2020 has just started and I have a ton of new favorite releases! From series continuations to new books, there are so many that I love already. However, for this list, I’ll be sticking with series-continuations.
Please note that this list and the summaries may contain spoilers!
1- A Heart so Fierce and Broken – Cursebreakers #2
I absolutely love this series by Brigid Kemmerer and this book continued off the series so nicely.
I actually got an ARC of this book a while ago, so I was lucky enough to read it ahead of time (it’s kind of unbelievable how I lasted long without giving away any spoilers). The main focus was on Grey, and I enjoyed reading about him because of how much I liked him as a character in A Curse so Dark and Lonely. While Harper and Rhen are still there, a few more new characters are introduced (Lia Mara and Tycho) and they fit in well with the plot of the story.
The curse is finally broken, but Prince Rhen of Emberfall faces darker troubles still. Rumors circulate that he is not the true heir and that forbidden magic has been unleashed in Emberfall. Although Rhen has Harper by his side, his guardsman Grey is missing, leaving more questions than answers.
Rumored to be the heir, Grey has been on the run since he destroyed Lilith. He has no desire to challenge Rhen–until Karis Luran once again threatens to take Emberfall by force. Her own daughter Lia Mara sees the flaws in her mother’s violent plan, but can she convince Grey to stand against Rhen, even for the good of Emberfall?
Goodreads
2- One of Us Is Next – One of Us is Lying #2
This is yet another series continuation that I love. It picks off from One of Us is Lying and it is another mystery that the characters must solve. It focuses on three new students–Maeve, Phoebe, and Knox—and I found it to be a nice switch from just sticking with the original cast. While I typically read YA fantasy, I can say that this is one of my favorite fiction series! This series always surprises me and I can safely say that I did not predict the plot twist at all (no spoilers!)
A ton of copycat gossip apps have popped up since Simon died, but in the year since the Bayview four were cleared of his shocking death, no one’s been able to fill the gossip void quite like he could. The problem is no one has the facts.
Goodreads
Until now.
This time it’s not an app, though—it’s a game.
Truth or Dare.
Simon’s gone, but someone’s determined to keep his legacy at Bayview High alive. And this time, there’s a whole new set of rules.
3- The Hand on the Wall – Truly Devious #3
This book is from the Truly Devious series and it concludes the series so nicely. In fact,
I was quite hesitant on reading this series in the first place, but I was pleasantly surprised on how satisfying of a read it was! The characters dive back in to solve the mysteries from Ellingham Academy, and you won’t want to miss out. The new kidnappings and murders give more depth to this story and while it was technically “solved” in the second book, there are many more twists and layers of the story that get uncovered.
With this latest tragedy, it’s hard to concentrate on the past. Not only has someone died in town, but David disappeared of his own free will and is up to something. Stevie is sure that somehow—somehow—all these things connect. The three deaths in the present. The deaths in the past. The missing Alice Ellingham and the missing David Eastman. Somewhere in this place of riddles and puzzles there must be answers.
Goodreads
Then another accident occurs as a massive storm heads toward Vermont. This is too much for the parents and administrators. Ellingham Academy is evacuated. Obviously, it’s time for Stevie to do something stupid. It’s time to stay on the mountain and face the storm—and a murderer.
4- Heart of Flames – Crown of Feathers #2
This Crown of Feathers sequel just came out, but I’ve already managed to work my way through the story. This is such a dramatic, vibrant sequel and the world that Preto creates is unbelievable. The developments in the relationships and the action make this book very memorable. It is nearly 650 pages and I didn’t get the feeling of it dragging at all (which I sometimes feel with really long books).
Veronyka finally got her wish to join the Riders, but while she’s supposed to be in training, all she really wants to do is fly out to defend the villages of Pyra from the advancing empire. Tristan has been promoted to Master Rider, but he has very different ideas about the best way to protect their people than his father, the commander. Sev has been sent to spy on the empire, but maintaining his cover may force him to fight on the wrong side of the war. And Veronyka’s sister, Val, is determined to regain the empire she lost—even if it means inciting the war herself.
Goodreads
5- Ember Queen – Ash Princess #3
I was originally drawn to this book because of the pretty cover of Ash Princess and I found it to be quite mediocre. However, as the series progressed, I personally thought that it got much better. The journeys of the characters make this novel truly memorable. Their relationships develop throughout the series and I love how well written the friendships/love between the characters are.
Now free, with a misfit army of rebels to back her, Theo must liberate her enslaved people and face a terrifying new enemy: the new Kaiserin. Imbued with a magic no one understands, the Kaiserin is determined to burn down anyone and everything in her way.
Goodreads
The Kaiserin’s strange power is growing stronger, and with Prinz Søren as her hostage, there is more at stake than ever. Theo must learn to embrace her own power if she has any hope of standing against the girl she once called her heart’s sister.