10 Young Adult Fantasy, Sci-Fi & Thriller Books You Want in Your Beach Bag

July is here and my mind is on vacation. And if you know me, then you know that thoughts of vacation naturally lead to books. I’ve been reading a lot of young adult books in the fantasy, sci-fi and thriller genres, so I thought I’d put together a list of ones I loved. I added some recommendations from the Pennies too. This list focuses on new books – ones published in the first half of 2018. Take a look before you pack the bag you’re taking to the pool or the beach to make sure you’ll have an awesome new world to fall into while you relax!

The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert – Seventeen-year-old Alice and her mother have spent most of Alice’s life on the road, always a step ahead of the uncanny bad luck biting at their heels. But when Alice’s grandmother, the reclusive author of a cult-classic book of pitch-dark fairy tales, dies alone on her estate, the Hazel Wood, Alice learns how bad her luck can really get: Her mother is stolen away–by a figure who claims to come from the Hinterland, the cruel supernatural world where her grandmother’s stories are set. Alice’s only lead is the message her mother left behind: “Stay away from the Hazel Wood.” (excerpt from publisher’s description.) Read our review here.
LIFEL1K3 by Jay Kristoff – On an island junkyard beneath a sky that glows with radiation, a deadly secret lies buried in the scrap. Seventeen-year-old Eve isn’t looking for trouble–she’s too busy looking over her shoulder. The robot gladiator she spent months building has been reduced to a smoking wreck, she’s on the local gangster’s wanted list, and the only thing keeping her grandpa alive is the money she just lost to the bookies. Worst of all, she’s discovered she can somehow destroy machines with the power of her mind, and a bunch of puritanical fanatics are building a coffin her size because of it. If she’s ever had a worse day, Eve can’t remember it. The problem is, Eve has had a worse day–one that lingers in her nightmares and the cybernetic implant where her memories used to be. Eve will trek across deserts of glass, battle unkillable bots, and infiltrate towering megacities to save the ones she loves…and learn the truth about the bloody secrets of her past. (excerpt from publisher’s description) Read our review here.

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black – Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King. To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences. (excerpt from publisher’s description.) Read more here.

Allegedly by Tiffany Jackson – Orange Is the New Black meets Walter Dean Myer’s Monster in this gritty, twisty, and haunting debut about a girl convicted of murder seeking the truth while surviving life in a group home.

Mary B. Addison killed a baby.

Allegedly.

(excerpt from publisher’s description.) Okay, I cheated. The hardcover came out in 2017, but the paperback was just released in April. You’ll forgive me once you start the book. Read more here.

Children of Blood & Bone by Tomi Adeyemi – They killed my mother. They took our magic. They tried to bury us.

Now we rise.

Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zélie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls.

But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope.

Now Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good. (excerpt from publisher’s description.) Read more here and check back on the 19^th when Michelle will review Children of Blood & Bone.

Unearthed by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner – When Earth intercepts a message from a long-extinct alien race, it seems like the solution humanity has been waiting for. The Undying’s advanced technology has the potential to undo environmental damage and turn lives around, and their message leads to the planet Gaia, a treasure trove waiting to be explored. But the more they learn about the Undying, the more Jules and Mia start to feel like their presence in the temple is part of a grand design–one that could spell the end of the human race… (excerpt from publisher’s description) Read the full review here.

Legendary by Stephanie Garber – A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win.

After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister Scarlett from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name.

The only chance of uncovering Legend’s identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition once more–and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets…including her sister’s. (excerpt from publisher’s description) Read more about the sequel to Caraval here.

All of This Is True by Lygia Day Penaflor – In this genre-defying page-turner, four teens befriend their favorite YA novelist, only to find their deepest, darkest secrets in the pages of her next book—with devastating consequences. Read more here.

The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton – Camellia Beauregard is a Belle. In the opulent world of Orleans, Belles are revered, for they control Beauty, and Beauty is a commodity coveted above all else. When the queen asks Camellia to risk her own life and help the ailing princess by using Belle powers in unintended ways, Camellia now faces an impossible decision. With the future of Orleans and its people at stake, Camellia must decide: save herself and her sisters and the way of the Belles, or resuscitate the princess, risk her own life, and change the ways of her world forever. (excerpt from publisher description) Read more here.

Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp – Best friends Corey and Kyra were inseparable in their snow-covered town of Lost Creek, Alaska. When Corey moves away, she makes Kyra promise to stay strong during the long, dark winter, and wait for her return.

Just days before Corey is to return home to visit, Kyra dies. Corey is devastated–and confused. The entire Lost community speaks in hushed tones about the town’s lost daughter, saying her death was meant to be. And they push Corey away like she’s a stranger.

Corey knows something is wrong. Lost is keeping secrets–chilling secrets. But piecing together the truth about what happened to her best friend may prove as difficult as lighting the sky in an Alaskan winter… (excerpt from publisher’s description) Read more here.

Bonus! Brave New Girls: Tales of Heroines Who Hack is not out until July 5^th but you can pre-order now so you’ll have a book to fill the empty spot left when you finish your first read! Brave New Girls is an anthology of sci-fi stories about brainy teen heroines who hack not just computers, but whatever puzzles come their way. Winged Pen’s very own Halli Gomez has a story in the book. You can read more about the anthology and Halli’s story in this post.