Top 100 YA Novels (#85-81)

Another day, another five YA titles unveiled. Today it is a bunch of titles published this decade...with an exception to one.

#85 Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead (2008)
[84 points - 2 #1s, 2 #2s, 3 #3s, 3 #5s, 1 #8, 1 #10]

“Richelle Mead's ability to create characters that you invest in, and a world that is so real is what makes this series so appealing." Kate, YA Reads

“Shadow Kiss has forbidden romance, a realistic portrayal of teenage/student life, great action, strong friendships and heartbreaking moments that makes it the best book in the series." Mary, reader.

It's springtime at St. Vladimir's Academy, and Rose Hathaway is this close to graduation. Since making her first Strigoi kills, Rose hasn't been feeling quite right. She's having dark thoughts, behaving erratically, and worst of all...might be seeing ghosts.

As Rose questions her sanity, new complications arise. Lissa has begun experimenting with her magic once more, their enemy Victor Dashkov might be set free, and Rose's forbidden relationship with Dimitri is starting to heat up again. But when a deadly threat no one saw coming changes their entire world, Rose must put her own life on the line--and choose between the two people she loves most.RichelleMead.com

One of the most prolific YA authors of the past few years, Mead works on three series simultaneously. Shadow Kiss is the third title in the Vampire Academy series that has graced both USA Today and New York Times Bestseller lists. Recently the film rights have been acquired and seeing Rose, Lisa and Dimitri (and ADRIAN) on the big screen is an exciting proposition.

• To visit the author’s website click here.
• Richelle Mead’s Twitter
• Excerpt.

#84 Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder (2006)
[88 points - 2 #1s, 2 #2s, 1 #4, 4 #5s, 3 #6s, 1 #7]

About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered a reprieve. She'll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace, and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia. And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust, and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison. As Yelena tries to escape her dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and she develops magical powers she can't control. Her life’s at stake again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren’t so clear. MariaVSnyder.com

Starting out as a meteorologist, Snyder first publisher work was the fantasy title Poison Study. The first in the Study Series, it won the 2006 Compton Crook Award for best debut novel from the Baltimore Science Fiction Society and the 2006 Reader's Choice Award from the Salt Lake County Library System. It was also listed on the YALSA 2009 Popular Paperback list funder the Spies and Intrigue category.

• To visit the author’s website click here.
• Read an excerpt here.

#83 The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness (2008)
[90 points - 2 #1s, 3 #2s, 1 #4, @ #5s, 1 #6, 2 #7s, 2 #9s, 1 #10]

“This book has it all... quality writing, non-stop action, wonderful characterisation and big questions about morals and society that will always be relevant." Michelle Sweeney, Librarian

“Ness creates a compelling and strange new world, filled with secrets and surprises that are all the more rewarding because we learn about them at the same time that poor Todd does.” Angela Craft, Bookish Blather.

Todd Hewitt is the last boy in Prentisstown.

But Prentisstown isn't like other towns. Everyone can hear everyone else's thoughts in a constant, overwhelming, never-ending Noise. There is no privacy. There are no secrets.

Or are there?

Just one month away from the birthday that will make him a man, Todd unexpectedly stumbles upon a spot of complete silence.

Which is impossible.

Prentisstown has been lying to him.

And now he's going to have to run... PatrickNess.com

The Knife of Never Letting Go is the first instalment in the Chaos Walking Trilogy. An involving exploration into a dystopian world without women, this title grabs ever reader by the throat and hangs on until the final sentence. Ness won numerous awards for his first YA title including the Booktrust Teenage Prize and the Guardian Award. Ness has taught creative writing at Oxford University and been a literary reviewer for many well respected publications.

• To visit the author’s website click here.
• Patrick Ness’ podcast with a Q&A and extracts.
• Interview on children’s television show.

#82 Jacob I Have Loved by Katherine Paterson (1980)
[91 points - 2 #1s, 2 #2s, 2 #3s, 1 #4, 2 #5s, 1 #7s, 2 #8s, 4 #9s]

“Jacob have I loved but Esau have I hated (Romans 9:13). The story to 2 sisters and the parallels to the Old Testament story impacted on me deeply. I re-read this story every few years as it helped me to find a place in my mind that I was comfortable with.” Vassiliki Veros, Librarian

“An isolated fishing village, a neglected twin, plenty of teen angst, unrequited love, and World War II. Oh - and a lovely, fulfilling ending. What more could you ask for?” Bridget, Lexicographer

"Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. . . ." With her grandmother's taunt, Louise know that she, like the biblical Esau, was the despised elder twin. Caroline, her selfish younger sister, was the one everyone Loved. Growing up on a tiny Chesapeake Bay island in the early 1940s, angry Louise reveals how Caroline robbed her of everything: her hopes for schooling, her friends, her mother, even her name. While everyone pampered Caroline, Wheeze (her sister's name for her) began to learn the ways of the watermen and the secretes of the island, especially of old Captain Wallace, who had mysteriously returned after fifty years. The war unexpectedly gave this independent girl a chance to fulfil her childish dream to work as a waterman alongside her father. But the dream did not satisfy the woman she was becoming. Alone and unsure, Louise began to fight her way to a place where Caroline could not reach. Terabithia.com

The Newbery medallists have made a strong showing on the Top 100 YA novels list so far and Jacob I Have Loved is no exception. Katherine Peterson won the Newbery Medal in 1981 as well as tagged one of the School Library Journals’ Best Books of 1980. The ALA recognised the novel twice as a Notable Children’s Book (1976-1980) and as being one of the Best of the 1980s. Peterson credits William W. Warner's Beautiful Swimmers: Watermen, Crabs and Chesapeake Bay for the germ of an idea that brought forth Jacob Have I Loved. Warner’s exploration of the Chesapeake Bay tradition of watermen captured her interest and set her on her way.

• To visit the author’s website click here.
• Jacob Have I Loved Reading Guide (The Learning Page.)
• Katherine Peterson’s summary and other useful materials.

#81 The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan (2009)
[93 points - 2 #2s, 2 #3s, 4 #4s, 1 #5s, 2 #7s, 3 #8s, 3 #9s, 2 #10s]

“I never thought I would read a zombie book, let alone fall in love with one - the book, not a zombie :). Beautiful prose and a storyline that didn't follow a Happily Ever After. My heart was racing and I felt like I was right there with Mary and the others. Truly blew me away." Deborah Taggart, reader.

In Mary's world, there are simple truths.

The Sisterhood always knows best.

The Guardians will protect and serve.

The Unconsecrated will never relent.

And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village. The fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth.

But slowly, Mary's truths are failing her. She's learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power. And, when the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness.

Now she must choose between her village and her future, between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded by so much death? CarrieRyan.com

Hold onto your hats - the zombies (excuse me, the Unconsecrated ) have arrived! Inspired by an article on overfishing tuna, Ryan hit the ground running with her tense and atmospheric debut work. Readers have responded to Mary’s tale strongly with The Forest of Hands and Teeth appearing on the New York Times Best Seller list as well as being announced as an ALA choice as a Best Book for YA, A Borders Original Voices finalist and a Junior Library Guild selection among many other recognitions.

• To visit the author’s website click here.
• Carrie Ryan’s Twitter.
• Great audio interview with Australia’s ABC radio about Ryan’s inspiration, zombie prejudice and romance in a unique setting.

I just wanted to say a big thank you for the enthusiastic response to this Top 100 YA Novels list. I am ecstatic that it is prompting readers to search out books they were unfamiliar with! Check back in and tell us what you thought of your new discoveries.