Books to Mark Your Calendar for: What the Rest of 2012 Brings for YA

So, it’s May already. I have Veronica Roth’s, Cassandra Clare’s, and Kristin Cashore’s newest books coming to me (pre-ordered). I’m reading the ARC for Richelle Mead’s latest YA. Frankly, I don’t think I can be much happier in my reading. However, there’s always so much more to look forward to! And of course while I’m anxiously waiting for some books to come, I can’t help but anxiously await even more books to come.

These are some of the books I’m most excited for that will come out by the end of the year.

 
1) The Diviners by Libba Bray. Publication date: 9/18/12. Description from Goodreads:

“Evie O'Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City--and she is pos-i-toot-ly thrilled. New York is the city of speakeasies, shopping, and movie palaces! Soon enough, Evie is running with glamorous Ziegfield girls and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is Evie has to live with her Uncle Will, curator of The Museum of American Folklore, Superstition, and the Occult--also known as "The Museum of the Creepy Crawlies."

When a rash of occult-based murders comes to light, Evie and her uncle are right in the thick of the investigation. And through it all, Evie has a secret: a mysterious power that could help catch the killer--if he doesn't catch her first.”

How awesome does this sound? Plus, I have so much respect and love for all that Libba Bray writes, and I cannot wait to read this.

2) Nevermore: The Final Maximum Ride Adventure by James Patterson. Publication date: 8/6/12. Description from Goodreads:

“One last chance...
For Max, Fang, Angel, Iggy, Nudge, and Gazzy.
Before it all ends.

Are you ready for the final chapter? Are you ready for the ultimate flight? Because THIS IS IT. One last incredible, explosive adventure with an astonishing ending that no one could have seen coming.”

So, there hasn’t been a new one in this series since I started my blog just over a year ago. And I’ve reading these books since they started in 2005! Granted, Mr. Patterson writes about a million books a year and has fans for all of his series, but still, this one has been a long time coming. And I am so ready for one crazy, awesome, final showdown! 

 
3) Unwholly (Unwind Trilogy # 2) by Neal Shusterman. Publication date: 8/28/12. Description on Goodreads:

“In a society where unwanted and troublesome teens are salvaged for their body parts, Connor, Risa and Lev continue to fight against the system that would 'unwind' them. Thanks to their high-profile revolt at the Happy Jack Harvest Camp, people can no longer turn a blind eye to unwinding. Ridding society of so-called troublesome teens might be convenient, but its morality has finally been brought into question and a new law passed. However, unwinding has become big business, and there are powerful political and corporate interests, not to mention the illegal 'Parts Pirates', that want to see it not only continue, but expand.

Connor, Risa and Lev each struggle to rescue as many AWOL teens as possible and offer them sanctuary. But life at the Graveyard is hard, rivalries bubble under the surface and the cracks are beginning to show.

And then there is Cam, a teen who does not exist. Made entirely out of parts from one hundred other 'unwinds', Cam is a 21st century Frankenstein, a rewound, struggling to find a true identity and meaning, and a place in society. But when a sadistic bounty hunter who takes "trophies" from all the 'unwinds' he captures starts to pursue Connor, Lev and Risa, Cam finds his own fate inextricably bound with theirs…”

So…I had no idea that Unwind, one of the best YA dystopias ever written was going to become a part one in a trilogy until rather recently! I wonder if the author, himself, knew. Book 1 had a good, defined, ending, but I don’t care. If Neal Shusterman wants to continue this awesome story, I am so willing to keep reading!

 
4) Reached by Ally Condie. Publication date: 11/13/12. Description on Goodreads:

“Cassia faces the ultimate choices in the long-anticipated conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Matched Trilogy

After leaving Society and desperately searching for the Rising—and each other—Cassia and Ky have found what they were looking for, but at the cost of losing each other yet again: Cassia has been assigned to work for the Rising from within Society, while Ky has been stationed outside its borders. But nothing is as predicted, and all too soon the veil lifts and things shift once again.

In this gripping conclusion to the #1 New York Times bestselling Matched Trilogy, Cassia will reconcile the difficulties of challenging a life too confining, seeking a freedom she never dreamed possible, and honoring a love she cannot live without.”

I absolutely love these books. I love this new cover. And I am so excited to see how this all comes to an end. 

5) Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor. Publication date: 11/6/12. Description on Goodreads:

“In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed "Daughter of Smoke and Bone," Karou must come to terms with who and what she is, and how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, mysteries and secrets, new characters and old favorites, Days of Blood and Starlight brings the richness, color and intensity of the first book to a brand new canvas.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone was declared a "must read" by Entertainment Weekly, was named a Best Book of the Year by Amazon.com, and The New York Times called it "a breath-catching romantic fantasy."

I was beyond impressed with this first book. It was one of my top favorite books of 2011, and I have a feeling this one might be a top book of 2012. Everything about Karou’s story is just so creative and fascinating. I can’t wait for this!

 
6) For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund. Publication date: 6/12/12. Description on Goodreads:

“Elliot North has always known her place in this world. Four years ago Elliot refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family’s estate over love. Since then the world has changed: a new class of Post-Reductionists is jumpstarting the wheel of progress, and Elliot’s estate is foundering, forcing her to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes renowned explorer Captain Malakai Wentforth—an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while Elliot wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she let him go.

But Elliot soon discovers her old friend carries a secret—one that could change their society . . . or bring it to its knees. And again, she’s faced with a choice: cling to what she’s been raised to believe, or cast her lot with the only boy she’s ever loved, even if she’s lost him forever.

Inspired by Jane Austen’s persuasion, For Darkness Shows the Stars is a breathtaking romance about opening your mind to the future and your heart to the one person you know can break it.”

I love this author. I loved her killer unicorns books. I loved the work she put into Zombies VS. Unicorns. I love Jane Austen. I love Persuasion, which does not have a ton of retellings. What about this book does not sound completely awesome?

 
7) Shadowfell by Juliet Marillier. Publication date: 9/11/12. Description on Goodreads:

“Its name is spoken only in whispers, if the people of Alban dare to speak it at all: Shadowfell. The training ground for rebels seeking to free their land from the grip of the tyrannical king is so shrouded in mystery that most believe it to be a myth.

But for Neryn, Shadowfell's existence is her only hope. She is penniless, orphaned, and utterly alone - and concealing a treacherous magical power that will warrant her immediate enslavement should it be revealed. She finds hope of allies in the Good Folk, fey beings whom she must pretend she cannot see and who taunt her with chatter of prophecies and tests, and in a striking, mysterious stranger, who saves her from certain death but whose motives remain unclear. She knows she should not trust anyone with her plans, but something within her longs to confide in him.

Will Neryn be forced to make the dangerous journey alone? She must reach Shadowfell, not only to avenge her family and salvage her own life, but to rescue Alban itself.”

This author has yet to write anything I have not loved. I loved her adult books! I loved all her YA books. And I’m so excited for a new epic-sounding fantasy from her!

 
8) Rebel Heart (Dust Lands #2) by Moira Young. Publication date: 10/30/12. Description on Goodreads:

“The Tonton have been defeated. Lugh has been rescued. The heartstone has brought Saba and Jack together. Now, Saba and her family head west to meet him and start a new life. All should be well. But shadows of the dead are stalking Saba. And another kind of shadow is creeping over the dustlands. Then a messenger shows up. With news of Jack.”

Blood Red Road was another favorite of mine from 2011, and I am so excited about this sequel! The description is so short, and kind of vague, but that’s okay because nothing is ruined. Really, Saba is just such an amazing main character. I know this has to be good!

 
9) Whispers at Moonrise by C.C. Hunter. Publication date: 10/2/12. Description on Goodreads:

“At a camp filled with vampires, werewolves, and fairies, Kylie Galen has always struggled to figure out what she is. Now she finally knows the truth—but she's left with more questions than answers. She doesn’t have a clue what her heritage means or how to harness her newfound powers. All she knows is that she needs to sort out her feelings for Derek, the sexy half-Fae who just confessed his love, and Lucas, her werewolf boyfriend who seems more committed to his pack than to their relationship. All the while, Kylie's dealing with a group of underground rogues who want her dead and a mysterious grandfather who makes it clear he doesn’t trust the FRU . . . or Shadow Falls. Soon Kylie will have to choose: Will she stay with the new family she’s formed at Shadow Falls, or will she leave with her grandfather and embrace her destiny?”

I just reviewed the latest one in this series. And this author is writing them so fast. No complaints from me. Especially considering that it finally seems as though we will be getting some answers in this next installment!

 
10) Outpost  by Ann Aguirre. Publication date: 9/4/12. Description on Goodreads:

“Deuce’s whole world has changed. Now living topside in a community called Salvation, she has a whole new set of problems. Down below, she was considered an adult, and she contributed to the whole. Now, topside, the people of Salvation think she’s a brat in need of training. She hates school, and she doesn’t fit in with the other girls. They’ve spent their lives learning to cook and sew–suitable woman’s work. Deuce only knows how to fight. To make matters worse, Fade keeps her at a distance, and the band of four has broken into fragments.

Stalker presses for a closer relationship, but Deuce sees him as a training partner, and she’s busy trying to find her place in Salvation. She refuses to accept that she’s wrong for being who she is, but tensions rise as she struggles against the status quo. Her feelings for Fade haven’t changed, but he seems not to want her around anymore. Confused and lonely, she starts looking for a way out.

Once she’s free from school for the year, Deuce pursues a chance to serve in the summer patrols–those responsible for making sure the growers and planters can work the fields without danger of Freak attack. It should have been routine, little fighting, but things have been changing on surface, just as they did below ground. The Freaks are smarter. They’re watching. Waiting. Planning. The monsters don’t intend to let Salvation survive, and it will take a girl like Deuce to turn the tide.”

How good does this sound? I loved the first book in this series. And I can’t wait to see more of Deuce kicking some serious zombie butt!