Hot October Reads

Cynthia Ayala // Blog Writer

 

October is the month I’m always looking forward to because it’s Halloween, which is by far my favorite holiday. Of course there’s more to it, something that makes every month special: book releases! Who doesn’t love the smell of new books as they linger on the bookshelves, or that final book in the series one has been dying to read? It’s a little present for avid readers who live by the written word, and this month is no different from any other.

One of the hottest books coming out this month is The Midnight Star by Marie Lu. It’s the final novel in her New York Times bestselling Young Elites series and was just released earlier this month. The novel follows Adelina Amouteru who has finally given into the darkness that lingered in her heart, but with a new danger. This forces her to cross the sea and team up with former allies, now enemies, to save herself and her kingdom. Already the novel has garnered a high rating on Goodreads and is being praised by critics. Booklist calls it, “a worthy, bittersweet end.” Romantic Times Book Reviews gushes that, “fans will not be disappointed.” The Midnight Star is definitely one of October’s most anticipated reads and considering the rating on Goodreads, fans are loving it.

Retellings are also on the rise as of late and released on October 11 is Beast by Brie Spangler. Now, this is a novel for people like me who absolutely love the tale of Beauty and the Beast, and it’s always interesting to see just how every author reinterprets the tale. The story is already different from the original as it follows Dylan, a bullied 15-year-old, who appears very meaty, very tall, and very hairy, as he is sentenced to group therapy after a failed suicide attempt. It’s there that he meets Jamie, who is smart, pretty, and calls Dylan out on his self-pitying outlook on life, all of which is based on his superficiality. But with Jamie, nothing is clear cut and something about her may change how Dylan sees her. Or will it? Dealing with identity issues and sexuality, this is a very modern tale of Beauty and the Beast making for a strong read. Publishers Weekly praises the “captivating portrayals of Dylan and Jamie,” highlighting what they offer to the reader and how they make for a story about avoiding stereotypes and social stigmas. Kirkus Reviews calls it, “a believable and beautiful human story.”

And what’s October without at least one haunting read? Alongside the two books above is Fear the Drowning Deep by Sarah Glenn Marsh. Bridey Corkill is a witch’s apprentice with a strong fear of the ocean that lured her granddad to his death. Years later, villagers are vanishing in the night, and only Bridey can sense the sea as the culprit. Publishers Weekly says, “atmospheric historical fantasy . . . evocative setting, memorable characters, and use of obscure folkloric elements all contribute to the novel’s strong sense of place,” while Kirkus Reviews calls it, “catnip to paranormal-romance readers.” Even fellow authors are loving it. Tamora Pierce, New York Times bestselling author of the Beka Cooper trilogy calls it: “Haunting—gripping—beautiful. So powerful!”