A freshly dog-eared review
BookTok’s Best YA Books
There’s no algorithm as powerful as a bunch of teenagers sobbing over a fictional death on TikTok. YA books dominate BookTok, whether through dramatic quotes, emotional fan edits, or those oddly specific tropes (grumpy x sunshine supremacy). From Six of Crows to They Both Die at the End, let’s dive into the viral hits and decide whether they’re worth the hype—or just overhyped.
The BookTok Hall of Fame
1. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Marketed as the YA fantasy that will destroy you, Maas’s series about fae courts, swoony enemies-to-lovers tension, and lots of winged warriors has fans screaming. It’s melodramatic, ridiculously indulgent, and exactly the kind of escapism BookTok thrives on. Are the characters emotionally toxic? Yes. Do readers care? Not even a little.
2. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
If you haven’t seen someone post “No mourners, no funerals” in an aesthetic edit, you’re clearly on the wrong side of TikTok. Bardugo’s fantasy heist is the perfect mix of morally gray antiheroes, devastating backstories, and chaotic banter. And Kaz Brekker? He’s the king of swaggering fan edits.
3. They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
TikTok lives for pain, and Silvera delivers it with devastating precision. The story of two boys falling in love on their last day alive has been breaking hearts (and water-damaging books) for years. It’s one of those books you read with tissues on standby and an existential crisis lurking in the background.
4. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
This one is the epitome of toxic, but make it sexy. Jude Duarte’s enemies-to-lovers dance with fae prince Cardan Greenbriar is messy, dramatic, and exactly what keeps BookTok fueled at 3 a.m. Let’s not talk about how many “Cardan edits” exist in the TikTok abyss.
5. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Not strictly YA, but TikTok has adopted this heartbreaking Achilles-Patroclus love story with open arms. The lyrical prose, the doomed romance, the unrelenting heartbreak—if The Song of Achilles didn’t leave you curled up on the floor, did you even read it?
Why BookTok Works So Well for YA Books
- Aesthetic Edits:
There’s nothing quite like seeing your favorite book distilled into a dramatic montage set to Billie Eilish. It’s basically free advertising for publishers. - Quoteable Lines:
From “You are my weakness” (ACOTAR) to “We’ll be legends” (Six of Crows), BookTok loves a good one-liner. The angstier, the better. - The Tropes:
Enemies-to-lovers, found family, the broody bad boy with a soft spot—these tropes dominate TikTok, and YA books are their playground. - The Emotion:
TikTok readers aren’t shy about crying, throwing their books, or hyperventilating on camera. Their sheer enthusiasm is contagious.
Are These Books Worth the Hype?
The Gems:
Books like Six of Crows and They Both Die at the End absolutely earn their fanfare. They’re well-written, emotionally resonant, and perfect for late-night binge-reading.
The Overhyped:
ACOTAR and The Cruel Prince are fun, but they’re messy and riddled with toxic relationships. That said, if you go in expecting a popcorn read, they won’t disappoint.
More BookTok Favorites
- Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi: Dystopian angst meets swoony drama.
- We Were Liars by E. Lockhart: The twist that still breaks TikTokers.
- The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes: Knives Out vibes for YA fans.
- Legend by Marie Lu: A dystopian classic making a quiet comeback.
- Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard: Royals, rebellions, and a heroine who can’t choose between two guys.
What’s Next for TikTok YA Trends?
- More Diversity: Stories like Legendborn and Felix Ever After are paving the way for greater representation in YA.
- Queer Romance: LGBTQ+ stories (Heartstopper, anyone?) continue to win hearts.
- Crossover Books: Series like Fourth Wing blur the line between YA and adult, appealing to a wider audience.
Final Verdict: BookTok’s YA Takeover
BookTok has made reading cool again, especially for YA. Sure, not every viral book is a masterpiece (looking at you, love triangles), but the enthusiasm is infectious. Whether you’re a casual reader or a full-blown Kaz Brekker simp, TikTok’s YA favorites are a great place to start—or rediscover—your love of reading.
Just be prepared for a little emotional damage along the way.