’m glad I waited with posting this list, because Elle McNicoll’s Like A Charm <\/em>was only announced YESTERDAY! Her third book – and first fantasy novel – will be out on the third of February and I could not be more excited. I loved both A Kind of Spark<\/a> <\/em>and Show Us Who You Are<\/a><\/em> and I can’t wait to meet Ramya, the dyspraxic heroine of Like A Charm. <\/em>From the blurb: “Edinburgh is a city filled with magical creatures. No one can see them\u2026 until Ramya Knox. As she is pulled into her family’s world of secrets and spells, Ramya sets out to discover the truth behind the Hidden Folk with only three words of warning from her grandfather: Beware the Sirens. Plunged into an adventure that will change everything, Ramya is about to learn that there is more to her powers than she ever imagined.” Purely delightful! You can pre-order Like A Charm <\/em>via Waterstones here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Rebecca Ross has been enchanting YA readers for a while, and now she has her sights set on the adult audience with A River Enchanted<\/a><\/em>, out on February 3rd (15th in the US). It has two gorgeous covers in the UK and the US, but I think I slightly prefer the US one (which is the one you see here) because of it’s medieval vibes. The story is set on the Isle of Cadence, haunted by spirits who find mischief in playing with the inhabitants’ lives. They can only be controlled through a bard’s song, so as girls go missing, Adaira, heiress of the East has to band together with the last bard capable of the feat: Jack Tamerlaine, her childhood enemy. A story of working together despite the odds, of darker secrets lurking below the surface and uncanny happenings. And perhaps even an enemies-to-lovers trope if I’m a lucky Fab? Pre-order A River Enchanted<\/em> from Bookshop here<\/a> (affiliate link).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Anna:<\/strong> Academic and speculative fiction author Adam Roberts has a knack for imagining alternative realities that seem almost plausible. This one features a ‘smart’ device (that is part-social media platform, part-body modification, part-cult experience), sentient robots, and malevolent AIs. Split across multiple timeframes, the blurb promises Th<\/em>e This<\/em> <\/a>will ask tough questions about our dependence on technology. I’ve had the pleasure of being taught by Roberts as an undergraduate, have followed his writing since then, and can attest that his books always elicit a strong response (probably in the form of me yelling at my kindle). Out in the UK and US February 3rd. Pre-order via Bookshop here<\/a> (affiliate link).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab:<\/strong> Witches are my kryptonite. Especially witches in exciting middle grade fantasy adventures. So of course I’m hyped for The Witch, The Sword, and the Cursed Knights<\/a><\/em> by Alexandria Rogers, out on February 8th. Twelve-year-old Ellie tries to eschew her hated witch heritage by joining the Fairy Godmother Academy. But instead she is drafted to the dreaded Arthurian Round Table, a draft which she can only get out of by saving a lost cause. This throws her together with Caedmon, a boy from Wisconsin who doesn’t believe magic is real, and they both have to accept their lives and destinies in order to survive and save their worlds. Pre-order this one from Bookshop here<\/a> (affiliate link).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Anna:<\/strong> I am here for occult libraries! From the adventures of Thursday Next to the Clayr’s Library in Garth Nix’s Old Kingdom series, quiet stacks and dusty tomes have been my jam. And A. J. Hackwith’s The Library of the Unwritten<\/a><\/em> unites my love of libraries with my second favourite setting – Hell! The third instalment of the series, The God of Lost Words<\/a><\/em> follows Claire, a former librarian, and her allies’ quest to rescue the Library of the Unwritten, a place where stories unfinished by their authors go, from the infernal general Malphas. And that may just require destroying the library first. I look forward to diving back into Hackwith’s imaginative world and reuniting with the characters on February 8th. Pre-order The God of Lost Words <\/em>here<\/a>, and catch up with books one and two, The Library of the Unwritten <\/em>and The Archive of the Forgotten <\/em>here<\/a> and here<\/a> via Bookshop (affiliate links).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Give a Fab a speculative YA anthology with a host of diverse authors and they will be very happy. Reclaim the Stars<\/a>, <\/em>edited by Zoraida C\u00f3rdova and out on February 15th is exactly that kind of book. The anthology features seventeen stories about space in all shapes and forms written by authors of Latin American descent. From the blurb: “Reclaim the Stars<\/em> is a collection of bestselling and acclaimed YA authors that take the Latin American diaspora to places fantastical and out of this world. From princesses warring in space, to the all too-near devastation of climate change, to haunting ghost stories in Argentina, and mermaids off the coast of the Caribbean. This is science fiction and fantasy that breaks borders and realms, and proves that stories are truly universal.” If that doesn’t tempt you, I don’t know how to get you reading… Pre-order a copy from Book Depository here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>I have been excited for The Embroidered Book <\/a><\/em>by Kate Heartfield since I met the author in early 2020 at my last pre-covid book event and heard her talking about it. On February 17th, it will finally be available to the public (though I do have an eARC and will hopefully be able to provide you lovely readers with a review before then, even if I’m very sad that I don’t have one of the lovely gold-foiled physical ARCs). This is a story of two sisters, of magic, of spells that end up leading to a rivalry that will affect all of Europe because of who they are: Marie Antoinette and her sister Charlotte. I love historical witchy books, so I’m sure this will be right up my alley. Pre-order this from Bookshop here<\/a> (affiliate link).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>This is the rarest of occurrences: A book on a yearly preview that I’ve not only read but reviewed already. Only a Monster<\/a><\/em> by Vanessa Len is out on February 22nd, and you can find my full review here<\/a>. This is a deliciously addictive YA fantasy set in London (which is always a bit of a plus in my book) playing with some interesting questions around morality. The magic in this book has Joan, the main character, and her family of so-called monsters able to steal life time from humans in order to travel across time. But there is a hero created to stop them all… I thoroughly enjoyed this one and highly recommend it. It’s fantastic escapism and exactly what I want from my YA (I just wish it was a little queerer, but you can’t always have everything). Pre-order it via Bookshop here<\/a> (affiliate link).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Sun: <\/strong>Vampires and archives. Literally, the only way this book could be more enticing for me is if it came with a bowl of noodles. Dead Collections<\/a> by Isaac Fellman is out 22nd February. From the blurb: When archivist Sol meets Elsie, the larger than life widow of a moderately famous television writer who\u2019s come to donate her wife\u2019s papers, there\u2019s an instant spark. But Sol has a secret: he suffers from an illness called vampirism, and hides from the sun by living in his basement office. On their way to falling in love, the two traverse grief, delve into the Internet fandom they once unknowingly shared, and navigate the realities of transphobia and the stigmas of carrying the \u201cvampire disease.\u201d Then, when strange things start happening at the collection, Sol must embrace even more of the unknown to save himself and his job. <\/em>This sounds like it bounces through several genres in the best kind of way and I’m looking forward to seeing how it all plays out. You can pre-order this one from Amazon here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>If you’ve ever spoken about books with me at any length, I’ve probably talked your ear off about medieval retellings. Especially the need for more diversity, because the middle ages were not this white and homogenous period as is often said. So you bet I’m very excited about Aminah Mae Safi’s Travelers Along the Way<\/a><\/em>, which is part of the Remixed Classics series and out on the 1st of March. And no, we’re not talking about the fact that basically every single title in that series appears on this list. Nope. Anyway, this remix takes the classic story of Robin Hood and sets it in the Holy Land instead of the forest of Sherwood and centres two Muslim girls who, together with their band of misfit traveling companions, get swept up in the Third Crusade and the fight for Jerusalem. I have been reading this one on my way to work these last few days and it’s as good as it sounds – review to come soon and highly recommended. Pre-order this from Book Depository here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Hi it’s me, the resident V.E. Schwab fangirl. I pretty much love everything she writes, so I’m extremely hyped for Gallant<\/a><\/em>, which is a standalone out on the 1st of March. Both the US and UK versions are gorgeous, but I’m partial to the Titan cover, which is the one you see here. This is pitched as The Secret Garden <\/em>meets Stardust<\/em>, and is the story of sixteen year old Olivia Prior, an orphan who does not have a voice. Raised in a boarding school, she is summoned to a mysterious estate by an estranged uncle. Only, when she gets there, he has died, and she is set very odd rules and things aren’t quite what she expected… I love me a gothic mystery and you bet that I’ve already started begging for an ARC. Pre-order your own copy via Bookshop here<\/a> (affiliate link).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>The Book of Living Secrets<\/a> <\/strong><\/em>by Madeleine Roux was actually on my most anticipated list for 2021 already as its release date was pushed. It is now coming out on March 1st. This falls into one of my favourite tropes, stories about books. Adelle and Connie are best friends – and no matter how different they may be, they share a love for the novel Moira. <\/em>So when they are offered an opportunity to travel inside the book, they can’t resist. Except, once there, the story isn’t quite as they remember it, and they have to rely on their wits if they want to make it out alive as their dream turns into a nightmare. This sounds like such fun – and an exploration of a daydream most of us readers will have had many times over. I for one am not sure how long I’d make it in some of my favourite books… Pre-order this from Bookshop here<\/a> (affiliate link).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Out on March 3rd, Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments<\/a><\/em> is the second book in T.L. Huchu’s Edinburgh Nights<\/em> series. I really enjoyed The Library of the Dead<\/a><\/em>, the first book, which came out in spring 2021 (see my review here<\/a>), so I’m really excited to see where the story takes Ropa next. This is a really interesting fantasy series aimed at a crossover audience, blending an Edinburgh setting with Zimbabwean magic. This second book sees Ropa investigate a mysterious illness at a hospital for magical ailments, and leads her to one of the oldest schools for magic in Scotland (which still doesn’t accept female students…). I’m sure this too will be brilliant! Order a copy of The Library of the Dead <\/em>to keep yourself occupied here<\/a>, and pre-order Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments <\/em> here<\/a> (affiliate links).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Basically every Anna-Marie McLemore book I have read has been a five-star read. So it’s no wonder that they are featured twice on this list. First up is Lakelore<\/a><\/em>, out on March 8th. This pretty much promises to be their queerest book yet, which, knowing their work, means a lot. It features two non-binary protagonists – something I don’t think I’ve ever seen before. From the blurb: “Everyone who lives near the lake knows the stories about the world underneath it, an ethereal landscape rumored to be half-air, half-water. But Basti\u00e1n Silvano and Lore Garcia are the only ones who\u2019ve been there. Basti\u00e1n grew up both above the lake and in the otherworldly space beneath it. Lore\u2019s only seen the world under the lake once, but that one encounter changed their life and their fate.” But then the boundaries between the worlds start to blur, and the two have to start trusting each other and talking to the other, something they haven’t done in years. I’m already prepared for gorgeous writing and to get my heart broken. Pre-order this one from Book Depository here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Look at how gorgeous the cover for A Far Wilder Magic<\/a> <\/em>by Allison Saft is. This story of alchemists and the hunt for a mythical creature is also out on the 8th of March. This promises to be a dark and haunting story of outcasts, unlikely love and magic that takes over the protagonists lives. I love that so many of these stories are set in atmospheric forests, which is probably my favourite fantasy setting of them all. 2022 is spoiling me so damn much. You can pre-order this one from Book Depository here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>One For All<\/a><\/em> by Lillie Lainoff is also being released on March 8th. This is a genderbent retelling of The Three Musketeers<\/em> with a disabled protagonist, and damn do I need this in my life. Tania’s chronic illness is based on the author’s own experience with POTS, and it is probably the first book to ever feature a protagonist with this illness – and especially one that has her be a sword-fighter. While these experiences are very different from the chronic issues I face in my own life I think a lot of the broader experiences will resonate with me and so I can’t wait to read about a heroine who kicks ass while dealing with a lot of shit from her own body, never mind the people around her. Pre-order a copy from Book Depository here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>If there’s one form of art that I’ve always loved, it’s maps. Growing up as the daughter of a geographer, questions such as “where is this place?” were often greeted with “go get an atlas and look it up”, so I learned how to read maps very early on, and they have a comforting familiarity as well as remind me of my mum. So I’m very intrigued by The Cartographers<\/a><\/em> by Peng Shepherd, out on March 15th. This is described as a highly imaginative thriller about a young woman who discovers that a strange map in her deceased father\u2019s belongings holds an incredible, deadly secret\u2014one that will lead her on an extraordinary adventure and to the truth about her family\u2019s dark history. A love letter to maps, family secrets AND V.E. Schwab comps? Count me in. Pre-order this via Bookshop here<\/a> (affiliate link).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Apart from books, the other thing I love more than anything is tea. (and cats, but that’s not relevant right now) A Magic Steeped in Poison<\/a><\/em> by Judy I. Lin combines the two things masterfully. Out on March 22nd, this YA fantasy features a magical tea making competition, and so is best enjoyed along with a cup of your favourite brew. It is the first in a duology, and you don’t even have to wait long for book two – A Venom Dark and Sweet<\/a><\/em> is out in August already! Backstabbing, deceit and poison tea, as well as a competition element, this sounds like a wonderful Asian-set story. Pre-order it from Book Depository here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>I’ve really enjoyed much of Tara Sim’s YA work, so I’m intrigued to see where her adult fantasy takes us. The City of Dusk<\/a><\/em> is out on March 22nd and billed as having bone and shadow magic, vengeful gods and a set of chosen ones who aren’t happy about their status. There are four gods, and four heirs to the gods, and their realms converge in the City of Dusk. But now, the gods have withdrawn their favour, and the realms are dying – except that the heirs won’t let that happen if they have anything to say about it. This sounds like a fun epic fantasy on the darker side of things! Pre-order this from Book Depositoy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab<\/strong>: The Bone Orchard<\/a> <\/strong><\/em>by Sara A. Mueller has one of the most gorgeous covers of 2022. And it comes out on March 22nd, the day before my birthday, so I think someone should order this for me as a birthday present. Because this isn’t only pretty but it also sounds awesome and features a witch – a necromancer to be precise. Charm is the last in her line of necromantic practicioners, and she is both a whore and the Emperor’s concubine. And now she’s been summoned to his deathbed to solve his impending murder (which he believes was committed by one of his sons, and thus affects the future of the entire empire). Sounds like a brilliant book! Pre-order from Book Depository here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Until the Last of Me<\/a><\/em> by Sylvain Neuvel is the second book in his Take Them to the Stars <\/em>series. Following up on 2021’s A History of What Comes Next<\/a><\/em>, this continues Mia’s story as she strives to make space travel happen for humanity. I absolutely loved the first book – I had an audio-arc and liked it so much I got myself a Goldsboro edition – so I’m very hyped for this second installment to come out on March 29th. These books are smart, tongue-in-cheek and just plain brilliant. Highly recommended if you like space and intelligent, high-concept fiction. Pre-order via Bookshop here<\/a> (affiliate link).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab:<\/strong> There are few covers that scream Fab as much as Wild and Wicked Things<\/a> <\/em>by Francesca May, out on March 31st (so basically a birthday present for me). Just look at this occult historical beauty. This is a sapphic witchy book which you all know is my exact favourite thing so I’m expecting this to be a 5 star read. I have also already begged the publicist for an ARC so hopefully you’ll get a review soon-ish. This is set in a Great Gatsby-esque world of opulence, but instead of silly men being content in their mediocrity, this features beautiful women, wicked blood bargains and enigmatic witches. Absolute Fabnip. Pre-order a copy via Bookshop here<\/a> (affiliate link).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Out on April 12th, Emily X.R. Pan’s An Arrow to the Moon<\/a> <\/em>is pitched as Romeo and Juliet meets Houyi & Chang’e from Chinese Mythology. So another fairy tale atmosphere story that will steal my heart. I adored Emily’s debut, The Astonishing Color of After<\/em>, which was haunting and lyrical and I did not expect to fall for as hard as I did, so I fully expect to love this one too, especially as this is much more my genre. It sounds like a sweet contemporary fantasy about Hunter and Luna, two teens who are utterly different, and find their lives upended as they fall in love – with a heavy dose of secrets and magic. And just look at this amazing cover. Pre-order this one via Book Depository here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Give me a cover this gorgeous and tell me that the book’s comps are Gideon the Ninth<\/em> and The Ten Thousand Doors of January<\/em> and damn, if that’s not a book I’ll be all over. Saint Death’s Daughter<\/a><\/em> by C.S.E. Cooney is out on April 12th, and I can’t wait to dive into my ARC soon. Just read this blurb: “To be born into a family of royal assassins pretty much guarantees that your life is going to be\u2026 rather unusual. Especially if, like Miscellaneous \u201cLanie\u201d Stones, you also have a vicious allergy to all forms of violence and bloodshed, and an uncanny affinity for bringing the dead back to life. To make matters worse, family debt looms \u2013 a debt that will have to be paid sooner rather than later if Lanie and her sister are to retain ownership of the ancestral seat, Stones Manor. Lanie finds herself courted and threatened by powerful parties who would love to use her worryingly intimate relationship with the goddess of death for their own nefarious ends. But the goddess has other plans\u2026” You can get your very own copy via Book Depository here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Another queer fantasy YA thriller for me to get excited over. I am easy to please, if you haven’t noticed yet. Out on April 12th, The Drowning Summer<\/a> <\/em>by Christine Lynn Herman is about three murdered teens, six years ago – a time known as the drowning summer – and two girls tangled up in the mystery of it all. Evelyn’s father was accused of the murders, the charges only dropped because she summoned a spirit to clear his name. But that doesn’t mean that the community trusts them. And while Mina’s family has worked as mediums for generations, she’s been shut out of the family business. When a summoning goes very wrong, the two girls have to work together to figure out how to fix things and find out what happened six years ago… Pre-order this one via Bookshop here<\/a> (affiliate link).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Spear<\/a><\/em> by Nicola Griffith isn’t out until April 19th but I’ve already managed to get my hands on a copy and it’s probably the best novella I’ve read all year. This is pretty much the well-researched diverse queer Arthurian story of my dreams. You can check out my full review on Grimdark Magazine here<\/a>, but rest assured that this is a book I wholeheartedly recommend. Peretur, a young woman , ends up at the Arthurian court, where she is mistaken for a man and ends up involved in the quest for the Grail… And do I even need to mention that the book is illustrated by Rovina Cai? An adult book illustrated on the inside?! Pre-order this from Book Depository here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab:<\/strong> I adored Jennifer Saint’s debut, Ariadne<\/a><\/em>, in 2021 (see my review here<\/a>), and thought that cover was absolutely stunning. But her sophomore novel, Elektra<\/a><\/em>, is even more beautiful. Out on April 22nd, this tells the story of three women: Elektra, her mother Clytemnestra and the woman cursed to prophecy the brutal events to befall them all, Cassandra. I look forward to reading another nuanced reworking of Greek mythology, focusing on the perspectives of the often passive women. This is sure to be a great read, and if you haven’t read Ariadne <\/em>yet, I recommend you get a copy of that while you wait for Elektra <\/em>to be released. You can order a copy of Ariadne <\/em>here<\/a> and Elektra <\/em>here<\/a> via Bookshop (affiliate links).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>T. Kingfisher has a tendency to write comfort reads. And Nettle and Bone<\/a><\/em>, out on April 26th sounds like it will fit that bill perfectly. Growing up under an abusive prince, Marra has realised that no one will save her and her sisters if she doesn’t do it herself. Seeking help from a powerful gravewitch, Marra is offered the tools to kill the prince – if she can complete three impossible tasks. But, as is the way in tales of princes, witches, and daughters, the impossible is only the beginning… This, like many of Kingfisher’s stories is one of a motley crew, an itinerant quest and humour. Oh, and there’s a chicken possessed by a demon, which might be a selling point too. You can order this one from Bookshop here<\/a> (affiliate link).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Unicorns have been pink, fluffy and cute for far too long. So, I’m thrilled for Skandar and the Unicorn Thief<\/em> <\/a>by A.F. Steadman, out on April 28th. This middle grade fantasy debut presents unicorns as deadly beasts – more akin to dragons than innocent creatures. Skandar has always wanted to become a unicorn rider. And how, he’s finally getting ready to take his Hatchery Exam. But when his exam is stopped and a thief steals the most powerful unicorn out there, Skandar realises that becoming a rider is far more dangerous than he expected. In typical middle grade fashion, he is drawn into epic battles, big time magic and adventures bigger than expected. This sounds like a hoot, and I’ll be reading this as soon as I can. Pre-order it from Bookshop here<\/a> (affiliate link).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>So Xiran Jay Zhao convinced me that they can write pretty damn well with their #1 NYT Bestselling debut Iron Widow<\/a>. <\/em>Which means that I’m now going to devour anything they write – especially if it sounds as tempting as Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor<\/a><\/em>. Out on May 3rd, this is a Percy Jackson-style middle grade fantasy adventure based on Chinese mythology. Zack is very surprised when he learns that he’s supposed to host the spirit of the First Emperor of China to help seal the Underworld, and when the possession goes wrong, and the Emperor accidentally possesses Zack’s AR gaming headset, all hell breaks loose. This leads to a merry chase through China, to save both the world and his mum. FUN! Pre-order this from Book Depository here<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Out on May 3rd, When Women Were Dragons <\/a><\/em>by Kelly Barnhill features a world in which thousands of women have spontaneously transformed into dragons. Set in an alternate version of the 1950s, in which the Mass Dragoning of 1955 has taken place – an event which caused women, seemingly chosen at random, to transform into dragons, complete with talons, wings and fire-breathing abilities. And, they are never spoken of again. This is the world Alex Green grows up in and has to make sense of. A world in which women are kept small, where they disappear, where there is a desperate need for answers but the questions aren’t asked. This sounds brilliant and unique and I need it. Pre-order a copy via Book Depository here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Holly Black is a huge name in YA, and on May 3rd, she’s set to take the adult fantasy world by storm with Book of Night<\/a><\/em>. This is the story of Charlie Hall, who lives in a world where shadows can be altered – for entertainment, cosmetic preferences, but also power. They can be used to manipulate emotions. Your shadow holds all the parts of you that you want to keep hidden\u2014a second self, standing just to your left, walking behind you into lit rooms. And sometimes, it has a life of its own. And Charlie’s a con-artist trying to survive and make a life in this world while working as a bartender. I love the concept of the shadow magic, and am really looking forward to seeing how Holly Black’s writing transitions to the adult market. Pre-order this one via Book Depository here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Miss the comfort of Harry Potter from your childhood but not the transphobia and lack of diversity? Dhonielle Clayton’s got you covered. Her first middle grade, The Marvellers<\/a><\/em> is being published on May 3rd and features a global magic school in the sky and a black girl protagonist. Just read this description of the school from the blurb: “Marvellers from all around the world come together to practice their cultural arts like brewing Indian spice elixirs, practicing Caribbean steel drum hypnosis, and bartering with fussy Irish faeries.” This sounds like an amazing place and I am so looking forward to diving into this world of international magic, drawing on such a variety of heritage. Add in main character Ella having to prove herself as the first Conjurer to attend the school and all sorts of weird things going on and you’ve got a great sounding book right there! Pre-order via Book Depository here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Out on May 3rd, Tori Bovalino’s Not Good For Maidens<\/a><\/em> is a retelling of Christina Rosetti’s “Goblin Market”. The blurb sounds so delicious: “Lou never believed in superstitions or magic–until her teenage aunt Neela is kidnapped to the goblin market. The market is a place Lou has only read about–twisted streets, offerings of sweet fruits and incredible jewels. Everything–from the food and wares, to the goblins themselves–is a haunting temptation for any human who manages to find their way in. Determined to save Neela, Lou learns songs and spells and tricks that will help her navigate this dangerous world and slip past a goblin’s defenses–but she only has three days to find Neela before the market disappears and her aunt becomes one of them forever. If she isn’t careful, the market might just end up claiming her too.” I can’t put it better than that – sounds like a wonderful twisty story to curl up with. You can pre-order a copy via Book Depository here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Probably my number one comfort book of 2021 was One Last Stop<\/em>. So I’m extremely excited for more sapphic Casey McQuiston. I Kissed Shara Wheeler<\/a> <\/em>is coming on May 3rd and not a day too soon – I can’t wait to binge it as soon as it’s out. From the blurb, this sounds like Shara is an absolute disaster bi which I thoroughly identify with – and she’s gone missing. And the girl and guys she’s made out with have to find her. I’m not sure whether this is more rom-com or actually has a supernatural twist like One Last Stop<\/em>, but either way, I’m here for it and it sounds heartwarming and hilarious. Pre-order this via Book Depository here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>I’ve wanted to read one of Ryan La Sala’s books for ages – and while they all sound like a hoot, The Honeys<\/a> <\/em>is the most me of them so far. Out on May 3rd, this features Mars, a genderfluid protagonist, which I’m especially excited to read about. It is also a dark academia book, so double excitement. Mars has always been the lesser twin. But when his sister dies, he attends her prestigious school in her stead, and gets involved with her group of friends, called the Honeys, equally beautiful and terrifying. And Mars is convinced that they have something to do with his sister’s death… Pre-order The Honeys <\/em>from Book Depository here<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Seasonal Fears<\/a><\/em> by Seanan McGuire is the follow-up to the fantastic Middlegame<\/a><\/em>. This one is out on May 3rd and features a new cast of characters. This follows Melanie, who has a tragic destiny, and Harry, who doesn’t want to believe in destiny because that would mean accepting losing the person who lights up his life. So of course they are excited when a new road presents itself… But if you’ve read Middlegame<\/em>, you already know about the weird things that come with walking down that particular road. I’m excited to dive back into that world. Pre-order this one from Book Depository here<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>My first history obsession as a kid was with Pompeii, and a few years ago I got to actually fulfill my dream of visiting the site. So it’s no wonder that I loved Elodie Harper’s The Wolf Den<\/a><\/em> (see my review here) – and got to see it used to tick off another bucket list dream, when the publisher used my review as part of the endorsements printed in the paperback edition. Of course I can’t wait to see where the story goes in The House With the Golden Door,<\/a> <\/em>out on May 12th. The first book follows Amara as she fights her way out of being a slave in Pompeii’s brothel, the Lupinar, and the second continues her story as she adjusts to life with a benefactor that she might not know as well as she thought she did. These books are written with compassion and a healthy dose of modern feminism and evaluate what it means to belong to oneself. If you haven’t read book one yet, you can get a copy here<\/a>, and pre-order a copy of The House with the Golden Door<\/em> from Bookshop here<\/a> (affiliate links).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>The Stardust Thief <\/a><\/em>by Chelsea Abdullah is out on May 17th and is inspired by One<\/em> Thousand and One Nights. <\/em>The story is about Loulie, the Midnight Merchant, a criminal, who steals and sells magic – illegal magic – with the help of her jinn bodyguard. When she saves the life of a cowardly prince, she draws the attention of his powerful father, the sultan, who blackmails her into finding an artefact that has powers to benefit the land… but destroy all living jinn. But of course, Loulie is in a position where she doesn’t have choice, and so a magical adventure begins. It sounds amazing, and perfect for fans of S.A. Chakraborty’s Daevabad<\/em> series. Pre-order The Stardust Thief <\/em>from Bookshop here<\/a> (affiliate link).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Another for the queer YA brigade, Rose Szabo’s sophomore novel, We All Fall Down<\/a><\/em>, out on June 7th, is about the complex networks of power and the pain that they create. From the blurb: “Moving between the decaying Old City and the ruthless New, four young queer people struggle with the daily hazards of life\u2015work, school, dodging ruthless cops and unscrupulous scientists\u2015not realizing that they have been selected to play in an age-old drama that revives the flow of magic through their world. When a mysterious death rocks their fragile peace, the four are brought into each other’s orbits as they uncover a deeper magical conspiracy.” Colour me intrigued. Pre-order a copy from Book Depository here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>If I had to pick some top books from my list of most anticipated, Wrath Goddess Sing<\/a><\/em> by Maya Deane would be on it. Out on June 7th, this is an #ownvoices trans reworking of the Iliad<\/em>. Achilles famously hides among women in the original tale, and I’ve always found that episode in the epic very interesting. And reading the blurb for this, I think that there is a very interesting story here – it will probably be one that will cause a bit of an uproar, but one that will make me fall in love. Just read this excerpt from the blurb: “Achilles has fled her home and her vicious Myrmidon clan to live as a woman with the kallai, the transgender priestesses of Great Mother Aphrodite. When Odysseus comes to recruit the \u201cprince\u201d Achilles for a war against the Hittites, she prepares to die rather than fight as a man. However, her divine mother, Athena, intervenes, transforming her body into the woman\u2019s body she always longed for, and promises her everything: glory, power, fame, victory in war, and, most importantly, a child born of her own body. Reunited with her beloved cousin, Patroklos, and his brilliant wife, the sorceress Meryapi, Achilles sets out to war with a vengeance.” Squabbling gods, trans heroes for the ages – and far less toxic masculinity? I kind of suspect that this may join my all-time favourite books. Oh, and should I mention that it has Helen in an active role engineering her fortune rather than a passive damsel waiting to be fought over? Pre-order this from Bookshop here<\/a> (affiliate link).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Juniper & Thorn<\/em> <\/a>by Ava Reid is out on June 7th, and set in the same world as their debut, The Wolf and the Woodsman<\/em>, <\/a>which I loved. While the two books share a secondary world, they are set in different times and places within that realm, so they are both standalones. This is a gothic horror retelling of The Juniper Tree<\/em> – and I love both the genre and retellings so this will be right up my street. It tells the story of a young witch who seeks to discover her identity and to escape the domination of her wizard father during a period of shift from magic to industry. Marlinchen and her sisters are some of the last true witches – really, little more than a tourist trap – but at night they sneak out to revel in the city’s thrills, where Marlinchen meets a dancer who captures her heart. As things grow ever more fervent, a monster lurks in its midst, and Marlinchen, caught between history and progress, tradition and desire, must draw on her magic to keep the city safe and find her own place. Sounds brilliant, and I have high hopes. You can pre-order this via Book Depository here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n



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Fab: <\/strong>Out on June 14th, Valiant Ladies<\/a><\/em> by Melissa Grey is a YA historical fiction novel based on real seventeenth century teens called the Valiant Ladies of Potos\u00ec. “By day Eustaquia \u201cKiki\u201d de Sonza and Ana Lezama de Urinza are proper young seventeenth century ladies. But when night falls, they trade in their silks and lace for swords and muskets, venturing out into the vibrant, bustling, crime-ridden streets of Potos\u00ed, in the Spanish Empire’s Viceroyalty of Peru. They pass their time fighting, gambling, and falling desperately in love with one another.” Queer girls spending their nights fighting with swords and pretending to be proper ladies by day? YES PLEASE. Also, why have I not read like a million stories about these girls before? I can’t wait. Pre-order Valiant Ladies <\/em> from Book Depository here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>I am very excited for The Midnighters <\/a><\/em>by Hana Tooke. I loved her debut, The Unadoptables<\/a><\/em>, which was everything I love in middle grade, so this will be great too. Out on June 23rd, this is the story of Ema, a girl who grows up in a family of scientists. There isn’t much space there for superstition or omens, though they seem to follow her wherever she goes – and it doesn’t help that she seems able to predict things before they happen… When Ema is sent to stay with a mysterious uncle in Prague, she fears she’s lost any chance to ever fit in, but she meets Silvie, and makes a friend to go on secret midnight adventures with. But then Silvie goes missing, and it’s up to Ema to find her. Pre-order this one via Bookshop here<\/a> (affiliate link).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Another author on the list of Remixed Classics<\/em> is Tasha Suri with What Souls Are Made Of<\/a><\/em>. Out on the 5th of July, this reworks Wuthering Heights<\/em>, a classic I’ve always had very mixed feelings about, so I’m very excited to see what she does with it. This Heathcliff is the son of an Indian sailor, flung into an alien life in the Yorkshire moors where he doesn’t fit. Catherine is the odd younger child, a daughter with a mother nobody talks about. She knows she must mold herself into a version that suits society even if it breaks her. The two find solace in each other and their occasional flights into the moor – and the shared half-remembered language of their unknown parents. But as in the original story, their relationship faces challenges and obstacles, and starts unraveling. I am very curious to read this version and think it sounds brilliant. Pre-order What Souls Are Made Of<\/em> from Book Depository here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>I don’t think Alix E. Harrow could write a book that I don’t want to read any of these days. I recently listened to her recent novella A Spindle Splintered<\/a><\/em>, and A Mirror Mended<\/a><\/em> is the follow up to that. It continues Zinnia Grey’s story after she has mostly broken her own curse and started out as a professional fairy-tale fixer. And now Snow White’s evil queen wants her help to prevent her dastardly fate… This slim volume is out on June 14th, and packs a punch. Not only do these books retell fairy-tales, but they analyse them at the same time and involve a lot of meta-discussion. So, perfect for nerd me! Catch up with A Spindle Splintered <\/em>here<\/a>, and pre-order A Mirror Mended<\/em> here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab:<\/strong> Wake the Bones<\/em> <\/a>by Elizabeth Kilcoyne is giving me massive Southern Gothic vibes. Out on July 12th, this is a YA horror novel about Laurel Early, who wants nothing more than a quiet life as a tobacco hand and taxidermist after dropping out of college. But the farm has come to life, the pile of bones in front of her walked away and a devil from her past come calling. This sounds like a book that lives of its uncanny vibes and I’m all here for it. If the cover’s anything to go by in terms of atmosphere, this is going to be a brilliant read, perfect for those long summer evenings, where we all need a chill to cool us down… Pre-order this one via Book Depository here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>I’ve been excited for Silk Fire<\/a><\/em> by Zab\u00e9 Ellor, out on July 5th, for quite a while. But now that the gorgeous cover has been revealed too, I’m even more hyped. It features dragons, courtesans, queers and magic. So pretty much all the Fab-catnip. Read (part of) the blurb and join me in excitement: “Elite courtesan Kor\u00e9 knew that meddling in politics could end badly, particularly when trying to sabotage his aristocratic father\u2019s campaign for high office before it destroys the city loves. And when a chance encounter with a dying god imbues him with magic-breathing powers, it gets worse: he suddenly becomes a commodity, one the political establishment will do anything to control.” Pre-order Silk Fire<\/em> from Book Depository here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab:<\/strong> Tentatively scheduled for July 7th, Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson’s debut The Principle of Moments<\/em> <\/a>is going to be your next book obsession. Think V.E. Schwab’s Shades of Magic<\/em> series, but queerer, meets space opera and a fantastic heroine. This is the current blurb: “Asha Akindele lives in a future gripped by oppression, just one more human forced to assemble weapons for a war they’ll never win. Then she discovers she has a sister imprisoned by Emperor Thracin and is forced to make a choice: remain a slave, or escape and risk everything. With the help of time-traveller Obi, who just wants to return to London, 1811, and his almost-boyfriend Prince George, Asha must travel through the stars to save a sister she’s never met – and in doing so save worlds.” I can promise you that it’s absolutely brilliant and I cannot wait to see the finished product. A must to pre-order, which you can do here<\/a> via Bookshop (affiliate link).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Dauntless<\/a> <\/em>by Elisa A. Bonnin is another one of those books that have been on my radar for far too long, and are finally coming out in 2022. This Filipino-inspired fantasy is being released on July 19th. This is a story of two girls from opposing cultures who fall in love and have to save their worlds while doing so. Also, they’re warriors. While this doesn’t sound like the most inventive YA fantasy ever, the Filipino setting is what makes this one stand out. And let’s be honest, I’ll always be here for sapphic YA fantasy. Pre-order this one from Book Depository here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Dark academia and vampires sound like your jam? Then you should check out Youngblood<\/a><\/em> by Sasha Laurens, out on July 19th. This is set at an elite vampires-only boarding school (it reminds me of the mountains of trashy early 2010s YA I read in the best possible way) – but it’s queer, and addresses class issues, and oh, the vampires have to drink synthetic blood because the humans have spread a virus that is toxic to vampires. The blurb hints at an enemies-to-lovers arc (my fave trope) and a lot of intrigue and dramaaaaa. Sounds like such fun. Pre-order a copy from Book Depository here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Her Majesty’s Royal Coven<\/a><\/em> is Juno Dawson’s adult debut, out from Harper Voyager on July 21st. It features a secret government agency of witches founded by Queen Elizabeth I. But when the genocide of all witches is prophecied, all hell breaks loose… Knowing Juno Dawson’s work, this will be queer as fuck and extremely political, and tackle some heavy themes in interesting ways. I can’t wait to see what she does for a more mature audience, and I was sold at queer witchy book already (yes, I’m a simple Fab). You can already pre-order copies of this beauty from Bookshop here<\/a> (affiliate link).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Queer witchy books are my brand. So I’d be remiss if I didn’t add The Witchery<\/a> <\/em>by S. Isabelle to this list. Out on July 26th, this promises to be a great YA fantasy about a town of witches, and the tensions between humans, witches and wolves. There’s a witch academy, some morally g(r)ay witches and curses that come with huge costs to break. Sounds like perfect escapism for the summer holidays and I am very excited to dive in. It reminds me a bit of Sarah Gailey’s When We Were Magic<\/em> crossed with Zoraida C\u00f3rdova’s Brooklyn Brujas<\/em>, which I both enjoyed a lot. Pre-order a copy from Book Depository here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Legendborn<\/a><\/em> by Tracy Deonn is one of my favourite YA novels of all time – I loved it so much I wrote half my MA dissertation on it. I am incredibly thrilled that its sequel, Bloodmarked<\/a><\/em>, is finally coming out on July 26th. And just look at the stunning cover featuring Bree and broody boy Selwyn Kane (and Excalibur!). I can’t wait to see where the story takes these characters after THAT ending. I think this series is probably the single most creative take on the Arthurian tales that is currently available, with a healthy pinch of Rick Riordan’s modern approach to mythology, a big dose of Black girl magic and a dash of the best portrayal of grief I’ve ever seen. This book resonated with me on so many levels, and I have extremely high expectations of the sequel. Get yourself Legendborn <\/em>here<\/a>, and pre-order Bloodmarked <\/em>here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>The Book of Gothel<\/em> <\/a>by Mary McMyne does one of my favourite things: it takes a known story, here that of Rapunzel, and retells it from a different perspective. This centres Haelwise, the witch of the tower of Gothel, the villain of the fairy tale, and tells the story from her perspective. And to me, witches and villains often have the more interesting stories to tell… So obviously I can’t wait for this to come out on July 28th (it’s a wonder writing this post isn’t sending me on a huge pre-order spree, I think it’s merely me being broke already that’s saving my bank account…). Pre-order a copy via Bookshop here<\/a> (affiliate link).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Out on August 11th, The Monsters We Defy<\/a><\/em> by L. Penelope is further proof of the amazing streak the team at Orbit is on. It doesn’t have a cover yet, but I imagine it’ll be as stunning on the outside as the description is. This is a historical fantasy set in the Washington, DC of 1925, where a woman able to communicate with spirits has to assemble a ragtag crew to pull of a daring heist. Weaving together African American folk magic, history and romance, this sounds like a huge hit. A malevolent entity has started praying on Negro residents, and Clara Johnson is determined to figure out how to help her community. In the process, a powerful spirit tasks her to steal an ancient magical ring straight from the finger of a wealthy socialite. This leads Clara to meet Israel Lee, a supernaturally enhanced jazz musician, also trying to steal the same ring – and the two decide to band together to pull of this feat, and start building a crew… It sounds so fun, and set in a wonderful, rich world full of stunning imagery. Pre-order this from Bookshop here<\/a> (affiliate link).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>One of the greatest hits of 2021 was the Sapphic Trifecta. And with The Oleander Sword<\/a><\/em> by Tasha Suri, out on the 18th of August, the first sequel (complete with stunning cover) has been announced. This is the follow-up to The Jasmine Throne<\/a><\/em>, which blew my mind earlier this year (see my review here<\/a>), and continues the story of my favourite messy sapphics, Priya and Malini. This extract from the blurb shows how much Tasha will be stomping on my heart again: “Their chosen paths once pulled them apart. But Malini and Priya\u2019s hearts remain as entwined as their destinies, and they soon realize they must come together again if they wish to save their kingdom from those who would rather see it burn\u2014no matter what it will cost them.” And masochist as I am, I can’t wait. Of course, there’s also lots of magic, prophecy and intrigue, but MALINI AND PRIYA. If you haven’t read book one yet, I suggest you get yourself a copy here<\/a> while you wait, and pre-order The Oleander Sword <\/em>here<\/a> (affiliate links).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Another example of how a pretty cover gets a Fab to read books. Belladonna<\/a> <\/em>by Adalyn Grace is out on August 23rd and was on my TBR before I’d even read the blurb. But that doesn’t mean that the blurb isn’t just as seductive. This is the story of a girl who has to tangle with Death to solve a murder – Signa has been raised by a series of guardians more interested in her wealth than her well-being, all of whom have perished in unfortunate circumstances (A Series of Unfortunate Events<\/em> vibes, anyone?). And now she’s with her last set of living relatives. And she’s figured out that the mother of the family was poisoned rather than died of an illness and time is running out to save the daughter, which means she has to ally with Death himself to figure out what is going on… Sounds fun and entertaining, the kind of dark YA I love. Pre-order this one from Book Depository here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab:<\/strong> R.F. Kuang came onto the scene with her Poppy War <\/em>trilogy. And now she’s back with a very different sort of book. Babel, or the Necessity of Violence: An<\/em> Arcane History of the Oxford Translator’s Revolution<\/em><\/a> <\/em>is out on August 23rd and sounds absolutely amazing. This is a dark academia set in the early-ish nineteenth century, around Robin Swift, adopted from his native Canton to London, where he is trained in languages dead and alive in preparation to when he will one day join Oxford’s famous institute for translation, known as Babel – which is not only a brilliant academic institution, but a magical one. From the blurb: “Oxford, the city of dreaming spires, is a fairytale for Robin; a utopia dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. But knowledge serves power, and for Robin, a Chinese boy raised in Britain, serving Babel inevitably means betraying his motherland. As his studies progress Robin finds himself caught between Babel and the shadowy Hermes Society, an organization dedicated to sabotaging the silver-working that supports imperial expansion. When Britain pursues an unjust war with China over silver and opium, Robin must decide: Can powerful institutions be changed from within, or does revolution always require violence? What is he willing to sacrifice to bring Babel down?” It sounds like this really asks a lot of interesting questions and I am very excited to read this, combining so many of my interests. Alas, no pre-order links just yet, but keep an eye out!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Out on August 25th, The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy<\/a> <\/em>by Megan Bannen doesn’t have a cover yet, but it has comps – and those alone got me interested. The publisher pitches this as The Princess Bride<\/em> meets The House in the Cerulean Sea<\/em> and if that’s not a brilliant combo in terms of vibes, I don’t know what is. It’s also got an extensive synopsis: Hart, demigod and marshal, patrolling wastelands to ensure they are clear of reanimated corpses – giving him far too much time to think about things he’d rather not think about meets Mercy, undertaker single-handedly running Birdsall & Son – despite very clearly not being a son – and having quite the opposite problem, trying to keep all those plates spinning. They bicker – but they both might have a point. And so Hart sends an anonymous letter addressed to “A Friend” via animal messenger… and to his surprise, he gets a response. If only he knew he was actually corresponding with Mercy. It sounds delightful and I can’t wait. Pre-order a copy via Bookshop here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Sometimes all I need to know about a book is the title, and the rest is optional extras. The Book Eaters<\/a><\/em> by Sunyi Dean is one of those – because how could I possibly resist a title like that. It’s not out until September 1st, but my need to devour it is strong already. Just read the blurb: “Out on the Yorkshire Moors lives a secret line of people for whom books are food, and who retain all of a book’s content after eating it. To them, spy novels are a peppery snack; romance novels are sweet and delicious. Eating a map can help them remember destinations, and children, when they misbehave, are forced to eat dry, musty pages from dictionaries. Devon is part of The Family, an old and reclusive clan of book eaters. Her brothers grow up feasting on stories of valor and adventure, and Devon\u2014like all other book eater women\u2014is raised on a carefully curated diet of fairytales and cautionary stories. But real life doesn’t always come with happy endings, as Devon learns when her son is born with a rare and darker kind of hunger\u2014not for books, but for human minds.” AMAZING. Pre-order a copy from Bookshop here<\/a> (affiliate link).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Self-Made Boys<\/a><\/em> by Anna Marie McLemore, their second entry on this list, may not have a cover yet, but that doesn’t mean I’m any less excited for it to come out on the 6th of September. This too is part of the Remixed Classics <\/em>series – a reworking of The Great Gatsby<\/em>, but make it trans. This Nick is Nicol\u00e1s Caraveo, a trans boy from Minnesota, who wants to establish himself in New York as a young professional, not only for his own benefit but to help his whole family. He rents a place to stay from his cousin Daisy, who has erased any trace of her Latina heritage and passes as white. Through her, he meets the mysterious Jay Gatsby, who throws extravagant parties at his castle-like mansion – largely to impress Daisy – and as Nick is pulled into Jay’s orbit, he finds out that Jay too is trans, and falls hard for this version of the American dream. I’m not the biggest fan of Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby<\/em>, but I am a massive McLemore fan and I tend to love everything they write, while also having a soft spot for very queer YA, so I expect to fall as hard for Self-Made Boys<\/em> as Nick does for Jay. Pre-order this from Book Depository here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Out on September 13th, Alexandra Overy’s The Gingerbread Witch<\/a><\/em> doesn’t have a cover yet, but it nevertheless sounds delightful. This is a YA fantasy heavily influenced by fairy-tale worlds, in which young Maud has grown up in a gingerbread house, desiring nothing more than to become a witch like Mother Agatha. But like all of Agatha’s creations, she will turn back into gingerbread if anything happens to Agatha. And, after a terrible fight, Maud storms off, and when she returns, she learns that Hansel and Gretel, a pair of witch hunters, have pushed Agatha into the cottage’s oven… So it is up to Maud to find a way to save herself and the other gingerbread creations from turning back into inanimate objects – a quest far from easy, especially with witch hunters on her trail… It sounds so fun and I can totally see myself reading this while munching on a ton of gingerbread… (yes, I’m a terrible person!) Pre-order this from Book Depository here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>There is exactly one reason why I am the Twitter-obsessed weirdo I am today. And that is Susan Dennard and The Luminaries<\/a>. <\/em>This YA fantasy, out in October, doesn’t have a proper title yet (The Luminaries<\/em> is the series title rather than the book itself), but it originally started life as a choose-your-own adventure thread on Twitter in 2019. Susan had us hooked for almost six months, following along the adventures of Winnie Wednesday, Ugh-Jay and co – and trust me when I say the hivemind was VERY STUPID. I can’t wait to see where the actually-well-written version of the story goes (check out the current version of the first chapter here<\/a>), given that I’ve been a DenNerd since day 1 – I’ve read everything Susan’s published and loved it, and she’s also one of the loveliest humans I’ve ever met. If you haven’t been obsessed with The Luminaries<\/em> since the beginning, this is an exciting contemporary fantasy about monster-hunting families named after the days of the week, and a story full of magic, mystery and secrecy. I NEEDS IT. Alas, no pre-order links just yet, but keep an eye out!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>One Dark Window<\/a><\/em> by Rachel Gillig isn’t out until October 18th, but damn, if that cover and description isn’t tempting! Just looking at this image is making me think that this story is going to be dark and gloomy and atmospheric as anything and I am so excited for those vibes. Elspeth Spindle needs a monster to stay safe – one she calls the Nightmare. But magic comes with a price, and the Nightmare is slowly taking over her mind. Together with a mysterious highwayman, who happens to be the King’s nephew, she tries to keep control of her own mind, and cure the evil befalling their kingdom… Pre-order this one via Book Depository here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Sir Callie and the Champion of Helston<\/a><\/em> by Esme Symes-Smith isn’t out until November, so it doesn’t have a cover or exact date yet – nor any pre-order links for that matter. But this is the middle grade book of my dreams. 12-year-old Callie is non-binary, and they’re ready to smash gender rules in order to become a knight. As their dad – an ex-hero – is summon to the royal capital of Helston to train a hopeless prince, you better believe that Callie seizes that opportunity to become an official knight-in-training. But, Helston is full of people who believe only boys can be knights, and magic is for girls, so Callie and their friends will have to go and fight some bigotry before they can deal with the bigger threats. SO MUCH YES PLEASE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>It feels like this list contains far too few graphic novels, but The Marble Queen<\/a><\/em> by Anna Kopp and illustrator Gabrielle Kari is here to change that. Not out until November 22nd, this doesn’t have an official cover yet, so we have to make do with the placeholder. It is a sapphic YA graphic novel with sword fighting, political intrigue and magic – so all the good things. Princess Amelia’s kingdom is in shambles, and so when she receives an offer of marriage from the royalty of the mysterious country of Iliad, she says yes without much thought. Unexpectedly, she soon finds out that her betrothed is the newly crowned Queen Salira – a situation that awakens unknown feelings in Amelia… The story also deals with anxiety, so it sounds pretty damn perfect. Alas, no pre-order links yet, but keep an eye out!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>Nona the Ninth<\/a> <\/em>by Tamsyn Muir is still shrouded in mystery. It is announced for Fall 2022, but there is no synopsis yet, nor any pre-order links that I could find. This is the third book in Muir’s Locked Tomb series, which was only recently announced – it was originally planned to be a trilogy and now expanded into a four-book-series. I loved both Gideon <\/em>and Harrow<\/em>, so I can’t wait to dive back into the world of the disaster lesbian necromancers. And I’m just as excited to see Tommy Arnold’s cover art, because those covers are just glorious works of art.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fab: <\/strong>We don’t have an exact date or a cover for Even Though I Knew the End<\/a><\/em> by C.L. Polk, just a vague Fall 2022 indication from the publisher. But a) Polk’s work is always fantastic (I’ve been shouting about The Midnight Bargain<\/a><\/em> especially to everyone who might listen, and I highly recommend you get yourself a copy of that one here<\/a> to tide you over) and b) the blurb sounds brilliant and so it deserves to be hyped far in advance. Even Though I Knew the End<\/em> is a historical urban fantasy set in early twentieth century Chicago – an exiled augur who sold her soul to save her brother’s life is offered one last job before facing eternity in hell… To sweeten the deal, the client offers her the one perk she can’t resist: the chance to grow old with the woman she loves. To do so, she just has to track down the White City Vampire, a notorious serial killer. In three days. Easy peasy. This sounds absolutely brilliant and I know I’ll love it – keep an eye out!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There are so many brilliant books out in 2022 – it was tough to choose what to include, and this list is in no way comprehensive. There are bound to be a ton of books that we missed despite our best efforts (I especially have been working on this almost daily for close to two months – and if you know of a book that really should be on here, do give us a shout and we’ll consider adding it!) – and do remember that we’ll continue to post monthly hype posts into next year too. For easy access, you can see those books that are available on Bookshop in a handy list here (also contains some earlier volumes in series that are mentioned in this post to tide you over while waiting). And now, enjoy the UTTER DESTRUCTION OF YOUR TBR. Fab: The Bone Spindle by Leslie Vedder, out on January 11th, is pitched as Sleeping Beauty meets Indiana Jones, and damn, that’s a tempting pitch. From the blurb: “Filore, a treasure hunter with a knack for riddles, is busy running from her own deadly curse, when she pricks her finger on a spindle. Bound to the sleeping prince Briar Rose with the spindle’s magic – and chosen as the only person who can wake him – Fi is stuck with the prince’s ghost until she can break his ancient curse and save his kingdom. She’s going to need a partner. A warrior huntswoman with an axe to grind (literally), Shane couldn’t care less about curses and ancient texts. But instead of riches, the two girls find trouble.” Sounds like a great sapphic YA fantasy. And not long to wait – pre-order your copy from Bookshop here (affiliate link). Fab: In 2021, H.M. Long debuted with Hall of Smoke, a Viking inspired fantasy which I thought was a really great debut and did some very interesting things around gods and their roles in the lives of mortals. With Eangi Hessa, Long created a wonderfully flawed leading character, and I can’t wait to read more of her adventures in the sequel. Temple of No God is out on January 18th and follows Hessa as she has to keep up the tentative peace she brokered at the end of the first book and face new threats. These are great books for anyone who likes historical fantasy, Grimdark, and Vikings. Pre-order a copy via Bookshop here (affiliate link) Fab: Edgewood by Kristen Ciccarelli promises to be a wonderful, lyrical story reminiscent of fairy tales. Out on January 18th, this is the story of Emeline, who has always been pursued by the mysterious forest of Edgewood. And now her grandfather has gone missing, almost without a trace. So she finally gives in to the call of the forest and finds herself dealing with the fabled Wood King. Not only does the blurb sound enchanting, the cover is absolutely stunning too. Yes, I want Emeline’s dress, complete with live flowers. Pre-order Edgewood from Book Depository here. Fab: My favourite books to write about here are ones that I know I have already acquired for myself. Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan is one of those – while it’s not out until January 20th, I have already managed to sneak an eARC and to read and review it! Check out my review over at Grimdark Magazine here. This debut fantasy is inspired by the legend of the Chinese Moon Goddess, Chang’e and is the first in a duology. It’s lyrical, magical and exactly the kind of thing that I will fall in love with. Xingyin grew up hidden away on the moon, but as her magical powers begin to bloom she is forced to flee and is plunged into perilous adventures. Pre-order a copy via Bookshop here (affiliate link). Fab: Gabriela Houston’s The Second Bell was one of my favourite debuts of 2021. Atmospheric, haunting and a compelling story about a mother and her child in a fantastical world inspired by Eastern European mythology. So I’m very excited for her first children’s book, which is coming out on February 3rd. The Wind Child tells the story of Mara, the granddaughter of Stribog, the god of winter winds, who is determined to get her beloved father back from Navia, the Slavic afterlife. There’s just one problem: no one has ever returned from Navia. Together with her best friend Torniv, a bear-shifter, she sets out on an epic adventure. I read this last week, and it is as brilliant as it sounds – review will be up soon but rest assured that it comes with the highest of recommendations. Pre-order your own copy from Bookshop here (affiliate link). Fab: I’m glad I waited with posting this list, because Elle McNicoll’s Like A Charm was only announced YESTERDAY! Her third book – and first fantasy novel – will be out on the third of February and I could not be more excited. I loved both A Kind of Spark and Show Us Who You Are and I can’t wait to meet Ramya, the dyspraxic heroine of Like A Charm. From the blurb: “Edinburgh is a city filled with magical creatures. No one can see them\u2026 until Ramya Knox. As she is pulled into her family’s world of secrets and spells, Ramya sets out to discover the truth behind the Hidden Folk with only three words of warning from her grandfather: Beware the Sirens. Plunged into an adventure that will change everything, Ramya is about to learn that there is more to her powers than she ever imagined.” Purely delightful! You can pre-order Like A Charm via Waterstones here. Fab: Rebecca Ross has been enchanting YA readers for a while, and now she has her sights set on the adult audience with A River Enchanted, out on February 3rd (15th in the US). It has two gorgeous covers in the UK and the US, but I think I slightly prefer the US one (which is the one you see here) because of it’s medieval vibes. The story is set on the Isle of Cadence, haunted by spirits who find mischief in playing with the inhabitants’ lives. They can only be controlled through a bard’s song, so as girls go missing, Adaira, heiress of the East has to band together with the last bard capable of the feat: Jack Tamerlaine, her childhood enemy. A story of working together despite the odds, of darker secrets lurking below the surface and uncanny happenings. And perhaps even an enemies-to-lovers trope if I’m a lucky Fab? Pre-order A River Enchanted from Bookshop here (affiliate link). Anna: Academic and speculative fiction author Adam Roberts has a knack for imagining alternative realities that seem almost plausible. This one features a ‘smart’ device (that is part-social media platform, part-body modification, part-cult experience), sentient robots, and malevolent AIs. Split across multiple timeframes, the blurb promises The This will ask tough questions about our dependence on technology. I’ve had the pleasure of being taught by Roberts as an undergraduate, have followed his writing since then, and can attest that his books always elicit a strong response (probably in the form of me yelling at my kindle). Out in the UK and US February 3rd. Pre-order via Bookshop here (affiliate link). Fab: Witches are my kryptonite. Especially witches in exciting middle grade fantasy adventures. So of course I’m hyped for The Witch, The Sword, and the Cursed Knights by Alexandria Rogers, out on February 8th. Twelve-year-old Ellie tries to eschew her hated witch heritage by joining the Fairy Godmother Academy. But instead she is drafted to the dreaded Arthurian Round Table, a draft which she can only get out of by saving a lost cause. This throws her together with Caedmon, a boy from Wisconsin who doesn’t believe magic is real, and they both have to accept their lives and destinies in order to survive and save their worlds. Pre-order this one from Bookshop here (affiliate link). Anna: I am here for occult libraries! From the adventures of Thursday Next to the Clayr’s Library in Garth Nix’s Old Kingdom series, quiet stacks and dusty tomes have been my jam. And A. J. Hackwith’s The Library of the Unwritten unites my love of libraries with my second favourite setting – Hell! The third instalment of the series, The God of Lost Words follows Claire, a former librarian, and her allies’ quest to rescue the Library of the Unwritten, a place where stories unfinished by their authors go, from the infernal general Malphas. And that may just require destroying the library first. I look forward to diving back into Hackwith’s imaginative world and reuniting with the characters on February 8th. Pre-order The God of Lost Words here, and catch up with books one and two, The Library of the Unwritten and The Archive of the Forgotten here and here via Bookshop (affiliate links). Fab: Give a Fab a speculative YA anthology with a host of diverse authors and they will be very happy. Reclaim the Stars, edited by Zoraida C\u00f3rdova and out on February 15th is exactly that kind of book. The anthology features seventeen stories about space in all shapes and forms written by authors of Latin American descent. From the blurb: “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. From princesses warring in space, to the all too-near devastation of climate change, to haunting ghost stories in Argentina, and mermaids off the coast of the Caribbean. This is science fiction and fantasy that breaks borders and realms, and proves that stories are truly universal.” If that doesn’t tempt you, I don’t know how to get you reading… Pre-order a copy from Book Depository here. Fab: I have been excited for The Embroidered Book by Kate Heartfield since I met the author in early 2020 at my last pre-covid book event and heard her talking about it. On February 17th, it will finally be available to the public (though I do have an eARC and will hopefully be able to provide you lovely readers with a review before then, even if I’m very sad that I don’t have one of the lovely gold-foiled physical ARCs). This is a story of two sisters, of magic, of spells that end up leading to a rivalry that will affect all of Europe because of who they are: Marie Antoinette and her sister Charlotte. I love historical witchy books, so I’m sure this will be right up my alley. Pre-order this from Bookshop here (affiliate link). Fab: This is the rarest of occurrences: A book on a yearly preview that I’ve not only read but reviewed already. Only a Monster by Vanessa Len is out on February 22nd, and you can find my full review here. This is a deliciously addictive YA fantasy set in London (which is always a bit of a plus in my book) playing with some interesting questions around morality. The magic in this book has Joan, the main character, and her family of so-called monsters able to steal life time from humans in order to travel across time. But there is a hero created to stop them all… I thoroughly enjoyed this one and highly recommend it. It’s fantastic escapism and exactly what I want from my YA (I just wish it was a little queerer, but you can’t always have everything). Pre-order it via Bookshop here (affiliate link). Sun: Vampires and archives. Literally, the only way this book could be more enticing for me is if it came with a bowl of noodles. Dead Collections by Isaac Fellman is out 22nd February. From the blurb: When archivist Sol meets Elsie, the larger than life widow of a moderately famous television writer who\u2019s come to donate her wife\u2019s papers, there\u2019s an instant spark. But Sol has a secret: he suffers from an illness called vampirism, and hides from the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false},"categories":[89],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/libridraconis.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1911"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/libridraconis.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/libridraconis.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/libridraconis.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/libridraconis.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1911"}],"version-history":[{"count":88,"href":"https:\/\/libridraconis.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1911\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2399,"href":"https:\/\/libridraconis.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1911\/revisions\/2399"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/libridraconis.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1911"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/libridraconis.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1911"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/libridraconis.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1911"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}