The Heirs by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

Straight out the gate, the queues to enter the competition for a proof of this title were humungous and spoke to the quality of Faridah’s previous work and the killer concept. Five geniuses, one murder and one hell of a whodunnit is in store. This sounds like Knives Out meets The Inheritance Games and I am here for it. Faridah is one of my all-time favourite authors and if she’s not already on your radar, you need to correct that immediately. 

Survival Show by Juno Dawson 

Simon and Schuster organised an attention-grabbing stunt for the cover reveal at YALC with a flashmob performance in keeping with the theme of this book as a deadly reality TV competition to join the latest hot pop group. It sounds like everything you could ask for. 

The Fox Hunt by Caitlin Breeze

This is an intoxicating-sounding debut, blending Dark Academia with magic and revenge. Emma Curran is drawn into the prestigious, all-male Turnbull Club after falling for its leader and things take a dark turn when a fox hunt game gets underway. 

Reap & Sow by Charlotte B. Plumb (cover TBA)

Penguin’s House of YA had a fantastic bargaining ploy in their intricately themed booth – sign your soul away in the hopes of reading this Gothic romantasy. Set in a world where you must sell your body or your soul to survive, this sounds like a high-stakes and darkly wonderful read. 

King of Beasts by Catherine Doyle

Doyle continues this thrilling romantasy series with a new spin-off standalone set in the world of Twin Crowns. This was a highly sought-after title with a fervent fanbase. It promises slow-burning icy YA romance, perfect for these wintery nights. 

A War of Wyverns by S. F. Williamson

A War of Wyverns takes the stakes from A Language of Dragons and raises them tenfold in this lushly imagined YA fantasy where secrets are rife and not everyone is as they seem. It builds wonderfully on that jaw-dropping ending of the first book and elevates every aspect. 

Queen of Faces by Petra Lord

A desperate girl at a cutthroat magical academy faces a choice between life and death: become an assassin for the enchanted elite or watch her decaying body draw its last breath. Lord utilises this phenomenal premise to full effect, delivering an epic start to a fantasy series that encompasses a fascinating magic system, shadowy politics and deadly consequences. 

Wicked Onyx by Debbie Cassidy

In a ruthless magical academy where she’s cursed and powerless, the last Onyx must unravel dark family secrets and navigate dangerous alliances to reclaim her legacy and make those who betrayed her pay. Dark Academia is clearly a hot genre for 2026 with another exciting title added to the mix. 

Arcana: The Lost Heirs by Sam Prentice-Jones 

In a world ruled by ancient spells and silent power, five young witches are about to discover that the truth is the most dangerous magic of all. This tarot-inspired graphic novel is about chosen family, breaking the cycle and the love we’d fight for. I got to have a peek at the illustrations and they are gorgeous, detailed and vibrant. 

The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss

Reality TV turned deadly – four new contestants must solve the murder that dramatically ended the previous series of the escape-room themed reality show they’re participating in. This co-authored YA murder mystery promises to deliver on this intriguing premise. 

These Shattered Spires by Cassidy Ellis Salter

In a rotten and bloody world, four magical rivals are forced to work together to avoid certain death in a deadly competition.  This kickstarts a new queer Gothic high-fantasy trilogy that sounds like a blend of The Raven Scholar and The Atlas Six, with a competition that will take everything from our protagonists. 

Blood Bound by Ellis Hunter

Two publishing powerhouses have combined forces to deliver this debut romantasy, kickstarting a new trilogy. Two heirs to their respective kingdoms (witches and dragon riders) are pitted against one another in a once-in-a-generation duel to the death as they battle to control the source of all magic in their kingdoms. 

The Poet Empress by Shen Tao

This is a poignant and powerful fantasy debut that will shatter your heart. It is evocative with dirt under its nails in a desperate portrayal of survival. To kill a monster, she must become one…

Her Hidden Fire by Clíodhna O’Sullivan

If he has the ability to wield magical powers, everyone will rejoice – especially the girl who loves him. But what happens when they realize she has the gift?

Shadow Reaper by Lynette Noni

A young reaper hunter must conspire with her enemy to stop an ancient evil threatening her world in this heart-pounding romantic fantasy from the million-copy bestselling author of The Prison Healer.

Your Murder Next by Ravena Guron 

New to town, wannabe journalist Myra is caught up in an escalating series of events when one of the popular clique mysteriously dies at her parents’ restaurant and Myra is confronted by a mysterious boy avenging her death. Guron’s YA mysteries always deliver and this sounds like it will be no exception. 

Coterie of Liars by Kate Weston

One of Us Is Lying meets The Inheritance Games with the vibes of Saltburn – a seductive thriller tapping into decadence, Dark Academia and privilege from stand-up comedian Kate Weston.

Seven Deadly Spells by L. A. Weatherly

This was one of the most hotly sought-after proofs across the weekend. Romeo and Juliet meets The Sopranos with magic in this epic enemies-to-lovers urban romantasy about duty, desire and betrayal. 

An Arcane Inheritance by Kamilah Cole

Warren University has stood amongst the ivy elite for centuries, built on the bones―and forbidden magic―of its most prized BIPOC students…hiding the rot of a secret society that will do anything to keep their own powers burning bright. No matter who they must sacrifice along the way. This is Dark Academia with a wonderful twist – the type of book you can completely lose yourself in. 

The Sun and the Starmaker by Rachel Griffin

Aurora Finch from the miraculous village of Reverie is taken under the wing of the enigmatic and alluring sorcerer known as the Starmaker and must uncover what he is hiding or face an endless winter in this whimsical and sweeping romantasy.

The post 20 Anticipated Titles From YALC 2025 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

A large chunk of the literary world, more so the young adult world, is composed of both magic-filled fantasy novels that follow a badass protagonist and cutesy contemporaries that scream insta-love. But in amongst this, dystopian novels—the unsung heroes—manage to combine realism with make-believe. Read on to discover a few dystopian stories, which I have read, that reign supreme in my eyes!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

It goes without saying that this will forever be my personal favourite dystopian novel. If you’re unaware of this series, The Hunger Games follows the protagonist Katniss Everdeen, a citizen of District 12, through a heart-wrenching journey of survival.

Set in Panem, separated into twelve districts and governed by The Capitol, the country values the wealthy and ignores the starving. Each year The Capitol hosts a Hunger Games, where one boy and one girl from each of the twelve districts is ‘reaped’ to take part in a gruesome fight to the death. This pageant is held to remind its citizens of ‘The Dark Days’—a failed rebellion of the districts against The Capitol, which saw a thirteenth district destroyed. And, in its 74th year, Katniss is forced into volunteering for The Hunger Games.

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Okay, bear with me. The Darkest Minds does fall into the science fiction realm, however, there are elements of dystopia—and they are great. The story opens its readers to an American society that fears its children—obviously, considering it’s a YA novel. Kids are the enemy and adults will stop at nothing to see them defeated.

90% of children in the United States are dying, and nobody knows why those who remain are receiving miraculous abilities. Greens are walking Einstein’s, Blues are telekinetic, Yellows are a real shock, Oranges are a good source of Vitamin C, and Reds are serial arsonists. The kids, with these abilities, that are caught are taken away from their families and sent to camps. And, Ruby, our protagonist, and her companions; Liam Chubs, and Zu are on the run from the government—but, what her friends don’t know, is that Ruby is dangerous

Scythe by Neal Shusterman
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A new favourite of mine, Scythe is the successor to The Hunger Games. In a futuristic world, humanity has perfected itself. No longer is the world plagued with disease. No longer in the world plagued with conflict. No longer is the world plagued with death.

Controlled by the ‘Thunderhead’, this futuristic society has outgrown the constraints of morality. To combat this, a select group known as Scythes are chosen to carry out the gruesome task of ‘gleaning’ the world’s population. Our two main protagonists, Rowan and Citra, are chosen to be apprentices to a Scythe—never before has a Scythe taken on two apprentices at the same time. And, at the end of their apprenticeship one will have to ‘glean’ the other.

Scythe is a story filled with political intrigue, betrayal, and intense turmoil. Its sequel, Thunderhead, is even better!

Broken Sky by L.A. Weatherly
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

This trilogy is probably the most underrated and unheard of on this list and Broken Sky is a hidden gem amongst the YA novels. So, I didn’t know this, but this novel is set in “a distorted echo of 1940’s America,” and now I understand the atmosphere of the story way better.

Amity, our protagonist, is a teen pilot, battling in one-on-one combat, up in the sky. She flies to maintain peace between nations and this is done to replace traditional warfare. However, not everything is picture perfect. Corruption manages to make its way back into society and nations are cheating their way to victory. And, as Amity begins to question the same organisation that became her safe haven, her world is turned upside down when she becomes a scapegoat.

Side note: Honestly, a lot of novels are set in a Dystopian America, so, I think I’ll start making an effort to find and read those that are set in Australia.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
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This novel truly stands on its own—which is true, considering it’s a stand-alone. But, Ready Player One is a modern-day Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Set in the not too far future, population control is out of hand and reality is becoming obsolete.

This society prides itself on a virtual reality known as ‘The Oasis’, and our protagonist, Wade Watts uses this program to escape his horrible living conditions. Upon the death of the creator of ‘The Oasis’, James Halliday, a competition is held, and the winner would inherit his entire fortune and corporation.

Five years after this announcement of this competition, Wade discovers the first of three keys—which will be used to unlock the prize winnings. Now a target of the corrupt Nolan Sorento, head of operations for Innovative Online Industries, who wants ‘The Oasis’ to himself, Wade is on the run for his life.

Legend by Marie Lu
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

I finished this book a few days ago and knew that it had to be on this list. Legend is a true dystopian masterpiece. A fan of her other work, I was curious to see how her debut novel compared to her later work. Legend follows two protagonists, Day and June, and their journey through a society that decides its citizens’ futures based on a series of tests, known as the Trial.

Day is a criminal. He is supposed to be dead. But, instead, he is wanted by the government. June is the pride and joy of The Republic after she received an unprecedented perfect score for her Trial. After the murder of her brother, Metias—with Day as the prime suspect— June is left with one goal: to avenge her brother and bring justice to his murderer. But, there is more to this than meets the eye. Was Day really the one who killed her brother? Is The Republic a perfect society?

And, those are some of my favourite dystopian novels! All of these are great reads and really take the time to comment on the current situation of our world—even though some are written before any of these events occurred.

If you have any other dystopian novels that you love, comment them down below!

The post Six Dystopian Novels That You Need To Read appeared first on The Nerd Daily.