YA Books: New December Releases

December is good for many things. Among them, curling up with a new book and drinking a warm cup of hot cocoa. Luckily, there are plenty of new YA novels to satiate any reading binge. Here are six highly anticipated YA Novels with a December 2012 release date:

Fantasy

Source: Goodreads

"Falling Kingdoms" by Morgan Rhodes 
In a land where magic has been forgotten but peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest is simmering. Three kingdoms grapple for power—brutally transforming their subjects' lives in the process. Amidst betrayals, bargains and battles, four young people find their fates forever intertwined. Releases December 11th 2012 by Razorbill.

Bonus Tidbit: "Falling Kingdoms" follows four young adults, each with their own perspective as the three kingdoms fight for power. Reviewers have even compared the series to "Game of Thrones" with the multiple POVs and the high fantasy genre. Also Morgan Rhodes is actually a pseudonym for Michelle Rowen, who has recently published the YA paranormal novel "Dark Kiss."

Dystopian

"The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken
Ruby survived a mysterious disease that's killed most of America's children, and she emerged with frightening abilities she can't control. She's sent to Thurmond, a brutal "rehabilitation camp" and must find a way to escape and fight back against the government. Releases December 18th 2012 by Disney Hyperion.

Bonus Tidbit: Alexandra Bracken previously penned the YA fantasy "Brightly Woven" in 2010 about magic. She now works in children's book marketing and lives in New York.

"The Farm" by Emily McKay
Life was different in the Before: before vampires began devouring humans in a swarm across America; before the surviving young people were rounded up and quarantined. The quarantines are—holding pens where human blood is turned into more food for the undead monsters, known as Ticks. Surrounded by electrical fences, most kids try to survive the Farms by turning on each other… Releases December 4th 2012 by Berkley Trade.

Bonus Tidbit: McKay has written many adult romance novels like the "Summer Siblings" series published by Harlequin. Her YA Dystopian about vampires certainly is a big departure from the romance genre, but with the decrease of vampires in the market, the premise sounds original and she has the writing experience to pull it off.

Sequels

"Crimson Frost" by Jennifer Estep 
The "Mythos Academy" series starts right back up in this fourth installment. Gwen Frost, a Gypsy and gifted with touch magic, has the ability to sense memories and feelings off of people and objects. Reapers -- followers of the god of chaos, Loki -- are determined to destroy Mythos Academy and take down the Pantheon, those who protect the world from chaos. Gwen must fight with her friends to keep the Pantheon alive and defeat Loki once and for all. Releases December 24th 2012 by Kensington.

Bonus Tidbit: After reading the first three Mythos Academy novels, the series reminds me of "Harry Potter" -- taking all the wonderful things from the world like wise professors, young children in a boarding school fighting things much greater than them and a plot that could legitimately last seven novels. The series will hook you from book one.

"Opal" by Jennifer L. Armentrout
The third novel in the "Lux" series continues with the love story about  Daemon Black and Katy who come from two insanely different worlds and must find a way to be together without sacrificing their family's safety in return.

Bonus Tidbit: The fandom for the "Lux" series is insane. Like bonkers. I've seen more avatars from bookish people with "Obsidian" covers than any other YA novel. The romance is super steamy, and there's enough "she went there!" moments to give Armentrout a nice high-five.

Contemporary

"Love and Other Perishable Items" by Laura Buzo
From the moment she sets eyes on Chris, she is a goner. Lost. Sunk. Head over heels infatuated with him. It's problematic, since Chris, 21, is a sophisticated university student, while Amelia, is 15. As time goes on, Amelia's crush doesn't seem so one-sided anymore. But if Chris likes her back, what then? Can two people in such different places in life really be together? Releases December 11th 2012 by Knopf Books for Young Readers.

Bonus Tidbit: "Love and Other Perishable Items" was first called "Good Oil" and was published in Australia in 2010. After crossing an ocean, the book was given a new title and a brand new cover. Pretty cool, right?

Which December release will you be reading?

-- Becca Ritchie