May 2026 list by Angie R. |
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Adventure Is Out There!
by Liz Braswell
Sixteen‑year‑old Ellie McGill dreams of adventure far beyond her small town - especially reaching Paradise Falls. When a flashy zoo owner plans an expedition and puts Ellie in charge of a troubled new bird, she sees her chance. Ignoring Carl’s cautious advice, she jumps into a risky rescue mission that could finally bring her the adventure she craves…but not without consequences.
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Crimson Queen
by E.A. Winters
Magic is gone, but Semra’s enemies are using it, and a prophecy says she’ll fail. Forced from her home, the ex‑assassin races to stop a rising magician before he unleashes unstoppable power. As she hunts for a legendary weapon and leads an army against deadly foes, Semra must confront her past, her shaky new abilities, and whether she deserves the authority she’s been given.
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The Danger of Small Things
by Caryl Lewis
In a future where bees are gone and girls are forced into harsh labor, Jess secretly reads and paints - small acts of rebellion in a world where art and love are forbidden. When she begins using her hidden talent to protest the system, her courage sparks hope that she might inspire something bigger: a revolution.
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Deathly Fates
by Tesia Tsai
In order to save her father, corpse-driving priestess Kang Siying accepts a dangerous job, but when she accidentally resurrects a dead prince instead of reanimating his body, he offers her twice her original reward to help him, sending them both on a perilous journey as they uncover dark secrets that could endanger the entire kingdom.
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Ellen Poe: The Forgotten Lore
by Diana Peterfreund
Sixteen‑year‑old Ellen Poe moves into her aunt’s Poe‑themed B&B, where her lifelong nightmares start slipping into reality. After discovering an old journal, she begins seeing the ghost of Edgar Allan Poe himself - and learns they share a dangerous ability to communicate with the dead. As spirits close in and Poe’s cryptic clues surface, Ellen must uncover the truth about her powers before she meets the same fate he did.
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Embergold
by Rachelle Nelson
Gilde has spent her life hidden in the marshes, safe from the dragon who can’t reach her - until her father suddenly forces her to leave. Betrayed, she wakes in a crumbling mountain castle with the very beast she feared, only to find he’s nothing like she imagined. As secrets about her past and the dragons’ true nature surface, Gilde must decide whether she can trust again…and whether the truth will save them or destroy them both.
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The Escape Game
by Marissa Meyer
In this escape‑room–themed murder mystery, season five of The Escape Game turns deadly as contestants race to solve puzzles - and uncover who really killed Alicia Angelos. Her sister Sierra joins the show seeking justice, but as new clues surface, it’s clear the danger is far from over. To survive, the teens must crack the ultimate puzzle: identifying Alicia’s killer before they become the next victims.
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The Fabrication of Eden Pruitt
by K. E. Ganshert
After a strange day at her new school, Eden Pruitt comes home to a jarring scene. The house is ransacked. Her parents are gone. She rushes to the police for help, but when they return, nothing is how she left it. Alarm morphs into panic. Confusion spirals into chaos. Suddenly, Eden is on the run, trapped in a nightmare with nowhere to turn and nobody to believe her. Except for a mysterious stranger who is as dangerous as he is enticing. Someone who knows more than he should...and might be just as perilous as the truth she's desperate to uncover.
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The Great Cool Ranch Dorito in the Sky
by Josh Galarza
A National Book Award Finalist, this story follows Brett as he struggles with his mom’s cancer, his spiraling self‑doubt, and an escalating eating disorder. When his private journal is exposed, he’s forced to face the truths he’s been avoiding. With the help of new friend Mallory and those who care about him, Brett begins finding the courage to heal.
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How to Lose a Best Friend
by Jordan K. Casomar
When sixteen-year-old Zeke expresses romantic interest in his best friend Imogen, her unexpected reaction sends their relationship into a tailspin.
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Odyssey
by M. L. Fergus
In the aftermath of Prophecy, Persephone and Azriel uncover a truth that could change the kingdom - if Regent Mordesius doesn’t silence them first. Forced into a dangerous bargain, they set out to find a mythical healing pool while enemies close in. As they face deadly threats and old wounds, the two must decide whether their bond will falter or burn brighter than ever.
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Release Me
by Tahereh Mafi
In this explosive second installment set in the Shatter Me universe, Rosabelle wants revenge and a chance to destroy the system that made her. Teaming up with James puts them both at risk, especially as her powers and emotions spiral out of control. Meanwhile, Warner senses a growing threat tied to Rosabelle’s arrival. With rising tension, dangerous secrets, and escalating stakes, the New Republic is on the brink once again.
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The Verdant Cage
by Jess Lourey
Seventeen‑year‑old Rose Allgood has always believed the Wall around Noah’s Valley keeps everyone safe—until her mother is murdered and her twin brother is blamed. Teaming up with an unlikely ally, Rose uncovers hidden messages, forbidden history, and a chilling truth: the Wall isn’t just keeping danger out, it’s trapping something in. The Verdant Cage is a tense dystopian mystery perfect for fans of The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner.
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We Are Never Getting Together
by Janette Rallison
In this reverse Parent Trap rom‑com, rivals Madeline and Cooper fake-date to stop their single parents from falling for each other. But as their pretend truce turns into something real, the two must face the chaos their scheme creates - and their growing feelings.
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