Ready to meet your next read? Teen Breathe has teamed up with writer, book blogger, and avid reader Emily Waller to bring you our latest book recommendations
HOUSE OF HOLLOW BY KRYSTAL SUTHERLAND (RECOMMENDED FOR AGES 13+)
10 years after their mysterious disappearance from an Edinburgh street – and their equally strange return a month later – 17-year-old Iris Hollow attempts to navigate life as normal alongside her sisters, Vivi and Grey. None of them have memories of their disappearance: only a hook-shaped scar on their necks; a lingering magnetic strangeness… When Grey goes missing, Iris finds herself following a string of grotesque clues in a desperate effort to locate her sister. But as the mysteries of the sisters’ childhoods are unearthed, Iris realises that perhaps some secrets are better left buried.
SUGAR TOWN QUEENS BY MALLA NUNN (RECOMMENDED FOR AGES 12+)
When Amandla’s mother returns from Durban on her 15th birthday, Amandla suspects something is up. She knows her visibly shaken mother has experienced another ‘episode’, and instead of bearing gifts, has arrived with an unfamiliar address and hefty sum of cash at the bottom of her handbag. Frustrated, perplexed, and having never known her father, Amandla decides it’s time to seek answers about her mother’s life… Not anticipating her discoveries would uncover devastating truths and forever alter her family. A contemporary read spanning themes of racism, love, and belonging.
DARK RISE BY C. S. PACAT (RECOMMENDED FOR AGES 14+)
Following his mother’s death, 16-year-old Will Stanton works on the docks of the Thames in 1821 London. A seemingly normal teenager, Will has spent months on the run, desperate to evade capture by the very hands that murdered his mother. He soon finds himself under the protection of an ancient order known as the Stewards, but is then thrust into a magical battle – one where he must hone his skills, join forces with the Light, and protect humanity from the Dark King’s return. A fantastical, chilling, and mystifying good-versus-evil tale imbued with apprehension and intrigue.
SECRETS OF THE STARS BY MARIA KUZNIAR (RECOMMENDED FOR AGES 8+)
Intrepid explorer Aleja (and her crew of pirates!) have bitten off more than they can chew as they embark on a thrilling quest to uncover the second piece of their missing magical map. Befuddled by a plethora of strange clues, the team struggle to bring order to the chaos rapidly unfolding on their high-stakes adventure. Tensions rise and allegiances are tested, and Aleja begins experiencing odd visions as she races the clock to unravel well-kept secrets. Perhaps someone is trying to tell her something – can they be trusted? An exhilarating second instalment in the Ship of Shadows series.
