My Reading List for 2018

This year isn’t just full of good movies, the books are keeping up pretty well too. Here are some books that have already been released this year:

The Cruel Prince - Holly Black (Jan. 2)

We kicked off 2018 with this fun and very dark fairy tale by Holly Black, full of adventure and romance and plot twists. This book tells the tale of two human sisters who are stolen away to fairyland with their half human half fae sister. Being human among immortals is no small feat, and Jude barely makes it through each day alive. While her twin is content to simply survive, Jude is determined to beat the fairies at their own game, no matter who she destroys in the process.

Iron Gold - Pierce Brown (released January 16)

Iron Gold is the fourth Red Rising novel, picking up 10 years after Morning Son when Darrow and Virginia are raising a child and trying to create a better world. We get to see the ramifications from the violent upheaval and how the new leaders are dealing with it. Darrow is his usual difficult self, moving the plot forward as always. It’s really interesting to see how everyone is affected by the evolving politics, including Darrow’s own son. The next book comes out next year, continuing the epic saga that crushes hearts worldwide.

American Panda - Gloria Chao (Feb. 6) 

Last but certainly not least we have a delightful modern story to balance out all the fantasy. Mei is an American college student at MIT after graduating high school a year early. Despite being at college, she is still very much ruled by her family. Her parents immigrated from Taiwan and are determined their children become doctors and marry fertile Taiwanese immigrants. Mei explores independence, family, culture, and what it means to be your own self. I love her observations, she starts to see her life clearly and it’s amazing to watch her mature and take her life into her own hands.

Tempests and Slaughter - Tamora Pierce (Feb. 6)

I love everything by Tamora Pierce, her stories are so full of magic. It’s so fun to read about Numair when he was Arram, an innocent little mage in training. I love reading origin stories and he’s one of the most influential and powerful mages in the realm, so it’s really interesting to find out how it all began. Arram grows up learning like it’s the key to breathing. He manages to befriend a confident prince and a talented girl, as well as a gladiator. He works closely with his teachers, is on a first name basis with royalty and a giant crocodile god, and cares for a god’s sunbird. He has an intense desire for knowledge and goodness, and hates the idea of war. While reading this, I couldn’t help thinking about Numair and Daine’s adventure with Ozorne and his birds much later, and how their relationship changes. It will be fascinating to continue discovering how it all began. 

Not If I Save You First - Ally Carter (Mar. 27)

I’m still waiting for Ally Carter to write something that I love as much as Heist Society and the Gallagher Girl series, but this is a fun read too. It was exciting for Ally Carter’s main character to be girly and super sassy, that’s always been a best friend/cousin niche before now. I liked Maddie, she’s very resourceful and self-sufficient. She knows her way around the wilderness but is still very feminine, which I appreciate because too many people believe it’s impossible to be both tough and girly. The exploration of the Alaskan wilderness was really interesting, and of course it’s even more exciting with the addition of the Russians. Overall, a solid Ally Carter novel about a smart and super tough girl who always has the best comeback.

Stormcaster - Cinda Williams Chima (April 3)

Stormcaster is the third book in the Shattered Realms series, a sequel series to Seven Realms. I like how this book brings some of the main characters together and we get to see how they cross paths. We get to meet Hal’s family and get a better understanding of some of the more mysterious players in this round of war, as well as Lyss’s new violent adventure. The ending is intriguing and I’m interested to see what the author does in the final book of the series. I hope Lyss and Hal can find their way back to each other. We’ll see if Lyss gets her name day party or if she combines it with an end of war party/coronation.

The Fates Divide - Veronica Roth (Apr. 10)

This sequel to Carve the Mark continues the journey of Cyra and Akos, the two people trying to join their world in peace. I really enjoyed the descriptions and cultures of the worlds. It’s cool to read about how people from two opposite cultures can join together to fight for a more promising future. I liked the characters, they were relatable and easy to root for, even if they were occasionally tedious (they are teenagers). The plot can be fast paced at times but mostly just takes its time, in an interesting sort of way. It’s a good ending to a fantastical duology.

A Court of Frost and Starlight - Sarah Maas (May 1)

This novella is a follow up to the Court of Thorns and Roses series, connecting Feyre and Rhysand’s story with the next book, which will focus on Feyre’s sister Nesta. I love this author and this series, it’s imaginative and magical. It’s nice to see all the characters get a little peace after everything they’ve been through, although Nesta is determined to continue her own little corner of chaos. Feyre had her own problems to work through in the second book, Nesta just needs to figure things out for herself. This novella is a fun little Christmas story and it will be really cool to see what the author does with the next book.

Smoke in the Sun - Rene Ahdieh (June 5)

This is the sequel to Flame in the Mist, a stunning twist on Mulan (sort of) set in a beautiful country. The story begins with Mariko getting attacked on her way to marry a prince. She manages to escape with her life, make her way through a jungle, kill a creep, and join the Black Clan. Mariko is an incredble leading character. She’s so smart and determined. She is stuck in the traditions and expectations for a lady of her station, but when the opportunity pops up to shed that skin, she dives right in. She’s not afraid to push boundaries and she knows her strengths and weaknesses. This book begins with her in the palace, preparing to marry the prince after he kidnaps/rescues her from the Black Clan. She’s angry and determined to bring down the royal family.

And here are some books that will be released later this year:

_The Darkest Legacy_ - Alexandra Bracken (July 31)

This book takes place several years after the new movie, Darkest Minds, and is from Suze’s perspective as the world deals with the upheaval of politics and freedom of Psi kids.

Dance of Thieves - Mary Pearson (Aug. 7)

This book kicks off a new story in the Remnant Chronicles universe, focusing on outlaws, thieves, and secret missions.

City of Ghosts - Victoria Schwab (Aug. 28)

I love This Savage Song, and I’m hoping this Scottish ghost story is just as delightful. Edinburgh is a very ghosty place, and the perfect setting for this author’s imagination.

The Dinner List - Rebecca Serle (Sep. 11)

If you could invite anyone to dinner, alive or dead, who would you choose? Audrey Hepburn would be on my list, just like Sabrina, who finds her thirtieth birthday dinner full of a few unexpected surprises.

The Golden Tower - Holly Black and Cassandra Clare (Sep. 11)

The fifth and final book of Black and Clare’s brainchild follows Callum as he finishes his training as a mage and battles the evil trapped inside him.

Nine Perfect Strangers - Liane Moriarty (Sep. 18)

This author always makes me laugh, her books always feel like a conversation between old friends. Big Little Lies is an impressively woven story and I hope her genius continues.

Muse of Nightmares - Laini Taylor (Oct. 2) 

I just discovered this author and her darkly fantastic imaginings. Strange the Dreamer explores how dreaming is a superpower, and ends with a twist, no surprise.

Lazlo and Sarai are in an impossible situation, one they might not be able to dream their way out of.

Wrath of the Dragon King - Brandon Mull (Oct. 23)

I never thought Fablehaven would have any more books, but it’s just the series that keeps on giving. Kendra and Seth are in a battle of dragons, now joined by unicorns, as they continue to use their powers to protect all fabled creatures.

Kingdom of Ash - Sarah Maas (Oct. 23)

The final installment in the Throne of Glass series is finally coming out. What began as a three part fairy tale published online is now a six book published series with far more action and plot twists than I ever expected. The assassin turned queen is battling Queen Maeve, the Fae ruler, because why not add one more enemy to conquer in the middle of a fight against evil demons?

Archenemies -Marissa Meyer (Nov. 6)

This is the sequel to the stunning Renegades, picking up after Nova embraces her birthright as a villain. The world is ruled by superheroes. Sounds perfect, right? Not for the villains, or anyone who poses a threat to the world’s super leaders. After fighting for a place among the heroes and befriending their leader’s son, Adrian, Nova has to decide who to fight for, the heroes or the villains… or if they’re both wrong.

Little White Lies - Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Nov. 6)

I discovered this author recently and adored The Naturals series and The Fixer duology. Her next novel centers on a mechanic who gets roped into debutante season with her southern belle grandmother. Southern belles are always delightfully sassy and fabulous.

Queen of Air and Darkness - Cassandra Clare (Dec. 4)

The third book in the Dark Artifices series, a sequel to the Mortal Instruments. Emma and Julian are parabatai stuck in the middle of a civil war, dealing with tragedy and secrets that might destroy their family. I loved Lady Midnight, but Lord of Darkness was a bit heart wrenching. This next installment picks up amidst chaos, and I hope the plot brings everything together.

We also have Twice Magic by Cressida Cowell (Oct. 9), Endless Water, Starless Sky by Rosamund Hodge (July 24), The Glass of Lead and Gold by Cornelia Funke (Sep. 27), Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa (Oct. 2), Ogre Enchanted (a prequel to Ella Enchanted) by Gail Carson Levine (Oct. 16), and Evermore by Sara Holland (Dec. 31).

It’s a good year for reading.