About Carnival Fantástico: An unputdownable romantasy following a young woman posing as fortune-teller at a magical traveling carnival, where the handsome boy who once broke her heart resurfaces and warns her that the carnival is more sinister than it appears. Out February 3rd 2026.

The three full-length YA novels I have written might seem vastly different at first glance. In Sinner’s Isle, a witch held captive on a remote island finds a way to escape by blackmailing a handsome, recently marooned pirate. In A Cruel Thirst, a freshly turned vampire longs to reclaim his humanity, but instead collides with a determined, wannabe vampire huntress. In Carnival Fantástico, an ex-thief and spy hides within a magical traveling carnival and is willing to do whatever it takes to become the lead act, including teaming up with the boy who once broke her heart.

On the surface, these three tales may seem unrelated, but a single thread weaves through them all: trickster deities and mythological creatures who shape the fates of the characters. To take it further, all of these supernatural beings are inspired by Mexica (Me-shee-ka) mythology––often referred to as Aztec mythology––which holds a special place in my heart.

We so often see fantasy novels set in Eurocentric worlds, which I love, but I also love exploring the dynamic, complex deities that can only be found in Mesoamerican legends. Below, you will find five other novels that celebrate these beautiful, terrible, awe-inspiring deities and mythological beings, and the Mesoamerican cultures from which they emerged.

Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Gritty, dark, and thrilling, this fresh take on vampire lore is an electrifying neo-noir set in a reimagined Mexico City. The protagonist, descended from Aztec blood drinkers, is on the run from a rival narco-vampire clan determined to hunt her down. This story sank its fangs into me and never let go––but all of Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s writing has a way of doing that. If you’d like to explore more of Moreno-Garcia’s works steeped in Mesoamerican traditions, I highly recommend Gods of Jade and Shadow.

The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas

I will read anything Aiden Thomas writes, but The Sunbearer Trials is one of my absolute favorites. The story introduces us to Teo, the trans son of Quetzal, the goddess of birds. When Teo is chosen against all odds to compete in the Sun Bearer Trials, he must face opponents who are far more powerful and far better equipped to survive. During our hero’s journey, we meet a rich cast of deities that have been reimagined from Mesoamerican legend, making this story feel epic, daring, and truly unique. Celestial Monsters, the second book in this duology, is equally remarkable.

Secret of the Moon Conch by David Bowles and Guadalupe García McCall

Intricate, clever, and set in parallel timelines that are masterfully woven together, this novel was one of my favorite reads of 2025. We meet Sitlali, a young Mexican woman in the modern day searching for her family and a safe place to rest her head, and Calizto, a young Aztec warrior in 1521 Tenochtitlan fighting to save his city from Spanish imperialists. Connected by an enchanted conch, the two find each other across time and help each other face the biggest trials of their lives––while also falling deeply in love. What more can you ask for?

Daughter of Fire by Sofia Robleda

With magnificent prose and captivating storytelling, Robleda is an author whose books will always have a special place on my shelves. Set during 16^th-century Guatemala, this historical fantasy draws heavily from Mesoamerican lore and history–– specifically K’iche’ Maya traditions. Catalina, our biracial protagonist, works in secret to preserve the sacred texts in the face of Spanish colonization. She is the kind of main character you root for the second you meet her on the page. Robleda weaves a tale that is heartbreaking, beautiful, and profoundly inspiring, rooted in the real-life suppression of the Mayan culture during this period. This is a novel that must not be missed. I’m also extremely excited for her upcoming book, The Other Moctezuma Girls.

The Actual Star by Monica Byrne

This novel came highly recommended by a friend, and I am so very glad I listened to her. What a powerful showcase of intricate worldbuilding and storytelling. This ambitious and immersive novel unfolds across three interconnected timelines (1012 CE, 2012, and 3012) which are all tied to an ancient Maya city. My brain was on fire while listening to the audiobook, and I absolutely loved every second of it.

I’d also like to highlight Their Will Undone by R.J. Valldeperas. Though this novel isn’t Mesoamerican-inspired, it draws from Inca culture and the author’s own heritage, making it well worth celebrating. A fierce debut steeped in ancestral magic, betrayal, and defiance, Their Will Undone is a powerful exploration of what happens when we reclaim our fate and fight back against those who seek to control us. Valldeperas spoke truly when she described this book as not just a coming-of-age story, but a coming-of-rage.

There are so many more books I couldn’t fit into this list, but I hope I inspired you to explore other works rooted in Mesoamerican mythologies. Each is unique, rich in culture, steeped in fascinating mythos, and exceptionally creative, and all of them deserve a place in libraries, bookstores, and on your shelves.

The post Five Novels that Celebrate Mesoamerican Cultures and Mythologies appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Guadalupe García McCall is the award-winning author of Secret of the Moon Conch, Under the Mesquite, Summer of the Mariposas, Shame the Stars, All the Stars Denied, and Echoes of Grace. She has received a Pura Belpré Author Award, a Westchester Young Adult Fiction Award, and the Tomás Rivera Mexican-American Children’s Book Award, and was a finalist for the William C. Morris Award and the Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy. She advocates for literacy and diverse books. She lives with her husband in Texas.

Releasing June 11, Hearts of Fire and Snow sees award-winning authors David Bowles and Guadalupe García McCall reimagine a beloved Aztec tale of star-crossed lovers with one last chance to reunite.

There’s nothing more alluring than a shady porch swing on a warm, sunny afternoon when it’s too hot to get out but too beautiful to stay indoors. The luxury of such a space can only be made even more relaxing when we lose ourselves within the pages of a great book. And while there are many genres to entice us, none is quite as delicious and tempting as the Romantic Fantasy or Romantasy.

Whatever the contours be—Epic Fantasy, Alternative History, Urban Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery, Steampunk, Historical Fantasy, xianxia, etc.—the sheer joy of slipping into a book filled with not just romance but all kinds of magical, mystical, and fantastical elements truly appeals to readers young and old.

On that note, David Bowles and Guadalupe McCall have curated a list of six swoony romantasies guaranteed to make you curl up on that porch swing dreaming of extraordinary worlds with heroic characters engaged in wondrous, magical adventures while they fall in love.

Some suggestions from Guadalupe:

The Vampire’s Bargain by Jasmine Walt

There are two things I love more than anything in a novel: Vampires is one and Witches are a very close, very marginal, third to Werewolves. So, when I saw the title and then read the description, I was all in! 

Kitana Nightshade is one of the most powerful witches in Valentaera. A fierce defender of witchkind and humanity, she stands against the vicious threat of the vampire kingdom until her lover betrays her in cold blood, sealing her away in a magical prison. For fifty long years, Kitana dreams of vengeance. But when she is finally freed, it is by Maximilian, an enigmatic vampire lord. He offers a bargain—assassinate the vampire king, and he’ll help her take back her coven and get revenge. Kitana wouldn’t normally work with a vampire. (Me? I would totally ally, marry, hunt with and do all kinds of vampire things till the end of days.) But the world has changed. The sun has disappeared, the vampires have conquered the human kingdoms, and the witches are nowhere to be found. In a world shrouded by darkness and abandoned by the gods, she needs help. But she’s not expecting to fall for Maximilian.

If you’re ready for a great enemies-to-lovers slow burn romance, then go ahead, take a bite out of this book.

Tales of the Celestial Kingdom by Sue Lynn Tan

I have to admit, I haven’t read Sue Lynn Tan’s Celestial Kingdom romance fantasy novels yet, but they’re in my pile. So when I saw this collection of short stories, I thought it would be the best way to dig into her highly acclaimed, bestselling books, especially because the tales are all set before, during, and after the events in Daughter of the Moon Goddess and Heart of the Sun Warrior.

Tales from the Celestial Kingdom collects nine spellbinding stories set in the enchanting world of Sue Lynn Tan’s stunning debut. Filled with magic and mythology, friendship and love, these stories intertwine through the past, present, and future of the two novels, told from the perspectives of multiple characters, including Chang’e, Shuxiao, Liwei, and Wenzhi.

Another feature I adore in books is artwork and this book is beautifully illustrated by Kelly Chong. If you love to have your mind, heart, and eyes completely immersed in a whole other world, full of the kind of drama that carries you away, then this book is for you!

The Seventh Veil of Salome by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is one of my most beloved authors. She never fails to bring on the chills and squeals out of me. Mexican Gothic is still my favorite book from her thus far. If you haven’t read it already, then now is the time to do so.

However, when I saw she had another book coming soon, I  just had to put it on this list. Even though it doesn’t drop until August 6, The Seventh Veil of Saloma  is technically still a summer read, so I say let’s all pre-order it and sit on our hands on our metaphorical porch and wait for it. Because based on this description, it’s going to be epic!

A young woman wins the role of a lifetime in a film about a legendary heroine—but the real drama is behind the scenes in this sumptuous historical epic. It’s 1950s Hollywood, and every actress wants to play Salome in a big-budget movie about the legendary woman and her tragic obsession with John the Baptist.

When the film’s director casts unknown Mexican actress Vera Larios in the lead role, she becomes the talk of the town and an object of envy for Nancy Hartley, a bit player whose career has stalled and who will do anything to win the fame she believes she richly deserves. Two actresses, both determined to make it to the top in Golden Age Hollywood make for a sizzling combination. Add to it a series of love interests that reflect the legend of Salome, and you get the interwoven stories of three women torn between duty and the yearning of their heart. Before the curtain comes down, there will be tears and tragedy aplenty in this sexy Technicolor saga. I have to admit, I love the promise of a heartbreaking, harrowing premise on this one!

Some suggestions from David:

Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas

Vampires of El Norte combines elements of horror, romance, and historical fiction to create a chilling narrative. The book alternates POV chapters between Nena and Néstor, initially a teenage couple in northeastern Mexico in 1837, a time when tensions are on the rise between local Mexican ranchers and Anglo settlers crossing the border from Texas. Nena is fascinated by her grandmother’s folktales, especially of the menacing Cuco, that sucks the blood of its victims and leaves them to die.

One night, the teens’ planned tryst is interrupted by a monstrous being that drains Nena of her blood. Néstor, believing her dead, withdraws from the world for nine long years. Néstor drowns his sorrows in a life of debauchery, while Nena, who has survived and believes herself abandoned by her beloved, trains as a healer in the art of home remedies.

Nena and Néstor unexpectedly reunite when the Anglos bring a full-scale war to Mexico. Nena struggles to forgive Néstor for leaving her and succumbing to a life of vice. But (of course) their romance slowly rekindles in the sweet middle portion of the book, even as the Mexican-American War breaks out and the couple grapples with fear of the unspeakable horror they encountered.

Isabel Cañas carefully balances the historical, romantic, and Gothic folk horror aspects of the novel while offering a freshly creative and compelling depiction of vampires, which she uses as cyphers for the real terrors of aggression and nationalist war. A stunning and swoony Weird Western love story!

Faebound by Saara El-Arifi

In an alternate world where humans, elves, and fae have fought to carve out spaces for their separate peoples, Yeeran is a warrior in the elven army. She has known nothing but violence her whole life. Her sister, Lettle, makes a living as a diviner while seeking prophecies of a better future. When a fatal mistake leads to Yeeran’s exile from the Elven lands, they are both forced into the terrifying wilderness beyond their borders. There they encounter the impossible: the fae, who haven’t been seen for a millennium. But Yeeran and Lettle are thrust into the seductive fae court and find themselves torn between their loyalty to their elven homeland and each other, and to their hearts. For the sisters find themselves drawn inexorably toward two people: Yeeran to the genderfluid fae “princess” Furi, whom she lusts after even while initially hating, and Lettle to Rayan, the Captain of Yeeran’s regiment, who has followed the sisters into this realm … and whose tragic fate Lettle is devastated to augur.

The first book of a trilogy, Faebound plays brilliantly with the tropes of the genre, giving us Black elves and lots of queer representation, from Sapphic love to nonbinary fae. Highly recommended! 

Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu (translated by Suika)

Xianxia is a genre of fantasy popular in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, a blend of magic and martial arts. One of the main elements is the existence of mage warriors who “cultivate” (add to and strengthen) their spiritual energy (chi) through various means, making themselves more powerful and often virtually immortal.

A danmei (gay) webnovel in this genre that took the world by storm is 魔道祖师 (Mó Dào Zǔ Shī, popularly referred to as MDZS), translated into English as five bestselling volumes titled Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation. The series centers on two very different men. One is Wei Wuxian, orphaned as a child, who, while fiercely loyal and just, is also a sarcastic rogue with little patience for tradition and tendency to see the world in shades of gray. The other is Lan Wangji, his polar opposite, a quiet proponent of tradition and proper cultivation from a very respectable clan.

The two study together as young men and become very close (each harboring an unspoken, unrequited desire for the other). But various twists of fate lead Wei Wuxian to start cultivating using darker energy derived from ghosts and revenants. He is eventually killed in a massive conflict among clans … but returns thirteen years later in a new body, reconnecting with Lan Wangji as they try to understand the villains behind the scenes. They realize they feel more for each than friendship, and a really amazing romance blossoms between them.

When the novel was adapted for TV (the English title is Untamed), the Chinese government’s prohibition of LGBTQ content meant their love became more brotherly, though clearly gay-coded. If you decide to watch it, I recommend reading the books first.

The post Six Swoony Romantasies For Warm, Sunny Afternoons appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Guadalupe: Hi, David! I’m excited about having this dual interview with you, since we are both having so much fun collaborating and dreaming up so many new projects. Because this is my first book collaboration, I have nothing to compare it to. However, I know that you’ve had other collaborations, and so I wondered: What is your favorite part of the process of “writing in collaboration”? 

David: Hey, Guadalupe! Great question.  Because the project is always what comes first for me, collaboration gives me the chance to tackle projects that are beyond the scope of my own abilities or experiences. It’s such a blessing to find a like-minded person who shares the same vision for a book and to bounce ideas off them until the two of you craft the best version of that literary dream. Then the energy of seeing the manuscript rolling twice as fast with two brains churning it out is really intoxicating, as is the challenge of living up to the amazing writing of your collaborative partner. To some extent, this synergy feels like an amped-up iteration of what an author experiences with a really insightful and hands-on editor, but with even greater investment on the part of the co-author.

With all that in mind, Guadalupe, and given that Secret of the Moon Conch is your first collaboration, I wanted to ask: What was the toughest part, for you, of co-writing this book with me?

Guadalupe: I have to admit the toughest part of co-writing this book was staying true to Calizto’s voice. A big part of my writing process is to give my characters a lot of leeway, letting them think and feel and do what comes naturally to them as people who live and breathe and share their experiences with me in my head. It’s a very visceral, almost spiritual experience, to go on this journey of life with my characters. However, for this book, I had to experience Calizto through your chapters, as a conception of your imagination and your heart. This, of course, made it harder for me to let him do what he wanted in my chapters, because he wasn’t my creation, my fictional child, if that makes sense.

So, when writing my chapters I had many moments when I questioned whether his words, his actions, and his reactions were accurate for him. I had to think more critically than I’m used to if I was going to stay faithful to your vision of this beautiful boy from Tenochtitlan. Though it helped that you and I are good friends, fully committed to writing the best book possible, because it gave us permission to revise our characters’ action, reactions, & dialogue sequences in each other’s chapters as we progressed. And speaking of Tenochtitlan, I have to ask: How did you capture the setting of an ancient, lost architecture so well?  

David: It’s so fortuitous, frankly, that you thought of me when you first had the idea for this book, because I was still deep in the weeds of my research into Tenochtitlan and the Tenochcah (the residents of that city, mostly ethnic Nahuas of the Mexica nation). As you know, by that time I had spent a decade and a half studying Mesoamerica and learning the Nahuatl language spoken throughout the Aztec Empire at the time of the conquest (and by 1.5 million people today). But most of my research had been cultural and linguistic in nature. I hadn’t dug into the physical and political aspects quite as much.

But when Steven Spielberg’s production company Amblin reached out to me, asking me to be a translator and consultant on a mini-series depicting the encounter between Moctezuma and Cortés, I found myself really immersed in the particularities of life in Tenochtitlan at the time of the Spanish Invasion. Even though that mini-series was ultimately canceled during pre-production due to COVID-19, the work I did was fundamental in advancing my understanding of the very elements that would make Secret of the Moon Conch such a compelling exploration of the Isle of Mexico in 1521.

I also owe a debt of gratitude to Paul Guinan and David Hahn, whose amazing comic adaptation of the Spanish Invasion has produced the most accurate maps and graphics of the Aztec Empire in existence. Our book includes two of these, in fact!

Speaking of the challenges of writing outside one’s comfort zone, how did you grapple with the specific identity of Sitlali? You’re both from Mexico and came to the US, but her place of birth (in Veracruz) is quite different from yours (in Coahuila). I think you did a great job, but what were the challenges in that depiction? 

Guadalupe: What a great question! I think a big hurdle for me was trying to understand how her upbringing, her place of birth, and her specific way of life in Zongolica, Veracruz, influences her. The personal history, her family’s conflicts and social structure, that was easy, because I’m a Mexican girl who holds many of the same values. It was the other elements that were hard, because I come from Northern Mexico, our Borderlands, Piedras Negras, Coahila, specifically and I’ve never been to the interior.

So, like anything else I know nothing about, I got online and researched the place. There were articles, photos, and many videos I watched to get a sense of the beauty of that place, the lush selvas, the close ties to the Gulf of Mexico, and that’s how I got inspiration for some of the scenes in the book. When we first meet Sitlali, she is spending her last night in Mexico on the beach in Veracruz, spending time with old friends, reflecting on her journey, but also saying goodbye to the memories that come from having lived there all her life, memories she will take with her. This came from seeing videos of that beach. The next morning, when she is waiting for her ride at dawn, I had to envision where she would be standing. I saw pictures and videos of Zongolica and its lush jungles and that gave me a specific idea of where she would be standing, outside of town on that day.

The biggest hurdle was grappling with the language, because she speaks Spanish but also some Nahuatl. Of course, that’s where you came in. I looked up things, but most of the time, I relied on you to help me find “just the right word” for what I was trying to convey in moments where I felt she would be using Nahuatl.

A big question for me, when I’m writing a book, is wanting to know what the characters learn, which speaks to theme. Most of the time, this comes later for me, so I wanted to ask: What were some of the themes that emerged for you as you were thinking about Calizto’s journey? And how did you infuse those themes without disturbing or distorting the dual vision of our story?

David: I really wanted to explore what it means to not just survive but to contemplate the possibility of thriving even when oppressive forces have come to bear on all you hold dear. How does someone who has lost everything still cling to hope? The siege of Tenochtitlan, historically, resulted in the near total annihilation of the Mexica (though millions of other Nahua nations survived, including others within the Triple Alliance / Aztec Empire). But for the few that escaped the complete flattening of both cities on the Isle of Mexico, what awaited them was colonization and erasure. At the same time, in the modern day, both the mestizo descendents of 16th-century Nahuas and actual Nahua communities continue to exist (Sitlali is clearly one of these people, as are you and I, along with our families). So while I wanted to push Calizto to the very edge of endurance, as anyone in Tenochtitlan that summer of 1521 would have been, I also needed to give him a way out … And it needed to be something that could be echoed in Sitlali’s story as well.

I can imagine that some potential readers might prefer a book that just depicts the Fall of Tenochtitlan in all its horrifying finality. And others might want a romance that hews more closely to the ups and downs, the tropey angst and fun, of modern love stories. But to tell this story of how love can be the light in the deepest darkness, we had to find a middle road.

Due to all of that, I wonder—How did you manage to balance the messages you wanted Sitlali’s story to put across with the intense historical adventure with which it’s interwoven? Seems daunting!  

Guadalupe: Well, I definitely wanted to put forth a story that illustrated the hardships immigrants have faced historically in our Americas. However, this is a story that when taken as a whole presents an even bigger picture of the social issues and injustices that have plagued our community for centuries, because it shows the persecution, destruction, capture, torture, and abuse that Mexicans and Mexican Americans have faced from these two different points in time, 1521 and 2019. Because when presenting these two narratives together, as a whole, we get a mirror image of these issues and injustices as they relate and echo each other. We see it then and compare it to now, and by pinning these two micro-narratives against each other, we are getting a bigger bird’s eye view, an enlightening macro-narrative that illuminates the conflicts and issues in a more holistic perspective.

I think negotiating that balance, bringing it all together the way this story does, shares an important message about our culture and where the social injustices stem from, how they are embedded into our cultural history, but also how they have never really left us. It also asks us to think about the world we live in, to consider how we might shift this terrible, centuries-old narrative, how we might affect change in the world. I think that’s the best part of this book, how it has the potential to open reader’s minds and hearts. That’s why it was important for me to write this book. I think it was worth writing and reading and sharing with young people.

David: Amazing. I totally agree. Thanks! Now let’s get to work revising that second book, yeah?

Guadalupe: Absolutely! Hearts of Fire and Snow, here we go!

The post Authors In Conversation: David Bowles and Guadalupe García McCall appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Magic, monsters, meddling mothers, mysteries, and more all await you amongst 2023’s upcoming young adult books! From authors such as Marie Lu, Alexandra Bracken, Ibi Zoboi, Steven Salvatore, and Adiba Jaigirdar, along with those making their dazzling debut this year, there are so many books to look forward to.

We’ve rounded up 72 YA books releasing between the months of January and June, so you will definitely find quite a few exciting new reads within this list. Be sure to check out our other 2023 round-ups too, including our Most Anticipated, Romance, Middle Grade, and Queer Books lists!

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below what you are looking forward to!

JANUARY

Cool. Awkward. Black.
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A multi-genre YA anthology of bestselling, critically acclaimed Black authors challenging the concept of the geek, featuring contributions from Amerie, Kalynn Bayron, Terry J. Benton-Walker, Roseanne A. Brown, Elise Bryant, Tracy Deonn, Desiree S. Evans, Isaac Fitzsimons, Lamar Giles, Jordan Ifueko, Leah Johnson, Amanda Joy, Kwame Mbalia, Tochi Onyebuchi, Shari B. Pennant, K. Arsenault Rivera, Julian Winters, and Ibi Zoboi.

A Ruinous Fate by Kaylie Smith
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A Ruinous Fate series will take readers’ imaginations to new heights on an adventure of dark secrets, witches, and forbidden magic.  

Retro by Jarrod Shusterman & Sofía Lapuente
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What starts off as a light-hearted competition to live without modern technology for a year turns into a fight for survival in this unputdownable young adult thriller by New York Times bestselling author Jarrod Shusterman and debut author Sofía Lapuente.

The Buried and the Bound by Rochelle Hassan
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A contemporary fantasy YA debut from Rochelle Hassan about monsters, magic, and wicked fae, perfect for fans of The Darkest Part of the Forest and The Hazel Wood.

Friday I’m in Love by Camryn Garrett
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It’s too late for a Sweet Sixteen, but what if Mahalia had a coming-out party? A love letter to romantic comedies, sweet sixteen blowouts, Black joy, and queer pride.

Brighter Than the Moon by David Valdes
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Lauded writer David Valdes offers a heartfelt, clever, and thought-provoking story about how we figure out who we want to be–online and IRL–for fans of David Levithan and Adam Silvera.

Unseelie by Ivelisse Housman
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Twin sisters, both on the run, but different as day and night. One, a professional rogue, searches for a fabled treasure; the other, a changeling, searches for the truth behind her origins, trying to find a place to fit in with the realm of fae who made her and the humans who shun her. 

City of Nightmares by Rebecca Schaeffer
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Gotham meets Strange the Dreamer in this thrilling young adult fantasy about a cowardly girl who finds herself at the center of a criminal syndicate conspiracy, in a city where crooked politicians and sinister cults reign and dreaming means waking up as your worst nightmare.

The Love Match by Priyanka Taslim
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To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before meets Pride and Prejudice in this delightful and heartfelt rom-com about a Bangladeshi American teen whose meddling mother arranges a match to secure their family’s financial security—just as she’s falling in love with someone else.

The Davenports by Krystal Marquis
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The Davenports delivers a totally escapist, swoon-worthy romance while offering a glimpse into a period of African American history often overlooked.

Chain of Thorns by Cassandra Clare
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James and Cordelia must save London—and their marriage—in this thrilling and highly anticipated conclusion to the Last Hours series from the #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Cassandra Clare. Chain of Thorns is a Shadowhunters novel.

Song of Silver, Flame Like Night by Amélie Wen Zhao
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In a fallen kingdom, one girl carries the key to discovering the secrets of her nation’s past—and unleashing the demons that sleep at its heart. An epic fantasy series inspired by the mythology and folklore of ancient China.

FEBRUARY

The Headmaster’s List by Melissa de la Cruz
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Set against the glitz and glamour of an elite LA private school, Melissa de la Cruz’s first YA thriller is an addictive mystery perfect for fans of Gossip Girl and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.

The Wicked Bargain by Gabe Cole Novoa
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El Diablo is in the details in this Latinx pirate fantasy starring a transmasculine nonbinary teen with a mission of revenge, redemption, and revolution.

This Time It’s Real by Ann Liang
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Get ready to fall in love in this hilarious romcom about a girl who begins a fake relationship with the famous actor in her class, perfect for fans of Meg Cabot and Jenny Han.

My Flawless Life by Yvonne Woon
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Yvonne Woon, author of If You, Then Me, has crafted a slow-burn thriller about fixing—our friends, ourselves, and our complicated pasts. For fans of Allegedly and We Were Liars, My Flawless Life features a compelling narrator who grapples with the secrets of her private school classmates as well as her own life.

Revelle by Lyssa Mia Smith
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Inspired by Moulin Rouge! and set on an island in a magical version of Prohibition-era New York, Revelle is a breathtaking YA stand-alone fantasy full of dazzling magic, romance, and mystery from debut author Lyssa Mia Smith.

Out of Character by Jenna Miller
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Dumplin’ meets Geekerella in debut author Jenna Miller’s queer, body-positive love story that explores online and offline relationships in all of their messiness.

Lola at Last by J. C. Peterson
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This Pride and Prejudice–inspired tale, a companion to J. C. Peterson’s Being Mary Bennet, spins a modern Lydia Bennet’s life into a tumultuous and hilarious coming-of-age journey, complete with misadventures, misunderstandings, mayhem, and a romance worthy of Darcy and Elizabeth themselves. 

She Is a Haunting by Trang Thanh Tran
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A House with a terrifying appetite haunts a broken family in this atmospheric horror, perfect for fans of Mexican Gothic.

When You Wish Upon a Lantern by Gloria Chao
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Acclaimed author Gloria Chao creates real-world magic in this luminous romance about teens who devote themselves to granting other people’s wishes but are too afraid to let themselves have their own hearts’ desires—each other.

Chaos Theory by Nic Stone
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The #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin delivers a gripping romance about two teens: a certified genius living with a diagnosed mental illness and a politician’s son who is running from his own addiction and grief. Don’t miss this gut punch of a novel about mental illness, loss, and discovering you are worthy of love.

Imposter Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim by Patricia Park
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The award-winning author of Re Jane makes her young adult debut in a funny, poignant, and powerful novel about a multicultural teen struggling to fit into her whitewashed school, her diverse Queens neighborhood, and even her own home as her family reels from the loss of her father.

Nightbirds by Kate J. Armstrong
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In a dazzling new fantasy world full of whispered secrets and political intrigue, the magic of women is outlawed but four girls with unusual powers have the chance to change it all.

MARCH

Rosewood: A Midsummer Meet Cute by Sayantani DasGupta
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New York Times bestselling Sayantani DasGupta brings her trademark wit and insight to this bright and funny Sense and Sensibility retelling!

Made of Stars by Jenna Voris
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Inspired by the lawless love story of Bonnie and Clyde, Jenna Voris’s heart-stopping tale of passion and crime will have you seeing stars.

Dear Medusa by Olivia A. Cole
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This searing and intimate novel in verse follows a sixteen-year-old girl coping with sexual abuse as she grapples with how to reclaim her story, her anger, and her body in a world that seems determined to punish her for the sin of surviving.

Study Break: 11 College Tales from Orientation to Graduation
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Study Break, a collection of interconnected contemporary Young Adult short stories written by Gen Z authors, explores different parts of “the college experience,” from questioning your major to questioning your identity.

Belle of the Ball by Mari Costa
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A young adult graphic novel about high school wallflower Belle Hawkins, who ends up in a love triangle after tutoring the girlfriend of her crush.

Flowerheart by Catherine Bakewell
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Perfect for fans of Margaret Rogerson and Tamora Pierce, this standalone YA debut is a stunning cottagecore fantasy romance about a girl with powerful and violent magic, which she must learn to control—or lose everything she loves.

Stars and Smoke by Marie Lu
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The Hating Game meets Mission: Impossible in this smoldering new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu about a superstar tapped to become a secret agent and the reluctant young spy assigned to be his partner.

Midnight Strikes by Zeba Shahnaz
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In this explosive fantasy debut, a provincial girl must work with an infuriatingly handsome prince to escape a nightmarish curse that forces them to relive the same night over and over.

The Memory Eater by Rebecca Mahoney
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A teenage girl must save her town from a memory-devouring monster in this piercing exploration of grief, trauma, and memory, from the author of The Valley and the Flood.

Royal Blood by Aimée Carter
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An American girl becomes the British Monarchy’s greatest nightmare in this thrilling new series where royal scandals just got deadlier.

There Goes the Neighborhood by Jade Adia
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A raised fist against the destructive forces of gentrification and a love letter to communities of color everywhere, Jade Adia’s unforgettable debut tells the darkly hilarious story of three best friends willing to do whatever it takes to stay together.

Into The Light by Mark Oshiro
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For fans of Courtney Summers and Tiffany D. Jackson, Into the Light is a ripped-from-the-headlines story with Oshiro’s signature mix of raw emotions and visceral prose―but with a startling twist you’ll have to read to believe.

APRIL

An Improbable Season by Rosalyn Eves
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For fans of Bridgerton, a Regency romance by Rosalyn Eves about three young women, their big dreams, and a London Season gone awry.

A Hunger of Thorns by Lili Wilkinson
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Be swept away by a lush, witchy tale about forbidden magic and missing girls who don’t need handsome princes to rescue them. Perfect for fans of The Hazel Wood.

Forget Me Not by Alyson Derrick
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Perfect for fans of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Five Feet Apart, this tender solo debut by the coauthor of New York Times bestseller She Gets the Girl is a romantic ode to the strength of love and the power of choosing each other, against odds and obstacles, again and again.

This Delicious Death by Kayla Cottingham
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From the author of the New York Times bestselling My Dearest Darkest comes another incredible sapphic horror. When four best friends with a hunger for human flesh attend a music festival in the desert they discover a murderous plot to expose and vilify the girls and everyone like them. This summer is going to get gory.

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
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When two young rival journalists find love through a magical connection, they must face the depths of hell, in a war among gods, to seal their fate forever.

If I See You Again Tomorrow by Robbie Couch
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From the author of The Sky Blues and Blaine for the Win comes a speculative young adult romance about a teen stuck in a time loop that’s endlessly monotonous until he meets the boy of his dreams.

Never Vacation with Your Ex by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
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The Summer I Turned Pretty meets People We Meet on Vacation in a YA second chance romance from fan-favorite author couple #Wibbroka!

Pieces of Me by Kate McLaughlin
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The next gut-punching, compulsively readable Kate McLaughlin novel, about a girl finding strength in not being alone.

The Other Side of Infinity by Joan F. Smith
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They Both Die at the End meets The Butterfly Effect in this YA novel by Joan F. Smith, where a teen uses her gift of foreknowledge to help a lifeguard save a drowning man—only to discover that her actions have suddenly put his life at risk.

Queen Bee by Amalie Howard
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A teen girl seeking retribution against her backstabbing former best friend finds her plans slightly derailed once she catches the eye of a familiar, handsome marquess. Bestselling author Amalie Howard delivers a delightful, anti-historical Regency-era romp that’s Bridgerton meets The Count of Monte Cristo!

That Self-Same Metal by Brittany N. Williams
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A stunning YA fantasy debut, perfect for fans of Holly Black and Justina Ireland, about a Black girl (and sword expert) fighting a Fae uprising in Shakespearean London.

Silver In The Bone by Alexandra Bracken
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#1 New York Times bestselling author Alexandra Bracken cements her status as one of the top fantasy authors writing today in this stunning series opener inspired by Arthurian legend and fueled by love, revenge, and pure adrenaline!

MAY

If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come by Jen St. Jude
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We Are Okay meets They Both Die at the End in this YA debut about queer first love and mental health at the end of the world-and the importance of saving yourself, no matter what tomorrow may hold.

The Alchemy of Moonlight by David Ferraro
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The Alchemy of Moonlight by David Ferraro is a seductive YA paranormal romance following a runaway queer teen’s deepening and dangerous ties to a mysterious family of werewolves.

Nigeria Jones by Ibi Zoboi
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From Ibi Zoboi, bestselling, award-winning author of American Street and co-author of Punching the Air, comes a bold new YA coming-of-age story, which explores race, feminism, and complicated family dynamics, about a girl whose father is the leader of a Black liberation group. The ideal next read for fans of Roxane Gay, Jacqueline Woodson, and Elizabeth Acevedo.

They Hate Each Other by Amanda Woody
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Jonah and Dylan get along like oil and water. Until a fake dating ploy gives them new perspective, and they realize that “falling for your enemy” isn’t as impossible as it seems.

Something Like Possible by Miel Moreland
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In this compelling YA contemporary from author Miel Moreland, a bisexual teen’s path to political staffer stardom is in jeopardy, until she convinces a cute new candidate to team up with her on the campaign trail.

I Like Me Better by Robby Weber
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I Like Me Better is joyful  queer summer romance from the author of If You Change Your Mind.

Court of the Undying Seasons by A.M. Strickland
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Sarah J. Maas meets A Deadly Education in A.M. Strickland’s lush, queer YA dark fantasy novel. Court of the Undying Seasons is a deliciously dark romantic novel and a pitch perfect modern take on classic vampire tropes.

No Perfect Places by Steven Salvatore
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From lauded author Steven Salvatore comes a moving YA novel about twins whose incarcerated father dies and leaves behind a life-changing secret, perfect for fans of I’ll Give You the Sun and Euphoria.

Only This Beautiful Moment by Abdi Nazemian
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From the Stonewall Honor–winning author of Like a Love Story comes a sweeping story of three generations of boys in the same Iranian family. Perfect for fans of Last Night at the Telegraph Club and Darius the Great Is Not Okay.

Secret of the Moon Conch by David Bowles and Guadalupe García McCall
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Award-winning authors David Bowles and Guadalupe García McCall join forces to craft a sweeping fantasy romance about falling in love despite all odds.

When the Vibe Is Right by Sarah Dass
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From the author of Where the Rhythm Takes You comes a delightful enemies-to-lovers contemporary romance set during Trinidad’s Carnival celebration.

In Nightfall by Suzanne Young
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In the quaint town of Nightfall, Oregon, it isn’t the dark you should be afraid of—it’s the girls. The Lost Boys meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer in this propulsive novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Treatment.

JUNE

Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou
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In a world where the children of the gods inherit their powers, a descendant of the Greek Fates must solve a series of impossible murders to save her sisters, her soulmate, and her city.

Wolfpack by Amelia Brunskill
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Perfect for fans of We Were Liars, Wolfpack is an unforgettable and unputdownable novel that will hold you breathless all the way to its shocking finale.

Kismat Connection by Ananya Devarajan
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In this charming YA debut, a girl who’s determined to prove her star chart wrong ropes her longtime best friend into an experimental relationship—not knowing that he has been in love with her for years.

Sing Me to Sleep by Gabi Burton
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In this dark and seductive YA fantasy debut, a siren must choose between protecting her family and following her heart in a prejudiced kingdom where her existence is illegal.

Some Shall Break by Ellie Marney
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This sequel to the New York Times bestselling None Shall Sleep is an equally electrifying, chilling thriller that brings us back into the lives of junior FBI consultants Travis Bell and Emma Lewis with a new case that may unravel everything they’ve been working for.

You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron
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At Camp Mirror Lake, terror is the name of the game . . . but can you survive the night? This heart-pounding slasher by New York Times bestselling author Kalynn Bayron is perfect for fans of Fear Street.

Ride or Die by Gail-Agnes Musikavanhu
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Gail-Agnes Musikavanhu’s adrenaline-packed joyride of a debut is an ode to Gen Z and chaotic teens—perfect for fans of Grace D. Li, Ebony Ladelle, and Baby Driver.

Invisible Son by Kim Johnson
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From the award-winning and critically acclaimed author of This Is My America comes another thriller about a wrongly accused teen desperate to recclaim both his innocence and his first love.

Always Isn’t Forever by J.C. Cervantes
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From New York Times bestselling author J.C. Cervantes comes a sparkling, unforgettable YA romance, perfect for fans of You’ve Reached Sam.

Plus One by Kelsey Rodkey
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Fans of Emma Lord and Rachel Lynn Solomon will revel in Kelsey Rodkey’s latest swoon-worthy YA rom-com as self-proclaimed matchmaker Lahey finally puts her own heart on the line—to find a date in just one week.

The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar
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A pun-filled YA contemporary romance, The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar finds a teenage girl competing in a televised baking competition, with contestants including her ex-girlfriend and a potential new crush – perfect for fans of The Great British Bake Off and She Drives Me Crazy!

Borrow My Heart by Kasie West
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When a girl overhears a guy getting verbally destroyed by his friends for being catfished, she jumps in to save the day—and pretends to be his online crush. A young adult romance from the critically acclaimed author of Places We’ve Never Been.

What YA releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post YA Book Releases To Add To Your TBR In 2023 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.