MY MOST ANTICIPATED SPRING 2019 RELEASES (March – June)

I can’t believe Spring is almost here. The weather where I am has been an ever-changing, inconsistent experience that means you set off in your winter coat and return home in a t-shirt, carrying a huge pile of additional clothing.

But Spring is upon us (despite how much I want to be in denial) and I wanted to talk about the 2019s releasing March-June that I’m desperate for.

This list will ONLY include standalones/debuts/firsts of a series.

I’ll have another post describing all the sequels I’m waiting for!

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March:

Bloodleaf by Crystal Smith:

A retelling of the semi-famous fairy tail, The Goose Girl, Bloodleaf spits on traditions and spins a web of mystery set in a fantasy world.

Honestly, I’ve never heard of The Goose Girl, and I have no expectations going into this book. All I know is Bloodleaf has a gorgeous cover (purple is my favourite colour), and my friend Aurora sent me her spare ARC of this one. Admittedly, it was on my TBR before she gave me a copy – but that doesn’t mean I know anything about it. Looks great, though.

The Fever King by Victoria Lee

Magic is a virus. A plague with no cure, a bringer of death. It will take everything from you, including yourself. All it leaves is an empty husk. One that can control everything.

I’ve been lucky enough to have read this one already, and I can’t stop speaking about it. Not only is the writing delicious but this LGBTQ+ story tackles immigration, religious beliefs and fading hopes. Please pick it up?

To Best The Boys by Mary Weber

A brain is a tool only permitted for use by men. Science is a toy for boys, despite the fact they haven’t yet found the cure to a deadly illness that is taking over the lands. So Rhen has to take things in her own hands, earn the science scholarship and conquer the maze. All whilst lying about who she is.

This sounds like a total Maze Runner combined with This Mortal Coil, and I’m completely here for it. Sure, I’m intimidated by the fact that I hated the Maze Runner. But Harper360YA were kind enough to send me an ARC, and I won’t be left behind. I’ll face my fear (please let me enjoy this book!) and plough on through.

Opposite of Always by Justin A Reynolds

Everything Jack has ever wanted has always stayed a moment away. Valedictorian? Almost. Varsity? Almost. The Girl? Almost.

This book sounds like it’s going to break my heart. It’s the sort of one I’ll need to read in the sunshine so I don’t sit in a dark corner rocking back and forth. I’ve already got the ARC, I just need to get my priorities in order and wait for a sunny day.

Sherwood by Meagan Spooner

Robin Hood is dead. And if the public find out, so are they. Riots will ensue. Supply chains will be cut. People will starve. So Maid Marian does the only thing she can. Dons that recognisable green cloak and takes up archery. Successfully.

I would read anything Meagan produces, especially since falling in love with Hunted last year. I was introduced to her by her joint work with Amie Kaufman, queen of co-authoring. And now I’m a loyal fan that will devour anything she puts out, so are you really surprised this is on my anticipated list?

The Weight of the Stars by K Ancrum

Finding your way to space isn’t easy. Not when you were born in a trailer park and can barely afford to feed yourself, let alone buy a rocketship. But what if a girl takes her to the stars instead?

Sci-fi is a complete hit and miss for me, but I’m sold by the pure fact that this a lesbian book. F/F never makes it to space, and I’m all here for it.

Never Contented Things by Sarah Porter

Immortality is boring, and the fairies want entertainment as much as they want blood. So when a set of loyal siblings wander too far into the shadows, Prince will stop at nothing to tear them apart. It’s all a game for him.

My friend Aurora loved this one and begged me to pick it up, and I trust her. So I’ve put this eerily dark fantasy on my TBR. It sounds terrifying, and it also sounds like the foster siblings like each other a bit too much. But I’ll give it a go.

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April:

Wicked Saints by Emily A Duncan

Magic is a gift from the gods, a sign of favour and of blessing. Nadya not only has magic, but also has the ability to communicate with the heavens. Her destiny is being made for her – and she can only watch as her life plays out before her eyes. It has always been her fate to destroy dark magic – blood magic. Even when the heretics have dimpled smiles and twinkled eyes. Or, at least, one of them do.

If you can tell from the above synopsis, I’ve already read this one. I figured I could sell it better than the actual blurb and I think I did a pretty good job. I’ve seen a tonne of either absolutely amazing reviews or ‘this book was poop don’t pick it up’. I’m definitely in the I LOVED IT category, and if you love chaotic main characters who flirt with good and evil, you will to.

Sky Without Stars by Jessica Brody and Joanne Rendell

Les Miserables collides with the stars. A young girl with street knowledge and parents who hate her. A young boy with the world on his shoulders and the stern watch of his grandfather hanging over him. A young girl who has seen nothing of the world. An escaped prisoner. An inspector who still stop at nothing to bring justice to those who have wronged him. It’s a story we’ve all heard before.

I adored this one. I was expecting to, because I love Les Miserables but I also had my doubts because, as mentioned earlier, sci-fi can be a hit or miss for me. This was a total hit. The world building was incredibly strong, the characterisation absolutely on point and I genuinely don’t have a bad thing to say about this one. At 600 pages, it should have taken days to read – but I flew through it in less than 48 hours. The writing style was just that good.

The Tiger At Midnight by Swati Teerdhala

The Viper is an assassin who has slithered her way out of capture for years. An assassin who has pulled off some of the greatest feats known to man. Breaking into a well guarded military base and killing a commander? Check. But this crime wasn’t the Viper, and only she herself knows that. But she’ll be the one to hang for it.

This is another one on the list I’ve already read, and it was definitely an intriguing read. There were some points where I wasn’t really that motivated to turn the page and I couldn’t convince myself to keep reading, but mostly I loved it. I think my issues were caused more by a developing reading slump and less by the actual book.

Descendant of the Crane by Joan He

Royalty always a duty to their people. Do they attack their enemies, ripping out hearts and pushing the forces back? Or do they defend their people, rip out their own heart and watch it bleed before them?

I can’t believe we’re finally dragging closer to this books release date. It feels like its been years since it was announced, and I’ve been excited for it ever since. I’ve tried to ignore as much of the synopsis information as possible, but Descendant’s tag line has me hooooked. I’m pretty sure the second I receive this one I’ll be diving straight into it. Yes, I have a huge TBR. No, its not important. Cough.

Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan

Summer isn’t easy for high schoolers, and Elouise most of all. She needs to be out of the house, and she needs to earn money. But doing it all by dressing up as a hot dog is not exactly how she imagined things going. Especially not when her crush works alongside her as a hot pirate.

If this doesn’t scream ‘cute’ then I don’t know what does. It sounds like a perfectly hilarious read that I will absolutely devour. I love books like this in spring/summer time, and I expect to be waiting until a holiday of mine before getting into this one. If I read it during my summer holidays then I’ll be able to connect to it more. Although my job is nowhere near as embarrassing, I’m sure I’ll be able to sympathize.

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MAY:

Again, But Better by Christine Riccio

College was never meant to be easy. All the same ,Shane is churning out stellar grades for happy parents – only, she’s not made a single friend. Not gone to a single party. Not truly lived.

Of course, my excitement for this one is because of my love for BookTube and Christine. I will never not be excited when any of my Tubers put out a book. Sasha set an example and now we’re seeing them appearing everywhere. Lucy, Christine – Hailey soon. Now is the time to be alive.

We Hunt The Flame by Hafsah Faizal

There are two legends in the world. Everyone expects perfection from them. Stories are told from east to west. But not everything is like the stories. Sometimes legends can’t take control of their own destiny. Two legends, both voiceless in the face of their own future.

I’d be surprised if We Hunt The Flame hasn’t made it on anyone YA fantasy lovers anticipated releases, and mine is no exception. I have an ARC speeding its way to me and I’m continuously checking the post hoping its appeared.

The Candle and The Flame by Nafiza Azad

Myth and legend walk amongst the mortals. Protectors of the realm who reward the faithful and the descendants. But when a mortal starts to become a thing of myth and legend, things start changing in ways that could never be anticipated.

This one has been on my list for a long time, and I received an ARC just yesterday and let me promise you that the cover is just as gorgeous in real life as it is on screen. I think that’s what intrigued me about this book first, and now I’m just as excited for the content.

Spin The Dawn by Elizabeth Lim

It’s impossible to sew the heavens themselves into dresses, but when the emperor requests clothing blessed by the sun, the moon and the stars – who is she to refuse? 

A total cover buy, I haven’t read the synopsis until now. But reading it only reassures me that this is exactly the kind of book I want to read. I love impossible tasks being bested by our main character, and this is no exception. I’m excited to see how she does it.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

A UK prince and the son of the US president definitely shouldn’t be attracted to each other. They have to marry well, produce babies – the like. They have to choose a partner the people will approve of. That the media won’t have a field-trip about, but how can they help it when the other is just so impossibly cute?

I stan a queen who isn’t afraid to bring politics and LGBTQ+ themes together, and Casey is no exception. This sounds like a record-breaking love story that I’m here for. Sign me up.

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JUNE:

I’d like to dedicate an honorary mention to Blood Heir by Amelie Zhao, which has now been removed from publication. Perhaps we’ll be seeing a rework of this novel on my anticipated releases at some other point in time.

The Beholder by Anna Bright

A happily ever after has to come at some point, and Selah has been waiting for its arrival since day one. Her duty is to marry well in a perfect match and hopefully it will also be someone she can love. At least she gets a choice in the matter, and a perilous journey entails for her to find a suitor. If she doesn’t come home with someone, she shouldn’t come home at all.

Pirate ships are a huge feature in this novel and I’m all here for it. A high born girl dominating the oceans sounds fascinating, and I can’t wait to meet her potential suitors. And find out who she chooses.

All Of Us With Wings by

You chose your own family. Especially when you are left to fend for yourself on the streets of San Francisco. 

This steam punk fantasy novel is probably less well known than a lot of the others on my list, but that doesn’t mean I’m any less excited for it.

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

One criminal. A high end boarding school. A variety of illegal occults and the one person who can disband them.

I’ll be honest, ‘by Leigh Bardugo’ is all I needed to hear before I added it to my TBR.

Storm and Fury by Jennifer L Armentrout

I might not be able to see as well as you, but I can see more. There are ghosts and spirits everywhere and all it takes is one mention of my powers before demons come to devour me. Fun, right?

Jennifer L Armentrout is my most-owned auto-buy author and anything she’s written SHALL BE MINE. It’s no surprise I’m desperate for this one. She’s my one true weakness.

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And that’s everything I can think off that is releasing in spring that I’m excited for! There’s probably a few more that have slipped my notice that I’ll pick up, but for now my hands are full. Or at least, they will be.

Alongside my bookshelf.

Are any of these on your lists? Have you read any of the above? Are there any that I’ve not mentioned that I should have on my radar?