Pop-Culturalist.com

For booknerds like myself, the start of the new year signals the arrival of a plethora of new books to pick up and subsequently add to an already bursting TBR tower. It’s usually a mix of bold new voices, fresh stories from old favorites, and of course, highly anticipated sequels. You know the ones I mean. Those books that you absolutely need to have right now because the previous one ended in a cliffhanger, blew your mind with a game-changing twist, or left you in a puddle of feels. Here are five young adult sequels that I’m excited to get my hands on in 2021.

Chain of Iron by Cassandra Clare

Release date: March 2^nd

Chain of Gold is the first book in the Last Hours trilogy and chronologically the second trilogy in the Shadowhunter world. I ended up loving this book more than I thought I would. I’m completely invested in the stories of Cordelia Carstairs, James Herondale, and all the rest of the children of our beloved Shadowhunters from the Infernal Devices trilogy.

Misfit in Love by S.K. Ali

Release date: May 25^th

The announcement of this sequel to Saints and Misfits was a happy surprise. I’m thrilled to have the chance to reunite with Janna and all her friends as they celebrate a Big Fat Muslim Wedding. Plus, Ali has teased that Adam and Zaynab from her sophomore novel, Love From A to Z, will be making a cameo! Curious about this pair? Read my review of the book to find out more about them.

Of Princes and Promises by Sandhya Menon

Release date: June 8^th

Menon does a fabulous job of crafting a Beauty and the Beast retelling with a modern twist and a hint of magic in Of Curses and Kisses. That’s why I’m especially excited to read her take on a contemporary retelling of The Frog Prince starring Rahul and Caterina in the second novel of the Rosetta Academy trilogy. Read my review for Of Curses and Kisses here.

Our Violent Ends by Chloe Gong

Release date: November 16^th

These Violent Delights is a dark Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai with rival gangs, monsters, and an enemies to lovers romance that is a must read. The action and danger continue in the sequel as Juliette and Roma face a threat to their city and deal with their complicated relationship. For more on These Violents Delights, read Pop Culturalist’s interview with author Chloe Gong.

Journey to the Heart of the Abyss by London Shah

Release date: October 26^th

I immediately fell in love with The Light at the Bottom of the World right from the very first line. The under water setting is what drew me in but it was the adventure, high-stakes, and many twists that kept me glued to the pages. If there is one sequel I desperately need to read ASAP, it’s definitely this one! For more on The Light at the Bottom of the World, read my review and interview with author London Shah.