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November and December Debut YA Novels

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Written by: Kelly on December 6, 2013.

Since both November and December are quieter months when it comes to debut novels this year, rather than having two separate posts, I’d combine the two. This will be the last roundup of debut novels out in 2013, but you can catch up on previous posts by checking out October’s debut post and working backwards from there. 

Did you see this week’s announcement of the YALSA Morris contenders? Check out the 5 books honored on the short list. This is probably my favorite of the awards lists, as it rewards not just a well-done debut novel, but it looks at both appeal to readers and the potential for that author to continue producing excellent work in the future. 

As usual, if I’ve missed a traditionally-published debut novel that came out in November or will be coming out this month, let me know in the comments. All descriptions are from WorldCat, unless otherwise noted.

After Eden by Helen Douglas: Eden, sixteen, must choose between helping Ryan, a time-traveler, and her best friend Connor who, according to Ryan, is about to become famous through a significant scientific discovery that will, ultimately ruin the world.

Cracked by Eliza Crewe: Meet Meda. She eats people. Well, technically, she eats their soul. But she can’t help being a bad guy. She knows she’s different and the only other person who could have told her about other “soul-eaters” is now dead. That is, until the three men in suits show up. They can do what she can do. They’re like her. Meda might finally be able to figure out what she is and why the Hunger with her for souls is growing. The problem? They want to kill her.

Control by Lydia Kang: In 2150, when genetic manipulation has been outlawed, seventeen-year-old Zelia must rescue her kidnapped sister with the help of a band of outcasts with mutated genes.

These Broken Stars by Aime Kaufman and Meagan Spooner: Two star-crossed lovers must fight for survival when they crash land on a seemingly uninhabited planet. Note that Kaufman is the debut author with this book, but Spooner debuted in August 2012 with Skylark. 

The Promise of Amazing by Robin Constantine: Wren Caswell is average. Ranked in the middle of her class at Sacred Heart, she’s not popular, but not a social misfit. Wren is the quiet, “good” girl who’s always done what she’s supposed to—only now in her junior year, this passive strategy is backfiring. She wants to change, but doesn’t know how. Grayson Barrett was the king of St. Gabe’s. Star of the lacrosse team, top of his class, on a fast track to a brilliant future—until he was expelled for being a “term paper pimp.” Now Gray is in a downward spiral and needs to change, but doesn’t know how. One fateful night their paths cross when Wren, working at her family’s Arthurian-themed catering hall, performs the Heimlich on Gray as he chokes on a cocktail weenie, saving his life literally and figuratively. What follows is the complicated, awkward, hilarious, and tender tale of two teens shedding their pasts, figuring out who they are—and falling in love. (via Goodreads)

Have you had any favorite debut novels this year? I’d love to know what you dug in the comments and what you’re looking forward to in 2014. 

Comments

  1. I've read THE PROMISE OF AMAZING and it's really cute! <3 My favorite debuts of the year were UNTEACHABLE by Leah Raeder (NA), HOW TO LOVE by Katie Cotugno, THE ART OF WISHING by Lindsay Ribar, and OCD LOVE STORY by Corey Ann Haydu. So excited for more by all of those authors!

    Also really excited for Nina LaCour's third and Jessica Verdi's second novels next year, and Brandy Colbert's debut, POINTE. And, having been lucky enough to read a bunch of 2014 ARCs, I definitely recommend other readers keep an eye out for OPEN ROAD SUMMER by Emery Lord, SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY by Julie Murphy, SEKRET by Lindsay Smith, TSARINA by J. Nelle Patrick (aka Jackson Pearce), and WE WERE LIARS by E. Lockhart, which I loved despite the fact that it broke my soul.

    • I really loved OCD Love Story, too. I haven't read the other debuts you listed yet!

      I have a copy of Pointe sitting here and I'm so excited to get into it. I enjoyed We Were Liars, too. I didn't know Tsarnia was by Jackson Pearce, either.