I still have a bunch of 2020 YA books I gotta talk about because YOU GUYS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THEM!! They’re mostly from Macmillan, but there’s a bunch of wonderful titles I’m excited to read.
With only a month away from the new year and century, you’ll want to get your eyeballs into these books! Korean history murder mystery, a magical French history, and a high school basketball team, yes plz.
The Silence of Bones by June Hur
I have a mouth, but I mustn’t speak;
Ears, but I mustn’t hear;
Eyes, but I mustn’t see.
1800, Joseon (Korea). Homesick and orphaned sixteen-year-old Seol is living out the ancient curse: “May you live in interesting times.” Indentured to the police bureau, she’s been tasked with assisting a well-respected young inspector with the investigation into the politically charged murder of a noblewoman.
As they delve deeper into the dead woman’s secrets, Seol forms an unlikely bond of friendship with the inspector. But her loyalty is tested when he becomes the prime suspect, and Seol may be the only one capable of discovering what truly happened on the night of the murder.
But in a land where silence and obedience are valued above all else, curiosity can be deadly.
Why would I want to read The Silence of Bones? It’s a love letter to Korean history. It’s not every day—or any day in recent memory—you get a Young Adult book set in Joseon (aka modern day Korea). A Korean teenager essentially being a sleuth, I’m all for that! And the fact that she’ll be sticking her nose into something that aren’t acceptable in her culture, very excited for that struggle.
Will other readers enjoy this? Yes! Everybody loves murder mysteries.