The Wicked Reads 2024 Sampler is a must-have for any book lover looking to get a head start on the year’s most anticipated releases. This carefully curated collection offers a perfect blend of genres, from gripping thrillers and dark fantasies to steamy romances and heartwarming tales. Each excerpt teases just enough to draw you in, leaving you eager to read the full story.

What stands out in this sampler is the diversity of writing styles and narratives. Each author brings something unique to the table, whether it's an unforgettable character, a twisty plot, or a beautifully woven world. The writing is sharp, engaging, and full of promise, giving readers a taste of the exceptional books set to drop throughout 2024.

Whether you're already a fan of these authors or discovering them for the first time, this sampler offers a perfect opportunity to explore new voices and upcoming books that are bound to make a splash. It’s a fantastic resource for planning your reading list for the year, and it’s guaranteed to make you excited for what’s to come in the world of books.

Arc Review:
Overall Rating: 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Penguin Teens Wicked Reads 2024 contains 6 sampler stories written by 6 different authors, giving you the first few chapters of each author’s young adult thriller.

Book 1 - The Invocations By. Krystal Sutherland
Description: A darkly seductive witchy thriller where, though both men and demons lurk in shadows, girls refuse to go quietly into the night.
Tropes: Dark Academia, Supernatural Serial Killer Thriller, Gothic Thriller, Body Horror, Witchy Vibes, Demons, Sapphic Crushes, Feminist Rage, Murder, Set in London in the Fall

Book 2 - Hearts Still Beating By. Brooke Archer
Description: Gripping, romantic, and impossible to put down, this dark and immersive post-apocalyptic debut novel is about two teen girls who loved each other before the end of the world — and before one of them became infected with the virus that turned her into a monster.
Tropes: Sapphic YA Romance, Dystopia/Post Apocalyptic, Teen Angst, Enemies to Lovers, Survival and Forgiveness, Dual POV, Zombies (She’s Kind of a Zombie)

Book 3 - Two Sides to Every Murder By. Danielle Valentine
Description: A propulsive thriller about two teens who return to Camp Lost Lake, site of an infamous murder case that sealed their fates.
Tropes: Love Quadrangle, Twisty, Murder, Family Secrets, Cold Case, Summer Camp, Parent Trap Meets Friday the 13th

Book 4 - We Shall Be Monsters By. Tara Sim
Description: Frankenstein meets Indian mythology in this twisty, darkly atmospheric fantasy where the real horrors are not the monsters you face, but the ones you create
Tropes: Undead Dog Companion, “Please sir, that’s my emotional support corpse”, Girls in STEM (sorcery, temptation, evil, mischief), Identity Reveals (Gone Wrong) (Gone Worse), Only One Horse, “He’s Pretty, For a Corpse.”, Indian Mythology, Corpse Boyfriend, Frankenstein Vibes, Vengeful Murderous Ghosts, Blighted Demons, Possessed Priests, Man-Eating Trees, Body Horror, Royal Intrigue, Poison and (LOTS) of Death

Book 5 - Spells to Forget Us By. Aislinn Brophy
Description: A witch and a non-magical girl get stuck in a cycle of meet-cutes and breakups in this heart-stopping romantic young adult fantasy.
Tropes: A Fresh Tale on a Time-Loop Story, Oops we keep forgetting each other, Sunshine Bisexual x Grumpy Lesbian, Forbidden Love, Black Magical Dynasty, Reluctant Heir, Star-Crossed Lovers, A Grounded Contemporary Fantasy World with Witches, Vampires, Sirens, and other Magical Creatures Living Secretly Alongside Non-Magical People

Book 6 - Come Out, Come Out By. Natalie C. Parker
Description: A spine-tingling LGBTQIA+ YA horror about queer teens who accidentally invoke a twisted spirit who promises help but delivers something sinister.
Tropes: Young Adult Horror, Paranormal, Haunted House, Evil Spirits, Mystisches Kleinstadt-Setting, LGBTQ+, Trans Rep, Queer Coming of Age

I enjoyed these quick glimpse into each of these books, and now I need more of them all, so I’m going to need to read each of these books to completion now.

Thank you NetGalley, publishers and the authors for these quick glimpse at these books.

There are thrills and chills with this Penguin collection of young adult thrillers, which presents readers with the first few chapters of each book. Also has recommendations for other Penguin books and graphic novels.

This was an interesting set of different stories that was created for YA readers. I think this was an excellent idea for someone who is looking for what to read next. I was entertained, interested, and I want to get more in to each of the authors. I would definitely recommend this to YA readers whole like darker subject matter.

Thank you Net Galley, Penguin, and authors

Thank you NetGalley for this arc!!

This was a creepy read, very entertaining and unique! I will check out more from these authors.

This would be perfect for anyone who is looking for their next read but doesn't really know what they want to read.

Penguin Teen's Wicked Reads provides short exerts from the year's books that would appeal to YA readers who like their books a little dark.

First thank you NetGalley for providing me this E-Arc! This book was not exactly what I thought it would be but it was still good! It was just the first couple chapters of popular new titles. Like samples you can get but it’s all in one!

6 samples of Penguin Teen Publishing
The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland
Hearts Still Beating by Brooke Archer
Two Sides to Every Murder by Danielle Valentine
We Shall Be Monsters by Tara Slim
Spells to Forget Us by Aislinn Brophy
Come Out, Come Out by Natalie C. Parker
Eaxh story is unique and amazing! All dark and twisty, with surprises around every corner. I didnt want some samples to end so i will have to find the full versions!

Penguin Teen's Wicked Reads 2024 provides 6 amazing sampler stories just in time for the spooky season.
I enjoyed these spooky reads just in time for Halloween.
Gripping, haunting and mysterious.

Thanks to Penguin Young Readers Group and NetGalley for a galley of this guide for an honest review.

Penguin Teen's Wicked Reads 2024 provides samplers if 6 spooky season releases. I liked that this guide provided enough of a sample (three to four chapters) of each title to know if you would be interested or not. My knowledge of teen releases is more limited than other genres, so this is helpful. I found something several titles that I would be interested in reading!

Thanks to Penguin Young Readers Group and NetGalley for a galley of this guide for an honest review.

This sampler is a fantastic resource for finding your next spooky read, especially with Halloween just around the corner. It gives just enough of each story to get a feel for the tone, characters, and level of chills, making it easy to decide which books are worth diving into. I always appreciate samplers like this as they help narrow down choices in a sea of options, and for book club members, they’re an absolute goldmine. If you're like me and your book club struggles to pick just one book, this sampler is a great way to test the waters before committing to a full-length read.