Five Star Predictions for the Second Half of 2021

Last week I posted the results of my Five Star Predictions for the First Half of 2021, and today I’m looking at books that will be released in July through December this year. Typically, a lot of highly buzzed books are published during these months, and this year is no exception. I had a very hard time narrowing my choices down, but I’ve managed to choose my top ten. Seven of these are authors I’ve previously read before and love, but three are new to me or debut authors, so I’ll be taking a chance on them:-) Also, I want to mention that I’m only sharing books with finished covers, and there is one glaring omission: The Bone Ship’s Wake, which I’m pretty sure will be a five star read for me, but whose cover hasn’t yet been revealed. And what’s up with horror this year? I’m actually surprised that seven of the ten books below are horror titles, but it actually makes sense when you think of most horror being released in the Fall. These books are listed in alphabetical order by title, so here we go:

Blindspace (The Common #2) by Jeremy Szal. Jeremy’s first book in the series, Stormblood, was such a great surprise, and I can hardly wait to jump back into his fantastic, gritty, alien-filled SF world.

The Book of Accidents by Chuck Wendig. Even before I heard some bloggers saying this is their favorite book of the year, I knew I would love Wendig’s next “big” book. Luckily it releases next month so I’ll be reading it very soon!

The Exiled Fleet (The Divide #2) by J.S. Dewes. The Last Watch blew me away a few months ago, and I am beyond excited to see what Dewes does for her second act:-D

Feral Creatures (Hollow Kingdom #2) by Kira Jane Buxton. The excitement is real: Hollow Kingdom is a pretty special book for me, and I can’t believe I get to go back into S.T.’s world for another adventure!

The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix. Based on my last experience with Hendrix—The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires—I have high hopes for this book.

Jady Legacy (The Green Bone Saga #3) by Fonda Lee. OK I haven’t caught up with book #2 yet, but I will, and because I gave the first book five stars, I’m hoping this last book in the series will also be a winner.

The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward has been getting all the hype, and needless to say I’m so curious to read it. When Stephen King’s blurb is on the front cover, your expectations go through the roof. Here’s hoping!

My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones. I read my first SGJ book last year, The Only Good Indians, and that prompted me to read Mongrels and The Night of the Mannequins as well. I’ve heard this is very different from his last book, but I sure hope it’s as good.

The Offset by Calder Szewczak. Chris Panatier (author of The Phlebotomist and seriously one of my favorite books) raved about The Offset, and I’m trusting that he’s right on this one. I can’t wait to dive in!

Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo. Here’s another book that’s getting tons of buzz, and I’m hoping it’s going to work for me too.


Do you have any of these on your TBR?

Posted June 22, 2021 by Tammy in Five Star Predictions / 28 Comments

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28 responses to “Five Star Predictions for the Second Half of 2021

  1. I love the cover for Summer Sons. Looks like lots of potential in this group. I hope I get the chance to try some of them, and I hope they do end up being 5 star reads for you.

  2. There seems to be so much horror, I agree! I really enjoyed The Book of Accidents! I think I liked Wanderers more, but I think that’s a very specific rare opinion, haha. SO excited for The Exiled Fleet, I’m hoping it’ll be another five stars as well for me. Jade Legacy, The Last House on Needless Street, and My Heart is a Chainsaw are also ones I’m hoping/assuming will be five star reads and I’ve been having a hard time not already reading my ARCs, haha. Super excited for Summer Sons! I hope all of these live up to your predictions, I have good feelings about them. 🙂

    • Tammy

      I’m actually going to read some horror ARCs early next month, at least that’s my plan:-)

  3. Some great books on here, and a few that I will be picking up so fingers crossed for the full five stars.
    Lynn 😀

  4. Grady Hendrix is leaning in toward the whole playing with tropes thing, gotta love it. Hope you enjoy all of these!

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