Start Off Your 2018 Right By Reading These 18 New YA Books

Don't miss out on these this winter.

Farrah Penn / BuzzFeed

1. The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton

Disney-Hyperion, dhonielleclayton.com

Release date: Feb. 6

What it's about: Set in the luxurious world of Orléans where people are born gray, Camellia Beauregard is a Belle — someone of high importance who has the power to control beauty. Camellia hopes to be chosen by the Queen of Orléans to be a Belle in the royal court, but arriving at the palace isn't everything her and her sisters imagined. Dark secrets and danger lie at the hands of the queen, and Camellia must face a hard decision: save herself and her sisters or save the people of Orléans. Clayton creates a rich, luscious world, gripping plot, and strong characters that'll have you wanting the sequel ASAP.

Get it from Amazon for $12.78, Barnes & Noble for $13.39, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

2. Blood of a Thousand Stars by Rhoda Belleza

Razorbill, Twitter: @rhodabee

Release date: Feb. 20

What it's about: In the second book of this epic sci-fi series, Rhee must decide if she will make a deal with her enemy or denounce him and risk losing her crown, but Aly's #1 goal is to kill the enemy, Nero. Meanwhile, Kara believes the technology that can erase her past lies on planet Wraeta. Belleza's final installment in her duology brings just as many thrills, high stakes, and adventure as the first.

Get it from Amazon for $17.99, Barnes & Noble for $17.99, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

3. A Girl Like That by Tanaz Bhathena

goodreads.com

Release date: Feb. 27

What it's about: This wonderful contemporary debut is told in multiple point of views, but is ultimately about sixteen-year-old Zarin Wadia. Zarin has been known to be in the spotlight of her high school's gossip for her many romances and for being a troublemaker. But when Zarin and Porus Dumasia are found dead after a fatal car crash in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the truth about who Zarin was as a person slowly begins to come to light. This heartbreaking, incredible story is both gripping and powerful, tackling race, identity, class, and religion in important ways.

Get it from Amazon for $12.32, Barnes & Noble for $12.55, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

4. Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson

Twitter: @maureenjohnson

Release date: Jan. 16

What it's about: Stevie Bell loves true crime, which is why she sets out to solve the mystery of her prestigious school for bright minds: Ellingham Academy. The founder, Albert Ellingham, and his family were kidnapped once the school opened, and the only thing left behind was a frightening riddle signed by “Truly, Devious.” But Truly Devious returns, and death overcomes Ellingham. Will Stevie gain answers before it's too late? This read is perfect for those who enjoy twisty, turny plots and high stake mystery.

Get it from Amazon for $12.32, Barnes & Noble for $12.92, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

5. American Panda by Gloria Chao

Simon Pulse, goodreads.com

Release date: Feb. 6

What it's about: Mei and her Taiwanese parents don't quite see eye-to-eye when it comes to her dreams and goals. A freshman at MIT, Mei can't bear to tell her parents about the crush she has on her classmate Darren Takahashi (who is not Taiwanese) OR the fact that she doesn't want to be a doctor. But when Mei reconnects with her estranged brother Xing, she wonders if putting her happiness aside is worth it. Chao pens an honest, touching story about identity and how it feels to not fit in. This is a lovely, delightful, funny, and heartwarming book about attempting to find yourself when you feel like your future has already been set in stone.

Get it from Amazon for $15.29, Barnes & Noble for $15.49, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

6. The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert

Flat Iron Books, artsdupage.org

Release date: Jan. 30

What it's about: 17-year-old Alice doesn't know much about her grandmother, Althea Proserpine, other than she wrote Tales from the Hinterland, a cult-classic book filled with dark fairy tales. Her mother despises talking about her grandmother and has refused to let Alice read the book. But when her mother goes missing, a warning tells Alice to stay away from the Hazel Wood — which is exactly where Alice and Ellery Finch, a fan of Althea's work, attempt to go to save her. Filled to the brim with rich descriptions and fantastic, dark world-building, Albert pens a uniquely haunting and lavish world that'll suck you and make it hard for you to want to leave.

Get it from Amazon for $14.44, Barnes & Noble for $15.06, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

7. Down and Across by Arvin Ahmadi

Twitter: @arvinahmadi

Release date: Feb. 6

What it's about: Scott is constantly under crippling pressure that his parents have placed upon him. After his parents are pulled overseas for a family emergency, Scott ditches the internship his father set up for him and instead takes a bus to Washington DC, determined to find Professor Mallard and figure out how to "get gritty" — aka stick out one thing in hopes of achieving accomplishment. This is a heartwarming and humorous contemporary YA that gives readers a realistic look at self-discovery and identity. Ahmadi writes with head and heart, captivating readers with passages that leap beautifully from the pages.

Get it from Amazon for $17.99, Barnes & Noble for $17.99, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

8. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Little, Brown, amazon.com

Release date: Jan. 2

What it's about: Jude's life changed at the age of seven when her parents were murdered and her and her sisters were taken to live in the High Court of Faerie. The fey hate humans and make sure Jude and her sister are well-aware of that, yet Jude wants nothing more than to belong and to win a place in the court. But on the brink of a civil war, Jude will have to risk her life to not only save her sisters, but Faerie itself. This splendidly wicked and richly created story is one you won't want to miss.

Get it from Amazon for $12.91, Barnes & Noble for $13.03, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

9. You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Simon Pulse, goodreads.com

Release date: Jan. 2

What it's about: Two twin sister's lives change after learning that one has tested positive for Huntington's Disease — a disease that their mother currently suffers from. Adina and Tovah — Jewish twin teens in their senior year of high school — couldn't be more different from each other. After learning about the result, they still struggle with their relationship as sisters while attempting to relate to one another. Told in dual narration, Solomon effortlessly distinguishes each voice and creates a narrative that plunges the reader into the story. This is a heartfelt, deeply moving, and realistic book packed with emotion and gorgeous passages that'll stay with you long after you finish.

Get it from Amazon for $12.32, Barnes & Noble for $12.55, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

10. Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu

Random House Books for Young Readers, Twitter: @marie_lu

Release date: Jan. 2

What it's about: A spectacular superhero book that features an 18-year-old Bruce Wayne before he was Batman. While the city of Gotham is being terrorized by The Nightwalkers, Bruce is sentenced to community service at Arkham Asylum after a run-in with the police. There he meets Madeleine Wallace. She has connections to The Nightwalkers, and Bruce must figure out her secrets and save Gotham before it's too late. Filled with action and adventure, this is a thrilling ride for superhero enthusiasts.

Get it from Amazon for $12.91, Barnes & Noble for $13.03, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

11. Zenith by Sasha Alsberg and Lindsay Cummings

Harlequin Teen / Via goodreads.com / Twitter: @authorlindsayc

Release date: Jan. 16

What it's about: This sci-fi novel follows Andi, also known as the Bloody Baroness, and her fearless all-female crew of space pirates. When someone of high importance proposes a mission that Andi cannot refuse, she finds herself and her crew partnered with Dex — a bounty hunter who has a not-so-pleasant past with Andy. They must work together to complete a nearly impossible mission. But what they don't know is that the ruler of the planet Xen Ptera is planning to extract revenge on the galaxy, threatening all who inhabit it. ZENITH is an spectacularly stunning, whirlwind adventure with a race-against-the-clock plot and strong as hell female characters.

Get it from Amazon for $13.59, Barnes & Noble for $14.26, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

12. Let's Talk About Love by Claire Kann

Swoon Reads, fiercereads.com

Release date: Jan. 23

What it's about: Despite having her girlfriend break up with her after Alice confesses to being biromantic asexual, Alice plans to have a great summer and stay FAR away from the dating pool. But when Alice meets Takumi during her summer job at the library, she instantly gets a big case of the feels. But will Alice risk her friendship for someone at the risk of not being understood again? Diversity and queer representation shine on the pages through Kann's writing, penning a touching story with memorable, authentic characters.

Get it from Amazon for $15.29, Barnes & Noble for $15.47, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

13. People Like Us by Dana Mele

G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, penguinrandomhouse.com

Release date: Feb. 27

What it's about: This whirlwind, fast-paced YA mystery follows Kay Donovan. Strong-minded, unapologetically queer, and a motivated soccer star, Kay has reinvented herself at her posh private school, Bates Academy. After a school Halloween dance, Kay and her friends find a body of a dead girl in the lake, and suddenly no one is trustworthy. Not even Kay herself. But Kay quickly learns that the dead girl has left her a computer-coded scavenger hunt, and there will be major consequences if Kay doesn't follow the rules. Not only will Mele's gorgeous, melodic writing have you entranced, but the layered mystery of it all will have you scrambling to turn the pages to see who-dun-it.

Get it from Amazon for $17.99, Barnes & Noble for $17.99, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

14. Shadowsong by S. Jae-Jones

Wednesday Books, goodreads.com

Release date: Feb. 6

What it's about: In this sequel to Wintersong, Liesl returns to the world from the Underground, but adjusting isn't as easy as she imagined. When trouble arises between both her world and the Underground, Liesl must return in order to save the fate of both worlds. While this sequel is deeper and darker than its debut, it's brimming with atmospheric world-building and characters who cling to your heart.

Get it from Amazon for $17.09, Barnes & Noble for $17.81, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

15. Love, Hate & Other Filters by Samira Ahmed

Soho Teen, Twitter: @sam_aye_ahm

Release date: Jan. 16

What it's about: Maya is an Indian-American Muslim teen with a love for film, but she doesn't exactly see eye-to-eye with what her parents want for her. She has dreams of attending NYU and would prefer not to be set up with a parent-selected Muslim boy. But when a terrorist attack strikes not too far from home, Maya is subjected to Islamophobia, racism, hate, and prejudices within her community. Ahmed authentically and expertly tells a story relevant to today's climate. More than that, it's a meaningful #OwnVoices book about identity and inner strength that everyone should absolutely read.

Get it from Amazon for $18.99, Barnes & Noble for $18.99, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

16. Gunslinger Girl by Lyndsay Ely

JIMMY Patterson Books, thelaurelofasheville.com

Release date: Jan. 2

What it's about: Set in a near-future U.S. after a Second Civil War, Serendipity "Pity" Jones escapes the controlling nature of her father in the commune by finding her way to the Cessation — a lawless, slightly glamorous city that holds promise. There she meets people who adopt her into a theater as an expert sharpshooter. But the longer she stays, the more she becomes aware of the dark corruptness of the city. This brilliantly written Western YA includes incredible world building, a strong-as-hell female character, a sweet romance, and an action-packed plot.

Get it from Amazon for $15.28, Barnes & Noble for $15.94, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

17. The Dangerous Art of Blending In by Angelo Surmelis

Balzer + Bray, Twitter: @angelosurmelis

Release date: Jan. 30

What it's about: Evan is a Greek-American and senior in high school, but he's also struggling with defining his sexuality. While not yet out, he's been having strong feelings for his best friend, Henry. But Evan also hides a tragic secret from his friends. His mother is both verbally and physically abusive, and his father, while empathetic toward Evan, doesn't have the spine to put a stop to it. As the beatings become more frequent when Evan can't prove to be the "perfect Christian boy" his mother wants him to be, he finds it harder to hide. Surmelis portrays a raw, honest, and heartbreaking character in Evan and sensitively touches on a subject matter that is a reality for many teens.

Get it from Amazon for $17.99, Barnes & Noble for $17.99, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

18. Reign of the Fallen by Sarah Glenn Marsh

Razorbill, Stephanie Dennehy / Via goodreads.com

Release date: Jan. 23

What it's about: Odessa is a master necromancer in the kingdom of Karthia. Meaning that when a noble dies, her job is to revive their soul from a dark and dangerous world called Deadlands. However, if the Dead don't remain shrouded, they turn into awful, zombie-monsters called Shades. So when a mysterious number of Shades begin turning, Odessa knows trouble lies ahead. Could her necromancer's magic be the ultimate weapon that may bring down Karthia? This stunningly dark fantasy is as creative as it is epic, containing strong characters and a high-stakes plot that'll have you flipping through the pages.

Get it from Amazon for $15.95, Barnes & Noble for $16.62, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.