YA Shout Outs: Gift Recs from the Tor Teen Team

YA Shout Outs December

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Feeling stressed about what holiday gift to pick up for the book lover in your life? Looking to gift yourself a shiny, new read this holiday season?Whatever your current holiday shopping status may be, our team has got you covered with a curated list of our best YA gift recommendations!


Cover of All of Us Villains by Amanda Foody & Christine Lynn HermanAll of Us Villains by Amanda Foody & Christine Lynn Herman

It may be the happiest time of the year, but who says you can’t gift a dose of villainy? And there’s certainly no shortage of wickedness in the New York Times bestseller, All of Us Villains by Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman. In this start to a new duology, it is the coming of the Blood Moon, which means seven families in the remote city of Ilvernath each name a champion to compete in a tournament to the death. The prize? Exclusive control over a secret wellspring of high magick, the most powerful resource in the world—one thought long depleted. Readers will follow along as our villains struggle with the ultimate dilemma: to kill or be killed. 

Make sure to give your loved ones (and maybe even your enemies?) this dark YA fantasy this holiday season, as it’s sure to be their next favorite—and addictive—read.

Anthony Parisi, Senior Associate Director of Marketing and School & Library


Cover of Victories Greater Than Death by Charlie Jane AndersVictories Greater Than Death by Charlie Jane Anders

‘Tis the season to give the gift of Charlie Jane Anders’s heartwarming YA sci-fi debut, Victories Greater than Death. Venture into the stars this holiday season alongside a fleet of LGBTQ+ friends hoping to save the galaxy together. Named one of NPR’s Best Books of 2021, this epic first book in the Unstoppable series will surely charm and thrill fans of Steven Universe and Star Wars. If you haven’t quite found the right book to gift that “ride or die” friend in your life who feels like family, look no further—this is the one!

Isa Caban, Senior Marketing Manager


Cover of Forestborn by Elayne Audrey BeckerForestborn by Elayne Audrey Becker

Elayne Audrey Becker’s debut fantasy novel is not one to be missed and is the perfect read for fans of shapeshifters, epic quests, magic, dark forests, and obstinate princes! Forestborn follows shapeshifter Rora as she sets off on an epic quest through a dangerous forest in hopes of saving her kingdom, and best friend Finley, from a magical illness. Rora will be forced to face her past and brave the dark, magical wood, with her brother and the obstinate, older prince who insists on coming. Together, they must survive sentient forests and creatures unknown, battling an ever-changing landscape while escaping human pursuers who want them dead. However, with illness gripping the kingdom and war on the horizon, Finley’s is not the only life that hangs in the balance.

Giselle Gonzalez, Assistant Publicist


Cover of Each of Us a Desert by Mark OshiroEach of Us a Desert by Mark Oshiro

Following their smash hit Anger is Gift, Mark Oshiro’s second novel Each of Us a Desert follows Xochitl, who is destined to wander the desert alone, speaking her troubled village’s stories into its arid winds. One day, her wish for a companion is granted in the form of Emilia, the daughter of the person who destroyed her village and left her alone. But the two might just discover their hearts are a match… if they can survive the nightmare-like terrors that arise when the sun goes down. And with the new cover for the paperback version of Each of Us a Desert, this is the perfect time to give your bookworm friend a great new adventure to dive into!

Lizzy Hosty, Marketing Intern


Cover of Faking Reality by Sara FujimuraFaking Reality by Sara Fujimura

Nothing puts me in the winter holiday spirit like a warm kitchen, baked treats, and a sweet and fun YA romance like Faking Reality. In this story about two teens trying to break away from the lives their families want for them, Dakota’s family runs a reality show that she swore she’d never let her life become a plot point for again, and Leo’s family restaurant is struggling. But when Dakota’s secret crush on Leo gives her motivation enough to see if her family’s reality show might help out her best friend’s restaurant, he finds he has more and more reasons to stay. This gooey warm book is the perfect gift for the YA romance lovers in your life. 

Andrew King, Digital Marketing Coordinator


Cover of The Good Luck Girls by Charlotte Nicole DavisThe Good Luck Girls Duology by Charlotte Nicole Davis

This YA fantasy western duology from Charlotte Nicole Davis seriously rocks, and is my number one gift recommendation for anyone in your life who loves blood-pumping action and badass queer cowgirl energy.

I read The Good Luck Girls in literally one night. And this was like, a Tuesday night. Do you know how good a book has to be for me to stay up any later than 9:30 PM on a work night?! VERY GOOD. Trust me—this duology delivers.

  Cover of The Sisters of Reckoning by Charlotte Nicole DavisAndrew King, Digital Marketing Coordinator