2016 saw a number of newly released books, but only a handful really caught our attention. The Bookstacked Team identified seven YA books that we feel excel above the rest. The books below captured our hearts with important characters, engaging plots and beautiful writing. They’re in no particular order. You’ll also find a few honorable mentions at the bottom of this page.
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Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
A stunning cover with an even more stunning story. Leigh Bardugo’s sequel to her highly-acclaimed Six of Crows thrilled readers with twists, turns and an endearing ensemble of characters.
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The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson
Matson’s latest contemporary novel reminds us that not everything turns out the way we expect. Readers found The Unexpected Everything to be both addicting and heart-warming.
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A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir
Sabba Tahir proves that fantasy is still strong in her second novel. The highly-anticipated sequel to An Ember in the Ashes brings Tahir’s characters to their limits and offers readers an unforgettable story of love, courage and sacrifice.
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A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
Stunning, surprising, and spellbinding — Sarah J. Maas once again captured readers with incredible worlds and vivid characters, marking her as one of the best in the business.
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Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard
Victoria Aveyard spun a harrowing tale in Glass Sword, raising the stakes for Mare and co. With an expansive world and deeper characters, this book proved itself a worthy sequel to its predecessor.
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Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Gemina, like its predecessor, proves that print isn’t dead. Not only does it sport a gorgeous design both inside and out, this book takes readers for a stellar and emotional journey they won’t soon forget.
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Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan
As always, high stakes, loveable characters and hilarious wit make The Hammer of Thor a fantastic sequel to The Sword of Summer and a great addition to Riordan’s ever growing collection of published novels.
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Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by Jack Thorne
While not a novel, many fans got the chance to re-enter J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World through Jack Thorne’s published screenplay. Read Our Review
Morning Star by Pierce Brown
A rising name in science fiction, Pierce Brown continues to stun readers in his concluding installment of the Red Rising Trilogy.
Calamity by Brandon Sanderson
Heart-pounding action and an epic conclusion to Sanderson’s spin on superheroes makes Calamity a notable mention among last year’s many publications.
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