2016 Anticipated Reads

New Year...equates to anxiously waiting on new book releases. I know this is coming extremely late in, we're literally in February now, but I didn't have any anticipated reads in the month of January so I thought it'd be fine to just post this this month instead.

Please note that all these dates are only accurate for now, because we all know how things sometimes get pushed back and some might not even be released this year, so please be aware of that.

1. Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

Release Date: March 8, 2016

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Can we just take a moment to admire this cover? I have never been so excited to physically own a book than I am for the hardcover of Lady Midnight. And yes, I already planned where I am placing it on my shelf. Does anyone remember that this was suppose to release in fall 2015, but it then got pushed back? Anyways this release date is pretty much set for March 8th. Lady Midnight is at the top of my anticipated reads of this year. This is the first book in Cassandra Clare's new Shadowhunter series The Dark Artifices. Set five years after City of Heavenly Fire, Lady Midnight focuses on parabatai, Emma Carstairs and Julian Blackthorn, characters we were previously introduced in City of Heavenly Fire. I'm excited to see how Clare sets the Los Angeles institute and these new characters. It's just so exciting to finally be getting back into the Shadow World and I hope for the same humor that were in her previous books.

2. The Song Rising by Samantha Shannon

Release Date: November 2016

Publisher: Bloomsbury

This is just a placeholder for the real cover, but I'm already getting the feeling that the actual cover will be a similar color to this one. This is another read I'm dying to get my hands on. If you follow me on Instagram, you know that The Bone Season is one of my favorite books. The Song Rising is book #3 of the Bone Season series by Samantha Shannon, in which she plans to be a seven book series. If you haven't read it yet then I definitely recommend you read The Bone Season, set in a futuristic London in which our clairvoyant protagonist Paige Mahoney is a dreamwalker. In a society were clairvoyancy is illegal Paige works in the Underworld of London until one night she gets kidnap. I don't want to say too much about it because I think you should go and read it without knowing much prior. Still slightly sad that The Song Rising doesn't release until fall of this year so the wait will be long and tortuous, but well worth it in the end.

3. Diviners book #3  by Libba Bray

Release Date: Hopefully sometime in 2016

Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Okay this is a book I'm being incredibly optimistic about. There's no title, no release date, no cover, not even a cover placement holder (which is why I've graced you with my own photos of the first two books) If you follow my Instagram you know that The Diviners is pretty much my favorite book ever. Set in the 1920s it follows our protagonist Evie O'Neill who has the abilities to read objects, meaning that whenever she holds and object of someones and concentrates on it, she can see past memories of where that object has been and also that person's life. This essentially lands her in trouble and her parents send her to live with her uncle in New York City, just around the time a string of occult murders begin happening, and Evie believes that her power can help catch the killer. This story is both equal parts creepy and humorous at times. 

There's so much diverse characters in this story and you get to meet more diviners along the way and Libba Bray has a great way of balancing the eeriness of the murders with humor that can be found throughout the book. Book #2, Lair of Dreams, finally released in August 2015 after constantly being pushed back relentlessly. But it was all worth the wait. I honestly don't know any information on the release date of this third book, literally all I know comes from stalking Libba's twitter and from what I can gather is that she is currently in the middle of writing it, so I'll keep my fingers cross.

4. The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater

Release Date: April 26th 2016

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Sighhh, I can't believe this series is almost over, but all good things must come to an end. The Raven King is the fourth book in The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater. I finally got around to reading the first book, The Raven Boys in 2015, and then The Dream Thieves, and Blue Lily, Lily Blue consecutively. I immediately fell in love with all these characters. I put this series off for so long because back in 2011 I read the entire Shiver trilogy by her and I honestly didn't like it at all. There was something lackluster and bland about the characters in that trilogy, so much so that I DNF'd the last book halfway through. This was the complete opposite with The Raven Boys. The driving force behind these books are it's characters, you can't help but fall for them and their quest. I'm equal parts anxious and terrified to see how it all ends, and hopefully it doesn't break my heart.

5. Throne of Glass book #5 by Sarah J. Maas

Release Date: September 2016

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

No title, no cover, no set release date, but at least we have a cover placeholder! Throne of Glass series needs no introduction as I'm sure many are aware/in love with this series. I finally bought this series back in March 2015 and binge read the first three books and the novella bind up that month. The fourth book Queen of Shadows released in September and by then I was anxiously awaiting the events after Heir of Fire. Though I did have a few problems with Queen of Shadows, it still ended up on my Top 5 Favorite Books of 2015. I'm pretty sure this cover is going to be a grayish tone like this placeholder because I remember last year's placeholder for Queen of Shadows was pink and then the cover ended up being so. Probably the cover release I'm most excited for this year, and hopefully amazes me. Also who else is excited to finally see Aelin ascend her throne and see her people again?

6. The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski

Release Date: March 29th, 2016

Publisher: Farrar Straus & Giroux

For some reason I did not expect this book to be on this list, but after reading The Winner's Crime, I knew I needed this book in my life badly. I read The Winner's Curse around the week it release, a time in which there was so much hype going around it. I didn't pay much mind to it and ended up loving it, but after a couple of months it fell out of my mind. It wasn't until I reread it and finally started The Winner's Curse over a year later that I realized that I was so in love with these characters. There's something about Arin and Kestrel's relationship that feels so real...I cannot even talk about it without the strong urge to reread this over again. Marie Rutkoski's writing is incredibly beautiful without being over flowery, and I promise you that these books will consume you and ruin your life (for the better). Incredibly sad that The Winner's Kiss is the last book in this trilogy, I'm wishing that this story wraps efficiently and do these characters justice.

7. Hamilton: A Revolution by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeffrey Seller

Release Date: April 12th, 2016

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

This comes as no surprise to anyone who follows me on twitter. You already know that I am a bit Hamilton obsessed. Okay a lot. Okay irrevocably die-hard stalkerish Hamilton obsessed. If you don't know what Hamilton is let me drop some knowledge (ha). Anyways, Hamilton is an American musical currently on Broadway about founding father Alexander Hamilton, written/created by the extremely talented Lin-Manuel Miranda, who not only wrote all 46 songs to the soundtrack, but also stars as Hamilton himself. Which he first got inspiration from reading the biography of Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow. The soundtrack is a blend of hip-hop and rap, which sounds absolutely stellar in this revolutionary setting. The cast is incredibly diverse and filled with amazing vocals. I have always enjoyed learning about American history, but Hamilton really solidified my love, and now I keep spouting random facts about the American Revolution and annoying those around me. ☺ I'll most likely never get to see it in person since tickets are so hard to get and not to mention expensive, but for now I'll just keep playing the soundtrack religiously everyday.

Okay, but back to the book. I honestly don't know much about this book only that Lin does go more in depth on getting Hamilton from just an idea then to the Public theatre all the way to Broadway. I believe it not only talks about the American Revolution, but the diverse revolution we have today. Plus, I heard that there will be many footnotes by Lin in it, which I'm really looking forward to. Have you seen his twitter? He's hilarious! I will never be satisfied until April.☺

8. The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye

Release Date: May 17th, 2016

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

I believe this is the first time I've had a debut author on my most anticipated reads list, but I had my eyes on this book for awhile. I can go on about how much I am looking forward to reading this, but I'm just going to leave you with a snippet from the goodreads synopsis:

Vika Andreyeva can summon the snow and turn ash into gold. Nikolai Karimov can see through walls and conjure bridges out of thin air. They are enchanters—the only two in Russia—and with the Ottoman Empire and the Kazakhs threatening, the Tsar needs a powerful enchanter by his side.

And so he initiates the Crown’s Game, an ancient duel of magical skill—the greatest test an enchanter will ever know. The victor becomes the Imperial Enchanter and the Tsar’s most respected adviser. The defeated is sentenced to death.

Honestly once I read the synopsis I immediately marked it to read. I really don't read enough debut fantasy books and that's something I'm trying to improve upon this and year and so excited to have this in my hands soon. I've also heard really stellar buzz around this book.

9. Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

Release Date: August 9th, 2016

Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books

I will admit that the trend in this list seems to be fantasy, so why not another? I acutally happened upon this book randomly when I was browsing through Macmillians upcoming releases. This was when there wasn't even a cover. From what I gather, Mia Covere is a daughter of an accused traitor, who has a gift of speaking with the shadows which leads her to the hearth of a retired killer. She ends up joining a school of assassins and apprentices to the deadliest flock of assassins in the entire Republic—the Red Church. Seeking to soon get revenge on the people who destroyed her family. With that synopsis and badass cover has me anxiously awaiting summer so I can have this in my possession. I know Jay Kristoff is the co-author of Illuminae, which I haven't read, but heard pretty substantial reviews of the writing, so I'm hoping his newest solo novel does not disappoint.

10. The Last Star by Rick Yancey

Release Date: May 24th, 2016

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

The wait is finally almost over. In the whole truth this trilogy is one that hasn't been consistently in my mind recently. The 5th Wave was one of my favorite books I read back in 2013, so much so that I had to reread it before I finally got around the second book, The Infinite Sea. Though I did not enjoy it as much as the first one, it was quite substantial in its own right. I'm not really that in love with this cover, but that is what I said with the previous book, only to physically hold it and marvel at in the middle of Barnes and Noble.There's always a wave of anxiety every reader gets when faced with a concluding novel of a series, and that is definitely apparent through me right now. The writing in the previous books are so elegant and well drawn out I'm confident that it will make itself evident through this book.

11. The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan

Release Date: May 3rd, 2016

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

An anticipated reads list is not complete without a Rick Riordan book. No one knows how beyond ecstatic I was when news came out that Rick Riordan was going to write more Greek mythology. After angering Zeus, the god Apollo is struck down and turned into a mortal until he can get back into Zeus' good graces. And now mortal, he is a much easier target for his enemies. Where else to turn but Camp Half-Blood? I know I am excited for all of these books, but I am so enthusiastic for this book to release. Rick confirmed that will be seeing the past demigods from the Heroes of Olympus (the main thing going on in my head was the fact that I would be getting more Percy) he also stated that stories of those characters will be wrapped up in this series, as it were not the case with Blood of Olympus, which was such a disappointing read for me. It was the first Rick Riordan book I gave 3 stars and was really not a good note to have fresh in my mind of my favorite characters. This was the redemption I was seeking for and the fact that we're going back to Camp Half-Blood is all the more to look forward to.

12. Strange The Dreamer by Laini Taylor

Release Date: September 27th, 2016

Publisher: Little Brown Books For Young Readers

Laini Taylor. New book.

That's all that needs to be said. I remember seeing this on goodreads one day and immediately added it to my tbr without having read the synopsis. If you haven't read Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy, then I strongly suggest you read it now. It is without hesitation that I can say its one of the best young adult fantasy books out there. Daughter of Smoke and Bone is lyrical, mysterious, full of revolution and passion. There is so much weirdness and love, reading it becomes almost a safe haven for me. This cover placeholder for Strange the Dreamer is ominous and dream like, which is something I always associate with Laini's books. This is the current synopsis for goodreads for this book, though it might change:

the aftermath of a war between gods and men

a mysterious city stripped of its name

a mythic hero with blood on his hands

a young librarian with a singular dream

a girl every bit as perilous as she is imperiled

alchemy and blood candy, nightmares and godspawn, moths and monsters, friendship and treachery, love and carnage.

Welcome to Weep.

13. Heartless by Marissa Meyer

Release Date: November 8th, 2016

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

And my last anticipated read is Heartless by Marissa Meyer. I was going to put Stars Above in this spot instead, but since it literally released today I decided to just put Heartless instead. Marissa Meyer is continuing with her retelling trend, but this time it is no longer set in the Lunar Chronicles world. Heartless is a retelling of the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, an unmarried Catherine is desired by many in Wonderland, even the King of Hearts, but during the ball where she is expected to accept the king's proposal, she then meets the mysterious court jester, Jest, and the two soon fall into a secret courtship. The more I read the synopsis, the more excited I am to read this. Why must November be so far away? Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles series is one of my all time favorites, the third book Cress even making it onto my top 10 reads of 2015. Full of well-developed characters, thrilling plots, hilarious dialogue, and sprinkles of retellings it's definitely a perfect series to marathon while you wait out for Heartless.

There's an endless list of books that I'm excited for this year, but these 13 take the cake. I just hope none of the release dates get push back. What are some your anticipated reads of 2016?