Most Anticipated Books: March 2020

Most Anticipated Booksis a monthly series in which I discuss the releases I’m most excited for in the coming month. Technically, the thing I’m most excited for in March is my big move across the country. But this post is about books, so let’s leave it at that.

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The Midnight Lie by Marie Rutkoski

Summary: Where Nirrim lives, crime abounds, a harsh tribunal rules, and society’s pleasures are reserved for the High Kith. Life in the Ward is grim and punishing. People of her low status are forbidden from sampling sweets or wearing colors. You either follow the rules, or pay a tithe and suffer the consequences.

Nirrim keeps her head down and a dangerous secret close to her chest.

But then she encounters Sid, a rakish traveler from far away who whispers rumors that the High Caste possesses magic. Sid tempts Nirrim to seek that magic for herself. But to do that, Nirrim must surrender her old life. She must place her trust in this sly stranger who asks, above all, not to be trusted.

Set in the world of the New York Times– bestselling Winner’s Trilogy, beloved author Marie Rutkoski returns with an epic LGBTQ romantic fantasy about learning to free ourselves from the lies others tell us—a nd the lies we tell ourselves.

Release Date: March 3

My Impression: I’ve been dying to read this book for like a year. A F/F romance written by the woman who gave us Kestrel and Arin? I need it. I’m so devastated Netgalley ignored my request for an ARC and Edelweiss rejected it. But it’s finally out in a few days, so I guess that’s okay.

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Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare

Summary: Welcome to Edwardian London, a time of electric lights and long shadows, the celebration of artistic beauty and the wild pursuit of pleasure, with demons waiting in the dark. For years there has been peace in the Shadowhunter world. James and Lucie Herondale, children of the famous Will and Tessa, have grown up in an idyll with their loving friends and family, listening to stories of good defeating evil and love conquering all. But everything changes when the Blackthorn and Carstairs families come to London…and so does a remorseless and inescapable plague.

James Herondale longs for a great love, and thinks he has found it in the beautiful, mysterious Grace Blackthorn. Cordelia Carstairs is desperate to become a hero, save her family from ruin, and keep her secret love for James hidden. When disaster strikes the Shadowhunters, James, Cordelia and their friends are plunged into a wild adventure which will reveal dark and incredible powers, and the true cruel price of being a hero…a nd falling in love.

Release Date: March 3

My Impression: I mean, it’s a Shadowhunter Chronicles book. Of course I’m excited. However, it’s also the beginning to a series I’ve been waiting for since 2013. The so-so reviews have me a bit worried, but for the most part I can’t wait to read this.

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The City We Became by N.K. Jeminsin

Summary: Five New Yorkers must come together in order to defend their city in the first book of a stunning new series by Hugo award-winning and NYT bestselling author N. K. Jemisin.

Every city has a soul. Some are as ancient as myths, and others are as new and destructive as children. New York City? She’s got five.

But every city also has a dark side. A roiling, ancient evil stirs beneath the earth, threatening to destroy the city and her five protectors unless they can come together and stop it once and for all.

Release Date: March 24

My Impression: I read The Fifth Season earlier this month and adored it. Jemisin is about to become a new favorite author, I just know it. Plus, this premise sounds so cool.

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The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo

Summary: With the heart of an Atwood tale and the visuals of a classic Asian period drama The Empress of Salt and Fortune is a tightly and lushly written narrative about empire, storytelling, and the anger of women.

A young royal from the far north is sent south for a political marriage. Alone and sometimes reviled, she has only her servants on her side. This evocative debut chronicles her rise to power through the eyes of her handmaiden, at once feminist high fantasy and a thrilling indictment of monarchy.

Release Date: March 24

My Impression: I added this to my TBR after I found it on Tor Publishing’s website. I like basically every book of theirs I read, and have no reason to suspect this story will be an exception to the rule. Besides, it’s about women’s anger and we have to support that.

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What March releases are you excited for? Let me know in the comments!