We planned a Halloween post, but our plans changed when we saw some of the books being released soon. We figured if these books flew under our radar, we just had to share to make sure everyone had a chance to place their pre-orders. Below you will find two books the three of us, (yes, Marissa is a guest once again!) are looking forward to. Our release radar may look slightly different than yours, so be sure to drop what you’re looking forward to in the comments below.
Marissa’s Picks: Iron Flame (Sequel to Fourth Wing)
Rebecca Yarros is not done with her readers yet. In Iron Flame we get to watch what happens after Violet Sirrengail came out alive while she attended Basgiath War College. Everyone, including herself, did not expect her to survive. Unfortunately, the Threshing is just the beginning. Her real training begins, and Violet feels worried she won’t get through.Violet may be weaker, frailer, and smaller, but she has her wits and an iron will. How are y’all not as excited as me about this book!
I am so excited for this book to come out on November 7th! I am still on a high from Fourth Wing and especially with the cliffhanger we were left on. You can check out my review here. Without giving anything away, Yarros introduced us to a character we no longer expected to be alive. But SURPRISE! THEY’RE ALIVE. So not only can’t I wait to see what else happens between Violet and Xaden, but I can’t wait to see the interaction with this newly introduced character. I just can’t wait for so many things.
My Darling Girl
Jennifer McMahon is about to drop her newest novel, My Darling Girl. This story follows Alison who is dreading the usual Christmas festivities. She powers through, watching her husband’s Christmas spirit fill their cozy Vermont home. Suddenly, she receives a phone call from her estranged mother who was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer. Hoping to spend her final days with her daughter’s family, Alison is reluctant to agree due to her traumatic upbringing. Yet, she still agrees only for strange and otherworld events to unfold in her home. As Christmas turns into horror, Allison must come to terms with how much she’s willing to risk in order to protect her family.
Are you looking for a horror or thriller this Halloween season? I know we are so look no further, because Jennifer McMahon is releasing My Darling Girl on October 3rd. To be quite honest, I had no idea this book was coming out prior to a few days ago. I don’t know much about this book, other than the synopsis. However, I have never been disappointed by anything Jennifer McMahon has written. She writes Thrillers very well and she always finds a way to suck me into the story. I read her last book Children on the Hill in 2 days flat and that was really only reading in the evenings. I am genuinely so excited to see how she rocks a possession story.
Roxy’s Picks: House of Flame and Shadow (Crescent City series)
While the Crescent City series by Sarah J. Mass, is still sitting on my TBR list, I couldn’t be more excited for the release of this book. At a glance, the proposed trilogy follows a half-fae half-human, Bryce Quinlan. Bryce is a party girl in the city up until her best friend is murdered. In her search for answers around her friend’s murder, Bryce discovers dark conspiracies that threaten the city. If you are a fan of the A Court of Thorns and Roses series, you are bound to enjoy the small connections made in this trilogy.
House of Flame and Shadow follows the same character, Bryce, as she is flung far from her home. In this story, Bryce is fighting to get back to her family, friends and mate. Although I haven’t read the first two books, I am excited for the release of this one on January 30th, 2024. Not only did I devour the ACOTAR series in the span of two months, but the release of this third book sparks talk of the continuation of the beloved ACOTAR series. Much joy is in store for Sarah J. Maas fans.
Cthulhu Casebooks – Sherlock Holmes and the Highgate Horrors
I know you’ve heard us talk about H.P Lovecraft a bit recently. But, can you blame us! His writing is perfect for the spooky season. So when I saw this sitting in Penguin Random House’s publication list for October I had to take a peak. The Cthulhu Casebooks by James Lovegrove, combines the Lovecraftian horror with the classic Sherlock Holmes. Weird, I know but bear with me. These stories are strange and enticing, taking classic tales of Holmes and Watson and adding in Lovecraft’s unique scares.
Cthulhu Casebooks- Sherlock Holmes and the Highgate Horrors will be the fourth in the series and is set to be released on October 10th, 2023. I have enjoyed the story of Sherlock Holmes for years, although the classic books have been hard for me to enjoy. Pairing this with Jonas’s love for Lovecraft horrors, I just can’t wait to see the results. Based on the reviews I’ve read thus far, the books seem to be easy to follow and take the complex writing style of Lovecraft and modernize the stories.
Jonas’s Picks: Murtagh (The Inheritance Cycle)
Murtagh by Chrisopher Paolini, comes out on November 7, 2023. Instead of focusing on Eragon, this book focuses on his brother, Murtagh. After the rebels overthrew King Galbatorix, Murtagh is exiled due to his involvement with the king. Him and his dragon Thorn must face their consequences for their actions. In their exile, Murtagh finds a new threat to Alagaesia and must use all of his talents to outsmart her. I cannot wait to read where the story takes Murtagh and Thorn across their adventures.
I’ve read The Inheritance Cycle more times than the number of fingers I have. These books are one of my favorite fantasy series. Roxy brought to my attention Paolini is holding a book signing in November. I thought for sure it would be a book in his new Fractalverse he is creating. Imagine my surprise when I found out he is writing another book for The Inheritance Cycle. 12 years is a long time to add another book to a series, I think, but either way I am so excited.
The Atlas Complex (Atlas Series)
We all will have to wait awhile for this book as it comes out in 2024. Luckily for us however, the release date is January 9, 2024. All six of the students return back to the Library of Alexandria. They must finally face the terms for their recruitment into Alexandria. Alliances split and form while each one tries to figure out how to deal with their bargain. Others argue about the ethics of their unnatural abilities. All this happens while the world still tries to destroy them. This sounds like a great conclusion to The Atlas Series.
The Atlas Complex will be the third and final book in Olivie Blake’s trilogy. Oftentimes, I find the last books in series to be the best. Last books seem to me, full of action and drama which lead to thrilling conclusions. I imagine The Atlas Complex to be no different. As I’ve written a negative review to the first in the series, I have high hopes Blake refined her craft and fleshed out her characters a bit more. I find her magic system unique which is why I’m excited to jump into the last book. If you’re interested, check out my review of The Atlas Six here.
Books we Somehow Missed
Can you not wait to read some of these books? Are you looking for other books in the meantime? We at Umbra Ex Libris, somehow missed these two big releases you can jump into today! We will definitely be picking these two books up soon.
Holly
Remember The Bill Hodges trilogy? One of Umbra Ex Libris’s first posts involved the trilogy. Almost a full year after our launch, Stephen King returns to those characters in Holly. You can probably see why we are so excited for it. It holds some sentimental value around here. I find Holly Gibney the most interesting character in those books. She overcomes her fear and anxiety to confront Brady, not once but twice. I can’t wait to read all about her in King’s newest book.
Holly, who inherited Finders Keepers, comes across a kidnapping case. At first she is reluctant to take the case but something about the case makes it impossible for her to refuse it. A few streets over from where the kidnapping took place live two professors, hiding a well kept secret in their basement. Holly must use all her talent to confront these twisted professors and solve the kidnapping case. I don’t know how Stephen King publishes as many books as he does, but I’ve yet to be disappointed by any of them. This book won’t be the exception.
The Chalice of the Gods (Percy Jackson and the Olympians)
The Chalice of the Gods also came as a shocker to me. After two full series with Percy Jackson in them, I thought Rick Riordan finished writing about him. As you all know, I have loved the Percy Jackson books for as long as they existed. Don’t worry if you haven’t read any of the previous books, this book can be a standalone read. Maybe, it’ll be your first introduction into the world of Greek gods and demigods.
Having saved the world from total destruction twice now, Percy hopes for a peaceful senior year of high school. He wants to attend the college in Camp Jupiter with Annabeth. However, the college requires three letters of recommendation from the gods to get in. To get these letters of recommendation, Percy must go on three quests to please the gods.
Are you planning on picking any of these books up? I think we will end up with all of them, one way or another. It’s time to spend a fortune at our local book store for some of our most anticipated new books. Be sure to follow our Instagram for updates on our purchases and current reads. You can count on us to review these books in the near future.
As always, happy reading!