February 2022 New Book Releases

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There are a ton of awesome books coming out in February 2022. Today, we're going to look at nine that I'm desperate to read. This list has books for everybody! Adults, young adults, middle-school-aged readers. You get a book! And you get a book! Everybody gets a book!

February 2022 Book Releases

Devotion by Hannah Kent

Adult Historical Fiction

February 1, 2022

1836, Prussia. Hanne is nearly fifteen and the domestic world of womanhood is quickly closing in on her. A child of nature, she yearns instead for the rush of the river, the wind dancing around her. Hanne finds little comfort in the local girls and friendship doesn't come easily, until she meets Thea and she finds in her a kindred spirit and finally, acceptance.

Hanne's family are Old Lutherans, and in her small village hushed worship is done secretly: this is a community under threat. But when they are granted safe passage to Australia, the community rejoices: at last a place they can pray without fear, a permanent home. Freedom.

It's a promise of freedom that will have devastating consequences for Hanne and Thea, but, on that long and brutal journey, their bond proves too strong for even nature to break.

Why I'm excited to read it: I'll read anything Hannah Kent writes. Burial Rites is one of my all-time-favorite historical fiction books. The Good People is excellent too. I love the way Hannah Kent develops setting. The landscapes and folklore of places are a big part of the story.

Murder Of Crows by K. Ancrum

Young Adult Mystery / Thriller

February 1, 2022

Lethal Lit follows Tig Torres, a Cuban American teen detective, in her hometown of Hollow Falls. In season one of the hit podcast, Tig used her smarts and fearlessness to track down the infamous "Lit Killer," a serial killer who staged his murders after death scenes from famous books. But there's no rest for courageous, mystery-solving teens in a place like Hollow Falls, and though the Lit Killer is now behind bars, his protégé, Tig's classmate and crush Oly, has disappeared!

And that's not the only game afoot. Tig has caught the attention of the town's local armchair detective group, the Murder of Crows. They're obsessed with Hollow Falls' dark past and fixated on a dangerous search for the missing body of the town's founder. There are rumors about what's buried with the body that could be life-changing for whoever finds it, and with a mission like that underway, it's not long before a member of the Murder of Crows turns up dead.

Tig, along with her friends Max and Wyn, steps in to help, but the stakes are getting higher and the hunt more deadly. Someone's willing to kill to keep the town's secrets buried, and if Tig's not careful, she'll be the Murder of Crows' next victim.

Why I'm excited to read it: K. Ancrum's books are weird and creative with lightning-fast pacing. I don't usually read mysteries, especially when they're part of a series, but I'm confident that K. Ancrum can put a unique twist on any genre. If you haven't read her books, please pick one up!

Buy it on Amazon

EACH OF US A UNIVERSE BY JEANNE ZULICK FERRUOLO & NDENGO GLADYS MWILELO

Middle Grade Contemporary

February 1, 2022

Ever since the day when everything changed, Cal Scott's answer has been to run—run from her mother who's fighting cancer, run from her father whom she can't forgive, and run from classmates who've never seemed to "get" her anyway. The only thing Cal runs toward is nearby Mt. Meteorite, named for the extraterrestrial object some claim crashed there fifty years ago. Cal spends her afternoons plotting to summit the mountain, so she can find the magic she believes will make possible the impossible: to heal her mother. But no one has successfully reached its peak—no one who's lived to tell about it, anyway.

Then Cal meets Rosine Kanambe, a girl who's faced more impossibles than anyone should have to. Rosine has her own secret plan for the mountain and its magic, and she convinces Cal they can summit its peak if they work together. As the girls climb high and dig deep to face the mountain's challenges, Cal learns from Rosine what real courage looks like. She begins to wonder if the magic she's been seeking all this time is really the kind she needs.

Why I'm excited to read it: I would have pounced on this book when I was a preteen. It has a beautiful cover, badass mountain climbing girls, and no fluff. It sounds like the story will tackle some serious topics. I'm interested to see how the authors handle them.

Buy it on Amazon

THE CHRISTIE AFFAIR BY NINA DE GRAMONT

Adult Historical Fiction

February 1, 2022

In 1926, Agatha Christie disappeared for 11 days. Aside from the famous author herself, only I know the truth of her disappearance.

I’m no Hercule Poirot.

I’m her husband’s mistress.

Agatha Christie’s world is one of glamorous society parties, country house weekends, and growing literary fame.

Nan O’Dea’s world is something very different. Her attempts to escape a tough London upbringing during the Great War led to a life in Ireland marred by a hidden tragedy.

After fighting her way back to England, she’s set her sights on Agatha. Because Agatha Christie has something Nan wants. And it’s not just her husband.

Despite their differences, the two women will become the most unlikely of allies. And during the mysterious eleven days that Agatha goes missing, they will unravel a dark secret that only Nan holds the key to . . .

Why I'm excited to read it: Is it just me, or are there a lot of books about Agatha Christie? She was a fascinating person, so I guess I understand the appeal. I swear I'll read a book about her someday. This one sounds promising. No one really knows what happened when she vanished for those 11 days, so it's fun to speculate.

Buy it on Amazon

I MUST BETRAY YOU BY RUTA SEPETYS

Young Adult Historical Fiction

February 1, 2022

Romania, 1989. Communist regimes are crumbling across Europe. Seventeen-year-old Cristian Florescu dreams of becoming a writer, but Romanians aren’t free to dream; they are bound by rules and force.

Amidst the tyrannical dictatorship of Nicolae Ceaușescu in a country governed by isolation and fear, Cristian is blackmailed by the secret police to become an informer. He’s left with only two choices: betray everyone and everything he loves—or use his position to creatively undermine the most notoriously evil dictator in Eastern Europe.

Cristian risks everything to unmask the truth behind the regime, give voice to fellow Romanians, and expose to the world what is happening in his country. He eagerly joins the revolution to fight for change when the time arrives. But what is the cost of freedom?

Why I'm excited to read it: If you love historical fiction, you need to read Ruta Sepetys' books. Her novel, Salt to the Sea, is one of my all-time favorites. It has memorable characters and so many plot twists. I'm hoping for more of the same with her newest book.

Buy it on Amazon

THE SECRET OF HAVEN POINT BY LISETTE AUTON

Middle Grade Fantasy

February 3, 2022

Washed up as a baby beside a remote lighthouse and raised by a mermaid, Alpha Lux was the first foundling at Haven Point. Now the lighthouse is a ramshackle home for any disabled person who needs somewhere to belong. Looting from passing ships to make a living, they call themselves the Wrecklings, and for the children of Haven Point life is spent adventuring on the wild shore (and getting into trouble with the grown-ups).

But when Alpha spots a strange light up on the headland, she realizes that her beloved family are in danger of being discovered by Outsiders.

With their home under threat, the Wrecklings must decide what kind of future they want . . . and what they're willing to do to get it.

Why I'm excited to read it: I know pretty much nothing about this book. I haven't seen any early reviews, and I don't think it has a US release date yet. I'm curious about it because it's supposed to be an adventure story with found families. I hope someone gets an early copy and shares all the details.

THE BIRD SINGERS BY EVE WERSOCKI MORRIS

Middle Grade Fantasy

February 3, 2022

Strange things have been happening to Layah and her younger sister, Izzie, ever since their mother dragged them to a rain-soaked cottage miles from anywhere in the Lake District: there is a peculiar whistling at night, a handful of unusual feathers appear on their doorstep and there are murmurings of a shadowed woman in the forest. And their mother is behaving very oddly. Layah is mourning the loss of her dear grandmother in Poland—and can almost hear her Babcia's voice telling her the old myths and fairy tales from that magical place.

And as the holiday takes on a dark twist, Layah begins to wonder if the myths might just be real.

Why I'm excited to read it: Another book that hasn't been getting much hype. It got my attention because of the family secrets and creepy folklore. Early reviewers are praising its plot twists, mysteries, and quick pacing.

ESCAPE ROOM BY CHRISTOPHER EDGE

Middle Grade Fantasy

February 3, 2022 (UK)

July 5, 2022 (US)

When twelve-year-old Ami arrives at The Escape, she thinks it’s just a game—the ultimate escape room with puzzles and challenges to beat before time runs out. Meeting her teammates, Adjoa, Ibrahim, Oscar and Min, Ami learns from the Host that they have been chosen to save the world and they must work together to find the Answer. But as he locks them inside the first room, they quickly realize this is no ordinary game.

From a cavernous library of dust to an ancient Mayan tomb, a deserted shopping mall stalked by extinct animals to the command module of a spaceship heading to Mars, the perils of The Escape seem endless. Can Ami and her friends find the Answer before it’s too late?

Why I'm excited to read it: Serious Jumanji vibes! This book sounds like a fun, unpredictable, fast-paced romp. I've always wanted to try an escape room. (Though maybe not one that's this intense.) Note: The US title for this book might be Race For The Escape. I don't know why. Same book, different name.

Buy it on Amazon

ONLY A MONSTER BY VANESSA LEN

Young Adult Fantasy

February 22, 2022

It should have been the perfect summer. Sent to stay with her late mother’s eccentric family in London, sixteen-year-old Joan is determined to enjoy herself. She loves her nerdy job at the historic Holland House, and when her super cute co-worker Nick asks her on a date, it feels like everything is falling into place.

But she soon learns the truth. Her family aren’t just eccentric: they’re monsters, with terrifying, hidden powers. And Nick isn’t just a cute boy: he’s a legendary monster slayer, who will do anything to bring them down.

As she battles Nick, Joan is forced to work with the beautiful and ruthless Aaron Oliver, heir to a monster family that hates her own. She’ll have to embrace her own monstrousness if she is to save herself, and her family. Because in this story . . . she is not the hero.

Why I'm excited to read it: Is this a monster love triangle book? It sounds like a monster love triangle book. Early reviewers are comparing it to V.E. Schwab's work. I love V.E. Schwab! Her books are usually dark and a bit creepy. Bring on the monsters!

Buy it on Amazon

Which February book are you looking forward to reading?