Category: Young Adult Fiction Lists

Discover New Books with Book Lists by Nicole Adrianne

Step into the world of young adult fiction, where the impossible becomes ordinary and the unimaginable is all too real. Here, you can discover novels and series recommended by Nicole Adrianne, a young adult dystopian author whose passion for all things science fiction, fantasy, and post-apocalyptic is sure to spark your imagination.

Within this category, you’ll find a variety of listicles that offer a glimpse into the most captivating young adult novels and series on the market. You can also navigate fresh perspectives on young adult literature as a genre, explore gift ideas for bookworm friends, and open doors to vast bookish communities where you can connect with other avid readers. Whether you’re a fan of futuristic worlds or post-apocalyptic landscapes, there’s something for everyone here.

You’ll find these articles especially helpful if you’re looking to read YA sci-fi for the first time or explore swoony, clean young adult reads that are high on romance and emotions but low on steam and spice. Here, you can discover new YA books that will keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you wanting more, from thrilling page-turners to mind-bending mysteries that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Explore new worlds, meet unforgettable characters, and dive into gripping storylines that will take you on an unforgettable journey. So, whether you’re a returning fan of young adult fiction or a newcomer to the genre, this category is the perfect place to discover your next favorite read.

Not sure where to start? Try one of our most popular articles:

3 Astonishing Reasons Why We Treasure Dystopian Young Adult Literature

Have you ever wondered why we love dystopian young adult literature so much? This genre has become widely popularized over the past two decades with the arrival of books like The Hunger Games and Divergent. Like other sci-fi and fantasy genres, these stories offer an escape from reality into a fictional world.

However, dystopian worlds are famous for being bleak, segregated, and oppressive. How can these fascinating, yet dark universes draw so many intelligent, positive readers?

Despite the outwardly negative atmosphere, these unusual books actually benefit readers of all ages. Let’s talk about three reasons why we need dystopian young adult literature now more than ever!

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Reason #1: Dystopian Stories Encourage Critical Thinking

One of the key themes of young adult dystopian books is the portrayal of class differences. Those fictional social hierarchies can help us view our world through a different lens. For example, dystopian literature exposes young readers to the concept of privilege. How? Well, these stories illuminate how the privileged can use their status to perpetuate oppression. This oppression inevitably comes at the expense of the less fortunate. That concept can be eye-opening for many young readers who haven’t yet encountered injustice in their own lives.

Further, young adult dystopian books offer a critique of society that encourages readers to question the status quo. These books can empower young readers to think critically about the world around them. That’s an invaluable gift! Asking questions and seeking answers is especially important in today’s political climate, where many people are quick to accept everything they hear without questioning its validity.

Reason #2: Young Adult Literature Promotes Positive Action

In addition to highlighting class differences, young adult dystopian books also encourage readers to make a positive difference in their communities. Many of these series feature teenage protagonists who struggle against an oppressive government, fighting for a better world. These characters can serve as role models for young readers, inspiring them to take action and make a positive impact in their communities and social circles.

One of the most famous examples of this is in The Hunger Games series. Katniss Everdeen, the protagonist, becomes a symbol of resistance against the oppressive government of Panem. Her courage, determination, and willingness to fight for what is right are qualities that young readers can emulate in their own lives. Through this genre, young female readers can also analyze unconventional role models, like:

  • Mare Barrow, a hopelessly romantic thief and hooligan with a heart of gold (Red Queen)
  • Margot Gardner, an inquisitive, industrious scientist who struggles to reconcile her boyfriend’s prejudice against a minority group (Survivors of the Rising Sea)
  • Eira Estridsen, an autistic princess who wants to escape royal responsibilities and an abusive guardian (Post-Apocalyptic Princesses)
  • Jada Breaker, a socially anxious genius and goody-two-shoes celebrity who has to break the rules to discover the truth about her best friend’s murder (Miles & Breaker)

Reason #3: Dystopian Fiction Softens Prejudice

In addition to inspiring action, these books can also encourage readers to develop empathy and compassion for others. Through the portrayal of diverse characters and perspectives, young adult literature can challenge stereotypes and promote acceptance by exposing readers to a range of experiences. These stories can help even young readers to understand and appreciate differences, rather than fearing or hating them. That’s how reading diverse fiction helps soften and overcome prejudice.

Why You Should Keep Reading Dystopian Young Adult Literature

In conclusion, young adult dystopian books are important for several reasons. They can help readers to understand the inequalities and injustices that exist in our society, as well as encourage them to question the status quo and make a positive difference in their communities. Additionally, these books promote empathy, compassion, and acceptance, helping to overcome prejudice. So, young adult dystopian books have enormous potential to not only entertain but to educate, inspire, and empower readers of all ages.

Free Bonus Gift for Dystopian Literature Lovers

In the mood for a page-turning dystopian story you won’t be able to put down? Read Girl in the Dark, the prequel to the Post-Apocalyptic Princesses series, for free!

Girl in the Dark features:

  • A rags-to-riches retelling of Cinderella
  • Medieval fantasy elements mixed with modern technology
  • An explosive battle
  • An assassin
  • Plot twists and betrayals from start to finish!
  • An intense grumpy and sunshine romance
  • And more…

Girl in the Dark, a work of dystopian young adult literature by Nicole Adrianne. Download it for free here!

Girl in the Dark: A Tale of Dystopian Royalty by Nicole Adrianne

Evil stepmothers aren’t born—they’re made.

After a devastating plague nearly destroyed humanity, Vespera never expected to leave the safety of her rural homestead. But the ruling royals chose her to help repopulate the kingdom’s capital city, and a single peasant girl can’t defy a power-hungry new government without a death wish.

Things go from bad to worse when, instead of rewarding her loyalty as promised, the city officials doom her to a life of servitude and labor in the lowest class of society. When blind obedience to her rulers leaves her unemployed, homeless, and estranged from her family, Vespera’s attempt to change her fate and avenge the peaceful life she lost leads to even more trouble.

Because in a city swarming with nobles, soldiers, and rebels, revenge will come at a desperate cost…

If you can’t get enough of Grimm’s imaginative Fairy Tales, Marissa Meyer’s Cinder, Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen, and Kiera Cass’ The Selection series, then you’ll be enchanted by the heart and suspense of Post-Apocalyptic Princesses.

Girl in the Dark, a dystopian fairytale retelling loosely inspired by Cinderella, is the series’ prequel. It takes place chronologically before the first Post-Apocalyptic Princesses novel, Girl in the Snow.

Grab a copy of Girl in the Dark to start this chilling, villainous royal dystopian fantasy story today!

10 Science Fiction Books for Teens who Love YA Fantasy

When’s the last time you saw a list of science fiction books for teens?

It’s nearly impossible to be part of today’s young adult book community without smacking into a wall of YA fantasy novels. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with that. Young adult fantasy novels are popular for a reason: they’re amazing!

But my first literary love, young adult science fiction, has thousands of mind-blowing stories to add to the YA bookish community. Each year, I only get more irritated as young adult fantasy books overshadow their young adult sci-fi counterparts. They deserve equal hype!

If you’re a fantasy lover, then you might tell me young adult sci-fi books aren’t for you. There’s not enough romance, it’s too unbelievable, aliens are boring…

So I’ve made it my mission to change your mind. You’ve got to give YA sci-fi a chance! You just might find a new favorite series…or 12.

Check out this list of 10 young adult sci-fi books for fans of YA fantasy to discover a whole new world of reading! For each book rec, I’ve broken down its similarities to popular young adult fantasy reads to help you decide which one you’ll love the most.

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This article is part of the YA Sci-Fi Spotlight blog hop hosted by YA Sci-Fi and Fantasy Addicts. Each post has a fun freebie and a chance to win our giveaway!

Spotlight on Science Fiction Books for Teens: Blog Collection

young adult sci-fi books spotlight blog hop. Spotlight on Science Fiction Books for Teens

10 Young Adult Sci-Fi Books You’ll Devour If You Love Young Adult Fantasy Novels

Cyborgs & Crowns: Young Adult Science Fiction Books with Royalty

5 Reasons You Should Read YA Sci-Fi

Review of Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz – A Gem in the YA World

5 Awesome YA Sci-fi Covers

Parallel Universes and Portal Fantasy

Should I Read YA Science Fiction? Readers Share What They Love about the Genre.

Out-of-This-World YA Indie Sci-Fi Books!

The Mirror Souls: YA Sci-Fi Trilogy for Love Triangle Fans

Altering human traits… can it really happen?


the host by stephanie meyer

The Host by Stephanie Meyer

Tropes: love triangle, homogenous species

Great for fans of: Red Queen, Shadow and Bone

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away after an unusual species invades the earth. These aliens take over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact. Wanderer, the invading “soul” who has been given Melanie’s body, didn’t expect to find its former tenant refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

As Melanie fills Wanderer’s thoughts with visions of Jared, a human who still lives in hiding, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she’s never met. Reluctant allies, Wanderer and Melanie set off to search for the man they both love.

Featuring one of the most unusual love triangles in literature, The Host is a riveting and unforgettable novel about the persistence of love and the essence of what it means to be human.


girl in the dark by nicole adrianne

Girl in the Dark by Nicole Adrianne

Tropes: dark villain origin story, pseudo-European medieval setting, royalty

Great for fans of: Graceling, Heartless

Evil stepmothers aren’t born—they’re made.

After a devastating plague nearly destroyed humanity, Vespera never expected to leave the safety of her rural homestead. But the ruling royals chose her to help repopulate the kingdom’s capital city, and a single peasant girl can’t defy a power-hungry new government without a death wish.

Things go from bad to worse when, instead of rewarding her loyalty as promised, the city officials doom her to a life of servitude and labor in the lowest class of society. When blind obedience to her rulers leaves her unemployed, homeless, and estranged from her family, Vespera’s attempt to change her fate and avenge the peaceful life she lost leads to even more trouble.

Because in a city swarming with nobles, soldiers, and rebels, revenge will come at a desperate cost…

If you can’t get enough of Grimms’ twisted Fairy Tales and Kiera Cass’ The Selection series, then this is your next addicting read.

Grab a copy of Girl in the Dark to start this chilling, villainous royal dystopian fantasy story today!


the illuminae files by Jay Kristoff & Amie Kaufman

The Illuminae Files by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Tropes: lovers to enemies to lovers, reluctant hero

Great for fans of: These Violent Delights, A Shadow in the Ember

This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do. 

This afternoon, her planet was invaded. 

The year is 2575, and two rival mega-corporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than a speck at the edge of the universe. Now, with enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra – who are barely even talking to each other – are forced to evacuate with a hostile warship in hot pursuit. 

But their problems are just getting started. A plague has broken out and is mutating with terrifying results; the fleet’s AI may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a web of data to find the truth, it’s clear only person who can help her is the ex-boyfriend she swore she’d never speak to again. 

Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents – including emails, maps, files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more – Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.  


renegades by marissa meyer

Renegades by Marissa Meyer

Tropes: enemies to lovers, chosen one

Great for fans of: The Cruel Prince, Percy Jackson

Secret Identities.
Extraordinary Powers.
She wants vengeance. He wants justice.

The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies—humans with extraordinary abilities—who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone…except the villains they once overthrew.

Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice—and in Nova. But Nova’s allegiance is to the villains who have the power to end them both.


girl in the snow by nicole adrianne: 10 Young Adult Sci-Fi Books You'll Devour If You Love Young Adult Fantasy Novels

Girl in the Snow by Nicole Adrianne

Tropes: arranged marriage, friends-to-lovers, reluctant royal, autistic main character, runaway princess

Great for fans of: Throne of Glass, Six of Crows

No electricity, no phones, and a broken princess to blame. Winter in the Seven Kingdoms just got colder…

After her stepmother promised her in marriage to a smug, stuck-up stranger, Eira thought she couldn’t get any angrier. Now, she’s on the run, and the entire kingdom is convinced that she built an EMP device and destroyed their power grid.

With Eira’s best friend, infuriating fiancé, and the entire Royal Guard on her tail, staying hidden in a tiny village seems like her best—and only—option. But, as Eira uncovers a series of long-hidden truths about the Queen and late King, hiding from her destiny becomes nearly impossible.

Will Eira’s evidence be enough to convince the kingdom of her innocence, or will it be just enough to get her executed?

If you can’t get enough of Grimm’s imaginative Fairy Tales and Kiera Cass’ The Selection series, then you’ll be enchanted by the heart and suspense of Post-Apocalyptic Princesses.

Grab a copy of Girl in the Snow to start the dangerously clever journey today!


scythe by neal shusterman: 10 Young Adult Sci-Fi Books You'll Devour If You Love Young Adult Fantasy Novels

Scythe by Neal Shusterman

Tropes: reluctant hero, competition, enemies to lovers, morally grey

Great for fans of: The Shadows Between Us, To Kill a Kingdom

Two teens must master the “art of killing” in this New York Times bestselling, Printz Honor–winning young adult sci-fi book series from Neal Shusterman.

Thou shalt not kill:

A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery. Humanity has conquered all those things, and has even conquered death. Now scythes are the only ones who can end life—and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control.

The scythes choose Citra and Rowan as apprentices—a role that neither wants. These teens must master the “art” of taking life, knowing that the consequence of failure could mean losing their own.

When they try to break free of their roles, the two apprentices discover those in power will not peacefully relinquish their control. Can Citra and Rowan change things for the better without being silenced themselves?


all these monsters by Amy Tintera: 10 Young Adult Sci-Fi Books You'll Devour If You Love Young Adult Fantasy Novels

All These Monsters by Amy Tintera

Tropes: love triangle, chosen one

Great for fans of: The Selection, Percy Jackson

Seventeen-year-old Clara is finally ready to fight back. Fight back against her abusive father, fight back against the only life she’s ever known, and most of all, fight back against scrabs, the earth-dwelling monsters that are currently ravaging the world. So when an opportunity arises for Clara to join an international monster-fighting squad, she jumps at the chance.
 
When Clara starts training with her teammates, however, she realizes what fighting monsters really means: sore muscles, exhaustion, and worst of all, death. Scrabs are unpredictable, violent, and terrifying. But as Clara gains confidence in her battle skills, she starts to realize scrabs might not be the biggest evil. The true monsters are the ones you least expect.


miles and breaker box set by nicole adrianne: 10 Young Adult Sci-Fi Books You'll Devour If You Love Young Adult Fantasy Novels

Miles & Breaker by Nicole Adrianne: A Box Set of Science Fiction Books for Teens

Tropes: forbidden love, starcrossed lovers, girls in STEM, twisty plot, competition

Great for fans of: Red Queen, Shatter Me

Two students. Twelve months. One victor.

After prodigy Jada Breaker’s best friend is murdered in a terrestrial terrorist attack, high school is the last thing on her mind. With a shocking piece of evidence in hand, she’s ready to launch her own investigation and find out the truth about her friend’s death: tragic accident, or cruel assassination?

When an unexpected competitor arrives from Earth to challenge Jada’s future and freedom, though, she’ll need an undivided mind to win the fight. If she continues her investigation, she’ll risk losing the future she’s always dreamed of. 

But if Jada fails to learn the truth before graduation, a galaxy-wide conspiracy will grow unchecked and destroy everything she’s ever known…

If you loved the suspense of The Hunger Games and the intrigue of Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game, then you’ll adore the heart and mystery of Miles & Breaker.


cinder by marissa meyer: 10 Young Adult Sci-Fi Books You'll Devour If You Love Young Adult Fantasy Novels

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Tropes: royalty, chosen one

Great for fans of: The False Prince, We Hunt the Flame

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.


the loneliest girl in the universe by lauren james: 10 Young Adult Sci-Fi Books You'll Devour If You Love Young Adult Fantasy Novels

The Loneliest Girl in the Universe by Lauren James

Tropes: girls in STEM, smart female lead, twisty plot, dark

Great for fans of: Caraval, Furyborn

A surprising and gripping sci-fi thriller with a killer twist

The daughter of two astronauts, Romy Silvers is no stranger to life in space. But she never knew how isolating the universe could be until her parents’ tragic deaths left her alone on the Infinity, a spaceship speeding away from Earth.

Romy tries to make the best of her lonely situation, but with only brief messages from her therapist on Earth to keep her company, she can’t help but feel like something is missing. It seems like a dream come true when NASA alerts her that another ship, the Eternity, will be joining the Infinity.

Romy begins exchanging messages with J, the captain of the Eternity, and their friendship breathes new life into her world. But as the Eternity gets closer, Romy learns there’s more to J’s mission than she could have imagined. And suddenly, there are worse things than being alone….


Bonus Gift for Fans of Science Fiction Books for Teens

Are you sick of the competition between young adult sci-fi books and fantasy stories? I wish they could peacefully coexist…

Which is why I adore sci-fantasy as a genre!

Before you go, grab a FREE copy of my short story, Hood: The Lieutenant. It’s set in the unique, twisty, sci-fantasy universe of Post-Apocalyptic Princesses, and featured beloved tropes like…

  • found family
  • royalty
  • pseudo-European medieval settings
  • unbreakable female friendships
  • diverse representation (Asian, Black, and autistic!)

…then you’ll love this young adult dystopian fantasy adventure.

Click the picture below to download it for free. You can even send the link to your book-loving friends so they can read it for free too! 

hood the lieutenant by nicole adrianne

Hood: The Lieutenant by Nicole Adrianne

Of course, 14-year-old Robin worried about her grandma living alone in the forest.

With her mother deployed in the Royal Guard and her brother running a criminal empire, Nonna was the closest family she had. But she never imagined that knights would show up to arrest Nonna and throw her into prison—for crimes Nonna definitely committed.

To save Nonna from a slow, lonely death in jail, all Robin has to do is travel to the nation’s capital city, find a mysterious contact, and break her grandma out of a high-security prison. Except she has no papers, no money to travel, and no family to accompany her.

Robin faces an impossible choice: let her beloved Nonna stay in prison forever, slowly weakening under a cruel government’s torture… or find the strength to resist the government alone.

If you’re a fan of The Selection’s world of royalty, Marissa Meyer’s futuristic Cinder, and Grimms’ imaginative, twisted fairy tales, then you’ll fall in love with Hood!

Read Hood today to enter the thrilling dystopian fantasy series Post-Apocalyptic Princesses.


Want More Science Fiction Books for Teens?

Don’t forget to check out YA Sci-Fi and Fantasy Addicts! There, you’ll discover awesome new authors and young adult sci-fi books, keep up with the latest YA book news, and find free ebooks.

10 Clean Romance Novels For Young Adults Who Love Sci-Fi and Fantasy

Does the word “smut” make your heart palpitate? Do TikTok videos about “spice” make your palms sweaty? Are you sick of cringeworthy, badly written sex scenes? Then it might be time to try clean romance novels for young adults!

While there’s nothing wrong with choosing romantic reads that contain mature content and lots of heat, there’s also nothing wrong with reading clean romance novels—especially if smut and spice make you feel uncomfortable.

Fortunately, there are tons of clean romantic reads out there to choose from. I’ve curated this list of 10 clean romance novels for young adults with high ratings from the science fiction and fantasy categories of the web. If you love sci-fi, fantasy, and swoon-worthy romances without all the sex, these 10 novels should keep you busy until Valentine’s Day and beyond!

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This article is part of the Book Boyfriends & Girlfriends blog hop hosted by YA Sci-Fi and Fantasy Addicts. Each post has a fun freebie and a chance to win our giveaway!

Book Boyfriends & Girlfriends Blog Hop Schedule

Book Boyfriends and Girlfriends Blog Hop Hosted By YA Sci-Fi and Fantasy Addicts

Nice Guys Finish First:  My Favorite YA Book Boyfriends

YA Dystopian Book Boyfriends

10 Clean Romance Novels For Young Adults Who Adore Sci-Fi and Fantasy

Printable Bookish Valentine’s Cards

Diversity and YA Romance

Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Book Lovers in Love

Apollo – the Anti-Book Boyfriend

Happy Palentines – the Best YA Book Friendships 

Love Triangles: Love Them or Love Them Not?

February Blog Hop: Edgy or Safe Love Match?

F/F Couples That Are Goals

Trope-off: Enemies to Lovers vs. Friends to Lovers in YA Love Stories

May The Best Friend Win – Favorite Friends to Lovers Books

Fall In Love With Diverse Fantasy and Sci-Fi Books


girl in the dark by nicole adrianne

Girl in the Dark by Nicole Adrianne

Evil stepmothers aren’t born—they’re made.

After a devastating plague nearly destroyed humanity, Vespera never expected to leave the safety of her rural homestead. But the ruling royals chose her to help repopulate the kingdom’s capital city, and a single peasant girl can’t defy a power-hungry new government without a death wish.

Things go from bad to worse when, instead of rewarding her loyalty as promised, the city officials doom her to a life of servitude and labor in the lowest class of society. When blind obedience to her rulers leaves her unemployed, homeless, and estranged from her family, Vespera’s attempt to change her fate and avenge the peaceful life she lost leads to even more trouble.

Because in a city swarming with nobles, soldiers, and rebels, revenge will come at a desperate cost…

If you can’t get enough of Grimms’ twisted Fairy Tales and Kiera Cass’ The Selection series, then this is your next addicting read.

Grab a copy of Girl in the Dark to start this chilling, villainous royal dystopian fantasy story today!


A Girl From Forever by Yolanda McCarthy:10 Clean Romance Novels for Young Adults Who Adore Science Fiction and Fantasy

A Girl From Forever by Yolanda McCarthy

Would you choose loyalty or love?

The secretive Forever Institute towers over London. Some say it’s a cult, others call it mafia, but to seventeen-year-old Fern, Forever is simply home. A home she’s never been permitted to leave.

The Institute’s mysterious scientists gave Fern everything: tutors, friends, a body that will never age, and psychic abilities (if she can work out how to access them). They also gave her a purpose… Fern will be part of a new dawn for humanity, although she’s never been told exactly how.

Then Fern is contacted by a cryptic telepath from outside the Institute, whose revelations force her to question what she’s been taught. Children are being murdered, the Institute could be responsible, and Fern is in danger. But Fern’s new friend has secrets of his own…

They told her she was special. They said that she would live forever. And they lied.

Some lies are lethal.


The Deathday Chronicles by Kasia Lasinska: 10 Clean Romance Novels for Young Adults Who Adore Science Fiction and Fantasy

The Deathday Chronicles by Kasia Lasinska

In the Grand Alliance of American States… His days are numbered.

I’m Theo, and my deathday is in ten days.

The vivid, poison-green digits burning into my left wrist won’t let me forget it.

I brave my remaining days with my best friend by my side — if only I could bring myself to finally kiss her.

But after the Government gives me a mysterious parting gift, I can’t help but start a wild hunt for a clue that could explain deathdays. Or stop them.

With time running out, every choice I make could be my last…

The Countdown is the addictive full-length prequel to the young adult dystopian series The Deathday Chronicles. Full of action, adventure, romance and heroes in unexpected places, it’s perfect for fans of The Hunger GamesDivergent and The Maze Runner★★★★★

Grab it now! The countdown is on.


Feathers of Snow by Alice Ivinya: 10 Clean Romance Novels for Young Adults Who Adore Science Fiction and Fantasy

Feathers of Snow by Alice Ivinya

In Brianna’s new world of ice and snow, the coldest things by far are the eyes of her betrothed…Brianna bears a deadly secret: she’s not the princess she is pretending to be. If the prince finds out, her life will be forfeit and her country plunged into war.But there is more to the icy prince than meets the eye, and Brianna slowly unravels the secrets of his dark past while surviving in a strange culture.However her goodness and wit will only get her so far. Terrifying beasts stalk the border and a murderer is at work in the town. They know the truth of Brianna’s identity and will stop at nothing to destroy all she has fought for.


Saving Eden by K. R. S. McEntire: 10 Clean Romance Novels for Young Adults Who Adore Science Fiction and Fantasy

Saving Eden by K. R. S. McEntire

A jaded resistance fighter. A magical mutant girl. A quest to save the last beacon of hope in a deadly, dystopian world.

Sixteen-year-old Angela thinks she and her father are the last survivors on Earth. She dreams of adventure and romance but only finds it in books. In the confines of her garden paradise, she’s untouched by contaminants that caused the rest of humanity to mutate into murderous beasts or die. But the lure of the outside world is irresistible.

When a seventeen-year-old boy stumbles upon Angela’s home with news about a thriving community, she dares to leave her garden for the first time. The dystopian society that she finds is deadlier than she expected, and the wardens tasked with protecting the settlement have murderous secrets. Does she have what it takes to stay alive and save humanity in the process?

The Hunger Games meets The Darkest Minds in a thrilling coming-of-age adventure.


Elemental by Sudha Kuruganti: 10 Clean Romance Novels for Young Adults Who Adore Science Fiction and Fantasy

Elemental by Sudha Kuruganti

Sparks will fly when East and West collide…
India, 1851

When the British first arrived, Meera saw them for who they were: ruthless invaders who cared nothing for the land and the people who called it home.

Captain Michael Dalton proves her wrong.

But as the Guardian of the Forest, she can’t afford to let her walls down, even if this kind-eyed English soldier stirred her heart in ways she had never experienced before…


Michael Dalton thought the secret forest was a dream—a lush woodland, hidden just a few miles from their barracks, full of fragrant blooms and aromatic fruit…

And then she had appeared.

Long, dark hair. Stunning amber eyes, huge and ringed with kohl.

He has to see her again.


When Meera meets Michael, the attraction between them is undeniable.

But what Michael doesn’t know is that there’s more to Meera than meets the eye…and her secret could end up being the death of them both.


On Wings and Ash by Jo Holloway: 10 Clean Romance Novels for Young Adults Who Adore Science Fiction and Fantasy

On Wings and Ash by Jo Holloway

A quirky pet goose, an arranged marriage she dreads, and a secret ability that could get her killed …

Alessa’s life is complicated.

I should know. I’ve spent the past few years of my immortal life at her side, watching over her through the eyes of her feathered companion.

With the town’s festival for Hades approaching and a visiting delegation from Sparta on the way, Alessa just needs to keep her head down and not reveal my existence. But this day is full of surprises, starting with the warrior we find in the woods.

This Spartan’s ego is as big as his sword, but Alessa can handle him. Too bad the missing princess he’s searching for isn’t our first disaster of the day … nor our last. By the time the bonfires are lit, Alessa’s only hope to save the princess and herself from a death sentence is to put her trust in two men.

One is the stranger she’s been promised to in marriage.

The other is the man she’s been forbidden to love all her life.

And me? I’ll have to save the rest of the town.

Because tonight is also the night my kind become monsters.


Viridia by Tim Frankovich: 10 Clean Romance Novels for Young Adults Who Adore Science Fiction and Fantasy

Viridia by Tim Frankovich

When Beryl uses his cybernetic implant to help a mysterious refugee escape the police, he finds himself leading a revolution.

Fueled by hatred of Viridia, the green dragon, and hunted by the draconic head of the police, Beryl and his friends conceive an audacious plan:

Kill all six of the immortal dragons who have ruled over humanity for a thousand years.

But killing even one dragon is impossible. Even if they succeed, thousands could die in retribution.

Will Beryl’s hatred and rage be enough to overcome the odds?


The Sphere of Infinity by Day Leitao: 10 Clean Romance Novels for Young Adults Who Adore Science Fiction and Fantasy

The Sphere of Infinity by Day Leitao

Watch out for your wishes. 

Alana’s dream is to leave the poverty-stricken, government-controlled planet where she lives with her mother. But that’s impossible when she can barely manage enough to eat. Her big chance comes in a well-paid mission to retrieve a golden sphere. The problem: it’s in the Ghost Ship, a mysterious alien spaceship that has been abandoned for millennia. Nobody has ever set foot on it and come out alive. How will Alana manage it?

Meanwhile, Jasper has come to her planet to oversee the government. His real goal? To see the mysterious dragons—if they are still alive. 

Destiny brings them together and thrusts the fate of the Samitri Planet and the Human Universe in their hands. 


Station Alpha by Nicole Adrianne: 10 Clean Romance Novels for Young Adults Who Adore Science Fiction and Fantasy

Station Alpha by Nicole Adrianne

Two students. Twelve months. One victor.

After prodigy Jada Breaker’s best friend is murdered in a terrestrial terrorist attack, high school is the last thing on her mind. With a shocking piece of evidence in hand, she’s ready to launch her own investigation and find out the truth about her friend’s death: tragic accident, or cruel assassination?

When an unexpected competitor arrives from Earth to challenge Jada’s future and freedom, though, she’ll need an undivided mind to win the fight. If she continues her investigation, she’ll risk losing the future she’s always dreamed of. 

But if Jada fails to learn the truth before graduation, a galaxy-wide conspiracy will grow unchecked and destroy everything she’s ever known…

If you loved the suspense of The Hunger Games and the intrigue of Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game, then you’ll adore the heart and mystery of Station Alpha. 

Click the button below to buy this clever YA dystopian mystery today!


Bonus Gift for Anti-Valentine’s Day

Are you single and sick of hearing about happy couples? I know exactly how you feel. Before you go, grab a FREE copy of my novella, Survivors of the Rising Sea. Its strong female protagonist escaping a toxic relationship should be just the girl to lift your spirits!

If you like…

  • found family
  • pirates
  • vikings
  • unbreakable female friendships

…then you’ll love this 15-chapter young adult dystopian fantasy adventure. Click the picture below to download it for free. You can even send the link to your book-loving friends so they can read it for free too! 

Survivors of the Rising Sea by Nicole Adrianne

As the oceans rise higher, Vikings and pirates battle for dominance.

Middle-class Viking Margot is stuck in a dead-end job, working for a powerful, thankless boss. When a sudden workday storm leaves Margot shipwrecked and floating in the raging sea, she’s ecstatic to be rescued—until she discovers her rescuer is a mafia pirate.

Margot is shaken to the core to learn her boss—one of the community enforcers appointed to drive criminals away—is working hand in hand with the highly illegal mafia. But after Margot is thrown into her enemy’s world, she realizes her life could have a greater purpose than endless servitude.

Will she break away from her rescuer and return to a demanding, fruitless job beside her beloved boyfriend…or leave it all behind to become an outlaw herself?

No matter what Margot decides, hearts—and bones—will be broken.

If you’re craving the danger of The Hunger Games and the morally grey dystopia of Neal Shusterman’s Arc of a Scythe, then you’ll be addicted to Nicole Adrianne’s thrilling new tale of survival.

Grab Survivors of the Rising Sea to start the emotionally gripping adventure today!

8 of The Best Unusual Gifts For Book Lovers

Do you have friends who love to read? It’s hard to pick the best gifts for book lovers, especially if you don’t share their passion. You could always ask your friend what presents they want, sure. But if your friend has their head in the clouds like most readers, or if they’re just too polite, then you might not get a direct answer!

You don’t want to get someone the wrong present, like a present that’s just not “them”, or a present that’s nice enough but will get shelved the next day and forgotten in a week. That’s just wasting your money. 

But, if you know your friend likes books, that’s all the information you need to pick a present they’ll appreciate and treasure forever. I’ve already done the hard work and compiled a list of the greatest bookish presents! To get started on your hunt for the perfect present, check out my list of the 8 best gifts for friends who read.

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This article is part of the 12 Bookish Days of Winter blog hop, hosted by YA Sci-Fi and Fantasy Addicts. Each post has a fun freebie and a chance to win our mega-giveaway!

12 Days of Winter Bookish Blog Hop Schedule

1 – YA Christmas Reads + Sweets

1 Bonus – Hosting a Secret Santa Gift Exchange with Your Bookish Friends

2 – Gift Ideas for Friends who Read

3 – Found Family Trope Reads

4 – White Stag Review + Decadent Vegan Hot Cocoa Recipe

5 – Book Room Christmas Decor + Favorite Christmas Reads

6 – 12 Favorite Fantasy Books of the Year

7 – A Christmas Playlist to Read To

7 Bonus – Christmas Traditions + Favorite Holiday Reads

8 – Tamales and Books!

9 – Winter Book Review: Wicked Lovely

10 – Derby Pie and Fond Memories

11 – Mistletoe Myths & Stories

12 – A Soul as Cold as Frost Review + Coffee Recipe

12 Bonus – Tea Pairings & Winter-Themed Books

Wrap-Up – All the Stocking Stuffers + Big Giveaway

The Best Gifts For Book Lovers Who Read Young Adult Novels

Does your friend love The Hunger Games and A Court of Thorns and Roses? Is your friend obsessed with #BookTok? Then the best gift for your friend is probably more books! Don’t worry: books aren’t too ordinary or too boring. Believe it or not, bookworms love getting new books more than anything! 

The Best Gifts For Young Adult Readers: The Cruel Prince Trilogy Hardcover Boxed Set
The Best Gifts For Young Adult Readers:  Six of Crows Collector’s Edition

For a special occasion, allow me to recommend a hardcover boxed set that will leave your friend in absolute awe of your thoughtfulness. The Cruel Prince Trilogy or a special print like the Six of Crows Collector’s Edition are both totally on-trend, well-written YA stories that would make the perfect present for your bookish companion. Just make sure those aren’t in their library yet! 

The Best Gifts For Young Adult Readers: Girl in the Dark: A Tale of Dystopian Royalty

Does your friend already have the traditionally published YA essentials like the books above? Get them an underrated indie YA story like Girl in the Dark: A Tale of Dystopian Royalty. Your friend will be so impressed with your discerning taste in books: especially if you buy them the hardcover version!

The Best Gift For Tech-Savvy Readers

The next time you see someone staring at their phone in public, don’t be too quick to judge. They could be reading an ebook! In fact, about a third of Americans who bought a book in 2020 bought a digital version instead of a print version. 

One of the Best Gifts for Friends Who Read: Kindle Paperwhite

If your friend is obsessed with ebooks, consider getting them an e-reading device like a Kindle Paperwhite. That way, instead of bringing a whole suitcase of books on vacation, they can just bring one handy device and have thousands of books available at their fingertips. The Paperwhite’s warm, paper-feel screen will make your friend feel like they’re holding a real book, but without the weight and wrist strain! The long battery life and glare-proof screen also ensures that your friend can read all day, inside or out.

The Best Gift For Binge Readers

Does your friend starts their next book immediately after finishing the first one? They’ll adore Scribd! A Scribd gift membership is the perfect gift for binge readers. It offers access to nearly unlimited ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, podcasts, sheet music, and more.

One of the Best Gifts for Friends Who Read: Scribd Gift Membership

I’m actually a Scribd customer myself, and I can vouch that their library of titles is incredibly huge. Even the hottest YA fantasy and dystopian titles are all there: most of them in both ebook and audiobook versions! So, if your friend regularly finishes a whole series in one week, try Scribd.

The Best Gift For Audiobook Readers

Does your busy friend multitask while they read? I’m a fan of listening to audiobooks when I cook, clean, and drive. Likewise, some of my friends use the time while they knit, crochet, or ride the bus to listen to a book. One of them even increases the playback speed so she can get through books faster!

Get your friends an Audible subscription because the best gifts for book lovers are more books!

If that sounds like your loved one, then they would definitely appreciate Audible. A gift Audible membership will give them a new audiobook each month to keep, plus access to Audible’s ever-growing on-demand library. You can even choose between a 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, or year-long subscription!

The Best Gift For Older or Disabled Readers

It’s awfully hard to read a paperback while lying down in bed. Has your loved one ever complained about something similar? Get them a TILISMA Book Page Holder! This nifty device holds the book open for you, letting you read even a hardcover book one-handed or while in bed. Most women take a size small, but be sure to get the next size up if your friend is male or has thicker fingers.

One of the Best Gifts for Friends Who Read: TILISMA Book Page Holder

A page holder is an excellent and thoughtful gift for older readers or readers with arthritis, physical disabilities, or chronic illnesses. I have arthritis in my hands, and I can say the TILISMA page holder really helps me reduce wrist strain. Even better, if your friend or loved one is neurodivergent and can’t stop fidgeting while they read (like me), this page holder also makes a great fidget toy! You can rock it against a hard surface, put it on your finger and spin, or rub its smooth, curved edges like a worry stone to reduce stress and promote happiness.

The Best Gifts For Book Lovers Who Read With Kids

Trader Joe’s hot chocolate spoons are perfect for the friend who always needs a snack when they read. Just pop one into a steaming mug of milk and watch it melt into a cozy winter treat! It’s soothing to watch the “spoon” slowly disappear, especially for kids, and it’s an epic, social-media-worthy experience your friend can post all over the place.

One of the Best Gifts for Friends Who Read: Trader Joe's hot chocolate spoons

These spoons are also good if you have a hidden motivation: want to support your friend’s book hobby while also letting them know that it’s not really your thing? 😂 Go for this indirect present: something they can enjoy while they read, but not actually book-related. Your friend will love them, but not so much that they’ll try to force you to start that new series they’re hyping…probably.

The Best Gift For Book Reviewers

One of the Best Gifts for Friends Who Read: The Book Lover's Hardcover Spiral Reading Journal

Is your friend constantly posting book reviews on social media? The Book Lover’s Hardcover Spiral Reading Journal is one of the very best gifts for friends who read and review! This journal will help your friend keep track of books they’ve already read, list books they want to read in the future, and record detailed thoughts about each book. Additionally, it’s totally Instagrammable and super cute!

The Best Gifts For Book Lovers Who Read Slowly

One of the Best Gifts for Friends Who Read:  Handmade Vintage-Style Metal Feather Bookmarks

Is your friend too busy to read all the books they want? That probably means they’re only reading one or two chapters at a time. In order to save their place when they pause, they deserve a bookmark that reflects their elegance, beauty, and sophistication. These trendy Handmade Vintage-Style Metal Feather Bookmarks are sure to delight any reader!

Free Gift For You

Did any of those ideas resonate with you? Did any of them make you think, “I want that. I need that. It’s perfect for me…I’m the friend who needs this in their life.”

Well, I’m here to tell you: it’s okay if you’re the friend. Treat yourself! Just be sure to share the wealth with your loved ones, too. 😁 But before you hit Amazon and empty your wallet, get started with these awesome gifts from me to you.

First, here’s one of my favorite stories, Survivors of the Rising Sea

If you like…

  • found family
  • pirates
  • vikings
  • strong female leads

…then you’ll love this 15-chapter YA dystopian fantasy adventure. Click the picture below to download it for free. You can even send this story to your book-loving friends, so they can read it for free too! 

Get a Free Copy of Nicole Adrianne's Young Adult Dystopian Novella Survivors of the Rising Sea When You Sign Up for Her Newsletter. Remember to share it with your friends! The best gifts for Book Lovers are more books!

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