It’s a new month! (And a new year.) Time passes, the wheel of publishing continues to turn, an unfair and unreasonable amount of new books are sent out into the world, blah blah blah.
In 2022, I’m going to try something new here at Romantic Parvenu! In addition to (or perhaps instead of) a monthly recap, I’m also going to start doing to some posts that look ahead as well.
So, here’s my January Prospectus.
5 Books I’d Like To Read This Month
I’m not the kind of person who can plan my entire reading schedule months in advance (takes the fun out of it for me), but here are a few titles that I’ve shuffled towards the top of the “what should I read next?” Pit of Despair (aka my mind).
The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie
For centuries, the kingdom of Iraden has been protected by the god known as the Raven. He watches over his territory from atop a tower in the powerful port of Vastai…. But the power of the Raven is weakening. A usurper has claimed the throne. And they have made their own alliances with other gods.
The Half-Drowned King by Linnea Hartsuyker
Drawing from the Icelandic Sagas, The Half-Drowned King takes inspiration from the true story of Ragnvald of Maer, the right hand man of King Harald Fairhair, first king of all Norway, and his sister, Svanhild, as she tries to find freedom in a society where the higher her brother rises, the greater her worth as a political pawn.
We Were Restless Things by Cole Nagamatsu
Last summer, Link Miller drowned on dry land in the woods, miles away from the nearest body of water. His death was ruled an accident. But Noemi knows the truth: Link drowned in an impossible lake that only she can find.
The Queer Principles of Kit Webb by Cat Sebastian
Kit Webb has left his stand-and-deliver days behind him. But dreary days at his coffee shop have begun to make him pine for the heady rush of thievery. When a handsome yet arrogant aristocrat storms into his shop, Kit quickly realizes he may be unable to deny whatever this highborn man desires.
The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid
In her village, Évike is the only woman without power, making her an outcast. When soldiers arrive to claim a girl for the king’s blood sacrifice, Évike is surrendered by her fellow villagers. Then monsters attack, killing everyone but Évike and the captain. Except he’s no ordinary soldier—he’s the disgraced prince, whose father needs pagan magic to consolidate power.
New January Books I’m Curious About
As is obvious from *waves hand* my entire online existence, I don’t tend to pay a whole lot of attention to the newest of new releases, but I’m trying to be better at actually looking at what’s coming out every now and again. So, here are a handful of books releasing this month that I’m interested in:
It Will End Like This by Kyra Leigh
Mystery/Thriller
January 4, 2022
Charlotte’s mother died six months ago, and no one will tell her what happened. They say her heart stopped, but Charlotte knows there’s more to the story. The only person who gets it is Charlotte’s sister. But now their father is moving on. With their mother’s personal assistant. And both girls are sure that she’s determined to take everything that’s theirs.
The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman
Fantasy
January 4, 2022
Vira is desperate to establish her legacy as a queen of Ashoka. But with the country’s source of magic running dry, she can barely protect her citizens. Vira’s only hope is to find a mysterious object of legend: the Ivory Key. But in order to retrieve it, she must reunite with her siblings, torn apart by the different paths their lives have taken.
Olga Dies Dreaming by Xóchitl González
Literary Fiction
January 4, 2022
Olga and her brother are bold names in New York. Despite their alluring public lives, behind closed doors things are far less rosy. Sure, Olga can orchestrate the love stories of the 1%, but she can’t find her own… And now, with the winds of hurricane season, their estranged mother has come barreling back into their lives.
The Maid by Nita Prose
Mystery/Thriller
January 4, 2022
Molly is not like everyone else. She struggles with social skills and misreads the intentions of others. No matter—she throws herself into her work as a hotel maid. Then Molly’s life is upended when she enters the suite of the infamous Charles Black, only to find him dead. Before she knows what’s happening, Molly’s unusual demeanor has the police targeting her as their lead suspect.
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
Fantasy
January 11, 2022
Growing up on the moon, Xingyin is accustomed to solitude, unaware that she is being hidden from the Celestial Emperor who exiled her mother. But when Xingyin’s magic flares and she is discovered, she is forced to flee her home. To save her mother, Xingyin embarks on a perilous quest, confronting legendary creatures and vicious enemies across the earth and skies.
The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews
Historical Romance
January 11, 2022
Evelyn’s only hope to succeed in society is to distinguish herself by making the biggest splash in the sphere she excels: on horseback. Half-Indian tailor Ahmad has a talent for making women beautiful by designing riding habits for Rotten Row’s infamous equestrians. But pushing boundaries comes at a cost, and not everyone is pleased to welcome Evelyn and Ahmad into fashionable society.
The Red Palace by June Hur
Historical Mystery
January 25, 2022
Joseon, 1758: There are few options available to illegitimate daughters in the capital city, but through hard work and study, Hyeon has earned a position as a palace nurse. But she is suddenly thrust into the world of court politics when someone murders four women in a single night, and the prime suspect is Hyeon’s mentor. Determined to prove her teacher’s innocence, Hyeon launches her own secret investigation.
Something Fabulous by Alexis Hall
Historical Romance
January 25, 2022
Valentine has twin problems. It was his father’s hope that Valentine would marry Arabella. But after Valentine’s proposal, she flees into the night determined never to set eyes on him again. Arabella’s twin, Bonny, expects Valentine to ride out after Arabella and prove to her that he’s not the cold-hearted cad he seems to be. Despite his misgivings, Valentine finds himself on a pell-mell chase with Bonny by his side.
So there you have it! 5 books I hopefully/maybe will try to tackle this month and 8 new releases to kick of the shiny new year.
I really liked The Wolf and the Woodsman!