Hi, Vanessa! Welcome back! How has the past 18 months been since we last spoke?

Hi! Thank you so much for having me back! It’s been a whirlwind after debuting A Tall Dark Trouble. I’ve been to incredible book events, school book festivals, on podcasts, and conferences. It’s been hectic in such a fun way, and my best memories has been meeting readers in person. I also wrote, revised, and am now publishing a new book! A young adult horror fantasy.

With it being the new year, do you have any goals or aspirations for 2025?

For sure, I have big hopes for my author career in 2025. With more news soon to come, and hopefully more books yet to write. My debut year taught me to step out of my comfort zone and embrace the public aspect of this career like public speaking and marketing. I want to keep that going, and also incorporate more self-study into my routine to continuously improve my craft. I’d really love to make this the year I write my first adult book too.

Your latest novel, These Vengeful Wishes, is out February 4^th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Atmospheric Southern Gothic Feminine Rage

What can readers expect?

Readers can expect an emotional folklore retelling about a lonely teen girl forced to move to a haunted small town with her self-absorbed mother. The town is afflicted with a vengeful spirit who lurks in the woods luring drunken men to their deaths. After encountering la Cegua’s lair, an underground spring that grants wishes at a cost, Cecilia finds herself falling for la Cegua’s tricks with the promise of everything she’s wanted until the wishes go awry and the people she loves are in danger. Picture the atmosphere of The Secret Garden, the horror level of House of Hollow or Locke & Key, and the genertational family drama of…well, my last book.

Where did the inspiration for These Vengeful Wishes come from?

I’ve been struggling to remember the exact moment inspiration struck, but I think it started with a short story I wrote in college. I was really intrigued by W.W. Jacobs’ “The Monkey’s Paw” about tampering with wishes or secret desires and feeling the consequences that come with controlling fate. Similar themes from “King Midas and the Golden Touch”, a story which frankly terrified me. I started developing a character that would be desparate enough to mess with fate despite knowing there would be consequences, and Cecilia from These Venegful Wishes arose. But as I developed the story, I was asking myself those probing questions to find all the plot holes, and the main one I kept coming back to was “Where does this magic come from? Why is it vengeful magic?”. I started thinking of folklores then and remembered the story of la Cegua I’d heard growing up. A beautiful ghostly woman who lures men into the woods and petrifies them with her skeletal horse face. Yet that’s the thing about oral stories lost to time (and colonization), it’s really difficult to research where exactly those stories originated. All over Central America, there were different variations of la Cegua’s lore, relegated to a cautionary tale for cheating men and virginal young women. I wanted to give her an entirely different backstory and connect her to a more modern setting. Suffice to say, I loved spending time with the terrifying horse-faced spirit.

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

Some of my favorite scenes to write involved la Cegua and her backstory. I liked devlving into her character and bringing about meaning and importance to her forgotten history. Though as you read, you can probably tell that I had way too much fun developing the romance between Cecilia and Jamie. Uniting two very different people to solve a town mystery and discover the power and consequences of wish magic together.

Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?

I had a lot of elements going when I first started outlining. The wish magic, la Cegua lore, the mother-daughter relationship, the blossoming romance, and the coming-of-age and self discovery the main character undergoes. By the way, this is the first book I’ve ever written where I actually outlined the entire thing first. I knew the ending and all the major plot points, even though some things did change while I drafted and during revisions. The trickiest part was finding a balance to all these elements and making sure they added to one another and drove the story forward. The outline saved me on more than one occasion, so this book really was me trying on the plotter role for size.

Were there any key lessons you learned from your debut that helped with These Vengeful Wishes?

Yes, I learned to outline! My debut, A Tall Dark Trouble, had multiple points-of-views and dual timelines, and I started writing a murder mystery without first knowing who the murderer was supposed to be. As you can imagine, this made things pretty difficult, cause I had no idea how to end it since I hadn’t woven in those details to begin with. The revisions were gnarly. And as I spent countless days and hours wracking my brain over revisions and rewrites, I begged future me to outline. I listened!

What’s next for you?

I have some things cooking! Nothing I can officially announce yet, but I’m so excited about this new project I’m working on in a very similar vein to These Vengeful Wishes. Along with some other fun stuff. My hope is that I keep being able to do what I love for a lot longer.

Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up in 2025?

So many incredible books coming out! I cannot wait for Ginny Myers Sain’s new YA mystery, When the Bones Sing, Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s The Bewitching, Isabel Cañas’s The Possession of Alba Díaz, Tracy Deonn’s Oathbound, and Rachel Gillig’s The Knight and the Moth. I have a huge TBR!

Will you be picking up These Vengeful Wishes? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Vanessa Montalban, Author of ‘These Vengeful Wishes’ 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.

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

Hi! So excited for this interview! Thanks so much for having me. For a rundown, I’m a Miami girl who now lives in Central Florida with my husband, kids, and beagle baby. I write young adult stories with love and magic. Teen stories are my favorite because it’s one of the most influential stages of life, and it almost feels like a second chance to rewrite those moments. My favorite things to do are read, rewatch shows like Buffy, Schitt’s Creek, New Girl, burst into random song, visit the beach, and go on vacation anywhere that’s woodsy.

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

One thing about me is that I have a pretty bad memory, but I do know my love for stories started when I was really young. We moved around a lot, so I was always the new, awkward kid alone in the corner with a book. Picture Rory Gilmore if Rory mostly read horror, romance, and thrillers rather than books like The Fountainhead. I remember convincing my cousin to stay up late one night so we could pen our epic novel, and it turned out to be my first, fully-fleshed out short story when I was around the age of nine: evil grandfather clock and tragically dead parents—the start of any good young book. I would also write poetry all the time, and I still do. Connecting words in a way that makes me feel achy and intrigued has always appealed.

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

Oh! This is a good one. Other than my aunt’s too-graphic-for-my-kid-eyes thriller that I read while she slept, I always remember Lois Duncan books. The Third Eye specifically stands out in my memory about a psychic teen that knows where kidnapped children are being kept and is a detective’s only hope to finding them. Funny since my book now is about psychics also solving a murder! That book made more of an impact than I thought.

Your debut novel, A Tall Dark Trouble, is out August 29^th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Love, curses, magic, revolution, sisterhood.

What can readers expect?

Expect young girls grappling with identity, inherent power, and loss. This is very much a fantasy that explores and plays with different tropes of romance, magic, and mystery. It’s a genre masher, because it has a little bit of everything, including historical since a big portion of the story takes place in 1980s Cuba during an important event in Cuban history. But besides the fantasy, there are many facets of truth about oppressive governments, complicated family dynamics, and persecuted beliefs.

For the quicker pitch: A Tall Dark Trouble is a YA contemporary fantasy about three Cuban-American brujas navigating love, magic, and murder. In current day Miami, twins Delfi and Ofelia are not only dealing with a generational love curse, but their newfound premonitions are leading them to a series of murders, and a killer that may be targeting their kind. In 1980s Cuba, teenaged Anita has her own curses and power to contend with under the strict and oppressive eye of her mother, and a controlling government.

Where did the inspiration for A Tall Dark Trouble come from?

Apparently it came from Lois Duncan! No, but really, I think the inspiration for ATDT was a long time coming. The magic woven into the worldbuilding is mystical and spiritual, closely mirroring my family’s beliefs. The historical elements are very much inspired by my father’s own arrival in Miami from Cuba in the 1980s during the Mariel Boatlift, which brought an estimated 125,000 Cubans to US shores. But I believe the moment that struck the match for this idea was in 2016 when it was announced that the infamous boogeyman of Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro, had died and the streets of Miami turned to utter chaos. I just knew in that moment that I needed to write a story, and it needed to be whittled out from my Cuban identity.

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

I really enjoyed writing the ending. Not just because of the relief that I’d finally finished this monster whopper of a book but because it came together so beautifully and I felt like I was giving my characters a gift. I can’t go too much into it, but it was pretty different from the rest of the story and it made me happy. As for characters, I loved writing the sassy Delfi who can taste emotions and doesn’t have pelo en la lengua (translates to hair on her tongue, but it basically means no shame telling it how it is).

This is your debut novel! What was the road to getting A Tall Dark Trouble published?

It was, as is popularly described, a rollercoaster! I finished and shelved two books in the span of around seven years. Had a small publishing deal that fell through in 2017. During that time, I also got my first literary agent, although we eventually parted ways. During those years, A Tall Dark Trouble was very much my comfort story—the one I worked on just for me. The one that got me through the days when I seriously wanted to quit writing all together. In 2020, I joined this amazing mentorship program for Latinx creators called Las Musas and was paired with Nina Moreno who was goddess sent. She really helped me whip all those multiple points-of-view into shape and end the story the way it needed to. As soon as I revised with Nina, I joined Twitter pitch contests like #DVpit and #Latinxpitch where I got great responses from agents. When I met with Danielle Burby, her enthusiasm and passion just radiated since our first conversation and I knew she was the right fit. We were on submission for about five months before offers started coming in and Tiffany Liao from Zando came in with a pre-empt! I screamed. Not only is Tiff an absolute wizard of an editor but the entire Zando teams has been a dream to work with.

You also contributed to the YA horror anthology Night of the Living Queers, which releases on the 29^th too! Can you tell us a bit about your story?

Yes! It’s such an exciting project to be a part of, and with that line-up! My story in the anthology is called “Welcome to Hotel Paranoia”, and if it rings a bell, it’s because the story is loosely inspired by the Hotel California song. Like every other story in NOTLQ, it takes place on Halloween under an unusual blue moon. My character, Anabel, is invited to a secretive annual Halloween party for her school’s elite at an abandoned hotel. Anabel is only going so she can make things right with her ex-best-friend after she fumbled their first kiss. But when Anabel arrives at the party, it’s not only her friend who’s acting strange, but the entire hotel seems to be flickering between the party and a decaying house of horrors. Probably wasn’t the best idea to build the hotel on consecrated grounds for a vengeful Central American deity.

What’s next for you?

Next on the publishing coaster is another YA contemporary fantasy coming out with Zando next year. I am so stoked to be working on this project, and I can’t wait to talk more about it. This one also plays with Central American fables, like the cautionary tale of La Cegua—a beautiful ghost who lures cheating men into the woods then petrifies them with her skeletal horse face. I never liked that her story was boiled down to teaching men a lesson, so I was excited for the chance to expand her character. Things you can expect in my upcoming project are haunted manors, small town weirdos and heroes, mom-and-daughter issues, and a vengeful ghost.

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

So many incredible books coming out this year! I’m reading Sinner’s Isle by Angela Montoya and Damned if You Do by Alex Brown now and thoroughly enjoying them both. Pirates, demons, and witches are always my jam. One of my favorite reads this year has been Isabel Cañas’ The Hacienda.  I’m also dying to dive into two books: Kiss the Girl by Zoraida Córdova and Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.

You can find Vanessa on Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok at @vvmontalban and be sure to check out her upcoming events and pre-order campaign!

Will you be picking up A Tall Dark Trouble? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Vanessa Montalban, Author of ‘A Tall Dark Trouble’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover just a few of our YA picks and let us know in the comments if you will be reading any of them!

Together We Rot by Skyla Arndt
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A teen girl looking for the truth about her missing mother forms a reluctant alliance with her former best friend…in exchange for hiding him from his cult-leading family.

Actually Super by Adi Alsaid
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A globetrotting novel that takes a determined teen from Japan to Australia and to Argentina and Mexico on a quest to prove that humanity is more good than bad from the author of Let’s Get Lost and Before Takeoff.

Damned if You Do by Alex Brown
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Queer Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Filipino folklore in this horror comedy about a high school stage manager who accidentally sells her soul to a demon.

Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim
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From the New York Times bestselling author of SIX CRIMSON CRANES comes a tale of two sisters—one as beautiful as the other is monstrous—who must fight to save each other when a betrothal contest gone wrong unleashes an evil that could sever their bond forever.

Pride and Prejudice and Pittsburgh by Rachael Lippincott
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From the New York Times bestselling coauthor of Five Feet Apart and She Gets the Girl comes a fresh and inventive sapphic romantic comedy that’s What If It’s Us meets Bridgerton.

Face the Night by Lani Forbes
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On a harsh frontier where good and evil contend for people’s minds, a young woman must fight for her true identity in this scintillating YA fantasy from the author of the award-winning Age of the Seventh Sun trilogy.

Unnecessary Drama by Nina Kenwood
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From the award-winning author of It Sounded Better in My Head comes a deliciously entertaining enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy about two high school nemeses who end up sharing a house together their first year of college

Forgive Me Not by Jennifer Baker
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In this searing indictment of the juvenile justice system, one incarcerated teen weighs what she is willing to endure for forgiveness.

A Tall Dark Trouble by Vanessa Montalban
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Perfect for fans of Shea Ernshaw, Nina Moreno, and Elizabeth Acevedo, Vanessa Montalban’s YA debut is a dazzling Latine twist on Practical Magic that follows a family of Cuban American brujas entangled in love, magic, and murder.

Who Could Love You, Astor Price? by Amy Jane Lehan
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Set in a small Australian town and promising moments of heartache and hope, Who Could Love You, Astor Price? is the debut novel from Amy Jane Lehan.

I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast is Me by Jamison Shea
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Tilly in Technicolor by Mazey Eddings
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Tilly in Technicolor is Mazey Eddings’s sparkling YA debut about two neurodivergent teens who form a connection over the course of a summer.

My Father, The Panda Killer by Jamie Jo Hoang
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A poignant coming-of-age story told in two alternating voices: a California teenager railing against the Vietnamese culture, juxtaposed with her father as an eleven-year-old boat person on a harrowing and traumatic refugee journey from Vietnam to the United States.

Rook by William Ritter
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This standalone adventure set in the world of the  New York Times  bestselling Jackaby series brims with humor, heart, and—of course—a hefty dose of supernatural mayhem.

The Boy You Always Wanted by Michelle Quach
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From Not Here to Be Liked author Michelle Quach comes a smartly funny, heartfelt story told in dual POV about a young woman roping in her childhood crush to act as an honorary male heir to fulfill her grandfather’s dying wish. A story about first love, familial duties, and finding yourself—perfect for fans of Emiko Jean and Loan Le.

The Brothers Hawthorne by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
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Four brothers. Two missions. One explosive read. Jennifer Lynn Barnes returns to the world of her #1 bestselling Inheritance Games trilogy, and the stakes have never been higher.  

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

The post August 2023 YA Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover just a few of our picks and let us know if you’ll be checking any of them out!

Guardians of the Dawn: Zhara by S. Jae-Jones
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Sailor Moon meets Cinder in Guardians of Dawn: Zhara, the start of a new, richly imagined fantasy series from S. Jae-Jones, the New York Times bestselling author of Wintersong.

Accidentally in Love by Danielle Jackson
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A delightful rom-com where grumpy-meets-sunshine collides with enemies-to-lovers in this perfect summer novel, written for fans of Kate Stayman-London, Olivia Dade, and Denise Williams.

The Water Outlaws by S.L. Huang
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Inspired by a classic of martial arts literature, S. L. Huang’s The Water Outlaws are bandits of devastating ruthlessness, unseemly femininity, dangerous philosophies, and ungovernable gender who are ready to make history—or tear it apart.

Teach the Torches to Burn: A Romeo & Juliet Remix by Caleb Roehrig
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In the Remixed Classics series, authors from marginalized backgrounds reinterpret classic works through their own cultural lens to subvert the overwhelming cishet, white, and male canon. Queer star-crossed love amid a centuries-old feud takes center stage in this Romeo & Juliet remix that knows sometimes, the best way is to make it gay.

The Trap by Catherine Ryan Howard
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From award-winning, internationally bestselling crime writer Catherine Ryan Howard comes The Trap: an unsettling mystery inspired by a series of still-unsolved disappearances in Ireland in the 90s, wherein one young woman risks everything to catch a faceless killer.

House of Odysseus by Claire North
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This “powerful, fresh, and unflinching” reimagining from the award-winning author of the Penelope trilogy breathes life into ancient myth and gives voice to the women who stand defiant in a world ruled by ruthless men (Jennifer Saint).

Night of the Living Queers: 13 Tales of Terror Delight
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Night of the Living Queers is a YA horror anthology that explores a night when anything is possible, exclusively featuring queer authors of color putting fresh spins on classic horror tropes and tales.

Kiss the Girl by Zoraida Córdova
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A modern tale of unexpectedly falling in love and finding your voice, Kiss the Girl is the highly anticipated third installment in the acclaimed and best-selling Meant to Be collection.

The Blonde Identity by Ally Carter
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The New York Times bestselling YA author of the beloved Gallagher Girls series bursts onto the adult scene with a fast-paced, hilarious road trip rom-com about a woman with amnesia who discovers she’s the identical twin sister of a rogue spy… and must team up with a rugged, grumpy operative to stay alive.

More Perfect by Temi Oh
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A reimagining of the Greek myth of Eurydice and Orpheus, for fans of Becky Chambers and William Gibson by Alex Award–winning author Temi Oh.

Delicate Condition by Danielle Valentine
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The Push meets The Silent Patient in a gripping thriller that follows a woman convinced a sinister figure is going to great lengths to make sure her pregnancy never happens—while the men in her life refuse to believe a word she says.

With Love, from Cold World by Alicia Thompson
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She has a to-do list a mile long and falling for her coworker isn’t on it–yet somehow he’s become her top priority in this romantic comedy from the national bestselling author of Love in the Time of Serial Killers.

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

The post August 2023 Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.