The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater (Scholastic, 2012-2016): I’m such a huge fan of this series that I stood in line to have my books signed by Maggie, and when she saw me, she said, “OMG Mel, why are you in line?” LOL. It’s about a group of four boys and their messed-up but intense friendship, a girl named Blue, and a lot of really interesting Arthurian myth and ancient Celtic magic. Ley lines and living forests abound. And it’s now a graphic novel, too!
Coldwire by Chloe Gong (McElderry, 2025): A sleek, high-stakes dystopian thriller set in a hyperconnected world where a powerful corporation controls reality itself. Chloe Gong knows how to tell a tale, and this one is a must-read. Fast-paced, razor-sharp, and eerily close to our own future, this is perfect for readers who love action, romance, and tech-driven intrigue.
Year of the Griffin by Diana Wynne Jones (Greenwillow Books, 2000): I’ll always stan Diana Wynne Jones, but my favorite comfort read is Year of the Griffin, which is part of the Dark Wizard of Derkholm series. It’s funny, sweet, and quirky—a little dark academia, a little romance, and a whole lot of cozy. If you liked Travis Baldree’s Legends and Lattes, give this a shot!
Melissa de la Cruz’s most recent book is Kingdom of Waves (Roaring Brook Press, June 16).
