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Happy (belated) New Year, Pop Culturalist Readers! Are you ready for all the awesome new books releasing this year? It’s going to be a year filled with captivating YA fantasy, epic adventures across the galaxy, and more #ownvoices stories. With so many books to choose from, I narrowed it down to my top 11 picks that you should add to your TBR pile for 2019. You don’t want to miss out on these incredible stories and authors!

 
 

~YA FANTASY~

Slayer by Kiersten White

Release date: January 8th
As a Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan, I’m very excited to read a book set in that same world. This story follows twins Nina and Artemis as they grow up and train at the Watcher’s Academy. A Watcher guides, trains, and helps the Slayer as she protects the world from demons, vampires, and other forces of darkness. In an unexpected turn of events, Nina is chosen as the last Slayer and must come to grips with her new destiny and responsibility.

King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo

Release date: January 29th
This is the story of Nikolai Lanstov after the events of Ruin and Rising. Yes, you should read the Grishaverse Trilogy AND the Six of Crows duology before reading this one. There will be spoilers for the other two series. I’m thrilled Bardugo decided to write another story with one of my favorite characters from the Grisha world!

We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal

Release date: May 14th
This debut by Hafsah Faizal is my most anticipated read of 2019! Set in a world inspired by ancient Arabia, the story follows Zafira, a Huntress in search of a magical artifact that can save her world from darkness, and Nasir, the prince turned assassin sent to kill Zafira and end her noble quest.

The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh

Release date: October 8th
Renee Ahdieh’s new series centered on vampires will be one readers are ready to sink their teeth into. Part murder-mystery, part fantasy, and all romance, this is sure to be another favorite in the YA community.

Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare

Release date: November 19th
This is the fourth installment in the Shadowhunter Chronicles. Chain of Gold is the first book in The Last Hours trilogy, that takes place in Edwardian London, and follows the characters from The Infernal Devices series. Be sure to read The Mortal Instruments, The Infernal Devices, and The Dark Artifices books before diving into this one. Spoilers abound!

~YA SCI-FI~

Superman: Dawnbreaker by Matt de le Pena

Release date: March 5th
The last of the DC Icons collaborations with popular YA authors ends with the Man of Steel’s story. Superman: Dawnbreaker takes us back to Smallville where a young Clark Kent is just coming into his own with his powers and destiny.

Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Release date: May 7th
Pitched by Jay Kristoff as The Breakfast Club meets Guardians of the Galaxy, this story follows Tyler Jones, a student prodigy, and his team of misfits as they embark on their very first mission upon graduating from the interstellar military academy. Their rescue of Aurora, a girl just awakened from cryo-sleep after two hundred years, throws Tyler and his squad into the center of a brewing war in the galaxy.

~YA CONTEMPORARY~

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas

Release date: February 5th
Sixteen-year-old Bri dreams of becoming a successful rapper. With the harsh realities of life trying to keep her down, Bri is determined to fight for her dream.

Love From A to Z by S.K. Ali

Release date: May 7th
A poignant and heart-felt love story between two Muslim teens, Zayneb and Adam, based on a chance encounter at an airport.

Somewhere Only We Know by Maurene Goo

Release date: May 7th
A teen rom-com reimagining of Roman Holiday, K-Pop star Lucky and tabloid reporter Jack go on a wild adventure through Hong Kong.

There’s Something About Sweetie by Sandhya Menon

Release date: May 14th
In this companion novel to When Dimple Met Rishi, it’s Rishi’s little brother’s turn to be set up by their parents. Ashish agrees to date Sweetie, a track athlete and plus size Indian-American girl. As Ashish and Sweetie get to know each other, will it result in the love match their parents are hoping for?

Photo Credit: Joyce McCown