Sunday, December 21, 2014

Most Anticipated Teen Releases: Winter 2015

It's winter. Again. It's cold and snowy and UGH. Why does this season have to happen every year? If you can't tell, winter isn't my favorite. Though I am looking forward to these awesome upcoming YA releases! They'll surely keep me cozy in the dark months ahead!


December 23

This Shattered World—Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
What it’s about: Jubilee Chase and Flynn Cormac should never have met. Lee is captain of the forces sent to Avon to crush the terraformed planet's rebellious colonists and Flynn is the rebellion’s leader. Desperate for any advantage against the military occupying his home, Flynn does the only thing that makes sense when he and Lee cross paths: he returns to base with her as prisoner. But as his fellow rebels prepare to execute this tough-talking girl with nerves of steel, Flynn makes another choice that will change him forever. He and Lee escape base together, caught between two sides in a senseless war.

Why I’m excited: Because These Broken Stars is a brilliant, epic science fiction tale, and I’m expecting the same from this companion! I’m a little heartbroken that Lilac and Tarver aren’t the main characters of this book, but I have high hopes for Lee and Flynn!

 

January 13

The Darkest Part of the Forest—Holly Black
What it’s about: Hazel lives with her brother, Ben, in the strange town of Fairfold where humans and fae exist side by side. The faeries' seemingly harmless magic attracts tourists, but Hazel knows how dangerous they can be, and she knows how to stop them. Or she did, once. At the center of it all, there is a glass coffin in the woods. It rests right on the ground and in it sleeps a boy with horns on his head and ears as pointy as knives. Hazel and Ben were both in love with him as children. The boy has slept there for generations, never waking. Until one day, he does...

Why I’m excited: Because this book sounds like a fairy tale. But it doesn’t sound like one I’ve heard before, and if anyone could write a new fairy tale, it’d be Holly Black!

 

January 20

All Fall Down—Ally Carter
What it’s about: Grace Blakely is absolutely certain of three things: She is not crazy, her mother was murdered and someday she is going to find the killer and make him pay. As certain as Grace is about these facts, nobody else believes her -- so there's no one she can trust. Not her grandfather, a powerful ambassador. Not her new friends, who all live on Embassy Row. Not Alexei, the Russian boy next door, who is keeping his eye on Grace for reasons she neither likes nor understands. Everybody wants Grace to put on a pretty dress and a pretty smile, blocking out all her unpretty thoughts. But they can't control Grace -- no more than Grace can control what she knows or what she needs to do. Her past has come back to hunt her . . . and if she doesn't stop it, Grace isn't the only one who will get hurt. Because on Embassy Row, the countries of the world stand like dominoes, and one wrong move can make them all fall down.

Why I’m excited: BECAUSE A NEW ALLY CARTER SERIES! Squeeee!!! Ally Carter's other series, Gallagher Girls and Heist Society are two of my all-time favorites. They have an easy, elegant greatness that I adore!

 

February 10

Red Queen—Victoria Aveyard
What it’s about: Mare Barrow's world is divided by blood—those with common, Red blood serve the Silver- blooded elite, who are gifted with superhuman abilities. Mare is a Red, scraping by as a thief in a poor, rural village, until a twist of fate throws her in front of the Silver court. Before the king, princes, and all the nobles, she discovers she has an ability of her own. To cover up this impossibility, the king forces her to play the role of a lost Silver princess and betroths her to one of his own sons. As Mare is drawn further into the Silver world, she risks everything and uses her new position to help the Scarlet Guard—a growing Red rebellion—even as her heart tugs her in an impossible direction. One wrong move can lead to her death, but in the dangerous game she plays, the only certainty is betrayal.

Why I’m excited: Because this debut fantasy is being billed as similar to Graceling by Kristin Cashore, which is one of my favorites! Plus, it promises betrayal, which almost always makes for a good read. 

 

The Shadow Cabinet—Maureen Johnson
What it’s about: Rory and her friends are reeling from a series of sudden and tragic events. While racked with grief, Rory tries to determine if she acted in time to save a member of the squad. If she did, how do you find a ghost? Also, Rory’s classmate Charlotte has been kidnapped by Jane and her nefarious organization. Evidence is uncovered of a forty-year-old cult, ten missing teenagers, and a likely mass murder. Everything indicates that Charlotte’s in danger, and it seems that something much bigger and much more terrible is coming. Time is running out as Rory fights to find her friends and the ghost squad struggles to stop Jane from unleashing her spectral nightmare on the entire city. In the process, they’ll discover the existence of an organization that underpins London itself—and Rory will learn that someone she trusts has been keeping a tremendous secret.

Why I’m excited: Because Maureen Johnson is one of my favorite YA personalities, and this third book in the series promises to be a thrilling read! I've really grown to love the Shades of London series for it's solid writing and general Londonness, so I can't wait to dive into this one!

 

March 3

The Winner’s Crime—Marie Rutkoski
What it’s about: A royal wedding is what most girls dream about. It means one celebration after another: balls, fireworks, and revelry until dawn. But to Kestrel it means living in a cage of her own making. As the wedding approaches, she aches to tell Arin the truth about her engagement: that she agreed to marry the crown prince in exchange for Arin’s freedom. But can Kestrel trust Arin? Can she even trust herself? For Kestrel is becoming very good at deception. She’s working as a spy in the court. If caught, she’ll be exposed as a traitor to her country. Yet she can’t help searching for a way to change her ruthless world . . . and she is close to uncovering a shocking secret. 

Why I’m excited: Because I already know it’s awesome! I got ahold of the DRC and flew through this second book in the series. There’s one scene with Kestral and Arin that tore my heart to pieces in the best and worst imaginable way. Also, the cliffhanger! I can’t wait to see this jewel on the shelves.

 

March 10

Orphan Queen—Jodi Meadows
What it’s about: When Princess Wilhelmina was a child, the Indigo Kingdom invaded her homeland. Ten years later, Wil and the other noble children who escaped are ready to fight back and reclaim Wil's throne. To do so, Wil and her best friend, Melanie, infiltrate the Indigo Kingdom palace with hopes of gathering information that will help them succeed. But Wil has a secret—one that could change everything. Although magic has been illegal for a century, she knows her ability could help her save her kingdom. But magic creates wraith, and the deadly stuff is moving closer and destroying the land. And if the vigilante Black Knife catches her using magic, she may disappear like all the others. . . .

Why I’m excited: Because I have this DRC waiting in my queue of books and I’m eager to dive into my first Meadows novel. Invasions, illegal magic, vigilantes… YUM.

 

What books are you looking forward to in the new year?
Stay warm! Happy Holidays!
 
 

*Book descriptions were adapted from those on BN.com.

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