Where YA goes, the rest of publishing follows. We’ve certainly seen that with romantasy (shout-out to all the OG YA romantasy fans!), and while our list does have a few titles in that subgenre, there are hints of magic in nearly every title here. It is exactly what our world needs right now. But make no mistake—there is magic in the performances of each of these tales, and you’ll feel the effects of that enchantment long after you’ve stopped listening.
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As politically sharp and utterly heartbreaking as the rest of the Hunger Games series, Sunrise on the Reaping reaffirms Suzanne Collins’s gift for dystopian world-building and complex character development. This prequel follows a teenaged Haymitch Abernathy as he is selected to participate in the second Quarter Quell, setting in motion his lifelong role in the rebellion. Actor Jefferson White (Yellowstone) brings the fan-favorite character to life with a warm, masterful narration that balances the longing and optimism of youth with a wry edge, his performance laying bare not only the deadly stakes of the Games but the undying promise of hope and love in spite of it all. —Alanna M.
YA superstar author Jason Reynolds has improbably reached even greater heights with his first audio original. Soundtrack took me on an immersive return to the New York City of the early 2000s, where a group of talented teens becomes an overnight subway music sensation. With a huge multicast and a score from Grammy-winner Justin Ellington, this story swept me away in the magic of youth when every possibility was just around the corner. —Emily C.
Novels-in-verse lend themselves so well to audio—there’s a musicality to the prose that’s simply elevated in the format. But to experience a fantasy novel-in-verse this way from National Book Award finalist Ibi Zoboi is a true symphony. Rooted in Caribbean folklore, (S)kin is a beautiful juxtaposition of magic and the modern world, interwoven with themes of culture, identity, and belonging. Narrators Bahni Turpin and Robin Miles are legends unto themselves, and to have them united as the voices of our heroines in (S)kin is a gift to us all. —Katie O.
One thing to know about me: I love a battle for a throne. In a way, Heir of Storms felt like a hug from an old friend, with familiar notes of some of my favorite stories and tropes. But make no mistake—the current that lies underneath that feeling is strong and pulsing and results in a tidal wave of a tale. Electrifying elemental magic, an actually-compelling love triangle, effortless world-building, a life-or-death competition, and a throne on the line: debut Scottish author Lauryn Hamilton Murray has conjured one powerful storm. Scottish actress and debut narrator Isis Hainsworth is the perfect match for Murray’s magic, and I’m so thrilled the duo has another two books in the series coming. —KO
Revolving around three pivotal historical moments and the teenagers wrapped up in them, Libba Bray’s Under the Same Stars is a feat to behold. Anything less than multicast narration would have done this story an injustice. The novel follows Sophie’s, Jenny’s, Miles’s, and Chloe’s stories through the decades as they race to uncover the secrets of the Bridegroom’s Oak, a tree where messages can be passed and where two teenagers once went missing. Featuring narrators January LaVoy, Jeremy Carlisle Parker, and Major Curda, this mystery totally enraptured me, and I was enthralled by histories that felt not so far away. —Melissa B.
Tracy Deonn delivers another 10/10 hit with Oathbound, all while raising the stakes for series protagonist Bree Matthews in every possible way. Severed from the Order and bound to the Shadow King, Bree is navigating impossible power, fractured identity, and a world on the brink of war while trying to hold on to the people and truths that shaped her. From the moment I saw the cast of performers (Joniece Abbott-Pratt, Andrew Eiden, Hillary Huber, Tim Paige, and Adenrele Ojo) I knew two things: This audio would be truly special, and I was in for a ride I would not soon forget. The added POVs deepen the story and let us soak in every heartbreak and revelation. This series just keeps leveling up, and waiting for the next book already feels impossible. —Patty R.
Lynn Painter delivers another irresistible romance with Fake Skating, masterfully weaving together childhood friends-to-lovers, enemies-to-lovers, and fake-dating elements. When Dani returns to Minnesota for her senior year, she eagerly anticipates reuniting with childhood friend Alec, only to discover he's transformed into a distant, popular hockey star. As circumstances force them into a fake relationship, they must confront their complicated history and growing feelings. Narrated by Aidan Bissett and Saylor Bell Curda, the story showcases Painter's wit, impeccable character chemistry, and razor-sharp dialogue, which left me captivated from start to finish. —Tricia F.
What a powerhouse debut! Author Channelle Desamours moonlights as a high school science teacher, and it’s clear she understands the YA audience. She also knows how to use her voice to highlight an issue we should all be talking about: how the disappearance of Black girls is treated differently than those of their white peers. Needy Little Things is a speculative mystery with a twist that took me completely by surprise. The novel explores both erasure and grief, while also diving into everyday teen issues that ground the larger themes. Desamours has a gift for dialogue, which is elevated in the performance by Alaska Jackson. I am eager to see where Desamours goes from here! —KO
Sometimes I want a story I can over-relate to, and at other times I want to peek into another existence that is foreign so I can experience the complexity of another person’s life with empathy. That's the case with award-winning poet and memoirist Rex Ogle's novel-in-verse. Diego “Benny” Benevides is pulled between wanting to help his best friend Lawson and his ambition to leave his struggling neighborhood behind. Narrator Ramón de Ocampo captures the quiet intensity of Benny’s inner conflict, bringing his story to life and further adding depth and urgency to an already powerful coming-of-age story. —Jerry P.
Kiera Azar’s Thorn Season was one of those listens that kept me up all night, completely consumed. The world feels dangerous and alive, and every secret and betrayal lands hard. Alissa Paine is clever, flawed, and fighting to survive in a court that wants her gone. The tension builds slowly, the romance aches, and the twists never stop coming. Suzy Jackson’s performance amplifies every slow-burning moment. Thorn Season is the kind of listen that reminds me why I love the YA genre. —PR
