My 2021 TBR List — YA/NA Dystopian & Fantasy Books
A list of books I can’t wait to read this year, shortened versions of their blurbs, some of my thoughts, + when they were published. 17 total.
1. Chain of Gold (The Last Hours #1) by Cassandra Clare
Cordelia Carstairs has been trained since childhood to battle demons — a type of warrior called a Shadowhunter. When her father is accused of a terrible crime, Cordelia and her brother travel to London, where Cordelia encounters childhood friends, James and Lucie Herondale. She is soon immersed in their world of ballrooms, supernatural creatures mingling together, and secret assignations — meanwhile, she has to hide her love for James, who is sworn to marry someone else. Soon, everyone’s lives are put on hold as a type of demons the Shadowhunters have never seen before attack London, leaving them all trapped in the city. Cordelia and her friends discover something about themselves that might be able to stop the the demons, but what are they willing to sacrifice? [Published March 3, 2020]
This is a Shadowhunters novel, but I’ve been told it is not necessary to read The Mortal Instruments, The Infernal Devices, or The Dark Artifices — although it may be helpful to understand some aspects. I’m getting the vibe that it is similar to not needing to read Shadow and Bone before Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo.
Additionally, the second book, Chain of Iron (The Last Hours #2) is expected to be released March 2, 2021!
2. The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab
It’s the year 1714 in France, and in a moment of desperation, Addie LaRue makes a bargain to live forever and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets. Over time, Addie finds herself in many adventures that span across continents, centuries, history, and art. But, she soon learns how far she will go to leave her mark on the world… After nearly 300 years, everything changes when Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore and he remembers her name. [Published October 6, 2020]
I believe this is more of a historical fantasy romance, which is a little different from the more action packed fantasy romances on this list. However, this book has been out for only about three months and is already an instant New York Times Bestseller, USA Today Bestseller, National Indie Bestseller, and The Washington Post Bestseller.
3. White Hot Kiss (The Darkest Elements #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
In this New York Times Bestselling paranormal fantasy, there seems to be angels, demons, and a love triangle all in world where the end of the world could come much sooner than expected. [Published March 26, 2019]
I absolutely love what I’ve read of Armentrout’s work. I’m a big fan of the Lux series, as well as the Origin spin-off series. I’ve even read some of her Wait For You series as well as, stand-alone, The Problem With Forever (contemporary romances) and adored all of those. So, when White Hot Kiss was recommended to me, I immediately added it to my TBR list.
4. A Touch of Darkness (Hades and Persephone #1) by Scarlett St. Claire
In this mythological, fantasy, forbidden romance, the story of Persephone and Hades is told with a new, modern touch. After Persephone moves to New Athens in hopes of living a mundane life as a mortal journalist, and a chance encounter with Hades, God of the Dead, she must create life in the Underworld or lose her freedom forever. However, despite Persephone holding the title of Goddess of the Spring, flowers have withered at her touch for as long as she can remember — and to top it off, this new attachment she is feeling towards Hades is strictly forbidden. [Published May 25, 2019]
Additionally, St. Claire has two more highly anticipated books in the series coming in 2021 (book 2.5 and book 3), so if you absolutely love 1 and 2 (and 1.5), then never fear, you won’t have to wait too long!
I’m not usually too interested in the retelling of mythical events and figures — mostly because I feel as though you always know the ending, no matter how it is told. However, this book has received so much praise and has a completely different spin, that I cannot wait to read it. It also doesn’t hurt that I do not know too much about Hades and Persephone (and I am certainly not going to research the myth until I finish this book).
5. Incendiary (Hollow Crown #1) by Zoraida Córdova
Renata is a Robari, the rarest and most feared of the magical Moria, with the ability to steal memories. As a child, she was kidnapped by the King’s Justice and brought to the palace of Andalucia, where her ability enabled a siege that resulted in the deaths of thousands of her own people. Now Renata is one of the Whisperers, rebel spies working against the crown. Despite being rescued from the palace years ago, Renata cannot escape their mistrust, hatred, or the memories of the hundreds of souls she turned “hollow” during her time in the palace. When the boy whose love makes the Whisperers bearable, Dez, is taken captive by the Sangrado Prince, Renata will do anything to save him. She must return to the palace under cover and complete Dez’s mission. With danger lurking at every corner, Renata must convince her former captors that she remains loyal. But she soon learns of a secret in her past that could change the fate of the kingdom and the war that has taken everything from her. [Published April 28, 2020]
This book keeps getting recommended to me, but whenever I go to buy it in person, it is always sold out and I end up buying a different book. Hopefully in 2021, I can get my hands on a copy!
6. The Bridge Kingdom (The Bridge Kingdom #1) by Danielle L. Jensen
In this fantasy romance, Lara is sent as a bride to the Bridge Kingdom under a guise that the partnership will fulfill a treaty of peace. As a princess trained from childhood to be a lethal spy, she is willing to do whatever it takes to bring down her new husband’s kingdom. However, she soon begins to question her duty and where true evil resides. [Published August 13, 2019]
7. Among the Beasts and Briars by Ashley Poston
In the kingdom of Aloriya, peace is everlasting — and has been for hundreds of years ever since the first king made a bargain with the Lady who ruled the forest that border the kingdom. Cerys knew all too well that the woods were now dark, cursed, and forbidden. When she was young, she barely escaped, while her friends and mother were killed. Now Cerys carries a bit of the magical curse in her blood. When a new queen is crowned, things long hidden in the woods descend on the kingdom itself — and Cerys is forced on the run as she searches for the legendary Lady of the Wilds to beg for a way to save her home. [Published October 20, 2020]
I’ve heard this book is great for fans of The Selection series by Kiera Cass.
8. An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
The fair folk are immortal creatures, unable to take a pen to paper without crumbling dust, so Isobel paints stunning portraits for them in exchange for valuable enchantments. When Isobel receives her first royal patron, Rook, the autumn prince, she makes a deadly mistake by painting mortal sorrow in his eyes. This weakness could cost him his throne and even his life. In response, a furious Rook spirits Isobel away to his kingdom to stand trial for her crime — but the unexpected happens as they are attacked and the two are forced to depend on each other for survival. [Published September 26, 2017]
This fantasy-romance is under the ‘Fae’ category, and the only ‘Fae’ books I have read have been from Sarah J. Maas, leaving me to wonder what similarities and differences there will be.
9. Kingdom of the Wicked (Kingdom of the Wicked #1) by Kerri Maniscalco
Emilia and her twin sister Vittoria are streghe — witches who live secretly among humans, avoiding notice and persecution. One night, Vittoria misses dinner service at the family’s renowned Sicilian restaurant. Emilia soon finds the body of her beloved twin…desecrated beyond belief. Devastated, Emilia sets out to find her sister’s killer and to seek vengeance at any cost-even if it means using dark magic that’s been long forbidden.Then Emilia meets Wrath, one of the Wicked-princes of Hell she has been warned against in tales since she was a child. Wrath claims to be on Emilia’s side, tasked by his master with solving the series of women’s murders on the island. But when it comes to the Wicked, nothing is as it seems…
[Published October 27, 2020]
Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Paranormal… this one is hitting all the genres. Kingdom of the Wicked is definitely in my top five to read first this year.
Book #2, Kingdom of the Cursed, has an expected publication date of October 26, 2021.
10. These Violent Delights (These Violent Delights #1) by Chloe Gong
In this imaginative Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai, a blood feud between two rival gangs leaves the city helpless. At the heart of the chaos is Juliette Cai, the proud heir of the Scarlet Gang. Their only rivals in power are the White Flowers, with their mastermind being Roma Montagov — also known as Juliette’s first love … and first betrayal. As the death counts of both gangs rise, along with rumors of a contagion, madness, and a monster in the shadows, Roma and Juliette need to set aside their guns and grudges in order to stop the mayhem before there is no city left to rule. [Published November 17, 2020]
This is another book I’ve seen all over TikTok — everyone is obsessed!
& Book #2, Our Violent Ends, is expected to be released in 2021.
11. A Curse so Dark and Lonely (Cursebreaker #1) by Brigid Kemmerer
This highly rated retelling of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ begins with Prince Rhen, the heir of Emberfall, being cursed by a powerful enchantress. He believed it would be easy to have a girl fall for him and break the curse — before he turned into a viscous beast with a knack for destruction who destroyed his castle and family. Harper, a girl with a dying mother, no father, and cerebral palsy, has long ago realized what she needs to do to survive. However, when she tries to save a stranger on the streets, she is thrust into a magical world, where she is unsure of the truth. But even if she does break the curse, Emberfall — as well as Harper and Prince Rehn — may still be beyond saving.[Published January 9, 2019]
Additionally, A Vow So Bold and Deadly (Cursebreaker #3) has an expected release date of January 26, 2021!
12. The Merciful Crow (The Merciful Crow #1) by Margaret Owen
A future chieftain. A fugitive prince. A too-cunning bodyguard. What happens when their lives intertwine? [Published July 30, 2019]
This blurb is giving me very much Six of Crow by Leigh Bardugo ~~vibes~~
13. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
In this paranormal fantasy, Mara Dyer wakes up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there, her friends murdered, and her unharmed for some unknown reason. This book has been recommended for fans of Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. [Published September 27th, 2011]
With this book being about ten years old, I had been surprised to never happened to come across it before. Now that I have, however, I have been seeing it everywhere.
14. Darkfever (Fever #1) by Karen Marie Moning
Kingdom of Shadow and Light (Fever #11) by Moning is an extremely anticipated book for 2021 (expected release date of February 23, 2021), and now I feel as though I must begin the series — which begun back in 2006.
When MacKayla’s sister was murdered, she left her a single clue that lead MacKayla to Ireland, where she discovered she has the power of a sidhe-seer, meaning that she is one of the few humans who can see the Fae — which is not exactly a good thing. Ever since the walls between Man and Fae came down, she has been fighting to stay alive, and now she realizes the fate of both the Human and the Fae world are in her hands, as she searches for the all-powerful Dark Book. [Published October 31, 2006]
15. Snow Like Ashes (Snow Like Ashes #1) by Sarah Raasch
Over a decade ago, the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and enslaved, leaving the citizens without magic of a monarch. Miera, orphaned during Winter’s defeat, was raised by the Winterian’s general, Sir, and trained to be a warrior. Miera would do anything to save her kingdom, so when scouts discover the location of an ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, she decides to go after it herself. As she fights like the warrior she dreamt of being, she finds herself suddenly caught in a world of evil magic and politics.[Published October 14, 2014]
I keep seeing this series all over BookTok (a.k.a. the section of people on TikTok who talk about books and recommendations), so naturally, I became intrigued and had to add it to my list.
16. The Goddess Test (Goddess Test #1) by Aimee Carter
Kate mother is dying — the only person she has left. Her last wish is to move back to her childhood home, meaning that she is starting a new school with no friends, no other family, and the fear that her mother’s last day on Earth could be any day now. Then she meets Henry, who claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld. If she accepts his bargain, he’ll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests — tests that every girl who has attempted are now dead. Kate doesn’t believe him… until she sees him bring someone back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems possible, but if she succeeds, she’ll become Henry’s future bride and a goddess. But if she fails, on the other hand… [Published April 19, 2011]
This is a bit of an older book, so I was surprised that I had never heard of it when it was recommended to me. It seems to me like a mix between a story of Hades and Persephone and Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones (which I didn’t love as I felt it was a bit slow, but I did appreciate the concept).
17. House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City #1) by Sara J. Maas
LAST, BUT NOT LEAST!!
Murder mystery. Fantasy. Enemies to lovers. Sarah J. Mass. Need I say more? I just finished this book, but I just had to include it for those of you who haven’t read it yet. [Published March 3, 2020]
& Book 2 coming in 2021!!!
Please let me know if you have any recommendations!
