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10 Highly Anticipated Young Adult Books for July
As dedicated readers already know, some of the best and most innovative stories on the shelves come from the constantly evolving realm of young adult fiction. Every month our team looks at the books being published and how they're resonating with early readers. We use this information to put together a roundup of soon-to-be favorites.
New in July: The war between the church and the witches reaches its chaotic conclusion in Shelby Mahurin’s Gods & Monsters. A young Black prep school student sees dead people in Ryan Douglass’ The Taking of Jake Livingston. And mystical creatures propose a sinister bargain in Erin A. Craig’s Small Favors. Plus: superhero boyfriends, music-loving girlfriends, and K-pop heartthrobs.
Add the books that catch your eye to your Want to Read shelf, and let us know what you're reading and recommending in the comments!
Author Rainbow Rowell’s hugely popular Simon Snow series is back in effect with Any Way the Wind Blows, the long-awaited finale. Simon, Baz, Penelope, and Agatha are back in England, and advance word is that all secrets are finally revealed. As well they should be. Rowell’s series was designed to be an extended riff on the Chosen One template of storytelling, and the concluding chapter addresses themes of closure and catharsis, wrapping up and moving on.
Another finale to another beloved trilogy, Shelby Mahurin’s Gods & Monsters concludes the epic Serpent & Dove series, which tells the story of witches in France and the people who love them. It’s also about the people who hunt them, and sometimes that Venn diagram is a circle. The war between the witches and the church has taken its deadly toll. Can our heroine Louise le Blanc resist the darkness and choose redemption over vengeance?
Inspired by East Asian folklore, Elizabeth Lim’s Six Crimson Cranes kicks off the story of Shiori, princess in exile. On the morning of her arranged marriage ceremony, Shiori lost control of the forbidden magic that runs through her veins. The incident got her off the hook, wedding-wise, but also caused Shiori to be banished from the realm by her sinister stepmother, Raikama. Further complicating matters: Shiori’s brothers have been turned into birds.
Jake Livingston sees dead people. They’re everywhere, turns out, living out their tragic infinite death loops as ghosts. Most people can’t see the dead, but Jake isn’t most people, alas, and his gift feels more like a curse. On top of all the supernatural weirdness, Jake is one of the only Black kids at his elite prep school, which creates its own set of problems. Author Ryan Douglass’ intriguing horror thriller looks like fun and is also the winner of this month’s Coolest Cover Illustration prize.
Read our author interview with Ryan Douglass.
Read our author interview with Ryan Douglass.
Here’s the problem with the Fae: too much drama. Teenage Brie is all too familiar with this issue, which is why she refuses to have anything to do with either of the two warring faerie courts. But when her sister is sold off to the sadistic king of the Unseelie court, Brie is forced to play the faerie folk’s deadly games of seduction and intrigue. Author Lexi Ryan launches a new epic of treacherous romance.
Axie Oh, author of the excellently titled Rebel Seoul, is back with a globe-spanning romance featuring cello prodigy Jenny and her adventures in musical education. After meeting the mysterious and handsome Jaewoo in her uncle’s L.A. karaoke bar, Jenny is surprised to run into him again at her new school, an elite music conservatory in South Korea. Even more surprising: He’s a member of one of the world’s biggest K-pop bands—and he’s strictly forbidden to do any dating. C’mon, Cupid! Cut the girl a break!
Author Leah Johnson’s 2020 YA debut, You Should See Me in a Crown, was named to a pretty big pile of best-of lists last year. Now she’s back with a heartfelt love story about two young women who meet at that most auspicious of all romantic destinations: a giant outdoor music festival. Rise to the Sun celebrates the courage required to be true to yourself even when—maybe especially when—times get tough.
With Flash Fire, author T.J. Klune delivers the hoped-for sequel to The Extraordinaries, his ambitious 2020 mashup of superhero stories, fanfic meta musing, and a queer coming-of-age story. Nick Bell finally has the superhero boyfriend he’s always wanted, but things are about to get complicated as a new wave of heroes arrives in Nova City. Well, at least Nick doesn’t also have to deal with ADHD and panic attacks. Oh, wait. He does.
Besties Drew and Shane have been through everything together—the death of Shane’s dad, the breakup of Drew’s parents. When new girl in town Stevie Rosenstein enters their lives, desperate for a real connection after years of moving from school to school, three lives are changed forever. Jennie Wexler’s innovative debut romance uses a dual timeline structure to explore missed opportunities, first impressions, and second chances.
If you’re in the market for a good, slow-burn kind of scary story, Erin A. Craig (House of Salt and Sorrows) has a particular talent for atmospheric chillers. Small Favors is set in the quiet town of Amity Falls, where visitors are rare, fell creatures haunt the neighboring woods, and winter is coming. Mystical creatures pledge to fulfill the townsfolk’s deepest desires. And all they want in return is one small favor...
Which new releases are you looking forward to reading? Let's talk books in the comments!
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Check out more recent articles, including:
27 Recent Reader Faves to Take to the Beach (or Anywhere Else)
Debut Graphic Novelist Recommends Great One-and-Done Reads
36 Breakout Debuts of 2021 (So Far)
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TMR
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Jun 30, 2021 12:25AM
So excited for these to come out.
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Only 1 have heard of is the Six Cranes which is on my TBR list
So excited for more Simon Snow!!!!!!!! YAY!!
I'm definitely reading Any Way the Wind Blows. I've never heard of The Extraordinaries and now there's a sequel coming in July but the premise seems really intriguing so I might give it a try.
aaaaaaaaaa i'm dying to read flash fire <3
My reading horizon has been broadened so I am not looking for any particular title. I'm excited for all of them to come out.
I agree with D Dawson nothing in particular just as many as I can devour is my goal.
Taking of Jake Livingston and Six Crimson Cranes are the ones i'm most excited for - a couple of the others are new-to-me and seem interesting.
I've been waiting for Six Crimson Cranes and XOXO for forever!!! Small Favors, Where It All Lands, and These Hollow Vows also sound awesome!!!
