About Burn The Kingdom Down: An action-packed enemies-to-lovers romantasy filled with a romance that will leave you breathless, betrayals that will rip your heart out, and a princess who will stop at nothing for revenge. Out April 7th 2026.

Whether best friends or rivals since birth, sisterhood is one of the most complicated, most fulfilling, and most enduring relationships we can experience.  No one knows you better than your sister, so no one can hurt you more deeply. This also means no one can love and understand you more completely.

As someone who is lucky enough to have two sisters, I’ve always been drawn to exploring this fierce, chaotic, and beautiful relationship in the books I write—as well as the books I read. From loving and loyal, to down-right devious (and even murderous!), here’s a list of my all-time-favorite YA sister fantasies for when you need a good dose of family drama.

No list of sister stories would be complete without the OG sister fantasy, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. When Katniss Everdeen’s younger sister, Primrose, is selected to compete in the Hunger Games (a brutal tournament where children are forced to fight to the death in an arena) Katniss volunteers to go in Prim’s place. It’s the ultimate example of protective big-sister energy, and Katniss’s love for Prim is a big part of what carries her through the games.

One the complete opposite end of the loyalty spectrum, we have triplet sisters Mirabella, Katharine, and Arsinoe from Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake. Once a generation, triplet queens are born—each with unique powers and equal rights to the throne. But only one sister can rule, and in order to wear the crown, they must kill the two who stand in their way. Sibling rivalry at its finest!

While some sisters are defined by rivalry and competition, others are almost codependent in their bond. Such is the case for Iris, Grey, and Vivi in House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland. When enigmatic, oldest sister, Grey, goes missing, Iris and Vivi must unite to find her, unraveling dark secrets along the way. The intense bond between these three is quite eerie and unsettling. At times, they almost feel like a single creature with multiple heads.

If you’re looking for large family dynamics with lots of personalities at play, look no further than Erin A. Craig’s House of Salt and Sorrows. A deliciously macabre retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses, Annaleigh’s four older sisters have recently met tragic and untimely ends that might be related to the glittering, late-night balls her sisters have been sneaking out to attend. If Annaleigh can’t unravel the darkness plaguing her family, she might be joining her older sisters in an early grave—and condemning her younger sisters to the same fate.

Scarlett and Donatella Dragna, the sister duo in Caraval by Stephanie Garber, might seem like opposites who constantly annoy each other, but when Tella is kidnapped to use as bait in a magical, interactive game, Scarlett will stop at nothing to bring her sister safely home. Through the games’ deadly twists and turns, the sisters’ true hearts and loyalties are revealed.

Sometimes, the closeness of sisterhood can highlight their flaws and imperfections. Other times, the pedestals they’re placed on are so high, it overshadows the truth. When oldest sister, Rowenna, is sent as a captive bride to any enemy kingdom in Addie Thorley’s, Burn the Kingdom Down, younger sister, Indira, doesn’t know how to fill her sister’s perfect shoes—or function without her. And when Rowenna dies under mysterious circumstances, Indira takes her place, determined to punish Ro’s murderer and bring the entire kingdom to its knees. But when Indira arrives in enemy territory, nothing is as expected and everyone, even her sister, had secrets. Deadly ones.

The post YA Fantasies That Celebrate Sisterhood appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

I am absolutely speechless. I had the highest of hopes for Haymitch’s story and this book surpassed them all. This truly feels like a book for the fans who read and breathed and lived The Hunger Games in the early 2010s and still do today. So many Easter eggs, so many callbacks, so many nods to things you may have wondered about throughout all the years and especially with the release of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

Have you ever pondered where a certain iconic phrase our Girl on Fire says originated from? Did your mind ever get stuck on how people in the Capitol watched the Hunger Games live and still didn’t notice everything that was going on to mock them? How Plutarch became the driving force of so much that happened in Mockingjay? Have you ever wondered how the characters who became Katniss’s allies were even connected to Haymitch in the first place?

Well, Sunrise on the Reaping invites readers to find out all that and so much more.

The amount of times my eyes widened while reading this book is ridiculous. From meeting characters for the first time that I had already analysed to hell and back to realising just how much the Games had changed since Snow’s “brilliant” ideas to make them more entertaining for viewers in the past, this book truly is not for the faint of heart.

Also, if you think you’re prepared for Haymitch’s story, then honey, you’ve got a big storm coming. We all wanted to know how Haymitch became who he is and well, all I can tell you without spoiling too much is that you are not going to be disappointed. So many things make sense in hindsight and all in all, it’s a wonder Haymitch wasn’t “worse” when Katniss got him as a mentor in her own Games.

In true fashion, we spend a lot more time with Haymitch and company before the Games than in the arena. From the truly unjust way Haymitch becomes the tribute to finding allies, plotting coups and making enemies, saying goodbye to his loved ones, so much happens before Haymitch ever steps a foot into the arena. But then, it isn’t all about the Games, is it?

It’s about the way the Capitol manages to subvert the narrative, how Snow lands on top, no matter what. How no matter what you do—succumbing to the rules, becoming a Career and murderer for sport or a protector of those weakest in the arena only to watch them all fall for simply being allied to you – there is no true winner of the Games, at least none who goes into the arena. There never was.

While I could write an entire thesis about the aftermath of Haymitch’s game, his one true love Lenore Dove and how the book shows the Capitol and Snow at their most vicious, this is perhaps what struck me the most throughout the entirety of the story. We all know that Collins is a master with words, but reading Sunrise on the Reaping feels like the hopelessness, the despair, the unspeakable injustice has been cranked up to an even higher level than we’ve seen before.

Every piece of resistance, every act of defiance is met with anything from a slap to the face to a sly smile and the bittersweet promise of retribution in a way you could never imagine – all while flashing a sickly sweet smile at you. Every attempt to make the Capitol pay, to make them look like the goddamn fools that they are, is spun into a tale that makes it clear to the readers and to Haymitch: Snow lands on top. And the Capitol will not fall. If you can’t connect that to today’s political climate on your own, well…

And yet. And yet. There is despair, there is hopelessness, there is failure and loss at every turn and still, Haymitch finds another way to make his own statement: Snow may land on top, but even snow eventually melts. And Haymitch has nothing more to lose—he makes sure of that.

It’s eerily reminiscent of what commonality Katniss and Haymitch have always recognised in each other: The undying embers of resilience and resistance, that nagging feeling that there is still a role for them to play, a goal to fulfill, a way to make the Capitol and Snow pay, in whatever manner they can. Not so much because they want better for themselves, but because they cannot stand the ones they love(d) to have to live with this fate.

In the face of unspeakable loss, Haymitch holds on, not for himself, but to uphold a promise, to do everything in his power, even if it is not enough on his own, to stop the wheel from turning on yet another reaping. And that inner strength, that reluctance to give up out of spite, out of solidarity, out of loyalty, is what makes his story so powerful and unputdownable.

While I won’t spoil the epilogue, I will say that I thought I was already at the limit of how devastated by Haymitch’s harrowing story I could be, thinking “okay, this is it. We know how this ended. We will have to wait because Katniss is just on the horizon. This story will not end well – yet. We know this,” only to be proven wrong.

Though the epilogue is certainly not without hope, Suzanne Collins still managed to break me in a whole new way in less than five pages by giving us one more glimpse at Haymitch’s years after the Games. It felt like the perfect send-off, an immaculate catharsis to a story that, in its own way, has no happy ending, only the unshakeable truth that humanity will survive even the darkest of times as long as there is hope…and thus is one ending we won’t ever forget.

A love letter to the fans of the Hunger Games series and more relevant than ever before, Haymitch’s devastating story offers clues and insights into the world of Panem and shocks you to its core, yet also reminds you of the innate ability of humans to never give up hope and to keep fighting even when all is lost—which makes Sunrise on the Reaping a tale that readers are sure to love like all-fire, always and forever.

Sunrise on the Reaping is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.

Will you be picking up Sunrise on the Reaping? Have you read it already? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

When you’ve been set up to lose everything you love, what is there left to fight for?

As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes.

Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves.

When Haymitch’s name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He’s torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who’s nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town. As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he’s been set up to fail. But there’s something in him that wants to fight . . . and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.

The post Review: Sunrise On The Reaping by Suzanne Collins appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

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

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

JANUARY 2025 YA BOOKS

Breath of the Dragon by Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee

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

Bingsu For Two by Sujin Witherspoon

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

Everything Is Poison by Joy McCullough

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

Royal Heirs Academy by Lindsey Duga

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

Liar’s Kingdom by Christine Calella

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

Brewed With Love by Shelly Page

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

I Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann Liang

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

Ex Marks the Spot by Gloria Chao

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

The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King by Harry Trevaldwyn

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

The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley

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

Build A Girlfriend by Elba Luz

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

Carving Shadows into Gold by Brigid Kemmerer

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

FEBRUARY 2025 YA BOOKS

The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor

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

Wicked Darlings by Jordyn Taylor

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

Under the Same Stars by Libba Bray

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

Needy Little Things by Channelle Desamours

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

These Vengeful Wishes by Vanessa Montalban

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

The Wildest Things by Andrea Hannah

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

All Better Now by Neal Shusterman

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

The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith

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

Wings of Starlight by Allison Saft

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

Unlock the Dark by Sasa Hawk

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

Unhallowed Halls by Lili Wilkinson

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

This Ends in Embers by Kamilah Cole

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

MARCH 2025 YA BOOKS

All the Hidden Monsters by Amie Jordan

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

Say a Little Prayer by Jenna Voris

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

Nightweaver by R.M. Gray

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

Oathbound by Tracy Deonn

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

When The Bones Sing by Ginny Myers Sain

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

Fable For The End of the World by Ava Reid

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

Hangry Hearts by Jennifer Chen

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

Lovely Dark and Deep by Elisa A. Bonnin

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

What Wakes the Bells by Elle Tesch

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

In The Company of Killers by Elora Cook

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

How to Survive a Slasher by Justine Pucella Winans

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

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

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

APRIL 2025 YA BOOKS

The Notorious Virtues by Alwyn Hamilton

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

Run Away With Me by Brian Selznick

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

The Floating World by Axie Oh

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

Somadina by Akwaeke Emezi

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

Boys with Sharp Teeth by Jenni Howell

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

Pride or Die by C.L. Montblanc

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

The Coven Tendency by Zoe Hana Mikuta

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

If We Were a Movie by Zakiya N. Jamal

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

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

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

Murder Between Friends by Liz Lawson

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

Chaos King by Kacen Callender

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

Lady Knight by Amalie Howard

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

MAY 2025 YA BOOKS

The Thrashers by Julie Soto

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

Audre and Bash Are Just Friends by Tia Williams

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

Salvación by Sandra Proudman

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

The Lost Queen by Aimee Phan

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

Summer Girls by Jennifer Dugan

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

This Moth Saw Brightness by A. A. Vacharat

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

Come As You Are by Dahlia Adler

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

Cruel is the Light by Sophie Clark

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

All-Nighter by Cecilia Vinesse

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

Out of Step, into You by Ciera Burch

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

Titan of the Stars by E.K. Johnston

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

Death in the Cards by Mia P. Manansala

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

JUNE 2025 YA BOOKS

Celestial Banquet by Roselle Lim

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

Heir of Storms by Lauryn Hamilton Murray

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

The Beautiful Maddening by Shea Ernshaw

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

Never Thought I’d End Up Here by Ann Liang

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

A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim

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

Nobody in Particular by Sophie Gonzales

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

Kill Creatures by Rory Power

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

A First Time for Everything by K.L. Walther

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

Amelia, If Only by Becky Albertalli

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

A Treachery of Swans by A.B. Poranek

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

Among Ghosts by Rachel Hartman

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

If We Survive This by Racquel Marie

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

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

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

2025?! How!? Nevertheless, the upside of a new year is all of the new books that will be hitting shelves! We’ve rounded up some highly anticipated  books from a range of genres releasing between the months of January and June 2025.

You can expect new releases from the likes of Taylor Jenkins Reid, Emily Henry, Samantha Shannon, Richard Swan, Kate Alice Marshall, Tessa Bailey, Suzanne Collins, Chuck Wendig, Rachel Lynn Solomon, Christopher Golden, Becky Albertalli, Rebecca Yarros, VE Schwab, Maggie Stiefvater, Fredrik Backman, and so many more, plus many making their dazzling debuts!

You’ll find quite a few exciting new reads within this list and be sure to check out our other January to June 2025 lists, which we’ll be releasing over the next month! This article will also get updated with those links so you can easily find them… We apologise in advance to your TBR pile and wallet!

• 2025 Romance Book Releases
• 2025 YA Book Releases
• 2025 Fiction Book Releases
• 2025 Fantasy & Sci-Fi Book Releases

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below if you’ll be picking up any!

JANUARY 2025 BOOK RELEASES

I Think They Love You by Julian Winters

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With his funny, big-hearted adult rom com debut, bestselling, award-winning YA author Julian Winters shows sometimes fake dating your ex can turn into a second chance.

Breath of the Dragon by Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee

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

Cross My Heart by Megan Collins

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She has his dead wife’s heart; the one she wants is his. The author of The Family Plot brings her signature prose to a twisty novel about a heart transplant patient who becomes romantically obsessed with her donor’s husband.

Liar’s Kingdom by Christine Calella

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

A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson

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In an alternate London in 1923, one girl accidentally breaks the tenuous truce between dragons and humans in this sweeping debut and epic retelling of Bletchley Park steeped in language, class, and forbidden romance. Perfect for teen fans of Fourth Wing and Babel.

Unromance by Erin Connor

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A recently dumped TV heartthrob enlists a jaded romance novelist to ruin romance for him—one rom-com trope at a time—so he never gets swept off his feet again . . .

The Rival by Emma Lord

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Rivals-to-lovers gets an academic send-up in this charming and irresistible romantic comedy from Emma Lord, New York Times bestselling author of Tweet Cute and Begin Again.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

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A group of young women in a home for unwed mothers in 1970s Florida who find a book to witchcraft—a guide which may just be the key to regaining their power or the source of their worst nightmares.

Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams

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Two feuding second-grade teachers (and neighbors) find themselves teaming up in this new rivals-to-lovers romance set in Rome, Kentucky—from the New York Times bestselling author of The Rule Book and Practice Makes Perfect.

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

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A twisty domestic thriller about an author who travels to a remote Scottish island to write his next book…only to run into a woman who looks exactly like his missing wife. 

A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young

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In this captivating atmospheric novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Unmaking of June Farrow, a woman investigates her twin brother’s mysterious death while confronting the ghosts of her own haunted past.

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

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Get ready to fly or die in the breathtaking follow-up to Fourth Wing and Iron Flame from #1 New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Yarros.

FEBRUARY 2025 BOOK RELEASES

Hungerstone by Kat Dunn

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Set against the violent wilderness of the moors and the uncontrolled appetite of the industrial revolution, Hungerstone is a compulsive feminist reworking of Carmilla, the book that inspired Dracula: a captivating story of appetite and desire.

First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison

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A hopeless romantic meets a jaded radio host in this cozy, Sleepless in Seattle–inspired love story from beloved author B.K. Borison.

The Dark Mirror by Samantha Shannon

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The highly anticipated fifth novel in the New York Times bestselling Bone Season series-an epic and spellbinding fantasy from the author of The Priory of the Orange Tree.

A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall

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A woman invited to her wealthy fiance’s family retreat realizes they are hiding a terrible secret―and that she’s been there before, by the bestselling author of What Lies in the Woods.

Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett

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The third installment in the heartwarming and enchanting Emily Wilde series, about a curmudgeonly scholar of folklore and the fae prince she loves.

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister

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An addictive thriller about a new mother’s world upended when her husband commits a terrifying crime. How well does she truly know the man she loves? And what danger does she face if her entire life has been built on a lie?

Grave Empire by Richard Swan

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From critically acclaimed author Richard Swan, Grave Empire begins the epic tale of an empire on the verge of industrial revolution, where sorcery and arcane practices are outlawed – and where an ancient prophecy threatens the coming end of days.

Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey

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A steamy chance encounter between a professional hockey player and the manic pixie dream girl he just can’t seem to forget about takes a turn when the pair realize that their parents are engaged—in an all-new rom-com by #1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey.

The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor

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

Wooing The Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis

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In a Gaslamp-lit world where hags and ogres lurk in thick pine forests, three magical queens form an uneasy alliance to protect their lands from invasion…and love turns their world upside down.

The Dollhouse Academy by Margarita Montimore

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With dark academia twists and enormous heart, The Dollhouse Academy is a novel about the complexities of friendship, our desire to be seen and understood, and the true cost of making our dreams a reality.

Under the Same Stars by Libba Bray

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

MARCH 2025 BOOK RELEASES

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

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

Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven

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The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue meets This is How You Lose The Time War in this fantastical love story that defies death as two souls reincarnate through the centuries.

A Gentleman’s Gentleman by TJ Alexander

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From the acclaimed author of Chef’s Kiss, a groundbreaking trans Regency romance that’s both delightfully witty and refreshingly iconoclastic.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano

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From New York Times bestseller and Edgar-Award nominee Elle Cosimano, comes Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave―the hugely anticipated next installment in the fan-favorite Finlay Donovan series.

Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid

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

This Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winstead

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From the national bestselling author of In My Dreams I Hold a Knife and Midnight is the Darkest Hour comes a chilling, compulsive story of five amateur sleuths, whose hunt for an elusive killer catapults them into danger as the world watches.

The Haunting of Room 904 by Erika T. Wurth

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From the author of White Horse comes a terrifying and resonant novel about a woman who uses her unique gift to learn the truth about her sister’s death.

The Hymn to Dionysus Natasha Pulley

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A timely reimagining of the story of Dionysus-Greek god of ecstasy, revelry, and ruin-and a captivating queer love story for readers of The Song of Achilles and Elektra.

Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley

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Date night goes off the rails in this hilariously insightful take on midlife and marriage when one unhappy couple find themselves at the heart of a crime in progress, from the USA Today bestselling author of The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise.

They Bloom at Night by Trang Thanh Tran

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The author of the New York Times bestselling horror phenomenon She Is a Haunting is back with a novel about the monsters that swim beneath us . . . and live within us.

All the Other Mothers Hate Me by Sarah Harman

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Hilarious and twisted, propulsive and furious, All the Other Mothers Hate Me is a mix of Catastrophe and Fleabag with a dash of Nancy Drew.

Code Word Romance by Carlie Walker

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One fake prime minister, one ridiculously hot handler, and one Italian summer collide in this thrilling adventure rom-com.

APRIL 2025 BOOK RELEASES

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

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Two writers compete for the chance to tell the larger-than-life story of a woman with more than a couple of plot twists up her sleeve in this dazzling and sweeping new novel from Emily Henry.

Where Shadows Meet by Patrice Caldwell

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Set in the aftermath of a war between vampires, humans, and the gods that created them, Patrice Caldwell’s devastatingly romantic fantasy debut, Where Shadows Meet, centers the heart-wrenching pain of loss and the struggle of self-discovery to ask: do we choose our fates, or do our fates choose us?

The Notorious Virtues by Alwyn Hamilton

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

Their Monstrous Hearts by Yiğit Turhan

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A haunting novel about the boundaries people will cross to keep their dreams alive, perfect for fans of Mexican Gothic and Hereditary.

City of All Seasons by Oliver K. Langmead and Aliya Whiteley

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A vibrant and emotional science fantasy about cousins trapped in mirrored worlds – the resplendent and verdant summer city and the ice-carved wastes of the winter city. For fans of Every Heart a Doorway and This is How You Lose the Time War.

Somadina by Akwaeke Emezi

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

The Staircase In The Woods by Chuck Wendig

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A group of friends investigates the mystery of a strange staircase in the woods in this mesmerizing horror novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Accidents.

The Folklore of Forever by Sarah Hogle

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From the acclaimed author of Old Flames and New Fortunes comes a steamy enemies-to-lovers romantasy about a paranormal skeptic who is roped into a ghost hunting romp by the charming boy next door . . . who might just show her what real fantasies are made of.

Don’t Sleep With The Dead by Nghi Vo

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From award-winning author Nghi Vo comes Don’t Sleep with the Dead, a standalone companion novella to The Chosen and the Beautiful, her acclaimed reimagining of The Great Gatsby.

Senseless by Ronald Malfi

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A page-turning, supernaturally-tinged LA puzzle-box thriller – Zodiac with teeth, from the Bram Stoker Award-nominated and bestselling author of Come with Me. Perfect for fans of Riley Sager and Lauren Beukes.

Rabbit Moon by Jennifer Haigh

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From the New York Times bestselling author of Mercy Street, a tense, propulsive family drama set in Shanghai, where a fractured American family faces its complicated past

Enchantra by Kaylie Smith

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Knives Out meets Throne of the Fallen in this spicy stand-alone romantasy set in the same world as USA Today bestselling author Kaylie Smith’s BookTok sensation Phantasma! The print edition includes custom silver foiling on the cover.

MAY 2025 BOOK RELEASES

The Love Haters by Katherine Center

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Swim lessons, helicopter flights, conga lines, drinking contests, hurricanes, and stolen kisses ―along with chances to tell the truth, to face old fears, and to be truly brave at last.

Silver Elite by Dani Francis

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In the first book of a searing new dystopian trilogy, a young woman must conceal her psychic powers—and her attraction to her handsome, infuriating commanding officer—as she works undercover to take down a brutal government from within.

My Name Is Emilia del Valle by Isabel Allende

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In this spellbinding historical novel from the New York Times bestselling author of A Long Petal of the Sea and The Wind Knows My Name, a young writer journeys to South America to uncover the truth about her father—and herself.

Overgrowth by Mira Grant

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Invasion of the Body Snatchers meets Day of the Triffids in this full-on body horror/alien invasion apocalypse.

The Incandescent by Emily Tesh

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Naomi Novik’s Scholomance series meets Plain Bad Heroines in this sapphic dark academia fantasy by instant national and international bestselling author Emily Tesh, winner of the Hugo and World Fantasy Awards.

What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon

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Falling in love with your husband is anything but convenient in this steamy romance from the New York Times bestselling author of Business or Pleasure.

Come As You Are by Dahlia Adler

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In this opposites attract romance for fans of Begin Again and Better Than the Movies, a fresh start doesn’t have to mean changing yourself.

The Night Birds by Christopher Golden

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The next gripping, atmospheric horror novel from NYT bestselling author Christopher Golden, set in a deteriorated, half-sunken freighter ship off the coast of Galveston, TX.

The Thrashers by Julie Soto

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

The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig

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From NYT bestselling author Rachel Gillig comes the next big romantasy sensation, a gothic, mist-cloaked tale of a young prophetess who is forced on an impossible quest with the one infuriating knight whose future is beyond her sight. Perfect for fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout and Leigh Bardugo.

The Devils by Joe Abercrombie

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A brand-new epic fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Joe Abercrombie, featuring a notorious band of anti-heroes on a delightfully bloody and raucous journey

The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin by Alison Goodman

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In Regency England, the eccentric Colebrook sisters are amateur detectives who use their wits and invisibility as “old maids” to fight injustice in this delightful and fiercely feminist novel of mystery and adventure from New York Times bestselling author Alison Goodman.

JUNE 2025 BOOK RELEASES

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & The Six comes an epic new novel set against the backdrop of the 1980s space shuttle program and the extraordinary lengths we go to live and love beyond our limits.

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by Victoria E. Schwab

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From V. E. Schwab, the No. 1 Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue: a new genre-defying, unforgettable novel to sink your teeth into.

The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater

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#1 New York Times bestselling novelist Maggie Stiefvater dazzles in this mesmerizing portrait of an irresistible heroine, an unlikely romance, and a hotel—and a world—in peril.

Amelia, If Only by Becky Albertalli

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

My Friends by Fredrik Backman

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#1 New York Times bestselling author Fredrik Backman returns with an unforgettably funny, deeply moving tale of four teenagers whose friendship creates a bond so powerful that it changes a complete stranger’s life twenty-five years later.

Park Avenue by Renée Ahdieh

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#1 NYT-bestselling YA author Renee Ahdieh’s adult debut novel, about a young lawyer who gets pulled in to manage a crisis with her firm’s biggest client, a family whose Korean beauty brand is worth a billion dollars, pitched as Crazy Rich Asians meets Succession.

Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston

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A hitmaking songwriter and a bitter musician share a startling and inexplicable connection that they’ll do anything to shake, in the next sparkling, magical book from Ashley Poston.

Realm of Thieves by Karina Halle

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Two thieves vie for dominance in the illegal dragon egg trade, putting both their lives and their hearts on the line in this scorching romantasy from New York Times bestselling author Karina Halle.

He’s to Die For by Erin Dunn

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Brooklyn 99 meets The Charm Offensive in this sparkling romantic murder mystery: it’s murder cute in the first degree when a detective finds himself falling for the lead suspect in a career-making case.

The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark

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A blistering literary suspense novel about a ghostwriter who is hired to write the last book for her estranged father and finds herself investigating the brutal murder of both his siblings in the summer of 1975.

The Beautiful Maddening by Shea Ernshaw

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

The Bachelorette Party by Camilla Sten

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Scream meets The Guest List in this wickedly compelling and compulsively page-turning thriller of friendship and murder from the author of The Lost Village, Camilla Sten.

What books are you looking forward to picking up in the first half of the year? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Anticipated Book Releases Hitting Shelves In 2025 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

About Christa Comes Out of Her Shell: Just when she thought she’d gotten far enough away . . . a life-changing phone call throws an antisocial scientist back into her least favorite place—the spotlight. A hilarious and insightful new novel from the USA Today bestselling author of The Bookish Life of Nina Hill.

There are many reasons to love a book. Maybe it has characters that make you laugh or think or want to run screaming into the understairs cupboard. Maybe it has a twisty plot or surprise ending that you can’t stop thinking about. For me, the biggest appeal of a book is the way it draws me into a world I want to escape to, a place where I can lose myself and emerge, blinking, hours later without any sensation of time passing. Like walking out of the movie theater in the afternoon, unsure if the world has kept spinning in your absence. I’ve picked six not-very-well-known books (and series) from different genres that excel at this, each of them also strong in character and plot, and with writing that catches your mind from the first chapter.

The Jeeves and Wooster books by P.G. Wodehouse

 Luckily, P.G. Wodehouse wrote many stories and novels about hapless aristocrat Bertie Wooster and his all-knowing butler, Jeeves. A good one to start with is Carry On, Jeeves, a collection of short stories including the one where Jeeves first enters Bertie’s employment. From the moment he arrives he is a balm, and if you want to escape into upper crust 1920’s England, where the biggest challenge of the day is what to eat for lunch, then this is your jam.

As Bertie says: … he floated noiselessly through the doorway like a healin zephyr. That impressed me from the start. Meadowes had had flat feet and used to clump. This fellow didn’t seem to have any feet at all. He just streamed in.

Bertie is a goofball and manages to repeatedly get himself into scrapes that Jeeves then has to free him from. These situations are pure escapism at its best. Another good choice is The Inimitable Jeeves, and either collection works. There are no plot spoilers or references to earlier stories, so you can just jump in.

The Gregor the Overlander series by Suzanne Collins

Author Suzanne Collins is much more famous for the Hunger Games series, but this set of five high fantasy novels is just as exciting and involving as its bigger cousins. Theoretically YA, the novels follow Gregor, a New York kid, as he is drawn into a secret subterranean world of giant rats, translucent people and ancient rivalries that spill over into war.

The first novel, Gregor the Overlander, sets the scene and the world building is so skillful and all- encompassing that I ended up reading the five novels one right after the other, and being desperately sad when they were over. Anyone who loves fantasy will fall into these, especially if you’re a fan of giant cockroaches and talking bats. And who isn’t?

The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi

Not a series, but a book that is so fun, action-filled and light-hearted that it’s like watching the best kind of monster movie. John Scalzi writes very funny science fiction, and in this novel he imagines a version of our world where giant monsters (the Kaiju of the title) actually exist and need to be protected by (and from) humans.

A laconic food delivery guy gets drafted to help out and finds himself in the parallel world where the Kaiju have been hidden for their safety. Bad guys appear, shenanigans ensue, and you come out the book as exhilarated as the first time you watched a really good Godzilla flick. This is not classic literature, but it is a book I recommend over and over and have always gotten happy feedback on.

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Sure, it’s a classic novel, but most people are more familiar with Pride and Prejudice (for good reason) and overlook this brilliant, romantic and compelling novel. The Dashwood sisters are left essentially penniless when their father dies and leaves his estate to a step-brother (for legal reasons that made sense in the 19^th century but which leave you scratching your head these days).

Elinor is practical and Marianne is not, but their romantic adventures drag you into their small world filled with frustrations and impossible dreams. I think Austen is at her best in this one (no shade to P&P) and the characters are wonderful. The ending is deeply, deeply satisfying. There’s a movie adaptation with Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet that is also amazing, so that’s a bonus.

The Miss Silver novels by Patricia Wentworth

Something for mystery fans. Agatha Christie is still the queen, but the co-queen, if there can be such a thing, is Patricia Wentworth, who was writing at the same time. Her series of mysteries featuring the elderly but razor-sharp Miss Silver are amazing, with excellent plots and a mid-20^th century atmosphere that defines cozy.

Start with Grey Mask (the first one) or The Listening Ear (where a deaf character lip reads details of a crime and is murdered to keep her quiet) and take it from there, there are over thirty of them!

The Human Comedy by William Saroyan

Another straight piece of literature, but one with a compellingly romantic atmosphere and a wonderful small-town, second world war setting. Homer McCauley is a 14-year-old boy growing up in the California central valley. He takes a job as a telegraph boy, occasionally having to deliver very bad news to the families of soldiers away fighting.

The whole novel is infused with the tangled sensations of the mid-teens, when the world is just starting to make sense, while at the time being overwhelmingly confusing. (Homer says at one point, “I’m lonely for something, but I don’t know what I’m lonely for.” Relatable.) Less bitter and more hopeful than A Catcher in the Rye, this book won the Academy Award for best story and is a wonderful and emotional escape.

The post Six Slightly Overlooked Books To Escape Into appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

When it was announced that Suzanne Collins was preparing a Hunger Games prequel, the responses were mixed, especially since it was going to focus on President Coriolanus Snow, the main villain of the trilogy and arguably one of the most despised characters. When this prequel finally came out in May 2020, it received equally mixed responses. One thing is certain; The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is an interesting and relevant, if polarising, book. It’s enjoyable, but very different from Collins’s other works and the way readers feel about it is a matter of personal opinion.

We all remember President Snow from The Hunger Games trilogy as the intimidating face of Capitol’s dystopian government. Snake-like, smelling of blood and roses, hiding his ruthlessness behind a pleasant demeanour, possessing seemingly endless wealth and power, he seemed unbeatable until we came close to the end of Mockingjay. But now we know this had not always been the case.

In The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, we are introduced to 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow. With his family’s wealth lost due to the recent war between the Capitol and the Districts, Coriolanus lives with his grandmother and his cousin, Tigris, in the family manor they can barely afford to keep, almost always hungry but carefully hiding his financial circumstances. Being a promising student, his only hope to save his house and advance socially, is to secure a prestigious scholarship for university studies. This scholarship, however, becomes almost unattainable when Coriolanus and his classmates are implicated in the 10^th Hunger Games.

At this early stage, the Games are very different from the pompous, televised events of the original trilogy. Viewing is not compulsory, and most Capitol citizens are not fans. The tributes are brought to the Capitol and thrown into the arena soon after. In the meantime, they are kept in cages, they receive little food and no training, and there is no attempt to make the audience invest in them. Coriolanus and his classmates are the ones expected to change that: each of them is assigned a tribute to mentor and present to the Capitol, in an attempt to create a connection between them and the disinterested audience. Moreover, they are invited to come up with ideas to increase the then unpopular Games’ viewings. Some of the students are reasonably horrified at the idea of actively participating such a cruel institution, but others, including Coriolanus, see their participation as an opportunity for advancement.

But Coriolanus’ enthusiasm is short-lived; soon, he finds out he is going to be the mentor of the female tribute from District 12, which is considered the most unattractive assignment and the least likely to have a winner, just like in the original trilogy. To everyone’s surprise, Lucy Gray Baird (named after William Wordsworth’s poem, “The Ballad of Lucy Gray”), looks like she might actually stand a chance. She’s a travelling singer until being trapped in District 12 after the war, experienced with snakes and poisons, and she soon becomes a fan favourite, and Coriolanus finds himself attracted to her. As he works to give her the best possible chance of survival, the two become close, but it is impossible to forget that what he is doing for her, he is doing for his own gain as well. The narrative constantly reminds us their unequal power dynamic, and it’s impossible not to think that this is going to end badly. But for whom?

The book is divided in three parts; before, during and after the 10^th Hunger Games. At about 600 pages long, depending on your edition, this is a rather slow story with too many uneventful chapters, followed by very fast developments that are hard to keep up with. Knowing that – no matter what happens – Snow will end up a tyrant, makes some chapters feel too long and almost pointless, as there is no real suspense about his fate.

But perhaps this is not the point. Perhaps the point is to make us wonder why this book feels dull compared to the main trilogy. Is it really dull? Is it because, deep inside, we are complicit to the spectacle culture the Capitol slowly develops, at the suggestion of its most gifted students? After all, it is them that come up with the idea of betting for one’s favourite tribute and offering sponsorship in the form of food and medicine. The way even reluctant students accept their complicity in the Games, and the consequences for those who don’t, are very disturbing, warning us that dehumanising power structures are very much possible in real life. Like many dystopian stories, the narrative raises questions about human nature under pressure and this makes the book hauntingly relevant.

When picking up The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, I was worried about the way Collins was going to handle her villain’s early years. Would she justify his actions too much? Would his point of view be too alienating? In the end, the reading experience was quite interesting, if hard to get into. Some readers might enjoy the third person limited more than the first person of the initial trilogy. The style was different, and perhaps more polished and lyrical. With Snow’s viewpoint being the only available one, I wouldn’t go so far as to say his actions are condemned, but they are not glorified either. The implication seems to be that villainy does not happen overnight. That perhaps there is not one specific point at which someone becomes evil. Rather, a series of small bad choices when better ones had been possible,  becomes an avalanche (you might understand the pun when you read the book). In that sense, spending time in Snow’s head is interesting, if not pleasant. Given the book’s length, however, the ending felt a little abrupt and it could have been benefited from a better build-up. At least, Snow’s bad choices were not usually presented as justifiable by the narrative, unless, perhaps, by himself and those like him.

A weakness, in terms of characterisation, lies on the fact that, apart from Snow and Lucy Gray, few other characters were developed enough for the reader to care about them. Apart from the 24 tributes, there were 24 mentors, many of whom are understandably only mentioned a few times but even those who stayed around for longer almost felt interchangeable or disposable. Given the nature of the series, it is expected that many will die, but I felt that many minor characters in the original trilogy were much more memorable. Lucy Gray herself was quite interesting and, although never giving her viewpoint is a narrative necessity, it would have been nice to see more of her. She is a survivor, singing many songs we haven’t seen before (and some we have, bringing old memories and new fan theories). Although this artistic, weird character type is by no means new, there is more to her than meets the eye.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is not another The Hunger Games. It is part character study, part political philosophy, inviting the reader to think of human nature, the desire for control and how bad choices escalate, with horrific results. The pacing and build-up could have been much better, and Snow’s old experience with District 12 did not feel entirely plausible, but the book is still relevant for the questions it explores. It is not an extension or a replica of the original trilogy; it is what it was meant to be.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.

Will you be picking up The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes? Let us know in the comments!

Synopsis | Goodreads

It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capital, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.

The odds are against him. He’s been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined — every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute… and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.

The post Review: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

This month contains a prequel novel to The Hunger Games, some fun romance and historical reads, and also wonderful debut novels!

The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A powerful and moving novel that explores the tragedies and triumphs of life, both large and small, and the universal humanity in us all, Natalie Jenner’s The Jane Austen Society is destined to resonate with readers for years to come.

Beach Read by Emily Henry
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A romance writer who no longer believes in love and a literary writer stuck in a rut engage in a summer-long challenge that may just upend everything they believe about happily ever afters.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will revisit the world of Panem sixty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the Tenth Hunger Games.

Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A seductive, gothic-infused tale of literary suspense. The debut of a spectacular new voice about a dangerously curious young undergraduate whose rebelliousness leads her to discover a shocking secret involving an exclusive circle of students . . . and the dark truth beneath her schools promise of prestige.

Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the author of Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors comes another , clever, deeply layered, and heartwarming romantic comedy that follows in the Jane Austen tradition this time, with a twist on Persuasion.

The Paris Hours by Alex George
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Told over the course of a single day in 1927, The Paris Hours takes four ordinary people whose stories, told together, are as extraordinary as the glorious city they inhabit.

Camp by L.C. Rosen
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From the author of the acclaimed Jack of Hearts (and other parts) comes a sweet and sharp screwball comedy that critiques the culture of toxic masculinity within the queer community.

The Betrothed by Kiera Cass
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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Selection series comes The Betrothed, a glittering royal romance sure to captivate her legion of loyal readers and lovers of courtly intrigue alike.

The Trouble With Hating You by Sajni Patel
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A laugh-out-loud romantic comedy debut about first impressions, second chances, and finding the love of your life in the most unexpected way.

Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner
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A showrunner and her assistant give the world something to talk about when they accidentally fuel a ridiculous rumor in this debut romance.

Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices, edited by S.K. Ali and Aisha Saeed
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Once Upon an Eid is a collection of short stories that showcases the most brilliant Muslim voices writing today, all about the most joyful holiday of the year: Eid!

Happy and You Know It by Laura Hankin
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A dark, witty page-turner set around a group of wealthy mothers and the young musician who takes a job singing to their babies and finds herself pulled into their glamorous lives and dangerous secrets.

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

The post May 2020 Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

When we think of Spotify, we tend to think about the latest albums from Halsey, Harry Styles, and other popular singers and bands, or we think about the hottest hits that are currently taking over the world. Little did most of us know, but there are also audiobooks on Spotify! Specifically, YA science fiction & fantasy novels!

Each audiobook is presented as a playlist and contains 100+ 3-4 minute tracks to make up the whole novel. They’re absolutely free and they are yours for the taking. So if you’re an avid fan of audiobooks, a beginner (just like me), or someone who wants to try audiobooks for the first time, this is your chance! Here are some of the YA SFF Audiobooks you can listen to on Spotify!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

16-year-old Katniss Everdeen volunteers in the place of her sister to fight against 23 other tributes in an arena designed to kill them. Best thing is, the whole trilogy is available to listen to! (Clearly, this is the perfect chance to reread the trilogy before the release of its prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in May.)

Descendant of the Crane by Joan He

In this Chinese-inspired fantasy, a princess thrust into power tries to find her father’s killer, but not without facing a world filled with deception.

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

What if you knew that you would cause your true love to die? Blue does and she never thought it would be a problem. But that was before she got caught in the strange world of the Raven Boys. (Just like The Hunger Games, the whole series is available on Spotify!)

Light at the Bottom of the World by London Shah

Set in a post-apocalyptic world where life continues underwater, Leyla McQueen tries to do everything she can to rescue her father. But with the threat of unfathomable waters, a corrupt government, and a secretive and hotheaded companion, the mission will be a lot harder.

Nameless by Rebecca McLaughlin

In this first instalment of this electrifying fantasy series, Zo must figure out a way to keep her sister safe when she followed Zo into a suicide mission thought to enable her to seek revenge for the death of her parents.

Mask of Shadows by Linsey Miller

Sal, a gender fluid thief, joins an audition to become a member of the Queen’s personal assassins to get revenge on the court. But as Sal succeeds in the competition, and wins the heart of a member of the court, they start to dream of a new life and a different future. Its sequel Ruin of Stars is also available on Spotify.)

Analiese Rising by Brenda Drake

When a stranger gives Analiese Jordan a list before he dies, it leads to her learning the truth about her godly ancestors and the deadly power she wields. Now, she finds herself in the middle of a war between gods who want to raise an army of the dead.

Smoke & Key by Kelsey Sutton

In this mysterious, dark world, people receive their names from whatever belongings they had when they fell out of their graves. Key is determined to discover the truth of her past, but she’s running out of time as someone starts burning others and they all stay dead.

The Last 8 by Laura Pohl

This high-stakes survival story revolves around eight teenagers who outlived an alien attack, only they seem to be more interested in hiding than fighting back. Its conclusion, The Last 7, is also available on Spotify!

Exo by Fonda Lee

Donovan Reyes, son of a Prime Liaison in an Earth ruled by aliens, gets abducted by a human revolutionary group determined to end alien control. But his dad never negotiates with the terrorists and he’s left alone with them. Even worse, if they kill Donovan, it could spark another intergalactic war Earth won’t survive…again.

That’s 10 YA science fiction & fantasy books in the palm of your hands! Try listening to them today (or for the rest of time while you’re stuck at home *wink*)!

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

The post 10 YA SFF Audiobooks You Can Listen To On Spotify appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

The Illuminae Files by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Told through a collection of interview transcripts, emails, hacked military documents, chat logs, and more, The Illuminae Files is the epic story of a heartless (alleged) attack by a mega-corporation on a secret mining colony at the planet Kerenza and the group of teens who fight back for a life worth living for. Oh, and don’t forget the murderous AI who is only trying to help. While each book in the series clocks in at over 600 pages, the unique storytelling format makes for an accelerated and intense read that will have you reading at every chance you get. (FYI: read the book while listening to the audiobook! You’ll thank me, I promise!)

Jackaby by William Ritter

Abigail Rook has escaped the patriarchal grasp of her English life and found herself in New England, where she becomes the assistant to R.F. Jackaby, an eccentric investigator of the supernatural. Part Sherlock, part Buffy, with a dash of Doctor Who, the Jackaby series is a fantastic and fast read that will have you knocking out four books with ease.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

One of the most popular YA dystopian series around, The Hunger Games focuses on Katniss Everdeen as she battles through battle royale style arenas, horrifically tyrannical governments, and one of the most well-argued love triangles in recent memory. Come for the action and angst, stay for the political warfare! This trilogy has everything you need to keep you turning pages.

The Night World by L.J. Smith

The Night World is a secret society of vampires, werewolves, and witches with two strict rules: do not tell humans about the Night World and do not fall in love with a human. Each book tells the story of a different Night World member breaking these rules with spectacular abandon. Some may find these books a bit cheesy, but they are fast, snarky, addictively dramatic, and will quickly mark 9 books off your reading list.

The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells

Murderbot, a SecUnit who has bypassed its governor module, just wants to spend their time binge-watching TV series and ignoring the emotions of the humans it was hired to keep alive. But with its bloody history lurking and a corporate conspiracy constantly getting in the way, Murderbot finds itself doing the unthinkable: caring. The four novellas of the Murderbot Diaries are not only quick reads with each being under 200 pages, but they are also some of the most intriguing character driven stories of the past decade.

The Tortall Books by Tamora Pierce

Started all the way back in the 80s, The Tortall books span six series set in the fantasy world of Tortall. Though nearly 40 years old, these short novels focus on female empowerment in a male dominated society and each heroine is inspiring in their own way. Featuring wild magic, strong female main characters, and swoony love interests, The Tortall books are completely engrossing and can quickly add 18 books to your goal.

Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa

Half kitsune, Yumeko, is tasked with bringing an ancient scroll to a hidden temple without letting it fall into the hands of the Shadow Clan or the rising demon army threatening the world. With characters that pull on your heartstrings and make you laugh out loud in equal measure, this epic road trip story will keep you reading late into the night. While technically not a complete series yet, the third book, Night of the Dragon, releases March 31, 2020.

Charlotte Holmes by Brittany Cavallaro

Descendants of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson meet at a Connecticut prep school and immediately get drawn into solving murders and navigating their family’s sordid history. With twists and turns and plenty of drama, this four novel series is addictive and quick to read with no book over 350 pages in the series.

The Confectioner’s Chronicles by Claire Luana

Wren Confectioner starts her day as a humble bakery assistant and ends it as the prime suspect in the murder of the head of the Confectioner’s Guild. Teamed with a handsome inspector, a host of new friends, and her new-found magical baking powers, Wren fights to prove her innocence and uncover the magical culinary conspiracy threatening her world. This series is an absolute delight to read and will have you smiling with every page you read.

The Folk of the Air by Holly Black

Jude Durate, a mortal girl raised in the capricious land of Faerie with her sisters after her parents are murdered, entangles herself in court politics, deadly battles of wit, and the cruel prince himself, Carden Greenbriar. Holly Black is dubbed Queen of Faerie for good reason. She crafts fast paced and quick-witted Fae stories that will ensnare you faster than faerie wine.

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

The post 10 Series That’ll Jumpstart Your 2020 Reading Goals appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Who’s ready to get their hands on some new YA releases!? We definitely are and we bet you can’t wait too! We love a new year because that means there’s going to be so many new books coming out over the next 12 months from authors we already love as well as authors releasing their very first novel into the wild!

Naturally there’s many books being released, so we’ve narrowed it down to 48 titles that we are really looking forward to being released between the months of January and June!

So, what can we expect from 2020? Well there’s new books from familiar names such as Cassandra Clare, Melissa de la Cruz, Suzanne Collins,  Alwyn Hamilton, and many more! In terms of content, there’s gender-swapped retellings, vampires, assassins, magic, thrillers, dragons, sweet contemporaries, stories of friendship, tales of love and revenge, and much, much more!

Read on to discover just a few of our favourites and tell us in the comments if you are looking forward to any of these releases!

JANUARY

Oasis by Katya de Becerra
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this young adult thriller for fans of Lost and The Twilight Zone, a group of teens are saved when they come across a mysterious oasis. But who will save them from the oasis?

Loveboat, Taipei by Abigail Hing Wen
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Sarah Dessen, and praised as “an intense rush of rebellion and romance” by #1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Garber, this romantic and layered Own Voices debut from Abigail Hing Wen is a dazzling, fun-filled romp.

Dark and Deepest Red by Anna-Marie McLemore
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

With Anna-Marie McLemore’s signature lush prose, Dark and Deepest Red pairs the forbidding magic of a fairy tale with a modern story of passion and betrayal.

Rogue Princess by B.R. Myers
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A princess fleeing an arranged marriage teams up with a snarky commoner to foil a rebel plot in B. R. Myers’ Rogue Princess, a gender-swapped sci-fi YA retelling of Cinderella.

Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibañez
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A lush tapestry of magic, romance, and revolución, drawing inspiration from Bolivian politics and history.

Black Girl Unlimited: The Remarkable Story of a Teenage Wizard by Echo Brown
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Heavily autobiographical and infused with magical realism, Black Girl Unlimited fearlessly explores the intersections of poverty, sexual violence, depression, racism, and sexism―all through the arc of a transcendent coming-of-age story for fans of Renee Watson’s Piecing Me Together and Ibi Zoboi’s American Street.

Blood Countess by Lana Popović
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A historical YA horror novel based on the infamous real-life inspiration for Countess Dracula.

Don’t Read the Comments by Eric Smith
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Slay meets Eliza and Her Monsters in Eric Smith’s Don’t Read the Comments, an #ownvoices story in which two teen gamers find their virtual worlds – and blossoming romance – invaded by the real-world issues of trolling and doxing in the gaming community.

FEBRUARY

The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller
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Tricia Levenseller, author of Daughter of the Pirate King, is back with an epic YA tale of ambition and love in The Shadows Between Us…

The Gravity of Us by Phil Stamper
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Teen boys find love when their parents’ NASA mission uproots their lives in this sweet debut perfect for Adam Silvera fans.

The Queen’s Assassin by Melissa de la Cruz
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Red Queen, this is the first novel in a sweeping YA fantasy-romance duet about a deadly assassin, his mysterious apprentice, and the country they are sworn to protect from #1 NYT bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz.

Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed
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New York Times bestselling authors Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed have crafted a resonant, funny, and memorable story about the power of love and resistance.

Belle Révolte by Linsey Miller
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From the author of the Mask of Shadows duology comes a standalone fantasy where two young women must trade lives, work together to stay alive, and end a war caused by magic and greed.

The Last Confession of Autumn Casterly by Meredith Tate
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If I Stay meets One of Us is Lying in this gripping contemporary thriller.

Ink in the Blood by Kim Smejkal
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A lush, dark YA fantasy debut that weaves together tattoo magic, faith, and eccentric theater in a world where lies are currency and ink is a weapon, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Kendare Blake.

Foul Is Fair by Hannah Capin
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Foul is Fair is a bloody, thrilling revenge fantasy for the girls who have had enough. Golden boys beware: something wicked this way comes.

MARCH

Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Chain of Gold is the first novel in a new trilogy that stars the Shadowhunters of Edwardian London.

Bone ​Crier’s Moon by Kathryn Purdie
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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Kathryn Purdie comes a high-stakes fantasy duology flush with doomed romance and macabre magic, perfect for fans of Stephanie Garber and Roshani Chokshi.

Anna K.: A Love Story by Jenny Lee
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Dazzlingly opulent and emotionally riveting, Anna K.: A Love Story is a brilliant reimagining of Leo Tolstoy’s timeless love story, Anna Karenina―but above all, it is a novel about the dizzying, glorious, heart-stopping experience of first love and first heartbreak.

Greythorne by Crystal Smith
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Brimming with deliciously mysterious magic, political intrigue, and a passionate heroine who will do anything to save the ones she loves—this highly anticipated sequel to Bloodleaf won’t disappoint.

Harley in the Sky by Akemi Dawn Bowman
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The Greatest Showman meets This Is Us by way of Sarah Dessen in this heart-wrenching, hopeful contemporary novel about a multiracial teen who risks it all to follow her dreams by joining the circus, from the critically acclaimed author of Starfish.

Havenfall by Sara Holland
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A safe haven between four realms. The girl sworn to protect it–at any cost. New York Times bestselling author Sara Holland crafts a breathtaking new contemporary fantasy perfect for fans of Melissa Albert and Holly Black.

Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzales
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Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda meets Clueless in this boy-meets-boy spin on Grease.

When We Were Magic by Sarah Gailey
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A sly, witchy dark comedy about four teens whose magic goes wildly awry from Magic for Liars author Sarah Gailey, who Chuck Wendig calls an “author to watch.”

APRIL

Incendiary by Zoraida Córdova
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Jack Kerouac Is Dead to Me by Gae Polisner
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Gae Polisner’s Jack Kerouac is Dead to Me is a story about the fragility of female friendship, of falling in love and wondering if you are ready for more, and of the glimmers of hope we find by taking stock in ourselves.

Time of Our Lives by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
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A reflective, romantic coming-of-age novel that explores life after high school–perfect for fans of Fangirl and Emergency Contact.

The Lucky Ones by Liz Lawson
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For fans of Thirteen Reasons Why, This Is How It Ends, and All the Bright Places, comes a new novel about life after. How do you put yourself back together when it seems like you’ve lost it all?

Clique Bait by Ann Valett
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Pretty Little Liars meets Burn for Burn in this thrilling debut from Wattpad star Ann Valett.

Verona Comics by Jennifer Dugan
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the author of Hot Dog Girl comes a fresh and funny YA contemporary romance about two teens who fall in love in an indie comic book shop.

Late to the Party by Kelly Quindlen
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From author Kelly Quindlen comes a poignant and deeply relatable story about friendship, self-acceptance, what it means to be a Real Teenager. Late to the Party is an ode to late bloomers and wallflowers everywhere.

Loveless by Alice Oseman
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Loveless is a journey of identity, self-acceptance, and finding out how many different types of love there really are. And that no one is really loveless after all.

MAY

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The post 48 YA Book Releases To Look Out For In 2020 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.