It’s the start of a new decade, so what better way to celebrate re-entering the twenties than with a list of YA books set in the 20’s of years past. Thinking of the twenties often leads to images flappers, decadent parties, and a time of amazing style. The Roaring Twenties are one of the most adored decades, which has led to plenty of inspiration for artists, musicians, and authors alike. This list brings you 10 young adult books set in the twenties, or you can think of it at one book a month for the rest of 2020!

The Diviners by Libba Bray | Goodreads

No list on the Twenties would be complete without mentioning The Diviners. Published in 2012, The Diviners is full of flappers and the quintessential Roaring Twenties along with some murder and supernatural. The fourth book in the series, The King of Crows, recently released on February 4th!

Evie O’Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City—and she is pos-i-tute-ly ecstatic. It’s 1926, and New York is filled with speakeasies, Ziegfeld girls, and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is that she has to live with her uncle Will and his unhealthy obsession with the occult.

Evie worries he’ll discover her darkest secret: a supernatural power that has only brought her trouble so far. But when the police find a murdered girl branded with a cryptic symbol and Will is called to the scene, Evie realizes her gift could help catch a serial killer.

As Evie jumps headlong into a dance with a murderer, other stories unfold in the city that never sleeps. A young man named Memphis is caught between two worlds. A chorus girl named Theta is running from her past. A student named Jericho hides a shocking secret. And unknown to all, something dark and evil has awakened.

Debutantes by Cora Harrison | Goodreads

It seems that 2012 was the year for Twenties books with this new historical romance series released also set in the 1920s.

It’s 1923 and London is a whirl of jazz, dancing, and parties. Violet, Daisy, Poppy, and Rose Derrington are desperate to be part of it, but stuck in an enormous crumbling house in the country, with no money and no fashionable dresses, the excitement seems a lifetime away. Luckily the girls each have a plan for escaping their humdrum country life: Rose wants to be a novelist, Poppy a jazz musician, and Daisy a famous film director. Violet, however, has only one ambition: to become the perfect debutante, so that she can go to London and catch the eye of Prince George, the most eligible bachelor in the country. But a house as big and old as Beech Grove Manor hides many secrets, and Daisy is about to uncover one so huge it could ruin all their plans—ruin everything—forever.

Speak Easy, Speak Love by McKelle George | Goodreads

Published in 2017, Speak Easy, Speak Love brings the classic Shakespeare play Much Ado About Nothing to the 1920s. This retelling weaves together the lives of six teenagers throughout one summer.

After she gets kicked out of boarding school, seventeen-year-old Beatrice goes to her uncle’s estate on Long Island. But Hey Nonny Nonny is more than just a rundown old mansion. Beatrice’s cousin, Hero, runs a struggling speakeasy out of the basement—one that might not survive the summer. Along with Prince, a poor young man determined to prove his worth; his brother John, a dark and dangerous agent of the local mob; Benedick, a handsome trust-fund kid trying to become a writer; and Maggie, a beautiful and talented singer; Beatrice and Hero throw all their efforts into planning a massive party to save the speakeasy. Despite all their worries, the summer is beautiful, love is in the air, and Beatrice and Benedick are caught up in a romantic battle of wits that their friends might be quietly orchestrating in the background.

Hilariously clever and utterly charming, McKelle George’s debut novel is full of intrigue and 1920s charm. For fans of Jenny Han, Stephanie Perkins, and Anna Godbersen.

Born of Illusion by Teri Brown | Goodreads

One thing that seems to go hand-in-hand with the 1920s is the aspect of spiritualism. Born of Illusion is the first book in a duology of the same name published in 2013.

Anna Van Housen has a secret.

A gifted illusionist, Anna assists her mother, the renowned medium Marguerite Van Housen, in her stage show and séances, easily navigating the underground world of magicians, mediums, and mentalists in 1920s New York. As the illegitimate daughter of Harry Houdini—or so Marguerite claims—sleight of hand illusions have never been a challenge for Anna. The real trick is keeping her own gifts secret from her opportunistic mother. Because while Marguerite’s own powers may be a sham, Anna possesses a true ability to sense people’s feelings and foretell the future.

But as Anna’s powers intensify, she begins to experience frightening visions of her mother in peril, which leads her to explore the powers she’s tried so long to hide. And when a mysterious young man named Cole moves into the flat downstairs, introducing Anna to a secret society that studies people with gifts like hers, she is forced to confront her past and rethink everything she’s ever known. Is her mother truly in danger, or are Anna’s visions merely illusion? And could the great Houdini really be her father, or is it just another of Marguerite’s tricks?

From Teri Brown comes a world bursting with magic, with romance, and the temptations of Jazz Age New York—and the story of a girl about to become the mistress of her own destiny.

A Sky Painted Gold by Laura Wood | Goodreads

What happens when you leave everything you know and enter a seemingly new world? Find out in A Sky Painted Gold, which published in 2018.

Growing up in her sleepy Cornish village dreaming of being a writer, seventeen-year-old Lou has always wondered about the grand Cardew house which has stood empty for years. And when the owners arrive for the summer – a handsome, dashing brother and sister – Lou is quite swept off her feet and into a world of moonlit cocktail parties and glamour beyond her wildest dreams.

But, as she grows closer to the Cardews, is she abandoning her own ambitions… And is there something darker lurking at the heart of the Cardew family?

A gorgeously dreamy coming-of-age romance set against a stunning Gatsby-esque backdrop, this is perfect for fans of I Capture the Castle and Eva Ibbotson.

Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen | Goodreads

Bright Young Things rounds out the Twenties and brings to life the world of flapper in 1929. From the author of The Luxe, the Bright Young Things was published in 2010. Letty Larkspur and Cordelia Grey escaped their small Midwestern town for New York’s glittering metropolis. All Letty wants is to see her name in lights, but she quickly discovers Manhattan is filled with pretty girls who will do anything to be a star….

Cordelia is searching for the father she’s never known, a man as infamous for his wild parties as he is for his shadowy schemes. Overnight, she enters a world more thrilling and glamorous than she ever could have imagined — and more dangerous. It’s a life anyone would kill for…and someone will.

The only person Cordelia can trust is ­Astrid Donal, a flapper who seems to have it all: money, looks, and the love of Cordelia’s brother, Charlie. But Astrid’s perfect veneer hides a score of family secrets.

Across the vast lawns of Long Island, in the ­illicit speakeasies of Manhattan, and on the blindingly lit stages of Broadway, the three girls’ fortunes will rise and fall — together and apart. From the New York Times bestselling author of THE LUXE comes an epic new series set in the dizzying last summer of the Jazz Age.

Vixen by Jillian Larkin | Goodreads

Vixen is the first book in the Flappers trilogy by Jillian Larkin. Vixen portrays the underground parties for socialites during the time. 

Jazz . . . Booze . . . Boys . . . It’s a dangerous combination. Every girl wants what she can’t have. Seventeen-year-old Gloria Carmody wants the flapper lifestyle—and the bobbed hair, cigarettes, and music-filled nights that go with it. Now that she’s engaged to Sebastian Grey, scion of one of Chicago’s most powerful families, Gloria’s party days are over before they’ve even begun . . . or are they?

Clara Knowles, Gloria’s goody-two-shoes cousin, has arrived to make sure the high-society wedding comes off without a hitch—but Clara isn’t as lily-white as she appears. Seems she has some dirty little secrets of her own that she’ll do anything to keep hidden. . . .

Lorraine Dyer, Gloria’s social-climbing best friend, is tired of living in Gloria’s shadow. When Lorraine’s envy spills over into desperate spite, no one is safe. And someone’s going to be very sorry. . . .

The Blood Lie by Shirley Reva Vernick | Goodreads

While flappers and parties are habitually the setting for books set in the 1920s, The Blood Lie goes a different route. Based off of a true story stemming from anti-semitism, The Blood Lie seems more of a horror story on the hatred that humans can carry. This debut novel was published in 2011.

September 22, 1928, Massena, New York. Jack Pool’s sixteenth birthday. He’s been restless lately, especially during this season of more-times-at-the-synagogue than you can shake a stick at. If it wasn’t Rosh Hashanah, then it was Yom Kippur, and if it wasn’t Yom Kippur, it was the Sabbath. But temple’s good for some things. It gives him lots of time to daydream about a beautiful but inaccessible Gentile girl named Emaline. And if she isn’t on his mind, then he’s thinking about his music and imagining himself playing the cello with the New York Philharmonic. Yup, music is definitely his ticket out of this remote whistle-stop town—he doesn’t want to be stuck here one more minute. But he doesn’t realize exactly how stuck he is until Emaline’s little sister Daisy goes missing and he and his family are accused of killing her for a blood sacrifice.

Blood Lie was inspired by a real blood libel that took place when a small girl disappeared from Massena, New York, in 1928, and an innocent Jewish boy was called a murderer.

Zombie Abbey by Lauren Baratz-Logsted | Goodreads

Zombies and the 20s, need more be said? Zombie Abbey was published in 2018 by Entangled: Teen.

1920, England. And the three teenage Clarke sisters thought what they’d wear to dinner was their biggest problem… Lady Kate, the entitled eldest. Lady Grace, lost in the middle and wishing she were braver. Lady Lizzy, so endlessly sunny, it’s easy to underestimate her.

Then there’s Will Harvey, the proud, to-die-for—and possibly die with!—stable boy; Daniel Murray, the resourceful second footman with a secret; Raymond Allen, the unfortunate-looking young duke; and Fanny Rogers, the unsinkable kitchen maid.

Upstairs! Downstairs! Toss in some farmers and villagers! None of them ever expected to work together for any reason. But none of them had ever seen anything like this.

The Raven’s Tale by Cat Winters | Goodreads

Rounding out this list comes a book set in the 1820s. The Raven’s Tale follows a young Edgar Allan Poe striving to make a mark in the world. While it may be set in the oldest time period, The Raven’s Tale is the newest book on this list and was published in 2019 by Amulet Books.

Seventeen-year-old Edgar Poe counts down the days until he can escape his foster family—the wealthy Allans of Richmond, Virginia. He hungers for his upcoming life as a student at the prestigious new university, almost as much as he longs to marry his beloved Elmira Royster. However, on the brink of his departure, all his plans go awry when a macabre Muse named Lenore appears to him. Muses are frightful creatures that lead Artists down a path of ruin and disgrace, and no respectable person could possibly understand or accept them. But Lenore steps out of the shadows with one request: “Let them see me!”

Do you have any other recommendations? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Ten YA Books Set In The 20’s appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Cat Winters weaves together a creative and melancholy story in this Edgar Allan Poe retelling.

The Raven’s Tale takes us on a journey following Edgar Allan Poe. Edgar struggles between writing his poetry and putting up with all the pressure that he receives from his father. Edgar’s writing soon turns into a muse named Lenore. A muse that is frowned upon by the inhabitants of Richmond.

If you’re a fan of Edgar Allan Poe’s work than you will definitely appreciate this retelling. Edgar has a lot to put up with in this story from following his dreams of becoming a poet, to sticking to his father’s demands. A story where Edgar has to either hold onto his muse or to banish her completely along with his poetry. This story is filled with beautiful pieces of poetry as well as some pretty macabre stories of Edgar’s making.

“The kindest thing you can do for the dead,” says the young man who requested the kiss, “is to weave their names into art.”

The language and writing style that Cat Winters uses is amazing and very fitting for the setting of the book and events. Although there were some parts that felt a bit slow, the writing was easy to follow and was entertaining most of the time. The story is also told from both Edgar and Lenore’s points of view, but this retelling is to honour Edgar Allan Poe as stated by the author. Cat Winters truly put in so much love when writing this story and I found myself loving every second of it.

The story is whimsical and gothic all at once, and you could see the difference between the world from Edgar and Lenore’s eyes. The prose is breathtaking and seeing Edgar Allan Poe’s poetry written and weaved through the story was perfect. Cat Winters included Poe’s deepest fears as well as a look into his love for writing deep and dark stories. I would definitely recommend this book to fans of dark fantasy and historical fiction.

The Raven’s Tale is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.

Have you read The Raven’s Tale? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Seventeen-year-old Edgar Poe counts down the days until he can escape his foster family—the wealthy Allans of Richmond, Virginia. He hungers for his upcoming life as a student at the prestigious new university, almost as much as he longs to marry his beloved Elmira Royster. However, on the brink of his departure, all his plans go awry when a macabre Muse named Lenore appears to him. Muses are frightful creatures that lead Artists down a path of ruin and disgrace, and no respectable person could possibly understand or accept them. But Lenore steps out of the shadows with one request: “Let them see me!”

The post Review: The Raven’s Tale by Cat Winters appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

If you love a contemporary, check out Jenn Bennett’s Serious Moonlight, Joseph Moldover’s Every Moment After, and If I’m Being Honest, which is Mean Girls meets The Taming of the Shrew. Fantasy more your speed? Jessica Leake’s Through The White Wood sees Katya able to freeze anything she touches, Swati Teerdhala’s The Tiger At Midnight draws from ancient Indian history and Hindu mythology, while in Kate Watson’s Lovestruck, Kali is a cupid-in-training and the daughter of Eros.

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below if you will be reading any!

Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

After an awkward first encounter, Birdie and Daniel are forced to work together in a Seattle hotel where a famous author leads a mysterious and secluded life in this romantic contemporary novel from the author of Alex, Approximately.

Through The White Wood by Jessica Leake
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Katya’s power to freeze anything she touches has made her an outcast in her isolated village. And when she loses control of her ability, accidentally killing several villagers, she is banished to the palace of the terrifying Prince Sasha in Kiev. At the castle, though, she is surprised to find that Sasha is just like her—with his own strange talent, the ability to summon fire. Instead of punishment, Sasha offers Katya friendship, and the chance to embrace her power rather than fear it.

We Are Blood and Thunder by Kesia Lupo
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In a sealed-off city, it begins with a hunt. A young woman, Lena, running for her life, convicted of being a mage and sentenced to death. Her only way to survive is to trust those she has been brought up to fear – those with magic.

The Devouring Gray by Christine Lynn Herman
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

On the edge of town a beast haunts the woods, trapped in the Gray, its bonds loosening… Uprooted from the city, Violet Saunders doesn’t have much hope of fitting in at her new school in Four Paths, a town almost buried in the woodlands of rural New York. The fact that she’s descended from one of the town’s founders doesn’t help much, either. When she meets Justin, May, Isaac, and Harper, all children of founder families, and sees the otherworldly destruction they can wreak, she starts to wonder if the townsfolk are right to be afraid.

The Raven’s Tale by Cat Winters
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Seventeen-year-old Edgar Poe counts down the days until he can escape his foster family—the wealthy Allans of Richmond, Virginia. He hungers for his upcoming life as a student at a prestigious new university, almost as much as he longs to marry his beloved Elmira Royster. However, on the brink of his departure, all his plans go awry when a macabre muse steps out of the shadows with one request: “Let them see me!”

Every Moment After by Joseph Moldover
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Best friends Matt and Cole grapple with their changing relationships during the summer after high school in this impactful, evocative story about growing up and moving on from a traumatic past.

The Tiger At Midnight by Swati Teerdhala
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Drawing inspiration from ancient Indian history and Hindu mythology, the first book in Swati Teerdhala’s debut fantasy trilogy captivates with electric romance, stunning action, and the fierce bonds that hold people together—and that drive them apart.

White Rose by Kip Wilson
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A gorgeous and timely novel based on the incredible story of Sophie Scholl, a young German college student who challenged the Nazi regime during World War II as part of The White Rose, a non-violent resistance group.

You’d Be Mine by Erin Hahn
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Annie Mathers is America’s sweetheart and heir to a country music legacy full of all the things her Gran warned her about. Superstar Clay Coolidge is most definitely going to end up one of those things. But unfortunately for Clay, if he can’t convince Annie to join his summer tour, his music label is going to drop him. That’s what happens when your bad boy image turns into bad boy reality. Annie has been avoiding the spotlight after her parents’ tragic death, except on her skyrocketing YouTube channel. Clay’s label wants to land Annie, and Clay has to make it happen.

How To Make Friends With The Dark by Kathleen Glasgow
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the New York Times bestselling author of Girl in Pieces comes a novel about love and loss and learning how to continue when it feels like you’re surrounded by darkness that Karen M. McManus, the New York Times bestselling author of One of Us Is Lying, calls “rare and powerful.”

Lovestruck by Kate Watson
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Sixteen-year-old cupid-in-training Kali is in an Olympus-sized mountain of trouble. Rule number one in arrow-toting matchmaking: don’t stick yourself. But accidents happen, and Kali instantly falls hard for her indie rock, bass-playing target, Benicio. The God of Love is going to kill her. Even if he is her dad.

If I’m Being Honest by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this Mean Girls meets The Taming of the Shrew novel, high school senior Cameron Bright’s reputation can be summed up in one word: bitch. It’s no surprise she’s queen bee at her private L.A. high school—she’s beautiful, talented, and notorious for her cutting and brutal honesty. So when she puts her foot in her mouth in front of her crush, Andrew, she fears she may have lost him for good.

Will you be reading any of these April YA releases? Tell us in the comments below!

The post April Book Releases: YA appeared first on The Nerd Daily.