Most Anticipated Mondays- 2020 Releases (Haley)

Well another year has basically come and gone and now that we have shared a lot of our 2019 year in books we are looking ahead to 2020. Emily shared her 15 most anticipated 2020 releases recently and so now its my turn in a new features we are calling: Most Anticipated Mondays.

These are in no particular order and, while I’m trying to abide by a book buying ban until we move in June of next year, I will definitely be picking these up (if I don’t already have ARCs). Like Emily, these were put together for TBR and Beyond Book Club where Emily and I both work as moderators.

1- Elysium Girls by Kate Pentecost: This is a debut fantasy novel inspired by the US Dust Bowl of the 1930s. I was initially drawn to this book because of the cover. However, the plot totally sounds like my cup of tea. A rag tag group of exiles who are surviving out the desert and are working to save the town that industrialized them from an imminent Apocalypse. It sounds amazing.

2- The Deep by Alma Katsu: a historical horror novel set around the sinking of the Titanic. I am so excited for it. I loved Katsu’s novel The Hunger, which followed the tragic true events of the Donner Party (with some added supernatural horror elements) so I have high hopes for this one.

3- Aurelian Cycle #2 by Rosaria Munda: the second book in Munda series described as Plato’s Republic with dragons. Rosaria’s debut is amazing. I cannot wait to see where things go in book 2. Oh, and check our Rosaria’s Q&A here.

4- Ashlords by Scott Reintgen: I have actually read an ARC of Ashlords since having this graphic made and it lived up to all my expectations! Its so good! We will be hsving Scott join us for a Q&A in January so make sure you preorder a copy (or add it to your BOTM YA Box for January!)

5- Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles: a YA fantasy with a magical conpetition where a mysterious entity is causing problems behind the scenes. One of the comps for this book is Phantom of the Opera. Say no more. I’m here for it.

6- The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins: this book needs no introduction, but here I go talking about it anyway! Its essentially a prequel to the Hunger Games, set during the 10th annual Hunger Games. Its going to be a popular one. It doesn’t even look like there will be ARCs for it. No surprising in the least.

7- Bright Raven Skies by Kristina Perez: the third book in Perez’s ya fantasy that breaths new life into the romantically, tragic tale of Tristen and Isolde. Its a beautiful, engrossing series which includes elemental magic, Celtic lore, and forbidden loves. It deserves all the hype.

8- When Villains Rise by Rebecca Schaeffer: another final book in a trilogy. These books paint a world where monsters and humans live side by side- well kind of. The monsters are an oppressed minority and frequently they are captured and their parts sold because they are thought to have magical properties. These book are dark, deserve all the trigger warnings, and all of the character’s are monsters (many of them literally). I am really excited to see how Nita’s story ends.

9- Be Not Far From Me by Mindy McGinnis: all I need to know is that Mindy is writing a survival story that is described as Hatchet for grown ups. Give me all the survival stories!

10- Night of the Dragon by Julie Kagawa: the final book in Kagawa’s Shadow of the Fox trilogy following Kitsune Yumeko and a misfit group of friends. Definitely excited to see how things wrap up.

11- Home Before Dark by Riley Sager: I have read ever one of Sager’s books thanks to Book of the Month and I will not be passing over this one. Speaking of Book of the Month- don’t forget about our giveaway where we are giving away a 3 month BOTM subscription to one lucky US based reader.

12- My Calamity Jane by Cynthia Hand, Jodi Meadows, and Brodi Ashton: a zombie hunting, western incorporating the humor and wit of the other Lady Janies books. I’m in!

13- The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James: I adored The Broken Girls and all the reviews say that James’ next novel about a haunted motel is just as good, or better. It will definitely be my January BOTM pick.

14- Survivor Song by Paul Tremblay: I came late to the Paul Tremblay fan club but I love plague stories and I am excited to read Paul’s take on it.

15- A Heart So Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer: while many think that YA is now overly saturated with retellings I love it! A Curse So Dark and Lonely was one of my favorite retellings of 2019, a refreshing and diverse take on Beauty on the Beast and I can hardly wait for the sequel that comes out next week.

What About You?

Well that’s just some of the books I’m excited about in 2020! Let us know in the comments what you think of my list and tell us about some of your most anticipated 2020 released.