With school starting up, it helps to have a book for those early morning bus rides or the small breaks between classes. Whether you enjoy romantic tales, intriguing mysteries, or thrilling adventures, this list has them all. Here are ten YA books releasing this August.
Girls of Dark Divine by E. V. Woods
Release Date: August 5th, 2025
This gothic fantasy debut novel is about an all-girl ballet company in the fictional city of New Kora, who are under a curse and controlled by invisible strings that force them to do the bidding of their master, Malcolm. The main character, Emberlyn, hopes their performance in the city of Parlizia will be the one that saves them. When she meets a boy made of shadows, who is connected to the girls, the two work together to unravel the curse before all the dancers are turned to dust.
The L.O.V.E. Club by Lio Min
Release Date: August 5th, 2025
Four friends, Liberty, O, Vera, and Elle started their own club (the L.O.V.E club). But when Elle mysteriously vanishes, and Liberty and Vera move away, O is left confused and alone. When Vera and Liberty return during the three’s senior year of high school, the three find a video game created by Elle. They are transported into Morning Glory, a game built out of their real life experiences and insecurities. While O struggles to remember Elle’s disappearance, the game uncovers some hard truths about her friends, making her wonder if she really knew them at all.
The Whisperings by Joel A. Sutherland
Release Date: August 5th, 2025
This intense, YA horror novel follows Joana, who, since the horrific death of her mother, has never stayed in one place for long. Her father has “the Whisperings” and has moved his children from place to place to protect them. When her family rents the lower half of a mansion in Burlington, Vermont, she hopes that this will be their final home. However, after a near-death experience, Joana begins to experience “the Whisperings,” and realizes they aren’t the only family living in the house. She meets the Kells, who are ghosts forced to relive their horrific deaths every night.
Mistress of Bones by Maria Z. Medina
Release Date: August 5th, 2025
This debut YA romantasy novel is about Azul del Arroyo, a necromancer trying to resurrect her sister from the dead. However, the Emissary of the Lord of Death has to stop her. As a result, they’re drawn into a deadly pawns game involving a count who works for a child king, a faceless witch who can transform the bones of gods into dreams, and a long-lost half-brother with a secret as they realize the fate of their lands hangs in the balance.
Woven From Clay by Jenny Birch
Release Date: August 12th, 2025
In this YA fantasy novel, Terra Slater never knew where she came from, until the arrival of a magical bounty hunter, Thorne Wilder, reveals that she is a golem, created from mud and magic. The warlock that created her is on the run, and his death would mean death for Terra and all the other golems he created. In order to save herself, Terra makes a deal with Thorne, promising that she will learn to harness her powers in exchange for sparing the warlock’s life.
Water in Her Veins by Shannon Schuren
Release Date: August 12th, 2025
In this YA mystery, 16-year-old Lola Boyd suffers from a mysterious disease that causes lethargy, migraines, and lightheadedness. When she and her family move to the small town Claret Creek, she gains another symptom: episodes that give her visions from the past. These episodes help Lola piece together a town conspiracy from over 100 years, leading her to research the town’s history and its founder, Dr. Claret, revealing a link between the doctor and her ancestors.
Strange Nature by Mary Watson
Release Date: August 14th, 2025
In this YA thriller novel, 17-year-old Jasmin knows that monsters are real after witnessing her grandfather attempt to kill her grandmother when she was a child. Now, she sneaks into a local college to listen in on Professor Theo Merrick’s lectures, and spy on a group of older students. When a college student is murdered, Jasmin joins the group to solve the mystery, causing her to delve into her own dark past as well.
All the Tomorrows After by Joanne Yi
Release Date: August 19th, 2025
In this YA romance, Winter Moon has been saving up money for her and her grandmother to escape. But when Winter’s mother comes and spends all the money, Winter is forced to rely on her estranged father, who has recently come back into her life, for help. In exchange for the money, she must spend time with him. When she faces a sudden loss, the only person who helps her is a boy named Joon, someone who sees her when no one else does. As she discovers a secret her father was keeping from her, Winter must navigate grief, first love, and forgiveness.
Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Release Date: August 26th, 2025
This YA anthology features short stories and poems by Indigenous writers. Centering around Sandy June’s Legendary Frybread Drive-In, the frybread spot does more than just serve food, it brings together families, communities, and reunites lost loves. Its big neon green and gold sign invites teens from every tribal Nation, especially when they need it the most.
A Spell to Wake the Dead by Nicole Lesperance
Release Date: August 26th, 2025
This YA mystery thriller is about two teen witches, Mazzy and Nora, as they find a woman’s dead body who is missing her hands and teeth. Soon after, the two girls uncover a bunch of local disappearance cases in their town, and begin hearing whispering voices. Then, Nora finds a second body, and a whispering voice tells her the location of more.
So, as you’re riding the bus to school, be sure to take one of these books with you. Have a great school year!
For more young adult recs, click here.
These books and more can be found on our 2025 New Releases You Need to Grab Today shelf at Bookshop.
