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Most Anticipated Books is a monthly series in which I discuss the releases I’m most excited for in the coming month.
Her Crown of Fire by Renee April
Summary: In the dull, everyday world, seventeen-year-old Rose Evermore struggles to plan beyond her final year of high school. But when fire suddenly obeys her every command and her dreams predict the future, she becomes hungry for more of this strange power.
Under her dreams’ guidance, Rose lands in the fantasy realm of Lotheria— with a tagalong. Tyson, her best friend since childhood, winds up there with her, just as confused and a hell of a lot more vulnerable. In Lotheria, Rose is welcomed and celebrated as a fire mage at the Academy, while the very un-magical Tyson is forced into hiding under threat of death from the headmasters of Rose’s new school.
As Rose’s talent in fire magic draws unwanted attention and Tyson struggles to transition from high school student to blacksmith, Rose must find a way to return Tyson to their own world before the headmasters discover and execute him— no matter the cost.
Release Date: November 1
My Impression: I’ll be honest— I don’t even remember adding this book to my Goodreads TBR. But hey, I’m always a sucker for the magical school trope. I believe the protagonist is bisexual and starts to develop something with another girl, as well. It sounds like a fun read.
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
Summary: Zachary Ezra Rawlins is a graduate student in Vermont when he discovers a mysterious book hidden in the stacks. As he turns the pages, entranced by tales of lovelorn prisoners, key collectors, and nameless acolytes, he reads something strange: a story from his own childhood. Bewildered by this inexplicable book and desperate to make sense of how his own life came to be recorded, Zachary uncovers a series of clues— a bee, a key, and a sword— that lead him to a masquerade party in New York, to a secret club, and through a doorway to an ancient library, hidden far below the surface of the earth.
What Zachary finds in this curious place is more than just a buried home for books and their guardians— it is a place of lost cities and seas, lovers who pass notes under doors and across time, and of stories whispered by the dead. Zachary learns of those who have sacrificed much to protect this realm, relinquishing their sight and their tongues to preserve this archive, and also those who are intent on its destruction.
Together with Mirabel, a fierce, pink-haired protector of the place, and Dorian, a handsome, barefoot man with shifting alliances, Zachary travels the twisting tunnels, darkened stairwells, crowded ballrooms, and sweetly-soaked shores of this magical world, discovering his purpose—in both the mysterious book and in his own life.
Release Date: November 5
My Impression: While I’m not one of those people who act like The Night Circus is God’s gift to literature, I did enjoy it. Besides, as you know, magical books and libraries are another of my favorite tropes.
Blood Heir by Amélie Wen Zhao
Summary: In the Cyrilian Empire, Affinites are reviled. Their varied gifts to control the world around them are unnatural— dangerous. And Anastacya Mikhailov, the crown princess, has a terrifying secret. Her deadly Affinity to blood is her curse and the reason she has lived her life hidden behind palace walls.
When Ana’s father, the emperor, is murdered, her world is shattered. Framed as his killer, Ana must flee the palace to save her life. And to clear her name, she must find her father’s murderer on her own. But the Cyrilia beyond the palace walls is far different from the one she thought she knew. Corruption rules the land, and a greater conspiracy is at work— one that threatens the very balance of her world. And there is only one person corrupt enough to help Ana get to its core: Ramson Quicktongue.
A cunning crime lord of the Cyrilian underworld, Ramson has sinister plans— though he might have met his match in Ana. Because in this story, the princess might be the most dangerous player of all.
Release Date: November 1
My Impression: You may remember the controversy earlier this year about the supposed racism in this book. Zhao pulled the book, but it looks like it’s been un-pulled and with good reason— her story is based on the Chinese sex slave trade, not American slavery. I’m glad this book is being released as is. Plus, I love blood magic. It’s another favorite trope.
Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi
Summary: After battling the impossible, Zélie and Amari have finally succeeded in bringing magic back to the land of Orïsha. But the ritual was more powerful than they could’ve imagined, reigniting the powers of not only the maji, but of nobles with magic ancestry, too.
Now, Zélie struggles to unite the maji in an Orïsha where the enemy is just as powerful as they are. But when the monarchy and military unite to keep control of Orïsha, Zélie must fight to secure Amari’s right to the throne and protect the new maji from the monarchy’s wrath.
With civil war looming on the horizon, Zélie finds herself at a breaking point: she must discover a way to bring the kingdom together or watch as Orïsha tears itself apart.
Release Date: December 3
My Impression: I enjoyed Children of Blood and Bone when I read it earlier this year, especially after that cliffhanger. I’m intrigued to see what happens next and if Adeyemi improves on the issues I had.
What November and/or December releases are you excited for? Let me know in the comments!
Strange Storyteller 