The Best Debut Novels of 2022

This incredible debut from Sequoia Nagamatsu was published in January of 2022. The story follows a cast of characters who are all linked in someway, over hundreds of years following the aftermath of a climate plague. Creator of Watchmen, Alan Moore, said of the book, “Haunting and luminous, How High We Go in the Dark orchestrates its multitude of memorable voices into beautiful and lucid science fiction. An astonishing debut.”

The book takes place in 2030 in the aftermath of a climate plague, humanity is trying to rebuild itself. Some of the many characters we meet over the centuries following include a grieving archeologist who works in the Article Circle to continue the work of his deceased daughter. Another is a cynical employee who works in a theme park designed specifically for terminally ill children who falls in love with a Mother visiting with her infected son. For a debut novel, the story is wildly original and captivating, which is why it has made our list of the best debut novels of 2022.

It’s not often that a debut novel from an author becomes an instant New York Times bestseller, but that is the case with Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. The story follows Tova Sullivan who has taken a job at the local aquarium following the death of her husband. It’s important she keeps busy whilst grieving, a lesson she learned thirty years ago when her son mysteriously disappeared. Whilst working at the aquarium, Tova becomes acquainted with a giant Pacific octopus called Marcellus who is incredibly intelligent and may just be able to help Tova find the truth about her son.

The book has been very well received, Marie Claire said of it, “The best books about grief find a way to illuminate the darkness of loss, and Remarkably Bright Creatures offers a masterclass.” It is well deserving of its place in our list of the best 2022 debut novels.

This 2022 debut novel is set in 1880s American West, during the time of the Chinese Exclusion Act. Daiyu, a young girl who was kidnapped and smuggled from China to America is trying to claim her place in America. Not the easiest thing to do in this harsh period in America’s history, with anti-Chinese sentiment sweeping across the nation. Daiyu flees this prejudice and the story follows her on this adventure.

The book offers a captivating story and a detailed and unique account of untold history and Chines folklore. Triangle House said of the book, “Jenny Tinghui Zhang has given us characters to love and root for, and she has pinned to the page the daily devastations that they have faced…But what Zhang has also given us is the power of reclamation, of holding the brush in your own hand and telling your own story.”

An exciting new novelist, Moses McKenzie has earned critical acclaim with his first book, An Olive Grove in Ends. The story follows Sayon Hughes, who resides in a volatile part of Bristol known as Ends. Raised in a lawless world, he is drawn into dealing drugs with his cousin, but he dreams of escaping the neighbourhood with the girl he’s loved since grade school, Shona. Things take a turn for the worse, and keeping his romance with Shona and his worsening career path separate becomes an untenable challenge.

Considered one the top 10 debuts of the year by the Guardian, the novel has been received exceedingly well. Publishers Weekly said of the book, “Beautiful… McKenzie renders the neighborhood’s rich and complicated social and familial networks as a study in contrasts, where violence and betrayal coexist with generosity and kindness… An Olive Grove in Ends exhibits both a tenderness for the residents and an unflinching examination of their struggles… a gorgeous debut that nurtures an unlikely sort of hope.”

This tale of epic fantasy is inspired by the legend of the Chinese moon goddess, Chang’e, which is a story of a young woman trying to rescue her Mother and having to face down the most powerful immortal in the realm. That young woman is called Xingyin. Naturally, growing up on the moon – Xingyin is used to being alone, however when she discovers her powers she is quickly discovered and must flee, leaving her Mother behind. To rescue her Mother, she must go on an incredibly dangerous journey confronting terrifying creatures.

The novel is an amazing adventure that sews in ancient Chinese mythology seamlessly. The book is well deserving of its place on this list of the best debut novels of 2022, as it has been very well received by critics. BookPage said of the book, “Filled with intricate world building, heartbreaking romance and mind-bending intrigue. Tan’s story is mythic in its scope yet personal in its execution . . . The result is an all-consuming work of literary fantasy that is breathtaking both for its beauty and its suspense.”

Perhaps the most wildly successful debut novel of 2022, Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus is a New York Times bestseller, a Good Morning American book club pick and has been nominated as the best book of the year by New York Times, Washington Post, Oprah Daily and more! The story follows a chemist called Elizabeth Zott who has a rollercoaster of a life in 1960s America who uses her eventual platform as the star of a cooking show to encourage women to challenge the sexist status quo of the time.

The novel is as amusing as it is poignant and features an amazing array of well developed characters. People Magazine said of the book, “Between the outrageous sexism and the bitter misfortune that thwart our heroine at every turn, this may not sound like a comic novel, but it is. Full of charm, energy and hope—and featuring a really great dog—it’s one to savor.”

An incredible debut that takes place in the wake of Hurricane Maria, Olga Dies Dreaming follows the story of Olga, a wedding planner for Manhattan’s elite. Whilst on the surface, Olga’s life seems to glamorous and perfect, behind close doors – it’s not so idillic. Olga’s Mother, Bianca, reappears during hurricane season having abandoned her and her brother, Prieto years before to pursue ambitions as a radical Puerto Rico activist.

This debut novel of 2022 was a New York Times bestseller and the winner of the Brooklyn Public Library prize. The Washington Post said of the book, “A fantastically engaging story…Rarely does a novel, particularly a debut novel, contend so powerfully and so delightfully with such a vast web of personal, cultural, political and even international imperatives.”

With arguably the best debut thriller novel of 2022, Stacy Willingham tells the story of Chloe Davis, a psychologist who experienced trauma as a twelve year old. As a child, six teenage girls went missing, and by the end of the Summer it was discovered that it was Chloe’s father responsible. Twenty years later, another group of teenage girls go missing and Chloe’s past comes rushing back to her. She finds it hard not to draw parallels and finds herself unable to stop herself from trying to unmask the killer.

It’s a real edge-of-your-seat story that will keep you gripped and surprised by the cleverly placed plot twists. Booklist said of the book, “Willingham offers taut storytelling and a heroine with compelling vulnerability. This is a strong debut recommended for domestic-suspense readers lining up next-reads.”

Described as mythic retelling at its best, this debut novel from Vaishnavi Patel tells the story of infamous queen from the ancient epic the Ramayana, retold from the perspective of Kaikeyi herself. She is determined to make her mark where things are exclusively led by gods and men. A tale of an overlooked princess becoming a queen with a mission of making the world better for women everywhere – this is a captivating debut novel.

The book was an instant New York Times bestseller and was received exceptionally well by all who read it. The Washington Post said of the book, “A powerful, feminist retelling of the epic…Patel resets the balance of power, creating an unforgettable heroine who understands that it isn’t necessarily kings or gods who change history.” Kaikeyi is deserving of its place on this list of the best debut novels of 2022.

Our vote for best horror debut novel of 2022 goes to The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas. Set in the aftermath of the Mexican War of Independence, the story follows Beatriz who agrees to marry Rodolfo Solórzano with financial security in mind, having lost her home and Father during the overthrow of the Mexican government. However, left alone in her new home, Hacienda San Isidro, something is not right. Something is haunting the home and no one is there to save Beatriz.

The story cleverly weaves together a tale of the paranormal, romance and history in a way that will leave you unable to put this book down. Historical Novel Society said of the book, “This gothic novel will pull you in with vivid language and drop you into a sinister world. Reminiscent of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier in its setup, this story is infused with a much darker horror….Cañas has created engaging characters in Beatriz, Andrés, and, yes, the house, but beware of blood and supernatural violence. The pages turn quickly to a faultless, satisfying ending.”

All Good People Here is the debut novel from the host of the number 1 true crime podcast, Crime Junkie, as is well deserving of its place on this list of the best debut novels of 2022. The story follows a journalist, Margot Davies, who returns to her hometown to uncover the dark secrets of an unsolved murder of her childhood neighbour and the disappearance of another girl twenty years later. However, something is right, everyone seems to be hiding something – including the police. The deeper Margot digs into the case, the more barriers she is faced with.

A scary and gripping tale that might have you looking at your neighbours differently. Publishers Weekly said of the debut novel, “This intricate, intriguing puzzler should surprise even those readers certain they know where the plot’s heading. Flowers is off to a promising start.”

Every Summer After has received unanimous praise and been named on lots of reading lists just like this one, it is certainly one of the best debut novels of 2022. A tale of nostalgic love, the story follows Persephone Fraser, a woman who fled her hometown to escape the biggest mistake of her life. However, she also left behind Sam Florek – the man that she had spent six Summers with, and assumed she’d spend her whole life with. When she returns to her hometown for the funeral of Sam’s mother, they reconnect. However, they must both face the mistakes of their past if there is a change for their romance to rekindle.

USA Today said of the book, “Fortune’s debut novel is filled with nostalgia and heart. Percy and Sam’s history is compelling and nuanced, making the story fly by faster than the summer months themselves. Although just like the places we spend our summers, and the people we meet along the way, Percy and Sam just might stay in your heart far beyond the last page.”