In no particular order, here are the YA novels that captivated us this year.

Farrah Penn / BuzzFeed

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Released: Feb. 28

What it's about: Thomas's brilliant debut is inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. When Starr witnesses her good friend, Khalil, being shot and killed by the police for doing nothing wrong, she has to decide if she can gain the courage to stand up for justice.

Why it shines: Thomas eloquently breathes life and importance into each character while wisely addressing police brutality, Black Lives Matter, and privileged perspectives on race not just from a fictionalized point of view, but from an honest one. This story will stay with you long after you finish.

Get it from Amazon for $7.86+, Barnes & Noble for $10.99+, or a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

Balzer + Bray / Anissa Hidouk / angiethomas.com

A Crown of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi

Released: March 28

What it's about: In this fascinating companion to The Star-Touched Queen, Gauri, princess of Bharata, is a captured prisoner by her kingdom's enemies. But Prince Vikram of her enemy kingdom makes her an offer: win back her kingdom by helping him win the Tournament of Wishes — a dangerous competition where a wish is given to the winner.

Why it shines: Chokshi's lush world is gorgeously written, exceptionally intriguing, and immersive in a way that makes you want to stay in the depths of this brilliantly built world.

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+, Barnes & Noble for $9.99+, or from a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

St. Martin's Griffin / Aman Sharma

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

Released: May 30

What it's about: Dimple Shah is a passionate go-getter who wants to attend a summer program that focuses on building apps. If she wins, she'll have a chance to collaborate with her idol. Her parents have put a little too much pressure on her to get married, but Dimple has no interest — she's 18 and wants to put her education first. Then she meets Rishi Patel at her summer program and realizes that it's not coincidence that he's here. Rishi holds high respect for his Indian heritage and isn't necessarily turned off by the idea of an arranged marriage. While Dimple and Rishi don't exactly see eye to eye, they're forced to work together throughout the course of the program.

Why it shines: Menon creates a thoughtful and heartfelt story that not only includes a swoony romance, but a fresh and honest look at friendship, love, privilege, and finding the ambition to go after your dreams.

Get it from Amazon for $10.98+, Barnes & Noble for $11.99+, or from a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

Simon & Schuster / sandhyamenon.com

Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh

Released: May 16

What it's about: En route to her arranged marriage that will help her family, Mariko's carriage is ambushed by a group that calls itself the Black Clan. After the attack, everyone — including Mariko's family — believes her to be dead, but she survives. She then seeks revenge by dressing as a boy and attempting to join the Black Clan. Analytically minded, Mariko wants to unearth the motives behind the group's ambush. She becomes drawn to one member in particular, Okami, and begins to discover that the Black Clan is much different than she expected.

Why it shines: Filled with strong female characters, action and adventure, and beautiful storytelling, Flame in the Mist offers a world you'll want to escape into for a long while.

Get it from Amazon for $10.99+, Barnes & Noble for $10.99+, or from a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers / Chuck Eaton / Via reneeahdieh.com

They Both Die At The End by Adam Silvera

Released: Sept. 5

What it's about: Death-Cast is a system used to warn people 24 hours in advance of their End Day (the day they die). Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio both receive a call on the same day and through a series of events, wind up meeting each other using an app called the Last Friend, which pairs people up so they can find company on their final day. Told through both boys' points of view with third person narrations sprinkled throughout, we gain insight into Mateo and Rufus's mortality.

Why it shines: Silvera not only poignantly captures the raw emotion of facing your own morality, but effortlessly creates relatable and authentic characters. His gorgeous writing and wonderful storytelling will wreck you in the very best possible way.

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+, Barnes & Noble for $9.99+, or from a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

HarperTeen / Margot Wood

Dear Martin by Nic Stone

Released: Oct. 17

What it's about: Jus begins writing letters to Martin Luther King Jr. after a scary, discriminatory incident with the police. He's a smart kid who attends a mostly white prep school and has dreams of attending an Ivy League university. Yet, he begins to wonder if the world truly does see him as good because of the color of his skin. After the incident, Jus begins reflecting upon the daily microaggressions he experiences, especially those that come from a certain group of classmates.

Why it shines: Stone pens a sincere, truthful novel that deep dives into the reality of injustice, prejudices, privilege, and racism in today's society.

Get it from Amazon for $10.99+, Barnes & Noble for $10.99+, or from a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

Penguin / goodreads.com

American Street by Ibi Zoboi

Released: Feb. 14

What it's about: Fabiola travels from Haiti to live in Detroit with her aunt and cousins. However, trouble arises when her mother is detained in New Jersey. Fabiola will do anything to help her mother, including using a bit of manipulation to get what she wants.

Why it shines: Zoboi writes a stunning story about the immigration experience, family, and love that's raw, emotional, and remarkably honest.

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+, Barnes & Noble for $9.99+, or from a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

Balzer + Bray / ibizoboi.net

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Released: Jan. 31

What it's about: Scarlett has always been captivated by Caraval, a yearly magical traveling performance where attendees can choose to observe or attend as players in the game. When Scarlett and her sister have the opportunity to attend, she's thrilled. But when she realizes her sister, Tella, has been kidnapped as part of the game, she must keep a clear mind between magic and reality to find her before any of the other contestants — and before the five nights of the game are up.

Why it shines: Garber creates a dreamy, dark, and mystical world in this spellbinding debut.

Get it from Amazon for $9.11+, Barnes & Noble for $9.99+, or from a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

Flatiron Books / MATTHEW MOORES / stephaniegarberauthor.com

Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han

Released: May 2

What it's about: Lara Jean thinks she has it all planned. She's expecting to have a drama-free senior year. She's also expecting get into UVA — her dream school and also the school her serious boyfriend, Peter, is attending. It'll be close to home, and it's familiar. But when things don't exactly go as planned, Lara realizes she's going to have to start accepting that change is inevitable and that, sometimes, the path you think you need to be on isn't the one that's best for you.

Why it shines: In this tender, heartfelt, and swoony conclusion to the Lara Jean series, Han captures the anxiety, fun, and uncertainty of growing up and moving forward after high school.

Get it from Amazon for $9.66+, Barnes & Noble for $9.68+, or from a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers / goodreads.com

The Gentleman's Guide To Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

Released: June 27

What it's about: In a story set in 18th-century Europe, overconfident Monty, his best friend Percy — whom he has strong feelings for — and Monty's younger sister, Felicity, are attending a grand tour of Europe when Monty's scoundrel ways get the three of them into trouble. Monty has stolen something of great significance. Because of this, the trio happens upon an adventure of a lifetime.

Why it shines: Lee pens a page-turning novel that contains a race-against-the-clock plot, but it's her incredibly fun and personable characters you'll want to follow to the very end.

Get it from Amazon for $6.77+, Barnes & Noble for $6.83+, or from a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

Katherine Tegen Books / mackenzilee.com

The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

Released: Apr. 11

What it's about: 17-year-old Molly is dealing with several insecurities: Worrying about her weight, worrying about boys, and worrying about her drifting relationship with her twin sister. When her twin tries to push a new guy on Molly, she's all for it — until she begins to get to know her co-worker, Reid.

Why it shines: Albertalli's flawless knack for dialogue and talent for capturing the real, raw emotion of her characters make this book a spectacularly enjoyable read.

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+, Barnes & Noble for $9.99+, or from a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

Balzer & Bray / Harperteen / goodreads.com

It's Not Like It's a Secret by Misa Sugiura

Released: May 9

What it's about: Sixteen-year-old Sana has just moved from Wisconsin to California with her family, and has a lot to deal with. First of all, she's keeping the secret that her dad's having an affair. Plus, she has to navigate racial stereotypes as a Korean-American and also face up to the fact that her feelings for another girl might be more than just a girl-crush. Her secret begins to pile up and everything suddenly feels like it's falling apart.

Why it shines: More than just a love story between two girls, Sugiura has woven a story addressing complex issues of race, sexuality, and intersection of the two. The racism shown coming from one POC to another is rare in a YA book and makes it a very three-dimensional story.

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+, Barnes & Noble for $9.99+, or from a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

HarperTeen / misasugiura.com

Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy

Released: May 9

What it's about: Set in Eulogy, a southern Mississippi town, Ramona "Blue" Leroux carries the weight of everyone else's stress on her shoulders. She's close with her older sister, who's been knocked up by a guy who's not very responsible. Ramona feels the pressure to help be the breadwinner with her sister's baby on the way, but she's also struggling from her recent breakup with Grace. Then Freddie, a childhood friend, returns for their senior year. Ramona and Freddie both feel a quiet, growing attraction to each other, which leaves Ramona questioning her sexual identity.

Why it shines: Murphy does a phenomenal job creating a gorgeously told coming-of-age story that features a strong sisterly bond, the importance of family, and figuring out how you fit in the world.

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+, Barnes & Noble for $9.99+, or from a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

Balzer & Bray / juliemurphywrites.com

The Inexplicable Logic of My Life by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Released: Mar. 7

What it's about: This coming-of-age story follows Sal and his two best friends, Samantha and Fito, through their senior year. Sal is adopted, and the only father he's ever known is his gay, nonbiological father who's shown him nothing but love and kindness.

Why it shines: Sáenz crafts a memorable story from Sal's point of view as he navigates friendships, loss, identity, and love in different forms.

Get it from Amazon for $7.62+, Barnes & Noble for $9.99+, or from a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

Clarion Books / en.wikipedia.org

Tash Hearts Tolstoy by Kathryn Ormsbee

Released: Jun. 6

What it's about: Tash has a very special place in her heart for Leo Tolstoy. She loves his writing so much that she's created a YouTube web series based on Anna Karenina – a modern adaptation called Unhappy Families. When her series gains overnight fame, she has to keep up with all her new followers and the pressure of creating weekly episodes and keeping the show's viral status. When Unhappy Families is nominated for a Golden Tuba, Tash's flirty online rapport with fellow nominee Thom grows into a potential IRL relationship. But Tash is a romantic asexual and she has to figure out how to come out as something most people have never heard of.

Why it shines: Tash's sexuality isn't a main plotline of the book which is a refreshing change, especially for such a marginalised identity. The characters are fleshed-out, relatable teenagers and there are plenty of nods to Tolstoy's literature for fans to pick up on.

Get it from Amazon for $10.99+, Barnes & Noble for $10.99+, or from a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

Simon & Schuster / goodreads.com

Little & Lion by Brandy Colbert

Released: Aug. 8

What it's about: Suzette (aka Little) has just returned home to Los Angeles from her boarding school in New England to help support her family, most especially her brother, Lionel, who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. But as Little eases back into her old life, she finds herself falling for the one girl her brother happens to be in love with.

Why it shines: Colbert writes genuinely about sexual identity, race, and mental illness in a raw, honest way in this gorgeous and emotional coming-of-age story.

Get it from Amazon for $7+, Barnes & Noble for $7.07+, or from a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

Little, Brown / Jessie Weinberg

City of Saints & Thieves by Natalie C. Anderson

Released: Jan. 24

What it's about: Tina's mother begins work as a maid in their new country of Kenya, after fleeing the Congo as refugees. But Tina quickly figures out her mum's new boss is a corrupt crime boss, and when she's found shot dead Tina knows exactly who's behind it. Tina spends the next four years on the streets, working in a gang, and thinking of nothing but exacting revenge on her mother's killer. But when the opportunity finally arises, it turns out there was a lot more to the story than she first thought.

Why it shines: This fast-paced thriller is a genuine representation of the human rights violations and struggles that refugees, particularly women, face in war-torn countries. Using Swahili and French slang, Anderson uses language to weave a colourful world that draws you in.

Get it from Amazon for $6.92+, Barnes & Noble for $7+, or from a local bookseller through Indiebound here.

G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers / Karina Hathaway / Via karinahathaway.com