These books feature characters and content for adults.
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Five Broken Blades (Book 1): A fast-paced fantasy heist
A spymaster and a prince, an indentured poison maiden and her master’s son, and a thief and her bodyguard all join forces to attempt the biggest heist of their careers: killing the king.
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The Sky on Fire: Great worldbuilding, slower plot
Anahrod was cast out of the dragon-ruled sky cities as a teenager and has spent the last seventeen years surviving a harsh jungle. Now her past has caught up to her, and a gang of misfits seeking to steal from the dragons has dragged her home.
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Hell Bent (Book 2): More fantasy than horror
Alex and Dawes begin a perilous hunt for a way into Hell to retrieve their friend, Darlington, who has now taken on a demonic form.
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Lessons in Chemistry: Thoughtful and entertaining
Set in the 1960s, this story follows scientist Elizabeth Zott through the trials and tribulations that eventually push her – reluctantly – into a role as the host of a cooking show.
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Long Live Evil (Book 1): Fun and campy
Rae, who’s dying of cancer, is teleported into the world of her favorite fantasy series for a chance to find a cure. There’s just one problem: she’s woken up as the villain who’s supposed to get executed early on. Now she has to scheme her way into survival.
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The Poisonwood Bible: A confronting read
In the 1950s, the Price family moves to the Congo as Baptist missionaries, but they’re unprepared for the reality of life in the remote village of Kilanga. Told from the perspectives of the mother and four daughters, we follow the Prices through the year of their mission and the aftermath in the decades to come.
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Tress of the Emerald Sea: Fun and whimsical
When the boy she loves disappears, Tress sets sail to find him – except on her planet, the seas are made of deadly spores.
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The Familiar: Instant 5-stars
In Inquisition-era Spain, servant Luzia Cotado fights for a position at the King’s side for her ability to perform “small miracles” – but first she has to prove it’s not devil’s magic, all while hiding her Jewish lineage.
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Evocation (Book 1): A slow simmer
David, a hotshot lawyer and medium, finds himself psychically sick and potentially possessed by a demon of family folklore. Only two people can help him: 1) ex-boyfriend and rival, Rhys, and 2) Rhys’ wife, Moira, an astrologist and fellow medium.
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Bride: Perfect for the inner Twihard
Misery Lark, the daughter of the vampyre leader, is forced into an arranged marriage to the Alpha of the Werewolves as a show of peace between their people. But she has an ulterior motive.
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What Moves the Dead: An expert Poe retelling
Alex Easton arrives at the House of Usher to visit a pair of sickly friends, only to discover something sinister lurking on the property.
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The Hemlock Queen (Book 2): Tense and subtly gory
After the events of the eclipse, things begin changing very fast for Lore, Bastian, and Gabe. Now they’re wrapped up in politics and scheming Gods while war looms on the horizon.
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Dreadful: A delightful tale
Gav wakes up with no eyebrows and no memories, and soon realizes he is actually the Dark Wizard who owns this castle, complete with moat squid, goblin servants, and a kidnapped princess in the dungeon. Now he has to bluff his way through his supposed evil plans without anyone catching on…while he also experiments with…
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Ordinary Monsters (Book 1): For the adults who loved Miss Peregrine’s
In 1880s Scotland, there is an Institute for children with special magical talents. An evil entity wants to eat these children, and only a select few can stand in its way.
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House of Flame and Shadow: The finale
This is the conclusion to the Crescent City series (barring any spinoffs we’ll get in the future). Bryce and co. must face extreme odds in their battle to defeat the Asteri.
These books target an audience in the 18-23 age range. New Adult tends to straddle the line, featuring tropes or plot points beloved in Young Adult, but with Adult characters and content.
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A Court of Wings and Ruin (Book 3): The worst of ACOTAR
Book 3 for the A Court of Thorns and Roses series.
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A Court of Mist and Fury (Book 2): The best of ACOTAR
Book 2 of the A Court of Thorns and Roses series.
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A Court of Thorns and Roses (Book 1): A good introduction
A human girl is whisked away to a magical High Lord’s court as retribution for killing one of the Fae.
These books have characters and content for teenagers.
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To Shape a Dragon’s Breath: A superb cozy fantasy
Anequs, an indigenous islander in this fantasy world, is required to attend the colonizer’s school away from her people after a newly-hatched dragon chooses her to be its rider.
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Firekeeper’s Daughter: Entertaining and enlightening
After Daunis witnesses a murder, she becomes a confidential informant to the FBI. As more people in her community die, she becomes increasingly conflicted between protecting her tribe and trusting the feds to solve the crime.
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The Inheritance Games (Book 1): Fun and easy
A teenager learns that a stranger has written her into his will – and that she’s inheriting billions. But there’s a catch.
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Serpent & Dove: Full series review
A young witch, Lou, is forced into marriage to Reid, a witch hunter, while also hiding from her dark and mysterious past.
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Wolf by Wolf: Duology review
In an alternate history where Hitler won, a concentration camp survivor joins a treacherous Hitler Youth motorcycle race with the goal of assassinating the dictator.
