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 10 books to share, including a few haunted house novels and an illustrated version of a YA classic. Read on!
Killer House Party by Lily Anderson
When a group of friends throws a graduation party in an abandoned gothic mansion, they’re hoping for a night to remember. However, when the house traps them inside and strange horrors unfold, their celebration turns into a desperate fight for survival. Now, they must find a way to escape before the manor claims them all.
Killer House Party is an absolutely wild ride. Lily Anderson’s new book release is a fun read with a unique premise and likable characters all around.
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The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister
The Haddesley family has always tended to the cranberry bog that sustains them. Every generation, they sacrifice their patriarch in exchange for a “bog-wife” to continue the family line. When the bog fails to uphold its end of the bargain, the siblings, each coping with grief and personal struggles, are divided over how to save their legacy. As tensions rise, long-buried secrets emerge, threatening to unravel both the family and the truth behind their generations-old pact.
I loved Kay Chronister’s debut novel Desert Creatures, so I’m incredibly excited about her new work. The Bog Wife is a moody, atmospheric Appalachian Gothic that’s truly compelling and a great read for this time of year.
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The Hunger Games: Illustrated Edition by Suzanne Collins, illustrated by Nico Delort
In the dystopian nation of Panem, the Capitol maintains brutal control over the 12 districts. Every year, one boy and one girl from each district must fight to the death on live television in the Hunger Games. The cruel tradition entertains the Capitol and reminds the citizens of Panem of its dominance.
Some people might consider including The Hunger Games as cheating, since the book itself isn’t actually new. However, this illustrated edition is! Suzanne Collins’ words and Nico Delort’s illustrations are the perfect thing to get you ready for the new installment coming out in March 2025.
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The Dagger and the Flame by Catherine Doyle
In the kingdom of Fantome, where rival guilds of thieves and assassins control deadly Shade-magic, 17-year-old Seraphine seeks revenge for her mother’s murder. Allying with the Cloaks, Sera soon discovers her mysterious powers and encounters Ransom, heir to the Daggers. As tensions rise between the guilds and monsters lurk in the streets, Sera and Ransom must decide between vengeance or forgiveness, and whether to become enemies or something more.
The Dagger and the Flame is an epic enemies-to-lovers romantasy full of found family, monsters and revenge. Catherine Doyle’s new book release is a fast-paced start to an exciting new series.
A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang
Xishi, a renowned beauty from Yue, is recruited by the military advisor Fanli to use her allure as a weapon against the rival kingdom of Wu. Trained in espionage and seduction, she infiltrates the enemy palace to weaken the immoral king and avenge her sister’s death. As she rises in the Wu court, her dangerous attraction to Fanli complicates her mission. Xishi must balance survival with her quest, knowing that if she is exposed, both kingdoms could fall.
Inspired by the legend of Xishi, A Song to Drown Rivers is an epic historical fantasy about womanhood, war, sacrifice and love against all odds. Ann Liang’s adult debut is a beautiful, tragic novel full of espionage, betrayal and so much yearning.
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The Crescent Moon Tearoom by Stacy Sivinski
The Quigley sisters, Anne, Beatrix, and Violet, run a magical tea shop where they read fortunes from spices. When the city’s Diviner loses her powers and the Council of Witches intervenes, the sisters’ lives begin to unravel. As Anne’s magic grows, Beatrix’s writing career blossoms and Violet is drawn to the allure of the circus, a family curse threatens to pull them apart. With time running out, they must confront their destinies and save their bond before it’s too late.
Stacy Sivinski’s debut is a cozy and uplifting, short and sweet read. The fall vibes in The Crescent Moon Tearoom make this the perfect book to curl up with this time of year.
Model Home by Rivers Solomon
The Maxwell siblings, the only Black family in a gated Dallas community, grew up in a house plagued by strange and terrifying events. Despite the neighborhood’s façade of niceness, the family endured years of trauma under their formidable mother’s guidance. Now, as adults who left the horrors behind, they are forced to return when their parents die under mysterious circumstances. Ezri, Eve, and Emanuelle must confront their family’s dark past and uncover whether their parents’ death was a natural tragedy or the result of something supernatural.
While there has always been an element of horror to Rivers Solomon’s work, this is their first work of true horror. Model Home unearths the dark legacies of segregation and racism in the American South, uncovering secret histories and turning the haunted house novel on its head.
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Heir by Sabaa Tahir
Aiz, fueled by vengeance, lands in prison after a rash mistake ignites her fury. Sirsha, a disgraced tracker, is hired to hunt a child murderer but falls for a fugitive complicating her mission. Meanwhile, reluctant crown prince Quil must face his dark family legacy as a new threat endangers the Empire. As their paths converge, each must confront their challenges in a world on the edge of chaos.
Set in the same world as An Ember in the Ashes, Heir is an action-packed, ruthless and romantic new fantasy. Sabaa Tahir’s new book release is exciting and unique, but you’ll definitely want to read the original series first to avoid spoilers.
A Pirate’s Life for Tea by Rebecca Thorne
While searching for stolen dragon eggs, engaged couple Kianthe and Reyna get caught up in a chaotic love story involving Serina, a river pirate, and Bobbie, the constable hunting her down. Serina loathes her former friend, and Bobbie is determined to bring her to justice. As Kianthe and Reyna navigate this “relation-shipwreck,” Reyna can’t resist playing matchmaker, even if it means the dragon eggs will have to wait.
Like Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea, A Pirate’s Life for Tea is a cozy fantasy adventure with a heavy focus on character and relationship development. Rebecca Thorne’s follow-up is just as sweet and romantic as its predecessor.
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The City in Glass by Nghi Vo
The demon Vitrine shaped the vibrant city of Azril for generations. She’s left devastated, however, when angels invade and destroy it. Bound by grief and rage, she curses an angel who razed the city, forcing him to haunt the ruins alongside her. Though sworn enemies, their mutual hatred turns into a deep fascination as they unearth Azril’s past and rebuild its future. But as war looms once more, Vitrine and the angel must choose whether to let the city fall again or fight for what they have created together.
At the same time an epic love story and a historical tome spanning generations, The City in Glass is beautiful, lyrical and captivating. I’ll read anything Nghi Vo has to offer – she never disappoints.
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You can check out these new book releases at Bookshop.org or your local bookstore. What October 1 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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- Book Review: THE CITY IN GLASS - October 3, 2024
