November 2019 Book Picks

This is it folks. The month to end all months.  The month that my TBR may finally kill me.  (I know, I said something similar in September, but have you looked at a release calendar for this month??) November 5th alone could keep me reading for weeks to catch up on everything that’s coming out. We’ve got everything this month: debuts, sequels, trilogy closers, sci-fi, fantasy, YA and Adult.  Normally I order my list in chronological order, but there are a few releases in particular that I am ABNORMALLY excited about, so those are getting priority on the list.  Without further ado, the books of November 2019 that I simply must have!

Covers link to Goodreads!

    

THE TOLL by Neal Shusterman
Release Date: November 5th, 2019
This is a YA series I hold in high esteem, and I cannot wait for the finale, especially given the massive cliffhanger of book two, THUNDERHEAD.  For those of you not familiar with the series, it imagines our world in a future where we have eliminated death; almost any fatality can be reversed.  To keep the population in check, a small group of people are tasked with being Scythes.  These Scythes randomly kill a set number of people every year.  When one Scythe begins to argue that Scythes should be able to kill more than their allotment, a struggle at the heart of the Scythedom begins to unfurl.  This series really digs into what it would be like to eliminate death, what the effects would be on science and art, and just on every day living.  With the final book coming out, now is an excellent time to catch up!

STARSIGHT by Brandon Sanderson
Release Date: November 26th, 2019
Sanderson’s SKYWARD was among my favorite books of 2018, so it should come as no shock that I am desperately awaiting the sequel, STARSIGHT.  Its rare to get a Sanderson sequel so closely on the heels of the first book, so I’m enjoying it while I can, as I know there’s going to be a gap until Book 3 comes out. SKYWARD is a YA sci-fi tale of a young girl desperate to be a star fighter pilot to disprove her family’s legacy of cowardice.  Along the way, she finds a crashed ship with an AI that has some secrets of its own.  SKYWARD was funny, heartfelt, and action-packed; if you want to know more, I did a review last year!

THE GUINEVERE DECEPTION by Kiersten White
Release Date: November 5th, 2019
I’m starting to get back on top of my ARC pile, which means I had a chance to read this one already, and it was a delight!  A retelling of King Arthur mythology, this tale takes familiar beats and puts a slight spin on them, keeping you guessing about where the story is going to stay true to the “original” and where it’s going to do its own thing.  I really enjoyed this one, you can find my full review here!

    

RESISTANCE REBORN by Rebecca Roanhorse
Release Date: November 5th, 2019
I am a HUGE fan of TRAIL OF LIGHTNING, last year’s post-apocalyptic fantasy about a Navajo monster hunter with special abilities of her own.  So when I learned that Rebecca Roanhorse was writing a novel to bridge between THE LAST JEDI and THE RISE OF SKYWALKER, I definitely maintained a calm composure and did not all flip my lid.  This is one of the rare times when I’ve preordered a book, and I’m excited to read it soon!

GIRLS OF STORM AND SHADOW by Natasha Ngan
Release Date: November 5th, 2019
Last year’s GIRLS OF PAPER AND FIRE struck a big chord with the YA community, its beautiful prose telling a f/f love story against a backdrop of oppression (full review here).  Every year, the Demon King selects a group of 8 teenage girls for his harem.  Resisting could bring reprisals on your whole family, so most girls submit and get through their year, retiring to relative luxury at court afterwards. But Lei is not so willing to go sit down and be quiet – especially as she realizes she’s developing feelings for another girl in the harem. Lei’s journey continues in this sequel as she tries to help a growing rebellion gain support in its efforts to overthrow the rule of the demons.

FATE OF THE FALLEN by Kel Kade
Release Date: November 5th, 2019
And now for an adult book!  This is a fantasy tale where the Chosen One is all ready to save the day, but nothing seems to be going to plan.  He’s supposed to be a great adventure, and yet evil seems to be winning.  I don’t know too much else about this one, but I do have an ARC I hope to read soon, so stand by for further thoughts!

 

       

FORTUNA by Kristyn Merbeth
Release Date: November 5th, 2019
Just in time for Sci-Fi Month, we have a new adult space opera!  First in a trilogy, this follows a woman who works as a smuggler who finds the family business under threat when her brother returns home from war and brings a mess of complications with him. I’m always here to try out a new space opera, especially one from Orbit Books!

CROWN OF OBLIVION by Julie Eshbaugh
Release Date: November 12th, 2019
FINALLY, we have escaped November 5th.  I present to you the YA adventure that had the sense to come out a week later.  In this world, those without magic are considered lower class, and live a life of misery.  Every year, a deadly race is held that elevates the winner and their family into a better life.  But the challenge isn’t just the race – to compete, you must have your mind wiped of memories, and are only given a single clue as to your destination.  I love competitions with puzzle elements, so I was stoked to get my hands on an ARC of this one.  Stand by for a review in the coming weeks!

QUEEN OF THE CONQUERED by Kacen Callendar
Release Date: November 12th, 2019
Next up, a Caribbean-inspired fantasy from Orbit Books!  Sigourney Rose is the last surviving member of a noble house that predates the brutal colonization of her people.  Now with the childless king proclaiming he will choose his successor from among the noble houses, Sigourney is determined to use her magical gifts of mind reading and mind control to outmaneuver the competitors and secure the throne for herself. I’m hoping to receive an ARC for this one, and look forward to sharing my thoughts!

REALM OF ASH by Tasha Suri
Release Date: November 12th, 2019
Disclaimer up front: I have not read EMPIRE OF SAND.It was one of the 2018 releases that got away from me and I’ve never had the time to catch up!  That said, I know many people loved it, so I decided to include the sequel on my list, in part to remind me that this is still out there waiting to be read!  The first book followed a woman whose magical abilities pulled her into the political maneuverings of the Emperor’s advisors, pushing an agenda she doesn’t want. I’ve heard it’s a bit of slow burn read, but overall is well-regarded, so if that seems like your cup of tea, check both of these out!

And there you have it, my by-no-means-comprehensive list of November 2019 books!  Which of these are you excited for, or what am I missing?