Extras, by Scott Westerfeld (Simon Pulse, 2007)

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Years after Tally Youngblood changed society, new cultures have sprung up. Aya Fuse lives in a society where fame is everything, and popularity ranking reaps the benefits. With a pathetic ranking down around 450,000, she’s desperate to improve her standings, so she infiltrates a strange new clique called the Sly Girls, and in doing so, not only uncovers a huge secret, but soon rises to a fame all her own. But will she survive everyone knowing her name? Once again, Westerfeld turns out an intriguing, compelling story, which takes its inspiration from today’s obsessions and puts a unique twist on them. I’m never disappointed with his stories, and Extras is a great addition to the Uglies series.

Evil Genius, by Catherine Jinks (Harcourt, 2007)

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Cadel Piggott has always been smarter than everyone around him, undertaking acts of calculated chaos and revenge, first out of idle curiosity, and later encouraged by his therapist. When he discovers his true nature as the only son of evil genius Dr. Phineas Darkkon, and begins his studies at the secret Axis Institute for World Domination, he figures he’s found his true calling. Then people start dying and/or disappearing, and Cadel’s forced to reexamine his entire life and morality. Does he have what it takes to live up to his full potential and his father’s expectations? Evil Genius is a fascinating examination of good versus evil in a world where nothing is black and white, and no one is what they appear to be. Jenks really delves into what it takes to be the bad guy, in a refreshingly different, highly compelling tale.

Dragon Slippers, by Jessica Day George (Bloomsbury, 2007)

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Creel survives her aunt’s get-rich-quick scheme by outwitting the dragon that was supposed to eat her, winning a pair of fine slippers from the dragon’s hoard in the process. Taking up a new life in the city of King’s Seat, she pursues her dream as a dressmaker, but soon gets caught up in apprentice politics, a potential romance, and a war brewing with a neighboring country. Ultimately, her friendship with dragons, and the hidden power of her newfound slippers prove to be crucial in the days that follow, with everything riding upon her strength of character and quick wits. Dragon Slippers is an excellent debut that provides a whole new twist on some old themes, with a delightful heroine and a fun premise. Definitely worth checking out.

Dragonfrigate Wizard Halcyon Blithe, by James M. Ward (Tor, 2006)

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Halcyon Blithe is back in another exciting story of adventure and magic on the high seas, in this sequel to Midshipwizard Halcyon Blithe. This time around, he helps to capture an enemy demonship, before being assigned as part of a diplomatic mission aboard a dwarven dragonship, a posting which will truly test the young officer more than ever before. He’ll engage in deadly combat between ships, deal with rivals, enjoy the first bloom of romance, and learn more about what it means to be an officer in the navy, and that’s before they reach their ultimate destination and the stakes are raised even higher. Horatio Hornblower meets all the trappings of fantasy in this enjoyable new entry in a splendid series.

City of Bones, by Cassandra Clare (McElderry Books, 2007)

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A chance encounter in a New York club thrusts Clary Fray into a strange, violent world of demons and demon hunters, a world she never knew existed before now. Who are the Shadowhunters, and how exactly has Clary’s fate become entangled with theirs? What secrets has her mother kept from her all these years? And what will Clary have to do to rescue her mother from the dark forces at work, and to stay alive? The journey of a lifetime begins here, as Clary makes new friends and enemies, and descends into the world of the Shadowhunters. Dark and edgy, City of Bones constantly surprises with its plot twists and emotional turns. This is the start of an exciting new series, and I can hardly wait to see what else Clare has to offer in the next volume.

Book of a Thousand Days, by Shannon Hale (Bloomsbury, 2007)

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When Dashti swore to serve the Lady Saren in all ways, she never expected that she and her new mistress would almost immediately be shut away in a tower for the next seven years, all because Saren refused to marry a powerful, evil warlord. And when the opportunity to free themselves arises, Dashti finds herself stretched to the limits, taking care of herself and Saren. What begins as an attempt to find shelter and safety soon becomes an epic struggle for survival, and what began as an innocent deception years ago turns into a heartbreaking romance that may not have a happily ever after. In this book, Hale takes inspiration from the central Asian steppes to totally reimagine the fairy tale, “Maid Maleen” and succeeds admirably, weaving magic, mystery and romance together in a memorable setting. Once again, Hale definitely satisfies.

Alfred Kropp: The Seal of Solomon, by Rick Yancey (Bloomsbury, 2007)

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Everyone’s favorite accidental hero, Alfred Kropp, the last descendant of Lancelot, is back. Once again dragged into a bizarre adventure, this time he’s caught in a dangerous struggle between the shadowy agency OIPEP and dark forces looking to rule – or destroy – the world. It’s up to the so-called “Forrest Gump of supernatural disasters” and the mysterious Operative Nine to save the world by retrieving the Great Seal of Solomon before a horde of demons can be unleashed. But is Alfred strong enough to resist the temptation of ultimate power? This one has it all: adventure, excitement, a demon-possessed lawn gnome, and a likeable reluctant hero who provides a distinctively wry viewpoint as he struggles to fulfill his destiny. Yancey definitely knows how to deliver the goods.

Alex Unlimited: The Vosarak Code, by Dan Jolley (Tokyopop, 2007)

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Alexandra Benno’s unique gift to sift through infinite probabilities and summon specialized, idealized doppelgangers from other dimensions has made her indispensable as a secret agent. The problem? Her alternate selves get all the credit, leaving her feeling jealous and put-out. However, her big break finally comes when she’s allowed out on field work, along with one of her alternates. But a routine mission soon turns into something dangerous, testing Alex’s limits. The start of a new original series, this book features an intriguing concept and a fun execution, and I’ll be looking forward to future installments.

Alcatraz Versus The Evil Librarians, by Brandon Sanderson, (Scholastic, 2007)

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On his thirteenth birthday, orphan Alcatraz Smedley receives a strange inheritance from his long-lost parents: a bag of sand, which is promptly stolen. Rescued from a gun-toting madman by his previously-unknown grandfather, Alcatraz is swiftly dragged into a bizarre adventure involving magical eyewear, evil librarians, hidden lands, talking dinosaurs, and the fate of the world. Is his ability to break things enough to get him through the challenge? Sly and self-aware, this is the start of a great new comedic fantasy series, with an entertaining protagonist and a fun concept. I loved it.

Young Warriors, edited by Tamora Pierce and Josepha Sherman (Random House, 2005)

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With this collection, the unifying theme is that of warriors; in these stories, the protagonists are strong, willing to fight for what they believe in (even if they don’t know it at first). A strong selection of authors, including Holly Black, Esther Friesner, Mike Resnick, Laura Anne Gilman, Margaret Mahy, and Tamora Pierce, offer up fifteen original stories that really range across the spectrum of tone, setting, and genre. Just a few: Pierce’s “Student of Ostriches” returns to her popular Tortall setting to flesh out a previously-unseen episode, while Friesner’s “Thunderbolt” looks at the tale of Theseus and Helen in a whole new light. The multicultural nature of the stories is definitely a strength in this worthwhile anthology.