I Need To Read These Upcoming Releases!

Hey hi hello friends, and welcome back to my blog!

Today I have a list of my anticipated releases for 2024! It feels like every year there are less and less books that I'm absolutely wanting to read. Last year I had to split the list up into two parts because there weren't enough books for the latter half of the year, but this time I think I'll go through the whole year. Not because there are too little books for a split list, but because I'm just not feeling the intense hype for the new books. 

Anyway, I'll be going through this list much like the one previous: the books will be in order of publication date, and I will mention whether it's a standalone or part of a series. I'll give you the synopsis provided by Goodreads, as well as any additional thoughts I have. Also there will be a book or two at the beginning of this list that have already been published, since we're already halfway through January. But know that I haven't read them yet, so they are still anticipated releases.

One last thing: obviously these dates are subject to change. I will be using the publication dates on Goodreads as of today for this list, so there might be some books that don't have an expected release date yet.

Okay, let's get into the list!

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Mislaid in Parts Half-Known by Seanan McGuire - pub. January 9th
Book Eight in the Wayward Children series

"Dinosaurs and portals, and a girl who can find both in the latest book in the Hugo and Nebula Award-Winning series.

Antsy is the latest student to pass through the doors at Eleanor West's School for Wayward Children.

When her fellow students realize that Antsy's talent for finding absolutely anything may extend to doors, she's forced to flee in the company of a small group of friends, looking for a way back to the Shop Where the Lost Things Go to be sure that Vineta and Hudson are keeping their promise.

Along the way, temptations are dangled, decisions are reinforced, and a departure to a world populated by dinosaurs brings untold dangers and one or two other surprises!

A story that reminds us that finding what you want doesn't always mean finding what you need."

    I loved Antsy's book (Lost in the Moment and Found) and so I'm really happy that we're still exploring her story. Also, since this is the eighth book in the series, of course I'm looking forward to it.

An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson - pub. February 13th

"Deep in the forgotten hills of Massachusetts stands Saint Perpetua's College. Isolated and ancient, it is not a place for timid girls. Here, secrets are currency, ambition is lifeblood, and strange ceremonies welcome students into the fold.

On her first day of class, Laura Sheridan is thrust into an intense academic rivalry with the beautiful and enigmatic Carmilla. Together, they are drawn into the confidence of their demanding poetry professor, De Lafontaine, who holds her own dark obsession with Carmilla.

But as their rivalry blossoms into something far more delicious, Laura must confront her own strange hungers. Tangled in a sinister game of politics, bloodthirsty professors and dark magic, Laura and Carmilla must decide how much they are willing to sacrifice in their ruthless pursuit of knowledge."

    S.T. Gibson's first book, A Dowry of Blood, was such a hit, I'm glad that she is now getting traditionally published. This screams dark academia and I know that she writes sapphic romance phenomenally. I'm very excited to read this.

The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden - pub. February 13th

"January 1918. Laura Iven was a revered field nurse until she was wounded and discharged from the medical corps, leaving behind a brother still fighting in Flanders. Now home in Halifax, Canada, she receives word of Freddie’s death in combat, along with his personal effects—but something doesn’t make sense. Determined to uncover the truth, Laura returns to Belgium as a volunteer at a private hospital. Soon after arriving, she hears whispers about haunted trenches, and a strange hotelier whose wine gives soldiers the gift of oblivion. Could Freddie have escaped the battlefield, only to fall prey to something—or someone—else?

November 1917. Freddie Iven awakens after an explosion to find himself trapped in an overturned pillbox with a wounded enemy soldier, a German by the name of Hans Winter. Against all odds, the two men form an alliance and succeed in clawing their way out. Unable to bear the thought of returning to the killing fields, especially on opposite sides, they take refuge with a mysterious man who seems to have the power to make the hellscape of the trenches disappear.

As shells rain down on Flanders, and ghosts move among those yet living, Laura’s and Freddie’s deepest traumas are reawakened. Now they must decide whether their world is worth salvaging—or better left behind entirely."

    Now, I'm of two minds on this one. On one hand, this is a war novel, which I'm not the biggest fan of. In fact, I've historically disliked nearly every WWI/WWII novel that I've picked up. On the other hand, Katherine Arden is easily one of my favorite authors. Her Winternight series and her middle-grade horror series are both in my top series, so I have a lot of faith in her writing. I feel like if anyone can make me like a war novel, Katherine Arden can.

The Ashfire King by Chelsea Abdullah - pub. February 20th
Book Two in the Sandsea Trilogy

"The magical sequel to The Stardust Thief, Chelsea Abdullah's unmissable debut that weaves a tale of myth and magic in a world steeped in Middle Eastern folklore, perfect for fans of The City of Brass and The Bone Shard Daughter."

    Well, that doesn't give us much, does it? I read The Stardust Thief late last year and really enjoyed it. I thought it was a great beginning to a new fantasy series. I liked all of the characters, and it ended on enough of a cliffhanger that I'm dying to know what happens next. I guess I only have to wait a month!

The Angel of Indian Lake by Stephen Graham Jones - pub. March 26th
Book Three in the Lake Witch Trilogy

"It’s been four years in prison since Jade Daniels last saw her hometown of Proofrock, Idaho, the day she took the fall, protecting her friend Letha and her family from incrimination. Since then, her reputation, and the town, have changed dramatically. There’s a lot of unfinished business in Proofrock, from serial killer cultists to the rich trying to buy Western authenticity. But there’s one aspect of Proofrock no one wants to confront…until Jade comes back to town. The curse of the Lake Witch is waiting, and now is the time for the final stand."

    In my opinion, Stephen Graham Jones is the king of horror. I've enjoyed everything I've read from him, including the first two books in this series. Jade is such an interesting character to follow, and I'm very eager to see how the storyline with the lake witch is going to end, considering book two was about something else entirely.

The Brides of High Hill by Nghi Vo - pub. May 7th
Book Five of the Singing Hills Cycle

"The Cleric Chih accompanies a beautiful young bride to her wedding to an aging lord at a crumbling estate situated at the crossroads of dead empires. But they’re forgetting things they ought to remember, and the lord’s mad young son wanders the grounds at night like a hanged ghost."

    Since this is book five in this series, I feel like there isn't a ton I can say about it. These novellas are always a joy to read, and I learn a lot of different folktales and such. This one seems like it might be one of the more creepier ones (not that they're super creepy, some of the stories just have an eeriness to them compared to others). Chih is precious and I want to protect them at all costs, and that's all I really have to say on the matter.

After 1177 B.C.: The Survival of Civilizations by Eric H. Cline - pub. May 7th
Book Two in Turning Points in History

"At the end of the acclaimed history 1177 B.C. , many of the Late Bronze Age civilizations of the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean lay in ruins, undone by invasion, revolt, natural disasters, famine, and the demise of international trade. An interconnected world that had boasted major empires and societies, relative peace, robust commerce, and monumental architecture was lost and the so-called First Dark Age had begun. Now, in After 1177 B.C. , Eric Cline tells the compelling story of what happened next, over four centuries, across the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean world. It is a story of resilience, transformation, and success, as well as failures, in an age of chaos and reconfiguration.

After 1177 B.C. tells how the collapse of powerful Late Bronze Age civilizations created new circumstances to which people and societies had to adapt. Those that failed to adjust disappeared from the world stage, while others transformed themselves, resulting in a new world order that included Phoenicians, Philistines, Israelites, Neo-Hittites, Neo-Assyrians, and Neo-Babylonians. Taking the story up to the resurgence of Greece marked by the first Olympic Games in 776 B.C., the book also describes how world-changing innovations such as the use of iron and the alphabet emerged amid the chaos."

    I feel like it's kind of weird to have a nonfiction on this list. It's not something I've ever had before, but I really liked Eric Cline's first book, Before 1177 B.C., and I know that this book will have equal attention to detail. Ancient history has always been a special interest of mine, so I'm ready to learn once again!

A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur - pub. May 14th

"1506, Joseon. The people suffer under the cruel reign of the tyrant King Yeonsan, powerless to stop him from commandeering their land for his recreational use, banning and burning books, and kidnapping and horrifically abusing women and girls as his personal playthings.

Seventeen-year-old Iseul has lived a sheltered, privileged life despite the kingdom’s turmoil. When her older sister, Suyeon, becomes the king’s latest prey, Iseul leaves the relative safety of her village, traveling through forbidden territory to reach the capital in hopes of stealing her sister back. But she soon discovers the king’s power is absolute, and to challenge his rule is to court certain death.

Prince Daehyun has lived his whole life in the terrifying shadow of his despicable half-brother, the king. Forced to watch King Yeonsan flaunt his predation through executions and rampant abuse of the common folk, Daehyun aches to find a way to dethrone his half-brother once and for all. When staging a coup, failure is fatal, and he’ll need help to pull it off—but there’s no way to know who he can trust.

When Iseul's and Daehyun's fates collide, their contempt for each other is transcended only by their mutual hate for the king. Armed with Iseul’s family connections and Daehyun’s royal access, they reluctantly join forces to launch the riskiest gamble the kingdom has ever seen."

    I really don't have a lot to say about this one. This will be June Hur's fourth historical mystery novel, all taking place in the Joseon era of Korean history. I trust that this book will be as good as the previous ones.

Goddess of the River by Vaishnavi Patel - pub. May 23rd

"A mother and a son. A goddess and a prince. A curse and an oath. A river whose course will change the fate of the world.

Ganga, joyful goddess of the river, serves as caretaker to the mischievous godlings who roam her banks. But when their antics incur the wrath of a powerful sage, Ganga is cursed to become mortal, bound to her human form until she fulfills the obligations of the curse.

Though she knows nothing of mortal life, Ganga weds King Shantanu and becomes a queen, determined to regain her freedom no matter the cost. But in a cruel turn of fate, just as she is freed of her binding, she is forced to leave her infant son behind.

Her son, prince Devavrata, unwittingly carries the legacy of Ganga’s curse. And when he makes an oath that he will never claim his father’s throne, he sets in motion a chain of events that will end in a terrible and tragic war.

As the years unfold, Ganga and Devavrata are drawn together again and again, each confluence another step on a path that has been written in the stars, in this deeply moving and masterful tale of duty, destiny, and the unwavering bond between mother and son."

    I really enjoyed Vaishnavi Patel's debut novel, Kaikeyi, and how it introduced me to Hindu mythology. As you might have guess, mythology is also a special interest of mine, and learning new ones is something that will never cease to fascinate me.

The Last Song of Penelope by Claire North - pub. June 4th
Book Three in the Songs of Penelope series

"This is the story of Penelope of Ithaca, famed wife of Odysseus, as it has never been told before. Many years ago, Odysseus sailed to war and never returned. For twenty years his wife Penelope and the women of Ithaca have guarded the isle against suitors and rival kings. But peace cannot be kept forever, and the balance of power is about to break.

A beggar has arrived at the Palace. Salt-crusted and ocean-battered, he is scorned by the suitors - but Penelope recognizes in him something her husband, Odysseus, returned at last. Yet this Odysseus is no hero. By returning to the island in disguise, he is not merely plotting his revenge against the suitors - vengeance that will spark a civil war - but he's testing the loyalty of his queen. Has she been faithful to him all these years? And how much blood is Odysseus willing to shed to be sure? 

The song of Penelope is ending, and the song of Odysseus must ring through Ithaca's halls. But first, Penelope must use all her cunning to win a war for the fate of the island and keep her family alive, whatever the cost."

    I wasn't expecting this series to be three books, I fully thought it was a duology, of course until I got to the end of the second book and realized it wasn't wrapped up. What I'm most intrigued about with this book is which goddess will be narrating it. Hera narrated the first one, Aphrodite the second. I'm assuming it's going to be Athena, since she was Odysseus's patron deity, but I can't know for sure until the book comes out.

Hera by Jennifer Saint - pub. July 23rd

No synopsis available at this time.

    Wow, another mythology novel, how shocking! I've loved every mythology retelling that Jennifer Saint has released, but this will be the first time we're following an immortal being instead of a human. Since Hera's often overlooked and has one of the more tragic histories of the Greek gods, I'm very much looking forward to how Jennifer Saint will be reclaiming her story.

The Voyage Home by Pat Barker - pub. August 15th
Book Three in the Women of Troy series

"Continuing the story of the captured Trojan women as they set sail for Mycenae with the victorious Greeks, this new novel centres on the fate of Cassandra -- daughter of King Priam, priestess of Apollo, and a prophet condemned never to be heeded. (When she refuses to have sex with Apollo, after he has kissed her, granting her the gift of true prophecy, he spits in her mouth to make sure she will never be believed.)

Psychologically complex and dangerously driven, Cassandra's arrival in Mycenae will set in motion a bloody train of events, drawing in King Agamemnon, his wife Clytemnestra and daughter Electra. Agamemnon's triumphant return from Troy is far from the celebration he imagined, and the fate of the Trojan women as uncertain as they had feared."

    Again, Greek mythology! I know that people are getting pretty sick of the mythological retelling trend, but I'm telling you, I could have another decade of dozens of mythology books being published every year. It will never be enough! For this series, I enjoyed book one (The Silence of the Girls) much more than book two (The Women of Troy) but I've always had a soft spot for Cassandra so I'm sure I'll enjoy this third installment a lot.

A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher - pub. August 20th

"Cordelia knows her mother is . . . unusual. Their house doesn’t have any doors between rooms―there are no secrets in this house―and her mother doesn't allow Cordelia to have a single friend. Unless you count Falada, her mother's beautiful white horse. The only time Cordelia feels truly free is on her daily rides with him.

But more than simple eccentricity sets her mother apart. Other mothers don’t force their daughters to be silent and motionless for hours, sometimes days, on end. Other mothers aren’t sorcerers.

After a suspicious death in their small town, Cordelia’s mother insists they leave in the middle of the night, riding away together on Falada’s sturdy back, leaving behind all Cordelia has ever known. They arrive at the remote country manor of a wealthy older man, the Squire, and his unwed sister, Hester. Cordelia’s mother intends to lure the Squire into marriage, and Cordelia knows this can only be bad news for the bumbling gentleman and his kind, intelligent sister.

And indeed Hester sees the way Cordelia shrinks away from her mother. How the young girl sits eerily still at dinner every night. Hester knows that to save her brother from bewitchment and to rescue the terrified Cordelia, she will have to face down a wicked witch of the worst kind."

    T. Kingfisher's fairy-tale retellings are always really refreshing while staying true to the darker origins. This is their take on The Goose Girl, which I've read before and found characteristically disturbing. I'm excited to see what T. Kingfisher will do with it.

Somewhere Beyond the Sea by T.J. Klune - pub. September 10th
Book Two in The House in the Cerulean Sea series

"Arthur Parnassus lives a good life built on the ashes of a bad one.

He’s the master of a strange orphanage on a distant and peculiar island, and he hopes to soon be the adoptive father to the six dangerous and magical children who live there.

Arthur works hard and loves with his whole heart so none of the children ever feel the neglect and pain that he once felt as an orphan on that very same island so long ago. He is not alone: joining him is the love of his life, Linus Baker, a former caseworker in the Department In Charge of Magical Youth. And there’s the island’s sprite, Zoe Chapelwhite, and her girlfriend, Mayor Helen Webb. Together, they will do anything to protect the children.

But when Arthur is summoned to make a public statement about his dark past, he finds himself at the helm of a fight for the future that his family, and all magical people, deserve.

And when a new magical child hopes to join them on their island home—one who finds power in calling himself monster, a name that Arthur worked so hard to protect his children from—Arthur knows they’re at a breaking point: their family will either grow stronger than ever or fall apart.

Welcome back to Marsyas Island. This is Arthur’s story."

    This sequel came out of left field completely, but I'm not really complaining. T.J. Klune's fluffy, cozy fantasy romances feel like a warm hug, and I'm sure this is how I'll feel after reading this book as well.

Wrath of the Triple Goddess by Rick Riordan - pub. September 24th
Book Seven in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series

No synopsis available at this time.

    Now I don't actually have much to say about this one, because believe it or not, I haven't read book six yet! That's right, I've had an unread Rick Riordan book on my shelves for months now. I think I'm just waiting for the right time to read it, when I'm not so muddled and in a funk. The last thing I want is to read a Percy Jackson book when I'm not feeling good and end up disliking it for that exact reason. 

Anyway, this is obviously one of the highest if not the most anticipated releases I have on this list, period.

Tidal Creatures by Seanan McGuire - no publication date
Book Three in the Alchemical Journeys series

"All across the world, people look up at the moon and dream of gods. Gods of knowledge and wisdom, gods of tides and longevity. Over time, some of these moon gods incarnated into the human world alongside the other manifest natural concepts. Their job is to cross the sky above the Impossible City―the heart of all creation―to keep it connected to reality.

And someone is killing them.

There are so many of them that it's easy for a few disappearances to slip through the cracks. But they aren't limitless.

In the name of the moon, the lunar divinities must uncover the roots of the plot and thwart the true goal of those behind these attacks―control of the Impossible City itself."

    Looking at the entire list, this is probably closer to the bottom in terms of anticipation. Not that I'm not excited for it, but more that it's not top priority for me to read right away. It seems this book is going to be more of a mystery than the first two, which isn't really my jam.

Heartstopper vol. 6 by Alice Oseman - no publication date
Book Six in Heartstopper

No synopsis available at this time.

    I feel like this one is pretty self-explanatory. This is the final installment of Heartstopper! I don't want this wonderful series to end, but at least I know that we're getting a happy ending. Alice Oseman never disappoints me in that regard (plus she's always told us that Nick and Charlie live happily every after).

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Alright, those are all of the books that I am most excited about in the upcoming year. If you want a full list of my anticipated releases, check out my "2024-books" tag on Goodreads.

I'd love to know if there are any books on this list that are also on your radar, or if I convinced you to put any of these books on your list! Let me know in the comments below, or DM me on Instagram (link in sidebar under the heading "More Media").

Until next time!