Angeline Boulley’s debut novel Firekeeper’s Daughter is dense, beautifully written, and methodically structured. Boulley takes her time building the world of the story, plotting through all the complicated nuances of Daunis’ back story with her white and Native families and communities.
Lyssa Mia Smith’s debut Young Adult fantasy, Revelle, is filled with magic, mystery, and romance, and manages to infuse tender messages about families – the ones we have, and the ones we make – into the cinematic world of the book.
Sacha Lamb’s debut novel, When the Angels Left the Old Country, is a poignant, funny, adventurous story filled with Jewish folklore, dark realities of the immigrant experience, and the blossoming of unexpected love.
Rebecca Ross masterfully weaves elements of unique mythology and magic with a very real look at war, loss, first love, and the power of the written word in her newest book, Divine Rivals.
Amanda Foody and C. L. Herman’s All of Us Villains manages to be dark and bloody, but also tender and hopeful. It feels a bit like Hunger Games, but instead of fighting against mechanisms of a corrupt government, these kids are fighting against twisted family ties and traditions (and each other). Here, you also get magic, spells, and relics, which is always a little more fun than a gritty dystopia.
BOOK:30 