Young Adult New Releases March 21st 2023

Happy release day to most of today’s YA New Releases which we have highlighted below, and you can check out most of March’s YA on our Bookshop page, and don’t forget to check in with the available Signed Preorders & incentives page!

The Future King (Emry Merlin, #2)

by Robyn Schneider
Published by: Viking Books for Young Readers
on March 21, 2023
Genres: Mythology, Retellings, Young Adult
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Return to the hotbed of thirst and scandal that is Camelot in this highly anticipated sequel to The Other Merlin.

Emry can now openly train as a female wizard, but life at court is far from easy when her magic is starting to become uncontrollable, along with her crush on the future King Arthur.

Fresh from an epic victory over sorceress Morgana Le Fay to keep the doorway between worlds safely closed, Emry Merlin should be flying high. She no longer has to hide that she's a girl wizard in Camelot, and the battle has brought her closer than ever to Prince Arthur, with whom she has slowly fallen in love. Even her hapless but beloved twin brother Emmett has joined her at court.

But Emry is hiding a secret, and she's not the only one. Her magic has become unpredictable and dangerous, casting spells that she doesn't intend. Despite destiny acting like he's worthy, Prince Arthur knows he doesn't have what it takes to rule Camelot--until a terrible tragedy forces his hand. And though Guinevere is hooking up with the hottest guy in the palace, it's not who she's actually betrothed to . . .

Free Radicals

by Lila Riesen
Published by: Nancy Paulsen Books
on March 21, 2023
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
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Afghan-American Mafi's sophomore year gets a whole lot more complicated when she accidentally exposes family secrets, putting her family back in Afghanistan in danger in this smartly written YA debut.

Sixteen-year-old Mafi Shahin knows life is not always fair. If it were she’d have just as much freedom as her older brother Rafi and her crush—basketball star Jalen Thomas—would see her as more than Rafi’s kid sister. And if life were fair, Mafi’s family in Afghanistan wouldn’t have to flee their homes to be safe.

Life may not be fair, but as the Ghost, her high school’s secret avenger, Mafi vows to make it a bit more even, meting out karmic justice on behalf of classmates who’ve been wronged. They simply leave a revenge note detailing the transgression in the knot of the SOL tree, and Mafi takes care of the rest.

But there are rules to being the Ghost: Don’t get caught. Never reveal your identity. Never involve the police, and definitely don’t get emotionally involved. But starting sophomore year, everything changes when instead of a revenge note, a wish turns up in the tree and Mafi breaks all her rules, putting her heart and even her family in Afghanistan at risk. Now Mafi will have to decide who she wants to be—the Ghost, making the world a just place from the shadows or something real, standing up for what’s right in the daylight.

While You Were Dreaming

by Alisha Rai
Published by: Quill Tree Books
on March 21, 2023
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
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This YA debut from powerhouse romance author Alisha Rai tackles undocumented immigration against the backdrop of viral online fame, fake dating, and a love triangle. A must-read for fans of Nicola Yoon or Sandhya Menon.

If Sonia Patil had her way, she’d be attending her local comic con instead of covering a shift for her boss’s daughter. Since Sonia’s mom was deported and her sister, who never claimed deferred status under DACA, had to forgo college to support them, Sonia’s had her hands full with work, school, and pretending everything is okay at home.

Then Sonia, in homemade superhero cosplay, stumbles into saving her crush James’s life. When a video of the daring rescue goes viral, she—or, rather, a mysterious masked savior—is thrust into the spotlight. Now she’s hiding from TikTok detectives while trying to connect with James. And while she’s drawn to his friendly but oblivious nature, she can’t deny her escalating chemistry with another awkwardly charming boy.
Juggling crushes and a secret identity might just take superpowers. Will Sonia be able to hide in plain sight forever?

The Sinister Booksellers of Bath (Left-Handed Booksellers of London #2)

by Garth Nix
Published by: HarperTeen
on March 21, 2023
Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Young Adult
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Return to the enchanting world of The Left-Handed Booksellers of London in this sequel by Garth Nix, bestselling master of teen fantasy, where once again a team of booksellers must fight to keep dangerous magic under cover before the stuff of legends destroys our world.

There is often trouble of a mythical sort in Bath. The booksellers who police the Old World keep a careful watch there, particularly on the entity that inhabits the ancient hot spring.

This time trouble comes from the discovery of a sorcerous map, leading left-handed bookseller Merlin into great danger, requiring a desperate rescue attempt from his sister, the right-handed bookseller Vivien, and art student Susan Arkshaw, who is still struggling to deal with her own recently discovered magical heritage.

The map takes the trio to a place separated from this world, maintained by deadly sorcery and guarded by monstrous living statues. But this is only the beginning. To unravel the secrets of a murderous Ancient Sovereign, the booksellers must investigate centuries of disappearances and deaths. If they do not stop her, she will soon kill again. And this time, her target is not an ordinary mortal.

The Witch and the Vampire

by Francesca Flores
Published by: Wednesday Books
on March 21, 2023
Genres: Fantasy, LGBTQIA+, Paranormal, Retellings, Young Adult
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Francesca Flores's The Witch and the Vampire is a queer Rapunzel retelling where a witch and a vampire who trust no one but themselves must journey together through a cursed forest with danger at every turn.

Ava and Kaye used to be best friends. Until one night two years ago, vampires broke through the magical barrier protecting their town, and in the ensuing attack, Kaye’s mother was killed, and Ava was turned into a vampire. Since then, Ava has been trapped in her house. Her mother Eugenia needs her: Ava still has her witch powers, and Eugenia must take them in order to hide that she's a vampire as well. Desperate to escape her confinement and stop her mother's plans to destroy the town, Ava must break out, flee to the forest, and seek help from the vampires who live there. When there is another attack, she sees her opportunity and escapes.

Kaye, now at the end of her training as a Flame witch, is ready to fulfill her duty of killing any vampires that threaten the town, including Ava. On the night that Ava escapes, Kaye follows her and convinces her to travel together into the forest, while secretly planning to turn her in. Ava agrees, hoping to rekindle their old friendship, and the romantic feelings she'd started to have for Kaye before that terrible night.

But with monstrous trees that devour humans whole, vampires who attack from above, and Ava’s stepfather tracking her, the woods are full of danger. As they travel deeper into the forest, Kaye questions everything she thought she knew. The two are each other's greatest threat—and also their only hope, if they want to make it through the forest unscathed.

Life is Strange: Steph's Story

by Rosiee Thor
Published by: Titan Books
on March 21, 2023
Genres: LGBTQIA+, Young Adult
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The official origin story of LiS fan-favourite Steph Gingrich featuring LGBTQ+ romance, inevitable heartbreak, and the punk-rock beginnings of Drugstore Makeup.

"So, what kind of lesbian are you?"
"The kind that... likes... girls?"
"Same."

Setting the stage for her appearance in Life is Strange: True Colors, this official Steph Gingrich novel sheds light on the Drugstore Makeup years and the story of how Steph crash-landed in Haven Springs, Colorado.

Steph Gingrich has finally run out of couches to surf. Now she’s back at her dad’s place in Seattle to figure out what she wants to do with the rest of her life.

Steph fills her time working at the local gamer café during the day and running RPG sessions at night, that is until Izzie whirls into Steph's existence clutching a crumpled stack of band posters. Izzie is electric: a punk, a girl who likes girls, and a hella good guitarist. Turns out the punk life is exactly what Steph needs. She loves the music, the art, and the fashion, but most of all she likes the girl. Entranced, she offers to drum for Izzie, forming the band Drugstore Makeup.

A hit in more ways than one, Drugstore Makeup compete in a battle of the bands before deciding to tour the offbeat punk venues of America. But Steph and Izzie soon find themselves on different wavelengths, unable to communicate, and needing different things.

Lucha of the Night Forest

by Tehlor Kay Mejia
Published by: Make Me a World
on March 21, 2023
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
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An edge-of-your-seat fantasy about a girl who will do anything to protect her sister--even if it means striking a dangerous bargain. Dark forces, forgotten magic, and a heart-stopping queer romance make this young adult novel a must-read.

A scorned god.
A mysterious acolyte.
A forgetting drug.
A dangerous forest.

One girl caught between the freedom she always wanted and a sister she can't bear to leave behind.

Under the cover of the Night Forest, will Lucha be able to step into her own power...or will she be consumed by it?

This gorgeous and fast-paced fantasy novel from acclaimed author Tehlor Kay Mejia is brimming with adventure, peril, romance, and family bonds--and asks what it means for a teen girl to become fully herself.

Star Wars: The High Republic: Chronicles of the Jedi: An Illustrated Guide to the Galaxy's Golden Age

by Cole Horton
Published by: Insight Editions
on March 21, 2023
Genres: Sci-Fi
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For light and life.

Immerse yourself in the thrilling world of Star Wars: The High Republic with this incredibly illustrated guide to the golden age of the Jedi!

Set hundreds of years before the Skywalker Saga, this book is the ultimate in-universe guide to the Jedi Knights of Star Wars: The High Republic, providing fascinating insight into a time of valiant heroes, terrifying monsters, and daring exploration. Featuring stunning original illustrations and exclusive new revelations, this striking book is an essential collectible that will transport you to the galaxy’s gilded age.

THE ULTIMATE IN-UNIVERSE JEDI GUIDE: Learn about the Jedi of the High Republic, with detailed profiles of heroes such as Avar Kriss, Bell Zettifar, Stellan Gios, Keeve Trennis, Burryaga, Yoda, and more.

STUNNING ILLUSTRATIONS: See fan-favorite characters, creatures, vehicles, and locations come to life through amazing illustrations and never-before-seen artwork.

LEARN THE SECRETS OF THE HIGH REPUBLIC: Uncover the mysteries of the Force and learn about the technology of the Jedi Order, including its starfighters and the unique lightsaber designs of this incredible era.

COMPLETE YOUR STAR WARS COLLECTION: This book joins Star Wars: The Lightsaber Collection, Star Wars: The Secrets of the Sith, and Star Wars: The Ultimate Pop-Up Galaxy in Insight Editions’ library of fan-favorite Star Wars titles.

Three Drops of Blood

by Gretchen McNeil
Published by: Disney-Hyperion
on March 21, 2023
Genres: Thriller, Young Adult
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A Good Girls Guide to Murder meets Hitchcock in this novelfrom celebrated author Gretchen McNeil. A mundane office job takes a dark turn when a girl witnesses a double murder through the window.

Being an actress, Kate is no stranger to drama. And when her chance at a leading role gets cancelled, she is willing to do whatever it takes to get her acting career back on track even if that means getting a boring office job at her best friend's father's law firm so she can prove to her parents she can to support herself rather than go back to high school. Now, rather than living life on the big screen, she is stuck filing mundane contracts and watching the people in the office across from hers live their equally boring lives.

But when Kate sees things heat up between a woman and her assistant, her new source of entertainment take a turn for the worse when she witnesses a double murder. Now, she must get anyone to believe her and find out who this mystery woman is to get answers. But as she learns more and more about the circumstances leading to the gruesome act, she begins to realize there is a bigger mystery under the surface...

In this voyeuristic thriller filled with twists and turns, can Kate get anyone to believe her before she becomes the next victim?