Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
The Topic This Week Is: Most Anticipated Releases for the Second Half of 2020
I put the books in order by publication date, so August releases are first, and December releases are last.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, including Amazon, and I may earn a small commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase through my links.
1. Between Savage Tides by Anela Deen
Series: The Bitter Sea (Book 2)
Publication Date: August 31, 2020
Publisher: Fine Fables Press
Synopsis: Captured by sirens, Jurek struggles to save his fellow prisoners before they’re devoured. He has little time. His memory is vanishing from his mind, a poisonous effect of the magic that saved his life. With a past steeped in tragedy, it should feel like a blessing. Instead, it’s a curse unraveling everything he is. When he strikes a bargain with the sirens – three impossible tasks in exchange for everyone’s freedom – help comes from someone he least expects and whose motives he doesn’t dare trust.
Ava, youngest of the billow maidens, has become an unwitting traitor in a war between the gods. Her sisters want her to pledge fealty to the ruinous Eldingar. Her brother, the Guardian of the Fathoms, wants her to act as his spy. And then there’s Captain Jurek, a landweller whose fierce heart and haunted blue eyes mean more to her than they should. He doesn’t trust her, but without her help he won’t survive. As the old gods make their move against the world that betrayed them, Ava must determine whose side she’s on. But no matter what she chooses, it’ll mean death for someone she loves.
LINKS: Goodreads
2. Midnight Sun by Stephanie Meyers
Series: The Twilight Saga #5
Page Length: 672
Publication Date: August 4, 2020
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Synopsis: This unforgettable tale as told through Edward’s eyes takes on a new and decidedly dark twist. Meeting beautiful, mysterious Bella is both the most intriguing and unnerving event he has experienced in his long life as a vampire. As we learn more fascinating details about Edward’s past and the complexity of his inner thoughts, we understand why this is the defining struggle of his life. How can he let himself fall in love with Bella when he knows that he is endangering her life?
In Midnight Sun, Stephenie Meyer transports us back to a world that has captivated millions of readers and, drawing on the classic myth of Hades and Persephone, brings us an epic novel about the profound pleasures and devastating consequences of immortal love.
LINKS: Goodreads Amazon Book Depository
3. Ignite the Sun by Hanna Howard
Page Length: 352
Publication Date: August 18, 2020
Publisher: Blink
Synopsis: Once upon a time, there was something called the sun… In a kingdom ruled by an evil witch, the sun is just part of a legend about light-filled days of old. Luckily for everybody in the kingdom, Siria Nightingale is headed to the heart of the darkness to try and restore the light–or she will lose everything trying.
Sixteen year-old Siria Nightingale has never seen the sun. The light is dangerous, according to Queen Iyzabel, an evil witch who has shrouded the kingdom in shadow.
Siria has always hated the darkness and revels in the stories of the light-filled old days that she hears from her best friend and his grandfather. Besides them, nobody else understands her fascination with the sun, especially not her strict and demanding parents. Siria’s need to please them is greater even than her fear of the dark. So she heads to the royal city–the very center of the darkness–for a chance at a place in Queen Iyzabel’s court.
But what Siria discovers at the Choosing Ball sends her on a quest toward the last vestiges of the sun with a ragtag group of rebels who could help her bring back the Light … or doom the kingdom to shadow forever.
LINKS: Goodreads Amazon Book Depository
4. Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
Series: Legendborn (Book 1)
Page Length: 512
Publication Date: September 15, 2020
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Synopsis: After her mother dies in an accident, sixteen-year-old Bree Matthews wants nothing to do with her previous life, family memories, or her childhood home. A residential program for bright high schoolers at a local university seems like the perfect escape—until Bree witnesses a magical attack her very first night on campus.
A flying demon feeding on human energies.
A secret society of so called “Legendborn” students that hunt the creatures down.
And a teenage mage who calls himself a “Merlin” and who attempts—and fails—to wipe Bree’s memory of everything she saw.
The mage’s failure reveals Bree’s own, unique magic and unlocks a buried memory with a hidden connection: the night her mother died, another Merlin was at the hospital. Now that she knows there’s more to her mother’s death than what’s on the police report, Bree will do whatever it takes to find out the truth, even if that means infiltrating the Legendborn by becoming one of their initiates. But when the Legendborn reveal themselves as the descendants of King Arthur and his knights and explain that a magical war is coming, Bree has to decide how far she’ll go for the truth and whether she should use her magic to take the society down—or join the fight.
LINKS: Goodreads Amazon Book Depository
5. All Scot and Bothered by Kerrigan Byrne
Series: Devil You Know (Book 2)
Page Length: 416
Publication Date: Sept. 29, 2020
Publisher:
Synopsis: He is first and foremost—at everything. A man who’s made his own way in the world through ruthless cunning and sheer force of will. A strong and imposing Scot who can turn on the charm but does not suffer fools. His title: Lord Chief Justice of the High Court. His name: Cassius Gerard Ramsay. His mission: To investigate the goings-on at London’s most notorious gaming hell, owned and operated by one of the most intriguing and desirable women he’s ever met.
IN THIS GAME OF LOVE, THE RULES DO NOT APPLY
Cecelia Teague was an orphan facing a rather dire future—until a secret benefactor from her mother’s scandalous past swept into her life. Sent to prestigious boarding school and later to university, Cecelia believed high society was at her fingertips…Then, from out of nowhere, she became the inheritor of a gambling establishment. Now Cecelia must live two lives: one as a proper lady who finds herself undeniably drawn to Lord Ramsay and the other as a savvy gaming hell owner trying to save her business from the very same man. He has no idea she is both women…and Cecelia would like to keep it that way. But what happens when consuming passion and escalating danger threaten to reveal the truth?
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
6. Warriors of Wing and Flame by Sara B. Larson
Series: Sisters of Shadow and Light (Book 2)
Publication Date: Oct. 27, 2020
Publisher: Tor Teen
Synopsis: The doorway between the magical Visempirum and the human world has been reopened. Paladin are once more living in the citadel where Zuhra and Inara grew up completely isolated by the magical hedge that trapped them there. Amidst the brewing conflict between the Paladin and humans looms the threat of Barloc, who has stolen Inara’s immense power and continues to elude the Paladin who are desperately searching for him.
In this sequel to Sisters of Shadow and Light, Inara and Zuhra must navigate the treacherous paths of self-discovery, their love for each other, and for the boys who have captured their hearts. Together, they search for the strength within themselves to bridge the divide between the two worlds they inhabit, even as war threatens to destroy everything—and everyone—they love.
LINKS: Goodreads Amazon Book Depository
7. A Curse of Ash and Embers by Jo Spurrier
Series: Tales of the Blackbone Witches (Book 1)
Page Length: 272
Publication Date: Nov. 3, 2020
Publisher: Voyager
Synopsis: A dead witch. A bitter curse. A battle of magic.
Some people knit socks by the fire at night. Gyssha Blackbone made monsters. But the old witch is dead now, and somehow it’s Elodie’s job to clean up the mess.
When she was hired at Black Oak Cottage, Elodie had no idea she’d find herself working for a witch; and her acid-tongued new mistress, Aleida, was not expecting a housemaid to turn up on her doorstep.
Gyssha’s final curse left Aleida practically dead on her feet, and now, with huge monsters roaming the woods, a demonic tree lurking in the orchard and an angry warlock demanding repayment of a debt, Aleida needs Elodie’s help, whether she likes it or not.
And no matter what the old witch throws at her, to Elodie it’s still better than going back home.
LINKS: Goodreads Amazon Book Depository
8. Cast in Firelight by Dana Swift
Series: Wickery (Book 1)
Page Length: 448
Publication Date: November 17, 2020
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Synopsis: Adraa is the royal heir of Belwar, a talented witch on the cusp of taking her royal ceremony test, and a girl who just wants to prove her worth to her people.
Jatin is the royal heir to Naupure, a competitive wizard who’s mastered all nine colors of magic, and a boy anxious to return home for the first time since he was a child.
Together, their arranged marriage will unite two of Wickery’s most powerful kingdoms. But after years of rivalry from afar, Adraa and Jatin only agree on one thing: their reunion will be anything but sweet.
Only, destiny has other plans and with the criminal underbelly of Belwar suddenly making a move for control, their paths cross…and neither realizes who the other is, adopting separate secret identities instead.
Between dodging deathly spells and keeping their true selves hidden, the pair must learn to put their trust in the other if either is to uncover the real threat. Now Wickery’s fate is in the hands of rivals..? Fiancées..? Partners..? Whatever they are, it’s complicated and bound for greatness or destruction.
LINKS: Goodreads Amazon Book Depository
9. The Awakening by Nora Roberts
Series: The Dragon Heart Legacy (Book 1)
Page Length: 464
Publication Date: Nov. 24, 2020
Publisher: St. Marten’s Press
Synopsis: #1 New York Times bestselling author of the epic Chronicles of The One trilogy returns with the first in a brand new series where parallel worlds clash over the struggle between good and evil.
Breen Kelly had always been a rule follower. So when her father left when she was twelve years old, promising to return, she waited. Now, more than a decade later, she needs to move forward. She can wait no longer. A summer trip to Ireland seems like the perfect next step. She never dreamed it would lead her through a portal to another world, where her latent powers of magick will be awakened, her true ancestry revealed and an epic battle against evil fought.
LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
10. The Princess and the Rogue by Kate Bateman
Series: The Bow Street Bachelors (Book 3)
Page Length: 304
Publication Date: Dec. 29, 2020
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Synopsis: A princess in disguise is forced to live with a rogue in order to protect her from danger in this fun, sexy regency romance.
Bow Street agent Sebastien Wolff, Earl of Mowbray, doesn’t believe in love―until a passionate kiss with a beautiful stranger in a brothel forces him to reconsider. When the mysterious woman is linked to an intrigue involving a missing Russian princess, however, Seb realizes her air of innocence was too good to be true.
Princess Anastasia Denisova has been hiding in London as plain ‘Anna Brown’. With a dangerous traitor hot on her trail, her best option is to accept Wolff’s offer of protection―and accommodation―at his gambling hell. But living in such close quarters, and aiding Wolff in his Bow Street cases, fans the flames of their mutual attraction. If Anya’s true identity is revealed, does their romance stand a chance? Could a princess ever marry a rogue?
LINKS: Goodreads Amazon Book Depository
There you have it – Are any of these books on your TBR? Which books are you most excited for? Comment below!
I’m so excited for Legendborn as well! These all look like great choices!
Legendborn sounds fantastic! I requested it on Netgalley but haven’t heard back yet. 🙁 This month has so many releases that I’m excited about!
Some great books on this list! I’m most excited for midnight sun 😊😊❤️🧡
I know – I’m excited to venture back into the world of Twilight. I love me some sparkly vampires! 🙂
SAME! Sparkly vampires are the best 😅😅😅✨✨✨
I looking forward to The Awakening too! I love Nora Roberts’ fantasies ❤️
Me too. She’s my most read author. Her fantasies and romantic suspense are my faves! 🙂
The Awakening sounds fantastic. I got denied for an ARC on Edelweiss but I’m keeping my eyes on NetGalley. 🙂
I requested it on Netgalley too. Fingers crossed! 🙂
So many good books still to come! Legendborn sounds interesting!
My post!
I agree! It’s definitely a great month for new releases. 🙂
I shouldn’t be excited for Midnight Sun… but here I am. I’ve read (nearly) every Twilight book and seen every movie, so I might as well just call myself a fan at this point!
Current Post: TTT: Anticipated Books I Still Need To Read
I’m right there with you. I’m all about sparkling vampires and angsty love stories!
Midnight Sun made my list, too. I think we all want to know what Edward was thinking. 😉
Definitely! It should be interesting!
Ooo, sone books I haven’t heard of but sound so good! My TBR hasn’t been in this much trouble in a while! Lol
Me too! lol It just keeps growing!
Every single one of these looks awesome!! I am for sure excited to finally get my hands on Midnight Sun. Hope we both love it!!
I have a feeling we will! 🙂 Have you done many buddy reads? This might be a good one for that…
It’S not quite my genre but somehow I still always enjoy your lists 😀 all the best!
Thanks so much! 🙂