About Olivia Gray Will Not Fade Away: A middle schooler navigates the challenges of feeling invisible—literally and figuratively—as she comes to terms with her asexual identity in this poignant speculative novel perfect for fans of Ellie Engel Saves Herself and Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone. Released March 17th 2026.

There’s nothing like the rush of rolling a Nat 20.

You watch the die, twenty-sided, rattle in its tray and hold your breath and then…success. A critical success. It brings with it the type of certainty that you rarely get in real life—that you’re going to do something cool, that you’re going to impress your friends, that, in the world of this game, at least, you’re about to make some kind of difference.

Dungeons & Dragons—D&D for short—is the kind of game that saves lives. It allows hours-long escapes into fantasy worlds the way novels can, except with friends and in a way where your every action can affect the plot and the world and people around you.

I found D&D during the pandemic thanks to a friend, through an actual play show on Dimension20 called A Court of Fey and Flowers and was immediately hooked. It had all my interests—Regency-esque period drama, collaborative storytelling, and dramatic bird cousins. Most importantly, however, it had Aabria Iyengar, a Black woman who was the DM, Dungeon Master, running the show. As a Black woman who loves nerdy things and loves storytelling even more, it opened my eyes. All I’d known about D&D before was the brief glimpses I got in media like Stranger Things, a group of nerdy, mostly white, boys or men sitting around a table in someone’s basement getting way too into make believe. But Aabria, and many others at that table, made me realize that there was space for me, too, in the D&D world.

As a writer, I usually do things alone. I’m used to controlling things when it comes to creating stories. I make up the characters, I decide where it’s set, I figure out what the plot is and if there’s a bad guy and who it is and how their big, bad plan is going to work. It’s all me, alone, at least in the writing stages. Sure, I can share my ideas or certain passages with my friends and family, but they aren’t in my brain, they can’t get the full scope of my excitement (or despair) or understand my hyperfixation when it comes to my characters.

D&D is different.

When I play a character, shoutout to my level 13, half-warlock, chaotic neutral girl, Shara, I’m only playing a character. My group and I are piecing things together as we go in the sandbox of our DM’s world, and my every action affects my fellow players and vice versa. We have to pivot on the fly or face the unexpected attention of a cult or try to explain to an immortal principal that we were not the ones who used an animated skeleton to drive an automaton across a college campus, thank you very much.

We’re walking, talking, and breathing storytelling, every one of us…and we’re doing it together.

My D&D group, affectionately known as The Fools, is made up of Brisin, Moira, Nephyra, and, Shara, plus our DM, has been a large part of keeping me sane for the 3 years that we’ve been playing. If we’re not playing, we’re often messaging back and forth about our last session or our upcoming session, or every what-if you can imagine when it comes to our girls. Every single Thursday, I never fail to be amazed by the story we’re telling together—the longest, most complex story I’ve ever been a part of.

The rise in popularity of D&D in the 2020s coinciding with the pandemic, and the years after, is no surprise. People, quarantined or locked down wherever they were, with little chance for outside connection, were lonely. They were spending a lot of time online or watching TV or flexing new creative muscles, but not a ton of time able to focus on the interpersonal of it all. I could watch actual play shows for hours at a time, and I did, but the urge to play, to create a story alongside other people, only grew until I went online and found my group. The connection wasn’t instant, of course. We started off as strangers. But as our characters grew and learned from each other, so did we. We figured out how our characters would react to things and how we wanted to shape the world and how we worked best together (or awfully, depending on the narrative we wanted to help foster) and the dice, that massive element of chance, helped shape our stories alongside us. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse.

One of my favorite things in D&D is called the help action. You can give another player advantage, meaning they can roll two dice and take the higher result, but usually you have to describe how you do that, mechanically speaking. I love it because while you’re helping a real-life player at the table, your character is helping theirs too. You’re experiencing a connection on two levels—real and fictional—and the impact is two-fold. Even if you fail, you have the trust and belief of your fellow player, your fellow human, even if it’s for something silly, like trying to flirt with a werewolf.

In my newest book, Olivia Gray Will Not Fade Away, D&D isn’t the main focus, but it is pivotal to Olivia’s growth. Thanks to her friend, Jules, it provides Olivia with a language to help navigate the difficulties of her real life and ultimately provides a creative outlet where she can be seen by the people she loves, no matter how others might perceive her…or not. All of us have probably felt invisible before, even to ourselves, but sometimes all it takes is for one person to see you for who you are to turn things around.

And besides, a Ring of Invisibility is a legendary item.

The post Critical Success: How D&D Made Me a Better Storyteller appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

We apologise in advance to your TBR and bank account, but there’s so many fantastic upcoming young adult books hitting shelves between January and June 2025! There’s new releases from Brigid Kemmerer, Libba Bray, Neal Shusterman, Allison Saft, Tracy Deonn, Ava Reid, Jennifer Dugan, Dahlia Adler, Elizabeth Lim, Becky Albertalli, and many more, plus incredible debut novels!

Read on to discover new books hitting shelves in the first half of the year and be sure to check out our other 2025 round-ups too, including our Most Anticipated, Romance, Fantasy & Sci-Fi and Fiction lists.

JANUARY 2025 YA BOOKS

Breath of the Dragon by Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee

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A young warrior dreams of proving his worth in the elite Guardian Tournament, fighting not only for himself but the fate of everything he loves.

Bingsu For Two by Sujin Witherspoon

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This outrageously charming and infuriatingly adorable enemies-to-lovers coffee shop romance is perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Better Than the Movies.

Everything Is Poison by Joy McCullough

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This historical novel in prose and verse tells the story of a deadly secret hiding in plain sight and of the women who risk everything to provide care for those with nowhere else to turn, perfect for fans of Blood Water Paint and The Lost Apothecary.

Royal Heirs Academy by Lindsey Duga

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In this story filled with “romantic tension, royal drama, and family secrets” (Kristy Boyce), four teens living in a glamorous boarding school must compete in order to inherit a European kingdom.

Liar’s Kingdom by Christine Calella

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An Into the Woods-inspired fairy tale retelling where Cinderella never went to the ball and must lie to get her prince.

Brewed With Love by Shelly Page

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A cozy sapphic romantasy about a teen witch trying to keep her family’s apothecary up and running, with a little help from her ex-best friend—and first crush.

I Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann Liang

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From the bestselling, and award-winning author of If You Could See The Sun comes a new page-turning speculative YA about a girl who wishes she could be as perfect and successful as her cousin… then wakes up the next morning in her cousin’s body.

Ex Marks the Spot by Gloria Chao

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A swoony rivals-to-lovers romance . . . Family secrets that can’t stay buried . . . A globe-spanning treasure hunt with puzzles to solve . . . This latest YA novel by acclaimed writer Gloria Chao takes readers on a soaring adventure through love, loss, and the lively streets of Taiwan.

The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King by Harry Trevaldwyn

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Heartstopper meets Derry Girls in this wonderfully hilarious rom-com about finding your first love when your personality might be too big for the world around you.

The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley

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In this riveting historical thriller inspired by true-life events, Belladonna meets Bridgerton as revenge, romance, and twisted secrets take center stage in Victorian England’s royal court when Sally, a kidnapped African princess and goddaughter to Queen Victoria, plots her way to take down the monarchy that stole her from her homeland.

Build A Girlfriend by Elba Luz

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A teen deep-dives into her dating history to uncover her mistakes, become the perfect girlfriend, and get revenge on the wrong guy so she can ride into the sunset with the right one in this debut rom-com.

Carving Shadows into Gold by Brigid Kemmerer

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Dangerous magic. Fateful choices. Broken promises. The spellbinding series by New York Times bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer continues.

FEBRUARY 2025 YA BOOKS

The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor

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The New York Times bestselling author of Hotel Magnifique returns with another glittering dark fantasy about a deadly mystery that spans worlds and a teenage girl who must risk everything to uncover the truth.

Wicked Darlings by Jordyn Taylor

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From the author of The Revenge Game comes a twisty YA thriller about the underbelly of Manhattan’s high society, where nothing is off-limits—not even murder.

Under the Same Stars by Libba Bray

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From New York Times-bestselling author Libba Bray comes an evocative and groundbreaking young adult historical mystery that examines truth, rebellion, reconciliation, and what must be sacrificed for a better world.

Needy Little Things by Channelle Desamours

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In this debut speculative YA mystery, a Black teen with premonition-like powers must solve her friend’s disappearance before she finds herself in the same danger, perfect for fans of Ace of Spades.

These Vengeful Wishes by Vanessa Montalban

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A vengeful female spirit with a thirst for justice ignites a teen girl’s rage in this new YA horror, perfect for fans of She Is a Haunting and House of Hollow.

The Wildest Things by Andrea Hannah

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In this sapphic Snow White retelling, if Snow is to save her kingdom from being ravaged by the Blight, she’ll have to kill the Evil Queen’s daughter…if she doesn’t fall in love with her first.

All Better Now by Neal Shusterman

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From New York Times bestselling author Neal Shusterman comes a young adult thriller about a world where happiness is contagious but the risks of catching it may be just as dangerous as the cure.

The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith

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The Cruel Prince meets The Selection in this captivating duology opener brimming with heart-pounding romance, vicious competition, and beautiful, cruel fae, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Witch Haven, Sasha Peyton Smith.

Wings of Starlight by Allison Saft

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Brimming with magic and romance, a young fairy queen must form an unlikely alliance or risk an unspeakable danger destroying all she holds dear in this fantasy adventure from New York Times bestselling author Allison Saft.

Unlock the Dark by Sasa Hawk

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Perfect for fans of Brigid Kemmerer and Lexi Ryan, this debut romantasy stand-alone novel blends an immersive world, unique magic system, and swoon-worthy romance to create an unputdownable read that explores the great and terrible lengths to which love compels us to go.

Unhallowed Halls by Lili Wilkinson

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A teen girl travels to an exclusive boarding school after a deadly incident at her old school, but the wood-paneled halls of Agathion are built over centuries of secrets—including an ancient society which may have ties to demonic magic—in this dark academia fantasy perfect for fans of Curious Tides.

This Ends in Embers by Kamilah Cole

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Perfect for fans of Raybearer and Fourth Wing, this astonishing sequel to the bestselling novel So Let Them Burn doesn’t hold back. After all, there are no easy endings in war—especially when sisters are forced to fight on opposite sides.

MARCH 2025 YA BOOKS

All the Hidden Monsters by Amie Jordan

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With a crew so entertaining and unique―All the Hidden Monsters is funny, serious, scary―and you’ll never guess who did it. There’s a world below our own, but who is killing who in both of them?

Say a Little Prayer by Jenna Voris

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Saved! meets Casey McQuiston in this wry, heartfelt tale of a teen who’s taking her church camp by storm—one deadly sin at a time.

Nightweaver by R.M. Gray

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Filled with elemental magic, forbidden romance, and breathtaking twists, Nightweaver is a propulsive romantasy about an iron-willed heroine avenging her brother and discovering her destiny.

Oathbound by Tracy Deonn

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Tracy Deonn’s #1 New York Times bestselling Legendborn Cycle continues in the sensational third book about a dazzling contemporary fantasy world that blends Southern Black Girl Magic with secret societies and the legend of King Arthur!

When The Bones Sing by Ginny Myers Sain

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From New York Times bestselling author of Dark and Shallow Lies comes a new southern gothic supernatural thriller about a teen girl in a small Ozark town who can hear the bones of the dead.

Fable For The End of the World by Ava Reid

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The Last of Us meets The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in this stand-alone dystopian romance about survival, sacrifice, and love that risks everything.

Hangry Hearts by Jennifer Chen

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Jennifer Chen’s Hangry Hearts is a funny, big-hearted romance about friendship, family, and first love―and being brave enough to have it all.

Lovely Dark and Deep by Elisa A. Bonnin

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From author Elisa A. Bonnin comes Lovely Dark and Deep, a YA dark academia novel exploring magic, loneliness, and the power of found family.

What Wakes the Bells by Elle Tesch

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Inspired by an ominous Prague legend, What Wakes the Bells is a lavish gothic fantasy by debut author Elle Tesch that is perfect for fans of Adalyn Grace, Margaret Rogerson, and V.E. Schwab.

In The Company of Killers by Elora Cook

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Gossip Girl meets The Sopranos in this fast-paced drama about a teenage mafia heiress who would do anything to avenge her family, even join forces with her handsome enemy.

How to Survive a Slasher by Justine Pucella Winans

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You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight meets Scream in this YA slasher that turns classic horror tropes on their heads.

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

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The phenomenal fifth book in the Hunger Games series. Sunrise on the Reaping revisits the world of Panem twenty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.

APRIL 2025 YA BOOKS

The Notorious Virtues by Alwyn Hamilton

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Bestselling Rebel of the Sands author Alwyn Hamilton is back with a glittering fantasy thriller about a glamorous media darling, a surprise heiress, and the magical competition of a lifetime.

Run Away With Me by Brian Selznick

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From #1 New York Times bestselling author/illustrator Brian Selznick, a profoundly romantic YA novel about two boys finding each other and falling in love over one summer in Rome.

The Floating World by Axie Oh

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From Axie Oh, the New York Times-bestselling author of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, Final Fantasy meets Shadow and Bone in this lighthearted romantic fantasy reimagining the Korean legend of Celestial Maidens.

Somadina by Akwaeke Emezi

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From the National Book Award finalist and author of Pet comes a novel set in a magical West African world, about a teen girl who must save her missing twin while learning to navigate her own terrifying new powers.

Boys with Sharp Teeth by Jenni Howell

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We Were Liars meets The Raven Boys in this mind-bending YA debut about dark revenge, twisted desire, and the sinister secrets lurking behind the walls of an elite boarding school.

Pride or Die by C.L. Montblanc

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In this delightful dark comedy debut, when the members of an LGBTQ+ club find themselves accidentally framed for attempted murder, it’s up to them to clear their names before it’s too late.

The Coven Tendency by Zoe Hana Mikuta

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Zoe Hana Mikuta delivers a bloody and unrelenting fantasy about young witches dangling on the edge of love and obsession, of magic and madness, of life and death (and death and death and death). . .

If We Were a Movie by Zakiya N. Jamal

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Booksmart meets Phantom of the Megaplex in Zakiya N. Jamal’s debut enthralling enemies-to-lovers queer romance, set against the backdrop of a historic Black-owned movie theater, the quirky employees who work there, and the suburbs of Long Island. Perfect for fans of Leah Johnson and Today Tonight Tomorrow.

Nav’s Foolproof Guide to Falling in Love by Jessica Lewis

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Giving the new girl lessons in romance so she can woo your best friend couldn’t possibly go wrong…right? Perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Casey McQuiston, this romantic comedy from Jessica Lewis is packed with heart.

Murder Between Friends by Liz Lawson

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Two years ago, the murder of a neighbor tore three best friends apart–now the killer is going to walk free and the ex-friends are going to have to face the past–and each other–in another twisty thriller from the New York Times bestselling co-author of The Agathas.

Chaos King by Kacen Callender

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The explosive sequel to instant New York Times bestselling YA debut Infinity Alchemist by Kacen Callender.

Lady Knight by Amalie Howard

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The daughter of a duke defies the rules of London high society with the help of the resident rake—who just so happens to be her brother’s best friend—in this fun teen historical romance from the USA Today bestselling author of Queen Bee.

MAY 2025 YA BOOKS

The Thrashers by Julie Soto

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A twisty thrill-ride of unforgettable drama and suspense that “encapsulates the vulnerability of adolescents playing adult games” (Ali Hazelwood) from USA Today bestselling author Julie Soto, The Thrashers will keep you up at night desperate to read just one more page.

Audre and Bash Are Just Friends by Tia Williams

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Scorching-hot summer. Scorching-hot chemistry. Two teens can’t forget they’re just friends in this sweet, funny, electrifying romance from New York Times bestselling author Tia Williams. Perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Nicola Yoon.

Salvación by Sandra Proudman

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In this Latinx YA fantasy inspired by El Zorro, Lola de La Peña becomes the masked heroine Salvación in order to save her family and town from a man who would destroy it for the magic it contains…if she doesn’t fall in love with one of his men first.

The Lost Queen by Aimee Phan

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A heroine like no other, ancient magic unleashed, a fated epic battle–the first book in an enchanting YA fantasy duology inspired by Vietnamese lore, weaving magic, sisterhood, and self-discovery.

Summer Girls by Jennifer Dugan

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From the author of Some Girls Do comes a YA sapphic romance about two girls from different sides of the tracks.

This Moth Saw Brightness by A. A. Vacharat

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A weird and revelatory debut that vividly captures the dislocation of growing up BIPOC and neurodivergent in a country awash in both conspiracy theories and genuine conspiracies.

Come As You Are by Dahlia Adler

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Dahlia Adler’s Come As You Are is about refusing to accept less than you deserve, and realizing that the best relationships are with people who know exactly who you are.

Cruel is the Light by Sophie Clark

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An epic new fantasy about a demon hunter and a foot soldier thrown together in a centuries-old war. . . and the forbidden love that could change the course of history.

All-Nighter by Cecilia Vinesse

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Booksmart meets Today, Tonight, Tomorrow in this page-turning romp about two archnemeses—the valedictorian and the class slacker—who band together for a whirlwind night after discovering that they need each other to achieve their very different sunrise goals.  

Out of Step, into You by Ciera Burch

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Out of Step, into You is a sapphic contemporary romance following childhood friends turned cross-country team rivals who are forced to work together to win the state championship – for fans of She Gets the Girl.

Titan of the Stars by E.K. Johnston

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Alien meets The Titanic in this tense YA science fiction horror series by #1 New York Times bestselling author E.K. Johnston.

Death in the Cards by Mia P. Manansala

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The young adult debut from the award-winning author of Arsenic and Adobo! When a high school tarot reader’s latest client goes missing after a troubling reading, she must apply everything she’s learned from her private investigator mother to solve a case of her own.

JUNE 2025 YA BOOKS

Celestial Banquet by Roselle Lim

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Iron Chef meets The Hunger Games in Roselle Lim’s dazzling YA fantasy debut, following a young noodle chef who competes in a cutthroat cooking competition for the gods.

Heir of Storms by Lauryn Hamilton Murray

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RED QUEEN meets SHADOW AND BONE in this explosive start to a YA romantasy trilogy about dangerous magic, forbidden love, and a cut-throat competition for the throne in an empire where crowns are not inherited — they’re won.

The Beautiful Maddening by Shea Ernshaw

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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Shea Ernshaw comes a haunting romantic contemporary fantasy about a teen navigating her family’s love curse that blooms with their enchanted tulips every year.

Never Thought I’d End Up Here by Ann Liang

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From the author of the instant New York Times bestseller I Hope This Doesn’t Find You, Never Thought I’d End Up Here is another hilarious and romantic romcom from Ann Liang, this time following a former model determined to get revenge on the boy who ruined her life.

A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim

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A breathtaking romantic fantasy inspired by Beauty and the Beast about a girl who paints the future and a cursed dragon lord, bound by love and deception in a plot to bring down the gods.

Nobody in Particular by Sophie Gonzales

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Young Royals meets The Prince and Me when a disgraced princess falls for a new student at their all-girls boarding school, but the two must hide their forbidden love at all costs.

Kill Creatures by Rory Power

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From the bestselling author of Wilder Girls and queen of twisty narratives, Rory Power, comes her highly anticipated new Young Adult thriller.

A First Time for Everything by K.L. Walther

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From the New York Times bestselling author of The Summer of Broken Rules comes a fun new coming-of-age romance full of dating disasters, powerful firsts, and the importance of family.

Amelia, If Only by Becky Albertalli

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The beautiful and heartwarming new romance from Becky Albertalli, best-selling author of Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda.

A Treachery of Swans by A.B. Poranek

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From the New York Times bestselling author of Where the Dark Stands Still comes an atmospheric fantasy based on Swan Lake, following Odile as her plan to restore magic to her kingdom gets disrupted by a murder—forcing her to beg for help from the young woman whose identity she stole.

Among Ghosts by Rachel Hartman

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Set in the world of New York Times bestseller Seraphina, a boy on the run from a dragon—among other dangers—seeks refuge in a haunted abbey in this wholly original ghost story about what haunts us, and what connects us.

If We Survive This by Racquel Marie

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The Walking Dead meets Yellowjackets in If We Survive This, a tense and emotional young adult horror novel from award-winning author Racquel Marie about a teen girl leading a group of survivors on a perilous journey during the apocalypse.

What YA books are you looking forward to? Any other recommendations? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 72 Of The Most Anticipated YA Books Of 2025 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Ciera Burch’s Camp Twisted Pine, which is out September 17th 2024.

Eleven-year-old Naomi loves all things outdoors—birds and beetles, bats and bunnies—in theory. She explores nature in the best possible way: the cold, hard facts in books. So when her parents’ announcement of their impending divorce comes hand in hand with sending Naomi and her younger twin brothers to summer camp while they figure things out, it’s salt in the wound for Naomi and her avoidance of hands-on experience.

Camp Twisted Pine could be worse. The counselors are nice, and Naomi likes her cabinmates, especially Jackie, whose blunt personality and frank dislike of the camp draws Naomi in quickly. Jackie is also hard of hearing and uses a hearing aid, and the girls quickly develop a routine of sign language lessons in their free time, which Naomi sees as a welcome break when all the s’mores-making and nature walks get to be a bit much.

But the campers aren’t the only ones who roam the grounds of Camp Twisted Pine. When people start to go missing, including Jackie, Naomi has to find a way to save everyone—and herself. Her practical knowledge of the outdoors may still be rudimentary at best, but she has years of studying and the scientific method to fall back on. Can Naomi identify and stop the dangerous predator before it’s too late?

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The post Read An Excerpt From ‘Camp Twisted Pine’ by Ciera Burch appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Ciera Burch’s Something Kindred, which releases on April 2nd 2024.

Welcome to Coldwater. Come for the ghosts, stay for the drama.

Jericka Walker had planned to spend the summer before senior year soaking up the sun with her best friend on the Jersey Shore. Instead she finds herself in Coldwater, Maryland, a small town with a dark and complicated past where her estranged grandmother lives—someone she knows only two things her name and the fact that she left Jericka’s mother and uncle when they were children. But now Jericka’s grandmother is dying, and her mother has dragged Jericka along to say goodbye.

As Jericka attempts to form a connection with a woman she’s never known, and adjusts to life in a town where everything closes before dinner, she meets “ghost girl” Kat, a girl eager to leave Coldwater and more exciting than a person has any right to be. But Coldwater has a few unsettling secrets of its own. The more you try to leave, the stronger the town’s hold. As Jericka feels the chilling pull of her family’s past, she begins to question everything she thought she knew about her mother, her childhood, and the lines between the living and the dead.

There are only two things I know about my grandmother.

One: Her name is Carol Annette.

Two: She left Mom and Uncle Miles for good on a Tuesday morning, after promising to take them to the ice  cream shop when they got out of school.

That’s why it makes no sense that Mom has dragged us from New Jersey, all the way to Maryland, to take care of her for the entire summer. Except for the fact that my grandmother has cancer. I think the idea of losing her permanently freaks Mom out more than she’d ever admit.

Death does that.

So, here we are. Standing outside Douglas Memorial Hospital with mosquitoes buzzing in our ears, skin growing sticky with sweat under the afternoon sun, Mom trying to work up the nerve to go inside.

“Mom— ” I start.

The automatic doors open before I can say anything else,

and it’s a relief when Uncle Miles steps through them. It’s weird seeing him here. We usually meet him at rest stops the size of small towns, cramming months’ worth of conversation into half an hour as he gulps down coffee.

“You good, kid?” he asks, pulling me into a hug first.

“Could be better,” I mumble against his chest. He smells like dryer sheets and the cab of his truck.

He snorts and lets go, turning to Mom. She’s quick to wrap him in a hug. He towers over both of us but leans down and patiently waits as she holds his face in her hands. They mostly look alike except Uncle Miles has small patches of pale skin that creep up his neck and jaw, dotting the space above his right eyebrow and curling around the shell of his left ear. But they’ve got the same eyes, wide and long- lashed.

When he presses his left hand into Mom’s, it’s white all the way to the wrist.

“You ready?” he asks.

Anxiety settles over me like a familiar second skin. The trip down was normal, the same as any other long drive. It was easy to forget the dying stranger waiting for us in a hospital bed. But now I’m nervous. I’ve never had grandparents before, and I’ve never known a person who was dying. Now they’re one and the same.

I wait for Mom to answer for the both of us and look at her when she doesn’t. She’s let go of Uncle Miles, and her arms are curled tightly around herself now, nails digging into the skin. Her jaw’s clenched. Her eyes are bright with something I don’t recognize.

Still, she walks through the automatic doors when they open for her, leaving us to follow.

Mom’s quiet when the old woman working the front desk addresses her by name and gives us our visitor passes. She’s quiet all the way up to the third floor, the top floor in this tiny hospital. It smells like sour milk and Lysol. She’s quiet until just outside room 355, when she turns to me and takes my hand.

She grips it like I’m five years old and we’re crossing a busy street before she opens the door.

Loud, echoing laughter greets us.

The first glimpse I get of my grandmother is of her open- mouthed smile. She’s looking away from us, toward two full- figured women in the corner wearing too much costume jewelry. When they catch sight of us, their eyes flit between Mom, Uncle Miles, and me.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” one says. A giant rhinestone but-terfly hangs from her neck. “Welcome home, Lacey.”

Mom doesn’t respond, but her grip on my hand tightens painfully when my grandmother looks in our direction. The room is silent. Even the click of the door, shutting as the women slip out, is muffled.

I glance at Mom. I watch the muscles in her throat work as she swallows, and I imagine a lifetime of one- sided conversa-tions disappearing with the motion.

In the stretching silence, I turn to look at my grandmother. I notice her shock of silvery hair first, stiff enough to make itself known as a wig. She looks so much like Uncle Miles that there’s

a strange recognition when I glance at her, a stutter step of sur-prise. She has the same tilt to her head, the same small, pointed ears and high cheekbones. And her eyes. Brown, the skin beneath them vaguely bruised- looking. They look like Uncle Miles’s. Like Mom’s. Like my own. A genetic family heirloom.

One of the only things she left behind with her kids when she left them.

“Lacey.” She speaks first, her voice warm. The vowels in Mom’s name stretch with familiarity and the hint of an accent.

“Mama.” I blink at the title and how easily it sits on her tongue. Mom takes half a step forward and stops. She looks more unsure than I’ve ever seen her. “You look . . .” She clears her throat. “It’s been a while.”

“It’s been a lifetime,” my grandmother says. Her eyes flicker from Mom to Uncle Miles. She looks slightly surprised, like she can’t believe how old they’ve gotten. Her hands twist themselves into the bedsheets. Maybe it’s from her that Mom and I get our bad nerves, the restlessness of our hands.

The recognition of myself in this woman pushes back my anxiety and makes room for anger. Why should she get to show up in any part of me, or Mom, when she decided to make herself a stranger?

“Glad to see you’ve filled out. You wasn’t nothing but sharp edges and scraped knees as a little girl.” She laughs, and it sounds like a scoff. “Used to drive me crazy.”

Silence. And then Mom’s voice: “I’m not a little girl anymore.”

“Of course not. But in my mind, you’re always a little irl, running around the yard covered in dirt. And Miles right behind you, chubby legs all bit up by mosquitoes.”

She smiles at her children. They don’t smile back.

“If this is a game of trading memories,” Mom says, “you’ll win. Most of ours don’t have you in them.”

I try not to smile. One point for Mom.

My grandmother doesn’t flinch. Is she updating the mental

mage of that little girl in her head? Fast- forwarding through thirty years of birthdays? Her expression softens. “I’d hate to think what the ones that do must feel like.”

“Speaking of new memories,” Uncle Miles cuts in, gestur-ing to me. I will myself not to shrink as everyone’s eyes follow.

The stranger in the hospital bed smiles. “You must be . . .” “Jericka. Yup. Hi.”

She looks me over, then laughs, loud. “You’re almost the spit-

ting image of what I pictured Lacey looking like all grown- up.” She glances at Mom. “Well. Nearly grown.” Her eyes find mine again. “Jericka, huh?”

I nod. Her stare is intense, like my answer to her not- really-

a- question makes up the whole of my identity: Jericka, huh? I wait for her to say something else. Something meaningful? Something movie- meeting perfect? I’m the long- lost grand-daughter, after all. Shouldn’t we be hugging or crying or—

“Good to meet you,” she says.

She looks exhausted, like the few minutes of reunion have worn her out. Mom notices, too. She clears her throat. “Maybe we should let you get some rest. We still need to go by the house and unpack and— ”

“She’s getting released today,” Uncle Miles reminds her. “Not this second, though, right?” There’s a sharpness to her voice that I recognize as nerves.

He shrugs. “Hour or two. Only Everett’s on call today and the man works slow.”

Gram nods in agreement. So does Mom. However she feels about being back, it’s clear she’s still at least a little in tune with this town. With its people.

“Shouldn’t I call you something?” I ask, suddenly anxious to etch out a place for myself among them. “Grandma? Carol Annette?”

A thoughtful look crosses her face. “Gram would be fine,” she says at last.

“Cool,” I say. “Great.”

Gram. I test out the word in my head. It feels too familiar, like there should be history behind it instead of all the nothing that’s there.

A cough comes from next door, hacking and violent. One of the machines attached to Gram beeps. This image of her in bed, gaunt- eyed and tiny, is frustrating. I try to imagine her walking out the front door and never coming back. It’s hard to hate her for the past considering her present.

But I hold on to my anger with both hands. I’m angry on Mom’s behalf and angry with her for dragging me here.

“I think I’m going to grab some air,” Mom says suddenly. She rubs her bad wrist— broken as a little girl and not quite right since— and heads for the door.

“I’ll go with you,” I say, but she shakes her head.

Then she’s gone, and it’s just me and Uncle Miles and the stranger that is my grandmother.

I stand awkwardly by the door, caught between wanting to run after her and waiting here. Uncle Miles shoots me a sympathetic smile.

“I’ll be here awhile,” he says, though he told Mom this would be quick. “Wanna grab us some coffees from downstairs before you go?”

I jump at the opportunity to get out of the room. “Yes, please.” I hold my hand out for money and raise my eyebrows when he drops a five into it.

He chuckles. “Small town,” he reminds me. “That’ll be enough.”

◊

Miraculously, there’s a “café” in this hospital. It’s not big, about the size of a waiting room, with a vending machine and a display table stacked high with overripe fruit. But the high-light is the small coffee counter in the corner. Slouched against it with her back toward me, a girl about my age scrolls on her phone.

“Excuse me.”

Her head jerks up in surprise. She raises her eyebrows as she turns around. “First customer of the day,” she says, though it’s past noon. She doesn’t bother putting her phone away. “Who are you?”

I blink. “Is that something you ask everyone?”

“That’d be a waste of my time since I know everyone here. But not you.” She leans forward against the counter and smiles. “You’re new.”

There’s a gap between her front teeth big enough to fit the tip of her tongue into. Her skin’s a deep mahogany, and my eyes linger on her a little longer than I mean them to, piecing and re- piecing her features together. Long face. High cheekbones. A cluster of dark beauty marks on one cheek. She’s pretty, I real-ize, in the way that some people are— without question.

I look away quickly, toward the menu. There are only a handful of choices, a few variations of coffee and hot chocolate in calligraphy that’s hard to read. No iced coffee in sight.

“What do you recommend?”

“Can’t go wrong with black,” she says. “Plus, we’ve got the best coffee in town.”

“Best?” My eyes find hers again. “Or only?”

Her laugh is full- bodied. “Go taste the coffee down by the

gas station and you tell me.”

I grimace, picturing oil in a to- go cup. “Got it. Black it is. And a hot chocolate.”

I pull out Uncle Miles’s five, but she waves me off and steps away to prepare the drinks. I watch her hands, bright purple fingernails gleaming against the coffeepot. “I’m Kathleen, by the way,” she says. “But Kat will do.”

Kat’s a nice nickname. It fits her better than Kathleen seems to, somehow. The shortness of it. The punchiness.

“You got a name?” she asks when she glances over at me, eyebrows raised.

Right. Obviously. “Jericka.”

“You’re Miles’s niece.” It’s a fact, not a question. When I frown, she smiles. “He has single- handedly drunk enough coffee the past couple weeks to keep us in business the rest of the year. Plus, you look like him.”

A small jolt of pleasure goes through me. No one’s ever said that before. There’s never been anyone to compare me to but Mom.

“Besides,” she adds, “the whole town’s been betting on whether you and your mom would show up.”

I frown. “What are you talking about?”

Kat grimaces. “My dad says I don’t watch my mouth as much as I ought to. All I meant is that people always show up here again, no matter how long ago they left. That’s what the old people claim, anyway. So, yeah.” She shrugs, giving me an apologetic smile. “They’ve been betting, and I’ve been keeping an eye out for new folks.”

“Is that what everyone does here for fun?” I ask, annoyed now. “Wait for other people to come back?”

“Or wait to die. Not a ton else to do in good ol’ Coldwater.” She winks at me. “But, hey, you’re only visiting, right?”

The post Read An Excerpt From ‘Something Kindred’ by Ciera Burch appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

From magic, fairytales, romance, and thrillers, to monsters, rebels, pirates, and friends, there’s certainly something for everyone to look forward to amongst the young adult books releasing between January and June 2024! From new releases from the likes of Emma Lord, Brigid Kemmerer, Kacen Callender, Morgan Matson, Tomi Adeyemi, Kalynn Bayron, Rachel Lynn Solomon, and many more, to those making their dazzling debut, you will be spoilt for choice!

Read on to discover some wonderful new reads within this list and be sure to check out our other 2024 round-ups too, including our Most Anticipated and our Swoonworthy Romance lists!

JANUARY 2024 BOOK RELEASES

Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix by Gabe Cole Novoa

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A trans boy searches for a future―and a romance―in which he can live and love openly as himself in this heartrending young-adult reimagining of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, part of the Remixed Classics series.

The Getaway List by Emma Lord

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Inescapably romantic and brimming with New York Times bestselling author Emma Lord’s signature cheer, The Getaway List is an uplifting and romantic read that will settle into your heart and never leave.

If I Promise You Wings by A.K. Small

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Hold Still meets You’ve Reached Sam in this lyrical novel about one young woman’s journey through the Paris fashion scene as she chases promises, overcomes grief, and falls in love.

Just Happy to Be Here by Naomi Kanakia

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In this YA standalone perfect for fans of Tobly McSmith and Meredith Russo, the first out trans girl at an all-girls school must choose between keeping her head down or blazing a trail.

That’s Not My Name by Megan Lally

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From a gripping new voice comes a YA thriller with amnesia, stalking, abduction and twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat, perfect for fans of Natalie D. Richards and Vincent Ralph.​

A Drop of Venom by Sajni Patel

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Circe goes YA in this unapologetically feminist retelling of the Medusa myth steeped in Indian mythology, a YA epic fantasy addition to the Rick Riordan Presents imprint.

The Atlas of Us by Kristin Dwyer

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Following her critically-acclaimed debut novel, Some Mistakes Were Made, Kristin Dwyer is back with The Atlas of Us, a novel about deep grief, found family, and a raw love story that will have readers crying and laughing in equal measure.

Shut Up, This Is Serious by Carolina Ixta

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An unforgettable YA debut about two Latina teens growing up in East Oakland as they discover that the world is brimming with messy complexities, perfect for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo and Erika L. Sánchez.

Arya Khanna’s Bollywood Moment by Arushi Avachat

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Save the Date meets Never Have I Ever in this sparkling debut rom-com about a high school senior whose life suddenly gets a Bollywood spin when her sister gets engaged.

Somewhere in the Deep by Tanvi Berwah

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From the author of Monsters Born and Made comes an action-packed South Asian inspired fantasy that will have your heart racing at every turn. 

Out of Our League: 16 Stories of Girls in Sports

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A compelling YA anthology from editors Dahlia Adler and Jennifer Iacopelli about the trials and triumphs of girls in sports with stories from Carrie S. Allen, Sara Farizan, Juliana Goodman, Maggie Hall, Leah Henderson, Sarah Henning, Naomi Kanakia, Miranda Kenneally, Yamile Saied Méndez, Cam Montgomery, Marieke Nijkamp, Amparo Ortiz, Aminah Mae Safi, and Kayla Whaley.

Destroy the Day by Brigid Kemmerer

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In the thrilling conclusion to the Defy the Night series, New York Times bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer crafts heartrending twists and devastating turns that will keep readers breathless to the very end.

FEBRUARY 2024 BOOK RELEASES

Infinity Alchemist by Kacen Callender

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Infinity Alchemist is a spellbinding fantasy novel about a quest that leads three young alchemists toward dangerous truth, legendary love, and extraordinary power.

My Big, Fat Desi Wedding

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These genre-bending stories focus on the magic (and tension) of the biggest family gathering. Both award-winning and debut authors share stories of broken hearts, rekindled flames, unlikely romances, and one particular auntie who loves to meddle with stories from Prerna Pickett, Syed Masood, Tashie Bhuiyan, Aamna Qureshi, Payal Doshi, Sarah Mughal, Noreen Mughees, and Anahita Karthi.

This Day Changes Everything by Edward Underhill

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Dash & Lily meets Ferris Bueller’s Day Off in Edward Underhill’s new whirlwind rom-com about two queer teens who spend one life-changing day together in New York City.

Daughter of the Bone Forest by Jasmine Skye

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Two girls reluctantly bound by fate must weather a dangerous courtship as a prophesied war grows ever closer in Jasmine Skye’s high-stakes, queernormative dark fantasy debut, Daughter of the Bone Forest.

A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal

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From the New York Times–bestselling author of We Hunt the Flame comes the first book in a hotly-anticipated fantasy duology teeming with romance and revenge, led by an orphan girl willing to do whatever it takes to save her self-made kingdom.

The Bad Ones by Melissa Albert

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NYT bestselling author Melissa Albert returns with THE BAD ONES, a supernatural horror novel about four mysterious disappearances in a town haunted by a sinister magical history

Kindling by Traci Chee

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From bestselling and award-winning author Traci Chee comes a standalone fantasy set against a war-ravaged world where kindling warfare—the use of elite, magic-wielding teenage soldiers—has been outlawed. In this rich and evocative novel, seven kindlings search for purpose and identity as they prepare for one final battle. For fans of the classic films Seven Samurai and The Magnificent Seven.

I Hope This Doesn’t Find You by Ann Liang

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Unforgettable, snarky, and romantic, I Hope This Doesn’t Find You is Never Have I Ever meets To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before if Lara Jean wrote hate emails instead of love letters.

Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli

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Enemies-to-lovers doesn’t get more high stakes than a witch and a witch hunter falling in love in bestselling author Kristen Ciccarelli’s latest romantic fantasy

If Only I Had Told Her by Laura Nowlin

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An intensely emotional and gripping companion novel to Laura Nowlin’s USA Today and New York Times Bestselling novel If He Had Been With Me about the love that both breaks and heals us. Perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover and Jenny Han.

With a Little Luck by Marissa Meyer

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After being magically gifted with incredible luck, a boy discovers this gift just may be a curse when it comes to love, in this sweet romantic comedy by #1 New York Times-bestselling author Marissa Meyer.

Where the Dark Stands Still by A.B. Poranek

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A girl with dangerous magic makes a risky bargain with a demon to be free of her monstrous power in this young adult fantasy perfect for fans of An Enchantment of Ravens and House of Salt and Sorrows.

MARCH 2024 BOOK RELEASES

The Last Bloodcarver by Vanessa Le

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The tantalising romance of These Violent Delights meets the mechanical wonders of Cinder in The Last Bloodcarver , the first in a two-book debut – with a riveting medical magic system and lush Vietnam-inspired fantasy world.

Bad Like Us by Gabriella Lepore

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Two friend groups collide when someone turns up dead over spring break in this heart-thumping YA thriller for fans of One of Us Is Lying and We Were Liars

The Summer She Went Missing by Chelsea Ichaso

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From the author of Dead Girls Can’t Tell Secrets and They’re Watching You, a compelling new thriller!

Icarus by K. Ancrum

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Perfect for fans of Adam Silvera and Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, this suspenseful queer YA romance from critically acclaimed author K. Ancrum reimagines the tale of Icarus as a star-crossed love story between a young art thief and the son of the man he’s been stealing from—think Portrait of a Thief for YA readers.

Promchanted by Morgan Matson

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Modern-day teens wander into Disney’s Sleeping Beauty in this enemies-to-lovers rom-com from New York Times bestselling author Morgan Matson.

One Last Breath by Ginny Myers Sain

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The New York Times bestselling author of Dark & Shallow Lies delivers another chilling supernatural thriller filled with murder, romance, and a decades long mystery that haunts a small Florida town.

Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

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In Where Sleeping Girls Lie ― a YA contemporary mystery by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, the New York Times-bestselling author of Ace of Spades ― a girl new to boarding school discovers dark secrets and coverups after her roommate disappears.

We Are Mayhem by Beck Rourke-Mooney

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Filled with messy, complicated characters, We Are Mayhem is a debut YA novel about finding your strength, embracing your weird, and being who you truly are – no matter what.

Ariel Crashes A Train by Olivia A. Cole

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Exploring the harsh reality of OCD and violent intrusive thoughts in stunning, lyrical writing, this novel-in-verse conjures a haunting yet hopeful portrait of a girl on the edge. From the author of Dear Medusa, which New York Times bestselling author Samira Ahmed called “a fierce and brightly burning feminist roar.”

The No-Girlfriend Rule by Christen Randall

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Julie Murphy meets Casey McQuiston in this unforgettable queer romance about a teen girl whose foray into fantasy tabletop roleplaying brings her new confidence, true friends, and a shot at real, swoon-worthy love.

The Hedgewitch of Foxhall by Anna Bright

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In this gorgeous stand-alone fantasy romance perfect for fans of Margaret Rogerson and Allison Saft, a rebellious witch undertakes a last-ditch quest to restore magic to medieval Wales—as two princes vie for her heart.

The Poisons We Drink by Bethany Baptiste

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The Poisons We Drink is a potent YA debut about a world where love potions are weaponized against hate and prejudice, sisterhood is unbreakable, and self-love is life and death.

APRIL 2024 BOOK RELEASES

Something Kindred by Ciera Burch

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Magical realism meets Southern Gothic in this commanding young adult debut from Ciera Burch about true love, the meaning of home, and the choices that haunt us.

We’re Never Getting Home by Tracy Badua

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HBO’s Insecure meets Dazed and Confused in this messy, tender YA novel about a friendship breakup, set against the backdrop of a chaotic night at a music festival, from rising talent Tracy Badua.

The Final Curse of Ophelia Cray by Christine Calella

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The Final Curse of Ophelia Cray follows the asexual daughter of a notorious pirate queen and her anxious half-sister braving the sea and its pirates to find themselves

Fate Be Changed: A Twisted Tale by Farrah Rochon

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What if the witch gave Merida a different spell? This New York Times best-selling series twists Disney Pixar’s Brave into a fast-paced story in which Merida is sent back in time.

The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson

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From the author of the multimillion-copy bestselling A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series and Five Survive comes a new true-crime fueled mystery thriller about a girl determined to uncover the shocking truth about her mother’s disappearance while filming a documentary on the unsolved case.

Not Like Other Girls by Meredith Adamo

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Not Like Other Girls is a stunning debut that takes a hard look at how we treat young women and their trauma, through the lens of a missing girl and a girl trying to find herself again.

Otherworldly by F.T. Lukens

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A skeptic and a supernatural being make a crossroads deal to achieve their own ends only to get more than they bargained for in this lively young adult romantic adventure from the New York Times bestselling author of Spell Bound and So This Is Ever After.

The Misdirection of Fault Lines by Anna Gracia

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Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants goes to the French Open in an emotionally honest and openhearted novel for fans of Yamile Saied Méndez and Mary HK Choi.

To A Darker Shore by Leanne Schwartz

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A da Vinci-esque teen girl inventor on a Dante-esque journey through hell to save her best friend.

Draw Down the Moon by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

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New York Times bestsellers P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast return with a new duology set in a dark and magickal world filled with incredible danger and irresistible romance.

Finally Fitz by Marisa Kanter

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A bisexual teen girl tries to make her ex jealous by faking an Instagram romance that leads to surprisingly real feelings in this hijinks-filled rom-com perfect for fans of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and She Gets the Girl.

Song of the Six Realms by Judy I. Lin

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Judy I. Lin, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Magic Steeped in Poison, weaves a dreamy gothic romance worthy of the heavens in Song of the Six Realms.

MAY 2024 BOOK RELEASES

The Worst Perfect Moment by Shivaun Plozza

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Equal parts tender and edgy, this inventive queer romance imagines what it might feel like to come of age in the afterlife.

A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur

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June Hur, bestselling author of The Red Palace, crafts a devastating and pulse-pounding tale that will feel all-too-relevant in today’s world, based on a true story from Korean history.

Blood at the Root by LaDarrion Williams

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A teenager on the run from his past finds the family he never knew existed and the community he never knew he needed at an HBCU for the young, Black, and magical. Enroll in this fresh fantasy debut with the emotional power of Legendborn and the redefined ancestral magic of Lovecraft Country.

The Ballad of Darcy and Russell by Morgan Matson

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From New York Times bestselling author Morgan Matson comes a sweeping romantic novel about love, fate…and that one night that can change everything.

The Only Light Left Burning by Erik J. Brown

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What If It’s Us meets They Both Die at the End in this sequel to the beloved postapocalyptic queer YA adventure romance All That’s Left in the World by USA Today bestselling author Erik J. Brown.

The Girl in Question by Tess Sharpe

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Four teens. Three henchmen. Two thousand acres of remote forest. One very bad man. And a whole lot of new secrets to unearth. The unmissable, thrilling follow-up to THE GIRLS I’VE BEEN (soon to be a Netflix film).

I Wish You Would by Eva Des Lauriers

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To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before meets You’ve Reached Sam in this love story in which explosive secrets threaten to tear everyone apart, including best friends (or maybe more?), Natalia and Ethan.

Bite Me, Royce Taslim by Lauren Ho

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Acclaimed author of Last Tang Standing and Lucie Yi is Not a Romantic in her YA debut: a sharp yet sweet rivals-to-romance romp through Kuala Lumpur—perfect for fans of Emiko Jean, Abigail Hing Wen, and Kat Cho.

The Lamplighter by Crystal J. Bell

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In a quaint 19th century whaling village, a young woman seeks to expose the dark truth behind the village’s eerie disappearances at the risk of the lives of everyone she loves . . . assuming anyone will listen to a female in the first place.

In the Shallows by Tanya Byrne

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From the acclaimed author of Afterlove comes a beautiful sapphic second-chance love story drenched with longing, loss and mystery.

Keepers of the Stones and Stars by Michael Barakiva

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Keepers of the Stones and Stars is a witty young adult contemporary fantasy about a group of five teens chosen by magical gems to save the world.

Have You Seen This Girl by Nita Tyndall

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Fans of Courtney Summers and Tess Sharpe will devour this standalone YA thriller following a nonbinary teen investigating a series of copycat murders targeting girls in their small town—murders based on their serial killer dad’s MO.

JUNE 2024 BOOK RELEASES

Children of Anguish and Anarchy by Tomi Adeyemi

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Tomi Adeyemi’s #1 New York Times -bestselling Legacy of Orïsha series comes to an earth-shaking conclusion.

Twelfth Knight by Alexene Farol Follmuth

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From the New York Times bestselling author of The Atlas Six (under the penname Olivie Blake) comes Twelfth Knight, a YA romantic comedy and coming of age story about taking up space in the world and learning what it means to let others in.

Past Present Future by Rachel Lynn Solomon

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They fell for each other in just twenty-four hours. Now Rowan and Neil embark on a long-distance relationship during their first year of college in this romantic, dual POV sequel to Today Tonight Tomorrow.

Of Jade and Dragons by Amber Chen

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Mulan meets Iron Widow in this thrilling silkpunk fantasy about a girl who must disguise herself as a boy and enter the famed and dangerous Engineer’s Guild trials to unravel the mystery of her father’s murder.

Wish You Weren’t Here by Erin Baldwin

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Pitched as The Hating Game for teens, the story follows childhood rivals Juliette and Priya, who are forced to be summer camp cabinmates, and must decide what they want more: to kill each other, or to kiss.

Sleep Like Death by Kalynn Bayron

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New York Times bestselling author and TikTok sensation Kalynn Bayron returns to fairytales with a lush, thrilling and original YA Snow White retelling that brings a new and exciting voice to this familiar tale. Perfect for fans of Cinderella Is Dead.

Heiress Takes All by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka

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The Inheritance Games meets Ocean’s 11 in this thrilling YA adventure about a vengeful daughter determined to pull off the perfect heist in the midst of her father’s wedding.

We Mostly Come Out At Night: 15 Queer Tales of Monsters, Angels & Other Creatures

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An empowering cross-genre YA anthology that explores what it means to be a monster, exclusively highlighting trans and queer authors who offer new tales and perspectives on classic monster stories and tropes. Contributors include editor Rob Costello, Kalynn Bayron, David Bowles, Shae Carys, Rob Costello, H.E. Edgmon, Michael Thomas Ford, Val Howlett, Brittany Johnson, Naomi Kanakia, Claire Kann, Jonathan Lenore Kastin, Sarah Maxfield, Sam J. Miller, Alexandra Villasante, and Merc Fenn Wolfmoor.

Moonstorm by Yoon Ha Lee

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In a society where conformity is valued above all else, a teen girl training to become an Imperial pilot is forced to return to her rebel roots to save her world in this adrenaline-fueled sci-fi adventure—perfect for fans of Iron Widow and Skyward!

There Is a Door in This Darkness by Kristin Cashore

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A magic-tinged contemporary YA about grief and hope from the acclaimed New York Times bestselling author of the Graceling Realm novels.

The Wren in the Holly Library by K.A. Linde

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A Darker Shade of Magic meets Six of Crows, in this alternate day New York where monsters live among humankind, from USA Today bestselling author K.A. Linde.

Storm: Dawn of a Goddess by Tiffany D. Jackson

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Before she was the super hero Storm of Marvel’s X-Men, she was Ororo of Cairo—a teenaged thief on the streets of Egypt, until her growing powers catch the eye of a villain who steals people’s souls.

What YA books are you looking forward to picking up in 2024? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Here’s 72 Of The Most Anticipated YA Books Of 2024 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Hi, Ciera! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

Hi! Of course. I’m Ciera, I love writing, ice cream, and D&D. I’m a plant mom and book hoarder and I very much enjoy spending time on my couch with my heated blanket and a good book when I’m not writing my own.

When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

Oh, when I was very, very little. I was lucky to have a mom who loved reading and so would spend time reading aloud to me as a baby. I think one of my first memories is just my mom’s voice in that very storytelling cadence as she read and her reactions to whatever it was she was managing to read for fun in between being busy taking care of me and working and finishing school.

When I got older, reading and storytelling became my main source of entertainment. If I wasn’t reading, I was daydreaming and if I wasn’t daydreaming, I was making up worlds and scenarios to act out with my stuffed animals.

Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!

Oh, jeeze, my memory is so bad! Okay!

I think it was some collection of Disney princess stories that is forever titleless in my memory. Or maybe one of the Babysitters Club books. Or The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! by Jon Scieszka.

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor was one of my first introductions to a main Black cast in a book, especially a young Black main character. Despite the time period and location difference reading that book was the first time I’d felt seen as a reader and I just remember wanting to give other kids that same feeling with the stories I liked to tell my mom or stuffed animals.

I’m not sure I’ll ever stop thinking about We Are Okay by Nina LaCour and the profound sense of emotion wielded so well on every page.

Your debut novel, Finch House, is out September 5^th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Spooky, loving, brave, hopeful, and forgiving.

What can readers expect?

A lot of atmosphere! Fall is the best season and I love a good haunting vibe, which I think Finch House has just enough of without being too scary. They can also expect lots of familial love and blossoming friendship between characters because I love love in all of its forms, especially familial, and bravery even in the face of doubt and fear.

Micah is a brave girl but it doesn’t mean that she’s not afraid and her fear is perfectly understandable and absolutely okay.

Where did the inspiration for Finch House come from?

There are many inspirations—The Haunting of Hill House, Victorian houses in general, the feeling of constant change that often comes with growing up—but my main influence is my Poppop…and his basement. My Poppop is one of my best friends and I love getting his view of the world and seeing how it’s different to or has helped shape my own.

His basement, and the endless stairs leading into the darkest night, has also been responsible for causing fear every time I step into the kitchen at night for almost three decades. When I think of childhood horror, it’s that basement that forever comes to mind!

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

I really enjoyed writing Jenn, a girl who lives inside of Finch House. She was a very complicated character to figure out, partially because of everything she’s gone through, and it was very fun (and somewhat difficult!) figuring out how she would interact with Micah and Theo and other characters and how her present day self might be different from her past self.

This is your debut novel! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?

It’s been fun! A little scary, surprisingly quick at times, and really just filled with a lot of gratitude for the people behind the scenes who have championed me and my book as much as they have! I’ve been writing for nearly my entire life but the process of becoming a published author has amplified that warm, happy feeling I get when I write just as much as it has made me stress over deadlines or edits. I worked in publishing and bookselling for all of my adult life but being on this side of the book world has been fascinating and eye-opening in any number of great ways.

I previously wrote mostly YA and started writing Finch House partially on a whim and partially on a nudge from my agent and quickly fell in love with the voice I discovered for middle grade.

What’s next for you?

My debut YA, Something Kindred, about Jericka, a teenage girl who’s forced to move to rural Marlyand to help care for her sick, estranged grandmother and develops feelings for another girl she meets in town, comes out in April!

I’m also currently working on my second middle grade that deals with a fun cryptid from my home state and a science-loving Black girl who definitely doesn’t believe in monsters.

Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?

The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton is absolutely delightful. Roll for Initiative by Jaime Formato is a wonderful story about discovering D&D and friendship. And for manga lovers, I’ve been very much enjoying Spy X Family by Tatsuya Endo!

Will you be picking up Finch House? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Ciera Burch, Author of ‘Finch House’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.