Court Stevens
Last Girl Breathing
A tense, propulsive survival thriller that works well for readers who like The Hunger Games but want a more grounded, less dystopian setting.
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Up the Line
by Robert Silverberg
Young adult · ages 12–18 · 900L · 1969
A classic first-contact sci-fi that feels dated in its tech but remains a powerful study of adolescent anxiety and the weight of responsibility.
The Face in the Frost
by John Bellairs
Young adult · ages 12–18 · 890L · 2000
A genuinely atmospheric adult-leaning fantasy that rewarded Bellairs' careful prose; 12-year-olds who loved Coraline can handle the dread, but this isn't a light series-reread.
Cursed
by Marissa Meyer
Young adult · ages 12–18 · 950L · 2022
A solid, fast-paced fantasy entry that balances world-building with character growth, though it lacks the unique voice of Meyer's earlier works.