My Top YA Speculative Books of 2015 that Didn't Make the Final List

I loved being a part of the Cybils this past year.  We had an especially great group of nominated books to read.  It was really hard though to whittle this list of 181 nominated books to the top 7 finalists.

I feel we did come up with a great list of finalists.  The only bummer was we had to limit our list to only 7!

So for today's post I thought I'd share some of my own favorites that didn't make the final list.


1. SANCTUARY


My YA Books Central review: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/18786-sanctuary

Teaser: Haunting ghost tale of loss and love set in a centuries old Gothic mansion off the coast of Maine. Also a story of being true to not only yourself but coming to terms with a painful past.

 2. RED QUEEN
Totally loved this tale of the Silvers--those with silver blood that rule the Reds-those with red blood.  Readers are introduced to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts who one fateful day finds she's not who she thought she was.  Lots of tension, conflict, and action make this a must-read!

 3.  

 THE GAME OF LOVE AND DEATH

Beautifully written tale of Death & Love & their 'game' between 2 possible lovers set in 1937. Totally devoured this book!

4.  DUPLICITY

Chilling, fast-paced ride where The Matrix meets Tron and where hackers end up in a computer generated prison with duplicates taking over their real lives.

5.  FALL OUT

Think Veronica Mars meets Superman only this case we're introduced to a teen Lois Lane who sets out to break her first case.  Lots of action, suspense, and great characters!

6. THIS MONSTROUS THING


My YA Books Central review: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/18917-this-monstrous-thing

Teaser: 
The love in this novel is more between two brothers and the lengths one would go to in order to right a wrong. The biggest question is whether bringing Oliver back to life was morally right. But another important question is should Mary be responsible for the lives lost due to her retelling of what she saw that fateful day when Alasdair brought his brother to life? Who in fact is the real Frankenstein? Oliver who ends up shut up in a deserted castle and shunned as being a monster? Or those who torment those that are 'different'?

Haunting retelling of Frankenstein with a dark, addictive twist.

 7.  THE SCORPION RULES

Love the unique twist on this futuristic story of a world when children of royalty are taken captive in order to avoid war. If a country starts a war? That child of that leader is killed. AIs rule this world. Also hints of diverse love story.

8.  BLOOD AND SALT


My YA Books Central review: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/18745-blood-and-salt

 Teaser: Bittersweet forbidden love meets Children of the Corn with a ohmigod reveal that will have readers gasping. Bloody, powerful, and stunning, this novel had me wanting more!

 10. IT'S A WONDERFUL DEATH:

My YA Books Central review: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/18818-it-s-a-wonderful-death

 Teaser: Mean Girls meets IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, this is a snarky, hilarious ride through the Afterlife and Earth with a memorable heroine who needs to face her selfish past in order to finally move on.


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