Teen
10 Captivating YA Thrillers to Read This Summer
by Dena McMurdie
Young adult thrillers are my latest addiction and I can’t get enough of them. Whether they’re exploring deep space, experimenting with monsters, or navigating private school politics, YA thrillers inevitably keep me turning pages well past my bedtime. Here are ten action-packed thrillers I’m obsessing over this summer.
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Lies You Never Told Me
A high school drama with a twist, this novel follows four teens through breakups, new love, and dark secrets. With plenty of surprises and disturbing elements, this book will keep you flying through the pages.
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The Cheerleaders
After several cheerleaders were killed in horrible and bizarre ways, the town of Sunnybrook disbanded the cheer squad. Five years later, Monica starts finding suspicious letters, a hidden cell phone, and secrets that indicate the horror isn’t over yet.
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Neverworld Wake
When Beatrice meets up with her former best friends from high school, a freak accident traps the girls in a bizarre time loop. If you love plot twists, murder mysteries, and dark, eerie tales, then this novel will be right up your alley.
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Nyxia Unleashed
This summer is the perfect time to dive into this explosive deep-space YA thriller. Emmet and his friends travel to a newly discovered planet to mine a valuable and volatile substance called Nyxia. Full of mystery, deception, and page-turning action, this series is a must-read for any sci-fi thriller fan.
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I Am Still Alive
Set in the remote Canadian wilderness, this harrowing YA survival thriller is perfect for fans of “The Revenant.” After her father is murdered, Jess finds herself stranded, alone, and desperate for survival — and revenge.
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The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein
If you want a novel that will send chills up your spine, look no further than Kiersten White’s spin on the tale of Frankenstein. Creepy, dark, and delicious, this book begs to be read all in one sitting ... with the lights on.
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People Like Us
If you love revenge plots, put this book on your summer reading list. A remote boarding school, a clique of popular girls, and a dead body add up to a wickedly engrossing novel that’s perfect for fans of Thirteen Reasons Why and “Pretty Little Liars.”
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The Merciless IV: Last Rites
True crime meets horror in this bone-chilling series. Berkley is being held captive in a church basement by people who claim they want to help her. Secrets, lies, and a shadowy past ramp up the suspense in the fourth book of Vega’s addictive series.
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Orphan Monster Spy
For a historical fiction thriller you won’t forget, pick up this chilling WWII novel. When Sarah’s mother is murdered at a checkpoint, she agrees to become a spy at a boarding school for the daughters of elite Nazis. Intense, creepy, and sometimes disturbing, this novel will keep you glued to the page.
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City of Bastards
In this sequel to Royal Bastards, Tilla and her remaining friends are trying to adjust to life in the capital city of Lightspire. But when Tilla finds her roommate murdered, her peaceful new existence crumbles. Cults, stalkers, supernatural abilities, and betrayal add up to an eerie and explosive read.
What YA thrillers are you reading this summer? Tell us about them in the comments!