August seems to be a month for publishing sequels and trade paperbacks, my friends. My personal pile of books for August is a bit light, which is good because all of publishing is planning our demise on September 3rd. Here’s a warning one month in advance: the anticipated reads for September is a wallet buster. But for now let’s focus on August releases!
📝 In case you are wondering how I manage to keep track of upcoming releases and choose the books I am most excited to highlight, check out my Edelweiss 2.0 Guide!
Source: Playbill on Tumblr
✨✨ August 6 ✨✨
The Dragon Republic (The Poppy War #2)
by R.F. Kuang
Adult, Fantasy
The searing follow-up to 2018’s most celebrated fantasy debut – THE POPPY WAR.
In the aftermath of the Third Poppy War, shaman and warrior Rin is on the run: haunted by the atrocity she committed to end the war, addicted to opium, and hiding from the murderous commands of her vengeful god, the fiery Phoenix. Her only reason for living is to get revenge on the traitorous Empress who sold out Nikan to their enemies.
With no other options, Rin joins forces with the powerful Dragon Warlord, who has a plan to conquer Nikan, unseat the Empress, and create a new Republic. Rin throws herself into his war. After all, making war is all she knows how to do.
But the Empress is a more powerful foe than she appears, and the Dragon Warlord’s motivations are not as democratic as they seem. The more Rin learns, the more she fears her love for Nikan will drive her away from every ally and lead her to rely more and more on the Phoenix’s deadly power. Because there is nothing she won’t sacrifice for her country and her vengeance.
The sequel to R.F. Kuang’s acclaimed debut THE POPPY WAR, THE DRAGON REPUBLIC combines the history of 20th-century China with a gripping world of gods and monsters, to devastating effect.
Have I read The Poppy War yet? No. But that doesn’t mean that I am not excited for the second book in the series! I really want to read these books, but haven’t been in the right headspace for them yet.
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Sea Witch Rising (Sea Witch #2)
by Sarah Henning
Young Adult, Fantasy, Retelling
“The Little Mermaid” takes a twisted turn in this thrilling sequel to villainess origin story Sea Witch, as the forces of land and sea clash in an epic battle for freedom, redemption, and true love.
Runa will not let her twin sister die. Alia traded her voice to the Sea Witch for a shot at happiness with a prince who doesn’t love her. And his rejection will literally kill her—unless Runa intervenes.
Under the sea, Evie craves her own freedom—but liberation from her role as Sea Witch will require an exchange she may not be willing to make. With their hearts’ desires at odds, what will Runa and Evie be willing to sacrifice to save their worlds?
Told from alternating perspectives, this epic fairy tale retelling is a romantic and heart-wrenching story about the complications of sisterhood, the uncompromising nature of magic, and the cost of redemption.
Pre-Order Incentive (International)
I own a copy of The Sea Witch but haven’t read it yet (sensing a trend in this post?).
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Swipe Right for Murder
by Derek Milman
Young Adult, Thrillers & Suspense
On the run from the FBI.Targeted by a murderous cult.
Labeled a cyber-terrorist by the media.
Irritated texts from his best friend.
Eye contact with a nice-looking guy on the train.
Aidan has a lot to deal with, and he’s not quite sure which takes top priority.
Finding himself alone in a posh New York City hotel room for the night, Aidan does what any red-blooded seventeen-year-old would do—he tries to hook up with someone new. But that lapse in judgement leads to him waking up next to a dead guy, which sparks an epic case of mistaken identity that puts Aidan on the run from everyone—faceless federal agents, his eccentric family, and, naturally, a cyber-terrorist group who will stop at nothing to find him.
He soon realizes the only way to stop the chase is to deliver the object everyone wants, before he gets caught or killed. But for Aidan, the hardest part is knowing who he can trust not to betray him—including himself.
This sounds like such a fast-paced thriller, and I am here for it.
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Ziggy, Stardust and Me
by James Brandon
Young Adult, LGBTQIAP+
Debut Author
The year is 1973. The Watergate hearings are in full swing. The Vietnam War is still raging. And homosexuality is still officially considered a mental illness. In the midst of these trying times is sixteen-year-old Jonathan Collins, a bullied, anxious, asthmatic kid, who aside from an alcoholic father and his sympathetic neighbor and friend Starla, is completely alone. To cope, Jonathan escapes to the safe haven of his imagination, where his hero David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust and dead relatives, including his mother, guide him through the rough terrain of his life. In his alternate reality, Jonathan can be anything: a superhero, an astronaut, Ziggy Stardust, himself, or completely “normal” and not a boy who likes other boys. When he completes his treatments, he will be normal—at least he hopes. But before that can happen, Web stumbles into his life. Web is everything Jonathan wishes he could be: fearless, fearsome and, most importantly, not ashamed of being gay.
Jonathan doesn’t want to like brooding Web, who has secrets all his own. Jonathan wants nothing more than to be “fixed” once and for all. But he’s drawn to Web anyway. Web is the first person in the real world to see Jonathan completely and think he’s perfect. Web is a kind of escape Jonathan has never known. For the first time in his life, he may finally feel free enough to love and accept himself as he is.
A poignant coming-of-age tale, Ziggy, Stardust and Me heralds the arrival of a stunning and important new voice in YA.
Pre-Order Incentive (International)
I am not going to lie, the title and cover pulled me on in this one! I am a huge fan of David Bowie so I was naturally drawn to this one even though it’s outside of my typical genres.
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House of Salt and Sorrows
by Erin A. Craig
Young Adult, Fantasy
Debut Author
In a manor by the sea, twelve sisters are cursed.
Annaleigh lives a sheltered life at Highmoor, a manor by the sea, with her sisters, their father, and stepmother. Once they were twelve, but loneliness fills the grand halls now that four of the girls’ lives have been cut short. Each death was more tragic than the last—the plague, a plummeting fall, a drowning, a slippery plunge—and there are whispers throughout the surrounding villages that the family is cursed by the gods.
Disturbed by a series of ghostly visions, Annaleigh becomes increasingly suspicious that the deaths were no accidents. Her sisters have been sneaking out every night to attend glittering balls, dancing until dawn in silk gowns and shimmering slippers, and Annaleigh isn’t sure whether to try to stop them or to join their forbidden trysts. Because who—or what—are they really dancing with?
When Annaleigh’s involvement with a mysterious stranger who has secrets of his own intensifies, it’s a race to unravel the darkness that has fallen over her family—before it claims her next.
Pre-Order Incentive (US) ARC Review
IT IS ALMOST TIME! I have been so excited for this book and will be diving into my ARC very soon (kicks slump to the curb). I mean seriously, have you seen the book trailer?
✨✨ August 13 ✨✨
Midnight Beauties (Grim Lovelies #2)
by Megan Shepherd
Young Adult, Fantasy
The witches, beasties, goblins, and Royals return in this spellbinding conclusion to New York Times best-selling author Megan Shepherd’s Grim Lovelies duology.
Ever since she discovered her affinity for magic, seventeen-year-old Anouk has been desperate to become a witch. It’s the only way to save her friends who, like Anouk, are beasties: animals enchanted into humans. But unlike Anouk, the other beasties didn’t make it out of the battle at Montélimar in one piece.
With her friends now trapped in their animal forms, Anouk is forced into a sinister deal involving a political marriage with her sworn enemy, a wicked plot to overthrow London’s fiercest coven of witches, and a deadly trial of fire to become a witch. The price for power has always been steep in the world of the Haute. Now, it will cost Anouk everything.
Wicked and delightful, this spellbinding sequel and conclusion to Grim Lovelies is perfect for fans of The Cruel Prince and The Hazel Wood.
Surprise, surprise. I own Grim Lovelies and haven’t read it yet. But that didn’t stop me from pre-ordering my copy… which Barnes and Noble apparently shipped to me on Friday and will arrive on July 31st??? Is this the Universe telling me to read the duology now? Probably.
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✨✨ August 27 ✨✨
Crown of Coral and Pearl (Crown of Coral and Pearl #1)
by Mara Rutherford
Young Adult, Epic Fantasy
Debut author
For generations, the princes of Ilara have married the most beautiful maidens from the ocean village of Varenia. But though every girl longs to be chosen as the next princess, the cost of becoming royalty is higher than any of them could ever imagine…
Nor once dreamed of seeing the wondrous wealth and beauty of Ilara, the kingdom that’s ruled her village for as long as anyone can remember. But when a childhood accident left her with a permanent scar, it became clear that her identical twin sister, Zadie, would likely be chosen to marry the Crown Prince—while Nor remained behind, unable to ever set foot on land.
Then Zadie is gravely injured, and Nor is sent to Ilara in her place. To Nor’s dismay, her future husband, Prince Ceren, is as forbidding and cold as his home—a castle carved into a mountain and devoid of sunlight. And as she grows closer to Ceren’s brother, the charming Prince Talin, Nor uncovers startling truths about a failing royal bloodline, a murdered queen… and a plot to destroy the home she was once so eager to leave.
In order to save her people, Nor must learn to negotiate the treacherous protocols of a court where lies reign and obsession rules. But discovering her own formidable strength may be the one move that costs her everything: the crown, Varenia and Zadie.
Pre-Order Incentive (International)
I think by now we know I love court politics, secrets, and plots in stories so this one sounds really interesting to me!
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The Beekeeper of Aleppo
by Christy Lefteri
Adult Fiction, Cultural Heritage
The unforgettable love story of a mother blinded by loss and her husband who insists on their survival as they undertake the Syrian refugee trail to Europe.
Nuri is a beekeeper; his wife, Afra, an artist. They live a simple life, rich in family and friends, in the beautiful Syrian city of Aleppo–until the unthinkable happens. When all they care for is destroyed by war, they are forced to escape. But what Afra has seen is so terrible she has gone blind, and so they must embark on a perilous journey through Turkey and Greece towards an uncertain future in Britain. On the way, Nuri is sustained by the knowledge that waiting for them is Mustafa, his cousin and business partner, who has started an apiary and is teaching fellow refugees in Yorkshire to keep bees.
As Nuri and Afra travel through a broken world, they must confront not only the pain of their own unspeakable loss, but dangers that would overwhelm the bravest of souls. Above all, they must journey to find each other again.
Moving, powerful, compassionate, and beautifully written, The Beekeeper of Aleppo is a testament to the triumph of the human spirit. It is the kind of book that reminds us of the power of storytelling.
ARC Review to Come
Another book outside of my typical genres, but when Ballantine reached out to me regarding this title something told me I would enjoy it. And I am pretty sure that Isabelle is the person who pushed me to accept the ARC request by saying it was incredible.
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Rage (Stormheart #2)
by Cora Carmack
Young Adult, Fantasy
Princess or adventurer.
Duty or freedom.
Her Kingdom or the Stormhunter she loves.
If Aurora knows anything, it’s that choices have consequences. To set things right, she joins a growing revolution on the streets of Pavan.
In disguise as the rebel Roar, she puts her knowledge of the palace to use to aid the rebellion. But the Rage season is at its peak and not a day passes without the skies raining down destruction. Yet these storms are different—they churn with darkness, and attack with a will that’s desperate and violent.
This feels like more than rage.
It feels like war.
I loved Rage a whole lot, it was one of those books I picked up without expectations and devoured straight away. I can’t wait for the story to continue… 📖 Read my review for Roar!
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These Divided Shores (Streamriders #2)
by Sara Raasch
Young Adult, Fantasy
The thrilling sequel to These Rebel Waves—full of deadly magic, double crosses, and a revolution—from Sara Raasch, the bestselling author of the Snow Like Ashes series.
As a child, she committed unforgivable acts to free Grace Loray from King Elazar of Argrid. Now Elazar’s plan to retake the island has surpassed Lu’s darkest fears: he’s holding her and his son, Ben, captive in an endlessly shifting prison, forcing them to make a weapon that will guarantee Elazar’s success. Escape is impossible—unless Lu becomes the ruthless soldier she hoped never to be again.
Vex failed to save Lu and Ben—and that torments him as much as his Shaking Sickness. With the disease worsening, Vex throws himself into the rebellion against Argrid. The remaining free armies are allied with the stream raider syndicates—and getting them to cooperate will take a strength Vex thought burned on a pyre six years ago.
Imprisoned, betrayed, and heartbroken, Ben is determined to end his father’s rampage. Watching Elazar sway the minds of Grace Loray as he did those of Argrid, Ben knows he has to play his father’s game of devotion to win this war. But how can a heretic prince defeat the Pious God?
As armies clash and magic rises, Lu, Vex, and Ben will confront their pasts . . . or lose their futures forever.
ARC Review to Come
Ahhh, I can’t believe the sequel is almost here! I know I was in the minority, but I enjoyed These Rebel Waves last year and am excited for this sequel. 📖 Read my review for These Rebel Waves!
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Are any of these books on your TBR? Have you read any of them yet? What are the August releases that you can’t wait to get your hands on?
I was also in the minority that enjoyed These Rebel Waves, so I’m very excited to read the sequel once it releases! And I can’t wait to see what you think about The Dragon’s Republic! Happy reading! 💕
AHHH I am so glad you also enjoyed These Rebel Waves, I swear we are few and far between!
I am obscenely jealous you’ll be getting Midnight Beauties so soon!!! I’m sure I requested about 6 ARCs of it, and there’s no way I’ll get a copy until September (I have pre-ordered the hardcover from Book Depository to match my hardcover and it won’t get to the other side of the earth/through customs for weeks…. 😭) And yes, you should read it! It was really interesting and very different from a lot of other fantasy books.
Well, my copy of Midnight Beauties was allegedly delivered 3 days ago but it isn’t here, so joke’s on me I guess? I still have no idea why b&n shipped it out 2 weeks before publication date. I am glad you enjoyed the first book though, I swear I don’t remember seeing much buzz about it!
There really wasn’t much buzz about it at all… I think Joe at Storeys of Stories and I screamed about it a little, but we seemed to be the only ones…
That is such a darn shame, and it makes me want to read it more now to boost it! Also my copy arrived today and I am still laughing at how it was shipped so early
That’s so amazing though!! Mine will get here late because I’ve ordered the hardcover from the UK. We just don’t get hardcovers here in Aus… 😓
Oh really? Does that mean you get paperbacks first, or that you have to order from BD? (Have you considered doing a Reading Around the Globe interview?! *shameless plug*)
We get large paperbacks, so I tend to order hardcovers from BD, yes. I’ve always wanted to do one of your RAtG interviews, but you have people from Australia already so I didn’t think you’d want another one!! 😂💕
Interesting! And YES of course, the more the merrier (have you SEEN the number of Philippines and Netherlands interviews?!). DM me on Twitter or Discord when you have a chance.
I’m definitely with you when it comes to being all excited for a sequel when in fact I haven’t even read the first book yet! 😭 And I’m really excited for House of Salt and Sorrows (the trailer was AMAZING)!
Whew, I’m glad to not be the only one excited for sequels to books I haven’t gotten around to reading yet! I am SO EXCITED to read my arc of House of Salt and Sorrows after my current read, it looks so good.
I’m so excited for House of Salt and Sorrows! It sounds so good and I’m so intrigued by the fairytale it’s after. Sea Witch has been a book I’ve been dying to get my hands on it but haven’t yet for some reason. Maybe this is incentive for me to pick it up before the sequel drops 😂
Ahhh good choices, and I definitely think it is a good time to pick up Sea Witch! I am reading House of Salt and Sorrows next and am trying to hold my excitement in!
I hope you enjoy it!
I completely forgot The Midnight Beauties came out so soon!!!
Me too!!!
I am so looking forward to House of Salt and Sorrows!
Me too, me too!
I’ve heard so many good things about House of Salt and Sorrows!
Ahhh that’s wonderful to hear! I haven’t seen reviews yet (but I am also 3 weeks behind on hopping right now), but that gives me some peace of mind for when I go into my arc!
I can’t wait for your review!
Okay so listen. I started the book yesterday evening and read it in one sitting, staying up until 4am to finish it. I loved it!
That makes me so happy to hear!!!
I had not seen that trailer yet for House of Salt and Sorrows, and now I’m even more excited to read it😁
I swear, I didn’t think I could be more excited to read the book… and then the trailer came. It is just such an atmospheric mood!
I love the way this post was set up! It was nice not to have the bulky synopsis taking up space, but that it instead could be scrolled through. I can’t wait for House of Salt & Sorrows to be released. I’ve tried to get an ARC of it for months now so I’m happy to finally be able to read it. Also excited for Vow of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson.
Thank you so much for your comment on the post’s formatting! I am sorry you weren’t able to get an ARC for House of Salt and Sorrows but the wait is almost over at least! I have heard Vow of Thieves is good, but I haven’t read the first book yet eep! Happy reading!
That cover for Sea Witch Rising got me SHOOK.
I love it so much?!?!?! Like it complements the first book’s cover so well but also is different?!
House of Salt and Sorrows really got me excited, I went to add it to my TBR on Goodreads to find I’d already done it! Didn’t realise it was released so soon though, looking forward to it!
Hahaha that happens to me all the time! “Oh this sounds good” and then “oh yea, past Kal agrees.”
I haven’t been adding many new releases to my TBR recently, the only one I have is TDR which I already read! Enjoy 😀
Most new releases have been on my TBR for months, haha. But look at you! Did you enjoy it?
I loved it, I gave it 5 stars and you know what that means lol!
Oh HELL yea!
I just grabbed a beautiful hardback copy of The Dragon Republic at YALC which I am very excited to read, although it is such a tome and looks like it’s going to take me ages to get through omg.
Oh yay, congrats! I hope you enjoy the book (although I relate to taking ages for thicc books like whoa).
What an awesome list! I see this and I just see myself pre-ordering even more books….
Muahahaha, my job here as Book Pimp is done, then!
Super excited for The Dragon Republic! I just the other day finished The Poppy War, and you’re right, it does require a certain headspace. although I’m happy I didn’t know that going in.
Ahh, I am glad to hear you enjoyed Poppy War and I hope Dragon Republic meets your expectations! Happy reading!
I have Swipe Right For Murder and The Beekeeper of Aleppo on my list! They both sound right up my alley!
And OMG, Kal, you’re so right about September! So. Many. Books! And I’ll be on vacation till mid-September, which means I’ll already be spending way too much money on books. RIP. 😂
I almost got an arc for Swipe Right for Murder like five times, but I controlled myself! I hope you enjoy both of the books, Shruti!
September is a book lover’s dream, but bank account’s nightmare! At least you will have the time for reading?
*sits up* OMG Kal. I’m literally four seconds away from adding these books to my TBR. Oh gosh look at these covers and the synopsis 😍😍
Muahahaha, my job here is done! Happy reading, Ahana!
*rocks in corner*
*stares at book*
I’m so excited for Dragon Republic– I read the poppy war this year and I am eager for the sequel. Even though I do want this in paperback but that is released next year 😭 so I don’t know if I will wait or just splurge and buy the hardback!!
Ziggy, Stardust and Me does have a beautiful cover and I am interested in the story– I’m intrigued to see what others think to it!! 😊
I love the way you set out this post and so many great releases out in August!! Happy reading!! 💗
It’s such a bummer that paperbacks take so long to come out! For larger books like this, I’d prefer pb over hardcover for reading purposes (the spine of my priory cracked). Thank you so much, and happy reading to you as well!
I had the same thoughts when looking at my lists for August and September! I only have a couple of things pre-ordered for August, but September…whoo, boy. I need another job! Same for October.
Fall releases aren’t playing around this year, are they?!
The Dragon Republic has got me weak in the knees! I have the copy pre-ordered and I just can’t wait anymore, Kaleena!
SOON, Camillea! Soon you will have it in your hands!
I am so excited for Ziggy, Stardust, and Me and Swipe Right for Murder!
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
Me too, I hope we both enjoy them!
Such an amazing list! More books to my tbr list! yay! I love reading books from debut authors glad to see some of them up on the list 🙂
WOW a person that doesn’t yell at me for making their tbrs grow, yay! 🙂 Happy reading!
I absolutely adored The Beekeeper of Aleppo! I hadn’t realized it wasn’t in the US yet, and I was afraid to click on this because I wasn’t sure my TBR could handle it, but I’m happy to say I had most of these on my list already lol *sigh of relief* except Ziggy, Stardust and Me which I think needs to be on there…hmm.Also I really enjoyed House of Salt and Sorrows!
Ahhh I didn’t realize Beekeeper of Aleppo released over in the UK earlier! And you made out pretty good this month, but beware of September’s releases muahahahha
Loved this list!!! I’m reading TDR right now and Can’t wait for House of salt and sorrows. *opens YouTube for the trailer*
Ahh, happy reading and thanks for stopping by!
The Dragon Republic is SO GOOD. I’m definitely adding a couple of others to my TBR. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Ahhh I am so glad you enjoyed TDR! I really need to read my copy of Poppy War… eventually. Happy reading!
Thanks! Hope you enjoy both.
The Dragon Republic is on my tbr, but I still haven’t gotten to The Poppy War yet. I’m excited to read it though because I’ve heard such good things!
Same here, Cailin! I own The Poppy War but haven’t gotten around to reading it yet… someday soon! Happy reading to you!
The cover of midnight beauties is so pretty ! However, I don’t think it’s a book for me x) considering how the night circus was such a flop (and it was indeed in french so..)
But there’s some that piqued my interest; Sea Witch Rising (aswell as the 1st one) & Swipe right for murder
I think magical realism is definitely a hit or miss genre for fantasy fans, so I totally get that. Bummer you didn’t enjoy The Night Circus though!
I so wanted to like it .. but unfortunately that’s not what happened 😪 fantasy in general is a though subject on my brain
This post is such a clear reminder of how behind I am on new releases. Lol! I haven’t even read the first books for most of these sequels (i.e. Sea Witch and Grim Lovelies), but I’m hoping to tackle them relatively soon! I’m excited to read Swipe Right for Murder, since I’m in a thriller mood! Thanks for sharing, Kal! <3
At least we both are behind on those two series together, lol! I really have been wonky with my reading a lot lately and it shows when I post these every month.