Release Date: February 20, 2024, from Farrar, Straus, and Giroux; 352 pages.
Hafsah Faizal’s first duology, We Hunt the Flame and We Free the Stars, is a favorite of mine. I read them last year, and I’m still thinking about them a year later. The writing is absolutely beautiful, and I know A Tempest of Tea will be just as amazing as her previous books. It’s the first book in a fantasy duology with historical fiction roots, and it is filled with vampires, a found family, and a high-stakes heist. Arthie Casimir is the owner of a tearoom and a criminal mastermind. At night, her tea room becomes an illegal bloodhouse for vampires. After her business becomes under threat, she strikes a deal to save it, infiltrating vampire society with her crew. Arthie finds herself in the center of a conspiracy as lies are exposed, and everything is on the line.
Sam Yanis, Pine Reads Review Writer & Podcast Co-host
Release Date: April 9, 2024, from HarperCollins Publishers; 368 pages.
This enticing YA fantasy novel inspired by Pacific Island mythology blends adventure, romance, and dragons. What could be better? After her father steals a sea dragon egg, Hanalei of Tamarind is exiled. When she is finally granted the opportunity to return home after years of banishment, Hanalei unites with childhood friend Samahtitamahenele (Sam), the last remaining prince of Tamarind. As the prince of a matriarchal society, Sam must find a wife or a cure for his ailing mother because he cannot inherit the throne himself. Hanalei and Sam join forces to search for the powerful dragonfruit, hoping that its power to grant wishes can right the wrongs of the past and heal Sam’s mother. However, every wish has a price, and the duo must combat enemies as well as the curse of the dragonfruit.
Ashley Amacher, Pine Reads Review Assistant Director & Lead Editor
Release Date: February 6, 2024, from Random House Worlds; 432 pages.
I’ve always loved a good mystery combined with the witty banter of paired opposites. The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett promises just that, with a Sherlock-and-Watson-esque pair working on untangling their own murder plot. I’ve also always found a home in the fantasy genre, so The Tainted Cup’s fantasy setting secures its spot on my TBR list for 2024! Follow infamously eccentric investigator Ana Dolabra and her magically enhanced “eyes and ears,” Dinios Kol. However, a high-profile murder isn’t the only mystery for Ana to uncover. Din has some secrets of his own, and the longer he stays with Ana, the more likely it seems that she will figure him out as well.
Natalie Hsu, Pine Reads Review Co-Lead Social Media & Web
Release Date: February 13, 2024, from HarperCollins Publishers; 336 pages.
I won’t be a teenager anymore when this book comes out, but I’ll always be a sucker for a sweet teen romance! The Boyfriend Wish stars Deepa, a self-professed hopeless romantic whose standards for love are set sky-high because of her parents’ fairytale love story. When her grandmother gifting her a supposedly wish-granting flower coincides with a cute boy, Rohit, moving in across the street, Deepa thinks she’s found the one. Even her next door neighbor, Vik, approves of the new guy, though all Vik ever does is make fun of Deepa. Her grandmother warns that the wish is only permanent if sealed with a kiss, but, despite how perfect Rohit is, Deepa keeps hesitating. Is he really the one for her, after all?
Aruna Sreenivasan, Pine Reads Review Assistant Director, Lead Community Outreach, Lead Website Manager, & Podcast Co-host
Release Date: April 9, 2024, from Flatiron Books; 400 pages
Leigh Bardugo is one of my favorite YA authors, and I can’t wait to get another adult novel from her! I’m particularly excited about this book, a historical fiction novel set in Madrid. Luzia Cotado is a maid who uses the scraps of magic she has to survive. When the mistress of the house discovers her gifts, she requests Luzia use her abilities to increase the family’s social standing. It starts off fairly innocent, but soon, Luzia catches the attention of Antonio Pérez, the Spanish king’s disgraced secretary. The country is in the midst of a war against England, Pérez will stop at nothing to regain his king’s favor, and Luzia presents the perfect ticket. Determined to make the best of her newfound opportunities, Luzia dives headfirst into the world of magic, science, alchemy, religion, and politics, but as she grows in notoriety, so does the risk that her Jewish heritage will expose her to the Inquisition’s wrath. She’ll have to use every ounce of her strength and cunning to survive, including working with Guillén Santángel, an immortal familiar with dangerous secrets.
Rysi Koos, Pine Reads Review Social Media
Release Date: January 23, 2024, from Wednesday Books; 320 pages
Emma Lord is one of my favorite writers, and I can’t wait to dig into her newest novel, The Getaway List! Riley Larson has a record of mischief and is uncertain what her next steps will be after graduation. She was rejected from all the colleges she applied to and has been lost since her best friend Tom moved to Manhattan after freshman year. Before the move, the duo started building The Getaway List—a checklist of made-up adventures—to accomplish once reunited to make up for lost time. Riley’s first decision after the rejections is to visit Tom in New York, much to her mom’s disapproval. The pair tackle the list, everything from taking an immersive writing workshop to seeing a favorite band play live, forging a new group of friends along the way. Riley feels alive for the first time, but her mom urges her to return home to avoid repeating her past mistakes, leaving Riley to question what her future should look like and who should be a part of it.
Emilee Ceuninck, Pine Reads Review Lead Writer & Editor
Release Date: August 6, 2024, from Random House Children’s Books; 496 pages.
A romantic at heart, Princess Ying Yue is elated to be selected as the crown prince’s bride. However, when she travels to the royal palace and meets her betrothed, her fantasies are shattered by his apathetic attitude and cold treatment. Adding to her dismay are the rumors murmured throughout the palace about the seven other royal brides—who are nowhere to be found. In the wake of dashed dreams that once whispered of a fairytale marriage, Ying discovers that the grand palace doors she now resides behind hide strange, dark things. Shapes stir and lights dance in the mirror placed in her room, blood stains the history of her new world, and she has a role to play that she doesn’t yet understand.
Melia Gemrose, Pine Reads Review Editor
Release Date: April 2, 2024, from Hoopoe; 232 pages
I read the synopsis of Rania Hanna’s newest book a few weeks ago and have been eagerly awaiting ever since. The story is about Nadine, a jinn who, every morning, gathers the souls of the dead by collecting the pomegranate seeds that fell the night before. In Jinn mythology, this process is integral for guiding the departed through the final gate of death. When the ritual falters, Death (Kamuna) targets Nadine’s daughter, Layala, as her successor. The Jinn Daughter promises a captivating exploration of familial sacrifice, the supernatural, and the delicate balance between love and otherworldly forces. I can’t wait to give this novel a read in 2024!
Kasey Taylor, Pine Reads Review Writer
Release Date: April 2, 2024, from B&N Exclusive Edition; 400 pages.
When I read A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder in 2020, I was instantly drawn into the Holly Jackson universe, so I cannot wait to read The Reappearance of Rachel Price. Bel Price’s mother, Rachel, disappeared when she was very young, and Bel was the only witness to it. Bel wants to move on, but she can’t because the case has been brought back to life with the help of a true crime documentary. Bel wants nothing to do with it, but the case gets ripped open when her mom reappears. Rachel tells everyone an unbelievable story about disappearing, but Bel doesn’t believe her. She must uncover what happened to her mom and why she returned.
Kelly Marry, Pine Reads Review Co-Lead Social Media & Writer
Release Date: October 1, 2024, from Inkyard Press; Page count unreleased
Kylie Lee Baker stole the show this year with her new series, The Scarlet Alchemist. I’ll be eagerly awaiting the publication of her second book, which is planned to be released in 2024. While many details haven’t been announced (including a title!) I am still on the edge of my seat after watching Zarin’s journey play out in the first novel. Will she be able to stretch the limits of alchemy and save the people she cares about in the highly anticipated sequel?
(As the cover of The Scarlet Alchemist #2 is not yet released, we chose to display the gorgeous cover of The Scarlet Alchemist instead!)
Charity Kinsella, Pine Reads Review Editor
Release Date: June 6, 2024, from Tor Teen; 304 pages
Having previously written books like The Atlas Six and One for My Enemy under the pen name Olivie Blake, Alexene Farol Follmuth has quickly emerged as one of my favorite authors, and I am excited to see her branch out into YA romantic comedy. I’m also a sucker for a Shakespeare retelling, so I can’t wait to pick up the Twelfth Knight this summer! The book tells the story of Viola Reyes, who is facing a variety of challenges at school that are testing her patience. Her favorite escape from the tribulations of high school is an online game, a space that notoriously doesn’t treat women well. So, Viola creates a masculine alter ego to play in this world, only to form an online connection with her rival in school, Jack Orsino. As the two grow closer in this video game, with Viola’s identity still concealed, they must come to terms with their feelings for each other both online and offline.
Sam Parker, Pine Reads Review Writer, Editor, & Social Media