My Most Anticipated Releases Of 2022 Part II:

So here I am, back for part two of My Most Anticipated Releases Of 2022 – if you haven’t already done so you can check out Part One here. Lately I feel like there’s a new book out every week and, after realizing that part one only covered up to the end of April, I can see why. There are an insane number of books out this year that I’m itching to read…and probably plenty more that I’m still to discover. But here are the rest of the books I’m most eager to get my hands on in 2022.

Book Of Night by Holly Black

Come on; after The Cruel Prince is it even remotely possible that I’m not going to check out whatever Holly Black writes in the future? Besides which, this sounds absolutely incredible. Shadow magic which can be used to alter a person’s feelings and memories but takes hours, or even days, off of your life in return. A low level con artist whose trying to stay away from the shadow trade. A terrible figure from her past. And then this glorious line:

‘Determined to survive, Charlie throws herself into a maelstrom of secrets and murder, setting her against a cast of doppelgangers, mercurial billionaires, shadow thieves, and her own sister—all desperate to control the magic of the shadows.’

Plus it’s her adult debut. So let’s be real…I. Need. This. Now. Yesterday.

Not Good For Maidens by Tori Bovalino

A horror-fantasy retelling of ‘Goblin Market’ which is described as ‘Salem’s Lot meets ‘The Darkest Part Of The Forest’.  A protagonist who doesn’t believe in magic or superstitions… until her aunt is kidnapped to the goblin market – a place full of hauntingly tempting  food, wares and individuals. A three day limit before the market disappears and Lou’s aunt becomes one of them forever. And the possibility that the market will claim her too. Doesn’t this just sound fantastic? It absolutely has the potential to be the kind of gloriously dark tale that merges danger and allure together seamlessly!

The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas

‘Mexican Gothic meets Rebecca’. Need I say more? Desperate for a home again Beatriz accepts the proposal of Don Rodolfo Solórzano despite the rumors surrounding the sudden demise of his first wife. But her home is ‘not the sanctuary she imagined.’ ‘Visions and voices’ invade her sleep; invisible eyes follow her every move. The cook burns incense at the edge of the kitchen and mark’s it doorway with strange symbols. And Rodolfo’s sister, despite dismissing her fears, refuses to enter the house at night. Beatriz’s one chance at help? A young priest with skills as a witch…because

‘far from a refuge, San Isidro may be Beatriz’s doom.’

Idol by Louise O’Neill

Fame is always a fascinating subject to read about but I don’t think I’ve ever seen it from quite this angle before. Samantha is everything to ‘her girls’ – her young fans – and her ‘career is booming’. ‘Determined to speak her truth and bare all to her adoring fans’ she writes an essay ‘about her sexual awakening as a teenager, with her female best friend, Lisa’ which goes viral. But Lisa’s ‘memory of that night is far darker’ and now it’s one woman’s word against the other. ‘Whose ‘truth’ is really a lie?’ Having loved ‘After The Silence’ I’m definitely intrigued to see what the author’s next book is like. And it certainly sounds like she’s taking a rather different angle to some major subjects than what I’ve seen before.

Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid

‘A gruesome curse. A city in upheaval. A monster with unquenchable appetites.’

Ava Reid’s second novel is set within the world of her debut, The Wolf And The Woodsman, and described as a ‘gothic horror retelling of The Juniper Tree’. It follows Marlinchen who lives with her two sisters and tyrannical, xenophobic, wizard father in a ‘city shifting from magic to industry.’ At night she and her sisters sneak out to ‘enjoy the city’s amenities’ and, at the recently established ballet theater, Marlinchen meets ‘a dancer who quickly captures her heart.’ If that somehow wasn’t enough to entice you then let me also point out that it also features a monster ‘borne of intolerance and resentment and suffused with old-world power.’ Give this to me already!!

Having now read the author’s debut I want to repeat my ‘give this to me already’ sentiment once more!!

The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi

Female led adult fantasy offerings are on fire this year! This is another that I’m itching to read as it sounds absolutely mesmerizing. It’s blurb promises an African and Arabian-inspired adult fantasy trilogy where people are divided by the colour of their blood. It follows Sylah who grew up ‘being told she would spark a revolution’ but lost her belief the ‘day she watched her family murdered before her eyes’; Anoor the daughter of ‘the most powerful ruler in the Empire’ who grew up being told she’s nothing; and Hassa who ‘moves unseen by upper classes’ and knows ‘what it means to be invisible.’ It’s last line absolutely hooked me:

‘As the Empire begins a set of trials of combat and skill designed to find its new leaders, the stage is set for blood to flow, power to shift, and cities to burn.’

And then I spotted the author’s review which ignited my excitement further with it’s promises of: Enemies to lovers, ‘a drug addicted chosen one who TOTALLY misses her calling’ and blood magic among other intriguing aspects. Ooh and I almost forgot according to Goodreads it’s 640 pages long!!

This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede

Three weddings; three funerals and a gift from the gods that is supposed to magnify a partner’s magic but instead kills every suitor it touches. A deadline… only weeks to go until a hungry swarm of demons destroys everything. A powerful priest who decides killing Alessa is the island’s only hope. And a bodyguard with dark secrets of his own. This sounds amazing! And look at that cover!! Basically I’m in love with this book before even picking it up.

Our Crooked Hearts by Melissa Albert

After The Hazel Wood it goes without saying that I want to check this book out. Especially with it’s vast array of dark and alluring promises… An accident, a punishment, a mystery; eerie offerings, corroded memories, a secret about a mother and a stranger ‘whose appearance in the middle of the road, in the middle of the night, heralds a string of increasingly, unsettling events.’ And that’s just the ‘now’ storyline. In the past we get to see Dana as, along with her best friend and an ambitious older girl, ‘her gifts bloom into a heady fling with the supernatural’. And the trio ‘find themselves speeding towards a violent breaking point.’ Plus there’s a mention of ‘the dark forces they never should’ve messed with’ so of course I’m intrigued. How could I not be?

Wake The Bones by Elizabeth Kilcoyne

‘The sleepy little farm that Laurel Early grew up on has awakened. The woods are shifting, the soil is dead under her hands, and her bone pile just stood up and walked away.’

Umm hello, way to grab my attention! If that quote from the blurb isn’t enough to convince you to add this book to your TBR let me also point out that it includes ‘a devil’ returning to  court Laurel and a desperate need to ‘unravel her mother’s terrifying legacy’ and tap into her own ‘innate magic’ or ‘everyone she loves is doomed’. I need this! Seriously. And surely you do too?

Violet Made Of Thorns by Gina Chen

‘Violet is a prophet and a liar’ who influences the court ‘as Seer with her cleverly phrased – and not always true – divinations.’ Cyrus is the Prince who ‘plans to strip her of her title once he’s crowned’. When the king asks Violet to ‘falsely prophesy’ the prince’s love story for an upcoming ball ‘Violet awakens a dreaded curse about the prince’s future bride.’ So what will happen when a doomed attraction starts to grow between her and the prince? Enemies to lovers, lying prophets, courts, curses and the promise that it’s perfect for fans of The Cruel Prince! OMG this can not come soon enough.

Spells For Forgetting by Adrienne Young

So I’ve actually written elsewhere that this author is the only one to appear on this list twice…I was wrong. With the announcement of Spells For Forgetting Adrienne Young became the only author to feature on this list three times! Crazy for an author whose presently new to me. This is an adult offering though that sounds absolutely fascinating. It’s set on an island with a ‘community steeped in the mystical superstitions of its founders and haunted by an unsolved murder’. And it’s central characters are Emery Blackwood – ‘whose life was forever changed on the eve of her high school graduation, when the love of her life, August Salt, was accused of murdering her best friend, Lily.’ And accused murderer August himself who returns for the first time in fourteen years just as the island ‘begins to show signs of strange happenings’ and ‘unearths the past that no one wants to remember.’ Ah how could anyone resist? This sounds atmospheric, mysterious, haunting and compelling. Everything that a good book should be.

The Art Of Prophecy by Wesley Chu

Read this then tell me that you’re not intrigued:

‘What follows is a journey more wondrous than any prophecy can foresee: a story of master and student, assassin and revolutionary, of fallen gods and broken prophecies, and of a war between kingdoms, and love and friendship between deadly rivals. ‘

How could I possibly resist a story that features a ‘spoiled hero’, ‘an immortal god-king’ and ‘the greatest war artist of her generation’? Especially when it includes a prophecy gone wrong and sounds simply epic. I need this already!

Babel by R.F. Kuang

Remember when I admitted earlier that I hadn’t read one incredibly popular book? Well the same applies with The Poppy War unfortunately. But I seriously intend to read the series this year after all of the incredible things that I’ve heard about it. Babel sounds incredibly intriguing but also – unless it’s just me? – pretty complex.  It’s set in 1828 and follows Robin who is ‘brought to London by the mysterious Professor Lovell.’ Once there he trains for years in preparation for the day he’ll enroll in ‘Babel’ – ‘the world’s centre of translation and, more importantly, of silver-working: the art of manifesting the meaning lost in translation through enchanted silver bars, to magical effect.’ ‘Serving Babel inevitably means betraying his motherland’ for Robin and eventually he finds himself caught between Babel and ‘the shadowy Hermes Society’ .

‘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?’

This definitely sounds like a complicated but interesting and unique read that will blend historical details and magic together seamlessly. I’m certainly eager to check this out.

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace

Was it the title of this novel that immediately captured my attention? Yes! And does it sound every bit as gloriously dark yet achingly beautiful as you’d imagine given such a name? Yes again! Signa has been raised by a string of guardians since being orphaned as a baby – all of which have died under mysterious circumstances and been more interested in her wealth than her wellbeing. When she goes to live with her last remaining relatives at Thorn Grove – ‘a manor as glittering as it is gloomy’ – she’s confronted by the spirit of the patriarch’s late wife who ‘claims it was poison that killed her and not an illness’. With the family’s daughter suffering from the same ‘illness’ Signa sets out to solve the murder… something that involves making ‘an alliance with Death himself’. If all of that somehow wasn’t enough, well…

‘And Death, that fascinating, dangerous shadow who has never been far from her side, shows her that their connection may be more powerful than she ever dared imagine.’

Something Wicked by Laura Purcell

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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?

Wish Of The Wicked by Danielle Paige

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‘A dark spin on fairy godmothers’; as a fan of both retellings and villainous characters I’m 100% on board for that promise. It’s set in a world where ‘the enchanted members of the Entente have worked in tandem with the Three Fates’ for centuries to ‘maintain destiny across the Thirteen Queendoms.’ At least until Queen Magrit burns Hecate at the stake and ‘decrees death to all Entete’ in an attempt to live forever. ‘But some survive’ and it’s one of them that this story follows as she ‘hatches a dangerous plan to seek revenge.’ I’ll confess that the talk of Fates made me think of Stepsister which instantly intrigued me. So I must know more…

The Witch And The Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore

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Since hearing about her elsewhere any mention of Baba Yaga leaves me intrigued and this novel that features her sounds glorious. It promises that:

‘…the maligned and immortal witch of legend known as Baba Yaga will risk all to save Russia and her people from Tsar Ivan the Terrible–and the dangerous gods who seek to drive the twisted hearts of men.’

Come on; who doesn’t get intrigued by that? It’s set in ‘a sixteneenth century Russia on the brink of chaos’ and features Anastasia – wife of the Tsar – whose ‘suffering from a mysterious illness’. This novel promises that it ‘weaves a rich tapestry of mythology and Russian history’ and says that ‘old gods and new tyrants vie for power.’ Basically it sounds like the sort of novel that I’ll devour.

Princess Of Souls by Alexandra Christo

Fairytale inspired stories are one of my fictional addictions so it goes without saying that this, as a Rapunzel inspired fantasy romance, would get added to my TBR. I also adored To Kill A Kingdom when I read it so I know how gorgeously this author writes. And then there’s the actual premise:

‘the story of a young witch who is bound to steal souls for an immortal King, until she discovers her fate is tied to a boy who’s trying to bring down her kingdom.’

How could anyone hope to resist this?

What Monstrous Gods by Rosamund Hodge

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I love a good fairytale retelling and I adore dark and twisty novels that blend danger and allure. This sounds like it will be both of those things and I’m honestly ever so impatient for it. The story starts where Sleeping Beauty leaves off with Lia – ‘a girl chosen by the gods of Runakhia’ – releasing ‘the royal family from 500 years of enchanted sleep’ and killing ‘the heretic sorcerer who trapped them’. What should be the end of the story is only the beginning though as she discovers

‘that the gods are not as benevolent as they appear, and the ghost of the sorcerer she killed may be her only help to protect her life and country.’

This is 100% a me book and I need it already! Please, please come out this year; I’ve already had to move this off of my 2021 list…

Strike The Zither by Joan He

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Somehow I still haven’t read either of this author’s books despite them sounding absolutely incredible but I’ve heard fantastic things. And the limited information available about her upcoming offering has already fascinated me too. It’s a ‘reimagining of the Chinese military epic Romance of the Three Kingdoms’ which, I confess, I know nothing about… It says that a strategist must help her warlordess to victory against rival kingdoms to both the north and south whilst also ‘overcoming her fate as written by the gods.’ Promise me gods and I’m on board. Also is anyone else simply itching to see what the cover of this will be like? Because so far Joan He’s books have been absolutely dazzling when it comes to those.

The Whispering Dark by Kelly Andrew

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Look I was sold the second I saw this described as ‘The Raven Boys meets Ninth House’ despite being the only person in the world not to have read the first of those yet. This sound incredible though. It follows Delaney – a deaf student with unusual talents who hears voices ‘calling to her from the shadows’ and Colton who died when he was nine years old; only to wake up several weeks later. When a student at their university – which ‘trains students to slip between parallel worlds’ – turns up dead they are forced to ‘form a tenuous alliance.’  If that somehow isn’t enough to entice you then read this quote from the end of the blurb:

‘But Delaney and Colton discover the cost of opening the doors between worlds when they find themselves up against something old and nameless, an enemy they need to destroy before it tears them — and their forbidden partnership – apart.’

A Tempest Of Tea by Hafsah Faizal

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Details of this novel are still vague but let’s be honest – I see the word ‘vampires’ and instantly I’m intrigued. A Tempest Of Tea is said to have been ‘pitched as King Arthur meets Peaky Blinders with vampires.’ That definitely sounds like an interesting and unique combination. It follows ‘a gang of outcasts in a deadly heist’ to save Arthie’s tearoom – ‘which fronts an illegal blood house, where local vampires can purchase fresh blood.’ Vampires, Camelot inspiration and gangsters? Plus a tearoom with secret illegal dealing in blood. How am I meant to wait until October for this?

Scarlet by Genevieve Cogman

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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? It’s not due out until November but – writing this in October of 2021 – I may have already planned to pre-order this over a year in advance…

A Consuming Fire by Laura E. Weymouth

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Ah this sounds incredible!

‘Weatherell girls aren’t supposed to die’

In Weatherell, every eighteen years, a girl is asked to be sent to ‘the god of the mountain to give a sacrifice for the good of all of Albion before returning home. But when Anya’s twin Ilva volunteers for this task she ends up dead, causing Anya to volunteer to make her own journey to the god of the mountain. But in Anya’s case:

‘Anya Astraea has not set out to placate a god. She’s set out to kill one.’

Not only does this sound spectacular but I’ve also read and adored A Treason Of Thorns by this author so I’m definitely excited to check out more of her work.

The Surviving Sky by Kritika H. Rao

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‘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. Fingers crossed that it’s 2022 release date is right as I don’t think I can bear to wait any longer than that for this one.

Fallen City by Adrienne Young

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Firstly how on earth have I not read anything by this author yet? Secondly I can’t say overmuch about this book as the details are limited but I’m definitely intrigued. It’s a ‘Greco-Roman inspired fantasy’– and is set in ‘a glittering world’ with ‘a lottery built on lies’. It follows 18 year old Maris as she ‘desperately attempts to escape a city under siege.’ And it features a forbidden romance! I’m itching for this already and simply can’t wait to read it’s full blurb… and see the cover; this author’s ones are always stunning.

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So that’s it for part two of an incredibly long list which probably contains more books than I could possibly hope to read in a year. Oh well; fingers crossed that I’ll get to read a few of these at least. I hope that, over both parts, I’ve managed to bring some new books to your attention. Next time I’ll be back with the sequels I can’t wait for in 2022…because I haven’t raved about enough new releases already.

What are your most anticipated books of 2022? Have you read any of them yet? Are there any that I’m missing out on?

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My Most Anticipated Releases Of 2022 – Part I:

It’s here; part one of my favourite post of the year to write! And, I confess, I’m kind of alarmed by just how long my list is this year. Next year I may well have to set a limit as to how many books I can include. But here it is anyway and, just as a head’s up, it doesn’t stop based on month – it stops based on the half way point of the original post, more or less. So, if a book comes out after Elektra, it could well be listed in part two.

The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman

Magic is ‘a precious resource that has kept Ashoka safe from conflict’ but the country’s only quarry is running out of magic, there’s a looming threat of war and if ‘enemies discover this, they’ll stop at nothing to seize the last of the magic.’ Vira, ‘desperate to get out of her mother’s shadow and establish her legacy as a revered queen of Ashoka’, hopes to ‘find a mysterious object of legend: the Ivory Key’ which is rumored to unlock a new source of magic. But to do so she needs to reunite with her estranged siblings…and each of them have very different plans for what to do with the key.  I can’t wait for my copy of this book to turn up; it sounds absolutely fantastic. Scheming siblings, dwindling magic and the threat of war…what more could I possibly ask for?

Nightrender by Jodi Meadows

‘Kingdoms will fall, gods will die, and hearts will be broken’

How on earth have I not heard of this sooner? If the opening quote somehow hasn’t intrigued you then let me mention it’s wholly unique sounding setting – a place where reality bends, villages disappear and forests burn forever. Salvation; a land where three kingdoms have been at war for a thousand years. Malice, ‘an incursion from the demon plane’, is it’s greatest threat and could lead to the ‘total unravelling of night and day, light and dark, life and death.’ Characters include ‘the serpent bride’ and the prince she’s supposed to marry who has noticed the growing darkness. And then there’s Nightrender herself: ‘the hammer of the gods, an immortal warrior more weapon than girl.’ Who, when last summoned, ‘slaughtered every royal in Salvation, and no one knows why.’ Seriously how could anyone resist a premise like this? I need this already!!

The Amber Crown by Jacey Bedford

Okay so I’ll admit it – what initially caught my eye about this novel was the fact that the dead king’s ghost is setting tasks from beyond the grave. How intriguing does that sound? If that somehow doesn’t entice you though let me also mention that this adult fantasy follows ‘three societal outcasts’ who must work together to save their nation from ‘the usurper king’ whose driving their land to the brink of war. This team of three consists of: the failed bodyguard whose now been accused of murder; a Landstrider witch with the ability to walk the spirit world and the clever assassin, with a traumatic past, who killed the king to begin with. Oh and, of course, there’s a ‘dangerous magical power’ rising up. Need I say more?

Thank you so much to Sophie for bringing this book to my attention.

The North Wind by Alexandria Warwick

For three hundred years the Gray has been encased in ice, surrounded by a great barrier called the Shade which protects it from the Deadlands. ‘But day by day, the shade weakens.’ And the only thing that can stop it’s fall is a mortal woman being taken captive and ‘bound in wedlock to the dark god who reigns over the Deadlands.’

‘He is the North Wind, the Frost King, an immortal whose heart is said to be as frigid as the land he rules.’

This story is said to be ‘in the vein of Beauty and The Beast & Hades And Persephone‘, features enemies-to lovers and is ‘sprinkled with Greek Lore.’ And then there’s this:

‘Long before civilization, there were the gods. And before the gods, there was the earth, the celestial bodies, and air given flesh. They are the Anemoi—the Four Winds—and they have been banished to the four corners of the world.’

I, for one, certainly can’t wait to learn more.

Real Easy by Marie Rutkoski

Having thoroughly enjoyed The Winners Curse I was instantly intrigued when I saw that Marie Rutkoski was writing an adult book. And then extremely curious as to how her take on the thriller genre would go. In 1999 Samantha, whose danced at the Lovely Lady strip club for years, drives a new dancer home, only to be run off the road. When the police arrive at the scene, they discover only one body. Georgia, another dancer, tries to assist detective Holly who has ‘a complicated story of her own’. The point of view is said to shift ‘from dancers and detectives to club patrons and children’ so not only am I eager to find out exactly what’s going on in this novel I’m also excited to find out how all the points of views converge. Plus I get the impression it’s going to be pretty powerful and emotional too. Definitely curious to see what it ultimately turns out like.

The Last Legacy by Adrienne Young

So I know that this came out for a lot of people last year but over in the UK it’s only being released this year. I’m also yet to read Fable which I believe is set in the same world but I’m intrigued regardless. Bryn Roth receives a letter from her uncle Henrik on her eighteenth birthday, ‘summoning her back to Bastian’ where she is eager to prove herself and take her place in her long-lost family. But ‘Henrik has plans for Bryn’ and she must ‘win everyone’s trust if she wants to hold any power’ in the family. ‘Despite their growing influence in upscale Bastian, their hands are still in the kind of dirty business that got Bryn’s parents killed years ago.’ There’s a forbidden romance, dangerous work and blood ties. And this author is the only one to feature twice on this list! But I do feel that this book sounds like it’ll be exceedingly gripping.

Daughter Of The Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan

Mention forbidden magic and I’m in. But this promises so much more than that alone. Xingyin has lived in solitude since her mother stole an elixir for immortality from the ‘feared Celestial Emperor’. Until her magic flares and reveals her existence. This book promises hidden identities, archery, magic, legendary creatures, vicious enemies, a dangerous bargain, ancient Chinese mythology and a rather complicated sounding romance. What more could you possibly ask for in a book? Plus look at that cover! The UK edition appears to be different but it’s also pretty stunning.

The Red Palace by June Hur

This is one of the few non fantasy offerings on this list but it seriously sounds amazing. Set in Joseon (Korea) 1758 it follows eighteen year old Hyeon who has earned her position as a palace nurse. When someone murders four women in one night she finds herself ‘thrust into the dark and dangerous world of court politics’, especially as her closest friend and mentor is the primary suspect, pushing her to hunt for the truth. And then evidence starts to point towards the crown prince himself. Interested?  I certainly am…

To enter the palace means to walk a path stained in blood…

Castle In Their Bones by Laura Sebastian

‘The plot: overthrow a kingdom. The goal: world domination. The plan: marriage.’

Well that’s one way to go about it anyway! And I, for one, am rather intrigued. The triplet princesses of Bessemia have been ‘trained from birth in espionage and seduction’. Why? So their Queen mother can enact her ‘plan to rule from sea to sea’. Unfortunately their task may not be quite so simple and their ‘mother’s motives may not be what they seem.’ The possibilities for this novel sound endless to be honest and I can’t wait to see what happens romance wise within this book.

This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi

Forbidden romances are always exciting but this one sounds like it truly has the potential to be epic. Alizeh is the long lost heir to an ancient Jinn kingdom, hiding in plain sight as a servant. Kamran is the crown prince who can’t get her off of his mind. Besides the obvious problems there’s the fact that one day soon Alizeh will ‘uproot his kingdom – and the world.’ And there’s even prophecies foretelling the death of the king. If all of that somehow isn’t enough it’s also inspired by Persian mythology. So basically I’m counting down the days to it’s release…

A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross

‘Enchantments run deep on Cadence: gossip is carried by the wind, plaid shawls can be as strong as armor, and the smallest cut of a knife can instill fathomless fear.’

Intrigued yet? Jack is called back to Cadence – after studying music at the mainland university – when ‘young girls start disappearing from the isle.‘

‘The capricious spirits that rule the isle by fire, water, earth, and wind find mirth in the lives of the humans who call the land home.’

Jack’s childhood enemy – and heiress of the east – Adaira knows that ‘the spirits only answer to a bard’s music.‘ And so she hopes that Jack can entice ‘them to return the missing girls.’ If all of that – along with the serious enemies to lovers potential that this book has – isn’t enough to entice you then read this final line of its blurb:

‘an older, darker secret about Cadence lurks beneath the surface, threatening to undo them all.’

From Dust, A Flame by Rebecca Podos

Firstly why the name change? I have nothing against the new title but personally I preferred ‘The Dust Alphabet’; it was the sort of unusual title that left me immediately wanting to learn more. But anyway this book sounds fantastic. It’s the story of Hannah who on her 17^th birthday is ‘cursed by a sheyd (a Jewish demon) as the price for a desperate bargain that her mother made long ago.’ Doesn’t that instantly leave you itching for more information? To break the spell Hannah and her brother must find her ‘mother’s estranged family’ and ‘discover a legacy they never dreamed of – one that traces back to the famous Golem of Prague.’ I need this already.

I wrote this for last year’s Most Anticipated Releases posts then discovered that it’s release date had been changed. Having now read the full length blurb I can honesty say that this sounds even more incredible then I first realized. Check it out. Seriously!

Bright Ruined Things by Samantha Cohoe

Mae has only ever known life on the island, ‘living on the charity of the wealthy Prosper family who control the magic on the island and the spirits who inhabit it’. Soon her time there may come to an end ‘but tonight is First Night’; a time to celebrate the night ‘Lord Prosper first harnessed the island’s magic and started producing aether – a magical fuel source that has revolutionized the world.’ Then the spirits start inexplicably dying and ‘Ivo, the reclusive, mysterious heir to the Prosper magic, may hold all the answers.’ Including a secret from Mae’s own past that she doesn’t remember. Magic, secrets, spirits, a wealthy family and so much potential for intrigue. It goes without saying that I want this!

Scorpica by G.R. Macallister

Okay please just give me this book already! Seriously; it sounds incredible. Set within a world where five hundred years of peace are shattered when girls inexplicably stop being born this series features five queendoms. It’s cast is made up of a warrior queen, a healer in hiding whose daughter has a secret explosive power, a queen whose desperation leads to her risking ‘using the darkest magic’, a ‘sorcerer demigod’ and ‘the generation of lastborn girls’… doesn’t this sound epic? And it’s blurb literally screams ‘girl-power’. Please just give me this book already! I know I’ve already said that but honestly it bears repeating.

League Of Liars by Astrid Scholte

OMG, what the hell did I just read? This blurb sounds like nothing I’ve ever come across before and I need this. League Of Liars follows a legal apprentice who’s tasked with helping convict three criminals for their illegal use of magic…’including the princess who was arrested for erasing the king’s entire existence.’ If that somehow wasn’t intriguing enough (which lets face it, it is) it was also pitched as ‘How To Get Away With Murder meets The Breakfast Club set in Azkaban’; yes I’m a failure who hasn’t seen those two things but set in a place like Azkaban? Obviously I’m interested. Plus I adored the author’s debut novel so that only adds to my level of curiosity and excitement. After writing this I’ve also now spotted the author’s note which has further increased my excitement as she’s shared the fact that this book will feature multiple POVs with letters, diagrams and illustrations. Plus asks ‘how can you tell the truth from the lies’ ‘in a world where reality can be distorted by magic.’ Seriously just give me this now!

The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea by Axie Oh

‘Deadly storms have ravaged Mina’s homeland for generations’, causing her people to believe the Sea God, who was once their protector, ‘now curses them with death and despair’. Their solution? To throw a maiden into the sea, year after year, in the hopes that one day his ‘true bride’ will be ‘chosen and end the suffering’. To save her brother Mina dives into the sea in the place of his beloved, only to find herself in the Spirit Realm – a magical city of lesser gods and mythical beasts.  Once there she discovers that the Sea God is stuck in an enchanted sleep and – not only does she have limited time to wake him – ‘there are those who would do anything to keep the Sea God from waking’. How could I not want to read this? It sounds incredible!! A fascinating setting, gods, demons, magic, danger… basically I think this book was written for me. And – yes I’m saying it again – but look at that cover!!

Extasia by Claire Legrand

As someone who adored The Grace Year I knew that I had to check this out as soon as I saw it mentioned in it’s blurb. It’s the story of a girl who will ‘become one of the four saints of Havens’ and, along with her sisters, ‘stand against the evil power that lives beneath the black mountains.’ An evil which has already killed nine of her village’s men. She has secrets – ‘white-eyed beasts that follow her’ being just one of them – and is unafraid of her mission to ‘save her people from destruction.‘ But are you? Truthfully I highly recommend checking out the full blurb for this one.

Gallant by V.E. Schwab

Ooh so I think this is my first time reading the full blurb for this book ^{(it had one of those summarized ones before)} but it sounds absolutely incredible. There’s a mother’s journal that descends into madness; an invitation that leads to a trip to Gallant, a place where our protagonist, Olivia, was unexpected; a hostile cousin; half formed ghouls and so much more… Including a ruined wall that, when crossed at just the right moment, leads to a very different Gallant where ‘the manor is crumbling, the ghouls are solid, and a mysterious figure rules over all.’

‘Olivia has always wanted to belong somewhere, but will she take her place as a Prior, protecting our world against the Master of the House? Or will she take her place beside him?’

I seriously need this book! Especially after the absolute wonder that was Addie LaRue. Truthfully the one and only reason that I haven’t yet pre-ordered this is because I’m hoping that Waterstones will announce one of their gorgeous special editions...hint, hint…

Edgewood by Kristen Ciccarelli

No matter what the forest of Edgewood always comes for Emeline Lark and when her grandfather disappears from his nursing home she finally succumbs to it’s call, ‘entering the forest she has spent years trying to escape.’ In the ‘court of the fabled Wood King’ she trades her voice for her grandfather’s freedom whilst totally unaware that she’s ‘stumbled into a curse much bigger than herself.’ Oh doesn’t this sound good! Creepy forests and fabled wood kings just screams fae vibes and by now surely you know how much I love those. And that cover!! Let’s be honest; 2022 should be named the year of stunning book covers already.

All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir

Somehow I haven’t yet managed to read An Ember In The Ashes ^{_{(*hides in shame*)}} but I’ve seen the rave reviews so naturally I was curious about this book. So I read the blurb and wow, just wow. This sounds like it’s going to be beautiful but harrowing in so many ways. It’s a contemporary _{(on this list, surprising right?)} and sounds as if it could have dual storylines. ‘Then’ Misbah, ‘a dreamer and storyteller’ whose newly married to Toufiq in an arranged match moves to the United States and opens a motel after their life is shaken by tragedy. ‘Now’ Solahudin and Noor are the closest of friends...until ‘The Fight’ destroys their bond. Sol ‘scrambles to run the family hotel as his mother Misbah’s health fails and his grieving father loses himself to alcoholism.’ Noor works ‘at her wrathful uncle’s liquor store while hiding the fact that she’s applying to college so she can escape him.’

‘When Sal’s attempts to save the motel spiral out of control, he and Noor must ask themselves what friendship is worth—and what it takes to defeat the monsters in their pasts and the ones in their midst.’

See what I mean about the potential for beauty and devastation? No matter what I’m fairly certain that this will be a truly powerful read.

The Lost Dreamer by Lizz Huerta

Indir is a Dreamer, ‘descended from a long line of seers’ she carries the rare gift of ‘Dreaming truth’. She also has two secrets that she’s struggling to keep – and yes I’m certainly curious about those. When the beloved king dies, his son, who ‘has no respect’ for the time-honored tradition of Dreaming, wants an opportunity to ‘bring the Dreamers to a permanent end’. ‘Saya is a seer, but not a Dreamer’ as she’s never been ‘formally trained’. She never stays in one place for too long – ‘almost as if they’re running from something’ – and travels from village to village with her mother who passes her gifts off as her own. When she loses ‘the necklace she’s worn since birth’ she learns that ‘seeing isn’t her only gift’ and ‘begins to suspect that everything she knows about her life has been a carefully-constructed lie.’ I’m definitely intrigued by this book and can’t wait to explore it’s world. Fingers crossed it’s a good as it sounds because honestly? This absolutely has the potential to be epic.

A Thousand Steps Into Night by Traci Chee

OMG this sounds amazing!! How did I forget what this was about? And how on earth have I still not read The Reader… Anyway this book is set in ‘the realm of Awara, where gods, monsters and humans exist side by side‘ and follows Miuko, a normal girl… at first. When she’s cursed Miuko begins to ‘transform into a demon with a deadly touch’; leading to an attempt to reverse said curse. Along the way she’s ‘aided by a thieving magpie spirit’ and ‘thwarted by a demon prince.’ There are also tricksters, demon hunters and even feral gods. But, in the end,

‘she’ll have to decide if saving her soul is worth trying to cram herself back into an ordinary life that no longer fits her… and perhaps never did. ‘

Blood Scion by Deborah Falaye

‘Fifteen-year-old Sloane can incinerate an enemy at will—she is a Scion, a descendant of the ancient Orisha gods.’

I’ve definitely read at least one book that includes the Orisha gods before and I adored it so naturally I’m intrigued about this. Plus that power; wow!! If her powers are discovered it will mean death for Sloane; but then, when she is ‘forcibly conscripted into the Lucis army’ she comes up with a plan… ‘to overcome the bloody challenges of Lucis training, and destroy them from within.’ But will she become a monster in doing so? I can’t wait to find out! This is definitely my kind of book, and from the sounds of it, my sort of central character too! So many fantastic new fantasy series seem to be coming out this year.

The City Of Dusk by Tara Sim

Firstly I seriously recommend checking the blurb of this one out for yourself in full. Re-reading it now has left me itching to get my hands on it. ‘The Four Realms – Life, Death, Light and Darkness, all converge on the city of dusk. Each realm has a god and each god has a heir. But now the gods have withdrawn their favour, meaning that all the realms are dying. If that wasn’t exciting enough this book follows those four heirs – a necromancer, an elementalist, a shadow-wielding rogue and a solider. And then there’s the final line of this book’s blurb:

‘But their defiance will cost them dearly.’

Need I say more?

A Magic Steeped In Poison by Judy I. Lin

Surely I’m not alone in seeing ‘magical art of tea-making’ and finding myself instantly intrigued? I need to know more about this magic! This story follows Ning who ‘unknowing brewed the poison tea’ that killed her mother and is now also threatening to take her sister’s life as well. Her only chance to save her seems to be to enter into a competition to ‘find the kingdom’s greatest shennong-shi – masters of the ancient and magical art of tea-making’; the winner of which will receive a favour from the princess. Backstabbing competitors, bloody court politics and a mysterious boy with a shocking secret all await Ning in the imperial city. And with that blurb I am simply itching to get a hold of a copy of this book. In print, obviously, because have you seen that cover?!?

The Drowning Summer by Christine Lynn Herman

‘Six years ago, three Long Island teenagers were murdered – their drowned bodies discovered with sand dollars placed over their eyes.’

Although this mystery was never solved the town has always been convinced that Evelyn Mackenzie’s father did it. ‘Charges were dropped only because Evelyn summoned a ghost to clear his name. She swore never to call a spirit again. She lied.’ Intriguing right? But there’s more… Mina, a former friend of Evelyn’s, is from a family that has always worked as mediums – ‘using the ocean’s power to guide the dead to their final resting place.’ But rising sea levels has led to increasingly dangerous ghosts and ‘Mina has been shut out of the family business.’ When Evelyn performs a summoning that goes horribly wrong the two girls must team up to solve the mystery of the Drowning Summer ‘before the line between life and death dissolves for good.’

The Blood Trials by N.E. Davenport

Oh wow, this sounds like it’s going to be one incredibly epic fantasy offering. From its promise that ‘It’s all about blood’ and it’s central character, Ikenna’s, plans of revenge this sounds absolutely riveting. After Ikenna’s grandfather – the man who ‘trained her in secret’ in both martial skills and ‘in harnessing the blood gift that coursed through her’ – is murdered she’s ‘bent on revenge as much as discovering the truth’ and so she ‘pledges herself to the Praetorian Trials – a brutal initiation that only a quarter of aspirants survive’. And all this time she has to hide a power that ‘if found out would subject her to execution…or worse.’ If that somehow hasn’t sold you on this book then check out these final lines:

‘Mareen has been at peace for a long time…

Ikenna joining the Praetorians is about to change all that.’

Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel

“I was born on the full moon under an auspicious constellation, the holiest of positions—much good it did me.”

Kaikeyi is a young woman ‘determined to create her own destiny in a world where gods and men dictate the shape of things to come’ who transforms herself from an ‘overlooked princess’ into a ‘warrior, diplomat, and most-favored queen.’  She’s ‘the vilified queen of the Indian epic the Ramayana’ which I don’t truly know so I’m excited to discover her story. Plus the blurb compares it to Circe so naturally I’m intrigued. Please just give me all of these new retellings already!

Elektra by Jennifer Saint

Immediately after finishing ‘Ariadne’ I added this book to my TBR and have been waiting impatiently for it ever since. Needless to say I adored the author’s debut. I’m also constantly on the lookout for feminist retellings of well known stories since devouring ‘Circe’.  Plus the first line of this blurb instantly hooked me: ‘The House of Atreus is cursed.’

‘This is the story of three women, their fates inextricably tied to this curse, and the fickle nature of men and gods.’ Clytemnestra is the sister of Helen and wife of Agamemnon whose ‘hopes of averting the curse are dashed when her sister is taken to Troy’. Cassandra is Princess of Troy and cursed by Apollo ‘to see the future but never to be believed when she speaks of it.’ And Elektra, the novels namesake, is ‘youngest daughter of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon, Elektra is horrified by the bloodletting of her kin. But, can she escape the curse, or is her own destiny also bound by violence?’

Truthfully I don’t really know anything about Elektra – although her story may well be familiar to me once I pick up this book – but I’m curious to say the least. Who can resist a Greek retelling which focuses upon some of it’s wronged women?

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So that’s it for part one; look out for part two, coming Monday. Thank you so much if you read this incredibly lengthy post; I hope it brought some new books to your attention. Because, really, is anyone’s TBR ever long enough?

What are your most anticipated books of 2022? Have you read any of them yet? Are there any early ones that I’m missing?