Looking for Specific YA books to Read and Possibly Review

[L.C.]

I have a lot of books on my bookshelf but I'm trying to find ones I'll get instantly hooked on. I want to read more indie books so I can help support authors since I'm an author myself :)
Since I'm a college student though, I don't have the luxury to read as many as I want at the moment, which is why I'm going to have to be picky. If you are an author who has written a book with some or all of the following requirements or know someone who has a book that fits it, please feel free to comment below!

Things I prefer:
- Female protagonist
- Well rounded characters I care about (This is one of the biggest things I look for in a novel)
- Romance (I'm trying to avoid instalove though)
- Genres such as Fantasy, Paranormal, Action-Adventure, Mystery, Suspense
- It can either be a standalone or part of a series
- 300-400pgs or less
- If there's profanity or sex themes I'm fine with that
- Unique or unpredictable ideas that break YA norms

Also, if the paperback copy is being sold on Amazon for $7.99 or less, I am more than willing to buy it rather than receive a free ebook copy since I much prefer to read physical copies if I can. If you're offering a free paperback, that's even better and I'll be able to read it at a faster rate.

[Jessica]

Hi, L. C., I have a book you might be interested in. I'm currently seeking reviews for my YA Science-fiction/fantasy (with a little romance) novel and willing to offer a free pdf, mobi, or epub version. The paperback is available for purchase through my Facebook author page or eBay for $11.95 (not $7.99 but mentioning because I pay shipping through those channels so you save on that.) Here is the blurb and a short excerpt. Message me if you're interested. Thanks!

Blurb: It’s been months since the accident on Asher Creek bridge that nearly claimed Allie's life. She hasn't heard from her boyfriend Phoenix since the fire station went up in flames, and she's no closer to finding the man who saved her from drowning that night. To make matters worse, she's somehow lost the elemental abilities that connected her to Phoenix—something she once believed only they shared. Vivid, unrelenting dreams have kept her searching for answers. Phoenix is in danger—she knows it. But, now they've found her: familiar, official-looking men who act nothing like the federal agents they impersonate. To keep her family safe, Allie decides to leave the only home she’s known since she was two years old and search for Phoenix on her own. But, others have different plans for her. The man who saved her returns, and he isn’t alone. A powerful, evil cult leader is after Allie, and she has no choice but to accept the protection of an unexpected ally who holds the answers to secrets from her past. Every step brings her dangerously close to finding Phoenix and discovering her real identity, but the truth is far worse than she ever could have imagined.

Excerpt: “The Acolytes must have figured out I planned to take the back roads through the small towns,” he said as the inconspicuous, older silver Corolla drove down a two-way paved street. “They’ve set up road blocks. My only advantage is that I can sense them. We’ll have to travel through the major cities. But, we’ll get there sooner.”

That wasn’t his only advantage. I continued to stare out the window in silence, still trying to forget the nightmare in the woods.

“I can read your mind, too. Remember?” His tone seemed annoyed.

I glanced over. “Sorry.”

I couldn’t silence the thoughts that floated through my head. I couldn’t stop thinking only a monster could be responsible for such a slaughter. I couldn’t stop seeing the electrocuted, frozen, and burned bodies over and over again.

“You should have listened to me.”

“Did you have to kill them?”

He looked at me and furrowed his brows. “Are you serious?” His eyes narrowed. “You are.”

“No.” I rubbed my temples. “I’m not sure why I asked that. Sorry. It’s just—did you have to be so cruel about it? A bullet would have worked just fine.”

“So you would prefer I shoot them because it’s less messy? Mercy doesn’t instill fear in the hearts of your enemies. Clean and painless doesn’t discourage others from rising up and replacing the ones you defeated. It’s their mess to clean up, and they’ll think twice before being so bold again.”

I looked up and stared at him. He faced the road as he drove, shoulders relaxed against the seat. His golden hair fell over his forehead and a hint of stubble freckled his golden-tanned skin. Even from the side, his piercing eyes were powerful, commanding attention without effort. I looked down at my wrists as more gruesome images flashed across my mind. Lucifer probably had similar features.

My eyes darted to his clenched jaw and my cheeks flushed. “I’m sorry—”

“No, you’re not.” His sharp tone made me flinch. “I know this is all hard for you to accept. You’ve lived a quiet life in a small town, never even considering having to make choices like this until recently. But, this is normal for me.”

“So you keep reminding me.” I closed my eyes. I couldn’t take it any more. I glared at him. “What are you trying to say? That if you’d had your way, you and Janz would have taken me in at two years old and taught me to ‘protect’ myself—which you still haven’t explained any of that. That I wouldn’t have learned the horrible lesson about the value of human life? That I wouldn’t bat an eye at watching you electrocute a dozen men? That the smell and sight wouldn’t turn my stomach? Wow. Janz really did screw me over by letting me grow up in a loving family away from you.”

“And, how was that working out for you?” He glared at me, his words cold and slow. “What’s your count, so far? Three? Four, if you count Janz. He still hasn’t made contact. Maybe you did kill him.”

I stared back at him. My chest burned more than when the Acolyte had punched me in the stomach. “Maybe I did,” I whispered.

–Fire and Ice, pg. 90

[Lenita]

I've written a YA fantasy trilogy entitled Guardian of the Gauntlet. It has a female protagonist in it and there is some romance in it. Actually, the first book in the series has a love triangle in it. The first book is about 250 pages in paperback.

The paperback sells for $10.99, but I could send you a free ebook in any format.

The trilogy is about a special gauntlet which only works if one has faith in a higher power. It is also about the Princess Camari and her adventures with it. With each subsequent book in the trilogy the characters grow older and wiser.

For more information about my books, visit my website at http://lenitasheridan.com or my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GuardianoftheGauntle....

[Emily]

L.C. wrote: "I have a lot of books on my bookshelf but I'm trying to find ones I'll get instantly hooked on. I want to read more indie books so I can help support authors since I'm an author myself :)
Since I'm..."

Nice to connect with you. My anti-trafficking novella definitely breaks out of the YA norms. It features a young girl named Ruby, who has been surviving on her own for four years in a crumbling futuristic city known as the Ghetto. In Ruby's world, girls are hunted as currency, and though Ruby's countless escapes have branded her as the Ghetto Fox, she understands she can only run and hide for so long.

I am an anti-trafficking author represented by Fuse Literary. With the blessing and permission of my agent, I've indie-published this novella designed to educate and engage youth on the issue of sex-trafficking. A portion of the proceeds of my book goes directly back to rescue organizations fighting trafficking.

The paperback is 9.95$ with shipping, but I can arrange to send a signed copy out free of shipping charge if you're interested. I'd like to give away free copies, but then it would defeat the purpose of giving back to such an amazing organization helping to rescue, shelter and rehabilitate trafficked victims. Breaking Free is the local one benefiting from the paperbacks. Women At Risk, International benefits from my eBooks, which are $2.99 via Kindle. Thanks for the support!

[Jesse]

hi friend what about any Sci fi/horror?

aliens, mechs, and a cool reprogrammed sexbot named Cherry deluxe who's everyone's best friend :) I can always send a free copy if needed its on amazon for 7.99

https://www.amazon.com/APEXLOST1MaxVe...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

[Adele]

Hi L.C.

First of all, I just wanted to say that it was lovely to see your post about helping and supporting indie authors. As one myself, I know how tricky it can be to get your book 'out there' so to speak and share it with others so thank you for that! :)

In terms of my books, Book one is called 'Awakening' and book two is called 'Possession'. Both novels are part of a fantasy, YA series called 'The VIth Element Series' and you can find them on Amazon in ebook format. I'm afraid I haven't got print versions at the moment but I'm more than happy to send you a free copy.

Here is the synopsis for Book One:

‘One person on their own may be able to save the world. But a team of friends, all working together, have a much greater chance of succeeding…providing that no-one succumbs to evil.’

Alex's Checklist:

Being targeted by a 'tangoed' PSYCHOPATH: CHECK!
Having a relationship life that currently SUCKS: CHECK!
Experiencing an 'AWAKENING': CHECK! Wait...what?

Before Alexandra Raven’s ‘AWAKENING’, her life could be summed up in one word – repetitive. Then, BOOM! In a pivotal moment, Alex finds out that she can control the element of water – something that she once thought was fictional and can’t believe her luck. However, is this gift a blessing or a curse? Alex is required to leave her old life behind, including her family and David - the boy who promised to stick by her no matter what and her best friend since she was five. What’s more, danger lurks in another dimension. This danger can only be destroyed through loyalty, perseverance and friendship and will turn Alex’s life, in more ways than one, upside down...

DIVE INTO A WORLD FULL OF FRIENDSHIP, DANGER, LOVE AND BETRAYAL...

The link to my Amazon Author Page:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adele-Rose/e...

Thank you!

Adele Rose

[J.S.]

Hi L.C.,

I have one novel, The Menagerie, featuring a female protagonist, Karen Fox, recently orphaned and disabled due to the car crash that claimed her parents' lives. There's no sex, but there are a LOT of interstellar critters, some pretty bizarre beasts, and a lot of action. If you're interested, here's the link on Goodreads and you can decide for yourself.

Should you want an e-copy, I do have a PDF available. The paperback is a bit over your price range, so I'm willing to send you an e-book in exchange for a fair review. Please let me know. I'm at jesssfrankel@gmail.com. (Use all lowercase letters, please).

Hope to hear from you!The Menagerie

[Briony]

L.C. wrote: "I have a lot of books on my bookshelf but I'm trying to find ones I'll get instantly hooked on. I want to read more indie books so I can help support authors since I'm an author myself :)
Since I'm..."

Hi L.C,

I know this was posted last month so I might be a bit late to the party but would you be interested in a YA novel about Superheroes?

If you are, here's the blurb and a link to it on Amazon. If you decide to read I hope you enjoy it :)

Ever since the turn of the millennium people have been developing powers. 15 years later these people have taken up masks and the age of heroes and villains has begun.
Dreda is just trying to get a job and get somewhere with her life. But it doesn't take much to stumble upon a villain's plan. It just took being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Or in Dreda's case, hand your application to the wrong person.
In a super hero world that isn't all it seems, Dreda finds her way to a job she never expected. Follow Dreda's path to becoming Moon Girl.

Moon Girl 1: Moon Rise

Of your checklist, I feel it hits most of them. There isn't much in the way of romance though and sells for 9.75 which is slightly over your price range. I'll hope for forgiving it and try it out anyway.

Thanks for your time :)

[Faidra-Foteini]

Hi, I am probaby a little late and I don't know if my novel's category is YA, but it definitely has all the elements you are looking for.
You can download it for free in Smashwords. The link is here:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
A short blurb:
In a hidden land, protected by three all-powerful spiritual beings, a lost ship is stranded. Its passengers are accepted as the island's residents, being granted superpowers. After a long period of progress and a devastating war, peace rules over the land for over seventy years. Now, as a new threat arises, a band of troubled friends are granted new Powers, destined to become Heroes.
Thanks for your time :)

[M.K.]

I'd love for you to take a look at my Space Jumpers if you had time!

https://www.amazon.com/Space-Jumpers-...

[Peter]

Honeysuckle Pear
I am a new author. Can you tell me the scope of Young Adult? My own books are stated as 18+ and tackle many aspects of sexual relationships that I feel should be taught as SexEd. That, to me, means 12 to 16.
In the UK, you can marry at 16 - with your parents consent 'usually too late'.
So what is YA?

[Leah]

Mistress of Magic has a few things you're looking for: fantasy, romance, and out of the ordinary plot line.

Give it a shot if you like, and tell me what you think!

Leah

[Tinthia]

Hi, I'd recommend the Unwind series. Well written and engaging. Although they don't address sex specifically, the growth arcs of the characters makes the books a wonderful read.

[E.M.G.]

L.C. wrote: "I have a lot of books on my bookshelf but I'm trying to find ones I'll get instantly hooked on. I want to read more indie books so I can help support authors since I'm an author myself :)
Since I'm..."
Hi L.C,
My 'Witchfinder' series of books, may be read as standalone stories.
The second one in the series is currently 99cents/99p
It is UK based Dark Gothic Romantic Fantasy.
Kane's Cross