15 Apr Unpopular Opinion: Underrated Books That Deserve More Hype
Popular books can be fun and interesting, but what about the overlooked gems people don’t talk about? Here are a few underrated books that deserve another look.
The Girl with no Reflection
by Keshe Chow
Princess Ying Yue once believed in love, but her arranged marriage to the cold crown prince shatters her dreams. Confined and lonely, she discovers the mysterious mirror world inhabited by the kind Mirror Prince, with whom she falls in love. This new realm, however, harbors dark secrets and a violent history intertwined with her fate. Ying must uncover her role in both worlds before it’s too late, as it was for the brides before her.
The Night Hunt
by Alexandra Christo
Atia, the last fear-eating monster, hides from vengeful gods after breaking a sacred law. Silas, a memory-lost Herald punished to ferry the dead, offers a bargain: help him reclaim his humanity if he helps her avenge her family. They must join forces to kill three powerful beings—a vampire, a banshee, and even a god—to rewrite their destinies.
The Glass Girl
by Kathleen Glasgow
Fifteen-year-old Bella feels pressured by everyone around her—her mom, her dad, and her ex—and the only person who truly needed nothing from her, her grandmother, has recently died. She uses alcohol to dull that pressure and make it from one day to the next. She believes she can stop anytime. After blacking out at a Thanksgiving party and waking in the hospital, Bella must confront her drinking and the problems that feed it, even if that means going to rehab.
Exes and Foes
by Amanda Woody
Emma and Caleb, longtime adversaries from middle school, compete to win the attention of Juliet by seeing who can get her to kiss them first, with the loser agreeing to never speak to her again. Emma is chaotic and provocative while Caleb is uptight and rule-bound, and their rivalry stems from a friendship ruined in eighth grade. When Juliet prefers spending time with both of them, they must decide if pursuing her is worth renewed conflict and reopening old wounds.
Moxie
by Jennifer Mathieu
Vivian Carter is done. She’s fed up with her small-town Texas high school’s favoritism toward the football team, sexist dress codes, and hallway harassment. Inspired by her mom’s Riot Grrrl past, she creates an anonymous feminist zine to blow off steam. Other girls respond, and Viv begins forming friendships across cliques and popularity lines. What started as a personal outlet grows into a student-led revolution.
The Voting Booth
by Brandy Colbert
Marva Sheridan is excited to vote in her first election. She is determined to make sure everyone can cast a ballot. But when she finds Duke Crenshaw repeatedly turned away at one polling place after another, Marva decides to help him. They race from precinct to precinct—facing long lines, denials, and even skipping school—to try to secure his vote. Along the way, they bond while challenging a flawed system and searching for Marva’s missing cat.
Pride and Premeditation
by Tirzah Price
A determined sixteen-year-old Lizzie Bennet, who dreams of becoming a solicitor, seizes the chance to prove herself by investigating a scandalous society murder. The accused already has the formidable Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy—heir to Pemberley Associates—defending him, and Lizzie is driven to beat him despite his snobbishness. As the investigation deepens and danger rises, Lizzie and Darcy may need to join forces to solve the case and stay alive.
Pick the Lock
by A. S. King
Jane’s mother is a touring artist who supports the family, leaving Jane and her younger brother, Henry, at home in a Victorian mansion. Their father and aunt—controlling and deceitful—have forced the mother into a system of pneumatic tubes whenever she is home. After discovering hidden cameras and a secret system within the house, Jane endeavors to reconnect with her mother through punk rock and opera.
– written by Alex B, Teen Central Library Assistant
