20 Books I'm Pumped for in 2020
2020 is going to be a spectacular year for books. Here’s a short list of books I’m pumped for. It was so hard to narrow it down to just these 20!
The Night Country by Melissa Albert
The sequel to Albert’s The Hazel Wood promises to be just as intriguing and eye-catching as the first. Although I have yet to read Hazel, I’ve made a promise to myself that within the first few months, I will cross it off my list so I can enjoy this new release.
Neverland by Meagan Spooner
I loved Spooner’s Hunted and am excited to read Sherwood. Her newest retelling, Neverland, will take readers to Peter Pan’s realm. Fans of the original book will likely jump at the chance to read a new story about our favourite characters.
Dark and Deepest Red by Anna-Marie McLemore
I’ve picked up a few of McLemore’s books and this one caught my eye when I saw the cover ages ago. This is a retelling of the “red shoes” fable. Set in the summer of 1518 and 2018, McLemore pairs the forbidding magic of a fairy tale with a modern story of passion and betrayal. I can’t wait to read it!
Straight on Till Morning by Liz Braswell
Another Peter Pan retelling on my list, but I couldn’t not have it. I love the Twisted Tales series Disney is putting out and I especially enjoy the books Braswell writes for it. This story will answer the question: what if Wendy first travelled to Neverland with Captain Hook? I’m interested to see what she does with this retelling.
Red Hood by Elana K. Arnold
Arnold’s Damsel was simply amazing. When I learned she was going to tackle Red Riding Hood, I couldn’t not add it to my list. Red Hood is a dark, engrossing, blood-drenched tale of the familiar threats to female power—and one girl’s journey to regain it.
House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
I’ve read most of Maas’ work and when I found out she was starting a new adult fantasy series, I had to know more. This is the story of a half-Fae, half-human firl named Bryce Quinlan as she seeks revenge in a contemporary fantasy world of magic, danger, and romance. It promises to be just as engaging as her Young Adult work.
Hold Back the Tide by Melinda Salisbury
Everyone knows what happened to Alva's mother, all those years ago. But when dark forces begin to stir in Ormscaula, Alva has to face a very different future – and question everything she thought she knew about her past.
Bone Crier’s Moon by Kathryn Purdie
Ailesse has been prepared since birth to become the matriarch of the Bone Criers, a mysterious famille of women who use strengths drawn from animal bones to ferry dead souls. But first she must complete her rite of passage and kill the boy she’s also destined to love.
Bastien’s father was slain by a Bone Crier and he’s been seeking revenge ever since. Yet when he finally captures one, his vengeance will have to wait. Ailesse’s ritual has begun and now their fates are entwined—in life and in death.
Chosen Ones by Veronica Roth
Five twenty-something heroes famous for saving the world when they were teenagers must face even greater demons—and reconsider what it means to be a hero – by destiny or by choice.
Ruthless Gods by Emily A. Duncan
Duncan’s first book in the Something Dark and Holy series was one of my favourite 2019 reads. I am waiting on pins and needles for Ruthless Gods to come out so I can find out what’s happening to my dumb, magical children.
Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust
A captivating and utterly original fairy tale about a girl cursed to be poisonous to the touch, and who discovers what power might lie in such a curse.
House of Dragons by Jessica Cluess
Five royal houses will hear the call to compete in the Trial for the dragon throne. A liar, a soldier, a servant, a thief, and a murderer will answer it. Who will win? Think Three Dark Crowns meets The Breakfast Club with dragons.
Empress of Flames by Mimi Yu
I haven’t read The Girl King yet, but I found the back cover to the first book so interesting, I had to add this sequel to my to-read list. I’m sure Yu won’t disappoint in her newest release in 2020.
Katheryn Howard: The Scandalous Queen by Alison Weir
I love Weir’s series about Henry VIII’s six wives. Katheryn Howard was his fifth wife and by far one of his most notorious, next only to her cousin Anne Boleyn. I don’t know a great deal about Katheryn before she was queen, so I’m excited to see what Weir dug up about this woman of history.
Hood by Kenny Elder Moke
Moke reimagines the world of Robin Hood in lush, historical detail and imbues her story with more breathless action than has ever come out of Sherwood Forest before. I’m excited to learn more about Robin Hood’s daughter and how her notorious father’s history impacts her future.
The Court of Miracles by Kester Grant
This book is a diverse fantasy reimagining of Les Misérables and The Jungle Book. In the dark days following a failed French Revolution, in the violent jungle of an alternate 1828 Paris, young cat-burglar Eponine (Nina) Thenardier goes head to head with merciless royalty, and the lords of the city's criminal underworld to save the life of her adopted sister Cosette (Ettie).
Shielded by KayLynn Flanders
This is a thrilling new fantasy about a kingdom ravaged by war, and the princess who might be the key to saving not only those closest to her, but the kingdom itself, if she reveals the very secret that could destroy her.
Ghost Wood Song by Erica Waters
Shady Grove is her father’s daughter, through and through. She inherited his riotous, curly hair, his devotion to bluegrass, and his ability to call ghosts from the grave with his fiddle. But Shady’s brother was just accused of murder, and so she has a choice to make: unearth the fiddle that sang her father to the grave and speak to the dead to clear her brother’s name, or watch the only family she has left splinter to pieces.
The Princess Will Save You by Sarah Henning
Henning’s Sea Witch series set a high standard for me for her next book, so I’m excited to read her next book. When her father dies, Princess Amarande is given an ultimatum: Marry the leader of one of the four neighbouring kingdoms, or lose her crown—and possibly her life. And to force her hand, her beloved, the stable boy Luca, is kidnapped. But Amarande was raised to be a warrior, not a sacrifice.
The Queen’s Council by Emma Theriault
This is the first book in a YA historical fantasy series that reimagines the Disney Princesses as young rulers coming into power, aided by a mysterious force that weaves between their individual stories. The Queen’s Council is about Belle during the early days of the French Revolution, caught between her new royal life and her "provincial" roots.
The Night Country by Melissa Albert
The sequel to Albert’s The Hazel Wood promises to be just as intriguing and eye-catching as the first. Although I have yet to read Hazel, I’ve made a promise to myself that within the first few months, I will cross it off my list so I can enjoy this new release.
Neverland by Meagan Spooner
I loved Spooner’s Hunted and am excited to read Sherwood. Her newest retelling, Neverland, will take readers to Peter Pan’s realm. Fans of the original book will likely jump at the chance to read a new story about our favourite characters.
Dark and Deepest Red by Anna-Marie McLemore
I’ve picked up a few of McLemore’s books and this one caught my eye when I saw the cover ages ago. This is a retelling of the “red shoes” fable. Set in the summer of 1518 and 2018, McLemore pairs the forbidding magic of a fairy tale with a modern story of passion and betrayal. I can’t wait to read it!
Straight on Till Morning by Liz Braswell
Another Peter Pan retelling on my list, but I couldn’t not have it. I love the Twisted Tales series Disney is putting out and I especially enjoy the books Braswell writes for it. This story will answer the question: what if Wendy first travelled to Neverland with Captain Hook? I’m interested to see what she does with this retelling.
Red Hood by Elana K. Arnold
Arnold’s Damsel was simply amazing. When I learned she was going to tackle Red Riding Hood, I couldn’t not add it to my list. Red Hood is a dark, engrossing, blood-drenched tale of the familiar threats to female power—and one girl’s journey to regain it.
House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
I’ve read most of Maas’ work and when I found out she was starting a new adult fantasy series, I had to know more. This is the story of a half-Fae, half-human firl named Bryce Quinlan as she seeks revenge in a contemporary fantasy world of magic, danger, and romance. It promises to be just as engaging as her Young Adult work.
Hold Back the Tide by Melinda Salisbury
Everyone knows what happened to Alva's mother, all those years ago. But when dark forces begin to stir in Ormscaula, Alva has to face a very different future – and question everything she thought she knew about her past.
Bone Crier’s Moon by Kathryn Purdie
Ailesse has been prepared since birth to become the matriarch of the Bone Criers, a mysterious famille of women who use strengths drawn from animal bones to ferry dead souls. But first she must complete her rite of passage and kill the boy she’s also destined to love.
Bastien’s father was slain by a Bone Crier and he’s been seeking revenge ever since. Yet when he finally captures one, his vengeance will have to wait. Ailesse’s ritual has begun and now their fates are entwined—in life and in death.
Chosen Ones by Veronica Roth
Five twenty-something heroes famous for saving the world when they were teenagers must face even greater demons—and reconsider what it means to be a hero – by destiny or by choice.
Ruthless Gods by Emily A. Duncan
Duncan’s first book in the Something Dark and Holy series was one of my favourite 2019 reads. I am waiting on pins and needles for Ruthless Gods to come out so I can find out what’s happening to my dumb, magical children.
Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust
A captivating and utterly original fairy tale about a girl cursed to be poisonous to the touch, and who discovers what power might lie in such a curse.
House of Dragons by Jessica Cluess
Five royal houses will hear the call to compete in the Trial for the dragon throne. A liar, a soldier, a servant, a thief, and a murderer will answer it. Who will win? Think Three Dark Crowns meets The Breakfast Club with dragons.
Empress of Flames by Mimi Yu
I haven’t read The Girl King yet, but I found the back cover to the first book so interesting, I had to add this sequel to my to-read list. I’m sure Yu won’t disappoint in her newest release in 2020.
Katheryn Howard: The Scandalous Queen by Alison Weir
I love Weir’s series about Henry VIII’s six wives. Katheryn Howard was his fifth wife and by far one of his most notorious, next only to her cousin Anne Boleyn. I don’t know a great deal about Katheryn before she was queen, so I’m excited to see what Weir dug up about this woman of history.
Hood by Kenny Elder Moke
Moke reimagines the world of Robin Hood in lush, historical detail and imbues her story with more breathless action than has ever come out of Sherwood Forest before. I’m excited to learn more about Robin Hood’s daughter and how her notorious father’s history impacts her future.
The Court of Miracles by Kester Grant
This book is a diverse fantasy reimagining of Les Misérables and The Jungle Book. In the dark days following a failed French Revolution, in the violent jungle of an alternate 1828 Paris, young cat-burglar Eponine (Nina) Thenardier goes head to head with merciless royalty, and the lords of the city's criminal underworld to save the life of her adopted sister Cosette (Ettie).
Shielded by KayLynn Flanders
This is a thrilling new fantasy about a kingdom ravaged by war, and the princess who might be the key to saving not only those closest to her, but the kingdom itself, if she reveals the very secret that could destroy her.
Ghost Wood Song by Erica Waters
Shady Grove is her father’s daughter, through and through. She inherited his riotous, curly hair, his devotion to bluegrass, and his ability to call ghosts from the grave with his fiddle. But Shady’s brother was just accused of murder, and so she has a choice to make: unearth the fiddle that sang her father to the grave and speak to the dead to clear her brother’s name, or watch the only family she has left splinter to pieces.
The Princess Will Save You by Sarah Henning
Henning’s Sea Witch series set a high standard for me for her next book, so I’m excited to read her next book. When her father dies, Princess Amarande is given an ultimatum: Marry the leader of one of the four neighbouring kingdoms, or lose her crown—and possibly her life. And to force her hand, her beloved, the stable boy Luca, is kidnapped. But Amarande was raised to be a warrior, not a sacrifice.
The Queen’s Council by Emma Theriault
This is the first book in a YA historical fantasy series that reimagines the Disney Princesses as young rulers coming into power, aided by a mysterious force that weaves between their individual stories. The Queen’s Council is about Belle during the early days of the French Revolution, caught between her new royal life and her "provincial" roots.