New Books We Can’t Wait to Get Our Hands on: September 6
New books? New books.
Fall may have unofficially arrived, but the book season always stays hot. That’s no different this week, where we have another entry in a long-running series, a highly-anticipated YA fantasy installment, some Shakespeare-inspired urban fantasy, and a little non-fiction to top it all off.
Each linked title leads straight to Amazon. We promise not to judge if you can’t wait for a physical copy and buy the e-book instead.
Apprentice in Death
J.D. Robb’s long running series starring Eve Dallas returns for its 43rd (!) volume. This time, Eve must track down not just one, but two killers, a master and an apprentice. The Sith comparisons practically write themselves here. Though the primary focus remains the mystery at hand, expect a few dashes of romance between Eve and her husband, Roarke. Fortunately, you don’t have to read the previous 42 books. Each story, this one included, stands alone, with only character development changing between books. As of this writing, Goodreads gives it a whopping 4.61, which is a testament to Robb (actually romance writer Nora Roberts) still turning out some quality crimes. Berkley; hardcover, 384 pages; list price: $28.00.
Empire of Storms
Welcome back to Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass series, everyone. This is the fifth installment in the YA fantasy series. Our heroine, Aelin/Celaena, still has issues. Namely, the kingdoms of Erilea are splintering apart, and war now seems more certain than ever. The book’s description promises a “desperate quest” to try and save the world. Our own case for reading the series says that the world’s fully realized, characters are fully developed, and the plot is unpredictable, while one Goodreads reviewer says they need therapy after finishing this one, which sounds like it’s going to destroy emotionally. Bloomsbury USA Childrens; hardcover, 704 pages; list price: $18.99.
Once Broken Faith
Slightly keeping in theme with the Throne of Glass series comes the 10th entry in Seanan McGuire’s October Daye series, which also features fae characters. However, this adult series skews more into the urban fantasy genre. (I have no complaints about it.) After the events of the last book, the politics of Faerie are more fraught then ever, and then the dead bodies start showing up. Toby and her friends have little time to try and prevent a total collapse of the west coast. Note also that this series does rely on continuity, but the series reads quite quickly. Goodreads notes that the intrigue is thick in this one. What else do you expect from faeries? DAW; paperback, 432 pages; list price: $7.99.
Hidden Figures
The full title of this book is actually Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race, which may be the most non-fiction title I’ve seen this year. Anyway, Margot Lee Shetterly follows the story of several four black women who started working for NASA (then NACA) during World War II as human computers. Hidden Figures focuses on just four women and their decades-long careers, as well as their calculations that helped win the Space Race. The book also will be turned into a movie starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monaé among others. Goodreads calls it both fascinating and informative. William Morrow; hardcover, 368 pages; list price: $27.99.
Next: What to read before fall movie season
That concludes this week’s new books roundup. Which will be first on your to-read pile, or have you already resigned yourself to adding all four to your Goodreads and library request lists? As per usual, happy reading, and feel free to drop off recommendations in the comments below.