Tag: horror

Amazing Audiobooks (#AA2027) Featured Review: The Better to Eat You With by Tehlor Mejia

  • The Better to Eat You With 
  • Author: Tehlor Mejia
  • Narrated by Victoria Villarreal
  • Penguin Random House
  • Publication Date: September 23, 2025
  • ISBN: 9798217157129

Evan’s annual summers at a rented cabin have always been a haven for her, when she gets to see her best friend, Billie, again. But so many things are changing: Evan’s parents are arguing more and more, Billie seems more interested in boys than in spending time with Evan, and Evan can’t shake her mom’s voice from her head, reminding Evan to make healthy, perfect food choices and constantly watch what she eats. And the more she listens to the voice, the more sinister clues she finds of a mysterious creature terrorizing the resort… 

Evan and her complex, competing inner narratives come alive through Victoria Villarreal’s narration. Each character is distinct, including the voices that Evan hears in her mind throughout the summer, from the one that sounds a lot like her mom to the inner knowing of her body’s hunger. The audiobook heightens the suspense that is core to this middle grade horror novel that is light on gore but still darkly allegorical.

The Better to Eat You With is recommended for fans of Happy Town by Greg van Eekhout, Blood in the Water by Tiffany Jackson, and Louder than Hunger by John Chu.

-Lee Cooney (they/them)

Other Nominated Titles

The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.

Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.

Follow YALSA’s The Hub on YouTube for exclusive author interviews!

Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2027) Featured Review: Season of Fear by Emily Cooper

  • Season of Fear
  • by Emily Cooper
  • Christy Ottaviano Books
  • Publication Date: September 2, 2025
  • ISBN: 978-0316581639

Ilse has known since childhood that she was different from the other girls and women in Heulensee; even her own mother looks at her differently. When the time comes to perform her rite in worship of the Saint of Fear, Ilse is unable to conjure the necessary terror within herself to satisfy the Saint that protects the town. Her failure puts her entire family in danger, particularly her sister Thea, whose life is threatened by the Saint as punishment for Ilse’s failure. When the town turns against her, she flees into the Hexenwald, a forest from which nobody returns. With her sister’s life hanging in the balance, Ilse must confront her true nature to survive the Hexenwald and save her sister.

Season of Fear is a high-stakes dark fantasy with strong, well-developed characters and a fast-moving plot. While the main storyline focuses on Ilse’s bid to save her sister, the action-packed plot incorporates a compelling Sapphic romance as a strong subplot. 

Readers who enjoy rooting for strong, but believably flawed female main characters and don’t mind a bit of gory violence will devour this thrilling tale. Read-Alikes include My Throat an Open Grave by Tori Bovalino and A Girl Walks Into the Forest by Madeleine Roux.

-Katy Henderson 

Follow YALSA’s The Hub on YouTube for exclusive author interviews!

Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2026) Featured Review: When Devils Sing by Xan Kaur

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  • When Devils Sing
  • by Xan Kaur
  • Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
  • Release date: May 27th, 2025
  • ISBN: 9781250357175

Southern lore plays a huge role in this gothic horror book. Every 13 years, the cicadas descend on Carrion. Along with that, some townsperson go missing. Legend has it that the devil walks among them, offering deals to those most vulnerable. But the cost of these deals can be huge…and painful.

The lore of the south is complex and interesting. The consequences of our actions is a strong, prevailing theme throughout this book. It is a mix of gothic horror and lore and realistic issues (abuse, poverty) that teens face.

Readers interested in southern horror will love this book. This book will appeal to readers of They Bloom At Night and She is a Haunting. Readers who want the setting to act as a character in the book will gravitate to this book

– Melissa Palmer

Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2026) Featured Review: Ruin Road by Lamar Giles

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  • Ruin Road
  • by Lamar Giles
  • Publisher: Scholastic Press
  • Release date: September 17th, 2024
  • ISBN: 9781338894134

Cade Webster lives for family and football. A star athlete at an elite prep school he attends on scholarship, Cade’s mission is to stay focused, land an NFL contract, and support his struggling family, especially his terminally ill father. But after a terrifying encounter with the police, Cade stumbles into a shady pawn shop and makes a desperate wish: for people to stop being afraid of him. To his shock, the wish comes true, with terrifying consequences.

With an intensifying tone of dread, Giles delivers a thought-provoking and emotional narrative. The story’s complex protagonist grapples with morality, grief, and racial bias, offering a character-driven exploration of identity and consequence. The blending of supernatural horror with social commentary gives the novel a compelling style that will appeal to teens who appreciate issue-oriented fiction and suspense.

Teens drawn to fast-paced, atmospheric stories with social commentary will find this novel gripping and thought-provoking. Perfect for fans of Burn Down, Rise Up by Vincent Tirado and The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson

–Cathy DeCampli

Be sure to check out The Hub’s interview with Lamar Giles!

The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.

Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.
The Best Fiction for Young Adults Committee appreciates teen feedback as members evaluate the nominated titles. Teen librarians are encouraged to share the List of Potential Nominees under consideration with their patrons and solicit feedback using the link: tinyurl.com/bfya2026

Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (#QP2026) Feature Review: Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson

Brooklynite Kaylani is off to spend the summer in Martha’s Vineyard in a gigantic old house with her parents’ friends. She’d much rather be studying for a pre-law camp to assist her incarcerated dad, but her parents both insist a little R&R is exactly what Kaylani needs. The island is filled with amazing sights and lots of history; however, the snobby sisters Kaylani is staying with don’t exactly make her feel welcome. Just when Kaylani starts to settle in and meet a few kids her age, a local teen turns up dead. The community immediately thinks it must have been a drowning or a shark attack. Kaylani and her friends aren’t convinced. Can they prove it was murder? And what will happen if Kaylani gets too close to the truth?

This propulsive YA thriller for younger teen readers combines suspense with important social justice topics in Jackson’s classic style. With concise scene-setting details like a spooky looming mansion set in an idyllic summer destination, readers will quickly get pulled into the mystery and drama. Kaylani is a relatable and curious character whom readers will find themselves rooting for.
Hand this book to teens who want a short murder mystery that is light on gory details. Fans of We Were Liars by E. Lockhart or The Liars Society by Alyson Gerber will enjoy this quickly-paced thriller.

–Lily Mayfield

Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2026) Featured Review: Best of All Worlds by Kenneth Oppel

13-year-old Xavier “Zay” goes with his dad and pregnant step-mom to their lake cottage for a typical family holiday, until they wake up the next morning in a replica of the cottage on a goat farm with not a soul around them. They do not know exactly how they got there, but that there is some sort of dome around them, and sometimes are gifted supplies or animals by their unseen captures. Three years later a new family appears, and now 16-year-old Zay is excited at the prospects of being around a girl his age, however the family is led by a conspiracy theorist who will do anything to get his family free, even if that means harm to Zay and his family.

The novel immediately puts the reader on edge with a thick atmosphere of suspense and danger. Zay is a relatable character for teen readers as he navigates forced farm life during his teen years. The social commentary that comes with the new family appearing might seem a little a little heavy handed at times, but adds to the story and makes it one that leaves the reader thinking about it long after finishing it in one setting.

Fans of this read will enjoy Dry by Neal Shusterman and This Moth Saw Brightness by A. A. Vacharat as well.

-Molly Dettmann

Want read more? Check out our Quick Picks Review of Best of All Worlds here!

The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.

Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.
The Best Fiction for Young Adults Committee appreciates teen feedback as members evaluate the nominated titles. Teen librarians are encouraged to share the List of Potential Nominees under consideration with their patrons and solicit feedback using the link: tinyurl.com/bfya2026

Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (#QP2026) Feature Review: Deadstream by Mar Romansco-Moore

  • Deadstream
  • by Mar Romasco-Moore
  • Viking Books for Young Readers / Penguin Random House
  • Publication Date: April 1, 2025
  • ISBN: 9780593691885


Teresa has been trapped in her bedroom because of panic attacks resulting from a car accident that she survived and her best friend did not. Finding her place online as a streamer has given her friends, purpose, and a refuge from her anxiety – until she witnesses a bizarre incident online. Teresa investigates, the phenomenon spreads, and she becomes the next target.

Readers are immediately pulled into the online action, questioning whether a creepy figure appearing online and prompting streamers to “open the door” is a psychological, physical, or supernatural phenomenon. The text is interspersed with chat logs, text messages, video descriptions, and screenshots, providing an easily readable and digestible format.

Teen readers who are looking for lots of dialogue and a gripping suspense story will appreciate this title. This is a strong thriller with plenty of mystery and horror moments throughout. Deadstream is comparable to other YA techno-horror titles like Such Lovely Skin by Tatiana Schlote-Bonne and The Glare by Margot Harrison.

–Emily Williams

Amazing Audiobooks (#AA2026) Featured Review: When Devils Sing by Xan Kaur

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  • When Devils Sing
  • by Xan Kaur
  • Narrated by Anjali Kunapaneni, Jennifer Pickens, Landon Woodson, Michael Couch
  • Macmillan Young Listeners/Macmillan Audio
  • Publication Date: May 26, 2025

In this gothic horror set in the fictional small town of Carrion, Georgia, a teen named Dawson disappears during the strange Cicada Festival, leaving only blood behind in a motel room. Neera Singh, whose family owns the motel, teams up with three other teens to search for him. As they dig deeper, they uncover dark secrets that reveal just how twisted their town really is.

The story has a naturally eerie tone, but the audiobook takes it further by creating a rich, immersive atmosphere through the use of multiple narrators. Each voice adds emotional depth, helping to distinguish the characters and highlight their unique perspectives. The diverse cast of narrators reflects the range of experiences within the story, making the audiobook feel complete and compelling.

Small towns full of secrets is not a new theme, although this story stands out for the writing and narration. Some similar titles include Bad Creek by Peyton June and Kill Creatures by Rory Power.

-Anush Balayan

Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2026) Featured Review: The Unfinished by Cheryl Isaacs

Avery had always been warned never to stray from the trails in the forest surrounding her quiet town. But one jog leads her deeper into the woods and to a hidden black water pond that seems to call to her. From that day forward, Avery is plagued by eerie visions of brackish water, ghostly whispers, and shadowy figures lurking just out of sight. When locals begin to vanish without explanation, she realizes that the stories about dark forces in the forest may be more than just legends. After her best friend disappears, Avery must face the ancient evil she unknowingly unleashed.

Isaacs skillfully builds tension through a series of menacing encounters that escalate in intensity, culminating in the book’s climax. Avery’s estrangement from her Indigenous roots leaves her feeling adrift and ill-equipped to confront the forces of the lake. Themes of identity and secrecy weave through the narrative and well developed supporting characters round out the story.

The Unfinished is an easy sell for readers who enjoy dark, moody suspense with a supernatural twist. Perfect for fans of House of Ash and Bone by Joel A. Sutherland and What the Woods Took by Courtney Gould.

– Cathy DeCampli

The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.

Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.
The Best Fiction for Young Adults Committee appreciates teen feedback as members evaluate the nominated titles. Teen librarians are encouraged to share the List of Potential Nominees under consideration with their patrons and solicit feedback using the link: tinyurl.com/bfya2026

Amazing Audiobooks (#AA2026) Featured Review: Out of Air by Rachel Reiss

  • Out of Air
  • by Rachel Reiss
  • Narrated by Gail Shalan
  • Wednesday Books / Macmillan Audio
  • Publication Date: May 13, 2025
  • ISBN: 9781250402806

Phoebe “Phibs” Ray, along with her four best friends, are the Salt Squad – a group of friends who went viral on social media for their scuba diving content. Their most viral exploration lead them to Spanish gold coins worth millions of dollars. For their last hurrah before they head in separate ways, they plan a scuba trip to an island off the coast of Australia. After discovering a hidden sea cave, Phibs and her friends are drawn into a series of strange and unsettling events. As danger escalates and ruthless treasure hunters close in, Phibs must fight to protect her friends—and the cave’s secrets—from being lost forever.

The story provides a dual timeline, alternating between the present day and five months prior to the Australia trip. The Australian sea setting gets described in a way that makes it feel like another character in the book. The pace and intensity of the narration brings the ocean to life in a sense, making it feel like it is another character in the book. Shalan’s fluidity of narration makes it feel like the listener is riding the waves and experiencing the intense adventures along with the group of friends as they experience their adventures. The narrator’s tone of voice fit the age and characteristics of the main character, allowing the listener to feel like they were hearing a story directly from someone of the age rather than an adult telling a younger story. As the story intensified, the narration also felt like it was increasing in speed and tension, helping the reader feel like they are able to be a part of the story.


Like the Outer Banks, the focus is on searching for a lost treasure while also creating conflicts between groups of teenagers and forcing them to rekindle their tight-knit friendship. Similar to The Thrashers, Out of Air provides a quick pace and clear narration that will capture from the beginning through the very end. An enjoyable read for all ages.

-Stefani Hudon

Check out our Summeween post of Out of Air by Rachel Reiss below

Check out the Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers Review for Out of Air