Marie Lu writes young adult novels and has a special love for dystopian books. During the day, she is an Art Director at a video game company and enjoys discussing Facebook game apps with her co-workers, hearing amusing insider stories about World of Warcraft bugs, and delighting in cute 3D renditions of buildings--all via Skype. She is a graduate of the University of Southern California and currently lives in Los Angeles, where she spends much of her time lost on the freeways.
Tempest (2026) (Lyrian Sea, book 1) Victoria Aveyard "Lush, treacherous, and deeply romantic, this is the kind of fantasy that swallows you whole. Aveyard's talent for intricate worldbuilding and complex character relationships is on full display here, and I cherished every second I spent sailing these turquoise seas. Gorgeous and masterful. More, please!"
Starside (2026) (Starside, book 1) Alex Aster "Gorgeously lush and cinematic, Lightlark is the kind of fantasy that indulges all your senses, makes you swoon, and then knocks you sideways with twists. You won't want to put this down."
Queen of Faces (2026) (Queen of Faces, book 1) Petra Lord "A twisty, dark academia fantasy full of heart, with rich worldbuilding and a heroine whom you want to succeed in every way."
Coldwire (2025) (StrangeLoom Trilogy, book 1) Chloe Gong "Chloe Gong has not only built an intricate cyberpunk world in Coldwire, but uses it to shine a searing light on our own reality - and the dangers that our future could hold. A breathtaking thrill ride by a masterful storyteller."
The Lost Queen (2025) Aimee Phan "Lyrical, magical, and haunting, with a compelling protagonist full of determination and heart, The Lost Queen had me from the first line."
Fledgling (2024) (Keeper's Records of Revolution, book 1) S K Ali "Ali's science-fiction debut reads like she's known this genre all her life. A sweeping epic of love and revolution, set in a visceral future vision of Earth and starring a cast you can't help but fall for. A breathtaking ride."
The Last Bloodcarver (2024) (Last Bloodcarver Duology, book 1) Vanessa Le "Le skillfully brings to life a gritty world filled with a beautifully crafted cast and an intricate magic system I've never seen before. A smart, lush, and utterly compelling read."
These Deadly Prophecies (2024) Andrea Tang "A twisty mystery starring an endearing cast and infused with magic, told in a voice so witty and refreshing that it's impossible to stop reading. An incredibly fun thrill-ride by a masterful storyteller."
Gorgeous Gruesome Faces (2023) (Gorgeous Gruesome Faces, book 1) Linda Cheng "This is the kind of horror that will haunt you-a searing portrayal of the damage of impossible beauty standards, the crushing pressure of perfection, and the cruelty of online culture. Mesmerizing, heartbreaking, and absolutely terrifying."
Spring's Arcana (2023) (Dead God's Heart, book 1) Lilith Saintcrow "This is a lush, sinister myth woven with modern thread, all the vicious magic of Baba Yaya mixed with the complex relationships between mother, grandmother, and daughter. A powerful fantasy with sharp teeth."
The Isles of the Gods (2023) (Isles of the Gods, book 1) Amie Kaufman "A lush fantasy world so evocative and romantic that you will feel the salty spray of the ocean on your skin. . . I was immersed in this epic story, and you will too. Deserves to be a classic."
Throwback (2023) Maurene Goo "No one can blend family, humor, satire, and love into a single perfect story like Maurene Goo can. I inhaled this book in a single sitting, lost in the magic of this tale of mothers and daughters and the weight of generational divides. I laughed, I sobbed, and now I want to hand this book to everyone I know."
The Luminaries (2022) (Luminaries, book 1) Susan Dennard "The Luminaries is exactly the thrilling, dangerous, heart-pounding fantasy I needed, with an incredibly original world and a heroine who knows and fights for her worth. Prepare yourself accordingly--I devoured this in a single sitting."
The Ones We're Meant to Find (2021) Joan He "I fell in love with this haunting, futuristic world and the sisters searching for each other in it. Joan He's words will stay with you long after the final page."
Luck of the Titanic (2021) Stacey Lee "Stacey Lee has done it again--taken a fascinating slice of history and transformed it into a story lush with heart, heartache, and hope. This is the Titanic story you need."
Lore (2021) Alexandra Bracken "An epic from start to finish. Bracken deftly weaves a rich tapestry of new mythology steeped in ancient, time-honored legend-a story of power and old wounds and love, all anchored by a protagonist that I cheered from the instant she appeared, fists ready and heart brave, on the page. A tale worth passing down."
Shine (2020) (Shine , book 1) Jessica Jung "Shine is a lush, heart-filled story with a core of whip-smart satire. In Rachel, Jung has created a protagonist both sympathetic and believable, a girl dreaming big in a brutal industry. Prepare to laugh, cry, and devour this all in one sitting."
Crosshairs (2020) Catherine Hernandez "A beautiful, unapologetic, and unwatered-down burst of fury against cis white supremacy and tyrannical power systems, centered around a main cast that must be fiercely protected. Hernandez writes the best kind of dystopian story, one that holds a sobering mirror up to our own world. Let this book haunt you."
TRUEL1F3 (2020) (LIFEL1K3, book 3) Jay Kristoff "Kristoff's vivid world of grit, metal, and technology evokes all the senses, and his characters every emotion. This is a breathless, action-packed exploration of what humanity really means."
Frankly in Love (2019) David Yoon "Frankly in Love shines with an incredible voice and a searing, honest, and deeply human story about what it means to love someone. David Yoon isn't afraid to confront every angle, both the beautiful and the ugly, but he tackles it all with great care. This is a classic in the making."
Sherwood (2019) Meagan Spooner "A haunting and romantic exploration of love and what sacrifices come with freedom."
Ruse (2019) (Want, book 2) Cindy Pon "A story brimming with high-octane action. What a rollercoaster!"
Infinity Son (2019) (Infinity Cycle, book 1) Adam Silvera "Adam Silvera has crafted an urban fantasy so intricate, so woven into our hyperconnected modern world and everyday issues, you'll swear the Spell Walkers of New York are real. A magical joyride with a cast full of heart."
Tempests and Slaughter (2018) (Numair Chronicles, book 1) Tamora Pierce "Few authors can slay so effectively with a single sentence—I mean fist-in-the-air, shouting-at-my-book slay—as Tamora Pierce. All these years later, I still draw strength from her words."
Nyxia (2017) (Nyxia Triad, book 1) Scott Reintgen "A high-octane thriller...Nyxia grabs you from the first line and never lets go."
Invictus (2017) Ryan Graudin "Graudin weaves the past and future seamlessly together into an epic canvas spanning generations. An incredibly intricate, brilliantly paced, masterfully written journey."
Wintersong (2017) (Wintersong, book 1) S Jae-Jones "A maze of beauty and darkness, of music and magic and glittering things...This is a world you will want to stay lost in."
Something in Between (2016) Melissa De La Cruz "Wow. Something Inbetween hit me right in the heart, challenging what we understand of love, law, identity, ambition, and the American Dream. Both heartbreaking and bursting with hope, this is the book we all need."
Replica (2016) (Replica , book 1) Lauren Oliver "A searing pair of intertwined stories about the line between science and humanity, told with Oliver's signature grace, uniqueness, and precision. It's a new story every way you turn it - but always gorgeous, always haunting."
Furthermore (2016) (Furthermore, book 1) Tahereh Mafi "Tahereh Mafi is a maestro of words, and Furthermore the most magical painting that ever existed, bursting with color and heart and humanity. I wanted to stay inside this masterpiece forever."
Hexomancy (2015) (Ree Reyes, book 4) Michael R Underwood "If Buffy hooked up with Doctor Who while on board the Serenity, this book would be their love child. In other words, GEEKOMANCY is full of epic win."
The Wrath and the Dawn (2015) (Wrath and the Dawn, book 1) Renée Ahdieh "Don't be surprised if the pages melt away and you find yourself racing through warm, golden sands or drinking spiced wine in cool marble courtyards. This is an intoxicating gem of a story. You will fall in love, just as I did."
Until the Beginning (2015) (After the End , book 2) Amy Plum "Wonderfully riveting. A fascinating twist on the apocalypse, and a reminder that things aren’t always as they seem."
Court of Fives (2014) (Court of Fives, book 1) Kate Elliott "Kate Elliott's magic and mastery is better than ever. Court of Fives enchanted me from start to finish, with characters and worlds that lingered long after I turned the final page."
Defy (2014) (Defy, book 1) Sara B Larson "A wonderful tale of adventure, romance, and embracing your true self. Alexa is a heroine readers will love to follow!"
Warrior (2013) (Dragon King Chronicles, book 2) Ellen Oh "What an adventure! When i finished my journey with Kira, all i wanted was more. Spectacular!"
The Burning Sky (2013) (Elemental Trilogy, book 1) Sherry Thomas "Thomas weaves a lush, intricate fantasy world around a gorgeous romance that kept me riveted until the very last page. What a breathtaking journey!"
