Anticipated 2021 book releases (January-April)

2021 is just around the corner, which means it’s time for one of my favorite end-of-year traditions: talking about all of my anticipated releases!

For this year, I’m going to be doing several anticipated releases posts throughout the year, which means this time, I’ll only be talking about the books coming out January to April. But still, we have a lot to get through! This list contains almost 30 new releases scheduled (as of now) to come out in the next four months, mostly young adult and adult SFF. Let’s just get right into them!

Lore by Alexandra Bracken

January 5

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YA urban fantasy/mythology

To be quite honest, I know almost nothing about what this one is about, but it’s Greek mythology and Alexandra Bracken, so I’m very much on board.

Lava Red Feather Blue by Molly Ringle

January 5

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fantasy

A fairy tale-esque story with witches, sleeping princes, faeries, and a magical island in the Pacific Ocean.

You Have a Match by Emma Lord

January 12

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YA contemporary

A DNA test revealing that two girls are sisters, plus summer camp, awkward romance, and family secrets. I loved Emma Lord’s debut, Tweet Cute, so I’m sure I’ll love this one too!

Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas

January 12

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YA contemporary

The prequel to The Hate U Give following Starr’s dad, Maverick! It seems like everyone is looking forward to this book, and with good reason—I’m sure it will be just as emotionally impactful as Angie Thomas’ other books.

The Ruthless Lady’s Guide to Wizardry by C.M. Waggoner

January 12

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historical fantasy

“Historical women defying gender roles and also doing magic” is one of my favorite subgenres, so this one—about a thief who takes a job as a bodyguard for a woman hunted by magical assassins—seems incredibly up my alley.

Winterkeep by Kristin Cashore (Graceling Realm #4)

January 19

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YA fantasy

I cannot tell you how excited I am for this continuation of the Graceling Realm books! We get to see Bitterblue again! And (probably) lots of other familiar characters! And a whole new land and cast of characters! I’ve wanted this for years.

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

January 19

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YA historical fiction

Set in San Francisco’s Chinatown in the 1950s, this book is about girls falling in love in an unsafe place and time. I’ve only read one other of Malinda Lo’s books, but from what I’ve heard of this one, it’s going to be emotionally devastating (and I can’t wait).

What Big Teeth by Rose Szabo

February 2

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YA horror

This book’s cover and title was enough to interest me, but its description as a horror reimagining of Little Red Riding Hood sounds absolutely chilling and incredible.

On Fragile Waves by E. Lily Yu

February 2

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magical realism

A brother and sister traveling from Afghanistan to Australia to escape war, with elements of magical realism. I get the feeling this one is going to break my heart in all the right ways.

Nubia: Real One by L.L. McKinney and Robyn Smith

February 2

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YA graphic novel

I know almost nothing about this graphic novel except that Nubia is Wonder Woman’s sister (or something like that??), but I’m so in.

Fireheart Tiger by Aliette de Bodard

February 9

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fantasy

A novella set in a Vietnamese-inspired fantasy world involving magical politics and an epic sapphic romance. Yes please. Also, I can’t get over this cover.

No One Is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood

February 16

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dystopia

This dystopian future involving literally escaping into social media and examining our relationship with the internet sounds, uh, terrifyingly pertinent. I’m ready to be freaked out by this Black Mirror episode novel.

Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers

February 23

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contemporary romance

A sapphic romance novel involving a drunken, accidental Vegas wedding and running away from your problems! This book sounds absolutely delightful, and the cover is gorgeous.

The Valley and the Flood by Rebecca Mahoney

February 23

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YA contemporary fantasy

A small town in the desert, a doomsday prophecy, a chosen one, and confronting PTSD—sounds like a recipe for a fun time, right? This book seems like it’ll be haunting and heartbreaking, which means I can’t wait to read it.

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

March 2

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science fiction/speculative fiction

The only Kazuo Ishiguro book I’ve read is Never Let Me Go, which I still haven’t stopped thinking about years later, so this new book—all about artificial intelligence and what it means to love—will I’m sure be fantastic.

Bridge of Souls by Victoria Schwab (Cassidy Blake #3)

March 2

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middle grade urban fantasy

I’m SO excited for the last (I think?) Cassidy Blake book, which follows Cass and her best ghost friend Jacob to New Orleans. This middle grade series is just delightful.

Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert (Brown Sisters #3)

March 9

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contemporary romance

The last of the Brown Sisters books follows the youngest, Eve, a hot mess who ends up falling for an uptight B&B owner. I loved both Chloe Brown and Dani Brown, so I’m eager to see what shenanigans the third sister gets up to.

That Way Madness Lies, edited by Dahlia Adler

March 16

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YA anthology

An anthology full of Shakespeare retellings! I love a Shakespeare retelling, and this book includes fifteen of them—plus, Anna-Marie McLemore is doing A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which makes this entire thing worth it.

Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas

March 23

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YA fantasy

A modern-day Peter Pan retelling set in a coastal town about children going missing and a terrifying forest! I think Aiden Thomas will do a fantastic job with this.

Bruised by Tanya Boteju

March 23

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YA contemporary

This book is described as Whip It meets We Are Okay, which sounds like a winning combination to me. Roller derby and female friendships and emotionally constipated characters! Yes to all.

Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo (King of Scars #2)

March 30

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YA fantasy

The long-awaited sequel to King of Scars! I absolutely loved the first book in this series, so I can’t wait to see what this one brings. Nikolai Lantsov deserves everything.

First, Become Ashes by K.M. Szpara

April 6

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fantasy

A monster hunter whose quest is taken away from him and government conspiracies to cover up the truth. I don’t know if this is accurate at all, but the description gives me The X-Files vibes and I’m into it.

Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price

April 6

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YA mystery/romance

Any and all Pride and Prejudice retellings automatically catch my interest, but this one—a modern day reimagining involving murder and detective work—sounds particularly unique and fun.

Between Perfect and Real by Ray Stoeve

April 16

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YA contemporary

A trans boy exploring his identity and finding the courage to come out through playing Romeo in his school play. High school theatre productions are very much in my YA contemporary wheelhouse, and this one sounds amazing.

Victories Greater Than Death by Charlie Jane Anders

April 16

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YA sci-fi

Superheroes and clones and aliens and intergalactic wars! There’s so much about this book that sounds fantastic, but I’m especially excited that it’s being described as Star Wars meets Doctor Who.

Kate in Waiting by Becky Albertalli

April 20

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YA contemporary

I’ll read anything Becky Albertalli writes, and this one sounds delightful—two best friends who share everything and end up falling for the same person. Plus, high school theatre again!

The Key to You and Me by Jaye Robin Brown

April 20

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YA contemporary

A YA romance involving horseback riding, driving lessons, and small towns. This one sounds like it will be really lighthearted and fun!

The Nobleman’s Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks by Mackenzi Lee (Montague Siblings #3)

April 27

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YA historical fantasy

I think this is the third anticipated releases post that this book has shown up on, but hopefully we’ll finally get this in April! The third Montague book follows Monty and Felicity’s younger brother, Adrian, and will probably be just as hilarious and adventurous as the last two.

What 2021 books are you excited about? Are any of these books on your list?

x Margaret

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