Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust Featuring: Soraya, a cursed princess whose poisonous touch keeps her trapped inside the shah's gardens; Azad, the soldier who longs to rescue her; and Parvaneh, the alluring, demonic div whose secret knowledge could upend Soraya's world.
Why you might like it: This lush, twisty fantasy offers a blend of Zoroastrianism, European fairy tales, and the Persian epic The Shahnameh.
You might also like: Tahereh Mafi's Shatter Me series or Laini Taylor's Strange the Dreamer duology. | | Girl, Unframed by Deb Caletti What it's about: While spending the summer in California with her irresponsible actress mother, 16-year-old Sydney quickly kindles a romance with the lovable Nicco, but she can't shake the sense of impending disaster -- especially not while her mom's volatile boyfriend, Jake, is around.
How it's told: Each chapter begins with a list of courtroom evidence, keeping you guessing about the crime right up until the end.
For fans of: the multilayered plot, intensifying pace, and feminist perspective of Courtney Summers' Sadie. | |
The Kingdom of Back
by
Marie Lu
Starring: musical prodigy Nannerl Mozart, who’s angry at how 18th-century European society limits her options while encouraging the talents of her beloved brother, Wolfgang.
What happens: Nannerl and Wolfgang find their way into the magical realm of Back, where Nannerl meets Hyacinth, an enigmatic figure who offers adventure and fame -- but only at a devastating cost.
Author alert: This lush, detailed historical fantasy is a new direction for Marie Lu, best known for science fiction series Legend and Warcross.
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I'll Be the One by Lyla Lee Starring: singer and dancer Skye Shin, who defies her mother's fat-shaming to win a spot on a fiercely competitive K-pop competition show.
What happens: Skye is determined to win, both the contest and the heart of fellow competitor Henry Cho. But are her skills, charm, and persistence enough to conquer the judges' prejudice?
Further reading: For another body-positive rom-com, try Julie Murphy's Dumplin'; for another peek into the high-profile, high-drama world of K-pop, pick up Maurene Goo's Somewhere Only We Know. | |
Chain of Gold
by
Cassandra Clare
A new series by the best-selling author of the Dark Artifices trilogy returns to the world of the Shadowhunters, where a young warrior immerses herself in elite supernatural salons before an outbreak of demon attacks places London under quarantine.
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The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh What it’s about: Fleeing a painful past in Paris, French Asian seamstress Celine arrives in 1872 New Orleans, where she finds herself falling for uncanny underworld leader Sébastien even as she’s stalked by a bloodthirsty serial killer.
Read it for: smoldering paranormal romance and chilling mystery set against a decadent and detail-rich backdrop.
Series alert: This vampire fantasy is the 1st in a new series from popular author Renée Ahdieh. | | The Lost Coast by Amy Rose Capetta Welcome to: the mist-covered redwood forests of Tempest, California, where new arrival Danny discovers she's been summoned by the Grays, a tight-knit coven of LGBTQIA witches.
What happens: The Grays try to help Danny unleash her hidden magical powers, hoping that she can discover the unknown force that's controlling their leader, Imogen.
Read it for: atmospheric, lyrical writing; Danny's relatable yearning to belong; the intensifying heat of her relationship with fellow witch Rush. | | Wicked Fox by Kat Cho Starring: Gu Miyoung, who looks like a modern Seoul schoolgirl even though she's actually a gumiho, a supernatural nine-tailed fox who feeds on the life force of men.
What happens: Ignoring the advice of her overprotective mother, Miyoung reveals her true nature to a human boy she rescues from a goblin -- and in doing so, she triggers a chain of events that will change both of their lives.
Why you might like it: This series opener is packed with angst, action, and romantic drama. | | My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows What it's about: Teenage Charlotte Brontë is working on a novel about her dear friend Jane Eyre, but it's not quite the classic you'd expect: for one thing, this Jane can control ghosts.
About the authors: After recounting the supernatural adventures of Lady Jane Grey in My Lady Jane, this trio of authors returns with a romantic and hilarious "deconstruction of a gothic novel" (Booklist). | | Carry On by Rainbow Rowell What it's about: During his final year at the Watford School of Magicks, reluctant "Chosen One" Simon Snow should be worrying about how to defeat the magic-devouring Humdrum -- yet all he can do is obsess about his sneering vampire roommate, Baz.
Read it for: sly use of fantasy tropes, a deliciously thorny romance, and an intriguing magic system.
For fans of: Harry/Draco fanfic, as well as Rainbow Rowell's earlier book Fangirl, which introduced the characters in Carry On and its sequel, Wayward Son. | |
Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 14 and up!
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