Simon Teen Reveals Week is here!

What, you ask, is Simon Teen Reveals Week? It’s that special time of year when we show you all the shiny new covers for books coming out in just a few seasons. From June 3 – 7, we’re showing you all the new covers for our Spring 2025 young adult books. So get your Goodreads shelf ready because you’re going to want to add all of these books to your TBR!


6/3: Cover Reveals Day 1


a burning in the bones by scott reintgen

Ren’s quest to dismantle Kathor’s corrupt system comes to a head as political machinations and a mysterious disease take hold of the city in this edge-of-your-seat conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Waxways series.

After taking control of House Brood, Ren and Theo dreamed of using their newfound influence to change the rest of Kathor, but now they find their efforts being countered by the other great houses, who have no interest in a world where they enjoy less power.

No one understands that better than the Tin’Vori siblings. The return of their ancestral home was a decade in the making, but they’re eager to keep rising from the ashes. Nevelyn begins researching House Brood—and ends up face-to-face with an enemy that’s already slouching toward the gates of the city. The one enemy no one can avoid: a plague.

The victims experience strange bruising, an unquenchable thirst, and a temporary disruption in magic. When doctors trace the illness to its source, they find another mystery: corpses placed in strategic locations around the city. As Ren leads the hunt for the culprits, she’ll find herself two steps behind a devious enemy whose sights are set on an unexpected prize: the city’s magic.

Survival will require every ounce of their skill, every bond old and new, or else the future Ren and Theo have worked to build will burn down with the rest of the world.

You can pre-order your copy here or add it to your Goodreads shelf!


6/4: Cover Reveals Day 2


a traitorous heart by erin cotter

A noblewoman in the scandalous French court finds herself under the dangerous and watchful eye of the Parisian royalty when she falls in love with the handsome king who is betrothed to her former lover in this bisexual The Three Musketeers by way of Bridgerton and F.T. Lukens.

Paris, 1572. Seventeen-year-old Jacqueline “Jac” d’Argenson-Aunis is lady-in-waiting to her best friend and former lover, the French Princess Marguerite “Margot” de Valois, but she dreams of more. If Jac plays her cards right, one day, she’ll become a full member of the Societas Solis, a secret society of spies—just like her uncle and guardian, Viscount Gabriel d’Argenson-Aunis.

But it’s hard to think about her own ambitions while France is on the brink of war, and the only thing that might save the country is an alliance—a marriage between the Catholic Princess Margot and Henry, the awful son of the Huguenot queen. Who would be the perfect person to play matchmaker? Jac, of course.

Jac resents lying to her best friend almost as much as she resents the brazen and arrogant King Henry, but it’s her one chance to prove to the Societas Solis that she belongs among their ranks before her uncle can marry her off or worse. The more time Jac spends in the French Court’s clandestine corners, though, the more she starts to wonder if Henry is…not as terrible as she once believed. And the Societas Solis may not be what they seem.

Politics. Spies. Chaos in the French court. Perhaps even witchcraft? Everything’s more dangerous when love is involved.

You can pre-order your copy here or add it to your Goodreads shelf!

 


6/5: Cover Reveals Day 3


the hallow hunt by margie fuston

Bly has nothing left to lose in her quest to save her sister in this thrilling sequel to The Revenant Games that’s perfect for fans of All of Us Villains meets Kingdom of the Wicked.

Bly won the Revenant Games, but she lost everything else.

In her desperation to resurrect her sister, Bly betrayed Kerrigan, the vampire who she’d planned to sacrifice to the witches before she fell in love with him—only to find out that Elise was never dead. With nothing left, Bly will do whatever it takes to locate her sister.

Her only lead on Elise lies with Kerrigan’s brother, Donovan, who she turned over to the witches in place of Kerrigan. She spends her nights tracking down witch prisons to rescue him. Meanwhile, Kerrigan is also searching for Donovan, but after Bly’s treachery, he refuses her help.

But when the vampire queens accuse the two of them of treason, they’re only offered one escape from execution: retrieving a mystical root that only grows on the banks of the Hallow Pool, where legend says that vampires and witches were created. Now Kerrigan and Bly must find a way to work together if they want to keep their lives and save their siblings.

But they’re not the only ones hunting in the forest, and as their feelings for each other rekindle, they risk being torn apart once more.

You can pre-order your copy here or add it to your Goodreads shelf!


6/6: Cover Reveals Day 4


till death by Kellan mcdaniel

Two gay men—one young, one ageless—sink their teeth into reclaiming their lives and identities from those who would silence them in this insatiable romantic horror novel from Hugo and Nebula Award–nominated author Kellan McDaniel.

Howard is biding his time until he can finally leave for college, where he has been promised it gets better. The last thing he expected was to meet a boy. But George reminds Howard of the movie stars from the 1960s he’s obsessed with. Plus, George is endearingly formal and well-read, and his grandpa fashion is super authentic.

After over twenty years together, George is about to lose his life partner. He met James when they were teenagers then lost track of him until they reconnected in their early sixties. Now, James is going somewhere beyond George’s reach—because George is a vampire, forever trapped in the body of a nineteen-year-old.

As the two grow closer, George begins to see a future beyond losing his first love, and Howard stops imagining himself always being alone…even if companionship comes at the cost of his mortality. When the discrimination the men have suffered their whole lives rears its ugly head to take away their happy ending, they finally strike back at the world that’s done its best to subdue them their entire lives.

You can pre-order your copy here or add it to your Goodreads shelf!

 

Solving for the Unknown by Loan Le

In this sweet, incredibly heartfelt companion to A Pho Love Story, Vietnamese Americans Viet and Evie juggle family expectations with their desire to forge their own path in between college classes and falling in love.

To his friends back home, Viet Ho is calm and collected and a lovable oddball who nurses an obsession with forensic science. He’s relieved to head off to UC Davis and escape from being in the middle of his bickering immigrant parents. Yet, on campus and with the school year unfolding at an overwhelming pace, Viet struggles to belong and to keep his depression hidden.

Evie Mai is a junior biology major and the eldest daughter who has never trod far off the beaten path. She has everything: good grades, a solid group of friends, and a smart, ambitious boyfriend, who’s the son of a well-connected university board member. But their busy schedules, as well as their interests, no longer align. Determined to close the distance, she and her boyfriend both apply to a student-run clinic for underserved communities. But will that save or expose the gaps in their relationship?

When a clumsy accident brings Viet and Evie together, they bond over their shared hometown and similar history—and their orbits grow smaller as their friends collide. The more time they spend with each other and support each other, mentally and emotionally, the more their friendship shifts into something else.

A sweet, emotional slice-of-life story, Solving for the Unknown is about characters questioning the paths they have taken and finding a new path that will lead them to their happiest selves.

You can pre-order your copy here or add it to your Goodreads shelf!


6/7: Cover Reveals Day 5


Children of useyi by Moses Ose Utomi

An elite female fighter and her found family of sisters battle gods and monsters for their existence in this captivating West African–inspired young adult fantasy sequel to Daughters of Oduma, perfect for fans of The Gilded Ones and Legendborn.

Eat. Dance. Fight for your life.

The girls in the Mud Fam are used to fighting hard—it’s the only way to win in their elite, all-female sport of Bowing. Thanks to her legendary performance at the last tournament, Dirt has helped their ranks swell with a bevy of new recruits. She has finally achieved her lifelong dream of restoring glory to the Mud Fam, and she’s more than ready to win the upcoming tournament. But everything changes when a man washes up on shore.

There are no adults on the Isle, not since the long-ago days when the gods walked the earth. Yet here is a mysterious man who calls himself Mister Odo and claims to come from the land of the gods. He declares a tournament to find the best Bower. Though wary of the secretive Mister Odo, Dirt is prepared to battle as a proud, fat Bower should—that is, until the competitors are attacked by monsters. The only thing that can save the girls is the gods-given magic that Dirt can channel…and even that might not be enough.

You can pre-order your copy here or add it to your Goodreads shelf!

 

all the noise at once by DeAndra Davis

In this compelling, moving story about brotherhood, identity, and social justice, a Black, autistic teen tries to figure out what happened the night his older brother was unjustly arrested.

All Aiden has ever wanted to do was play football just like his star quarterback brother, Brandon. An overstimulation meltdown gets in the way of Aiden making the team during summer tryouts, but when the school year starts and a spot unexpectedly needs to be filled, he finally gets a chance to play the game he loves.

However, not every player is happy about the new addition to the team, wary of how Aiden’s autism will present itself on game day. Tensions rise. A fight breaks out. Cops are called.

Brandon interferes on behalf of his brother, but is arrested by the very same cops who, just hours earlier, were chanting his name from the bleachers. When he’s wrongly charged for felony assault on an officer, everything Brandon has worked for starts to slip away, and the brothers’ relationship is tested. As Brandon’s trial inches closer, Aiden is desperate to figure out what really happened that night. Can he clear his brother’s name in time?

You can pre-order your copy here or add it to your Goodreads shelf!



Want to see more upcoming covers for new releases? Check out all the covers for the books coming out this fall!


 

Summer days are best spent by the water. Maybe you’re lounging at an all-inclusive resort sipping on fresh coconut water; or you could just be down at the local pool. But no matter how glamorous the location, the one thing you need for a great day at the beach (or pool) is an amazing book. Here are some of our favorite reads for your days spent in the sun!

Fifteenth Summer cover image
Fifteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton
A teen unexpectedly finds love during a summer vacation at a lake town in this tender romance in the spirit of The Summer I Turned Pretty—now with a beautiful new look!
Sixteenth Summer cover image
Sixteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton
Now with a beautiful new look, this sweet summer romance about “the floaty happiness of first love” (BCCB) between a girl living in a beachside island town and a city boy is perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Morgan Matson.
Seventeenth Summer cover image
Seventeenth Summer by Maureen Daly
First published in the 1940s, Seventeenth Summer is considered the first young adult novel. Now with refreshed text and a brand-new look, this timeless, sweeping romance is perfect for fans of Morgan Matson and Jenny Han.
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Swept Away by Michelle Dalton
Beachfront love blossoms in this sweet, sun-drenched romance between a townie and a tourist who turns her summer plans upside down, perfect for fans of Better Than the Movies and Today Tonight Tomorrow—now with a beautiful new look!
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Pulled Under by Michelle Dalton
Perfect for fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty, this swoon-worthy young adult romance follows a shy teen and an attractive beach town tourist on their summer of love—now with a beautiful new look!
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Love & Olives by Jenna Evans Welch
This Mamma Mia!–inspired tale about a teen girl finding romance while trying to connect with her absent father in beautiful Santorini, Greece is the perfect read for the beach!
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In Deeper Waters by F.T. Lukens
Spending summer on the high seas? Sign us up! In this must-read queer romance a young prince must rely on a mysterious stranger to save him when he is kidnapped during his coming-of-age tour in this swoony adventure.
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Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett
Best-friends-turned-best-enemies Zorie and Lennon are abandoned in the wilderness. And as they travel through the California backcountry, secrets and hidden feeling surface. They can’t entirely blame the forest air and starlit nights on this rekindling connection!
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Those Summer Nights by Laura Silverman
After recovering from a life-changing injury, Hannah must navigate a new job, an ex-best friend, and two surprisingly attractive coworkers in this sweet summer romance.
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Love from A to Z by S. K. Ali
What happens when a mad, sad fiery girl meets a beautiful cinnamon roll boy with secrets? An unforgettable romance following two Muslim teens who meet during a spring break trip.
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The Do-Over by Lynn Painter
In this hilarious and delightful romance from the author of fan favorite Better Than the Movies a teen girl has the worst Valentine’s Day ever—only to relive it over and over again.
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All Alone with You by Amelia Diane Coombs
A Grumpy/Sunshine romance is ALWAYS a good idea! In All Alone with You Eloise, a standoffish teen girl, has her loner status challenged by Marianne and Austin, a dynamic elderly woman and a perpetually cheerful boy.
If I See You Again Tomorrow cover image
If I See You Again Tomorrow by Robbie Couch
Another time loop romance?! Yes, because this read is too good not to include in this list! If I See You Again Tomorrow puts a unique spin on Groundhog Day that makes this queer romance a delightful read with excellent mental health rep.
The Summer I Turned Pretty cover image
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
Is it even really summer if you haven't taken a trip to Cousins Beach yet? The Summer I Turned Pretty (and its sequels) are the PERFECT beach reads, we don't make the rules!

Calling all Fantasy Fans! Whether you’re in the mood for a book that combines lunar magic with a murder mystery, or a mostly dark and sometimes cozy story rooted in Polish folklore, we have your next read!

Powerless cover image
Powerless by Lauren Roberts

Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, this young adult fantasy follows the forbidden romance between a powerful prince and an ordinary girl as they try to survive their kingdom’s grueling laws pitting them against each other.

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Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

Filled with mystery and an intriguingly rich magic system, Tracy Deonn’s YA contemporary fantasy reinvents the King Arthur legend and “braids together Southern folk traditions and Black Girl Magic into a searing modern tale of grief, power, and self-discovery” (Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times bestselling author of The Belles).

Curious Tides cover image
Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle

Ninth House meets A Deadly Education in this gorgeous dark academia fantasy “that will capture readers like a rip current” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) following a teen mage who must unravel the truth behind the secret society that may have been involved in her classmates’ deaths.

Where the Dark Stands Still cover image
Where the Dark Stands Still by A. B. Poranek

A girl with dangerous magic makes a risky bargain with a demon to be free of her monstrous power in this young adult fantasy perfect for fans of An Enchantment of Ravens and House of Salt and Sorrows.

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A Door in the Dark by Scott Reintgen

“For readers who have just finished Naomi Novik’s The Golden Enclaves and are ravenous for more dark academia” (Booklist), this “pulse-pounding” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) fantasy thriller follows six teenage wizards as they fight to make it home alive after a malfunctioning spell leaves them stranded in the wilderness.

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King of Dead Things by Nevin Holness

For fans of Legendborn, Neil Gaiman, and Leigh Bardugo, this urban young adult fantasy steeped in Afro-Carribbean folklore follows two Black teens searching for a powerful artifact in the hidden magical side of London.

Did someone say new Free Reads? Yes, that’s right, we did! And we are so excited for May’s Free Reads. This month’s theme for Free Reads is in celebration of Asian America, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Plus, we’re celebrating Morgan Matson May from 5/1 – 5/10 with swoony romance Free Reads, and check out all of May’s new releases with extended excerpts!

Free Reads are only available to Simon Teen members! Not a Simon Teen member yet? It’s free and easy to sign up! Click here to set up your account now. 

Full Reads


1. Yolk by Margarita Engle

New York Times bestselling author Mary H.K. Choi comes a funny and emotional story about two estranged sisters and how far they’ll go to save one of their lives—even if it means swapping identities.

Start reading now!

2. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

Belly has an unforgettable summer in this stunning start to the Summer I Turned Pretty series from the New York Times bestselling author of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, Jenny Han.

Start reading now!

3. Of Curses and Kisses by Sandhya Menon

From the New York Times bestselling author of When Dimple Met Rishi comes the first novel in a brand-new series set at an elite boarding school that’s a contemporary spin on Beauty and the Beast.

Start reading now!

4. The Wild Ones by Nafiza Azad

From William C. Morris Finalist Nafiza Azad comes a thrilling, feminist fantasy about a group of teenage girls endowed with special powers who must band together to save the life of the boy whose magic saved them all.

Start reading now!

5. A Pho Love Story by Loan Le

When Dimple Met Rishi meets Ugly Delicious in this funny, smart romantic comedy, in which two Vietnamese American teens fall in love and must navigate their newfound relationship amid their families’ age-old feud about their competing, neighboring restaurants.

Start reading now!


Morgan Matson May Full Reads (Available 5/1 – 5/10)


1. Save the Date by Morgan Matson

Father of the Bride meets Sixteen Candles in the latest novel from New York Times bestselling author Morgan Matson.

Start Reading Now!

2. Take Me Home Tonight by Morgan Matson

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off meets Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist in this romp through the city that never sleeps from the New York Times bestselling author of Since You’ve Been Gone.

Start Reading now!

3. The unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

Andie must learn to embrace the beauty in chaos in this New York Times bestselling novel about friendship, finding yourself, and all the joys in life that happen while you’re busy making other plans.

Start reading now!

4. Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson

Emily is about to take some risks and have the most unexpected summer ever. Hellogiggles.com says, “Basically I couldn’t be more in love with this book,” from the bestselling author of Second Chance Summer and Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour.

Start reading now!

5. Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

There were three things Amy Curry didn’t expect out of senior year. First: her father’s death. Second: her mother’s decision to relocate to the East Coast. Third: Roger Sullivan.

Start reading now!

6. Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

From the Flying Start author of Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour comes a powerful novel about hope in the face of heartbreak.

Start reading now!


Extended Excerpts


1. The Ballad of Darcy and Russell by Morgan Matson

From New York Times bestselling author Morgan Matson comes a sweeping romantic novel about love, fate…and that one night that can change everything.

Start reading now! 

2. Hot Boy Summer by Joe Jimenez

Four gay teens in Texas have the summer of their lives while discovering important truths about realness, belonging, and friendship in this joyful young adult contemporary novel for fans of Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli.

Start reading now! 

3. Powerful by Lauren Roberts

Set during the time of the New York Times bestseller Powerless, fan favorite Adena gets a story all her own in this captivating novella as she attempts to survive on the streets of Loot…and falls for a mysterious—and dangerous—Elite.

Start reading now! 

4. Another First Chance by Robbie Couch

They Both Die at the End meets You’ve Reached Sam, in this heart-stopping speculative young adult novel from New York Times bestselling author Robbie Couch that explores all the different ways love can live on after tragedy.

Start reading now! 

5. Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear by Robin Wasley

A painfully average teen’s life is upended by a magical apocalypse in this darkly atmospheric and sweepingly romantic novel perfect for fans of The Raven BoysBuffy the Vampire Slayer, and The Rest of Us Just Live Here.

Start reading now! 

6. Kingdom of Without by Andrea Tang

A wily young thief must use her wits to survive futuristic, alternate history Beijing in this Les Misérables–inspired young adult cyberpunk that is perfect for fans of Six of Crows and Fullmetal Alchemist.

Start reading now! 

7. Powerless by Lauren Roberts

Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, this young adult fantasy follows the forbidden romance between a powerful prince and an ordinary girl as they try to survive their kingdom’s grueling laws pitting them against each other.

Start reading now! 

8.These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

Perfect for fans of The Last Magician and Serpent & Dove, this heart-stopping debut is an imaginative Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai, with rival gangs and a monster in the depths of the Huangpu River.

Start Reading Now!


Extras


1. The Eid Gift by S.K. Ali

The Eid Gift is a companion short story to Love from A to Z. Adam and Zayneb —engaged but continents apart for so long— are finally in the same city!

Start reading now!

2. Love at First Fight by Sandhya Menon

Join Dimple and Rishi as they do an escape room in this exclusive short story from Sandhya Menon! You’ll also see how Pinky and Samir met for the first time before you can read about them in 10 Things I Hate About Pinky.

Start reading now!

3. As Kismet Would Have It by Sandhya Menon

Will Dimple and Rishi find their happily ever after? Find out in this funny, romantic, endlessly charming e-novella sequel to When Dimple Met Rishi!

Start reading now!

4. The Thief by Jessica Brody and Joanne Rendell

A short story prequel to Sky Without Stars about the origins of fan-favorite character, Chatine!

Start reading now!

5. These Precious Scars by Emily Suvada

A haunting short story prequel to the Mortal Coil series.

Start reading now!

6. Better Than the Prom by Lynn Painter

A swoonworthy short story from Wes’s perspective from Better Than the Movies.

Start reading now!

7. Uncharted Dreams by Pascale Lacelle

Romie Brysden is a Dreamer, the best at the prestigious Aldryn College for Lunar Magics. She knows the realm of dreams like a sea captain knows the tides. And she’s gone deeper into this vast sleepscape than any Dreamer ever has. This is a prequest short story to A Curious Tides.

Start reading now!

8. The Priest and the Shepherd by Chloe Gong

Set six years before the events of Foul Lady FortuneThe Priest and the Shepherd follows Orion’s sister, Phoebe, and his best friend, Silas!

Start reading now!

9. Our First Chance by Robbie Couch

Long before they were best friends, River wasn’t a fan of Dylan—Mavis’ suspiciously perfect new boyfriend who was slowly stealing her away. But in this short story prequel to Another First Chance, Mavis cleverly plans for them both to attend an Astronomy Club meeting, hoping the after-school activity brings the pair closer together. Meanwhile, many states away, the mastermind behind a secretive research group scores a big win that will upend the high schoolers’ lives forever…

Start reading now!

10. Better Than Before by Lynn Painter

Lynn Painter’s Better Than the Movies collides with Betting on You when, after meeting the annoyingly cute Bailey on his flight, Charlie gets picked at the airport up by his cousin, Wes, who introduces him to his annoyingly cute neighbor, Liz.

Start Reading Now!

The weather is getting warmer, the flowers are blooming and we had an amazing group of must-read books that are coming out this May. If you haven’t added these reads to your TBR, stop what you’re doing and add them now!

The Ballad of Darcy & Russell cover image
The Ballad of Darcy & Russell by Morgan Matson

From New York Times bestselling author Morgan Matson comes a sweeping romantic novel about love, fate…and that one night that can change everything.

Hot Boy Summer cover image
Hot Boy Summer by Joe Jiménez

Four gay teens in Texas have the summer of their lives while discovering important truths about realness, belonging, and friendship in this joyful young adult contemporary novel for fans of Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli.

Fifteenth Summer cover image
Fifteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton

A teen unexpectedly finds love during a summer vacation at a lake town in this tender romance in the spirit of The Summer I Turned Pretty—now with a beautiful new look!

Sixteenth Summer cover image
Sixteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton

Now with a beautiful new look, this sweet summer romance about “the floaty happiness of first love” (BCCB) between a girl living in a beachside island town and a city boy is perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Morgan Matson.

Seventeenth Summer cover image
Seventeenth Summer by Maureen Daly

First published in the 1940s, Seventeenth Summer is considered the first young adult novel. Now with refreshed text and a brand-new look, this timeless, sweeping romance is perfect for fans of Morgan Matson and Jenny Han.

Pulled Under cover image
Pulled Under by Michelle Dalton

Perfect for fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty, this swoon-worthy young adult romance follows a shy teen and an attractive beach town tourist on their summer of love—now with a beautiful new look!

Swept Away cover image
Swept Away by Michelle Dalton

Beachfront love blossoms in this sweet, sun-drenched romance between a townie and a tourist who turns her summer plans upside down, perfect for fans of Better Than the Movies and Today Tonight Tomorrow—now with a beautiful new look!

Another First Chance cover image
Another First Chance by Robbie Couch

They Both Die at the End meets You’ve Reached Sam, in this heart-stopping speculative young adult novel from New York Times bestselling author Robbie Couch that explores all the different ways love can live on after tragedy.

The Waxways series is an AMAZING immersive dark fantasy series that kicks off with book one, A Door in the Dark, and book two, A Whisper in the Walls, is out this month!! If you’ve already read A Door in the Dark and don’t have time for a full reread before A Whisper in the Walls is here (or if you just need a quick refresher on where we left Ren at the end of book one, we’ve got you covered with this recap from author Scott Reintgen himself with this summary of A Door in the Dark!

WARNING! Spoilers ahead for A Door in the Dark!


Key Terms for Book One:


Balmerick – The most prestigious university in Kathor. Ren attends on a scholarship.

Bond Magic – A rare magic that’s established when two people choose to bond together magically—usually reserved for marriage or kin relationships

Breath – A hallucinogenic drug that’s harvested from the corpses of dragons

Delvea – The main continent featured in the book

Devorium – A magical artifact that steals ‘time’ from dying people and stores it in a single vessel that can be activated. These items are illegal

Dires – The only unsettled territory in all of Delvea and home to some of the most dangerous predators remaining in the world. Once the home of the last dragons.

Enhancer – A rare type of wizard whose main ability is strengthening other people’s magic

The Five Great Houses – Brood, Graylantian, Proctor, Shiverian, Winters. These are the five main families that discovered the magical veins beneath Kathor and founded the first city

The Heights – A floating section of the city that was created by the great houses. It is home to Balmerick University, as well as some of the wealthiest citizens in the world.

Kathor – The largest city on the eastern seaboard and the capital of Delvea

The Lower Quarter – The district in Kathor where Ren grew up. Home to many of the poorest citizens in the city.

Ockleys – The average amount of magic required to cast a simple spell. Wizards are given a certain number of ockleys per month depending on what tax bracket they’re in

Revenant – A magical entity that occupies a recently dead body for the purpose of revenge

Seventeen-String – An instrument that’s commonly played by three musicians simultaneously

Tusk – The other people group that occupy the western half of the continent

Vessel – An item that a wizard uses for storing their spell arsenals. Most wizards use wands for vessels, but other items—like jewelry, staves, or orbs—can also be used.

Waxways – The primary method of travel. Wizards can burn specific candles that allow them to travel to other places—as long as they have an established visual or memory of that place.


Recap of A Door in the Dark:


Ren Monroe is entering the final year of her studies at Balmerick University. Even though she’s ranked fifth in her class, she has no offers from the great houses. This is unacceptable, as her larger goal—to take revenge on House Brood for her father’s death—will require access to more power and resources. Desperate to work on her social connections, she agrees to go to a big party with her best friend—Timmons Devine. It doesn’t take long for the night to go awry as Ren realizes the host of the party is Theo Brood—the son of the man she hates most in the world. The night ends when a drunken Theo performs a disastrous party trick—dropping a large stringed instrument off the balcony, crashing down on a poorer city district below.

When the morning papers leave his name out of the story, Ren’s frustration with her fate—and the general inequality of the city—reach their peak. She heads for the portal room to return home with Timmons for winter break. The room functions as a group teleportation spell and only a small group of students—mostly the ones on scholarship—tend to use it. Ren and Timmons are regularly joined by Cora Marrin (a medical student) and Avy Williams (a combat specialist). But two other students join them this time: Clyde Winters and Theo Brood.

Both are direct heirs of the great houses. Entitled, spoiled, and exactly who Ren needs to impress to make her way forward in her revenge. Before she can decide what to say, a fight breaks out between Avy and Theo over what happened at the party the night before. Clyde steps in, hitting Avy with several spells, just as the teleportation room activates.

Instead of being ported home, all six wizards land in the wilderness. When they arrive, Clyde is dead. They do their best to get their bearings, only to realize they’re on the wrong side of a mountain chain. Stranded in the infamous Dires with little magic and even less food. The group backtracks and find that Clyde’s corpse has been taken. Worried the animal might start hunting them, the group begins a grueling trek through the night.

The group must ration their spells, relying mostly on Theo, who has the most magic stored in his vessels by far, as his family is the wealthiest. Ren’s clever spellwork is on display and helps them cross a river. However, right as they’re about to arrive at the opposite shoreline, the entity that’s been trailing them appears. It’s Clyde. Not eaten, as they assumed, but resurrected as a revenant.

In the first encounter, Avy tries to physically challenge Clyde, who paralyzes him with some kind of dark spell. Avy is killed and the rest of the group escapes. Cora reveals that revenants exist when there is unrest in a soul. They return seeking revenge—and can actually come back to life they consume everyone who witnessed their death. Knowing Clyde will keep hunting them, the group pushes on toward the mountain pass that’s their best path back to Kathor.

The journey pushes them all to their physical limits, but it also gives Ren an informal interview with Theo Brood. She impresses him so often that he starts relying on her for all the spellwork they’re doing. The group also begins experiencing nightmares. Ren figures out they’re being forced on the group by their hunter—Clyde. Each of them is having to relive their own worst memories over and over each night. For Ren, that’s the day her father died.

Their first true obstacle is a nest of kobolds. They negotiate with the creatures, who allow them through, but unintentionally lead them straight to a wyvern’s nest. Theo surprises the group by removing his shirt and performing a ceremonial dance. It puts the wyvern to sleep and they nearly make it around the creature when it wakes up. Theo suffers critical wounds and the group escapes to a nearby cave. Cora Marrin performs minor surgery to save Theo. In the cave, Ren and Theo’s feelings continue to develop—which is particularly difficult for Ren because of her hatred for his father.

Eventually, the group continues on, not knowing how much progress Clyde has made while they’ve been holed up. The path turns into a climb and as they scale the side of the mountain, Clyde attacks. He uses a chain spell that traps the target inside of a dark memory, which also renders their physical forms useless. During the fight, Theo lands a crucial spell that knocks Clyde off the cliff—but as he falls, he grabs Timmons by the hair, dragging her to her death.

The three survivors press on. In her grief, Ren seeks distraction in Theo and makes out with him for the first time. They make a plan to stop running and face Clyde on their own terms. It very nearly works, as they briefly trap the revenant, who escapes at the last minute. This gives the group a small head start as they finally reach the pass that leads to the other side of the continent.

There, they stumble upon people for the first time. A farm. The group agrees to go ask for a meal, but not to stay long, as they don’t want Clyde to hurt any innocent bystanders. Della and Holt—the owners—invite them in, but during dinner, Ren starts to feel sick. She realizes too late that they’ve been drugged. Ren, Theo, and Cora wake up bound in a dark shed. The farm is a front for breath harvesters—people who use the corpses of buried dragons to create Kathor’s most popular and addictive drug. Ren faces torture as Della suspects them of being city spies—and they only escape when Cora activates a devorium. An illegal artifact that rewinds time.

The three of them return to the moment just before dinner and make their escape. Chased by Della and her fieldhands, they run right into Clyde. Caught between both, they take a side-hatch that leads straight into the dragon’s burial chamber. Even dead, the creature attempts to manipulate Ren, promising to deliver Theo and his family to her. They resist and make it through the chamber only to be ambushed again. In a split-second moment, Ren saves Theo—and Cora Marrin is killed by a crossbow. She and Theo escape into the woods.

They push on for hours, hoping to get close enough to Kathor to use the only waxway candle they have on them. Ren is out of magic, though, and any dueling from this point on would just be Theo against their pursuers. Theo surprises Ren again and asks to bond with her. A rare magic that’s normally reserved for marriage. He knows it would give her access to his magic, though, and he clearly likes her a lot. Ren agrees, but with the secret understanding that this might be exactly what she needed to get inside House Brood.

The two make a final stand on a bridge as their waxway candle burns. Two of Della’s fieldhands arrive, but it becomes clear they’re not attacking on their own. Clyde is there, mind-controlling them as a distraction. But Ren has a plan. They purposefully allow Clyde to draw them into their darkest memories. Ren noticed a key difference between her nightmares and Theo’s. For some reason, when she dreamed, Clyde was present. Forcing her to watch the terrible memory. But in Theo’s worst moment—the failed party trick—there was no sign of the revenant.

And Ren figured out why. This time, she experiences her worst memory with Theo there as a witness. He watches her father die and is surprised to see his own father in the memory. The two of them travel together into Theo’s darkest memory, and Ren’s guess is there. The revenant version of Clyde isn’t in the dream because the real Clyde already exists there. He attended the party. And this version of Clyde is vulnerable. Ren and Theo attack him there, which reverses his own spell—paralyzing the current Clyde—and allowing them to destroy him, once and for all.

The victory is short-lived, as Theo suffers a knife wound from one of the other fighters. Pushed by her bond and her own growing feelings, Ren uses magic to save Theo—and then teleports to Balmerick. Just in time to get Theo the treatment he needs to survive. Ren gets her first face to face with Landwin and it’s clear he doesn’t remember her. The ruler of House Brood attempts to dismiss her, but Ren mentions that she and Theo are bonded and have every intention of remaining together.

Once the immediate impact of her ordeal has worn off, Ren attends the funerals of Clyde and her friends, and mentally promises to destroy Landwin and all of the other great houses. She returns with Theo to the city district that was affected that was destroyed by his failed party trick, and encourages him to make amends by helping those who were impacted by the accident. He agrees, showing that there’s hope for him yet, and Ren leaves him to visit campus.

She arrives at the spot where it all began, and reveals that SHE is the reason that they were all transported into the wilderness. Ren had intended for only herself, Theo, and Clyde to be transported, but her spellwork had accidentally pulled in Timmons, Avy, and Cora too, and had gotten them all lost. Ren leaves campus with one final goodbye to her fallen friends, and the story ends with Ren mentally promising to destroy Landwin and all of the other great houses.

 

All caught up? Start reading A Whisper in the Walls for free!

We have an AMAZING group of must-read books coming out this April! With everything from a highly-anticipated novella to a gorgeous contemporary novel in verse, there’s something for everyone on this list. Which of these books are you most looking forward to reading?

Otherworldly cover image
Otherworldly by F.T. Lukens

A skeptic and a supernatural being make a crossroads deal to achieve their own ends only to get more than they bargained for in this lively young adult romantic adventure from the New York Times bestselling author of Spell Bound and So This Is Ever After.

King of Dead Things cover image
King of Dead Things by Nevin Holness

For fans of Legendborn, Neil Gaiman, and Leigh Bardugo, this urban young adult fantasy steeped in Afro-Carribbean folklore follows two Black teens searching for a powerful artifact in the hidden magical side of London.

The Lady of Rapture cover image
The Lady of Rapture by Sarah Raughley

Penny Dreadful meets The Gilded Wolves in this breathtaking finale to the young adult historical fantasy Bones of Ruin trilogy!

Finally Fitz cover image
Finally Fitz by Marisa Kanter

A bisexual teen girl tries to make her ex jealous by faking an Instagram romance that leads to surprisingly real feelings in this hijinks-filled rom-com perfect for fans of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and She Gets the Girl.

A Whisper in the Walls cover image
A Whisper in the Walls by Scott Reintgen

In this sequel to the New York Times bestselling, “pulse-pounding” (Publishers Weekly) A Door in the Dark, Ren’s intellect and cunning are stretched to the limit in her quest to take down the system that stole her father’s life.

Wild Dreamers cover image
Wild Dreamers by Margarita Engle

In this stirring young adult romance from award-winning author Margarita Engle, love and conservation intertwine as two teens fight to protect wildlife and heal from their troubled pasts.

Powerful cover image
Powerful by Lauren Roberts

Set during the time of the New York Times bestseller Powerless, fan favorite Adena gets a story all her own in this captivating novella as she attempts to survive on the streets of Loot…and falls for a mysterious—and dangerous—Elite.

Where Was Goodbye? cover image
Where Was Goodbye? by Janice Lynn Mather

A teen girl searches for closure after her brother dies by suicide in this breathtaking novel from the author of Learning to Breathe and Facing the Sun.

Did someone say new Free Reads? Yes, that’s right, we did! And we are so excited for April’s Free Reads. This month’s theme for Free Reads is in celebration of National Poetry Month! Plus, check out all of April’s new releases with extended excerpts.

Free Reads are only available to Simon Teen members! Not a Simon Teen member yet? It’s free and easy to sign up! Click here to set up your account now. 

Full Reads


1. Your Heart, my sky by Margarita Engle

Acclaimed author Margarita Engle tells a “deeply felt and engrossing” (Horn Book Magazine) story of love in a time of hunger inspired by her own family’s struggles during a dark period in Cuba’s history.

Start reading now!

2. Lawless Spaces by Corey Ann Haydu

Perfect for fans of Deb Caletti, this “powerful, absorbing, and beautiful” (Booklist) coming-of-age novel in verse follows a teen girl who connects with the women of her maternal line through their journals and comes to better understand her fraught relationship with her mother.

Start reading now!

3. Spin by Rebecca Caprara

The Song of Achilles and Circe get a sapphic, young adult twist in this “exciting, richly textured, thought-provoking” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) retelling of the myth of Arachne spun in moving verse.

Start reading now!

4. Crank by Ellen Hopkins

The #1 New York Times bestselling tale of addiction—the first in the Crank trilogy—from master poet Ellen Hopkins.

Start reading now!

5. After the Kiss by Terra Elan McVoy

This moment changes everything. 

Camille and Becca have never met, but their lives will unravel and intertwine in surprising ways as they deal with what happens after the kiss.

Start reading now!


Extended Excerpts


1. Otherworldly by F.T. Lukens

A skeptic and a supernatural being make a crossroads deal to achieve their own ends only to get more than they bargained for in this lively young adult romantic adventure from the New York Times bestselling author of Spell Bound and So This Is Ever After.

Start reading now! 

2. King of Dead Things by Nevin Holness

For fans of Legendborn, Neil Gaiman, and Leigh Bardugo, this urban young adult fantasy steeped in Afro-Carribbean folklore follows two Black teens searching for a powerful artifact in the hidden magical side of London.

Start reading now! 

3. Powerful by Lauren Roberts

Set during the time of the New York Times bestseller Powerless, fan favorite Adena gets a story all her own in this captivating novella as she attempts to survive on the streets of Loot…and falls for a mysterious—and dangerous—Elite.

Start reading now! 

4. Finally Fitz by Marisa Kanter

A bisexual teen girl tries to make her ex jealous by faking an Instagram romance that leads to surprisingly real feelings in this hijinks-filled rom-com perfect for fans of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and She Gets the Girl.

Start reading now! 

5. A Whisper in the walls by Scott Reintgen

In this sequel to the New York Times bestselling, “pulse-pounding” (Publishers WeeklyA Door in the Dark, Ren’s intellect and cunning are stretched to the limit in her quest to take down the system that stole her father’s life.

Start reading now! 

6.Wild Dreamers by Margarita Engle

In this stirring young adult romance from award-winning author Margarita Engle, love and conservation intertwine as two teens fight to protect wildlife and heal from their troubled pasts.

Start reading now! 

7. Where Was Goodbye? by Janice Lynn Mather

After her private school is rocked by a gruesome murder, a teen tries to find the real killer and clear her brother’s name in this psychological thriller perfect for fans of The Taking of Jake Livingston and Ace of Spades.

Start reading now! 

8. Powerless by Lauren Roberts

Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, this young adult fantasy follows the forbidden romance between a powerful prince and an ordinary girl as they try to survive their kingdom’s grueling laws pitting them against each other.

Start reading now! 

9.These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

Perfect for fans of The Last Magician and Serpent & Dove, this heart-stopping debut is an imaginative Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai, with rival gangs and a monster in the depths of the Huangpu River.

Start reading now! 

10. Lady of Rapture by Sarah Raughley

Penny Dreadful meets The Gilded Wolves in this breathtaking finale to the young adult historical fantasy Bones of Ruin trilogy!

Start reading now! 


Extras


1. The Eid Gift by S.K. Ali

The Eid Gift is a companion short story to Love from A to Z. Adam and Zayneb —engaged but continents apart for so long— are finally in the same city!

Start reading now!

2. Love at First Fight by Sandhya Menon

Join Dimple and Rishi as they do an escape room in this exclusive short story from Sandhya Menon! You’ll also see how Pinky and Samir met for the first time before you can read about them in 10 Things I Hate About Pinky.

Start reading now!

3. As Kismet Would Have It by Sandhya Menon

Will Dimple and Rishi find their happily ever after? Find out in this funny, romantic, endlessly charming e-novella sequel to When Dimple Met Rishi!

Start reading now!

4. The Thief by Jessica Brody and Joanne Rendell

A short story prequel to Sky Without Stars about the origins of fan-favorite character, Chatine!

Start reading now!

5. These Precious Scars by Emily Suvada

A haunting short story prequel to the Mortal Coil series.

Start reading now!

6. Better Than the Prom by Lynn Painter

A swoonworthy short story from Wes’s perspective from Better Than the Movies.

Start reading now!

7. Uncharted Dreams by Pascale Lacelle

Romie Brysden is a Dreamer, the best at the prestigious Aldryn College for Lunar Magics. She knows the realm of dreams like a sea captain knows the tides. And she’s gone deeper into this vast sleepscape than any Dreamer ever has. This is a prequest short story to A Curious Tides.

Start reading now!

8. The Priest and the Shepherd by Chloe Gong

Set six years before the events of Foul Lady FortuneThe Priest and the Shepherd follows Orion’s sister, Phoebe, and his best friend, Silas!

Start reading now!

Did someone say new Free Reads? Yes, that’s right, we did! And we are so excited for March’s Free Reads. This month’s Free Reads are dark fantasies. Plus, check out all of March’s new releases with extended excerpts.

Free Reads are only available to Simon Teen members! Not a Simon Teen member yet? It’s free and easy to sign up! Click here to set up your account now. 

Full Reads


1. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still. Discover the “compulsively readable” (Booklist) first book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Infernal Devices trilogy, prequel to the internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series! Clockwork Angel is a Shadowhunters novel.

Start reading now!

2. The Ones We Burn by Rebecca Mix

Love and duty collide in this richly imagined young adult debut about a witch whose dark powers put her at the center of a brewing war between the only family she’s ever known and the enemy who makes her question everything. Featuring a brand-new short story and character art!

Start reading now!

3. Vespertine by margaret Rogerson

From the New York Times bestselling author of Sorcery of Thorns and An Enchantment of Ravens comes a thrilling, “dark coming-of-age adventure” (Culturess) about a teen girl with mythic abilities who must defend her world against restless spirits of the dead.

Start reading now!

4. Winterwood by Shea Ernshaw

From New York Times bestselling author of The Wicked Deep comes a haunting romance perfect for fans of Practical Magic, where dark fairy tales and enchanted folklore collide after a boy, believed to be missing, emerges from the magical woods—and falls in love with the witch determined to unravel his secrets.

Start reading now!

 


Extended Excerpts


1. The Revenant Games by Margie Fuston

All of Us Villains meets Kingdom of the Wicked in this action-packed fantasy following a teen determined to win the competition held by warring vampire and witch kingdoms, only to develop complicated feelings for the vampire she’s supposed to hand over.

Start reading now! 

2. the Lady of Rapture by Sarah Raughley

Penny Dreadful meets The Gilded Wolves in this breathtaking finale to young adult historical fantasy Bones of Ruin trilogy!

Start reading now! 

3. These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

Perfect for fans of The Last Magician and Serpent & Dove, this heart-stopping debut is an imaginative Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai, with rival gangs and a monster in the depths of the Huangpu River.

Start reading now! 

4. The No-Girlfriend Rule by Christen Randall

Julie Murphy meets Casey McQuiston in this unforgettable queer romance about a teen girl whose foray into fantasy tabletop roleplaying brings her new confidence, true friends, and a shot at real, swoon-worthy love.

Start reading now! 

5. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny han

Lara Jean’s love life gets complicated in this New York Times bestselling “lovely, lighthearted romance” (School Library Journal) from the bestselling author of The Summer I Turned Pretty series.

Start reading now! 

6.Where the dark stands still by A.B. Poranek

A girl with dangerous magic makes a risky bargain with a demon to be free of her monstrous power in this young adult fantasy perfect for fans of An Enchantment of Ravens and House of Salt and Sorrows.

Start reading now! 

7. Tender Beasts by Liselle Sambury

After her private school is rocked by a gruesome murder, a teen tries to find the real killer and clear her brother’s name in this psychological thriller perfect for fans of The Taking of Jake Livingston and Ace of Spades.

Start reading now! 

8. Powerless by Lauren Roberts

Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, this young adult fantasy follows the forbidden romance between a powerful prince and an ordinary girl as they try to survive their kingdom’s grueling laws pitting them against each other.

Start reading now! 


Extras


1. The Eid Gift by S.K. Ali

The Eid Gift is a companion short story to Love from A to Z. Adam and Zayneb —engaged but continents apart for so long— are finally in the same city!

Start reading now!

2. Love at First Fight by Sandhya Menon

Join Dimple and Rishi as they do an escape room in this exclusive short story from Sandhya Menon! You’ll also see how Pinky and Samir met for the first time before you can read about them in 10 Things I Hate About Pinky.

Start reading now!

3. As Kismet Would Have It by Sandhya Menon

Will Dimple and Rishi find their happily ever after? Find out in this funny, romantic, endlessly charming e-novella sequel to When Dimple Met Rishi!

Start reading now!

4. The Thief by Jessica Brody and Joanne Rendell

A short story prequel to Sky Without Stars about the origins of fan-favorite character, Chatine!

Start reading now!

5. These Precious Scars by Emily Suvada

A haunting short story prequel to the Mortal Coil series.

Start reading now!

6. Better Than the Prom by Lynn Painter

A swoonworthy short story from Wes’s perspective from Better Than the Movies.

Start reading now!

7. Uncharted Dreams by Pascale Lacelle

Romie Brysden is a Dreamer, the best at the prestigious Aldryn College for Lunar Magics. She knows the realm of dreams like a sea captain knows the tides. And she’s gone deeper into this vast sleepscape than any Dreamer ever has. This is a prequest short story to A Curious Tides.

Start reading now!

8. The Priest and the Shepherd by Chloe Gong

Set six years before the events of Foul Lady FortuneThe Priest and the Shepherd follows Orion’s sister, Phoebe, and his best friend, Silas!

Start reading now!

Spring is approaching, and with it comes amazing new releases! We have three must-read new books hitting shelves this March, including a gorgeous special edition of a fan favorite, a feel-good queer romance, and a thrilling vampires vs. witches fantasy read! How many of these books have made it onto your TBR?

The Revenant Games cover image
The Revenant Games by Margie Fuston

All of Us Villains meets Kingdom of the Wicked in this action-packed fantasy following a teen determined to win the competition held by warring vampire and witch kingdoms, only to develop complicated feelings for the vampire she’s supposed to hand over.

The No-Girlfriend Rule cover image
The No-Girlfriend Rule by Christen Randall

Julie Murphy meets Casey McQuiston in this unforgettable queer romance about a teen girl whose foray into fantasy tabletop roleplaying brings her new confidence, true friends, and a shot at real, swoon-worthy love.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before cover image
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

Lara Jean’s love life gets complicated in this New York Times bestselling “lovely, lighthearted romance” (School Library Journal) from the bestselling author of The Summer I Turned Pretty series. This special edition features a deluxe faux notebook cover with real elastic enclosure and a new foreword from the author—a true love letter to both new and established fans of the series.

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