Okay, I can confirm that I can’t feel my fingers because of compiling this list but, BUT I’m so proud of this post because I made a list which includes— books by BIPOC authors, queer authors, disabled/chronically ill authors, and so many more!!

I hope you like this list and it’s helpful!!

Middle Grade Fantasy

Witchlings by Claribel A. Ortega

“A magical adventure for fans of Amari and the Night Brothers and Nevermoor, about three witchlings who must work together to do the impossible if they have any hope of earning their full powers.”

Look you can’t write about 12 year old witches in covens and then expect me to NOT be excited LIKE IT IS PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE, OKAY??!!

Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor by Xiran Jay Zhao

“Percy Jackson meets Tristan Strong in this hilarious, action-packed middle grade contemporary fantasy that follows a young boy as he journeys across China to seal the underworld shut and save the mortal realm.“

No because I literally need this book right now, journeying across China?? I think yes.

Nura and the Immortal Palace by M.T. Khan

“Aru Shah and the End of Time meets Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away in this mesmerizing portal fantasy that takes readers into the little-known world of Jinn.“

If I had read this book a few years ago tears would have been shed (not that they won’t be shed now ksjksjk) because A MIDDLE GRADE ADVENTURE WITH A DESI MC?? Please, someone give me this book right now 😭

Freddie vs. The Family Curse by Tracy Badua

“In this thrilling and hilarious middle grade adventure, a young Filipino-American boy must team up with his ancestor to break the curse that’s haunted their family for generations. . . or be trapped in an amulet forever.”

The middle grade books are so good this year I swear— and look at this cover too it’s so pretty 😭

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Young Adult Fantasy & Contemporary Fantasy

If You Could See the Sun by Ann Liang

“In this genre-bending YA debut, a Chinese American girl monetizes her strange new invisibility powers by discovering and selling her wealthy classmates’ most scandalous secrets.”

I have never wanted anything as badly as I want this book— academic rivals selling their classmates’ secrets in their elite boarding school in Beijing, I literally need this more than air PLEASE !!!

The Undead Truth of Us by Britney S. Lewis

“In this surrealist journey of grief, fear, and hope, Britney S. Lewis’s debut novel explores love, zombies, and everything in between in an intoxicating amalgam of the real and the fantastic.”

Zombies and love?? This book is everything I need it so bad !!!

The Man or the Monster by Aamna Qureshi

“In the sequel to The Lady or the Lion, continuing the Pakistan inspired tale of forbidden love and political intrigue, wherein Princess Durkhanai, caught between the opposite sides of a war, must decide between love and family, happiness and crown, and ultimately who she wishes to be.”

Aamna Qureshi is a writing goddess and I will literally read anything she writes, also The Lady or the Lion is my favourite book, so this book is not a want, it’s a need 😭

Blood Scion by Deborah Falaye

“Following one girl’s journey of magic, injustice, power, and revenge, this deeply felt and emotionally charged debut from Deborah Falaye, inspired by Yoruba-Nigerian mythology, is a magnetic combination of Children of Blood and Bone and An Ember in the Ashes that will utterly thrill and capture readers.“

Books about reclaiming what colonisers stole are always top tier I don’t make the rules. Also I’m doing a play inspired by Yoruba culture for literature so I’m excited to read this book!!

Dauntless by Elisa A. Bonnin

“A teen girl must bring together two broken worlds in order to save her nation in this lush, Filipino-inspired young adult fantasy novel from debut author Elisa A. Bonnin.“

Sapphic Asian girls saving their world is my religion 🫂

Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen

“A darkly enchanting fantasy debut about a morally gray witch, a cursed prince, and a prophecy that ignites their fate-twisted destinies—perfect for fans of The Cruel Prince and Serpent & Dove.“

I’ve read this book and all I say is that I’m a simp for Violet Lune.

A Thousand Steps into the Night by Traci Chee

“From New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award finalist, Traci Chee, comes a Japanese-influenced fantasy brimming with demons, adventure, and plans gone awry.“

The way this book is literally everything I have ever wanted to read about is not funny.

Lakelore by Anna-Marie McLemore

“In this young adult novel by award-winning author Anna-Marie McLemore, two non-binary teens are pulled into a magical world under a lake – but can they keep their worlds above water intact?“

This books is making my gender non-conforming heart happy 😭

The Kindred by Alechia Dow

“To save a galactic kingdom from revolution, Kindred mind-pairings were created to ensure each and every person would be seen and heard, no matter how rich or poor…“

A sci-fi fantasy romance with a dose of comedy and space adventure?? I’m reading this ASAP!!

Night of the Raven, Dawn of the Dove by Rati Mehotra

“Set in an alternate medieval India infested with monsters, where a young guardswoman struggles with her unwitting role as a major pawn in the deadly games between two kingdoms. Filled with incredible characters, a vivid setting and heartrending emotion.“

This book will be my demise and I would gladly let it be. *Screams in desi medieval India enthusiast*

A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin

“A YA Fantasy novel about tea magic & palace intrigue & a girl willing to do anything to save her dying sister. Judy I. Lin’s sweeping debut A Magic Steeped in Poison, first in a duology, is sure to enchant fans of Adrienne Young and Leigh Bardugo.“

“A princess with a mysterious past, a boy who probably shouldn’t be trusted…” When you say this, how can I ever not be excited 😭

A Venom Dark and Sweet by Judy I. Lin

“The enthralling conclusion to Judy I. Lin’s Book of Tea duology—A Magic Steeped in Poison and A Venom Dark and Sweet—is sure to enchant fans of Adrienne Young and Leigh Bardugo.“

Monsters Born and Made by Tanvi Berwah

“Perfect for fans of The Hunger Games and Fable, this South Asian-inspired fantasy is a gripping debut about the power of the elite, the price of glory, and one girl’s chance to change it all.“

Desi exes to rivals to maybe lovers is all I live for now thank you very much. I can’t wait for this book!!

Godslayers By Zoe Hana Mikuta

“Godslayers— Zoe Hana Mikuta’s high-octane sequel to Gearbreakers–is perfect for fans of Pacific Rim, Pierce Brown’s Red Rising Saga, and Marie Lu’s Legend series.“

I really need to finish Gearbreakers, but look at this cover !!!

Only A Monster by Vanessa Len

“With the sweeping romance of Passenger and the dark fantasy edge of This Savage Song, this standout YA contemporary fantasy debut from Vanessa Len, is the first in a planned trilogy.“

This is actually one of my favourite books!! Read my review here, and my interview with the author here !!!

An Arrow to the Moon by Emily X.R. Pan

“Romeo and Juliet meets Chinese mythology in this magical novel by the New York Times bestselling author of The Astonishing Color of After“

You all know I’m a sucker for Romeo & Juliet retellings 😩

A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal

“King Arthur meets Peaky Blinders with vampires. The novel follows a gang of outcasts in a deadly heist led by Arthie Casimir to save her tearoom—which fronts an illegal blood house, where local vampires can purchase fresh blood.“

I know for a fact I’m going to fall in love with Arthie by the time I read this 😭✋

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh

“Axie Oh’s The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is an enthralling feminist retelling of the classic Korean folktale “The Tale of Shim Cheong,” perfect for fans of Wintersong, Uprooted, and Miyazaki’s Spirited Away.“

All I’m saying is ✨ Mina and the Love Interest ✨

The Whispering Dark by Kelly Andrew

“The Raven Boys meets Ninth House in the most exciting debut of 2022 — a dark, atmospheric fantasy about a Deaf college student with a peculiar connection to the afterlife.“

Disability rep?? A deaf MC?? Orpheus and Eurydice vibes?? This book is perfect 😭💗🫂

The Ones We Burn by Rebcca Mix

“A young blood-witch’s mission to assassinate her betrothed—a gentle human prince—gets complicated when they uncover a witch-killing plague, and in their race to stop it, she falls for the prince’s sister.“

I’m not even kidding I had a dream about this situation once and then I found this book 😭 It’s a sign ✋ I can’t wait to read about my unhinged sapphics in November 🥲💗

A Song of Silver and Gold by Melissa Karibian

“A princess disguises herself as a captain to avenge the death of her brother and eradicate the sirens that plague their waters. A siren warrior, banished for the death of a princess, becomes human with the help of a sea witch in order to bring the princess back to life. Both on opposing sides, but the two never expect to fall for each other“

Pirate sapphics, pirate sapphics, pirate sapphics, I REPEAT PIRATE SAPPHICS !!!

The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas

“Welcome to The Sunbearer Trials, where teen semidioses compete in a series of challenges with the highest of stakes, in this electric new Mexican-inspired fantasy from Aiden Thomas, the New York Times bestselling author of Cemetery Boys.“

A queer Mexican inspired fantasy??? HOW are such amazing books releasing this year !!!

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Young Adult Historical

Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong

“The first book in a captivating new duology following an ill-matched pair of spies posing as a married couple to investigate a series of brutal murders in 1930s Shanghai.“

Look TVD & OVE Rosalind is meh…but FLF Rosalind is going to be something else 👀

A Million to One by Adiba Jaigirdar

“A high-stakes and romantic heist YA novel set on the Titanic, in which four girls team up to steal a priceless jewel-encrusted book on board the infamous ship.“

Sapphic Titanic is going to be my demise, double demise because it’s written by Adiba Jaigirdar and her books make me 😭💗✨🫂

One For All by Lillie Lainoff

“An OwnVoices, gender-bent retelling of The Three Musketeers, in which a girl with a chronic illness trains as a Musketeer and uncovers secrets, sisterhood, and self-love.“

This book is a want and a need, that’s all I’m going to say 😭

Strike the Zither by Joan He

“A reimagining of the Chinese military epic Romance of the Three Kingdoms, in which a strategist must help her warlordess to victory against the rival kingdoms to the north and the south while overcoming her fate as written by the gods.“

I don’t even need to explain how great this is going to be skjdkshfj !!!

The Red Palace by June Hur

“June Hur, critically acclaimed author of The Silence of Bones and The Forest of Stolen Girls, returns with The Red Palace—a third evocative, atmospheric historical mystery perfect for fans of Courtney Summers and Kerri Maniscalco.“

This gives a Historical K-Drama vibes and I’m here for it !! I’m so excited to read this !!!

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Young Adult Contemporary

Flip the Script by Lyla Lee

“K-drama lovers will fall for all the fan-favorite tropes that make for a hit show. Romance is everywhere in this swoony, joy-filled novel, with fake dating, a secret relationship, and a classic love triangle! Visit South Korea as Hana takes readers through popular spots and hidden gems.“

The queer books coming out this year are so good???

Beauty and the Besharam by Lillie Vale

“Heated competition leads to even hotter romance in this YA summer rom-com for fans of Sandhya Menon, Emma Lord, and Wibbroka.“

Childhood friends-to-rivals-to-lovers AND there’s a desi MC?? I need this book right now !!!

Once Upon a K-Prom by Kat Cho

“What would you do if the world’s biggest K-pop star asked you to prom? Perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Sandhya Menon, this hilarious and heartfelt novel brings the glamour and drama of the K-pop world straight to high school.“

Kat Cho literally writes such amazing books so how can I not be excited for this??? 😭💗

This Place is Still Beautiful by XiXi Tian

“Two sisters. A shocking racist incident. The summer that will change both of their lives forever. A beautiful and powerful story about race, family, and the secrets we keep.”

I feel like reading this book is extremely important, for everyone really, especially because of the time we live in.

The Love Match by Priyanka Taslim

“For fans of Sandhya Menon, Gloria Chao, and Jenny Han, THE LOVE MATCH is a young adult romantic comedy starring Zahra Khan, a Bangladeshi-American teenager who has to deal with growing feelings for two very different boys after her meddling widow mother decides to play matchmaker.”

This book is everything my desi self needs LIKE !!!! Also I’ve been following the author for a while and she’s so cool and so is her book so I’m really excited <3

The Lies we Tell by Katie Zhao

“The Lies We Tell is a social activism/we all belong here anthem crossed with a thriller and with a rivals-to-romance relationship set on a college campus.“

Academic rivals to lovers AND investigating hate crimes happening in college?? This book will be perfect !!!

TJ Powar Has Something to Prove by Jesmeen Kaur Deo

“A charming rom-com about high school debater TJ Powar who—after becoming the subject of an ugly meme—makes a resolution to stop shaving, plucking, and waxing, and prove that she can be her hairy self and still be beautiful…but soon finds this may be her most difficult debate yet. Perfect for fans of Netflix’s Never Have I Ever.“

Academic rivals to lovers?? Body hair?? A desi MC?? TJ Powar I’m ready for you !!!

Queen of Tiles by Hanna Alkaf

“They Wish They Were Us meets The Queen’s Gambit in the world of competitive Scrabble when a teen girl is forced to investigate the mysterious death of her best friend a year after the fact when her Instagram comes back to life with cryptic posts and messages.“

Scrabble and a mysterious death??? YES !!!

Ophelia After All by Racquel Marie

“A teen girl navigates friendship drama, the end of high school, and discovering her queerness in Ophelia After All, a hilarious and heartfelt contemporary YA debut by author Racquel Marie.“

This book is literally going to be my personality when it comes out, I’m already in love with Ophelia Rojas 😭 Check out my interview with the author if you’re as excited as I am !!!

Drizzle, Dreams, and Lovestruck Things by Maya Prasad

“It’s hard enough for the four Singh sisters to balance their big dreams and bigger personalities while navigating the bustle of their father’s inn on Orcas Island. But when a stream of new guests inspires unrequited crushes and secret ambitions, the sisters gear up for an unforgettable year.“

A book about sisters on an island with an inn?? Desi books this year are just too good !!!

No Filter and Other Lies by Crystal Maldonado

“You should know, right now, that I’m a liar.

They’re usually little lies. Tiny lies. Baby lies. Not so much lies as lie adjacent.

But they’re still lies.”

YA contemporary about family, honesty, and social media??? I need this !!!

A Show for Two by Tashie Bhuiyan

“A novel set in New York centring around Mina Rahman a Bangladeshi Muslim girl- exploring identity, mental health, love and what home truly is.“

I have read this and it is amazing !!!

You Truly Assumed by Laila Sabreen

“In this compelling and thought-provoking debut novel, after a terrorist attack rocks the country and anti-Islamic sentiment stirs, three Black Muslim girls create a space where they can shatter assumptions and share truths.“

This seems like such a beautiful and powerful book about three Black Muslim girls who start a blog together to fight Islamophobia. I need to read this ASAP !!!

Seoulmates by Susan Lee

“The last person Hannah wants to see is her former best friend, Jacob. Until blackmail and a bucket list, along with two meddling mamas, push them together for a summer worthy of a K-drama…“

I’m interested in K-Dramas these days and the books coming out inspired by those are just amazing !!!

Boys I Know by Anna Gracia

“A high school senior navigates messy boys and messier relationships in this bitingly funny and much-needed look into the overlap of Asian American identity and teen sexuality“

I’ve read this, and it is great !!!

We Deserve Monuments by Jas Hammonds

“This YA debut follows a queer, Black, biracial teen who moves to small-town Georgia to live with her estranged grandmother and becomes entangled in a web of family secrets, the town’s racist history, and her growing feelings for the girl next door.“

I LOVE QUEER BOOKS SO MUCH !!! 😭

If You Still Recognise Me by Cynthia So

“A lyrical contemporary story about falling in love and finding yourself in the process, for fans of THE BLACK FLAMINGO, THE FALLING IN LOVE MONTAGE and Alice Oseman.“

ITS SAPPHIC I NEED THIS 😭

My Mechanical Romance by Alexene Farol Follmuth

“Sharply funny and honest about the challenges girls of color face in STEM, in life, and in love, My Mechanical Romance explores the vulnerabilities of trust, allyship, and falling in love—especially when you barely even know who you are yet.”

People in STEM?? Robotics club?? Falling in love?? OMG I NEED THIS

As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh

“Follows Salama Kassab, a teenager who must learn to see the events around her for what they truly are-not a war, but a revolution-and decide how she, too, will cry for Syria’s freedom.“

This book will break me and I am so ready !!!

Turning by Joy L. Smith

“In this raw, searingly honest debut young adult novel, a former aspiring ballerina must confront her past in order to move forward from a devastating fall that leaves her without the use of her legs.“

I love ballet books so much !!!

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That was it, I hope you liked this post!!

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