Time is dwindling away for 2018 and we are steadily approaching 2019! This has been the year of some amazing books as we have been getting more diverse material and authors and so many great works have come out of it. This year we also had the continuation of series we all know and love (Kingdom of Ash and Reaper at the Gates), and with some other incredible new series and stand alones.

I wanted to share all of the books of 2018 that I have been dying to read, besides the obvious ones, in case anyone is interested in what may be out there for new YA novels. 

Save the Date by Morgan Matson

In this latest book from the modern queen of contemporary, there is a wedding to be had, and Charlie believes it’s going to bring her family back together. All of her sisters are reuniting for the first time in four years and she is desperate for a last perfect weekend before her family house is sold. However, like most situations we imagine, nothing turns out how Charlie wanted.

I’ve always loved the concepts of weddings in books and movies, and I really just enjoy anything wedding-related, because put you in such feel-good mood. And every wedding has its drama, so Charlie’s sister’s wedding catastrophe isn’t too unrealistic from I’ve read online.

Sea Witch by Sarah Henning

Sea Witch is an unofficial preamble to the beloved Disney tale, The Little Mermaid. Evie’s best friend drowned and ever since she had been an outcast in her town and has been viewed differently — as a curse and a witch. But Evie feels that she has a chance at happiness after a girl so similar to her best friend washes up on shore and the two fall for charming princes. Evie’s new friend needs her help, though, and she must juggle her love and her magic to save her prince and her friend.

A Touch of Gold by Annie Sullivan

Every YA protagonist has a secret to keep; however, Princess Kora’s secret is a little more noticeable. Because her father had wished to turn all he touched to gold, she is now hidden behind veils and gloves to cover her golden skin. This also gives her the ability to sense gold, so when her father’s treasury is infiltrated, she is the only one who can track down his reserves.

But her powers and the gold are more dangerous than she might have thought.

This August release already has me thinking of how great a TV series would be for this plot and I haven’t even read it yet.

Olivia Twist by Lorie Langdon

This is the book I wanted my entire childhood. A girl raised by thieves who is touch and intelligent is taken in by her uncle, and she is now living in luxury as a debutante despite her haunting past.

I don’t know about you all, but I always fantasized about a childhood spent as a pirate under the wing of Captain Jack Sparrow. I would have devoured this book had it come out some ten years ago — what am I saying? I would devour it now, that’s why it’s on this list.

Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce

Tamora Pierce has written over 30 YA and middle grade books, and she is back with a new series follow Arram Draper, a boy on his way to becoming one of the most powerful mages in his land. Friendships, though strong, can lead difficult choices, and Arram must decide where his loyalties lie.

Markswoman by Rati Mehrotra

Kyra is a member of an order of highly trained female warriors and is sworn to keep peace in her land. She is forced to be on the run when a powerful mistress takes over her order — the mistress she is certain committed murder, but has no proof. When she escapes through a transport hub, she finds herself in the harsh wilderness and in the land of the only order of men. One of the men, an expert Marksman, understands her need to prove the mistress’ guilt and the two grow close over their quest for proof.

Fawkes by Nadine Brandes

Did the angel statues in Doctor Who freak anyone else out? Well imagine becoming one…

Thomas is turning to stone, and the only cure to his plague is to join his father in killing the king of England. Two warring sides accuse the other of creating the horrible plague spreading through 17th century London. Thomas and his father are on the side opposing the king, and his father is convinced killing the king will eliminate the plague. So they plan to blow him up with 36 barrels of gunpowder.

My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand

Much like in the tale of Olivia Twist, we follow a penniless orphan girl turned into a governess. 

As a gothic twist on the original Jane Eyre, we discover that more than skeletons are hiding in Jane’s fiancé’s closet and Jane, Charlotte Bronte and a supernatural are on a ghost hunt. Classical twists have been picking up steam these past few years with the release of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and I am all here for it.

2018 was a crazy year for everyone for various reasons, but at least we got some great books and

inspiration from it.

Let me know down below what new releases you were most excited to read or are most anticipating because I would love to know what else is out there right now!

     Thanks for reading,

          Taylor