Recently, I’ve read the Mythos Academy series by Jennifer Estep and Partials by Dan Wells – all books that I have loved and both authors started out writing books for adults. While I’m not sure if the authors’ experience helped or hurt them in the YA market, the books are very good. Here is a look at some upcoming releases that I think look interesting.
Release Date: May 29, 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Dark myths, medieval secrets, intrigue, and romance populate the pages of the first-ever teen series from #1 bestselling author of The Other Boleyn Girl.
Italy, 1453. Seventeen-year-old Luca Vero is brilliant, gorgeous—and accused of heresy. Cast out of his religious order for using the new science to question old superstitious beliefs, Luca is recruited into a secret sect: The Order of the Dragon, commissioned by Pope Nicholas V to investigate evil and danger in its many forms, and strange occurrences across Europe, in this year—the end of days.
Isolde is a seventeen-year-old girl shut up in a nunnery so she can’t inherit any of her father’s estate. As the nuns walk in their sleep and see strange visions, Isolde is accused of witchcraft—and Luca is sent to investigate her, but finds himself plotting her escape. Despite their vows, despite themselves, love grows between Luca and Isolde as they travel across Europe with their faithful companions, Freize and Ishraq.
The four young people encounter werewolves, alchemists, witches, and death-dancers as they head toward a real-life historical figure who holds the boundaries of Christendom and the secrets of the Order of the Dragon. The first in a series, this epic and richly detailed drama is grounded in historical communities and their mythic beliefs.
It includes a medieval map of Europe that will track their journey; and the interior will include relevant decorative elements as well as an interior line illustration. And look for a QR code that links to a note from the author with additional, detailed information about the setting and the history that informed the writing.
With Philippa Gregory’s trademark touch, this novel deftly brings the past—and its salacious scandals—vividly and disturbingly to life.
Title: Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van LeerRelease Date: June 26, 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
What happens when happily ever after…isn’t?
Delilah is a bit of a loner who prefers spending her time in the school library with her head in a book—one book in particular. Between the Lines may be a fairy tale, but it feels real. Prince Oliver is brave, adventurous, and loving. He really speaks to Delilah.
And then one day Oliver actually speaks to her. Turns out, Oliver is more than a one-dimensional storybook prince. He’s a restless teen who feels trapped by his literary existence and hates that his entire life is predetermined. He’s sure there’s more for him out there in the real world, and Delilah might just be his key to freedom.
Delilah and Oliver work together to attempt to get Oliver out of his book, a challenging task that forces them to examine their perceptions of fate, the world, and their places in it. And as their attraction to each other grows along the way, a romance blossoms that is anything but a fairy tale.
Title: The Arcana Chronicles: Poison Princess by Kresley ColeRelease Date: Oct. 2, 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
#1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole introduces The Arcana Chronicles, post-apocalyptic tales filled with riveting action, the dark mysticism of Tarot cards, and breathtaking romance.
She could save the world—or destroy it.
Sixteen year old Evangeline “Evie” Greene leads a charmed life, until she begins experiencing horrifying hallucinations. When an apocalyptic event decimates her Louisiana hometown, Evie realizes her hallucinations were actually visions of the future—and they’re still happening. Fighting for her life and desperate for answers, she must turn to her wrong-side-of-the-bayou classmate: Jack Deveaux.
But she can’t do either alone.
With his mile-long rap sheet, wicked grin, and bad attitude, Jack is like no boy Evie has ever known. Even though he once scorned her and everything she represented, he agrees to protect Evie on her quest. She knows she can’t totally depend on Jack. If he ever cast that wicked grin her way, could she possibly resist him?
Who can Evie trust?
As Jack and Evie race to find the source of her visions, they meet others who have gotten the same call. An ancient prophesy is being played out, and Evie is not the only one with special powers. A group of twenty-two teens has been chosen to reenact the ultimate battle between good and evil. But it’s not always clear who is on which side…
Release Date: Oct. 2, 2012
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Things get turned upside down for sophomore Lorelei MacAlister when the Angel of Death starts high school in her small town. What she doesn’t know is that she has been slated to die. It’s simply her time. And Death has been sent to do the deed. But when he touches her, when he peers into her eyes and reaches into her heart, he realizes she is more than what he was led to believe, and he disobeys his orders. He brings her back from the brink of death when he was supposed to push her into it. Because of this, he gets trapped on this plane. And that’s when all hell breaks loose. Literally.
I am extremely excited about Changeling, cautiously optimistic about The Arcana Chronicles and Between the Lines and not sure about Death and the Girl Next Door (even though I love the cover!). Are you planning on reading any of these books? Do you think the experience these authors have will pay off in the YA market?
8 comments:
Always cool to see authors crossing over into new arenas. I remember it used to be that authors had to have different pseudonyms to write different types of books (which is why Anne Rice wrote under Anne Rampling & A.N. Roquelaure). So great that they can be themselves, use their own clout to write something new! Cool post!
This is definitely an exciting time to be in the YA market, for sure. Thanks for sharing these! :D
I've been noticing this trend, as well. It seems like adult authors are picking up on the goldmine that is YA.
I've also noticed that authors who usually write for adults (or who started that way) tend to write differently. Like, the characters are different. I'm thinking specifically of Jennifer Estep and Lisa T. Bergren - their heroes are NOT what you normally find in YA. They seem more "manly," like more mature than the teeny bopper boys that are common in YA. Very interesting.
Oh boy, I'll be checking out Philippa Gregory's book when it comes out. Looks great!
Don't forget to check out my <a href="http://www.manda-rae-reads.com/2012/04/author-interview-and-giveaway-hollow-of.html'>giveaway</a>.
WOW!! thanks for sharing
Great list. I'm more interested in whether there name recognition will help them sell though. I guess only time will tell.
Thanks for this round up! It's been really interesting to me to see how authors handle YA versus adult books. Funnily enough, I usually prefer the YA ones, but maybe because I read so much YA anyway, hah. Thanks for the heads up on some of these titles!
Wendy @ The Midnight Garden
I wish there were more authors who did it the other way around, actually. I'm very curious about Kresley Cole's novel, because I didn't like her IAD series very much (as in.. Not at all) and Gregory's book seems to be fantastic, so I should probably read one of her Adult novels.
Thank you for this post! <3
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