11 must-read new YA releases that will capture your heart this February
By Lacy Baugher
All the Stars and Teeth – Adalyn Grace
Adalyn Grace’s debut novel All the Stars and Teeth is all kinds of buzzy – one of the most talked about debuts of the first half of the year. (I know that I haven’t been shut up about it to anyone that will listen since I read an ARC last Fall.)
This book is everything we love about YA fantasy, a strong capable princess fighting for her throne and kingdom, a magical system that feels intriguingly complex and different, and a high-stakes adventure with everything from enchanted pirate ships to badass mermaids.
It follows the story of Amora, the princess of an island kingdom known as Visidia. She’s spent her life training to not only inherit her father’s throne, but to become Visidia’s High Animancer, a position that requires her to master a particularly rare and dangerous type of soul magic that only those in her bloodline are able to wield. But when her public demonstration of her powers goes terribly wrong, Amora must fight to prove herself capable of the crown.
This decision will result in a quest that will change her life – and the fate of Visidia – forever.
The official synopsis has a few more details.
"As princess of the island kingdom Visidia, Amora Montara has spent her entire life training to be High Animancer—the master of souls. The rest of the realm can choose their magic, but for Amora, it’s never been a choice. To secure her place as heir to the throne, she must prove her mastery of the monarchy’s dangerous soul magic. When her demonstration goes awry, Amora is forced to flee. She strikes a deal with Bastian, a mysterious pirate: he’ll help her prove she’s fit to rule, if she’ll help him reclaim his stolen magic. But sailing the kingdom holds more wonder—and more peril—than Amora anticipated. A destructive new magic is on the rise, and if Amora is to conquer it, she’ll need to face legendary monsters, cross paths with vengeful mermaids, and deal with a stow-away she never expected… or risk the fate of Visidia and lose the crown forever."
All the Stars and Teeth is now available everywhere.