YA Books We Can’t Wait to Read
By: Ally Hendricks
As we approach a new year, it is time to look at the books that will be published in 2026. And for lovers of diverse young adult sci-fi and fantasy, it’s shaping up to be a phenomenal time! With everything from queer witches, disabled MCs, cozy romantasies, sentient spacecrafts, BIPOC authors, fae princesses, and mythological retellings, these 14 YA books were immediately added to my TBR when they were announced.
Whether you’re a fan of young adult books or looking to branch out for the first time, I hope you’ll find a book in this list to add to your (never ending) TBR!
Josephine Haven can’t follow the most important rule at the House of Industry: Never form attachments. Now she has been banished from the city and sent on a remote Mission to work with two strangers, Julian and Ezra. As the trio work together, Josephine starts to question the system that raised her and sent her on the Mission in the first place. With queerplatonic and poly relationships, this book is set to release on January 20th from Peachtree Teen.
A cozy and queer fantasy featuring found family and witchcraft, this book follows Callum as he takes on a job from Lucifer that will end Callum’s contract with the Devil early. The task itself seems simple: get Augustus “Auggie” Sanderson from London to New York safely by the next blood moon. But the road turns out to be more dangerous than Callum expects, and he’ll need lots of help to get the job done. This book is set to release on January 20th from Page Street YA.
The second book of the Nampeshiweisit duology continues following Anequs after she has completed the first year at Kuiper’s Academy. Feeling accomplished, Anequs, Theod, and Kasaqua return to Masquapaug for what is supposed to be a relaxing summer break. But with Anglish presence in her hometown for the first time, tensions will rise, and Anequs will have to fight against the colonizer and their expectations once more. This highly anticipated sequel to To Shape a Dragon’s Breath is set to release on January 27th from Del Rey.
This queer, cozy, and romantic fantasy is being marketed for fans of Brandy’s Cinderella, and follows Darling and Calamity, who both want to win the only open spot at the Mortal Outcome Council Mentorship. To gain insight on how to pass the test, the two enter a fake betrothal to insert themselves into their mutual target, Lucy Addlesberg’s, life. As a Guardian, it is Darling’s job to help Lucy turn her life from a complete mess into a girl fit to fall in love with a princess. And as a Misfortune, it’s Calam’s job to make sure that Lucy’s bad luck continues. As the two rivals vie for control of Lucy’s life, they start to question their own life choices. This book is set to release on February 3rd from Feiwel & Friends.
Eighteen-year-old Samantha Chan is out for revenge, and cannot wait until the day she takes down Mateus Blackwood, her brother’s killer. Tamsin Blackwood, Mateus’ daughter, wants to make a name for herself so that she can escape her family’s legacy. As fate intertwines them, the two girls start to fall for each other, leaving them to decide what is most important: revenge or heart. The book is set to release on February 10th from G. P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers.
This contemporary fantasy romance is set in Illinois, where agents of the Bureau of Mystical Affairs keep the town’s magic in check. Junior recruit Monroe is excited for her very first assignment, which includes keeping all her classmates safe. But when Iris James asks Monroe to fake date her in order to keep an ex jealous, Monroe will have to struggle with growing feelings and her sense of duty. This book is set to release on March 24th from Joy Revolution.
A queer sci-fi book that follows Ishara, as she puts together a team of misfits to track down the Ballena, a sentient spacecraft that hides in the darkness of the galaxy. But the task is not easy as she finds herself pulled between her first mate Quinn and the new ship mech Augustus, and her past and future are starting to collide. This book is set to release on March 31st from Viking Books for Young Readers.
This dark and romantic fantasy book promises vampires and a disabled FMC. In the forest of Gravewood, Shea is cut off from the rest of the world. When she starts to run out of hearing aid batteries, she grows desperate for supplies. Entering a deal with Oliver, the leader of the vampiric gang that rules the Gravewood, her life is about to get much more complex and dangerous. This book is set to release on April 7th from Scholastic Press.
A sapphic reimagining of Hades and Persephone. Adria has just won control over the Shadowlands from her bloodthirsty parents, but is struggling to get everyone to embrace her leadership. So she captures a foreign princess and holds her for ransom, hoping to gain her people’s respect. But Kori, the Daylands’ princess, has grown up lonely under a strict household, and relishes in the freedom that comes from her “capture.” As political chaos breaks out, Kori and Adria will find out just how much they can trust each other. This book is set to release in May from Peachtree Teen.
This cozy, sapphic romantasy follows fae princess Hyacinth as she enlists the help of her human friend, Chloe, to find out why the King disappeared fifteen years ago. Defying the Queen’s orders, they start on an adventure and discover they’ll have to seek the center of a magical labyrinth to find out the truth. This book is set to release on June 2nd from Peachtree Teen.
Wicked Endeavors by Kamilah Cole
A romantasy book that promises a Spanish Renaissance-inspired kingdom, vengeful teens, elite witches, revenge, and was pitched as “a love letter to the power of Black women’s anger.” This book is set to release Summer 2026.
A queer graphic novel from the illustrator of the Cemetery Boys cover, this book follows Rosefinch, who is trying to find a witch who can help control her magic. On her way she encounters an ancient ruined castle, frees strangers from a curse, and discovers secrets about the surrounding village, the witch she thought could help, and the charming knight she just saved. This book is set to release on August 11th by Feiwel & Friends.
A Thousand Nights edited by Nafiza Azad & Intisar Khanani
This YA interconnected anthology follows two teen girl refugees as they cross a perilous desert. On their journey they encounter other refugees, who share with them folktales and fantasies. The anthology written by Muslim authors is inspired by Arabian Nights, and is set to release in Fall 2026* from Candlewick.
*While the Publisher’s Marketplace announcement reads Summer 2026, a recent Instagram post by editor Nafiza Azad states the book will be released Fall 2026.
The highly anticipated sequel to Cemetery Boys, this book follows Julian as he is now able to see and communicate with ghosts. While he loves being a part of his boyfriend’s community, Julian keeps seeing other things: dark spots on people, glowing eyes, and shadows. As he struggles with figuring out what’s happening to him, chaos will certainly ensue. This book is set to release September 8th from Feiwel & Friends.