2021 looks exciting for the release of new literature – both adult and young adult novels – with each month seeing a new release. Here is a preview of what to expect in the world of literature this year.
January: Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas
The author of the incredible The Hate You Give has released a prequel, now following 17 year old Maverick Carter. Everything is under control as Mav continues to deal for the King Lords, helping his Mum with money and having a great girlfriend and cousin.
However, Maverick finds out he’s a father and everything becomes out of control – still needing to attend school and work for the King Lords – Mav accepts an offer to go straight. But he needs to prove he’s different.
February: The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
I was lucky enough to receive an advanced reader copy of this book and it definitely didn’t disappoint.
This high fantasy novel follows 16-year-old Deka in a world where a woman’s worth is tied to her purity and they must bleed to prove it. But when Deka bleeds gold – the colour of impurity and considered to be a demon – her life turns for the worse.
Until she is saved by a mysterious woman and becomes a part of a group to fight with others like her.
March: Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo
The highly anticipated sequel to King of Scars will finally be released, joining readers up with Nikolai, Zoya and Nina once again in the Grishaverse.
As Fjerda prepares to invade – together they must find a way to win the fight or watch their nation fall.
The Grishaverse will be coming to Netflix soon with the original series Shadow and Bone.
April: Between Perfect and Real by Ray Stoeve
Between Perfect and Real follows a transgender boy who finally gets to become the man he wants to be.
Dean has just been cast as a “non-traditional” Romeo in his school’s production of Romeo and Juliet but the more he plays the part – the more he finds he wishes people saw him this way in real life.
I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of this book and it was absolutely incredible with the LGBTQ+ representation and learning about the struggles they have to go through.
May: People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry
From the author of Beach Read follows a new Adult romance story. Poppy and Alex have been long friends until two years ago when they ruined everything. Poppy realises she hasn’t been truly happy since and persuades Alex to one last vacation together to try and fix things.
Now she has a week to fix their relationship and will have to face a big truth in order to do so.
June: One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
From the New York Times Bestseller of Red, White and Royal Blue comes a new adult romance story. This sapphic romance follows August as she begins to build a crush on a mysterious woman on the subway.
One problem is that the mysterious woman – Jane – has actually been displaced in time from the 1970s and August is going to have to have to confront her past in order to help Jane make her way back.
July: XOXO by Axie Oh
Cello prodigy Jenny has one goal and that is to get into a prestigious music conservatory. One night she meets Jaewoo and lets him pull her out of her comfort zone for one unforgettable night – and then disappears.
Three months later, Jenny and her mother go to look after her grandmother in South Korea to find Jaewoo will also be attending the same elite arts school. But even more surprisingly is that he’s a member of one of the biggest K-pop bands in the world.
August: Like A Love Song by Gabriela Martins
Image credit: Chai and Chapters
Natalie is doing great as she’s topping the charts and setting records as a Brazilian pop star – until her boyfriend dumps her… on live television. In order to save her career, her PR team’s desperate plan is to give her a fake boyfriend.
Natalie reluctantly agrees and her fake boyfriend – William – is nothing like she expected.
As she tries to fight her place back to the top and also falling for William, will she be able to reclaim her voice and heart?
September: Once upon a broken heart by Stephanie Garber
After the thrilling trilogy of ‘Caraval’, we finally get to see a new series also set in the Caraval universe. We follow a brand-new protagonist – Evangeline Fox – who is foolish enough to make a deal with the Prince of Hearts.
Jacks is back and is no doubt going to create havoc once again. It’s going to be a new series about love, curses and the lengths people will go to get a happily ever after.
October: Lakesedge by Lyndall Clipstone
Image credit: Goodreads
A gothic fantasy debut about monsters and magic. Violeta Graceland arrived at the haunted Lakesedge estate, expecting to find the monster known for drowning his whole family – Rowan Sylvanan – but nothing is what it seems.
Rowan is tied to the Lord Under and Leta must unravel the mystery to save him and herself.
November: Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood
A debut fantasy re-telling of the classic Jane Eyre. Andromeda is hired by the heir Magnus Rochester to cleanse households of the Evil Eye. Andromeda quickly begins to discover Magnus is hiding far too much and horrifying turns at every corner. Set to be a book that keeps you on your toes.
December: Make Like A Diamond by Amanda Pavlov
Image credit: amandapavlov.com
Lisette and her best friend Xavier are in for a lot more than they bargained for. Halloween night and a $10,000 prize pulls them together as they enter the 13th Realm of Hell – a haunted escape room run by a mysterious coven.
Lisette is determined to complete the 13 realms in order to save herself from eviction, but the witches who run the show have other plans.
With all these books to look forward to in 2021, you are spoilt for choice…
By Scarlett Acres
Feature image: I’m unschooled. Yes, I can write. – blogger