Most Anticipated Teen Books: Winter 2013

Here are seven awesome novels that I'm looking forward to reading in these dark, shivering winter months. I hope that you find something intriguing in this mix of fantasical, mysterious, realistic and revolutionary YA fiction.

December 11

 

Falling Kingdoms- Morgan Rhodes

What it’s about:

Peace has reigned for centuries in this land where magic has been forgotten. Now, three kingdoms grapple for power and Cleo, Jonas, Lucia and Magnus find their fates intertwined. Only one thing is certain in the midst of the unrest: kingdoms will fall.

Why I’m excited:

Because I discovered this debut on a bookmark hidden in another new teen release. The cover called to me and I only grew more eager after reading the description. This book is right up my alley. Impending war in a fantasy world with a mix of young characters? It basically screams “Jamie!” and I’m so ready for it to be released in two days!

December 18

The Darkest Minds- Alexandra Bracken

What it’s about:

Ruby is one of the dangerous ones. On her tenth birthday, something about her changed, which got her sent to a government “rehabilitation camp”. Six years later, she has emerged from the camp alive but with frightening abilities she can’t control. On the run with others who have escaped, Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice.

Why I’m excited:

Because the story sounds like it begins in a world we know and understand, then transforms when Ruby awakens with dark powers. The mystique makes me want to know what she is capable of and what happens to her. Plus the idea that the government is in on some kind of conspiracy involving dark powers? Yeah, I’ll be picking this one up soon.

January 8

Shadowlands- Kate Brian

What it’s about:

Rory survived an attack from a serial killer who’s now on the loose, so Rory, her sister Darcy and their father must enter the witness protection program. Rory and Darcy can barely stand each other but when the settle into their new home on a picturesque vacation island, it might be the fresh start they need. Until one of their new friends goes missing. Has the infamous serial killer found them?

Why I’m excited:

Because Kate Brian is branching out from the Private series in a new and intriguing way. It’s a murder mystery where Rory is seemingly being hunted by a known serial killer who has attacked her in the past. Plus the setting, a gorgeous beach town/island called Juniper Landing sounds like a dream. I’ll be happy to dive into this dark and mysterious story in the new year.

Just One Day- Gayle Forman

What it’s about:

American LuLu meets Willem, a Dutch actor, at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England. After just one day together, there is an undeniable spark which bursts into a flame. The next morning, she wakes in Paris to find that Willem has left. Over the next year, LuLu travels on a journey to come to terms with her almost-true-love in an attempt to break free.

Why I’m excited:

Because Gayle Forman is a master of realistic fiction that takes place in this world but has a magic that is all its own. The premise of this novel sounds fantastic and I want to take this journey of discovery with LuLu, or Allyson as her passport reads. Plus, Forman is working on a companion novel about Willem’s journey (called Just One Year). I cannot wait to read the pair!

January 29

Prodigy- Marie Lu

What it’s about:

In this highly anticipated sequel to Legend, June and Day’s story picks up seven days after their escape from LA and the Republic. Day is believed to be dead by those they left behind, but June is now the Republic’s most wanted traitor. Injured and desperate, they turn to the Patriots, a rebel group who fights against the Republic. Can the pair trust their new alliance, or will they just be pawns in the unrelenting political games?

Why I’m excited:

Because I flew through Legend, and I have high expectations for its sequel. June and Day’s world is an expertly crafted dystopian adventure and I’m excited to see where their journey goes once they leave LA and are alone together. I’m expecting a Mockingjay-like twist in that both the Republic and the Patriots are proven to be essentially evil, but I cannot phantom the complications that will follow.

February 12

Out of the Easy- Ruta Sepetys

What it’s about:

Transporting back to 1950 and the French Quarter of New Orleans, Sepetys introduces Josie, a daughter of a brothel prostitute. Josie wants more out of life and devises a plan to leave the Big Easy. But a mysterious death leaves her entangled in a police investigation where her allegiances will be challenged. There’s a mysterious motorcycle boy and a best friend (who’s a boy) that works at a bookstore. Caught between the dream of an elite college and a clandestine underworld, Josie has to sort through the complications before she can escape.

Why I’m excited:

Because Ruta Sepetys proved herself to be a master of historical fiction in Between Shades of Gray. This story takes place in another decade in another place, but it still has the same allure of a magical city and a complicated yet intriguing story of a young girl. New Orleans will be a new literary adventure for me, so I’m excited to pick this one up come February.

March 12

Code- Kathy & Brendan Reichs

What it’s about:

Tory Brennan, niece of renowned forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan, gained a mysterious, viral power in her first adventure along with her three friends. In their second adventure, they uncover buried pirate treasure and now the stage is set for their third adventure in Code. When they find a geocache with clues from the “Gamemaster,” it leads to a fake bomb and a wicked promise of a real one.

Why I’m excited:

Because I love Temperance and Tory Brennan. Mostly I’m a fan of Bones, but I’ve engulfed the first two books in this series with an unhealthy vigor. I enjoy that Tory is a tomboy and a science lover, separating herself from most characters that I stumble across in teen fiction. And I love that these are classic mysteries written by a best-selling adult mystery author.