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.
This week’s topic is:
Most Anticipated Releases for the Second Half of 2022
There are a ton of books releasing in the second half of 2022 that I’m excited to read. Luckily, I received ARCs for a few of them, so I can get a head start on some of my most anticipated reads!
1. Ithaca by Claire North
Series: Penelope #1
Page Length: 400
Publication Date: Sept. 6, 2022
Publisher: Orbit Books
Synopsis: ‘The greatest power we woman can own, is that we take in secret . . . ‘
Seventeen years ago, king Odysseus sailed to war with Troy, taking with him every man of fighting age from the island of Ithaca. None of them have returned, and the women have been left behind to run the kingdom.
Penelope was barely into womanhood when she wed Odysseus. Whilst he lived, her position was secure. But now, years on, speculation is mounting that husband is dead, and suitors are starting to knock at her door . . .
But no one man is strong enough to claim Odysseus’ empty throne – not yet. Between Penelope’s many suitors, a cold war of dubious alliances and hidden knives reigns, as everyone waits for the balance of power to tip one way or another. If Penelope chooses one from amongst them, it will plunge Ithaca into bloody civil war. Only through cunning and her spy network of maids can she maintain the delicate balance of power needed for the kingdom to survive.
On Ithaca, everyone watches everyone else, and there is no corner of the palace where intrigue does not reign . . .
2. Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong
Series: Foul Lady Fortune #1
Page Length: 528
Publication Date: Sept. 27, 2022
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Synopsis: It’s 1931 in Shanghai, and the stage is set for a new decade of intrigue.
Four years ago, Rosalind Lang was brought back from the brink of death, but the strange experiment that saved her also stopped her from sleeping and aging—and allows her to heal from any wound. In short, Rosalind cannot die. Now, desperate for redemption from her traitorous past, she uses her abilities as an assassin for her country.
Code name: Fortune.
But when the Japanese Imperial Army begins its invasion march, Rosalind’s mission pivots. A series of murders is causing unrest in Shanghai, and the Japanese are under suspicion. Rosalind’s new orders are to infiltrate foreign society and identify the culprits behind the terror plot before more of her people are killed.
To reduce suspicion, however, she must pose as the wife of another Nationalist spy, Orion Hong, and though Rosalind finds Orion’s cavalier attitude and playboy demeanor infuriating, she is willing to work with him for the greater good. But Orion has an agenda of his own, and Rosalind has secrets that she wants to keep buried. As they both attempt to unravel the conspiracy, the two spies soon find that there are deeper and more horrifying layers to this mystery than they ever imagined.
3. A Shield of Fate and Ruin by Nicole Bailey
Series: Apollo Ascending #3
Publication Date: Aug. 24, 2022
Synopsis: When the world is at war.
No one is safe.
Not even the gods.
Apollo would hide with Hyacinth and hold him until the sun burned out.
But that is not their destiny.
When Ares arrives announcing a turn of the tides and war thundering towards Niria, Apollo and Hyacinth take on a journey to save everyone from Zeus’ wrath.
But when things don’t go as planned, they might destroy themselves instead.
In this third installment of the Apollo Ascending series, romance, fate, adventure, and tragedy intermingle into an exhilarating story of loyalty and sacrifice.
4. Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood
Page Length: 368
Publication Date: Aug. 23, 2022
Publisher: Berkley Books
Synopsis: From the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis comes a new STEMinist rom-com in which a scientist is forced to work on a project with her nemesis—with explosive results.
Like an avenging, purple-haired Jedi bringing balance to the mansplained universe, Bee Königswasser lives by a simple code: What would Marie Curie do? If NASA offered her the lead on a neuroengineering project—a literal dream come true after years scraping by on the crumbs of academia—Marie would accept without hesitation. Duh. But the mother of modern physics never had to co-lead with Levi Ward.
Sure, Levi is attractive in a tall, dark, and piercing-eyes kind of way. And sure, he caught her in his powerfully corded arms like a romance novel hero when she accidentally damseled in distress on her first day in the lab. But Levi made his feelings toward Bee very clear in grad school—archenemies work best employed in their own galaxies far, far away.
Now, her equipment is missing, the staff is ignoring her, and Bee finds her floundering career in somewhat of a pickle. Perhaps it’s her occipital cortex playing tricks on her, but Bee could swear she can see Levi softening into an ally, backing her plays, seconding her ideas…devouring her with those eyes. And the possibilities have all her neurons firing. But when it comes time to actually make a move and put her heart on the line, there’s only one question that matters: What will Bee Königswasser do?
5. Never Rescue a Rogue by Virginia Heath
Series: The Merriwell Sisters #2
Page Length: 368
Publication Date: Nov. 8, 2022
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Synopsis:
Virginia Heath’s Never Rescue a Rogue, the next book in the Merriwell Sisters series, is filled with whip-smart banter, swoony romance, hilarious mishaps, and twisty reveals that will make you gasp and laugh in delight.
Diana Merriwell and Giles Sinclair only tolerate one another for the sake of their nearest and dearest. Everyone believes that the two of them are meant to be together, but Diana and Giles know that their constant pithy barbs come from a shared disdain—not a hidden attraction. Diana loves the freedom of working at the newspaper too much to give it up for marriage, and Giles is happily married to his bachelor lifestyle. But they do have one thing in common—the secrets they can’t risk escaping.
When Giles’ father, the curmudgeonly Duke of Harpenden unexpectedly turns up his toes, it’s only a matter of time before someone comes crawling out of the woodwork who knows the true circumstances of his only son’s birth. As the threat of blackmail becomes real, Giles must uncover the truth of his parentage first, or else he and all those who depend upon him will be ruined—and dogged bloodhound Diana is his best hope at sniffing out the truth. As Giles and Diana dive into his family’s past, the attraction that the two of them insisted wasn’t there proves impossible to ignore. Soon, the future of the Sinclair estate isn’t the only thing on the line…
6. A Venom Dark and Sweet by Judy I. Lin
Series: The Book of Tea #2
Page Length: 352
Publication Date: Aug. 23, 2022
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Synopsis: A great evil has come to the kingdom of Dàxi. The Banished Prince has returned to seize power, his rise to the dragon throne aided by the mass poisonings that have kept the people bound in fear and distrust.
Ning, a young but powerful shénnóng-shi—a wielder of magic using the ancient and delicate art of tea-making—has escorted Princess Zhen into exile. Joining them is the princess’ loyal bodyguard, Ruyi, and Ning’s newly healed sister, Shu. Together the four young women travel throughout the kingdom in search of allies to help oust the invaders and take back Zhen’s rightful throne.
But the golden serpent still haunts Ning’s nightmares with visions of war and bloodshed. An evil far more ancient than the petty conflicts of men has awoken, and all the magic in the land may not be enough to stop it from consuming the world…
7. The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber
Series: Once Upon a Broken Heart #2
Page Length: 384
Publication Date: Sept. 13, 2022
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Synopsis: Not every love is meant to be…
After Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, betrays her, Evangeline Fox swears she’ll never trust him again. Now that she’s discovered her own magic, Evangeline believes she can use it to restore the chance at happily ever after that Jacks stole away.
But when a new terrifying curse is revealed, Evangeline finds herself entering into a tenuous partnership with the Prince of Hearts again. Only this time, the rules have changed. Jacks isn’t the only force Evangeline needs to be wary of. In fact, he might be the only one she can trust, despite her desire to despise him.
Instead of a love spell wreaking havoc on Evangeline’s life, a murderous spell has been cast. To break it, Evangeline and Jacks will have to do battle with old friends, new foes, and a magic that plays with heads and hearts. Evangeline has always trusted her heart, but this time she’s not sure she can. . . .
8. Ship Wrecked by Olivia Dade
Series: Spoiler Alert #3
Page Length: 400
Publication Date: Nov. 19, 2022
Publisher: Avon
Synopsis: Maria’s one-night-stand—the thick-thighed, sexy Viking of a man she left without a word or a note—just reappeared. Apparently, Peter’s her surly Gods of the Gates co-star, and they’re about to spend the next six years filming on a desolate Irish island together. She still wants him…but he now wants nothing to do with her.
Peter knows this role could finally transform him from a forgettable character actor into a leading man. He also knows a failed relationship with Maria could poison the set, and he won’t sabotage his career for a woman who’s already walked away from him once. Given time, maybe they can be cooperative colleagues or friends—possibly even best friends—but not lovers again. No matter how much he aches for her.
For years, they don’t touch off-camera. But on their last night of filming, their mutual restraint finally shatters, and all their pent-up desire explodes into renewed passion. Too bad they still don’t have a future together, since Peter’s going back to Hollywood, while Maria’s returning to her native Sweden. She thinks she needs more than he can give her, but he’s determined to change her mind, and he’s spent the last six years waiting. Watching. Wanting.
His shipwrecked Swede doesn’t stand a chance.
9. The King Will Kill You by Sarah Henning
Series: Kingdoms of Sand and Sky #3
Page Length: 368
Publication Date: Aug. 2, 2022
Publisher: Tor Teen
Synopsis: The epic tale concludes with The King Will Kill You, as the newly-crowned Queen Amarande and Luca, her one true love, seek peace among the Kingdoms of Sand and Sky. Wartorn and regicidal, all five kingdoms must confront the power-mad king determined to seize control of the continent–and kill Amarande and Luca in the process.
Fans of Sarah J. Maas, Kristin Cashore, and Adrienne Young will love this kickass heroine and fast-paced fantasy adventure inspired by The Princess Bride.
10. Saint by Adrienne Young
Series: Fable #0
Page Length: 336
Publication Date: Nov. 29, 2022
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Synopsis: As a boy, Elias learned the hard way what happens when you don’t heed the old tales.
Nine years after his lack of superstition got his father killed, he’s grown into a young man of piety, with a deep reverence for the hallowed sea and her fickle favor. As stories of the fisherman’s son who has managed to escape the most deadly of storms spreads from port to port, his devotion to the myths and creeds has given him the reputation of the luckiest bastard to sail the Narrows.
Now, he’s mere days away from getting everything his father ever dreamed for him: a ship of his own, a crew, and a license that names him as one of the first Narrows-born traders. But when a young dredger from the Unnamed Sea with more than one secret crosses his path, Elias’ faith will be tested like never before. The greater the pull he feels toward her, the farther he drifts from the things he’s spent the last three years working for.
He is dangerously close to repeating his mistakes and he’s seen first hand how vicious the jealous sea can be. If he’s going to survive her retribution, he will have to decide which he wants more, the love of the girl who could change their shifting world, or the sacred beliefs that earned him the name that he’s known for―Saint.
Other Books I’m Excited For:
Which books are you most excited for? Comment below!
Too many books, not enough time to read them all!
So true!!! lol
Ithaca and Foul Lady Fortune look very good as does Wildbound
I can’t wait to read them!!
For me- only anticipating one
Silverborn: Mystery of Morrigan Crow (first found out about the 4th Nevermoor book last year); True, while it is coming out coming out this year, would rather buy it in paperback
Great list, Julie! Ridiculously excited for Love on the Brain & have recently read Foul Lady Fortune… it was amazing 😀
Ahhhh – I can’t wait!! lol
Love on the Brain, The Ballad of Never After, and Saint are all ones I’m very much looking forward to, too. Hope you love all of these, Julie!!
Oh, you too, Ali! They all sound fantastic!
Oh wow, this is such a great list! You’ve seriously nailed so many great books that I have on my TBR, and drew my attention to a few that I didn’t even know about (yeah, Saint, I’m talking to you!). Thanks for the heads up!
Oh my word, I would read Saint just because of that gorgeous cover!!! lol Luckily, the story sounds good too! Thanks, Leah!
Sooo many amazing books on here that I want to read too!! Not shocked that Ithaca was your first and I can’t believe I forgot to add it to mine! haha. There’s just so many! I hope you love all of these, Julie! <3
Thanks, Leslie! I feel like I’ve been talking about Ithaca for ages! lol Can’t wait to read it!
Haha, I just HOPE it lives up to your expectations!! 🙂
I am excited for The Ballad of Never After but I just really dislike Jacks haha
I like him better in this series than Caraval, but I can see why you’d dislike him. hahah
I hope you enjoy all of these Julie. I have been trying to decide about Saint as I did enjoy the Fable duology, I think I am going to add it. The only one presently on my shelves is Never Rescue a Rogue. I hope we both enjoy it.
I do too, Carla! It sounds like a great historical romance. And I’m so intrigued by Saint just based on his character in the Fable duology. It should be interesting…
Awesome list, Julie! I’m excited for so many of these as well 😍 I’m most looking forward to Love on the Brain, Foul Lady Fortune, A Venom Dark and Sweet, Saint, and Ship Wrecked! I hope you enjoy all of these releases 💜
Yes!!! They all sound amazing! I hope you love them too, Dini!
What a fun list! I’m looking forward to Ship Wrecked too! Enjoy!
Thanks! You too!
I’m excited for Ithaca and Foul Lady Fortune too!! This is such a great looking list!!
Thank you! I have so many I want to read, it was tough to narrow down. lol
The Ballad of Never After!!!
I have an ARC of that coming. I am excited to read it!!
https://abookiesbooks.com/2022/07/05/books-releasing-in-the-second-half-of-2022/
So jealous!!!! lol I hope you enjoy it!
Great selection! I’m especially excited about Love On The Brain and Ship Wrecked.
Me too! They both sound fantastic!
I have a bunch of these on my TBR! So many books to look forward to!
Right! My TBR is so bog!!! lol
So many good books to look forward in the second half of 2022. I am definitely ready for Virginia Heath’s Never Rescue a Rogue.
Right! I’m loving that cover, and I always enjoy Heath’s books! I hope we both love it!