Most Anticipated Books 2021 : Part II Feb 2021
Continuing on with our most-anticipated books series, for 2021 - this is Part-II with some of the hottest new releases in the month of Feb from some of our beloved authors and a sprinkling of new authors!
February
1. A History of What Comes Next by Sylvain Neuvel
Showing that truth is stranger than fiction, Sylvain Neuvel weaves a scfi thriller reminiscent of Blake Crouch and Andy Weir, blending a fast moving, darkly satirical look at 1940s rocketry with an exploration of the amorality of progress and the nature of violence in A History of What Comes Next.
Always run, never fight.
Preserve the knowledge.
Survive at all costs.
Take them to the stars.
Over 99 identical generations, Mia’s family has shaped human history to push them to the stars, making brutal, wrenching choices and sacrificing countless lives. Her turn comes at the dawn of the age of rocketry. Her mission: to lure Wernher Von Braun away from the Nazi party and into the American rocket program, and secure the future of the space race.
But Mia’s family is not the only group pushing the levers of history: an even more ruthless enemy lurks behind the scenes.
A darkly satirical first contact thriller, as seen through the eyes of the women who make progress possible and the men who are determined to stop them...
My 2021 resolution would be to read more science fiction - a satire story on first contact and space exploration seems just the right kinds. I haven't read Sylvain's previous works but have only heard great things. So, up up and away to the stars!
Feb 2nd by Tor.com Books
2. The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs.
But on the day of the ceremony, her blood runs gold, the color of impurity--and Deka knows she will face a consequence worse than death.
Then a mysterious woman comes to her with a choice: stay in the village and submit to her fate, or leave to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her. They are called alaki--near-immortals with rare gifts. And they are the only ones who can stop the empire's greatest threat.
Knowing the dangers that lie ahead yet yearning for acceptance, Deka decides to leave the only life she's ever known. But as she journeys to the capital to train for the biggest battle of her life, she will discover that the great walled city holds many surprises. Nothing and no one are quite what they seem to be--not even Deka herself.
This one sounds original, exciting, like a feminist-fever-dream in a good way :) And again, one of the rising stars among the neo-fantasy authors from African continent.
3. Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell
Ancillary Justice meets Red, White & Royal Blue in Everina Maxwell's exciting debut.
While the Iskat Empire has long dominated the system through treaties and political alliances, several planets, including Thea, have begun to chafe under Iskat's rule. When tragedy befalls Imperial Prince Taam, his Thean widower, Jainan, is rushed into an arranged marriage with Taam's cousin, the disreputable Kiem, in a bid to keep the rising hostilities between the two worlds under control.
But when it comes to light that Prince Taam's death may not have been an accident, and that Jainan himself may be a suspect, the unlikely pair must overcome their misgivings and learn to trust one another as they navigate the perils of the Iskat court, try to solve a murder, and prevent an interplanetary war... all while dealing with their growing feelings for each other.
Romance, space-opera. Adventure! Why not? This one of the most-hyped debuts for the year as well. So stoked!
Feb 2nd by Tor Books.
4. Moonsteel Crown by Stephen Deas
The vast Empire of Aria is in crisis. The Emperor is dead, murdered. The heir is a nine-year-old boy whose older sister, a potent sorceress, is manoeuvring to act as regent. Factions are forming within the Imperial family, the Southern lords are edging towards open rebellion, and on the far-flung borders an ancient darkness stirs.
Myla, Fingers and Seth couldn't care less. All members of Fat Al's Teahouse gang, they've found themselves in somewhat of a pickle, caught at the scene of a crime stealing to order, what they only just now realise might well be linked to the Emperor's untimely demise. Stuck in a city on lockdown they're forced to lay low, but the wolves are circling, and rival gangs are smelling blood...
This one's another Angry Robot books that I am looking forward to, early this year. Stephen Deas' is a prolific author and this sounds like a fun-adventure-heist-gomne-wrong kinda book.
5. The Black Coast by Mike Brooks
When the citizens of Black Keep see ships on the horizon, terror takes them, for they know who is coming: for generations, Black Keep has been raided by the fearsome clanspeople of Iwernia. Saddling their war dragons, the Naridans rush to defend their home only to discover that the clanspeople have not come to pillage at all. Driven from their own homeland by the rise of a daemonic despot who prophesies the end of the world, they have come in search of a new home. Meanwhile the wider continent of Narida is lurching toward war. Black Keep is about to be caught in the cross-fire of the coming war for the world – if only its new mismatched society can survive.
A fantasy debut for one of the hottest sci-fi writer - this one features dragons, epic world building and massive battles! Epic fantasy at its finest, I daresay.
Feb 18th by Orbit Books.
6. Reaper of Souls by Rena Barron
Before, Arrah was shamed by having no magic at all. Now, with demons on warpath, she is the only one in the world who has it.
Explosive fantasy set in a West-African world of magic and legend. Perfect for fans of Tomi Adeyemi and Sarah J Maas.
I AM POWER.
I AM MY ANCESTORS.
I DO NOT WALK ALONE.
After so many years yearning for the gift of magic, Arrah has the one thing she’s always wanted – but it came at too steep a price. Now the last surviving witchdoctor, she’s been left to pick up the shattered pieces of a family that betrayed her, a kingdom plunged into chaos, and a love that can never be.
While Arrah returns to the tribal lands to search for survivors of the demons’ attack, her beloved Rudjek hunts down the remnants of the demon army – and uncovers a plot that would destroy what’s left of their world.
The Demon King wants Arrah, and if she and Rudjek can’t unravel his schemes, he will destroy everything, and everyone, standing in his way.
In this roaring sequel to KINGDOM OF SOULS, Rena Barron weaves a tale of mythology, love, whip-fast action and trademark twists that asks the question: can you ever leave your past, ancestors, behind?
Having read the debut, I am invested in the future of its well drawn characters - one of the few YA fantasies last year that I enjoyed.
Releases on Feb 18th in UK by HarperVoyager.
7. The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey
Now, the cheating bastard is dead, and the Caldwell wives have a mess to clean up. Good thing Evelyn Caldwell is used to getting her hands dirty.
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