Oh yes, I waited ages to make another post. Life keeps getting in the way! I won’t bore you with the details, but I have been reading and writing short reviews on Goodreads

It has taken me a while, but I am hoping to post more, starting with my most anticipated reads of 2016. Of course, since it is now February, some of my most anticipated have already come out. I have not yet read them, so will review them shortly.

Without further ado, this is my list of new and upcoming books which I cannot wait to read in 2016!

Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices: Book 1)
by Cassandra Clare

Hardcover, 720 pages
Expected publication: March 8th 2016
Margaret K. McElderry Books (US) | Simon & Schuster Children’s (UK)

I may have only recently started reading the final book in the Mortal Instruments series, but this sequel series is already on my to-read list!
I was late to the party with Cassandra Clare’s books, only reading them shortly before the film announcement. I’ve yet to read the prequel trilogy, or the side-stories, but I do love how Clare writes her character dialogue and was surprised to warm to the new characters she introduces even late on!
I don’t want to spoiler myself for the book I am currently reading but essentially this new series follows an almost-grown-up Emma Carstairs and her parabatai, Julian Blackthorn, as they try to figure out why her parents died and what the fae are up to. It will be interesting to see the Shadowhunters of Los Angeles take a turn in the spotlight. And with the TV series, Shadowhunters doing well, it is only a matter of time before we see live-action Emma and Julian!
Getting hyped up! I need to finish reading the rest of the books before March 8th!

The Last Star (The 5th Wave: Book 3)
by Rick Yancey

Hardcover, 352 pages
Expected publication: May 24th 2016
G.P. Putnam & Sons (US) | Penguin (UK)

I’ve yet to see the film adaptation of The 5th Wave, but I do love the first 2 books of the trilogy, and am looking forward to reading the conclusion.

This is a dystopian/sci-fi YA novel with the theme of aliens being among us.

After the invasion, Cassie has been reunited with her brother and discovered that her rescuer, Evan Walker, is in fact one of the enemies. But it is not as simple as that and no-one really knows who to trust as some aliens claim to be helping and others not.
In The Last Star we should hopefully get a cool ending with Cassie and co defeating the aliens, and perhaps some more settled relationships as sparks seem to be flying between various pairings.

I’m glad this book is longer than The Infinite Sea, even if it is only slightly. I wish the sequels were as long as the first book though!

This Savage Song
by Victoria Schwab

Hardcover, 368 pages
Expected publication: June 7th 2016
Greenwillow Books (US)

I almost passed this by. The initial blurb didn’t grab me as much, but after reading comments from Schwab, it became more clear to me and I was intrigued.

Sin City + Romeo and Juliet – romance + monsters.

She also adds:

“It’s the story of two teens in a broken world, where violent acts breed actual monsters. Some are shadows with teeth that feed on flesh and bone. Some are corpses that feed on blood. And some can pass for human. Those feed on souls.

It’s the story of Kate Harker, the only daughter of a crime boss, and August Flynn, the son of a man trying to hold his city together. She’s a human who wants to be a monster, and he’s a monster who wishes he were human.

It’s dark, and violent, and existential, and the whole thing was inspired by a line from VICIOUS:

“Plenty of humans were monstrous, and plenty of monsters knew how to play at being human.”

Reviews have been incredibly positive, and though I have heard of Schwab, I have yet to read her other novels despite how well received they were. Perhaps I should add the Darker Shade of Magic series to my list of books to read, before June 7th?

 Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Harry Potter: Book 8)
by J K Rowling, Jack Thorne, John Tiffany

Hardcover, 320 pages
Expected publication: July 31st 2016
Arthur A. Levine Books (US) | Little Brown (UK)

I think this one is the most anticipated book of all time. It’s probably up there with Go Set A Watchman in terms of hype and excitement.

This is not a story written in prose as the previous 7 Harry Potter books – it is a script of the play that will be performed this Summer in London.

While there will be the Harry Potter fans who relish in every tweet of detail JK produces, who will not care of the format and will adore it immensely for merely existing, I think there will be some people out there who won’t enjoy reading the play.

I don’t mind reading plays, and though I am not a huge Potter fan, I did enjoy the books and the films. It’s exciting to have another book come out after so many years. I’ve got mine on pre-order at the local bookstore.

A Torch Against the Night (An Ember in the Ashes: Book 2)
by Sabaa Tahir

Hardcover, 464 pages
Expected publication: August 30th 2016

Razorbill (US) | Harper Voyager (UK)

This book is so wanted! When An Ember in the Ashes was first released, it had no planned sequel. The book got so much buzz that it became a huge hit and everyone wanted to know if there would be a follow up – as it so heavily hinted.

When this book was announced, I did a little fangirl squee.

A Torch Against the Night takes readers into the heart of the Empire as Laia and Elias fight their way north to liberate Laia’s brother from the horrors of Kauf Prison. Hunted by Empire soldiers, manipulated by the Commandant, and haunted by their pasts, Laia and Elias must outfox their enemies and confront the treacherousness of their own hearts..

I really loved the first book and the second looks to dive right back into the adventure, with poor Helene left behind to deal with the new emperor. I have a feeling it will be a bit Game of Thrones-y.

Also, the cover art will be gorgeous, I am sure!

Heartless
by Marissa Meyer

Hardcover, 416 pages
Expected publication: November 8th 2016
Feiwel and Friends (US)

I adore Marissa Meyer’s writing. She has been fantastically talented since the days of her Sailor Moon fanfiction writing, and watching her debut series take off as it has, I cannot wait until I can read more! (Well, I can actually, as I have not yet gotten round to devouring Stars Above which is patiently waiting in my tbr-pile)

This book is a standalone (for now) and boy, does it sound good!

Long before she was the terror of Wonderland — the infamous Queen of Hearts — she was just a girl who wanted to fall in love.

What a hook!
I love Alice in Wonderland, and so this retelling-prequel from the villain’s point of view sounds just my cup of tea. Meyer introduces us to Catherine, a beautiful young girl who has caught the eye of the King of Hearts. Her desires lie not with becoming Queen, but with opening a bakery with her friend.
Then she meets and connects with Jest, a court joker, and a secret courtship begins. Knowing how it will turn out makes this so much more tragic!

Meyer has shown that she can write a great villain as she wrote the Lunar Chronicles companion novel, Fairest, from the point of view of her villain, Levana. Somehow she made her great villain a relatable protagonist then turned her into the monster we knew her as, before our very eyes.
I’m sure she will do just as well in this book!

So many to choose!
These are just a few of the books I am looking forward to reading this year. I’m always on the lookout for new things, and I regularly take recommendations from BookRiot, EpicReads and my local Waterstones.

2016 reading has already gotten underway with 20 books of varying sizes having been read in January and early Feb.

Which books are you looking forward to reading this year?
Are you a YA junkie like me?
Do you have any recommendations?