YA Books 2021

This post was written by Sebastien de Castell, author of Fall of the Argosi and is sponsored by Hot Key Books. With the success of the Spellslinger series, I’m often asked how I go about building a magic system for my fantasy worlds. I…

Pacific Rim meets The Handmaid's Tale in Iron Widow, Xiran Jay Zhao's debut YA polyamorous reimagining of China's only female emperor. Action packed from the first page until the last, Iron Widow is a sci-fi fantasy must read and we're…

This post was written by Marisa Kanter, author of As If On Cue It is my junior year of high school, I am sixteen years old, and I am in the director’s seat. I prefer being onstage, in a boisterous comedic role that is the opposite of my…

If you love young adult literature, you're probably aware that author Nicola Yoon is one of the queens of YA contemporary. With both of her first two novels Everything, Everything and The Sun is Also a Star, becoming YA staples (and…

This post was written by Rachel Griffin, author of The Nature of Witches. I was eleven years old when the movie Twister was released in theaters. I remember sitting up straight in the cushy red seat, watching with equal parts amazement and…

From music festivals and cursed princesses to k-pop stars and blood thirsty princes, their's truly a story for everyone amongst these fabulous July YA releases. Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim (6th July) Shiori, the only…

This post was written by Kelly deVos, author of Eat Your Heart Out Being thin and conventionally attractive has its downsides. If you’re a fan of horror films, like me, you’re probably used to the conventions of the genre. In Halloween,…

Upon its January 2021 release, Be Dazzled by Ryan La Sala quickly became one of our favourite reads of the year. Fast forward to June 2021 and it's still sitting there amongst our favourites. Unabashedly queer, nerdy and honest, Be Dazzled…

Exploring the refugee crisis through the eyes of two teenagers, The Crossing by Manjeet Mann is a lyrical, powerful and hopeful story that will appeal to readers of all ages. We sat down with Manjeet to talk all things writing in verse,…

Exploring coming out, social media, facing your future, first love, friendships and toxic family dynamics, Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun, the wonderful 2021 debut novel from Jonny Garza Villa, is both devastating and beyond adorable.…

A bold and powerful story of taking a stand and fighting for what you believe in, Off the Record, is a poignant and empowering new YA novel by Camryn Garrett, that's truly impossible to put down. We're so excited to have had the…

If an f/f rivals-to-lovers romance sparked by a push down the stairs sounds like a story you need in your life, you'd be 100% correct and Not My Problem, the new laugh out loud YA contemporary by Ciara Smyth, is the book for you. We're…

This post was written by Jennifer Dugan, author of Some Girls Do. When I think about popular queer love stories, I instantly think of things like the beloved Ferris Wheel scene in Love, Simon, or everyone absolutely melting over David and…

To celebrate the release of her stunning new YA contemporary novel, An Emotion of Great Delight, we sat down with National Book Award-nominated author, Tahereh Mafi, to talk all things the tough side of writing, inspirations and upcoming…

As co-author of All This Time and New York Times bestseller, Five Feet Apart,  Rachael Lippincott is no stranger to the YA contemporary genre. However, this month Rachael is making her solo debut with The Lucky List, a new romance about…