Science fiction, fantasy books to watch for this spring
When it comes to reading, there is nothing better than a great plot twist. It’s always a thrill to be glued to the page, unable to look away in case you miss the next surprise. An unexpected turn of events can be what takes a book from good to great, and will make for an unforgettable read.
Whether it’s a secret identity or a unique story premise, the books we’re covering all have that great element of surprise. These seven works of YA science fiction and fantasy are sure to pack a literary punch, so keep an eye out for these new releases this spring.
“RULE OF WOLVES” BY LEIGH BARDUGO (MARCH 30)
It’s no surprise that Bardugo’s latest novel is being celebrated as a surefire hit. But after leaving things off on an alarming cliffhanger in the previous book, readers are excited — and terrified — to see what else the author has in store for these three characters.
As civil war wages in the kingdom of Ravka, three figures stand a chance to end the carnage; Ravka’s King Nikolai, General Zoya Nazyalensky, and a spy named Nina Zenik. Each are desperate to bring this war to an end, and their own fates hang in the balance. But as the penultimate battle draws closer, it seems that someone is still hiding a dangerous secret; one that could cost them, and their kingdom, everything.
“INFINITY REAPER” BY ADAM SILVERA
Author Silvera is well known for his works of contemporary fiction. In this book, Silvera gives us a glimpse at an alternate version of our own world. Brothers Emil and Brighton live in New York City, watch videos on YouTube and apply to college — in between fighting the dark magical forces that threaten to overtake their borough.
In “Infinity Reaper,” the second book in the series, our protagonists’ past decisions are coming back to haunt them. After a run-in with the Blood Casters — a group of magic wielders who are able to steal the magical essence out of lifeforms — Brighton is fading fast. If Emil wants to save his brother’s life, he’ll have to turn to the Spell Walkers; the same magical world that he can’t stand to be a part of.
“GARKAIN” BY ANNA J. WALNER (JUNE 25)
Where would you expect a colony of vampires to live? You might say in a Transylvanian castle, or maybe in the town of Forks, Washington. But you probably wouldn’t expect to find a secret vampire society in the Australian Outback.
That’s definitely not what Amelia, our main protagonist, is expecting either. She’s just received a vague text telling her to return to “The Colony,” and is desperate for any clues that will lead her back to her birth family. After being dropped off at a hospital 25 years ago, Amelia is determined to follow this lead — but nothing could have prepared her for the truth about her family.
The first book in The Uluru Legacy, “Garkain” turns the vampire and werewolf trope on its head with unexpected twists and turns.
“THE BRIGHT AND THE PALE” BY JESSICA RUBINKOWSKI
Young Adult fiction is filled with stories of magical forests and magical castles. In her book “The Bright and the Pale,” Rubinkowski uses a far less common setting: a place where the mountain itself is magical. In “The Bright and the Pale,” Knnot Mountain is a source of terror to the local population.
The mountain has always been dangerous, and now a magical ice has crept down to the nearest village, freezing nearly everyone .
Nearly everyone, but not Valeria. She isn’t sure how she survived, but without her family and her home, she’s forced to take refuge in the Thieves Guild to survive. With all her loved ones dead, Valeria’s painfully alone — until she gets word that her childhood friend Alik is alive, and in grave danger. Desperate to save her friend, Valeria takes a job leading an expedition to the very mountain that destroyed her life.
“THE COST OF KNOWING” BY BRITTNEY MORRIS (APRIL 6)
In Morris’s newest novel, magical powers are far more of a burden than in other YA fiction. While magic is usually something we dream of coveting, Morris asks difficult questions about the implications of these abilities. In a world where people can see the future, would that really be such a gift? Or would it feel much more like a curse?
Sixteen-year-old Alex Rufus is all too familiar with that dilemma. Ever since his parents’ death four years ago, he’s possessed a terrifying power. Anytime he touches an object or person, he can see the future. Sometimes, it’s an unremarkable vision, just a glimpse into a normal day. Other times, it’s life-shattering.
“RENEGADE FLIGHT” BY ANDREA TANG
In Tang’s book “Renegade Flight,” Viola Park is certainly struggling. She thought she’d be a shoo-in for the Peacekeepers flight corps, but after performing an illegal maneuver during her entrance exam, she’s barred from the school. Viola can’t imagine living the rest of her life on the ground, and she finally manages to get a spot at the school. Except that spot didn’t turn out to be with the exalted future peacekeepers, but as a lowly probationary student.
“BLADE OF SECRETS” BY TRICIA LEVENSELLER (MAY 4)
We’ve seen plenty of stories about protagonists being destined to end a war. But what happens if the protagonist was responsible for the problem in the first place?
In Levenseller’s “Blade of Secrets,” Ziva the blacksmith certainly didn’t mean to create a weapon of mass destruction. She was just excited to get a big commission, and worked hard to create a sword imbued with truly incredible powers. Ziva teams up with a ragtag group of adventurers in an effort to keep the sword out of wicked hands. If they can’t find a way to destroy the sword, or find someone worthy of wielding its power, it’s only a matter of time before the enemy catches up with them. And if that happens, a truly terrifying amount of blood will be on Ziva’s hands.