Here’s a list of books to be theoretically published next year, which will quickly climb atop my reading list upon publication. Very few are standalones or debuts… these are mainly sequels or further entries from authors I follow. Let’s hope the books meet my quite high expectations!

I Am Radar – Rief Larsen (expected February)

Latest from the author of The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet. If it’s anything as ingenious as his debut work, it’s worth a shot.

Half the World – Joe Abercrombie (February)

Sequel, to Half a King, continues the story of Yarvi and the Shattered Seas adventures. Although lighter in tone than Abercrombie’s excellent First Law books, Half a King was a very enjoyable read, and the sequel should be worth a go.

The Skull Throne – Peter V Brett (March)

Book 4 of the Demon Cycle saga, which continues the story of the Warded / Painted man in his attempt to rid the world from the demons

Half Wild – Sally Green (March)

Sequel to the very entertaining Half Bad, this should be a very good read. First book left us in quite the cliffhanger, so looking forward to continuing Nathan’s story.

The Water Knife – Paolo Bacigalupi (April)

Bacigalupi has quite the knack to creating great version of the future world (see the excellent The Windup Girl). This promises to be just as entertaining.

Stiletto – Daniel O’Malley (June)

Sequel to one of my stand-out novels for 2013, The Rook. Probably the book I’m looking most toward in 2015. Can’t wait.

Armada – Ernest Cline (July)

From the author of the geek-fest that was Ready Player One, this sci-fi saga should be quite a ride.

Queen of Fire – Anthony Ryan (July)

I’m listing the third (and final) instalment of the Raven’s Shadow trilogy here even when I haven’t been able to read the second book. That tells you how good Blood Song was, and how keen I am on this new fantasy trilogy.

The City of Mirrors – Justin Cronin (October)

No cover yet

I’ve really enjoyed The Passage books, and looking forward to this next instalment.

Shadows of Self – Brandon Sanderson (November)

No cover yet

Sanderson takes us back to the world of Mistborn in this sequel to the Alloy of Law. If you haven’t read the Mistborn books yet, I strongly recommend you give it a go.

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And some books that may come this year…

The Winds of Winter – George R R Martin

Clearly wishful thinking… I actually don’t think this book will be published before 2020… these great articles may give you a better idea as to when the next Martin book finally arrives…

Predicting When ‘Game of Thrones’ Author George R. R. Martin Will Come Out With His Next Book

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/06/16/predict-when-george-r-r-martin-will-finish-game-of-thrones-using-the-magic-of-geometry/

Doors of Stone – Patrick Rothfuss

No cover yet

Rumour has it the final chapter in the Kingkiller Chronicle series may grace us with its presence this year… here’s hoping!

The Mirror and the Light – Hillary Mantel

No cover yet

If you still haven’t read Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies… I strongly urge you to do so. Historical Fiction at its finest, without question. The final chapter in the Thomas Cromwell book is expected this year. Let’s see…

The Thorn of Emberlain – Scott Lynch

No cover yet

4th instalment of the excellent Gentleman Bastar sequence. Do pick up “The Lies of Locke Lamora” if you are keen for a great, refreshing take on the fantasy genre.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a good old fashioned Fantasy epic tale. Past few reads have been extremely derivative, nothing new to the genre, nothing noteworthy. And then I came across “Blood Song” by Anthony Ryan. I was fully aware of the hype surrounding the book, which won many accolades when released last year. Reviewers were comparing it the Patrick Rothfuss’s “The Name of the Wind”, a book I rate very highly, so of course I was intrigued. But the length of the book seemed daunting, and I was a bit hesitant on taking on such a lengthy book with so little time to read nowadays. But I finally gave it a go… and what a ride it is.

The world building is extremely clever… the main character Vaelin Al Sorna comes from a Medieval Europe-like continent, currently held prisoner by an “Arab” empire following a failed invasion / crusade. The parallels with our world are not so subtle, but rather than feeling as if it were a gimmick, it works seamlessly. During his captivity, he tells his life story to the Imperial scribe, and what a story. From a young age training as a warrior of the Sixth Order, to his role in the politics of the Realm, to the wars he’d led and won and lost, it’s an enticing story that let’s you wanting for more.

And thankfully, the second installment is out already, so… looking forward to diving in!

If you’re looking for a new fantasy series, you could do little wrong in picking up Blood Song!