What a powerful novel. From the author’s note all the way to the final pages of Chaos Theory, you can tell how much care Nic Stone put into Shelbi and Andy’s story. The discussions surrounding mental health and learning how to create boundaries in your life and with the people you spend your time with are sure to hit the mark with both individuals who have experienced mental health issues themselves and those who are tired of seeing overdramatised depictions in the media landscape.

The stigma associated with mental illness (side note: though the author prefers other times and explains why in the author’s note, I choose here to use the ones readers may already be familiar with) is constantly perpetuated in media and it’s incredible to think that we’ve taken such strides to challenge stereotypes, yet they still continue to shape minds all over the world. Stone gives voice to those who cannot articulate what they’re feeling and what goes on in their heads in a way that feels both inviting and normalising which I would love to see more of in the future.

I really enjoyed how balanced Andy and Shelbi’s individual stories were. Though one of the biggest draws of Chaos Theory is of course their unlikely yet wholesome friendship, their individual inner conflicts are what create such an easily readable narrative. Stone has that kind of writing style that makes you fly through the pages and Chaos Theory was no different—I couldn’t believe how fast the story was moving yet it perfectly fit the turmoil that both Andy and Shelbi go through. While Andy struggles with accepting his drinking problem, Shelbi is slow to open up to others, especially Andy. Burned by friendly faces once before, she thinks people are destined to betray her. Watching both of them blossom through their friendship was a lovely thing to experience. A personal highlight is how, when push comes to shove, both Andy and Shelbi realise that their own worth is not dependent on never making mistakes, which is a reminder we could all use sometimes.

Overall, Chaos Theory is a moving story of what it means to live—and love—with mental health struggles, facing your demons and discovering you’ve been worthy of love, especially self-love, all along.

Chaos Theory is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of February 28th 2023.

Will you be picking up Chaos Theory? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin, delivers a gripping romance about two teens: a certified genius living with bipolar disorder 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.

Scars exist to remind us of what we’ve survived.

DETACHED
Since Shelbi enrolled at Windward Academy as a senior and won’t be there very long, she hasn’t bothered making friends. What her classmates don’t know about her can’t be used to hurt her–you know, like it did at her last school.

WASTED
Andy Criddle is not okay. At all.
He’s had far too much to drink.
Again. Which is bad.
And things are about to get worse.

When Shelbi sees Andy at his lowest, she can relate. So she doesn’t resist reaching out. And there’s no doubt their connection has them both seeing stars . . . but the closer they get, the more the past threatens to pull their universes apart.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Nic Stone delivers a tour de force about living with grief, prioritizing mental health, and finding love amid the chaos.

The post Review: Chaos Theory by Nic Stone appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Nic Stone’s Chaos Theory, which is out February 28th.

Scars exist to remind us of what we’ve survived.

DETACHED
Since Shelbi enrolled at Windward Academy as a senior and won’t be there very long, she hasn’t bothered making friends. What her classmates don’t know about her can’t be used to hurt her–you know, like it did at her last school.

WASTED
Andy Criddle is not okay. At all.
He’s had far too much to drink.
Again. Which is bad.
And things are about to get worse.

When Shelbi sees Andy at his lowest, she can relate. So she doesn’t resist reaching out. And there’s no doubt their connection has them both seeing stars . . . but the closer they get, the more the past threatens to pull their universes apart.

Shelbi clears her throat, and Andy’s head snaps up. “Sorry,” she says. “Didn’t mean to startle you. Just . . .

wanted to make sure you also read the other thing in the folder.”

So Andy tucks the brochure back in and pulls the sheet of paper out.

FRIENDSHIP AGREEMENT

I,                          , on this   day of   , as regards entry into a formal friendship with Shelbi Camille Augustine, knowingly and willfully agree to abide by the terms set forth below.

1. The use of any and all mental illness slurs— cuckoo, (“cuckchoo,” “for Cocoa Puffs,” ), cray, cray-cray, crazy, crazy pants, nuts, nutty, nutjob, wackjob, whackadoodle, off her rocker, deranged, basket case, head case, mental case, insane (“in the membrane”), spaz, loon(ey), yahoo, fruitcake, demented, crackpot, loca, lunatic, meshuggah, lost her marbles, “bipolar” (used derogatorily), etc.—is strictly prohibited.
2. Don’t make Ever.
3. If you sense “out of the ordinary” behavior, you may ask Shelbi how she is doing, but don’t get awkward and start looking for symptoms that aren’t there.
4. Along those lines, if Shelbi confirms that she is dealing with an episode, don’t take any action that will exacerbate things or be the opposite of This includes, but is not limited to: encouraging risky behavior; exposing her to known triggers (this includes in conversation); being overtly unkind; telling her to “cheer up” or “calm down” or “relax” or “think positive.” (Trust: if it were that simple, she wouldn’t be having an episode.)
5. If it becomes too much to handle, be forthright and friend-break-up with Shelbi. She’s dealt with people bailing before and can handle it, but isn’t a fan of being ghosted.
6. Do not, under any circumstances, fall in love with

Andy clears his throat. “Number six is a bit bold, don’t you think?”

Shelbi won’t look him in the eye. “Just making sure I cover all my bases. I’m settled in who I am and how my brain works, but in my experience, people can get weird. Especially when those kinds of feelings get involved. And romance really isn’t my thing, so best to lay it out up front.”

“Ah.”

“Being forthright here, I don’t really have any friends. The only person my age I interact with regularly is my cousin. And though I haven’t had a serious episode in sixteen and a half months, the last one was a doozie and was triggered by something that happened with a ‘friend.’ I’d prefer to never go through anything like that again. Hence the whole agreement thing.”

Andy is quiet for a few seconds, and then he says: “What are they like? Your episodes, I mean.”

And to his surprise, she smiles. “Glad you asked. That’s partially why I brought you up here. So I could explain with a visual metaphor.”

Andy almost laughs from what he’s learned about her so far, this is definitely a Shelbi Augustine thing to do. “Okay,” he says. “I’m listening.”

She shifts her gaze into the distance. “Look out there.

Everything seems all peaceful and serene, right?” It does. “Right.”

“Well, we’re approximately two thousand three hundred and thirty-two miles north of the equator. At the equator, the earth is rotating at just over a thousand miles per hour.” She looks at Andy. “Do you know what would happen if it suddenly stopped spinning?”

Andy thinks for a second and realizes this is something he never would’ve thought to even consider. “No. But I definitely want to know now.”

Shelbi laughs. “Well, in a nutshell, because of inertia, the atmosphere and oceans would continue to move at over a thousand miles per hour. Which would equal a natural disaster unlike any this planet has ever seen.”

“Okay . . .”

“It’d be like the biggest, baddest, most epic tsunami and an ultra-supersonic wind happening simultaneously across the globe. Everything rooted would be ripped from the earth—buildings, trees, even mountains, including this mini one we’re sitting on. And anything that moves—people, vehicles, animals, et cetera—would just fly off the ground like blown bits of eraser dust.”

“Dang. That sounds . . . Yeah, I don’t really know what to say to that.”

“That’s what an episode feels like for me,” she says. “My whole world stops dead, but everything around me keeps going. I get thrown into this, like, emotional cataclysm and feel completely out of control.”

Excerpted with permission from Chaos Theory by Nic Stone/Crown Books for Young Readers

The post Read An Excerpt From ‘Chaos Theory’ by Nic Stone 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.
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
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
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
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.

Classic fables take on new meaning as five of today’s most original bestselling authors serve up some deliciously modern twists. New reflections on evil queens, charmless princes, and star-crossed lovers branch out in provocative and enchanting directions. Follow the path and see where it leads…

Whether read or listened to in one sitting, prepare to be charmed, moved, enlightened, and frightened all over again. FARAWAY will be available in digital and audio formats, free to Prime members as well as Kindle Unlimited subscribers on December 15, 2020. Readers can download each story individually, or get the whole collection with just one click. Stories are also available for non-members for $1.99, with the option to add digital audio for free.

Learn more about each story below!

The Prince and the Troll by Rainbow Rowell

A charming everyman and a mysterious something-under-the-bridge cross paths in a short fairy tale by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Eleanor & Park and the Simon Snow series.

It’s fate when a man accidentally drops his phone off the bridge. It’s fortune when it’s retrieved by a friendly shape sloshing in the muck underneath. From that day forward, as they share a coffee every morning, an unlikely friendship blooms. Considering the reality for the man above, where life seems perfect, and that of the sharp-witted creature below, how forever after can a happy ending be?

Hazel and Gray by Nic Stone

Two anxious young lovers lost in the woods. A beckoning mansion in a dark clearing. A short modern-day retelling of Hansel and Gretel by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin.

It’s bad enough that Hazel and Gray have defied the demands of Hazel’s foul stepfather. The Monster has forbidden their romance. Now they’ve awakened in the forest, phones dead, hours past curfew. But not far away is a grand estate in the middle of nowhere. The door is open. In this short story about choosing your own path, the fury of the Monster that awaits them back home may be nothing compared to what lies ahead.

The Princess Game by Soman Chainani

There are no happy endings for the Princesses of Chaminade High in this short, twisty tale of teenage murder games by the New York Times bestselling author of The School for Good and Evil series.

The victims are the most popular girls in school, each murdered and arranged in a grim fairy-tale tableau. To find the killer, rookie detective Callum Pederson has gone undercover where the Princes hold court. He’s found enough secrets among the bros to bring them in for questioning—but he could very well get lost in the games the Princes play.

The Cleaners by Ken Liu

Touch the past or wash it away? Two sisters have a choice in this unforgettable short story of everyday magic and the power of memory by the Hugo and Nebula Award–winning author Ken Liu.

Gui is a professional cleaner at A Fresh Start, scrubbing away the unpleasant layers of memory that build up on the personal objects of his customers. Memory-blind himself, he can’t feel those wounds. Clara can, and she prefers them irretrievable. Until her sister, Beatrice, ultrasensitive to memory, raises one that could change Clara’s mind. For Gui, the past is gone. For Clara and Beatrice, deciding what to remember reaches to the heart of their shared history.

The Wickeds by Gayle Forman

The reviled villainesses of Snow White, Cinderella, and Rapunzel team up to set the record straight in a subversively funny short story by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of If I Stay.

Envious queen? Evil stepmother? Kidnapping hag? Elsinora, Gwendolyn, and Marguerite are through with warts-and-all tabloids, ugly lies, and the three ungrateful brats who pitted them against each other and the world. But maybe there’s more to the stories than even the Wickeds know. Is it time to finally get revenge? After all, they’re due for a happily-enough-ever-after. Even if they have to write it themselves.

Will you be checking out the Faraway collection? Tell us in the comments below!

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Dear Justyce is the sequel (of sorts) to Dear Martin. You don’t have to have read Dear Martin in order to pick this one up, but it certainly helps. In Dear Justyce, Quan is awaiting trial after entering a not-guilty plea for the shooting of a police officer. His story is told through a series of letters to Justyce, the protagonist of Dear Martin. Quan takes a look at his troubled past and the systems that got him where he currently waits, and just how flawed the American system is toward African American young men.

Quan’s perspective is so refreshingly straightforward from the beginning of this story, and I was hooked on every word. Despite hiding behind some tough guy bravado, there is also a young man who is hooked on graphic novels and loved reading The Series of Unfortunate Events as a kid. His desperation to have a stable and safe home are palpable, especially at the beginning. The summary on Goodreads mentions an unraveling and that’s exactly what it feels like is going on. We get to start at the beginning with Quan’s early years and having an unstable home due to an abusive step-parent and witnessing police brutality at a young age too. This was incredibly hard for me to read and not get choked up about it.

Saying the odds are stacked against Quan is an understatement to say the least. Even so, in his letters, and in the flashbacks, Quan is actively trying to rise above it all…and consistently beaten down. I’m not sure why, but the most memorable scene for me is Quan bringing home his math test. Even though his dad was determined for Quan not to be like him or live the same life, his circumstances lead him to join a group of young men that offer him the semblance of family and protection..and then he ends up incarcerated. I don’t want to say more than this for fear of spoilers, but let me tell you, this story is deep, dark, and will take you on a very compelling journey.

The exploration of the American justice system in regard to African American boys I felt is deeply explored, even if we don’t get to see too much of what it’s like inside of the prison. Readers do get to see glimpses of Quan’s experiences inside, but I feel like it was more about the bigger system outside of it. It’s about the police officers, lawyers, and judges who seem more preoccupied with finding blame with someone rather than about an actual fight to find justice. If your gut reaction to this is anger, then you’re feeling the right feelings. This book will bring up lots of feelings, and I encourage you to explore them all. All of Nic Stone’s books have made me feel some way after reading them.

If you’re not someone to read author’s notes (like me, I’m one of those), do yourself a favour and read this one. Nic makes such a strong statement about the fact that while this story is a work of fiction, there are many stories like Quan’s that are very real, and likely don’t end up the way that this one does. I’ll say it again, this book is very needed and should go on everyone’s shelf. I’m glad I have my copy and I hope you’ll add this one to your TBR! This story is a 10/10, I’d honestly rate it higher if I could. I’ve got my fingers crossed it ends up on the best seller’s list.

Dear Justyce is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.

Will you be picking up Dear Justyce? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

In the stunning and hard-hitting sequel to the New York Timesbestseller Dear Martin, incarcerated teen Quan writes letters to Justyce about his experiences in the American prison system.

Shortly after teenager Quan enters a not guilty plea for the shooting death of a police officer, he is placed in a holding cell to await trial. Through a series of flashbacks and letters to Justyce, the protagonist of Dear Martin, Quan’s story unravels.

From a troubled childhood and bad timing to a coerced confession and prejudiced police work, Nic Stone’s newest novel takes an unflinching look at the flawed practices and ideologies that discriminate against African American boys and minorities in the American justice system.

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Black History Month is a month to reflect on the African American experience and how they have shaped society. So, what better way than to explore books about black main characters written by black authors? In the recent years of young adult fiction, there’s been a rapid growth of authors spreading their voices and work through young characters, so here is a list of titles to check out during Black History Month, along with any time of the year!

American Street by Ibi Zoboi | Goodreads

The story about a girl moving back to the U.S, only to have her mother taken away by authorities who accuse her of overstaying her visa date. This book became a finalist in the 2017 National Book Award for Young Adult’s Literature.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas | Goodreads

A Goodreads Choice Winner about a girl who lives in a low-class neighborhood yet attends a preppy school. She tries to keep them separate but everything comes crashing down when a fatal shooting occurs right before her.

Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson | Goodreads

When a white baby is killed, all fingers point to the black woman who was in the baby’s care at the time. Fighting for justice doesn’t come easy when years down the line she has to fight for her own baby.

Black Enough: Stories of Being Young and Black in America edited by Ibi Zoboi | Goodreads

A heart-wrenching anthology written by various authors about the lives of modern African American teenagers.

Slay by Brittney Morris | Goodreads

Fans of The Hate u Give and Warcross will definitely enjoy this. A game developed by a black girl for the young black community receives controversy when a gamer is killed and Slay is labelled as racist.

Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett | Goodreads

An HIV-positive girl has to deal with the trials and tribulations of a new school. Things only get harder when she starts to fall in love.

Legacy of Orisha series by Tomi Adeyemi | Goodreads

Fantasy lovers will enjoy Zéila as she tries to bring back the unspeakable magic that once was in Orisha. She must learn to calm her fury for those who took her mother but instead grows a liking toward the enemy.

Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron | Goodreads

A fantasy driven tale where a girl struggles to gain magic. With an evil lurking about, will she exchange her own life for the magic to save everyone?

The Stars and the Blackness Between Them by Junauda Petrus | Goodreads

This tender story about two black girls living separate lives then falling in love is bound to catch your heart.

Who Put this Song On? By Morgan Parker | Goodreads

A story about a black girl being the outcast in her town. Yet when she discovers her people, she also begins to discover her true self.

War Girls by Tochi Onyebuchi | Goodreads

When war strikes, two sisters must fight and survive their way through to an end where they’ll hopefully still be together.

Hope is our Only Wing by Rutendo Tavengerwei | Goodreads

As a girl grieves over her father’s death, she becomes friends with someone who’s diagnosed with cancer.

Girls Like Us by Randi Pink | Goodreads

Told from different perspectives in the summer of 1972, all the girls reveal what it’s like to be a pregnant when you’re a teenager.

Dear Martin by Nic Stone | Goodreads

A teenage boy with a bright future has to deal with the law and looks to Dr. Martin Luther King for guidance.

There’s so many more to cover but these cover a range of topics. Do you have any recommendations? Tell us in the comments below!

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Or perhaps something from Dan Brown or Ender’s Game author, Orson Scott Card, is more up your alley? Well you’re in luck because both of these talented authors have books coming out! Even the award-winning actor Tom Hanks is dabbling in writing short stories in his upcoming novel, Uncommon Type.

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below if you will be checking any of them out!

La Belle Sauvage: The Book of Dust by Philip Pullman  |  FANTASY  |  Goodreads

The companion series to the His Dark Materials trilogy follows eleven-year-old Malcolm Polstead and his dæmon, Asta. He lives with his parents at the Trout Inn near Oxford. Across the River Thames (which Malcolm navigates often using his beloved canoe, a boat by the name of La Belle Sauvage) is the Godstow Priory where the nuns live. Malcolm learns they have a guest with them, a baby by the name of Lyra Belacqua . . .

The Naturalist by Andrew Mayne  |  THRILLER + MYSTERY  |  Goodreads

Professor Theo Cray is trained to see patterns where others see chaos. So when mutilated bodies found deep in the Montana woods leave the cops searching blindly for clues, Theo sees something they missed. As a computational biologist, Theo is more familiar with digital code and microbes than the dark arts of forensic sleuthing. But a field trip to Montana suddenly lands him in the middle of an investigation into the bloody killing of one of his former students. As more details, and bodies, come to light, the local cops determine that the killer is either a grizzly gone rogue…or Theo himself.

The Last Namsara by Kristen Ciccarelli  |  FANTASY + YOUNG ADULT  |  Goodreads

The Namsara was the child of sky and spirit, but where there is light, there must be dark. The Iskari is the child of blood and moonlight. The destroyer. The death bringer. Asha, daughter of the king of Firgaard, grew up with these tales, but it isn’t until she becomes the fiercest, most feared dragon slayer in the land that she takes on the role of the next Iskari—a lonely destiny that leaves her feeling more like a weapon than a girl. Conquering each dragon, she is shackled until she’s offered the chance to gain her freedom in exchange for facing the most powerful dragon. Asha must shed the layers of her Iskari bondage and open her heart to love, light, and a truth that has been kept from her.

Turtles All The Way Down by John Green  |  CONTEMPORARY + YOUNG ADULT  |  Goodreads

Sixteen-year-old Aza never intended to pursue the mystery of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. So together, they navigate the short distance and broad divides that separate them from Russell Pickett’s son, Davis. Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts.

Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban (Illustrated Edition) by J.K. Rowling and Jim Kay | Goodreads

An extraordinary creative achievement by an extraordinary talent, Jim Kay’s inspired reimagining of J.K. Rowling’s classic series sees a fully illustrated edition of Prisoner of Azkaban. With new characters to illustrate, including Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Professor Trelawney, the book fizzes with magic and brimming with humour. The full-colour edition will captivate fans and new readers alike as Harry, now in his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, faces Dementors, death omens and – of course – danger.

Without Merit by Colleen Hoover  |  CONTEMPORARY + NEW ADULT  |  Goodreads

The Voss family is anything but normal. They live in a repurposed church, newly baptized Dollar Voss. The once cancer-stricken mother lives in the basement, the father is married to the mother’s former nurse, the little half-brother isn’t allowed to do or eat anything fun, and the eldest siblings are irritatingly perfect. Then, there’s Merit who collects other people’s trophies. Fed up with the lies, Merit decides to shatter the happy family illusion that she’s never been a part of before leaving them behind for good. When her escape plan fails, Merit is forced to deal with the staggering consequences of telling the truth and losing the one boy she loves.

Uncommon Type: Some Stories by Tom Hanks  |  FICTION  |  Goodreads

A gentle Eastern European immigrant arrives in New York City after his family and his life have been torn apart by his country’s civil war. A man who loves to bowl rolls a perfect game–and then another and then another and then many more in a row until he winds up ESPN’s newest celebrity, and he must decide if the combination of perfection and celebrity has ruined the thing he loves. An eccentric billionaire and his faithful executive assistant venture into America looking for acquisitions and discover a down and out motel, romance, and a bit of real life.

Nightblade’s Vengeance by Ryan Kirk  |  FANTASY  | Goodreads

In a feudal land, a Kingdom is at risk. With no heir to the fragile throne, its future rests with the powerful members of the dying king’s Council, including Minori, a nightblade warrior, and Kiyoshi, a dayblade healer. The two men are bound by the sword but divided by two opposing principles: rule the land, or serve it. In their challenge for supremacy, a spark has been lit. Asa, a fierce nightblade warrior, has spent a decade in pursuit of the enigmatic general who killed her father in a violent revolt. Now, her desire for reckoning has led her to the village of Two Falls—and straight into the heart of an impending civil war. Minori and Kiyoshi are vying for her loyalty. And Asa must choose sides.

I Am Watching You by Teresa Driscoll  |  MYSTERY + THRILLER  |  Goodreads

When Ella Longfield overhears two attractive young men flirting with teenage girls on a train, she thinks nothing of it—until she realises they are fresh out of prison and her maternal instinct is put on high alert. The next day, she wakes up to the news that one of the girls has disappeared. A year later, the girl is still missing. Ella is wracked with guilt over what she failed to do, and she’s not the only one who can’t forget. Someone is sending her threatening letters—letters that make her fear for her life.

Dear Martin by Nic Stone  |  CONTEMPORARY + YOUNG ADULT  |  Goodreads

Justyce McAllister is top of his class and set for the Ivy League—but none of that matters to the police officer who just put him in handcuffs. He looks to the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for answers. But do they hold up anymore? He starts a journal to Dr. King to find out. Then comes the day Justyce goes driving with his best friend, Manny, windows rolled down, music turned up—way up, sparking the fury of a white off-duty cop beside them. Words fly. Shots are fired. Justyce and Manny are caught in the crosshairs. In the media fallout, it’s Justyce who is under attack.

Children of the Fleet by Orson Scott Card  | SCIENCE FICTION  | Goodreads

Ender Wiggin won the Third Formic war, ending the alien threat to Earth. Afterwards, all the terraformed Formic worlds were open to settlement by humans, and the International Fleet became the arm of the Ministry of Colonization, run by Hirum Graff. MinCol now runs Fleet School on the old Battle School station, and still recruits very smart kids to train as leaders of colony ships, and colonies. Dabeet Ochoa is a very smart kid. Top of his class in every school. But he doesn’t think he has a chance at Fleet School, because he has no connections to the Fleet. That he knows of. At least until the day that Colonel Graff arrives at his school for an interview.

Origin by Dan Brown  |  MYSTERY  |  Goodreads

Here to witness the unveiling of a discovery that “will change the face of science forever”, Robert Langdon’s ex-student, Edmond Kirsch, is about to make the big reveal. The event soon erupts into chaos and Langdon is forced to flee and with him is Ambra Vidal, the museum director who worked with Kirsch to stage the provocative event. Together they flee to Barcelona on a perilous quest to locate a cryptic password that will unlock Kirsch’s secret. The pair must evade a tormented enemy whose all-knowing power seems to emanate from Spain’s Royal Palace itself . . . and who will stop at nothing to silence Edmond Kirsch.

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