A little while ago, I attended the HCC Frenzy 2018 Preview. It’s a super fun event where the young adult team at HarperCollins Canada chat about their upcoming books.
Today, I’m finally sharing all the amazing books that they shared with us! I hope this list helps you find your next read!
Please note that some of these books are sequels and the synopsis may contain minor spoilers. If you’d like to add the book to Goodreads the book cover will take you to the book’s page.
September 2018 Book Releases
Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani: This book is a young adult historical fiction. It follows a young girl who is forced into captivity after her village is attacked by a radical group.
Oh my Goth by Gena Showalter: This book follows a young girl who is considered to be a ‘freak’. She hangs out with other students who are are goth until she wakes up in an alternate world where she’s popular.
Pride by Ibi Zoboi: Pride is a modern retelling of Jane Austen’s classic novel, Pride and Prejudice. Set in Brooklyn, this book shifts the narrative of the original story and focuses on culture as well as class.
Sex Plus by Laci Green: This book is exactly what it sounds like. A young adult contemporary book that explores the topic of sex in a positive and healthy light.
The Caged Queen by Kristen Ciccarelli: This young adult fantasy novel is the sequel to The Last Namasara. The series follows a young girl who is offered a chance to gain her freedom from a powerful dragon.
Two Dark Reigns by Kendare Blake: Two Dark Reigns is the third book in the Three Dark Crowns series. The series follows a kingdom with three queens who are each heirs to the crown as well as the chaos that comes with it.
October 2018 Book Releases
A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi: This book is Tahereh Mafi’s first venture in the young adult contemporary genre. It follows a Muslim teenager a year after the 9/11 attacks as well as the issues that come with stereotypes. There is an incredible message in this book as well as some romance.
Broken Things by Lauren Oliver: Broken Things is an upcoming mystery thriller. It takes place five years after a brutal murder and the quest to find out what actually happened. It’s the perfect book for fans of We Were Liars by E Lockhart as well as One of Us is Lying by Karen M McManus.
Damsel by Elana K. Arnold: Damsel is an upcoming fantasy book that highlights the ‘damsel in distress’. It follows a young girl’s journey after a handsome prince rescues her from captivity. The HCC Frenzy team said it is the perfect book for fans of The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood.
Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand: This book is an upcoming young adult horror book with magical elements. It follows three girls in a town where girls have been disappearing for years. It’s the perfect October book!
Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa: This book is an epic start to a new fantasy series. It’s an own-voices Japanese fantasy that focuses on three people who are forced to work together following an attack by a demon army.
Swing by Kwame Alexander: Swing is an upcoming contemporary book with poetic aspects. It’s a book about friendship, love as well as finding yourself.
The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee: This young adult historical fiction is the sequel to The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue! While this book focuses on Felicity, it’s sure to be as fun and enjoyable as the first book.
The Light Between Worlds by Laura E. Weymouth: This book is an upcoming fantasy with hints of historical fiction. While it’s set up to be an epic fantasy, there are a number of content warnings.
This is Kind of an Epic Love Story by Kheryn Callender: This book is an upcoming LGBTQ+ rom-com. It’s perfect for fans of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli.
What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera: What If It’s Us is an upcoming LGBTQ+ contemporary. It follows Arthur and Ben as they meet in New York and grow their friendship over the course of a summer.
When We Caught Fire by Anna Godbersen: This book is an upcoming historical fiction. Even though this book takes place during the Chicago Fire, there is also lots of drama and romance.
November 2018 Book Releases
Four Three Two One by Courtney Stevens: This book is an upcoming contemporary that follows survivors of a bus bombing. With a serious tone, it’s a book about feelings, forgiveness as well as connection.
Pulp by Robin Talley: This book has two perspectives – Janet in 1955 and Abby in 2017. It’s a diverse contemporary about love as well as discovery.
This Splintered Silence by Kayla Olson: This Splintered Silence is an upcoming science fiction book. With some mysterious aspects, it’s going to be an interesting book!
HCC Frenzy 2018 Preview
Not only is it so much fun to attend a book event, but I walked away with more books to read.
I’m particularly excited for Damsel by Elana K. Arnold, Broken Things by Lauren Oliver, The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee, When We Caught Fire by Anna Godbersen, What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera as well as A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi!
Based on the HCC Frenzy 2018 Preview, it looks like we’re going to have some great book releases in the coming months. Be sure to let me know which books you’re excited for in the comments!
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[…] I heard about A Very Large Expanse of Sea at the HCC Frenzy Fall Preview, I knew I had to read it. I am so glad I did because I absolutely adore this […]