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Egypt and England

Ink and Bone (The Great Library, #1)Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

In an exhilarating new series, New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine rewrites history, creating a dangerous world where the Great Library of Alexandria has survived the test of time.…

Ruthless and supremely powerful, the Great Library is now a presence in every major city, governing the flow of knowledge to the masses. Alchemy allows the Library to deliver the content of the greatest works of history instantly—but the personal ownership of books is expressly forbidden.

Nigeria

Akata Witch (Akata Witch, #1)Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

 

Twelve-year-old Sunny lives in Nigeria, but she was born American. Her features are African, but she’s albino. She’s a terrific athlete, but can’t go out into the sun to play soccer. There seems to be no place where she fits. And then she discovers something amazing—she is a “free agent,” with latent magical power.

India

A Time to DanceA Time to Dance by Padma Venkatraman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

Veda, a classical dance prodigy in India, lives and breathes dance—so when an accident leaves her a below-knee amputee, her dreams are shattered. For a girl who’s grown used to receiving applause for her dance prowess and flexibility, adjusting to a prosthetic leg is painful and humbling.

Ireland

The Accident SeasonThe Accident Season by Moïra Fowley-Doyle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

 

The accident season has been part of seventeen-year-old Cara’s life for as long as she can remember. Towards the end of October, foreshadowed by the deaths of many relatives before them, Cara’s family becomes inexplicably accident-prone. They banish knives to locked drawers, cover sharp table edges with padding, switch off electrical items – but injuries follow wherever they go, and the accident season becomes an ever-growing obsession and fear.

England, New York, and Peru

The Bane ChroniclesThe Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This collection of eleven short stories illuminates the life of the enigmatic Magnus Bane, whose alluring personality, flamboyant style, and sharp wit populate the pages of the #1 New York Times bestselling series, The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices.

Iran

If You Could Be MineIf You Could Be Mine by Sara Farizan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Seventeen-year-old Sahar has been in love with her best friend, Nasrin, since they were six. They’ve shared stolen kisses and romantic promises. But Iran is a dangerous place for two girls in love—Sahar and Nasrin could be beaten, imprisoned, even executed if their relationship came to light.

So they carry on in secret—until Nasrin’s parents announce that they’ve arranged for her marriage. Nasrin tries to persuade Sahar that they can go on as they have been, only now with new comforts provided by the decent, well-to-do doctor Nasrin will marry. But Sahar dreams of loving Nasrin exclusively—and openly.

Brazil

The Summer PrinceThe Summer Prince by Alaya Dawn Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

The lush city of Palmares Tres shimmers with tech and tradition, with screaming gossip casters and practiced politicians. In the midst of this vibrant metropolis, June Costa creates art that’s sure to make her legendary. But her dreams of fame become something more when she meets Enki, the bold new Summer King. The whole city falls in love with him (including June’s best friend, Gil). But June sees more to Enki than amber eyes and a lethal samba. She sees a fellow artist.

Together, June and Enki will stage explosive, dramatic projects that Palmares Tres will never forget. They will add fuel to a growing rebellion against the government’s strict limits on new tech. And June will fall deeply, unfortunately in love with Enki. Because like all Summer Kings before him, Enki is destined to die.


Where to Start

I don’t consider myself to be much of a YA fan at all. Most of them annoy me.  But in this list I’m crazy enthusiastic about all of them except maybe The Accident Season.  One part of that made me grumpy but probably wouldn’t bother anyone else.

The Summer Prince is the book I’ve recommended the most on blogs this year.  Usually I recommend it for people wanting to diversify their reading.

Akata Witch has a main character who lives in a home lined with books and whenever anyone magical learns something important they are rewarded with money falling from the sky.  I want that to be true.

Pick up any of these books for great stories!