Although asexuality is still a very underrepresented identity in literature, 2018 has been an amazing year for asexual characters in young adult publishing. The year started off strong with the release of Let’s Talk about Love by Claire Kann and there are even more ace characters coming before the year ends. Below is a list of four books with ace-spectrum characters that are coming out soon and two that have been released recently. Make sure to check out these titles and let me know below which ones you are most excited about!
Out Now
That's Not What Happened by Kody Keplinger
August 28th 2018 Scholastic Press That’s Not What Happened by Kody Keplinger is a contemporary novel about the aftermath of a high school shooting. The story follows Lee, a girl whose best friend Sarah was killed during the shooting and was said to have died proclaiming her faith. However, Lee knows that’s not what really happened and has to decide whether or not to tell to truth and how to handle the stories the media is telling about her school and friends. The main character, Lee, is asexual and has a male love interest. Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository |
Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn Bowman
September 11th 2018 Simon Pulse Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn Bowman is a contemporary novel that deals with topics of loss and grief. The story follows Rumi whose younger sister died tragically in a car accident. After the tragedy, Rumi’s mother sends her away to live with her aunt in Hawaii where she deals with feelings of grief, abandonment, and the loss of music in her life. The main character, Rumi, is questioning asexual and aromantic identities. Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository |
Coming Soon
The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee
October 2nd 2018 Katherine Tegen Books The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee is a sequel to The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue. It follows Monty’s sister Felicity as she returns to England with plans to enroll in medical school. She struggles to be taken seriously due to strong gender barriers of the time period and is aided by a mysterious young woman who ends up leading Felicity on a perilous quest. The main character, Felicity, is asexual and aromantic. Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository |
The Spy with the Red Balloon by Katherine Locke
October 2nd 2018 Albert Whitman Company The Spy with the Red Balloon by Katherine Locke follow Wolf and Ilse Klein, two Jewish siblings living in the United States during WWII. Wolf is doing his best to hide the fact that he and his sister can perform magical abilities with their blood, but carelessness from Ilse causes them to be found and recruited by the American government. Ilse is sent to use her magic to help create the first atom bomb while Wolf is sent behind enemy lines in Germany on a dangerous mission. One of the two main characters, Wolf, is demisexual and has a male love interest. Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository |
Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand
October 2nd 2018 Katherine Tegen Books Sawkills Girls by Claire Legrand is a modern, paranormal fantasy with thriller elements. The story follows three different girls as they attempt to unravel the secrets of the mysterious island of sawkill rock. For years, girls have been disappearing from the island and new friends Marion and Zoey are convinced they can figure out what has happened to the girls and uncover the dark secrets of Val’s family. One of the three main characters, Zoey, is asexual with a male love interest. Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository |
Beneath the Citadel by Destiny Soria
October 9th 2018 Amulet Beneath the Citadel by Destiny Soria is a standalone fantasy novel in which Cassa, the orphaned daughter of rebels, strikes out to fight against the reclusive high council that governs the city of Eldra. Together with her group of friends and allies, she attempts to uncover the mystery of their city’s final prophecy in order to save the city and each other. One of the members of the ensemble cast, Alys, is asexual. Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository |
I hope you all get a chance to pick up and read some of these amazing titles! Here’s to the great ace rep that 2018 has provided and I hope future years bring even more. Happy reading!