Looking for your next great read but unsure where to start? Check out these books recommended by and for our teen readers! You’ll find everything from gripping games of chance to sweet romance.
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
Sixteen-year-old Bree Matthews has not been the same since her mother died. To try to escape the memories, she attends a residential program for high schoolers at UNC-Chapel Hill. But on campus, she witnesses a magical attack from a deadly creature–and soon finds herself embroiled in the politics of the student group dedicated to fighting monsters.
Anonymous says: “This suspenseful story will have readers on the edge of their seats. Sixteen-year-old Bree Matthews attends a program for high school students at a college only to realize that a group of students called the Legendborn go there to train to fight monsters. She infiltrates the group to find out more about her mom’s death but starts falling in love with two boys at the same time. Readers who enjoy love triangles and dark academia will like this book.”
A Game of Noctis by Deva Fagan
The Great Game determines life in the city of Dantessa–and Pia Paro has never questioned it until now. She always believed that the Game guaranteed fairness and a chance for strategic players to rise to the top. But when her grandpa loses because he cannot afford glasses, she begins to question everything she has known. To save him, she joins the biggest game of all–Noctis, where players can lose their lives or receive wealth and fame beyond imagination. But what if there is a way to win without playing at all?
Rebecca says: “A Game Of Noctis is a book about a girl named Pia in a world of games, where she is at the bottom, struggling to survive and free her grandpa by winning the biggest, riskiest game of all, Noctis. This book is full of suspense and surprises, made to astonish and keep readers on their toes. The characters each have thrilling backstories, each gathered gradually as the story goes by. Pia’s perspective— and the rules of the game— keep changing to suit those in power who are unable to see their own faults. All the book is written as the team plays the game, everyone fighting to win. But the cost is great, for the stakes of Noctis are much higher than money—this game could cost everyone’s lives.”
Kill Her Twice by Stacey Lee
When movie star Lulu Wong is found dead in 1932 Los Angeles, government officials point the finger at Chinatown. But Lulu’s old friends May and Gemma are not going to let the murder go unsolved or the wrong parties be accused. Together they start investigating Lulu’s death, but uncover a bigger conspiracy in the process.
Anonymous says: “This historical fiction transports readers to 1932 through the dual perspectives of sisters May and Gemma. Readers will enjoy seeing how the sisters’ personalities support each other, with May acting the responsible sister and Gemma the more outgoing one. Lee’s beautiful prose makes this a book worth reading.”
Frankly in Love by David Yoon
Frank Li’s parents expect him to date a nice Korean girl. But the girl he’s secretly dating, Brit, would not meet those expectations. So he hatches a plan to fake date family friend Joy Song to ensure his parents leave him alone. But love might be more complicated than Frank thought.
Anonymous says: “This book is nowhere near my typical book. A book written by a man, in a teenage boy’s perspective, isn’t my usual. However, the writing, plot, and characters hooked me in. I was up until 1 am turning the pages of Frank Li and his strangely beautiful tales.”
