From a thrilling young adult fantasy and a duo of novellas featuring fan-favorite characters to a mind-bending psychological thriller, this February was chock-full of riveting new book releases! As you continue making your TBR for 2023, be sure to add these must-reads to your list!

Must-Read Books That Came Out in February 2023

1. Daughters of Oduma by Moses Ose Utomi 

An elite female fighter must reenter the competition to protect her found family of younger sisters in this scintillating young adult fantasy inspired by West African culture, perfect for fans of The Gilded Ones and Creed.

Eat. Dance. Fight.

This is the life of the girls who compete in the Isle’s elite, all-female fighting sport of Bowing. But it isn’t really Dirt’s life anymore. At sixteen, she is old and has retired from competition. Instead, she spends her days coaching the younger sisters of the Mud Fam and dreading her fast-approaching birthday, when she’ll have to leave her sisters to fulfill whatever destiny the Gods choose for her.

Dirt’s young sisters are coming along nicely, and the Mud Fam is sure to win the upcoming South God Bow tournament, which is crucial: the tiny Fam needs the new recruits that come with victory. Then an attack from a powerful rival leaves the Mud without their top Bower, and Dirt is the only one who can compete in the tournament. But Dirt is old, out of shape, and afraid. She has never wanted to be a leader. Victory seems impossible—yet defeat would mean the end of her beloved Fam. And no way is Dirt going to let that happen.

 

2. Last Violent Call by Chloe Gong

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Chloe Gong comes two captivating new novellas surrounding the events of Foul Lady Fortune and following a familiar cast of characters from the These Violent Delights Duet!

In A Foul Thing, Roma and Juliette have established themselves as the heads of an underground weapons ring in Zhouzhuang, making a living the way they do best while remaining anonymous in their peaceful, quiet life. But when they hear about several Russian girls showing up dead in nearby towns, they decide to investigate—and ultimately discover that this mystery is much closer to home than they ever imagined.

In This Foul Murder, Benedikt and Marshall have been summoned by Roma to find the elusive scientist, Lourens, and bring him to Zhouzhuang. Time is of the essence aboard the week-long Trans-Siberian Express, but when someone is murdered on board, Benedikt and Marshall convince the officer in charge not to stop the train so that they aren’t thrown off-schedule. Instead, they pretend that they are investigators and promise they can solve the murder, but as they dig deeper, they realize that the murder might having surprising ties to their own mission…

 

3. Delicious Monsters by Liselle Sambury

The Haunting of Hill House meets Sadie in this evocative and mind-bending psychological thriller following two teen girls navigating the treacherous past of a mysterious mansion ten years apart.

Daisy sees dead people—something impossible to forget in bustling, ghost-packed Toronto. She usually manages to deal with her unwanted ability, but she’s completely unprepared to be dumped by her boyfriend. So when her mother inherits a secluded mansion in northern Ontario where she spent her childhood summers, Daisy jumps at the chance to escape. But the house is nothing like Daisy expects, and she begins to realize that her experience with the supernatural might be no match for her mother’s secrets, nor what lurks within these walls…

A decade later, Brittney is desperate to get out from under the thumb of her abusive mother, a bestselling author who claims her stay at “Miracle Mansion” allowed her to see the error of her ways. But Brittney knows that’s nothing but a sham. She decides the new season of her popular Haunted web series will uncover what happened to a young Black girl in the mansion ten years prior and finally expose her mother’s lies. But as she gets more wrapped up in the investigation, she’ll have to decide: if she can only bring one story to light, which one matters most—Daisy’s or her own?

As Brittney investigates the mansion in the present, Daisy’s story runs parallel in the past, both timelines propelling the girls to face the most dangerous monsters of all: those that hide in plain sight.

 

Need more book recs? Check out all of the must-read new releases from January! 

Picture this: you’ve just finished an AMAZING read, and you’re absolutely devastated that it’s over… but wait! There’s an adorable, quick read that can transport you back to your favorite world! These novellas reunite you with some of your favorite characters for a few more of the “awww” inducing moments you’ve been dreaming of. 

Must-Read Novellas We Love

1. Last Violent Call by Chloe Gong

After the gut-wrenching end of Chloe Gong’s These Violent Delights duology, we thought we’d be separated from our fave couples, Roma and Juliette and Benedikt and Marshall, forever, but they’re BACK and better than ever! Last Violent Call shares the next chapters we’ve all been dreaming of, and we can’t wait for everyone to get their hands on this duo of novellas!

 

2. Mysteries of Thorn Manor by Margaret Rogerson

This adorable novella is the coziest, sweetest, most perfect hug of a book that you could ever dream up! Reunite with Elisabeth, Nathaniel, and Silas after the events of Sorcery of Thorns as they unravel a magical trap in time for the Midwinter Ball, and run into some hilarious challenges along the way.

 

3. Better Than the Prom by Lynn Painter

Okay… so this one technically isn’t a sequel novella, but it IS the iconic prom scene from Lynn Painter’s fan-favorite Better Than the Movies from Wes Bennet’s POV. We absolutely had to include it because if you’ve read this swoonworthy romcom you know that there’s no such thing as too much WesLiz! Plus, you can read this bonus short story for FREE! Start reading here, and you can thank us later.

Check out even more short stories from your favorite worlds with Riveted Extras!

 

Want more adorable, swoony romances? Find out what you should read next based on your fave romance trope!

We kicked off 2023 with a group of AMAZING new releases! From the thrilling and highly anticipated conclusion to the Last Hours series, to an adorable romcom debut and a delightful sequel novella, we’re ready to start crushing our reading goals for this year!

Must-Read Books That Came Out in January 2023

1. Chain of Iron paperback by Cassandra Clare

A #1 New York Times Bestseller!

The Shadowhunters must catch a killer in Edwardian London in this dangerous and romantic sequel to the #1 New York Times bestselling novel Chain of Gold, from New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Cassandra Clare. Chain of Iron is a Shadowhunters novel.

Cordelia Carstairs seems to have everything she ever wanted. She’s engaged to marry James Herondale, the boy she has always loved; she has a new life in London with her best friend Lucie; and she bears the sword Cortana, a legendary hero’s blade.

But the truth is far grimmer. Cordelia’s marriage is a lie, arranged to save her reputation, while James remains in love with the Grace Blackthorn. Cortana burns her when she touches it. And a serial murderer is targeting the Shadowhunters of London, killing under cover of darkness, then vanishing without a trace.

Now Cordelia, James, and Lucie must follow the trail of the killer through the city’s most dangerous streets. All the while, each is keeping a shocking secret: Lucie, that she is attempting to raise the dead; Cordelia, that she has sworn a dangerous oath of loyalty to a mysterious power; and James, that he himself may be the killer they seek.

 

2. The Love Match by Priyanka Taslim

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before meets Pride and Prejudice in this delightful and heartfelt rom-com about a Bangladeshi American teen whose meddling mother arranges a match to secure their family’s financial security—just as she’s falling in love with someone else.

Zahra Khan is basically Bangladeshi royalty, but being a princess doesn’t pay the bills in Paterson, New Jersey. While Zahra’s plans for financial security this summer involve working long hours at Chai Ho and saving up for college writing courses, Amma is convinced that all Zahra needs is a “good match,” Jane Austen style.

Enter Harun Emon, who’s wealthy, devastatingly handsome, and…aloof. As soon as Zahra meets him, she knows it’s a bad match. It’s nothing like the connection she has with Nayim Aktar, the new dishwasher at the tea shop, who just gets Zahra in a way no one has before. So, when Zahra finds out that Harun is just as uninterested in this match as she is, they decide to slowly sabotage their parents’ plans. And for once in Zahra’s life, she can have her rossomalai and eat it too: “dating” Harun and keeping Amma happy while catching real feelings for Nayim.

But life—and boys—can be more complicated than Zahra realizes. With her feelings all mixed up, Zahra discovers that sometimes being a good Bengali kid can be a royal pain.

 

3. 16 & Pregnant by LaLa Thomas

“A powerful and timely exploration of two friends navigating a life-changing event.” —Angela Johnson, Michael L. Printz Award–winning author of The First Part Last

The bond between two best friends is put to the test when one of them gets pregnant in this contemporary teen novel inspired by MTV’s iconic reality show.

Erykah was looking forward to junior year at East Prep High. She has a cute boyfriend, gets good grades, and has the best bestie. Money is tight, though that’s nothing new in her world. But everything changes when she gets pregnant. Having a baby at sixteen was definitely not part of the plan.

Kelly’s plan was to dominate junior year—grade-wise and on the basketball court—and eventually get an athletic scholarship. It did not include helping her best friend through a pregnancy. But that’s what best friends do, right? Besides, Kelly has every intention of being a good auntie.

As the two girls navigate the pregnancy, they’ll learn some harsh realities about the world and be forced to make some huge decisions. They’ll also discover a deep reserve of strength and compassion…for each other and themselves.

16 & Pregnant: A Novel honestly and openly explores pregnancy through the eyes of two young Black teens in modern-day Nevada. Debut author LaLa Thomas combines personal insights, heartfelt dialogue, and authentic emotions in this powerful portrait of American teen life.

 

4. The Mysteries of Thorn Manor by Margaret Rogerson

In this delightful sequel novella to the New York Times bestselling Sorcery of Thorns, Elisabeth, Nathaniel, and Silas must unravel the magical trap keeping them inside Thorn Manor in time for their Midwinter Ball!

Elisabeth Scrivener is finally settling into her new life with sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn. Now that their demon companion Silas has returned, so has scrutiny from nosy reporters hungry for gossip about the city’s most powerful sorcerer and the librarian who stole his heart. But something strange is afoot at Thorn Manor: the estate’s wards, which are meant to keep their home safe, are acting up and forcibly trapping the Manor’’ occupants inside. Surely it must be a coincidence that this happened just as Nathaniel and Elisabeth started getting closer to one another…

With no access to the outside world, Elisabeth, Nathaniel, and Silas—along with their new maid Mercy—will have to work together to discover the source of the magic behind the malfunctioning wards before they’re due to host the city’s Midwinter Ball. Not an easy task when the house is filled with unexpected secrets, and all Elisabeth can think about is kissing Nathaniel in peace. But when it becomes clear that the house, influenced by the magic of Nathaniel’s ancestors, requires a price for its obedience, Elisabeth and Nathaniel will have to lean on their connection like never before to set things right.

 

5. Black Ice paperback by Becca Fitzpatrick 

Danger is hard to resist in this sexy young adult thriller following a teen girl caught between all-too-human perils and the brutal natural elements in the mountains—from Becca Fitzpatrick, the New York Times bestselling author of the Hush, Hush saga.

Britt Pheiffer has trained to backpack the Teton Range, but she isn’t prepared when her ex-boyfriend, who still haunts her every thought, wants to join her. Before Britt can explore her feelings for Calvin, an unexpected blizzard forces her to seek shelter in a remote cabin, accepting the hospitality of its two very handsome occupants.

But her luck takes a turn for the worse when she discovers the men are fugitives, and they take her hostage. Britt is forced to guide them off the mountain, knowing she must stay alive long enough for Calvin to find her. Along the way, Britt finds chilling evidence of a series of murders that could be linked to her captors…

But nothing is as it seems, and everyone is keeping secrets, including Mason, one of her kidnappers, whose seemingly genuine kindness confuses Britt. While facing the threats of frigid snowstorms and wild grizzly bears, can Britt figure out who her real enemies are?

 

6. Retro by Sofía Lapuente and Jarrod Shusterman 

What starts off as a light-hearted competition to live without modern technology for a year turns into a fight for survival in this unputdownable young adult thriller by New York Times bestselling author Jarrod Shusterman and debut author Sofía Lapuente.

It was never meant to happen this way.

Things were never supposed to get this out of hand.

After a cyberbullying incident at her school goes viral, Luna Iglesias finds herself at the heart of a brewing controversy. When the social media company Limbo—who are also implicated in the scandal—sweeps in with an offer that sounds like an opportunity to turn over a new leaf and receive a scholarship to the college of her dreams, she’s happy to jump on the new trend. It’s called the Retro Challenge, where contestants live without modern technology, wear vintage clothes, party as if the future weren’t already written, and fall in love as if they were living in a movie.

At first, the challenge is fun. But then things get dangerous. Kids start disappearing, including Luna’s friends. There are voices in the woods. Bloodred markings on the trees. And Luna increasingly begins to wonder if all these strange happenings are connected with the Retro Challenge.

Secrets. Lies. Betrayal. The weight of her family on her shoulders. There’s so much on the line for Luna, not to mention she’s falling in love with the last guy she expected. Unless she can figure out the truth behind who’s sabotaging the challenge, the next person to disappear may be Luna herself.

 

7. Chain of Thorns by Cassandra Clare

James and Cordelia must save London—and their marriage—in this thrilling and highly anticipated conclusion to the Last Hours series from the #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Cassandra Clare. Chain of Thorns is a Shadowhunters novel.

All first edition hardcovers will include full-color reverse jacket art, ten black-and-white interior illustrations, and a bonus short story!

Cordelia Carstairs has lost everything that matters to her. In only a few short weeks, she has seen her father murdered, her plans to become parabatai with her best friend, Lucie, destroyed, and her marriage to James Herondale crumble before her eyes. Even worse, she is now bound to an ancient demon, Lilith, stripping her of her power as a Shadowhunter.

After fleeing to Paris with Matthew Fairchild, Cordelia hopes to forget her sorrows in the city’s glittering nightlife. But reality intrudes when shocking news comes from home: Tatiana Blackthorn has escaped the Adamant Citadel, and London is under new threat by the Prince of Hell, Belial.

Cordelia returns to a London riven by chaos and dissent. The long-kept secret that Belial is James and Lucie’s grandfather has been revealed by an unexpected enemy, and the Herondales find themselves under suspicion of dealings with demons. Cordelia longs to protect James but is torn between a love for James she has long believed hopeless, and the possibility of a new life with Matthew. Nor can her friends help—ripped apart by their own secrets, they seem destined to face what is coming alone.

For time is short, and Belial’s plan is about to crash into the Shadowhunters of London like a deadly wave, one that will separate Cordelia, Lucie, and the Merry Thieves from help of any kind. Left alone in a shadowy London, they must face Belial’s deadly army. If Cordelia and her friends are going to save their city—and their families—they will have to muster their courage, swallow their pride, and trust one another again. For if they fail, they may lose everything—even their souls.

 

Need more book recs? Check out all of the must-read new releases from this past November and December! 

If you’re like me, you could not be more ready for Chain of Thorns to come out January 31! But before we read the final book in Cassandra Clare’s Last Hours series, we need to remember what happened to all our favorite characters in Chain of Iron.

Need a Chain of Gold recap too? Find one here!

The Chain of Iron Character Recap You Need Before Reading Chain of Thorns

Warning: SPOILERS AHEAD for Chain of Iron!

1. James Herondale

Ah James, our favorite dark-haired, beautiful and broody Londoner. We reunite with James on the eve of his bachelor party as he prepares to enter into a (fake) marriage with Cordelia, since he’s still desperately in love with Grace (or so he thinks, because he’s STILL wearing that bracelet nobody likes). Even though their marriage is “fake,” James and Cordelia OBVIOUSLY have very real feelings for each other, and have some *moments* now that they’re living together in a house that James designed perfectly with the two of them in mind. Swoon!

Although the newlyweds are enjoying their time together, all is not well. Though Belial was wounded by Cortana and James doesn’t disappear into the shadow realm often, he is still troubled by nightmares, and finds himself experiencing a string of Shadowhunters’ murders through the killer’s eyes. When he begins to awaken freezing cold with his window wide open, James fears that Belial is somehow using him to commit these murders, but he is thankfully proven innocent.

Though James is not the killer, all clues do point to Belial being connected to these murders, and the connection is proven when James ventures into the shadow realm with who he *thinks* is Magnus Bane (spoiler alert: it’s actually Lilith in disguise!) to get answers. We learn that although Belial still wants to use James’s body to wreak havoc on the world, he now has an alternate plan: to possess Jesse’s body and give it strength by stealing runes from the murdered Shadowhunters! Belial then summons his brother, Leviathan, to destroy the London Institute and the Shadowhunters themselves, but his plans are thankfully thwarted once again thanks to James, Cordelia, and Lucie.

2. Cordelia Carstairs

Cordelia experiences a LOT of change in Chain of Iron. She starts it by getting married, moves out of her family’s home and into her new home with James, and ends up losing her father (one of the Shadowhunters murdered by Belial), but the biggest change for Cordelia by far is becoming a paladin. While she initially thinks that she has sworn herself as the champion of a legendary hero, Wayland the Smith, the person who she thinks was Wayland was actually Lilith, a greater demon known as the “mother of all warlocks.”

This creates a crisis of identity for Cordelia (and honestly, who could blame her) because she (and Cortana) are now sworn to do the bidding of an evil being, and not a hero as she first thought. She is horrified at the prospect of putting all of her friends and loved ones in danger, because she could be called upon by Lilith at any time. Still, with James by her side as her best friend and husband, Cordelia could face these challenges, but after one MAJOR misunderstanding (and an unfortunately timed appearance from Grace) she runs off to Paris with Matthew to escape.

3. Matthew Fairchild

Matthew, Matthew, Matthew. Where do we even begin. If he was drinking about 60% of the time in Chain of Gold, that percentage is now up to 90%, but he’s still beautiful and charming 110% of the time. He finally reveals a major secret that seems to be the root of many of his problems, telling Cordelia that he has never forgiven himself for accidentally poisoning his mother with what he thought was a truth serum when he was a child, causing her to have a miscarriage.

While he does confess to Cordelia and grows closer with her, he refuses to share this weight with anyone else, and continues to rely on his self-destructive tendencies, distancing himself from James and his family. When Cordelia runs to him after seeing James and Grace together (it’s all a big misunderstanding, okay?!) Matthew confesses his love (OMG)! We can’t wait to see how this all plays out in Chain of Thorns!

4. Lucie Herondale

As we head into book two of the Last Hours series, Lucie is thrilled to be preparing to become Cordelia’s parabatai, and is still writing The Beautiful Cordelia, but she also has MUCH bigger things on her mind, like a fragile alliance with Grace and a goal of bringing Jesse Blackthorn back to life. Lucie has been spending all of her nights chatting with Jesse’s ghost and has fallen in love with him, but knows it can never work unless he is restored to his body.

Things take a turn when we discover that Belial has been using Jesse’s body to murder London’s Shadowhunters and preparing it as a vessel for him to possess. He succeeds, and Jesse/Belial is almost destroyed by Cortana, but Lucie steps in to save Jesse’s body. She has discovered that she has the power to command ghosts and in an effort to save Jesse from Belial, she commands Jesse to cast Belial out of his body. It works, and the day is saved (for now)! But what’s next for Jesse and Lucie?

5. Anna Lightwood

Anna is still the coolest, most fashionable and unflappable person you’ll ever meet, and throws many a party in Chain of Iron. She and Ariadne’s relationship is still troubled, but they have an arrangement that involves lots of visits to the Whispering Room. Ariadne is still very much in love with Anna, but Anna is reluctant to have her heart broken and doesn’t want to let her get too close, and they end the book with their relationship in a bad place.

6. Christopher Lightwood

Christopher still spends much of his time in his godfather Henry’s laboratory working on experiments and inventions, and creates a new weapon (a runed gun) that James is able to use to fight Belial and Lilith! He is tricked by an Eidolon demon into giving up a vital piece of equipment to Belial, but as always, the Merry Thieves band together and save the day. All’s well that ends (mostly) well!

7. Jesse Blackthorn

After giving his last breath to save James in Chain of Gold Jesse’s strength continues to fade, but Grace and Lucie continue to watch over him and work to find a solution (through both legal and illegal means) to restore him to his body, with little success. Unbeknownst to him, Belial is using his body to murder and steal runes from Shadowhunters to complete a scheme years in the making, finally brought to fruition thanks to Belial’s scheming and Tatiana’s bad decisions. After spending so much time talking with Lucie, Jesse has fallen in love with her, and they end the book with a (semi)happy ending when Lucie commands him to live, and he does, but what comes next for these two?

8 & 9. Thomas Lightwood & Alastair Carstairs

Thomas and Alastair start off Chain of Iron on strained terms, with Thomas going on solo patrols to try to catch the murderer hunting Shadowhunters and Alastair dealing with the fallout of his father’s return from the Shadowhunter version of rehab. But when Thomas is arrested as a suspect when he’s found at the scene of one of the murders, Alastair comes to his defense with evidence that he couldn’t have committed them, because Alastair was following Thomas to keep him safe!

The two are locked in the Institute together as they await further questioning and have a heart to heart, and discover that they have feelings for each other (AWW), but all doesn’t end well, and Alastair ends the book by keeping Thomas at arms length, saying that things will never work between them.

10. Grace Blackthorn

Where do we even BEGIN with Grace. Now that James is marrying Cordelia, Grace has promised to stay away from him (and she should have enough to worry about as she’s trying to find a way to bring Jesse back to life), but somehow… she still turns up at the WORST times and confuses both James and Cordelia. She continues to hold control over James until the bracelet she gave him finally breaks, and she confesses everything she’s done to him, but somehow things with Cordelia are still ruined in the process.

Even though she’s lost control of James, she’s still ending the book on a good note now that Jesse has been revived… right? WRONG. Her mother, Tatiana, commands her to use her control over men to make Jesse (her own brother?! okay, not by blood relation, but STILL) believe he loves her, and not Lucie. Will she go through with this plot in Chain of Thorns? 

Now that you’ve read the recap, take a quiz to see which of these characters you are!

Want more? Watch this video to find out four things that won’t happen in Chain of Thorns and one thing that will from Cassandra Clare herself!

Art in header image by Cassandra Jean. Character cards by Novarentale, except Grace and Jesse character art by Charlie Bowater.

In a world where many are discriminated against for their faith, these books shine an important light into the lives of Muslim teens from a variety of background and walks of life. From rom-coms to tense thrillers, these must-read books feature protagonists who are some of our all-time faves! How many of these protagonists have you met?

Muslim Protagonists You’ll Fall in Love With

1. Zahra Khan – The Love Match by Priyanka Taslim

This ADORABLE swoonworthy romcom is delightful, heartfelt, and follows Zahra, a Bangladeshi American teen, whose meddling mother arranges a match to secure their family’s financial security (just as she’s falling in love with someone else. As she tries to navigate her mother’s plans for her, Zahra learns that life (and boys) can be more complicated than she realizes.

 

2. Najwa Bakri – Queen of the Tiles by Hanna Alkaf

All’s fair in love and Scrabble! When Najwa Bakri walks into her first Scrabble competition since her best friend’s death, it’s with the intention to heal and move on with her life. Perhaps it wasn’t the best idea to choose the very same competition where said best friend, Trina Low, died. It might be even though Najwa’s trying to change, she’s not ready to give up Trina just yet. As secrets are revealed and the true colors of her friends are shown, it’s up to Najwa to save Trina’s memory, and save herself.

 

3. Janna Yusuf – Saints and Misfits by S.K. Ali

Saints and Misfits follows Janna, an Arab Indian-American hijabi teen whose Indian father leads a secular life while her Egyptian mother continues to be a practicing Muslim. Janna thinks of people in three different categories in her world, saints, misfits, and monsters, and she places herself and Jeremy, a non-muslim jock, firmly in the misfits category. Janna thinks she and Jeremy are from two different worlds, but the old adage “opposites attract” can be very true! Follow along with more of Janna’s story in the sequel, Misfit in Love!

 

4. Zayneb Malik and Adam Chen – Love from A to Z by S.K. Ali

Love from A to Z centers around not one but two muslim protagonists! Written from both Zayneb and Adam’s points of view, this story highlights their different experiences being muslim. Zayneb has experienced Islamophobia, and Adam hasn’t, but their differences pull them together and they help each other to grow. Once you’ve finished this heartwarming romance be sure to pick up the sequel, Love from Mecca to Medina!

 

5. Melati Ahmad – The Weight of Our Sky by Hanna Alkaf

Melati Ahmad looks like your typical movie-going, Beatles-obsessed sixteen-year-old in 1969. Unlike most other sixteen-year-olds though, Mel also believes that she harbors a djinn inside her, one who threatens her with horrific images of her mother’s death unless she adheres to an elaborate ritual of counting and tapping to keep him satisfied. She faces a demon daily, one we now call OCD, but when the historic Malaysian race riots begin, her challenges are multiplied. 

 

6. In a Perfect World by Trish Dollar – Adam Elhadad 

When Caroline, a white Catholic teen from Ohio, is whisked away to Cairo, Egypt, against her wishes for summer break AND her senior year, she’s thrust into the unknown and facing serious homesickness. All seems to be lost until she meets Adam, a charming, unpredictable boy, who shows her a Cairo beyond stereotypes: not just pyramids, but churches, jerk chicken, and Egyptian reggae. As Adam helps her begin to adapt to Egyptian and Muslim customs, their relationship quickly begins to grow. 

Looking for more amazing books to add to your TBR? Check out these books featuring powerful BIPOC characters!

Is there anything better than diving into a new book from an author whose writing style and voice you already know and love? Even when you’re reading about a completely new cast of characters, reading new work from familiar authors is just a little extra special! If any of these authors are on your list of faves, then be sure to add their latest (or upcoming) books to your TBR!

Highly–Anticipated New Books By Your Fave Authors Coming Out in 2023

1. Chain of Thorns by Cassandra Clare 

For Shadowhunters fans everywhere there is no 2023 book that’s more exciting than Chain of Thorns! The epic conclusion to The Last Hours series promises to have fans on the edge of their seats, and we can’t wait to find out what happens to all of our fave characters!

 

2. The Mysteries of Thorn Manor by Margaret Rogerson

This cozy, ADORABLE novella is sure to delight fans of Margaret Rogerson, and anyone who loved the iconic book this is a sequel to: Sorcery of Thorns! This delightful read follows Elisabeth, Nathaniel, and Silas as they must unravel a magical trap in time for Thorn Manor’s Midwinter Ball. 

 

3. Delicious Monsters by Liselle Sambury

Liselle Sambury’s spellbinding Blood Like Magic duology is a fan-favorite, and while it doesn’t hit shelves until February 28th, Delicious Monsters, her upcoming psychological thriller, is already one as well! This mind-bending book is captivating readers with its twisting story following two teen girls navigating the treacherous past of a mysterious mansion ten years apart.

 

4. Last Violent Call by Chloe Gong

It’s almost time to return to the world of Secret Shanghai! If you’re a fan of Chloe Gong’s iconic These Violent Delights duology (Roma + Juliette FOREVER) then this duo of novellas is the epilogue you’ve been waiting for.

 

5. Spell Bound by F.T. Lukens

F.T. Lukens is known for their magical queer romances like So This Is Ever After that keep readers coming back for more, and Spell Bound is no exception! This upcoming read follows two rival apprentice sorcerers who must team up to save their teachers and protect their own magic!

 

6. Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto

Nicki Pau Preto’s latest is one of the most highly anticipated releases of this year, for fans and our team alike! While we still have a while to wait (July can’t come quickly enough!) we know this dark fantasy about a ghost-fighting warrior who journeys into a haunted wasteland to recuse a prince will be worth it! 

 

Looking for more reads to add to your TBR? Check out these upcoming and new releases!

2023 is here! 2022 was another wild ride of a year, but luckily great books were always there to keep us company through every twist and turn. Now we’re looking forward to a bright year ahead and some of the amazing books that are coming out in 2023! Check out this list of all the upcoming books we can’t for you to read this year.

Books We Can’t Wait for You to Read in 2023

16 & Pregnant by LaLa Thomas – 1/3

The bond between two best friends is put to the test when one of them gets pregnant in this contemporary teen novel inspired by MTV’s iconic reality show.

The Love Match by Priyanka Taslim – 1/3

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before meets Pride and Prejudice in this delightful and heartfelt rom-com about a Bangladeshi American teen whose meddling mother arranges a match to secure their family’s financial security—just as she’s falling in love with someone else.

 

Chain of Iron by Cassandra Clare – 1/3

Now in paperback! The Shadowhunters must catch a killer in Edwardian London in this dangerous and romantic sequel to the #1 New York Times bestselling novel Chain of Gold, from New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Cassandra Clare. Chain of Iron is a Shadowhunters novel.

 

The Mysteries of Thorn Manor by Margaret Rogerson – 1/17

In this delightful sequel novella to the New York Times bestselling Sorcery of Thorns, Elisabeth, Nathaniel, and Silas must unravel the magical trap keeping them inside Thorn Manor in time for their Midwinter Ball!

 

Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick – 1/17

Danger is hard to resist in this sexy young adult thriller following a teen girl caught between all-too-human perils and the brutal natural elements in the mountains—from Becca Fitzpatrick, the New York Times bestselling author of the Hush, Hush saga.

 

Retro by Jarrod Shusterman and Sofia LaPuente – 1/24

What starts off as a light-hearted competition to live without modern technology for a year turns into a fight for survival in this unputdownable young adult thriller by New York Times bestselling author Jarrod Shusterman and debut author Sofía Lapuente.

 

Chain of Thorns by Cassandra Clare – 1/31

James and Cordelia must save London—and their marriage—in this thrilling and highly anticipated conclusion to the Last Hours series from the #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Cassandra Clare. Chain of Thorns is a Shadowhunters novel.

 

Daughters of Oduma by Moses Ose Utomi – 2/7

An elite female fighter must reenter the competition to protect her found family of younger sisters in this scintillating young adult fantasy inspired by West African culture, perfect for fans of The Gilded Ones and Creed.

 

Delicious Monsters by Liselle Sambury – 2/28

The Haunting of Hill House meets Sadie in this evocative and mind-bending psychological thriller following two teen girls navigating the treacherous past of a mysterious mansion ten years apart.

 

Last Violent Call by Chloe Gong – 2/28

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Chloe Gong comes two captivating new novellas surrounding the events of Foul Lady Fortune and following a familiar cast of characters from the These Violent Delights Duet!

 

The Jump by Brittney Morris – 3/7

From the acclaimed author of SLAY and The Cost of Knowing comes an action-driven, high-octane novel about a group of working-class teens in Seattle who join a dangerous scavenger hunt with a prize that can save their families and community.

 

I Will Find You Again by Sarah Lyu – 3/14

All the Bright Places meets Ace of Spades in this smart, twisty teen thriller about a girl who can’t stop pushing herself to be the best—even after losing her best friend and the love of her life.

 

Ravensong by Cayla Fay – 3/14

A demi-god who refuses to cohabitate with humans accidentally falls in love with one in the first book of a pulse-pounding teen duology that’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Celtic mythology.

 

A Door in the Dark by Scott Reintgen – 3/28

One of Us is Lying meets A Deadly Education in this fantasy thriller that follows six teenage wizards as they fight to make it home alive after a malfunctioning spell leaves them stranded in the wilderness.

 

Spin by Rebecca Caprara – 3/28

The Song of Achilles and Circe get a sapphic, young adult twist in this gorgeously lush, feminist retelling of the myth of Arachne spun in moving verse.

 

Forget Me Not by Alyson Derrick – 4/4

Perfect for fans of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Five Feet Apart, this tender solo debut by the coauthor of New York Times bestseller She Gets the Girl is a romantic ode to the strength of love and the power of choosing each other, against odds and obstacles, again and again.

 

Spell Bound by F.T. Lukens – 4/4

Two rival apprentice sorcerers must team up to save their teachers and protect their own magic in this lively young adult romantic adventure from the New York Times bestselling author of In Deeper Waters and So This Is Ever After.

 

He Who Breaks the Earth by Caitlin Sangster – 4/11

Wicked Saints meets There Will Come a Darkness in this sequel to the atmospheric, “tightly woven” (Brandon Sanderson, New York Times bestselling author) She Who Rides the Storm that follows the four thieves turned unlikely allies as one of their own decides where their loyalties lie.

 

If I See You Again Tomorrow by Robbie Couch – 4/18

From the author of The Sky Blues and Blaine for the Win comes a speculative young adult romance about a teen stuck in a time loop that’s endlessly monotonous until he meets the boy of his dreams.

 

Wings in the Wild by Margarita Engle – 4/18

This gorgeously romantic contemporary novel-in-verse from award-winning author Margarita Engle tells the inspiring love story of two teens fighting for climate action and human rights.

 

The Song of Wrath by Sarah Raughley – 4/18

Penny Dreadful meets The Gilded Wolves in this captivating sequel to young adult historical fantasy The Bones of Ruin that follows immortal Iris as she desperately tries to thwart her destructive destiny.

 

Borderless by Jennifer De Leon – 4/25

Caught in the cross hairs of gang violence, a teen girl and her mother set off on a perilous journey from Guatemala City to the US border in this heart-wrenching young adult novel from the author of Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From.

 

I Have Something to Tell You by Chasten Buttigieg – 5/16

The young adult adaptation of the moving, hopeful, and refreshingly candid memoir by the husband of a former Democratic presidential candidate about growing up gay in his small Midwestern town.

 

Everyone Wants to Know by Kelly Loy Gilbert – 5/16

This ripped-from-the-tabloids young adult drama by the critically acclaimed author Kelly Loy Gilbert about a girl’s famous-for-being-famous family fracturing from within as their dirty laundry gets exposed.

 

Time Out by Sean Hayes, Todd Millner, and Carlyn Greenwald – 5/30

Heartstopper meets Friday Night Lights in this keenly felt coming-of-age story about a teen hometown hero who must find out who he is outside of basketball when his coming out as gay costs him his popularity and place on the team.

 

Take by Jennifer Bradbury – 6/6

Two teens uncover a secret hidden in the Cascade Mountains that spans generations, stringing together family skeletons, lost stories, and a discovery of love and self in this tense and emotional young adult thriller.

 

Something Close to Magic by Emma Mills – 6/13

A baker’s apprentice reluctantly embarks on an adventure full of magic, new friendships, and a prince in distress in this deliciously romantic young adult fantasy that’s perfect for fans of Margaret Rogerson and Gail Carson Levine.

 

The Quiet Part Out Loud by Deborah Crossland – 6/27

For fans of You’ve Reached Sam and A Heart in a Body in the World, this searing and heartrending teen novel follows an ex-couple as they struggle to reunite in the wake of a devastating earthquake.

 

Under This Forgetful Sky by Lauren Yero – 7/18

In the spirit of Paolo Bacigalupi and Laini Taylor, this futuristic star-crossed love story follows two teens in a starkly unequal world struggling to find their place.

 

Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto – 7/25

Gideon the Ninth meets the Game of Thrones White Walkers in this dark young adult fantasy about a disgraced ghost-fighting warrior who must journey into a haunted wasteland to rescue a kidnapped prince.

 

Infested by Angel L. Colon – 7/25

The Taking of Jake Livingston meets Cemetery Boys in this YA ghost story about a Puerto Rican teen’s battle with a malevolent spirit targeting his apartment building and the all-too-real horrors of gentrification.

 

Rana Joon and the One and Only Now by Shideh Etaat – 7/25

This lyrical coming-of-age novel for fans of Darius the Great Is Not Okay and On the Come Up, set in southern California in 1996, follows a teen who wants to honor her deceased friend’s legacy by entering a rap contest.

 

All Alone With You by Amelia D. Coombs – 7/25

HBO Max’s Hacks gets a romantic twist in the vein of Jenn Bennett in this swoon-worthy novel about a standoffish teen girl whose loner status gets challenged by a dynamic elderly woman and a perpetually cheerful boy.

 

Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellington – 7/25

A Black teen desperate to regain her Ivy League acceptance enters an elite competition only to discover the stakes aren’t just high, they’re deadly, in this searing thriller that’s Ace of Spades meets Squid Game with a sprinkling of The Bachelor.

 

The Pirate and the Porcelain Girl by Emily Riesbeck and NJ Barna, with lettering by Lucas Gattoni – 8/8

Our Flag Means Death gets a magical, sapphic twist in this swashbuckling young adult graphic novel adventure full of high-stakes adventure, fantastical creatures, and a swoony enemies-to-lovers romance perfect for fans of In Deeper Waters and The Prince and the Dressmaker.

 

Writing in Color edited by Nafiza Azad and Melody Simpson- 8/22

Rethink the way you approach writing in this revolutionary and informative new anthology from fourteen diverse authors that demystifies craft and authorship based on their experiences as writers of color—perfect for fans of Fresh Ink and Our Stories, Our Voices.

 

2022 marks the 5th anniversary of Salaam Reads: an imprint that celebrates joy, vibrancy, and variety in stories of Muslim life! To celebrate, we’re highlighting these must-read books by Muslim authors. Are any of these living on your TBR?

5 Books by Muslim Authors You Need to Read ASAP

1. Love from A to Z by S.K. Ali

When Zayneb is suspended for standing up to her Islamophobic teacher her parents send her to her aunt’s house in Quatar to get an early start on spring break. Adam is also heading to Qatar for spring break to visit his family. He was diagnosed to Multiple Sclerosis in November and is intent on keeping it a secret from his father, who’s still grieving the death of Adam’s mother. When the two Muslim teens meet in the airport, something marvelous happens. Stay tuned for the sequel to this heartwarming romance, Love from Mecca to Medina, out now!

2. Queen of the Tiles by Hanna Alkaf

They Wish They Were Us meets The Queen’s Gambit in the world of competitive Scrabble when a teen girl is forced to investigate the mysterious death of her best friend a year after the fact when her Instagram comes back to life with cryptic posts and messages.

3. Saints and Misfits by S.K. Ali

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before meets Pride and Prejudice in this delightful and heartfelt rom-com about a Bangladeshi American teen whose meddling mother arranges a match to secure their family’s financial security—just as she’s falling in love with someone else.

3. Saints and Misfits by S.K. Ali

Saints and Misfits is an unforgettable debut novel that feels like a modern day My So-Called Life…starring a Muslim teen. Janna thinks of people in three different categories in her world, saints, misfits, and monsters, and she places herself and Jeremy firmly in the misfits category. Janna thinks she and Jeremy are from two different worlds, but the old adage “opposites attract” can be very true!

4. Misfit in Love by S.K. Ali

It’s officially wedding season! In this fun and fresh sequel to Saints and Misfits, Janna hopes her brother’s wedding will be the perfect start to her own summer of love, but attractive new arrivals have her more confused than ever.

5. The Weight of Our Sky by Hanna Alkaf

The Weight of Our Sky is a beautiful and heart wrenching story that takes place during the 1969 race riots in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Beatles-loving Melati Ahmad is just like any other teenager at the movies when violence erupts between the Chinese and the Malay. Her entire world shifts as tensions escalate in this heart-pounding debut.

Looking for more amazing books to add to your TBR? Check out these must-read romances featuring BIPOC characters!

2022 has been a truly amazing year for book releases! They all make us proud, but these books have made it onto some notable 2022 “Best-Of” lists. We’re so excited to share them with you! Were these books also your favorites from 2022?

The Best of 2022!

1. Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn

Buzzfeed’s Best Young Adult Books Of 2022

Tor.com Reviewers’ Choice: The Best Books of 2022

2.See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Buzzfeed’s Best Young Adult Books of 2022

Kirkus Review’s Best Young Adult Books of the Year

3. Everyone Hates Kelsie Miller by Meredith Ireland

Buzzfeed’s Best Young Adult Books of 2022

5. She Gets the Girl by Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick

Buzzfeed’s Best Young Adult Books of 2022

5. Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle

Kirkus Review’s Best Young Adult Books of the Year

Apple’s Top 20 Best Books of 2022

New York Public Library’s Best Books for Teens 2022

6. Ain’t Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds and Jason Griffin

Shelf Awareness 2022 Best Books of the Year

Publishers Weekly Best 2022 Books

School Library Journal’s Best Young Adult Books of 2022

Kirkus Review’s Best Young Adult Books of the Year

CSMCL Best Books of 2022

7. Isla to Island by Alexis Castellanos

School Library Journal’s Best Graphic Novels of 2022

8. Queen of the Tiles by Hanna Alkaf 

Bookpage’s Best YA Books of 2022

Kirkus Review’s Best Young Adult Books of the Year

New York Public Library’s Best Books for Teens 2022

Book Riot’s Best YA Books of 2022

9. This is Why They Hate Us by Aaron H. Aceves

Kirkus Review’s Best Young Adult Books of the Year

10. Love From Mecca to Medina by S.K. Ali

Kirkus Review’s Best Young Adult Books of the Year

11. Very Bad People by Kit Frick

Kirkus Review’s Best Young Adult Books of the Year

12. The Secrets We Keep by Cassie Gustafson

Kirkus Review’s Best Young Adult Books of the Year

13. Lawless Spaces by Corey Ann Haydu

Kirkus Review’s Best Young Adult Books of the Year

14. Four for the Road by K.J. Reilly

Kirkus Review’s Best Young Adult Books of the Year

15. What the Fact? by Seema Yasmin

Kirkus Review’s Best Young Adult Books of the Year

New York Public Library’s Best Books for Teens 2022

16. So This is Ever After by F.T. Lukens

New York Public Library’s Best Books for Teens 2022

Book Riot’s Best YA Books of 2022

17. Summer’s Edge by Dana Mele

New York Public Library’s Best Books for Teens 2022

18. Skandar and the Unicorn Thief by A.F. Steadman

Barnes & Noble’s Best Books of the Year 2022

Waterstones Best Books of 2022: Children’s Fiction

Looking for more? Check out the 2022 bestsellers that should be on your TBR!

Calling all CoHo fans!!! We all know that Colleen Hoover is the QUEEN of books that will make you cry and keep you coming back for more. If you’ve already read your way through all of Colleen Hoover’s books and need new reading material, or just want similar feels from a different author, these must-read books should definitely be on your TBR!