Books Releasing December 15

Well, this has to be the quietest week for the year- 1 release.  So I'll post it, and some of my favorite Teen/YAbooks of the year.  This list is the one that comes to mind... if I think on it, well it's frightening how long that list would be!

The Lost, book 5 and the final book of the Witch and Wizard series by James Patterson

Whit and Wisty Allgood have fought and defeated their world's most pernicious threats: the evil dictator, The One Who Is The One, as well as his wicked father and son. But just as the heroic witch and wizard start to settle into their new roles in governance, a deadly crime wave grips their city, with all signs pointing to a magical mastermind every bit as powerful and heartless as The One. Now the siblings find themselves persecuted as the city turns against all magic users, and questioning everything, including each other--and, for the first time, their abilities. Can they confront the citizens' growing hostility and their own doubts in time to face the new enemy barreling toward their gates?
James Patterson brings the Witch & Wizard saga to a head by exposing the nature of power-and what it means for the heroes that have it.

I can't really choose a numerical order- I loved all of these books for different reasons!

For Fantasy:
The Kiss of Deception, Remnant Chronicles book 1 by Mary Pearson

I love the way she presents the Prince and the Assassin- you totally have to pay attention to the clues in order to figure out which one is which.  And since the Assassin is there to kill her, it pays to figure it out early!
This book was my favorite of the summer, between May and the first of September!
I read the ARC of The Heart of Betrayal, book #2, and it was amazing!  Just how far is she willing to go-what is she willing to sacrifice for the one she loves?  And just what are the guys in her life willing to do to keep her. 

For Epic Fantasy

Heir of Fire, Throne of Glass book 3 by Sarah J Maas

This book has a different pace than one and two.  It's got a great steady pace and there is so much going on!  Introduction to a new land, new characters, great romance, tons of action and a perfect-set-up to book four, which should be out Fall 2015.  This series is so incredible that I think I will always pick up her books when first published- hardcover or softcover.

For Dystopian
Pawn, Blackcoat Rebellion book 1 by Aimee' Carter

Kitty has 30 seconds to decide if she wants to remain a III and continue to sell herself into prostitution or take her assignment thousands of miles from home, or become a VII with no questions ask.  She takes the VII not realizing just how much she'd have to sacrifice- everything- much less all she'd have to learn, do and accomplish to stay alive.  
Captive, book 2, is out now and was a great read as well. 

For Fantasy, based on/off of a Fairy Tale

Princess of Thorns by Stacey Jay

This is the story of Aurora, Sleeping Beauty's daughter.  She's a warrior and ready to take back her kingdom.  But she's no average mortal, she's been fairy blessed with the gifts of bravery, enhanced strength, mercy and what's more of a curse- takes the ability of free will from any boy who kisses her.  Disguised as a boy to begin gathering her army can she beat back the ogre queen's army and save her brother or is it a fight fated to be lost.

For Fantasy setting, Witches and world travel

Trial by Fire, Trial by Fire book 1 by Josephine Angelini

In this world in todays Salem, Lily has horrible allergies that keep her from living the life of an average teenager.  And when the guy she's crushed on forever betrays her, she's humiliated in front of a party, she goes off by herself and wishes she could disappear.  When she hears a voice asking her if she'd leave, it doesn't take much for her to say yes.

Now she's in an alternate Salem.   Seemingly a fantasy setting, with advanced technology and all she knows is she comes face-to-face with herself from this world, Lillian.  Here Lillian is dying and she needs Lily.  After explaining it all, Lily runs, having no idea the adventures that would unfold.  They look alike, genetically are identical, and Lillian is not a beloved person in this world.  Can Lily manage to prove, repeatedly, that she's not Lillian and stay alive.  Will she be able to hold her own against the witch and magic she's up against.  You'll have to read it to see!

 

Best Final Book of Series

In Elemental Magic

Sacrifice, Elemental book #5 by Brigid Kemmerer

This may be the last book, at least for now.  And it's Michael's story.  His parents died and he's all that's left holding his family together, and his brothers are all underage.  Keeping Social Services away means toeing the line and keeping all of it, including his brothers, together.  One mishap with his earth magic puts them on the radar of an Elemental Guide- one whose purpose is to destroy them all.  And it all starts to fall apart.  As things degrade even further, can they pull it together, not only as a family but as an elemental unit to defeat the enemy?  Awesome book!!!

In Dystopian

The One, Selection book 3 by Kiera Cass

Finally!!  A final book in a trilogy that I loved!  I hated Mockingjay, won't touch Allegiant...but this book, it restores my faith in final books!  The competition has increased greatly inside and the tension is skyrocketing outside and it's only now that she realizes what she wants and it's a tough fight to get it.  This series is such a beloved one that there are actually more books to come!! The Queen, a novella, was released awhile ago and The Heir, book 4, is due out 5/5/15.  

In Mythology

Killer Frost, Mythos Academy book 6 by Jennifer Estep

Champion to a goddess, wielding a talking sword and a magic that gives her history (of both people and things) makes Gwen Frost a worthy adversary, but Loki, he's about as fierce as it gets.  She doubts that she can beat him until the one she loves is in extreme danger, and that gives her an edge that pushes her to put forth everything she has, even at the cost of herself.  And while I was sad to see this series end, it was a worthy close to a great series.

In Paranormal/Urban Fantasy

City of Heavenly Fire, The Mortal Instruments book 6 by Cassandra Clare

Betrayals, traveling into realms unknown, danger, action-adventure, romance and everything you could ask for makes it into this final book.  Don't be sad, for avid fans The Bane Chronicles was just published and Lady Midnight, book 1 of The Dark Artifices, a series that takes place five years later, has an approximate date of September 2015.