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.
Both Blindspace and The Exiled Fleet are high on my “wanted” list, since I totally enjoyed the first books on both series.
And like you I *need* to read Jade War before book 3 comes out. Choices… Choices…. 😉
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I have to put Jar War on my calendar so I can fit it in:-)
The Offset cover is enough to make me dig further. I’ve read The Last House on Needless Street and loved it! I’ve also read SGJ’s book. It’s good, but not my fave of his. If you are a big horror movie fan, I think you’d love My Heart is a Chainsaw.
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I can’t wait for both of those, glad to hear you loved The Last House:-)
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.
There’s definitely lots of potential:-)
I hope you love all of these!
Thanks Kristi!
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. 🙂
I’m actually going to read some horror ARCs early next month, at least that’s my plan:-)
Ah, great list! I will absolutely be reading The book of Accidents, Final Girl, and Feral Creatures, and probably more! Here’s hoping all your predictions come true. 🙂
I hope we both love all of those:-)
I don’t have any of these on my TBR to be honest but they are “so you” Tammy! 🙂
Ha ha they are definitely me!
I have the Final Girl Support Group
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I hope we both enjoy it:-)
My expectations for Jade Legacy are sky high!! 🙂
You and me both!
I hope you’re right about all of these! Most of them are on my summer/fall tbr!
Chances are they won’t all be 5 stars, but I can hope:-)
Feral Creatures is definitely on my TBR and a much anticipated read after loving Hollow Kingdom so much.
I can hardly wait!
How many interesting books!! There are a lot of series in there that I hope to start soon!
Yes there are lots of series, lol.
Some great books on here, and a few that I will be picking up so fingers crossed for the full five stars.
Lynn 😀
I cannot WAIT for The Exiled Fleet and Jade Legacy!!
Grady Hendrix is leaning in toward the whole playing with tropes thing, gotta love it. Hope you enjoy all of these!
I can’t wait for Jade Legacy!
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