The best action-packed YA sci-fi with hate-to-love romance

Why am I passionate about this?

I don’t just write YA sci-fi, fantasy, and magic steeped in romance—I’m obsessed with the subject in general. Whether it’s the newest book series, tv show, movie, or anime… you can bet your golden snitch that I will be devouring any of these stories I can get my hands on. I'm a sucker for coherent plot work, snappy dialogue, fun action sequences, and phenomenal character building. Trust memy list has your back.


I wrote...

Echo Through the Stars

By Jessica Lynn Medina,

Book cover of Echo Through the Stars

What is my book about?

Avery Vey lives on Level 4 of New San Francisco, far removed from the war that rages on Echo, the sister planet just beyond the hypergate. She wants nothing to do with Earth’s pointless crusade against the native race of that world. After a routine bioscan, the Earth Federation beats down Avery’s door and takes her into custody. When fellow prisoner Finn Lunitia helps her escape, they find that Avery has incredible powers—that no human should possess.

As Finn drags her to Echo, Avery is unwillingly labeled a savior for their people. But to rescue her grandmother, she must master her gifts, as well as the political games that govern both worlds. With each step she takes, the planet—and Finn—begin to take hold of her heart.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Under the Never Sky

Jessica Lynn Medina Why did I love this book?

This book is the first in a series and has such a unique premise. It feels part sci-fi, part dystopia, and part fantasy which makes for a fascinating read. Set in a dismal future, humanity lives inside a controlled domed city called Reverie. Our main protagonist—Ariahas to leave its protection when things go awry for her and venture into the wilderness outside. She meets Perry, a member of the tribes that claim the outside world as their own. Sparks fly as they work through their prejudices and come to understand one another, and help each other to survive. Always a fabulous recipe for a breathtaking enemies-to-lovers romance.

By Veronica Rossi,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Under the Never Sky as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 14, 15, 16, and 17.

What is this book about?

WORLDS KEPT THEM APART. DESTINY BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER. Aria has lived her whole life in the protected dome of Reverie. Her entire world confined to its spaces, she's never thought to dream of what lies beyond its doors. So when her mother goes missing, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland long enough to find her are slim. Then Aria meets an outsider named Perry. He's searching for someone too. He's also wild - a savage - but might be her best hope at staying alive. If they can survive, they are each other's best hope for…


Book cover of Delirium

Jessica Lynn Medina Why did I love this book?

Lauren Oliver is the queen of beautiful prose. Her writing reads like near-poetry, so you can bet you’re going to get a lot of gorgeous angst in this story. A bit of dystopian sci-fi, Delirium is set in a future Earth where the emotion of love has been “cured.” As members of society reach adulthood, they are sent to receive a vaccine that will strip them of any pesky emotions that are too difficult to live with. Like passion, love, and our favoritelust. It becomes a bit of a problem when our protagonistLenameets and falls for a guy just weeks before she’s due to take the cure. You know she fights the feelings at first, especially when she finds out he’s a rebel who thinks we just all need therapy, but in the end the heart wants what the heart wants... to take down the overreaching totalitarian government with love on her side.

By Lauren Oliver,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Delirium as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 14, 15, 16, and 17.

What is this book about?

'A dystopian Romeo and Juliet story that deserves to be as massive as Twilight' Stylist

They say that the cure for love will make me happy and safe forever. And I've always believed them. Until now.

There was a time when love was the most important thing in the world. People would go to the end of the earth to find it. They would tell lies for it. Even kill for it.

But now love has been declared a dangerous disease.

Everyone who turns eighteen must be immunised with a procedure called the Cure. Lena Haloway is looking forward to…


Book cover of The Host

Jessica Lynn Medina Why did I love this book?

Stephenie Meyer may get some flack for Twilight, but this book in her arsenal is a true gem. Set in a future world where aliens have arrived on Earth and essentially body-snatch out brains (they’re tiny lil organisms that hop inside our heads), one alien called Wanderer finds out that the girl whose body she chose to inhabitMelanieisn’t going down without a fight. Clocking in at 624 pages, this book will last you a while and is full of moral dilemmas and tough decisions. Especially when Wanderer meets a human guy who tries to kill her the first time they meet (he doesn’t really dig the fact she’s invaded his planet). And then realizes she might still have feelings for the other boy who Melanie loves, too…. Look, it’s complicated. Bottom line is, the character development is great and we really see some 180s in this story. Give it a tryyou won’t be disappointed. 

By Stephenie Meyer,

Why should I read it?

8 authors picked The Host as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Now in the trade paperback edition: New Bonus Chapter and Reading Group Guide, including Stephenie Meyer's Annotated Playlist for the book.Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, didn't expect to find its former tenant refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.As Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of Jared, a human who still lives in hiding, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she's never met. Reluctant allies, Wanderer and…


Book cover of Warcross

Jessica Lynn Medina Why did I love this book?

This book is a true gem, set in a futuristic world that gives off real Ready Player One vibes. There’s this virtual game called Warcross that everybody and their mom watches, including our down-on-her-luck protagonist, Emika. She just so happens to be a techy hacker who accidentally finds a backdoor into the game servers. She’s whisked away by the sexy bachelor game creator, Hideo, to compete in the big Warcross tournament and fix some security issues. This is a dope world with all kinds of Easter eggs for gamers, and technically it’s a lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers switcheroo that gets more complicated as the series goes on. Definitely a fun ride with dope world building!

By Marie Lu,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked Warcross as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

Perfect for fans of Ready Player One!

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu - when a game called Warcross takes the world by storm, one girl hacks her way into its dangerous depths.

For the millions who log in every day, Warcross isn't just a game - it's a way of life. Struggling to make ends meet, teenage hacker Emika Chen works as a bounty hunter, tracking down players who bet on the game illegally. Needing to make some quick cash, Emika takes a risk and hacks into the opening game of the international Warcross Championships -…


Book cover of Renegades

Jessica Lynn Medina Why did I love this book?

Look, Marissa Meyer is the queen of action-adventure found-family stories. No matter which of her books you pick up, you’re going to have a good time. The Renegades series is a dope sci-fi, superhero genre story that has a surprisingly serious theme. Our two protagonists, Nova and Adrian, live on opposite sides of the villain-hero dichotomy in a world where superheros and supervillains are commonplace. Cue angsty literal enemies-to-lovers drama and some pretty amazing character building. Seeing the way Meyer dives into the backstories and drives of these characters means the romance is absolutely stellar. Buckle up for this ride.

By Marissa Meyer,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked Renegades as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

Secret identities. Extraordinary powers.
She wants vengeance. He wants justice.

The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies-humans with extraordinary abilities-who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone . . . except the villains they once overthrew.

Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice-and in Nova. But Nova's allegiance is to a…


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Wrightsville Beach

By Suzanne Goodwyn,

Book cover of Wrightsville Beach

Suzanne Goodwyn Author Of Wrightsville Beach

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

I have been writing all my life, but was never able to find my voice until I had my daughters. It was for them I wrote “Wrightsville Beach”. I wanted to show them what a good relationship should look like and how their decisions make a difference in where they will go. I want my readers to relive that feeling of falling in love and to be sent in unexpected directions, as life so often does to us. I want you to enjoy it so much, you don’t want to put the book down until it’s finished and once you do, to sit and reflect on it, savoring the feeling it has left behind.

Suzanne's book list on smart women trying to figure it all out

What is my book about?

Two years ago, devastated by the sudden death of his older brother, Hank Atwater went on a drinking rampage that ended in his being arrested. Since then, he has been working to rebuild his reputation in his hometown of Wilmington, North Carolina, with little luck. But everything changes after a chance meeting with Jess Wade, a UNCW student studying to be a marine biologist. Hank and Jess feel connected to each other in a way neither has ever felt before.

But when Hank’s past leads to a frightful incident, it ends their relationship. Jess leaves to work on the beach with sea turtles, thinking about what really happened that summer with Hank, while Hank sets out to find his own path in hopes of one day winning her back.

Wrightsville Beach

By Suzanne Goodwyn,

What is this book about?

Two years ago, Hank Atwater made a terrible mistake. Devastated by the sudden death of his older brother, Rob, he went on a drinking rampage that ended in his being arrested for aggravated assault. Sober since then, he has been working to rebuild his reputation in his hometown of Wilmington, North Carolina, with little luck.

Working a dead-end delivery job, Hank uses surfing and running to deal with being ostracized as he waits for his probation to end. But everything changes after a chance meeting with Jess Wade, a UNCW student studying to be a marine biologist. Hank and Jess…


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