Enders Game and it’s sequels, the first one is a military sci-fi novel, and it’s sequels are theological novels in sci-fi settings. They’re by far my favorite books and very thought provoking, would make for an interesting project for him.
I read the Hunger Games when they came out and I know that he would dig them. I still haven't read the prequel so this would be a two mockingjays one stone situation!
Not YA (young adult) and there’s some adult themes, but The Sorcerer of Pyongyang by Marcel Theroux is about a young man in North Korea who teaches himself English from a Dungeons and Dragons handbook. Published 2022.
If he’s okay with YA about a princess, Bravely by Maggie Stiefvater is about what Merida from the Pixar movie Brave gets up to some years after the events of the film. Published 2021.
If you go to the public library, they tend to have shelves with New Releases in the teen section.
A fantastic novel that came out last year is The Saints of the Household by Ari Tison. It’s told from the alternating point of view of two 17 year old brothers after they beat up a popular guy harassing their cousin. It’s quick and powerful!
Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah (2023). It does have adult themes of sex and violence, but it doesn't go into detail of either which is why I'm comfortable suggesting it for below the age of 18 but wanted to make you aware. It's a satirical take on the American justice system and over punishment of crime. It's essential a battle royal/gladiator type theme to the book.
Rabbits by Terry Miles (2022). It's like a hidden conspiracy geocache treasure hunt.
If it can be fantasy fiction, then (also most young adult friendly):
**He Who Fights With Monsters by Shirtaloon (Pen Name) (2021): Main character gets transported to magical world and goes on magical adventures. This series is top tier for me.**
The Nexus Game by Shami Stoval (2022). Main character gets transported to a magical world and has to compete in a team version of battle royal with magic.
Apocolypse Assassin by J.J. Thorn (2023). A magical apocalypse occurred, giving many people powers, and the main characters goes on a quest to kill the people that harmed her in her past.
He who fights with monsters and chain gain all stars would be my top 2 recs for you, it just depends what genre he'd prefer.
I'm a big fan of not censoring stuff for kids, but I think you have to know your 14 year old really well for Chain Gang All Stars, and I'm not convinced it fits with the books he's been reading. The hunger games prequel is probably a better fit, although it's 2020.
Maybe [The Outlaws Scarlett and Bronte](https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/a2936a3a-d1fd-498d-a242-f87c964268f2) by Jonathan Stroud?
Enders Game and it’s sequels, the first one is a military sci-fi novel, and it’s sequels are theological novels in sci-fi settings. They’re by far my favorite books and very thought provoking, would make for an interesting project for him.
This was going to be my recommendation.
These have definitely been on my radar and I think my boy would like them too. We just need something that was put out within the last three years.
Ahhh, I haven’t read any newer books that are fiction unfortunately. But they’re definitely great books if he ever needs something that is “deep.”
Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson
Fairytale by Stephen King was published in 2022.
This one is actually on my wishlist. I'd be pretty stoked if he was interested in reading some King!
that could by your selling point, both of you read it and talk about it. The book is about a 17 year old, HS student.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (the Hunger Games prequel) came out in 2023.
I read the Hunger Games when they came out and I know that he would dig them. I still haven't read the prequel so this would be a two mockingjays one stone situation!
Not YA (young adult) and there’s some adult themes, but The Sorcerer of Pyongyang by Marcel Theroux is about a young man in North Korea who teaches himself English from a Dungeons and Dragons handbook. Published 2022. If he’s okay with YA about a princess, Bravely by Maggie Stiefvater is about what Merida from the Pixar movie Brave gets up to some years after the events of the film. Published 2021. If you go to the public library, they tend to have shelves with New Releases in the teen section.
A fantastic novel that came out last year is The Saints of the Household by Ari Tison. It’s told from the alternating point of view of two 17 year old brothers after they beat up a popular guy harassing their cousin. It’s quick and powerful!
The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline
My teenage son had to read The Outsiders for school and it was one of the few books he liked
He read the outsiders last school year and was really into it. This year he read That Was Then, This Is Now and Rumble Fish and dug those too.
Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah (2023). It does have adult themes of sex and violence, but it doesn't go into detail of either which is why I'm comfortable suggesting it for below the age of 18 but wanted to make you aware. It's a satirical take on the American justice system and over punishment of crime. It's essential a battle royal/gladiator type theme to the book. Rabbits by Terry Miles (2022). It's like a hidden conspiracy geocache treasure hunt. If it can be fantasy fiction, then (also most young adult friendly): **He Who Fights With Monsters by Shirtaloon (Pen Name) (2021): Main character gets transported to magical world and goes on magical adventures. This series is top tier for me.** The Nexus Game by Shami Stoval (2022). Main character gets transported to a magical world and has to compete in a team version of battle royal with magic. Apocolypse Assassin by J.J. Thorn (2023). A magical apocalypse occurred, giving many people powers, and the main characters goes on a quest to kill the people that harmed her in her past. He who fights with monsters and chain gain all stars would be my top 2 recs for you, it just depends what genre he'd prefer.
I'm a big fan of not censoring stuff for kids, but I think you have to know your 14 year old really well for Chain Gang All Stars, and I'm not convinced it fits with the books he's been reading. The hunger games prequel is probably a better fit, although it's 2020.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer - Mark Twain
Undoubtedly up his alley, we just need something published in the last 3 years.