When the 2016 trend made its rounds at the beginning of the year I didn’t really expect it to stick around. Now, the trend has run its course on social media, but a few of the book releases for 2026 would have my inner 16 year old screaming with joy.
Disclaimer: This isn’t the post where I talk about unknown books or authors or where you discover something you’ve never heard of before. This is a post where 16-year-old me takes the wheel and gushes about the authors that shaped her, who somehow have a book coming out in 2026.
A Darker Shore: Letters from Ketterdam by Leigh Bardugo, E.K. Belsher (Illustrator)
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Leigh Bardugo comes a new Grishaverse short story: a mystery told through found documents and set after the events of Crooked Kingdom.
In the years since the violent upheaval caused by the auction of Kuwei Yul-Bo, the merchants of Ketterdam have been under attack. Secret businesses exposed. Ships sunk. Slavers hunted as they once hunted their victims. All the work of a mysterious sea captain and her ship, the Wraith.
Now, two investigators meet to uncover the truth behind the latest disaster: a massacre on an island off the shores of Ketterdam. Among the evidence collected is private correspondence between notorious crime boss Kaz Brekker and an anonymous sailor aboard the Wraith known only as “I.”
Follow along with the lead investigator as he tries to piece together how such a disaster transpired, and explore the Grishaverse like never before with new illustrations by E.K. Belsher and in-world collectible items.
pub date: June 30 2026
The format of this story is what excites me the most: an outsiders view from an investigation (which means they’re biased) on Kaz & Inej and whatever is happening in Ketterdam. It seems like we can expect some mixed media (e.g. the recovered correspondence) and with an illustrator on board there must be stunning illustrations. A Six of Crows re-read is in order in preparation for this and I couldn’t be more excited.
Immortal Rose by Alexandra Bracken
From Alexandra Bracken, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Lore, comes a stunningly original adult fantasy. Set in a sumptuous world ruled by magical perfume, this achingly romantic, slow-burn love story will shatter your heart and leave you breathless.
Members of the ancient House Rosebourne have a strange gift born of a fairy ancestor: the ability to infuse fragrance with magic capable of manipulating mind, body, and emotion.
When a shocking murder leaves the kingdom of Albion vulnerable to a coup, royal spymaster Hugh Thornton seeks the one person who can help: Viola Lockwood, the last living Rosebourne and secret heir to a fraught legacy.
Livid at the silver-eyed aristocrat who had her thrown in jail to force her compliance, Viola nevertheless comes to an agreement with him. In exchange for crafting Immortal Rose, the singular perfume capable of saving Albion, illegitimate Viola can seize the life—and fortune—that should have been hers.
As Hugh and Viola race to find the perfume’s lost fairy ingredient, hidden deep in Albion’s dark underbelly, neither can deny the scorching attraction building between them—especially as the attempts on Viola’s life grow increasingly brazen.
But a terrible truth lurks in the heart notes of their kingdom—and while every bargain has a cost, Immortal Rose may demand more than Hugh and Viola can ever pay.
pub date: August 13 2026
This is Alex Brackens first adult novel and this woman knows how to write a yearning man! Previously she wrote YA and Middle Grade, where the yearning qualities of the male love interest were already through the roof, but never central to the story. The synopsis to this book seems to center the romance a lot more and I am buzzing! I don’t tend to read a lot of Romantasy but in this author I trust. Also perfume magic? Never heard of that but she actually has some interesting content on perfumes on her social media, which is quite educational and also whimsy.
Tempest by Victoria Aveyard
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Victoria Aveyard comes an epic adventure of love and betrayal, amid a brutal war for the high seas.
May the sea always sing for you
Cat Rose knows what it is to live in two worlds, in two times. Before—as Lady Catrine Rose of the Meridian Empire, chained to a loathsome lord with a dwindling fortune. And after—as the Widow Rose, queen of a pirate tavern in the Lyrian Sea, determined to be the master of her own fate.
But tides turn and winds change. The Meridian Empire looms on the horizon, the full weight of her navy falling on the Lyrian, bent on reclaiming the wealthy colonies and crushing the pirate republic once and for all. Ship after ship is captured, save for one, captained by a pirate who continually evades both noose and blade: the legendary Valerian Kane.
With his fearsome ship and uncanny connection to the song of the sea, Valerian is the only man who might rally the pirates who remain. The only man who threatens the Empire. And the only man Cat has ever loved, blazing in and out of her life like a star.
Desperate for victory, the Empire offers Cat a devastating choice: bring them Valerian or hang. In truth, no choice at all.
But Cat Rose is nothing if not a survivor.
A storm is rising on the Lyrian Sea—the question is, what will it leave in its wake?
pub date: September 08 2026
I had this book on my radar since she pretty much announced it, but can we give a moment to this cover?! The blue is absolutely stunning and the way the crown moulding emulates the shapes of waves is breathtaking. Victoria Aveyard is also not shy about her inspiration behind this book, how Pirates of the Caribbean shaped her as a teenager and this honestly sounds like the best ingredient for a pirate novel. She is also very vocal about the book not being a Romantasy; there is romance but it is not on the forefront (it never is with her books) and probably doesn’t meet reader expectations when falsely advertised as such. I’ve grown to love Aveyards world building with her Realm Breaker series and am excited to see where she takes us with this book!
Empire by Sabaa Tahir
The gripping conclusion to the action-packed, ruthless, and romantic fantasy duology that began with HEIR, from the #1 New York Times bestselling and National Book Award–winning author Sabaa Tahir.
A crumbling empire.
An ancient evil.
A lost homeland.
A lie that could destroy the world.
In the crumbling Martial Empire, crown prince Quil Aquilla and his Aunt Helene are losing a battle against the vicious Kegari horde. Quil’s armies dwindle, his faith falters, and the woman he loves vanished months ago, leaving him broken-hearted. Torn between his duty to his people and his desire to discover Sirsha’s fate, Quil embarks on a dangerous quest for aid—from the most treacherous of allies.
Sirsha Westering finds herself tethered to Div, an ancient evil unleashed by a terrible tragedy. Div delights in tormenting Sirsha, hungering for her magical heart. Even as Sirsha fights for control of her own fate, she is desperate to shield Quil from Div’s destructive power. But Div won’t release Sirsha without a fight. To earn her freedom, Sirsha must uncover Div’s past—and face horrors in her own.
Cero bet-Dafra, former right hand of the Kegari leader Aiz, now finds himself pitted against her. As Aiz slips further into violence and delusion, Cero must discover if his people have any hope of a future or if they’re condemned to an unending cycle of violence. His journey will force him to confront hidden truths, ancient secrets and a lie that could destroy the world.
In Empire, #1 New York Times bestselling author Sabaa Tahir returns to the expansive world of fury and vengeance of Heir, weaving a story of legacy and rebellion, of loyalty and freedom, and of what it means to confront the monsters that lurk within us all.
pub date: September 22 2026
To be honest, I haven’t read the synopsis for this book yet because I haven’t even read the first book in this duology, Heir. But having loved everything Sabaa Tahir published so far I am very positive that this book will delight me and break me, because that is what her Ember-Quartet did. To which Heir & Empire are the spin-off. It also might be wise to read both books back-to-back because she did have a penchant for nasty cliff hangers that had to screaming at the walls. so, better be prepared.
The Sixth Faction by Veronica Roth
The worldwide sensation as you’ve never seen it before. Step into a bold new Divergent series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth.
Beatrice Prior stands on the brink of a decision every person in her world must make: five factions, five futures, five lives.
She has a plan: she’s going to make the bravest choice, and leave Abnegation behind to join Dauntless, even though it means leaving her family behind.
But when tragedy strikes at her Choosing Ceremony, everything changes—her world, her plans, even Beatrice herself.
Her ensuing decision thrusts her into the crosshairs of an underground rebellion, and into the path of a boy with secrets as dangerous as her own—a boy with only a number for a name.
One choice will change everything.
pub date: October 06 2026
I think I might’ve actually screamed when this was announced. I was obsessed with Divergent as a teenager. I carried the books with me everywhere (yes, even Allegiant), stalked the internet for set photos and behind-the-scenes clips, listened to Ellie Goulding on repeat and even started a Divergent Fanpage on Facebook (not that it was long-lived). I don’t know how many aptitude tests I took on the internet, but I was dying to live inside the Divergent bubble, so much so that I started writing a fan fiction (that you can’t find anywhere because it never left my hard drive).
Having the author herself writing and publishing an AU (alternate universe) to this very series is something out of my wildest fangirl dreams. I’ am really excited to see where The Sixth Faction takes Tris, I find what-if-stories incredibly interesting and what they can tell you about a character.
The Last King of Faerie by Cassandra Clare
The highly anticipated first book of The Wicked Powers, the final Shadowhunters trilogy! #1 New York Times bestselling author Cassandra Clare brings the saga that began in The Mortal Instruments to a stunning conclusion.
It’s Drusilla Blackthorn’s third year at Shadowhunter Academy when a chance encounter at a nightclub turns into a kidnapping. Dru finds herself held prisoner by Prince Ash Morgenstern in the land of Faerie, a place that proves just as dangerous as it is beautiful. Despite herself, Dru is drawn to Ash and the darkness that seems to surround him—but one false move could cost her life.
Meanwhile, a shocking disappearance rocks the foundations of the Shadowhunter world. Kit Herondale and Ty Blackthorn must set aside the bitterness that lingers between them and join forces on a perilous quest to save everything they cherish.
pub date: November 03 2026
This will be the last trilogy in the Shadowhunters world which is kinda crazy to know, because these books have dominated the book world for such a long time. The previous trilogy, The Dark Artifices is my favorite Shadowhunter series and knowing that I get to read about some of those characters again is special. But also a bit heartbreaking because the Shadowhunter Society has been unraveling for the last four or five books and knowing this is officially the end has me extremely nervous. Cassandra Clare does like to kill off beloved characters and I fear what she will do to finish this universe. I also find it hilarious that the cover looks like some glitter-loving five-year-old girl thew up on it when it might possibly be a very dark final trilogy.
Important Note on this: In April and May some companion books in the Shadowhunter Universe are releasing, A Sea Change which focuses on Matthew Fairchild from the Last Hours Trilogy and Secrets of Blackthorn Hall, a short story collection that was formerly published on Tumblr and details the restoration of Blackthorn Manor in London by Emma & Julian from the Dark Artifices trilogy.
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