Format: Young Adult

The Gods will Sing our Song

The Gods will Sing our SongThe Gods Will Sing Our Song by Autumn Krause
on September 1, 2026
Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Immigrants, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“The Gods will Sing our Song” is a young adult historical fantasy romance by Autumn Krause. In 1942, two Japanese American teens meet in an internment camp during the war and start a romance. Ren and Violet both have small animal relics that draw them to each other through magic. Krause describes in detail the internment camp and how Japanese Americans were affected. The magical elements and Japanese mythology were very interesting as well as the historical details, but the romance felt like it moved a bit too quickly. Overall a very interesting story and a recommended purchase for YA collections.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

four-stars

A Thousand Nights

A Thousand NightsA Thousand Nights: (A Survival Fantasy Inspired by Arabian Nights and Muslim Folklore, Featuring Stories of Refuge, Hope, and Resilience) by Intisar Khanani, Nafiza Azad
on September 8, 2026
ISBN: 1536241547
Genres: Adventure
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“A Thousand Nights” is a young adult anthology edited by Nafiza Azad and Intisar Khanani. A group of young refugees swap stories on a dangerous journey. This book features stories from Muslim women authors. The stories feature folklore from various Islamic societies. The stories have themes of strength and grit and while some tales are more interesting than others, they all play a part in the overall journey. This is a recommended purchase for YA anthology collections.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

four-stars

Eyes like Stars

Genres: Romance, Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
three-stars

“Eyes like Stars” is a young adult Star Wars romance novel by Ashley Poston. Ardent is a teen girl who hasn’t had to think about the subjugation of the First Order until she ends up stowing away a handsome teen boy named Sian who is trying to escape. Poston does a great job of describing the different planets in the Star Wars universe and the romance, while cliche, is fun and the characters are written smartly. Readers do not have to know Star Wars, but it helps a lot. A suggested purchase for YA collections where sci-fi romances are popular.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

three-stars

Grove Hollow: Metamorphosis

Grove Hollow: MetamorphosisMetamorphosis (Grove Hollow #1) by Shelby Nicole
Genres: Romance, Supernatural
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
two-stars

“Metamorphosis” is the first in the “Grove Hollow” young adult supernatural romance series. Jade has lived with her grandfather since her parents’ deaths, but after he passes, she moves in with an unknown side of the family in Grove Hollow, New York. It’s tough enough being new in high school, but she makes some friends called the Misfits, but Jade also has caught the eye of the rugby captain. Throw in a handsome teen ghost tied to a locket and things get messy.

The premise of the story is interesting, but felt a little convoluted at times and while this is the first in a series, the ending did not feel like it wrapped enough up to be satisfying. An additional purchase for YA collections.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

two-stars

To Dance the Moon and Stars

To Dance the Moon and StarsTo Dance the Moon and Stars by Barbara Perez Marquez, Tasia M.S.
on July 14, 2026
ISBN: 0593809181
Genres: Fantasy, Romance
Format: Graphic Novel, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“To Dance the Moon and Stars” is a young adult graphic novel written by Tasia M S and illustrated by Barbara Perez Marquez. Myra is the next in line to become the high priestess, but she is worried that she is not ready. Dancing is forbidden in their land because it supposedly will bring darkness. However, Myra loves dancing and dances in secret. An interesting plot with gods and goddesses and beautiful fluid artwork, readers will enjoy seeing Myra face her fears and anxiety to be true to herself. A suggested purchase for YA graphic novel collections where fantasy is popular.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

three-stars

There Are Ghosts Here by Adrienne Tooley

There Are Ghosts Here by Adrienne TooleyThere Are Ghosts Here by Adrienne Tooley
on August 11, 2026
Genres: Grief, Mystery, Supernatural
Format: Young Adult
Goodreads
three-stars

There Are Ghosts Here by Adrienne Tooley is an atmospheric, gothic mystery with a great message, but its slow plot holds it back. The main character, Willa, is a troubled teen who arrives at Dorsey House with nothing but vague memories of a fire and the impression that she was sent away for starting it. With the two other girls in the house, Caroline and Ivy, she tries to solve the mystery of Dorsey House. Why are they there? Why can’t they remember? And most importantly, how do they get back home? Dorsey House is described in classic gothic fashion. It’s an old mansion on a tall sea cliff surrounded by fog. The house’s caretakers, The Dorsey’s, are a secretive elderly couple who make the girls do chores when they are not in Margaret’s odd “therapy” sessions which send the girls into flashbacks with a touch of her hands. Willa begins seeing the ghost of a drowned woman in these sessions and believes that she is being haunted by her.

Tooley’s flowery writing will make or break the reader’s experience. Willa describes her relationship with Caroline and Ivy as “a triangle, it is an isosceles – their two sides of equal length, mine a diminutive third”, frequent metaphors paired with long descriptions of the house and grounds adds to the slowness of the story. The mystery is stretched over so much of the plot that readers may feel underwhelmed with the big reveal. The overarching idea of Dorsey House as a place for girls to make peace with their past traumas is effective. But the methods of memory recovery and acceptance, like therapy and journaling, are obvious and aren’t respected by the characters in the story.

The stunning cover art will probably get readers interested, but 257 pages for a simple metaphor for trauma and recovery may be a big ask for readers who don’t already love gothic literature.

Reviewed by Ivy Burns, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

three-stars

What Lies Beneath the Flowers

What Lies Beneath the FlowersWhat Lies Beneath the Flowers by Natasha Diaz
on July 14, 2026
ISBN: 0593124340
Genres: Mystery
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“What Lies Beneath the Flowers” is a young adult mystery by Natasha Diaz. This is a feminist remix of Dickens’ “Great Expectations.” Juniors Pippa and Bidi are sucked into a mystery when Pippa sees popular student Estella get kidnapped. A fast-paced thriller that confronts gentrification, racial inequities, and more. The book skips back and forth in time and between narrators. Readers will enjoy the surprise twists and turns. A suggested purchase for YA collections.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

three-stars

Insatiable

InsatiableInsatiable by Erica Ridley
Published by Delacorte Press Genres: Horror
Format: Young Adult
Goodreads
four-stars

After mischievous faeries grant a wish carelessly spoken aloud by Catriona’s brother, Catriona is granted admission to Floodbane Academy, a traditionally all-male school. Eager to leave her stifling home, Catriona moves in with five other female students who have also been newly accepted, and the six commit to their studies while suffering some truly reprehensible behavior exhibited toward them by both students and staff. Catriona is singled out and assaulted while some cruel wishes are uttered by her attackers, and once again, the faeries oblige, this time turning Catriona into a baobhan sith, a frightening Scottish Highland creature that is part faery witch, part vampire. Absolute carnage ensues.

Earning a firm spot in the growing list of the “Good For Her” horror subgenre, Insatiable is a gore-filled exploration of revenge and the network required to stand against the oppression that threatens to diminish women’s lives and desires. A solid YA recommendation for Gaelic folklore fans with stomachs strong enough to handle the numerous—and detailed—mutilations.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Monster, Monarch, Maiden

Monster, Monarch, MaidenMonster, Monarch, Maiden by Rae Carson
Published by Greenwillow Books on August 25, 2026
ISBN: 9780063244207
Genres: Fantasy, Romance
Format: Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Since BookTok (re)discovered titles like  A Court of Thorns and Roses, The Cruel Prince, and Fourth Wing, it seems everywhere you turn there’s a new enemies-to-lovers romantasy with bad men and the morally dubious women who fall in love with them. And, while there’s always space for those stories, it makes this one—the story of two people who show a genuine kindness and consideration for each other and those around them—refreshing by contrast.

The cast of this novel is very small with most of the time spent between the two love interest protagonists. Our main character, Bria, is a hardworking innkeeper’s daughter. She’s been gifted the power of turning things cold. Titus, a prince on both sides of his family, has two royal gifts: transformation into an ice cat, and healing. The two of them meet after Titus frees Bria from enslavement and she, determined to survive in the wilderness, pledges herself to his service. The two of them slowly learn to trust each other as they make their way to the royal city to complete Titus’s closely guarded quest. Lengthy conversations lead to Titus and Bria’s slow burn romance feeling deeply earned.

The world around them is dark and at times gruesome, but Titus and Bria hold onto optimism that they can make it a better place. The contrast makes the story feel grounded, not trite. There are quite a few genre staples packed in here, including “there’s only one bed” and a fantasy ball, but it’s overall tame (they only share a couple kisses, nothing more). The plot starts to feel a bit rushed in the back half, but ends with a good payoff. I hope Carson will reconsider making this a standalone story, but I’m sure if she doesn’t there will be plenty of fanfiction.

A novel with a big heart, perfect for readers of romantasy who are looking for a story where the guy is nice to the girl for a change. Recommended for grades 9+.

Four stars.

Reviewed by Kristin Arsenault, Mountain Valley High School, Rumford.

four-stars

Shadow Reaper

Shadow ReaperShadow Reaper by Lynette Noni
Series: Shadow Reaper #1
Published by Penguin Random House on 2026
ISBN: 979-8-217-0334504
Genres: Fantasy, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Goodreads
five-stars

In Aravell, children turning fourteen sacrifice their magic to the Obelisks, towers that keep the deadly blackmist away.  Reapers steal their magic, and hunters try to stop them. Seventeen year old Viridia is a talented hunter whose parents were murdered by the Reaper Priest seven years ago.  To make matters worse, her brother Braeden and best friend Reeve became reapers that day.  When Reeve is arrested, Viridia uncovers a sinister plot to destroy the Obelisks that involves stealing children. She breaks Reeve out of jail and joins a crew of Reapers working to stop the Reaper Priest before that happens.  Viridia begins to remember hidden memories of the day her parents died that turns her life upside down.  Will she and Reeve manage to save the children and all of Aravell?  

This is the first in a duology and ends on a major cliffhanger. The book is a romantasy but skews more toward fantasy. It is clear that Viridia and Reeve are fated to be together, but that is not the main focus of the book. Their stories intertwine in a shocking plot twist that kept me reading more. Sleep was lost. The supporting characters are just as compelling and interesting as the main characters. This copy includes a beautiful map as well. 

Reviewed by Jaime Beal, RSU 40

five-stars