With almost half the year — yes, almost half of 2023 is over what have I done with my life?! What better thing to do than to ignore the rental crisis, rising gas prices, responsibilities, and impending doom and instead look at something positive like future releases!
Obviously, this list isn’t a comprehensive list of books I’m anticipating for 2023 (that list is long) but a few releases in the next few months.
So, without further ado, here are some books I’m highly anticipating in 2023 (or, what’s left of 2023).
Of Light and Shadow by Tanaz Bhathena
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Sale date: 23 May 2023
Why I’m excited:
• Set in historical India-inspired world
• Enemies to lovers with a rakish prince
• YA Fantasy stand-alone!
Something Close to Magic by Emma Mills
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Sale date: 13 June 2023
Why I’m excited:
• Fan of the author
• Cozy fantasy? Yes, we need more!
• Tender characters
The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem
Genre: Fantasy
Sale date: 18 July 2023
Why I’m excited:
• Inspired by both Egyptian folklore and political upheaval
• Hidden heir to the throne
• Enemies to allies to friends to enemies…
Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto
Genre: Young adult, Fantasy, Dark Fantasy
Sale date: 25 July 2023
Why I’m excited:
• Fan of the author
• Enemies forging alliances
• Disgraced ghost-fighting warrior
The Boy You Always Wanted by Michelle Quach
Genre: Young Adult, Romance
Sale date: 1 August 2023
Why I’m excited: UPDATE: currently reading an ARC woo!
• Fan of the author
• Exploration of heritage, tradition, and duty
• Not quite fake dating-more like fake male heir
Guardians of Dawn: Zhara by S. Jae-Jones
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Sale date: 1 August 2023
Why I’m excited:
• “Sailor Moon meets—” I’m sorry, did they just mention Sailor Moon? Yeah, sold. I’m going to read anything related to Sailor Moon. That alone gets me.
House of Marionne by J. Elle
Genre: Fantasy, Dark Fantasy
Sale date: 29 August 2023
Why I’m excited:
• Secret magic debutante society
• Dark academia vibes
• Morally gray characters
The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma
Genre: Fantasy
Sale date: 29 August 2023
Why I’m excited:
• Slow burn enemies to lovers
• Inspired by myths and legends of India
• Morally gray princess
Everyone’s Thinking It by Aleema Omotoni
Genre: Young Adult
Sale date: 5 September 2023
Why I’m excited:
• Elite UK boarding school
• A loose reimagining of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Exploration of colourism and beauty standards
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical
Sale date: 19 September 2023
Why I’m excited:
• Fan of the author
• Dark academic fantasy stand-alone
• Academic rivals to lovers
This Dark Descent by Kalyn Josephson
Genre: Fantasy
Sale date: 26 September 2023
Why I’m excited:
• Fan of the author
• Jewish folklore
• Friends to enemies to lovers
The Scarlet Veil by Shelby Mahurin
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Sale date: 26 September 2023
Why I’m excited:
• Enemies to lovers
• Vampires in 2023? I’m intrigued
• Pretty cover (call me superficial lol idc)
The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Sale date: 3 October 2023
Why I’m excited:
• Call me biased, but I’ll read anything with ‘alchemist’ or with alchemy courtesy of FMA
• Historical Asian Fantasy
• Ugh, just look at that cover. I need that on my shelves
The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Sale date: 3 October 2023
Why I’m excited:
• South East Asian inspired fantasy
• Enemies to lovers
• Forced proximity
Huda F Cares by Huda Fahmy
Genre: Young Adult fiction, Comics
Sale date: 10 October 2023
Why I’m excited:
• Fan of the author
• Fun and humorous storytelling
• Exploration of what it’s like growing up Muslim in America
Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig
Genre: Fantasy, Dark Fantasy
Sale date: 17 October 2023
Why I’m excited:
• Fan of the author
• Complex magic system and interesting lore
• I read the prequel and I NEED this
Honorary 2024 mentions:
A Tempest of Tea by Harsh Faizal For some reason I thought this was going to be released in 2023 (perhaps I just wished and dreamt it…)
Are any of these books on your radar? What’s a book you’re excited to read?
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