But before I vanish into the wilds of revision, I wanted to take a moment to highlight some of the books releasing this year that I'm really excited about. Mostly because half the novels I'm dying to read never seem to show up on the lists I see at high-traffic sites (like this Buzzfeed one, which covers a disappointingly narrow slice of fantasy). In my small way, I want to give the books I'm anticipating some more love. Originally I thought I'd do my own version of a full "books of 2014" list. Then I started writing down all the novels I'm looking forward to, and realized the list was so long it'd take me days to write the post - days I'd much rather be spending on revision right now. Instead, I decided to only post about novels releasing in the next month (or in this case, novels from both March and April), and just make it a recurring monthly feature.
So! What books releasing in March and April had I already pre-ordered and am using as rewards when I meet revision goals?
1. Catherine Fisher's The Slanted Worlds (Chronoptika #2), release date March 18
The first in the series, Obsidian Mirror, was one of my favorite reads last year. Wildly imaginative YA that mixes tropes from science fiction (time travel! dystopian futures!) with fantasy (faeries and changelings!), and includes a whole range of characters who distrust each other yet are forced to make alliances - yeah, sign me up. I pretty much devoured Slanted Worlds the moment it released (see my Goodreads review here).
2. Elspeth Cooper's The Raven's Shadow (Wild Hunt #3), US release date March 11
I love epic fantasy, so Cooper's Wild Hunt series sits firmly in my sweet spot as a reader. Lovely prose, diverse characters, plenty of magic - bring it on, I say. First book is Songs of the Earth. 3. Katherine Addison's The Goblin Emperor, release date April 1
Addison is a pen name for fantasy author Sarah Monette. I've enjoyed what I've read of Monette's work, so I was already interested upon hearing she had a new novel coming out - and my interest has only grown after seeing several glowing reviews for the book. I'm looking forward to seeing if I am as enraptured by it as others have been.
4. Elizabeth Bear's Steles of the Sky (Eternal Sky #3), release date April 8
The first two books in this epic fantasy series - Range of Ghosts and Shattered Pillars - were right up at the top of my favorite reads of the last two years, so it's no surpise I'm salivating for the conclusion to the trilogy. Love the characters, love the Mongolian-inspired setting, and Bear has a deft hand with plot that keeps me guessing every time. It kills me that this series hasn't gotten the massive level of attention it deserves. Read it! Read it now!
That's it for my March/April pre-orders, though a few other books have also caught my eye: Glenda Larke's The Lascar's Dagger, Mark Smylie's The Barrow, and Jon Sprunk's Blood and Iron. They've gone on the TBR list for the day I finish my revision and can indulge in a month-long reading binge. May that day come soon!
Glad you're doing these recommendations just a few months at a time, 'cause if you told me about some great book I couldn't read till December, I'd be plenty miffed. It's bad enough that I have to wait for yours. : p
ReplyDeleteI got Songs of the Earth on my wishlist, and recommended Bear's series to a friend just last week. Even saw Donald Maass post a short rave on her third book.
I know exactly what you mean - hate it when I hear about a great book only to realize I'll have to try and remember it 6 months later. (This is why I like Goodreads: because if you add a book to your "want to read" shelf that's not released yet, they email you when it does release. Hooray for reminders!)
DeleteAnd a really big hooray for reccing Bear's series. Hope your friend enjoys it as much as I have.
That's a pretty solid list. I've read #4 already. (twice, even) :)
ReplyDeleteSooooooo jealous. :)
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