Fantasy debuts in 2022: Top 5
Welcome back to The Baker Street Library. How's your day going so far?
Today's post doesn't talk about a single book, but I searched throughout Goodreads to find my personal top 5 fantasy debuts in 2022. It has been difficult to choose which one should be part of this list, this year is full of great and enthralling books that I can't wait to read, but those I'm going to present to you have plots that left me speechless.
With this brief intro, let's get started!
Title: The Book of Gothel
Author: Mary McMyne
Release date: 26 July 2022
Pages: 368
Publisher: Redhook
Haelewise has always lived under the shadow of her mother, Hedda—a woman who will do anything to keep her daughter protected. For with her strange black eyes and even stranger fainting spells, Haelewise is shunned by her medieval village, and her only solace lies in the stories her mother tells of child-stealing witches, of princes in wolf-skins, of an ancient tower cloaked in mist, where women will find shelter if they are brave enough to seek it.
Then, Hedda dies, and Haelewise is left unmoored. With nothing left for her in her village, she sets out to find the legendary tower her mother used to speak of—a place called Gothel, where Haelewise meets a wise woman willing to take her under her wing.
But Haelewise is not the only woman to seek refuge at Gothel. It’s also a haven for a girl named Rika, who carries with her a secret the Church strives to keep hidden. A secret that unlocks a dark world of ancient spells and murderous nobles behind the world Haelewise has always known…
Then, Hedda dies, and Haelewise is left unmoored. With nothing left for her in her village, she sets out to find the legendary tower her mother used to speak of—a place called Gothel, where Haelewise meets a wise woman willing to take her under her wing.
But Haelewise is not the only woman to seek refuge at Gothel. It’s also a haven for a girl named Rika, who carries with her a secret the Church strives to keep hidden. A secret that unlocks a dark world of ancient spells and murderous nobles behind the world Haelewise has always known…
Why did I choose this book?
A book inspired by Rapunzel but far darker and I love retellings! It is perfect for fans of Circe and The Bear and the Nightingale, so even though I haven't read Circe yet, I enjoyed the latter and I'm quite sure this is going to be an interesting reading. Plus, it's told from Gothel's perspective and that's enough to make me push the "want to read" button!
If you like dark magic, historical retellings, and evil princes, then you should totally add this book to your tbr.
Title: Hotel Magnifique
Author: Emily J. Taylor
Release date: 5 April 2022
Pages: 400
Publisher: Razorbill
Synopsis:
All her life, Jani has dreamed of Elsewhere. Just barely scraping by with her job at a tannery, she’s resigned to a dreary life in the port town of Durc, caring for her younger sister Zosa. That is, until the Hotel Magnifique comes to town.
The hotel is legendary not only for its whimsical enchantments, but also for its ability to travel—appearing in a different destination every morning. While Jani and Zosa can’t afford the exorbitant costs of a guest’s stay, they can interview to join the staff, and are soon whisked away on the greatest adventure of their lives. But once inside, Jani quickly discovers their contracts are unbreakable and that beneath the marvelous glamour, the hotel is hiding dangerous secrets.
With the vexingly handsome doorman Bel as her only ally, Jani embarks on a mission to unravel the mystery of the magic at the heart of the hotel and free Zosa—and the other staff—from the cruelty of the ruthless maître d’hôtel. To succeed, she’ll have to risk everything she loves, but failure would mean a fate far worse than never returning home.
The hotel is legendary not only for its whimsical enchantments, but also for its ability to travel—appearing in a different destination every morning. While Jani and Zosa can’t afford the exorbitant costs of a guest’s stay, they can interview to join the staff, and are soon whisked away on the greatest adventure of their lives. But once inside, Jani quickly discovers their contracts are unbreakable and that beneath the marvelous glamour, the hotel is hiding dangerous secrets.
With the vexingly handsome doorman Bel as her only ally, Jani embarks on a mission to unravel the mystery of the magic at the heart of the hotel and free Zosa—and the other staff—from the cruelty of the ruthless maître d’hôtel. To succeed, she’ll have to risk everything she loves, but failure would mean a fate far worse than never returning home.
Why did I choose this book?
The cover is gorgeous and so is the plot. When I read Belle Époque, I understood just how beautiful this book could be, and the magic system reminds me of Caraval and with that premise of darkly enchanting magic and secrets affecting Hotel Magnifique I can’t wait to have it between my hands. A YA fantasy that needs to be read if you're fans of The Night Circus and Caraval (as I said before, you merely need to read the synopsis to grasp that precise atmosphere). It has a heist, secrets, and magical atmosphere, so what are you waiting for?
Title: A Magic Steeped in Poison
Author: Judy I. Lin
Release date: 29 March 2022
Pages: 384
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Synopsis:
For Ning, the only thing worse than losing her mother is knowing that it's her own fault. She was the one who unknowingly brewed the poison tea that killed her—the poison tea that now threatens to also take her sister, Shu.
When Ning hears of a competition to find the kingdom's greatest shennong-shi—masters of the ancient and magical art of tea-making—she travels to the imperial city to compete. The winner will receive a favor from the princess, which may be Ning's only chance to save her sister's life.
But between the backstabbing competitors, bloody court politics, and a mysterious (and handsome) boy with a shocking secret, Ning might actually be the one in more danger.
When Ning hears of a competition to find the kingdom's greatest shennong-shi—masters of the ancient and magical art of tea-making—she travels to the imperial city to compete. The winner will receive a favor from the princess, which may be Ning's only chance to save her sister's life.
But between the backstabbing competitors, bloody court politics, and a mysterious (and handsome) boy with a shocking secret, Ning might actually be the one in more danger.
Why did I choose this book?
Goodreads tells is perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, and as A FAN OF LEIGH BARDUGO, I instantly added it on my tbr. But you should read the plot to understand just how peculiar it is going to be this book! There's going to be a competition to save Ning's sister from her own power, a dark prince and again mysteries and intrigues!
Title: Daughter of the Moon Goddess
Author: Sue Lynn Tan
Release date: 11 January 2022
Pages: 512
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Synopsis:
Growing up on the moon, Xingyin is accustomed to solitude, unaware that she is being hidden from the feared Celestial Emperor who exiled her mother for stealing his elixir of immortality. But when Xingyin’s magic flares and her existence is discovered, she is forced to flee her home, leaving her mother behind.
Alone, powerless, and afraid, she makes her way to the Celestial Kingdom, a land of wonder and secrets. Disguising her identity, she seizes an opportunity to learn alongside the emperor's son, mastering archery and magic, even as passion flames between her and the prince.
To save her mother, Xingyin embarks on a perilous quest, confronting legendary creatures and vicious enemies across the earth and skies. But when treachery looms and forbidden magic threatens the kingdom, she must challenge the ruthless Celestial Emperor for her dream—striking a dangerous bargain in which she is torn between losing all she loves or plunging the realm into chaos.
Alone, powerless, and afraid, she makes her way to the Celestial Kingdom, a land of wonder and secrets. Disguising her identity, she seizes an opportunity to learn alongside the emperor's son, mastering archery and magic, even as passion flames between her and the prince.
To save her mother, Xingyin embarks on a perilous quest, confronting legendary creatures and vicious enemies across the earth and skies. But when treachery looms and forbidden magic threatens the kingdom, she must challenge the ruthless Celestial Emperor for her dream—striking a dangerous bargain in which she is torn between losing all she loves or plunging the realm into chaos.
Why did I choose this book?
To answer this question just read the plot! It's inspired by the legend of Chang'e, the Chinese Moon Goddess, so even with this book has been an instant "want to read". It's already out so I'm going to read it as soon as possible! The words forbidden magic and dangerous bargain envisage a great and unique fantasy.
Title: The Stardust Thief
Author: Chelsea Abdullah
Release date: 17 May 2022
Pages: 480
Publisher: Orbit
Synopsis:
Loulie al-Nazari is the Midnight Merchant: a criminal who, with the help of her jinn bodyguard, hunts and sells illegal magic. When she saves the life of a cowardly prince, she draws the attention of his powerful father, the sultan, who blackmails her into finding an ancient lamp that has the power to revive the barren land—at the cost of sacrificing all jinn.
With no choice but to obey or be executed, Loulie journeys with the sultan’s oldest son to find the artifact. Aided by her bodyguard, who has secrets of his own, they must survive ghoul attacks, outwit a vengeful jinn queen, and confront a malicious killer from Loulie’s past. And, in a world where story is reality and illusion is truth, Loulie will discover that everything—her enemy, her magic, even her own past—is not what it seems, and she must decide who she will become in this new reality.
With no choice but to obey or be executed, Loulie journeys with the sultan’s oldest son to find the artifact. Aided by her bodyguard, who has secrets of his own, they must survive ghoul attacks, outwit a vengeful jinn queen, and confront a malicious killer from Loulie’s past. And, in a world where story is reality and illusion is truth, Loulie will discover that everything—her enemy, her magic, even her own past—is not what it seems, and she must decide who she will become in this new reality.
Why did I choose this book?
Now I can finally talk about this promising debut. The first time I read the plot I hadn't the right words to describe just how perfect and fascinating this book was. It's inspired by One Thousand and One Night, it's the right book for fans of The Daevabad Trilogy, three books I've loved to read! The setting, the premise, and the characters seem to create the ideal book for me.
In the end, I can say that these five books are only part of the great and captivating debuts that will be released this year. By choosing only these five I'm not putting down any other author, but if I wanted to do a top 5, I needed to make choices! Obviously it’s only my personal opinion, my tbr is full of new books that will come out in a matter of months and I can’t wait to read all of them!
If you want to know more books that are going to be released in 2022, I can do a post that talks about sequels too!
I hope this post is to your liking! Please share this article and comment if you want to!
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