Best YA Fantasy 2011

My children joke that I read at an eighth-grade level but the simple truth is that I love reading YA and there is an abundance of wonderful new YA titles publishing this year, all richly imagined and skilfully honed.

Don't miss:
White Cat by Holly Black (Curse Workers, Book 1)-17 yr old Cassel is the youngest of a magic-worker family. Having no power himself, he is at the mercy of his old brothers, or so he thinks...

I loved this darkly imagined world! If you haven't read contemporary fantasy author, Holly Black who started her career with the Spiderwick series, then you are in for a treat. Don't miss her Modern Tales of Fairie (Tithe, Valiant and Ironside.)

Reapers Are the Angels. This post-apocalyptic zombie novel by Alden Bell (aka Joshua Gaylord, high-school English teacher and husband of crime writer Megan Abbott) is powerful! Through the eyes of 15-year-old Temple we witness the horrific extinction of the human race, yet still find quiet moments to marvel at the awe-inspiring beauty of the natural world that can only be reflections of God Himself. Brilliantly depict, this story is as beautiful as it is sad, as lyrical as it is graphic, and this zombie novel is one of my favorite books this year!

Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler. (Riders of the Apocalypse Book 1)
This series deals with teens and teen issues and the awkwardness of discovering that you have become one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Begin with Hunger the story of seventeen-year-old Lisabeth who suffers from anorexia and is victim of an inner Thin Voice that holds her to both a strict eating regime and a exhaustive exercise regiment. When death shows up with a set of scales and a midnight steed, Lisabeth relives that her obsession is out of control and that she may lose her life if not conquered. Don't miss Rage the story of Missy a cutter

Cate Tiernan's Sweep is a lovely witchy teen series that is as addictive as is is delightful. 16 year old Morgan Rowlands thinks she's average until she meets Cal, the new boy at school who is not only captivatingly handsome but a coven leader. With his guidance Morgan soon discovers that she is a bloodwitch with a disturbing history and a nautal power that is beyond both of their control.

Among Others by Jo Walton In this magical Welsh coming-of-age tale we meet 15-year-old Morwenna, bright, crippled and somewhat geeky she endearingly relates to the world through the applied works of a host of science-fiction masters which isn't such a bad thing since she is magical and has to thwart the attacks of her evil witch mother...

Currently I am looking forward to reading the much hyped Mistwood by Leah Cypess and The Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon. Can't wait until I get my hands on a copy of these titles!