WHAT TO READ NEXT IN YOUNG ADULT
AUGUST 2025
by Sydney Spell
Welcome to Texas Reads YA! As a teen who loves to read YA, I sometimes have a hard time finding quality YA novels.
These novels both pull from classic stories and create new stories all their own. They both use fantastical elements to enhance the stories and add to the plot.
Sydney Hamilton
Six of Crows meets Red Queen in this epic dystopian fantasy retelling of the Culper Spy
A shadow summoner.
A spy known as the Reaper.
An ex-assassin.
A bookish sharpshooter.
A convict with an affinity for healing.
Tallmadge needs two things to her sword, and to maintain her winning streak in the highly illegal Scrap Fights.
Tyrannical Commander Dorn takes away the latter, and Tallmadge loses the only way to scrape enough money together to survive the Scrap. So when an opportunity to assassinate him comes along, she is more than happy to accept the mission with her motley crew of West Republic outcasts.
But when she unlocks the ability to summon shadows, a power only a god-favored Wielder should have, her very existence becomes a threat to Dorn, who’s counted on her weakness her entire life. Tallmadge must navigate the dangers of underground rebel factions, learn to work alongside her ability which seems to have a mind of its own, and kill Dorn before the census. Alliances with old enemies, new friends, and Saints are all necessary if she wants to kill Dorn, because he’s out to kill her, and her crew, first.
Sons of Liberty contains incredible worldbuilding, complex characters, and a solid storyline that keeps readers coming back for more. The story will continue in a highly anticipated second novel. The characters bring this book to life and it is truly so much more than a heist with magical elements.
Sydney Hamilton is a young writer who grew up in Texas. She is currently in school for Journalism and loves studying languages.
Christopher Bodmann
Elizabeth Goodwin was not happy about her family moving from London to the country, but her world gets turned upside down when her twin brothers, James and Addison, disappear from their beds in the middle of the night.
What’s even more strange is that she’s alerted to their disappearance by an owl who seems to understand English. Elizabeth and her two remaining brothers, Isaac and Daniel, head out to look for the twins, determined to find them before they all get into trouble with their parents.
Instead of their brothers, the trio find a magical portal that transports them to the fantasy world of Traumwelt. Elizabeth, Isaac, and Daniel set off on a quest to find the twins while James and Addison have their own adventure seeking a way home.
Along the way, the children learn they each have some amazing abilities, and before the end of their tale they realize the importance of family.
The Goodwin Chronicles has a wonderful take on the classic YA fantasy novel. It hides beautiful themes of family and the values we hold in a fantastical story of five siblings in a unique universe.
Christopher Bodmann is dedicated to crafting fun, engaging stories with relatable characters. He uses fantasy elements to address real-world issues that middle-grade readers might face, aiming to create a meaningful connection with his audience. Christopher resides in San Antonio, Texas, with his loving wife and their five wonderful children.
Sydney Spell is a college freshman at UT Austin. She has enjoyed reading through adolescence and is a big fan of YA novels specifically.