General Discussion

@MandragoraAutumn Oh boy, my librarian brain LOVES challenges like this ^^ I saw that you mentioned Six of Crows. Has your sister read it? Did she like it? Given the fact that you brought up some recent mental health problems I wasn't sure either way. You bring up her being LGBT. Do the characters in the story have to be that as well? Either further, do they have to be lesbian like she is? Finding LGBT books isn't a problem, it's just that it's harder to find LGBT novels that aren't romantically-centered (something I'm sure you've already noticed). There are some out there, it just takes a bit more time to find them.

I'll start digging and see what I can find for you ^^

Edit: forget the LGBT questions I asked, I was too excited to find a book request that my brain skipped over the title *facepalm*

So let me first start this by saying that I didn’t realize how many books anymore have “happier/brighter” covers. I stare at books all day and it’s… not something that’s ever crossed my mind. Having to find ones with darker covers and good plotlines was a nice challenge! ^^ Just so you don’t have to open all the links I’ve included a small snippet from the back synopsis of each book. The Goodreads link is also there for all of them, since that’s the easiest way to read more about each of them.

Proxy by Alex London – Okay, I’m fairly certain that this book will be too dark... but it looked interesting enough that I figured it wouldn’t hurt to bring it up!
“Knox was born into one of the City’s wealthiest families. A Patron, he has everything a boy could possibly want—the latest tech, the coolest clothes, and a Proxy to take all his punishments. When Knox breaks a vase, Syd is beaten. When Knox plays a practical joke, Syd is forced to haul rocks. And when Knox crashes a car, killing one of his friends, Syd is branded and sentenced to death.

Syd is a Proxy. His life is not his own.

Then again, neither is Knox’s. Knox and Syd have more in common than either would guess. So when Knox and Syd realize that the only way to beat the system is to save each other, they flee. Yet Knox’s father is no ordinary Patron, and Syd is no ordinary Proxy. The ensuing cross-country chase will uncover a secret society of rebels, test both boys’ resolve, and shine a blinding light onto a world of those who owe and those who pay. Some debts, it turns out, cannot be repaid.”
Goodreads Link

Pantomime by Laura Lam – This one is about an intersex character who basically skips down and joins the circus. There are some mentions of romance, but it doesn’t look like there’s anything too central to the main story.

“Gene's life resembles a debutante's dream. Yet she hides a secret that would see her shunned by the nobility. Gene is both male and female. Then she displays unwanted magical abilities - last seen in mysterious beings from an almost-forgotten age. Matters escalate further when her parents plan a devastating betrayal, so she flees home, dressed as a boy.

The city beyond contains glowing glass relics from a lost civilization. They call to her, but she wants freedom not mysteries. So, reinvented as 'Micah Grey', Gene joins the circus. As an aerialist, she discovers the joy of flight - but the circus has a dark side. She's also plagued by visions foretelling danger. A storm is howling in from the past, but will she heed its roar?”

Goodreads Link

If this specific book doesn’t really check the boxes you’re looking for I’d definitely check into the author because she seems like she might have something cool up her sleeve ^^

Vixen by Rosie Garland – The reviews on this historical fiction novel seem to be a little mixed. It seemed interesting though! The tale is set in South West England in the time of the plague.

The author of Vixen was the singer in the March Violets, a goth band, something that’s totally interesting as well.

“Rosie Garland’s extraordinary tale is a story of superstition and devotion in the time of the Black Death and will bewitch both new readers and fans of her much-loved debut, The Palace of Curiosities.

Devon, 1349. In Brauntone, where seagulls screech across the fields and the wind has a mind to change, Father Thomas arrives as the new priest. Determined to impress his congregation, he quells fears of the coming pestilence with promises of protection.

For Anne, the priest’s arrival is an opportunity that at sixteen, she feels all too ready for. Convinced a grand fate awaits, she moves in as Thomas’s housekeeper, though hopeful of something more. But his home is a place without love or kindness. So when a strange, mute Maid is discovered, washed up in the marshes, and taken in, Anne is grateful for the company. Their friendship is to give Anne the chance of a happiness she thought she’d never know.

But soon the plague strikes Brauntone, spreading panic. And as the villagers’ fear turns to anger, Thomas must sacrifice anything to restore their faith in him.”

Goodreads Link


Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir- Not specifically for young adults but this storyline sounds pretty awesome so I figured I’d leave it up to you to decide. It also might be a little too dark considering the novel is centered around a necromancer.

“Tamsyn Muir’s Gideon the Ninth, first in The Locked Tomb Trilogy, unveils a solar system of swordplay, cut-throat politics, and lesbian necromancers. Her characters leap off the page, as skillfully animated as arcane revenants. The result is a heart-pounding epic science fantasy.
Brought up by unfriendly, ossifying nuns, ancient retainers, and countless skeletons, Gideon is ready to abandon a life of servitude and an afterlife as a reanimated corpse. She packs up her sword, her shoes, and her dirty magazines, and prepares to launch her daring escape. But her childhood nemesis won’t set her free without a service.

Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House and bone witch extraordinaire, has been summoned into action. The Emperor has invited the heirs to each of his loyal Houses to a deadly trial of wits and skill. If Harrowhark succeeds she will be become an immortal, all-powerful servant of the Resurrection, but no necromancer can ascend without their cavalier. Without Gideon’s sword, Harrow will fail, and the Ninth House will die.
Of course, some things are better left dead.”

Goodreads Link

Tithe by Holly Black – Reviews for this book claim that the reader is either going to LOVE it or HATE it, there really isn’t an in-between on this one. The characters seem very real but again, this one may be a smidge too dark (apparently that’s a common theme in books that have darker colors, who knew).

“Sixteen-year-old Kaye is a modern nomad. Fierce and independent, she travels from city to city with her mother's rock band until an ominous attack forces Kaye back to her childhood home. There, amid the industrial, blue-collar New Jersey backdrop, Kaye soon finds herself an unwilling pawn in an ancient power struggle between two rival faerie kingdoms - a struggle that could very well mean her death.”

Goodreads Link

Between the Blade and the Heart by Amanda Hocking – A friend of mine actually suggested this! It sounds really cool ^^ I asked about the romance level (since it seems like it could easily have more than you said that romance wasn’t something that your sister was really interested in) and they said that there wasn’t a huge amount, but it’s still there.

“As one of Odin's Valkyries, Malin's greatest responsibility is to slay immortals and return them to the underworld. The balance of the world rests on her ability to carry out orders. But when Malin discovers that her mother spared the life of an immortal who was destined to die, her world is thrown into chaos.

As Malin wrestles with the knowledge that her mother might not be who she thought, she’s also thrust into the path of a gorgeous blue-eyed guy named Asher who needs her help slaying the rogue immortal who destroyed his family. Malin, along with her best friend and her ex-girlfriend, must decide where her loyalties lie...and whether helping Asher enact his revenge is worth the risk—to the world and to her heart.”

Goodreads Link

Anyways, this is probably definitely more information than you wanted, but this is what I do for a living so it's hard to reign myself in sometimes. ^^ Hopefully one of these is at least a good jumping-off point if they aren’t exactly what you’re looking for!