The Must-Read YA Books of 2025 So Far
by Dena McMurdie
From thrillers to romance, so many good books have already hit bookstores this year. So, if you’re dying from the anticipation, keep reading to see the must-have YA books of 2025. These are the buzzy books everyone is talking about this year!
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The Otherwhere Post
Available from:As the daughter of an infamous criminal, Maeve does everything she can to avoid attention. But when she learns that her father may be innocent, she becomes an apprentice to a magician who enchants and delivers letters to other realms. Family secrets, magic, mysterious threats, and romance combine in this bestselling fantasy novel from the author of Hotel Magnifique.
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Death in the Jungle
Available from:Cults are having a moment in popular culture, and this riveting account of one of the most infamous cults in American history will captivate YA readers. Candace Fleming takes readers on an unforgettable journey through Jim Jones’s childhood, to the founding of People’s Temple and Jonestown. This narrative nonfiction book explores how one man managed to captivate the hearts and minds of hundreds of innocent people and convince them to make the ultimate sacrifice.
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The Scorpion and the Night Blossom
Available from:With her kingdom falling apart and her mother on the brink of death, Àn’yīng enters a deadly competition that could save her mother’s life. During the Trials, Àn’yīng makes an unlikely ally in Yù’chén, a mysterious young man who helps her survive the challenges. But as they grow closer, Àn’yīng must decide if she can trust him to do what’s best for her mother, the kingdom, and herself.
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Snowglobe 2
Available from:Return to the dystopian world of Snowglobe with this heart-pounding sequel. The perfect illusion surrounding Snowglobe’s favorite TV family has shattered, and the director has been imprisoned. However, the corrupt media corporation is still in power, and they will do anything to destroy Chobahm, including creating a false video of her committing a crime. Now, Chobahm must team up with someone connected to the corporation, bring it down, and clear her name.
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I Am the Swarm
Available from:All the women in Nell’s family manifest a magical gift once they turn fifteen. Nell’s gift appears as insects that reflect her emotions. Ladybugs when she feels happy, moths when she is sad, and wasps when she is angry. This fascinating novel in verse explores the complex emotions and experiences of teenage girls as they navigate the most transformative time of their lives.
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A Cruel Thirst
Available from:A vampire hunter, a vampire, and a forbidden romance. Yes, please! To avoid marriage, Carolina vows to kill a vampire. Meanwhile, Lalo has just been turned into a vampire against his will and is desperate to find a cure. When the two collide, sparks fly, and they form an unlikely alliance to fight a larger evil. This book has enough adventure, action, and pulse-pounding romance to satisfy even the most avid romantasy fans.
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A Bird in the Air Means We Can Still Breathe
Available from:The pandemic was an unprecedented event that affected the lives of nearly every person on the planet. This book is a collection of stories, poems, and prose from an award-winning author that focuses on the experiences of teens living in New York City during those tumultuous years. These interconnected stories showcase the heartbreak, fear, hope, love, and resilience of humanity during a life-altering time.
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Unhallowed Halls
Available from:Wanting to escape the aftermath of a deadly tragedy, Page accepts a scholarship at a remote boarding school in Scotland. At first, the school is everything Page had hoped for, and she quickly makes new friends. But before long, Page realizes the school harbors dark secrets, and everyone, including her new friends, is hiding something sinister. If you love dark academia, magic, and mystery, you need to read this book!
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Ex Marks the Spot
Available from:This delightfully readable YA novel combines romance, family secrets, and a treasure hunt. When Gemma learns that she has family and a possible inheritance in Taiwan, she enlists the help of her ex-boyfriend, Xander, to help her find both. As they solve puzzles and follow clues, Gemma and Xander also find their way back to each other.
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Dating and Dragons
Available from:From the author of Dungeons and Drama comes another adorkable romance centered around gaming. To make friends at her new school, Quinn joins a D&D game and agrees to the group’s strict rule of not dating other members. But as the campaign continues, Quinn finds it impossible to ignore her crush on Logan, another team member. Sooner or later, the two teens must face their growing feelings for each other.
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The Secret Year
Available from:Despite their differences, Colt and Julia spent the last year in a secret relationship. What started as a friendship blossomed into a love they kept hidden. When Julia dies and Colt receives her diary, he gets the chance to find out how Julia felt about him and what happened the night she died.
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The Last Bookstore on Earth
Available from:After the world ends, Liz converts an abandoned bookstore into her home. When another teenage girl, Maeve, breaks in, the girls form an unlikely alliance to survive. Secrets, romance, and impending doom make this post-apocalyptic YA novel a must-read in 2025.
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Better Than Revenge
Available from:Calling all YA romance lovers! You can’t go wrong with a Kasie West novel when you need some feel-good vibes. When Finley’s ex-boyfriend uses her idea to steal her spot on a podcast show, she decides to get revenge by taking his spot as a kicker on the football team. But she’ll need some help from her ex’s cute and oh-so-datable nemesis to pull off her plan. This book belongs on every romance lover’s reading list!
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I Am the Cage
Available from:In this heart-wrenching novel, a snowstorm in picturesque Wisconsin forces 19-year-old Elisabeth to face her demons. Writing poetry and learning to trust and love again helps Elisabeth heal from the mental and physical pain she is running from. If you love reading books with all the feels, this one is for you!
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While We're Young
Available from:If you love Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, you won’t want to miss this humorous and heartfelt retelling! Grace, Isa, and Everett execute the ultimate senior ditch day in Philadelphia, visiting famous landmarks and eating delicious food. Meanwhile, Grace’s suspicious brother does everything he can to catch the friends and put an end to their day of fun.
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Dear Manny
Available from:Get a box of tissues ready because you’re going to need them when you read Nic Stone’s newest novel about Justyce’s roommate, Jared. As he runs his campaign for class president and deals with his growing feelings for his rival, Jared feels out of his depth. He turns to writing letters to an old friend to help organize his heart and mind.
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The Notorious Virtues
Available from:When her mother gets murdered, Nora must compete against her cousins to keep control of her family fortune and control over magic. But her mother’s death was no accident, and soon, Nora teams up with her illegitimate cousin, Lottie, to learn the truth. Magic, competition, and a killer on the loose make this magical thriller a must-read.
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Somadina
Available from:Somadina and her twin brother, Jayaike, are inseparable until their magical abilities appear. Now, Somadina is ostracized from the community, while Jayaike is adored. But when Jayaike disappears, Somadina sets out on a dangerous journey to find him and bring him home again. This is another unique and beautiful story from the author of the National Book Award finalist, Pet.
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