New year, new books! So many exciting new releases are coming our way this month with stories to suit a wide variety of young adult readers. We’ve got a fascinating historical novel, contemporary thrillers, a local debut fantasy, as well as the beginning of a fantasy series focused on Persian mythology, not to mention a collection of romantic short stories. Let’s get into it!

For our children’s book round-up please take a look here.

YA BOOK OF THE MONTH

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys

At 17, Cristian has lived his entire life in the grip of a repressive dictatorship in Romania. It’s 1989 and the country is governed by fear. When the secret police blackmail him, Cristian has an impossible choice. Save the life of his sick grandfather by informing on his family, or risk his life - and all of theirs - by resisting?

In this climate of constant suspicion, can he trust his best friend, his girlfriend or even his family?

Our reviewer, Natalie, called this novel ‘an inspiring story about the struggle for truth in a world obscured by lies, and where trust between people is compromised by a vast network of civilian informers.’ You can read her review here.

Suitable for readers aged 13 and up.

FIVE MORE GREAT YA BOOKS TO READ THIS MONTH

Only a Monster by Vanessa Len

Every family has its secrets, but the summer Joan Chang-Hunt goes to stay with her Gran in London, she learns hers is bigger than most. Joan is half-monster. And what’s more, her summer crush Nick isn’t just a cute boy - he’s hiding a secret that places Joan in terrible danger.

When the monsters are attacked, Joan is forced on the run with the ruthless Aaron Oliver, a monster and sworn enemy of her family. She’ll have to embrace her own monstrousness if she is to save herself and her family.

Our reviewer, Claire, said, ‘the lines between good and evil become very blurred, and you can be forgiven if you find yourself on the side of the monsters – I was.’ Read her full review here.

Suitable for readers aged 13 and up.

This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi

Clashing empires, forbidden romance, and a long-forgotten queen destined to save her people are all awaiting in this first in an epic, romantic fantasy series inspired by Persian mythology.

To all the world, Alizeh is a disposable servant, not the long-lost heir to an ancient Jinn kingdom forced to hide in plain sight. The crown prince, Kamran, has heard the prophecies foretelling the death of his king. But he could never have imagined that the servant girl with the strange eyes, the girl he can’t put out of his mind, would one day soon uproot his kingdom - and the world.

Our reviewer, Aurelia, describes it as ‘a world brimming with monsters and magic, courtly intrigue and forbidden romance.’ You can read her review here.

Suitable for readers aged 13 and up.

At the End of Everything by Marieke Nijkamp

An emotional and timely story of incarcerated teens fighting to stay alive amidst a deadly pandemic.

The guards at Hope Juvenile Treatment Center start acting strange, until one day they just don’t show up. At first, the teens are thrilled. But when they band together to make a break, they encounter soldiers outside the gates. There’s a rapidly spreading infectious disease outside, and no one can leave their houses or travel without a permit. Which means that they’re stuck at Hope for good. And this time, no one is watching out for them at all.

Our reviewer, Angela, called it ‘ a thriller that keeps you turning the pages, but it is also poignant in its realistic depiction of the incarceration of young people…’ You can read her full review here.

Suitable for readers aged 12 and up.

Fish out of Water by Kate Hendrick

Life is pretty simple for 15 year-old Finn: just keep following the black line in the pool. But in a moment it all changes - distracted by a familiar face in the crowd, he falters on the blocks and loses not just the race, but the single-minded focus that has driven him this far.

Did he really see what he thinks he saw? It doesn’t seem possible - not after what happened - but now Finn can’t stop wondering, and everything is starting to unravel. For the first time, he’s got no idea what he’s supposed to do or who he’s supposed to listen to.

It turns out that in life there’s no such thing as a simple choice. And sometimes there’s no choice at all.

Suitable for readers aged 14 and up.

Serendipity: Ten Romantic Tropes Transformed edited by Marissa Meyer

A swoon-worthy collection of stories of first love, unrequited love, love that surprises, love that’s been there all along. Ten of the brightest and award-winning authors writing YA have taken on some of your favourite romantic tropes, embracing them and turning them on their heads. Readers will fall for this collection of stories that celebrate love at its most humorous, inclusive, heart-expanding, and serendipitous.

Includes stories by Marissa Meyer, Leah Johnson, Julie Murphy, Sandhya Menon and more.

Suitable for readers aged 13 and up.

NEWS, EVENTS AND MORE

• Attend in-person the launch of Melbourne author, Astrid Scholte, in conversation with Amie Kaufman, at the Readings Carlton store on March 2nd at 6.30pm. More details are here.

• If you enjoy podcasts on writing, then this one by Amie Kaufman breaking down the nuts and bolts of the writing process is a must-listen. She is incredibly generous with her advice!

• If you are an educator of teens, you might be interested in this workshop happening mid-Feb for teens at the Wheeler Centre, focusing on the climate crisis and potential solutions.