Best Teen Books April 2025 | ReaderRadar.com

King’s Cage

In this electrifying third installment of the Red Queen series, Mare Barrow finds herself trapped in a gilded cage, powerless and at the mercy of her nemesis. As she struggles to maintain hope, unexpected alliances form and old loyalties are tested. Aveyard’s masterful storytelling weaves a tale of betrayal, resilience, and the cost of power. With pulse-pounding action and heart-wrenching moments, King’s Cage will leave readers breathless, eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this thrilling saga.

Red Queen

In a world divided by blood, Mare Barrow discovers she possesses a deadly power of her own. Forced to play a dangerous game, she risks everything to help a growing rebel movement. But this is no fairytale – in the treacherous royal court, one wrong move could be fatal. With twists that’ll leave you breathless, “Red Queen” is a thrilling ride through a realm where power corrupts and love might just be the strongest magic of all.

The Archived

Mackenzie Bishop’s world is filled with secrets and shadows. As a Keeper, she’s tasked with returning the restless dead to their eternal sleep in the Archive. But when her little brother dies and her family moves to the Coronado, an old hotel turned apartment building, Mac’s carefully ordered life begins to unravel. Strange disturbances in the Archive and mysterious deaths in the Coronado force her to confront long-buried truths about her past and the nature of the Archive itself. With time running out and danger closing in, Mac must decide who to trust and what she’s willing to sacrifice to protect the living and the dead.

One of Us Is Next

Bayview High is still reeling from Simon’s death when a new game emerges, daring students to play or risk their secrets being exposed. As the stakes escalate, three unlikely friends find themselves at the center of the chaos. With each round, the game grows more dangerous, pushing boundaries and testing loyalties. McManus weaves a gripping tale of suspense, friendship, and the lengths we’ll go to protect our truths. This pulse-pounding sequel will keep you guessing until the very last page.

Two Can Keep a Secret

In this gripping thriller, Ellery arrives in Echo Ridge, a town haunted by unsolved mysteries. As she digs into her family’s dark past, including her aunt’s disappearance, a new homecoming queen vanishes. Ellery becomes entangled in a dangerous web of secrets, realizing everyone in town has something to hide. With twists that’ll keep you guessing, McManus crafts a suspenseful tale of small-town intrigue that’ll have you questioning who to trust until the very end.

One of Us Is Lying

Five students walk into detention, but only four make it out alive. When Simon, the creator of a notorious gossip app, dies under suspicious circumstances, his classmates become prime suspects. As secrets unravel and tensions rise, Bronwyn, Addy, Nate, and Cooper must navigate a web of lies and betrayal. With each twist, they question not only their peers but themselves. This gripping thriller explores the dark side of high school, where everyone has something to hide, and the truth is deadlier than fiction.

Prodigy

In a world where genius is feared, June and Day are two extraordinary teens on opposite sides of a dystopian society. As their paths collide, they uncover dark secrets and face impossible choices. Lu’s gripping narrative weaves together action, romance, and political intrigue, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. I couldn’t put it down, staying up way too late just to see what would happen next. A thrilling ride that left me eagerly anticipating the sequel.

Legend

In a world where the lines between reality and fantasy blur, Marie Lu’s “Legend” captivates with its gritty dystopian vision. Two teens from opposite sides of a fractured society collide in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse. As they unravel dark secrets, their loyalties are tested and an unlikely bond forms. Lu’s vivid prose and breakneck pacing keep readers on edge, while exploring themes of justice, power, and the cost of rebellion. A thrilling ride that lingers long after the last page.

Concrete Rose

Maverick Carter’s life is a balancing act. At seventeen, he’s juggling school, slinging drugs for the King Lords, and caring for his newborn son. When tragedy strikes close to home, Mav faces tough choices that could change everything. As he navigates fatherhood, loyalty, and the weight of his community’s expectations, Mav discovers inner strength he never knew he had. This raw, powerful story of growth and resilience will leave you rooting for Mav long after the last page.

On the Come Up

Sixteen-year-old Bri dreams of becoming a rapper, following in her father’s footsteps. But with her mom struggling to make ends meet and her family on the brink of homelessness, Bri’s rhymes become more than just music—they’re her ticket to survival. As she navigates the cutthroat world of hip-hop, Bri faces tough choices that could make or break her future. Thomas’s raw, authentic voice shines through in this powerful story of ambition, identity, and the price of chasing your dreams.