9 Thrilling Sci-Fi Young Adult Novels You Should Buy Immediately

Skyward is a four-book series that makes up the core of the Cytoverse by Brandon Sanderson.

The series focuses on Spensa, who has dreamed her entire life of becoming a Defiant Defense Force (DDF) pilot just like her father. Unfortunately, the DDF isn’t too keen on letting Spensa near a ship since her father turned coward and was killed in battle. Spensa refuses to back down and is ready to do whatever it takes to get accepted and succeed at flight school.

Featuring fierce characters, found family, snarky AI, and fun new creatures, join Spensa on her journey to claim the stars!

The Cytoverse currently includes Skyward (4 novels) + Skyward Flight (3 novellas co-written with Janci Patterson) and the short story Defending Elysium. Next up in this world is the Skyward Legacy series, with Janci Patterson as lead writer.

Humanity’s finally conquered death, but there’s a limit to the amount of humans who can reasonably live on the planet at one time. To keep that number in check, it’s the job of the respected Scythes to “Glean”, aka legally cull the population.

This story follows Rowan and Citra, two very different teenagers who find themselves with the prestigious (yet unwanted) role of apprentice to a Scythe.

This story questions what makes a perfect society and what price you’re willing to pay to keep it . Featuring some amazing world-building, it will leave you thinking about just where the line of morality should be drawn.

The Arc of a Scythe comprises the original trilogy (Scythe, Thunderhead, and The Toll), followed by Gleanings, a compilation of short stories taking place across the series timeline.

This year’s Belethea Race Royale (BRR) is not one to miss. Teams race into the churn, aka in a violent storm, across miles and miles of terrain, much to the entertainment of the verse.

The local Belethea team has fallen on some tough times, which results in current and new racers applying for their spots via open tryouts. Foster Sterling is pretty jaded after last year and not sure he wants to race again. Ezren Hart will do whatever it takes to help her family and the research lab, even if that means trying out for the Belethea team. She knows if they can just get a little further in their research at the lab, they’ll make great strides in improving the livability of their planet.

What she doesn’t know is if she can handle the politics that come with the spotlight of being a racer. She’ll have to win over her teammates if she wants any chance at helping her family. Can one race change everything?

Clementine left Earth (and her baggage) behind for a new start on Mars. She’s managed to land her dream job working for the famous Dr. Lin, but sometimes our heroes aren’t what they seem. She makes friends with the assistant robot, but is there something more to it?

Featuring bots, humanoid AI, and questions of freedom and control, this beautifully drawn graphic novel invites you to question everything.

Conrad grew up heir to a family of high status, but in this world run on meritocracy, a family’s entire fortune can be changed by a single challenge.

Exiled to the bottom of the system by his uncle, Conrad must do whatever it takes to survive in this kill-or-be-killed society. Can he prove himself to be worthy of selection and rise the ranks on his own merit? In a world where no act is truly selfless, can he really trust anyone?

This was a brutal and fast-paced story, setting things up for a very interesting trilogy . There’s politics, scheming, and a war brewing, not to mention backstabbing to rise to the top.

Prince North lives above the clouds, while Priestess Nimh lives below them. They don’t know each other, but they’re both struggling with unrest and the future direction of their societies.

North’s people look to science and technology for answers, while Nimh’s people look towards religion. Their lives are intertwined more than they could ever imagine.

This magical story takes you on an adventure of discovery with these characters as they are forced to question what they know and what they’re willing to do for the sake of their people.

Technology is king, and Syntex Corporation is currently on top. They have no qualms about signing on young kids to a fixed life span in the name of new tech and financial stability for their families. Never mind that the kids likely don’t know what they’re signing, and the supercomputer fused with their brain comes with an explosive expiration date.

Sil’s been content to play the corporation’s game, but when a recent job goes south, she finds herself with questions she can’t answer and a need to prove herself. Could the Analog Army’s accusations against Syntex Corporation be justified? Is there a way to live past her expiration date?

This snarky story is full of teen angst and misadventures .

Squad 312 may not be the heroes you wanted, but it’s looking more and more like they’re the galaxy’s only hope. This group of six misfits and their problems will burrow their way into your heart before you can say mother custard.

Aurora Jie-Lin O’Malley has been asleep for 2 centuries when she’s rescued by Tyler Jones, golden boy of Aurora Academy. And they’re both about to have a really bad day. Joining them on their very bad day is a gorgeous warrior space elf, Tyler’s twin sister, the diplomat who can talk her way out of most anything, an ace pilot, a science/medical officer who avoids human interaction like the plague, and a smart mouth gearhead (mechanic).

What could possibly go wrong?

In a world where being born male equates worthiness, Zetian is out to avenge her older sister’s murder.

Only male pilots are allowed to take the lead in piloting the Chrysalises against their mecha aliens beyond the Great Wall. Most female pilots are little more than concubine pilots, there to please the Ace male pilots, and likely die in battle due to the mental strain.

Zetian’s family is more than happy to send another daughter off to serve as a concubine pilot, but if they knew her real plan, they might not be so happy. Come see just how much chaos Zetian can cause as a mere girl rebelling against the patriarchy.

This powerful story blends Chinese history with powerful robots in a satisfying way, and I cannot wait to see how it all wraps up.