Hello everyone and happy belated new year! It’s officially 2022 and I’m still not used to writing down it as the year instead of 2021 (my eraser has been getting a bit of a workout). I know I’m a bit late with my anticipated releases post, but I’m super excited to bring them out to you right now. Plus, some of them have already come out, so you can avoid all the terrible, terrible wait. As I always say in these posts, I absolutely love sharing some of my anticipated releases because:
A) It gives me a chance to actually research and compile the books I’m looking forward to this year so I can be and
B) I need to talk about how AMAZING these all sound to somebody!
So, across today’s post, I will be going over some books I’m looking forward (or desperately need to read ASAP) throughout January to March. I will link all of the Goodreads pages so that you can take a closer look at the synopsis or whatever your heart desires if you find something interesting! I will be focusing on YA releases for this post, but there are also some adult books I would kill someone for (sidenote: one of my romance recommendation posts on Instagram genuinely got flagged and taken down for “violence” because I used the phrase) so we will be sneaking those in anyways.
Let’s get started!
January 2022
The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman | Released January 4th
This book officially marks our first book on the first list of the year! The cover is absolutely stunning as is basically everything on the list first of all. It is very Indiana Jones-y with Indian inspiration and LGBTQ+ rep, which we always love. To add onto that, there’s magic and royalty and puzzles and I am definitely filing away this for my TBR.
When You Get the Chance by Emma Lord | Released January 4th
I’ve read all of Emma Lord’s books so far and they’re always so adorable! I loveeeed reading Tweet Cute and You Have a Match, so I was super excited hearing that she was coming out with another! Plus, I genuinely can’t express how much love I have for the rivals to lovers trope and I know it’s going to be good mixed with the whole Broadway premise too.
Serendipity Edited by Marissa Meyer | Released January 4th
I don’t think I’ve ever read an anthology before, but I’d really love to start in 2022! There’s ten authors and ten romance short stories, which are the perfect fuel for a romance-addict like me. You can find basically any kind of romance trope your heart desires, whether it’s fake relationship (a classic), stranded together (what could possibly happen?), or oh no there’s only one bed.
Daughter of the Moon Goddess | Released January 11th
This is a Chinese mythology retelling inspired by the legend of Chang’e, the Chinese moon goddess, and first of all, I will forever be obsessed with retellings. My favorite book last year, Our Violent Ends, was a Romeo and Juliet one and I have such good luck with them. PLUS, it has friends to lovers to enemies which I seriously haven’t read enough of.
The Bone Spindle by Leslie Vedder | Released January 11th
Okay so I actually got an ARC of this one that I have not read yet because of my horrifyingly bad ability to stick to my TBR instead of mood-read (sorry publisher!) but I promise that it really does sound amazing besides that. It’s advertised for fans of Sorcery of Thorns (hello, was this written just for me?) and it is a gender-bent retelling of Sleeping Beauty with a tiny bit of Indiana Jones thrown in there.
February 2022
This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi | Releasing February 1st
I’m a huge fan of Tahereh Mari’s Shatter Me series (even though I may not have enjoyed the last three books of the series) so of course this book is going to be on this list. There’s a forbidden enemies-to-lovers romance and it’s described as Game of Thrones set in the Persian empire! I don’t think I need to say much else.
These Deadly Games by Diana Urban | Releasing February 1st
I’ve been trying to make it a goal of mine to read outside of my usual romance/fantasy genres, and mysteries + thrillers are some that I’ve been wanting to get to! With this book particularly, I’m intrigued by the fact that the mystery is designed around a video game competition, since I genuinely have read nothing with it, besides Warcross (which I absolutely loved by the way).
House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas | Releasing February 15th
I know this isn’t YA, but this book is one of my most anticipated releases of this year so we’re making an exception. I really loved reading House of Earth and Blood two years ago and I want to know what everyone is up to! The first book had such action-packed exciting ending after it’s slow start and I 100% need confirmation that Ruhn will be alright.
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh | Releasing Feb. 22nd
We have yet another retelling on this list but for good reason. This one is a feminist retelling of Korean myth Shim Cheong and it apparently has some Spirited Away in it? I’ve never seen it so I can’t confirm that, but I’m really excited to read about the MC’s journey across the Spirit Realm anyways! Plus, I totally do judge books by their covers (don’t tell anyone), and this one passed my cover-test.
Only a Monster by Vanessa Len | Releasing February 22nd
I immediately fell in love with this book once I learned it was going to have enemy-soulmates in it. I am sensing the romantic tension coming (I know it’s going to be good) and I am absolutely here for it. There are also some strong This Savage Song vibes in this book with the intersection between the lives of the “monsters” and monster-hunters along with an intriguing magic system.
March 2022
All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir | Releasing March 1st
I’ve read An Ember in the Ashes a few years ago and really enjoyed it, so I’m pretty interested in seeing how she’s going to write a contemporary this time! After reading the synopsis of this one, I know that this book will tear me apart piece by piece, being practically the most emotional person on the entire planet, but I am ready for the emotional damage.
Gallant by V.E. Schwab | Releasing March 1st
I’m not one for paranormal horror-y books, because I get unsettled really easily, but we’ll toss this one on the list because it’s V.E. Schwab. I’m sensing some strong gothic vibes with the crumbling manor, demons, and ghouls, and it seems like an atmospheric read! I’m also loving the inspiration from The Secret Garden.
One for All by Lillie Lainoff | Releasing March 8th
Feminist gender-bent retelling of the Three Musketeers? Yes, please! It’s #OwnVoices as well, with the MC having a chronic illness. There’s sisterhood and–I’m going to quote this because I don’t think I could phrase this that amazingly–“women who are socialites on the surface, but strap daggers under their skirts, seduce men into giving up dangerous secrets, and protect France from downfall.”
A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft | Releasing March 8th
This one features Wes attempting to get an apprenticeship to become an alchemist, where he accidentally stumbles upon sharpshooter Margaret who needs him to enter a hunting competition that will bring her mother home. I’ve heard that it’s a really character-driven book, which are my favorites, with a romantic focus on the sunshine x grumpy relationship between the two MCs, so it should be a fun read!
A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin | Releasing March 29th
There are so many books this year inspired by Asian mythology and I honestly love that. This one is a debut inspired by Chinese mythology about a magical tea-making competition the MC must participate in to save her sister’s life, which is so cool. Plus, there’s court politics and forbidden love, two of my greatest weaknesses.
And we’re finally through with my top 15 releases for the next three months! I totally recommend checking them out and please do let me know if I missed any because always love adding to my never-ending TBR.
Hope you all have a great Sunday! Happy reading!
-Allison
Gallant sounds especially fantastic, but we already knew V.E. Schwab was an excellent storyteller!
Some amazinf books here! I cant wait for house of sky and breath and only a monster looks so good!
I hadn’t heard about Emma Lord’s new book or The Bone Spindle, but I am definitely keeping an eye out for them😍
About half of these are on my list too & a handful of the others are still super highly anticipated by me. I’m reading Daughter Of The Moon Goddess atm and loving it. Plus I’m totally going to have to check out the romance anthology sometime. I hope you get to read & love all of these.