My Pick of Young Adult/ Teen Books for Christmas 2016
Its been a great year for Young Adult and Childrens books and there is definitely something for everyone on this list!
SIX OF CROWS BY LEIGH BARDUGO
YOUNG ADULT 13+
A gambler; a convict, a runaway, a killer, a magician and a criminal mastermind attempt an impossible heist for untold riches. If they don’t kill each other first! This thrilling crime fantasy mixes two popular genres together to winning effect. Reminiscent of Ocean's Eleven and Now You See Me, it is told from multiple viewpoints that continually throws up cunning schemes, red herrings and nail biting action. Richly told their epic task will enthral and exhilarate.
ISBN: 9781780622286 PB Orion Childrens Books £7.99
THREE DARK CROWNS BY KENDARE BLAKE
YOUNG ADULT 13+
Three triplet sisters, all heirs to a crown, each possessing a particular talent. Katherine, the poisoner, Arsinoe, the naturalist and Mirabella, controller of the elements and the most powerful. One must murder the others to rule. As each girl finds out who she can trust and what they will do to win which one will lure you under their spell? Seductively dark and deliciously decadent the fast paced and intricate plot builds up to an spine tingling climax.
ISBN 9781509804559 Pan Macmillan PB £7.99
THE DIABOLIC BY S.J. KINDCAID
YOUNG ADULT 13+
Nemesis is a Diabolic, a futuristic warrior who 's sole task is to protect her mistress Sidonia. Caught up in the Emperor's machinations and a ruthless, backstabbing court will Nemesis be the lamb to the slaughter or is she really a Trojan Horse? A potent mix of Star Wars and The Hunger Games, this high octane epic stand alone will ensnare you in its web of intrigue right up to the nail biting finale.
ISBN HB Simon and Schuster £10.99
DARKNESS FOLLOWS BY L.A.WEATHERLY
YOUNG ADULT 13+
Welcome to Harmony 5: A secure prison camp in a distorted version of 1940's America. The rules are simple here: obedience or death and former peace fighter Amity is their newest inmate. What will she risk for her freedom in a world where war is banned and harmony rules?A gripping high octane thriller full of captivating characters, revenge and romance. Old style glamour merges with futuristic menace in the second instalment of the 'Broken Trilogy series.
ISBN 9781409572039 PB Usborne £8.99
SAINT DEATH BY MARCUS SEDGWICK
YOUNG ADULT 13+
Arturo must help his friend Faustino by winning big in a card game of Calavera. Dicing with death in a gang ridden wasteland of poverty and corruption will they be able to escape? Are the cards stacked against them or does Arturo have an ace up his sleeve? Will Saint Death show them mercy? Exploring themes of migration, capitalism and social mobility this taut thriller, laced with Mexican folklore, will have you holding your breath until the shocking climax.
ISBN 9781444000528 HB Orion Books £10.99
RIDE BY LISA GLASS
YOUNG ADULT 12+
A hot summer read perfect for the beach. Seventeen year old professional surfer, Iris has travelled the world chasing waves but the life she dreamt of isn’t the paradise she hoped. When her first love crumbles she returns home to find her passion for surfing again. A tidal wave of sun drenched passion this contemporary tale shows how success at an impressionable age brings many pitfalls and temptations with it. Part of a trilogy.
ISBN 9781848663442 PB Quercus £7.99
HIGHLY ILLOGICAL BEHAVIOUR BY JOHN COREY WHALEY
YOUNG ADULT 12+
An enormously endearing quirky tale of three teens who are about to take the next step in their lives. All have different issues including coming out, agoraphobia, first love and family responsibilities. At the heart of the book is their new friendship and how it expands and grows their world and themselves. A beautifully sensitive tale that understands life may not be perfect but can still be lived in all its technicolour glory.
ISBN 9780571330447 PB Faber & Faber £7.99
THE HYPNOTIST BY LAURENCE ANHOLT
YOUNG ADULT 13+
Pip is a young black boy in 1960's America and tensions are running high. Bought by a white couple, who's own son is just back from the terrors of Vietnam, life is fraught with dangers. A neighbouring Professor tries to help school him but can he save him from the Ku Klux Klan? A nod to The Color Purple and Great Expectations this is a thought provoking read perfect for book groups from teenage to adult.
ISBN 9780552573450 PB Corgi £7.99
CAGED BY THERESA BRESLIN
YOUNG ADULT 13+
Homeless Kal joins other troubled teenagers in an underground sanctuary beneath London whilst learning to cage fight for money to go towards their new lives and new beginnings. Taking place over one week this pacy and thrilling adventure unveils arch rivalry, hidden dangers and betrayal by those closest to them. This has shadows of a darker Oliver Twist and Fagin which will hold you in its grip until the knock-out blow. Punching above its weight.
ISBN 9780552565226 PB Penguin £7.99
DOUBLE DOWN BY GWENDA BOND
YOUNG ADULT 13+
Lois Lane is back on the case. Being a huge fan of Superman I loved this reimagining of her teenage years. An army brat in a new school with a secret pen pal called 'SmallvilleGuy' and a job at the local rag, The Daily Planet, this has all the ingredients to keep fans happy. In her second adventure Lois is catapulted into a dangerous mystery of greed, politics and revenge. Precocious and sassy.
ISBN 9781782023692 PB Curious Fox £6.99
THE MOONLIGHT DREAMERS BY SIOBHAN CURHAM
YOUNG ADULT 12+
Four girls from all walks of life who's only bond is feeling like outsiders form a group called the Moonlight Dreamers. This absorbing tale of their highs and lows will draw you into their world and inspire you to celebrate your individuality. There is something to appeal to everyone and a good lesson to be learnt not to judge a book by its cover. A great contemporary summer read with a bit of Oscar Wilde thrown in.
ISBN 9781406365825 PB Walker Books £6.99
THE UNEXPECTED EVERYTHING BY MORGAN MATSON
YOUNG ADULT FICTION
Andie's fathers political scandal wrecks her summer plans. Rescued by a lot of crazy dogs, a geeky but very cute guy and her awesome friends it seems her holiday is not entirely lost. As Andie's world shifts on its axis change can't be ignored as she deals with ghosts of the past. A perfect holiday read sprinkled with romance, loss and most importantly friendship. The emoji 'conversations' are hilarious. For Rainbow Rowell and Stephanie Perkins fans.
ISBN: 9781471146145 PB Simon & Schuster Ltd £7.99
LADY MIDNIGHT BY CASSANDRA CLARE
CHILDRENS 12+
An exciting new series which returns to the ever popular world of the Shadow Hunters introduces us to the next generation of warriors. A huge book of such epic proportions it will devour you. There is a killer amongst them but whom can they trust? With a large diverse cast this has something for everyone. Doomed love, fractured families, fast and furious adventure and so many twists and turns it leaves you breathless. Epic
ISBN: 9781471116612 PB Simon & Schuster Ltd £12.99
HOUR OF THE BEES BY LINDSAY EAGAR
YOUNG ADULT
A contemporary fable in which two worlds collide. The young and the old joust with modern mythology. Carolina's grandfather, who suffers from dementia, spins her tales of adventure, wanderlust and heritage. Are the stories of the magic tree promising eternal life true? Why are bees following her in this drought ridden desert? An inspiring book with a powerful message. Don't be afraid to live your life. There will be a real 'buzz' about this book.
ISBN: 9781406368154 PB Walker Books Ltd £7.99
HALF LOST BY SALLY GREEN
TEEN FICTION 13+
A thrilling conclusion to this epic trilogy won't disappoint its legion of fans. Nathan a witch with enormous powers is on the run. Traumatised by the horrendous acts he has been forced to commit and faced with a battle to save his kind will it make or break him? Friendship, treachery, magic and adventure against the backdrop of a brutal war, this has it all. The heart stopping climax will stun you. Spellbinding.
ISBN: 9780141350905 PB Penguin Books £7.99
THE SMELL OF OTHER PEOPLES HOUSES BY BONNIE SUE HITCOCK
TEEN FICTION 12+
A coming of age story about four very different teenagers who's lives collide in 1970's Alaska. Beautifully written it touches on first love, self preservation against the odds and friendship. A bit of luck is thrown in but will the four overcome adversity and will their scars heal? An unusual and deceptively sensitive book with a real sense of place, this has wide appeal from teen to adult and would be great for a book group. Riveting!
ISBN: 9780571314959 PB Faber & Faber £7.99
HOW NOT TO DISAPPEAR BY CLARE FURNISS
YOUNG ADULT 13+
Two worlds collide when a pregnant teenage Hattie goes on a road trip with Gloria her great aunt who’s suffering from the onset of dementia. One must decide on the course of her future and the other make amends with the past before it's forgotten. A thought provoking journey of two halves that will have you crying and laughing. Bitter sweet this is a great summer read that will appeal to all ages.
ISBN 9781471120312 PB Simon & Schuster £7.99
REBEL OF THE SANDS BY ALWYN HAMILTON
YOUNG ADULT FICTION
This is a unique Wild West meets Arabian Nights mash-up. Amani is desperate to escape Deadpool and a chance meeting with an exotic stranger gives her that opportunity. But thrown into the middle of a rebellion with an evil sultan Amani has tough choices to make . Untold magic, striking imagery and a crackling romance this epic delight will sweep you away into a desert storm and lose you in the sands of time. HOT
ISBN: 9780571325252 PB Faber & Faber £7.99
THE SLEEPING PRINCE BY MELINDA SALISBURY
YOUNG ADULT 12+
The Sin Eaters Daughter ended on a cliff hanger that left me breathless ,so I was impatient for the sequel of this darkly twisted series. Cherry picking from old myths and the darker side of history this epic will not disappoint. Errin, our heroine, finds herself in poverty, her royal life left behind in the first book. As a vengeful Prince brings war closer can Errin still bring peace? Will it be a fairytale ending or more Brothers Grimm?
ANNA AND THE SWALLOW MAN BY GAVRIEL SAVIT
Young Adult 12+
In Nazi occupied Poland a linguistics professor leaves his young daughter for work and never comes back. With an age old instinct to survive Anna attaches herself to a tall mysterious stranger she calls Swallow Man. Savit spins a dark and heartbreaking tale of history and fable seen through the eyes of a child. A thought provoking read, great for book clubs, suitable for children and adults. For lovers of The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas and The Book Thief.
ISBN:9781782300526 HB Penguin Random House £9.99
A COURT OF MIST AND FURY BY SARAH J MAAS
YOUNG ADULT
Love this epic series. After rescuing her lover Tamlin from a wicked Faerie Queen, she returns to the Spring Court possessing the powers of the High Fae. But Feyre cannot forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people – nor the bargain she made with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court.
ISBN 9781408857885 Bloomsbury Publishing PB £7.99
