We love reading (and recommending) teen/YA books, especially teen fantasy. Maybe it's nostalgia (we're millennials who grew up during the peak of the YA boom) or maybe it's a respect for everything these strong heroes and heroines, and their chosen families teach to the next generation or maybe it's a little bit of both.
Regardless, we've had the pleasure of reading so many incredible new YA fantasy novels this year and here are some of our very favorites.
All We Hunger For by Anna Mercier
Equal parts magical and ruthless, All We Hunger For immediately drew us into its French-inspired world. Mercier weaves lush world-building, slow-burn romance, themes of grief, oppression, and rebellion into one of the most unique competition set-ups we've seen in the genre–a baking competition. This book has so much to say (and to teach!) as well as one of our favorite new fictional couples. The yearning in this one absolutely top-notch.
A Great and Powerful Tyranny by Victoria Carbol
This book is everything we want in a reimagining of a classic tale! A Great and Powerful Tyranny is a sapphic, dark fantasy that ads to L. Frank Baum's Wizard of Oz in the same ways Wicked did. We loved how Carbol expanded and brought a new richness to the world, while still paying homage to the original world. If are searching for a tale of revolution, destiny, and adventure, you will find it in this book!
The River She Became by Emily Varga
We LOVED Emily Varga's first book, For She is Wrath, and so we could not wait to get our hands on The River She Became. Set in a Pakistani-inspired world, this novel is a fresh new entry into the fae side of the fantasy genre. This is a gorgeous, lyrical, immersive story about the horrors of colonialism, and the importance of cultural preservation. This is an emotional story that will keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you begging for the next book in this duology.
Firstborn by M.J. Hastings
Our love for this book is no secret, but we're here to shout about it once again. Firstborn has the same propulsive, addictive reading experience as the stories that defined our teen and young adult years. It puts an action-packed plot, the intrigue of a political thriller, and a swoon-worthy romance into one incredible adventure. Once we started reading this one, nothing could convince us to put it down. This one is perfect for older teen readers who aren't quite ready to jump fully into adult fantasy/romantasy.
Flickerstate by F.A. Davidson
We were immediately intrigued by Flickerstate's unique magic system and dark-academia setting, but it was the incredible voice and life-like characters that really made this one a favorite of our staff. This novel combines a STEM-based magic system, deadly trials, and a multiverse setting to tell a deeply emotional story about family, friendship, and love.
Immortal Game by Allison Saft
This is the newest YA book from a staff favorite author, Allison Saft. Inspired by Irish folklore, Immortal Game follows a young woman who enters an otherworldly chess tournament to save her sister, who has been kidnapped by the fae king. While, yes, this is a rivals-to-lovers romantasy, this book is also a wonderful tribute to the bonds of sisterhood. PS, another reason we love Saft is that all of her books are standalone fantasies!
Wicked Endeavors by Kamilah Cole
Another Underbrush favorite author! This newest duology from Kamilah Cole, author of Let Them Burn, follows a young woman determined to get revenge against the witches that stole everything from her. This is a high-stakes tale of rage and revenge, that is perfect for readers who loved The Crimson Moth Duology and are craving another fierce, deadly heroine.
Augusta Pine Does Not Exist by Emily Lloyd-Jones
This one is technically science fiction, not fantasy, but we love it so much we couldn't not include it. We were so excited to see Lloyd-Jones make the jump from fantasy to sci-fi, and Augusta Pine did not disappoint. This book takes the best of spy thrillers, high-tech sci-fi, and even dystopian fiction. It's snarky, it's funny, it's a page-turning, action adventure that feels like a grown-up Artemis Fowl.
Hawk & Sparrow by Ayana Gray
Did you really think we would make a YA Fantasy post without a shoutout to our favorite Arkansas author? Hawk & Sparrow is the perfect gilded age fantasy. It's a magical murder mystery with a harsh critique on both classism and sexism, and a Howl's-Moving-Castle-esque romance that had us swooning. We've loved this author's books since we first read Beasts of Prey years ago, but Hawk & Sparrow may be our new favorite.
A Fate So Cold by Amanda Foody and C. L. Herman
And lastly, we have the newest duology from our favorite writer duo, Amanda Foody and C. L. Herman! This ruthless, high-stakes duology brings a new take on the chosen-one trope, while combining it with star-crossed love story that had our owner sobbing on a plane. The second book in this duology comes out in a few short weeks and we are THRILLED to be able to welcome these authors to Underbrush to celebrate.
