My Most Anticipated Releases Of 2023 Part One:

Before I say anything else I want to start this post off with an apology for disappearing once again. I’m so, so incredibly sorry that I vanished on you but I have tried to at least blog hop a little bit from time to time. I’d really like to say that this post is the start of my return but truthfully I think that I need to try and get my TBR under control before I try to return to blogging properly once more. Mine seems to have hydra-like tendencies; one book gets knocked off of it only for seven more to spring up within its place. That being said I do have two more posts ready to follow for now and am determined to stay on top of comments and continue keeping my reviews up to date over on my Goodreads page. You can also always find me on Instagram; I know I haven’t posted on it in ages but my messages on there are always open.

Anyway onto this post, the one that I can never resist doing, no matter how bogged down in books I may be. Sharing my most anticipated releases with you all – and hopefully bringing some new ones to your attention – is something I always love to do. And honestly I love the excuse to scream about the upcoming releases that I absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on.

A Ruinous Fate by Kaylie Smith

Where to start with this one? Mentions of witches, fae, a central character – Calliope – who is ‘a witch with a long streak of bad luck’ and powerful artefacts known as ‘Witch’s Dice’ which bless witches ‘with limitless magic but also set them on a path toward destruction’. How incredible does that sound? Yet there’s more. Calla is only three Rolls away from ‘becoming the last Blood Warrior and starting the Final War that will decimate her people and eradicate their magic.’ And she makes an attempt to reset her fate; leading her into ‘the deadly Neverending forest’. I need this already!!

Godkiller by Hannah Kaner

Gods in fantasy novels fascinate me so it probably isn’t any kind of a surprise that the title of this one is what originally caught my eye. Initially I marked it as high priority but held off on adding it to this list. Yet I keep seeing it hyped up everywhere and my anticipation for it is constantly growing as a result. It’s about Kissen who ‘kills gods for a living’ until ‘she finds a god she cannot kill’ who turns out to be ‘Skediceth, god of white lies’ and is connected to ‘a little noble girl on the run.’ There’s also Elogast who ‘fought in the god war’ and is sent ‘racing back to the city he destroyed’ by a ‘mysterious request from the King.’ A quest that the others, who he meets along the way, can’t find out about. Intriguing right? So honestly I’m not sure why I didn’t add this one to this list straight away. I’m definietely committed to reading it in 2023.

Spice Road by Maiya Ibrahim

Promise me a fantasy world and I’m instantly intrigued; throw in the bonus of spice based tea magic and naturally I’m going to be infinitely excited to devour the resulting book. It’s set in a hidden desert city and there are dangerous dijinn, ghouls & other monsters lurking in the sands beyond it’s limits. It follows Imani who has an infinity for iron – meaning she ‘wields a dagger like no other’ yet is overshadowed by her brother’s actions – stealing the nation’s coveted spice. When she discovers he may still be alive – and ’spreading their nation’s magic beyond the desert‘ – Imani strikes a deal to bring him back, accompanied by ‘a roguish handsome dijinn‘ and an arrogant but powerful beastseer. If that somehow isn’t enough to entice you it’s also compared to the works of Sabaa Tahir, Hafsah Faizal and Elizabeth Lim. And look at that cover: breathtaking!

Song Of Silver, Flame Like Night by Amelie Wen Zhao

Writing this shortly after finishing two divine fantasy novels inspired by Asian mythology let’s just say I’m intrigued. It’s about Lan who lost her name when her mother was killed and her people’s magic outlawed. She spends her nights as a songgirl and her days ‘scavenging for remnants of the past’ hoping to understand ‘the strange mark’ that her mother burned into her arm. A mark that no one can see…until Zen ‘appears at the teahouse and saves her life’. He’s a practitioner – ‘one of the fabled magicians of the Last Kingdom’ with abilities rumoured to be drawn from demons.  It’s said to be perfect for fans of Daughter Of The Moon Goddess and The Final Strife (both of which I adored last year) and then there’s this enticing end to it’s blurb:

‘Both Lan and Zen have secrets buried deep within. Fate has connected them, but their destiny remains unwritten. Both hold the power to liberate their land. And both hold the power to destroy the world.’

The Whispering Muse by Laura Purcell

So far I’ve read two of Laura Purcell’s gothic horror novels and adored them so naturally her upcoming release immediately caught my eye. And this one sounds superb to say the least. Set within The Mercury Theatre in London’s West End her latest offering sounds quite different to the two books I’ve read by her previously. There are ‘rumours of a curse’ and ‘it is said that the lead actress Lilith has made a pact with Melpomene, the tragic muse of Greek mythology, to become the greatest actress to ever grace the stage.’ Greek mythology, whispers of a curse and a theatre setting? Need I say more? Desperate for money Jenny spies on Lilith for ‘the jealous wife of the theatre owner’ before befriending her. But then ‘strange events begin to take place around the theatre’ and, if the rumours are true, ‘when the Muse comes calling for payment’ what will the cost be?

Seven Faceless Saints by M.K. Lobb

Perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Kerri Maniscalco; I really don’t need to know anymore.

‘In the city of Ombrazia, saints and their disciples rule with terrifying and unjust power, playing favorites while the unfavored struggle to survive.’

After her father is murdered Rossanna is ‘willing to do whatever it takes to dismantle the corrupt system’ whilst Damian, the youngest captain in the history of Palazzo security, has been left with ‘deeper scars than he wants to admit’ after three years spent ‘fighting in a never-ending war.’ If all of that somehow wasn’t enough there’s also a murderer stalking the streets, one who the Palazzo are happy to ignore ‘until a disciple becomes the newest victim’. And the final alluring lines of the blurb:

‘As they dive into the underbelly of Ombrazia, the pair will discover something more sinister—and far less holy. With darkness closing in and time running out, will they be able to save the city from an evil so powerful that it threatens to destroy everything in its path?’

The Heroines by Laura Shepperson

Greek Mythology retellings are everywhere lately and I love it! I stumbled across this one entirely by accident but I desperately need it now. It follows ‘the most shocking trial of the ancient world’ when Phaedra – a foreign queen, daughter of an adulteress and sister of a monster accuses the son of Theseus – hero, king, slayer of the Minotaur – of rape. It’s the men of Athens who must decide the truth but according to this ones blurb the women have been silent …until now…

Revelle by Lyssa Mia Smith

When this book’s blurb mentioned Moulin Rouge and magic I was instantly intrigued. Tragic romance is one of the best kinds and the one promised here sounds superb. Luxe’s family’s livelihood is being threatened by Prohibition but the son of one of Charmant’s wealthiest family can fix that; all she has to do in return is pose as his girl whilst helping him become mayor. Jamison is ‘an orphan with ‘as few memories as gemstones’ and ‘he’s desperate to learn what happened to his parents’. When these two meet sparks fly but keeping secrets from powerful people is a dangerous game…’one that could destroy them both.’ Already adoring the beautiful tragedy that is Moulin Rogue – as well as anything magical – I seriously cannot wait to ravenously devour this book!!

The Last Tale Of The Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi

Adult debuts by popular YA authors (even if I have somehow failed to read any of their previous books yet) always intrigue me. So when I saw this one I was instantly excited. Especially when it’s blurb threw around the word gothic so readily and mentioned ‘the danger of believing in fairy tales’. ‘A scholar of myths’ marries a ‘heiress to a fortune’; all she asked for in ‘exchange for her love’ was that ‘her bridegroom would never pry into her past.’ But when the pair are forced to return to her childhood home things start to fall apart. Within the manor ‘lurks the shadow of another girl’ who disappeared and ‘the house slowly reveals his wife’s secrets’. If that somehow wasn’t intriguing enough this book is compared to both Mexican Gothic and The Invisible Life Of Addie LaRue; two books that I adore deeply.

The Shadow Of Perseus by Claire Heywood

What is it with Greek retellings this year? Every time I think I must have found them all I stumble upon another incredible sounding offering. Somehow I haven’t yet read the author’s previous Greek tale (Daughters Of Sparta) but this sounds incredible regardless. It’s the story of Perseus told through the voice of three women – Danae (his mother), Medusa (‘his trophy’) and Andromeda (his wife). Together these viewpoints ‘reveal a man who is not, in fact, a hero at all.’ Danae was ‘banished from her homeland’ after a prophecy foretold that her unborn child would ‘one day cause the death of her father’. Medusa is ‘a member of a reclusive band of women who live deep in the woods, known as the Gorgons.’ And Andromeda ‘knows that a sacrifice will be required to appease the gods and end the storm’ when her desert tribe’s way of life is threatened by a harsh sandstorm but her life is set on an entirely new path after a meeting with young Perseus. I seriously can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of this book. Somehow I think I’m going to be reading a lot of Greek mythology in 2023.

Delicious Monsters by Liselle Sambury

A dual storyline novel from the author of Blood Like Magic? Naturally I’m intrigued. Daisy can see dead people and after being unexpectedly dumped by her boyfriend she decides to go with her mother to the ‘secluded mansion’ that she’s inherited. It’s not long before ‘she begins to realize that her experience with the supernatural might be no match for her mother’s secrets, nor what lurks within these walls…’

A decade later Brittney – whose ‘desperate to get out from under the thumb of her abusive mother’ who claims her stay at “Miracle Mansion’ allowed her to see the error of her ways  – decides to use the newest season of her web series to ‘uncover what happened to a young Black girl in the mansion ten years prior’ in the hopes of finally exposing her mother’s lies.

And then this: ‘…propelling the girls to face the most dangerous monsters of all: those that hide in plain sight.’

The Adventures Of Amina Al-Sirafi by S.A. Chakraborty

How on earth have I not read The City Of Brass yet? I’m honestly horrified at myself for this failure. Doesn’t the author’s latest offering also sound amazing though? It’s a historical fantasy that may possibly also be an adult novel. Although I’m not entirely sure of that factor as I’ve seen it listed as both adult and YA. It was ‘pitched as Sinbad the Sailor meets Oceans 11’ and follows an infamous, retired pirate. Let’s be honest, there are nowhere near enough books about pirates out there. ‘When she’s offered to right a wrong from her past and score a fabled treasure’ she has to try not only to assemble her old crew and outwit a ruthless ex-Crusader but also to contend with the ‘fantastical legends behind such treasures’ which, she’s learnt the hard way, ‘hold deadly truths… and they’re coming for her.’ Truthfully I’m not 100% convinced that this will be out when it says as it doesn’t even have a title yet but come on! The least I can do is make everyone else as impatient as I am for this book. Thank goodness that last part no longer holds true & this definitely looks to be releasing!!

Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati

Okay wow! Look it’s no secret that I adore Greek retellings but this one sounds absolutely incredible. Rather than say too much about what it’s about I’m instead going to advice you to read the blurb; do so and I’m sure this will end up on your TBR too. Let me say simply that this is described as ‘Circe meets Cersei Lannister’ and promises to be ‘a thrilling tale of power and prophecies, of hatred, love, and of an unforgettable Queen who fiercely dealt out death to those who wronged her.’

‘As for queens, they are either hated or forgotten. She already knows which option suits her best…’

As I said above, please, please go and read the blurb in full!

Lies We Sing To The Sea by Sarah Underwood

Firstly I adore all of the Greek mythology inspired books that I’ve read so far so naturally I’m curious about this one. And secondly, it sounds so good! Every spring Ithaca condemns twelves maidens to the noose; the price that ‘Poseidon demands for the lives of Queen Penelope’s twelve maids, hanged and cast into the depths centuries ago.’ But when Leto meets this fate things are different than she imagined and she wakes on a mysterious island, meeting ‘a girl with green eyes and the power to command the sea’. A girl who says ‘one more death can stop a thousand.’

‘The prince of Ithaca must die—or the tides of fate will drown them all’

The Foxglove King by Hannah F. Whitten

‘When Lore was thirteen, she escaped a cult in the catacombs beneath the city of Dellaire.’ Ever since she has done all she can to remain hidden; ‘easier said than done, when her death magic ties her to the city.’ When she’s taken by the Presque Mort – a group of warrior-monks sanctioned to use Mortem (magic born from death) for the Sainted King – she expects death. Instead she is tasked with finding out why entire villages on their country’s outskirts have been dying overnight – thrusting her into a glittering court where ‘no one can be believed and even fewer can be trusted.’ How could I ever resist that kind of premise? Especially when there’s a ‘duke-turned-monk’ and ‘ne-er-do-well heir’ thrown into the mix…along with the past that longs to catch up with Lore…

Damsel by Evelyn Skye

This fantasy offering is about Elodie who, in exchange for enough wealth to save her people, agrees to marry a Prince from a rich, reclusive kingdom. Once there she’s swept away by the beauty of the realm and by her betrothed, Prince Henry but whilst undertaking ‘the rituals to become an Aurean princess’ Elodie starts to have doubts and spots ‘cracks in the kingdom’s perfect veneer.’ ‘A young girl who appears and vanishes from the castle tower. A parade of torches weaving through the mountains. Markings left behind in a mysterious “V.”’ Then she learns that each harvest season the ‘kingdom sacrifices its princesses to a hungry dragon.’ And she’s next. It’s an arrangement that has ‘persisted for centuries’ and led hundreds of women to their deaths. But these women’s’ ‘blood pulses with power and memory, and their experiences hold the key to Elodie’s survival.’ Obviously I’m intrigued by this one.

Lucha Of The Night Forest by Tehlor Kay Mejia

Somehow I still haven’t read We Set The Dark On Fire (trust me, I definitely do plan to) but I’ve seen such wonderful things about it so naturally I’m curious to see what the author’s writing is like. Even if that wasn’t the case this book sounds amazing though with its promises of ‘dark forces’, ‘forgotten magic’, ‘a scorned god’, ‘a mysterious acolyte’, ‘a forgetting drug’ and ‘a dangerous forest’. What more could I possibly ask for? Besides all of those wonderful sounding elements this book also promises to be about a girl who ‘will do anything to protect her sister’ including making ‘a dangerous bargain’. And then there’s this:

‘Under the cover of the Night Forest, will Lucha be able to step into her own power…or will she be consumed by it?’

The Moonlight Blade by Tessa Barbosa

Firstly just let me stress that the information below may be about another book called ‘The Glass Fortress‘ although I believe that this is probably the same book and that the title has simply changed…

I know very little about this one but what I do know makes it too irresistible not to mention. It’s about a girl who is cursed by the sins of her past lives and enters a deadly competition in an effort to save her imprisoned mother. If that somehow isn’t intriguing enough she then comes face to face with her immortal enemy who has been tasked with ‘destroying her once and for all.’ How could I possibly resist that?

Chaos & Flame by Tessa Gratton & Justina Ireland

Okay how on earth could I possibly resist this book when it promises ancient magic, fiery prophecies, warring factions, Houses (with names like Dragon and Kraken) and ‘a romance between the two people in the world with the most cause to hate one another’. Enemies to lover fans (AKA me) rejoice!! It follows Darling who can’t remember anything before her entire family were murdered at the hands of House Dragon. When her ‘adoptive Kraken father is captured in battle’ she vows to save him ‘even if that means killing each and every last member of House Dragon. Then there’s Talon – ‘a dutiful War Prince for House Dragon’ who has factions turning to him, wanting him to unseat his brother the ‘High Prince Regent’. A brother whose obsessively painted a ‘fierce girl’ for years… And, if that somehow wasn’t enough on its own, I loved Strange Grace when I read it previously.

The Surviving Sky by Kritika H. Rao

‘High above a jungle-planet float the last abodes of humanity—plant-made cities held together by magic and tradition.’

Mention magic and I’m sold but this sounds like such a unique tale and I’m seriously curious to see what it turns out like. In these cities ‘magical architects are revered above anyone else’ as without them ‘the city would fall into the devastating earthrage storms below’. Ahilya is the wife of one such architect yet she is ‘born without magic’ making her a second-class citizen. Her marriage is ‘already rocky’ but then ‘the earthrage storms become longer and deadlier’ and her husband ‘falls under investigation for being too powerful.’  If that wasn’t enough ‘deadly truths emerge that challenge everything Ahilya believes about their privileged society and the origin of the storms.’ And to make matters even worse? The city’s magical architecture fails…

Have you ever heard of anything like this? I’ve come across floating cities before but none quite like this. I believe this is an adult fantasy novel too which is definitely a bonus.

Blood Debts by Terry J. Benton-Walker

‘Thirty years ago, a young woman was murdered, a family was lynched, and New Orleans saw the greatest magical massacre in its history. In the days that followed, a throne was stolen from a queen.’

Need I really say more than that? Doesn’t that quote immediately make you want to pick this book up? This book follows Clement and Cristina, the sixteen year old twin heirs to the ‘powerful, magical, dethroned’ family in question. Cristina has given up magic for good after an ancient spell, that she cast, killed her father. Whilst for Clement – ‘magic is his lifeline.’ Their mother has been cursed ‘by someone on the very council that their family used to rule’. And somehow, despite their differences, the twins will have to come together to try and find out whose coming after their family all whilst solving the decades old murder.

‘And if they don’t succeed, New Orleans may see another massacre. Or worse.’

The Last Heir To Blackwood Library by Hester Fox

Gothic is one of those words that always draws me in so of course I’m curious about this book. Ivy unexpectedly becomes owner of Blackwood Abbey – a sprawling but foreboding estate on the Yorkshire moors. It’s servants are ‘reserved and suspicious’ but Ivy finds herself drawn to it’s ‘magnificent library’ despite the ‘cryptic warnings’ of the staff. There are rumors about the abbey’s previous owners, as well as ones about ghosts, curses and ‘an enigmatic manuscript at the center of it all.‘ Plus ‘she senses something else in the library too, a presence that seems to have a will of its own.’ What is this mysterious presence? I can’t wait to find out…

Silver In The Bone by Alexandra Bracken

‘Tamsin Lark didn’t ask to be a Hollower.’

She’s a mortal with ‘no magical talent’ yet is forced to ‘break into ancient crypts’ and ‘compete with sorceresses and Cunningfolk for the treasures inside’ after her ‘thieving foster father disappeared’. There are rumors that her guardian vanished with ‘a powerful ring from Arthurian legend’; a ring that she hopes could free herself and her brother ‘from a curse that threatens both of them’. With other Hollowers also after the ring Tasmin finds herself forced to partner with her rival. And if that hasn’t sold you on this novel then read this final quote:

‘Together, they dive headfirst into a vipers’ nest of dark magic, exposing a deadly secret with the power to awaken ghosts of the past and shatter her last hope of saving her brother. . . .’

Plus, after Lore, naturally I’m itching for this novel.

One For My Enemy by Olivie Blake

I’ve seen the hype for The Atlas Six (even if I still do need to get on and read it) so naturally I’m curious about the author’s upcoming book. Even if that wasn’t the case though this book would be on this list thanks to it’s glorious premise. It follows two rival witch families: ‘the Antonova sisters’ who are ‘beautiful, cunning, and ruthless’ and whose mother, ‘known only as Baba Yaga’ ‘is the elusive supplier of premium intoxicants’ & ‘the influential Fedorov brothers’ who serve their crime boss father – ‘named Koschei the Deathless’ – whose enterprise ‘dominates the shadows of magical Manhattan’. After a twelve year stalemate ‘everything is thrown into disarray’ ‘even as fate draws together a brother and sister from either side.’ Then there’s this wonderful line from the blurb:

‘That is, if the enmity between empires doesn’t destroy both sides first.’

Basically give this book to me already, please…

A Realm Of Ash & Shadows by Lara Buckheit

Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Kerri Maniscalco are you serious? If this comparison is true to it’s word then this book is going to be epic. Valeria is a princess exiled from her home of Empyrean. When her prom is crashed by a horde of demons – and she narrowly escapes being captured by the realm of the Forsaken – Valeria finds herself back in Empyrean before she’s due to return. Instead of ‘the beautiful utopia from her bedtime stories’ she discovers a realm where the poor are dying, the rich are thriving and her claim to the throne is in jeopardy. I’ll admit the mention of prom gave me pause but this final paragraph…read it then try to resist this premise:

‘The overwhelming desire to belong and a craving for power has her making choices that make it harder and harder to guard her heart against the man who’s bound to protect her, the god she’s vowed to hate, and the darkness that’s growing inside her. Only time will tell if the secrets she unravels and the alliances she makes will lead to the throne or the pyre.‘

Atalanta by Jennifer Saint

Back in 2021 I devoured Jennifer Saint’s debut Ariadne so I’m somewhat surprised that Elektra is still on my TBR. Considering my love of her debut – along with my adoration of Greek mythology – I’m itching to check out her 2023 release though. This time it’s about Atalanta, born to the king of Arcadia but raised by a mother bear after being left, as a defenceless infant, on a mountainside. She’s under the protective eye of the goddess Artemis and swears to prove herself, joining Jason’s band of Argonauts, determined to become a legend within ‘a world made for men’.

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

‘When two young rival journalists find love through a magical connection, they must face the depths of hell, in a war among gods, to seal their fate forever.’

Doesn’t that one sentence make you desperate to devour this book? After sleeping for centuries ‘the gods are warring again’ but Iris has more personal worries on her mind with a mother suffering from addiction and a brother missing from the front lines. In an effort to ‘combat her worries’ she writes letters to her brother which mysteriously vanish when she slips them beneath her wardrobe door. When she gets anonymously written back Iris unknowingly forms a connection with her journalistic rival; a connection that ‘will follow Iris all the way to the front lines of battle: for her brother, the fate of mankind, and love.’ This book sounds quite unlike anything that I’ve read before and I love it.

The Isle Of The Gods by Amie Kaufman

Did the title of this one initially draw me in? Yes; mention Gods and I’m on board. I haven’t seen the full blurb of this one yet (to be honest I probably shouldn’t be writing the bulk of this post in late August) but I adore the mix of characters hinted at already. There’s ‘a sleeping god’, ‘a playboy prince’ whose forced to take life seriously for the first time, the girl ‘raised on the seas’ who has to protect him, ‘an irritated scholar who did not ask to go on a quest’ a girl ‘who wants to start a war’ and ‘a private school boy who fell from grace.’ Beside the characters I know that there’s magic and ‘glamour and grit and gangsters’ dens’. I can’t wait to learn more…

A Crown Of Ivy And Glass by Claire Legrand

I have so many of Claire Legrand’s books on my TBR (how have I not read any of them?) and now here’s another highly anticipated one, this time her adult debut. Apparently it was pitched as Bridgerton (okay I couldn’t get into that particular series as I found the humour too silly BUT I’m hoping this means more period style than anything else) meets A Court Of Thorns and Roses (yep, still on my TBR but it’s Sarah J. Maas and the fae so come on!). It’s about ‘three sisters of a noble magic family’ who have to ‘fight hidden dark forces trying to destroy the Mist’; ‘an ancient barrier that protects their world from the dangerous realm of the old gods.’ Say no more! Dangerous old gods, hopefully a historic regal setting, magic, potentially fierce female characters and it’s an adult debut? Obviously I need this!

Scarlet by Genevieve Cogman

Vampires and the French Revolution? Honestly need I say more? This sound incredible. It’s a ‘reinvention of the tale of The Scarlet Pimpernel with the addition of magic and even more mayhem’. ‘The aristocrats are vampires’ and ‘the Scarlet Pimpernel, a disguised British noble, is determined to rescue them’. These predators are offered sanctuary by their British kin, ‘but at great cost to London’s ordinary people.’ But then ‘an English maid discovers the only power that could stop them.’ If she survives… How could anyone resist this? This was originally due out in 2022 and if it doesn’t release this year I may well cry.

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So there you have it, the first half of this accidentally massive list. I’ll post part two next Friday and the list of my most anticipated sequels, prequels and companion novels on the Friday following that. I hope all of you are well and have a wonderful year of reading. I opted to hold off on finalizing this post until I’d read my first book of the year which I have…a book that, according to my kindle, was 984 pages long. And I adored every minute off it. I’ve also watched my first film of the year – A Man Called Otto – and adored that too; it’ll definitely be making my favourite movies of 2023.

What are your most anticipated books of 2023? Have you read any of them yet? Are there any early ones that I’m missing?

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