Take a look at our new book picks for teens and young adults this January! Includes titles by Sonora Reyes, Catilin Breeze, and Sam Prentice-Jones. All these books and more are available to borrow for free with your library card.
Want more suggested books? Take a look at our recommendations.
Arcana: The Lost Heirs
Sam Prentice-Jones
James, Daphne, Koko, and Sonny have all grown up surrounded by magic in the Arcana, an organization of witches that protects the magical world, run by the mysterious and secretive Majors. Eli Jones, however, didn’t even know other witches existed until he stumbled into James, on the hunt for rogue magic – magic that turns out to be Eli.
As James introduces Eli to the world of the Arcana, he finds the family he never had, and a blossoming romance with James. The five new friends soon realize that sinister things are afoot and everything may not be what it seems at the Arcana.
When the group delves deeper into the mystery surrounding the deaths of their parents and the Major’s rise to power, they discover that they’re at the centre of a curse – one they’ve just unwittingly set into motion.
Beth is Dead
Katie Bernet
A gripping, twisty contemporary murder-mystery retelling of iconic classic Little Women.
After a New Years Eve party, Beth is found dead. All the March sisters see Beth’s body and wonder how – and who – could have killed their sweet little sister. And what was their motive? The March sisters have always been close, but will Beth’s murder bring them closer together, or further apart?
As each of the girls’ motives are uncovered, the March sisters might not be quite as sweet as they seem.
Gaslit
Megan Davidhizar
Ella wishes that she could do something more fun on New Year’s Eve than babysit, but lately her life has taken a scary turn with a diagnosis that she is trying her best to ignore.
So after she barely recovers from another paralyzing migraine, Ella arrives late to her aunt’s house for babysitting. But when nobody answers the door, she knows something isn’t right. Breaking in, she finds her cousins unconscious on the floor. And Aunt Julie is dead.
Ella becomes convinced that someone is responsible for the gas leak that killed her aunt – and that she was the intended target all along.
Half a Dark Heart
H. F. Askwith
Ever since she first encountered ‘The Horrors’, Alice has hidden herself safely behind the walls of her family’s Whitby guest house. Only her beloved sister, Lucille, knows why: that Alice can see things – gruesome, terrible things – in the darkest corners of our world.
Shadow-monsters which will do anything to satisfy their violent cravings – and seemingly nothing can stop them.
Of course, no one would believe them if they told them – and so the girls stay silent. That is, until Lucille goes missing, and the boy she was in love with disappears too. All of which coincides with the arrival of Austin – a dashing young actor from London, who claims a demon has stolen his voice, and only Alice can help him.
Faced with a world and powers she never even knew existed, Alice must race against time to save her sister, herself, and perhaps the only other person who’s ever cared about her. As well as send a demon or two back to where they came from.
The Fox Hunt
Caitlin Breeze
Welcome to the University, where an ancient magic secures the right of elite society the Turnbull Club to rule – in exchange for a sacrifice to the hidden, magical world of the Night City.
When naïve student Emma Curran falls for the Turnbull Club’s leader, the glamorous Jasper Balfour, she enjoys parties and strange rituals – until one night, the Turnbulls propose a dark little game: a fox hunt. The women run. The men chase. And Emma is their mark.
Emma is ripped from her mortal life and transformed into something beastly, in thrall to the magical Night City. Now she must harness all her ferocity and cunning if she wants to claw back her mortal life and topple the Turnbull Club.
And as dark magic spills through the University, bargains go unpaid and the Night City loses control, Emma must choose between seeking vengeance – and saving herself.
The Golden Boy’s Guide to Bipolar
Sonora Reyes
Seventeen-year-old Cesar Flores is finally ready to win back his ex-boyfriend. Since breaking up with Jamal in an attempt to stay in the closet, he’s come out to his mother and his sister Yami, as well as their friends.
He’s been diligent in taking medication to help manage his bipolar. And after months of unpacking their relationship in their sessions, Cesar has his therapist’s blessing to reunite with Jamal. Everything would be perfect if it weren’t for The Thoughts, the ones that won’t let all his Catholic guilt and internalised homophobia stay buried. The louder they become, the more Cesar is once again convinced that he doesn’t deserve someone like Jamal, or anyone for that matter.
Cesar might be able to conceal his shame behind lighthearted jokes and his gifted reputation, but when a manic episode makes his inner turmoil impossible to hide, he’s faced with a stark choice.
The Swan’s Daughter
Roshani Chokshi
Prince Arris knows that marriage means murder. After poorly wording a wish to a sea witch, all one needs to rule the Isle of Malys is the heart and hand in marriage of the kingdom’s heir. Thus, Arris expects that the day of his marriage will be the one of his murdering.
His only chance at a long life is finding true and lasting love. When Arris’s parents announce a tournament of brides to compete for the throne, a slew of eligible, lovely and (possibly murderous) bachelorettes make their way to Rathe Castle.
But Arris cannot tell who is here out of love for him – or lust for power. Until he meets Demelza.