2020 has been a tough year for everyone, authors included. Those of us with books out during lockdown suffered from a lack of impulse purchase sales. And those whose publication dates were pushed back to the end of 2020 or the start of 2021 are now going to be vying for coverage with unprecedented numbers of other releases. 3rd September (nicknamed 'Super Thursday') is seeing the release of 600 books - 600!
So I'd like to take this opportunity to highlight a few upcoming young adult books that you may not have heard about but should definitely be adding to your wish lists. All of them are by brilliant UK-based authors, and all are coming out between now and September 2021.
For fans of Sex Education and Heartstopper.
Fifteen-year-old Mack is a hopeless romantic. He has like Karim for as long as he can remember, and is ecstatic when Karim becomes his boyfriend - it feels like love.
But when Mack's dad gets a job on a film in Scotland, Mack has to move, and soon hediscovers how painful love can be. It's horrible being so far away from Karim, but the worst part is that Karim doesn't make the effort to visit. Love shouldn't be only on the weekends.
Then, when Mack meets actor Finlay on a film set, he experiences something powerful, a feeling like love at first sight. How long until he tells Karim - and when will his old life and new life collide?
A novel written in verse from the author of the incredible The Black Flamingo.
Pre-order here
The World Between Us by Sarah Ann Juckes
For fans of All the Bright Places
Alice may be bed-bound, but that doesn't stop her from Living. Every day, she logs into Stream Cast and becomes part of the world by watching other people Live wonderful and exciting lives.
But when one of the streamers is killed in a cycle accident, Alice is introduced to a new streamer.
Rowan sees beauty in the everyday, allows her to take over his body and really Live for the first time in years. But Rowan too has troubles that mean he's less than comfortable in his own skin.
As Alice and Rowan build a bigger and more beautiful world together, outside forces threaten to bring this new world to an end.
Pre-order here
Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
For fans of S.T.A.G.S. and A Good Girl's Guide to Murder
Welcome to Niveus Private Academy, where money paves the hallways, and the students are never less than perfect. Until now. Because anonymous texter, Aces, is bringing two students' dark secrets to light. Talented musician Devon buries himself in rehearsals, but he can't escape the spotlight when his private photos go public. Head girl Chiamaka isn't afraid to get what she wants, but soon everyone will know the price she has paid for power. Someone is out to get them both. Someone who holds all the aces. And they're planning much more than a high-school game...
Pre-order here
The sequel to A Throne of Swans.
A Throne of Swans - an incredible, high fantasy reworking of the Swan Lake story - has been one of my highlights of post-lockdown reading. I won't include the blurb for A Crown of Talons for fear of spoiling the first book, which if you haven't read already, you must! Here's the blurb for A Throne of Swans instead:
When her father dies just before her birthday, seventeen-year-old Aderyn inherits the role of Protector of Atratys, a dominion in a kingdom where nobles are able to transform at will into the bird that represents their family bloodline. Aderyn's ancestral bird is a swan. But she has not transformed for years, not since witnessing the death of her mother - ripped apart by hawks that have supposedly been extinct since the long-ago War of the Raptors.
With the benevolent shelter of her mother and her father now lost, Aderyn is at the mercy of her brutal uncle, the King, and his royal court. Driven by revenge and love, she must venture into the malevolent heart of the Citadel in order to seek the truth about the attack that so nearly destroyed her, to fight for the only home she has ever known and for the land she has vowed to protect.
Order A Throne of Swans here and pre-order A Crown of Talons here
The final instalment of the Isles of Storm and Sorrow trilogy.
I read Viper - the first in the series - a few weeks ago and am racing through the second book - Venom - now. It's a rip-roaring, heartbreaking story set on the high seas of a fantasy world, with a brilliant, diverse array of characters led by pirate protagonist Marianne.
Here's the blurb for Viper:
Seventeen-year-old Marianne is fated to one day become the Viper, defender of the Twelve Isles.
But the reigning Viper stands in her way. Corrupt and merciless, he prowls the seas in his warship, killing with impunity, leaving only pain and suffering in his wake.
He's the most dangerous man on the ocean . . . and he is Marianne's father.
She was born to protect the islands. But can she fight for them if it means losing her family, her home, the boy she loves - and perhaps even her life?
3 comments:
Really pleased that ABBA offered an opportunity to share these YA titles, Holly. Well done for showing such positivity. Thanks and good wishes to all the books.
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