Top Five Tuesday | YA Autumn/Winter Releases ’18

With Christmas and 2019 just around the corner, I thought I’d finally update my Top Fives and talk about anticipated releases for the final few months of the year. I’m almost certain I’ve delved into future releases a few times already this year, but they’re my favourite things to talk about on this blog; it’s something to look forward to! Plus, it’s a good opportunity to discover what’s popular at the moment in the world of YA.

The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy | Mackenzi Lee

Series: Montague Siblings #2
Genre: Historical, Historical Fiction, Young Adult, LGBT
Released: 15th November 2018

A year after an accidentally whirlwind grand tour with her brother, Monty, Felicity Montague has returned to England with two goals in mind – avoid the marriage proposal of a lovestruck suitor from Edinburgh and enroll in medical school. However, her interest and passion will never be enough in the eyes of the administrators, who see men as the sole guardians of science.
But then a window of opportunity opens – a doctor she idolises is marrying an old friend of hers in Germany. Felicity believes if she could meet this man he could change her future, but she has no money of her own to make the trip. Luckily, a mysterious young woman is willing to pay Felicity’s way, so long as she’s allowed to travel with Felicity disguised as her maid.
In spite of her suspicions, Felicity agrees, but once the girl’s true motives are revealed, Felicity becomes part of a perilous quest that leads them from the German countryside to the promenades of Zurich to secrets lurking beneath the Atlantic.

Although, I’ve yet to read the first book completely, I’m so excited for this release. I managed around 50% of the audio-book of the first installment, before having to abandon it during a busy time a few months back, and fell in love with Felicity’s character nearly immediately. I can’t wait for her character to be completely fleshed out in her own title! Hopefully, I’ll have time to return to The Gentleman’s Guide… before November.

Goodreads profile here.

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Saving Death | R. L. Endean

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Magic
Released: 5th November 2018

Two tortured souls. One unthinkable love.
Ava is already trying to navigate the dark depths of grief when she meets a curious stranger who knows too much. In a desperate need to feel anything other than pain, she is drawn to him, intrigued by the rush he invokes in her. Soon, she finds herself hurled into a shattered world of dangerous emotions, black magic and primal loyalties; and it is here she begins to unlock truths that might have been better left alone.

I first heard about this book by a flyer given to me at YALC earlier this year, and I’ll be completely honest when I say that it’s because of the cover that I researched into it. It’s gorgeous. However, the plot itself sounds dark and gripping compared to many YA romances on the market right now.

Goodreads profile here.

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What If It’s Us | Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, LGBT, Romance
Released: 18th October 2018

Arthur is only in New York for the summer, but if Broadway has taught him anything, it’s that the universe can deliver a showstopping romance when you least expect it.
Ben thinks the universe needs to mind its business. If the universe had his back, he wouldn’t be on his way to the post office carrying a box of his ex-boyfriend’s things.
But when Arthur and Ben meet – cute at the post office, what exactly does the universe have in store for them?
Maybe nothing. After all, they get separated.
Maybe everything. After all, they get reunited.
But what if they can’t quite nail a first date… or a second first date… or a third?
What if Arthur tries too hard to make it work… and Ben doesn’t try hard enough?
What if life isn’t like a Broadway play?
But what if it is?

If you’re in the YA book scene, I’m pretty sure you’ve heard about ‘What If It’s Us’ maybe once, twice, or fifteen-hundred times. Although, I’m not the biggest fan of Becky Albertalli, I could complain about her writing forever, and I’ve never picked up a book by Adam Silvera before, this book is so exciting. It seems like the perfect gay romance and I can’t wait to settle down reading it over the coming winter evenings. I just hope it lives up to expectation.

Goodreads profile here.

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An Assassin’s Guide to Love and Treason | Virginia Boecker

Genre: Historical, Historical Fiction, Romance, Young Adult
Released: 6th December 2018

When Lady Katherine’s father is killed for being an illegally practicing Catholic, she discovers treason wasn’t the only secret he’s been hiding: he was also involved in a murder plot against the reigning Queen Elizabeth I. With nothing left to lose, Katherine disguises herself as a boy and travels to London to fulfill her father’s mission, and to take it one step further — kill the queen herself.
Katherine’s opportunity comes in the form of William Shakespeare’s newest play, which is to be performed in front of Her Majesty. But what she doesn’t know if that the play is not just a play — it’s a plot to root our insurrectionists and destroy the rebellion once and for all.

I only discovered this novel through researching for this blog post and I’m already in love. It has everything I could want out of a YA novel; murder, a badass female protagonist, Shakespeare, what more do you need? Roll on December!

Goodreads profile here.

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To Make Monsters Out of Girls | Amanda Lovelace

Series: things that h(a)unt #1
Genre: Poetry, Feminism
Released: 18th October 2018

In this first installment, Lovelace explores the memory of being in an abusive relationship, She poses the eternal question: Can you heal once you’ve been marked by a monster, or will the sun always sting?

Anyone who knows me knows I adore Amanda Lovelace. She’s my all-time favourite poet and I idolise her work so much, so I’ve been obviously anticipating this anthology since it’s announcement a few months ago. Although, I’d promised myself I’d preorder it before its release, unfortunately life has gotten in the way. So, instead I’ll be skipping down to Waterstones on Thursday!

Goodreads profile here.