Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week, I’m ignoring the prompt and telling you about the excellent young adult books coming out in the second half of 2019. If you want to know about other books coming out this year, check out my posts on January-June adult and young adult releases. This post contains affiliate links. I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
2019 Young Adult Book Releases
Wilder Girls by Rory Power
July 2019
It's been eighteen months since the Raxter School for Girls was put under quarantine. Since the Tox hit and pulled Hetty's life out from under her.
It started slow. First the teachers died one by one. Then it began to infect the students, turning their bodies strange and foreign. Now, cut off from the rest of the world and left to fend for themselves on their island home, the girls don't dare wander outside the school's fence, where the Tox has made the woods wild and dangerous. They wait for the cure they were promised as the Tox seeps into everything.
But when Byatt goes missing, Hetty will do anything to find her, even if it means breaking quarantine and braving the horrors that lie beyond the fence. And when she does, Hetty learns that there's more to their story, to their life at Raxter, than she could have ever thought true.
It started slow. First the teachers died one by one. Then it began to infect the students, turning their bodies strange and foreign. Now, cut off from the rest of the world and left to fend for themselves on their island home, the girls don't dare wander outside the school's fence, where the Tox has made the woods wild and dangerous. They wait for the cure they were promised as the Tox seeps into everything.
But when Byatt goes missing, Hetty will do anything to find her, even if it means breaking quarantine and braving the horrors that lie beyond the fence. And when she does, Hetty learns that there's more to their story, to their life at Raxter, than she could have ever thought true.
Before I Disappear by Danielle Stinson
July 2019
Rose Montgomery parks her family’s trailer in Fort Glory, Oregon with one goal: to carve out a new life for herself and her little brother, Charlie. They need a fresh start for their family, and she thinks she's finally found it in a town where nobody knows them.
But Rose’s plans come crashing down when, in an instant, Fort Glory disappears and every person in town vanishes into thin air—including Charlie.
Rose and four other teens become trapped in the Fold, a patch of woods caught halfway between the real world and the lost town. In the Fold, a mysterious force suspends the laws of physics, and everyone’s inner darkness has the power to kill.
To survive the Fold, Rose must unravel the clues Charlie sends her from the missing town. And Rose has to find Charlie soon—or he'll be gone forever.
But Rose’s plans come crashing down when, in an instant, Fort Glory disappears and every person in town vanishes into thin air—including Charlie.
Rose and four other teens become trapped in the Fold, a patch of woods caught halfway between the real world and the lost town. In the Fold, a mysterious force suspends the laws of physics, and everyone’s inner darkness has the power to kill.
To survive the Fold, Rose must unravel the clues Charlie sends her from the missing town. And Rose has to find Charlie soon—or he'll be gone forever.
Why I’m excited: Look at that strange cover. This sounds all kinds of weird and dangerous. I’m here for it.
Destroy All Monsters by Sam J. Miller
July 2019
Solomon and Ash both experienced a traumatic event when they were twelve.
Ash lost all memory of that event when she fell from Solomon’s treehouse. Since then, Solomon has retreated further and further into a world he seems to have created in his own mind. One that insulates him from reality, but crawls with foes and monsters . . . in both animal and human form.
As Solomon slips further into the place he calls Darkside, Ash realizes her only chance to free her best friend from his pain is to recall exactly what happened that day in his backyard and face the truth—together.
Ash lost all memory of that event when she fell from Solomon’s treehouse. Since then, Solomon has retreated further and further into a world he seems to have created in his own mind. One that insulates him from reality, but crawls with foes and monsters . . . in both animal and human form.
As Solomon slips further into the place he calls Darkside, Ash realizes her only chance to free her best friend from his pain is to recall exactly what happened that day in his backyard and face the truth—together.
Why I’m excited: It’s been compared to books by Ned Vizzini and Patrick Ness. I love those authors.
Let’s Call It A Doomsday by Katie Henry
August 2019
There are so many ways the world could end. There could be a fire. A catastrophic flood. A super eruption that spews lakes of lava. Ellis Kimball has made note of all possible scenarios, and she is prepared for each one. What she doesn’t expect is meeting Hannah Marks in her therapist’s waiting room. Hannah calls their meeting fate. After all, Ellis is scared about the end of the world; Hannah knows when it’s going to happen.
Despite Ellis’s anxiety—about what others think of her, about what she’s doing wrong, about the safety of her loved ones—the two girls become fast friends. As Ellis tries to help Hannah decipher the details of her doomsday premonition, she learns there are secrets Hannah isn’t telling her. But with time ticking down, the search for answers only raises more questions. When does it happen? Who will believe them? How do you prepare for the end of the world when it feels like your life is just getting started?
Despite Ellis’s anxiety—about what others think of her, about what she’s doing wrong, about the safety of her loved ones—the two girls become fast friends. As Ellis tries to help Hannah decipher the details of her doomsday premonition, she learns there are secrets Hannah isn’t telling her. But with time ticking down, the search for answers only raises more questions. When does it happen? Who will believe them? How do you prepare for the end of the world when it feels like your life is just getting started?
Wayward Son (Simon Snow #2) by Rainbow Rowell
September 2019
The story is supposed to be over.
Simon Snow did everything he was supposed to do. He beat the villain. He won the war. He even fell in love. Now comes the good part, right? Now comes the happily ever after.
So why can’t Simon Snow get off the couch?
What he needs, according to his best friend, is a change of scenery. He just needs to see himself in a new light.
That’s how Simon and Penny and Baz end up in a vintage convertible, tearing across the American West.
They find trouble, of course. (Dragons, vampires, skunk-headed things with shotguns.) And they get lost. They get so lost, they start to wonder whether they ever knew where they were headed in the first place.
Simon Snow did everything he was supposed to do. He beat the villain. He won the war. He even fell in love. Now comes the good part, right? Now comes the happily ever after.
So why can’t Simon Snow get off the couch?
What he needs, according to his best friend, is a change of scenery. He just needs to see himself in a new light.
That’s how Simon and Penny and Baz end up in a vintage convertible, tearing across the American West.
They find trouble, of course. (Dragons, vampires, skunk-headed things with shotguns.) And they get lost. They get so lost, they start to wonder whether they ever knew where they were headed in the first place.
Why I’m excited: This series is so meta. I love how it makes fun of the “chosen one” and other common fantasy tropes.
Tunnel of Bones (Cassidy Blake #2) by Victoria Schwab
September 2019
Trouble is haunting Cassidy Blake . . . even more than usual.
She (plus her ghost best friend, Jacob, of course) are in Paris, where Cass's parents are filming their TV show about the world's most haunted cities. Sure, it's fun eating croissants and seeing the Eiffel Tower, but there's true ghostly danger lurking beneath Paris, in the creepy underground Catacombs.
When Cass accidentally awakens a frighteningly strong spirit, she must rely on her still-growing skills as a ghosthunter—and turn to friends both old and new to help her unravel a mystery. But time is running out, and the spirit is only growing stronger.
And if Cass fails, the force she's unleashed could haunt the city forever.
Why I’m excited: I would have adored this series as a kid. It’s spooky and full of adventure.She (plus her ghost best friend, Jacob, of course) are in Paris, where Cass's parents are filming their TV show about the world's most haunted cities. Sure, it's fun eating croissants and seeing the Eiffel Tower, but there's true ghostly danger lurking beneath Paris, in the creepy underground Catacombs.
When Cass accidentally awakens a frighteningly strong spirit, she must rely on her still-growing skills as a ghosthunter—and turn to friends both old and new to help her unravel a mystery. But time is running out, and the spirit is only growing stronger.
And if Cass fails, the force she's unleashed could haunt the city forever.
The Lady Rogue by Jenn Bennett
September 2019
Traveling with her treasure-hunting father has always been a dream for Theodora. She’s read every book in his library, has an impressive knowledge of the world’s most sought-after relics, and has all the ambition in the world. What she doesn’t have is her father’s permission. That honor goes to her father’s nineteen-year-old protégé—and once-upon-a-time love of Theodora’s life—Huck Gallagher, while Theodora is left to sit alone in her hotel in Istanbul.
Until Huck arrives from an expedition without her father and enlists Theodora’s help in rescuing him. Armed with her father’s travel journal, the reluctant duo learns that her father had been digging up information on a legendary and magical ring that once belonged to Vlad the Impaler—more widely known as Dracula—and that it just might be the key to finding him.
Journeying into Romania, Theodora and Huck embark on a captivating adventure through Gothic villages and dark castles in the misty Carpathian Mountains to recover the notorious ring. But they aren’t the only ones who are searching for it. A secretive and dangerous occult society with a powerful link to Vlad the Impaler himself is hunting for it, too. And they will go to any lengths—including murder—to possess it.
Until Huck arrives from an expedition without her father and enlists Theodora’s help in rescuing him. Armed with her father’s travel journal, the reluctant duo learns that her father had been digging up information on a legendary and magical ring that once belonged to Vlad the Impaler—more widely known as Dracula—and that it just might be the key to finding him.
Journeying into Romania, Theodora and Huck embark on a captivating adventure through Gothic villages and dark castles in the misty Carpathian Mountains to recover the notorious ring. But they aren’t the only ones who are searching for it. A secretive and dangerous occult society with a powerful link to Vlad the Impaler himself is hunting for it, too. And they will go to any lengths—including murder—to possess it.
Why I’m excited: It’s being compared to The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue. If this book is anything like that one, I need to read it.
Verify (Verify #1) by Joelle Charbonneau
September 2019
Meri Beckley lives in a world without lies. When she turns on the news, she hears only the facts. When she swipes the pages of her online textbooks, she reads only the truth. When she looks at the peaceful Chicago streets, she feels the pride everyone in the country feels about the era of unprecedented hope and prosperity over which the government presides.
But when Meri’s mother is killed, Meri suddenly has questions that no one else seems to be asking. And when she tries to uncover her mother’s state of mind in her last weeks, she finds herself drawn into a secret world full of facts she’s never heard and a history she didn’t know existed.
Suddenly, Meri is faced with a choice between accepting the “truth” she has been taught or embracing a world the government doesn’t want anyone to see—a world where words have the power to change the course of a country, and the wrong word can get Meri killed.
But when Meri’s mother is killed, Meri suddenly has questions that no one else seems to be asking. And when she tries to uncover her mother’s state of mind in her last weeks, she finds herself drawn into a secret world full of facts she’s never heard and a history she didn’t know existed.
Suddenly, Meri is faced with a choice between accepting the “truth” she has been taught or embracing a world the government doesn’t want anyone to see—a world where words have the power to change the course of a country, and the wrong word can get Meri killed.
Why I’m excited: Are YA dystopias making a comeback? I hope so. I don’t like working so hard to find them! This sounds like a timely dystopia.
Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett
October 2019
Simone Garcia-Hampton is starting over at a new school, and this time things will be different. She's making real friends, making a name for herself as student director of Rent, and making a play for Miles, the guy who makes her melt every time he walks into a room. The last thing she wants is for word to get out that she's HIV-positive, because last time . . . well, last time things got ugly.
Keeping her viral load under control is easy, but keeping her diagnosis under wraps is not so simple. As Simone and Miles start going out for real—shy kisses escalating into much more—she feels an uneasiness that goes beyond butterflies. She knows she has to tell him that she's positive, especially if sex is a possibility, but she's terrified of how he'll react! And then she finds an anonymous note in her locker: I know you have HIV. You have until Thanksgiving to stop hanging out with Miles. Or everyone else will know too.
Simone's first instinct is to protect her secret at all costs, but as she gains a deeper understanding of the prejudice and fear in her community, she begins to wonder if the only way to rise above is to face the haters head-on.
Keeping her viral load under control is easy, but keeping her diagnosis under wraps is not so simple. As Simone and Miles start going out for real—shy kisses escalating into much more—she feels an uneasiness that goes beyond butterflies. She knows she has to tell him that she's positive, especially if sex is a possibility, but she's terrified of how he'll react! And then she finds an anonymous note in her locker: I know you have HIV. You have until Thanksgiving to stop hanging out with Miles. Or everyone else will know too.
Simone's first instinct is to protect her secret at all costs, but as she gains a deeper understanding of the prejudice and fear in her community, she begins to wonder if the only way to rise above is to face the haters head-on.
Why I’m excited: I haven’t read many books about HIV, which is weird because it’s one of those health class diseases that we’re all taught about in school. Why isn’t it written about more often? Also, the author was 17 when she sold this book, so #Overachiever.
The Toll (Arc of a Scythe #3) by Neal Shusterman
November 2019
From New
York Times bestselling author Neal Shusterman comes the thrilling
conclusion to the Printz Honor–winning series Arc of a Scythe.
It’s been three years since Rowan and Citra disappeared; since Scythe Goddard came into power; since the Thunderhead closed itself off to everyone but Grayson Tolliver.
It’s been three years since Rowan and Citra disappeared; since Scythe Goddard came into power; since the Thunderhead closed itself off to everyone but Grayson Tolliver.
What 2019 books are you looking forward to?
I hope you enjoy all of these books!
ReplyDeleteMy TTT.
Gee, these all sound great and it's the first time I'm seeing the Victoria Schwab cover - it's awesome. Thanks for sharing and I hope you love all of these.
ReplyDeleteWayward Son!!! I cannot wait!!
ReplyDeleteI still need to read Carry On, but I WILL! I also need to read City of Ghosts. Then I'll be even MORE excited for the sequels. I also like the sound of Verify, Destroy All Monsters, and Wilder Girls.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
I'm looking forward to Tunnel of Bones, though I do need to read City of Ghosts first!
ReplyDeleteMy TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2019/05/21/top-ten-tuesday-212/
I hadn't heard of most of these, so thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMy TTT.
Before I Disappear sounds awesome! I’ll definitely be looking for that one this summer.
ReplyDeleteI'm extremely excited for Wilder Girls! Lady Rogue and Before I Disappear also sound really good!
ReplyDeleteThis week's prompt was a tough one for me as well. I'm glad you found a more intriguing-to-you topic to do. These YAs look fun. I still enjoy a good dystopian novel, so I've got several of these on my TBR list. I hope we both enjoy them!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh I think I need Wilder Girls. that sounds so dark and mysterious!
ReplyDeleteBefore I Disappear is new to me but looks fabulous too.
Great list! I'm really excited for The Lady Rogue - it's giving me such The Mummy vibes and I bloody love that movie.
ReplyDeleteYou lean much darker than me. I almost want to read Lady Rogue, because I love Jenn Bennett, but it's also not really in line with what I normally read, so I am waiting on that one. I was interested in Full Disclosure, because like you, I have not read any books with HIV positive teens.
ReplyDeleteThe Lady Rogue sounds interesting, like a YA version of The Historian.
ReplyDeleteI just added two books to my TBR after reading this list!
ReplyDeleteI have Wilder, The Toll and Tunnel of Bones on my TBR too!! =)
ReplyDelete~Kendra @ Kendra Loves Books
Ahh this is such a great list! I can't wait to read Before I Disappear, it sounds so intriguing and I love that cover! and very excited about Jenn Bennett's new book, too :D
ReplyDeleteGreat post AJ! It will be useful to all YA fans for sure.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a GREAT list of books. And the covers these days... *melts*
ReplyDeleteMost of these I hand't heard of yet, great list! I don't think I ever read a book about someone who has HIV.
ReplyDeleteWilder Girls was really good, loved the experience of reading it, even if the writing style takes getting used to! So excited about Wayward Son!!
ReplyDeleteSuuuuuper excited for the next Scythe book and for Wayward Son. (Just realized the two titles are from that one song.) Verify also sounds great, and I'm glad I'm not the only one who still kind of loves dystopian YA. Actually, all of these sound good for pretty much the exact reasons you list. (Ness + Vizzini?!?)
ReplyDeleteWayward Son is going to be awesome!
ReplyDeleteGreat list!!
ReplyDeleteI love this list, and I'm so excited for many of these!! Most notably I cannot wait for The Lady Rogue, Full Disclosure and Wilder Girls - they all sound right up my alley and they stand out from other titles I've seen around, especially the latter two. :) Fantastic post!
ReplyDeleteVeronika @ Wordy and Whimsical
Some interesting titles. Hope you enjoy them!
ReplyDeleteWow! These covers are great! I'll have to check some of them out. Thanks for sharing. 👍✨
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