May 2020 Book Releases
I can’t put into words HOW excited I am about May 2020 book releases. I have waited so long for one of these books in particular. Can you guess which?! Without further ado, because I desperately need to talk books, here are my top picks from May 2020 book releases:
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (A Hunger Games Prequel)
Title: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Author: Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publishing: 18th May 2020
Genre: Dystopia (YA)
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What I wouldn’t have given for another Hunger Games novel a decade ago! I laid on my bed in the early hours of the morning with a huge book hangover wondering what the hell to read next. Now we can almost smell the newly printed pages of this Hunger Games prequel. Yet, many fans are still not happy! Firstly, there are some that don’t like the name. Personally, I do. The name references the Mockingjay and also the new protagonist a younger, yet equally as poisonous, Snow. Admittedly, I was a little disappointed to find out that the book was focused on Snow as there are so many wonderful characters that could have been chosen. I’m sure a lot of fans would love to experience the games of Mags, Finnick and Haymitch to name but a few! However, I am EXTREMELY excited to read this novel and gain a deeper insight into the inner-workings of the Capitol and its politics. Counting down the days…
Aurora Burning
Title: Aurora Burning
Authors: Jay Kristoff & Amie Kaufman
Publisher: Rock the Boat
Published: 5th May 2020
Genre: Science Fiction (YA)
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This is the hotly anticipated second book in The Aurora Cycle series by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. If you are not familiar with the first book then Aurora Rising is set in the year 2380 at the Aurora Academy. As everyone puts together teams for their first missions Tyler Jones, a star pupil, finds himself recruiting the dregs of the academy that no-one else wants. His Z-list squad turns out to be one of the smaller problems when they discover a catalyst that could start the war of the millennia.
In Aurora Burning Squad 312 is back and ready to be heroes once again… although they kind of have other stuff going on too. When an ancient, galaxy-destroying evil is about to be unleashed it is our favourite gang of misfits that remain the galaxies’ best hope for survival. For a more detailed synopsis check out the Goodreads link above.
Burn
Title: Burn
Author: Patrick Ness
Publisher: Walker Books
Publishing: 7th May 2020
Genre: Fantasy (YA)
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DRAGONS! Sold! I am a complete sucker for books with dragons. This is another hotly anticipated release. Set on a farm in 1956, Sarah’s father hires a dragon to work for them. Sarah’s life suddenly changes when she discovers she is part of a prophecy. With a dragon-worshipping assassin on their tail Sarah, her friend Jason and Kazimir the dragon are thrown into another universe where dragons seem to never have existed. Now they have two worlds to save.
Maya and the Rising Dark
Title: Maya and the Rising Dark
Author: Rena Barron
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Published: 5th May 2020
Genre: Fantasy (Middle Grade)
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I enjoyed Rena Barron’s debut novel Kingdom of Souls last year and I’m excited to venture into her first middle-grade story. Maya lives on the South side of Chicago where a lot of strange things keep happening. Between werehyenas and a man made of shadows, Maya tries to make sense of the things that only she sees. When her Papa goes missing Maya uncovers the truth, that she is a godling (half human, half god). Her Papa is the keeper of the veil between our world and the Dark. Will Maya be able to protect the failing veil and defend her world from the Lord of Shadows? She hopes so. Especially as she really wants to go to Comic-Con…
The Notorious Virtues
Title: The Notorious Virtues
Author: Alwyn Hamilton
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Published: 18th August 2020
Genre: Fantasy (YA)
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From the author who brought us the Rebel of the Sands series, we have a brand new fantasy series! Nora of Walstad is the daughter of the most powerful heiress in the country. Her family controls both magic and money. When her mother is found dead in an alley Nora finds herself having to compete in the ultimate magical competition known as the Veritaz. In order to remain heir she must defeat her cousins for the title as well as a surprise contender… Magic, politics and a bit of romance sounds like the perfect read for this month.
Which May 2020 book releases are you looking forward to the most? Let me know below!
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3 Comments
It sounds like there are so many awesome books coming out this month! I especially like the sound of Maya and the Rising Dark, the cover is so vibrant and eye catching – it sounds like an interesting story! Thanks for sharing these and happy reading! <3 xx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
The cover for Maya is really well done as it immediately catches the eye. Thanks for commenting <3
This is the second time I’ve seen Burn mentioned in the past week and I think it sounds amazing – I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it. I also have The Aurora Rising on my list mainly because of the cover but your write-up here makes me really want to read it. Great wrap-up – I hope they’re good!