Do you have your horror books and films all picked out for this weekend? Most places in the U.S. will celebrate Halloween with an extra hour, as clocks tick back one hour this weekend, too. There’ve been so many exciting new YA horror releases this year, and if you are feeling tight on time or like picking up something quicker than a novel, don’t miss these great YA horror short story collections.
If you’re not a horror reader or don’t love this season, no sweat. October has been jam-packed with new YA releases, as you’ve likely noticed over the last month of new release roundups. We’re getting into the final stretch of the busy publishing season, so you’ll notice this week’s new YA releases slow down a little bit. That trend will continue, and with it, you might begin also to notice that the diversity of titles being published isn’t as broad as it has been. Though diverse authors and stories continue to be published, weeks like this one are a reminder that the industry still has work to do–you’ll find inclusive reads here, but there should be more. If 40-42% of Americans are of minority racial or ethnic backgrounds, that should be reflected in the literature (and that’s not to talk about how few books are published for teens in the U.S. from across the globe). It is not, and that becomes apparent as the busy season for new releases transitions into a quieter one.
That said, there are a lot of great new YA books hitting shelves this week. Among the new releases on your radar are a weapon-building competition promising to be a ticket out of poverty, a story of two boys finding solace in one another, fae power struggles, and more. We’ve also got another book releasing simultaneously in hardcover and paperback.
New Hardcover YA Releases This WeekFleet of Wonders by Erin Hànyù Lynch
This first book in a new duology follows mixed-race, lower-income besties Eliza and Jules as they do what they can to survive. But then they see an opportunity to compete in Fleet of Wonders–where teams race to build a weapon strong enough to defend the empire–they jump in. It won’t be easy because their competitors are tough, but if they win, it could mean a ticket out of their current situation.
It’ll be tougher because the girls have to adopt false identities and they’re being teamed up with a crew of other competitors who could unravel their secrets in seconds. They’ve also got to face the reality that the work they’re doing for their empire pits them against their parents’ homelands.
It’s a romance-filled, high-stakes read exploring class, colonization, culture, and more.
Sun Chasers by Kacen Callender
Kole does all he can to avoid answering questions that force him to confront his past. He doesn’t explain what led him to move to St. Thomas to live with his dad or why he has bruises on his body. Kole also decides to try dating a girl at school to avoid questions about who he’s attracted to. Too bad for him, though, as he’s increasingly attracted to Gabriel.
Gabriel might not avoid questions, but he does want to escape the world around him. He’s continuously misgendered and threatened, and his single mom is barely getting by. He’s also trying to move on from a painful past.
But as Gabriel and Kole spend more time together–and develop stronger feelings for one another–they’ll both need to confront their pasts to build a better future.
What Rough Beast by Mindy McGinnis
Ava doesn’t speak up because she knows the consequences are being ostracized. Her work at a wildlife rehab center helps distract her from the horrible thing that changed her life forever.
Micah isn’t a good guy and he knows it. He wants to forget what he’s done, but he fears things may be dragged out into the open.
Hailey’s home life is tough, as she’s grown up in poverty. The good news is she’s good-looking, and she’ll use that to get what she wants. Right now, that’s dating the richest boy in town.
When Ava threatens to ruin Hailey’s budding relationship with a secret, Hailey wants to silence her. But then Ava accidentally summons an entity that’s been lurking under ground, the three teens’ lives will be changed forever.
Where We Go at Night by Ikwo Ntekim
Trixie Godfrey, 17, thinks that where she lives is perfect. Well, almost perfect. The fae and dark magic lurking in the shadows–something she was forbidden to get close to growing up–are what keep Woods Crossing from perfection.
On graduation night, Trixie heads home well after curfew only to see the worst thing happen. Her grandfather was killed, and the fae did it. No one will believe her that it was the far, but Trixie knows that it’s the truth because she has the gift of seeing them. It’s a gift she never practiced, but now she knows it’s vital. The Sight may connect her and her family to the fae in ways she could never anticipate.
To get justice, prove what happened, and to get rid of the monsters lurking in town, Trixie will enter the fae world and demand answers. What she didn’t anticipate was a whole world of conflict, trickery, and treachery.
Readers looking for a fae/faery story centering a Black teen, look no further!
Hardcover YA Series Releases This Week:
- For Ever More by Sue Lynn Tan
- Mark of the Warrior by Shannon Lee and Fonda Lee
- Mortal Things by Marie Lu
More Hardcover YA Releases This Week:
- Scorpion Deep by CG Drews
Christmas Trees and Weak Knees by Katrina Emmel
There have been more Christmas-themed YA romances published in the last few weeks than I remember being published in years. Here’s another one for readers whose holiday interests are more wintry than frightful.
Paisley Morgan spends her days at her family’s Christmas tree farm. She thought she’d given up her dreams for a music career, but she’s been secretly writing songs again.
Kash “Money” Murray has just broken up with his band and is struggling for songwriting inspiration. That’s when he’s sent to Paisley’s family farm for inspiration, and although Paisley wants to avoid reviving her music dreams, she and Kash are drawn closer and closer together. She’s become great inspiration for him, and amidst the idyllic winter setting, the two of them decide to embark on a shared songwriting journey–and maybe even something more.
Hazelthorn by CG Drews
Evander lives at the Hazelthorn estate and has since he was young and brought in by Byron Lennox-Hall, a reclusive billionaire who serves as his guardian. Byron’s always had three important rules for Evander to follow: do not leave the estate, do not go into the gardens, and do not be alone with Laurie.
Laurie is Byron’s grandson, and he’s both charming and an underachiever. Evander was almost killed by Laurie a few years back, and Evander is also obsessed with him still.
So when Byron dies unexpectedly, Evander is left the estate and a huge chunk of cash. No way was the death not planned, and Evander sets his sights on finding out who murdered Byron. He’ll have to break that last rule, though, to track down a suspect–Laurie may know something Byron simply doesn’t.
Adding to the tension is a garden sprawling out of control, with secrets spilling from both the house and the plants about the history of Byron’s family and estate.
Paperback YA Series Releases This Week:
- Breath of the Dragon by Shannon Lee and Fonda Lee
- My Salty Mary by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows
More Paperback YA Releases This Week:
- From Square One by A. M. Woody
- How The Other Half Kill by P. C. Roscoe
- The Last Love Story by Katharyn Blair
- The Library of Lost Girls by Kristen Pipps
- Spellwright by Heather Kassner–dual release in hardcover and paperback.
Add even more to your towering TBR with these excellent YA thrillers and these popular WebTOONS turned YA books.