What is a crossover book?
In the publishing industry, a crossover book is one marketed toward either young adult (YA) readers or adult readers, but frequently read and enjoyed by both teens and adults. The Hunger Games trilogy is one particularly popular example.
Check out this list of 15 crossover novels—all available at the Princeton Public Library!
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
The first installment in a gorgeous fantasy trilogy that starts in modern-day Prague and goes…well, I won’t spoil that for you. The book begins thusly: “Once upon a time, an angel and a demon fell in love. It did not end well.” Need I say more? Nah, I didn’t think so.
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
A charming novel about anxious introvert Cath, who navigates friendship, family, fandom, and romance during her first year away at college. Anyone who’s ever been passionate about a fictional world—and maybe even used it to escape the problems of the real world—will love this book.
All Our Pretty Songs by Sarah McCarry
McCarry re-tells the Persephone myth in the first book of her Metamorphoses trilogy. In the gloom of Seattle, an unnamed narrator watches her best friend Aurora fall in love with a charismatic musician—but nothing is as it seems in this lyrically written story, and soon the narrator must fight an ancient evil to save Aurora’s soul. For fans of Francesca Lia Block and Neil Gaiman.
The Diviners by Libba Bray
In 1920’s New York City, a ragtag group of supernaturally gifted teens and 20-somethings have to track down and stop a serial killer who may or may not be pure evil. (Spoiler alert: It totally is pure evil.) This book is the definition of epic: multiple narrators, rich world building, tremendous scope, and beautiful writing.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
When 16-year-old Starr witnesses her best friend being shot and killed by a police officer, she soon finds herself in the center of a media storm as everyone tries to figure out what really happened on that terrible night—a truth only Starr herself knows. Timely and heartbreaking, this New York Times bestseller is currently being adapted into a movie.
The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
19-year-old princess Kelsea Glynn has been raised in hiding, preparing for the day when she will become queen of the Tearling. But not everyone wants Kelsea to reign, including the Red Queen, a powerful sorceress from a neighboring kingdom. A sophisticated high fantasy featuring an intelligent heroine and unique world building.
A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab
In Schwab’s fantasy trilogy, there are four Londons: Red, Gray, White, and Black. Only certain magicians have the ability to travel between them, including smuggler Kell, who joins up with the pirate Lila Bard to save all four Londons from destruction. Beautiful prose, diverse characters, and seriously fabulous coats distinguish this series opener.
The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge
Soon after Faith Sunderly and her family move to the island of Vane, Faith’s scientist father turns up dead. Her investigation of his murder brings her to one of his most valued discoveries: The Lie Tree. Whisper a lie to the tree, and it will bear you an irresistible fruit. Eat the fruit, and you’ll learn a truth—a truth you may end up wishing you’d never learned. An eerie, atmospheric tale for fans of Kelly Link and Philip Pullman.
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
In dreamy, sparing prose, narrator Cadence Sinclair tells the story of the summers she spent growing up on her wealthy family’s private island—and the one summer when everything went terribly wrong. Cady’s unreliable narration will keep you guessing until the shocking, devastating ending.
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
Every year, to keep the evil Wood at bay, a wizard known as the Dragon takes a girl from Agnieszka’s village. This year, everyone assumes the Dragon will take Agnieszka’s beautiful friend, Kasia—but instead he takes plain, unremarkable Agnieszka. So begins this captivating novel of dark magic and slow-burning romance, named by NPR and Buzzfeed as one of the best books of 2015.
Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones
Inspired by the classic ’80s movie The Labyrinth, S. Jae-Jones’s Wintersong tells the story of Liesl, who has long been fascinated by tales of the Goblin King. When her sister disappears, Liesl must journey to the Underground to save her, where she discovers a strange world of magic and mystery–and the alluring Goblin King himself. Fans of fairy tales and gothic romance will devour this one.
The Miseducation of Cameron Post by emily m. danforth
Recently orphaned teen Cameron Post goes to live in rural Montana with her grandmother and aunt, neither of whom know her secret: she’s gay. When Cameron falls in love with her best friend and is outed to her family’s conservative community, she has to come to terms with and defend her identity. Nuanced and powerful, featuring a richly drawn setting.
The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin
The first installment of Jemisin’s Hugo Award-winning fantasy series introduces readers to the Stillness–a geologically unstable continent ravaged by natural disasters. A diverse cast of emotionally complex characters, spectacular world building, and timely themes of climate change and geopolitical unrest make this book an essential and riveting read.
The Summer Prince by Alaya Dawn Johnson
Palmares Tres is a futuristic Brazil glittering with technology and rife with corruption. When 16-year-old artist June Costa falls in love with the newly elected Summer King—a boy destined to be sacrificed in a year’s time—she slowly begins to discover the injustices festering like rot in her city, and uses her art to start a rebellion. Smart and sharp, with a vivid setting unlike anything else I’ve read.
Book cover images are from each publisher’s website. Sources: photo 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6