There are hundreds upon hundreds of books being released in 2019 (and, all the more reason to get on top of mine). I could go on and on about every single one, particularly in the YA section, but I thought I’d be a better use of time to just talk about my top seven-ish.

1) Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare

SPOILERS FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN’T READ THE INFERNAL DEVICES TRILOGY!                                            *if you’ve read this series, you know why I’m crying.    

This is the first in Cassandra Clare’s new Shadowhunter series, The Last Hours. It is set in early 1900s London, with Will Herondale now running the London institute with his wife, Tessa, beside him. Their children, Lucie and James  *(ow ow ow, my heart), and their parabatai, Matthew Fairchild and Cordelia Carstairs, are the protagonists of this story, and I’m sure they’ll be having just as much fun as their parents did.

Release Date: November 19, 2019

2) Again, but Better by Christine Riccio

 Shane isn’t exactly having a wonderful time at college. Sure, she has wonderful grades and happy parents, but she hasn’t made any friends, and her life isn’t all that exciting, to say the least. Why not take a semester abroad in London?

Shane decides to break out of her shell…but that’s not nearly as easy as she thought it would be, and soon her plans come crumbling down before her. But, Shane finds that breaking out of your shell means more than just being outgoing and making friends—it means finding the courage to be who you are unabashedly.

Release Date: May 7, 2019

3) The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare and Welsey Chu

POSSIBLE SPOILERS FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN’T READ THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS SERIES!

Yet another story is being added to the Shadowhunter realm this year. This book is the start of a new series, The Eldest Curses, following Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood when they first begin dating after the end Mortal Instruments series. During the couple’s attempt at a romantic getaway to Europe, a cult made by Magnus many years ago (as a joke) is rising. The two must track down its leader and stop any further damage from happening all while getting to know each other more than they expected.

Release Date: April 2, 2019

4) The Ghosts of the Shadow Market by Cassandra Clare with Sarah Rees Brennan, Maureen Johnson, Kelly Link, and Robin Wasserman                                                       (the “ish” in the “seven-ish”)

Through a collection of eight novellas, the Shadowhunter realms grows even larger, telling the short stories of Silent Brother Zachariah, Matthew Fairchild, Anna Lightwood, and so many more, all through the eyes of the ever-present Shadow Market.

I say that this is an “ish” because the physical copy of this book will be released this year, but, as of right now, you can read or listen to these novellas on audiobook or kindle.

(I’ve read the first—it’s everything you could want, and more.) 

Release Date: June 4, 2019

5) Sherwood by Meagan Spooner

Robin of Locksley is dead.

Now, the Sheriff of Nottingham’s second in command is demanding to be made the new Lord of Locksley and Maid Marian’s fiancee.

Maid Marian is utterly alone, and in her despair, puts on Robin’s cloak and bow. She didn’t think she would be mistaken for Robin, didn’t think people would believe Robin had actually survived the battle he was in fact slaughtered at.

But, the people of Nottingham need a hero.

And who better than Maid Marian herself?

Release Date: March 19, 2019

6) King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo

Nikoli Lantsov has always had a gift for the impossible.

That gift is quickly turning into a curse.

With the threat of war just on the horizon, Nikoli must bring his kingdom back to glory and ensure his own wounds are mended. Entrusting a Grisha Squaller, the Too Clever Fox himself will search out the secrets he needs to battle all those imposing danger.

But not everything will stay buried.

Release Date: January 29, 2019

 

7) The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh

In 1872, vampires rule New Orleans. But Celine Rousseau, fleeing from Paris, finds it to be the perfect refuge. She is taken under the wing of the Ursuline convent, and becomes quickly enamored with the beautiful and dangerous city.

After becoming entangled with the city’s underworld, a body of one of the girls from the convent turns up. And then another body is found. And another.

Celine takes matters into her own hands, determined to find the killer, and quickly discovers that the city she has come to love may hold more secrets than she ever realized.

Release Date: October 8, 2019

8) The Wicked King by Holly Black

Following the Cruel Prince…

Okay, look, I’m gonna be real—I haven’t read the Cruel Prince. I have every intention of reading it this month because faeries and proving yourself and all those fun things, but I haven’t yet, and I am too excited for The Cruel Prince to make myself read the synopsis for this book, so if you know the story, you know it, and are therefore probably even more excited than I am (and yes this is a very long run-on sentence but that’s what me “being real” entails).

Release Date: January 8, 2019

 

 

Let me know some of your most anticipated releases for this year! And, if you would like to watch my video on this topic (going a bit more into detail as to why they are the books I’m most excited for), the link is down below!

 

“There is no friend as loyal as a book.” -Ernest Hemingway

-Alexandra Eckelbarger