Hello!
The first list post of the week is taking a look ahead to 2023 as Hogmany looms. This year has been a great year for books, and next year is already shaping up to be a great year with both new releases and those already on my TBR.
For the purposes of this list, I have only included books that are (a) coming out in 2023 and (b) as confirmed as they can be (allowing for life and everything else that might get in the way.
And because I have no self control I might have snuck an extra one in too…
However, before we get into that list. I also want to shout out the following who may or may not have books out in 2023, but would be on my most anticipated list if and when they do (and who I will wait however long it takes for their books). Firstly, Sarah Chorn who has the Necessity of Rain in the works which is shaping up to be one of the most emotional and beautiful books, and I am already very much in love with this book and can’t wait to see the finished product whenever it is ready. Secondly, Luke Tarzian who is currently working on a project called Atrocious Puppets, and every snippet he has shared so far has been hauntingly compelling to read. Another is Nathan Hall who is working on A Fort of Winter which is the sequel to An Altar on the Village Green which was my favourite book of 2021. And finally, Jonathan Nevair who has just released Stellar Instinct which was such a fun read, and whose Wind Tide series is absolutely fantastic, and I look forward to discovering what his next project is going to be!
And now on with the list…
The Jaguar Path (The Songs of the Drowned #2) – Anna Stephens (Feb 2023)
Book Summary:
The Empire of Songs reigns supreme. Across all the lands of Ixachipan, its hypnotic, magical music sounds. Those who battled against the Empire have been enslaved and dispersed, taken far from their friends and their homes.
In the Singing City, Xessa must fight for the entertainment of her captors. Lilla and thousands of warriors are trained to serve as weapons for their enemies. And Tayan is trapped at the heart of the Empire’s power and magic, where the ruthless Enet’s ambition is ever growing.
Each of them harbours a secret hope, waiting for a chance to strike at the Empire from within.
But first they must overcome their own desires. Power can seduce as well as crush. And, in exchange for their loyalty, the Empire promises much.
Pre-order Links:
Amazon UK | Amazon US | Waterstones
Review for The Stone Knife (The Songs of the Drowned #1)
I have been waiting for this book and I was so excited to see it get confirmed. I fell in love with Anna Stephens’ writing with the Godblind Trilogy, and The Stone Knife was an absolutely fantastic kick off to this series and I can’t wait to see where it goes in The Jaguar Path.
Gates of Hope (Aurealian Gates #1) – J. E. Hannaford (April 2023)
Book Summary
The Watcher shattered the Gates.
Now, hope must arise from the shards.
Darin and Suriin enter the Black Palace of the So’Dal at a time when monstrous Edgelands creatures return to the skies over Caldera. After exhibiting magical traits thought lost, Darin is drawn into a secret society charged with keeping the Watcher’s secrets. Now he must balance learning how to control his magic, caring for Star, his new companion, and finding a way to sustain the Howlers’ power for long enough to protect Caldera from the predatory creatures of the Edgelands.
Before she arrived at the Black Palace Suriin broke the ancient rules of the So’Dal to save the life of the person she loves the most. As her search for a cure delves deeper under the mountain, is there any price she won’t pay?
On the outer moon of Tebein, Elissa’s newly awakened magic will endanger her home and family. Now she must race to find help for those she leaves behind as she escapes those who want her and all thise like her, dead.
One wrong decision by anoy of them could return legends to life and end five hundred cycles of peace.
Will they find the solutions they need in time?
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I was lucky enough to get to beta read an early version of Gates of Hope, and I am so excited to see this one out in the world and to see the changes that have been made since I read it. Also it has a fantastic map and the cover is shaping up to be something special!
Eleventh Cycle (Mistland #1) – Kian N. Ardalan (Feb 2023)
Book Summary:
It has been a thousand years since the last Seed abandoned their duty. The mists are closing in. Finally, the Morning Bell tolls. A new Seed is born, but is it too late?
The rot eats away at mortals. The Witnesses pray so that they may not turn into one of the forgotten. And the constricting mists infect the lands with fear.
But there is more to this tale than just the Elders and their Seeds. Four mortals will have a part to play in Minethria’s fate. A farmer girl with only love in her eyes. A warrior born to the life of a refugee. A highborn stuck between the realm of gods and men. And a woman running into front lines and away from home.
Will the cycle finally be completed? Or will the mist swallow all?
A seed is born and the evil is slain, so doth another cycle commence. Yet the last Seed born hath turned traitor, and the mists, which had been pushed back, returneth.
Pre-Order Links:
The Delve – Dan Fitzgerald (Feb 2023)
Book Summary:
The sword wants what it wants.
The Deepfold mine has gone dark on the eve of war. Without its supply of brightstone, the Maer’s technological advantage over the humans will evaporate. A rising knight named Yglind has earned his Forever Blade and been sent on a quest to uncover the cause of the blackout. Joined by his trusted squire Ardo and a prickly mage named Aene, Yglind hopes to cement his legacy and the Maer’s chance at victory in the coming war.
Inside the Deepfold, they are plunged into a world of bloodshed and chaos. Unknown foes have slaughtered many of the miners, and a gruesome dragon stalks the dark tunnels. While taking refuge in the mine’s impregnable keep, Yglind and Ardo seek solace in each other’s arms and the courage to face the cruel forces arrayed against them.
With their civilization hanging in the balance, they strike out against the invaders as their quest hurtles toward its bloody end.
Pre-order Links:
I was lucky enough to get to read this one this year, but since it officially comes out in 2023 it gets to go on this list because I want more people to know it’s coming. Even better, 2023 is shaping up to be a very busy and epic year for the author and I have included the other projects that have been listed as coming out in 2023 too because I super excited for all of them (and it still only counts as one *wink*).
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Wings so Soft – Dan Fitzgerald (Aug 2023)
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Unpainted – Dan Fitzgerald (Summer 2023)
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Cloti’s Song – Dan Fitzgerald (Nov 2023)
The End of Time (The Cruel Gods #3) – Trudie Skies
You can find my reviews for the first two books below, which will give you some idea of how much I love this series and how much I am looking forward to the third book. Also after the events in The Children of Chaos I need to find out what happens, and I am praying for mercy from the author!
The Thirteenth Hour | Children of Chaos
Legacy of Brick and Bone (Tainted Dominion #2) – Krystle Matar (April 25th)
Legacy of the Brightwash is well and truly deserving of all the plaudits it has received, and it was a book tht blew me away, while Tainted was something special as well, and I honestly can’t wait to see what Krystle has in store for her characters in Legacy of Brick & Bone.
You can find my reviews here for Legacy of the Brightwash (Tainted Dominion #2) and Tainted (A Dominion Novella).
Titan Hoppers 2 – Rob J. Hayes
Titan Hoppers was one of my favourite books of the year, and as someone whose gateway to SFF was science-fantasy this scratched an itch I wasn’t aware of while also being a fantastic introduction to the world of progression fantasy. The first book was so much fun, and the worldbuilding was excellent and I can’t wait to see what the author will do with book two in this sandbox.
You can read my review for Titan Hoppers (#1) here.
The Heroes We Could Have Been (Advent Lumina Cycle #2) & The Heroes We Never Were (Advent Lumina Cycle #2) – Thomas Howard Riley (2023)
The scope of The Advent Lumina Cycle was already breathtaking, and the news that the chonks have reached the point where we are getting a split sequel (now with two badass titles) is both awe-inspiring and exciting. I can’t wait to see where this series goes, and I trust Riley to put us and his characters through the wringer.
You can read my review for We Break Immortals here.
The Shadow Gate (Dragon Spirits #2) – L. L. MacRae (March 2023)
Summary & Pre-order still to be released.
Dragons! I swear everytime I talk about this book that is the first word out my mouth. I just love dragons, and I especially love how they are used in this series. That combined with the worldbuilding, and a fantastic cast of characters are why I cannot wait to return to this world in 2023.
You can read my review of book one The Iron Crown here.
Mystic Reborn (Archives of Evelium) – Jeffrey Speight
At the moment we have a title, and a tiny cover tease but I really enjoyed Paladin Unbound – it massively scratched that D&D itch for me and I can’t wait to see where the author will take the story and world in Mystic Reborn.
You can find my review for the first book Paladin Unbound here.
The Bitter Crown (Eidyn #2) – Justin Lee Anderson (October 2023)
Book Summary:
The fog of war is lifted and the conspiracy at the heart of Eidyn finally exposed.
Now they know the truth, Aranok and his allies must find a way to free a country that doesn’t know it’s held captive.
But with divided loyalties and his closest friendship shaken, can their alliance hold against overwhelming odds? The quest to retake the country begins here.
I picked up The Lost War when it was in SPFBO before it went on to win that year’s competition, and I was blown away by this book – especially the ending. I was delighted to see it had been picked up by Orbit, and I will be grabbing the new version once it’s out in paperback. But, that was paled in comparison to my excitement when The Bitter Crown was also announced, and I am in full countdown mode for October!
You can read my review of The Lost War here.
Pre-order Links:
Amazon UK | Amazon US | Waterstones
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So there we have it, my most anticipated books (so far) for 2023. Are any of these on your list? What else are you looking forward to coming out in 2023?
Rowena
Beneath A Thousand Skies 