It’s already the end of January, and I realize I haven’t shared my most anticipated releases of 2018 (other than a couple of lists I did back in November for Sci-Fi Month). Making lists is one of my favorite blogging activities, so I put together fourteen books I’m ridiculously excited to read this year. Caveat: I’m only listing books with cover art at this time, and I’m sure later in the year after more covers have been revealed, I’ll do another list. Here they are, in order of release date:
March 2018 Releases
Impostor Syndrome by Mishell Baker. Baker’s third book in her stunning The Arcadia Project series is almost here! I’m so happy to have a review copy. If you love urban fantasy, stories of the fey and interesting characters with disabilities, you’ll love this series. Start with Borderline!
The Hunger by Alma Katsu. This is going to be the book that puts Katsu on the map, in my opinion. The Hunger is already getting national attention in the book world, with starred reviews in all the major book review publications. I can’t wait!
Obsidio by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff. Another book #3, the finale of the AMAZING Illuminae Files, I’m beyond excited to dive back into Kaufman and Kristoff’s terrifying sci-fi adventure.
April 2018 Releases
The Night Dahlia by R.S. Belcher. If I haven’t been shouting loud enough these past five years or so, let me remind you that R.S. Belcher is one of my MOST FAVORITE authors ever! He just never disappoints. This book is a sequel to Nightwise, which I gave a most deserved five stars to a couple of years ago. To say I’m excited to read this book is a huge understatement.
Before Mars by Emma Newman. There seem to be quite a few “third book in a series” that I’m excited about this year, and here’s another. Newman’s Planetfall series will ultimately have four books, but so far each can be read as a standalone or out of order.
Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente. Valente’s stories are weird, magical and different from any other author I’ve read, so I am always curious to see what she’ll do next. This is a standalone novel that sounds super crazy!
Head On by John Scalzi. Scalzi’s sequel to Lock In has got me giddy with anticipation! This story is pretty crazy, but if you enjoy Scalzi’s brand of humor, you should read these books.
May 2018 Releases
LIFEL1K3 by Jay Kristoff. Kristoff is a powerhouse writer, with at least two new releases this year, and this is the start of a new series, which is cause for celebration!
Only Human by Sylvain Neuvel. And here’s ANOTHER series conclusion! Wow, I had no idea 2018 was going to be the year of the series wrap-up. I know I’m not the only person chomping at the bit to read the finale of The Themis Files!
June 2018 Releases
The Mermaid by Christina Henry. I’m a big fan of Henry’s, and although the tone of this seems like it’s going to be quite different from her last few books, I’m still excited as hell!
Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse. This is the only debut on this list, but I couldn’t resist this story of a monster hunting Native American. I think what really sealed the deal for me was this unexpected cover!
Starless by Jacqueline Carey. I really loved Miranda & Caliban, so I’m looking forward to Carey’s newest book this year. This is getting awesome reviews already:-D
July 2018 Releases
And finally, two more sequels in series I’m absolutely loving:
Bloody Rose (The Band #2) by Nicholas Eames. Eames burst onto the SFF scene last year with a bang. His debut Kings of the Wyld took the blogging world by storm, and I’ve no doubt the follow-up will do the same.
European Travel for the Monstrous Gentlewoman by Theodora Goss. I adored The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter, and I’m so happy there is a sequel!
I think the last time I was as excited as I am about Bloody Rose was possibly the final Harry Potter book! Kings of the Wyld ruled!
ME TOO!! I am so excited. Such an unexpectedly fun book, I love discovering surprises like that:-)
There are many awesome looking books on this list. I need to find a copy of Nightwatch. I think my library has that one because I’ve seen it somewhere. I also can’t wait to get my hands on Mermaid just because I adored Lost Boy and want to see how Henry handles mermaids.
Barb (boxermommyreads) recently posted…TTT – I Can’t Believe I Read That!
I agree, I think she’s going to do a great job with Mermaids, but I hope the book is dark like her other books.
Thanks for the reminder that that are TOO MANY GOOD BOOKS OUT THERE AND NOT ENOUGH TIME! Lol. Seriously, though, that Life Like cover is so good. I want a framed print of it to put on my wall!
J.W. Martin recently posted…Top 5 Most Intimidating Books
Ha ha I know! This is going to be a spectacular year for SFF fiction:-)
Great list! I’m really looking forward to Starless and Imposter Syndrome 🙂
Lisa @TenaciousReader recently posted…Review: One of Us Will Be Dead by Morning by David Moody
Me too, especially Impostor Syndrome!
What is Belcher’s writing like? Anything like Jim Butcher?
I hate to admit this but…I’ve never read Jim Butcher:-(
*gasp*! Is Belcher’s writing action packed ? A lot of narrative? I’m a big fan of dialogue. Too much narrative puts me to sleep.
Belcher does a great job of balancing everything in his writing, I would say. I’m not a big fan of too much narrative either. In fact the book I’m reading right now is putting me to sleep:-/
Obsidio!!! Head On!!! and Bloody Rose!!!
Sorry, I needed to flail a bit… 😀
Maddalena@spaceandsorcery recently posted…Short Story Review: NO SOONER MET (An October Daye short story), by Seanan McGuire
It’s going to be an awesome year, right? I am still flailing, please feel free:-)
Oooo, so many goodies to look forward to! It makes getting up in the morning worthwhile 🙂
Definitely! Seriously one of the best reasons to wake up:-)
I should just NOT visit your blog, because then I want to buy EVERYTHIIIIING 😀 urban fantasies with disabilities! Emma Newman! John Scalzi! Aghhhhh…
Is this mostly Tor? Whose NetGalley pages should I stalk?
Evelina recently posted…State of the ARC #6
Ha ha, sorry Evelina! I know that Before Mars and Only Human are up on NetGalley but I’m not sure about the rest. Head On is Tor, and there are some Saga Press and other publishers as well. Good luck, I hope you can get review copies of the ones you want!
GAH – I still want to get a hold of Borderline! I’d seen it at a bookstore a few months ago, but I think I was clamping down on my wallet because of holiday shopping. Ah, one day.
I’m trying to keep the number of new books I get in 2018 to a minimum, just because I WAAAAAAY overbought on 2017 books. But out of the books that have confirmed cover art, the ones I’m looking forward to are:
Tempests & Slaughter by Tamora Pierce (out next week!)
Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman (end of February)
The Price Guide to the Occult by Leslye Walton (March)
Guardian by A.J. Hartman (June)
Blanca and Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore (October)
Ooh Blanca and Roja! I just saw that cover reveal, and that’s definitely on my list as well:-)
Such a lot of great books to look forward to. Let’s face it I want them all but the Christiana Henry, Jacqueline Carey and Nicholas Eames really are shouting at me.
Lynn 😀
I’m really in the mood for Bloody Rose right now, actually! Too bad I don’t have a copy:-/
Looking forward to Before Mars. I’d like to read The Night Dahlia, but suspect I should read Nightwise first (I have a copy and just need to get to it). Also curious about Bloody Rose, but again I need to read Kings of the Wyld first (another I have but haven’t gotten around to). So many things out there to read!
There are just too many books, right? And so many series that everyone else is reading that I haven’t started, so I know how you feel:-)
Ridiculously excited about all of these too, and I just added The Mermaid!
Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum recently posted…Book Review: Iron Gold by Pierce Brown
I just realized Looking Glass isn’t on here! So many series continuations, right?
I still haven’t started the Mishell Baker series yet, but I plan to! And my library has them, so yay! And the Nicholas Eames series is another one I would like to read!
Kristen @ Metaphors and Moonlight recently posted…Graphic Novel Review: Saga Vol. 8 by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples
Both are great, I hope you can fit them in!
Most excited about Trail of Lighting, solely because I can’t recall many books, if any at all, that I’ve read where Native American culture was the main influence.
Me too! It’s been getting great reviews, I’m so ready:-)
Before Mars sounds fabulous, and I am SO ready for Obsidio. Like as soon as I have that bad boy in my hands I’m clearing my schedule lol. I’m really curious about Lifelike too…
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Yeah, I’m counting down the days to Obsidio! I’ve preordered it so when it comes I’m literally dropping everything to read it:-)
Oh, I’m also going to be getting hold of Before Mars, Head On and Starless – all should be stunning reads…:) I like the sound of Lifelike as well. Thank you for sharing these, Tammy – you always have the COOLEST books!
I’m so happy, I was just approved for Before Mars! I hope you get copies, Sarah!
This is such a great list. I’m really looking forward to Trail of Lightning.
You always select the best books, Tammy! Space Opera, Head On, Trail of Lightning, and Starless are all highly anticipated reads for me, too. SO will actually be my first Valente book, believe it or not!
Danya @ Fine Print recently posted…Review: This Fallen Prey by Kelley Armstrong
So many great books! I still have to read Gemina before Obsidio comes out though. I’m currently reading Kings of the Wyld and I already can’t wait for Bloody Rose!!! 😛
Trail of Lightning just popped up on Netgalley! hahaha I almost typed Netflix. I need some coffee. I’ve been really thinking about downloading it even though I have too many I’m currently dealing with. Only Human… I can’t wait for that to pop up on audible so I can pre-order it.
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