Search for your lost Barnes & Noble gift cards; you might find your new favorite book this April. This article lists a few long-awaited novels for readers to preorder, read and, hopefully, love.
Science fiction, fantasy: “A Palace Near the Wind” by Ai Jiang
Forging her way through the literary scene, rising author Ai Jiang begins her “Natural Engines” series with this striking novella.
The Feng people, known as Wind Walkers for their ability to manipulate wind, are a suppressed group under invasive human rulers. In the past, peace between the two groups was maintained through marriage, a tradition the eldest Feng princess, Liu Lufeng, must uphold. As only the eldest princess is needed for the peacekeeping efforts, her younger sister, Chuiliu Lufeng, is at risk of disposal.
Liu enters her marriage with the human king with one goal: to kill him. His death would stop the marriages and save her people and their world from an industrial takeover. Issues arise when she uncovers truths about the Feng people’s origins, indicating that Chuiliu and the Fengs will never be safe from humans. Liu must abandon tradition, embrace the unknown and form strategic alliances to save all she loves.
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On April 8, readers can follow Liu’s journey to forge her own path and prevent the destruction of all she knows. Preordering a hardcover copy will cost $22.99.
Historical fiction: “The Eights” by Joanna Miller
The year is 1920, and Oxford University is opening its legendary curriculum to women. When Beatrice, Dora, Marianne and Otto become neighbors, their unlikely friendship takes off. The women, collectively called “The Eights,” flood Oxford’s halls with dreams of education, equality and personal freedom.
Otto, a nurse during World War I, hopes to distract herself from her trauma by resuming her life as a socialite. Dora was never meant to attend Oxford, but after losing both her fiancé and brother on the battlefield, she went in their place. Beatrice is the daughter of a famous suffragette and views Oxford as an opportunity for her talents in politics. Marianne is the pastor’s shy, clever daughter who harbors a secret that could cost her everything, even her new friends.
Will having the strength of their companions and education at their backs help them through these trying times? Accompany these close-knit friends through the tumultuous postwar recovery period, rife with disease and social injustices, on April 15. For this title, a hardcover will cost $29.
Romance: “Great Big Beautiful Life” by Emily Henry
Fans of contemporary and comedic romances might be familiar with Emily Henry’s past works, including “Beach Read” and “People We Meet on Vacation.” Her upcoming release has fans itching to get their hands on a copy.
The novel details a competition between authors to write the biography of the now-mysterious former media superstar Margaret Ives. Alice Scott is a bubbly, talented writer looking for her big break and to make her family proud. Hayden Anderson is a jaded, well-established and aptly awarded author with seemingly nothing to lose. Ives grants the two a month-long trial period to prove themselves worthy of telling her story.
Anderson’s unshakable confidence is unexpectedly upended when he sees Scott as serious competition for reasons unbeknownst to her. Not unlike the tale of their tragic heiress, Scott and Anderson engage in “a mystery, tragedy or love ballad (of their own) … depending on who’s telling it,” according to Goodreads.
“Great Big Beautiful Life” will be released on April 22. A hardcover copy will cost $24 on sale and is regularly listed at $29.
Horror: “Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng” by Kylie Lee Baker
Despite Cora Zeng being a crime scene cleaner, not much fazes her. She’s already seen the worst — her sister, Delilah Zeng, being pushed in front of an oncoming train. Also, the murderer shouted one thing before fleeing the scene: “Bat eater.” Ever since, Cora has struggled to distinguish reality from the horrors her mind spins, dissociating as a coping mechanism.
Cora’s aunt warns that the Hungry Ghost Festival, when the gates of hell open to Earth, is approaching. However, Cora has other things occupying her thoughts, like the bat carcasses she continuously finds at crime scenes she cleans. What’s more is that each of her recent cleanups has been for the deaths of East Asian women. The Goodreads description states: “As Cora will soon learn, you can’t just ignore hungry ghosts.”
Join Cora as she confronts the extreme cruelty experienced by East Asians during COVID-19 on April 29. Preordering a hardcover copy will cost readers $28.99.
Dystopia, fantasy, romance — Writer’s pick: “Watch Me” by Tahereh Mafi
The “Shatter Me” series author returns to her beloved world with a book starring Aaron Warner Anderson’s brother, James Anderson. Set 10 years after the fall of The Reestablishment, James sets out to destroy their last stronghold on Ark Island. He might’ve only infiltrated the island by being arrested, but at least he’s in.
The Reestablishment looks to use Rosabelle Wolff, a highly trained assassin, to make a devastating move after 10 years of silence. The constantly surveyed island leaves no room for error or hesitation when her hits are ordered. With her movements monitored by synthetic intelligence, even Wolff’s emotions must be kept on a short leash.
Goodreads describes this dystopian, enemies-to-lovers tale packed with action and an impossible romance as begging but one question for readers: “Who are we when no one is watching?” Fans can purchase this title in hardback for $21.99 on April 15.
