A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim
Truyan Saigas is an art forger who uses her tricks to hustle money to support her mother and sister after her father has been lost out to sea. When that is not enough, she agrees to marry a dragon lord and follow along to his dangerous undersea infiltration. I found this book on the New York Times bestseller list for YA fiction, which happened to have quite a few science fiction and fantasy books on it. This one was chosen for my annotated list because of its mature themes and edge. I think a lot of teens like myself who weren't really into teen drama and YA books at that age will like something with high stakes and grit.
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
This is a fantastical, futuristic re-imagining of Wu Zetian, the first and only Chinese emperor, and tells the story of avenging the death of her sister. I found this book thanks to TikTok. A lot of people took to the app because they said it was particularly easy for their ADHD brains to read. I don't personally have ADHD, but it reminded me about how a lot of non-readers found themselves chugging through The Hunger Games like crazy when they'd never read a book that fast before. That's why it's made its way to this list.
Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
This book is considered Afrofuturism and tells the story of Pet (a monster spawned from a painting), Jam (black trans protagonist), and Redemption (BFF with a dark entity in her house) and their hunt for a monster in a world that does not believe they exist. I discovered this book thanks for a colleague at my academic library who did an Afrofuturism display a few years ago. I chose to annotate the book because it brings a different culture and perspective to speculative fiction; and therefore, a story unlike anything else on this list.
The Jewel by Amy Ewing
The story is about Violet who lives in a dystopia where her fate has always been to be a surrogate for the elite women. Her body no longer belongs to her. This book was recommended to me over ten years ago by a creative writing professor in undergrad. Published in 2014, so a little on the older side, but it made it on this list for its similarities to other favorites like The Handmaid's Tale or Kiera Cass' The Selection. I could see it landing on a "If You Liked This, Try This" list to get teens reading beyond what's currently popular.
A Treachery of Swans by A.B. Poranek
Odile turns Marie into a swan to assume her identity in the castle and steal the king's crown (a plan devised by her father). These plans are quickly squashed when Odile's brother is accused of murder and her feelings for the Marie turn from hatred to passion. I also found this title on the New York Times bestseller list and it stood out for its lesbian romance. It's on this list for anyone wants to read a queer romance, but then immediately gets bored by the lack of story line... well this one has some plot.
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