10 Books to Read Before the End of 2020

Hi friends! So it’s that time of the year – the end of 2020 is drawing closer. We have two months left, and there are so many books I still want to read. So I’ve made this handy list of 10 Books to Read Before the End of 2020. Now I’ve already failed miserably at the 20 Books I Want to Read in 2020. So I’ll post a reaction/epic fail blog post a little later.

Anyhow, here’s 10 books I want to read before the end of 2020.

1. Fortuna Sworn by K.J. Sutton

What’s it about? We were meant to be seductive. We were designed to lure humans in.

Fortuna Sworn is the last of her kind.

Her brother disappeared two years ago, leaving her with no family or species to speak of. She hides among humans, spending her days working at a bar and her nights searching for him. The bleak pattern goes on and on… until she catches the eye of a powerful faerie.

He makes no attempt to hide that he desires Fortuna. And in exchange for her, he offers something irresistible. So Fortuna reluctantly leaves her safe existence behind to step back into a world of creatures and power. 

It soon becomes clear that she may not have bargained with her heart, but her very life.

Why I want to read it: This book has been on my Netgalley TBR since 2018. I think it’s time I read this book. I’ve heard Becca & The Books gush about this, although I am a little worried. I don’t tend to like books that are compared to ACOTAR, so I’m unsure if I’d like it. Never the less, I need to read it because I want to clear out my Netgalley shelf, so we’re diving right in.

2. Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

What’s it about? It’s 200 years after Cinderella found her prince, but the fairy tale is over. Teen girls are now required to appear at the Annual Ball, where the men of the kingdom select wives based on a girl’s display of finery. If a suitable match is not found, the girls not chosen are never heard from again.

Sixteen-year-old Sophia would much rather marry Erin, her childhood best friend, than parade in front of suitors. At the ball, Sophia makes the desperate decision to flee and finds herself hiding in Cinderella’s mausoleum. There, she meets Constance, the last known descendant of Cinderella and her stepsisters. Together they vow to bring down the king once and for all–and in the process, they learn that there’s more to Cinderella’s story than they ever knew . . .

This fresh take on a classic story will make readers question the tales they’ve been told, and root for girls to break down the constructs of the world around them.

Why I want to read it: Honestly I am a sucker for all retellings. If something is a retelling, I am here for it. So it’s no surprise I want to read Cinderella is Dead. Jonathan Ball Publishers was kind enough to send me a copy of this stunning book (seriously the cover is gorgeous) and I want to get right to it.

 

3. Vicious by V.E. Schwab

What’s it about? A masterful tale of ambition, jealousy, desire, and superpowers.

Victor and Eli started out as college roommates—brilliant, arrogant, lonely boys who recognized the same sharpness and ambition in each other. In their senior year, a shared research interest in adrenaline, near-death experiences, and seemingly supernatural events reveals an intriguing possibility: that under the right conditions, someone could develop extraordinary abilities. But when their thesis moves from the academic to the experimental, things go horribly wrong.

Ten years later, Victor breaks out of prison, determined to catch up to his old friend (now foe), aided by a young girl whose reserved nature obscures a stunning ability. Meanwhile, Eli is on a mission to eradicate every other super-powered person that he can find—aside from his sidekick, an enigmatic woman with an unbreakable will. Armed with terrible power on both sides, driven by the memory of betrayal and loss, the archnemeses have set a course for revenge—but who will be left alive at the end?

In Vicious, V. E. Schwab brings to life a gritty comic-book-style world in vivid prose: a world where gaining superpowers doesn’t automatically lead to heroism and a time when allegiances are called into question.

Why I want to read it: Okay so this was originally on my TBR for October. October turned out to be a shitty month, so I didn’t get to it. However, I’m now the co-host of a BOOK CLUB! And our November pick is Vicious, so I have to read it now. To be honest, V.E. Schwab is turning out to be a miss for me, so if this book doesn’t work for me I’ll be giving up.

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4. Gravemaidens by Kelly Coon

What’s it about? In the walled city-state of Alu, Kammani wants nothing more than to become the accomplished healer her father used to be before her family was cast out of their privileged life in shame.

When Alu’s ruler falls deathly ill, Kammani’s beautiful little sister, Nanaea, is chosen as one of three sacred maidens to join him in the afterlife. It’s an honour. A tradition. And Nanaea believes it is her chance to live an even grander life than the one that was stolen from her.

But Kammani sees the selection for what it really is—a death sentence.

Desperate to save her sister, Kammani schemes her way into the palace to heal the ruler. There she discovers more danger lurking in the sand-stone corridors than she could have ever imagined and that her own life—and heart—are at stake. But Kammani will stop at nothing to dig up the palace’s buried secrets even if it means sacrificing everything…including herself.

Why I want to read it: This has just been on my TBR for ages. I bought the hardcover at a sale and when I saw that Kal from Reader Voracious was reading it for her November Book Club, I decided to join in.

 

5. Shielded by KayLynn Flanders

What’s it about? The kingdom of Hálendi is in trouble. It’s losing the war at its borders, and rumours of a new, deadlier threat on the horizon have surfaced. Princess Jennesara knows her skills on the battlefield would make her an asset and wants to help, but her father has other plans.

As the second-born heir to the throne, Jenna lacks the firstborn’s magical abilities, so the king promises her hand in marriage to the prince of neighbouring Turia in exchange for resources Hálendi needs. Jenna must leave behind everything she has ever known if she is to give her people a chance at peace.

Only, on the journey to reach her betrothed and new home, the royal caravan is ambushed, and Jenna realizes the rumours were wrong–the new threat is worse than anyone imagined. Now Jenna must decide if revealing a dangerous secret is worth the cost before it’s too late–for her and for her entire kingdom.

Why I want to read it: This is another backlist Netgalley title. I was originally on a blog tour for this, but unfortunately, the tour got cancelled. So this book just fell through the cracks, but I am determined to get to it. Also, the cover is just gorgeous.

 

6. Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow

What’s it about? In 1893, there’s no such thing as witches. There used to be, in the wild, dark days before the burnings began, but now witching is nothing but tidy charms and nursery rhymes. If the modern woman wants any measure of power, she must find it at the ballot box.

But when the Eastwood sisters–James Juniper, Agnes Amaranth, and Beatrice Belladonna–join the suffragists of New Salem, they begin to pursue the forgotten words and ways that might turn the women’s movement into the witch’s movement. Stalked by shadows and sickness, hunted by forces who will not suffer a witch to vote-and perhaps not even to live-the sisters will need to delve into the oldest magics, draw new alliances, and heal the bond between them if they want to survive.

There’s no such thing as witches. But there will be.

Why I want to read it: Once again, this one is a Netgalley backlist. It’s so far on the backlist, I was actually sent a finished copy by Jonathan Ball Publishers. So I guess I have to get to reading it, soon!

 

 

7. Wundersmith by Jessica Townsend

What’s it about? Morrigan may have defeated her deadly curse, passed the dangerous trials and joined the mystical Wundrous Society, but her journey into Nevermoor and all its secrets have only just begun. And it’s important to remember that not all magic is used for good…

Why I want to read it: Wundersmith has been on my TBR since 2019. I really enjoyed Nevermoor, so I want to continue with this series, especially since Hollowpox just came out. I know this is going to be a long series, so I have to keep up. My commitment issues can’t get in the way of this magical series.

 

 

 

 

 

8. The Hunter and the Mage by Kaitlyn Davis

What’s it about? A mage written in prophecy…

When Lyana wakes in the Sea of Mist, adventure is the first thing on her mind. But between her unruly new magic and an unyielding young king, the world below comes with more responsibility than she ever dreamed. An entire civilization exists within the fog, and its survival depends entirely on her.

A hunter forged in blood…

Adrift at sea on a ship full of strangers, Rafe fights to cope with his new reality. He’ll do anything to return to the sky and the people he left behind. When a surprising offer comes his way, he instantly accepts, sparing no time to consider the consequences.

Loyalties are tested and an ancient war begins anew…

With rebellion in her heart, Cassi defies her king and befriends the prince she’s been ordered to kill. Oblivious to the threat, Xander welcomes her into his inner circle, determined to rescue his mate. As one works to help and the other to hinder, an ancient enemy stirs, forcing Cassi to choose between trusting the man who broke her heart and turning her back on everything she’s ever known.

Why I want to read it: I was lucky enough to receive an eARC of this book, and I want to get to it ASAP. I really enjoyed the first book. Once again this is going to be a long series (I think 7 books) so I really have to keep up. I don’t do well with long series.

9. Capturing the Devil by Kerri Maniscalco

What’s it about? Audrey Rose Wadsworth and Thomas Cresswell have landed in America, a bold, brash land unlike the genteel streets of London they knew. But like London, the city of Chicago hides its dark secrets well. When the two attend the spectacular World’s Fair, they find the once-in-a-lifetime event tainted with reports of missing people and unsolved murders.

Determined to help, Audrey Rose and Thomas begin their investigations, only to find themselves facing a serial killer unlike any they’ve heard of before. Identifying him is one thing, but capturing him—and getting dangerously lost in the infamous Murder Hotel he constructed as a terrifying torture device—is another.

Will Audrey Rose and Thomas see their last mystery to the end—together and in love—or will their fortunes finally run out when their most depraved adversary makes one final, devastating kill?

Why I want to read it: I love the Stalking Jack the Ripper series, and I’ve been putting off reading the last book for way too long now. I need to read this before I forget what happened in the rest of the series.

 

 

10. Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

What’s it about? Moving to a space station at the edge of the galaxy was always going to be the death of Hanna’s social life. Nobody said it might actually get her killed.

The sci-fi saga that began with the breakout bestseller Illuminae continues on board the Jump Station Heimdall, where two new characters will confront the next wave of the BeiTech assault.

Hanna is the station captain’s pampered daughter; Nik the reluctant member of a notorious crime family. But while the pair are struggling with the realities of life aboard the galaxy’s most boring space station, little do they know that Kady Grant and the Hypatia are headed right toward Heimdall, carrying news of the Kerenza invasion.

When an elite BeiTech strike team invades the station, Hanna and Nik are thrown together to defend their home. But alien predators are picking off the station residents one by one, and a malfunction in the station’s wormhole means the space-time continuum might be ripped in two before dinner. Soon Hanna and Nik aren’t just fighting for their own survival; the fate of everyone on the Hypatia—and possibly the known universe—is in their hands.

But relax. They’ve totally got this. They hope. 

Why I want to read it: I read Illuminae earlier this year and I could not stop reading. I love a good sci-fi book, especially one with a happy ending, so I am here for it. I want to complete this series by early 2021. Let’s hope I make it!

Which books do you want to read before 2021? I hope you enjoyed my 10 Books to Read Before the End of 2020 post!

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