Happy New Year!
With the new year, comes new books! From January to June, these are the science fiction and fantasy book releases we’re looking forward to the most:

Bands of Mourning by Brandon Sanderson : A Misborn Novel
Now, with The Bands of Mourning, Sanderson continues the story. The Bands of Mourning are the mythical metalminds owned by the Lord Ruler, said to grant anyone who wears them the powers that the Lord Ruler had at his command. Hardly anyone thinks they really exist. A kandra researcher has returned to Elendel with images that seem to depict the Bands, as well as writings in a language that no one can read. Waxillium Ladrian is recruited to travel south to the city of New Seran to investigate. Along the way he discovers hints that point to the true goals of his uncle Edwarn and the shadowy organization known as The Set.
I finished reading The Bands of Mourning a few weeks back, as did my co-blogger, Shane. I think we’re mostly just excited for this to be released so that we can FINALLY discuss it with people.
The Bands of Mourning on AmazonRelease date: January 26th

7 Sykos by Marsheila Rockwell and Jeffrey J. Mariotte
Phoenix is one of the most populated cities in America…but not for long. With a mysterious sickness spreading through the streets, two things are becoming very clear: there’s no cure, and it doesn’t necessarily kill you.
Instead, the so-called “Infecteds” have become a living plague, killing and eating everyone they come into contact with. Chaos is spreading, and no one is safe.
No one, that is, except for a group of psychos.
Somehow unaffected by the disease—and with promises of clemency for their monstrous pasts—a group of seven is sent downtown to hopefully find the cause of the disease…and therefore a cure. But when the asylum is the size of a city, it no longer matters who is running things.
Not when everyone is running for their lives.
I absolutely adore everything these two authors write, either separately or collaboratively. This will definitely be worth a read.
7 Sykos on AmazonRelease date: January 26th

Staked by Kevin Hearne : The Iron Druid Chronicles
As always, Atticus wouldn’t mind a little backup. But his allies have problems of their own. Ornery archdruid Owen Kennedy is having a wee bit of troll trouble: Turns out when you stiff a troll, it’s not water under the bridge. Meanwhile, Granuaile is desperate to free herself of the Norse god Loki’s mark and elude his powers of divination—a quest that will bring her face-to-face with several Slavic nightmares.
As Atticus globetrots to stop his nemesis Theophilus, the journey leads to Rome. What better place to end an immortal than the Eternal City? But poetic justice won’t come without a price: In order to defeat Theophilus, Atticus may have to lose an old friend.
Staked on AmazonRelease Date: January 26th

Ex-Isle by Peter Clines: The Fifth Ex-Heroes Novel
Release Date: February 2nd

Revisionary by Jim C. Hines : Magic Ex Libris Book Four
An organization known as Vanguard, made up of magical creatures and ex-Porters, wants open war with the mundane world. Isaac’s own government is incarcerating “potential supernatural enemies” in prisons and internment camps. And Isaac finds himself targeted by all sides.
It’s a war that will soon envelop the world, and the key to victory may lie with Isaac himself, as he struggles to incorporate everything he’s learned into a new, more powerful form of libriomancy. Surrounded by betrayal and political intrigue, Isaac and a ragtag group of allies must evade pursuit both magical and mundane, expose a conspiracy by some of the most powerful people in the world, and find a path to a better future.
But what will that future cost Isaac and the ones he loves?
Revisionary on AmazonRelease Date: February 2nd

Calamity by Brandon Sanderson : The Final Reckoners Novel
David knew Prof’s secret, and kept it even when Prof struggled to control the effects of his Epic powers. But facing Obliteration in Babilar was too much. Once the Reckoners’ leader, Prof has now embraced his Epic destiny. He’s disappeared into those murky shadows of menace Epics are infamous for the world over, and everyone knows there’s no turning back.
. . . But everyone is wrong. Redemption is possible for Epics—Megan proved it. They’re not lost. Not completely. And David is just about crazy enough to face down the most powerful High Epic of all to get his friend back. Or die trying.
Calamity (The Reckoners) on AmazonRelease Date: February 16th
Quantum Night by Robert J. Sawyer
Jim is reunited with Kayla Huron, his forgotten girlfriend from his lost period and now a quantum physicist who has made a stunning discovery about the nature of human consciousness. As a rising tide of violence and hate sweeps across the globe, the psychologist and the physicist combine forces in a race against time to see if they can do the impossible—change human nature—before the entire world descends into darkness.
I’ve already had the pleasure of reading this novel, and for fans of Sawyers — this novel is worth the wait. It’s his best yet.
Quantum Night on AmazonRelease Date: March 1st

Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs : A Mercy Thompson Novel
Defying the most powerful werewolf in the country, the humans, and the fae, Mercy, Adam, and their pack choose to protect the boy no matter what the cost. But who will protect them from a boy who is fire touched?
Fire Touched on AmazonRelease Date: March 8th

The Last Mortal Bond by Brian Staveley : Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne
The ancient csestriim are back to finish their purge of humanity; armies march against the capital; leaches, solitary beings who draw power from the natural world to fuel their extraordinary abilities, maneuver on all sides to affect the outcome of the war; and capricious gods walk the earth in human guise with agendas of their own.
But the three imperial siblings at the heart of it all–Valyn, Adare, and Kaden–come to understand that even if they survive the holocaust unleashed on their world, there may be no reconciling their conflicting visions of the future.
The Last Mortal Bond on AmazonRelease Date: March 15th

Beastwalker by Gama Ray Martinez : Pharim War Book Three
The seven pharim lords are among the most powerful beings in all of creation, and one of them is missing. No pharim permitted to interfere in the business of another, but that restriction doesn’t apply to Jez. He and his friends must discover what could’ve happened to one of the most powerful beings in the universe.
If you enjoy reading the interviews and reviews we post here, you should give this a try! Gama is part of the Arched Doorway team. This is just the first of many releases from him this year.
Shadowguard (Pharim War Book 1) on AmazonRelease date: March 29th (tentative)

In the Labyrinth of Drakes by Marie Brennan : A Memoir by Lady Trent
Even those who take no interest in the field of dragon naturalism have heard of Lady Trent’s expedition to the inhospitable deserts of Akhia. Her discoveries there are the stuff of romantic legend, catapulting her from scholarly obscurity to worldwide fame. The details of her personal life during that time are hardly less private, having provided fodder for gossips in several countries.
As is so often the case in the career of this illustrious woman, the public story is far from complete. In this, the fourth volume of her memoirs, Lady Trent relates how she acquired her position with the Royal Scirling Army; how foreign saboteurs imperiled both her work and her well-being; and how her determined pursuit of knowledge took her into the deepest reaches of the Labyrinth of Drakes, where the chance action of a dragon set the stage for her greatest achievement yet.
In the Labyrinth of Drakes: A Memoir by Lady Trent (A Natural History of Dragons) on AmazonRelease Date: April 5th

League of Dragons by Naomi Novik : The Final Temeraire Novel
Aware of his weakened position, Napoleon has promised the dragons of every country—and the ferals, loyal only to themselves—vast new rights and powers if they fight under his banner. It is an offer eagerly embraced from Asia to Africa—and even by England, whose dragons have long rankled at their disrespectful treatment.
But Laurence and his faithful dragon soon discover that the wily Napoleon has one more gambit at the ready—one that that may win him the war, and the world.
League of Dragons on AmazonRelease Date: May 10th

The Wheel of Osheim by Mark Lawrence : Red Queen's War Book Three
For Jalan Kendeth getting back out alive and with Loki’s Key is all that matters. Loki’s creation can open any lock, any door, and it may also be the key to Jal’s fortune back in the living world.
Jal plans to return to the three W’s that have been the core of his idle and debauched life: wine, women, and wagering. Fate however has other, larger, plans…
The Wheel of Osheim is turning ever faster and it will crack the world unless it’s stopped. When the end of all things looms, and there’s nowhere to run, even the worst coward must find new answers.
Jal and Snorri face many dangers – from the corpse-hordes of the Dead King to the many mirrors of the Lady Blue; but in the end, fast or slow, the Wheel of Osheim will exert its power.
In the end it’s win or die.
The Wheel of Osheim on AmazonRelease Date: June 2nd

Babylon's Ashes by James S. A. Corey : Book Six of The Expanse
Babylon’s Ashes (The Expanse) on Amazon
Release Date: June 14th

Age of Myth by Michael J. Sullivan : The Legends of the First Empire
The Age of Myth is over; the time of rebellion has begun.
Age of Myth on Amazon
Release Date: June 28th
- Winds of Winter, which was previously on this list, has been removed. GRRM has confirmed that he has yet to finish writing it.
Did we miss any big ones? We’ll be doing a post for the latter half of the year in a couple of months.
What are you most looking forward to reading this year? Let us know in the comments!
Marked in Flesh (The Others #4) by Anne Bishop is coming out March 8, 2016. This is an awesome series.
The Doors of Stone – Patrick Rothfuss
Morning Star by Pierce Brown! Comes out Jan 12. Might be the best book of the year.
Peace talks: Jim butcher?
As far as I’ve been able to tell, there isn’t a set release date for Peace Talks yet. That leads me to believe it’ll be out in the latter half of the year.
Staked by Kevin Hearne! ! Loved that Fire touched is on the list though.
Oh! Oops. Staked was actually supposed to be on here, it just completely slipped my mind.
I’ll add it as a +1 in the morning. :)
Wooooo! It’s my most anticipated book this year!!
Uhhhh yeah. Doors of Stone, P. Rothfuss.
At least I home it’s in the first half of 2016. Or we riot.
I’ve only listed books with confirmed release dates. ;) As much as I’d love for it to be on this list… I can’t quite do that.
Maybe it’ll be in the post of book releases for the second half of the year!
Mine for the first half of the year:
The Winged Histories – Sofia Samatar
Medusa’s Web – Tim Powers
Kingfisher – Patricia McKillip
Children of Earth and Sky – Guy Gavriel Kay
The Edge of Worlds – Martha Wells