5 Books to be released in December of 2021
Hello! Yes, I know. It’s been a little while. Well, it’s been 3 months in fact. Do you remember that new job I told you about in one of my last blogs before I went MIA? Yes, that job took significantly more out of me than I would have liked. To the point where I was finding it exceptionally hard to find time to read, let alone write.
That’s all in the past now though. As I have put my mental and physical health first, and quit. My new role job starts in a week and I am hoping it will be causing me significantly less gray hairs!
So to ease myself back into reading, writing and posting regularly, I thought I’d round up some exciting books that are about to be released by the end of this year. Just in time to get your Sinterklaas and/or Christmas shopping done for your favourite bookish family member.
A History of Wild Places - By Shea Ernshaw
Release date: 7th of December 2021
Publisher: Atria Books
Synopsis:
‘Travis Wren has an unusual talent for locating missing people. Hired by families as a last resort, he requires only a single object to find the person who has vanished. When he takes on the case of Maggie St. James—a well-known author of dark, macabre children’s books—he’s led to a place many believed to be only a legend.
Called Pastoral, this reclusive community was founded in the 1970s by like-minded people searching for a simpler way of life. By all accounts, the commune shouldn’t exist anymore and soon after Travis stumbles upon it… he disappears. Just like Maggie St. James.
Years later, Theo, a lifelong member of Pastoral, discovers Travis’s abandoned truck beyond the border of the community. No one is allowed in or out, not when there’s a risk of bringing a disease—rot—into Pastoral. Unravelling the mystery of what happened reveals secrets that Theo, his wife, Calla, and her sister, Bee, keep from one another. Secrets that prove their perfect, isolated world isn’t as safe as they believed—and that darkness takes many forms.’
My thoughts:
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I am a sucker for a book that blurs the lines between genres. A dark mystery that blends with a psychological thriller and maybe a tinge of fantasy, count me in! It also helps that Ernshaw is known for her uncanny ability to write atmospheric books, and if the gloomy weather here in England needs anything it is a book to go with it!
Absynthe - By Brendan Bellecourt
Release date: 7th of December 2021
Publisher: Daw Books
Synopsis:
‘Liam Mulcahey, a reclusive, shell-shocked veteran, remembers little of the Great War. Ten years later, when he is caught in a brutal attack on a Chicago speakeasy, Liam is saved by Grace, an alluring heiress who's able to cast illusions. Though the attack appears to have been committed by the hated Uprising, Grace believes it was orchestrated by Leland De Pere--Liam's former commander and the current President of the United States.
Meeting Grace unearths long-buried memories. Liam's former squad, the Devil's Henchmen, was given a serum to allow telepathic communication, transforming them into a unified killing machine. With Grace's help, Liam begins to regain his abilities, but when De Pere learns of it, he orders his militia to eliminate Liam at any cost.
But Liam's abilities are expanding quickly. When Liam turns the tables and digs deeper into De Pere's plans, he discovers a terrible secret. The same experiment that granted Liam's abilities was bent toward darker purposes. Liam must navigate both his enemies and supposed allies to stop the President's nefarious plans before they're unleashed on the world. And Grace is hiding secrets of her own, secrets that could prove every bit as dangerous as the President's.’
My thoughts:
For me alternative history books are a hit or miss, love it or hate it kind of thing. I really enjoyed reading The Calculating Stars, for example. However, any book that simply ‘re-writes history and re-casts the male protagonist as a boring Mary Sue in the name of feminism can go die in a hole. There are so many amazing women out there to write about, don’t make Hercules a bikini-wearing bombshell.
Anyway, back on to the topic at hand. I think Absynthe has the potential of being on the ‘love it’ side. As long as it doesn’t end up with the pitfalls of so many YA books that came before. Under-developed characters. If we get to see some real depth from both Liam and Grace this could actually be a winner.
Of Fire and Ash - By Gillian Bronte Adams
Release date: 7th of December 2021
Publisher: Enclave Escape
Synopsis:
‘Ceridwen tal Desmond dreams of ruling like her father over the nation of Soldonia, where warriors ride to battle on magical steeds—soaring on storm winds, vanishing in shadow, quaking the earth, and summoning the sea. After a tragic accident claims her twin brother, she is exiled and sworn to atonement by spending her life—or death—for her people.
But when invaders spill onto Soldonia’s shores and traitors seize upon the chaos to murder her father, Ceridwen claims the crown to keep the nation from splintering. Combatting overwhelming odds and looming civil war, she begins to wonder if the greatest threat to the kingdom may, in fact, be her.
With fire before her and ash in her wake, how can she hope to unite instead of destroy?’
My thoughts:
Admittedly, any book that has been touted to be worthy of Tolkien and Sanderson, will turn my head. More often than not they fail to live up to the hype IMHO. However, the synopsis of the first book seems promising and if the reviews so far are anything to go by, this one might actually be worth my time. I guess I am immersing myself in yet another lengthy series of books.
The Upper World - By Femi Fadugba
Release date: 7th of December 2021 (First published 19th of August 2021)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Synopsis:
‘Today
During arguably the worst week of Esso's life, an accident knocks him into an incredible world--a place beyond space or time, where he can see glimpses of the past and future. But if what he sees there is true, he might not have much longer to live, unless he can use his new gift to change the course of history.
Tomorrow
Rhia's past is filled with questions, none of which she expects a new physics tutor to answer. But Dr Esso's not here to help Rhia. He's here because he needs her help--to unravel a tragedy that happened fifteen years ago. One that holds the key not only to Rhia's past but to a future worth fighting for.’
My thoughts:
Ok, I know, the paperback of this book came out in August of this year. However, the stunning Hardback is going to be released on December 7th, plus it is going to be a Netflix film very, very soon. So, if like me, you love reading the books before having your hopes and dreams utterly dashed by the film adaptation, now is the perfect time to dive in!
The Midnight Girls - By Alicia Jasinska
Release date: 28th of December 2021
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Synopsis:
‘It's Karnawał season in the snow-cloaked Kingdom of Lechija, and from now until midnight when the church bells ring an end to Devil's Tuesday time will be marked with wintry balls and glittery disguises, cavalcades of nightly torch-lit "kuligi" sleigh-parties.
Unbeknownst to the oblivious merrymakers, two monsters join the fun, descending upon the royal city of Warszów in the guise of two innocent girls. Newfound friends and polar opposites, Zosia and Marynka seem destined to have a friendship that's stronger even than magic. But that's put to the test when they realize they both have their sights set on Lechija's pure-hearted prince. A pure heart contains immeasurable power and Marynka plans to bring the prince's back to her grandmother in order to prove herself. While Zosia is determined to take his heart and its power for her own.
When neither will sacrifice their ambitions for the other, the festivities spiral into a wild contest with both girls vying to keep the hapless prince out of the other's wicked grasp. But this isn't some remote forest village, where a hint of stray magic might go unnoticed, Warszów is the icy capital of a kingdom that enjoys watching monsters burn, and if Zosia and Marynka's innocent disguises continue to slip, their escalating rivalry might cost them not just the love they might have for each other, but both their lives.’
My thoughts:
Honestly, it was a review that immediately drew my eye to this book. I’ve said it before, but I hate books that take superficial bits from certain cultures and languages to give their fantasy world more richness. Yes, Sapkowski I am looking at you, throwing in Dutch names all over to make it feel more historic. (I do still love the Witcher series though!) However, The Midnight Girls seems to be a genuine love letter to Polish history, folklore and culture. Whilst focussing on a cast of morally grey characters who aren’t suddenly turned ‘good’ by the power of love or some other sappy force.
What are your thoughts? Have you put these books on your Amazon wishlist yet, in hopes your family/friends/partners pick up on it * hint hint *. Are there any others that I have missed out on, and should get as a treat to myself? Let me know in the comment sections below and, until then - just one more page!