Best Young Adult Books April 2025

King of Scars

I found myself utterly captivated by Leigh Bardugo’s “King of Scars.” This gripping tale follows Nikolai Lantsov, the young king of Ravka, as he grapples with dark magic threatening to consume him. Bardugo’s masterful world-building and complex characters drew me in from the first page. The way she weaves political intrigue with supernatural elements is simply mesmerizing. I couldn’t put it down, staying up far too late just to see what would happen next. A must-read for fantasy lovers!

Crooked Kingdom

Kaz Brekker’s crew barely escaped with their lives after pulling off a daring heist in the impenetrable Ice Court. Now, they’re back in Ketterdam, nursing wounds and facing impossible odds. With powerful enemies closing in, Kaz must devise a scheme to outwit them all. As loyalties are tested and old wounds reopened, the gang fights not just for revenge, but for their very survival. Bardugo’s gritty, fast-paced sequel plunges readers into a world of intrigue, where every alliance is fragile and every victory comes at a cost.

Shadow and Bone

Alina Starkov’s ordinary life is shattered when her hidden power awakens, thrusting her into the lavish world of the magical elite. As she struggles to hone her newfound abilities, dark forces conspire against her. Caught between loyalty and love, Alina must unravel the secrets of her past to save her country from the Shadow Fold. Bardugo’s richly imagined Grishaverse comes alive with intrigue, romance, and heart-stopping action that kept me turning pages late into the night.

The Cousins

Milly, Aubrey, and Jonah Story haven’t seen their grandmother in years. When she unexpectedly invites them to work at her island resort for the summer, they’re suspicious. Why now, after all this time? As they uncover family secrets and navigate complex relationships, the cousins find themselves caught in a web of lies and betrayal. With twists at every turn, this gripping mystery will keep you guessing until the very end. McManus masterfully weaves together past and present, creating a suspenseful tale that explores the bonds of family and the weight of long-buried truths.

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.

City of Ghosts

Cassidy Blake’s life changed forever when she nearly drowned. Now, she can see ghosts and cross into the spirit world. When her parents, paranormal investigators, take her to haunted Edinburgh, Cassidy discovers a city teeming with restless spirits. As she unravels a centuries-old mystery, she realizes her gift might be both a blessing and a curse. With her ghostly best friend Jacob by her side, Cassidy must face her fears and confront a powerful entity threatening the living and the dead alike.

The Hero of Ages

Elend Venture’s reign as emperor faces its greatest challenge as the mists grow deadlier, threatening all life. Vin, the Mistborn heroine, grapples with her powers and destiny. As the world teeters on the brink, the crew must unravel ancient prophecies and confront the sinister force behind the mists. Sanderson’s masterful conclusion to the Mistborn trilogy weaves intricate magic, political intrigue, and heart-wrenching sacrifices into an epic tale that left me breathless until the very last page.

The Well of Ascension

Sanderson’s masterful sequel plunges readers back into the mist-shrouded world of Luthadel. Vin, now a powerful Mistborn, grapples with her newfound abilities and the weight of leadership. As political intrigue and ancient prophecies collide, the city teeters on the brink of chaos. I found myself captivated by the intricate magic system and the characters’ inner struggles. Sanderson’s prose paints a vivid, gritty landscape that feels eerily alive. A thrilling ride that left me eagerly anticipating the next installment.