Category: YA Novels

young adult novels (for 13+ yo)

Posted in So Many Good Books, YA Novels

The Kingdom

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

The Kingdom (Henry Holt, 2019) by Jess Rothenberg is a freaky good YA novel. The story is told in an interesting way with a mixture of events in the present, such as post trial interviews, and those in the past with what happened from the main character’s viewpoint. It will keep you guessing and on edge.

Ana is a Fantasist at a theme park where everyone’s fantasy can come true. Bioengineered species–formerly extinct–exist along with the beautiful Fantasist sisters. But then Ana, and others, experience things beyond their programming. When a maintenance worker goes missing, Ana is put on trial for murder. Did she really kill someone?

This is Jess Rothenberg’s second book. Read about the author here. And check out the foreign additions of The Kingdom here.

Posted in So Many Good Books, YA Novels

One Week of You

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

One Week of You (Goldenjay Books, 2019) is author Lisa Williams Kline’s ninth book and is so ninth grade. I really enjoyed it.

15-year-old Lizzy Winston has sworn off boys because she wants to be a doctor. But then she gets AMSD–Andy Masters Smiling Disease. He’s the first boy to ever ask for her number and he makes her laugh. But with her forgetfulness, flour babies, real babies, and pranks at school, Lizzy’s newfound relationship is headed for trouble.

Read about the author here and check out her other books here.

Posted in So Many Good Books, YA Novels

Sorcery of Thorns

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Sorcery of Thorns (Simon & Schuster, 2019) by Margaret Rogerson is a fascinating read.

16-year-old Elisabeth Scrivener, a foundling raised in one of the Great Libraries and now an apprentice librarian, wants to be trained as a warden to protect the kingdom from the magical grimoires. But when she’s implicated in the death of the Director, it’s the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn who takes her away from the library. And she knows that all sorcerers are evil. What’s to come of her?

I enjoyed reading Margaret’s bio too. Sorcery of Thorns is her second book. The first is titled: An Enchantment of Ravens. I’ll have to check it out as well.

Posted in So Many Good Books, YA Novels

Dear Martin

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

DearMartinDear Martin (Crown Books for Young Readers, 2017) by Nic Stone is one of those oft recommended books that didn’t disappoint. It’s compelling, moving, sad, and hopeful.
Justyce McAllister is a senior at Braselton Prep and despite what his friend Manny thinks, he’s not treated equally. He found that out the hard way when helping his former girlfriend who is too drunk to drive and he gets arrested. He’s released, but the experience wakes him up to the reality of what he’s been reading in the news. And that’s just the beginning. Things are going to get worse. Much worse.
This book made me sad and mad on behalf of Justyce and young men like him. I wish everyone would read it.
Amazingly enough, this book is Nic Stone’s debut. Her newest book is Odd One Out. Read more on her website. Follow her on Twitter here.

Posted in So Many Good Books, YA Novels

The Belles

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

The-BellesThe Belles (Freeform Books, 2018) by Dhonielle Clayton is a thought provoking and hard-to-put-down book.
Camille and five other Belles are sixteen. It’s their turn to show what they can do in the Royal Square. One will be chosen as Favorite by the Queen of Orléans. That girl will be the one taking care of the beauty for the royal family and the court for the next three years. And, of course, Camille wants to be the Favorite. The test is for each girl to take a naturally gray Orléansian and turn him/her beautiful. Who will win? More importantly, can a dreadful cycle be broken?
This story has twists and turns, shocks and scares, and ugly and beautiful.
I’m excited about the sequel called The Everlasting Rose. Read about it and Dhonielle’s other books here.
Read about the author here. Follow her on Twitter here.