The Most Exciting YA Books Coming in 2023
by Dena McMurdie
One of the most exciting parts of starting a new year is making a list of the YA books I can’t wait to read. And with all the fantastic titles coming out in 2023, my list is getting pretty long. I can’t wait to dive into these binge-worthy books!
Whether you’re interested in escaping into a fantasy story, tackling critical issues, or snuggling up with a cozy romance, there is something here for you. So, grab your favorite drink and settle in because you’re about to meet the most anticipated YA books of 2023!
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Song of Silver, Flame Like Night
Available from:If you suffered from a book hangover after finishing the Blood Heir trilogy, you’ll be thrilled to know that Amélie Wen Zhao’s new fantasy novel is releasing in January. Song of Silver, Flame Like Night is a breathtaking story about ancient magic, a kingdom in turmoil, and two teens with extraordinary power. It’s the perfect way to start the new year!
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Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute
Available from:Looking for a cute rom-com with feel-good vibes, witty banter, and an ex-best-friends-to-lovers plot? Add this novel to your reading stack for 2023! Bradley and Celine used to be close until a misunderstanding drove them apart. But when they both sign up for a wilderness survival class, the forced proximity helps them see each other differently.
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How to Be a (Young) Antiracist
Available from:Teens who want to start the new year off on the right foot will love this insightful book adapted from the #1 New York Times bestseller for grown-ups, How to Be an Antiracist. Ibram X. Kendi teamed up with YA author Nic Stone to deliver a thoughtful and inspiring book to help young people create a better world.
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The Black Queen
Available from:Small-town secrets, social justice, and high school politics combine into an unputdownable thriller for fans of Pretty Little Liars and One of Us Is Lying. When the first Black homecoming queen gets murdered, Duchess wants to catch her killer. She sets her sights on Tindley, the white girl who would do anything to win the crown, as the murderer. With compelling characters and more twists and turns than a roller coaster, this book will keep you up all night.
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The Davenports
Available from:If you loved American Royals and Netflix’s Bridgerton, you’ll adore this historical novel based on the real-life Patterson family. It’s about two sisters from a wealthy Black family and their friends in 1910 Chicago. They chase their dreams, fall in love, and deal with the complexities of growing up.
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Imposter Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim
Available from:This coming-of-age YA novel from the author of Re Jane is about standing out, fitting in, and finding your place in the world. Alejandra Kim always feels like the odd one out, no matter where she is. But when her Papi unexpectedly dies, and a situation at school forces her into the spotlight, she must figure out who she is and where she fits.
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Nightbirds
Available from:Politics, secrets, and magic collide in this breathtaking fantasy novel about four teenage girls with enchanted kisses. They’re heavily protected and have their entire futures mapped out for them by the government. But when the girls uncover a deadly conspiracy, they will stop at nothing to expose it and gain their freedom.
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Chaos Theory
Available from:Keep a box of tissues (and chocolate) on hand while you read Nic Stone’s heart-wrenching novel about romance, grief, politics, addiction, and mental illness. Two teens bond over their tumultuous histories and find hope and love when they need it most. But when their pasts catch up with them and threaten to pull them apart, they must decide if their relationship is worth the fight.
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The Island
Available from:The queen of YA thrillers has returned with another bone-chilling mystery you won’t want to miss. Teenage social media influencers, an epic theme park on a secluded island, and a killer on the loose—what’s not to love? If you binge-read The Twin and The Lake, you’ll inhale Natasha Preston’s exciting new novel!
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Chaos & Flame
Available from:In this high-stakes YA fantasy novel, two enemies team up to defeat a more significant threat. Determined to avenge her family’s deaths, Darling vows to kill every House Dragon member — starting with the prince’s brother, Talon. But Talon has other plans for Darling, and together, they uncover troubling corruption and try to save their people from the feud tearing them apart.
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Silver in the Bone
Available from:Buckle up because this fantasy novel from the author of The Darkest Minds series will take you on a pulse-pounding thrill ride. When Tamsin hears about a magical ring from the Arthurian legend that can break a curse on her brother, she decides to track it down. Doing so requires her to team up with her rival and face sorceresses, dark magic, and her long-lost foster father.
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Snow & Poison
Available from:Romance, suspense, and magic make this immersive retelling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves impossible to resist. When Sophie wins the prince’s heart and the king’s fury all in one night, she finds safety at a secluded home for orphans. There, she regroups and makes a plan to save herself, her heart, and her home from destruction.
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Lying in the Deep
Available from:Set sail with this chilling YA thriller set on a semester-long cruise around the world. Broken hearts, betrayal, and murder make this a voyage you’ll never forget. It’s the perfect young adult novel to read if you love the movie Death on the Nile.
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You: The Story
Available from:Bestselling and award-winning YA author Ruta Sepetys (Between Shades of Gray and Salt to the Sea) delivers her best writing advice for aspiring authors in this how-to book. She teaches writers how to mine their memories and use life experiences to create captivating plots and characters. This book is a must-have if you or your teen dreams about writing a novel!
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Her Good Side
Available from:Fake dating, adorkable teens, and inevitable complications? Yes, please! Bethany doesn’t have much experience with dating, and Jacob is notoriously bad at it. So, he and Bethany decide to practice-date each other. Soon, their kisses and feelings start to feel real, and the teens realize that all their practicing has led to something more.
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The Invocations
Preorder from:Zara wants to bring her murdered sister back from the dead, and Jude wants to break the curse haunting her. The girls turn to a young witch named Emer, who sells them magic in exchange for a piece of their souls. But the transaction comes with unexpected and deadly consequences, and all three girls must work together if they want to survive.
(On sale: 1/30/2024)
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Invisible Son
Available from:YA mystery lovers have a new book to obsess over from the author of This Is My America. After spending time in juvie for a crime he didn’t commit, Andre wants answers. But the only person who can help him is missing, and the COVID-19 pandemic has shut everything down. Desperate for information, Andre searches for the missing boy and learns that truth and justice can be elusive.
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The Legacies
Available from:Immerse yourself in the world of prep schools, old money, and secret societies in upscale New York City. Bernie, Isobel, and Skylar expect to get invited into the exclusive Legacy Club, but they’re shocked when a scholarship student named Tori also receives an invitation. All four girls harbor life-altering secrets, and they’ll do anything to keep them under wraps—even murder. This year’s Legacy Ball will be unforgettable.
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