Columns > Published on January 15th, 2015

14 Highly Anticipated YA Novels for the First Half of 2015

Whether you're looking for big-time followups to your favorite series (I'm looking at you, Keira Cass fans!) or new single title releases from authors like Sarah Dessen, there's a 2015 YA release for you. These fourteen novels are highly anticipated by readers everywhere. Be sure to load up your to-be-read lists with these great selections.


1. 'The Conspiracy of Us' by Maggie Hall – January 13, 2015

Sixteen-year-old Avery West must solve an ancient puzzle in order to fight her destiny as the missing heir to a dangerous secret society called the Circle of Twelve. If they discover who she is, they will use her as a pawn, or worse, kill her. Following clues from Paris to Istanbul, Avery must fight to stay one step ahead.

Being called a YA DaVinci Code, this action-packed conspiracy thriller set in exotic locales is sure to please.

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2. 'I Was Here' by Gayle Forman – January 27, 2015

Cody is shocked and devastated when her best friend Meg drinks a bottle of industrial-strength cleaner alone in a motel room. After sharing everything, Cody feels like she should have seen the warning signs. When Cody travels to pack up Meg’s belongings, she discovers secrets about Meg that she never knew. When she finds an encrypted computer file that she cannot open, everything Cody thought she knew about Meg’s death is questioned.

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3. 'Fairest' by Marissa Meyer – January 27, 2015

As a bridge between Cress and Winter, Fairest tells the backstory on Queen Lavana of the Lunar Chronicles, foe to Myer’s versions of Rapunzel, Red Riding Hood, and Cinderella. Her story has never been told—until now. Besides a gorgeous cover, this book also includes full-color art and an excerpt from the highly anticipated Winter.

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4. 'My Heart and Other Black Holes' by Jasmine Warga – February 10, 2015

Sixteen-year-old Aysel is obsessed with plotting her own death, but isn’t sure that she has the courage to go through with it alone. She is convinced she has found her solution when she discovers a website featuring a section called Suicide Partners, and meets a teen boy named Roman who is haunted by his own family tragedy. The two form an unlikely friendship, despite having nothing in common, and support one another in making a concrete suicide pact. Things get complicated when Aysel begins to question whether or not she wants to go through with it. Highly emotional, this book is sure to be a tear-jerker.

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5. 'Red Queen' by Victoria Aveyard – February 10, 2015

Mare Barrow is a Red, one of the poverty stricken commoners living under the rule of the elite Silvers, who have god-like powers. While working in the Silver Palace, for those she hates the most, Mare discovers that despite her red blood, she has a deadly power of her own that just might threaten to destroy Silver control.

With heavy buzz and advanced praise, this trilogy could be the next big thing in YA.

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6. 'Mosquitoland' by David Arnold – March 3, 2015

When her family suddenly collapses, Mim Malone finds herself dragged from her home in Ohio to the “wastelands” of Mississippi, where she will live with her dad and new stepmom. When she finds out that her mother is sick at home, Mim boards a Greyhound bus to take her home to her real mother. Along the way, Mim meets a quirky cast of characters and takes turns she could never have seen coming, where she learns to confront her own demons.

Being praised for the unique voice of its heroine, this novel is sure to be both heartbreaking and joyful.

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7. 'Vanishing Girls' by Lauren Oliver – March 10, 2015

Before the accident that left Dara’s beautiful face scarred, sisters Nick and Dara were inseparable. Now they are estranged. When Dara vanishes on her birthday, Nick thinks Dara is playing around, but when another girl also disappears, she becomes increasingly convinced that the two are linked. Nick must find her sister before it is too late.

This highly anticipated psychological thriller is sure to delight Lauren Oliver fans.

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8. 'We All Looked Up' by Tommy Wallach – March 24, 2015

In this debut novel, four high school seniors put their hopes and humanity on the line as an asteroid with the power to wipe out all life hurtles towards Earth. With the future in question, they must abandon all plans and decide how they will spend what remains of their present.

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9. 'The Start of Me and You' by Emery Lord – March 31, 2015

A year after Paige Hancock’s first boyfriend dies in an accident, she is finally ready for a second chance at high school. She goes in prepared with a plan—get her old crush Ryan Chase to date her, and join a club. It all seems so simple until Ryan’s sweet, nerdy cousin Max moves to town and throws Paige’s perfect plan off course.

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10. 'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda' by Becky Albertalli – April 7, 2015

Sixteen-year-old Simon Spier is not-so-openly-gay and prefers to stay under the radar, but when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being spilled. To make things worse, Simon is being blackmailed—play wingman for class clown Martin, or have his sexual identity known publicly. Also at stake is the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy Simon has been emailing. Simon must find a way to step out of his comfort zone without alienating friends or compromising himself.

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11. 'The Heir' by Kiera Cass – May 5, 2015

Set twenty years after America Singer entered the Selection and won Prince Maxon’s heart, this novel features her daughter, Princess Eadlyn and a Selection of her own. Although Eadlyn doesn’t believe her own Selection will mirror the epic love story of her parents, she discovers that happily ever after is harder than she imagined.

Readers who fell in love with Kiera Cass’s Selection series will be delighted by this next installment.

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12. 'Saint Anything' by Sarah Dessen – May 5, 2015

Sydney’s charismatic older brother Peyton has always been the star of the family, but when his increasingly reckless behavior results in an accident and a jail sentence, Sydney is lost, searching for her place in the world. Everyone is so concerned about Peyton’s future, but Sydney is more concerned with the victim of the accident. Sydney begins to find her way when she meets the friendly Chatham family and gentle, protective Mac.

In this twelfth novel from YA favorite Sarah Dessen, she continues to please fans with a story of family and self-discovery.

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13. 'The Porcupine of Truth' by Bill Konisberg – May 26, 2015

Spending his summer in Billings, Montana, Carson Smith is resigned to taking care of his dying alcoholic father, who he doesn’t really know that well. Things in his quiet life are shaken up when he meets charismatic Aisha Stinson and Pastor John Logan. Aisha has run away from her difficult family and Pastor John knows a secret about Carson’s grandfather, who disappeared thirty years ago. Seeking answers that might save Carson’s dad, Carson and Aisha embark on an epic road trip to restore his fragmented family and discover the “Porcupine of Truth” in life.

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14. 'More Happy Than Not' by Adam Silvera – June 16, 2015

Aaron Soto can’t believe the too-good-to-be-true memory-relief procedure from the Leteo Institute. He can’t forget his past, including his father’s suicide and his poor upbringing. He is for the most part supported by his patient girlfriend, distant brother, and overworked mother, but things change when he meets Thomas, who likes Aaron for who he is. Since he can’t suddenly stop being gay, Aaron turns to the Leteo Institute to straighten himself out.

The Internet is all abuzz for this debut novel by Silvera, being compared to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

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These are just a few of the stellar releases coming out in 2015. With novels from favorite authors, exciting starts to new series, and stunning debuts, there’s a perfect release for every YA lover. 

About the author

Riki has a long-standing love affair with all things books and writing. She indulged her love for all things literary with a degree in English Literature from Arizona State University and is currently studying at the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing. Although she is well past her own teen years, Riki’s reading passion lies with Young Adult literature where she devours books that handle the “firsts” in life. When not reading and writing she can be found yelling at the television while watching sports.

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