21 upcoming YA book releases we can’t wait to read in 2021

Realm Breaker – Victoria Aveyard

A new book from Victoria Aveyard in 2021? That’s all we need to hear – sign us up right now.

The latest from the author of the bestselling Red Queen series, Realm Breaker will kick off a new fantasy series, about a young girl who is the last of her line, and the only one capable of saving the world from encroaching, deadly darkness.

Obviously, little is known about Aveyard’s next series, but given her success at telling a sweeping, heartbreaking story in the Red Queen books has us fully ready for whatever she wants to do next. And if the series description is anything to go by, there’s more than a little bit of a Six of Crows vibe here, thanks to the rag tag crew of unlikely companions that will help her along the way.

I know, I know, it feels like every story these days balances multiple protagonists with competing interests and goals. But Aveyard’s already had years of practice weaving stories together in this format, thanks to the shifting POVs in her Red Queen series.

The official synopsis describes the book’s story in more detail.

"A strange darkness grows in Allward. Even Corayne an-Amarat can feel it, tucked away in her small town at the edge of the sea. She soon discovers the truth: She is the last of an ancient lineage—and the last hope to save the world from destruction. But she won’t be alone. Even as darkness falls, she is joined by a band of unlikely companions: A squire, forced to choose between home and honor. An immortal, avenging a broken promise. An assassin, exiled and bloodthirsty. An ancient sorceress, whose riddles hide an eerie foresight. A forger with a secret past. A bounty hunter with a score to settle. Together they stand against a vicious opponent, invincible and determined to burn all kingdoms to ash, and an army unlike anything the realm has ever witnessed."

If you’d like a preview of the novel itself, Entertainment Weekly has an excerpt up. 

Realm Breaker is available on May 4.