After the dramatic ending of the first book in a series, the proceeding installments deal with the fallout. These reviews cover continuations of YA series or duologies, where young revolutionaries become queens, friends become enemies, and enemies become allies.

Upper Middle School to High School

Bartlett,Jordan H. Queendom Come. 480p. (The Frean Chronicles: Bk. 3). CamCat. Mar. 2025. Tr. $19.99. ISBN 9780744310764.
Gr 9 Up–After competing for the crown and rooting out corruption in the royal council in book one and two respectively, Queen Jacqueline, or Jacs, has to decide what kind of monarch she wants to be. Jacs and her Royal Advisor Connor must face the threat of the cult-like Sons of Celos while separated in the Upper and Lower Realms. They are also trying to navigate their romantic relationship while Jacs is facing a possible political marriage to someone else. The narrative pulls in a variety of perspectives as those within the Queendom work toward lasting change by forging alliances with the Court of Griffins, bringing men into the all-female military, and moving toward true unity between the Realms. While the flipped power dynamics in this world skew toward the gender binary, much of the supporting cast includes queer women, and characters are depicted with a variety of skin tones. VERDICT A satisfying conclusion to a trilogy that centers progress through equity alongside authentically drawn characters who will resonate with teen readers.

Callender, Kacen. Chaos King. 384p. (Infinity Alchemist: Bk. 2). Tor. Apr. 2025. Tr. $19.99. ISBN 9781250890283.
Gr 10 Up–Ash Woods didn’t realize how many things would still feel wrong after successfully defeating his father. Followers of Lune are still targeting alchemists in violent attacks, claiming that their ability to manipulate Source is sinful. Ash is haunted by nightmares filled with strange black orbs and his dead mother’s screams. At home, transgender Ash struggles to navigate his polyamorous relationship with boyfriend Callum and their genderfluid partner Ramsay as it becomes clear that all three have different ideas about how to deal with the growing unrest throughout New Anglia. Tasked with infiltrating a radical alchemist group, Ash soon finds himself playing both sides as a double agent while trying to figure out if true revolution can be achieved without bloodshed. Callender delves deeper into this inclusive but hierarchical world and its complex alchemical magic system while exploring the ethical questions of justice and societal change. VERDICT A strong sense of urgency and shocking twists make this a propulsive duology conclusion.

Cast, P.C. & Kristin Cast. Give Up the Night. 304p. (Moonstruck: Bk. 2). Wednesday Bks. Apr. 2025. Tr. $20. ISBN 9781250865182.
Gr 7 Up–Wren Nightingale arrived at the Academia de la Luna after becoming Moonstruck, and receiving lunar magick powers, in book one. Now, with help from friends Lily Weatherford and nonbinary Ruby Nakamura, Wren works with an Air Elemental to unravel the secrets of the incomplete Moonstruck ritual and find a way to stop Lunar Council leader Celeste before she takes control of lunar magick forever. Meanwhile Lee Young, Wren’s best friend and the boy she loves, has to choose a side as he is brought closer to Celeste and those eager to maintain the status quo. Alternating between the first-person narrative of Wren, who is white, and Lee, who is Black, elevates the romantic tension as both protagonists learn to trust themselves, each other, and their chosen family while working to save Moon Isle from corruption. VERDICT An enjoyable duology conclusion giving supporting cast the page time they deserve.

Cawthon, Scott. Escape the Pizzaplex. illus. by Lyndsay Ely. 224p. (Five Nights at Freddy’s Interactive Novel: Bk. 3). Scholastic. Apr. 2025. pap. $12.99. ISBN 9781546132912.
Gr 7 Up–Written in the second person, this novel follows Cassie, a young girl spending the night inside Freddy Fazbear’s Mega Pizzaplex with her friend Gregory. With two difficulty settings and multiple endings this book offers a reading experience reminiscent of a “Choose Your Own Adventure” novel, encouraging readers to reread to unlock a different narrative. As Cassie moves through the eponymous five nights in the Pizzaplex she encounters its menacing security bots, cleaners, and the “Glamrock Animatronics” including Freddy Fazbear, Montgomery Gator, and Roxanne Wolf. Cassie’s games with Gregory take on increasingly high stakes as it becomes clear something is very wrong in the Pizzaplex. With help from found items, readers try to get Cassie through the entire book alive. Whenever it’s “game over” readers can play the night again or start over from the beginning. VERDICT Fans and new readers will enjoy this interactive horror novel set in the location of the game “Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach.”

Cole, Kamilah. This Ends in Embers. 416p. (The Divine Traitors: Bk. 2). Little, Brown. Feb. 2025. Tr. $19.99. ISBN 9780316534956.
Gr 9 Up–To all outward appearances, sisters Faron and Elara are on opposite sides of the latest war between San Irie and Langley. Elara has taken on Faron’s divine burden as the Maiden Empyrean, while Faron has soulbonded to Lightbringer, an imperial dragon with despotic ambitions. As Elara flits between island nations in an attempt to rally support in the fight against the dragon’s forces, Faron desperately attempts to save San Irie by sabotaging Lightbringer himself. With fierce, high-stakes battles full of dragons and gods, the plot is packed with action at every turn. There is substantial character development as Faron works to discover who she is while Elara strives to survive the spotlight now that she is an Empyrean. As in the first installment, the narrative asks timely questions about the long-lasting emotional impact of young people being required to take on adult responsibilities before their time. VERDICT A thrilling conclusion to a powerful duology and a necessary purchase for fantasy collections.

De la Cruz, Melissa. The Encanto’s Curse. 352p. (Encanto’s Daughter: Bk. 2). Putnam. Mar. 2025. Tr. $19.99. ISBN 9780593533116.
Gr 7 Up–After claiming the throne of the kingdom of Biringan, MJ is still learning how to be queen. Her efforts to play politics and mend her broken heart as her ex Lucas prepares to marry his childhood friend—and MJ’s nemesis—are complicated by the appearance of a vampire-like force attacking the countryside. MJ tries to get to the bottom of a curse that grows stronger with the approaching full moon while sorting out her feelings for Lucas and her growing attraction to Prince Qian, a love triangle that never feels fully developed. As MJ and her friends get closer to answers, she has to decide how to reconcile what she knows to be right with what she must do to protect her country. VERDICT A strong conclusion to a fantasy duology inspired by Filipino folklore that brings much needed representation to the genre.

Fergus, M.L. Odyssey: Fractured Kingdom. 408p. (Fractured Kingdom: Bk. 2). Tundra. May 2025. pap. $13.99. ISBN 9781774886090.
Gr 10 Up–This second installment in this trilogy picks up moments after the shocking revelation that formerly enslaved Persephone is the “lost royal twin and rightful heir to the Erok throne.” This makes Persephone and her companion Azriel even bigger threats to the villainous Regent Mordesius’s ambitions. To negotiate for their safety, Azriel offers to help Mordesius find the Pool of Genezing, whose waters can heal his diffuse scars and injuries, in exchange for their release. The Regent agrees but not without dangerous consequences if they fail. Accompanied by Persephone’s doppelgänger Rachel, the duo embark on a journey tracing clues to the mythical pool’s location. With a far-reaching plot and multiple points of view, interpersonal relationships are often secondary to action, even as Persephone and Azriel’s power dynamic shift leaves both questioning their future together. Readers are also in the unpleasant position of following along with Mordesius’s graphic torture and violence as he tries to secure his own path to the throne. VERDICT A brutal, high-stakes fantasy.

Forest, Laurie. The Dryad Storm. 752p. (Black Witch Chronicles: Bk. 5). HarperCollins. Jan. 2025. Tr. $22.99. ISBN 9781335458056.
Gr 10 Up–Mage-turned-Dryad Elloren and her allies rally their forces to stop Marcus Vogel as he continues to raze the forests of Erthia during his ethnic cleanse in this fifth and final book of the “Black Witch Chronicles.” The intricate world-building is hampered by multiple invented languages and numerous points of view. Lengthy descriptions of battles and ill-placed sex scenes further slow the pacing. A bloated cast and the complete absence of Elloren for the first quarter of the novel raise questions about the true focus in this finale compared to the rest of the series. Ambitious themes of positive change and equity are undermined by the sheer amount violence including slurs, maiming, and animal death. Elloren and the other mages who have rejected their lifelong indoctrination are the driving force against Vogel, furthering a white savior narrative despite support from other magical species from this richly populated world. VERDICT A secondary purchase where romantasy in the vein of Sarah Maas is already popular.

Greenlaw, Rachel. Shadow and Tide. 384p. (Compass and Blade: Bk. 2). HarperCollins. Mar. 2025. pap. $15.99. ISBN 9781335015310.
Gr 9 Up–The world of the “Compass and Blade” trilogy expands in this second volume, as Mira continues to search for answers about her siren heritage, and monster hunter Brielle, is introduced. Vivid descriptions and atmospheric prose set the scene, underscoring the comparatively one-dimensional character motivations for protagonist Mira and other characters, especially Brielle who, being assigned to hunt Mira, begins to question her work hunting monsters and extracting their blood for witches to use in spells. With a wider scope, this story situates Mira in the larger political climate beyond her beloved isle of Rosevear, allowing her to learn more about the powers at play and pursue vengeance against those who continue to threaten everything the Fortunate Isles hold dear. VERDICT With new enemies, old allies, and a cliffhanger ending, the stage is set for an explosive finale.

Gregson, Marc J. Among Serpents. 496p. (Above the Black: Bk. 2). Peachtree. Jan. 2025. Tr. $19.99. ISBN 9781682637067.
Gr 8 Up–Surviving the Gauntlet and reuniting with his sister Ella are only the beginning of Conrad’s problems in this second book of the “Above the Black” trilogy. Conrad’s position as his uncle’s heir remains tenuous and Ella is unwilling to accept Conrad, suspicious of his compassion for his crew. When Conrad is tasked by his uncle, the king, to stop the Below’s most dangerous engineered metallic beast, failure could mean losing Ella forever. Flashy action sequences and vividly described battles keep up the momentum but leave little room for character development. Glimpses at Conrad’s interiority in his first-person narration adds complexity but fails to reconcile his deep-seated ambition to rise within the Meritocracy with his repeated disregard for status in the face of doing what he feels is morally right. Conrad is white, and the supporting cast have a variety of skin tones and backgrounds. VERDICT A dramatic installment for fans and a solid comp for battle-centric shonen titles and dystopian novels.

Howard, Amalie. Lady Knight. 384p. (The Diamonds: Bk. 2). Random House/Joy Revolution. Apr. 2025. Tr. $19.99. ISBN 9780593705063.
Gr 7 Up–This companion novel to Queen Bee (2023) moves the spotlight to Lady Ela’s future sister-in-law, Zia, who needs to find a match of her own this season. She has no interest in a suitor and prefers to read feminist literature at the local ladies’ school and commit crime (for the sake of the local orphanage). As straits become more dire for the orphanage, Zia finds herself and her Lady Knights involved in riskier ventures, which always seem to involve encounters with Rafi, her brother’s rakish friend. Although her romance with Rafi slowly blooms as the plot progresses, the bulk of the narrative focus is on Zia’s passion for music, feminist ideals, and her love for her friends. Even as the romantic tension escalates, Rafi and Zia are portrayed as being mutually supportive first and foremost. Especially with regard to the overarching orphanage plot, the narrative occasionally oversimplifies issues and concludes conflict very conveniently, but this does not detract from its overall appeal. VERDICT A must-have for collections where teens are beginning to explore romance.

Lewis, Britney S. Blood Moon. 384p. (Blood Moon). Page Street. Sept. 2025. Tr. $19.99. ISBN 9798890032294.
Gr 10 Up–Mira’s most vivid memories of her mother are filled with bedtime stories about vampires, werewolves, and tragic love. Now, still grappling with her mother’s disappearance when she was 13, Mira begins her first year of college at Lakeland University where she meets Julian, an alluring but surly boy whose initial disdain sparks an undeniable attraction. As Mira navigates Julian’s intense mood swings and makes friends with a somewhat interchangeable group of dancers, she begins to realize that her mother’s stories may actually be true. A love triangle develops with football player and childhood friend, Seven, who may also be harboring secrets. Though the plot and characters share enough DNA with the Twilight series to feel derivative, a modern lens and diverse characters are refreshing. Fraught romantic tension and melodrama will engage readers who love supernatural romance; however, characterization often feels shallow, relying solely on meticulous description of physical characteristics. Odd word choices (e.g., describing a tall person as “lengthy” or a tired voice as “full of exhaust”) disrupts the narrative flow. Both Mira and Seven are Black; side characters represent many different identities. VERDICT An additional selection where vampire romance and love triangles are in high demand.

Ma,Diana. Force of Chaos. 336p. (A Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Novel: Bk. 1). Abrams/Amulet. May 2025. Tr. $19.99. ISBN 9781419757761.
Gr 7 Up–Trini Kwan doesn’t want to be an Asian stereotype because of her years practicing martial arts with her grandmother, or known for fighting like she was as a kid. Her reputation as a quiet, shy girl is blown apart after she helps fight a giant winged monster at a homecoming game. As a result, Trini, alongside her estranged childhood friend Zack, school genius Billy, popular football player Jason, and new girl gymnast Kimberly, is recruited to join an intergalactic war against space witch Rita Repulsa. With little in common but a desire to save their town from invasion, Trini has to help make this unlikely group a real team before it’s too late. Ma brings complexity and depth to all of the Power Rangers but especially to Trini, who struggles with how to be true to her values while embracing her new role as the Yellow Ranger and her identity in the Asian American diaspora. VERDICT This dynamic series starter translates the iconic action of the long-running television series into an engrossing novel.

Mahurin, Shelby. The Shadow Bride. 624p. (The Scarlet Veil). HarperCollins. Mar. 2025. Tr. $21.99. ISBN 9780063258808.
Gr 9 Up–Célie is less dead than expected following the cliffhanger ending of the first book in this duology, as the vampire Michal’s frantic attempt to bring her back from the precipice of death by turning her was a success. However, living as a new vampire in Cesarine proves to be impossible, and Célie is forced to return to the Isle of Requiem where Michal still reigns over a mixed population of magical creatures. Her vampirism turns out to be the least of their problems. The resurrection of Célie’s sister severely damaged the veil between the worlds, and undead revenants are attacking both Cesarine and Requiem. The plot thickens from there, resulting in an equal mixture of fantasy and romance. The cast of characters is relatively contained and only Célie narrates, providing a manageable experience for genre newcomers. While it features characters from Mahurin’s original trilogy, this spinoff is readable on its own. VERDICT A first selection for libraries seeking new titles for fans of Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Miller,Keith F, Jr. Togetha. 448p. (Pritty). HarperCollins. Jan. 2025. Tr. $21.99. ISBN 9780063264977.
Gr 9 Up–Living with flashbacks from the events of Pritty (2023), Jay is carrying a secret. He is being sent away to New York to finish out his senior year far from the danger he put himself in trying to interfere with the Bainbridges’ attempt to destroy K-Town. But the Bainbridges haven’t been defeated yet—the flashdrive Jay needed to sink their plans was too damaged to use. Jay prioritizes recovering that information over telling his boyfriend that he’s being sent away. While the plot of using subterfuge to thwart the Bainbridges provides overarching structure, the story itself focuses more on relationships and dynamics, emphasizing community, connection, and emotional expression over all else. The characters are complex, many carry guns, and several physical fights break out, but the story is ultimately very driven by character growth and connection. With brisk pacing and a conversational writing style, the narrative comes across as both genuine and approachable. VERDICT Don’t hesitate in purchasing for any library that serves high school aged teens.

Murray, Lauryn Hamilton. Heir of Storms. 416p. (Storm Weaver: Bk. 1). Roaring Brook. Jun. 2025. Tr. $20.99. ISBN 9781250348159.
Gr 9 Up–Instead of being born with fire magic as expected, Blaze almost drowned the world at birth and has been widely despised ever since. Now almost an adult, she is shocked to find herself chosen to compete for a royal title. To win the title, Blaze must pass several trials by using magic she has never learned. She also must contend with new friends, foes, and a pair of love interests along the way. Comprised of all the requisite pieces of a tournament or trials-based fantasy novel, the transitions between those pieces are often awkward or disjointed; several times, information presented as plot-vital is introduced, but never mentioned again. There is an abundance of named characters, largely lacking depth, and unexplained world-specific terms are also prolific. However, the plot does move quickly and is chock-full of popular fantasy tropes. Notably, the romance subplot remains tame thus far. VERDICT Ultimately underwhelming and overwrought, purchase only where early 2010s-era fantasy is seeing a comeback.

O’Brien, Lee Paige. A Single Brutal Fate. 384p. (The Broken Tower: Bk. 2). Abrams/Amulet. Mar. 2025. Tr. $19.99. ISBN 9781419765179.
Gr 8 Up–Newly burdened with hiding the deal they made with Isola as well as having to do their coursework, Rat will stop at nothing to rescue their rival-turned-friend Harker from Isola’s clutches. In order to ensure Harker’s safety, no method is off the table, from archival research to actual crime. Unfortunately, it seems as though some members of old-blood houses think the same. So begin the complications that lead to dramatic escapes through forgotten magical passageways and high-stakes battles—occasionally, both simultaneously. The regular action-packed interludes combine with frequent revelations to prevent a plot that largely hinges on research montages from dragging. Thanks to the setup for growth in book one, Rat quickly becomes much more sympathetic than they were to start. The specific queer subcultures that Rat and Harker belong to are represented immaculately. VERDICT An easy purchase where the first book saw circulation.

Patel,Sajni. A Touch of Blood. 416p. (Venom). Rick Riordan Presents. Feb. 2025. Tr. $18.99. ISBN 9781368098779.
Gr 10 Up–Sisterly bonds and Indian lore drive this Persephone reimagining. Years before the events of companion novel A Drop of Venom , twins Eshani and Sithara fight alongside their fellow naga in the Fire Wars while their younger sister Manisha embarks on her own story, a reinterpretation of the Medusa story. Eshani makes a dangerous deal allowing the naga to escape and regroup in exchange for her life. In the darkness of the Nightmare Realm, the Gatekeeper Hiran knows the deal is one piece of a prophecy that could heal the slowly fracturing, plague-riddled realm. With help from his dreamweaver sister, Hiran hopes to find Eshani in dreams before the dangerous Shadow King can claim her. Both protagonists must confront past traumas and embrace who they are meant to be to save their homes. VERDICT A slow start builds to a triumphant journey through hell and back while setting the stage for Sithara’s story and the final act in the Fire Wars.

Pettersen, Siri. Silver Throat. tr. by Tara Chace. 415p. (Vardari). Arctis. Feb. 2025. Tr. $20. ISBN 9781646900169.
Gr 10 Up–The wolf-sickness epidemic, fueled by a drug made from the blood of the warow who have run the city for centuries, is out of control. Juva has taken over the responsibility of hunting, slaying, and bleeding those taken by the sickness before their humanity breaks and they go on a murderous rampage. Her ultimate goal, however, is to see to the destruction of the vardari as a whole—a destruction she set in motion by freeing the captive devil they had once fed on. As the warow become more desperate for immortality-granting blood, Juva finds herself with a worsening crisis on hand. This middle book of the trilogy echoes the first by delivering a busy plot with paradoxically slow pacing, which is not mitigated by the often-awkward phrasing of the dialogue. However, the fascinating and well-constructed mythology surrounding the vardari is all-encompassing enough for some to look past those challenges. VERDICT A dense translation with the type of prose more commonly found in adult fantasy; purchase only where advanced genre fiction is needed.

Purdie, Kathryn. The Deathly Grimm. 400p. (The Forest Grimm: Bk. 2). Wednesday Bks. Mar. 2025. Tr. $24. ISBN 9781250873026.
Gr 9 Up–Part of the curse on Grimm’s Hollow has been lifted but most of the villagers, taken by the forest and warped into bloodthirsty versions of themselves, have not been recovered. Already aware that the secret to solving the murder tied to the curse will require their return to the forest, Clara and Axel find themselves following a group of entranced village girls back into its depths. Guided only by Clara’s unreliable visions, the duo must solve the murder, rescue the villagers, and repair Grimm Hollow’s sacred wishing book before it’s too late. Despite the murder mystery at hand, there is still a substantial amount of romance, and the deliciously gruesome fairy tales dovetail nicely with a cast of complex characters to keep things from becoming too saccharine. There isn’t time to spare in the cursed forest, where life-threatening encounters shove the plot forward without pause. Clara’s scoliosis remains as naturally integrated as in the initial installment. VERDICT Purchase where readers are keen to see what the Grimm brothers might have had to say about Disney-perfect romance.

Reintgen,Scott. A Burning in the Bones. 544p. (Waxways: Bk 3). Atheneum/McElderry. Feb. 2025. Tr. $21.99. ISBN 9781665930499.
Gr 8 Up–Following the bloody revolution that overthrew Landwin Brood, Ren and Theo are adjusting to new responsibilities in Kathor. Their former ally, Nevelyn, has found herself enmeshed in more revolutionary activity. Mercy, Balmerick student from Ren and Theo’s class, is tasked with controlling a new, contagious disease in a rural area to complete her magical physician certification. The three storylines come together as the characters work to end the classist corruption at the heart of Kathor. The remnants of previous catastrophes are tangled with the overarching political scheming and the personal struggles of each character. This political fantasy pairs an unwaveringly tense narrative and breakneck pacing. Information retention is necessary but there is never over-complication, creating an excellent starting point for teens scaling up to long fantasy epics. VERDICT Purchase for all fantasy-loving teens, but particularly those who need motivation to build reading stamina.

Rosen, L.C. King’s Legacy. 256p. (Tennessee Russo: Bk 2). Union Square. Mar. 2025. Tr. $18.99. ISBN 9781454948087.
Gr 7 Up–Tennessese Russo has rejoined his father on the Indiana Jones–style archaeological adventures that fueled their TV series, which had been on a hiatus due to Tennessee’s ethical concerns about his father’s methods. This time they’re on the hunt for a lyre gifted to the biblical King David by the man some historians have argued was his lover. Everyone from their camerawoman to the Vatican attempt to stop Tennessee from presenting this piece of queer history on television. Tennessee spends much of the narrative talking about his connection to the queer community and the importance of oft-erased queer history; he also navigates the media infantilization and commodification of queer boys. While the plot is still fast-paced and adventure-driven, the initial emphatic focus on Tennessee’s struggles with his media presentation, while important, may be off-putting to fans of the first book who are seeking immediate action. VERDICT A secondary purchase best for libraries serving middle schoolers.

Taylor, Laini. The Guardians of Dreamdark: Windwitch Collector’s Edition. 400p. (Dreamdark: Bk. 1). Abrams/Amulet. Sept. 2025. Tr $24.99. ISBN 9781419753862.
Gr 9 Up–Magpie Windwitch and her cadre of crows are always on the move, putting on performances and hunting devils. When Magpie finds a devil bottle with the broken seal of the Djinn King, she knows there is something amiss. What Magpie doesn’t realize is that she is already involved; she has been reweaving the Tapestry that forecasts the future. The narrative itself feels woven together like a tapestry, with much of the appeal coming from the atmospheric prose. The exposition is largely lacking, with worldbuilding unfolding only as aspects become relevant to significant characters, and rarely with explanation. The overall feeling of a dreamy fairy tale is reinforced by the relative simplicity of each character in the cast; while interesting, they are not developed in a way typically seen in modern YA fantasy. VERDICT Consider for collections serving voracious and patient fantasy readers.