12 must-read August YA book releases to close out your summer

Midnight Sun – Stephanie Meyer

It’s official: Fifteen years after the release of the first book in the Twilight Saga, it’s time to go back to the world of Forks – sparkly vampires, forever love and all. Those of you who were even tangentially involved in the Twilight fandom way back when may have heard that author Stephanie Meyer wrote another book – or, at the very least, a draft in which we see the events of the series’ first novel from Edward’s point of view.

Now, unedited snippets of an early, unfinished version of this draft leaked online back around 2008 and there were questions about whether Meyer would ever complete it afterward. That draft has apparently now been finished and turned into a book of its own. And we’re all about to experience vampire mania all over again, whether we want to or not.

Entitled Midnight Sun, the novel is essentially Twilight, with the perspective flipped from Bella Swan to Edward Cullen, a move which may well give us new insight into multiple characters beyond just our swoony vampire hero. (Basically, I’m here for anything that gives me more Rosalie or Carlisle.)

Here’s how the official synopsis describes this long-awaited novel.

"When Edward Cullen and Bella Swan met in Twilight, an iconic love story was born. But until now, fans have heard only Bella’s side of the story. At last, readers can experience Edward’s version in the long-awaited companion novel, Midnight Sun. This unforgettable tale as told through Edward’s eyes takes on a new and decidedly dark twist. Meeting beautiful, mysterious Bella is both the most intriguing and unnerving event he has experienced in his long life as a vampire. As we learn more fascinating details about Edward’s past and the complexity of his inner thoughts, we understand why this is the defining struggle of his life. How can he let himself fall in love with Bella when he knows that he is endangering her life?"

Midnight Sun is available on August 4.