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Whimsies of a Nerd Girl

Fantasy Book Blogger / BookNerd / DIYer / Lifelong Learner...Follow me over here >>> whimsiesofanerdgirl.com

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whimsiesofanerdgirl · 4 years

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The Lost Legends (The Nihryst #1) by Caitlin Haines

The Lost Legends (The Nihryst #1) by Cait Marie

BLURB

A plague. A prophecy. A centuries-long curse.

All her life, Princess Adalina heard tales of the legendary, immortal warriors known as the Nihryst. Cursed and bound to a deck of tarot cards by her ancestors, the Nihryst were stranded on a remote island nearly a century and a half earlier.

Her brother, Prince Shane, is destined to rule the kingdom of Detmarya. Though preparing for this role has encompassed his entire life, control of the kingdom may come sooner than expected due to their father’s sporadic behavior.

Discovering the king's plan to set a war in motion with a mass assassination, Ada unwittingly joins a crew of pirates in search of the only beings powerful enough to stop him: The Nihryst. Meanwhile, Shane and a group of underground rebels make a haunting discovery of a plague infecting the streets of Detmarya.

With a looming deadline to save multiple kingdoms and thousands of innocent lives, both royal siblings join quests worthy of Ada’s beloved fairy tales.

AUTHOR BIO

Cait Marie has been obsessed with books her entire life. The love of writing didn’t hit until 2017. Since then, she has held multiple positions within Coffee House Writers, including C.O.O., Advertising Supervisor, Editor, and Writer. In 2018, she used her passion for reading to create Functionally Fictional. In 2019, she joined the indie staff of YA Books Central as a reviewer and then Indie Assistant Blogger.

Cait graduated with honors in 2019 from Southern New Hampshire University with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, and she is currently enrolled in their Master of Fine Arts program. She lives in Indiana, where she freelance edits and provides a variety of other author services. When she’s not writing or reading, she can usually be found watching Disney movies or Brooklyn Nine-Nine, creating bullet journal spreads, or singing along to various soundtracks and showtunes.

#yabookreleases #YA Fantasy #YA Romance #YA Fairy Tale Retellings #Self Published Author

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whimsiesofanerdgirl · 4 years

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The Lost Legends (The Nihryst #1) by Cait Marie

The moment I was told this book was a Robin Hood x Tangled retelling I was SOLD! I told Cait, sign me up!

So I did, then waited impatiently for her to send me the ARC, but it was worth the wait!

SYNOPSIS:

A plague. A prophecy. A centuries-long curse.

Discovering the king's plan to set a war in motion with a mass assassination, Ada unwittingly joins a crew of pirates in search of the only beings powerful enough to stop him: the Nihryst. Meanwhile, Shane and a group of underground rebels make a haunting discovery of a plague infecting the streets of Detmarya.

With a looming deadline to save multiple kingdoms and thousands of innocent lives, both royal siblings join quests worthy of Ada’s beloved fairy tales.

Things I loved about The Lost Legends (The Nihryst #1):

Fairy Tale retelling (2 at that)

Female empowerment

Pirates

Adventure

Hate to love relationship

Legendary heroes

Cursed magic

Witch ancestor

Undercover romantic hype

Brother and sisterly love

An adopted brother bff

Ancient prophecy

A mad king

Faith and hope to save a kingdom

The beloved night time story pulled me into this fairy tale. If you're a fan of Caraval's magic then The Lost Legends will intrigue you! The bonus for me was that the first installment of The Nihryst pulled me out of what turned out to be a short lived book slump. ALWAYS A SCORE!

The suspenseful plot kept me along for the cruise aboard the pirate ship and beyond. A deadly illness had me believing that the main characters would find a cure. Last, but not least, I was rooting for Adalina and Lee's romance to show itself at any moment, because let's be honest - I was here for the snogging all along. I'm a sucker for a nicely balanced tough girl and damsel in distress story. I'd go on, but I'd rather you experience the little nuggets of romance tropes as you hopefully give it a chance for a read through.

What else can I say? It's a pirate's life for me…*whistles*

I can't wait to see what the sequel has in store for me! 😁

P.S. - Psssst...a little birdie told me book 2 should be coming September 2020!

#YA Fantasy #YA Romance #YA Books #YA Book Review #YA Fairy Tale #YA Fairy Tale Retellings #YA Retellings

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whimsiesofanerdgirl · 4 years

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Most Anticipated Reads of 2020

I’m gonna stop you right here and forewarn you, there’s a lot of amazing retellings on the horizon for 2020. And if you’d ask me if I was sick of them all, the answer will forever be NO, NEVER!

All the Stars and Teeth

by Adalyn Grace

I’m pretty much a sucker for anything adventure + mermaids + pirates, sooooo SIGN ME UP!

The Betrothed

by Kiera Cass

Another YA romance from Kiera Cass that quite a lot of people are hyped about!

Hollis has grown up with the other nobles always hoping they would be chosen by the king to become his bride. Shockingly, Hollis has caught the king’s eye and he declares his love for her. At first she is happy to be chosen, but then learns that the future queen’s shoes are awfully big to fill. Then she meets a stranger who seems to take a piece of her heart. So now Hollis must choose between the great and the unknown.

Oh! So juicy!

The Boundless

by Anna Bright

The sequel to The Beholder, one of the books that I finished in the end of 2019 and I am super happy to have its sequel to look forward to in 2020.

I am half sad and half excited, due to the way the first book ended and I’m gonna leave it at that so I don’t give away spoilers to anyone who hasn’t read it. So if you haven’t read it…please do! There’s is an awesome and even bigger adventure that has yet to unfold in this story.

The Earl Not Taken

by A.S. Fenichel

Historical Romance? Check.

Victorian era? Check.

Headstrong female protagonist? Check.

Unsuitable rake? Check.

Enemies to lovers trope? Double check.

In Restless Dreams

by Wren Handman

I’m trash for anything YA, Unseelie and Seelie fae courts, deception, and potential love triangles.

Where do I sign my soul away?

Let me stand in this mushroom fairy ring portal.

Give me all the magicked fae food.

GIVE. IT. TO. ME.

Kingdom of the Wicked

by Kerri Maniscalco

I AM SUPER PSYCHED FOR THIS NEW SERIES BY ONE OF MY NEW FAVORITE AUTHORS! *SQUEE* If you haven’t read Stalking Jack the Ripper series, I HIGHLY recommend it!

This new story will feature witches, demons, and romance galore in 19th century Italy. YES, PLEASE!!!

The Princess Will Save You

by Sarah Henning

YOU GUYS, WE’VE GOT A GENDER SWAPPED PRINCESS BRIDE RETELLING ON OUR HANDS THIS YEAR AND WE’RE ALL HERE FOR IT!!!

The Seven Endless Forests

by April Genevieve Tucholke

A gender bent King Arthor retelling. GAAAAAAAAAH. Do I have to say more?

Torvi goes on an adventure with a druid and the Butcher Bards to save her sister who has been taken by a priest leading a pack of starving girls. Along the way she will come across magical filled nights, a tavern within a tree-town, drakes, and a tower in an endless forest to find a mysterious sword.

The Shadows Between Us

by Tricia Levenseller

Just, OH MY GOD. I’ve heard about this one for a long freaking time and I can’t tell you how excited I am for how the stars aligned to give us this beautiful jewel of a book.

The main character, Alessandra, wants the power that comes with royalty and to be seen so she makes a plan to woo the Shadow King so she can marry him and kill him to take the throne for herself.

Little does she know she’s not the only one trying to kill him. Therefore, she’s forced to try to keep him alive all while trying not to fall for the wicked king in the process.

Shielded

by KayLynn Flanders

I’m a sucker for arranged marriage tropes in YA, but I get the feeling that won’t really play a huge part in this story which is totally fine. I can get on board with the whole courageous magic-less princess heroine saving her kingdom.

The Stars We Steal

by Alexa Donne

I’ve never read any Jane Austen books, but I’ve always wanted to. I probably won’t read The Persuasion before I’d get to this one. I normally don’t care to give sci-fi books a shot, but because it’s a retelling and a romance I’m willing to give it a chance!

Straight on Till Morning

by Liz Braswell

To be honest, I have yet to read any of the Twisted Tales that Disney has come out with, but none of them have turned my head like this one. As I’ve gotten older the Peter Pan story has grown on me more and more.

What if Wendy first traveled to Never Land with Captain Hook?

This is definitely one to get your hands on.

Thorn

by Intisar Khanani

A Goose Girl fairy tale retelling infused with a kingdom in danger of a sorceress and romance. SO MUCH YESH.

The Winter Duke

by Claire Eliza Bartlett

When a sleeping sickness takes over Ekata’s family - including the brother who was to rule, she is forced to become the Winter Duke. A title that she was not prepared to take in any shape or form, not to mention she’s also inherited her brother’s betrothed in the process. Now it’s up to her to save the kingdom from war as well as learning how to love.

Plus the synopsis mentions Sleeping Beauty and Anastasia retelling so that’s an automatic yes for me.

BONUS SIDE NOTE: LBYR / The Novl just sent me this book in the mail in exchange for a review, I’M FREAKING STOKED!!!!! Obviously you guys will be the first to read my review! :D

What books are you psyched to read in 2020!?!

OTHER RELATED ARTICLES:

The 25 Most Anticipated SFF Books of 2020 | Tor.com

Is This Real Life: Lisa & Mitch’s Most Anticipated YA Books of 2020 | EpicReads

Sleeps With Monsters: Looking Forward to the Books of 2020 | Tor.com

Follow me where I’m social:

Have a suggestion or want to get in touch? Email me: [email protected]

#2020 #Most Anticipated Reads #Most Anticipated Reads of 2020 #2020 TBR #Books I Want to Read Most #Books I'm Most Excited For #2020 Reads

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whimsiesofanerdgirl · 4 years

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#LBYRPartner . I was about to head out the door for my new job paperwork appointment when lo and behold, I got this magical beauty in the mail! . Thank you so much to @thenovl for giving me a chance to win this and for sending it my way for a review!!! . I can't wait to dig in!!!!! 😍 . . . . . . . #TheWinterDuke #thenovl #novl #march2020 #march2020yarelease #yabooks #yafantasy #yafairytale #fairytales #fairytaleretelling #yaretellings #sleepingbeautyretelling #anastasiaretelling #tbr #ARC #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #igreads #booknerd #NOVLNATION (at Toledo, Ohio) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8JyuYlgkt_/?igshid=b8s6ephhmyt8

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whimsiesofanerdgirl · 4 years

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My 2019 Bookish Favorites

FAVORITE 2019 DEBUT AUTHORS

What makes these debut authors great enough to be featured for this is the fact that I could not put them down once I started reading them! I probably devoured these within hours or a few days which is saying something considering sometimes a book can take me a week or two to get through. If you haven’t read these yet please go pick them up ASAP.

FAVORITE 2019 YA BOOK COVERS

100 Days of Sunlight by Abbie Emmons

I normally don’t care too much for contemporary covers, but this one just speaks to me on a personal level!

The colors are so happy and lively. I’ve also got a sweet spot for that waffle, laptop, and camera. <3

Failed Future by Elise Kova

You’ll notice about a handful of these covers have artistically drawn people, these tend to be my favorite. They’re just too beautiful to pass up!

In fact, these covers made me discover Elise Kova which are still on my TBR list, but fingers crossed that I read them this year! 🤞

Beyond the Black Door by A.M. Strickland

There’s something about the mystery behind closed doors…and keyholes.

Capturing the Devil by Kerri Maniscalco

This is one of my new(ish) favorite series in recent years. The cover artist does so well with creating a scene against the backdrop of the main character. Plus, a beautiful dress on a book cover is my kryptonite.

Empire of Grass by Tad Williams

I’m a sucker for everything green and high fantasy vibes.

Find Me Their Bones by Sara Wolf

The lantern in a dark cavern or ruin with what appears to be a dragon’s tail in the background - IT’S A MOOD!

House of Salt and Sorrows

I love everything beach or ocean themed and this cover has the perfect details along with that gorgeous font. *swoons*

Last of Her Name by Jessica Khoury

At first glance it seems like this is a somewhat boring cover, but look again! The title is made out of crystals which is really different for me to see on a book.

Resurrection Girls by Ava Morgyn

I’m not going to lie, I probably wouldn’t have even bothered putting this on the list but this is a perfect throwback to the first book in the Vampire Kisses series by Ellen Schreiber - take a look at exhibit B. There may not be a skeleton, but it definitely has the gothic atmosphere going on.

Sherwood by Meagan Spooner

A hooded archer with green clothing and a beautiful faraway backdrop, ‘nuff said.

Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

To be honest I could stare at this color scheme all day! One of the ya book subscription boxes also had featured this book with a purple background and it’s just as eye catching as this one.

The Beholder by Anna Bright

Yup, again with the nautical theme. YES, PLEASE!

The Cerulean by Amy Ewing

I’d mark this one as one of the more unique covers. The artist was clever in doing the contrast of light and airy dripping into the dark and starry night, kind of makes me think of a creative yin yang.

Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

I absolutely adore a beautiful filigree cover. Give them all to me!

The Girl the Sea Gave Back by Adrienne Young

Okay…I’m guilty of loving archers. WHAT OF IT!?!?!?!

The Kiss Thief by L.J. Shen

Although I haven’t gotten around to reading these, I love me some royal stories…crowns and pretty fabrics are all the rage.

Light at the Bottom of the World by London Shah

OMG, I can’t believe I just realized that the author’s name is the same as where the story takes place. *facepalms* ANYWHO, I just love the glowy atmosphere of an underwater city with oceanic creatures swimming around. Sign. Me. Up.

The Never Tilting World by Rin Chupeco

Alright, so there’s more covers with the whole light versus dark aspect, but I dig it!

The Weight of a Soul by Elizabeth Tammi

Though this is probably one of the more plain covers, it gives me Avatar feels.

The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden

I’m starting a buddy read of the first in this series and I’m excited to dive in! I’ve heard so many great things! Every one of these covers are perfect fantasy eye candy.

Unnatural Magic by C.M. Waggoner

Another less bejeweled cover, but it’s got the whole lady silhouette and symmetrical design going for it.

Vortex Visions by Elise Kova

Last, but not least…I added another of Elise Kova’s books. In my defense, I mentioned that all the covers caught my eye. Mmmkay?

FAVORITE 2019 HISTORICAL FICTION

Hands down, Kerri Maniscalco’s Capturing the Devil wins this category. I sometimes even fact check out of curiosity and she’s pretty spot on when it comes to inventions and events these books. Not to mention I ship Audrey and Thomas who were really tested on their love for each other in this concluding book to the Stalking Jack the Ripper series. Though I’m sad this series is over, I’m looking forward to what 2020 has in store for YA historical fiction.

2019 TOP 5 FANTASY READS

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

I have to admit, the storyline and the world sucked me in. I felt like Alice in Wonderland going down the rabbit hole and it was a delicious ride. All the scenes and magical abilities in this took me by surprise. It was like nothing I had ever read before so I give Stephanie Garber props for doing something so different from a lot of the YA already out there.

House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig

This is a triple threat with the categories I’m showcasing for 2019! For one, I freaking love the 12 dancing princesses fairy tale and Erin Craig remixed it into a lovely horror retelling. Like I said earlier, I was so invested in this one that I was reading late into the night (whoops).

The Beholder by Anna Bright

I couldn’t help but not be able to put this one down as well! I did feel like there was a little lack in a correct description of this one, due to the fact that she didn’t go see all of the possible suitors on the itinerary so it wasn’t exactly like the Bachelorette. Regardless, the first contender was a twist I did NOT see coming. I probably had a small idea, but it was still surprising. I adored the second man she met and that’s all I’m going to say because I don’t want to give too much away!

The Traitor’s Kiss by Erin Beaty

I CAN’T WAIT TO READ THE SEQUEL. Though I’m a little scared to read it because it sounds like I won’t be seeing much of the love interest but don’t let that stop you from reading the first book. I adore the whole hate to love dynamic and getting off on the wrong foot start to relationships. SO MUCH YESH.

The Wicked King by Holly Black

You’ll notice that I did not include the last book in The Folk of the Air trilogy…I felt like the second book was better than The Queen of Nothing which is a surprise because most of the time my favorite order is 1, 3, 2. There was so much rivalry and banter in the second book and I think that’s what the third book lacked. It’s like all their negative emotions were gone like they were never there and I disliked that it was written that way, as if it disappeared between one book to the next. It seemed like a lazy way of skipping ahead to the conclusion. Anyways, back to The Wicked King - it had so many conflicts going on that you really needed to keep reading to find out what happened next!

Now I want to hear about yours! What were some of your favorite YA book picks of 2019? Did you read any of the books I mentioned? What did you think about them?

OTHER RELATED ARTICLES:

Best YA Historical Fiction of 2019 | Kirkus Reviews

Best YA Fantasy and Science Fiction of 2019 | Kirkus Reviews

Follow me where I’m social:

Have a suggestion or want to get in touch? Email me: [email protected]

#2019 Bookish Favorites #2019 Favorite Books #2019 Faves #2019 Favorites #YA Books #Book Covers #2019 Favorite YA Fantasy Reads #2019 Favorite Debut Authors #2019 Favorite YA Historical Fiction

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whimsiesofanerdgirl · 4 years

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How to Beat the Winter Blues | SAD

I’ve put together a simple list of things to help prevent or lessen the effects of SAD over these dreary cold months of winter. So if you’ve started to feel a little off - like not being as motivated or inspired this is a great post to delve into.

If you don’t know what SAD is, it’s Seasonal Affective Disorder (also known as Seasonal Depression). Due to the weather and climate changes that come with the winter months, some people are prone to getting SAD because of the lack of Vitamin D which comes from less sunlight being soaked into the skin which is more easily done in the warmer months. This puts people into kind of a funk that came seem hard to shake, but more times than not improves and/or goes away once Spring-like weather comes back into their area.

Please note I am not a medical provider or representative, if you’re feeling extremely down or having trouble with day to day life I recommend you make an appointment with a medical professional or therapist. These are just tips to help us trudge along this dark part of the year. <3

***Please note I am an affiliate for all the following Amazon links found below. If you click the corresponding links and choose to purchase a product I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you decide to buy anything from my referral links I thank you for supporting me and my website Whimsies of a Nerd Girl! If you want to learn more please visit my Disclosure Policy page which can be found by clicking here.***

Self-Help Tasks for SAD:

drink lots of water

wake up to a sunrise simulator alarm clock (affiliate link)

get plenty of sleep

take a Vitamin D supplement (affiliate), as well as your daily multivitamin (affiliate)

go for a walk outside

do yoga or some other form of exercise

go sledding/skiing/snowboarding

meditation

use a light therapy lamp (affiliate)

set big goals and mini goals

start setting up plans like outings, vacations, day trips, etc. and mark them down in your calendar

journaling: I absolutely love these mint green brand notebooks from Walmart, they’re my new fave for my bujos. I have both the dotted spiral and dotted composition ones!

reading

schedule self care days for: skincare, doing your nails, cleaning the house, laundry, reading, your favorite hobbies, researching your interests

spend time with loved ones whether it be your S.O., bff, and/or close family and friends

Is there anything you’d add to the list to help combat the winter blues? Let me know in the comments!

OTHER RELATED ARTICLES:

- The Decade in Review: Music, Social Media, Film, and More | The Guardian

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#Life Update #2020 #Bookish Goals #Whimsies of a Nerd Girl #Whimsies of a Nerd Girl 2020 Plans

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whimsiesofanerdgirl · 4 years

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#currentlyreading: #SpinningSilver by @naominovik . 💰💍👑 . #BOOKQOTD: What are your favorite folklores and retellings? . Personally, I'm a sucker for Beauty and the Beast. . 👸🥀👹 . Or anything fey related. . 😍🧚‍♀️💫 . . . #bookstagram #bookdog #minpin #folklore #fairytales #retellings #fantasy #goodreadswithaview #snugglebuddy #readingbuddy #adultfantasy #mythology #folktales #myths #fey #firstreadof2020 #2020reads #goodreadschallenge2020 #tbr #winterreads #wintertbr (at Toledo, Ohio) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7CuAr4A88g/?igshid=ka6q6zqar7h6

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whimsiesofanerdgirl · 4 years

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First post of 2020 is on Whimsies of a Nerd Girl! 💻 . I will be focusing more on YA fantasy and romance book news because that is the majority of what I read as well as what sparks my interest. 💖 . Which leads me to the decision of choosing my word of the year... . Drum roll plz! 🥁🥁🥁 . ...INSPIRATION!!! 🌟 . I noticed that a lot of the time I wasn't inspired to create as many blog posts as I had wanted to because it wasn't speaking to my soul. Fom now on I'll only be creating content that I moves me and hopefully moves you too! 🥰 . So here's to creating magic to share with the world, whether it be a blog, art, video, or podcast...I'm wishing you positive vibes to do what makes your heart full. 💗 (at Toledo, Ohio) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6_l-Y_Ah0M/?igshid=1ei4ku5kjq1z2

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whimsiesofanerdgirl · 4 years

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JANUARY 2020 YA FANTASY + ROMANCE BOOK RELEASES

JANUARY 2020 YA FANTASY & ROMANCE BOOK RELEASES

***Please note I am an affiliate for all the following Amazon and Books-A-Million links (buttons) found below. If you click the corresponding links and choose to purchase a product I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you decide to buy anything from my referral links I thank you for supporting me and my website Whimsies of a Nerd Girl! If you want to learn more please visit my Disclosure Policy page which can be found by clicking here. Also note that due to the nature of the publishing industry some releases may have been moved to earlier or later months.***

JANUARY 7TH RELEASES

Title: City of Stone and Silence (The Wells of Sorcery #2), Author: Django Wexler, Publisher: Tor Teen, Publish Date: January 7, 2020; Genres + Tags: Young Adult, YA, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Sci-Fi Fantasy, YA Fantasy, YA Sci-Fi Fantasy, Science Fiction

Synopsis: Django Wexler's City of Stone and Silence is the second book in the cinematic fantasy Wells of Sorcery Trilogy featuring a fierce young woman skilled in the art of combat magic on an epic mission to steal a ghost ship...

Title: Come Tumbling Down (Wayward Children #5), Author: Seanan McGuire, Publisher: Tor Books, Publish Date: January 7, 2020; Genres + Tags: Young Adult, YA, Fantasy, YA Fantasy

Synopsis: The fifth installment in Seanan McGuire's award-winning, bestselling Wayward Children series, Come Tumbling Down picks up the threads left dangling by Every Heart a Doorway and Down Among the Sticks and Bones When Jack left Eleanor West's School for Wayward Children she was carrying the body of her deliciously deranged sister--whom she had recently murdered in a fit of righteous justice--back to their home on the Moors. But death in their adopted world isn't always as permanent as it is here, and when Jack is herself carried back into the school, it becomes clear that something has happened to her. Something terrible. Something of which only the maddest of scientists could conceive. Something only her friends are equipped to help her overcome. Eleanor West's "No Quests" rule is about to be broken.

Title: A Heart So Fierce and Broken (Cursebreakers #2), Author: Brigid Kemmerer, Publisher: Bloomsbury YA, Publish Date: January 7, 2020; Genres + Tags: Young Adult, YA, Fantasy, Fairy Tale, Retellings, Romance, Beauty and the Beast, A Curse So Dark and Lonely

Synopsis: In the sequel to New York Times bestselling A Curse So Dark and Lonely, Brigid Kemmerer returns to the world of Emberfall in a lush fantasy where friends become foes and love blooms in the darkest of places. Find the heir, win the crown. The curse is finally broken, but Prince Rhen of Emberfall faces darker troubles still. Rumors circulate that he is not the true heir and that forbidden magic has been unleashed in Emberfall. Although Rhen has Harper by his side, his guardsman Grey is missing, leaving more questions than answers.

Win the crown, save the kingdom.

Rumored to be the heir, Grey has been on the run since he destroyed Lilith. He has no desire to challenge Rhen--until Karis Luran once again threatens to take Emberfall by force. Her own daughter Lia Mara sees the flaws in her mother’s violent plan, but can she convince Grey to stand against Rhen, even for the good of Emberfall? The heart-pounding, compulsively readable saga continues as loyalties are tested and new love blooms in a kingdom on the brink of war.

Title: Nameless Queen, Author: Rebecca McLaughlin, Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers, Publish Date: January 7, 2020; Genres + Tags: Young Adult, YA, Fantasy, High Fantasy

Synopsis: One girl must make a name for herself--or die trying --in this royal fantasy where an unknown peasant becomes the ultimate ruler. But how long can she keep the crown if everyone wants her dead? Perfect for fans of Furyborn, Red Queen, and Everless. Everyone expected the king's daughter would inherit the throne. No one expected me. It shouldn't even be possible. I'm Nameless, a class of citizens so disrespected, we don't even get names. Heck, dozens of us have been going missing for months and no one seems to care. But there's no denying the tattoo emblazoned on my arm. I am queen. In a palace where the corridors are more dangerous the streets, though, how could I possibly rule? And what will become of the Nameless if I don't?

Title: The Night Country (The Hazel Wood #2), Author: Melissa Albert, Publisher: Flatiron Books, Publish Date: January 7, 2020; Genres + Tags: Young Adult, YA, Fantasy, YA Fantasy

Synopsis: The highly anticipated sequel to Melissa Albert’s beloved, New York Times bestselling debut The Hazel Wood! In The Night Country, Alice Proserpine dives back into a menacing, mesmerizing world of dark fairy tales and hidden doors. Follow her and Ellery Finch as they learn The Hazel Wood was just the beginning, and that worlds die not with a whimper, but a bang. With Finch’s help, Alice escaped the Hinterland and her reclusive grandmother’s dark legacy. Now she and the rest of the dregs of the fairy tale world have washed up in New York City, where Alice is trying to make a new, unmagical life. But something is stalking the Hinterland’s survivors―and she suspects their deaths may have a darker purpose. Meanwhile, in the winking out world of the Hinterland, Finch seeks his own adventure, and―if he can find it―a way back home...

Title: Scavenge the Stars (Scavenge the Stars #1), Author: Tara Sim, Publisher: Disney Hyperion, Publish Date: January 7, 2020; Genres + Tags: Young Adult, YA, Fantasy, Retellings, The Count of Monte Cristo', LGBT, Gender Swapped, Gender Bent, Duology

Synopsis: When Amaya rescues a mysterious stranger from drowning, she fears her rash actions have earned her a longer sentence on the debtor ship where she’s been held captive for years. Instead, the man she saved offers her unimaginable riches and a new identity, setting Amaya on a perilous course through the coastal city-state of Moray, where old-world opulence and desperate gamblers collide. Amaya wants one thing: revenge against the man who ruined her family and stole the life she once had. But the more entangled she becomes in this game of deception—and as her path intertwines with the son of the man she’s plotting to bring down—the more she uncovers about the truth of her past. And the more she realizes she must trust no one… Packed with high-stakes adventure, romance, and dueling identities, this gender-swapped retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo is the first novel in an epic YA fantasy duology, perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Sabaa Tahir, and Leigh Bardugo.

Title: Shadowshaper Legacy (Shadowshaper #3), Author: Daniel Jose Older, Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books, Publish Date: January 7, 2020; Genres + Tags: Young Adult, YA, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal

Synopsis: The epic conclusion to the acclaimed Shadowshaper Cypher series! A house divided Sierra and the shadowshapers have been split apart. Juan, Anthony, and Izzy are in jail, anxiously waiting to find out what will become of them. Back in Brooklyn, the other shadowshapers have been getting threatening messages from whisper wraiths, catching strangely shaped figures stalking them, and fending off random spirits. A war is brewing among the houses, and the very magic of the shadowshapers is at stake. The fate of the worlds Sierra is determined to protect her own in the coming conflict, even if that means keeping secrets from them. But a deal with Death by one of Sierra's ancestors has far-reaching consequences in the battles of the present, and as old fates tangle with new powers, Sierra will have to harness the Deck of Worlds and confront her family's past if she has any hope of saving the future and everyone she loves. Only doing so will mean following the magic to places the shadowshapers have never gone before . . . and may never return from. New York Times bestselling author Daniel José Older spins a masterful conclusion to his evocative and captivating Shadowshaper Cypher series in a finale of searing rebellion, the power of fate, and a magic unlike anything you've ever imagined.

Title: The Storm of Life (The Brillian Death #2), Author: Amy Rose Capetta, Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers, Publish Date: January 7, 2020; Genres + Tags: Young Adult, YA, Fantasy, LGBT, Queer, Gender Fluid, YA Fantasy, Duology

Synopsis: The sumptuous and powerful conclusion to the gender-fluid duet begun by The Brilliant Death, hailed by Kirkus as "a delicious and magical intrigue too tempting not to devour" (starred review). Teodora diSangro and Cielo, the strega she loves, are on a mission to save their country of Vinalia from its manipulative leader, who wants to exploit streghe and use them as his weapons. But will marshaling a small but powerful band of streghe be enough to wrest power from a cunning dictator? And what if Teo's been setting her sights on the wrong enemy all along? This epic sequel to The Brilliant Death completes the Italian-inspired fantasy duology with shocking twists, steamy romance, and magic that will dazzle your imagination and make you wish Vinalia were a real place.

Title: When Stars Are Bright, Author: Amber R. Duell, Publisher: Crescent Sea Publishing, Publish Date: January 7, 2020; Genres + Tags: Young Adult, YA, Fantasy, Fairy Tale, Retellings, Historical Fiction, NY Vaudeville, Burlesque, Musical, Romance, Thumbelina

Synopsis: For Lina Holt, a Dutch seventeen-year-old with a flair for singing, 1930 is going to be her year. Her long-time boyfriend is about to propose and her mother will finally realize their relationship isn’t a passing phase. But when a stranger snatches her from her backyard, everything changes. Lina is thrust into the spotlight of a New York vaudeville show where she’s paired with Nik, a mysterious pianist. The two bond during rehearsals and it doesn’t take long before Nik puts himself at risk to confess a hidden truth. Without Lina, the show is in its last season and there’s no way she’ll be allowed to slip through the owner’s fingers. Not when she carries fairy magic in her blood—an gift that turns her song into a dangerously addictive drug. If Lina ever wants to return home, she must learn who to trust before she’s forced to remain a prisoner on stage forever. WHEN STARS ARE BRIGHT is a historical Thumbelina retelling with a touch of magic.

Title: Woven in Moonlight, Author: Isabel Ibanez, Publisher: Page Street Books, Publish Date: January 7, 2020; Genres + Tags: Young Adult, YA, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Cultural Diversity, Bolivian inspired

Synopsis: A lush tapestry of magic, romance, and revolución, drawing inspiration from Bolivian politics and history. Ximena is the decoy Condesa, a stand-in for the last remaining Illustrian royal. Her people lost everything when the usurper, Atoc, used an ancient relic to summon ghosts and drive the Illustrians from La Ciudad. Now Ximena’s motivated by her insatiable thirst for revenge, and her rare ability to spin thread from moonlight. When Atoc demands the real Condesa’s hand in marriage, it’s Ximena’s duty to go in her stead. She relishes the chance, as Illustrian spies have reported that Atoc’s no longer carrying his deadly relic. If Ximena can find it, she can return the true aristócrata to their rightful place. She hunts for the relic, using her weaving ability to hide messages in tapestries for the resistance. But when a masked vigilante, a warm-hearted princess, and a thoughtful healer challenge Ximena, her mission becomes more complicated. There could be a way to overthrow the usurper without starting another war, but only if Ximena turns her back on revenge—and her Condesa.

JANUARY 14TH RELEASES

Title: The Conference of the Birds (Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children #5), Author: Ransom Riggs, Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers, Publish Date: January 14, 2020; Genres + Tags: Young Adult, YA, Fantasy, Paranormal, Horror, YA Fantasy

Synopsis: “Do you trust me?” An instant bestseller, A Map of Days launched readers into the previously unexplored world of American peculiars, one bursting with new questions, new allies, and new adversaries. Now, with enemies behind him and the unknown ahead, Jacob Portman’s story continues as he takes a brave leap forward into The Conference of the Birds, the next installment of the beloved, bestselling Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children series.

Title: Dark and Deepest Red, Author: Anna-Marie McLemore, Publisher: Feiwel & Friends, Publish Date: January 14, 2020; Genres + Tags: Young Adult, YA, Fantasy, Fairy Tale, Retellings, Romance, LGBT

Synopsis: Summer, 1518. A strange sickness sweeps through Strasbourg: women dance in the streets, some until they fall down dead. As rumors of witchcraft spread, suspicion turns toward Lavinia and her family, and Lavinia may have to do the unimaginable to save herself and everyone she loves. Five centuries later, a pair of red shoes seal to Rosella Oliva’s feet, making her dance uncontrollably. They draw her toward a boy who knows the dancing fever’s history better than anyone: Emil, whose family was blamed for the fever five hundred years ago. But there’s more to what happened in 1518 than even Emil knows, and discovering the truth may decide whether Rosella survives the red shoes. With McLemore's signature lush prose, Dark and Deepest Red pairs the forbidding magic of a fairy tale with a modern story of passion and betrayal.

Title: Infinity Son (Infinity Cycle #1), Author: Adam Silvera, Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's UK, Publish Date: January 14, 2020; Genres + Tags: Young Adult, YA, Fantasy, LGBT, Siblings

Synopsis: Balancing epic and intensely personal stakes, bestselling author Adam Silvera’s Infinity Son is a gritty, fast-paced adventure about two brothers caught up in a magical war generations in the making. Growing up in New York, brothers Emil and Brighton always idolized the Spell Walkers—a vigilante group sworn to rid the world of specters. While the Spell Walkers and other celestials are born with powers, specters take them, violently stealing the essence of endangered magical creatures. Brighton wishes he had a power so he could join the fray. Emil just wants the fighting to stop. The cycle of violence has taken a toll, making it harder for anyone with a power to live peacefully and openly. In this climate of fear, a gang of specters has been growing bolder by the day. Then, in a brawl after a protest, Emil manifests a power of his own—one that puts him right at the heart of the conflict and sets him up to be the heroic Spell Walker Brighton always wanted to be. Brotherhood, love, and loyalty will be put to the test, and no one will escape the fight unscathed.

Title: The King's Questioner, Author: Nikki Katz, Publisher: Swoon Reads, Publish Date: January 14, 2020; Genres + Tags: Young Adult, YA, Fantasy, Epic Fantasy

Synopsis: From the author of 'The Midnight Dance' comes an epic YA fantasy featuring royal drama, dark magic, and a secret that could topple a kingdom. Kalen has been cursed with a gift: he’s a mental picklock, able to access a person’s memories and secrets by touch. His skills make him the perfect questioner to the king, and he spends his days interrogating prisoners of the crown.

JANUARY 21ST RELEASES

Title: Ashlords (Untitled Duology #1), Author: Scott Reintgen, Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers, Publish Date: January 21, 2020; Genres + Tags: Young Adult, YA, Fantasy, YA Fantasy, If you like The Scorpio Races

Synopsis: Red Rising meets The Scorpio Races in this epic fantasy following three phoenix horse riders--skilled at alchemy--who must compete at The Races--the modern spectacle that has replaced warfare within their empire. Every year since the Ashlords were gifted phoenix horses by their gods, they've raced them. First into battle, then on great hunts, and finally for the pure sport of seeing who rode the fastest. Centuries of blood and fire carved their competition into a more modern spectacle: The Races. Over the course of a multi-day event, elite riders from clashing cultures vie to be crowned champion. But the modern version of the sport requires more than good riding. Competitors must be skilled at creating and controlling phoenix horses made of ash and alchemy, which are summoned back to life each sunrise with uniquely crafted powers to cover impossible distances and challenges before bursting into flames at sunset. But good alchemy only matters if a rider knows how to defend their phoenix horse at night. Murder is outlawed, but breaking bones and poisoning ashes? That's all legal and encouraged. In this year's Races, eleven riders will compete, but three of them have more to lose than the rest--a champion's daughter, a scholarship entrant, and a revolutionary's son. Who will attain their own dream of glory? Or will they all flame out in defeat?

Title: The Circus Rose, Author: Betsy Cornwell, Publisher: Clarion Books, Publish Date: January 21, 2020; Genres + Tags: Young Adult, YA, Fantasy, Retellings, Romance, LGBT, Circus, Ringmaster

Synopsis: From a New York Times bestselling author, a queer retelling of “Snow White and Rose Red” in which teenage twins battle evil religious extremists to save their loves and their circus family. YA fantasy perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Mackenzi Lee, and Laini Taylor. Twins Rosie and Ivory have grown up at their ringmaster mother’s knee, and after years on the road, they’re returning to Port End, the closest place to home they know. Yet something has changed in the bustling city: fundamentalist flyers paper the walls and preachers fill the squares, warning of shadows falling over the land. The circus prepares a triumphant homecoming show, full of lights and spectacle that could chase away even the darkest shadow. But during Rosie’s tightrope act, disaster strikes. In this lush, sensuous novel interwoven with themes of social justice and found family, it’s up to Ivory and her magician love—with the help of a dancing bear—to track down an evil priest and save their circus family before it’s too late.

Title: Gone by Nightfall, Author: Dee Garretson, Publisher: Swoon Reads, Publish Date: January 21, 2020; Genres + Tags: Young Adult, YA, Historical Fiction, Romance, YA Historical Romance

Synopsis: A young woman is torn between her home and her dreams during the Russian Revolution. It’s 1917, and Charlotte Mason is determined to make a life for herself in czarist Russia. When her mother dies, Charlotte is forced to put her plans to go to medical school aside to care for her unruly siblings. Then a handsome new tutor arrives. Charlotte has high hopes that he’ll stay, freeing her up to follow her dreams of becoming a doctor. But there’s more to Dmitri that meets the eye. Just when she thinks she can get her life back, Russia descends into revolution and chaos. Now, not only does Charlotte need to leave Russia, she needs to get her siblings out too--and fast. Can Charlotte flee Russia, keep her siblings safe, and uncover Dmitri’s many secrets before she runs out of time?

Title: The Iron Will of Genie Lo (The Epic Crush of Genie Lo #2), Author: F.C. Yee, Publisher: Amulet Books, Publish Date: January 21, 2020; Genres + Tags: Young Adult, YA, Fantasy, Paranormal, Angels, Demons

Synopsis: The fate of the heavens is at stake in this hilarious and highly-anticipated sequel to the The Epic Crush of Genie Lo Genie Lo thought she was busy protecting the Bay Area from demons. But now, as a Heaven- appointed Guardian, even the well-being of demons is her responsibility—and their numbers are multiplying. Guanyin and Quentin are doing their best to help; but what they really need is for the Jade Emperor to get off his butt and deal with the crisis. While he’s AWOL, Genie nominates Guanyin to fill in his shoes, unaware that the role will go to the god who can defeat a mysterious threat to the supernatural order. Along with a few other contenders for the throne, including a former enemy, Genie and her friends embark on a Heavenly quest to an in-between world. But when faced with true danger, the group realizes that what will save the universe this time is sacrifice, not strength.

Title: Rogue Princess, Author: B.R. Myers, Publisher: Swoon Reads, Publish Date: January 21, 2020; Genres + Tags: Young Adult, YA, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Sci-Fi Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fairy Tale, Retellings, Romance, Cinderella, Gender Swapped, Gender Bent

Synopsis: A princess fleeing an arranged marriage teams up with a snarky commoner to foil a rebel plot in B. R. Myers' Rogue Princess, a gender-swapped sci-fi YA retelling of Cinderella. Princess Delia knows her duty: She must choose a prince to marry in order to secure an alliance and save her failing planet. Yet she secretly dreams of true love, and feels there must be a better way. Determined to chart her own course, she steals a spaceship to avoid the marriage, only to discover a handsome stowaway. All Aidan wanted was to “borrow” a few palace trinkets to help him get off the planet. Okay, so maybe escaping on a royal ship wasn’t the smartest plan, but he never expected to be kidnapped by a runaway princess! Sparks fly as this headstrong princess and clever thief battle wits, but everything changes when they inadvertently uncover a rebel conspiracy that could destroy their planet forever.

Title: Spellhacker, Author: M.K. England, Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books, Publish Date: January 21, 2020; Genres + Tags: Young Adult, YA, Fantasy, LGBT, YA Fantasy, Magic, Heist

Synopsis: From the author of The Disasters, this genre-bending YA fantasy heist story is perfect for fans of Marie Lu and Amie Kaufman. In Kyrkarta, magic—known as maz—was once a freely available natural resource. Then an earthquake released a magical plague, killing thousands and opening the door for a greedy corporation to make maz a commodity that’s tightly controlled—and, of course, outrageously expensive. Which is why Diz and her three best friends run a highly lucrative, highly illegal maz siphoning gig on the side. Their next job is supposed to be their last heist ever. But when their plan turns up a powerful new strain of maz that (literally) blows up in their faces, they’re driven to unravel a conspiracy at the very center of the spellplague—and possibly save the world.

Title: Wardens of Eternity, Author: Courtney Allison Moulton, Publisher: Blink, Publish Date: January 21, 2020; Genres + Tags: Young Adult, YA, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Historical Reimagining, Mythology, Egyptian, Germany, WWII, World War II, Nazis

Synopsis: Ziva Ellison has one memory of her parents, made the day they abandoned her on the streets of New York City when she was three years old. They left her with only a memory and a promise that she had a great and terrible destiny. Fifteen years later, Ziva discovers that destiny includes powers that she doesn’t understand and can barely control. Her magic attracts vicious, otherworldly monsters, and eventually compatriots to help her fight them. Sayer and Nasira know the secrets Ziva doesn’t; that Ziva is descended from Egyptian royalty and in possession of ancient magic passed down from the time of the gods. They promise to teach Ziva to control her magic and to give her the family she’s always yearned for. But trouble is brewing in the world around them; darkness is descending on Hitler’s Germany, threatening World War II. As the last heir of a revered Egyptian queen, Ziva is the only one with the power to prevent another costly global conflict. As Ziva navigates her newfound abilities and makes a connection with Anubis and other Egyptian gods, the Nazis are hunting for the ultimate weapon, and Ziva has caught their interest. From Courtney Allison Moulton, author of the acclaimed Angelfire series, comes Wardens of Eternity, an action-packed page-turner that blends history, mythology, and magic, perfect for fans of Rick Riordan and Kiersten White.

JANUARY 28TH RELEASES

Title: Blood Countess (A Lady Slayers Novel), Author: Lana Popovic, Publisher: Amulet Books, Publish Date: January 28, 2020; Genres + Tags: Young Adult, YA, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Horror, YA Historical Horror

Synopsis: A historical YA horror novel based on the infamous real-life inspiration for Countess Dracula In 17th century Hungary, Anna Darvulia has just begun working as a scullery maid for the young and glamorous Countess Elizabeth Báthory. When Elizabeth takes a liking to Anna, she’s vaulted to the dream role of chambermaid, a far cry from the filthy servants’ quarters below. She receives wages generous enough to provide for her family, and the Countess begins to groom Anna as her friend and confidante. It’s not long before Anna falls completely under the Countess’s spell—and the Countess takes full advantage. Isolated from her former friends, family, and fiancé, Anna realizes she’s not a friend but a prisoner of the increasingly cruel Elizabeth. Then come the murders, and Anna knows it’s only a matter of time before the Blood Countess turns on her, too.

Title: Diamond City (Diamond City #1), Author: Francesca Flores, Publisher: Wednesday Books, Publish Date: January 28, 2020; Genres + Tags: Young Adult, YA, Fantasy, YA Fantasy

Synopsis: Good things don't happen to girls who come from nothing...unless they risk everything. Fierce and ambitious, Aina Solis is as sharp as her blade and as mysterious as the blood magic she protects. After the murder of her parents, Aina takes a job as an assassin to survive and finds a new family in those like her: the unwanted and forgotten. Her boss is brutal and cold, with a questionable sense of morality, but he provides a place for people with nowhere else to go. And makes sure they stay there. DIAMOND CITY: built by magic, ruled by tyrants, and in desperate need of saving. It is a world full of dark forces and hidden agendas, old rivalries and lethal new enemies. To claim a future for herself in a world that doesn't want her to survive, Aina will have to win a game of murder and conspiracy—and risk losing everything.

Title: The Frost Eater, Author: Carol Beth Anderson, Publisher: Eliana Press, Publish Date: January 28, 2020; Genres + Tags: Young Adult, YA, Fantasy, Romance, YA Fantasy, YA Romance

Synopsis: A lonely princess. A flying teen. A kidnapped girl who only remembers what happens at night. Seventeen-year-old Princess Nora is a frost eater who creates magical ice. Her royal life is luxurious but stifling. Krey West has a rare magical talent: when he eats feathers, he can fly. His one goal is to find his missing girlfriend, Zeisha. He thinks someone in power abducted her. Krey’s daring feats of magic earn him an invitation to the palace. Craving adventure and friendship, Nora offers to help him find Zeisha. He’s desperate enough to accept—though he hates the monarchy. The truth is more terrible than they could imagine. Every night, Zeisha wakes in a dark room full of sleeping people, unable to remember what she did in the light. Her dreams provide violent glimpses into her forgotten days. If Krey and Nora can’t save her, Zeisha may lose herself forever. Readers describe this post-apocalyptic fantasy novel as “magic-packed” with “action, romance, and intrigue” that’ll “pull you right into the pages.” Sink your teeth into The Frost Eater today.

Title: Seven Deadly Shadows, Authors: Courtney Alameda & Valynne E. Maetani, Publisher: HarperCollins, Publish Date: January 28, 2020; Genres + Tags: Young Adult, YA, Fantasy, Horror, Urban Fantasy, Retellings, Seven Samurai, Paranormal, Mythology, Cultural Diversity, Asian, Demons, Kitsune

Synopsis: Kira Fujikawa has always been a girl on the fringe. Bullied by her peers and ignored by her parents, the only place Kira’s ever felt at home is at her grandfather’s Shinto shrine, where she trains to be a priestess. But Kira’s life is shattered on the night her family’s shrine is attacked by a vicious band of yokai demons. With the help of Shiro—the shrine’s gorgeous half-fox, half-boy kitsune—Kira discovers that her shrine harbors an ancient artifact of great power . . . one the yokai and their demon lord, Shuten-doji, will use to bring down an everlasting darkness upon the world. Unable to face the Shuten-doji and his minions on her own, Kira enlists the aid of seven ruthless shinigami—or death gods—to help stop the brutal destruction of humankind. But some of the death gods aren’t everything they initially seemed, nor as loyal to Kira’s cause as they first appeared. With war drawing nearer by the day, Kira realizes that if this unlikely band of heroes is going to survive, they’re going to have to learn to work together, confront their demons, and rise as one to face an army of unimaginable evil.

Title: Tragedy of Me (Legend of Me #2), Author: Rebekah L. Purdy, Publisher: Month9Books, Publish Date: January 28, 2020; Genres + Tags: Young Adult, YA, Fantasy, Fairy Tale, Retellings, Beauty and the Beast, Romance, Paranormal

Synopsis: With the Curse of the Beast broken, Brielle Healer thought she’d left her bloody, gruesome past behind her. She thought she’d finally be able to have her happy ending with Raul, the gypsy who saved her life and she’s betrothed to. But when a new batch of dead bodies are discovered on her property, she doubts whether the curse was truly broken. Not to mention, Lord Kenrick’s brother, Daedric has shown up in town seeking information about his missing brother, who was last seen with Bri. He and other Knights of the Crowhurst Order want answers, answers that could very well endanger Bri’s life once more. But an encounter with Daedric has her wondering if perhaps Kenrick isn’t truly dead after all. That there might be a way to bring him back from wherever it is his spirit slipped into. However, as they delve deeper into research they discover an attempt to get Kenrick back will likely mean a trip through a hellish realm more powerful and dangerous than either can handle. But when tragedy strikes, Brielle knows she has nothing left to lose. And this might be her one chance to redeem herself for past failures and crimes. Raul Tinker spent his whole life trying to outrun his past. But the darkness has finally caught up to him, in the form of his vengeful sister Yalena, who blames him for their family’s downfall amongst their gypsy clan. She wants to destroy everything he loves, starting with Brielle. Although trained in magic, he knows he’s no match for the evilness she’s dipped her fingers into. Yalena promises not to harm Brielle, if Raul agrees to do her bidding. Which means people will die and the world will be opened up to unimaginable horrors. Raul knows no matter what he chooses, he’ll lose a piece of himself. Because the only way to stop her would be to allow the same darkness that consumes Yalena to consume him as well… But he will do anything necessary to ensure Bri's safety. Anything.

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#book releases #ya book releases #YA Fantasy Releases #YA Romance Releases #YA Fantasy #YA Romance #2020 YA Books #2020 YA Book Releases #January 2020 YA Book Releases

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whimsiesofanerdgirl · 4 years

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Eyeliner on point. 👁👌🏻🐺 . . . . . . . #Anastasia #HuskyPuppy #huskylove #huskyworld #tricolorhusky #1yearoldhusky #myfurbaby #furbabylove (at Toledo, Ohio) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4pYtWmgvLH/?igshid=d8kxgkt2pbbe

#anastasia #huskypuppy #huskylove #huskyworld #tricolorhusky #1yearoldhusky #myfurbaby #furbabylove

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whimsiesofanerdgirl · 5 years

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Need some #TBR ideas for this Halloween/Fall? . I put together this list of spooky reads which covers: . 👻 Ghosts, Hauntings, & the Dead 💀 Horror 🧛‍♂️ Vampires 🐺 Shapeshifters 🧙‍♀️ Witches & Wizards 🧟‍♂️ Zombies 👹 Demons 🧚‍♀️ Dark Fae . Happy Fall Y'all! 😊 . . . . . . #horror #vampires #shapeshifters #werewolves #werecats #gargoyles #shifters #skinwalkers #witches #wizards #zombies #demons #darkfae #paranormal #paranormalromance #spookyreads #halloweenreads #fallreads #falltbr #halloweentbr #scarybooks #fae #chooseyourownadventure #spookyreadsedition #bookstagram #booknerds #yafantasy #yaparanormal #yahorror https://www.instagram.com/p/B3122MHgwsD/?igshid=v7en04vv5ew2

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whimsiesofanerdgirl · 5 years

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Choose Your Own Adventure | Spooky Edition

October is here and you know what that means…GIMMEH ALL THE SPOOKY BOOKS!!!

We all know that Fall is THE season for reading, I don’t make up the rules. I just go with it.

It’s the first official month of coziness, hoodies, the best smelling candles, leaves changing, watching scary movies, and reading all those atmospheric books you’ve been saving up for the best time of the year! :)

I thought it would be fun to make a list of different spooky books depending on your preference so I categorized them because I like organizing book lists. I should have a plaque for it. Seriously.

So read on to get scary, spooky, and paranormal recommended reads. Then go get yourself the book and hunker down under a fluffy blanket and read to your heart’s content. <3

GHOSTS, HAUNTINGS, & THE DEAD

The Mediator series by Meg Cabot

Synopsis:

Suze is a mediator -- a liaison between the living and the dead. In other words, she sees dead people. And they won't leave her alone until she helps them resolve their unfinished business with the living. But Jesse, the hot ghost haunting her bedroom, doesn't seem to need her help. Which is a relief, because Suze has just moved to sunny California and plans to start fresh, with trips to the mall instead of the cemetery, and surfing instead of spectral visitations.

But the very first day at her new school, Suze realizes it's not that easy. There's a ghost with revenge on her mind ... and Suze happens to be in the way.

I loved reading these when I was in high school, but I still need to finish reading them all. It’s an oldie and a goodie! Plus, Suze has a good looking ghost named Jesse haunting her bedroom so there’s that too. ;)

Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent

Synopsis:

She doesn't see dead people. She senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally. Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about her need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who'll be next.

I heard so much hype about this series, mostly positive things, but have yet to actually read it off my TBR. The ratings range from 3.5+ to 4ish stars so it must be good!

The Fade by Demitria Lunetta

Synopsis:

We don't want to disappear. We want to be found. Something terrible happened in her basement. Haley can feel it. Four girls went missing several years ago, and the police never solved the case. But Haley know the missing girls were murdered. How else can she explain the hostile presence in her house? The ghostly girls need something from her. And unless Haley can figure out what they want...she might be next.

The Witch of Willow Hall by Hester Fox

Synopsis:

Two centuries after the Salem witch trials, there’s still one witch left in Massachusetts. But she doesn’t even know it. Take this as a warning: if you are not able or willing to control yourself, it will not only be you who suffers the consequences but those around you, as well. New Oldbury, 1821 In the wake of a scandal, the Montrose family and their three daughters—Catherine, Lydia, and Emeline—flee Boston for their new country home, Willow Hall. The estate seems sleepy and idyllic. But a subtle menace creeps into the atmosphere, remnants of a dark history that call to Lydia, and to the youngest, Emeline. All three daughters will be irrevocably changed by what follows, but none more than Lydia, who must draw on a power she never knew she possessed if she wants to protect those she loves. For Willow Hall’s secrets will rise, in the end…

Haunting Emma series by Lee Nichols

Synopsis:

When Emma Vaile's parents leave on mysterious business trip, it gives her the perfect excuse to be a rebellious teen. Throw some parties, get a tattoo (or maybe just a piercing), and enjoy the first few weeks of her junior year. Then her best friend stops talking to her, the cops crash her party, and Emma finds herself in the hands of a new guardian?her college-age "knight in J.Crew armor," Bennett Stern?and on a plane to his museum-like mansion in New England.

After enrolling at Thatcher Academy, Emma settles in by making friends with the popular legacy crowd. But she can't shake the strange visions that are haunting her. She has memories of Thatcher she can't explain, as if she's returning home to a place she's never been. Emma doesn't trust anyone anymore?except maybe Bennett. But he's about to reveal a ghostly secret to Emma. One that will explain the visions . . . and make Emma fear for her life.

The Soul Seekers series by Alyson Noel

Synopsis:

Until now, he's existed only in her dreams - but fate is about to bring them together. I shove through the crowd, knocking into girls and bouncing off boys, until one in particular catches me, steadies me. I feel so secure, so at home in his arms. I melt against his chest-lift my gaze to meet his. Gasping when I stare into a pair of icy blue eyes banded by brilliant flecks of gold that shine like kaleidoscopes, reflecting my image thousands of times. The boy from my dream. The one who died in my arms. Strange things are happening to Daire Santos. Crows mock her, glowing people stalk her, time stops without warning, and a beautiful boy with unearthly blue eyes haunts all her dreams. Fearing for her daughter’s sanity, Daire’s mother sends her to live with the grandmother she’s never met. A woman who recognizes the visions for what they truly are—the call to her destiny as a Soul Seeker—one who can navigate the worlds between the living and dead. There on the dusty plains of Enchantment, New Mexico, Daire sets out to harness her mystical powers. But it’s when she meets Dace, the boy from her dreams, that her whole world is shaken to its core. Now Daire is forced to discover if Dace is the one guy she's meant to be with...or if he’s allied with the enemy she's destined to destroy.

This is another series I need to finish! I got through book 3, but it definitely kept my attention. I haven’t read a lot of books about Native American rituals and I found it so fascinating in this series. Not to mention the cute boy and spirit walking!

HORROR

The Last ApprenticeI series by Joseph Delaney

Synopsis:

For years, Old Gregory has been the Spook for the county, ridding the local villages of evil. Now his time is coming to an end. But who will take over for him? Twenty-nine apprentices have tried—some floundered, some fled, some failed to stay alive. Only Thomas Ward is left. He's the last hope, the last apprentice.

I’ve never read this series though I have watched the movie which I enjoyed. From what I’ve heard from my hubby it’s a super freaky book series and to be honest the book covers confirm that for me!

The Archived series by Victoria Schwab

Synopsis:

Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books. Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive. Da first brought Mackenzie Bishop here four years ago, when she was twelve years old, frightened but determined to prove herself. Now Da is dead, and Mac has grown into what he once was: a ruthless Keeper, tasked with stopping often violent Histories from waking up and getting out. Because of her job, she lies to the people she loves, and she knows fear for what it is: a useful tool for staying alive. Being a Keeper isn't just dangerous—it's a constant reminder of those Mac has lost, Da's death was hard enough, but now that her little brother is gone too, Mac starts to wonder about the boundary between living and dying, sleeping and waking. In the Archive, the dead must never be disturbed. And yet, someone is deliberately altering Histories, erasing essential chapters. Unless Mac can piece together what remains, the Archive itself may crumble and fall. In this haunting, richly imagined novel, Victoria Schwab reveals the thin lines between past and present, love and pain, trust and deceit, unbearable loss and hard-won redemption.

The strange thing about this series is that I never heard much about it online. I came across it randomly scouring Goodreads one day last year or so. Victoria Schwab is basically the dark fantasy queen in the online YA community which is partially the reason I put it on my TBR list. Recently it’s been in the news that we will be getting a TV series for it on the CW so boys and girls bump this up on your TBR so you don’t miss out!

Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children series by Ransom Riggs

Synopsis:

A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of very curious photographs. It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow-impossible though it seems-they may still be alive. A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

If this book is anything like the movie it is FREAKY! I’d give this 5 out of 5 stars for the scary factor. You’ve been forewarned.

The Missing Season by Gillian French

Synopsis:

Whenever another kid goes missing in October, the Pender kids know what is really behind it: a horrific monster out in the marshes they have named the Mumbler. That’s what Clara’s new crew tells her when she moves to town: Bree and Sage, who take her under their wing; spirited Trace, who has taken the lead on this year’s Halloween prank war; and magnetic Kincaid, whose devil-may-care attitude and air of mystery are impossible for Clara to resist. Clara doesn’t actually believe in the Mumbler. But as Halloween gets closer and tensions build in the town, it’s hard to shake the feeling that there really is something dark and dangerous in Pender, lurking in the shadows, waiting to bring the stories to life.

His Hideous Heart by 13 YA Authors / Edited by Dahlia Adler

Synopsis:

Thirteen of YA’s most celebrated names reimagine Edgar Allan Poe’s most surprising, unsettling, and popular tales for a new generation. Edgar Allan Poe may be a hundred and fifty years beyond this world, but the themes of his beloved works have much in common with modern young adult fiction. Whether the stories are familiar to readers or discovered for the first time, readers will revel in Edgar Allan Poe’s classic tales, and how they’ve been brought to life in 13 unique and unforgettable ways. Contributors include Kendare Blake (reimagining “Metzengerstein”), Rin Chupeco (“The Murders in the Rue Morge”), Lamar Giles (“The Oval Portrait”), Tessa Gratton (“Annabel Lee”), Tiffany D. Jackson (“The Cask of Amontillado”), Stephanie Kuehn (“The Tell-Tale Heart”), Emily Lloyd-Jones (“The Purloined Letter”), Hillary Monahan (“The Masque of the Red Death”), Marieke Nijkamp (“Hop-Frog”), Caleb Roehrig (“The Pit and the Pendulum”), and Fran Wilde (“The Fall of the House of Usher”).

The Beast is an Animal by Peternelle van Arsdale

Synopsis:

A girl with a secret talent must save her village from the encroaching darkness in this haunting and deeply satisfying tale. Alys was seven when the soul eaters came to her village. These soul eaters, twin sisters who were abandoned by their father and slowly morphed into something not quite human, devour human souls. Alys, and all the other children, were spared—and they were sent to live in a neighboring village. There the devout people created a strict world where good and evil are as fundamental as the nursery rhymes children sing. Fear of the soul eaters—and of the Beast they believe guides them—rule village life. But the Beast is not what they think it is. And neither is Alys. Inside, Alys feels connected to the soul eaters, and maybe even to the Beast itself. As she grows from a child to a teenager, she longs for the freedom of the forest. And she has a gift she can tell no one, for fear they will call her a witch. When disaster strikes, Alys finds herself on a journey to heal herself and her world. A journey that will take her through the darkest parts of the forest, where danger threatens her from the outside—and from within her own heart and soul.

This has probably been one of the creepiest books I’ve ever read, but I’ve also never read Stephen King soooo take that however you’d like. Might want to read this one in the day time to be on the safe side.

VAMPIRES

The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh

Synopsis:

In 1872, New Orleans is a city ruled by the dead. But to seventeen-year-old Celine Rousseau, New Orleans provides her a refuge after she's forced to flee her life as a dressmaker in Paris. Taken in by the sisters of the Ursuline convent along with six other girls, Celine quickly becomes enamored with the vibrant city from the music to the food to the soirées and—especially—to the danger. She soon becomes embroiled in the city's glitzy underworld, known as La Cour des Lions, after catching the eye of the group's leader, the enigmatic Sébastien Saint Germain. When the body of one of the girls from the convent is found in the lair of La Cour des Lions, Celine battles her attraction to him and suspicions about Sébastien's guilt along with the shame of her own horrible secret. When more bodies are discovered, each crime more gruesome than the last, Celine and New Orleans become gripped by the terror of a serial killer on the loose—one Celine is sure has set her in his sights . . . and who may even be the young man who has stolen her heart. As the murders continue to go unsolved, Celine takes matters into her own hands and soon uncovers something even more shocking: an age-old feud from the darkest creatures of the underworld reveals a truth about Celine she always suspected simmered just beneath the surface. At once a sultry romance and a thrilling murder mystery, master storyteller Renée Ahdieh embarks on her most potent fantasy series yet: The Beautiful.

There has been soooo much hype around this one and yes, it’s on my TBR. If you’re into Vampire Diaries this sounds like a great read for you!

Blue Bloods series by Melissa de la Cruz

Synopsis:

When the Mayflower set sail in 1620, it carried on board the men and women who would shape America: Miles Standish; John Alden; Constance Hopkins. But some among the Pilgrims were not pure of heart; they were not escaping religious persecution. Indeed, they were not even human. They were vampires. The vampires assimilated quickly into the New World. Rising to levels of enormous power, wealth, and influence, they were the celebrated blue bloods of American society. The Blue Bloods vowed that their immortal status would remain a closely guarded secret. And they kept that secret for centuries. But now, in New York City, the secret is seeping out. Schuyler Van Alen is a sophomore at a prestigious private school. She prefers baggy, vintage clothes instead of the Prada and pearls worn by her classmates, and she lives with her reclusive grandmother in a dilapated mansion. Schuyler is a loner...and happy that way. Suddenly, when she turns fifteen, there is a visible mosaic of blue veins on her arm. She starts to crave raw food and she is having flashbacks to ancient times. Then a popular girl from her school is found dead... drained of all her blood. Schuyler doesn't know what to think, but she wants to find out the secrets the Blue Bloods are keeping. But is she herself in danger?

I remember reading this yeeears ago when it first came out and now all I can think of is Gossip Girl, but with vampires.

Sunshine by Robin McKinley

Synopsis:

There had not been any trouble out at the lake in years. Sunshine just needed a spot where she could be alone with her thoughts for a minute. But then the vampires found her . . . Now, chained and imprisoned in a once-beautiful decaying mansion, alone but for the vampire, Constantine, shackled next to her, Sunshine realizes that she must call on her own hidden strength if she is to survive. But Constantine is not what she expected of a vampire, and soon Sunshine discovers that it is he who needs her, more than either of them know. Originally published as an adult novel, but now in YA for the first time, Sunshine is an alluring and captivating vampire story one that will ensnare fans of paranormals everywhere.

I loved this book! If you’re in the mood for something fresh in the vampire genre you should check it out. Plus, I HIGHLY recommend Robin McKinley in general. She has absolutely amazing fairy tale retellings!

Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer

Synopsis:

About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him—and I didn't know how dominant that part might be—that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him. In the first book of the Twilight Saga, internationally bestselling author Stephenie Meyer introduces Bella Swan and Edward Cullen, a pair of star-crossed lovers whose forbidden relationship ripens against the backdrop of small-town suspicion and a mysterious coven of vampires. This is a love story with bite.

What kind of list would this be without the Twilight saga? If you haven’t heard of this before, have you been living under a rock? It’s a great story that pulls you in - you’ve got your historical fiction back story, folklore, vampires, romance, love triangle further in the series if you’re into that kinda thing (yes, I am).

Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead

Synopsis:

Only a true best friend can protect you from your immortal enemies . . . Lissa Dragomir is a Moroi princess: a mortal vampire with a rare gift for harnessing the earth's magic. She must be protected at all times from Strigoi; the fiercest vampires - the ones who never die. The powerful blend of human and vampire blood that flows through Rose Hathaway, Lissa's best friend, makes her a dhampir. Rose is dedicated to a dangerous life of protecting Lissa from the Strigoi, who are hell-bent on making Lissa one of them. After two years of freedom, Rose and Lissa are caught and dragged back to St. Vladimir's Academy, a school for vampire royalty and their guardians-to-be, hidden in the deep forests of Montana. But inside the iron gates, life is even more fraught with danger . . . and the Strigoi are always close by. Rose and Lissa must navigate their dangerous world, confront the temptations of forbidden love, and never once let their guard down, lest the evil undead make Lissa one of them forever . . .

This was another vampire teenage sensation of its time. I have yet to get around to reading this (I’m looking at you TBR pile…and there’s this thing called new releases, sigh), but from what I’ve heard many people enjoyed it in the online community. It’s only right that we all get a taste of this!

House of Night series by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

Synopsis:

After a Vampire Tracker Marks her with a crescent moon on her forehead, 16-year-old Zoey Redbird enters the House of Night and learns that she is no average fledgling. She has been Marked as special by the vampyre Goddess Nyx and has affinities for all five elements: Air, Fire Water, Earth and Spirit. But she is not the only fledgling at the House of Night with special powers. When she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school’s most elite club, is mis-using her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny – with a little help from her new vampyre friends (or Nerd Herd, as Aphrodite calls them).

This is what I’d call another popular staple of the vampire era (which tbh I feel like vamps are coming back - YESH). I’d say these were as big as the Twilight series though they must not have gotten enough hype to get its own movie series or TV show. I loved the mix of different races and magic, it wasn’t just about vampires. If you’re feeling vampires and want different elements you should give it a shot.

SHAPESHIFTERS

The Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs

Synopsis:

Mercedes Thompson, aka Mercy, is a talented Volkswagen mechanic living in the Tri-Cities area of Washington. She also happens to be a walker, a magical being with the power to shift into a coyote at will. Mercy's next-door neighbor is a werewolf. Her former boss is a gremlin. And she's fixing a bus for a vampire. This is the world of Mercy Thompson, one that looks a lot like ours but is populated by those things that go bump in the night. And Mercy's connection to those things is about to get her into some serious hot water...

This is an adult paranormal romance series, but my god…I LOOOOOVE IT WITH A PASSION! This is literally in my top 5 faves and for good reason. There are a multitude of creatures/races and I really love that aspect along with the fact that it’s an urban fantasy. Patricia Briggs writes so well that you’ll think that the story is based off real events and feel like you’re inside the story itself. It’s got werewolves, skinwalkers, vampires, fae, and other races as well. If you want to immerse yourself into the paranormal universe this is the series you’re looking for.

Shifters series by Rachel Vincent

Synopsis:

There are only eight breeding female werecats left... And I'm one of them. I look like an all-American grad student. But I am a werecat, a shape-shifter, and I live in two worlds. Despite reservations from my family and my Pride, I escaped the pressure to continue my species and carved out a normal life for myself. Until the night a Stray attacked. I'd been warned about Strays — werecats without a Pride, constantly on the lookout for someone like me: attractive, female, and fertile. I fought him off, but then learned two of my fellow tabbies had disappeared. This brush with danger was all my Pride needed to summon me back... for my own protection. Yeah, right. But I'm no meek kitty. I'll take on whatever — and whoever — I have to in order to find my friends. Watch out, Strays — 'cause I got claws, and I'm not afraid to use them...

Rachel Vincent is a phenomenal writer. She has written both YA and adult series though I haven’t read any of her YA books, I was entranced with her Shifters series. The way she writes her characters and you can really feel the intensity of the relationships between them. I highly recommend this series if you love the shapeshifter genre.

Nightshade series by Andrea Cremer

Synopsis:

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything- including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice? "A finely-wrought compelling tale of romance and treachery..." -Cynthia Leitich Smith (New York Times bestselling author of Eternal and Tantalize)

The Wolves of Mercy Falls series by Maggie Stiefvater

Synopsis:

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human… until the cold makes him shift back again. Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human—or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

This isn’t your usual werewolf story. If I remember correctly, werewolves in this series have a genetic mutation that causes them to shift when the weather turns colder and appear to turn more wolf than man. This was a lovely trilogy of romance and if you read reviews on Goodreads you’ll find many others agree. The twist on shapeshifters and simple romantic relationship between Grace and Sam will have you rooting for them on page one.

Otherkin series by Nina Berry

Synopsis:

Dez is a good girl who does as she's told and tries not to be noticed. Then she rescues a boy from a cage, and he tells her secrets about herself. Now inside her burns a darkness that will transform her. Everything is about to change--and neither Caleb, nor the Otherkin, nor those who hunt them, are prepared for what Dez will unleash.

The Harbinger series by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Synopsis:

Eighteen-year-old Trinity Marrow may be going blind, but she can see and communicate with ghosts and spirits. Her unique gift is part of a secret so dangerous that she’s been in hiding for years in an isolated compound fiercely guarded by Wardens—gargoyle shape-shifters who protect humankind from demons. If the demons discover the truth about Trinity, they’ll devour her, flesh and bone, to enhance their own powers. When Wardens from another clan arrive with disturbing reports that something out there is killing both demons and Wardens, Trinity’s safe world implodes. Not the least because one of the outsiders is the most annoying and fascinating person she’s ever met. Zayne has secrets of his own that will upend her world yet again—but working together becomes imperative once demons breach the compound and Trinity’s secret comes to light. To save her family and maybe the world, she’ll have to put her trust in Zayne. But all bets are off as a supernatural war is unleashed…

Gargoyle shapeshifters? YES! COUNT ME IN! I loved the animated show Gargoyles. *smiles fondly of childhood memories* If you know of any other gargoyle shapeshifter stories please leave them down in the comments for me to check out!!!

WITCHES & WIZARDS

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Synopsis:

Harry Potter's life is miserable. His parents are dead and he's stuck with his heartless relatives, who force him to live in a tiny closet under the stairs. But his fortune changes when he receives a letter that tells him the truth about himself: he's a wizard. A mysterious visitor rescues him from his relatives and takes him to his new home, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. After a lifetime of bottling up his magical powers, Harry finally feels like a normal kid. But even within the Wizarding community, he is special. He is the boy who lived: the only person to have ever survived a killing curse inflicted by the evil Lord Voldemort, who launched a brutal takeover of the Wizarding world, only to vanish after failing to kill Harry. Though Harry's first year at Hogwarts is the best of his life, not everything is perfect. There is a dangerous secret object hidden within the castle walls, and Harry believes it's his responsibility to prevent it from falling into evil hands. But doing so will bring him into contact with forces more terrifying than he ever could have imagined. Full of sympathetic characters, wildly imaginative situations, and countless exciting details, the first installment in the series assembles an unforgettable magical world and sets the stage for many high-stakes adventures to come.

What kind of monster would I be if I didn’t include the Harry Potter books!?!?!?! The PERFECT mood for Halloween, autumn, and the upcoming holidays… I love the fact that J.K. Rowling writes those holidays into the story because it adds just the right amount of extra magic into them, not to mention witches and wizards! I will always recommend these because they helped me get into reading when I was a young-in.

The Black Witch Chronicles series by Laurie Forest

Synopsis:

A new Black Witch will rise…her powers vast beyond imagining. Elloren Gardner is the granddaughter of the last prophesied Black Witch, Carnissa Gardner, who drove back the enemy forces and saved the Gardnerian people during the Realm War. But while she is the absolute spitting image of her famous grandmother, Elloren is utterly devoid of power in a society that prizes magical ability above all else. When she is granted the opportunity to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an apothecary, Elloren joins her brothers at the prestigious Verpax University to embrace a destiny of her own, free from the shadow of her grandmother’s legacy. But she soon realizes that the university, which admits all manner of people—including the fire-wielding, winged Icarals, the sworn enemies of all Gardnerians—is a treacherous place for the granddaughter of the Black Witch. As evil looms on the horizon and the pressure to live up to her heritage builds, everything Elloren thought she knew will be challenged and torn away. Her best hope of survival may be among the most unlikely band of misfits…if only she can find the courage to trust those she’s been taught to hate and fear.

Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

Synopsis:

The Owens sisters confront the challenges of life and love in this bewitching novel from New York Times bestselling author Alice Hoffman. For more than two hundred years, the Owens women have been blamed for everything that has gone wrong in their Massachusetts town. Gillian and Sally have endured that fate as well: as children, the sisters were forever outsiders, taunted, talked about, pointed at. Their elderly aunts almost seemed to encourage the whispers of witchery, with their musty house and their exotic concoctions and their crowd of black cats. But all Gillian and Sally wanted was to escape. One will do so by marrying, the other by running away. But the bonds they share will bring them back—almost as if by magic...

I’ve never read the book, but the movie is my absolute favorite to watch for Halloween (besides the obvious and popular Hocus Pocus). If you’re in the mood for some good old fashioned witchy fun go buy or loan it out from your local library!

The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw

Synopsis:

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.

Sweep series by Cate Tiernan

Synopsis:

Includes: Book 1 - Book of Shadows Book 2 - The Coven Book 3 - Blood Witch The first three Sweep books bound into one gorgeous edition at a fabulous price! Morgan Rowlands never thought she was anything other than a typical sixteen-year-old girl. But when she meets Cal, a captivatingly handsome coven leader, she makes a discover that turns her whole world upside down: she is a witch, descended from an ancient and powerful line. And so is Cal. Their connection is immediate and unbreakable; Cal teases out Morgan's power, her love, her magick. But Morgan discovers too soon that her powers are strong-- almost too powerful to control. And she begins to suspect that Cal may be keeping secrets from her . . . secrets that could destroy them both.

I NEED TO GET MY HANDS ON VOLUME TWO! I really enjoyed volume 1 because it took me back to my high school days and plus it enlightened me on the practice of Wicca. Some people tend to be turned off by the teenage drama, but that’s kind of a given when it comes to most high school related books. If you can get past that I think it has a lot of information on Wiccan spirituality if you’re interested in learning more or to dip your toes in.

Wicked series by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie

Synopsis:

Complete text of Witch and Curse in a single volume. Holly Cathers's world shatters when her parents are killed in a terrible accident. Wrenched from her home in San Francisco, she is sent to Seattle to live with her relatives, Aunt Marie-Claire and her twin cousins, Amanda and Nicole. In her new home, Holly's sorrow and grief soon give way to bewilderment at the strange incidents going on around her. Such as how any wish she whispers to her cat seems to come true. Or the way a friend is injured after a freak attack from a vicious falcon. And there's the undeniable, magnetic attraction to a boy Holly barely knows. Holly, Amanda, and Nicole are about to be launced into a dark legacy of witches, secrets, and alliances, where ancient magics yield dangerous results. The girls will assume their roles in an intergenerational feud beyond their wildest imaginations...and in doing so, will attempt to fulfill their shared destiny.

It’s been so long since I’ve read this series, but watch out! I feel like these books were a lot darker and heavier than your average YA witch book.

ZOMBIES

Dread Nation series by Justina Ireland

Synopsis:

Jane McKeene was born two days before the dead began to walk the battlefields of Gettysburg and Chancellorsville—derailing the War Between the States and changing America forever. In this new nation, safety for all depends on the work of a few, and laws like the Native and Negro Reeducation Act require certain children attend combat schools to learn to put down the dead. But there are also opportunities—and Jane is studying to become an Attendant, trained in both weaponry and etiquette to protect the well-to-do. It’s a chance for a better life for Negro girls like Jane. After all, not even being the daughter of a wealthy white Southern woman could save her from society’s expectations. But that’s not a life Jane wants. Almost finished with her education at Miss Preston’s School of Combat in Baltimore, Jane is set on returning to her Kentucky home and doesn’t pay much mind to the politics of the eastern cities, with their talk of returning America to the glory of its days before the dead rose. But when families around Baltimore County begin to go missing, Jane is caught in the middle of a conspiracy, one that finds her in a desperate fight for her life against some powerful enemies. And the restless dead, it would seem, are the least of her problems.

Zombies and the historical reimagining of the Civil War. What more could you want? Also, why haven’t I read this one yet!?! I completely forgot about this being on my TBR and then remembered when making this list. *makes a mental note*

Rot & Ruin series by Jonathan Maberry

Synopsis:

In the zombie-infested, post-apocalyptic America where Benny Imura lives, every teenager must find a job by the time they turn fifteen or get their rations cut in half. Benny doesn't want to apprentice as a zombie hunter with his boring older brother Tom, but he has no choice. He expects a tedious job whacking zoms for cash, but what he gets is a vocation that will teach him what it means to be human.

Something Strange and Deadly series by Susan Dennard

Synopsis:

There's something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia. . . . Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she's just read in the newspaper: The Dead are rising in Philadelphia. And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor . . . from her brother. Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she'll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including the maddeningly stubborn yet handsome Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.

I just…UGH, this series hit me in the FEELS! OKAY!?! These books had me coming back for more and I found myself devastated when I finished the trilogy. T_T But please read them! This story deserves to be heard!

The Forest of Hands and Teeth series by Carrie Ryan

Synopsis:

In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But, slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future—between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded by so much death?

The Hollows series by Amanda Hocking

Synopsis:

This is the way the world ends - not with a bang or a whimper, but with zombies breaking down the back door. Nineteen-year-old Remy King is on a mission to get across the wasteland left of America, and nothing will stand in her way - not violent marauders, a spoiled rock star, or an army of flesh-eating zombies.

Warm Bodies series by Isaac Marion

Synopsis:

Now a major motion picture from Summit Entertainment. R is having a no-life crisis—he is a zombie. He has no memories, no identity, and no pulse, but he is a little different from his fellow Dead. He may occasionally eat people, but he’d rather be riding abandoned airport escalators, listening to Sinatra in the cozy 747 he calls home, or collecting souvenirs from the ruins of civilization. And then he meets a girl. First as his captive, then his reluctant guest, Julie is a blast of living color in R’s gray landscape, and something inside him begins to bloom. He doesn't want to eat this girl—although she looks delicious—he wants to protect her. But their unlikely bond will cause ripples they can’t imagine, and their hopeless world won’t change without a fight.

A unique twist on the usual zombies take over the world trope. This is the story of a zombie who falls in love with a human. Can they make the relationship work?

DEMONS

Lady Helen series by Alison Goodman

Synopsis:

From the New York Times bestselling author of Eon and Eona; a Regency adventure series starring a stylish and intrepid Buffy-esque demon-hunter London, April 1812. On the eve of eighteen-year-old Lady Helen Wrexhall's presentation to the queen, one of her family's housemaids disappears-and Helen is drawn into the shadows of Regency London. There, she meets Lord Carlston, one of the few who can stop the perpetrators: a cabal of demons infiltrating every level of society. Dare she ask for his help, when his reputation is almost as black as his lingering eyes? And will her intelligence and headstrong curiosity wind up leading them into a death trap?

OMG. THIS IS THE BOOK SERIES I DIDN’T KNOW I NEEDED IN MY LIFE. I’ve always loved the rebellious girl in historical fiction trope and tbh this upped the goodness on so many levels. It kinda gives me Pride and Prejudice vibes, but with demons and demon hunting!

The Hearts We Sold by Emily Lloyd

Synopsis:

When Dee Moreno makes a deal with a demon—her heart in exchange for an escape from a disastrous home life—she finds the trade may have been more than she bargained for. And becoming “heartless” is only the beginning. What lies ahead is a nightmare far bigger, far more monstrous than anything she could have ever imagined. With reality turned on its head, Dee has only a group of other deal-making teens to keep her grounded, including the charming but secretive James Lancer. And as something grows between them amid an otherworldy ordeal, Dee begins to wonder: Can she give someone her heart when it’s no longer hers to give?

Another trope I love are bargains! How will the trade made between her and the demon backfire?

The Epic Crush of Genie Lo series by F.C. Yee

Synopsis:

Genie Lo is one among droves of Ivy-hopeful overachievers in her sleepy Bay Area suburb. You know, the type who wins. When she’s not crushing it at volleyball or hitting the books, Genie is typically working on how to crack the elusive Harvard entry code. But when her hometown comes under siege from hellspawn straight out of Chinese folklore, her priorities are dramatically rearranged. Enter Quentin Sun, a mysterious new kid in class who becomes Genie’s self-appointed guide to battling demons. While Genie knows Quentin only as an attractive transfer student with an oddly formal command of the English language, in another reality he is Sun Wukong, the mythological Monkey King incarnate—right down to the furry tale and penchant for peaches. Suddenly, acing the SATs is the least of Genie’s worries. The fates of her friends, family, and the entire Bay Area all depend on her summoning an inner power that Quentin assures her is strong enough to level the very gates of Heaven. But every second Genie spends tapping into the secret of her true nature is a second in which the lives of her loved ones hang in the balance.

The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare

Synopsis:

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder― much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing―not even a smear of blood―to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy? This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know...

It’s nice to read this series since you can actually watch it as a movie or the TV series. I’ve heard pros and cons to the movie/TV adaptations, but I’ve heard so many great things about the books. I only ever read the first book and never got around to reading the rest. My sister and her husband enjoyed the heck out of them so much that he proposed to her by putting the ring in the book. *SQUEEE*

Daughter of Smoke and Bone series by Laini Taylor

Synopsis:

Around the world, black hand prints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky. In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grows dangerously low. And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war. Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real, she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands", she speaks many languages - not all of them human - and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out. When beautiful, haunted Akiva fixes fiery eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

Another book I’ve heard a lot of hype around and have yet to read. I REALLY NEED TO GET AROUND TO READING THESE because they sound like they’re right up my alley!

Kingdom on Fire series by Jessica Cluess

Synopsis:

I am Henrietta Howel. The first female sorcerer. The prophesied one. Or am I? Henrietta Howel can burst into flames. When she is brought to London to train with Her Majesty's sorcerers, she meets her fellow sorcerer trainees, young men eager to test her powers and her heart. One will challenge her. One will fight for her. One will betray her. As Henrietta discovers the secrets hiding behind the glamour of sorcerer life, she begins to doubt that she's the true prophesied one. With battle looming, how much will she risk to save the city--and the one she loves?

DARK FAE

The Hazel Wood series by Melissa Albert

Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Alice and her mother have spent most of Alice’s life on the road, always a step ahead of the uncanny bad luck biting at their heels. But when Alice’s grandmother, the reclusive author of a cult-classic book of pitch-dark fairy tales, dies alone on her estate, the Hazel Wood, Alice learns how bad her luck can really get: her mother is stolen away―by a figure who claims to come from the Hinterland, the cruel supernatural world where her grandmother's stories are set. Alice's only lead is the message her mother left behind: “Stay away from the Hazel Wood.” Alice has long steered clear of her grandmother’s cultish fans. But now she has no choice but to ally with classmate Ellery Finch, a Hinterland superfan who may have his own reasons for wanting to help her. To retrieve her mother, Alice must venture first to the Hazel Wood, then into the world where her grandmother's tales began―and where she might find out how her own story went so wrong.

I read an e-galley of this before it had published and all I could think was this was creepy and different from the typical fae story. It wasn’t just about a manipulative fae race, the woods moved and shifted and left you disoriented which explains why most don’t come back at all…

Song of the Dryad by Natalia Leigh

Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Charlotte Barclay is still haunted by an encounter she had eight years ago – a run-in with a fairy beast that had eyes like witchlight and a taste for flesh. Charlotte has avoided the Greenwood ever since, pretending fairies don’t exist and choosing instead to focus her energies on graduating from high school and perfecting her audition piece for the Bellini Institute. However, everything changes when her mom goes missing, kidnapped by the fairies that haunt the forest behind Charlotte’s home. When Charlotte’s search for her mom leads her into the fairy realm, she discovers that she hails from a line of Shrine Keepers – humans tasked with maintaining ancient fairy shrines. Charlotte’s family has failed their duties to the fae, and now she has no choice but to strike a deal with the dryad, an ancient and powerful tree nymph responsible for her mom’s disappearance. But the dryad only gives her a month to complete her task: retrieve five stolen fairy stones and return them to the ancient fairy shrine. If she doesn’t return the stones in time, the dryad has threatened to imprison another of Charlotte’s loved ones. Charlotte dives into a world as magical as it is deadly, coming face-to-face with fairy creatures that never get mentioned in the story books – including the creature that haunts her dreams. She must embrace her task and conquer her fears, or else she’ll never see her mom again.

This newer fae novel has a rating of 4+ on Goodreads and is a great edition to your urban fantasy collection if you’re trying to read more Indie books.

House of Furies by Madeleine Roux

Synopsis:

After escaping a harsh school where punishment was the lesson of the day, seventeen-year-old Louisa Ditton is thrilled to find employment as a maid at a boarding house. But soon after her arrival at Coldthistle House, Louisa begins to realize that the house’s mysterious owner, Mr. Morningside, is providing much more than lodging for his guests. Far from a place of rest, the house is a place of judgment, and Mr. Morningside and his unusual staff are meant to execute their own justice on those who are past being saved. Louisa begins to fear for a young man named Lee who is not like the other guests. He is charismatic and kind, and Louisa knows that it may be up to her to save him from an untimely judgment. But in this house of distortions and lies, how can Louisa be sure whom to trust?

For some odd reason I didn’t see a lot of hype around these series and then all of a sudden I started to hear about it a little more online. When I first came across it on Goodreads what intrigued me most was the idea of this Mr. Morningside taking it upon himself to deliver justice to evil and sinful guests. And I had been on the fence a little while whether to read it or not until I finally learned from someone in the reviews that had mentioned fae being in it. Pretty much anything fae you can count me in to reading it. I can never get enough! Thanks to Wunderkind PR who provided the trilogy to me to read and talk about it with you all I am grateful to have added it to my personal fae collection! It definitely had a different twist to the usual fae stories I’ve read in the past, being as it is a historical fiction and a mystery with a touch of horror. I recommend this to anyone else who has a similar taste for fae reads and is in the mood for a series that brings something new to the genre!

Never-Contented Things by Sarah Porter

Synopsis:

Seductive. Cruel. Bored. Be wary of… Prince and his fairy courtiers are staggeringly beautiful, unrelentingly cruel, and exhausted by the tedium of the centuries ― until they meet foster-siblings Josh and Ksenia. Drawn in by their vivid emotions, undying love for each other, and passion for life, Prince will stop at nothing to possess them. First seduced and then entrapped by the fairies, Josh and Ksenia learn that the fairies' otherworldly gifts come at a terrible price ― and they must risk everything in order to reclaim their freedom.

Another great sounding edition to add to your faerie TBR list! *makes another reminder that I need to read this one still* Based on the cover I can assume this is another horror fae mix.

The Falconer series by Elizabeth May

Synopsis:

One girl's nightmare is this girl's faery tale She's a stunner. Edinburgh, 1844. Eighteen-year-old Lady Aileana Kameron, the only daughter of the Marquess of Douglas, has everything a girl could dream of: brains, charm, wealth, a title—and drop-dead beauty. She's a liar. But Aileana only looks the part of an aristocratic young lady. she's leading a double life: She has a rare ability to sense the sìthíchean—the faery race obsessed with slaughtering humans—and, with the aid of a mysterious mentor, has spent the year since her mother died learning how to kill them. She's a murderer. Now Aileana is dedicated to slaying the fae before they take innocent lives. With her knack for inventing ingenious tools and weapons—from flying machines to detonators to lightning pistols—ruthless Aileana has one goal: Destroy the faery who destroyed her mother. She's a Falconer. The last in a line of female warriors born with a gift for hunting and killing the fae, Aileana is the sole hope of preventing a powerful faery population from massacring all of humanity. Suddenly, her quest is a lot more complicated. She still longs to avenge her mother's murder—but she'll have to save the world first. The first volume of a trilogy from an exciting new voice in young adult fantasy, this electrifying thriller combines romance and action, steampunk technology and Scottish lore in a deliciously addictive read.

This was the first fae book I ever picked up that was mixed in with historical fiction and tbh it has made me spoiled! Now I feel the lack of historical fae genre and Elizabeth May is to blame. Not only is this a historical fiction, but it has some steampunk flair to add to the fae mix.

Modern Faerie Tales series by Holly Black

Synopsis:

Welcome to the realm of very scary faeries! Sixteen-year-old Kaye is a modern nomad. Fierce and independent, she travels from city to city with her mother's rock band until an ominous attack forces Kaye back to her childhood home. There, amid the industrial, blue-collar New Jersey backdrop, Kaye soon finds herself an unwilling pawn in an ancient power struggle between two rival faerie kingdoms - a struggle that could very well mean her death.

If I remember correctly this was one of the first fae stories I ever picked up and I fell in love with them instantly! Holly Black is known as the “Faerie Queen” and for good reason. She’s able to weave beautifully poetic words and surreal worlds it’s as if you’re living and breathing them. I hope you pick these up if you’ve never read them and if you have, maybe it’s time for a reread!

I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I did putting it together! Are there any books you think you’ll pick up soon? Let me know in the comments of any good ones I missed! :)

Until next time!

xoxo Whimsies of a Nerd Girl

10 Horror Romance Books

#Fall #Fall Reads #Halloween #Halloween Reads #Spooky Reads #Horror #Paranormal

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