There are a lot of new books coming out every week. With New Release Radar, I’ll help you narrow down the week’s new book releases into the titles you should get excited about. This week I have six books to share with you, including the sequel to one of my favorite books of 2021. Read on!
Unexpecting by Jen Bailey
Junior Benjamin Morrison finds himself in a tough situation after an experiment at science camp has unexpected consequences. After coming out as gay, no one expected him to become a single teenage father. Balancing the challenges of impending parenthood, strained family dynamics and academic pressures, Ben navigates the complexities of his decision while questioning its impact on his future and his child’s.
Part Heartstopper, part Juno, Unexpecting is a poignant YA novel about found family and growing up. Jen Bailey’s new book differs from other teen pregnancy stories but doesn’t sugarcoat the experience.
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Strange Unearthly Things by Kelly Creagh
Jane Reye is a psychic artist; she draws the spirits and the supernatural beings she sees around her. After turning eighteen and aging out of the girls’ school where she spent her childhood, an invitation for a supernatural investigation at Fairfax Hall may be her salvation. As Jane uses her unique talents to uncover the manor’s secrets, she connects with Elias, the estate’s owner. Her art might just hold the power to rescue him from a dark destiny.
Kelly Creagh’s Jane Eyre reimagining puts a supernatural spin on a classic. Strange Unearthly Things is a haunting love story you won’t want to put down.
It’s Not a Cult by Lauren Danhof
After dropping out of grad school, Glinda Glass returns home only to find her mother deeply involved in the Starlight Pioneer Society cult and in love with its leader. As she navigates her complicated relationships with her sisters, Glinda realizes she must infiltrate the cult to rescue her mother and confront her own history of trauma. Glinda must unravel the sinister truth behind Arlon and save her family before it’s too late.
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Hilarious and sometimes heartbreaking, It’s Not a Cult is a fast-paced, entertaining read. Lauren Danhof’s new book release features a Renaissance faire, bigfoot and a cult — what more could you ask for?
The Water Outlaws by S.L. Huang
Lin Chong does her job as master arms instructor for the Emperor’s Army with her head down. It’s served her well so far, but everything changes when a powerful man starts paying attention to her, resulting in her exile. Branded a criminal and pursued by a relentless Imperial Marshall, she joins the Liangshan Bandits — a group of outlaws made of women and others on the fringes of society. Despite their criminal activities, they’re free thinkers and champions of the oppressed. As Lin Chong’s unlikely alliance with the Liangshan Bandits forms, they may have the potential to shatter a corrupt empire.
The Water Outlaws is an action-packed story of impossible odds. If you love historical fantasy with feminist and queer themes, you will love this book. Read our full review of S.L. Huang’s novel here.
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House of Odysseus by Claire North
Queen Penelope of Ithaca maintains a precarious balance of power as she navigates the return of Orestes, a guilt-ridden king, and his sister Elektra. With the threat of destruction looming from the ambitious King Menelaus of Sparta, Penelope allies with Elektra and Helen of Troy while the goddess Aphrodite watches over them all as hidden secrets shape a world on the brink of upheaval.
House of Odysseus is the follow-up to award-winning author Claire North’s 2022 book Ithaca. The series is a reimagining of ancient myths that gives voice to women in a world ruled by ruthless men. It’s a perfect new release for anyone that loves Circe.
He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-Chan
Zhu Yuanzhang, the Radiant King, succeeded in freeing southern China from Mongol rule. Now she’s ready to seize the throne and crown herself emperor. But neighboring rivals have imperial ambitions too, and threats approach from every side. Zhu forms a risky alliance with the vengeful eunuch General Ouyang, who is set on killing the Great Khan himself. Amidst the power struggles, alliances and revenge plots, a scorned scholar named Wang Baoxiang emerges as a dangerous contender, threatening to disrupt the empire’s stability and values.
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Shelley Parker-Chan picks up right where they left off in their sequel to 2021’s She Who Became the Sun. The Radiant Emperor duology comes crashing to a close with He Who Drowned the World, and the follow-up is even darker, more tense even more epic than its predecessor.
You can check out these new book releases at Bookshop.org or your local bookstore. What August 22 new release are you most excited to read? Let us know below, and tune in next week to grow your TBR.
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