Me on Underrated YA Books of 2012

It's that time of year again, time for my list of underrated YA books of the past 12 months. Last year's got such a positive response, I just had to do another. And there will be one next year. And for as long as there are books that we find to be underrated and under-recognized. :)

So, like last year, first is my list, then below is suggestions from other bloggers and authors. Enjoy. :)

The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen
Adaptation by Malinda Lo
Above by Leah Bobet
Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock
Never Enough by Denise Jaden
Amplified by Tara Kelly
Shadows Cast By Stars by Catherine Knutsson
Live Through This by Mindi Scott
Friends with Boys by Faith Erin Hicks
Necromancing the Stone by Lish McBride (Lish's first book, Hold Me Closer, Necromancer, was a finalist for the William C. Morris YA debut award.)
Beautiful Music for Ugly Children by Kristin Cronn-Mills
Glimmer by Phoebe Kitanidis
Glitch by Heather Anastasiu
Crewel by Gennifer Albin (I'm a little on the fence about this one, I feel like the publisher did a good job publicizing it but that not a lot of people have read it.)
The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Córdova
Through to You by Emily Hainsworth
The Friday Society by Adrienne Kress (Another on the fence choice. I think it's a little hard for books published in late November and all of December to get recognized (unless the publicity campaign is massive).)

Some awesome debut authors chimed in with their picks for underrated debuts of the past year.

Kathleen Peacock (author of Hemlock (the next book in the series comes out summer 2013)) recommends a book close to heart (and one I rather enjoyed as well): Incarnate by Jodi Meadows.

Marissa Meyer (author of Cinder and the upcoming Scarlet (Feb 2013)) says Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood, Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff and Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen.

Ashley at Book Labyrinth suggests Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen, Soulbound by Heather Brewer and Unbreak My Heart by Melissa C. Walker.

Kathy at A Glass of Wine (with some reasons, which is always helpful):

• Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin: A lushly decadent novel filled with flawed and complex characters. It's world that entices as much as it repels and where every breathe you take could literally kill you. A flawed but engaging heroine, two deliciously swoon worthy guys, and a tightly woven plot all make this one that deserves to be read.
• Gilt by Katherine Longshore: Filled with Tudor court drama and intrigue, Gilt shows that friendships and mean girls haven't changed much over the years. The dysfunctional friendship between Catherine Howard and her best friend Katherine Tylney rivals that of any 'mean girl' story today. An honest look at a young girl who made mistakes and paid the ultimate price for her youthful transgressions.

Nafiza at Bibliophilic Monologues suggests Alif the Unseen by G. Willow Wilson.

Kari at A Good Addiction recommends Kiss the Morning Star by Elissa Janine Hoole, What She Left Behind by Tracy Bilen, When You Were Mine by Rebecca Serle, Butter by Erin Jade Lange and Personal Effects by E.M. Kokie.

Megan at Book Brats suggests Devine Intervension by Martha Brockenbrough.

Lori at Writing My Own Fairy Tale picks Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen and Something Like Normal by Trish Doller.

Lisa Voisin (2013 debut YA author) names Want by Stephanie Lawton and Struck by Jennifer Bosworth.

Monica Ropel suggests Fracture by Megan Miranda.

Book Tasty adds the only middle grade novel to the list, The Whole Story of half a Girl by Veera Hiradaani.

Colleen Albert suggests The Scourge by A.G. Henley.

38 titles are on this year's list, 17 from me and 21 from other contributors. Scarlet was even suggested by 3 different people! Thanks to everyone who suggested titles and I hope you've added some books to your reading list to check out in the new year. :)