Finalist, Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book, 2021

Raybearer

Jordan Ifueko (opens in a new tab)

Paperback, 384 pages

A girl raised by a mysterious mother is sent to win a place on the crown prince's Council of Eleven, though she was made to destroy him.

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The ballot

A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive BakingT. KingfisherArgyll ProductionsWinner
A Deadly EducationNaomi NovikDel ReyRunner-up
ElatsoeDarcie Little BadgerLevine Querido
LegendbornTracy DeonnMargaret K. McElderry/ Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing
Cemetery BoysAiden ThomasSwoon Reads