Book Review: Fearless by Lauren Roberts ‘Fearless’ by Lauren Roberts is the final book in her ‘Powerless’ trilogy. It was released in 2025, and follows on in the immediate fallout of the cliffhanger in ‘Reckless’, that despite murdering the late king, Paedyn Grey was going to marry Kit, and become the queen of Ilya. And,ContinueContinue reading
Category Archives: Young Adult Lit
Book Review: Burn Our Bodies Down by Rory Power Version 1.0.0 ‘Burn Our Bodies Down’ by Rory Power was published in YEAR. It is a YA horror novel which depicts generational trauma as a creature that is festering underground. This book follows Margot, a seventeen-year-old girl who lives with her single mother, estranged from theContinueContinue reading
Book Review: Reckless by Lauren Roberts ‘Reckless’ by Lauren Roberts is the second book of the ‘Powerless’ trilogy. It was published in 2024, and follows promptly after Paedyn killed the king of Ilya. In my opinion, this book was essentially a really long-winded way to achieve three imperative plot points, all of which are acknowledgedContinueContinue reading
‘The Passing Playbook’ by Isaac Fitzsimons was released in 2021. It was his first novel and tells the story of a transgender teen, Spencer, who moved to an expensive private school after a threat was made to his life due to his identity at a previous school. When he joins Oakley, he declares that for his own safety, he will “go stealth” and rely on his ability to pass as cisgender to stay under the radar.
‘Café Con Lychee’ by Emery Lee (e/em) was released in 2022 and is Lee’s second book. It follows the story of Theo Mori and Gabi Moreno, as their rival family restaurants are forced to acknowledge a common enemy: World Fusion Café, an establishment with mediocre food, but vibrant, Instagrammable drinks.
‘Felix Ever After’ by Kacen Callender was their second young-adult novel, and was released in 2020. The story follows seventeen-year-old Felix Love’s life after he is the victim of a malicious hate-crime, where old photos from his Instagram, pre-transition, were blown up and put on display in the foyer and gallery space at the art school he and his best friend Ezra attend: Saint Catherine’s.
Book Review: All About Romance by Daniel Tawse ‘All About Romance’ by Daniel Tawse was released in 2023. It tells the story of Roman Bright and their final year at secondary school, after a tumultuous end of Year Ten. As a young, queer student, Roman Bright is being treated horribly by their classmates. After beingContinueContinue reading
Book Review: Sunrise On The Reaping by Suzanne Collins ‘Sunrise On The Reaping’ by Suzanne Collins was released in 2025. It is the second of Collins’ ‘The Hunger Games’ prequels. This book follows sixteen-year-old Haymitch Abernathy, and the events of the 50th Hunger Games, the Second Quarter Quell, where there were double the amount ofContinueContinue reading
Book Review: Powerless by Lauren Roberts ‘Powerless’ by Lauren Roberts was published in 2023. It is the first book in a series with the same name and consists of ‘Powerless’ (2023), ‘Reckless’ (2024) and ‘Fearless’ which was published earlier this month. There is also a novella that accompanies this series called ‘Powerful’, (2024) which followsContinueContinue reading
Book Review: I Was Born For This by Alice Oseman ‘I Was Born For This’ by Alice Oseman was released in 2018. It is one of her novels, as opposed to her comics. This particular story explores fan culture and friendship. It follows Fereshteh, or as she’s better known, Angel Rahemi, a superfan of aContinueContinue reading
Book Review: Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross ‘Ruthless Vows’ by Rebecca Ross was released in 2023, and is the sequel to ‘Divine Rivals’, the bestselling fantasy novel about two young people that fall in love amidst times of war, through the sharing of letters via magical typewriters. This book is prompt in its following ofContinueContinue reading
Book Review: Bingsu For Two by Sujin Witherspoon ‘Bingsu For Two’ by Sujin Witherspoon was released in 2025. It is Witherspoon’s debut novel. I have been excited to read it since she was originally pitching it on social media. I really enjoyed this book. Witherspoon was able to convey a lot of serious and hard-hittingContinueContinue reading
Book Review: Dungeons And Drama by Kirsty Boyce ‘Dungeons and Drama’ by Kristy Boyce is a Young Adult romance novel that was published in 2024. It follows Riley, a High Schooler and theatre buff, who stole her mother’s car and drove it to Columbus, Ohio, without a license with her best friend Hoshiko to seeContinueContinue reading
Book Review: Only For The Holidays by Abiola Bello ‘Only For The Holidays’ by Abiola Bello was released in 2023. It is a New Adult romance novel that follows Quincy and Tia, two teenagers, whose paths cross when Tia’s family book a holiday at Quincy’s family’s rural farm and lodge. Quincy Parker is well-off. HisContinueContinue reading
Book Review: You Aren’t Supposed To Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron ‘You’re Not Supposed To Die Tonight’ by Kalynn Bayron is a YA thriller that has a strong slasher motif. It was released in 2023, and is Bayron’s sixth novel. The story follows seventeen-year-old Charity, who has been working at an immersive theatre experience calledContinueContinue reading
Book Review: Playing For Keeps by Jennifer Dugan ‘Playing For Keeps’ by Jennifer Dugan was released in 2024. It follows the story of Ivy and June, two queer teenagers who absolutely love sport – while June is the only girl on a boys’ baseball team, and their star pitcher, Ivy dreams of a career onContinueContinue reading
Book Review: As Good As Dead by Holly Jackson ‘As Good As Dead’ by Holly Jackson is the last book in her ‘A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder’ trilogy, preceded by ‘A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder’ and ‘Good Girl, Bad Blood’. I reviewed each book individually and the reviews went live in January andContinueContinue reading
‘The Henna Wars’ by Adiba Jaigirdar was released in 2020. It was a huge milestone in the development of young adult queer literature. If readers were lucky enough to read about sapphic relationships prior to the release of The Henna Wars, it was a struggle to find ones that weren’t about white girls.
‘She Gets The Girl’ is a novel co-written by Alyson Derrick, Rachael Lippincott and was published in 2022. It follows two girls, Alex and Molly, in their first month of college. Despite being in the same classes, Alex and Molly are worlds apart, and when they meet at a house party on their first day, both make an impression.
‘The Gravity Of Us’ was Phil Stamper’s first novel, released back in 2019. This insightful story shouts hard-hitting truths from the rafters; a primary theme of this book is communication, whether among friends, family, or the media.
Book Review: Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson ‘Good Girl, Bad Blood’ is the second book in Holly Jackson’s ‘A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder’ trilogy. It was released in YEAR and is concluded by ‘As Good As Dead’. Due to the episodic nature of each of these books, I felt it was bestContinueContinue reading
Book Review: Win, Lose, Kill, Die by Cynthia Murphy ‘Win, Lose, Kill, Die’ by Cynthia Murphy was released in 2022. It was a booktok sensation, after videos the first page circulated online. It certainly piqued my interest. Something that is mentioned toward the end of the novel, a lie, could have posed a much moreContinueContinue reading
Book Review: We Hunt The Flame by Hafsah Faizal ‘We Hunt The Flame’ is the first of author Hafsah Faizal’s ‘The Sands of Arawiya Duology’. ‘We Hunt The Flame’ was published in 2019, while the sequel, ‘We Free The Stars’, was published in 2021. The first book was incredibly rich in lore and immersive toContinueContinue reading
‘Fresh’ by Margot Wood was released in 2021 and follows the story of Elliot McHugh as she begins the next stage of life: Freshman Year at Emerson College. Before she left Cincinnati for Boston, having lived with her seemingly perfect sister, Izzy, who is studying medicine, and her younger sister, Remy, who has an eclectic obsession with dryer sheets, Elliot was betrayed by the people she held closest to her. Her ex-boyfriend cheated on her for months, and her three best friends knew and didn’t tell her. Vulnerable, alone, and seeking fun, sex, and freedom, Elliot is ready for a new adventure.
‘Friday I’m In Love’ was released in 2023, and was Camryn Garret’s fourth novel. The book tells the story of Mahalia Harris, a sixteen year old girl, who, having missed out on her chance at a Sweet Sixteen, opts to celebrate her sexuality in a similar stead, declaring she will save up for, and host a coming out party, where she will share her sexuality with her peers.
Book Review: With The Fire On High by Elizabeth Acevedo ‘With The Fire On High’ by Elizabeth Acevedo is a novel in verse. It was her second release, preceded by ‘The Poet X’ and followed by ‘Clap When You Land’. This book follows Emoni Santiago. a teen mum from Philadelphia, who is starting her seniorContinueContinue reading
Book Review: This Poison Heart Duology The ‘This Poison Heart’ duology by Kalynn Bayron consists of two urban fantasy novels, grounded in Greek mythology. The first book, ‘This Poison Heart’ was released in 2021, and the sequel came out the following year. The story follows Briseis, a teenager being raised in Brooklyn, New York byContinueContinue reading
Book Review: A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder by Holly Jackson ‘A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder’ by Holly Jackson was released in 2019. It is the first book in a trilogy of the same name, followed by ‘Good Girl, Bad Blood’ and ‘As Good As Dead’. These books follow the story of Pippa, orContinueContinue reading
Book Review: If You Still Recognise Me by Cynthia So ‘If You Still Recognise Me’ by Cynthia So (they/them) was released in 2022, and tells the story of eighteen year old Elsie, and the summer before she leaves for university at Cambridge. Having grown up in Oxford, which doesn’t have the same queer spaces thatContinueContinue reading
‘Shadow and Bone’ was an interesting story that shows multiple layers and levels to a world at war, comparing the life of the standard footsoldier, to the magically gifted Grisha, who want for nothing.
‘Meet Cute Diary’ was author, Emery Lee (ey/em)’s debut novel. It was released in 2021. The story follows sixteen-year-old Noah as he spends the summer with his older brother, Brian in Denver, Colorado. Noah utilises a cross-country move to California to be his true self after coming out as transgender, inspired by a trans girl who came out at his school.
Book Review: The Nicest Girl by Sophie Jo ‘The Nicest Girl’ was author, Sophie Jo’s debut novel. The book was released in 2022 and told an important story of why setting boundaries and putting yourself first is imperative. The story follows seventeen-year-old Anna Campbell, who seems to have a big arrow pointing to her, callingContinueContinue reading
Book Review: Heartstopper Volume Five by Alice Oseman ‘Heartstopper’ is a series of graphic novels by Alice Oseman. The fifth installment of the series was released earlier this month and continues to follow Nick and Charlie, a young queer couple from Kent, UK, finding their way in the world, while grappling with external issues, notContinueContinue reading
Book Review: Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross ‘Divine Rivals’ by Rebecca Ross was released in early 2023. It is the first book in the Letters of Enchantment duology. The second book, ‘Ruthless Vows’ is due to be released in the latter end of the month. The story followed two characters, Roman Kitt and Iris Winnow,ContinueContinue reading
Book Review: Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston ‘Red, White, And Royal Blue’ was Casey McQuiston’s debut novel. It was released in 2019, and was recently adapted into a movie on Amazon Prime. The story follows an alternate version of international history, where instead of Donald Trump, a fictional Democrat, Ellen Claremont, wonContinueContinue reading
‘Five Survive’ is a young adult thriller novel by Holly Jackson, author of the ‘A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder Trilogy’. This novel was released in 2022 and was her fifth release since her debut in 2019.
Book Review: An Emotion of Great Delight by Tahereh Mafi ‘An Emotion of Great Delight’ by Tahereh Mafi was published in 2021. It is her sixteenth novel, and one of few stand alone stories amidst her popular series, Shatter Me (2011-2021). Due to the nature of the events in this story it is worth acknowledgingContinueContinue reading
Book Review: The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes by Suzanne Collins ‘The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes’ by Suzanne Collins was released in 2020. The book is a prequel to her series ‘The Hunger Games’, the original trilogy came out between 2008 and 2010. This book follows the early life of President Snow, and theContinueContinue reading
This was my first conscious venture into the sub genre of cosy fantasy. I knew it consisted on characters going through their heroes journeys in significantly less stressful scenarios. However, I’d argue that Isobel ought to have been more stressed out about the circumstances she was in…
‘Medusa’ is a novella by Jessie Burton that was published by Bloomsbury in 2021. It follows the story of mythological figure, Medusa, and offers a take on her encounter with Perseus, one of the demigod sons of Zeus.
Book Review: Broken Hearts and Zombie Parts by William Hussey ‘Broken Hearts and Zombie Parts’ by William Hussey was released in 2023. It was his eleventh novel. It follows seventeen-year-old Jesse, who collapsed at his Year Twelve Prom, after encountering his best friend, Cas, cheating on his girlfriend, with her best friend. After collapsing, heContinueContinue reading
‘Gallant’ by V.E. Schwab was released in 2022 and is a fascinating, gothic novel that leaves you reeling, mulling over those same repeated phrases, images, and the sheer scope of meanings they may have. I read it in a day, and couldn’t put it down!
‘How The King Of Elfhame Learned To Hate Stories’ was released in 2020. It is an accompanying novella that provides episodic glimpses into the life of King Cardan of Elfhame, and his life prior to, during, and post the events of ‘The Folk Of The Air’ Trilogy, it has brilliant illustrations throughout, provided by Rovina Cai.
Book Review: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas ‘The Hate U Give’ by Angie Thomas was released in 2017. It was later adapted into a film, which came out in 2018. It was her debut novel, and thrust her into acclaim, her work becoming a staple among popular authors in the mid-to-late 2010s. ThisContinueContinue reading
‘Lightlark’ by Alex Aster was released in 2022 and is the first book of a duopoly, the sequel to which is due to be released in late 2023. The concept for her book was a hit on TikTok, her viral video pitching the concept in 2021 amassing over 400,000 likes.
‘Last Violent Call’ by Chloe Gong was released in early 2023. It contains two novellas that offer insight into the lives of Roma Montagov and Juliette Cai, as well as Marshall Seo and Benedikt Montagov from her original duology: ‘These Violent Delights’ and ‘Our Violent Ends’ in the four years that follow the conclusion of ‘Our Violent Ends’ to the conclusion of ‘Foul Lady Fortune’, these two novellas provide what can only be assumed as an essential bridge between the original duology and Gong’s second duology, where these characters are likely to make another appearance.
‘Love Is A Revolution’ is a novel by Renee Watson that was published in 2021. It follows Nala in the summer before her senior year of high school as she navigates surges of change in her community now her cousin, Imani, and friend, Sadie are involved in a youth group called Inspire Harlem.
‘The Folk of the Air’ Series by Holly Black consists of three books: ‘The Cruel Prince’, ‘The Wicked King’, ‘The Queen of Nothing’, and an accompanying illustrated novella, ‘How The King Of Elfhame Learned To Hate Stories’. An affiliated duology ‘The Stolen Heir’ is in the works.
Book Review: The Dos And Donuts Of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar ‘The Dos and Donuts of Love’ by Adiba Jaigirdar was released in May 2023, and is her fourth novel. This book follows a similar rivals-to-lovers arc that is present in some of her previous books, such as her debut, ‘The Henna Wars’, and thatContinueContinue reading
‘Foul Lady Fortune’ by Chloe Gong is a second series set in the same timeline as her previous works, ‘These Violent Delights’ and ‘Our Violent Ends’. It was published in 2022 and follows the story of Rosalind Lang, a supporting character in her previous books, as she embarks on her own journey, having been branded a traitor to the Scarlet Gang.
‘Gwen And Art Are Not In Love’ by Lex Croucher was released in May 2023, and explores the idea of queer relationships in post-Arthurian Britain, where there are little-to-no historical records. Due to this, Croucher is able to take significant artistic license and offer a story that is delightfully funny, and devastating.
‘Straight Expectations’ by Calum McSwiggan is a romantic comedy that was released in May 2023. It offers an insightful glimpse into privilege, and how, even though things may be objectively easier for straight kids at school, Max, is still privileged. When he, an out-and-proud gay, wishes for an easy life like the straight kids, he wakes up straight!
‘Loveless’ by Alice Oseman was released in 2020. It is her sixth novel, and follows eighteen-year-old Georgia Warr during her first year at the University of Durham to study English Literature.
‘Imogen, Obviously’ is Becky Albertalli’s sixth solo release, and ninth, including collaborations. It came out in May 2023, and follows a one-week window where Imogen Scott realises she’s bisexual.
‘If I Was Your Girl’ by Meredith Russo is one of the older LGBTQ+ stories you may find in your local chain bookstore. It was released in 2016 and tells the story of a young trans woman, Amanda, who is attending a new school after a tumultuous social transition.
‘I Kissed Shara Wheeler’ was Casey McQuiston’s most recent release, which follows the fallout of the jewel of the school, Shara Wheeler disappearing from Senior Prom just moments before being crowned the Class of 2021’s Prom Queen. Nobody knows where and why she’s vanished but Chloe Green believed she knew why she’d run away. Because, Shara Wheeler kissed her before prom, and as the daughter of the Principal of Willowgrave Christian Academy, Shara shouldn’t have been kissing girls.
‘One Last Stop’ was Casey McQuiston’s second novel and was published in 2021. The book follows August, who has moved to New York City to finish college, after a tumultuous relationship with her mother left her needing space.
‘Heartstopper’ by Alice Oseman is a series of graphic novels. The first volume was published in 2019 and the series remains ongoing. It is now the subject of a live-action adaptation by Netflix.
‘Opposite of Always’ was Justin A Reynolds’ 2019 debut novel. It follows the story of Jack King, a high school senior, who falls in love with a first year college student called Kate when they meet at a party during his college campus tour. But when Kate dies due to complications with her sickle cell anemia, a condition Jack didn’t know she even had, he finds himself trapped in a time loop, reliving the past four months in a bid to keep her from meeting the same fate. Again and again and again.
‘These Violent Delights’ and ‘Our Violent Ends’ are Chloe Gong’s duology which retells the story of Romeo and Juliet through the lens of rival gangs in 1920s Shanghai. The first book, ‘These Violent Delights’ was published in 2020, while the sequel was released a year later in 2021.
‘Melt My Heart’ is a young adult coming of age story by Bethany Rutter. It was published in 2020 and follows the story of Lily Rose, an eighteen year old girl striving to try something new every day in anticipation of leaving for university in September, miles away from her twin sister, Daisy.
‘Only On The Weekends’ is Dean Atta’s second novel in verse, which was released in 2022. The story follows Mackintosh Fadayomi, a fifteen-year-old boy navigating his first relationship, except Karim doesn’t think he can come out yet, and Mack’s father has to move the family to Glasgow for a few months for his upcoming film, starring Finn, a proud LGBT activist, who has also caught Mack’s eye. What’s a boy to do?
Imogen L. Smiley 