The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Release Date: February 6th
Goodreads Description: Alaska, 1974. Untamed. Unpredictable. A story of a family in crisis struggling to survive at the edge of the world, it is also a story of young and enduring love. Cora Allbright and her husband Ernt, a recently-returned Vietnam veteran scarred by the war, uproot their thirteen-year-old daughter Leni to start a new life in Alaska. Utterly unprepared for the weather and the isolation, but welcomed by the close-knit community, they fight to build a home in this harsh, beautiful wilderness. At once an epic story of human survival and love, and an intimate portrait of a family tested beyond endurance, The Great Alone offers a glimpse into a vanishing way of life in America.
Why I want to read it: I adored Hannah’s WW2 novel The Nightingale. If this book is even half as beautiful, devastating, and compelling as that, it will still be an amazing story. Pre-order here.
How to stop time by Matt Haig
Release Date: February 6th
Goodreads Description: A love story across the ages – and for the ages – about a man lost in time, the woman who could save him, and the lifetimes it can take to learn how to live
Tom Hazard has a dangerous secret. He may look like an ordinary 41-year-old, but owing to a rare condition, he’s been alive for centuries. Tom has lived history–performing with Shakespeare, exploring the high seas with Captain Cook, and sharing cocktails with Fitzgerald. Now, he just wants an ordinary life.
So Tom moves back to London, his old home, to become a high school history teacher–the perfect job for someone who has witnessed the city’s history first hand. Better yet, a captivating French teacher at his school seems fascinated by him. But the Albatross Society, the secretive group which protects people like Tom, has one rule: never fall in love. As painful memories of his past and the erratic behavior of the Society’s watchful leader threaten to derail his new life and romance, the one thing he can’t have just happens to be the one thing that might save him. Tom will have to decide once and for all whether to remain stuck in the past, or finally begin living in the present.
Why I want to read it: An immortal man who isn’t a vampire? Intriguing. A forbidden love? Secret societies? First-hand accounts of great historical figures? Basically everything I want out of a book. If it ends with love conquering all then this could be a 5-star read for me. Pre-order here.
The Dark Calling (Arcana Chronicles #5) by Kresley Cole
Release Date: February 13th
Goodreads Description: In a world teetering on the edge . . .When Evie receives life-changing—and possibly game-changing—news, she has trouble believing it. Why doesn’t she feel any different? Is it possible someone she trusts might be lying?
With enemies at every turn . . .Tensions seethe inside the castle of lost time as Evie begins to doubt her own sanity. Answers might be found outside their stronghold, but will Death help her find them—or prevent her from learning the truth about her future and Jack’s possible survival?
Darkness beckons. A mysterious, sinister power begins to affect all the Arcana in its path. Forced out into the wasteland alone, Evie must depend on unexpected allies for survival. But as a battle with Richter looms, can her new alliance defeat the dark calling before hell reigns on earth?
Why I want to read it: I devoured The Poison Princess and the two books that followed. The 4th book gave me the ship that I wanted, but felt like a half-assed effort on the author’s part. Possibly because KC’s working on at least three other series simultaneously. I’m hoping this 5th book will get back to the fast-paced, creative storytelling that made me love the series in the first place. Pre-order here.
The Wicked Deep by Shae Ernshaw
Release date: March 6th
Goodreads Description: Hocus Pocus and Practical Magic meets the Salem Witch trials in this haunting story about three sisters on a quest for revenge—and how love may be the only thing powerful enough to stop them.
Welcome to the cursed town of Sparrow…Where, two centuries ago, three sisters were sentenced to death for witchery. Stones were tied to their ankles and they were drowned in the deep waters surrounding the town. Now, for a brief time each summer, the sisters return, stealing the bodies of three weak-hearted girls so that they may seek their revenge, luring boys into the harbor and pulling them under.
Like many locals, seventeen-year-old Penny Talbot has accepted the fate of the town. But this year, on the eve of the sisters’ return, a boy named Bo Carter arrives; unaware of the danger he has just stumbled into. Mistrust and lies spread quickly through the salty, rain-soaked streets. The townspeople turn against one another. Penny and Bo suspect each other of hiding secrets. And death comes swiftly to those who cannot resist the call of the sisters. But only Penny sees what others cannot. And she will be forced to choose: save Bo, or save herself.
Why I want to read it: A) I’m from Oregon, so…represent. B) That plot sounds original, scary, and with great potential for insta-love, which is by far my favorite YA trope. It’s not Young Adult without insta-love, my friends. And C) I have several random connections to the author. In her non-writing time she and her husband run a video production company, and I worked with her when she made a local commercial that I was in. She’s a friend of my sister in-law, AND her sister in-law was my sister’s best friend all through school (I told you they were random). I’m super excited to see a local hometown girl in the YA world! Pre-order here.
Children of Blood and Bone (Legacy of Orïsha #1) by Tomi Adeyemi
Release Date: March 6th
Goodreads Description: Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zelie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls. But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were targeted and killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope.
Now, Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.
Danger lurks in Orïsha, where snow leoponaires prowl and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to control her powers—and her growing feelings for the enemy.
Why I want to read it: This debut fantasy novel is supposed to be one of THE MOST anticipated books coming out this year, across all genres. Drawn partially from African mythology and written by a 23 year old Nigerian-American author, it sounds like a fantastically unique world featuring POC. In a heavily white-washed genre, it’s being hailed as a Black Lives Matter-inspired mythology. Pre-order here.
Captive by Gabrielle Estres
Release date: April 30th
Goodreads description: When Katherine, an unworldly, innocent maid, is sold as a slave to the prince of Wallachia, she is terrified of the man who is whispered to be a sorcerer, a monster or even the devil himself.
Imprisoned in his castle, Katherine is shocked by the realization that she is drawn to this enigmatic man and despite his terrifying nature, finds she is desperate to get close to him. The prince, intrigued by Katherine’s beauty, courage and independent spirit, finds himself in an uncomfortable predicament – falling in love with the women he must kill to save his kingdom. Be warned, it is a dark and gloomy tale…
Why I want to read it: I am always here for Vlad Dracula stories. I stumbled across this title while perusing upcoming romance novels on Goodreads, and the reviews for this book were outrageously glowing. It was originally published on Wattpad, a reading app and social media website for amateur authors and interested readers. The reviews raved about the character development, brilliant storyline, and well-written, smoking hot sexy times. SIGN ME UP. You can pre-order it for Nook but it’s not yet available for Kindle.
War Storm (Red Queen #4) by Victoria Aveyard
Release Date: May 15th
Goodreads Description:
VICTORY COMES AT A PRICE.
Mare Barrow learned this all too well when Cal’s betrayal nearly destroyed her. Now determined to protect her heart—and secure freedom for Reds and newbloods like her—Mare resolves to overthrow the kingdom of Norta once and for all… starting with the crown on Maven’s head.
But no battle is won alone, and before the Reds may rise as one, Mare must side with the boy who broke her heart in order to defeat the boy who almost broke her. Cal’s powerful Silver allies, alongside Mare and the Scarlet Guard, prove a formidable force. But Maven is driven by an obsession so deep, he will stop at nothing to have Mare as his own again, even if it means demolishing everything—and everyone—in his path.
War is coming, and all Mare has fought for hangs in the balance. Will victory be enough to topple the Silver kingdoms? Or will the little lightning girl be forever silenced? In the epic conclusion to Victoria Aveyard’s stunning series, Mare must embrace her fate and summon all her power… for all will be tested, but not all will survive.
Why I want to read it: Truthfully, I have not loved this series. But I do love the Maven-Mare fanfic I’ve been writing, and I’m excited for some fresh fodder for my much better and infinitely more satisfying version of the story. I am, also, mildly interested in how the Red vs Silver tale ends. Pre-order here.
The President is Missing by Bill Clinton and James Patterson
Release date: June 4th
Goodreads description: The White House is the home of the President of the United States, the most guarded, monitored, closely watched person in the world. So how could a U.S. President vanish without a trace? And why would he choose to do so?
An unprecedented collaboration between President Bill Clinton and the world’s bestselling novelist, James Patterson, The President Is Missing is a breathtaking story from the pinnacle of power. Full of what it truly feels like to be the person in the Oval Office–the mind-boggling pressure, the heartbreaking decisions, the exhilarating opportunities, the soul-wrenching power–this is the thriller of the decade, confronting the darkest threats that face the world today, with the highest stakes conceivable.
Why I want to read it: I honestly didn’t put a lot of thought into this one. Mystery thriller? Co-written by a former US President? Why the heck not! And Showtime has already landed the TV rights. Pre-order here.
A reaper at the gates (Ember in the Ashes #3) by Sabaa Tahir
Release date: June 12th
Goodreads description: Beyond the Empire and within it, the threat of war looms ever larger.
The Blood Shrike, Helene Aquilla, is assailed on all sides. Emperor Marcus, haunted by his past, grows increasingly unstable, while the Commandant capitalizes on his madness to bolster her own power. As Helene searches for a way to hold back the approaching darkness, her sister’s life and the lives of all those in the Empire hang in the balance.
Far to the east, Laia of Serra knows the fate of the world lies not in the machinations of the Martial court, but in stopping the Nightbringer. But while hunting for a way to bring him down, Laia faces unexpected threats from those she hoped would aid her, and is drawn into a battle she never thought she’d have to fight.
And in the land between the living and the dead, Elias Veturius has given up his freedom to serve as Soul Catcher. But in doing so, he has vowed himself to an ancient power that will stop at nothing to ensure Elias’s devotion—even at the cost of his humanity.
Why I want to read it: Because I’m obsessed with this series, that’s why. I need to find out how my girl Helene is doing. I need to see how Laia has emotionally processed the fact the she did You-Know-What with You-Know-Who. I need to see if Elias finds a way out of his Soul Catcher contract. The wait is unbearable. If I could hibernate for the next 6 months and then wake up on June 12th, I would. (Just kidding, kids!! Mommy loves you and wants to keep spending every! waking! moment! with you. But if you could be 100% self-sufficient and potty trained by June 12th that’d be greaaaaaaat). Pre-order here.
Starless by Jacqueline Carey
Release date: June 12th
Goodreads Description: Jacqueline Carey is back with an amazing adventure not seen since her New York Times bestselling Kushiel’s Legacy series. Lush and sensual, Starless introduces us to an epic world where exiled gods live among us, and a hero whose journey will resonate long after the last page is turned.
Let your mind be like the eye of the hawk…Destined from birth to serve as protector of the princess Zariya, Khai is trained in the arts of killing and stealth by a warrior sect in the deep desert; yet there is one profound truth that has been withheld from him.
In the court of the Sun-Blessed, Khai must learn to navigate deadly intrigue and his own conflicted identity…but in the far reaches of the western seas, the dark god Miasmus is rising, intent on nothing less than wholesale destruction.
If Khai is to keep his soul’s twin Zariya alive, their only hope lies with an unlikely crew of prophecy-seekers on a journey that will take them farther beneath the starless skies than anyone can imagine.
Why I want to read it: I read Carey’s novel Kushiel’s Dart a few years ago and it was one of the most intense, uncomfortable, but well-written and epic stories I’ve read. It explored some dark shit. I ultimately decided not to finish the Kushiel trilogy, but knowing what a great and inventive writer she is, I’m super excited to check this book out. Another plus? It’s a standalone novel. Sometimes I just don’t want to invest in a trilogy (or more often these days, a quad/quint/sext-ology), okay??? Pre-order here.
If you made it this far, CONGRATULATIONS! I’d love to hear your most anticipated books of 2018, and be sure to friend me on Goodreads!
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