It’s not long now until the final instalment in The Mortal Instrument series is released so I thought I would take a moment to put together a list of my most anticipated novels for the rest of 2014. The release dates below are from Amazon (Kindle Store) and Bookworld.com.au.
MAY
The Mortal Instruments 6: City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare 28 May 2014 (27 May USA)
I gorged myself on the first three books in the series over one weekend. When I finished the City of Glass I was happy and slightly buzzed with that ‘I’ve just eaten an entire family-sized bag of crispy M & Ms all by myself in one sitting’ feeling. Then I found out that two more books had been published. Huh? What? Why? ‘Okay then,’ I thought, ‘I’ll give them a go.’ By the end of book five I had that, ‘oh dear, I ate too much chocolate’ feeling and a big part of me would have been more than happy if it had remained a trilogy. However, having read books four and five, I am now committed to the series. I’m hopeful that City of Heavenly Fire will reignite my initial excitement for The Mortal Instruments.
JUNE
Written in My Own Heart’s Blood (Outlander) by Diana Gabaldon 10 June 2014
Another epic journey through life and history with Jamie and Claire. Written in My Own Heart’s Blood is the eighth book in the Outlander series. Outlander is the time-travelling romantic tale of a relationship that survives incredible odds. The TV series will start in the USA in August and Foxtel Australia will air the series later in the year. Hopefully the progression to TV is done as successfully as was done for the books from A Song of Ice and Fire.
JULY
The Book of Life (All Souls Trilogy) by Deborah Harkness 15 July 2014
The first in this series, A Discovery of Witches, simply blew me away. The sequel, Shadow of Night was great though very different to what I was expecting. I can’t wait to see if Harkness is able to maintain her fresh and captivating approach to the Vampire/Witch romance.
AUGUST
Deliverance (Courier’s Daughter) by C J Redwine August 26th 2014
Deliverance is the final instalment in Redwine’s YA dystopian, post-apocalyptic trilogy. Reading this series so far has been a fun and exciting adventure.
SEPTEMBER
Heir of Fire by Sarah J Maas 11 September 2014 (2nd September USA)
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas – what can I say? Finally, a YA series where the ‘strong heroine’ doesn’t occasionally make me want to grab her by the shoulders and shake some common sense, emotional maturity and independence into her. Even in The Mortal Instruments series (which I loved reading), Clary Fray becomes pitiable at times for her self-deprecating nature towards Jace Wayland. In contrast, Celaena Sardothien is a strong, independent and highly likeable character. She’s also a very cool assassin. The first book first caught my attention as it was described as Hunger Games meets Game of Thrones and it is one of my all-time favourite YA books. The sequel, Crown of Midnight was just as good and I am hanging out for the final, Heir of Fire to be released.
OCTOBER
The Young Elites by Marie Lu October 7th 2014
The Young Elites is a new book from the author of the Legend series. Lu herself has described it as “X-Men meets Assassin’s Creed 2 meets Game of Thrones. .”Cool. Check out more including some wicked character sketches at Marie Lu’s tumblr page.
NOVEMBER
Mortal Heart (His Fair Assassin Trilogy) by Robin LaFevers November 4th 2014
A convent during medieval times where the sisters are trained as assassins to serve the old god, Death – what’s not to love? This is YA Historical Fiction that packs a punch. Each book focuses on a different sister – each deadly in their own unique way. Mortal Heart follows Annith, who is desperate to serve as her sisters did before her.
DECEMBER
Gathering Darkness (Falling Kingdoms #3) by Morgan Rhodes, Michelle Rowen December 9 2014
I plodded along through book one, Falling Kingdoms, only to find myself well and truly hooked by the end. I went straight on to book two, Rebel Spring, and enjoyed it more than the first. At this rate, I should absolutely love the last one. Fingers crossed.
A Novel Indulgence 