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 nine titles to share with you, including a new book by Ally Carter and a spooky, nostalgic thriller. Read on!

Masters of Death by Olivie Blake

Viola Marek is both a vampire and a struggling real estate agent, but these aren’t her biggest problems. She needs to sell a haunted house, but until the ghost inside’s murder is solved, he can’t move on. Viola enlists the help of Fox D’Mora, a semi-fraudulent medium with a unique connection with Death. The two set out on an unexpected quest, encountering poltergeists, angels, reapers and a demonic personal trainer and discovering what it means to be human — or not.

Technically a rerelease, Masters of Death is the newest traditionally published book by BookTok sensation Olivie Blake. If you missed this the first time around, get ready for non-linear storytelling, quirky characters and a ton of sarcasm.

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The Blonde Identity by Ally Carter

The cover of The Blonde Identity features a woman with sunglasses, flowing blonde hair and a red scarf talking on a phone.

Amidst the chaos of Paris, a woman with amnesia wakes up next to a rugged stranger who claims she’s a spy’s twin sister. With killers on their tail and a mysterious conspiracy to unravel, they embark on a thrilling road trip across Europe. As they dodge danger and lies, the line between truth and deception blurs, leaving her torn between trusting her missing twin and the enigmatic man who ignites unexpected feelings.

I loved Ally Carter’s YA Gallagher Girls series as a teen and still love the Bourne movies today. The Blonde Identity merges themes from both, and I’m so excited for her new book release.

Mother Nature by Jamie Lee Curtis

Nova Terrell despises the Cobalt Corporation after her father’s mysterious death during their oil extraction project. She rebels against the company and its “Mother Nature” project, which supposedly provides clean water to Catch Creek. When her campaign of sabotage against Cobalt leads her to uncover a horrifying secret about the project, a malevolent force arrives that could mean disaster for more than just the people of Catch Creek.

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Can you believe this graphic novel comes from Academy Award-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis? Her graphic debut Mother Nature is a supernatural drama with deep-rooted Native American lore that I can’t wait to check out.

Shark Heart by Emily Habeck

The cover of Shark Heart has a shark made of flowers on a green background with grass below.

Lewis and Wren’s newlywed bliss is quickly shattered when Lewis is diagnosed with a rare condition. Although he’ll keep his memories and consciousness, he will transform into a great white shark. As Lewis grapples with his evolving predatory nature, Wren wrestles with her feelings, delving into her own past, her previous relationships and her family’s struggles. As their grief and efforts reach new heights, the couple is forced to make an impossible choice.

Shark Heart is a book I’ve seen everywhere recently. It’s the August 2023 #1 Great Read for IndieBound, and Emily Habeck’s debut book release is poetic, heartbreaking and wholly original.

Whalefall by Daniel Kraus

After his father’s suicide, Jay Gardiner sets out to find his father’s remains in the ocean and alleviate his guilt. However, his dive takes a perilous turn when he encounters a giant squid and a hungry sperm whale. Trapped in the belly of the whale, Jay has only an hour to confront his inner demons and escape,

With short chapters and mounting suspense, Whalefall flies by. It’s a fast-paced, exhilarating book perfect for thrill-seeling readers.

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The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

In the rundown Chicken Hill neighborhood of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, African-American and Jewish immigrants live side by side. When construction workers in 1972 discover a skeleton at the bottom of a well, long-hidden secrets come to light.

Through interconnected narratives and diverse voices, James McBride reveals the struggles and resilience of those on society’s fringes. The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store is ultimately about how love and community are crucial in the darkest of times, and it’s a great read for McBride fans and newbies alike.

Forged by Blood by Ehigbor Okosun

The cover of Forged by Blood features a black girl with a sword and flowing clothings. Her eyes are closed and she has white markings on her face.

Amid a tyrannical regime and political oppression, Dèmi just wants to survive. After a tragedy results in an incredible loss, her focus turns to vengeance. Dèmi kidnaps the Aje prince Jonas to save her people, the Oluso. As they set out on a perilous journey, Dèmi finds herself entangled in a complex web of secrets and forbidden attraction, with dangerous magic and uncertain alliances at every turn.

Forged by Blood is a Nigerian mythology-inspired fantasy that’s truly epic. Ehigbor Okosun incorporates racism, colonialism and power — perfect for those who enjoy Nnedi Okorafor’s The Nsibidi Scripts trilogy.

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Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon by Wole Talabi

Shigidi, a disillusioned Orisha nightmare god, is resigned to reluctantly answering the prayers of his remaining followers if he wants to survive. But everything changes when he meets Nneoma, a succubus with a mysterious and secretive past. The encounter changes his life, and the two set off on a journey to escape their divine obligations and confront their pasts.

I don’t know much about Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon, but the cover intrigues me, and I love the idea of a god who’s tired of his lot in life. I can’t wait to read this new book from Wole Talabi.

Mister Magic by Kiersten White

It’s been 30 years since the beloved children’s show Mister Magic shit down after a tragic accident. The surviving cast members, known as the Circle of Friends, have struggled to move forward. When something brings them back to the show’s remote filming location, they must determine whether the reunion is fate or a trap.

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Mister Magic is a unique supernatural thriller full of online conspiracy theorists and obsessive fans. Kiersten White creatively explores the Mandela Effect and how nostalgia can mess with our minds resulting in a trippy and haunting read.

You can check out these new book releases at Bookshop.org or your local bookstore. What August 8 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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