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With the impressive line-up we had in 2019, it’s no surprise that 2020 will see many sequels, standalones and new series that will begin to hit the shelves soon. I know I’m pumped for almost every single book on this list, so take a seat and start adding these exciting and highly anticipated fantasy books of 2020 to your to-be-read list!
Related Post: 30 Exciting Fantasy Books of 2019
Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire (January 7th)
The fifth installment in the bestselling Wayward Children series is here! Well, almost here. The story picks up from where Every Heart a Doorway and Down Among the Sticks left off with Jack and Jill.
A Heart So Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer (January 7th)
The highly anticipated sequel to A Curse So Dark and Lonely is sure to satisfy all your Emberfall needs. As it is told through Grey’s and Lia Mara’s point of view (POV), you can expect to learn more about Prince Rhen’s elusive guardsman and get to know Queen Karis Luran’s daughter, the princess of Syhl Shallow. Indulge in this spellbinding read about a kingdom on the brink of war and a romance that is sure to give you all the warm and fuzzies. Make sure to add A Heart So Fierce and Broken to your TBR list!
Dark and Deepest Red by Anna-Marie McLemore (January 14th)
A pair of red shoes, a never-ending dance, a dash of forbidden magic and a blend of modernity with a sprinkle of passion. McLemore’s Dark and Deepest Red is all of that and more! This retelling of The Red Shoes is told through alternating perspectives: one during the dancing plague of 1518 (a true historical event) through the eyes of Lavinia. The second is in the present, and is a toss-up between Rosella, the girl cursed with the red shoes, and Emil, whose family was blamed for the dancing fever all those years ago. The question is, will Rosella survive the red shoes?
Diamond City by Francesca Flores (January 28th)
Built by magic and controlled by tyrants, Koshima is a cutthroat, unpredictable and dangerous place for anyone to grow up in; especially an orphan like Aina Solís. After the murder of her parents, Aina is rescued by a gang and takes up a job as an assassin. When an assassination goes wrong, Aina finds herself stuck in a deadly game of politics that will end up changing Koshima forever. Diamond City sounds perfect for anyone who loves their fantasy with a whopping dose of action, mixed with a sprinkling of dark magic and a dash of romance.
All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace (February 4th)
As princess of the island kingdom, Visidia, Amora Montara has spent her entire life training to become the High Animancer, the master of souls. To secure her right to the throne, Amora must prove she has control over soul magic. When her demonstration goes wrong, Amora is forced to run. With help from the enigmatic pirate Bastian, Amora hopes to show the citizens of Visidia that she is fit to rule and, in exchange, she must sail across the sea to help Bastien recover his stolen magic. All the Stars and Teeth is full of deadly magic, vindictive mermaids, cryptic pirates and infamous monsters . . . I can’t wait!
The Unspoken Name by A.K. Larkwood (February 11th)
Orc priestess Csorwe knew she was destined to die as a sacrifice to her god. On the sacrifice, powerful wizard Belthandros Sethennai gives Csorwe a chance to pave her own destiny. However, she is to renounce her god and position to become an assassin. In the long-run, Csorwe must help Belthandros overturn the empire and regain his position of power. The problem with the latter is that gods are not quick to forgive betrayals and Csorwe is bound to learn that quickly.
Ink in the Blood by Kim Smejkal (February 11th)
Celia Sand and Anya Burtoni are Inklings and spread the word of Profeta through their tattoos. When they learn that Profeta was built on lies and their tattoos, prison sentences, they decide they have had enough and find sanctuary with a traveling theater troupe. It is there that they use their inkling abilities for show rather than brainwashing. But the Divine did not take Celia and Anya’s betrayal well and plans to use them and the Rabble Mob to spread her influence and poisonous beliefs.
Shorefall by Robert Jackson Bennett (February 20th)
When an exceptionally strong entity is resurrected, Foundryside and its employees will no longer be safe – especially Sancia, former thief turned scriver. In the exciting sequel to Foundryside, Sancia and everyone else from Foundryside must figure out how to defeat this deadly entity before it releases utter chaos and destruction upon Tevanne.
Red Hood by Elana K. Arnold (February 25th)
Told in the second person POV, Red Hood is sure to draw the reader into a dreamlike state that feels almost realistic. Imagine this, you’re sixteen and you have basically given up on ever getting your period when it suddenly shows up at the worst possible moment – homecoming, as you’re getting hot and heavy with your boyfriend in the back of the car. In a moment of sheer panic, you flee the scene and race off into the woods only to find yourself in a deadly game of cat and mouse, except with a wolf. The next day, you wake up with blood on your hands and news of one of her classmates found dead in the woods. The question is, are you responsible? Find out in this unique and modern retelling of Red Riding Hood.
The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller (February 25th)
Alessandra has a clear set of goals which are as follows: (1) Woo the Shadow King, (2) Marry him and (3) Kill him and take his kingdom for herself. The third part of the plan goes awry when she saves him from numerous assassination attempts . . . after all, how else will she become queen if there is no king to make her his queen? Dance with the shadows in Tricia Levenseller’s latest novel The Shadows Between Us.
Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare (March 3rd)
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The Kingdom of Black by Marie Lu (March 3rd)
Nannerl Mozart is a musical prodigy and dreams of going down in history as one of the greatest musical composers. If it was the 21st century, she’d have a chance, but it’s 18th century Europe which means she can only perform until she reaches marriageable age. It is as her dreams fade that her brother’s talent prospers. When Nannerl is approached by a mysterious stranger with a compelling offer, her dream may finally come true, but it will come at a price.
House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas (March 3rd)
It’s time to get into Sarah J. Maas’s brand-new Crescent City series, filled with magic, danger, and a scorching romance. Half-Fae and half-human Bryce Quinlan is out for blood after learning that her closest friends were murdered. With help from the infamous Fallen angel Hunt Athalar (who has a rather special set of skills), Bryce plans on finding the murderer and bringing her friends justice. You can guess what will and might happen from there, but I am eager to see for myself what Sarah Maas has in store for us with House of Earth and Blood.
The Midnight Lie by Marie Rutkoski (March 3rd)
In the Ward, where half-Kith are incarcerated for the slightest thing, Nirrim is imprisoned after catching and returning the Elysium bird. There she meets a traveler named Sid who believes the High Caste possesses magic. When Sid makes an offer Nirrim can’t resist, she finds herself on an adventure that might just expose the secrets of the elite and lead to a love they never expected.
Ruthless Gods by Emily A. Duncan (April 7th)
This beautifully twisted and hauntingly tragic sequel to Wicked Gods is sure to satisfy all the fans of the “Something Dark and Holy” series. Gods and monsters, kings and queens, blood mage’s and dark magic: what better way to spend an evening than with this epic story that ticks off almost every box on the fantasy checklist. For the highly anticipated follow up, you can expect more gore, more horror, more romance and more angst-filled moments between our favorite damaged characters: Nadya, Serefin, and Malachiasz.
Chosen Ones by Veronica Roth (April 7th)
Ten years ago, five teenagers defeated the Dark One, a supernatural entity whose reign of terror brought upon pain, destruction and widespread annihilation. On the eve of the Ten Year Celebration of Peace, the death of one of their own reopens an old wound once they realize the Dark One’s rule never truly ended. From there, it will take the combined efforts of the Chosen to face their enemy and come out on top.
Incendiary by Zoraida Córdova (April 28th)
As one of the rarest and most feared of Moria, Renata Convida was the perfect chess piece for the monarchy as a young and impressionable child. Now, Renata is a Whisperer for the Moria, working to help overthrow the throne. When her unit commander Dez is taken as a hostage by the infamous Sangrado Prince, Renata goes undercover and returns to the palace in the hope of rescuing Dez. What Renata did not factor into her plans was the mysterious and ruthless prince.
Aurora Burning by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff (May 5th)
Get pumped for the return of the squad of misfits, who just so happen to be the galaxy’s best chance of survival, in the sequel to Aurora Rising. With an ancient evil about to be unleashed, a clan of gremps itching to get ahold of them, a force of illegal GIA agents gunning for them and Kal’s long-lost sister with an army at her beck and call, things are about to get a bit . . . hectic. Please take a seat because this crazy train is about to fly off the rails in Aurora Burning!
Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles (June 2nd)
Where Dreams Descend is the fantasy story we have all been waiting for: magicians, magic, and dark secrets that threaten to destroy everyone involved in the Conquering Circus. Kallia, a brilliant performer, aims to be the next headliner for the circus. Jack, the mysterious master of the circus, has more than one secret that threatens the lives of the auditioning magicians and Demarco, a judge with a dark past that will stay hidden no longer. Grab your tickets for the Conquering Circus before they sell out! Plan for a night of thrilling acts filled with mystery, danger, and intrigue.
Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir (June 2nd)
Gideon and Harrow are back in Harrow the Ninth, the much-anticipated sequel to the outstanding new series The Locked Tomb. This time around, Harrow is tasked with fighting an undefeatable enemy and winning an unwinnable war with a despised rival at her side. Added with her deteriorating health, crumbling mind and inability to look at her sword without feeling disgusted, the nightmare is only beginning for Harrow. The question is, will she come out victorious or succumb to her inner demons?
The Damned by Renée Ahdieh (June 9th)
After the events that transpired in The Beautiful, things will never be the same for Sébastien Saint Germain and Celine Rousseau. The treaty between the Fallen and the Brotherhood is dangling by a thread and as tensions continue to rise between the immortals, war seems inevitable. Bastien and Celine may be the answer to everything, but their love can also be the one thing that tears them apart. Add The Damned to your TBR list and if you haven’t read The Beautiful yet, DO. IT.
Forest of Souls by Lori M. Lee (June 23rd)
After training to become the next royal spy for the queen, Sirscha Ashwyn’s plans are thwarted when shamans murder her best friend Saengo. Except, Saengo doesn’t stay dead. Sirscha somehow revives Saengo which makes her the first soulguide in years. When the Spider King catches wind of this, he summons Saengo to the Dead Wood – an ancient forest haunted by souls – to retrain the trees. To do this, Sirscha must master her newfound abilities before it is too late. If she fails and the trees break the peace, war will break out and her best friend may be lost to her forever.
The Empire of Gold by S.A. Chakraborty (June 30th)
The final chapter in the highly praised Daevabad Trilogy is finally here (well, almost). With Daevabad decimated and stripped of magic, it is up to Nahri, Ali, and Dara to come together and rebuild the world which means standing up to those they once loved and fighting for those they once hurt. But will they be able to repair the fracturing alliance before Daevabad descends into a civil war? Find out in the much-anticipated third installment The Empire of Gold.
Blood and Honey by Shelby Mahurin (September 1st)
The sequel to the sensational new series Serpent & Dove is a must-read for anyone who loves witches, magic, witch-hunters and an epic romance between two people on opposing sides, fated to hate each other. Louise le Blanc and Reid Diggory are back in Blood & Honey. Now that Reid knows of his true origins, nothing will be the same and I am so pumped to see what happens. September 1st can’t come soon enough!
Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff (September 3rd)
Jay Kristoff’s latest novel, Empire of the Vampire, is bound to excite many fans of Interview With the Vampire as the premise seems very interview-esque. Gabriel de León is the last of the Silversaints, an order dedicated to bringing an end to the eternal night. Imprisoned for murdering the vampire king, Gabriel is charged with telling his story which involves a forbidden love and the Grail, a fabled cup foretold to end the reign of the vampires.
The Lady & The Born King by Joan A. (September 4th)
The summary for The Lady & The Born King is a bit cryptic, so I am not quite sure what the story is about. It seems like a kingdom is on the brink of war and Taman and Hazee are tasked with protecting the peace and ensuring justice. Though from the brief synopsis, war seems inevitable, blood will be drawn and chaos will ensue. I can’t wait to check it out!
The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue by V.E. Schwab (October 6th)
A love story between the devil and a French girl over the span of 300 years, what more can you ask for? Making a deal with the devil to become immortal may sound great in the beginning, but I imagine it gets old when you are cursed to be forgotten by everyone you meet. What a great way to spend eternity. The moment this book goes on preorder, I plan to snatch it up.