December Releases

December is almost here and I’ve highlighted some releases you should add to your tbrs. Hungry tigers and their lovers, British working girls, funny essays, Shakespearean but the regency, historical ladies all about pro-ruination, queens controlling their husbands, the witcher but feminist, fantastical lesbian yearnings, sequels and finales!

Get your wishlists out.

Poppy Redfern and the Fatal Flyers by Tessa Arlen

This is the second in A Woman in WWII series. Poppy is back on the case when two female fighter pilots crash in autumn of 1942. This is a cozy mystery series set in Britain. It’s got those cute little British working girl vibes that I just love. Releases December 1st from Berkley.

How To Catch A Queen by Alyssa Cole

The first in Alyssa Cole’s Royal Runaway series focuses on an arranged marriage between the King of Njaza and Shanti Mohapi. I’ve read and reviewed this and it’s a necessary preorder. Don’t miss out on the royal draggings. Releases December 1st from Avon Romance.

Ten Things I Hate About the Duke by Loretta Chase

I don’t know a whole lot about Loretta Chase but she is a classic in the romance genre. I’ve read one of her books and she has a very lyrical and gorgeous style of writing. In this regency romance, Chase tackles the famous Shakespeare play the Taming of the Shrew. Who am I to deny a Shakespearean retelling. Releases December 1st from Avon.

The Last Lies of Ardor Benn by Tyler Whitesides

The final book in the epic fantasy series, the Kingdom of Grit. There be dragons, a con artist, stealing of said dragons, and relying on thy self. I have the first book on my kindle.Releases December 1st from Orbit Books.

Hollow Empire by Sam Hawke

Poison, war, treachery, witchcraft, assasins. Sam Hawke’s Poison War continues. A city-state must search its place in this new beginning left off from the 1st novel, City of Lies. Hawke paints a world of treacherous people and politics. I have yet to read the first but I know a lot of people found the world and politics very complex, as it breaks down the assumption that revolutionaries aren’t going to break down the system only to build a worse one. Releases December 1st from Tor.

A Curse of Roses by Diana Pinguicha

In Pinguicha’s world, bread turns into roses and cheese into lillies. Famine consumes the land. Before Princess Yzabel can eat, her magic and her curse turns her meal into a bouquet. Fatyan is a beautiful Enchanted Moura. She can help but Yzabel must release her from her binds with a kiss. With one kiss starts a yearning and Yzabel’s possible destruction. A Curse of Roses is a historical fantasy based on a Portugese legend. Releases from Entangeld: Teen on December 1st.

Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabaa Tahir

The final book in the An Ember in the Ashes series picks up where A Reaper at the Gates left. This series is inspired by ancient Rome but from what I hear it parallels with the politics of modern conflicts in Palestine. Releases December 1st from Razorbill.

Survival Of The Thickest by Michelle Buteau

Essays from rising star comedian Michelle Buteau. Beauteau writes about her experiences growing up Caribbean, Catholic, and thick in New Jersey, friendships and dating disasters, working in a newsroom, starting up in standup by opening for male strippers, chosen family, and tight jeans. This seems like a good palate cleanser when other books are giving you the snooze button. This comes out on December 8th from Gallery Books.

When The Tiger Came Down The Mountain by Nghi Vo

Cleric, Chih, finds themself and their friends up against some hungry tigers. Chih unwinds yet another layered story but this one featuring a tiger and her scholar lover. I read Vo’s first short story from Tor, Empress of Salt and Fortune. She has lyrical prose, inviting the reader to fully immerse themselves in different types of storytelling. And if it helps? Her books are unabashedly queer. Releases December 8th from Tor.

A Universe of Wishes, Edited by Dhonielle Clayton

This is a YA Fantasy anthology from We Need Diverse Books. Fifteen authors write a princess without need of a prince, a monster long misunderstood, memories that vanish with a spell, and voices that refuse to stay silent in the face of injustice. Releases December 8th from Random House Children’s Books.

Oculta by Maya Motayne

is the second in Motayne’s YA fantasy series A Forgery of Magic. It is a Latinx inspired world featuring a thief, a prince, and a team intent on destroying an evil in their world. Occulta releases from Balzer + Bray on December 15th.

The Storm Bringer by Isabel Cooper

This is a fantasy romance sold as The Witcher but feminist. So if that if that peaks your interest *points* This releases December 29th from Sourcebooks Casablanca.

The Wicked Marquess by Stacy Reid

I love a heroine that intentionally destroys her own reputation to get out of marriage. Releases December 29th from Engangled: Amara.

Bright of the Moon by Miranda Honfleur

Miranda Honfleur is well known in indie circles as a fantasy romance author. Signorina Arabella Belmonte is a young noblewoman. She pens treatises criticizing the realm’s warmongers in secret. An encounter with a magical creature leads to a curse and she makes a deal with a dark elf queen. Dhuro is tasked with helping this human woman and proceeds to fight with him on a daily basis. This is a medieval fantasy romance that gives off slow burn vibes. Releases December 31st.

• Do you have any of these books on your TBR?

• What books have you been looking forward to most?