YA Duologies to Read Right Now

These books take readers back in time to Great Britain in 1817. Hazel is a lady who wants to throw expectations to the wind and become a surgeon. Jack digs up dead bodies and sells them to doctors and medical schools. Together, they uncover a secret that will bring them from the dangerous streets of Edinburgh to the royal castles of King George III throughout the duology. This gothic tale is full of strong characters, historical intrigue, and gripping mysteries. I can easily see why just one book was not enough!

Every 10 years, there is a competition to see who among the 10 teens chosen by Sol will replenish the sun’s power. The winner travels to each of the temples to light the sunstones, and the loser is sacrificed in order to keep fueling them. Usually, all the competitors in this very dangerous competition are Golds. But two outsiders, both trans boys, Teo and Xio were selected this year. They must compete against teens who’ve been training for this competition their entire lives, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Once you read the first book, you’ll be more than ready to continue the story. But you’ll have to wait until September for the second book!

I can’t write a list of YA duologies without including this pair from YA fantasy legend Leigh Bardugo. In fact, I would argue this pair of books paved the way for more duologies in young adult books—especially YA fantasy. If you love YA fantasy books and thrilling heist stories and you somehow haven’t already read these two books, pick them up immediately. If you have read them, maybe it’s time for a reread or watch of the Netflix adaptation?

This duology brings us to a rich North-African-inspired fantasy world. Sisters and princesses Eva and Isa must fight to the death in order for one of them to become Queen. Eva was raised with the knowledge that she possesses a rare and powerful magic that hasn’t been seen in generations. But her fear of her own abilities combined with a questioning of the status quo leads to the future of her people being unknown. A twist at the end of book one will make readers very, very glad there is a sequel.

I first read this One Thousand and One Nights retelling almost nine years ago, but these books have remained one of my all-time favorite YA duologies. Shahrzad volunteers to be the next bride of the monstrous boy king, Khalid, after he marries and murders her best friend—just like he does every night with his new bride of the day. But Shahrzad tells him a story that keeps him engrossed enough to put off killing her. She plans to keep spinning her tale and wait for the perfect time to murder Khalid and end his reign of terror. But with each night, the two begin to fall in love, and Shahrzad begins to unravel a secret curse haunting both the king and their kingdom that leads to all sorts of intrigue in book two.

YA duologies are overwhelmingly fantasy stories, but this pair of contemporary novels work so well together. Arthur is in NYC for a summer internship and hoping for a Broadway-worthy love story to unfold. He has the perfect meet-cute with NYC local Ben. But despite a lot of chances and off-the-charts chemistry, they just can’t seem to get a real-life romance off the ground. Until, maybe, they can? I won’t spoil more, but both of these books are the definition of adorable.

Here is another contemporary pair of books that is also written by two authors, but it’s more of a sharp and twisty thriller than a sweet and adorable summer romance. In the cut-throat world of an elite Manhattan ballet boarding school, acts of bullying, harassment, and even violence begin when newcomer Gigi threatens to overturn the status quo of the students’ dancing hierarchies. Gigi has always wanted an opportunity like this, but sticking around just might end up killing her. The story of Gigi and her classmates is told through multiple perspectives, and it’s impossible to put down.

This pair of books weaves together a rich fantasy story combined with a Romeo and Juliet retelling set against the backdrop of 1920s Shanghai. Juliette and Roma are leaders of rival gangs and each other’s first loves (and first heartbreaks). When something starts causing both of their members to start hurting themselves, they must put their differences and history aside in order to stop who (or what) is causing this new and catastrophic violence.

Faith thinks she’s a regular teenager just trying to enjoy her favorite TV show, The Grove, and get through senior year. But then she discovers she can fly. Her favorite TV heroine comes to her town and seems to have a crush on her, and lots of animals and then people have started disappearing from her town. It looks like she isn’t just a regular teen; instead, she must become a superhero that no one expects, but everyone needs.

This duology feels like an updated version of The Princess Diaries set in Japan. Izumi’s whole life changes when she discovers the identity of her father and he is the Crown Prince of Japan. She travels from the small California town where she’s always lived with her single mother to the bustling city of Tokyo, dreaming of ball gowns and tiaras. But what she finds is a dubious press, some not-so-friendly cousins, and a handsome but broody bodyguard. As her story continues, Izzy tries to uncover who she really is and where in the world she can fit in.