This is the actual complete list, not just the books that have covers and descriptions already that I’ve posted about so far. I think I might just keep “Books of 2012” going throughout 2012 as more information comes out on the books coming out later in the year and then just keep going with “Books of 2013” and so on.
As usual, I’m sure more books will come to my attention throughout the year that will look interesting, too, but right now these are the ones I’m most looking forward to (in no particular order with the ones I haven’t already done posts on first).
The Grail of the Summer Stars by Freda Warrington
This is the third Aetherial Tales book, along with Elfland (review) and Midsummer Night (review). It’s a stand alone story like the other two, but there are connections to the others. In an interview I did with her Freda Warrington mentioned that while Sam and Rosie will not have a huge part in it they will play an important role. She also said there will also be a more about Mist and Rufus’s past. Elfland was my favorite book read last year so I’m very excited about this one, especially after seeing what Freda had to say about it in her interview. The Grail of the Summer Stars is supposed to be released in summer or fall of 2012.
Dark Currents by Jacqueline Carey
This will be the first book in a new urban fantasy trilogy, and I can’t wait to see what Jacqueline Carey does with it! Learning more about it when I interviewed her a few months ago also made me want to read it more. Here’s what she had to say about it:
Daisy Johanssen, my reluctant hell-spawn heroine, serves as the liaison between the mundane and eldritch authorities in a small Midwestern resort town that does a booming business in paranormal tourism. When a young man drowns under suspicious circumstances, it falls to Daisy to investigate amidst rising tension.The series is a blend of whimsy, wonder and creepiness. For me, one of the great appeals of urban fantasy is that rather than transporting the reader to another world, another time and place, it gives the reader a prism through which to view this world, here and now, and imbue it with magic. That’s a marvelous gift. The biggest challenge lies in the fact that this is a very crowded subgenre, and it’s not easy to put a fresh, unique spin on it. But I’ll do my best!
I just love the sound of it! It will probably be released sometime in the fall of 2012.
Ashes of Honor by Seanan McGuire
I love the October Daye series, an urban fantasy series featuring the fae. I mostly love them because I just love Toby’s narrative voice and the way her personality jumps off the page. But I also love them for the character Tybalt, the King of Cats, who is just plain awesome. This is a series that just keeps getting better and better and the two books that came out this year Late Eclipses (review) and One Salt Sea (review) were the very best yet. Ashes of Honor, the sixth book in the series, will be out in September 2012.
The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter
This will be the start of a new science fiction series, and I think it will be interesting to see a collaboration between these two authors. I’ve read all of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld books but one (not including the YA series which I haven’t read at all). I haven’t read Stephen Baxter yet, but he’s been on my radar for a while with a reputation for writing very good science fiction. The Long Earth will be released on June 19, 2012.
Cold Steel by Kate Elliott
I read Cold Fire during this busy month of December and haven’t had a chance to review it yet (but I definitely will, probably next book I review). It completely took me by surprise and ended up as one of my very favorite books read this year. I was expecting to like it since I did enjoy Cold Magic, but I wasn’t expecting to love it so much. Cat’s narrative voice pretty much made the book for me, though. Well, her and the other characters and the dialogue. Oh, and finding out more about certain things… I just loved it, and it made the final book in the trilogy one of my very most wanted books of 2012.
Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews
At first I wasn’t sure how I felt about getting a book about Andrea instead of the sixth Kate Daniels book next year and wasn’t even sure if I’d read it. Book 5 is left off like that with this tantalizing part making me think it will get to what I have been waiting for and it won’t even be continued until 2013?! I understand the reasoning behind it since apparently book 6 is planned and what happens in this book needs to happen before that, but I just really want the next Kate book, being impatient as I am. While I’d still prefer a book about Kate, I did come to the realization that OF COURSE I will read Andrea’s book. I like Andrea and her friendship with Kate, and I’m now starting to get more curious about this book now that I’m getting used to the idea of it. Gunmetal Magic is currently scheduled for August 31, 2012.
The Serpent Sea by Martha Wells | More Details
The Cloud Roads (review) was one of my favorite books of 2011 so I’m very excited about the sequel. It’s set in a fascinating world about characters who aren’t human and has plenty of heart. The official release date is January 3, but it seems to already be available on Amazon at least.
Songs of the Earth by Elspeth Cooper | More Details
This is a debut novel that came out in the UK this year that sounds like it could be rather interesting as it deals with issues like religion and persecution for having certain abilities. It will be available in the US at the end of February.
Discount Armageddon by Seanan McGuire | More Details
I do not want to miss the first book in a new series by one of my favorite urban fantasy authors. The InCryptid series sounds like such fun, and the little bit of read of the ARC seems like fun too. It will be released in March.
Range of Ghosts by Elizabeth Bear | More Details
It’s the first book in a new epic fantasy trilogy, Eternal Sky, by one of my favorite authors so of course I must read it! I have an early copy of this one and the writing in the opening is beautiful. It will be released in March.
House of Shadows by Rachel Neumeier | More Details
This is a book by a new-to-me author I’ve been hearing good things about. It’s also supposed to be a stand-alone so it sounded like a good place to start! House of Shadows will be available in July.
Throne of the Crescent Moon by Saladin Ahmed | More Details
This is another debut novel that looks very interesting. Saladin Ahmed’s short fiction is supposed to be very good, and I really like the looks of this novel with its Arabian setting and cast of characters, including an old ghul hunter who just wants to retire. It will be released in February.
The Killing Moon by N. K. Jemisin | More Details
N. K. Jemisin’s Inheritance trilogy was riveting with its gods and conversational prose style, and I’m really interested in seeing what she does with a new setting with priests of the dream goddess. The Killing Moon will be released in May.
Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore | More Details
This is a companion novel to Graceling and Fire, Kristin Cashore’s previous two young adult fantasy novels. I enjoyed Graceling and I LOVED Fire so I have high hopes for this one since the books seem to be getting better. Bitterblue is scheduled for publication in May.
Which books are you most looking forward to in 2012?
