The Cursed Queen's Daughter
Thirstwood #2
Elly Blake

Publisher: 
​Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Pub Date: Feb. 10, 2026

Genre: YA Fantasy
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Synopsis: 


A warrior princess falls for a shadow prince in this darkly romantic companion to 'The Forest King's Daughter.' 

​Fearless Thea has never known life outside of war. As the favorite daughter of the Sylvan King, she’s a relentless fighter who longs to lead his army as First Huntsman, ignoring the pretty clothes and fanciful notions others enjoy. But when a mysterious dress full of dark magic appears on her hearth one evening, Thea doesn’t know how to fight an enemy she can’t see or touch. Still, her curiosity builds as a new gown appears each night—until she gives in to temptation and is whisked to a forgotten land of shadows.

The prince of the shadow realm is a handsome host, and while Thea does all she can to resist his charms, it’s clear he knows something about the long-ago disappearance of Thea’s mother. All he asks in return is for Thea to dance with him, their dangerous attraction growing each time she returns for more information. Meanwhile, shadows are seeping into the living realm, and Thea may have to embrace her own darkness if she has any chance of saving her beloved sisters and home from an otherworldly threat.

From the author of the Frostblood Saga comes the second book in a spellbinding series about the daughters of the powerful forest king, with simmering romance and plot twists that will leave readers desperate to enter the Thirstwood themselves. 

Content Warning:  Blood, war, death, violence

About the Author:
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​Elly Blake is the NYT bestselling author of the Frostblood Saga and the Thirstwood series. After earning a BA in English literature, she held a series of seemingly random jobs including project manager, customs clerk, graphic designer, reporter for a local business magazine, and library assistant. She lives in Southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids, and rescue dogs.
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Her work is represented by Suzie Townsend of New Leaf Literary & Media.

A Promised Vengeance
Sara B. Larson

Publisher: 
​Jumelle Press

Pub Date: Oct. 28, 2025

Genre: Adult Fantasy
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Synopsis: 


​​From the author of the 'DEFY' trilogy, get ready to immerse yourself in this romantasy reimagining of 'The Count of Monte Cristo!' 

Falsely accused of murder, impoverished Elodie Dantès is torn from her childhood love, Killian, stripped of her most valuable possession—a forbidden artifact that wields ancient power—and banished to the otherworldly prison of Autremonde.

Awaiting certain death in a world poisoned by magic, Elodie meets an unexpected ally, and together they begin digging for an escape. However, once Elodie is finally free, she discovers that the very people who betrayed her are those she trusted the most. Consumed by vengeance, Elodie develops a plan to ruthlessly destroy them all.

But all too soon Elodie is forced to choose whether vengeance is worth the price, especially if it means losing the love of her life forever. 

Content Warning:  violence

About the Author:
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​Sara B. Larson is the author of the acclaimed YA fantasy DEFY trilogy (DEFY, IGNITE, and ENDURE), the DARK BREAKS THE DAWN duology (DARK BREAKS THE DAWN and BRIGHT BURNS THE NIGHT), and SISTERS OF SHADOW AND LIGHT DUOLOGY.

Her new releases include a YA fantasy coming Fall 2025, and EVERY BEAT AFTER (adult debut) coming spring 2026.

She can’t remember a time when she didn’t write books—although she now uses a computer instead of a Little Mermaid notebook. Sara lives in Utah with her husband, their four children, and their dogs, Loki the Maltese and Bindi the English Cream Retriever. She writes in brief snippets throughout the day and the quiet hours when most people are sleeping.

Her husband claims she should have a degree in “the art of multitasking.” When she’s not mothering or writing, you can often find her at the gym repenting for her sugar addiction.

​Until the Clock Strikes Midnight
Alechia Dow

Publisher: 
​Macmillan Children's Publishing Group / Feiwel & Friends

Pub Date: Feb. 3, 2026

Genre: YA Fantasy
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Synopsis: 


​​'The Good Place' meets the Brandy version of 'Cinderella' in 'Until the Clock Strikes Midnight', a cozy, romantic fantasy from award-winning author Alechia Dow. 


Darling is the most talented—and unusual—Guardian to get a chance at winning the coveted once-in-a-generation Mortal Outcome Council mentorship. Getting the spot would mean having the opportunity to shape the future happiness of all mortal realms—if she succeeds at her first assignment, Lucy Addlesberg. Darling thinks it’ll be an easy razzle-dazzle job… until she actually meets Lucy. Her life is a complete mess, from her failing bookshop in her downtrodden village to her doomed flirtation with the princess of Lumina. But if there’s one thing Darling’s good at, it’s a makeover.


Calamity is the most talented—and arrogant—Misfortune of his class. It’s his job to save mortals from their own terrible decisions made in the pursuit of the mythical “Happily Ever After.” When Calam is granted a shot at the Mortal Outcome Council mentorship, he thinks his dreams are finally coming true. But first, he must pass the test. It should be easy—Lucy Addlesberg has been unfortunate for years. All he has to do is continue her string of bad luck so she can finally come to terms with reality and settle for a safer, more logical path in life. Yet when he arrives, he finds that Lucy has a Guardian assigned to her too—a chipper overachiever who is as colorful as the magic pouring from her glittery wand.
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To thwart each other, Darling and Calam insert themselves into Lucy’s life posing as a betrothed couple. As they try to guide her down what they each see as the best path for her, they start questioning their roles and ultimately what they truly want for themselves… and if those feelings of loathing they have for each other might actually be something more like love.  

Content Warning: Bipolar disorder, intrusive thoughts, brief self-harm and passive suicidality

About the Author:
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​Alechia Dow is a former pastry chef, librarian, and award-winning author of acclaimed YA scifi-fantasies: The Sound of Stars (a Junior Library Guild Selection and Hal Clement ALA notable), The Kindred (Locus & Ignyte finalist, Indie Next Kids January 2022 Pick, British Science Fiction Association’s Best Book for Younger Readers Nominee, Bank Street College’s Best Children’s Book of 2023), A Song of Salvation (Kirkus starred, British Science Fiction Association’s Best Book for Younger Readers Finalist, Hal Clement ALA notable, Locus finalist), several short anthology pieces, and middle grade stories Just a Pinch of Magic (PW starred, Kirkus starred & Best Middle Grade of 2023), The Cookie Crumbles and Their Just Desserts which she co-authored with Tracy Badua.

When not writing, you can find her having epic dance parties with her family, baking, reading, and exploring her local food scene.

Game, Set, Match
Jennifer Iacopelli

Publisher: 
​Hachette Book Group / Requited

Pub Date: Feb. 2, 2026

Genre: Adult Romance
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Synopsis: 


​​She's a tennis superstar on the rise. He's the bad boy champ who broke her heart. When they meet on the court, their competition is hot -- but their chemistry is even hotter. 

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All of Penny Harrison’s hard work is finally paying off. At 21 years old, she’s a tennis icon in-the-making, with massive sponsorship deals and legendary status on the horizon, if she can just nail the upcoming Grand Slam in Paris. Until then, there’s no room for mistakes.

When she returns to the prestigious Outer Banks Tennis Club to train, though, she comes face to face with the biggest mistake she ever made: Alex Russell. With piercing blue eyes and irresistible charm, the bad boy tennis star is the only guy who ever broke Penny’s heart.

To keep her head in the game—and her mind off Alex—Penny leans on two of the club’s other rising stars. Jasmine Randazzo and Indiana Gaffney are both balancing exploding careers with their own off-the-court romances, and their drama might be enough to keep Penny distracted.

But as days tick down to Paris, Penny seems to always find herself across the court from Alex. She knows that winning it all means laser focus…so why can’t Penny stay away from the one guy who ruins everything?


Perfect for fans of Chloe Walsh and Bal Khabra, this juicy and action-filled tennis rom com is a match you won't want to look away from.

About the Author:
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​Jennifer Iacopelli writes about ambitious young women falling in love.

Her novels include Game, Set, Match, Break the Fall and Finding Her Edge along with a co-edited anthology, Out of Our League. Throughout her career her books have been published in over a dozen languages and Finding Her Edge is being adapted for TV by Netflix.

​She lives in New York and writes to her heart’s content while cheering on her beloved Yankees. 

Soul of a Gentleman Witch
David Ferraro

Publisher: 
​Page Street Publishing / Page Street YA

Pub Date: Jan. 20, 2026

Genre: YA Fantasy
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Synopsis: 


​​Perpetually seventeen, Callum the witch has been in the service of Lucifer, collecting souls, as his own soul is indebted to the devil until he completes 666 tasks for him.

Summoned to Hell on assignment, Lucifer tells Callum that completing his next task will wipe the remaining tasks from his ledger and he will return Callum’s soul to him upon completion. All Callum must do is ensure his latest charge, Augustus, makes it from London to America, by the next blood moon.

As they journey across the sea, Callum grows to care for Augustus “Auggie”. Auggie seems unlike any mark Callum has ever been charged with and Callum wonders why such a noble boy would sell his soul to the devil.

Upon reaching New York, Callum discovers that Auggie never sold his soul to the devil at all but is an innocent. But is Callum willing to forfeit his own freedom to save Auggie?

About the Author:
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​David Ferraro grew up in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, where he was raised on a steady diet of comic books, horror movies and YA novels.

He graduated with a B.A. in English and creative writing from St. Cloud State University, and currently resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with his partner and a very spoiled tortoise. He is represented by Eva Scalzo of Speilburg Literary.

His debut “The Alchemy of Moonlight” came out from Page Street YA on May 30th, 2023. A second novel, “A Vile Season,” is came out in Fall 2024.
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 I, In the Shadows
Tori Bovalino

Publisher: 
​Page Street YA

Pub Date: Jan. 13, 2026

Genre: YA Horror
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Synopsis: 


   Liam has been dead for ten months, haunting the house he used to share with his family, and facing intermittent and terrifying encounters with an eldritch entity called The Beast, who seems determined to consume his soul. Besides that complication in Liam’s new existence, he’s actually adjusted well enough to boredom. But all of that changes when a new family moves in and Liam finds himself sharing a room with Drew Tarpin, who is all of the things Liam never was when he was athletic, queer, and effortlessly cool.
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Except, Liam and Drew do have something in their hopeless attraction to Hannah Steward, the nerdy captain of the school mock trial team. After Drew stands in to protect Liam from the Beast, he agrees to help her win Hannah over if Drew keeps Liam from spending the entirety of his afterlife as demon food. It shouldn’t be hard, since Liam was in unrequited love with Hannah for his entire natural life, and her best friend until his untimely death. But the Beast will not be satisfied no matter how much Drew fights back on Liam’s behalf—and when Hannah catches on that Liam might not be totally gone, it puts all of their lives at risk.

Content Warning:  grief, trauma, death

About the Author:
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​Tori/V.L. Bovalino (she/her) is an internationally bestselling author of horror and fantasy fiction for young people and adults. She is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and now lives in the UK with her partner, their very loud cat, and their puppy. She holds a PhD in English and still dabbles in academia. Tori loves scary stories, obscure academic book facts, and impractical, oversized sweaters. She can be found on Instagram as @toribovalino.

Tori is represented by Maddy Belton at Madeleine Milburn Literary, TV & Film Agency.

A Barista's Guide to Love & Larceny
Caroline Bonin

Publisher: 
​Macmillan Children's Publishing Group / Feiwel & Friends

Pub Date: Jan. 13, 2026

Genre: YA Fantasy
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Synopsis: 


This cozy fantasy romance combines magic, college life, and first love into a sweetly brewed and delicious read about a girl roped into investigating a company's dangerous product!

​​Dani Lionet is no stranger to working hard. But now she’s attending her dream magic university, and must manage classes, shifts at the local cafe, and maintaining her partial scholarship—all while trying to keep her unique ability under wraps. That way, no one else can take advantage of it like her parents used to. So when a visiting professor calls Dani out on her ability, she’s terrified.

Yet, it seems Professor Silva just wants to pay Dani to use it to investigate a soon-to-be-released lucid dreaming product with horrible side effects. Dani is hesitant, but she needs the money, and it would help her new friend who was part of the product’s clinical trials. Plus, she has a swoony distraction in Kass, a mage and her endearingly cute new regular at work. . .even if she can't tell him about her ability or extracurricular activities. The fact that he seems just as interested in her is very uncharted territory for Dani since, thanks to her parents, she's never lived in one place long enough to have a real crush.

Can Dani help with the professor's “group project,” learn to embrace her ability, and get to know Kass? Or will it all fall apart before the semester is over?

About the Author:
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​Caroline Bonin writes books about big, magical feelings and girls who glow in the dark. When she's not writing or reading, you can find her playing video games, hiking, sewing, or exploring local coffeeshops. She studied the Irish harp and creative writing at Oberlin College, and now lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains with her partner and their three cats.


She is represented by the wondrous, indefatigable Emelie Burl of Susan Schulman Literary Agency, who can be reached at [email protected].

Royal Liars
Royal Heirs Academy #2
Lindsey Duga

Publisher: 
​Little Brown Books for Young Readers / Christy Ottaviano Books

Pub Date: Jan. 6, 2026

Genre: YA Contemporary
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Synopsis: 


'American Royals' meets 'Gossip Girl' in this scandal-driven sequel where four teenage royals team up to defend their beloved school from an unknown threat, risking their futures and their hearts in the process. 

​​It’s been eight months since King Leander named Ashland’s heir apparent and a new year is about to begin at Almus Terra Academy…

Sadie is trapped in a fake dating scheme with one prince, while the other is dead set on winning her heart. Titus is desperate to make things right with the girl he wronged, but his own ambitions and secrets stand in his way. Emmeline has lost her friends, her dreams, and her family. For the first time in her life, she’s not sure she has what it takes to win them all back. Alaric goes down dark paths to strike against his traitorous father, but his quest for revenge will only keep him apart from the girl he loves.

When the Ashland heirs learn that the school and the country they’ve come to love are in danger, can they put their egos aside long enough to make a difference? Or will their rivalries cost them everything?

Complete with enemies-to-lovers romance, political intrigue, and legendary betrayals, 'Royal Liars' is a thrilling conclusion to this commercial duology and a thoughtful, escapist read for our times.

About the Author:
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​Lindsey Duga is a middle grade and young adult writer with a passion for fantasy, science fiction, and basically any genre that takes you away from the real world. She wrote her first novel in college while she was getting her bachelor’s in Mass Communication from Louisiana State University.
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Other than writing and cuddling with her morkie puppy, Delphi, Lindsey loves catching up on the latest superhero TV show and practicing yoga.

   "I name no one my Father who never loved me as a son. And I would scorn to lie meek upon the block and smile up at he who lifts the axe and tells me he has a fucking plan." 


   'Empire of the Dawn' is the final installment in the 'Empire of the Vampire' series by Jay Kristoff. 

With the end of his tale looming near, Gabe recounts the last steps leading him to his current captivity. All the failures and betrayals that find him in the bosom of his enemies.. laid bare. His heartbreaks spilling forth with every drop from his goblet.. his regrets.. his self-criticisms.


   "To be without blame is not always to be without shame." 


I feel like I can't say too much without spoiling everything, so if my words seem tentative or vague.. you know why.

As with the rest of the series, the fights are bloodied legends.. rife with a combination of graceful movements and graphic violent imagery. Never overdone, always just enough to immerse the reader in the moment. Kristoff excels at knowing when and where to focus his literary lens and when to show us the true scale of battle, managing our hope and hopelessness as if on a pendulum, never letting us get too far from either.

Through it all, he weaves a gallows humor. Not just amongst Gabriel and the male characters strewn throughout the story either. I love that he doesn't automatically save the best lines for his lead. Instead, it's often Dior or a less present character that delivers them.. pulling laughter from me in unexpected moments.


   "You've the look of a bad dog in want of a good leash." 


There had been a detail bugging me since book two, that I was pleased to see led to exactly what I expected in the last of the story. But for the most part, Kristoff managed to pull off one hell of a surprise.. and I couldn't have been happier about it. 

Anyway, that is all I will say for the last book as I really want you all to get the most out of it you can. I loved it. I cried at the most unexpected times and didn't feel moved at all when I thought I should have.. which I suspect was also intentional. Less of a writer's tell and more of a hint.

Beautiful Brutal Bodies
Gorgeous Gruesome Faces #2
Linda Cheng

Publisher: 
​Macmillan Children's Publishing Group / Roaring Brook Press

Pub Date: Nov. 4, 2025

Genre: YA Horror
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Synopsis: 


Full of skin-crawling folk horror and sapphic romance, this feral fairytale and standalone follow-up to 'Gorgeous Gruesome Faces' follows a reclusive songstress and her bodyguard who must unravel the occult mysteries of their past to escape from a cursed island. 

Tian is a singer-songwriter with a massive online following, known for her hypnotic vocals and ethereal looks. But behind the glamorous façade is a disturbing reality: raised in an isolated mansion, Tian is a prisoner in her own life.
Liya is Tian’s childhood friend and her only close companion, tasked with protecting Tian at all costs. But hidden beneath Liya’s beautiful human exterior is a beastly secret: her teeth are far too sharp, and her appetite much too ferocious.

When several fans mysteriously suffer fatal injuries while watching her livestream, Tian, along with Liya, are sent to a spiritual healing retreat on a remote island in the South China Seas. They are joined by Tian’s musical collaborator Shenyu, a troubled idol whose recent brush with the law and string of bad boyfriends has him seeking his own new start. But the trio soon discovers that the island is no peaceful getaway. There is constant surveillance, bizzare rituals, and something terrifying lurking in the forest. Something not quite human.
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In order to escape with her loved ones, Tian must uncover her connection to the island’s blood-drenched legend — and the truth behind Liya’s monstrous identity — before the island claims them all as its final sacrifice.

Content Warning: blood, body horror

About the Author:
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Linda Cheng was born in Taiwan and spent her childhood moving between cultures and continents. She received her BFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and worked as an art director across South Carolina and Georgia where she developed a deep love for sweet tea, grits, and Southern Gothic stories. She currently resides in Vancouver, Canada with her family.
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Her debut novel 'Gorgeous Gruesome Faces' was named one of Kirkus Review’s best young adult books of the year 2023, and has been nominated for the 2025 White Pine Award.