Top 10 YA Book Releases To Look Out For in 2016

Lady Midnight - The Dark Artifices #1 by Cassandra Clare

A series of murders in Los Angeles seem to have the same characteristics as the deaths of Emma Carstairs' parents. Could the murderer be the same person? The Fair Folk make a deal with the Institute: if the Blackthorns and Emma will investigate the killings, they’ll return Mark Blackthorn. The catch: they have two weeks to find the killers. Otherwise, it’s open war between faeries and Nephilim. The Shadowhunters of the Institute must race to catch the killers, even as they suspect the involvement of those closest to them.

Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare is the first book in the Dark Artifices series and I’ve been waiting for it to be released for a long time. The story is set five years after the Mortal Instruments series and will follow the shadowhunter Emma Carstairs as she tries to discover who killed her parents. If you’re a fan of paranormal fantasy novels, I’d definitely recommend reading this book when it is released on 8th March 2016.

A Court of Mist and Fury - A Court of Thorns and Roses #2 by Sarah J Maas
Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people. Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms, and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future.

A Court of Mist and Fury is the second book in the ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ series. It is based around the story of Beauty and the Beast, but this retelling features more fantasy elements and faeries. Sarah is a bestselling author and the first book in the series is critically acclaimed, so this is definitely one to look out for when it’s released.

Untitled - Throne of Glass #5 by Sarah J Maas
The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves at odds with those don't. As the kingdoms of Erilea fracture around her, enemies must become allies if Aelin is to keep those she loves from falling to the dark forces poised to claim her world. With war looming on all horizons, the only chance for salvation lies in a desperate quest that may mark the end of everything Aelin holds dear. Aelin's journey from assassin to queen has entranced millions across the globe, and this fifth installment will leave fans breathless. Will Aelin succeed in keeping her world from splintering, or will it all come crashing down?

Sarah J Maas is more commonly known for her Throne of Glass series, which is a fantasy series centred around assassins. The four books that are currently published are extremely popular in the YA book community and lots of people love them, so this will definitely be an exciting release. Although I haven’t read any of them yet, I know a lot of people who have and I’ve heard nothing but good things about these books.

The Raven King - The Raven Cycle #4 by Maggie Stiefvater
All her life, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love's death. She doesn't believe in true love and never thought this would be a problem, but as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she's not so sure anymore. In a starred review for Blue Lily, Lily Blue, Kirkus Reviews declared: "Expect this truly one-of-a-kind series to come to a thundering close."

Maggie Stiefvater is another incredibly popular YA author, whether you know her from the Wolves of Mercy Falls series or this series, which is the Raven Cycle. This book is an urban fantasy novel, but it also features ghosts and other paranormal creatures. If you’re a fan of Maggie’s work or simply wanting to continue reading the Raven Cycle books, I’d definitely urge you to check out this release.

The Rose and the Dagger - The Wrath and the Dawn #2 by Renee Ahdieh

Shahrzad has been torn from the love of her husband Khalid, the Caliph of Khorasan. Shahrzad is almost a prisoner caught between loyalties to people she loves. But she refuses to be a pawn and devises a plan. While her father, Jahandar, continues to play with forces he doesn't understand, Shahrzad tries to uncover powers that may lie dormant within her. With the help of a tattered old carpet and a tempestuous young man, Shahrzad will attempt to break the curse and reunite with her one true love.

This book is the second in a duology, with the first being the Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh. It is a retelling of A Thousand and One Nights, which is a classic story that has been retold many times before. Without spoiling anything, there is supposed to be a massive twist within the duology, so it’s definitely worth reading, even if you know the original story.

The Last Star - The 5th Wave #3 by Rick YanceyWe’re here, then we’re gone, and that was true before they came. That’s always been true. The Others didn’t invent death; they just perfected it. Gave death a face to put back in our face, because they knew that was the only way to crush us. It won’t end on any continent or ocean, no mountain or plain, jungle or desert. It will end where it began, where it had been from the beginning, on the battlefield of the last beating human heart.

The Last Star by Rick Yancey is the final book in a dystopian trilogy which is set in a post-apocalyptic world. There’s a bit of everything in this novel, whether you’re looking for paranormal features, romance or fantasy. If you’ve read the other two books then I’d definitely take a look at this as it’s supposedly an epic conclusion to a beautiful series.

A Torch Against the Night - An Ember in the Ashes #2 by Sabaa Tahir
Laia and Elias fight their way north to liberate Laia’s brother from the horrors of Kauf Prison. Hunted by Empire soldiers, manipulated by the Commandant, and haunted by their pasts, Laia and Elias must outfox their enemies and confront their own hearts. In the city of Serra, Helene Aquilla finds herself bound to the will of the Empire’s twisted new leader, Marcus. When her loyalty is questioned, Helene finds herself taking on a mission to prove herself—a mission that might destroy her, instead.

This book is the sequel to An Ember in the Ashes, also by Sabaa Tahir. It is a fantasy novel that is supposed to be really good. I’ve heard some amazing reviews of it and this book seems to be popular in the YA book community, so if you’re looking for a dystopian novel that features soldiers and slaves then you might want to try this.

Passenger - Passenger #1 by Alexandra Bracken

Etta Spencer is certain that she has traveled miles and years from home and she’s inherited a legacy from a family who she’s never heard of. Nicholas Carter is content with life at sea, free from Ironwoods. Now they are searching for a stolen object, one they believe only Etta can find. In order to protect her, he must ensure she brings it back to them, whether she wants to or not. Together, they must journey across centuries and continents, piecing together clues from someone who will do anything to keep it out of the Ironwoods’ grasp.

Many readers have heard of the infamous Alexandra Bracken, who wrote the Darkest Minds. This is one of the most popular YA books at the moment, but it is, unfortunately, unavailable in the UK. Although I’m unsure whether this will be sold in the UK, I really hope it is as it sounds like an amazing book. From what I’ve heard, Alexandra is an amazing fantasy writer and I’d definitely take the opportunity to read her books if you get the chance.

Glass Sword - Red Queen #2 by Victoria Aveyard
Mare Barrow’s blood is red but her Silver ability, the power to control lightning, has turned her into a weapon that the royal court tries to control. The crown calls her an impossibility, but as she makes her escape from Maven, the prince who betrayed her, Mare uncovers something startling: she is not the only one of her kind. Pursued by Maven, now a vindictive king, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and-Silver fighters to join in the struggle against her oppressors. But Mare finds herself on a deadly path, at risk of becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to defeat.

The Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard is the sequel to the Red Queen, which is another book that I haven’t read but I really want to. From reviews that I’ve seen, Victoria’s books are supposed to be amazing and I’ve heard that the story behind it is very gripping. I really want to get around to reading this new release and hopefully, you will too.

The Crown - The Selection #5 by Kiera Cass
Twenty years have passed since the events of The One, and America and Maxon’s daughter is the first princess to hold a Selection of her own. Princess Eadlyn didn’t think she would find a real partner among the Selection’s thirty-five suitors, let alone true love. But sometimes the heart has a way of surprising you...and now Eadlyn must make a choice that feels more difficult—and more important—than she ever expected.

The Crown is the fifth book in the Selection series, which is centered around the choosing of a new princess. After reading the first book, I can tell that it has a really interesting concept and you really get to know and love the characters that are introduced. This book is set twenty years in the future and follows the children of the characters from the first book. If you’re a fan of the Selection series then I’d definitely give it a go, but it may feature some spoilers for the previous books.