New Adult Books 4 Teens

In addition to reviews for books written for teens (both fiction and nonfiction), I also read reviews for books written for adults that have teen appeal (the Adult Books 4 Teens column at School Library Journal is an incredibly useful resource for this reason). Here are some recent adult fiction titles we’ve added to the collection that are also recommended for teen readers…

About A Girl by Sarah McCarry — The conclusion to the Metamorphoses series. A contemporary retelling of the Atalanta myth in which a sudden discovery upends eighteen-year-old Tally’s fiercely ordered world, setting her on a quest to seek the reclusive musician who may hold the key to her past, but instead she finds the enigmatic and beautiful Maddy, who may open the door to her future. “A highly recommended and breathtakingly read for sophisticated readers” (School Library Journal).

Armada: A Novel by Ernest Cline — Zack Lightman, a videogame and science-fiction fan, finds a spaceship from his videogame in real life, and uses it to save Earth from aliens. “Cline’s sly, mind-twisting premise and energetically depicted and electrifying high-tech battles make for smart, frenetic, and satisfying entertainment” (Booklist starred review).

Everybody Wants To Rule The World: An Avengers Novel by Dan Abnett — The Avengers face an array of their greatest foes-all at once! In Berlin, Captain America battles the forces of Hydra. In the Savage Land, Hawkeye and the Black Widow attempt to foil A.I.M. In Washington, Iron Man fights to stop Ultron. Only one thing is certain: this isn’t a coincidence. But what larger, deadlier threat lies behind these simultaneous attacks on Earth?

Half The World (The Shattered Sea, Book 2) by Jay Abercrombie — Set in the same world as Half a King, Half a World follows a new protagonist, Thorn, a fifteen-year-old girl in training for the king’s army. But even as she’s learning the ways of war, she’s also growing up…and falling in love for the first time. “The fast-paced story draws readers along while setting up what promises to be an explosive final showdown” (Publishers Weekly).

Hyacinth Girls by Lauren Frankel — Rebecca Lucas cannot understand when thirteen-year-old Callie, a girl she has raised since her mother died, is accused of bullying at school. Things only get worse when Callie is cleared of any wrong-doing, but when she starts receiving threatening notes from the girl who accused her, Rebecca is at a loss as to whether or not she should intervene. “Frankel’s debut includes beautiful turns of phrase and poetic language…this could serve as a quick read for fans of literary thrillers or a cautionary tale for parents of teenagers” (Library Journal).

In The Unlikely Event by Judy Blume — Thirty-five years after a series of airplane accidents rocked Elizabeth, New Jersey, Miri Ammerman returns to her hometown for an event commemorating the disasters, and finds herself surrounded by three generations of families, friends, and strangers whose lives were irrevocably altered by those events in the 1950s. “With its focus on Miri’s coming-of-age, this could have been published as a YA novel, and it will doubtless reach a wide crossover readership” (Booklist starred review).

The Invasion of the Tearling: A Novel by Erika Johansen — In this riveting sequel to the national bestseller The Queen of the Tearling, the evil kingdom of Mortmesne invades the Tearling, with dire consequences for Queen Kelsea, Lily Mayhew and everyone in her realm. “A bold storytelling choice makes this so much more fascinating than just a saga of warring kingdoms. Both Kelsea’s struggles in the Tear to protect her people and Lily’s narrative are completely gripping, and the anticipation of a revelation of how these two women are linked will keep readers turning the pages” (Library Journal).

The Last American Vampire by Seth Grahame-Smith — Grahame-Smith returns with the follow-up to Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter — a sweeping, alternate history of 20th century America as seen through the eyes of vampire Henry Sturges. “Grahame-Smith’s fans, as well as anyone willing to try alternate history, will enjoy this sweeping adventure” (Library Journal).

The Masque of a Murderer (Lucy Campion Mysteries, Book 3) by Susanna Calkins — richly drawn mystery set in 17th century England, Lucy Campion, formerly a ladies’ maid in the local magistrate’s household, has now found gainful employment as a printer’s apprentice. When she accompanies the magistrate’s daughter, Sarah, to the home of a severely injured man to record his dying words, she is shocked to hear an implication of murder. “Calkins’ tantalizing clues and rich historical details depicting everyday life and class differences draw readers into the seventeenth century” (Booklist).

My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She’s Sorry: A Novel by Fredrik Backman — From the author of the internationally bestselling A Man Called Ove, a charming, warmhearted novel about a young girl whose grandmother dies and leaves behind a series of letters, sending her on a journey that brings to life the world of her grandmother’s fairy tales. “Full of heart, hope, forgiveness, and the embracing of differences, Elsa’s story is one that sticks with you long after you’ve turned the last page” (Library Journal).

Positive by David Wellington — Years after a plague killed 99 percent of the population, turning them into infectious zombies, Finnegan and his family live in a barricaded New York City, safe from danger. But Finn’s sheltered life fractures when his unsuspecting mother falls sick with the zombie disease–latent inside her since before her son’s birth. “Zombie groupies will eat this one up, but it should also be recommended to readers of all epic-scale fantasy” (Booklist starred review).

The Stranger by Harlan Coben — The Stranger appears out of nowhere, perhaps in a bar, or a parking lot, or at the grocery store. His identity is unknown. His motives are unclear. His information is undeniable. Then he whispers a few words in your ear and disappears, leaving you picking up the pieces of your shattered world. “Coben’s latest stand-alone is a great story for people who like to examine the ephemeral nature of those strings that bind our dreams to our reality. And while it is a slight departure from his usual type of thriller, this book will be enjoyed as well by Coben’s many fans” (Library Journal).

Trigger Warning: Short Fiction and Disturbances by Neil Gaiman — In this new anthology, Gaiman pierces the veil of reality to reveal the enigmatic, shadowy world that lies beneath with previously published pieces of short fiction — stories, verse, and a special Doctor Who story that was written for the fiftieth anniversary of the series in 2013 — as well as “Black Dog,” a new tale that revisits the world of American Gods, exclusive to this collection. “Both enthusiasts of short fiction and fans of Gaiman’s longer works may approach this volume with confidence. Full of small and perfect jewel-like tales, this collection is a thrilling treasure” (Publishers Weekly).

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *