Top 5 Wednesday – Debuts I’m Excited For

This Wednesday’s topic is a Freebie so I decided to choose this topic because I just love talking about books I want to buy and read even though I have plenty of books. Debuts are also especially fun since it’s that authors first piece of work and there are many debuts that are amazing. 2018 so far has had many great debuts from what I’ve been told and there are even more 2018 debuts to get excited for!

Synopses are from Goodreads.

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Not Even Bones by Rebecca Schaeffer

Release Date: September 4th

The first part of the synopsis which made me instantly want this book:

Dexter meets This Savage Song in this dark fantasy about a girl who sells magical body parts on the black market — until she’s betrayed.

Nita doesn’t murder supernatural beings and sell their body parts on the internet—her mother does that. Nita just dissects the bodies after they’ve been “acquired.” But when her mom brings home a live specimen, Nita decides she wants out — dissecting living people is a step too far.

But when she tries to save her mother’s victim, she ends up sold on the black market in his place — because Nita herself is a supernatural being. Now Nita is on the other side of the bars, and there is no line she won’t cross to escape and make sure no one can ever capture her again.

Nita did a good deed, and it cost her everything. Now she’s going to do a lot of bad deeds to get it all back.

I am 100% here for morally grey female characters and dark supernatural fantasies. I also believe that this will be a series.  

Home and Away by Candice Montgomery

Release Date: October 16th

Tasia Quirk is young, Black, and fabulous. She’s a senior, she’s got great friends, and a supportive and wealthy family. She even plays football as the only girl on her private high school’s team.

But when she catches her mamma trying to stuff a mysterious box in the closet, her identity is suddenly called into question. Now Tasia’s determined to unravel the lies that have overtaken her life. Along the way, she discovers what family and forgiveness really mean, and that her answers don’t come without a fee. An artsy bisexual boy from the Valley could help her find them—but only if she stops fighting who she is, beyond the color of her skin.

This sounds like a good hard-hitting contemporary. Also I love that the main character plays football, which will be different for me to read about since most books don’t mention or feature sports too often. Also a bisexual boy is the love interest!

The Light Between Worlds by Laura E. Weymouth

Release Date: October 23rd

This is probably my MOST anticipated because this has an amazing premise:

Five years ago, Evelyn and Philippa Hapwell cowered from air strikes in a London bomb shelter. But that night took a turn when the sisters were transported to another realm called the Woodlands. In a forest kingdom populated by creatures out of myth and legend, they found temporary refuge.

When Ev and Phil finally returned to London, nothing had changed at all—nothing, except themselves.

Now, Evelyn spends her days sneaking into the woods outside her boarding school, wishing for the Woodlands. Overcome with longing, she is desperate to return no matter what it takes.

Philippa, on the other hand, is determined to find a place in this world. She shields herself behind a flawless exterior and countless friends, and moves to America to escape the memory of what was.

But when Evelyn goes missing, Philippa must confront the depth of her sister’s despair and the painful truths they’ve been running from. As the weeks unfold, Philippa wonders if Ev truly did find a way home, or if the weight of their worlds pulled her under.

Content warnings are available via the author’s website: https://www.lauraeweymouth.com/books

I VERY MUCH  appreciate that the author has put up content warnings for this book. I also think another reason why I’m anticipating this one is because I follow the author on Twitter and she seems very nice. But I respect any author who puts content warnings for their books.

A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney

Release Date: September 25th

The first time the Nightmares came, it nearly cost Alice her life. Now she’s trained to battle monstrous creatures in the dark dream realm known as Wonderland with magic weapons and hardcore fighting skills. Yet even warriors have a curfew.

Life in real-world Atlanta isn’t always so simple, as Alice juggles an overprotective mom, a high-maintenance best friend, and a slipping GPA. Keeping the Nightmares at bay is turning into a full-time job. But when Alice’s handsome and mysterious mentor is poisoned, she has to find the antidote by venturing deeper into Wonderland than she’s ever gone before. And she’ll need to use everything she’s learned in both worlds to keep from losing her head . . . literally.

I saw someone describe this as Buffy meets Alice in Wonderland and I never realized how good those two things sounded together. Can’t wait for this one!!!

The Deepest Roots by Miranda Asebedo

Release Date: September 18th

Contemporary with the slightest twist of magic, this stunning debut YA novel is a fresh and heartwarming story about the power of friendship.

Cottonwood Hollow, Kansas, is a strange place. For the past century, every girl has been born with a special talent, like the ability to Fix any object, Heal any wound, or Find what is missing.

Best friends Rome, Lux, and Mercy all have similar talents, but to them, their abilities often feel like a curse. Rome may be able to Fix anything she touches, but that won’t help her mom pay rent or make it any easier to confide in Lux and Mercy about what’s going on at home. And Rome isn’t the only one. Lux has been hiding bigger, more dangerous secrets.

As Rome struggles to keep her friendships close, she discovers the truth about life in Cottonwood Hollow—that friends are stronger than curses, that trust is worth the risk, and sometimes, what you’ve been looking for has been under your feet the whole time.

This sounds so interesting and I enjoy contemporaries that have some magical elements in them always appeal to me.