I’m going to be doing my 2020 releases spread over four parts throughout the year (I always hear about more books that I missed being released towards the end of the year which is why I’m not doing them all at once).
Part 1 will entail JUST books being released Jan – March and I managed to narrow it down to the 15 books that sound the most freaking amazing to me. This is a completely subjective list! There are so many other books I could have included in it. But if you think I’ve missed any that you are really looking forward to please let me know in the comments!
There’s some contemporary, some scifi, some fantasy, some ya, some adult, and lots of queerness. So without further ado:
January:
Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibáñez
YA Fantasy set in a Bolivian-inspired kingdom, in which a magically gifted weaver plays the role of double agent to restore her queen to a troubled throne.
We Used to be Friends by Amy Spalding
YA Contemporary told in dual timeline about two girls who, at the start of senior year are best friend but at the end aren’t friends at all. One of the two is in an f/f relationship
YA futuristic fantasy heist about 3 teens who run an illegal magical siphoning gig but accidentally discover a new type of magic on their last job and unravel a conspiracy thatcould threaten the world. Includes a sapphic MC, nonbinary love interest and other queer secondary characters.
YA about a prestigious phoenix horse race where the horses live for one day, burst into flames at night and to be crowned champion, riders must use alchemy to summon their horse back to life at sunrise. But good alchemy only matters if riders can defend their phoenix and themselves at night.
February:
Break the Fall by Jennifer Iacopelli
YA Contemporary set around the USA weekend gymnastics team in the run up to Tokyo 2020 when their coach is arrested for sexual assault. I’ve already read this one and it is amazing!!!
Ink in the Blood by Kim Smejkal
A dark YA fantasy about two friends who escape from a religious temple they believe serves a false god, only to discover the god is quite real and bent on revenge. It weaves layers of religion and faith, tattoo magic, artist-anarchists, and eccentric theater. “there is no binary, but to use familiar terms, the novel features nonbinary and trans characters, and on-page m/m, f/f, and bi rep.”
Heart of Flames (Crown of Feathers #2) by Nikki Pau Preto
Sequel to one of my favourite books of 2019, its queer, there’s phoenix riders, magical animal companions, complicated sister relationship and amoral revenge. Includes an m/m and a currently unconfirmed aro/ace character.
YA about a scholarship student at a prestigious prep school who smuggles censored media through the border in a futuristic north America but becomes an unlikely revolutionary when an illegal cybernetic dragon imprints on her.
March:
A Pale Light in the Black by KB Wagers
A competition about rivalry between military branches in space. This sounds like so much fun and exactly the kind of book I love. Swords and combat games in space. A conspiracy. It’s queer. Old and new recruits. Ace and lesbian MCs and lots of other queer characters.
Witches of Ash and Ruin by E Latimer
Modern witchcraft blended with ancient celtic mythology following a bisexual ocd witch in a conservative Irish town who must work with the frustrating granddaughter of a coven leader to catch a killer if she wants to become a full witch. F/F and OCD rep
The Winter Duke by Claire Eliza Bartlett
Ekata inherits the title duke, her brothers warrior bride and political challenges from within her own ministry when her parents and twelve siblings fall under a sleeping sickness. An f/f love story, court intrigue and the allure of an underwater Kingdom.
All Your Twisted Secrets by Diana Urban
Six teens invited to a scholarship dinner are locked in a room with a bomb, a syringe of poison and a note saying they have one hour to choose someone to kill or they all die.
The City We Became by N.k Jemisin
Five new Yorkers come together to defend the living soul of new York city as a rolling ancient evil stirs beneath the earth and threatens to destroy it.
We are Totally Normal by Rahul Kanakia
YA Contemporary about a 17-year-old who struggles to find a new place in his world after he kisses another dude and must attempt to find a label for the hot mess inside his heart. M/M relationship.
Jude moves to a new town and feels alone until he meets and falls for the boy across the street all in black, but Novo is a time traveller who has no control over how long he stays in any place. But their bond shifts reality and what does forever mean anyway? M/M relationship.
What about you? What are the books you are most looking forward to? What books did I miss?
Ever The Crafter 