On my world, it means hope.

It's that time again!

Lots of fantasy titles I'm excited for next year. Generally my reading tastes have been SFF and mysteries/thrillers, with the occasional horror novel. Romance I don't really read anymore (unless it's a romance with BIPOC leads, in which case I'll give it a try).

1. A Place for Vanishing by Ann Fraistat: January 16, 2024

(YA, horror) I can never resist a haunted house book.

2. Into the Sunken City by Dinesh Thiru: January 23, 2024

(YA, sci-fi, heist) Treasure Island in a sunken future Las Vegas? Yes, please.

3. Everyone On This Train Is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson: January 30, 2024

(Adult, mystery) I actually couldn't finish the first book in this series, so I may DNF this one as well, but...a murder in a confined space, and all the suspects are authors? Those are some of my favorite mystery tropes ever.

4. These Deadly Prophecies by Andrea Tang: January 30, 2024

(YA, fantasy, mystery) Knives Out with magic? I'll read it.

5. The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett: February 6, 2024

(Adult, fantasy, mystery) Haven't read this author before, but I'll read a fantasy Sherlock and Holmes mystery.

6. A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal: February 20, 2024

(YA, fantasy, heist) I sadly didn't enjoy We Hunt the Flame, but I will always give a fantasy heist book a go.

7. Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan: February 27, 2024

(Adult, fantasy) Gorgeous cover + Asian mythology in a submerged city.

8. Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Abike-Iyimide: March 19, 2024

(YA, thriller)

9. Darker By Four by June CL Tan: April 2, 2024

(YA, fantasy) I had mixed feelings about the author's debut, but I'm willing to give a Chinese urban fantasy about the Underworld a try.

10. Ghost Station by SA Barnes: April 9, 2024

(Adult, sci-fi, horror) I really enjoyed the author's previous space horror, Dead Silence, so I'm stoked for this one too.

11. The Last Phi Hunter by Salinee Goldenberg: April 9, 2024

(Adult, fantasy) Thai fantasy? Cool!!

12. Kill Her Twice by Stacey Lee: April 23, 2024

(YA, mystery)

13. Love, Lies, and Cherry Pie by Jackie Lau: May 7, 2024

(Adult, romance)

14. Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland: May 7, 2024

(Adult, fantasy) To be honest, I've had no interest in any of the romantasy being put out by Red Tower Books, but this synopsis sounds really cool??

15. Road to Ruin by Hana Lee: May 14, 2024

(Adult, fantasy)

16. Heavenbreaker by Sara Wolf: May 21, 2024

(Adult, sci-fi) “sci-fantasy New Adult book about a girl piloting a giant robot against a space monarchy” Welp, say no more!!

17. Escape Velocity by Victor Manibo: May 21, 2024

(Adult, sci-fi, mystery)

18. The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton: May 21, 2024

(Adult, sci-fi, mystery) I had mixed feelings about The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, but although I had issues with it, I did find it un-putdownable, so I'm interested in another speculative mystery from this author.

19. One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware: May 21, 2024

(Adult, thriller) I thought Ruth Ware already wrote her And Then There Were None homage in One By One, but it looks like she's doing another one. And even though I DNF most of her books, I do find them readable, and I can never resist an ATTWN-inspired thriller.

20. Four Eids and a Funeral by Faridah Abike-Iyimide and Adiba Jaigirdar: June 4, 2024

(YA, romance)

21. The God and the Gumiho by Sophie Kim: June 4, 2024

(Adult, fantasy) A contemporary investigative fantasy with a gumiho and fallen god protagonist? Sounds like it was written to my taste exactly.

22. Looking For Smoke by KA Cobell: June 4, 2024

(YA, thriller)

23. Of Jade and Dragons by Amber Chen: June 18, 2024

(YA, fantasy) Gorgeous cover + silkpunk fantasy.

24. Daughter of Calamity by Rosalie Lin: June 18, 2024

(Adult, fantasy) Can't say no to fantasy set in Republican-era Shanghai.

25. The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim: June 25, 2024

(Adult, horror)

26. The Spice Gate by Prashanth Srivatsa: July 16, 2024

(Adult, fantasy) Indian fantasy about people who use spices to travel between kingdoms? Yes!

27. Nine Tailed by Jayci Lee: August 1, 2024

(Adult, fantasy, romance) The second contemporary fantasy romance featuring a gumiho and Korean mythology? I'll take it.

28. The Girl With No Reflection by Keshe Chow: August 6, 2024

(YA, fantasy)

29. Ghostsmith by Nicki Pau Preto: August 13, 2024

(YA, fantasy) I enjoyed Bonesmith, so I'm curious about the sequel.

30. A Banh Mi for Two by Trinity Nguyen: August 27, 2024

(YA, romance)

31. The Gods Below by Andrea Stewart: September 3, 2024

(Adult, fantasy) I didn't finish the Drowned Empire trilogy, but I'll give a new fantasy world by this author a try.

32. This Book Kills by Ravena Guron: September 3, 2024

(YA, thriller) So, spoiler alert, I've already read this book because my friend got me a copy from the UK, but I'm so excited for the US release and can't wait to buy a US copy!

33. The Scarlet Throne by Amy Leow: September 10, 2024

(Adult, fantasy)

34. An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson: September 17, 2024

(Adult, horror) Ummm I have never read this author before and just heard of this book, but consider me INTRIGUED.

35. The Lies We Conjure by Sarah Henning: September 17, 2024

(YA, fantasy, mystery) Every book that has comped to Knives Out so far has disappointed me, but I can't help reading them regardless.

36. Darkside by Michael Mammay: September 24, 2024

(Adult, sci-fi) I love Planetside, so how can I say no to another entry in the series?

37. The Dark Becomes Her by Judy I. Lin: October 1, 2024

(YA, horror) More horror with non-Western myths and folklore, please!

38. Zodiac Rising by Katie Zhao: October 1, 2024

(YA, fantasy, heist) Chinese urban fantasy + zodiac magic + heist??

39. The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch: October 8, 2024

(Adult, romance, fantasy) A queer romance between the son of Santa Claus and the Prince of Halloween? SAY NO MORE!!

40. The Last Dragon of the East by Katrina Kwan: October 8, 2024

(Adult, fantasy, romance) I don't know anything about this except it's a Chinese romantasy with a dragon?

41. The Bitter End by Alexa Donne: October 15, 2024

(YA, thriller) I've enjoyed this author's previous two thrillers, so I'm excited for her next one.

42. The Blood Orchid by Kylie Lee Baker: October 22, 2024

(YA, fantasy) I had mixed feelings about The Scarlet Alchemist, but since I thought the sequel in the author's previous duology was better than the first book, I'll give the sequel to TSA a try.

43. Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret by Benjamin Stevenson: October 22, 2024

(Adult, mystery)

44. Fortune's Kiss by Amber Clement: November 12, 2024

(YA, fantasy)

45. The Last Hour Between Worlds by Melissa Caruso: November 19, 2024

(Adult, fantasy) Fantasy with a time loop/reality-bending shenanigans? I'm curious.

46. Heavenly Tyrant by Xiran Jay Zhao: December 24, 2024

(YA, fantasy, sci-fi)

47. Temporary Bodies by Anuradha Rajurkar: 2024

(YA, gothic)

It's that time of the year again...time to compile the list of 2022 book releases that I can't wait to read.

Though, I don't know whether it's due to the pandemic or what, but there are a bunch of books on my 2022 list that don't have specific release dates yet.

• Digging Up Love by Chandra Blumberg - Jan 1, 2022

(Adult, contemporary romance) I'll admit, I added this to my list mostly because of the adorable cover.

• Tiger Honor by Yoon Ha Lee - Jan 4, 2022

(Middle Grade, sci-fi) I had the hardest time finishing Dragon Pearl (I will make my third attempt soon)—which is nothing against the book or author. I've enjoyed Lee's Machineries of Empire books and I adore the worldbuilding in Dragon Pearl, but I sometimes have a hard time reading MG. Still, I'm intrigued enough to give this sequel a try.

• Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan - Jan 11, 2022

(Adult, fantasy) Chang'e retelling! That cover!!

• Dead Silence by S.A. Barnes - Feb 8, 2022

(Adult, sci-fi, horror) I don't usually read horror, but I absolutely love the "abandoned spaceship with freaky stuff happening on it" trope and am dying to read more.

• The Misfit Soldier by Michael Mammay - Feb 22, 2022

(Adult, sci-fi) A new Michael Mammay book! And it's a sci-fi heist!! I can't wait.

• I'm So (Not) Over You by Kosoko Jackson - Feb 22, 2022

(Adult, contemporary romance) Here for QBIPOC romances by QBIPOC authors!

• Blood Scion by Deborah Falaye - March 8, 2022

(YA, fantasy)

• Love, Decoded by Jennifer Yen - March 8, 2022

(YA, contemporary romance) I enjoyed the author's first book, and I'm always here for Jane Austen retellings with BIPOC!

• The City of Dusk by Tara Sim - March 22, 2022

(Adult, fantasy) I've been having a good time with Adult fantasy by BIPOC authors, so I'm excited for this!

• Kiss & Tell by Adib Khorram - March 22, 2022

(YA, contemporary) After seeing the author describe this as a book about the pressures put on queer public figures, I knew I had to read this.

• A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin - March 29, 2022

(YA, fantasy) Chinese-inspired fantasy with magical tea-brewing!

• The Blood Trials by NE Davenport - April 5, 2022

(Adult, science fantasy) Always looking for more books that blend sci-fi and fantasy!

• Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Li - April 5, 2022

(Adult, heist) This whole premise is made of win!

• The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann - April 12, 2022

(Adult, contemporary romance) An asexual romance!!

• Love, Hate & Clickbait by Liz Bowery - April 26, 2022

(Adult, contemporary romance) Another queer fake dating romance...hopefully I'll have more luck with this one than other traditionally published queer romances recently.

• Winnie Zeng Unleashes a Legend by Katie Zhao - April 26, 2022

(Middle grade, fantasy) You've got my attention with magic mooncakes!

• The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton - May 3, 2022

(Middle grade, fantasy) *sigh* Publishing is really trying to get me to try more middle grade books, huh?

• The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas - May 3, 2022

(Adult, gothic) I see a comp to Mexican Gothic and I'm sold.

• Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor by Xiran Jay Zhao - May 10, 2022

(Middle grade, sci-fi/fantasy) Percy Jackson meets Yu-Gi-Oh? Yes, please!

• Café Con Lychee by Emery Lee - May 10, 2022

(YA, contemporary romance) I didn't read the author's previous book, but I'm a sucker for romances that center food, so let's see how this goes.

• The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah - May 17, 2022

(Adult, fantasy) Oh my god this cover???

• Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit by Jesse Q. Sutanto - May 31, 2022

(Middle Grade, fantasy)

• A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons by Kate Khavari - June 7, 2022

(Adult, historical, mystery) Well, I have an intense weakness for 1920s-inspired books. Add a murder mystery and botany and I'm intrigued!

• How to Fake It In Hollywood by Ava Wilder - June 14, 2022

(Adult, contemporary romance) My last experience with an Adult contemporary romance set in Hollywood was *waves hand in a disgusted gesture* but I can't stop myself from falling for this trope, so here's hoping this one is better.

• The Silence that Binds Us by Joanna Ho - June 14, 2022

(YA, contemporary) Not my usual kind of read, but anything that deals with mental health in Asian American communities has my attention.

• Juniper and Thorn by Ava Reid - June 21, 2022

(Adult, fantasy) I adored Ava Reid's debut, The Wolf and the Woodsman, and would gladly read whatever she writes next.

• What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher - July 12, 2022

(Adult, horror) I've been on a haunted house thriller/horror binge lately.

• Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey - July 19, 2022

(Adult, horror) I've been on a haunted house thriller/horror binge lately.

• Husband Material by Alexis Hall - August 2, 2022

(Adult, contemporary romance) I loved Boyfriend Material, so I'm both excited (and nervous) for the sequel.

• The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope - August 9, 2022

(Adult, fantasy) 1920s fantasy AND a magical heist??? Love how 2022 is turning into the year of the heist novels!!

• Babel by RF Kuang - August 23, 2022

(Adult, fantasy) Dark academia + decolonization + RF Kuang

• The Sleepless by Victor Manibo - August 23, 2022

(Adult, sci-fi, noir)

• Nothing More to Tell by Karen M. McManus - August 30, 2022

(YA, thriller) I've actually enjoyed every Karen M. McManus book that wasn't One of Us Is Lying/the Bayview High series, so I'm looking forward to her next standalone thriller.

• Aces Wild by Amanda DeWitt - September 6, 2022

(YA, heist) Heist! With! An all-ace cast!!

• The Depths by Nicole Lesperance - September 13, 2022

(YA) A gothic story, but make it on a tropical island??? I've been dying for another gothic story that scratches the same itch as Silvia Moreno-Garcia's Mexican Gothic, and I have hopes for this!!

• The Empress of Time by Kylie Lee Baker - October 4, 2022

(YA, fantasy) I really liked The Keeper of Night so I'm excited for the conclusion to Ren's story.

• Pretty Dead Queens by Alexa Donne - October 4, 2022

(YA, thriller) I really enjoyed the author's previous YA thriller, so I'm excited for this!

• Station Eternity by Mur Lafferty - October 4, 2022

(Adult, sci-fi, mystery) I highly enjoyed Mur Lafftery's Six Wakes, so I'm excited to see a new sci-fi mystery from her!

• The Spare Man by Mary Robinette Kowal - October 11, 2022

(Adult, sci-fi, mystery) Yay, another sci-fi murder mystery!

• Strike the Zither by Joan He - October 25, 2022

(YA, fantasy)

• A Restless Truth by Freya Marske - November 1, 2022

(Adult, historical/fantasy/romance) I haven't read the first book in this series, but I found the first book in this series bafflingly bad, BUT anything that comps to Knives Out has my attention.

• Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn - November 8, 2022

(YA, fantasy) Dying for the sequel to Legendborn!!!

• Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan - November 15, 2022

(Adult, fantasy) Really enjoyed Daughter of the Moon Goddess, so I'm excited for the sequel!!

• A Fractured Infinity by Nathan Tavares - December 6, 2022

(Adult, sci-fi) I am *suddenly* in the mood for multiverse science fiction!!

• The Iron Will of Genie Lo by FC Yee - Jan 21, 2020

(YA, fantasy) I've been waiting for the sequel to The Epic Crush of Genie Lo forever!

• The Stars We Steal by Alexa Donne - Feb 4, 2020

(YA, sci-fi) 1 of 2 YA retellings of Persuasion coming out next year.

• Temporary Wife Temptation by Jayci Lee - Feb 4, 2020

(Adult, romance) #ownvoices POC romance? Helllllll yeahhhhhhhh.

• Wicked as You Wish by Rin Chupeco - March 3, 2020

(YA, fantasy) I really enjoyed Chupeco's The Never Tilting World so I'm excited for this!

• Chosen Ones by Veronica Roth - April 7, 2020

(Adult, fantasy) I've been extremely wary of Veronica Roth after Divergent, and especially after the Carve the Mark fiasco, but the premise of this book sounds really intriguing...

• Repo Virtual by Corey White - April 21, 2020

(Adult, sci-fi) I heard cyberpunk heist and I was in.

• Driving the Deep by Suzanne Palmer - May 5, 2020

(Adult, sci-fi) I haven't actually read the first book in this series, but I saw a mystery taking place on an underwater planet with an icy surface and I got super curious.

• The Fascinators by Andrew Eliopoulos - May 12, 2020

(YA, fantasy) Umm yeah I have to admit I'm mostly interested in this because of the cover.

• Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev - May 26, 2020

(Adult, romance) A retelling of Persuasion? With POC??? Yes please!

• I'll Be the One by Lyla Lee - June 16, 2020

(YA, contemporary romance)

• A Sweet Mess by Jayci Lee - July 14, 2020

(Adult, romance) Ditto Temporary Wife Temptation.

• Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop by Roselle Lim - August 4, 2020

(Adult) I enjoyed the author's debut, plus this cover is gorgeous.

• Set Fire to the Gods by Sara Raasch and Kristen Simmons - August 4, 2020

(YA, fantasy) really enjoyed Sara Raasch’s previous series, These Rebel Waves and These Divided Shores, so I’m curious about her new book.

• Bookish and the Beast by Ashley Poston - August 4, 2020
(YA, contemporary romance) So excited to see a third book in the Once Upon a Con series—and a Beauty and the Beast retelling, no less!

• Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas - Sept 1, 2020

(YA, fantasy)

• Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart - Sept 10, 2020

(Adult, fantasy)

• The Silvered Serpents by Roshani Chokshi - Sept 22, 2020

(YA, fantasy) I enjoyed The Gilded Wolves so I'm looking forward to this one.

• The Ever Cruel Kingdom by Rin Chupeco - Nov 10, 2020

(YA, fantasy) Sequel to The Never Tilting World, which I loved!

• These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong - Nov 17, 2020

(YA, fantasy)