The Most Anticipated YA Books of 2023

“Nigeria Jones” by Ibi Zoboi is a captivating and thought-provoking young adult coming-of-age novel that explores complex themes of race, feminism, and family dynamics. The story follows the titular character, a teenage girl whose father is the leader of a Black liberation group based in Philadelphia. Homeschooled and raised in a separatist community, Nigeria has been instilled with a strong sense of her African heritage and a desire for racial justice.

But when her mother, the “perfect matriarch” of the group, suddenly disappears, Nigeria’s world is turned upside down. Forced to take care of her baby brother and step into a role she never wanted, Nigeria begins to question everything she thought she knew about her life and her family.

As she sets out to find her mother, Nigeria is given the opportunity to attend a private Quaker school outside of her strict community. There, she begins to flourish and expand her universe, making new friends and discovering new perspectives. But as she starts to uncover the shocking truth about her mother’s disappearance, Nigeria’s newfound sense of self is put to the test as she grapples with her loyalty to her family and her growing desire for individuality.

With evocative and powerful prose, Ibi Zoboi skillfully portrays Nigeria’s emotional journey as she navigates the complexities of identity, family, and community. “Nigeria Jones” is an unmissable read for fans of Roxane Gay, Jacqueline Woodson, and Elizabeth Acevedo, and is sure to resonate with any reader who has struggled to find their place in the world.

“My Flawless Life” by Yvonne Woon is an intriguing and suspenseful young adult thriller that delves into the themes of secrets, reputation and redemption. Telling the story of Hana Yang Lerner, a fixer at an elite private school in Washington, D.C. who is skilled at solving the problems of her classmates, but struggling to deal with her own complicated past.

Hana’s father, senator Skip Lerner, was arrested in a scandal that left her reputation in tatters and caused her friends to desert her. Desperate to regain her old life, Hana takes a job from an anonymous client called “Three” to investigate her former best friend, Luce Herrera. But as she uncovers a web of dark secrets among her “flawless” classmates, Hana begins to realize that this job might be the path to her redemption, but it’s also digging up skeletons she had hoped to keep buried, including the secrets of her own life.

With a compelling narrator, Yvonne Woon masterfully weaves together a slow-burn thriller that will keep readers guessing until the very end. “My Flawless Life” is perfect for fans of Allegedly, We Were Liars and other thought-provoking mysteries, readers will find themselves fully engrossed and invested in Hana’s journey as she uncovers the truth behind the facade of her seemingly perfect world.

“Lies We Sing to the Sea” by Sarah Underwood is a much-anticipated YA debut that seamlessly blends fantasy, Greek mythology and sapphic romance. The story is set in the island of Ithaca, and it centers around Leto, one of the twelve maidens who are condemned to death by hanging as a tribute to vengeful Poseidon. But Leto’s fate takes an unexpected turn when she wakes up on a mysterious island and meets Melantho, a powerful girl who has the power to command the sea, who tells her that one more death can stop a thousand and that the prince of Ithaca must die.

Sarah Underwood has crafted a rich and evocative narrative that explores the themes of love, sacrifice, and the power of lies. Through Leto’s journey, she expertly weaves together a tapestry of epic fantasy and romance, resulting in a story that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Fans of Circe and The Song of Achilles will find much to love in this immersive novel, with comparisons to Madeline Miller, Alexandra Bracken, and Renée Ahdieh, “Lies We Sing to the Sea” is one of the most-anticipated YA books of 2023, and is sure to be a standout debut.

“The Island” by Natasha Preston is the latest thrilling addition to her New York Times bestselling YA novels. This pulse-pounding read is one of the most anticipated YA books of 2023 and will leave fans of The Twin and The Lake wanting for more.

The story follows six social media influencers, Liam, James, Will, Ava, Harper, and Paisley, as they are invited for an exclusive weekend at the Jagged Island – a private amusement park for the rich and influential. With the park yet to open, the teens are tasked to document their VIP treatment, from the lavish hotel rooms to the thrilling themed rides and the beautiful, yet haunting, island.

But as the weekend progresses, they soon realize that something’s amiss. Their jam-packed itinerary is missing one important detail, a way to leave the island alive. With no way to call for help and no escape routes, the group must work together to uncover the truth behind their sinister captivity and find a way out before it’s too late.

Natasha Preston once again delivers a page-turning thriller that will keep readers guessing until the very end. The Island is a fast-paced, action-packed novel that is perfect for fans of mystery and suspense. With captivating characters and a heart-pounding storyline, it is sure to be a hit with YA readers.

“Imposter Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim” by Patricia Park is a poignant and powerful young adult novel, which is one of the most anticipated YA books of 2023. Award-winning author of “Re Jane” makes her YA debut in this story that follows a multicultural teenager named Alejandra, as she navigates the challenges of fitting in at her diverse Queens neighborhood, her whitewashed school, and even at her own home following the loss of her father.

Alejandra struggles to find her place in a school where her “super Spanish” name and “super Korean” face are not understood by her mostly white classmates and teachers, and in her Jackson Heights neighborhood where she doesn’t fit in with the Latinx community. At home, she feels unwelcome and the situation has only become worse since her father’s death. She wishes to escape the city and attend the prestigious Wyder University, but a microaggression at school brings her into the spotlight and thrusts her into a conversation she didn’t ask for.

Park’s debut YA novel is a relatable and insightful coming-of-age story that captures the struggles of a multicultural teenager caught between worlds, and the journey of finding where you truly belong. Praised by New York Times bestselling authors Gayle Forman and David Yoon, “Imposter Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim” is a “dazzling” and “brilliant” read that is both funny, incisive and thought-provoking. This is a story that is not only for teens, but for anyone who has struggled to find their place in the world.

“Chaos & Flame” by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland is the highly-anticipated first book in a fierce and action-packed YA fantasy duology. The story follows Darling Seabreak, a young woman who cannot remember anything before the murder of her family at the hands of House Dragon, but is determined to save her adoptive father, a member of House Kraken, and enacts a plan of revenge against House Dragon. On the other hand, Talon Goldhoard is a War Prince of House Dragon who has grown disillusioned with his brother’s rule and factions are turning to him to overthrow him.

Their paths cross when Darling ambushes Talon and he recognizes her as the girl his brother has painted for years, knowing she holds the key to everything. Together, despite their initial hostility, they must navigate the dangerous political waters of their houses and find a way to stop fighting each other and work together in order to survive the ancient blood magic and fiery prophecies that threaten to destroy their world.

The novel is written by two New York Times bestselling authors, Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland and features a intense romance between two individuals with the most reasons to hate one another, and an epic fantasy world filled with ancient magic and warring factions. This is one of the most-anticipated YA books of 2023, and is sure to be a standout read for fans of the genre.

“Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute” by Talia Hibbert is a highly anticipated YA romance novel that is sure to leave readers laughing and swooning. Written by the New York Times bestselling author of the Brown Sisters trilogy, the story follows two teenagers, Bradley Graeme and Celine Bangura, as they are forced to work together in a survival course in the woods.

Bradley is the epitome of perfection, he’s a star football player, excels in academics and manages his OCD well. He and Celine used to be best friends, but he abandoned her for the in-crowd years ago. Celine, on the other hand, is a conspiracy-theory-obsessed content creator, whose takes on everything from UFOs to holiday overconsumption have earned her a sizable social media following, but she is still not cool enough for the popular kids.

The two have a bitter past, with nothing between them other than petty insults and academic rivalry. But when they are paired together on a survival course, with the chance to win a grand prize, they are forced to trudge through not just mud and dirt, but their messy past. As they work together and overcome the challenges, they begin to remember the good bits of their history.

“We Are All So Good At Smiling” by Amber McBride is a highly-anticipated young adult novel that explores the themes of mental health, trauma, and healing. The story follows Whimsy, who is back in the hospital for treatment of her clinical depression. She meets Faerry, a boy with whom she shares a connection, and they both realize that they have magic in their bones.

As Faerry and his family move to the same street, Whimsy and Faerry become friends and start to uncover their intertwined pasts. They are both terrified of the forest at the end of Marsh Creek Lane and find themselves drawn to it. They soon discover that the Forest holds answers to the part of Faerry that he feels is missing. The Forest whispers to Whimsy and holds monsters, fairy tales, and pain that both Whimsy and Faerry have been running from for 11 years.

The book is a novel-in-verse, and is said to be a powerful and haunting novel that explores the depths of mental health, the healing power of friendship, and the resilience of the human spirit. Fans of contemporary YA novels such as “They Both Die at the End” and “The Bell Jar” will definitely want to pick this one up as this is one of the most anticipated YA books of 2023.

“Lying in the Deep” by Diana Urban is a highly-anticipated YA mystery novel set on a Semester at Sea-inspired cruise ship. The story follows Jade, a girl who is jilted by her ex-boyfriend and best friend, who takes the opportunity to set sail on a luxurious Campus on Board ship, traversing 11 countries in 4 months, in an effort to distance herself from the people who broke her heart. But her plans are disrupted when she discovers the couple are also on the ship.

Jade’s obsession with them grows, which leads to a shocking murder on board, and as their friends begin to drop one by one, Jade must work with her new crush to clear her name and find the killer before anyone else gets hurt.

The book is said to be a juicy mystery that is full of jealousy, love, and betrayal and it is perfect for readers who enjoy books like Natasha Preston, E. Lockhart, and Karen McManus. This book is one of the most anticipated YA novels of 2023, and will be sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats with every jaw-dropping twist.

“Promise Boys” by Nick Brooks is a highly-anticipated YA mystery novel that will be sure to captivate readers with its thrilling story and diverse cast of characters. The book is set in a urban Prep school, where three teen boys of color, J.B., Ramón, and Trey are students and must follow strict rules in order to become college bound and avoid the fates of many men in their neighborhoods, this is the so-called “Principal Moore Method”, that is supposed to save lives.

However, when their principal Moore is murdered and the police suspect them, the trio must band together to track down the real killer and clear their own names. As they dig deeper, they start to uncover secrets and lies that have been hidden for years, but is the true culprit someone they know, someone within the school or the community?

Promise Boys is a timely, powerful and raw story that deals with themes of class, race and privilege, It is a unique blend of The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas and One of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus. With the fresh and unique take on the mystery genre, this book is one of the most anticipated YA novels of 2023, and is sure to be a must-read for fans of Jason Reynolds, Angie Thomas, and Karen McManus.

Into the Light is a powerful and thought-provoking YA novel by Mark Oshiro, one of the most anticipated YA books of 2023. The story follows two young men, Manny and Eli, who are struggling to come to terms with their own identities and the secrets they keep.

Manny has been cast out of his family and is now living in the wilderness of the American Southwest, surviving on his own. He takes a chance on traveling with the Varela family, but their son Carlos is distant and surly. Despite this, Manny sees a chance for a new future.

Eli is living in a secluded community that has raised him to believe in obedience and reconciliation, but as he begins to question his past, he starts to wonder about the true nature of his community.

As both men are drawn into the discovery of an unidentified body in the hills of California, they will be forced to confront their deepest fears and uncover their true identities. This is a story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats, with Oshiro’s signature raw emotions and visceral prose, and a twist that you won’t see coming. For fans of Courtney Summers and Tiffany D. Jackson, Into the Light is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that is sure to be one of the most talked-about YA books of 2023.

The Time It’s Real by Ann Liang is a highly anticipated YA rom-com about a girl named Eliza Lin who begins a fake relationship with the famous actor in her class. Eliza’s life changes overnight when her essay about meeting the love of her life unexpectedly goes viral. To hide the fact that her essay was made up, Eliza strikes a deal with the charming but aloof Caz Song to pose as her boyfriend. As they spend more time together, Eliza starts to realize that her feelings for Caz may be more than just a ruse.

As Eliza’s career opportunities and future dreams are on the line, she must decide whether to follow her heart or her head. This book is perfect for fans of Meg Cabot and Jenny Han who enjoy a lighthearted and humorous romance with a touch of deception.