19 books we can’t wait to get our hands on in 2019

We Hunt the Flame – Hafsah Faizal

We Hunt the Flame is a 2019 release that has been receiving tons of hype throughout 2018, and judging by the number of positive reviews the book has gotten, the hype might just be warranted. Hafsah Faizal’s debut novel appears to be the first in a fantasy series aimed at young adult readers.

We Hunt the Flame is set in a fantasy realm inspired by ancient Arabia, which is exciting in its own right. But if the setting of the novel is compelling, the plot is equally so. The story follows Zafira and Nasir, two characters who have every reason to hate one another.

Zafira, the “Hunter,” is forced to disguise herself as a man and wander into dangerous territory to feed her people. Nasir, dubbed the “Prince of Death,” assassinates anyone daring enough to speak out against his father, the king. But the two have more in common than they realize: They’re both legends, even though they’d rather not be. And they’d both lose everything if they showed the world who they truly are.

The two cross paths when they embark on similar missions, both seeking to stop the war brewing in their kingdom. Zafira intends to retrieve an artifact that will return magic to the world, while Nasir has been sent to uncover the same item—and kill Zafira in the process.

Of course, the artifact is more dangerous than the two account for. Before they know it, they both find themselves facing what the synopsis describes as an “ancient evil.” It’s likely that the two will be forced to work together to prevent that evil from emerging. And who doesn’t love watching characters on opposing sides being forced to fight together?

We Hunt the Flame comes out on March 14. If the hype is to be believed, readers might want to write that date down.